AN: Thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a review/follow/favourite! It really made me happy. I hope you enjoy this third chapter. Please don't expect the next one before next week. I will try and update (at least) once a week from now on. Real life gets in the way.

Someone asked if there's a reason for JJ's anxiety. Yes there is! No Will and Henry aren't in this story just so I can focus on the team. I was wondering if you guys want Hayley around? I like her a lot so I wouldn't mind.

The next two chapters will each focus on JJ/Emily and Morgan/Hotch getting home, so let me know which one you want to read first!

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds. All mistakes are mine.

Garcia sat in her car, awaiting anxiously the arrival of her team. Her fingers drummed on the steering-wheel to the beat of the Meaghan Trainor's catchy song. She forced herself to hum along to the tune in an attempt to bury the ever growing apprehension she felt.

After her boss had so rudely hung up on her, Garcia had sent her babies on a quest. She had run all of her team members' names through her multiple tracking programs, and not even two full minutes later, her right monitor beeped wildly. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have two winners! Derek Morgan and Jennifer Jareau had been brought to the Children's Hospital LA by Federal Agents and had been seen by a Doctor Lambert around 1PM that day. Wait, the children's?

'Maybe it was closer,' the spunky blonde had thought.

Quickly scanning their files, Garcia couldn't find the reason for their admission. Upon medical examination, both agents had been found perfectly healthy.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the analyst brought her cursor up to close the window when something strange caught her eye. Jennifer Jareau, age: NA, weight: 36lbs, height: 3'49".

Reopening Morgan's medical report, she noticed the same strange thing. Derek Morgan, age: NA, weight: 58lbs, height: 4'2".

What had they done to her precious gumdrops? Cut their heads and limbs off? For these measurements to be right…

And then Garcia remembered what Hotch had asked her and she remembered the shrilly sound of JJ's voice. Children clothes, children's hospital, child-like weights and heights…

"OH MY GOD! This can't be!" Garcia had screamed at her screens. "Oh. My. God! Oh my god, oh my god!" She rose to her feet and brought her hands to the sides of her head.

"I finally get to be an aunty! Well, kinda," she had squealed to herself. Garcia checked her watch and calculated mentally. She had four hours to hit the two malls on her way to the airport. She packed her things in a hurry and headed out for the day. The Hotch-man had sent her on a mission, and Garcia was not going to disappoint.

Now, as a result, her backseat was overflowing with shopping bags from various children's shops. The tech analyst had bought everything, and in different colours, from underwear to winter coats, flip-flops to Ugg boots, and she had got a couple of board games, colouring books and crayons as well as a small army of stuffed animals. Okay, maybe she had gone a little overboard with her purchases, but so what? Who could control themselves when it came to kids clothing and accessories?

Garcia's phone lit up, alerting her of an incoming text message. They were here! The jet had landed; they were coming to meet her in the parking lot.

As the plane neared Quantico, the small talk dwindled to nothing and the tension amongst the adults increased. The events of the day were finally catching up with them. They had been so busy jumping from problems to problems, that they hadn't had time to properly digest everything. Now that they were almost home, their thoughts wandered back to the questions they had tried to push out of their minds all day. What if they couldn't safely age Morgan and JJ back? Were they even out of danger? Who knew what was in that serum. How terrified must they be? Would they still remember them come morning? Could you imagine waking up in a stranger's house with no memory of how you got there? Should they call their parents, would that be the right thing to do?

The seatbelt light came on with its warning ring, pulling everyone out of their thoughts.

Rossi and Reid silently gathered the files and loose reports that were strewn across the small table in front of them.

Emily fastened the belt over herself and JJ, the little blonde was still fast asleep on her lap. Emily had been concerned at first; JJ never used to be able to sleep so deeply on the jet, but the steady rise and fall of her chest and the occasional deep content sighs had calmed her. She probably would have been exhausted too if she had gone through the same ordeal. Hell, Emily was drained and she had only been a somewhat passive observer. She smoothed down JJ's hair and smiled when she saw the tight grip the little girl had on her blouse.

