A/N: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its Characters. No Beta, all mistakes are my own. Will post every two to three days. Thank you for reading.

A/N: No slash or pairings. Kid-Fic, De-aged Fic, Team/Family Fic.

Warning: Rated T for violence, language, child abuse.

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"I will deal with Dr. Reid and no one else!" Peter Dimsley's (the unsub) voice rang out across the empty parking lot. He had 3 hostages inside the small convenience store. A young couple and their 3 year old daughter. "Send him in and I will release the hostages!"

"Let me go in, I've got the profile, I can do this." Reid urged his boss.

"No, you fit his victimology too closely." Hotch's stern voice responded. The team had been chasing Dimsley for a week now, 8 men in their mid twenties with light brown hair and brown eyes had gone missing over the last year, their mutilated bodies found in a mass grave two miles outside Molalla, Oregon. The only evidence left behind at their abductions was the unsubs calling card: a small teddy bear with a blue and white striped bow around its neck.

"Hotch, I'm the only chance those hostages have."

"It's too dangerous Reid," Morgan said, but Hotch remained quiet.

"I can give him what he wants. Play into his delusion," Reid tried to reason. Dimsley had been desperate to get his brother back. His little brother, David, died in a freak boating accident when Peter was 7. His father had blamed him and spent years trying to make Peter into the perfect son he lost. A year ago, when the disappearances started, Peter's mother had passed away. She was the only one who protected him from his fathers wrath.

"Reid's right Aaron, he's the best chance we have." Rossi tried; always the voice of reason. He met Hotch's famous glare with one of his own.

Hotch hesitated long enough for the unsub's voice to ring out again. "You have two minute, otherwise I'll start with the girl!"

"Fine Reid; get a vest on." Nodding, Reid did as he was told. Moments late he started heading towards the building, his gun still home in his holster, his arms held outward in a non threatening manner. He took one last look at his team before swallowing the lump in his throat and stepping closer to the door. Reaching out, he tried not to think about what happened to the victims. Each one had been deformed and chemically experimented on before being burned to a crisp as a counter measure. They wouldn't have even been identified if it wasn't for dental records. He shook his head slightly to shake off the images flooding his brain and stepped into the room.

Peter was holding the young girl with a gun aimed at her head. "Mr. Dimsley?" He asked, desperately trying to keep his voice steady.

"Dr. Reid... nice of you to finally show up. Come here and I'll let them leave." Reid didn't even hesitate as he stepped closer. He knew that the only way to get him to release the girl was for him to take her place. A feat he would gladly take on to protect another. Once he was within arms distance Peter released the girl and tugged Reid over by his arm. He pulled Spencer close wrapping an arm around his throat, his hand gripping Reids jaw painfully. Burying his face in Spencer's hair he inhaled deeply. "David..." he whispered. While Peter was distracted the couple grabbed their daughter and ran out the front door. Peter didn't mind, he already had his prize.

Once the hostages were free the team didn't hesitate to rush in, guns aimed at the unsub now holding a sharp object against Reid's throat. Spencer was whispering urgently to him, they knew what he was doing. He was trying to be David, to get him to let his guard down enough to disarm him. The rest of the BAU had thought it worked when Dimsley started crying. They were wrong.

A loud shriek filled the air as Peter shoved the object into Reid's neck. Spencer started flailing around, convulsing again Peter until he finally dropped him. The moment Reid was out of his arms a shot rang out and the unsub crashed to the ground clutching his leg. Morgan and Prentiss wasted no time handcuffing him and pulling him away from Reid while reciting his Miranda rights. Meanwhile Hotch crouched down next to Spencer, clutching his hand and trying to calm him and search him for injuries.

Reid writhed around in agony with tears streaming down his face. Rossi, JJ, and Hotch all jumped back in momentary shock as Spencer started convulsing violently. Before they had time to react, a new shock hit them, they all stared slack jawed as Spencer's body started to shrink.

In what felt like hours but was actually only a few minutes, Reid's body stilled and Hotch approached him again. "Spencer..." he asked hesitantly. Hazel eyes met Hotch's dark brown ones. Long wavy hair flowing down over his eyes, curling up against his cheek. The child wrapped his arms around his chest dragging his legs up and dropping his head. Hotch approached slowly, wary of the fear displayed in the child's defensive body language. The small child, Hotch guesses 3 or 4 year's of age, shrank back from his touch. Slightly hurt Hotch responded softly, "shh...it's okay buddy, I won't hurt you."

Recognition finally lighting the boys face he looked up, "Hotch...?"

Spencer slowly uncurled himself, logically he knew Hotch would never hurt him. Unfortunately, his little body had regained its physical response memory, something that had taken him several yeas to overcome.

