(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters)
Hey, I'm back. Sorry...work... other stuff... sleep...other fics... you understand ;)
Thanks to all the reviews on the last chapter. Thank you Guest, fishtrek, iluvhotchme, FallWithMeOffACliff, lailyspenstar, gublersmoods, Guest, Diana, Guest, Ash59, Aja85, EJMorgan, CJFool, Guest, This is like my 4th account, Rookblonkorules, poohbear123, and Guest.
I promise to actually PM you guys this time, I keep getting distracted from personally thanking you.
Please keep reviewing! It is my serum for writers block.
Okay, so I haven't just been lazing around the last few days, I made a new friend... I hope... anyway, check out her story, it's rated M so you'll have to include that in the filters. Her name is Emobunnyme and her fic is called "Spencer Reid, As I Live and Breath." It's a kidnapped team fic with you know who as the centre of the unsubstantiated attention. I won't go on, but go check it out, she's also super fast at updating, I'm jealous!
Anyway, update time.
Enjoy!
Previously on Like a Family:
"We're about to find out. You and I are going to have a quiet chat with Will and perhaps he could give us some insight."
"I'm going to kill her," JJ hissed.
"Line up!"
Spencer jolted at the sudden booming voice that interrupted the book he'd been reading. It was his second day in the hellhole of a children's home and he had yet to get into any big trouble. Spencer watched around the den as the other children practically fell out of their seats to get to the door.
"Spencer," Rachel hissed, pausing at the door and looking back at the oblivious child, who looked up with innocent and rather confused eyes. "Hurry up," she added before she staggered away. Spencer hopped off the couch and laid his book face down so he could go back to the page he was on, then he made his way to the hallway, taking his time. When he stepped through the door he scowled at the children lined up against the wall, their backs pressed up against it. Some of them had their fingers crossed. Sandy was closest to Spencer and she grabbed his wrist and pulled him to her side.
"What-"
"Shh!" Sandy whispered, her eyes flicking down the hallway where a darkened figure could be seen under the broken lightbulb. Spencer squinted at the shape and swallowed thickly when he saw the shape step into the light and Debra emerged looking as terrifying as ever.
She cracked her neck before commencing into a tense speech about rules and regulations and about fostering and chores. Most of the kids zoned out.
After the speech Debra paused in front of Spencer and bent down, her hands on her knees. Spencer blinked nervously and pressed himself against the wall.
"Why did it take you so long to line up?" Debra asked in a sickly sweet voice. Spencer looked back at her with a determined look despite the quivering in his hands.
"I didn't know I had to line up," Spencer retorted, his lips pursing together to stop them trembling. A few kids exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"You didn't know you had to line up?" Miss Debbie hissed a broad grin spreading across her face. "I say 'line up' and you didn't realise you had to 'line up?" She laughed cruelly and Spencer looked down at his feet. He was meant to be a genius...
"No," Spencer murmured after Debra stopped laughing. She sighed standing back up slowly.
"You answered me back," she said simply, grabbing Spencer's wrist sharply and making him cry out in shock and pain. "And you disobeyed me-"
"I didn't disobey," Spencer cried and Debra whipped around, fire in her eyes. She released Spencer and raised her hand. Spencer closed his eyes as her smooth palm smacked his cheek. Spencer reached a hand up to the sting in his skin and he looked up fearfully at Debra.
"You will not answer back!" She spat. The hall fell silent and Spencer took a step back from Debra who looked more like a raging bull. Debra seethed and turned to Natalie. "Take him to the quiet room," she snapped and the young woman nodded. Debra turned back to the boy to find that he was no longer stood before her. He was dashing towards the back door which was open to the garden.
Spencer hopped out into the cold air and looked back at the stunned audience he left behind too shocked to move. He narrowed his eyes on the chain link fence ahead of him and pushed his little legs to go faster.
He remembered what the children had told him: escape is futile. But Spencer enjoyed breaking expectations and proving everyone wrong.
