A/N: Only two more days of break I hope I'm not rushing the story or making chapters too fast…. Trigger warning for child sexual assault and vivid rape

Spencer waited patiently in his living room. Hotch was lugging in bag after bag of clothes and toys. The rest of their shopping had occurred with minimal incident. Hotch had taken Spencer to both Toys R Us and a game store. When the young boy had picked out some inexpensive cheap dinosaur models, Hotch merely clucked his tongue and redirected Spencer towards the towering aisles of Legos and detailed models. After some more reassurance on Hotch's part, Spencer had picked out another set of Legos, and a junior scientist's kit. Hotch also made sure to throw in one of those "baby FBI" sets into the cart. He then steered the chair towards the colorful, electronic dinosaur models, throwing one into the cart. He added a train track set as well, to Spencer's extreme satisfaction. After checking out, Spencer sounded like a broken record, thanking Hotch over and over again. Hotch dismissed the boy kindly. After a stop at the game store, Spencer was now the proud owner of his own Go board, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and a pack of cards with larger numbers for people with low vision. Hotch also took the initiative to purchase a very large toy chest, for all of Spencer's new things. The boy was practically vibrating with excitement as Hotch loaded the trunk. Hotch lifted Spencer back into his car seat, and the pair drove away. Hotch broke the comfortable silence with a tentative suggestion, "Hey, Spence. I was thinking we could go to McDonalds's for lunch."

Spencer smiled. "I've never been," he admitted bashfully.

Hotch's eye's widened and he masked his surprise from his new son. What seven-year-old hadn't been to McDonalds? Disregarding the obvious fact that Spencer probably hadn't been out to eat anywhere in the past two years, Hotch merely said, "I'm sure you'll like it."

Spencer nodded eagerly. Breakfast and lunch all in the same day? Agent Hotchner sure is a nice person, he thought gleefully. Hotch pulled into the parking lot and carefully eased the car to a stop. Hotch stepped out of the car, collecting Spencer's wheelchair from the trunk. Helping Spencer into the chair, Hotch took Spencer into McDonalds. The boy squinted so hard at the menu, Hotch thought his eyes were going to pop out of his skull. I've got to take him to the optometrist, he noted to himself. Spencer looked up at him tentatively. Beckoning the agent with his casted hand, he whispered in Hotch's ear. "Can I have some milk and some fries?"

Hotch frowned. He knew he shouldn't have asked the boy to order his own food. It was clear the child would ask for little in hopes of getting any. "How about something more substantial," he suggested. "Is a Happy Meal okay?"

Spencer nodded. Hotch ordered the food before pushing Spencer to the side. The kind lady at the cash register told the couple to go sit down, and that she'd bring the food to them when it came up. Hotch obliged, pushing Spencer to a table and putting the brakes on his wheelchair. Hotch filled their cups with juice and soda respectively. Spencer drank it in large gulps, wistfully admitting that he had never had Hawaiian Punch before. Within fifteen minutes, the friendly cashier had approached their table with a tray full of food. Spencer waited to be served as Hotch opened his box and started consuming the contents. Hotch pushed over the Happy Meal container, helping Spencer open the box and taking out the burger and fries from within. Spencer began eating warily, glancing up at Hotch ever so often as if the taller man would whisk away the food any minute. Hotch took time in between bites to ask Spencer a question. "Spencer, would it be okay if we took you to get your eyes checked?"

Hotch was haunted by the boys overjoyed response. He's never seen a child so overjoyed to do something so tedious. The pair ate in a comfortable silence. Spencer savored every bite of the greasy food and Hotch watched him in amusement. "How do you like McDonalds?" Hotch asked kindly.

Spencer smacked his lips together as he sipped the last of his juice. "I like it a lot. I wouldn't eat here all the time though," he added with a frown. "The food can get kind of greasy."

Hotch nodded in amusement. "That it can," he quipped. He continued to eat, coaxing Spencer into a light conversation every now and then.

When they finished, Hotch threw away their refuse before guiding Spencer back out to the car. He could see that a question was tentatively forming on the young boy's lips. Bending down, he placed a hand on Spencer's shoulder. "What is it son?" he asked gently.

Spencer cleared his throat. "Uhm, I was wondering when I could get my glasses?" he asked timidly.

Hotch smiled, giving the boy a slight squeeze. "I was thinking we could go right now," he suggested, surveying Spencer's face.

