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- Grinning from ear to ear, Spencer stepped up to the bed and said, "Hi mom!"

CM

Rossi held his phone to his ear with his shoulder while he juggled the fast food bags and cup carrier. "He's hanging in there, Morgan." he said, pushing the family room door open with his side. "He's worried and exhausted but all in all he's doing okay. He's actually holding up better than I thought he would…She's doing remarkably well. They're planning on moving her to a private room this evening…Yeah, the doctors are calling it a miracle. They really didn't expect her to survive…Mrs. Reid is one tough cookie alright. I can see where Spencer gets his fight from." The profiler chuckled. "I know. And no I haven't been called the magic word yet. I'm not sure I ever will…I hope you're right. I can't tell you how much it would mean to me to hear that" Dave let out a full on belly laugh, almost dropping his lunch as he did. "He's not two Morgan. He's a grown man. I don't picture him wanting a hug let alone cuddling. Reid's not a touch feely person in case you haven't noticed." He set the bags and drink container down on the small table beside the couch they'd claimed that first day. "Really?" Dave said, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I'll be…Yes, I knew Jason had a teddy bear side. I just didn't think Reid would have allowed him to…You don't say? I might have to try that sometime…Yes…yeah okay" Rossi glanced up as the door opened and a weary Spencer shuffled in. "Listen I've gotta go. Reid's back. Yes, I promise I'll call later. Will do. Bye" Dave flipped his cell shut and stuffed it in his jacket pocket. Smiling as his son plopped down next to him, the newly found father patted the boy on the back. "How's your mom?" he asked, pulling out a styrofoam container and putting it in the young man's lap.

"Better" Spencer distractedly replied. Picking up the container, he set it on the side table and scooted around to face his friend. "Listen, you and I need to have a little talk. I wanna know how you really convinced the Chief of Staff to lift Dr. Johnson's ban. And don't give me that bull about me having mom's power of attorney."

"Eat Reid" Dave ordered, placing the box back in the younger man's lap.

"I'll eat…when you answer the question." Spencer countered, crossing his arms. "I know there's more to the story. There is something you're not telling me about that meeting. I'm positive it took more than just pointing out that I had mom's power of attorney. And I'm certain whatever you're hiding is big. The staff has been overly nice to me since the incident. Well, at least to my face…there are whispers and finger pointing going on when they think I'm not looking. And Dr. Johnson's been…"

"Spencer"

"Don't Spencer me, Rossi." Reid angrily growled. "I want to know what happened in that meeting!"

Rossi sighed. He'd hoped the kid wouldn't push the matter but now that he had, there was nothing to do but tell the truth. "You and Dr. Johnson attended the same high school. He competed against you in several different contests during your school careers as well as competing for various scholarships." He paused, grinning at the look on his son's face. The kid was trying to remember doctor doom. He was sure of it.

Spencer thought for a moment before snapping his fingers. "I remember him now! He was that overweight kid with braces and a face full of pimples! I knew he looked vaguely familiar but I couldn't quite place him. He was always bragging to the other so called geeks that he was…"

Rossi smirked at the description of the vain physician. No wonder the man had been so affected by Reid beating him time and time again. His intellect had probably been the one area he could brag about at least until Spencer came along. Of course with an ego the size of Dr. Johnson's being bested by a child six years his junior had more than likely hit doubly hard…not that it was Reid's fault. The kid had only done what he always did; his best. Dave heart filled with pride. His kid really was something. And speaking of his son…the proud father tuned back into the boy's ramble.

"But I never thought he'd hold a grudge like this. I mean, yeah I beat him in every contest but they were merely high school competitions. We weren't vying for the Nobel Prize or anything like that." Spencer said. Dropping his eyes to the container in his lap, he nervously picked at one edge. "I didn't mean to upset him."

"I know." Rossi replied. He hesitated for a moment before wrapping an arm around his son's shoulders. His heart swelled when instead of pulling away Reid leaned into him. It appeared Morgan had been right. Making a mental note to thank the man, Dave patted his kid's arm. "You did nothing wrong, Reid. If Dr. Johnson took offense to you besting him, that is on him, not you."

"But"

"No buts young man. I'm the oldest which means that I'm always right." The profiler confidently stated, eliciting a snicker from the younger man. A goofy grin spread over Dave's face at the wonderful sound. "Now eat. I refuse to have to explain to your mother how you ended up in the bed next to her."

