Author's Note: Thank you for everyone that has reviewed. I love reading the reviews and they are little rays of sunshine in my email inbox. Beware I am in the midst of my exam period and going crazy trying to get stuff done and study so updates will be a bit more infrequent. I will try to keep writing because it's a good relaxant.

Realized this morning that I forgot to put a disclaimer in so here goes (it applies to all chapters): I do not own criminal minds (as much as I wish I did but then if I did there would be more Spencer and more Hotch) and this writing is not for profit

Chapter Nine

Instead of a court-room as Rossi had been expecting, Mrs. Finn led him and Spencer into the judge's private office. However, the social worker merely introduced Rossi and Spencer to the judge before leaving the room.

"Hello Judge Mason. Very nice to meet you." Rossi greeted, the middle-age portly judge who rose from his desk to shake his hand, "My name is David Rossi and this is Spencer"

"Take your seats please. Spencer would you please wait outside." The judge instructed,

"I don't want to start a conflict but could Spencer please stay. He is an intelligent child that understands what is going on and should have some part of the discussion." Rossi asserted, knowing Spencer would worry himself sick if he was forced to wait outside, not to mention that this was Spencer's life so he deserved a say in what was going to happen to him.

"Spencer is welcome to stay then" Judge Mason replied to Rossi and then continued on, "The way this is going to work is I'm going to ask questions, you will respond truthfully and honestly and then I will make my decision on whether you can legally adopt Spencer."

"Sounds fine to me" Rossi replied,

"I understand you are currently unemployed," the Judge began,

"I retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be able to raise a child however I have already accepted a deal to write a book on my experiences in the Bureau profiling and apprehending serial killers." Rossi explained, "I also have the option to teach profiling classes to cadets at the Bureau academy."

"Very well. You are not married?"

"No I am not married however my mother is willing to help out with Spencer and I am fully capable of running a household by myself." Rossi answered, the judge was certainly looking at all the factors that could prevent him from adequately caring for Spencer.

"Do you live with your mother?" the Judge asked, with a bit of a condescending tone in his voice as he if figured the answer would be yes

"No I have my own household, in which there is ample room for Spencer however she lives nearby."

"I understand you have been divorced three times."

"Yes I have, however none of those relationships resulted in children and I do not pay alimony."

"But three times."

"The first was a colossal mistake. We were both too young and rushed into it. The second I thought could work however she decided she couldn't deal with my constant traveling as a result of the Behavioural Analysis Unit. My third marriage dissolved because I found out that my wife was cheating on me with multiple partners." Rossi explained, not wanting to air his dirty laundry but he knew it was necessary to be truthful to the Judge that was making the decision of whether or not he got custody of Spencer who was sitting quietly listening to every work that was being said.

"I understand Spencer is a very gifted individual. What are your plans for his education?"

"Spencer and I came to an agreement yesterday, after conversing with his previous teacher and principal that we will find a suitable school for gifted children near my house and when he was ready he can go to whatever post-secondary education he wishes to and I will accompany him until he is of legal age to attend school by himself." Rossi explained, hoping that the Judge would agree with the formed education plan.

The Judge surprisingly turned to Spencer inquiring, "Do you like the plan that Mr. Rossi has presented?"

"Yes Sir. I would like to challenge my intellect and there are very few suitable ways of doing so. Dave asked for my assistance in formulating a plan for my education and it is most agreeable to me." Spencer replied, trying to impress upon the judge that he was happy with the arrangements that were being made and that he wanted to go with Dave.

"Would you be agreeable to house visits?" Judge Mason continued questioning Rossi

"If social services feel they are necessary I am fine with them."

"Why are you taking Spencer out of state?"

"I have nothing against Las Vegas however I am established in Quantico and my possible job opportunity of teaching is centered there."

"Very well-" the Judge began, but Spencer interrupted him, "Please sir, please let Dave adopt me. I would very much like to have him as my Dad; in fact he already seems like my Dad."

Rossi internally sighed hoping that the Judge wouldn't get annoyed with the boy's outburst but Judge Mason simply smiled and turned to Spencer, "Spencer relax. I was going to let Mr. Rossi adopt you anyways. I see no problems in his petition. The only thing I do have to ask you is whether you would like to change your last-name."

Spencer turned to Dave and asked, "Can I change my last name please?"

"If you would like to Spencer, we will include a change of last-name in the adoption forms. However I do not want you to feel obligated to change your last-name."

Spencer addressed both older men, "I would like to legally change my last name to Rossi."

The Judge responded, "Alright Spencer. I have the forms right here in front of me and we can get started right away."

The Judge immediately started directing Rossi on how to fill out his portion of the adoption forms and where to sign. Spencer just sat there with a big smile on his face.

When they were finished, Spencer and Dave thanked the Judge before leaving his office. He could now take Spencer back home to Quantico, the adoption had gone through and in a few days Spencer would legally be his. They encountered Mrs. Finn outside the Judge's offices where she gave Spencer a big hug before wishing him good luck.

Spencer shyly asked as they exited the building, "Does that mean I can call you dad?"

"Of course my son" Rossi answered, stopping to draw his son into a hug. Today was one of the happiest days of his life.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy the long-chapter. I couldn't find a logical place to cut it down. I will try to update soon but no promises