Spencer's eyes lit up in delight. "Yeah that'd be brilliant," he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Hotch chuckled, easing Spencer back into his carseat. "Well then I guess we're going straight to WalMart."

Spencer was almost bouncing in excitement. Hotch slid into the driver's seat and started driving towards WalMart. In an attempt to pull Spencer further out of his shell, Hotch peppered the young boy with casual questions. "What's your favorite book?"

Spencer's eyes widened. "Oh s-sir, I don't think I could pick just one, I've loved every book I've ever read," the young man said bashfully. After a moment, he scrunched up his face, "Although, I wasn't a huge fan of The Great Gatsby," he admitted quietly, as if Hotch would scold him for such an opinion.

Hotch flashed a smile at his son. "That's not the best book in the world," he said. "Have you been to a library?"

Spencer nodded ardently. "Yes sir, I loved it there. My mom first took me there when I was three. I read every book in the children's section before the week was out. But then-" the boy faltered.

Hotch grimaced. He should've known William Reid wasn't the type to spend quality time with his son. "We can go sometime tomorrow," he said quietly, hoping that would distract Spencer.

Spencer gave Hotch a watery smile. Hotch pulled into the WalMart parking lot. He extricated Spencer from the car seat and started pushing him towards the entrance. Spencer's eyes widened as he took in the optometry display. Hotch signed the pair in, and they waited for a respective doctor to come take a look at Spencer. When a tall man with a crew cut and khaki pants called Spencer back, Spencer looked to Hotch with worry written across his face. He pulled the older man down to his level, whispering in his ear, "Can you come with me?"

Hotch nodded mutely. He pushed Spencer back to the exam room. The optometrist introduced himself as Rory. Hotch helped him into the chair, assuring him that he'd be safe. He stepped out so the optometrist would have a sufficient amount of space. The optometrist ran several tests, dilating Spencer's eyes to ensure that he didn't have any major issues. Hotch could hear muffled conversation, and smiled to himself. Spencer was truly becoming more comfortable with talking to starngers as time went on. Eventually, Rory gave the younger boy a sticker and a lollipop, waving Hotch back into the exam room to help Spencer back into his wheelchair. Hotch stepped into the exam room, and despite being comfortable and chatty, relief overwhelmed the boys small frame. "So, Mr. Hotchner. Spencer's eyes are healthy, he's just very nearsighted. I've got his prescription correct so now, all you guys need to do is pick out a pair of lenses."

Hotch gave the optometrist an appreciative nod. Hotch wheeled Spencer around the area slowly, asking the young boy to pick out a pair of frames. While the child kept redirecting himself towards the cheaper, poorly made eyewear, Hotch 'tsk'ed and pulled down a handsome black frame with gold around the rims. Spencer smiled widely in approval. "Can you pick out one more frame for emergencies?" he asked.

Spencer studied the display scrupulously. He slowly pointed to a different pair of frames, this time thin golden wires with oval lenses. Hotch smiled, taking them from Spencer's hand and approaching Rory at the cash register. "Alright, so they should be here in a few weeks, and we'll make sure to call you when they come in," Rory said, handing Hotch the receipt.

Spencer thanked Rory while he was being wheeled away. Hotch drove the pair home, where Spencer loaded his new toy chest with all his new toy. Hotch suggested Spencer put his new teddy bear on his bed, and the boy obliged happily. "I'm making spaghetti for dinner, but until then would you want to play a game?"

Hotch thought the boy would rocket out of his chair. Spencer enthusiastically picked out his new chess set, and the pair began a match. Hotch was losing soundly when the kitchen timer began beeping obnoxiously. Spencer was placed at the dinner table where he was served a generous amount of spaghetti. He waited patiently until Hotch had served himself. Eating happily, the new pair sat in a comfortable stillness. Hotch made sure to reassure Spencer numerous times that the food he was given would not be taken away, and each time, the boy gained a stronger sense of confidence. Nearing the end of the meal, Hotch gathered his courage. "Spencer. Would you be interested in changing your name once the adoption goes through?" he asked.

Spencer nearly dropped his fork. He carefully lifted his head to meet Hotch's eyes. "Si-sir?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to take my last name," Hotch suggested lightly.

Spencer blushed, but his eyes shone with consent. "I-I'd be Spencer Hotchner?" he asked.

