The Lost Little One Chapter 25, a criminal minds fanfic

Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. I do not own anything you recognize.

Previously on Criminal Minds- "You too" Dave called. Turning to his family, he took the two girls by the hand. "Alright girls, let's go get those bathing suits!"

Lexi nervously scanned the crowded store. She had less than five minutes to pick her champion and this one had to be the best. The guys had been ragging on her all week about her choices. You always go for the cute ones Jeff had said. You've gotta go for brains not sweetness James had added. Teron had been the worst though. He'd told her over and over that she'd never win. Well, she'd show him. She'd make him eat those words. She was going to pick the ultimate winner!

"One minute to go, Lex" the tall lanky teen called James reminded as he walked up to the spaced out blond. "You pick your player yet?"

"I'm working on it." Lexi replied without taking her eyes off the multitude of children hunched around the Lego explore bin.

"Give it up Lex. You're never gonna win and you know it." a snide voice piped up from behind the teenager. "Why don't you go ahead and bow out before you get stomped again? It's like I told you when you insisted on becoming part of the contest; it's a guy thing. Girls are just no good at building or judging builders of masterpieces. They're only good at cooking, washing clothes, and housecleaning."

"Oh grow up and join the twenty-first century." Lexi scoffed, rounding on the male chauvinist. "Women stopped the barefoot and pregnant routine decades ago. We do everything the boys do now Mr. Caveman. You'd know that if you'd get out of your cave more often." Lexi's face lit up as she spotted her perfect choice. "Prepare to have your ass handed to you by a girl."

"In her dreams" Teron growled as he watched his rival saunter over to a family. Seeing her start conversing with a couple of young girls, he shook his head. "She'll never beat me."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that." James warned, eyeing the tiny boy standing in front of Lexi and the building he was constructing. "She just might surprise you."

"Please, like that could ever happen." Teron huffed. "The beauty queen should go back home where she belongs. I'm sure there's a washing machine somewhere calling her name."

Sighing at their friend's backwards thinking, James and Jeff turned and walked away. They had better things to do than listen to his endless ranting.

"Attention lovers of Legos! The Lego creation contest will begin in one minute. Please make your way to the room on the far right to watch our competitors vie for the ultimate prize; a Lego Millennium Falcon!"

"Uncle Dave! Come on! Come on!" Jenny shouted, yanking on the man's hand. "We're gonna miss it!"

"We're not going to miss anything Sweet Pea." Dave assured as he allowed himself to be led to the circular room where the rest of their family had already gathered. "They won't begin for another thirty seconds. See?" He scooped the little girl up and settled her on his hip to make it easier for her to see the competition.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls!" Mickey Mouse's voice enthusiastically squeaked over the intercom. "Welcome to Mickey's Lego Challenge! Four contestants between the ages of six and ten have been chosen to compete in the ultimate building competition for the chance to win a super de duper prize pack! Today's contestants are…"

The large compass shaped bin suddenly lit up; lights flashing as they chased each other around the rim of the container. After making a couple of circuits, the bright blue and red lights stopped right in front of a slightly chubby red haired boy.

"Dennis, a nine year old from Ohio!" Jeff announced. The audience clapped and the lights flashed before resuming their journey. They raced a fourth of the way around, coming to a stop at the next contestant.

"Eight year old Yuki from Japan!" James exclaimed, raising the arm of the brightly smiling boy wearing Harry Potter type glasses.

The lights and clapping started up again. This time though the flashing lights made a complete circuit around the circular bin before freezing in front of a smug looking Teron and a thin, nerdy looking boy wearing the exact same look. Drawing on his inner Vanna White, Teron made a show of gesturing at the boy wearing the button up shirt complete with pocket protector. "Arthur, a super smart ten year old from London!" he yelled in his best announcer tone.

The lights came to life once more. They danced around the enormous Lego filled box before stopping in front of a smiling Lexi and her tiny companion. "And four year old Spencer from Virginia!" she introduced, her grin widening at the gasps the boy's age produced.

At this point a spotlight lit up the podium on one side of the room. The grandfatherly looking employee there then addressed the crowd. "That's right folks! You have the privilege to witness the youngest competitor to ever be allowed in our contest! And while four seems a wee bit young for such a competition, after talking with Spencer and his family I can honestly tell you that he is more than capable of giving the older boys a run for their money." He paused for a moment; then held up an envelope. "Let's get this competition started. Today's challenge is…" Marty ripped open the envelope and yanked out an index card. "to build a Rube Goldberg type device to transport water from your well to the water tower on the other side of your work area. You'll have thirty minutes to build your creation. Your apparatus is to be your work alone; no one is allowed to help you in any way. At the end of that time each of you will be required to set your machine in motion. The correctly working machines will then be put to the test to determine which one works the best. Does everyone understand?"

