(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters.)

Thank you to Rookblonkorules, ahowell1993, Diana, Astrahan, Ash59, laily. spenstar, E. J. Morgan, Garwain, Ludub, Emma, and poxyTraitors for your reviews.

Sorry about the wait, I had so much on last week! Luckily I ended it with some snow days which gave me plenty of time to do some writing and I'm happy to say that I am so much more organised. I've started chapters for 3 new stories! Which have actually been in the making for months and months now. And I have started two chapters ahead of this one so that I won't be really stressed about updating.

Thanks for all your support. Please keep reviewing! I love hearing from you guys and seeing what you think. If you haven't reviewed, give it a go. It didn't cost you much more than 30 seconds ;-)

Anyway, let's get on with this. I hope you enjoy this long chapter, this is what happens when you give yourself over a week to prepare.

Enjoy!

Previously:

"Come on, you can't refuse and besides I have to help you out now that I'm staying," Sean said and he raised an eyebrow and nudged Aaron's arm. Hotch sighed and gave in.

"I guess I can't refuse can I."

He was already figuring out how to tell Spencer.

Spencer woke up and rubbed his eyes groggily. He sat up suddenly when he realised he wasn't in his room. It took a moment for him to remember that he was now sharing Henry's room, who was currently at Will's. Spencer exhaled in relief and grabbed his stuffed rabbit before hopping out of bed. He heard movement in the hallway and hurried past Henry's door just as JJ and Hotch were rushing to get changed.

"We got a case, Spencer, sweetie," JJ said, she leaned down and kissed his forehead, flattening his messy bed hair as she went.

"But-"

"Sean's in charge, buddy. Listen to him, Okay?" Hotch said and he patted Spencer's arm as he passed.

"Wait..." Spencer squeaked but they were already downstairs and out the door before he could even attempt to complain. Spencer turned and glared at the room he'd gotten acquainted which was inhabited by Sean. I should be going on the case with them, he thought bitterly and it spurred on his anger for Sean.

If Sean wanted to babysit a two-year-old, a two-year-old was what he was going to get.

Two days after Sean's arrival Hotch had taken the task of telling Spencer about the 'situation'. It went as well as expected.

"Spencer?"

"Mmhmm," Spencer looked up from his book he was lay reading on the carpet. Jack had thrown a blanket over him, but he'd been too absorbed in his book to notice. Hotch sat beside him and smiled.

"Sean's planning to stay."

"Yea, I know," Spencer replied before thumbing over the next page. Hotch paused and shook his head.

"Okay... Well, then you should also know that he's going to need a room to stay in."

"He tan have mine," Spencer said quickly. He felt guilty for taking the only guest room.

"That's kind of you, buddy, but there is something else."

"Something else? Lite what?" Spencer asked sweetly.

"We'll be going back to work in a few days..."

"Mmhmm."

"Well... Sean has offered to Uh... to look after you while we're at work."

"But I'm going to wowk with you," Spencer said. He shut his book and gazed up at Hotch, his brow pinching together with confusion.

"Yea. That's quite hard to explain to Sean," Hotch muttered, he glanced around, but Henry (the only other person in the room) was too busy with his action figures to notice. Spencer was still looking up at Hotch in bewilderment. "Look, Spencer, you have to stay here...with Sean."

"What!?"

The aftermath wasn't pretty. It ended with Spencer throwing his book in a tantrum, but with his arm strength, it landed barely a foot away. Henry had watched from his seat on the couch as Hotch dragged the stubborn toddler into the dining room and sat him on the timeout chair. He was only meant to stay on the chair for 5 minutes but because he kept jumping off his punishment had been bumped up to 10.

Henry, who had taken pity on his brother, snuck him a few pieces of his chocolate for fear the child would miss dinner if he didn't stay on the chair for his timeout.

Spencer decided after much consideration on the 'chair of anguish', which became the designated spot for all three boys to have a timeout, (although Spencer seemed to be the one who ended up on it the most) that he would have to drive Sean away. He wasn't about to stay at home all day doing... nothing. Perish the thought.