With a hand out stretched, Hotch smiled and asked, "Reid, are you okay? Are you in pain?"

Reid nodded slightly, his lower lip trembling. Desperate to get that sad look off his face, Hotch went into Father-mode, instinctively grabbing Reid to hold and comfort him. What he didn't expect was for Reid to immediately shy away from his movements and lift an arm to protect his face. The action froze Hotch, he went over his actions again in his head. What had I done, were my movements too quick? This didn't seem like a reaction caused by slight fear of the situation. That was a conditioned response. Reid honestly thought I was going to hit him.

Realizing that hands coming towards him had halted in their movements, Reid slowly lowered his arm and looked up. His eyes met Hotch's, surprised by the gape mouthed look and furrowed brown, he frowned. He continued to look around and saw Rossi sanding a little farther back, shivering, he took in the mans clenched fists. JJ was to his side, a hand covering her mouth, tears in her eye. What was wrong? Why was everyone so upset?

"Spencer, I" Hotch stoped to consider his words. " I wasn't going to hurt you..."

"I know that." Reid stated simply, relaxing as if his reaction had never even happened.

With a spectical look in his eye, Hotch continued, "we need to get you out of here...can I pick you up?" He asked hesitantly, opening his arms slowly. Reid simply nodded but made no move to come closer. With as much care as possible, Hotch gently lifted the boy and set him on his hip trying to ignore the way his body stiffened. As well as the light gasp Reid let out as Hotch's hands grabbed his torso. Taking him out to the SUV, Hotch sat him down in the back seat. "Reid, are you okay?"

"Other then the fact that I'm a grown man with the physical and emotional abilities of a child?" He asked sarcastically. "I'm just peachy."

"Do you know how old you are?"

Reid took a moment to access himself, "I'm Five Years, Three Months, and Fourteen Days." He said with certainty. The team just stared at him.

"How could you possibly know exactly?" Rossi asked, his arms lifted dramatically.

"Because my body has reverted to the exact state it was in on that day." Reid shrugged as if anyone would be able to figure it out to the day.

"We need to get him checke-" Hotch was interupted by Morgan and Prentiss walking up.

"How's Reid doing, the kid better be okay or I swear to god—who's the kid?"

"Hey Morgan, Emily" Little Reid smiled shyly.

"Is this some kind of joke? No way that's Reid?" Emily scoffed.

"What the HELL did that bastard do to him?"

Hotch sighed, "as I was saying we need to get him checked out. JJ, you and I will take Reid to the Hospital-"

"NO WAY, Hotch you cant take him to a hospital, they will want to experiment on him. Man you cant do that to-"

"As I was saying," Hotch's stern voice stoped Morgan in his tracks. He did not like to be interrupted. "We will take him to the hospital claiming he's my son and get him looked at. Morgan, Rossi, head to the station, as soon as Dimsley is ready, start the interrogation, we need to know as much about what he gave Reid as possible and if there's a away to reverse it." Hotch glanced down at Reid who was shaking his head adamantly.

"Don't make me, please. I'm okay, I'm not hurt. I promise." Reid begged. His body was in immense pain but he knew that wasn't due to what Dimsley did to him. He had learned long ago to hide the pain, to hold in the winces or gasps, to only cry out in private. The last thing he wanted was for his team to find out about his current injuries.

Pressing a thumb to the bridge of his nose, Hotch bent down to talk to Spencer on his level. "We need to make sure youre okay. It's procedure, you know that."

"But Hotch, I'm-"

"You're going to the hospital and that's final." Hotch sent Reid one of his patented glares that dared him to argue. Instantly regretting it when the kid flinched and hid his face with a soft "ok"

The drive to the hospital was uneventful. Spencer fidgeted nervously on JJ's lap. No one on the team would let him sit on his own without a car seat, JJ was the only one he let near him. Once they arrived Hotch quickly signed them in and they sat waiting for a doctor. After a few moments a plump woman with red hair strode in the room with a smile.

Walking up to the group she knelt down in front of Reid, "Spencer Hotchner?" she asked. He noddd and she led Reid and Hotch back to a room. "We're just gonna have a quick look at you and then you and you're daddy can go on your way" Hotch stood to the side of the room, eyes widening as Spencer was unable to hold back his winces under her touch. Slowly she lifted away Reid's hospital gowns to revel deep bruising on his arms and legs. Hotch didn't have a good view of them, but the sight turned his stomach

Sighing she turned to a nurse, "we're going to need to get some X-rays." She turned to Hotch, "whoever took your son may have broken something, it's just a precaution." Reid started shaking his head violently, they couldn't do X-ray. The team couldn't find out, it wasn't case related. He knew where his injuries were from and he knew what those X-rays would reveal. Broken bones and remodeling.

