Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.
A/N: Shout out to OhSnapItsMadison and Hippichic81 for reviewing chapter 36.
I actually decided that I would have Piper do gymnastics unlike dance classes since I've read a quite a bit of stories that Spencer's daughter would end up taking dance classes so I thought that I should have Piper and eventually Ava do something different than dance classes.
Since I am going to have Allison Putnam become a reoccurring character, I cast Olivia Holt as Allison Putnam.
Sorry about this chapter being shorter, but I promise that the next chapter will be longer.
After Spencer and the NTSP agent finished reviewing the flight data recorder they headed towards Rossi and Kate.
"We just reviewed the flight data recorder. The plane porpoised on and off for the last 3 minutes it was airborne." said Spencer.
"But there was no indication of system or mechanical malfunction. Everything was working normally." said the agent.
"Including the autopilot? 'Cause it sounded like they couldn't override it." said Kate.
"There's one theory we haven't considered. Someone other than the pilot or the copilot was controlling the plane." said Rossi.
Spencer opened his mouth in deep thought and a few minutes later all four agents met up with Hotch and Commander Reardon and told them what they figured out.
"Ok, let me get this straight. The way the plane broke up proves there was no missile. The crash was caused by something internal. But the pilot and copilot have been cleared, so that means someone from the ground hacked into the plane's computers?" asked Commander Reardon.
Spencer nodded.
"It makes sense with the data from the black box." said Hotch.
Another agent spoke up.
"Guys, that's a bit of a reach." said the agent.
"Boeing has expressed concerns about in-flight entertainment systems and USB connections that could give hackers access to a plane's computer." said Spencer.
"Hack in the box, Amsterdam, April 2013. A security consultant from Germany demonstrated how an airliner could be hacked using a smart phone app that he developed." said Rossi.
"That test was only on pilot training software. There's no proof it could happen in real life." said the agent.
"And we all know how forthcoming the FAA would be if something like that could really happen." said Rossi.
"So, what, this unsub just blew the plane by remote control?" asked Commander Reardon.
"We've seen it before with a helicopter." said Spencer as he thought about how John Curtis hard landed the helicopter he was in with Hotch and Alex when Olivia was 35 weeks pregnant with Albert and Ava.
"How do we know it wasn't a crew member or passenger?" asked Commander Reardon.
"We know for sure that no one else was in the cockpit. And it would be hard to fly by remote control in a cabin for 13 minutes and remain unseen. Not to say that the unsub isn't connected to someone on the flight." said Kate.
"Who would do something like this?" asked Commander Reardon.
"A mass annihilator, someone who enjoys playing God or some other deity." said Rossi.
"We're no longer looking for a terrorist. We're looking for a serial killer who wants to eradicate life on a large scale." said Spencer.
"And he's not going to want to stop with this plane. We need to advise the president to ground all flights immediately." said Hotch.
As Commander Reardon walked away Spencer's phone vibrated, and he saw that it was a text from Olivia causing him to frown.
GOT BACK FROM THE KIDS CHECK UPS AND FLU SHOTS AN HOUR AGO, AND CALL ME ASAP. IT'S ABOUT AVA ~ OR
Hotch looked at Spencer.
"Everything OK?" asked Hotch.
"Olivia asked me if I can call her ASAP since it's about Ava. Olivia and the kids should have gotten home from their check ups and flu shots an hour ago, and Olivia was planning on asking the kids pediatrician if Ava can get diagnosed with Asperger's much sooner." said Spencer.
"Go ahead and take a few minutes." said Hotch.
A minute later Spencer was in the mens' room calling Olivia, and 30 seconds later he heard Olivia's voice.
"I see you got my message." said Olivia.
"I did, and Hotch allowed me to take a few minutes to call you." said Spencer before continuing, "So what did Dr. Winter say about Ava?"
"Based on the questions that I answered for Dr. Winter, Ava does have Asperger's syndrome and she wants to get Ava started with Occupational Therapy with an autism specialist next week so we can get her well adjusted for when she starts school in a couple of years." said Olivia.
"At least we're taking action now." said Spencer.
"I should let you get back to work, so we can talk more when you get home. Please stay safe, and please call me when you're heading home." said Olivia.
"I promise to stay safe." said Spencer.
"I love you." said Olivia.
"Love you too." said Spencer before hanging up.
Two minutes later Spencer and Hotch were looking at the maps on the computer monitor and Hotch looked at Spencer.
"So what's the verdict about Ava?" asked Hotch.
"Based on the questions that Olivia had to answer, Ava does have Asperger's syndrome and she's going to be starting occupational therapy with an autism specialist next week." said Spencer.
"How are you dealing with the diagnosis?" asked Hotch.
"I'm not upset that I passed Asperger's syndrome down to Ava since there are therapies that can help Ava thrive while not ending up as socially awkward like I use to be." said Spencer.
Hotch thought back to going through Sammy Sparks bedroom, and the conversation he had with Rossi about watching Spencer and Sammy together before looking at Spencer.