"Have you finished?" Hotch asked as he walked into the dining room. Spencer folded his arms and pouted.

"I'm 'till not happy about this," he muttered as he slid off the chair.

So when the door slammed behind Hotch and JJ, Spencer's first mission started. Having never been a troublemaker Spencer was struggling to come up with things to annoy Sean, who was still asleep. He paced the hall then paused in front of the bathroom. His eyes caught the toilet roll and a wicked little smile spread across his lips.

Sean woke when a stream of light broke past the curtains and landed on his cheek. He blinked away the sleep and gazed around Spencer's room. It wasn't a typical two-year old's bedroom; far too bare, he thought. He got to his feet and stretched his legs, releasing a yawn. Time to try my hand at childminding, he thought with a smirk. He stepped out into the hall and pulled the door shut. JJ and Hotch had told him they'd be gone early, leaving him with the responsibility of explaining that to Spencer.

He was about to check on the boy when he heard a squeak from the bathroom. He frowned and pushed his shoulder into the door.

"Spencer?" He squinted into the bathroom where Spencer stood- in stripy green pyjamas which seemed a little big on him- on a stool over the toilet. He brandished the toilet brush in his tiny hands and he glanced up and smiled at Sean as he entered.

"The toilets blocked," Spencer announced and he uselessly stabbed toilet brush into the bowl. Spencer was estimating the number of germs he was contracting, but it was all in the name of a swift rescue from his torture of being 'babysat'.

"Huh? What have you done?" Sean said; a frown similar to the one his brother always wore adorned his brow.

"I-I dunno, it got blocked," Spencer mumbled. He paused in his efforts and looked down at the toilet sadly, his bottom lip jutted out and quivered dangerously. Sean jumped forward, fearing the child would start crying. Spencer couldn't believe his plan was actually working.

"Okay, Okay, I can fix it, don't worry," Sean said quickly and he hurried into the bathroom and examined the mess. A whole roll of toilet paper was partially unraveled and jammed in the toilet where Spencer had been poking at it from his place stood on the footstool. Sean grimaced and took the toilet brush from the small boy who handed it over without quarrel.

"How did it happen, buddy?" Sean asked suspiciously. Spencer who had just bounced off the stool and had started to slither away froze halfway to the doorway. He turned and gave Sean his most innocent look; puppy dog eyes on show.

"Uh... it went swimming..." Spencer mumbled simply before he skipped out of the room. Sean watched him with raised eyebrows and shook his head, chuckling softly to himself. Jack used to have better excuses than that, he thought as he rammed the brush into the toilet roll wedged in the toilet.

Spencer got into the hall and pressed his back up against the wall. His heart was beating fast and adrenaline coursed through him at a surprising rate. He imagined how his real father would react to such behaviour back in 1983. He grimaced at the thought and thanked God that it was Sean looking after him and not William Reid.

That's not enough, he thought to himself. It was as if he had an angel and a devil on each shoulder, telling him what to do. The naughty side won and Spencer thought hard about all the bad things he could do. An idea struck him; one he thought was particularly diabolical, and he started hurrying to each door and pulling them wide open. He had to stand on his tiptoes and even then he struggled to reach. He even opened the cupboard door and he stood back to admire his work.

"Spencer?" Sean called from the bathroom and Spencer halted, holding a breath in.

"Y-yes?" He called back.

"Don't go too far. I'm almost done and then we can go get some breakfast."

"Uh...otay."

Spencer glanced around and felt he'd done his worst so he sat down and waited patiently for Sean to finish. Sean shuffled out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him, he frowned at the sight of the hallway with all the doors wide open. He shrugged and motioned for Spencer to follow him. Spencer gaped at him. Is that not bad enough? He thought. He'd been expecting Sean to break down and call Garcia to take him, but Spencer realised Sean would be a harder nut to crack. Must be a Hotchner trait, he mused.