Teron looked over at the four year old who looked frightened as all the people turned to stare at him. "Hey kid!" he called with an evil smirk. "Do you know what he's talking about or should we get Big Bird to come explain it to you?"

Spencer's eyes narrowed. He hated when people talked down to him. Bolstered by his daddy's hand on his shoulder, the four year old pushed his glasses up a little higher, stood as tall as he could manage, and stared the jerk in the eye. "Of course I understand the directions. I'm not an imbecile." He scoffed with an indignant expression that looked all kinds of wrong on such a young child.

Marty had to bite back a laugh. It was about time someone stood up to that creep. He just wished he'd thought to video the event. There were at least five people who'd…getting a nudge from another employee, Marty started and launched back into his spiel. "Alright contestants! On your mark…get set…GO!"

Jenny and Julie cheered as Spencer swiftly dug into the bin of Lego's, pulling out piece after piece and placing them in one of several different piles. Once he had four enormous piles, the youngster started his creation. He went through the Lego's one group at a time; building each part of his machine with care and precision.

By the time the alarm went off, all four boys had strange looking contraptions sitting in front of them. The proud boys then took turns setting their devices in motion. After each machine had been tested, the contest had dwindled down to two; Spencer and Arthur.

Marty then retook the stage. "Alright boys, now for the real challenge!" he said. "The timer will be reset for one minute. When I say go, set your machines in motion. The device that delivers the most water to the tower in that minute is the winner! Are you ready? Then get set aaaannnnnndddd go!"

Spencer and Arthur rushed to get water from their wells to the water towers via their inventions. The boys seemed to be evenly matched. Both contraptions rapidly moved water from one side to another as the crowd watched on. When they got down to ten seconds left, it looked like it was going to be a tie. But then the unthinkable happened. Arthur's carrier malfunctioned spilling the load of water all over the table. And just like that Spencer won the competition!

"Yea Spence! You won! You won!" Jenny yelled as she performed a victory dance around her friend.

"Way to go buddy!" Aaron exclaimed. He knelt down and hugged his son. "I'm so proud of you!"

"We both are." Hailey said, joining in the family hug.

Dave leaned over and ruffled Spencer's hair. "I knew you could do it Sport." He told the youngster.

"Yeah, those other boys didn't have a chance." Julie seconded.

Spencer beamed with pride at all the unexpected praise. "Thank you but Arthur had an extremely inventive device. It could have easily…"

"Here you go, Champ. Here's your prize!" Marty broke in, holding out the spaceship kit.

Spencer eyed the Lego set of his dreams before cutting his eyes to his friend who was still happily dancing away. "Ummm, do you think ummmm, could I trade my prize for two smaller ones?" he timidly questioned.

"I guess so." Marty replied, a little dumb founded. He'd never been asked that before. "Which ones did you have in mind?"

"That one" Spencer said, pointing to the doll house set Jenny had been looking at. "And, ummmmm, ummmmm…" He surveyed the massive amount of kits hoping to see one that would come close to the wonderful set he had won.

Julie frowned at her friend's choice. Surely, he didn't want a doll house? That looked more like something Jenny would wa…oh. Shaking her head, the preteen reached down and tapped the four year old on the shoulder to get his attention. She waited for him to look up and then said, "Spencer, you don't need to get that for Jenny."

"But I want to." Spencer countered with a smile.

"I know you do." Julie replied. "And if you really want to, you can get her something later. But this is your prize. You can't trade it. Right Jenny?" She nudged her little sister's arm.

"Uh huh" Jenny agreed, nodding vigorously. "You don't have to get me that doll house even if it is the coolest set ever!"

"Jenny!" Julie groaned. She heaved a put upon sigh before turning back to the little boy at her side. "You really don't need to do this."

"Julie's right." Rossi seconded. "You don't have to get Jenny that doll house. She already has one. See?"

Seeing the large shopping bag in his Uncle's hands, Spencer grinned. Thrilled, he eagerly reached out and took his prize from the Disney employee. "Thank you"

"You're welcome youngster" Marty replied. "You guys have a good evening now, alright?"

Spencer's timid "Yes sir" was drowned out by Jenny's excited, "We will! We're going swimming!"

"Swimming huh? Cool!" Lexi said. "You guys have fun and thanks again for helping me out."