Spencer smiled at his dad. "Okay, okay" he replied, heaving a put upon sigh and adding 'bossy' under his breath. He ducked under the swat aimed at his head. Sticking out his tongue at the older man, Reid popped open the lid of his meal and happily dug in.

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The sound of muffled voices drew Diana out of a sound sleep. Opening her eyes, she wasn't surprised to see her Spencer and his friend sitting on the couch. The two had been her almost constant companions since she'd been moved out of ICU two days ago. The doting mother ran a critical eye over her son, frowning as she took in the pale complexion and the deep bags under his eyes. Her baby looked like he was about to drop and the man beside him didn't look much better. Diana took a moment to study the older man. Spencer's colleague, Rossi she reminded herself, was attempting to get the boy to eat some hospital slop that she wouldn't even feed to an animal. She wasn't sure what to think about this man. He was good with Spencer; making sure he took care of himself. And he wasn't afraid to show affection either. She'd seen him give her son a hug or a pat on the back more times than she could count. But while all that was wonderful, it also worried her. Spencer had been devastated when his first mentor had left without a word. He hadn't told her that of course. But she knew it just the same. She could hear it in his voice and see it in the letters he sent her. Diana refused to let that happen again. Goals made, the ill mother called out, "Spencer!"

Reid's face brightened at his mother's voice. Jumping off the couch, he hurried over to her side. "Hi mom! How are you feeling?" he greeted, taking her hand. "You're not in any pain are you?"

"I'm fine, baby." Diana responded, patting the side of the bed. Once Spencer sat down, she gently palmed his cheek. "You're not though. You haven't been getting enough sleep or decent food."

"Mom"

"Don't you mom me!" Diana scolded. "You know better than to let yourself get run down like this."

"Yes ma'am" Reid answered. "I promise I'll do better. Once you're out of here, we'll…"

"Stop right there young man." Diana broke in. "There will be no waiting. You and Mr. Rossi are going to go to a nice restaurant and have a big dinner and then you are going back to your hotel and getting a full night's sleep. I don't want to see either of you back here until morning. Have I made myself clear?"

Spencer's eyes went wide. It had been a long time since he'd heard the mom voice. "Yes ma'am" he quickly replied, nodding his head. While he didn't want to go, he knew better than to say no when his mother used that tone.

"Good, now give mama a kiss and then go on out." Diana instructed. "Mr. Rossi and I need to have a chat."

Spencer leaned down and hugged and kissed his mom before shuffling to the door and stopping. "Night mom I love you" he called. After casting a worried glance Rossi's way, he walked out.

Dave waited for the door to shut before turning to Mrs. Reid. "You wanted to talk with me?" he asked.

Diana nodded as she yawned. "Yes" she told him. Pinning the man with her best glare, she said, "I want to make one thing very clear. If you are not planning on being in Spencer's life for good, leave now. I will not have another co-worker doing to him what that Gideon fellow did. My Spencer deserves better. He deserves a father figure that stays in his life; one that shows him what a good father is. You need to think long and hard and decide whether or not you can be that for him."

Dave resisted the urge to take a step back. Diana in mama bear mode was a force to be reckoned with. Still he was pleased that she had noticed his fatherly gestures and seemed to be okay with it and him. Giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile, Rossi said, "Mrs. Reid I can guarantee you I have no intentions of leaving Spencer high and dry like Gideon did. I plan on being a part of his life for the rest of my time here on Earth. And I promise you that I will never hurt him."

Diana nodded, struggling to keep her eyes open. "Make sure you don't." she warned. "Because if you hurt my son, I'll scratch your eyes out." And with that, the ill woman's eyes slid shut and she drifted back to sleep.

Shaking his head, Rossi turned and crept out of the room.

"Rossi! What's going on? Why did mom want to talk to you?" Reid questioned as he rushed up to the man.

Dave smiled. "Relax Reid" he said. "She just wanted to ensure that I wasn't going to get close to you and then take off. Your mom doesn't want me pulling a disappearing act and hurting you like Gideon."

"She knew about that?" Reid asked, staring in surprise at his friend.

"Of course she did. She's your mother." Rossi answered.

Spencer gazed at the closed door. "Do you think she'll be alright by herself?" he asked.

"She'll be fine, kiddo. Maria's coming to stay with her tonight, remember?" Dave told the worried young man. Getting a nod, he threw an arm around his boy's shoulder and smiled. "Come on, let's go get something to eat before your mom comes out here and scratches my eyes out."

Laughing, Spencer headed down the hall with his dad.