Hotch ignored the seatbelt warning and walked to Morgan's seat. The boy had passed out not too long ago. He had his head on one the armrests and his legs were hanging over the other. The chief unit picked up the DS off the floor and awkwardly managed to buckle him up without waking him. They probably had another twenty minutes or so before they landed and were allowed to disembark the jet. Hotch figured he would let Morgan rest. He sat on the seat next to the boy and closed his eyes. 'This is possibly the calm before the storm,' Hotch thought before dozing off.

The landing wasn't as smooth as it could've been. Strong summer winds had the jet jostling as the wheels hit the runway.

Emily wrapped her arms instinctively around JJ's body, keeping her pressed to her as the plane jerked from side to side so she wouldn't be shaken too much. The loud roar of the engines and the scrapping sounds of the wings flapping as the plane came to a stop however startled JJ awake.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Emily whispered when she felt the girl shift on her lap.

JJ rubbed at her eyes with tiny fists and looked up at Emily. If the frown on her face was any indication, the little blonde was not happy to be awake. She muttered incoherently and let her head fall back on the brunette's chest, her eyelids fluttering shut.

"We're here, Jayje," Emily said rubbing JJ's back in an attempt to wake her up fully. She unbuckled the belt and sat a little straighter so JJ would be propped up. A head full of blonde hair lolled from side to side, stilling to allow JJ to yawn widely. Her eyes would flutter open only to fall shut again.

For his part, Hotch had much more success waking up Morgan.

"Morgan?" he called softly as he shook his shoulder gently. "Hey, it's time to get up, buddy."

The boy blinked a few times and looked around him, seemingly confused as to where he was. He swung his legs over the armrest and sat properly in his seat, fumbling with the seatbelt.

"So this wasn't a really bad dream, uh?" he said to his boss showing Hotch his small hands.

"I'm afraid it wasn't, no."

Morgan shook his head and rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. It was definitely weird, to be a kid again, but he realised he didn't really mind it that much. Sure, he couldn't wait to regain his actual body, but he couldn't for the hell of himself remember what it was like to be an adult. He surely was just exhausted and everything would feel normal in the morning. He couldn't be forgetting how to be an adult. That was not possible.

Reid and Rossi were up and ready to head out as soon as the jet had stopped, relieved to finally be home. Go-bags in hands, they bid their colleagues goodnight.

"So, um, I'm going to ride with Rossi," Reid said awkwardly as he stood in front of Emily. "So…goodnight. Bye JJ."

The brunette who had been busy brushing wild blonde hair out of JJ's face and making sure she wouldn't fall forward, hadn't realised the young genius had even got up from his seat.

"Oh, alright. You guys aren't going to wait for us?" Emily asked taken aback by their hastened departure. They usually all headed out at the same time and walked to their cars together.

"My car is in the visitors' parking lot, we'll be walking in opposite directions," Rossi informed her. "Goodnight, Emily. Take good care of little blondie here," he said with a smile, patting JJ's head affectionately. JJ grumbled sleepily and her thumb found its way to her mouth again.

Rossi chuckled to himself and walked towards the exit with Reid in tow. They wished both Hotch and Morgan a good night before stepping out of the jet.

"It's too far, Em'ly, I can't walk this far. I'm tired," JJ whined as they walked through the airport. She pulled on Emily's hand, begging her to stop. She wanted Emily to carry her.

"We're almost there, sweetie, five more minutes," Emily encouraged patiently.

JJ knew Emily was right, and she wasn't even that tired, but the hallways were strangely crowded for this late at night, and it made her nervous. What if she got lost? What if Emily and Hotch left without her? 'This is ridiculous, Jareau,' she chided herself. 'You are an adult for fuck's sake, get a grip.'

She kept on walking, clutching Emily's hand tightly. She stared straight ahead, her eyes never leaving the back of Morgan's head. She counted her steps, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. Her hands were getting cold and they were possibly shaking. 'What is going with you, Jareau?'