"Thank you for giving Spencer a chance." Hotch replied, shaking her hand.

"It was my pleasure." Lexi told him, casting a sideways glance at her very unhappy rival. "I've gotta get back to work now. Thanks again and have a wonderful evening."

"Bye" Spencer called.

"Here buddy, let me help you with that." Aaron suggested before taking the heavy box from his son.

Hailey picked her son up and the two led the way out of the store. Once outside, they looked to the oldest member of their family for guidance. "Where to now?" she asked.

Dave checked the map and then pointed to the right. "That way my dear. We have reservations for seven." He answered. Turning to the girls on either side of him, he added, "Come on my darlings. Let's go eat!"

After a luscious dinner at a dinosaur themed restaurant and a quick stop at the candy store, the family trudged back to their rented van and drove back to their hotel. They stopped by their room long enough to change into their bathing suits before hurrying to the elevators. One ride and a short walk later found the family at an extra-large swimming pool complete with water slide.

Whooping, Jenny and Julie made a bee line for the beautiful blue dragon shaped slide. They disappeared around the side of the beast, reappearing moments later at the top of the animal's head. The sisters waved to their friends and then plopped down on their behinds and slid out the dragon's mouth and down its tongue to the sparkling water below.

"Cool!" Jenny squealed when she resurfaced. "I wanna do that again!"

Spencer watched his friend swim to the ladder, race around the dragon, and then plummet down the slide once more. It looked like a lot of fun and he really wanted to try it out. There was just one tiny problem; he couldn't swim. Sighing, the four year old plodded over and sat down on the top step of the shallow end of the pool.

Frowning at his son's reaction, Aaron quickly strode over and took a seat beside the boy. "What's a matter buddy?" he asked, hoping that seeing the pool hadn't brought up a bad memory for the tot.

"I, I wanna slide with Jenny and Julie but I can't. I don't know how to swim." Spencer sadly confessed. "D, I mean William never allowed mom and I to go to a pool or the beach or anything like that. He said they were a waste of time and money."

The new father smiled. Finally, something that was easy to fix. "He was wrong about that just like he was wrong about everything else. Beaches and pools are very useful. They bring stress relief and fun to everyone." Aaron explained.

"It does look like fun." Spencer admitted before curling in on himself again. "But it wouldn't be fun for me; it'd be scary cause I can't swim."

"That's alright buddy. I can teach you to swim." Aaron replied, smiling as the youngster's head shot up. "And you won't have to be afraid or scared because Uncle Dave bought you this." He held up the Power Swimmer before strapping it around the excited four year old. "This swimming aid will ensure you float so no more worrying about sinking and drowning. Okay?"

Spencer glanced down at the small colorful orb and then back up at his daddy. "It's kind of little. Are you sure it can hold me up?" he questioned.

"I'm positive." Aaron assured his son. "Come on. I'll show you." He took the nervous boy's hand and led him down the steps.

Spencer's eyes widened when his feet failed to touch the bottom of the pool. Wrapping his arms around one of his dad's, he held on for dear life.

"Spencer, it's alright buddy. See?" Aaron carefully extracted his arm from the hold, switching it so they were holding hands. Thankful that he'd had the forethought to have a waterproof cast put on the four year old's arm, the father smiled at the floating boy's surprised expression.

"I'm, I'm floating." Spencer muttered, the awe clear in his voice.

"Yes you are." Aaron agreed. "Now kick your feet." He nodded. "That's it. Just like that." He walked backward for a few minutes, allowing his son to get used to the feel of the water before moving on to the next step. "Now move your arms like mommy's doing."

"Like this baby" Hailey said as she slowly modeled the arm movements.

Aaron switched his hold from Spencer's hands to his underneath his stomach. "There you go. Now try it." he urged. "That's it. You've got it buddy! Just like that!"

Aaron and Hailey shuffled around the shallow end of the pool with Spencer for a good while, muttering encouragements the whole time.

Sensing that their son was ready to attempt a solo performance, Hotch gave his wife a nod and then slowly removed his hand.

"Great job, Spencer!" Hailey praised, distracting Spencer from his daddy's retreat. "You're doing it. You're swimming!"

Spencer beamed as he dog paddled towards his mommy. He was swimming! Really swimming! Sure, his daddy was holding him up but he was still using his arms and legs to propel himself across the pool.

"Great job baby!" Hailey exclaimed when the four year old made it to her. Scooping him up, she kissed his cheek before settling him on her hip. She snickered at Spencer's stunned expression when he saw his daddy standing waving at them from several feet away.

