A/N: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its Characters. No Beta, all mistakes are my own. Will post every two to three days. Thank you for reading.
Special Thanks To: spxxxxx, Diana, Canadas, walkthepathofdaydreams, Ludub, fishtrek, ahowell1993. You are all truly appreciated.
A/N: No slash or pairings. Kid-Fic, De-aged Fic, Team/Family Fic.
Warning: Rated T for violence, language, child abuse.
A/N: I won't be posting for about a week. It's my birthday and my boyfriend is taking me out of town. I won't have the chance to write or post. I'm so sorry. Please stick with me. I will be back.
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It was just past 4 am when Hotch was startled awake by a strike to his face. He jerked up in bed and looked around, searching for the culprits. What he found was a small boy lying on his side, slightly curled up. He watched Spencer quietly as he got his breathing under control. The boy suddenly flopped onto his back, his casted arm swinging through the air before landing on his torso with a thud. So thats what woke him. He studied Spencer's face for a moment, the expression was calm, serene; he wasn't having a nightmare. Hotch smiled slightly. He took a glance at the clock, sighed and laid back down. Hopefully he could get a few more hours sleep in.
When morning came, Aaron and Spencer hastily got dressed and went down to see the team. True to her word Garcia had biscuits and gravy cooking on the stove. Rossi was making coffee, which instantly piqued Spencer's interest. He slipped away from Hotch and approached the older man.
"Rossi?" The child asked with a tug on the mans arm. "Can I have some... please?" Spencer made his eyes big and pleading, an endearing look that Rossi found very difficult to refuse. But he still did.
"I'm sorry Spencer, your body wont respond well to the caffeine at this age." He rested a hand on Spencer's shoulder.
"I'm 27," he mumbled in response with a pout. Rossi frowned, the sight of the five year old tugged at his heartstrings.
"How about some hot chocolate?" He asked, Spencer just shrugged. Rossi was interrupted by some loud noises came from the stairs right before Morgan and Emily not-so-gracefully entered the kitchen together. Spencer smirked.
"Where were you guys?" He asked innocently, they looked at him in confusion. He continued, "burning calories?" Emilys eyes widened and Morgan froze.
Emily's "What!" Mixed with Morgans "No!"
"I disagree" Reid responded. "The human body is always burning calories, whether 'exercising' or not." The other profilers started laughing, while Morgan and Emily glared at Spencer. Of course they all knew it was just light teasing. Morgan really wasn't Emily's type.
"What's so funny?" Will asked as he and JJ entered the room, carrying Henry.
"We were just discussing the body's ability to burn calories without movement. You know the average person will burn roughly 65 calories an hour doing nothing. If you think about it -" whatever rant Reid was about to get into was suddenly cut off as the doorbell rang. Rossi went to answer it. Spencer didn't have a chance to start up again before a pile of food was placed in fron of him. He dug in eagerly.
"Aaron?" Rossi called from the door. Hotch quickly stood up to find out what Rossi needed. What met him was his ex-wife and son.
"Haley?" He asked cousiously.
"I know I said you couldnt have Jack this week, but somethings come up. I have an important meeting today and Jessica cannot babysit. I need you to take him for the day." Haley answered him, never taking her eyes off her phone. Hotch didn't appreciate her tone of voice or choice of words in front of their son. Still, he didn't want to risk her changing her mind. So he smiled.
"Of course, I'm happy to." He bent down and gave Jack a big hug which the boy returned with a huge smile.
"Bye honey," she said as she bent down next to her son and kissed his check. Without looking at Aaron, she left.
Hotch turned to his son. "Are you hungry buddy?" He asked. Jack nodded and the two walked back to the kitchen. He listened for a moment as Spencer was describing the properties of gravy and what exactly the best gravy to biscuit ratio was to use when they walked through the door. The room erupted in happy greetings to Jack, who smiled in response as his dad got him some food and sat him down next to Spencer. The boys were too busy eating to really do introductions. But that didn't stop Jack from trying. He was excited by the new face.
"Who are you?" He asked with a mouth full of food.
"Jack, finish chewing your food before talking." Hotch reprimanded gently.
"Yes daddy..."
"I'm Reid, David's grandson." Spencer supplied noting that Henry was too far away to contradict him. Amusement twinkled at his eyes as he saw a raised brow and a grumpy scowl from Rossi.
"I didn't know uncle Dave had a grandson..." Jack said, giving a miniature version of Hotch's signature speculative expression.
"I dont live around here, so I don't get to visit often." Reid replied smoothly.
"Oh okay." Jack responded shyly, taking another couple bites of food. After a moment he spoke again, "where do you live?"
Spencer smiled, "I live in Nevada with my mom."
