Hide n' Seek Chapter 4
Walking up five minutes before his alarm was due to go off, Hotch opened up his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Knowing that today they were going to get on a plane and head off for Raleigh, North Carolina Hotch was feeling a little conflicted. On one hand he wanted to catch Fowler and make him pay for all that he had done and on the other hand he wasn't sure if he wanted to find the antidote and turn Reid back into an adult. Spencer was enjoying his second childhood and really taking the opportunity to have fun. As well looking after a two and a half year old had brought the team closer together. Shaking his head to clear it, Hotch got up knowing that he didn't have time to spend thinking such thoughts if he was going to get everything together before they had to leave.
Walking out his door and down the hall, Hotch made the first stop at Reid's bedroom, to check to make sure that he was still sleeping soundly. Being assured by the sight of Reid snuggled under the covers with his stuffed puppy in one hand and his thumb in his mouth, Hotch continued on to the kitchen. Getting a pot of coffee going he began the task of packing both his and Spencer's go bags. Knowing that the boy would not be going to the police station with them and instead would be baby sat by one of the team members Hotch made sure to pack extra toys and books to keep him entertained.
Hearing the rest of the team getting up Hotch debated waking Spencer up as well, but decided the boy should get his rest and he could eat on the plane. He didn't feel like dealing with a tired and cranky two year old on a hour and half plane ride.
As everyone got ready to leave, Hotch thought of who he could spare that day to keep an eye on Spencer. Needing the strength of Morgan and Prentiss in case there was a takedown and needing JJ to sweet talk the local P.D. into letting them investigate a case that they are unaware of, Hotch decided that Rossi was going to be the appointed babysitter for the day.
Stepping onto the plane, Rossi went over to the big comfy chairs in the back sitting down and placing a still asleep Spencer on his lap. Cuddling the boy into him he placed the seatbelt around the both of them, securing them for takeoff. Feeling Spencer bury his face into the side of his neck, Rossi smiled glad that he had this opportunity to look after a toddler as he never had any children with any of his three wives.
With twenty minutes to go until they landed, Spencer started to awake shifting around in Rossi's arms and yawning. He looked around realizing that they were in the jet and sat up rubbing his grumbling tummy.
Rossi chuckled at the disheveled appearance of the toddler "Well good morning, it seems that someone is hungry. Why don't we get you out of these pajamas and I'm sure Morgan can rustle you up some breakfast."Morgan looked up from across the jet, startled from hearing his name. Rossi laughed at Morgan's reaction picking up Spencer and heading towards the bathroom to get him dressed for the day.
Coming back out with Spencer dressed in jean overalls and a red long sleeve shirt, Rossi plopped Spencer in a chair in front of the breakfast that Morgan had set out for him. Spencer reached for the juice box first, looking over the bowl of dry cheerios and plate of sliced apples. Spencer wasn't overly excited about his breakfast, but guessed it would do the job of filling up his rumbling tummy.
Getting off the plane the team split into two different directions, Rossi and Spencer going to one SUV and the rest of the team going in the other. Rossi opened up the backdoor and set Spencer in the carseat that was already placed in there. Getting into the driver's seat Rossi turned around and looked at Spencer saying "Okay Kiddo, it's just going to be you and me for the rest of the day so do you know of anything you want to do?"
"Well thewe is supposed to be a pwetty intewesting museum close to hewe, it's called the Nowf Cawolina Museum of Natuwal Sciences. " Spencer suggested.
"Are you sure kiddo? I don't know how fun a museum is going to be, isn't there somewhere else you want to go?" Rossi asked.
"Yeah I'm suwe that's wewe I want to go." Spencer said with a determined expression on his face.
"Okay, I guess to the museum it is." Rossi said starting the car and pulling out of the air strip.