She yelped in surprise when an old lady's purse bumped into her arm, and to her utter embarrassment, she started crying.

"JJ? Are you okay, what's wrong?" Emily finally stopped walking, and JJ took the opportunity to hide her face in her thighs and cling to her legs. JJ was vaguely aware that her position was highly inappropriate, but did not pull away.

Hotch and Morgan were walking ahead of them, talking about temporary sleeping arrangements for the night, oblivious to what was happening behind them.

"Hotch, hold on," Emily called out, struggling to keep both hers and JJ's bags balanced on her shoulder and refraining the girl from climbing onto her. "I'll pick you up, Jayje, I promise. Just wait 'til I pass the bags to Hotch."

They both whipped around when they heard Emily's voice.

"JJ, what happened?" Morgan came running and put a comforting arm around his friend. When he realised she wasn't going to answer him, he stared up at Emily who shook her head in confusion.

"I don't know. I think she's just tired," she said when she saw how worried he looked. "Hotch can you take just one more bag, and I'll carry her to the car."

"Yes, of course," their boss said as he took the bag she was handing him.

"I can carry one too," Morgan offered helpfully.

"That'd be really great, Derek, thanks." Emily handed him her bag, and he swung it expertly over his shoulder.

JJ stood close to Emily with one arm raised above her head, waiting to be lifted. She was rocking herself back and forth on the ball of her feet, humming to herself and was sucking on her fingers again.

Both Hotch and Emily thought something was off in the way JJ was acting, but neither said anything. This wasn't really the time or place. Everyone was exhausted and they all wanted to get home.

Emily bent down and gently pried slimy fingers out of JJ's mouth while reassuring her she was okay.

"Ready to go?" the brunette asked as she stood up.

The little girl nodded and Emily picked her up with and exaggerated 'ouuff'. Morgan watched enviously as JJ got lifted. He would never admit it, but he wouldn't mind being carried by Hotch too. The walk through the airport was long, and he was tired. He cursed his short, skinny legs.

JJ rested her cheek on Emily's shoulder and wrapped her legs around her. The brunette patted her back and felt the thin fabric of the shirt stick to her skin. With a frown of concern, she pushed the blonde's hair aside and dragged the back of her hand across the child's neck. Sure enough, it was covered in cold sweats.

"You feeling okay, sweetie?" Emily asked, as she checked her forehead for a fever. "Are you feeling sick?"

"No," she mumbled as she shook her head. "I'm fine."

Emily made a mental note to take JJ's temperature later when they got home, but she didn't feel hot. The rubber clacks of Morgan's flip-flops behind her distracted her from her thoughts and she looked over her shoulder.

"You okay, Derek? Is my bag too heavy for you? She teased him.

"It's fine," he lied. Just what exactly was in that bag? It weighed a tonne!

'I bet it's all her girly products,' he grinned to himself.

"Let's go, you are slowing the group," he said suddenly, grabbing her hand and dragging her forward. "Garcia is waiting!"

"Garcia!" Morgan exclaimed when he saw the tech analyst standing by her car awaiting them. To everyone's astonishment, he dropped Emily's duffel and ran to her. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her. Grown Morgan never would have acted that way, but for his shrunk-self, it was only natural. He liked her very much and he was happy to see her, so he gave her a hug. He didn't think it any further.

Thankfully, nobody drew attention to his odd behaviour, and Garcia was only too happy and hugged him back fiercely. When Hotch, Emily and JJ finally reached the car, Garcia pulled back, but just enough to put an arm around his shoulders.

"Hey! It's so good to have you all back safe and sound," she said brightly. "Where are Reid and Rossi?"

"They headed to the other carpark. Rossi is giving Reid a ride," Emily answered.

"Oh I see. Aww, is that JJ?" Garcia squealed, clearly excited to see what her little gumdrop looked and sounded like, but JJ didn't move or acknowledge her friend's presence. "Is she sleeping?"

