The Flight

Time to Reunite

Morgan lets out a relieved sigh, "thank God. I've got to go tell Garcia the news."

Morgan thanks the doctor once again and walks away to find Garcia.

"Will she make a full recovery?" Hotch asks the doctor once Morgan is gone.

The doctor takes a breath and looks at Hotch, "I'm sorry, as of now, we can't say. She did well in surgery but her brain is still swollen-"

"But she's okay right?"

"She's in a coma. She has brain activity and that's a good sign but she's not well enough to wake up. We are not giving up on her though. She fought this long, but for now, we can only wait. I'm sorry."

"Thank you," Hotch says as he nods his head slightly and the doctor turns and walks away.

"Was that Kate's doctor?" asks Garcia as she and Morgan walk up beside Hotch.

Hotch nods again, "yes it was. He came to say that Kate is in a coma-"

"Oh my G-" Garcia gasps.

"But there is a good chance that she'll wake up. Her body just needs to heal first," Hotch says reassuringly. "Garcia, did you get a hold of Will and Chris?"

"Yes sir, Will and Henry are coming now and Chris will be on his way because I thought she was still in surgery."

"Thank you."

Garcia nods her head and smiles half-heartedly in response.

The team remains silent until Rossi reunites with them, "JJ is getting an MRI done as we speak and Reid is in with some doctors. So it looks like we are playing the waiting game now. Hear anything about Kate?"

"She is out of surgery but in a coma. But the doctors are hopeful," Hotch answers.

"Where did Cruz go?" Rossi asks when he notices he is not there.

"He left," Morgan states quickly, after seeing how Hotch had reacted to it when he asked himself.

"Left?" Rossi questions.

Hotch sighs and brings his hand to his head. "After you and JJ walked away, we talked and we butted heads. We all are tired and we've been through a lot, but I assure all of you, nothing is wrong. Matt just went back to the office. I'm sorry if I've lost my temper with any of you. I don't mean too. You guys are my family and I would do anything to make sure that you all are safe and sound."

Everyone stays quiet for a minute, all in shock of what Hotch had just said.

"Aaron," Rossi steps forward, "I don't know what that argument was about but I stand by you."

"We all do," Morgan adds on.

Garcia, unable to think of something to say, moves and gives Hotch a hug, which he returns.

They part and Hotch opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted by the nurse who had examined him earlier walking up to him.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you, you weren't supposed to leave your room and you were supposed to keep you arm elevated." she scolds.

"Sorry," replies Hotch sympathetically."

"Don't worry about it hun. I placed your prescription and I have a brace for you," the nurse says as she unwraps a black brace and motions for Hotch to extend his arm.

She wraps his forearm in the brace and tightens is accordingly.

She finishes and Hotch thanks her for her everything she's done and she walks off to attend to other patients.