Hotch nodded at the boy caringly. Spencer flushed with pride. "Yes sir, I'd be okay with that," he said, voice filled with pride.

"I'll be sure to make note of that next time I speak to Ms. Brooks," Hotch said.

The pair finished their meal, atmosphere warm with emotion. After dinner, Spencer was wheeled into his room where he asked to read the book that agent Jareau had gifted to him. It wasn't long after when Hotch had discovered Spencer was fast asleep in his chair, his dinosaur encyclopedia dangerously close to falling to the floor. Hotch gently removed the book from the boy's grasp, brushing hair out of his eyes. Tomorrow we've got to get him a haircut, he reminded himself. Lifting Spencer, he carried his son to his room, placing him in the bed and tucking him in carefully. Before leaving the room, Hotch stole one last glance at his new son, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of the boy's head. He wandered into his kitchen, stopping himself from pouring a glass of wine. I can't drink around Spencer. Not yet. He sat down in the living room, file in one hand, pen in the other. Working smoothly, he started in on the application that Ms. Brooks had given him before he left Las Vegas. The questionnaire covered basic things like income and criminal history, but then delved into the personal matters. Hotch made sure to notate Spencer's desire to change his name before coming across the next question. Why would you like to adopt a child?

He hesitated before putting his pen to the paper. He couldn't just say that he wanted Spencer as a son, no he had to dig deep. I have personally always wanted children. As a working man, I never knew when this could be a possibility, but I knew that the clock was always ticking in terms of having kids of my own. I want to adopt Spencer because he is the brightest young man I've ever met and I would be honored to be his father. I would like to show Spencer that life is more than the pain and suffering he's experienced for the last two years, and that there is mercy in humanity. That is not to say that I'm adopting Spencer out of pity. No, I love this child. He is a bright light in my life that's been long overdue. He brings me joy and a unique perspective to growing up. I want Spencer to be my son. Hotch sighed and set the pen down, flexing his hand. He read onto the next question, answering each of them with an honest and raw potential. Hotch drifted off into a light sleep.

Spencer was home again. He blinked heavily, suddenly aware of the heavy chain wrapped around his ankle. He winced as a pang of pain rushed through his body. Before he could stand up, his father burst through the garage door. Spencer's father hovered over him, belt undone and pants around his ankles. He gave Spencer that sickeningly sweet smile before collapsing over the younger boy's fragile frame. "Shhh, shush," William would whisper into Spencer's ears. "Be a good boy," he would command, pulling Spencer's arms behind his back.

Flashes of white hot pain ripped into Spencer's backside as his face was shoved into the basement floor. Tears mixed with blood as they flooded freely down Spencer's face. Spencer bit his lip hard, until the warm metallic taste inundated his mouth. He knew William hated it when he cried. William. It was never father, never daddy, always William. Spencer screwed his eyes shut, imagining that he was not here, that he was back in school, that his mom was home and that his dad was nice again. After what seemed like hours, William rolled off of him. Turning on his side, he was face to face with his son. William stroked Spencer's cheek tenderly, and Spencer shivered, rejecting the touch. Tendrils of nausea threatened to rise to the surface. "You're such a pretty boy," his father murmured, index finger trailing down Spencer's cheek. "You're mine forever."

Forever.

A shrill scream wafted out of Spencer's room. Hotch jerked awake, eyes bright with fear. The scream was louder this time. Pushing the papers off his lap, Hotch ran to Spencer's room, scared. He found a young boy lying on the floor, dripping with sweat. Spencer had managed to drag himself from his bed into his walk in closet. Hotch hovered over the slight figure. Spencer was shaking, tears rolling down his face. Hotch collected the smaller boy into his arms. "Shhh, Spencer, it's okay, I'm here," he whispered, pulling damp hair off of Spencer's face.

Spencer's eyes were screwed shut but he turned into Hotch's embrace. "Daddy," he whimpered, fisting Hotch's t-shirt, clinging to him like a lifeline.

Hotch was definitely taken aback. Daddy? This is the first time he's ever called me anything of the sort. Hotch settled on the floor, Spencer drawn into his arms, shivering with fright. "Spence it's okay," Hotch crooned. "Daddy's here," he whispered. "Daddy's here."

A/N: Next chapter: Spencer gets a library card and bonds with Penelope.