For Old Times' Sake

Chapter 18

Throwing open the doors of the hospital, you looked around.
It seemed like your foot wasn't hitting the ground fast enough as you ran to the reception.
"Hotchner." you panted out.
The nurse looked at you without even a trace of hurry. "And you are?"
"I-uh. I'm a colleague."
"Sorry, Ma'am. Only family members are allowed."
You banged your fist on the table. "Listen here, lady. I am a federal agent and I will put your inefficient ass in jail for the rest of time if you don't tell me his room number right now."
Pulling out your wallet, you shoved your badge in her face. 
"It's 302." she said, nervousness visible on her face.

As you rushed to the room, thoughts of the terrible phone call came to mind.

"Emily?"
"Y/N. Come to the hospital, quick."

"What? Why?"
"It's Hotch."

Soon, Emily came into view. 
"Emily!"
"Hey. You're here, thank God. Wait-"
Ignoring her, you went straight into the room.
It wasn't a sight you were expecting to see, so you almost fell on your face in surprise.
Hotch, lying on the bed in a hospital gown, and Beth draped over him with her head on his chest.
Your breath came in short gasps as you took it all in.
They seemed to realise that there was someone there in the room and turned their heads to look at you.
A look resembling something that can only be described as disgust flashed across Beth's face.
Hotch seemed exhausted like he was going to fall asleep any instant.

 By the time you opened your mouth to ask what had happened, Beth was standing in between you and him.

"Get out." she said, voice dripping with hate.
"Excuse me?" you said, feeling rage build up in your veins.
"Leave, before I slap your skank face."
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?" you were almost shouting now.
Much to your shock, she pushed you out of the room.
"You bitch," you said, anger clouding your senses.
Suddenly, you felt a burning across your cheek.

She had slapped you.

That two-bit tramp had slapped you.

Your fists rose in reflex, but before you could land them on her face, a pair of arms closed around you.
"Not here, Y/N." Reid said, his grip strengthening as you struggled to free yourself.
"Spencer, let me go!" you said, trying to pull away.
But it didn't matter, because he was already dragging you out of the hospital.

Once you were on the granite outside, he loosened his hold and you shoved him.
"What the fuck?" you shouted.
Pushing his unruly hair out of his eyes, he stared at you. "You don't need to ask that question."
You rolled your eyes. "She slapped me, Spencer, and you pulled me out before I could do anything!"
"Exactly, Y/N. If she slaps you, you can take it. But if you punch her, you'll be an UnSub. Have you forgotten your profession?"
He was right, admittedly.

The adrenaline had started to recede and suddenly you felt very tired.
It had been such a long day.
You started to sink to the pavement, once again feeling his arms wrap around you protectively.
Burying your head in his sweater, you sat like that until your heart rate had become normal, the scent of books and soap calming you.
"What happened to him?" you asked, voice a whisper.

Spencer sighed. "Basilar-Artery Migraine, or Bickerstaff's syndrome, or Brainstem migraine, or Vertebrobasilar migraine."
"The hell does that mean?"
He smiled. "Basilar migraines are headaches that start in the lower part of the brain, called the brainstem. They cause symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Usually caused due to stress, caffeine, lack of sleep, overdoing physical activity, et cetera et cetera."
You scoffed. "Wow. Talk about checking all the boxes."
Spencer laughed as you pulled away, settling for just putting your head on his shoulder.
"He'll be fine, Y/N. I promise it's nothing serious. He just needs a couple of scans, that's all."
"Well. If you say so."

"And you'll be fine too."