"I don't think she is." She had just felt, moments earlier, the little blonde's grip tightened on her shirt. Hotch turned slightly to check on JJ. She was being exceptionally quiet and he was starting to worry.

"JJ?" He tried.

"Aren't you going to say hi to Pen?" Emily asked her softly, brushing fine blonde hair out of her eyes. JJ looked quickly at Garcia, thumb secured in her mouth, before twisting her body around to hide her face in Emily's neck.

"Oh, cupcake, are you mad at me?" the blonde asked discomfited.

JJ felt bad about the way she was treating Garcia. She had no idea why she couldn't just say hello and act civilized, but every time she tried to look at her, her heart would beat faster and she got scared. 'What if she tries to pick me up? What if Emily leaves me with her? Penelope is my friend! I trust her!' This was so frustrating.

"Of course she's not, Pen. JJ just hasn't quite been herself since…she woke up on the jet," Emily tried to excuse JJ's behaviour.

"She's been acting a lotta weird," Morgan mumbled, and Hotch was relieved JJ ignored his comment. He was not sure he would have the patience for another children fight.

"Oh right! You guys must be completely frazzle-fizzed!"

Morgan chuckled at Garcia's expression.

"I'm not tired!" He said proudly, puffing his chest. "I can stay up real late!"

"Oh I bet you can! Well then why don't you help me take out the bags out of my car? I got some clothes for you and my little sunshine."

Emily carefully switched JJ over her other hip and reached in her back pocket for her car keys. She unlocked the doors of her Prius and walked in its direction, just a row down to where Garcia was parked.

"Let's get you in the car, and I'll go back to pick up our things, ok?" She told JJ. The blonde nodded against her clavicle. She felt heavier in her arms, and Emily thought the girl was on the verge of falling back asleep.

"Prentiss wait," Hotch called. "Why don't you borrow Jack's car seat? It'll be safer."

"That would be great, thanks. I was just thinking how-"

"No!" the little girl exploded. Emily wasn't prepared for the outburst and almost dropped her.

"JJ!"

"No! I don't need a car seat. It's for babies! I'm a grown adult! I will not sit in a car seat. No. Forget it." A bright flush coloured her cheeks and her eyebrows were knitted into a scowl.

"Wow! She may be small but my cupcake is just as feisty." Morgan nodded, wide-eyed. He was kind of proud of JJ, though he didn't know why. It probably had to do with the fact that she was yelling at their boss' face.

JJ's last screams were still echoing around, and Emily was grateful the parking lot was otherwise empty. 'There's the JJ I know,' she thought as she readjusted her grip on the girl.

"It's only for your safety, JJ," Hotch tried to appease the little girl's flaring temper. "Nobody will know you used it. We can't let you ride without one. It would be reckless of us."

"I don't care, Aaron Ho'chner. I don't want to! Morgan doesn't have to use one! This is so embarrassing. I am mortificated!" she yelled dramatically, and the older profilers had to hold back their laughs.

"I'll just walk home! Put me down, Emily!" JJ wriggled and twisted, trying to get the brunette to release her, but to no avail. Emily Prentiss was not letting go.

Arming herself with the little patience she had left, Emily said, "I'm not putting you down, Jayje. You need to calm down. You are not walking home, that's just ridiculous. There's nothing wrong with sitting in a car seat when you are not even 4 feet tall! Hotch, please put the seat in."

Emily offered her boss a tight smile. God how she wished she were home, in her tub with a glass of red wine.

She heard Morgan tell Garcia, "Emily just used her mom voice on JJ!" and she was surprised to learn she had one, a mom voice.

JJ kept trying to free herself, pushing Emily away and kicking her feet, but she knew she had already lost the fight.

"I hate you," JJ mumbled as she slumped forward, resting her head resentfully against Emily's shoulder. "You aren't my bes' f'iend anymore."

Emily didn't answer. She simply bounced JJ gently until she fell asleep.