Walking into the museum Rossi sighed, walking around looking at exhibits all day that were supposed to educate him was not his idea of fun. However he couldn't be upset for long when he saw the excitement on Spencer's face. Spencer was practically vibrating with glee as he looked from one section to another, deciding on starting at the North Carolina's national treasures museum Spencer grabbed Rossi's hand and dragged him in the direction of the exhibit.
Rossi smiled at how happy Spencer was being able to explore the museum, the little boy had chattered non-stop about all the facts he knew on each exhibit getting some looks from the tourists around them. Getting to the end of the last exhibit Spencer seemed to deflate a bit at realizing that his time at the museum was over. Rossi seeing this reaction, decided to lift his spirits a bit by steering him in the direction of the gift shop.
Walking into the gift shop, Spencer looked around in awe everywhere he looked he saw either models of dinosaurs or books on wildlife, his genius mind captivated by all of the science merchandise. Rossi seeing the boy's look decided that he was going to spoil the toddler today, as he was sure that Spencer never had anyone to lavish him with gifts. Grabbing a basket Rossi began to make his way over to the toy section with Reid in tow. "Okay Spencer, pick out whatever you want."
Spencer looked carefully over his options deep in thought and decided on a small plush dinosaur. Turning around he showed Rossi his choice. Rossi frowned at the small item that Spencer had chosen, wondering why he would only pick that. Then realization dawned on him as he understood that Spencer thought he could only get one item, never having someone spend money on him for the fun of it. Crouching down he looked Spencer in the eye and said "Spencer, I want to spoil you today so you can pick out anything and as much as you want."
Spencer frowned looking up at Rossi. "But, but I'll only be a kid for a wittle while, you should'n waste youw money."
Rossi reached out and touched Spencer's shoulder "Spencer it won't be a waste of money because it'll make you happy. And when you grow up we can give the things to Henry or Jack. Okay?"
Spencer nodded still looking unsure but turning towards all of the toys just the same. As Spencer began picking out more and more items he began to get excited, he never got to spend money frivolously like this before. By the end of his shopping spree, Spencer had chosen a model of a dinosaur that he could put together, 10 books on different topics, 3 posters, a couple of stuffed animals and a sweatshirt that had a glow in the dark dinosaur on it.
Spencer was excited as they walked out of the museum on the way to the SUV, hugging his plush dinosaur to his chest. Rossi smiled as he hurried behind Spencer carrying all of the bags. Getting Spencer settled in his carseat, Rossi decided that he should check in with the team and see how they were doing. Calling the team leader, Rossi put the phone on speaker "Hey Hotch it's me and Spencer, we just got done on the museum. How's it going at the station and finding Fowler?" Rossi asked as Hotch picked up the phone.
"Well we went to the hotel and the clerk at the front desk confirmed that Fowler had checked in yesterday. However when we went up to his room it was empty, so I'm having Garcia track his spending through his credit cards to see if we can narrow down a location."
"Okay well call us with updates, Spencer and I are going to go find a place to eat and then maybe go look at some boats."
"Will do, have fun guys." Hotch said as he ended the call.
Rossi turned off his cell phone and turned around facing Spencer. "Okay buddy, anywhere you want to go for lunch?" Spencer shrugged continuing to play with his stuffed dinosaur. Taking that as Spencer didn't care where they ate, Rossi guessed he was able to make the decision on where to have lunch.
Rossi picked a nice sit down restaurant on the edge of a marina wanting to eat something nicer than the fast food that they always got. They were seated at table where they had a view overlooking the marina and all the boats coming in and out. Deciding to have a taste of the local cuisine, Rossi ordered a shrimp linguine for himself and some fish and chips for Reid. The two talked about their morning and made plans for what they should do when they got back to Quantico. Finding out that Reid had never been camping, Rossi made it his mission to give the boy the experience of the great outdoors.
Finishing their lunch the two boys decided to walk along the docks of the marina to get a closer look at all the boats. Walking along looking at the large boats, Spencer was enthralled by all the yachts and sail boats as everything looked so much larger at his height. Stepping closer to look at a particularly large boat, not realizing that he had stepped precariously close to the edge. Reaching forward to see if he could touch the boat Spencer stepped over the edge falling into the water.
