To clarify, the age differences were intentional. I felt like having Sam and Spencer be even closer in age, so I made Sam a year older and Spencer a year younger. Exactly a year in both cases; May 2, 1982 and October 9, 1982.

Over the years, Diana challenged her son's teachers many times. At first it was over whether or not the boys could share class together. That particular argument she had won with a bit of help from Sam; he'd thrown a tantrum over the separation. The small boy had insisted that it was his duty to protect Spencer because he was the youngest. It was what his 'Mom' had said, and Diana had never said that. Nor had Sam or Spencer ever called her 'Mom'. She didn't comment on the topic.

Another time it was speech therapy when Spencer started refusing to talk at school. Despite the suggestions, Diana was well aware that Spencer's speech was just fine and that he was shy. At some point though, Diana caved and had both boys attend a few sessions of speech therapy. Neither lisped at the end of it.

November second passed by in 1988 and Sam curled up next to Diana to cry. He cried about Dean, and whilst Diana had never come upon anyone by the name she knew who he referred to. Dean Winchester, Sam's biological brother, died in a fire on November second of 1982. It was the same fire that stole his biological mother away. Little Sam almost always brought up demons on that day, though.

Diana wasn't sure what that was about.

Once Sam reached seven, he'd relaxed about the date. He settled for playing tactical games like chess and goh with Spencer if they didn't have school. If they did have school, he pouted and took a nap. Diana's husband, William, had bought the boys goh as a gift once they beat the crap out of him at Monopoly.

The same year, Diana had a ferocious argument with the school about letting them move up grades. Eventually, the pair took varying tests to prove their abilities. The Reid brothers passed with flying colours and moved from second grade up to third. Which they grew bored with on the first day. Of course.

Spencer had complained that the math was too easy, and that he wanted to do calculus. Diana sighed as they moved into the fourth grade, now two years younger than their peers.

The next year, two young geniuses began the sixth grade. Two years after that, when they were turning ten, both were 'promoted' to their Freshman year. Whilst socially incompetent, the Reid brothers were brilliant.

That was also the year that Diana became ill. And the year that her precious boys began to care for her rather than the other way around. At first the episodes came in quiet, just a jolt of paranoia now and then. Are the boys alright? Will they get home safely? Smart as the pair were, neither was good at hiding the way they were bullied. As Diana's illness progressed, she self-diagnosed herself with paranoid schizophrenia. What was worst about her episodes was that there was no telling what she's start spewing. Or who she thought was the government.

William left that year, leaving her with two bullied young geniuses and a mind slipping into oblivion.

Two years later, Sam and Spencer Reid graduated high school with a little too much emotional scarring.

Sam chose out Stanford with delight, preparing for more difficult work. Spencer chose Cal Tech, where he insisted he would get at least one doctorate. College was the first time they had were apart in twelve long years, the first time since Sam became a Reid. Despite the distance, they only grew closer.

Everyday, Sam looked out at the quiet streets of Palo Alto and smiled a tiny smile. He'd sent Spencer pictures of it on his first day, and in exchange received similar ones from his brother's dorm at Cal Tech. At four in the evening, Sam pulled out his lap top to call his brother. By then, both had finished with their classes for the day and would spend the evening on school work. Or with their noses buried deep into the finer literature of the fourteenth century. And, most notable, speaking to each other about what they'd learned and telling jokes. Whether it was a good joke or a bad joke, Sam always found him laughing at each and everyone.

At fifteen, Sam earned a degree in physics and Spencer a degree in mathematics. They exchanged grins and picture of their certificates. Both took a well deserved break for a few weeks, spending time with their mother watching old TV shows.

For some reason, both schools insisted on having their IQs tested after that. Both were deemed officially geniuses. Spencer's IQ was 187 whilst his older brother's was 184. Spencer's eidetic memory, something that both brothers nourished with exercises as necessary, proved itself time and time again. Sam's own photographic memory did the same.

Another degree later and Sam entered law school, beyond prepared for the difficulty that lay ahead of him. He passed the bar test a few years later and then got two more degrees, these BAs in creative writing and ethics in society.

They counselled each other on nightmares, and psychologically broke down Sam's very specific ones. They applied for the FBI Academy at twenty after Jason Gideon gave recruitment lectures. Both attended and asked as many questions as they could. Each lecture they filmed they rewatched at a later date. Date of Birth was not filled out on either's.

A year previously, Diana Reid was confined to Bennington Sanitarium, and they'd shared an emotional breakdown. Together.

Supervisory Special Agent Antonio Reyes sighed as he dumped another file into the pile that represented those who never stood a chance of getting in. Honestly, how difficult of a concept was it that you needed a college education to enter the FBI Academy? Reyes didn't care if you were the biggest guy on the football field, he wanted cadets who were smart and hard working! Flipping open the next file, he sighed as he skimmed the basic categories. 6'0, a hundred and thirty pounds, auburn hair, brown eyes in the picture and hazel listed under eye colour... The education caught Reyes' eye; he carefully noted Stanford as the school of choice. A quick scan revealed that the kid, Samuel Reid, had graduated high school at twelve.

With a shrug, Reyes dumped the file in the 'to be considered' pile and flipped open the next one. Again, for the hopeless pile.

Several more files passed before the Hispanic man came upon another potential cadet. 6'1, built like a weed, brown-ish hair, hazel eyes. Cal Tech education, born in Las Vegas... There was no date of birth, but like the previous potential file, Reyes set it down as a possibility. He noted a name, Spencer Reid.

Two days later there were no files left that Reyes hadn't been over; the rejects had been sent a polite email informing them that they hadn't been accepted and Reyes began the process of resorting. It was as this process began that he sighed, picking up a phone and dialing the number for Samuel Reid.

A few rings later, the young man picked up. "This is Sam Reid speaking."

Gruffly clearing his throat, Reyes spoke. "Mr. Reid, my name is SSA Antonio Reyes and I'm currently going over files for the FBI Academy. There's a few things about you're file I need to clarify." There was a pause at the other end before he continued. "You haven't put a date of birth on your file, and I need to have that in order to consider you for the Academy."

Reid sighed. "May second, 1982."

"Kid, you're not old enough for me to consider your for the Academy. You have to be twenty-one."

Again, a huffing sigh. "I've done my research, Agent Reyes. I know that the FBI prefers applicants to be at least twenty-one, but they have been known to accept younger cadets under special circumstances. Have you read the entirety of my file?"

"No I have not, Mr. Reid."

"I graduated at twelve, have two doctorates and three other degrees. You can check."

Reyes did, flipping through the pages until he reached the education section once again. "I'll see what I can do, kid."

"Thank you Agent Reyes." The man hung up.

A similar conversation went down with the other Reid, Spencer. The next day Reyes found himself calling the higher ups on the topic of 'too-young' cadets. They agreed, and both were guaranteed a spot at the Academy.

In Las Vegas, a pair of brothers greeted each other with a warm hug before boarding a plane headed for Quantico, Virginia.