"Just let me know if you ever need time off to go to one of Ava's appointments." said Hotch.
"I know, and Livy and I are going to talk more about Ava when I get home." said Spencer.
Spencer and Hotch continued to look at the maps, and a short while later Rossi and Kate approached them.
"No luck with David Marshak and his crew. They claim they never heard of Hayman Vasher or anyone fitting his description." said Rossi.
"We may have to go door to door." said Kate.
Spencer and Hotch looked at the onscreen map.
"I know it looks empty, but 28 square miles is a lot of ground to cover." said Hotch.
"There's also an extensive cave system in this region." said Spencer.
"You know, we talked about this crash being a test. Now, assuming he wanted total destruction, you could say he failed." said Rossi.
"The copilot survived." said Hotch.
"Exactly. It probably wounded Vasher's ego." said Rossi.
"It could be the unexpected thing that would make him break protocol." said Hotch.
"So it's possible he made contact with the copilot. Maybe a death threat?" asked Kate.
"Do we have a rundown yet of all the emails and phone calls made to the copilot and his family?" asked Spencer.
"Garcia was looking into it." said Hotch as Commander Reardon approached them.
"I've just spoken to the president. Based on your profile, we're concerned the next crash will be in a populated area, and the president agrees. He's just given the order to scramble F-16s. If we have to, we will shoot this plane down." said Commander Reardon.
Spencer exchanged horrified glances with his teammates.
As Spencer, JJ, and Rossi headed towards the football stadium they were listening in to Kate, Morgan, and Hotch.
"He must have radar tracking. He knows the fighter jets and closing in." said Hotch.
"Well, it doesn't get more high profile than the nation's capital." said Morgan.
"So Washington is his Hiroshima. It makes sense in a twisted way." said Rossi.
"How long till he gets there?" asked Kate.
"Assuming the last known airspeed, about two hours." said Spencer as he thought about his father, Olivia, and the kids who were in DC.
"He can't possibly think we'd let the plane get there." said JJ as she thought about Will and Henry.
"No, but there's a lot of communities and targets in between." said Rossi as he tried to reassure them that their families would most likely be OK.
"The hard question is when to shoot that plane down." said Morgan.
A short while later Spencer, JJ, and Rossi were all smiling and hugging each other when they found out that the plane that they were waiting confirmation on landed safely.
As Spencer and his teammates were packing up Spencer looked at his teammates.
"I'm thinking about putting some flowers near the crash site." said Spencer.
"I think I'm going to do that too." said JJ with Kate nodding along.
A short while later Spencer, Kate, and JJ each set a bouquet of flowers at the crash site and looked at the remains of the plane, and as JJ started heading to the SUV Kate's phone rang while Spencer pulled out his phone to call Olivia.
"You on your way home yet?" asked Olivia.
"I just set flowers down by the crash site with JJ and Kate, and I will be heading to the airstrip in a few minutes." said Spencer.
"The kids want to hear your voice." said Olivia.
"Please put them on." said Spencer.
A few seconds later Spencer smiled at the sound of Piper's voice.
"You come home daddy?" asked Piper.
"I will be home in a few hours, but I will come in to your room and give you a goodnight kiss." said Spencer.
"Hi Dada." said Ava.
"Hey my little birdie." said Spencer.
"Hi daddy." said Albert.
"Hey there Buckaroo." said Spencer.
"I got owie om a eedle." said Piper as she glared at her mommy for allowing her to get a needle poke.
"Mommy told me that you, Albert, and Ava had to get shots today, and when I get home I will kiss your boo boo." said Spencer.
"OK, daddy." sighed Piper.
At that moment the phone was clicked off speaker, and Spencer heard Olivia's voice.
"Are you going to invite Kate, Meg, and Chris over for dinner tomorrow?" asked Olivia.
"I think I will, but I have to get going so I will see you in a couple of hours." said Spencer.
"I love you." said Olivia.
"Love you too." said Spencer before hanging up.
At that moment Spencer and Kate were heading to the SUVs.
As soon as Spencer noticed that JJ and Morgan were either sleeping or listening to music, Spencer headed over to Kate who was sitting alone.
"Hey." said Kate quietly.
"Olivia asked me to invite you, Chris, and Meg over for dinner tomorrow." said Spencer quietly.
"I would be glad to accept that invitation." said Kate.
"Since we have the day off tomorrow, Olivia is planning that dinner happens at 5:30 so just come hungry since Olivia and I are great cooks." said Spencer.
"I kind of figured that since I can smell the leftovers you bring in." said Kate.
"Hopefully Meg won't mind Piper asking her to have a tea party with them." said Spencer quietly.
"Even if your two little girls ask me to join in, I won't be able to say no." said Kate.
A minute later Rossi approached them and looked at Spencer.
"I know that a child can be diagnosed with Asperger's before 18 months old if there's a parent already on the spectrum so instead of waiting until Ava's 18 months have you and Olivia been considering getting Ava diagnosed much sooner?" said Rossi.