Jumping into action, Rossi jumped into the water seeing if he could reach Spencer. The water was deep and Rossi couldn't even touch the bottom while keeping his head above the water. He dove down sweeping his arms to see if he could feel the boy as he couldn't see in the murky water. Fingers touching the back of jean overalls Rossi grabbed a hold and swam to the surface. Getting his head above the water, Rossi gasped for air as he held Spencer in his arms. Placing the toddler on the edge of the dock, Rossi pulled himself out of the water.
Reid was laying down on the dock coughing and sputtering, when all of a sudden he turned over vomiting water. Rossi rushed over to the boy and patting his back making sure that he got out all of the swallowed water. When Reid's breathing returned to a more normal pattern Rossi picked him up cuddling him close. He ran a hand up and down the trembling boy's back, as a crowd began to gather around the duo.
Spencer burst into tears as the shock of what happened began to settle in. Rossi shushed and rocked trying to comfort the boy, himself shaken over Reid's near drowning. Taking a towel that a stranger had handed to him, Rossi wrapped Spencer in it trying to warm the soaking wet boy. An ambulance pulled in then, someone calling the paramedics when they witnessed the near drowning. Rossi continued to rock the toddler as the paramedics fussed over Spencer. They lifted Spencer onto a gurney and put him into the back of the ambulance, Rossi following them and climbing into the back.
As they made their way to the hospital Rossi got out his cell phone dialling the number for Hotch. Not getting an answer, he called JJ. "Hey Rossi, what's going on? JJ asked answering her phone.
"JJ I need you to get Hotch, Reid fell into the water at the marina and I had to dive in to get him but he was under water for a short amount of time. We are heading to the hospital now to get him checked out but Hotch needs to meet us there with Reid's insurance card." Rossi explained to JJ.
"Oh my god! Is Reid okay? Was he breathing? What hospital is he going to?" JJ frantically asked, rushing out of the conference room in search of Hotch.
"Reid was breathing, and he is okay for right now more shaken up then anything. I think the paramedics said that we were headed to Duke Raleigh Hospital. I have to go now but tell Hotch to meet us there.
"I will, see you soon." JJ ended the call nearing Hotch who was talking to the local Chief of Police. "Hotch! I need to speak to you." JJ said pulling Hotch away from the officer.
"JJ what's wrong, did Garcia find Fowler?" Hotch asked, wondering why JJ seemed in such a hurry.
"Rossi just called and he said that Spencer fell into the water at the marina and they are on their way to the hospital and he needs you to meet them there." JJ answered, pulling Hotch towards the front of the police station so they could get into the SUVS and get to Spencer.
Hotch paled at JJ's words and rushed in front of her, running to get to the vehicle. JJ ran after him jumping into the front passenger seat.
Rossi held Spencer's hand as the paramedics wheeled him into the hospital. When Spencer got settled into a room, he reached out for Rossi wanting some human contact when he was this scared. Rossi not wanting Reid to pull off his monitors, went over to the bed picking Reid up as he got on the bed settling Reid in his lap. He carded a hand through Spencer's hair and hummed an Italian lullaby as he tried to calm the toddler down.
JJ and Hotch rushed into the emergency department a few minutes later, out of breathe and eyes darting around the room before they fixated on Spencer and Rossi on the other side. Running over they stopped at the bedside, eyes roaming over the toddler to ensure themselves that he was indeed okay. Hotch rubbed a hand up and down Reid's back trying to comfort the shocked boy. JJ went to go find a nurse so she could get some dry pajamas and get Reid out of his soaking wet clothes.
After changing Spencer into some dry clothes a young male doctor walked in. "Hello everyone, I'm Dr. Jedd. So it seems that someone wanted to take an authorized swim this afternoon, huh?" The doctor teased, seeing the faces of the adults in the room remained drawn he decided to go for the more serious approach. "Well let me take a look at the little man here and make sure that everything is in tip top shape and then we can get you guys home." The doctor walked over to Spencer pulling his stethoscope off from around his neck and beginning to listen to Spencer's breathing.
