Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing.
Warning- Some places, dates, and events have been changed to fit the story.
Previously on Criminal Minds- "Actually that's not true" Spencer said. He leaned against Rossi's side. "You, as it turns out, have never been my father. There was a mix up the day I was born and two babies were sent home with the wrong families." He smiled. "You're not my father. He is."
CM
"WHAT?!" William Reid bellowed. "Where did…what are you…how do you…why would you have your DNA profile?"
"All agents' DNA profiles are taken and stored in case it's needed to identify someone after a case gone wrong." Rossi explained.
"So what, you two were just sitting around one day when you decided to compare your DNA? Is that what FBI agents do all day; sit around twiddling their thumbs? Aren't there enough horrible crimes for you to investigate? Oh, wait! I get it now. Your team is so wonderful you get to pick and choose when you work. Is that it? You only work when you feel like it." William scoffed. "Don't you have something better to do with the tax payer's money?"
Spencer grew angrier with each word his former father spoke. It was the man's last comment though that proved to be the profiler's breaking point. "That's enough!" he growled, stepping in front of Rossi. "You have no right to talk to us that way."
"I have every right." The senior Reid countered. "I raised you. I fed you, clothed you, even attempted to teach you to play ball! And this is how you repay me! You replace me with, with him!"
"Sirs, I'm going to have to ask you to keep your voices down or take your conversation outside." Cindy, one of the RNs on duty, informed the furious man. "I won't have you disturbing the patients or their families."
"Sorry, ma'am" Spencer softly answered. "You won't hear us again. We're through talking anyway. Right, d-Mr. Reid?"
William glared at his son. "Fine" he curtly agreed. As soon as the nurse walked away, he pointed a finger at the two profilers. "This isn't over."
"Yes, it is." Spencer said. Turning and storming into the family room.
"Do everybody a favor and go home Mr. Reid." Dave advised before following his son. "You're not needed or wanted here."
Fuming, William Reid stomped down the hall. How dare Spencer abandon him? He was the boy's father! He'd done everything for that kid! It wasn't right! It just wasn't! Stopping at the elevator, William angrily punched the down button. This wasn't going to happen. He had to put a stop to it. But how? He racked his brain for a suitable plan while he waited for the elevator doors to open. It took several minutes and a lot of brain work but he finally came up with the perfect plan. A smile came over his face as he stepped onto the elevator. If Spencer wanted to desert his family, let him. William would show the brat exactly what pledging his allegiance to another family would mean.
CM
"Reid? Reid, son wake up" Dave softly called as he shook the younger man's shoulder. "Come on Spencer, up and at'em. Tracy will be here to get you in a minute."
Spencer's forehead crinkled as a low whimper escaped his lips. His eyelids fluttered before finally opening to reveal weary brown orbs. "I'm YAWN awake" he mumbled, fisting his eyes. The exhausted agent slowly sat up and glanced around. "How long was I yawn I out?"
"Half an hour" Dave answered, trying not to laugh at his son's disheveled hair. With his hair sticking up at odd angles and his hands fisting his eyes the kid looked all of five years old. It was beyond adorable. Not that he'd ever voice that thought. Noticing that the boy wasn't even attempting to tame the wayward locks, Dave sighed. "Reid, go to the bathroom and splash some water on your face; fix your hair." He softly ordered. "I'll watch for Tracy."
Spencer shot Rossi a grateful smile. "Thanks" he replied. Getting up, he stretched and then scurried off to the bathroom. Minutes later he emerged from the room looking not much better than he had when he'd gone in. Rushing over to his new found father, he asked, "Did she come yet?"
"Not yet" Dave replied, chuckling as the door to the family room opened and the RN in question strolled through it. "Ah, speak of the angel"
"Don't you mean devil?" Reid automatically corrected without taking his eyes off Tracy.
"Not in this case" Rossi told him with a grin. That grin faded as the RN went right past them, talked with another family, and then left without even looking their way. Figuring she'd be back for them in a minute, he settled back to wait. One minute went by, then two, then five. After another minute came and went without Tracy's return, the senior profiler stood. "I'm going to go see what's keeping Tracy."
"I'll go with you." Spencer told him, his expression letting the other man know saying no wasn't an option.
Father and son marched out of the room and down the short hall to the ICU nurse's station. Spotting the RN they were looking for on the other side of the circular counter, the two hurried around to her.
"Hi Tracy" Spencer greeted with a small wave. "I'm going in to see my mom now. It's been an hour."
Tracy turned sympathetic eyes on the exhausted man. She hated being the bearer of bad news. That was Dr. Johnson's job. But of course, he'd had a patient he just had to go see about, leaving her to break the young man's heart. Unwilling to deliver the news here and risk disturbing her patients, Tracy swiftly came out from behind the counter. "Let's go out here for a minute." She suggested, taking Reid by the arm.