He let Sean carry him downstairs and when he was deposited in his high chair he noticed that Sean didn't know how to strap him in. Spencer didn't call him out on it, but he kept the knowledge to use against him later. Sean placed a bowl and a spoon in front of Spencer and sat at the table waiting for Spencer to eat. Spencer glanced down at the cereal and thought hard. Be bad, be bad, his head ordered. What about the doors? He thought. That's not enough. Need to be worse, his mind hissed. Spencer narrowed his eyes at the cereal. What would a two-year-old do?

"I Don't lite dis," Spencer suddenly grumbled, pushing the bowl away. Sean frowned and Spencer internally applauded himself.

"Aaron said...your daddy said this was your favourite," Sean muttered, his brows furrowed as he stared at the bowl full of cereal. Spencer shook his head and smirked when Sean rubbed his face in frustration.

"I don't want it," he whined.

"What do you want?"

"Umm," Spencer licked his lips thoughtfully. "Ice tweam," he replied with a huge grin. It's a long shot but...

"Sorry, kiddo. You're gonna have to make do with that," Sean chuckled and he turned back to the counter to butter his toast. Spencer slumped into his chair and glared at the back of Sean's head. You've gotta step this up, he thought. He stared down at his cereal and realised what he had to do. Sean was muttering something about ice cream to himself before he chortled. Spencer gritted his teeth, took a deep breath and lifted the bowl of cereal up with outstretched arms. He paused, preparing himself for the cold milk before tipping the contents over his head.

Sean whirled around when he heard a sharp squeal. He looked back at Spencer who was drenched in milk and chunks of colourful cereal.

"For god sake," he hissed, dropping his toast on his plate and grabbing a washcloth. "What did you do?" He questioned through gritted teeth.

"It fell," Spencer mumbled. He looked down at himself and wondered why he didn't just throw the bowl on the floor. Now he had to suffer from sodden clothes. He pouted at his own stupidity. Sean unfolded the cloth and wiped Spencer's face roughly causing the boy to yelp and moan.

"Sit still, buddy."

I'm not going to make this easy, Spencer thought and he shook his head from left to rights causing Sean to grunt in frustration.

"Stop!" Sean ordered, but Spencer continued to fuss like a child so Sean dropped the cloth, grabbed the boy under his arms and lifted him from the chair. Spencer kicked his legs out irritably before Sean deposited him on the floor where he stood with his arms out in front of him while milk dropped from his stripy green sleeves.

"I'm t-told," Spencer whined.

"Well maybe you'll think next time before putting milk over your head..." huffed Sean, but one look at the shivering child made him feel guilty. "Give me a minute," he added as he wrung out the cloth and mopped over the floor where the milk was already seeping into the tiles. Spencer watched as he mulled over what a bad idea it was. Sean drained the cloth of milk, picked up a dry tea towel and started on Spencer again, patting him down to absorb the milk.

"Ow," Spencer wailed as Sean caught him in the eye with the corner of the towel.

"Sorry," Sean mumbled. He ran the cloth over Spencer until the boy was stood, relatively clean, yet slightly damp. He stood up and looked down at the boy just as his stomach made itself known. "Uh..." Sean looked around the kitchen, searching for an alternate breakfast for the hungry toddler. He sighed in defeat and pulled open the freezer to reveal a fresh tub of ice cream. Spencer's eyes grew eagerly and his tongue curled around his lips.

"You can't tell your mummy or daddy about this," Sean cautioned as he spooned some into Spencer's now empty bowl. Spencer didn't reply and instead took the bowl hungrily.

"Fanks," He said and he scurried into the front room. Spencer ignored his wet clothes and curled up on the couch with his ice cream. He turned on the TV and flicked over to the history channel. This isn't so bad, he thought. Ice cream for breakfast... I might be able to get used to this.

Sean finished mopping up the mess from the chair and managed to finish his cold and partly stale toast. He heard the TV blaring and after wiping the crumbs from his mouth he glanced at the door and sized up the toddler on the couch. He's only two, the rational part of his head told him. He's a nightmare, he thought honestly. He picked up his phone and after another moment of hesitation he dialed a number and stepped back into the kitchen.

