Chapter 2- Physics magic
(In the BAU office)
When Aaron Hotchner was scowling, people usually sat up and took notice. Currently the team leader was frowning at the computer screen as he scrolled through the pages with quick flicks of his wrist.
Reid was just about to retreat, when his superior caught him half in and half out the doorway.
'Reid, come in. Would you look at this?' the man gestured at the offending internet pages.
Obediently the young profiler walked in with his completed case files cradled against his chest and he peered at the screen.
'I have Jack this weekend, and I wanted to buy him a toy but this is ridiculous' the older man remarked eyes widening at the hefty price tag attached to one of the offerings.
Reid didn't have chance to comment as the irate man started up again, 'Why in my day, we could have hours of fun with a wheel, string and a ball? Don't you agree?'
Of course Reid didn't dare disagree.
He nodded his head in understanding. He didn't have a lot of toys growing up either but then again saving the damsel in distress along with his merry band of imaginary friends, didn't require anything special.
With a sigh, Hotch held out his hand for the completed case files and hunted around his desk for somewhere to rest them down. Eventually he had to place them at his feet as his table was currently overflowing.
'God, I am never going to get these done in time' he muttered quietly, glancing worriedly at his watch.
'Sir, I have finished all my files so I can run down to the shop and buy you something. I have a great idea in mind', the young doctor offered solicitously understanding the man's current plight.
The lead agent took only half a second to decide.
'Reid you are a God send!' he replied fervently, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.
The young agent smiled at this excessive and unnecessary praise, 'Can I have your house keys? It may require some err…assembly'
Hotch glanced at him suspiciously now, 'Reid I don't want my son bristling with electronic attachments, you understand? No video games'
'Yes sir' he agreed quickly and reached over to receive the keys, leaving the hundred dollar bill behind in his superior's hand.
Quickly he raced out the office, before Hotch could catch up to him.
With a heavy and tired step, the BAU team leader finally opened his front door. He barely had time to change before Haley would drop Jack off but he quickly ducked into Jack's room to take a quick look at Reid's purchase. He blinked a few times in surprise as all the lights in his son's room were on and the drapes were pushed aside. More surprising than that, Reid was still here; fast asleep on Jack's small bed with his long legs dangling off the edge. In his hands he clutched tracing paper and a protractor. With a confused frown Hotch hunted around the room for the gift but to no avail. Had something gone wrong with the assembly? He moved disappointedly to close some of the blinds and noticed his ex wife pulling into the driveway.
As soon as he opened the door, his son barreled into his arms with an excited yelp of excitement.
'What's wrong daddy?' the boy asked patting his father's cheeks to get them to smile more.
What was wrong? His son was home and he didn't have a present.
'Nothing sport' he lied and chatted with Haley for a few minutes.
Soon it was just the two of them in the dark living room, 'Um your Uncle Reid's here in your room'
Before he was even finished the boy had run up the stairs. Collecting the small bag Jack had dropped in his excitement; he took his time mounting the stairs and almost slipped when his son loudly called for him.
Hotch's jaw dropped as he entered the now dark bedroom. There on the ceiling was what the man knew to be a prefect representation of all the constellations in the Northern hemisphere. It must have taken hours to align the fluorescent stick-on stars in their correct orientation! Jack raised his little chubby fingers in awe, trying to touch them all and Reid hoisted him securely into his arms. With a genuine smile of contentment, Hotch leaned on the doorframe as the two boys laughingly spun in dizzy circles, under the artificial night sky.