"What's wrong? Did something happen to my mom?" Spencer frantically questioned as he allowed himself to be led out of ICU and over to a row of chairs. "Is she worse? Did she have a reaction of some kind? What is it? What's wrong with my mom?"
Seeing the young man starting to hyperventilate, Tracy rushed to reassure him. "Sweetie, your mother is doing just fine." She told him. "What I have to tell you has nothing to do with your mother's condition, okay?" Getting a shaky nod, she smiled and patted the man's back. "Alright then, I want you to take a deep breath and calm down a little. Can you do that for me, Mr. Reid?"
"Y,yes" Spencer stammered. Closing his eyes, he focused on slowing his breathing. Once he got it down to a more normal level, the profiler reopened his eyes. Knowing something was very wrong, he grabbed Rossi's hand and then turned pleading eyes on Tracy. "O-okay, I'm ready. What's wrong?"
Tracy winced. She hated to do this to Reid especially after his reaction just now. "Sweetie, I am so sorry to have to tell you this but Dr. Johnson has banned you from visiting your mother."
"W,w,w,what?" Spencer stuttered. "But, but I've done everything he asked."
Rossi's eyes narrowed. "What's going on, Tracy?" he inquired.
"Mr. Reid had a discussion with Dr. Johnson. I'm not sure what all was said but I do know he told the doctor that you aren't Mrs. Reid's biological son and that as her only real relative he didn't want you visiting her anymore." Tracy explained, rubbing the pale young man's back.
"He did what?" Dave growled. Placing a comforting hand on the back of his son's neck, he gave it a light squeeze. "Tracy, could you sit with Spencer for a little while? I'm going to have a little talk with the Chief of Staff and I don't want to leave him alone."
"Of course" Tracy agreed, fighting the urge to smile. "Just let me tell the others where I'll be."
Rossi waited for the RN to get out of ear shot before speaking. "Reid, I want you to listen to me, okay?" he softly said. "I'm going to fix this. Mr. Reid doesn't have the authority to stop you from seeing your mother. Dr. Johnson knows that and he chose to follow your dad's lead anyway. Now, I have a pretty good idea why and I'll be having a little chat with the Chief of Staff about that matter. But I don't want you to worry, alright?"
"What if you can't, can't persuade him to override Dr. Johnson's order?" Spencer quietly uttered, his breathing speeding up once more.
"Then I will." A voice angrily answered.
Turning, the profilers saw a furious Dr. Norman standing in front of them. "Dr. Norman, what are you doing here?" Spencer questioned.
"I came to check on you and Diana." The kindly doctor responded. "And I'm glad I did. Dr. Johnson has no right to keep you from visiting Diana. You have her power of attorney, not your father. You are the only one who can make decisions on her care."
"True but unfortunately Dr. Johnson doesn't see it that way." Spencer muttered.
"He will." Dr. Norman assured the worried man.
"I hope so." Spencer said. "I hope you can convince the Chief of Staff of that."
"Please" Dave scoffed. "I'll have him eating out of my hand in two minutes tops." Catching Reid's unsure look, he added, "And if that doesn't work, I'll give him the interrogation routine. No one alive can resist complying with the legend that is David Rossi."
Spencer barked out a surprised laugh.
"There, that's what I wanna see." Rossi said with a smile. He stood to give Tracy his seat. "Keep smiling, kid. You'll be standing in your mother's room in no time."
"Thanks Rossi" Spencer gratefully said. Taking Tracy's hand in his own, he watched his friends stride away.
CM
Rossi and Dr. Norman turned at the knock on the door.
"Enter" Dr. Hardy, the Chief of Staff, called.
Dr. Johnson casually strolled into the room, stopping short at the sight of the two. He glared at the profiler before schooling his expression and turning to his boss. "You wanted to see me sir?" he calmly asked.
"Yes, have a seat Dr. Johnson." Dr. Hardy instructed. He waited for the physician to sit down before beginning. "Agent Rossi has informed me that you have banned his fellow agent Spencer Reid from visiting his mother. Is this true?"
"Yes sir it is." Dr. Johnson replied. "My patient's husband, William Reid, and I had a discussion earlier this morning in which he told me that Agent Reid is not their biological son and that he did not wish for the young man to be allowed into his wife's room. He said he didn't want the boy upsetting her. Since he is my patient's husband and as such is in charge of making decisions for her, I had no choice but to acquiesce to his request."