"Agent Jareau."

"Jennifer-" Sean started.

"Call me JJ, Sean. How are you doing? Is he being good?" JJ's voice cut in.

Sean took a deep breath before blurting "I thought you said he was an angel?" A chuckle resonated from the other end after a moments silence. Sean stared at the phone.

Spencer, who had heard Sean's voice, crept up to the kitchen and watched curiously from the doorframe.

"I'm serious," Hissed Sean.

"What's he done?" JJ said her voice still sounded amused.

"He's... just been really testing me," Sean admitted with a defeated sigh.

"He's two; it's normal," JJ put in but Sean shook his head.

"This isn't normal."

It's because you're new to him. I promise he'll be better in the morning. If he's not, Henry will keep him in line when he gets back," JJ promised. Sean pursed his lips and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Don't tell Aaron," he whispered. "I don't want him thinking I can't do this."

"I won't. Have you tried using timeout? Aaron said it works like a charm on Spencer."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"If he does get too much you can drop him off with Garcia."

"Okay, Thanks." He hung up the phone and spun around to see Spencer watching him from the doorway. Spencer's eyes widened and he scampered off in the other direction. "Hey, Spencer, wait up," he called, his mind ran through what kids enjoyed doing. "Uh...you wanna watch a movie?" He asked. The soft padding of small feet ceased and Sean raised his eyebrows hopefully. Spencer crept back to the door, hiding behind the frame.

"What sowt of movie?" He asked curiously.

"Whatever you want, buddy," Sean said and suddenly Spencer was darting back into the front room and running his fingers over the DVDs. His eyes skimmed the horror films and he was tempted to test Sean even further, but he had his mind on only one thing. He handed the movie he wanted to Sean who frowned at it.

"Star Wars?"

"Yep, peas," Spencer replied with his puppy dog eyes glistening.

"Uh...sure, Okay, buddy," Sean said and Spencer catapulted into the couch leaving Sean to put the movie on. Sean glanced at the movie and shook his head. It was not a film that he thought a 2-year-old ought to be watching. He assumed Spencer just picked out a random DVD, not knowing what it was. Carefully, Sean slid Star Wars back into its box set and pulled out 'Alvin and the Chipmunks.' Much better, he thought. He sat back down on the couch and grabbed the remote from Spencer's hands, who had been trying to press the on button. Spencer vibrated with excitement as he waited for the menu scene which he was well accustomed to filling the screen, but instead of his typical menu screen with the imperial march playing in the background, Spencer found himself staring up at an image of three animated chipmunks and a high pitched song being played in the background. Spencer glared at Sean.

"What's dis?" He demanded.

"It's your movie," Sean lied.

"No, I wanted Staw Waws!" Spencer cried. He inwardly cursed himself for acting like a spoiled brat.

"How would you like a timeout?" Sean muttered, he took a sideways look at Spencer and held his breath. Spencer shut his mouth suddenly and shook his head. Sean's eyes widened. It worked, he thought. "That other movie is too old for you. Don't worry, you'll love this."

Spencer folded his arms and scowled at the TV. He was determined to hate the film. That was until he was introduced to Simon. The chipmunk spurted our several facts and Spencer edged closer to the screen. I know that too, he thought. I wonder is he's an autodidact too. He was off the couch now and he gaped at the TV with his head cocked to the side. But it's impossible. Animals can't talk like humans, he thought logically.

"Those are golden-mantled chipmunks," he mumbled to no one in particular, though Sean heard and he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "They communicate in chips and chucks," Spencer added.

Sean took a picture of the small boy practically hugging the TV he was so close. He chuckled when he reviewed it before sending it off to JJ with a message beside it reading 'Crisis temporarily averted.'

