After you were involved in an explosion during the last case, you assured your team that you were cleared and ready to get back in the field - although you were left with a concussion and a burst eardrum, you were desperate to work again.

Hotch had his suspicions that you weren't completely honest with him: he saw you wince whenever someone slammed a door or simply talked too loudly, and more often than not, you'd retreat to a quiet corner to work.

But what really tipped him off was the latest arrest the team did: a hostage situation that went south.

One of the officers fired his gun, taking out the unsub and deescalating the situation. Unfortunately, you stood right next to the officer, the gunfire causing your ear not only to ring but hurt - a pounding that makes you dizzy.

You barely managed to holster your gun before you clutched a hand over your ear, almost doubling over.

Hotch noticed, of course he did. "What's wrong?" He asked, holstering his own gun and coming to your side.