"Really?" Dr. Norman scoffed. "Did you even bother to check Diana's power of attorney before banning Agent Reid? I think not. Because if you had, you would have seen that one Spencer Reid is the only name listed. Mr. William Reid is not now and has never been in charge of Diana's care or had anything to do with any decisions about her care. Agent Reid is the one that has made every decision about her care since he had her placed in Bennington when he was eighteen. He is the one who pays her bills, checks on his mother, inquires about new medications and treatments that might help her, and visits her. Mr. William Reid has never so much as darkened the door of Bennington. So tell me, Dr. Johnson, why would you take him at his word? Why didn't you check before ordering that ban?"
"I can answer that one." Dave told the others. "I noticed Dr. Johnson's attitude towards Spencer almost immediately. He seemed to be looking for a reason to keep Spencer away from his mother. That didn't make any sense to me so I did a little digging. And I found out that Dr. Johnson graduated with Spencer. And while they weren't in the same homeroom or classes, the two competed against each other many times during their high school years. You can guess who came out on top."
Dr. Hardy looked at his fellow physician. "Is this true Dr. Johnson?" he questioned. "Did you ban Spencer Reid from seeing his mother because of a high school grudge?"
"No sir" Dr. Johnson fibbed. "I honestly thought the senior Reid had power of attorney. I never…"
"Cut the crap Johnson!" Dave growled, slamming his hand on the arm of his comfy chair. "That's exactly what this is about! You're still angry at Spencer for beating you out of first place in everything!"
"Wouldn't you be?!" Dr. Johnson hollered as he jumped up and began pacing. "I deserved those awards! Me! Not some twelve year old know it all! The kid didn't belong in our class! He didn't even belong in our school! He needed to be in some special school for arrogant, obnoxious brats like him! He took everything! I couldn't even get any good scholarships because of him! He ruined my senior year!" He stopped pacing for a moment, an evil smirk covering his face. "There was one glorious day though. That afternoon the football team stripped him and tied him to the goalpost in front of everyone is a time I'll never forget. It was the best day of my school years! Seeing that whiney know it all begging and crying was a scene I'll never forget! I just wish I'd had a camera with me. And that I'd carried through with the urge to take a broomstick and…"
"DR. JOHNSON THAT IS ENOUGH!" Dr. Hardy furiously yelled. "You are hereby relieved of all your duties! Go to your office right this minute! I'll be in to deal with you shortly!"
Dr. Johnson's face fell. "Sir, I, I…"
"GO!" Dr. Hardy ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. He glared at the rogue physician as he dejectedly trudged out of the room. After the door shut behind the doctor, Lou dropped back into his chair. He ran a hand across his face and then turned to face the men before him. "Gentlemen, I apologize for Dr. Johnson. I had no idea he was harboring such resentment. But I can promise you he will be appropriately punished for his misdeeds. And I'll thoroughly check out the next physician I put in charge of Mrs. Reid's care. "
"And Dr. Reid?" Rossi asked.
"The ban is hereby lifted. Agent Reid may resume his visits with his mother." Dr. Hardy replied. "And please, give him my apologies."
"We will." Dave told the physician as they all stood. "Thank you"
Lou shook the men's hands. "Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention." He responded. "If Agent Reid needs anything else during his mother's stay, please let me know."
"Yes sir" Rossi answered with a nod. He and Dr. Norman walked to the door. Glancing back, he added, "Thanks again Dr. Hardy"
"It was my pleasure." Lou called after the two. Once the door shut, he slumped down in his chair. That had been a close one. He just hoped he'd managed to divert trouble. The hospital could be looking at a major lawsuit thanks to Dr. Johnson's little ego trip. Spinning his chair around, Dr. Hardy headed for the door. He needed to have a long talk with a certain physician.
CM
Tracy glanced down at her flashing beeper before breaking into a grin. "Mr. Reid, you can go see your mother now." she announced.
"Really?" Spencer asked, the hope clear in his voice.
"Really" Tracy replied. She snickered as the too skinny young man leapt out of his chair and started bouncing on the balls of his feet. He looked like a kid who'd been told he was going to Disney World. Quickly climbing out of her own chair, she held out her hand. "Come on, let's go see your mom."
Spencer practically danced his way to his mother's room. He couldn't believe Rossi had managed to reverse the doctor's decision. Part of him wondered how but a bigger part couldn't care less. He was going to see his mom and at the moment that was all that mattered. Making it to the curtain separating Diana's cubicle from the hall, Spencer dropped Tracy's hand. After thanking her for her help and support, the young man eagerly shuffled into the sterile room. He glanced at the various machines, making note of the numbers on each, before gazing down at the most important person in his life; his mom. His eyes widened at the sight that greeted it. Grinning from ear to ear, Spencer stepped up to the bed and said, "Hi mom!"