Sean ordered a pizza; one which had vegetables and meat so Aaron wouldn't moan that Spencer was eating unhealthily. He ordered two so they could have the leftovers for dinner. I'm pretty good at this, Sean thought as he piled his plate with pizza slices and cut Spencer's into smaller pieces. He handed Spencer the plate. Spencer's eyes followed Sean as he wandered to the opposite couch and flicked over channels from what Spencer had been watching to an old comedy show.

Why's this not working? Spencer thought as he chewed his pizza thoughtfully. He was sure he'd drive the 'Hotchner bad boy' from the house by now. I should be at Garcia's... Come on, he thought. Think of something that will really annoy him. A thought hit him and he smiled evilly. He slipped off the couch, taking in the fact Sean wasn't forcing him to eat at the table... he felt a pang of guilt for what he was about to do. He took a pizza slice with him.

"Where you off to, half-pint?" Sean asked.

"Nowhewe," Spencer mumbled, he cringed at the irony of his sentence. He got to the hall and pressed his already greasy fingers into the pizza before (and with much reluctance) he dragged his fingers along the wall leaving red smears as he went.

"Spencer, come back," Sean called.

In a last-ditch attempt, Spencer rubbed the pizza over his stripy green pyjama shirt and his face. He grinned and waited for Sean to walk in and call Garcia.

Sean did walk in, but it was not the reaction Spencer had expected.

"Spencer!" Sean yelled. He rushed to the kitchen to grab a washcloth, darting back and scrubbing at the wall. To Spencer's disappointment, his fingerprints came off quite easily. Sean did a rushed job before turning to Spencer who was about to bolt.

"Get here," he bellowed. Spencer froze and stared up at Sean. Sean grabbed his hands and wiped off the stains, he took the pizza and threw it in the trash.

"You've had warnings," Sean grunted as he ran the cloth over Spencer's face, much to the boy's discontent. "But you've got too far." Sean took Spencer's hand in his and pulled him into the dining room.

"Stay there," he warned releasing Spencer's hand. The boy, too scared to move, did as he was told. Sean dragged a chair into the corner. "Come here," he instructed. Spencer stepped over cautiously.

"You can have a 15-minute timeout," Sean said. He grabbed Spencer around the waist and plonked him on the chair.

Spencer stared back at Sean who didn't budge from the doorway.

Why isn't this working? Spencer thought. He'd never been this bad... in his entire life. He scoured his mind for an instance where he had been and the only time he could think of was when he sent his mom away, but that was different. He tried to slip off the chair but Sean sent daggers his way.

"Don't," he snapped and Spencer whined quietly, pushing himself back into the chair and folding his arms.

15 minutes felt like a lifetime especially with your bosses brother watching you the entire time. Sean glanced at his watch and let out a soft sigh.

"Times up. Are you gonna be good?" Sean asked. Spencer remained silent, his head hung low. "Spencer?" Sean paused but the child still didn't respond so he marched up to the chair and pulled Spencer off. "Spencer. Look at me," Sean demanded. Spencer slowly raised his head before dropping it again.

"Come on, we can watch another movie. You hungry?" Sean, giving up on playing the parent tried another technique. Still, the small boy didn't speak. "Work with me buddy," pleaded Sean.

Spencer pulled out the age-old card of any child. He sunk to his knees, out of Sean's reach, lay on his stomach and forced out a sob. He found it easier than he'd thought due to his pent-up anger over the whole situation.

Sean gaped at the child and he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Spencer, you're really acting like a...a brat," Sean Chided. Spencer paused and looked up innocently, tears running down his pink cheeks.

He knew he had to do it. It was time for his trump card. "I-I want..." Spencer whimpered and he forced big crocodile tears from his eyes. "Want my D-Daddy!" He wailed and he fell back on his front and kicked his legs like he'd seen kids do in movies.

"Uh," Sean knelt beside the kid with his hands hovering over him. What do I do? He thought. He knew he couldn't call Aaron unless he wanted to admit defeat.

He had two options: ignore or comfort. So far comfort hadn't worked. So Sean stood up and walked to the doorway.