Morgan whistled, drawing the attention of Hotch and Emily.

"How many stores did you ransack, mama? That is a lot of bags!"

The two profilers exchanged a pained look. Of course Garcia couldn't have just bought the essentials.

Garcia who was taking bags out of her car, straightened up quickly, hitting her head on the car frame.

"Derek, my love, please refrain from calling me 'mama' while you are the size of a Chihuahua. I have to say it's a bit weird."

"Oh," Morgan said thinking about it and wondering why it would be weird… "Oh! Oh, right, sorry!" he grinned.

"No worries," Garcia winked at him.

"Pen, just what did you buy?" Emily asked, somewhat horrified as she noticed the pile of shopping bags accumulating around the tech's car. She had just settled JJ in her car seat after Hotch made sure it was installed correctly.

"Why, everything my munchkins need! Underwear, pajamas, clothes, outdoor clothes, jackets, shoes, lots of shoes, they make such cute little boots! Toothbrush, hairbrush, hair-ties, ribbons, games, art supplies, teddy bears, nightlights…" the blonde enumerated.

"And how much did that cost, Garcia?" Hotch asked warily.

"Nothing."

"Emily can you pop your trunk?" Morgan asked, unconcerned about the money situation. This was way more fun. He felt mighty important. "I'll load JJ's stuff in for you!"

"Sure, buddy," the profiler said distractedly, as she searched her pockets for her car remote. Once it was done, she turned her attention back to the bubbly blonde. "What do you mean nothing?" Emily asked confused.

"I used the credit card bossman gave me!" She admitted with a squeak.

"Garcia, that was for emergencies only!" Hotch was appalled. How was he going to justify, to Strauss no less, spending God knew how much on children clothes.

"Well, technically it was an emergency!" Garcia argued. "They didn't have clothes! Whatever happened to them…it happened on a case, right? The government is bound to pay for whatever they need. But don't you fret my pretties! They think I bought new laptops for you and Reid!"

Emily gaped at her, speechless.

Bracing himself, Hotch asked, "Garcia, exactly how much did you spend?

"$4 275.87"

"You are giving me back that card. Right now."

"Alright buddy, good job!" Hotch praised as Morgan loaded the last shopping bag in Emily's Prius. They high-fived, both wearing matching grins.

"Girls really need a lot of stuff, uh Hotch?" Morgan said wiping his hands together. Hotch smiled in answer.

"It's all done," the chief unit told the two women who were talking animatedly by Hotch's SUV.

"Great, thanks guys!" Emily said gratefully. She couldn't wait to get home. "I guess I better go and put mini-Jayje to bed."

She hugged her friend and waved the guys goodbye.

"Goodnight, Prentiss!" Morgan waved back. He wasn't tired anymore; in fact he was feeling pretty energetic after all the heavy lifting he had just done.

"Text me when you get home, Em," Garcia called out as the brunette got into her car.

"Will do!" JJ was still sound asleep, buckled up in her seat. Looking up in her rear-view mirror, Emily saw that Hotch had tucked the little girl with the blanket she kept on her backseat.

Morgan hugged Garcia goodbye and thanked her, after a bit of prompting from Hotch, for the clothes. He promised he would call her the next morning, and the two males watched as the orange car sped out of the lot.

"Can I sit in the front?" Morgan asked, testing his luck. He knew there was no way Hotch would let him, but a guy gotta try.

"No. You cannot." Hotch opened the door for him, and Morgan climbed in, complaining a bit just for the sake of it.

"Can I watch TV when we get home? I'm not tired." Morgan asked when they reached the freeway. He was swinging his legs, occasionally hitting the back of Hotch's seat.

"It's pretty late, Morgan, everyone will be sleeping."

"I can watch it real quiet. Or I can just watch it on my phone with my headphones on. Yeah… Hey, where is my phone?"

"We will see," Hotch only answered half of the questions. He hoped Morgan would fall asleep on the way home.

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