That seemed to pique Jacks interest. "I live with my mommy too cause daddy has to leave for his job lots. He's a super hero!" Jack exclaimed. Hotch pretended to not be listening as he socialized with Rossi and Emily but Spencer caught the ghost of a smile that graced his lips.
"REALLY!?" Reid made his eyes large in wonder. He learned from yesterday's fiasco with Henry that it would be better to play along.
"Uh Huh, so is your grandpa. He and daddy go all over the country fighting bad guy!"
"WOW!" Spencer replied animatively. Jack was getting more and more excited, he always liked showing off his fathers job to other people.
"Yeah, their part of a super hero team with Aunt Penny and Aunt Emily and JJ and Uncle Derek and Uncle Spencer." Spencer smiled at himself being included.
"Do they have any powers?" He asked with a chestier cat grin. This was proving more fun then he expected.
"Well Duh! But daddy wont tell me what they are..." He said seriously, leaning real close to Reid he added, "I've only been able to figure a few of them out."
Playing along Spencer whispered too, not that either of them were being overly quiet. "Who did you figure out?"
"Well," the boy looked both ways to make sure he wasn't being watched. "Uncle Morgan, has super strength and fighting abilities."
Spencer smirked, "No way!"
"Uh huh, and Penny, she can control electronics. Once when daddy was on the phone. I heard him say she took control over the whole 'system'! Computers, cameras, phones..." Jacks eyes got big with wonder. Spencer wanted to laugh, but he kept it in. After all, the description wasn't far off.
"Do you know anyone else's super powers?" He asked
"Well there's one more I know for sure, other then daddy of course."
"Really? Who?" The rest of the team was listening intently, although they hid it well.
"Uncle Spencer..."
"What can uncle Spencer do?" He asked, curious this time
"He has a super brain! He's the smartest person in the world! Daddy said that if he wanted to, he could take over the whole world with just his mind!" Jack pointed at his head with both hands, a dead serious expression on his face.
"I'm sure thats not true." Spencer replied modestly with a shy glance at Hotch who was conveniently finding his biscuits particularly interesting.
"Oh its true, just wait until you meet him. He knows everything!"
"No one can no everything," Spencer frowned.
"HE does! Just ask uncle Derek." Jack replied, nodding vigorously. "Uncle Derek?" He called and waiting until he got the mans attention
"What is it Jack?" Morgan asked, pretending to be startled.
"Reid doesn't believe me when I say Uncle Spencer knows everything!" Morgan and the rest of the team fought the urge to snicker.
"Well Reid, I got to tell you, its true. Spencer really is a know-it-all!" Morgan deadpanned. The others tried to hide their grins, most failed.
"See! Told you!" Jack stated, proud of himself. Spencer waited until Jack had turned around before sticking his tongue out at the smirking profilers. With one last glare he turned back to Jack.
"What about your daddy, Jack?" What's his super power?" Spencer asked, wanting the attention off of himself.
"That's easy, daddy is the bravest man in the world. He's also a leader. Just like Captain America!" Hotch ducked his head to hide his smile.
"That he is Jack, that he is." Rossi chimed in from across the room.
"That's really something, Jack" Spencer replied.
"I know! So what does your daddy do, is he a hero too?" Jack asked innocently. The whole team stiffened.
"No Jack, my father is a lawyer." Reid replied carefully.
"Really!? Daddy used to be a lawyer. Maybe they know each other. I bet if they met they would become best friends. Then we could see each other all the time." Hotch narrowed his eyes, there was no way he would ever become friends with William Reid. His son didn't notice the expression, a good thing too, Hotch didn't want to explain to his son that some fathers are bad...
"No Jack, my father is nothing like yours. I don't think they would get along well." Spencer replied, trying to keep his voice light and happy.
"Why not? Daddy's the best!" Jack frowned.
"Exactly..." Reid mumbled in a low voice that Jack didn't quite catch.
Before Jack could say anything else, Rossi spoke. "Now that everyone's done eating, why dont we go swimming?"
"YES!" Jack hollered. Hotch smiled in relief, before quickly turning into a frown as something occurred to him.
"I dont think Haley packed swim trunks for Jack, and Reid doesn't have any..."
"Oh dont you worry about that boss man!" Garcia said with a wave of her nicely polished hand. "I picked up a couple for Reid, I'm sure one will fit Jack." She said with a smile.
Before they knew it, all of the adults and three little boys were ready to swim. Jack was wearing blue swim trunks, Henry was in green, and Spencer had purple with a white t-shirt. Everyone was so busy getting ready that they didn't notice that Spencer changed by himself. He purposely chose a shirt that would hide a significant amount of his bruising, Henry and jack didn't need to see that. As he looked at the water he was starting to feel thankful that the hospital gave him a silicon waterproof cast.