"Uh... I'll be in the front room. I-" Sean cut himself off, the boy's cries drowned him out so he simply turned and walked out the door. When he got to the front room he listened and heard Spencer wail louder. Maybe I should call Garcia, he thought but he quickly brushed the idea off. He wouldn't give in. It was just childminding.

It was another 30 seconds before the crying died down.

Spencer gazed out of the door, wiping his tears from his eyes. He couldn't understand why he was so bad at being bad. Why hadn't Sean called Garcia?

Is this reverse psychology?

He thought, edging closer to the front room.

Sean could see the boy in the corner of his eye and he smirked. Parenting is easy, he thought smugly to himself, despite almost breaking down just minutes before.

Um...," the soft murmur came from the door and Sean swung his head around to the sound, finding Spencer leaning against the doorway, biting his bottom lip as he peeked inside. "What awe you watching?" Spencer asked quietly; he sniffles a little and rubbed his puffy eyes.

"It's a grown-up show... isn't it nap time soon?"

Spencer paled and he gazed at Sean with pleading eyes.

"Don't even try it, buddy. I am this close to calling your father," Sean lied, pressing his fingers together to emphasise his point. Spencer gulped. "How about you have a nap on the couch? Then you can watch TV till you fall asleep," Sean offered and Spencer nodded, shuffling forward and pausing in front of the couch; he looked cautiously at Sean before clambering up onto the couch. Sean pulled a blanket up off the arm and when Spencer had curled up on the opposite arm he draped the soft blue blanket over him. Spencer sniffed and lay his head on a pillow. To Sean, he looked as if he were nodding off, but Spencer's mind was whirling menacingly. There had to be something he could do to push Sean over the edge.

Sean glanced at the child lay on the couch. He was curled up in the blanket: eyes closed, thumb hung limply between his lips and hair sprawled across the pillow. Sean took a deep breath before standing up. He waited for the boy to stir and when he didn't Sean carefully tiptoed out of the room. When he got into the hallway he crept to the staircase and quietly stepped up the stairs. Spencer turned his head slowly and grinned. He waited until he heard the shower running before he hopped off the couch. He plodded to the kitchen and his eyes instantly caught the cookie jar. He licked his lips and rubbed his hands wickedly together.

Just one, he thought, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Sean was still occupied. He shuffled over to the kitchen table and grabbed a chair. He gritted his teeth and lifted it. He realised too late that the chair was too heavy and it fell back to the ground with a loud clatter. Spencer grimaced and listened for Sean. Luckily, he hadn't head. Spencer grabbed the back of the chair and heaved it along the floor, wincing at the high pitch squeak of wood on tile.

He pushed the chair up against the cupboard and struggled up onto it. He hesitated when he saw there was still a good climb to the top of the counter. Last time he'd tried this Jack had given him a boost. Spencer brushed the sweat from his brow and leaped up at the counter. He managed to get half his body over and with a laborious shimmy, he found himself lay flat on his stomach across the counter. He grinned, stood up unsteadily and hobbled over to his prize.

The cookie jar was practically calling his name and Spencer barely focused on his footing as he walked towards it as if possessed.

"What do ya build me up-!"

Spencer froze at the sudden booming voice. His hand wavered over the lid and he listened with bated breath; his heartbeat in his throat.

"-Buttercup Baby, just to let me down or mess me around-" Sean's singing escaped the bathroom again and Spencer sighed in relief. He could still hear the water running. He yanked the lid off and collapsed into his backside. His small hand dived into the cookie jar and he pulled out a big triple chocolate chip cookie out.

"Bingo," he whispered and he jammed the chocolate mess into his salivating mouth.

"-I need you, more than anyone darling!"

Spencer couldn't help but giggle at the sound of Sean's rough singing voice and crumbs sprayed over the counter. Spencer finished the cookie in less than a minute and he reached back in and pulled out another. This one was chocolate chip and he started chowing down on it.

It wasn't long before that one too was gone and Spencer's hands delved back into the jar and retrieved two more cookies.

