Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. Feel free to read and review, but please don't copy.
AN- I have a favor to ask. I teach first grade and we study Christmas and holiday traditions at this time of the year. So I was wondering if you guys would send me a PM telling how you celebrate the holidays. My students would love to hear from you!
Previously on Criminal Minds- "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.
CM
After a delicious three course dinner, the profilers retired to the swanky hotel room Rossi had acquired when he'd first gotten into the city. The weary men plopped down on the couch and leaned back.
Yawning, Reid glanced around their home for the night. "This is nice." He commented.
Rossi nodded. "Yeah I thought we could use a decent place to unwind."
"Thanks" Reid replied before standing. "I think I'm gonna take a shower."
"Just a minute" Dave said. "There's something I need to talk to you about."
"Alright" Reid agreed, sitting down once more. "What is it?"
Dave ran a hand down his face. He hated to bring this up when his son was in such a good mood but he just had to know. "Dr. Johnson mentioned something when we were having it out the other day; something about your high school days. And it's been bugging me ever since. Now you don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to but…what happened with the football team and the goal post?"
All the blood drained from Spencer's face. "He, he told you about that!" he gasped.
"Not exactly" Rossi answered. "He merely mentioned there was an incident. The jerk seemed rather happy about it, too."
Reid sighed in relief. He couldn't bear Rossi, his dad, knowing about that horrible time in his life. It was bad enough Morgan knew the whole sordid story. He didn't want his dad to know just how big of a loser he'd been in high school. Seeing said dad looking at him expectantly, Spencer shook his head. "I, I c-can't…"
"It's okay kiddo" Dave assured, rubbing his son's back. "You don't have to tell me." He gave the younger man a few minutes to collect himself and then smiled and suggested, "Why don't you go take that shower now, huh?"
Nodding, Reid tiredly stood and shuffled to the door to one of the bedrooms. He stopped just shy of the doorway and looked back at his friend. "Thank you for understanding" he mumbled before going through the door.
Rossi watched his son go with a sigh. While Spencer hadn't blown up at him, he hadn't confided in him either. Dave had hoped the young man trusted him enough and felt comfortable enough with him to tell him the story. Evidently, that wasn't the case. Rubbing the back of his neck, the senior profiler slowly stood. He'd just have to keep trying. James would come around sooner or later.
CM
"Yeah Aaron I know…the doctor said it'd be a couple more days at least…ummhummm…tell Strauss if she has a problem with that, she can call me. I'll set her straight…damn straight!" Dave smiled. "Don't worry kitten. Reid is doing fine…Yes, JJ I'm making sure he eats…no Morgan, I still haven't heard the magic word…I know…listen guys, you don't have to worry. I have everything under control. He chuckled. "I'm hanging up and going to bed now. You guys get back to solving your case. We'll see you when we get back…Uh huh bye"
Rossi flipped his cell closed and tossed it onto the counter. Yawning, he trudged over to the door. After assuring himself that it was locked, he started the trek to his bedroom for the night. He was almost to his room when a muffled noise had him changing directions. Striding over to Reid's room, he nudged the door open a fraction and peered around it. Dave frowned as he watched his son tossing and turning and kicking his feet like he was trying to break free from someone's grip. Hearing a fearful 'no, please', the worried father hurried to the bed. Leaning over, he grasped the younger man's shoulder and gently shook him. "Reid! Reid, wake up son!"
"No! Please let me go! I won't tell!" Spencer screamed, struggling harder.
"Spencer! Wake up!" Rossi hollered, shaking the boy harder. When that had no effect, the senior Rossi resorted to lightly slapping the sleeping man's face.
Gasping, Spencer bolted upright. His eyes frantically bounced around the room for a moment before coming to rest on Dave. "Rossi" he sighed, slumping back against the headboard.
"You okay kiddo?" Dave questioned.
Reid ran a shaky hand through his hair. "Yeah" he replied, swiping at his eyes. "S-s-sorry I woke you"
"You didn't wake me. I hadn't gone to bed yet." Rossi assured his son. He patted Spencer's blanket covered knee. "You wanna talk about your nightmare?"
"No" Reid answered a little too quickly.
"Are you sure? It might help." Dave prodded.
Spencer opened his mouth a couple of times before shaking his head and dropping his gaze to his knees. "I can't." he miserably responded, adding under his breath "you wouldn't understand."
"Wouldn't understand what?" Dave inquired.
Reid's eyes shot to Rossi. "You heard that?!" he exclaimed.
Dave chuckled. "I may not be as young as I used to be but that doesn't mean I'm deaf." He said. "My hearing's just as good as it's always been."
"Are you saying you're old?" Spencer teased, smiling for the first time since waking up.
"Old?" Dave scoffed, fighting to keep the scowl on his face. "I'll show you old!" Tackling the younger man, he had the boy pinned to the bed before Reid knew what was happening.
"Okay, okay I give!" Spencer called over his shoulder.
Rossi immediately released the youngster. "Not so old now, am I?" he crowed, ruffling Reid's hair.
"Daaad!" Spencer whined. Realizing what he'd just say, he threw a hand over his mouth and stared wide eyed at Rossi.
Dave grinned from ear to ear. He'd been waiting to hear James say that; to call him that wonderful name! Noticing the look of horror on his son's face, he rushed to assure the boy. "It's alright, Spencer. You can call me dad if you'd like."
Spencer cocked his head to one side. "I, I don't know…"
"Reid" Dave broke in. "You don't have to call me that. While I kinda like the sound of it, I'm not going to force you to use it. You're free to call me anything you want to." Seeing a mischievous grin come over the boy's face, he quickly added, "As long as it's nice."
Spencer pretended to pout. "Aww man!" he good naturedly grumbled. "I had some good ones picked out and everything."
"Brat!" Rossi huffed, swatting the back of the boy's head. "Lay down and go to sleep before your mouth gets you in trouble."
That sobered Reid up fast. "Umm, will you tell me *yawn* about your family?" he asked, hoping to delay bedtime. After the nightmare he'd had, the young man had no desire to go back to sleep.
Dave frowned, seeing the distraction for what it was, a distraction. Knowing the nightmare had freaked the boy out more than he'd ever admit, the father quickly thought of a way to help his son get a good night's sleep. "I'll tell you what. You lay down and close your eyes and I'll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Rossi family." He suggested.
"You will?" Spencer asked, clearly surprised by the offer.
"Yes I will. I'll stay right here and do what I do best; talk." Dave answered.
"O-kay" Reid hesitantly agreed. He slid down the bed with a yawn. "Night Ro, dad"
"Night buddy" Dave replied, tucking the blankets around his son. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, he scooted over until his back hit the headboard, stretched his legs out, and began carding a hand through his son's long locks. "Well, let's see. There's your grandmother Rossi. She was very excited to hear about you. And she can't wait to meet you. You'll like her, kid. She's tough like Hotch but she has a motherly streak a mile wide. One minute she's scolding you for something and the next she's hugging the stuffing outta ya. Be prepared to be smothered with love when you meet her." Pausing, Rossi glanced down, smiling at his peacefully sleeping son. "Sleep well, my son" he whispered. He leaned down and kissed the younger man's forehead before slowly standing and leaving the room.
A few minutes later he returned with a pile of blankets and pillows in hand. Creeping to the other side of the king sized bed, Dave set down his load. After arranging his pillows, he carefully laid down on the bed and tossed his covers over him. Now if there were any more nightmares, he'd be close enough to hear Spencer and wake him up. He peered over at his boy, smiling at the memory of being called dad. He couldn't believe it! He had finally been called the magic word as Morgan called it. Laying a hand on his son's chest, Dave closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.