Morgan, Emily and JJ didn't waste time as they dove into Rossi's pool. Flashing smiles and splashing each other. Will stuck to the 3 foot side of the pool, and helped Henry with his water wings. Rossi's pool didn't get any shallower then 3 feet so Henry would need to remain at arms reach. Jack was eargerly pulling on Hotch's arms to get his father in the pool. Garcia had situated herself on a pool side chair, with a magazine. Meanwhile Rossi and Reid stood by awkwardly.
"You going in kiddo?" Rossi asked Reid.
"Not yet..."
"Why not buddy?" Spencer just shrugged. "Can you not swim?" Rossi asked with a frown.
"Of course I can" Spencer frowned in return. Rossi wasnt sure what to do so he got comfortable on a pool side chair and watched as Spencer sat on the edge and kicked his feet in the water. Spencer sat and watched his friends with a smile. Morgan was trying to splash water at Garcia. Emily and JJ were leaning along the edge kicking their legs lightly as the chatted. Will cheered Henry on everytime the kid managed to shuffle a few feet across the water. Meanwhile Hotch was throwing Jack in the air so he could land with a splash into the water a few feet away. Spencer sighed softly, he never had memories like that in a pool.
After a while Jack noticed Spencer not swimming and demanded his father take him to him. The two approach Spencer who smiled at them.
"Why aren't you swimming?" Jack asked his new friend.
"I didn't really want to..." Spencer responded.
"But its fun!" Jack exclaimed. Spencer shifted uncomfortably , he really didn't want a repeat of Henry so he decided he would try to suffer through it.
It wasnt that Spencer couldnt swim. It wasnt that he had a bad experience with swimming or even a fear of water. No the real issue was much more logical. He knew it would be excruciating to try to swim with broken ribs, one arm and a soreness that radiated through his whole body.
"You dont have to swim Reid, its okay." Hotch said, sensing Reid's discomfort.
"No, its okay. I want to..." Spencer assured hm. Hotch frowned but didn't stop the stubborn child. As that might upset him. Reid slipped into the water next to Jack and started playing around. They splashed at each ather and started doing races to see who was faster. Jack won every time. Hotch watched Reid carefully. He swore he saw grimaces as Spencer moved and an occasional flash of pain that he just barely managed to hide.
Fifteen minute later, Reid couldn't hold in the pain anymore he quickly excused himself and ran to the pool house to change. He waited until he was alone before crying out. Letting the agony wash over him. What he didn't know what that Rossi had chosen to follow him, assuring the others that he could handle it. He was going to approach when Spencer cried out but instead chose to let Spencer get it all out of his system before making himself know. Reid was, after all, an adult and easily embarrassed.
He waited until Spencer was dressed and no longer crying out in pain before he approached, but he didn't get the chance as the kid walked to the main house before noticing the approaching agent. Rossi followed calmly, Reid wasn't running away or hiding. He just needed a break. He was in pain and didn't feel like being coddled. Rossi found him in the library. The small boy was again messing with the keypad of his saferoom. Instead of interrupting, Dave just watched quietly.
Several minutes passed before Spencer let out a 'victorious' "yes!" Rossi rounded the counter he was hiding behind to find the door to the saferoom opened. Reid was talking to himself. "I knew if I had enough time I could get it open. Just wait until I tell Hotch. I really should recomend that new locking system to Rossi. This one clearly is not enough protection."
"What new system?" Rossi asked from the door, making Spencer jump.
"Rossi, I... I'm sorry... I'll put it bac-" Rossi held out his hand.
"Calm down Reid, I'm not upset. Curious maybe. But not upset. Rossi assured the child. Spencer visably relaxed. "So?" Spencer just stared. "Care to tell me whats wrong with my current keypad and give me that suggestion?"
Reid smiled in response. The two agents got comfortable as Reid explained the disadvantages and benefits of various locking mechanisms. Rossi even made a point to write down the top three contenders for further investigation. Then together they fixed his lock and set the saferoom back up for use. Spencer smiled up at him triumphantly. The two sat in a comfortably silence for a moment as Reid started searching through the books.
"So, wanna tell me what happened with the swimming?" Rossi asked quietly.
Reid looked down ashamed. "It... it hurt too much..." Rossi just nodded, he had realized that much when he heard Spencer crying out in pain earlier.
"I'm sorry Spencer, we shouldn't have pressured you. We were all too blinded by the idea of having some fun that we ignored your injuries... are you okay now?" He asked.
"Yes sir..." Spencer replied, still not meeting the older mans eyes.
"Why don't I believe you." Reid shrugged. "What would Aaron say if he were here?"
Spencer frowned in defeat, "He'd say its okay to ask for help, and not to do things I don't want to and... and I should ask for medicine when the pain gets too much."
"Exactly! Why dont we get you a little something to help?" Spencer nodded and followed Rossi.
A/N: Again, sorry I won't be posted for a week... Thank you for Reading, next chapter will have more drama. Let me know what you think. R&R!