When he finished the third cookie he heard a warning in his head coupled with his stomach churning uneasily.

The sound of water stopped and Spencer heard footsteps above him. His eyes bloomed and he reached into the jar, searching frantically for one last cookie before wriggling off the counter. He held the cookies in his mouth as he returned the chair to its rightful place and sprinted to the front room where he snuggled back under his blanket and started munching his cookies quickly.

Sean didn't come back down for another 15 minutes and by that time Spencer had guzzled a grand total of 5 cookies. It was starting to catch up with him and he sat up on the couch to alleviate nausea in his gut. It didn't help that his clothes smelled of milk and whatever had been on that pizza. Sean jogged back downstairs in fresh clothes and smiled at Spencer.

"Good sleep?" He asked and Spencer shrugged, clutching his stomach as he felt the cookies settle uneasily. Sean saw how grubby the kid was and he sighed.

"Looks like you need a bath... and some fresh clothes," he said and he offered his hand out to the two-year-old. Despite disliking the idea, Spencer knew that he couldn't abide with sitting in filthy clothes for much longer.

He stood up, a little unsteadily and hopped off the couch, but instantly regretted the action when his stomach lurched.

Sean frowned when the boy suddenly paled and swayed lightly on the spot.

"You okay, little guy?" He asked, coming up and kneeling in front of Spencer. The toddler looked up and swallowed thickly, pushing the bile back down his throat. He nodded which was another wrong move as the bile came back up and Spencer felt his stomach flip and he heaved. Sean saw what was about to happen and jumped back a little too late. Spencer threw up straight on Sean's new socks.

"Oh..." Sean stared at the mess and willed himself not to gag. Spencer heaved again but managed to swallow it back. He looked up nervously at Sean, his lip trembling.

"I don't feel vewy well," Spencer mumbled and he felt hot tears falling down his cheeks. He didn't understand why a child's first reaction after being sick was to cry, but there he was, proving it.

"Yea, no kidding," Sean grunted as he lifted his foot and gulped hard.

"Sowwy," Spencer whimpered and his stomach rolled again and Sean saw his expression fall flat and whiten.

"Oh god, hold on," Sean warned and he sprinted into the kitchen, yanking off his socks as he went and grabbed a big mixing bowl. He skidded back in as Spencer threw up again but before the small boy gagged he thrust the bowl under his mouth.

"I-I-" Spencer started but he heaved and hung his head into the bowl. He glanced up with tear tracks trailing down his cheeks before he coughed violently and puked again.

"Get it all out, buddy," Sean said, patting his back soothingly. Spencer sobbed into the bowl and dry heaved a few more times before wiping his mouth. "Maybe that ice cream and pizza wasn't such a great idea," Sean confessed. Spencer looked up at him with guilty, chocolate eyes which watered miserably. He couldn't keep it up any longer; he just wasn't cut out for being bad.

"I ate some cookies," Spencer confessed.

"Huh?"

"I had some when you wewe in da showew. I'm Sowwy," Spencer whimpered and he fell forward and wrapped his arms haphazardly around Sean who almost knocked the sick bowl over. "I'm Sowwy! I won't do it again!" Spencer cried into Sean's shirt and the bewildered man just stared at the toddler.

"It's okay," He said finally and Spencer squinted up at him through puffy red eyes.

"Don't tell daddy," he pleaded. "Peas."

"Hey, Hey," Sean pulled him back to look at his eyes and Spencer complied. "I won't tell your daddy but you have to promise me something, bud."

Spencer nodded eagerly which didn't help his nausea. "Yea?" he whispered.

"You have to promise to stop doing crazy things, okay. You're gonna end up hurting yourself or..." he lifted the bowl and motioned to the mess around them. "You'll make yourself sick."

"Otay," Spencer agreed and he returned to cuddling Sean. "Fank you, uncle Sean," he mumbled. Sean sighed with relief and embraced the boy back. He recoiled after a moment at the smell that lingered around him. The boy smelled of milk, and vomit and his pyjamas were covered in pizza stains, not to mention the milk that they were doused in that morning and the stench of puke.