It was several hours later when the doctor returned to the room. "Spencer, sweetie can I talk to you in private?" The doctor asked her expression changing from soft to hard as she leveling a cold glare at Hotch that sent his brow upwards.

"Um I guess," he replied shyly.

"Is there a problem doctor?" Hotch asked, but she didn't respond to him and instead instructed a nurse to escort him out of the room.

"What's going on?" Hotch sternly asked the harassed looking nurse. The nurse just stared at him for a minute.

"The doctor has to ask Spencer a few questions." He replied cautiously.

"Without his guardian?" Hotch demanded.

"Yes" he said simply.

A moment later the doctor emerged squaring herself up to Hotch. You're son suffers from two cracked ribs a broken arm, a mild concussion, and extensive bruising." She took a deep breath. "There is also extensive remodeling from old breaks, how long exactly did the kidnapper have your son." She asked a vicious glean in her eyes. That's when realization dawned on him. They think I'm abusing my son. She didn't wait for a response, "to be honest with you Mr. Hotchner I'm not sure I believe you're kidnaping story. Unfortunately your son refused to tell me anything else, so there's nothing I can do." She spat, sickened that a man could literally treat his child like a punching bag.

Hotch nodded in understanding. He didn't like being accused of that but given the situation he couldn't say much to defend himself. "What are the instructions for his care and when can I take him home." He asked, barely containing the rage her accusations had caused.

"We will cast him and release him in a few hours. He should stay as still as possible, he will need help with even the most simple activities. Otherwise he risks further damage to his ribs." She admitted reluctantly before adding, "if I ever see him come in here again with so much as a scratch, CPS will be all over your ass." With that she walked away.

Hotch stared after her for a moment before turning to re-enter Spencer's room. The child laid there stiffly as Hotch entered a look of concentration on his face. He was either trying to work out how this happened to him or how to keep as still as possible to ignore the pain. His eyes widened ever so slightly as he took in Hotch's expression. He had seen it before, the anger and frustration hidden behind a hard face and dark brown eyes.

"I thought you said you weren't hurt..." Hotch started softly. Trying to decided if he was angry that his subordinate had lied or if he was just pissed off that Reid was hurt at all.

"I felt fine when I said that," Reid back-peddled awkwardly. He didn't want to be caught in a lie. Lying always resulted in further injury.

"Reid, you have two cracked ribs and a broken arm. You must have been in a lot of pain. You know it's okay to tell us these things."

Reid had the decency to look embarrassed. "I know Sir, I really did feel okay at the time..." Hotch sighed but said no more. He didn't have time to question Reid about his injuries before a technician arrived to plaster up Spencer's arm.

An hour later Hotch was filling out Reid's discharge papers. Or at least trying to. The task was proving difficult as ever other minute a different team member was calling to ask about Reid. Finally finished, he walked over to Spencer and helped him get dressed into the clothing the hospital offered him. If Reid was going to stay like this long they would need some supplies. The small boy accepted the help without argument, something Hotch found very confusing. Mr. independent was never one to accept help easily.

What Hotch didn't realize was that Reid was playing cautiously. Every little more was a carefully planned action. He hoped that if he was well behaved Hotch wouldn't ask him about the injuries. If he could act like he wasn't hurt, maybe it would slip Hotch's mind. It was a tactic Reid often used as a child when he was confronted by adults. Unfortunately that plan was doomed to fail. Reid didn't think about the fact that his shirt didn't cover the bruises on his arms and neck, nor the shadow of a past bruise lingering on his cheek. Hotch however found it difficult to look away. Some of the bruises were deep, with long finger-shaped lines.

Walking out into the waiting room both agents were surprised to find that JJ was no longer alone. The rest of the team had made their way to the hospital when Hotch didn't answer.

"Did you talk with Dimsley?" Hotch asked, his attention directed to Morgan and Rossi.

"We did, he gave a full confession." Rossi replied then glanced around the busy emergency room. "Perhaps it's best if we discuss the rest back at the hotel." Hotch nodded in agreement then turned to face the rest of the team. All of them were gaping at Reid. Partially due to his apparent age and partially due to the vivid bruises mapped over his body. They couldn't figure out how they had missed them before. The boy shyly hid his face in Hotch's chest. He never was a fan of attention.

"You're right. We have a lot to discuss..." with that he strode out of the room, the team followed him to the SUV's.

A/N: Should I continue? Let me know what you think. Please R&R.