An unsuspecting Will let Aaron and JJ in offering them a coffee as they sat down. JJ looked around at the house they once shared and pushed down her emotions.
When Will finally sat down Aaron spoke first.
"We needed to talk to you and Claudia about something pressing."
"Oh right, would you maybe like to wait for her to come? She shouldn't be long."
"No, we can talk about it," JJ said. "We have some news which-" she was suddenly cut off by Will who's eyes went wide as he suddenly remembered something that couldn't wait to be said.
"We actually have some news too," Will said with a grin. JJ shut her mouth in annoyance and narrowed her eyes at Will. "We're moving!"
"Wait... what?"
"Claud's been offered a new job in California and she wants to take it."
"What about your job?" JJ mumbled and Will shrugged lightly.
"I can transfer to California PD."
"For her?"
"Yes, for her, Jen. I do love her, despite what you think about us," he said and he smiled nervously when JJ's eyebrows furrowed tightly. "Anyway, we can talk about it more when she gets here. Sorry, I think I interrupted you; what news did you have?
"You have no idea what you're letting yourself in for," JJ hissed. "You trust her after-" She started but yet again she was interrupted, this time by the slam of the door.
"Baby, I'm home!"
Speak of the devil and she shall appear, Hotch thought.
Claudia walked in on JJ, Aaron, and Will and she hesitated in the doorway.
"Hey, babe, Jen, and Aaron stopped by for a chat. I hope you don't mind that I told them about our move."
Claudia sighed and put her bag on the side."I thought we were waiting, baby."
"I know, but I thought they should know, especially when we'll be pushing for full custody over Henry-" Will said but he paused when JJ and Aaron threw him a deadly glare.
"You're what!?" JJ growled in a cold voice.
Will swallowed thickly and Claudia continued to smile as if oblivious, playing the dumb blonde which she seemed to have perfected. "Well, Claudia thought it would be a good idea, California will be a long trip and Henry's young, so it would be better if he stayed there with us."
"With his daddy," Claudia added.
"And what about me, William?!" JJ snapped. "Henry needs his mother."
"Um, he can visit..." Will mumbled and JJ glowered at him in disgust.
"Like you said, we don't expect Henry to take that long trip. He's staying with us," Hotch said sternly. Will went a little pink and tried to answer but no words came out. Claudia sat across the arm of the couch with a forlorn look.
"Will and I were talking and we thought having Henry living with us would be good for him; a fresh start! It's hard on him now that you two have Jack and the other little boy-"
"Spencer," Hotch snarled.
"He probably feels left out."
"Henry loves his brothers."
Will took a deep breath and took back over. "It's our decision; we're pushing for full custody of Henry, you won't change our minds," he said.
"He can visit-"
"Not happening," Hotch deadpanned and Claudia pursed her lips, hating to be interrupted.
"I guess we'll see what court has to say. Will is in a much more stable position than you two; they're bound to grant us custody," sneered Claudia and Hotch could feel JJ vibrating with anger.
"And why is Will more stable?" Hotch asked. Claudia looked back at him with a look of slight confusion.
"Because... because his job is less demanding..." she muttered.
"Or is it because CPS is investigating us?" Hotch questioned and Claudia's eyes lit up.
"Oh, are they?" She inquired innocently.
"W-why would they do that?" Will asked.
"Someone gave them a call," JJ spat, scowling at Will and then at Claudia's pale face. "Told them that we were endangering our children. They also told them about Spencer. They've taken him away," She seethed, her fists shaking at her sides. Hotch took hold of one and eased her fingers into his, trying to calm her.
"Taken him? As in-"
"As in taken him to a foster home, Will."
"Well..." Claudia cleared her throat a little nervously. "I guess this is all the more reason for Will to take Henry."
JJ stared at Claudia before standing up sharply and surging forwards. Hotch pulled her back and held her beside him as he too sent Claudia daggers.
"Turns out we're good at tracing calls, Claudia. Now, I would ask you why you did it, but it seems that you've just given us your answer."