"You need a bath, little man," Sean chuckled and Spencer glanced down at himself and felt the urge to heave again.

"Otay," he whispered, standing up uneasily.

"I'll just clean this up, first."

Spencer looked around at the mess and hung his head in shame. "Sowwy, he mumbled. Sean ruffled his hair and grinned.

"It's okay. I promise. I can fix it."

Spencer leaned on the door frame, enduring the rancid taste of regurgitated cookies on his tongue. He watched as Sean cleaned up his mess and focused on his breathing so he wouldn't throw up again.

"Come on," Sean held a hand out to Spencer who just stared at it blankly. "Let's go get you cleaned up, then maybe we can watch a film before bed," he said. Spencer stood up and took his hand.

"Bed? It's not bedtime yet," explained Spencer as he looked up at Sean. Sean lifted him into his arms to go up the stairs.

"You're not very well, Spencer. You had way too much sugar, so I think it'll be an early night for you," Sean said and although Spencer whined he didn't argue. Sean sat him on the toilet lid as he went to run the bath.

"Looks like you need some new PJs tonight. What do you fancy?"

"Puwple monstew," Spencer said quietly. Sean nodded slowly.

"I'll see what I can find," he said, hurrying out of the room. Spencer pulled off his pyjama top and avoided sniffing the sour milk smell that emanated from it as he hauled it to the floor. There was still a horrid taste on his tongue and he swallowed constantly to try and clear it

Sean came back in with the fresh pyjamas and he grinned at the sight of them. "These are pretty cool, buddy," he remarked, kneeling down in front of the bath and turning the tap off. He turned to help the toddler but the child waved him away.

"Loot away," Spencer ordered. Sean sighed and did what he was told. Spencer tore off his dirty pyjama pants and pushed the footstool next to the bath before he clambered in. "Done," he announced and Sean looked back to find Spencer sat in the tub, pulling the bubbles towards him.

"You're too much like your daddy," Sean chuckled.

"How?" Spencer asked.

"You're fiercely independent. Come on, let me help you get clean. I'm sure that Jack has the second chipmunk film."

Chipmunk?" Spencer frowned thoughtfully.

"You know, the one you watched earlier."

"Oh..." Spencer leaned his head back to let Sean run a cloth through it.

It wasn't long before Sean was helping him out. He dropped a fresh towel over Spencer'shead and ran it over his wet hair.

Spencer whined when the movement sent a wave of nausea through him.

"Sorry. You'll be clean and dry in a minute," Sean muttered as he grabbed the pyjamas.

Spencer felt his heavy eyelids droop as Sean carried him downstairs. Being bad was hard work and surprisingly tiring. He smiled to himself as he snuggled further into Sean's hold. You win this time, Uncle Sean, he thought.

Sean felt fatigue weighing down his own body and he too felt ready to drop off to sleep.

Sean bundled the kid in his blanket on the couch and put on the next DVD before collapsing on the couch beside the kid. Spencer subconsciously wiggled closer to Sean and nestled into his side. Sean smiled down at him and sighed at the kid's paleness. His forehead was still hot to the touch. Sean didn't think that dinner would be on the table.

He decided to test it.

"You hungry?" He asked. Spencer looked up shyly and shook his head. "You sure you don't want a cookie?" Sean teased.

Spencer swallowed thickly and shook his head. "No fank you," he whispered.

I honestly had no idea what I was writing half this chapter. I'm so sorry, I'm really not very confident about this update, I hope you guys aren't too disappointed with it. I will try and make the next one better. My problem is I try to write too much in each chapter and I miss small details, so that's my target in the next chapter.

Anyway, please review, good or bad, I'll understand if it's the latter.

Thank you as always for your support. I will see you in the next chapter.

And thank you K! I can't believe I put the wrong your, I'm so annoyed with myself ;D thank you for telling me, saved me some embarrassment when I go back through this story. If I do that again, feel free to let me know.