"I, I did it by myself?" Spencer gasped.

"Yes you did Sweetie." Hailey answered with a grin.

A megawatt smile split Spencer's face. "I did it!" he hollered. I can swim!" He scanned the darkening area for his friends. Spotting the girls over by the slide, he yelled, "Jenny! Julie! Watch!"

Hailey placed the excited boy back in the water and he clumsily swam across the pool and into his daddy's waiting arms.

"Woo hoo! You did it, Spencer!" Julie shouted.

"Hooray!" Jenny cheered. "You swimmed, Spence! Now you can come slide with me and Julie!"

Spencer's eyes lit up. Then he remembered how the girls had gone under the water and his face fell. "I can't slide. I'll go under." He answered back.

"No you won't." Julie countered. "Your floatie will keep you from going under. I know. Jenny used to use one when she was your age."

Doubt crossed Spencer's face. He really wanted to slide with his friends but he wasn't sure the floatie wouldn't fall off and cause him to drown. After all, swimming accidents happened all the time. He'd seen case after case on the news. Unwilling to risk the feeling of not being able to breathe again, he shook his head. "That's okay. I think I'll just stay over here and swim." He called.

Aaron's brow furrowed at his son's response. Spencer was dying to slide. He'd seen that much in the boy's face the minute he saw the giant dragon. He could understand the tot being afraid of drowning but that issue had been solved by the swimming aid and a quick lesson. Spencer should be jumping at the chance to slide so what was stopping him? He gazed down at his son. Maybe he just needed a confidence boost. "Spencer, how about if I go with you? I could wait at the bottom and catch you when you come out. What do you say? You wanna try out the slide?"

Spencer vigorously nodded. "Yes!" he eagerly replied. He swam to the edge of the pool with his daddy and climbed up the ladder. The four year old started for the slide and then stopped and turned worried eyes on Aaron. "You promise you'll catch me?" he inquired.

Hotch smiled at his son. "I promise buddy." He assured.

Spencer stared at the man for a moment before dashing to the slide after his friends. He carefully climbed up the stairs to the entrance of the slide. After assuring himself that his daddy was at the bottom poised to catch him, the tiny boy plopped down on his behind and pushed off. He squealed as he slid down the dragon's slippery mouth and tongue and into his daddy's arms. "Again! Again!" he shouted. Letting go of his father's arms, Spencer dog paddled his way to the ladder and scrambled up. Grinning from ear to ear, he raced for the water slide once more.

After an hour of swimming, the adults herded the reluctant children out of the pool. They dried themselves off and wrapped their towels around their shoulders before walking inside the air conditioned hotel. When they made it to their room, they sent the kids to take their baths. Thirty minutes later, the family was dressed and ready for bed.

"Uncle Dave, will you *yawn* tell me a story?" Jenny asked, leaning against the man's leg.

"Sure Sweet Pea" Rossi replied. He leaned down and scooped the tired little girl up. "How about we read one of those books you got today?"

"Pinkalicious?" Jenny asked as her head dropped onto his shoulder.

"Of course" Dave answered. He grabbed the bag of books and shuffled into the girls' room.

"Time for bed Spencer" Aaron whispered, rubbing the sleepy boy's back as he stood and headed for the other bedroom in the suite. "Would you like to hear a story, too?"

Spencer shook his head. "Tired" he mumbled around the thumb in his mouth.

"Me too buddy" Aaron agreed. He trudged over to the bed, gently laid his son on the soft, queen sized bed, and handed Spencer his new stuffed dinosaur. Grabbing the edge of the blanket, the new father started tucking them around his worn out boy. He startled as his phone suddenly buzzed. Sighing, he yanked his cell out of his pocket and flipped it open. "Hotchner"

"Aaron, it's Jason" Gideon said. "Listen I know its late but is Spencer still up by any chance?"

Aaron frowned. "He's awake but he's fading fast. Why?" he asked.

"You'll see." Jason vaguely answered. "Put him on the phone for me, will ya?"

"Jason I don't think…"

"Put him on the phone Aaron." Gideon instructed. "You won't regret it. I promise."

Aaron glanced from his half asleep son to the phone and back. "Alright" he hesitantly agreed. Reaching down, he shook the four year's shoulder. "Spencer, Uncle Jason wants to talk to you for a minute."

Yawning, Spencer wearily took the cell and held it up to his ear. "He *yawn* llo?" he answered. He sleepily nodded a couple to times before shooting up straight in bed. "JACKSON!"