"Why would you do that, baby?"
"Don't baby me," Claudia snapped and she glared at JJ. "He still calls you Jenifer."
JJ gaped at a panting Claudia before the idea hit her and she chuckled lightly. Hotch didn't find it funny.
"You reported us because you were jealous!? They have taken away our son, you do realise that!
"It's not like he's your real son!"
Hotch stood up abruptly and Claudia jerked backward in fear. Will also stood up, a little reluctantly.
"He is as much of a son to me as Jack. The same goes for Henry," Hotch hissed and then he turned to look at an anxious looking Will. "Did you know he calls me Dad?"
Will seemed to freeze his eyes meeting Hotch's dark ones as his body became rigid.
"Henry still calls you 'Daddy's girlfriend,'" JJ jeered at Claudia who looked away.
"Your plan seems to have fallen quite flat. Once CPS investigates they'll realise you lied, and when they do I'll make sure you'll never see Henry again!" JJ yelled and Will's expression fell.
"No, Jen, please, don't take him from me."
"It's because of her that we lost Spencer! He's two, alone and scared; we don't have a clue where he is! Imagine if it was Henry, Will," JJ said and her voice broke a little.
"I didn't know... please, Jay."
"No. You're not blameless, you chose her over me. That is the bed you made now lie in it.
JJ blinked back tears that sprung into the corners of her eyes. Will's expression was the same as it had been that night.
2 years before
JJ tiptoed into the house quietly, shutting the door behind her. Henry was having a sleepover with Jack which allowed her to fulfill the anniversary her and Will had forgotten to celebrate the week prior.
She nudged off her heels and stretched out her toes with a satisfied hum. In her bag, there was a movie, one that Will had been moaning at to watch. Alongside it was a sharing bag of Cheetos which she may have already opened.
"Will?" She called quietly stepping into the kitchen and her smile growing.
The table was laid out for two and by the looks of the burning candles, it had been set up for a romantic meal. "So he did remember," she mumbled with a grin. She set her bag down when a loud bang made her jump
JJ frowned at the sound, it sounded like something upstairs. She looked up at the ceiling. Another sound echoed and she wondered what Will was doing, hopefully not decorating again. JJ was about to investigate when her eyes caught two dirty dishes set on the counter. She walked over and scowled at the dishes. There were also two glasses still partially filled with wine. A cold shiver trembled down JJ's spine. No, she thought, no, he wouldn't. There was another loud thunk upstairs and JJ drew her gun and cautiously walked into the hallway. She crept up the stairs soundlessly and hurried to her and Will's room, the door was ajar and JJ could hear mumbling and groaning from inside.
"No," she hissed before she kicked open the door and aimed her gun.
"Nah!" The woman in her bed under her boyfriend sat upright, pushing said boyfriend away. Will grabbed the sheets and covered himself behind them.
"J-Jen," he breathed, his forehead shining with sweat. "I-I didn't think you w-were home," he said, swallowing thinking.
"Hotch gave us the rest of the day," JJ said quietly, lowering her gun. Her eyes were glued to the naked woman laying on her sheets, on her pillow, the intruder's underwear hanging over her bedside table.
"Will..." the woman mumbled, her eyes flickering between the husband and wife.
"How long?"
"Huh?" Will licked his lips, his expression oblivious.
"How long!? How long have you been seeing her!?" JJ yelled, forcing back the tears.
"Not... not long, Cher-"
"Don't."
Will gulped nervously. "A few months I guess."
JJ turned her head as tears threatened. "Happy anniversary," she murmured sadly. She walked into the room, desperately trying to appear angry, she wouldn't let them see her cry. She yanked open the drawers and pulled out a pile of clothes. She didn't look at the two in her bed as she walked back into the hall and slammed the door behind Will's pleas of forgiveness. She hurried to Henry's room and pulled a big duffel bag off his door, shoving her clothes inside. She glanced around and grabbed some of Henry's essentials. She zipped the bag as it all suddenly hit her and tears began to drip down her face.