"Okay well it seems that Spencer has gotten all of the water out from his lungs, so that is a good sign. He might get a cough later and a cold from swallowing all that water and being wet for so long, but I'm positive he will make a full recovery." Dr. Jedd said as the adults in the room visibly relaxed. As the doctor left the room, Hotch went to go call the rest of the team and JJ went over and took a sleepy Spencer from Rossi so he could get down off the bed.
Hotch got in touch with Morgan and Prentiss and updated them on the events of the afternoon. Hotch asked Morgan to stop by the marina to pick up Rossi's SUV and meet them at the hotel. He also asked Morgan to call Garcia, not having the energy to explain to a what would be a hysterical techie.
Catching up to JJ and Rossi who were starting to walk out of the entrance of the hospital. Getting to their vehicle, JJ got into the back seat putting Spencer on her lap and cuddling him into her. Rossi and Hotch got into the front seats, Hotch starting to drive towards the hotel.
Parking in front of the hotel the agents got out and made their way to the front desk. As soon as they got their room keys Morgan and Prentiss came rushing in. When the two agents saw the rest of their team with JJ holding Spencer they made their way over. "Is he okay?" Morgan whispered being mindful of the sleeping boy in JJ's arms.
"Yeah just exhausted from everything that happened today. The doctor said he shouldn't have much more than a cold."
Morgan nodded placing a large hand on the small boy's back ensuring for himself that Spencer was breathing normally.
After they made their way to their hotel room and placed Spencer in bed, Hotch got a phone call from Garcia.
"Boss man! Is my little pumpkin alright? Please tell me that he is back to his old self, running around playing and laughing." Garcia begged into the phone, she was frantic with worry since Morgan called her earlier telling her that Spencer nearly drowned that afternoon.
"Garcia calm down, Spencer's going to be fine he's sleeping right now but I'll make sure he calls you when we wakes up from his nap. Now have you found anything on Fowler?"
"No sir, it's like the man completely disappeared off the earth again. I don't have any surveillance videos or credit card purchases on the guy, I don't even know if he is still in Raleigh." Garcia answered, frustrated at the lack of information that she could find.
Hotch closed his eyes afraid that that would be her answer. "Okay, well I think we should return back to Quantico tomorrow there is no point in us staying here and continuing this blind hunt. " Hotch said while turning towards the rest of the team making sure that they heard him. Getting nods from the rest of the team Hotch asked Garcia to make sure that the jet was ready to pick them up tomorrow morning.
Reid woke up then coughing and sniffling, he turned over reaching out his arms for the closest adult to him. Morgan obliged and picked up the youngster rubbing his back and trying to comfort the boy. "How are you feeling buddy?"
Spencer groaned "My head huwts." He mumbled snuggling his face into the crook of Morgan's neck. Morgan lifted his hand up to Reid's head and felt his forehead. "You're a little warm too pretty boy."
Hotch sighed moving over to the go bags that were placed in the room. He shuffled through Reid's go bag finally finding what he was looking for and pulling out a bottle of Children's Tylenol. Pouring out the correct dose, he handed the medicine cup to Reid helping him down the medicine. After drinking the awful tasting medicine Spencer dropped his head back onto Morgan's shoulder closing his eyes. The team spent the rest of their night going over their notes about what they learned from the case this afternoon and comforting their littlest agent
AN: I know not the best ending but I wanted to get this chapter done. I just got a new job so I've been running around completing that paperwork. I'm away this weekend and graduating from university next week so the next chapter won't be posted as fast. Thanks for all the lovely reviews, I tried to include some of the suggestions into the chapter. If your suggestion isn't in here it's coming don't worry. Please keep suggesting experiences for Spencer to have they help me writing these chapters.