"Ava actually got diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome earlier today when Livy and my dad took the kids for their check ups and influenza vaccinations, and Ava's starting Occupational Therapy with an autism specialist next week." said Spencer.
"Are you upset about passing down Asperger's syndrome to Ava?" asked Rossi.
"I'm not. Before I met Olivia I was afraid of settling down and starting a family due to the risks of passing down schizophrenia, and I was relieved when I found out that I wouldn't be passing down schizophrenia to Piper, Albert, and Ava but they would possibly end up autistic just like me." said Spencer.
"So what other types of therapies instead of occupational therapy are you and Olivia planning on having Ava do?" asked Rossi.
"Ava loves listening to classical music, and I'm thinking that music therapy would be good for her." said Spencer.
"Music therapy is good, and Einstein's practically a therapy dog for you." said Rossi.
"Don't forget therapeutic horseback riding too since going horseback riding is considered therapy for me." smiled Spencer.
"When it comes to those types of therapy I want to pay for them." said Rossi.
"I'm not going to win?" asked Spencer.
"No you're not since it isn't going to be easy raising an autistic child, but with how great you and Olivia are as parents Ava's going to be well adjusted." said Rossi.
A few hours later Spencer quietly crept into Piper's room and gave Piper a kiss on the forehead before doing a quick visit to Albert's and Ava's nurseries then heading into the master bedroom where Olivia was still awake.
"Did you invite Kate and her family over for dinner?" asked Olivia.
"Kate accepted it." said Spencer as he grabbed clean pajamas out of the dresser drawer so he could take a shower.
"Mind if I join in?" asked Olivia.
"I can't say no to you joining me in the shower." said Spencer as he waggled his eyebrows at Olivia.
A grinning Olivia set her book down and headed to the master bathroom with her husband.
The following afternoon when Piper, Albert, and Ava were napping Spencer, Olivia, and William were sitting around the kitchen table talking about Ava and what they should do.
"I'm thinking that music therapy and therapeutic horseback riding would be good for Ava." said Spencer.
"I think so too, Spencer." said Olivia.
"And Rossi mentioned that he wants to help us pay for the therapies that aren't covered by insurance." said Spencer.
"We must get him something special for Christmas." said Olivia.
"Probably a bottle of aged scotch." said Spencer.
William and Olivia laughed since they know that Rossi likes drinking scotch.
Later that evening Spencer answered the door and smiled at Kate, Meg, and Chris.
"Come on in." said Spencer.
A minute later introductions were going around, and when they were finished Kate smelled food cooking in the kitchen.
"What's on the menu tonight?" asked Kate.
"Eggplant lasagna and a salad." said Olivia as she scooped up Albert and settled him onto his hip, "And we just put the lasagna in the oven four minutes ago so it's going to be a bit."
Piper walked over to Meg.
"Hi." said Piper.
"Hi." said Meg.
Piper quickly took a hold of Meg's hand and dragged her towards the stairs.
"Where are we going?" asked Meg.
"You, daddy, Ava have tea party wit me in my room." said Piper.
Spencer lightly shook his head as he scooped up Ava, and a few seconds later he was following Meg and Piper upstairs to Piper's room and a minute later Spencer was sitting pretzel legged on the floor with Ava on his lap while Meg looked around Piper's room and noticed the pink walls and cherry blossoms.
"Such a pretty room, Piper." said Meg.
"Ank you." said Piper as she poured imaginary tea for her daddy, little sister, and Meg.
A short while later everyone was sitting around the dining room table, and while everyone ate Spencer asked Meg questions about school. After dinner clean up was done, Meg looked at Spencer.
"If I ever am struggling with my math or science homework, would you mind if I call and see if you can help me?" asked Meg.
"Sure." said Spencer.
Olivia looked at Meg.
"I also have a PhD in mathematics, and I taught mathematics at Cal-tech and Georgetown University before I became a stay at home mom." said Olivia.
"Wow." said Meg.
Kate looked at her niece.
"We need to get going since it's a school night for you." said Kate.
"OK." said Meg.
Olivia looked at Meg.
"You're always welcome to call me when my husband and your aunt are on a case, and I can help you with your homework too." said Olivia as she grabbed a piece of paper and quickly wrote her cellphone number.
"Thank you Olivia." said Meg as she accepted the piece of paper.
A few minutes later Kate, Chris, and Meg left the house and the elder Reids turned their attention to the three youngest Reids.
"It's bath time, and we can watch a movie before going to bed." said Spencer.
"We see minions?" asked Piper.
"We can watch "Despicable Me."" said Spencer.
"Yay." said Piper.
Spencer, Olivia, and William each scooped up a child before carrying the three toddlers to the bathroom so Piper, Albert, and Ava could take a bath together before watching "Despicable Me" in the living room.
Three hours later Spencer and Olivia were asleep in bed with all three toddlers laying in bed with them.