JJ was rushing down the stairs when a half-dressed Will staggered from their room.
"JJ!" He called after her as she snatched up her handbag.
"Jennifer!"
"Go to hell!" She screamed before sprinting from the house. She went to Aaron's house and she never left.
JJ snapped out of the memory and focused on her ex's face. Hotch's hand was on hers his eyes filled with worry.
"You had better keep your bitch on a leash in the future," JJ said before she stood up, pulling her boyfriend with her.
Spencer collided with the metal fence and began climbing slowly, the sharp metal biting into his little palms. He slipped down slightly but gritted his teeth and held on. That training with Morgan really paid off, he thought as he nimbly scaled the metal. He was at the top when he heard yells behind him. Spencer glanced around and saw Miss Debbie hurrying through the back door, two of the male workers following her, along with Natalie and another carer.
Spencer clambered up on the tall metal spikes, in his panic he slipped a little and his leg sliced along the metal spike, leaving a shallow gash on his pale skin. "Ow," he whined, reaching back to touch the wound. His fingers came back bloody and he quickly adjusted himself to he couldn't catch the spikes again, but in doing so he lost his footing.
"No!" Spencer heard Miss Debbie yell as he tripped. His shorts snagged on the metal spikes and he yelped out in fear when he thought he'd fall, but instead, he hung from his torn shorts.
"Ahh," he cried as he swung from the spike. He looked back and saw his shorts clinging to the spike, the hole it made was slowly growing bigger as the shorts began to tear.
Spencer looked back at the adults who were still across the garden and whimpered quietly when a ripping sound resonated from his shorts. It wouldn't hold out much longer, that much was certain. He tried to grab the bars on the fence but the movement made the shorts rip more and suddenly he was only hanging on by a few threads.
"HURRY!" He heard Natalie scream.
"He won't make that fall," Debra called.
The workers were at the gate trying to unlock it with a key card when Spencer's shorts gave out. Spencer fumbled for a hold on the bars as gravity captured him and pulled him down. He caught hold of one of the bars half way down, slowing his fall but his grip slipped and he tumbled the rest of the way before landing painfully on the hard ground. His vision flooded with black briefly as pain radiated from his back and hip.
Yells echoed in Spencer's head as he tried to cling onto consciousness. He lay on the ground, sucking desperately at the air, spluttering when his body wouldn't allow it in. Man, winding sucks. His fingers dug into the dusty ground as he heard heavy footsteps growing closer. Spencer's eyes wandered around and he saw the workers had finally unlocked the gate. It's now or never, he thought and he finally drew in a big breath and found the strength to clamber to his feet. He stumbled clumsily on his little bare feet before he managed to get them beneath him. He clutched his chest as he ran, trying to steady his erratic breathing.
"Stop him!" Debra's demonic voice cried and Spencer pushed himself harder. The sound of crunching leaves and twigs pursued him into the woods. He glanced around and squeaked when he saw the two workers hot on his tail.
He got behind a tree and rasped sporadically, his eyes squeezed shut.
"He won't get far," a man's voice growled.
"Check behind the-"
"Got him!" Hands grabbed Spencer's second hand clothes and yanked him from the tress protective shade. Spencer shrieked in terror and he flailed his arms and legs about wildly.
"Help!" He screamed. "Help me! He-"
Spencer was cut off by a sharp slap across his cheek and he stilled suddenly which allowed his captor to get a better hold on him. He touched his stinging cheek and found a pair of cold black eyes glaring at him.
"Hold him up," she ordered and Spencer was lifted in the air, leaving his feet dangling beneath him and making him feel helpless.
"How dare you," Debra spat, punctuating the sentence with a nasty slap which landed on Spencer's already red cheek. The toddler cried out in pain. "You dis-," slap, "-o-", another particularly hard slap, "-bayed!" Spencer tried to hold his cheek to stop the onslaught of slaps but his arms were smacked down by Debbie before she slapped him again. Spencer felt his eyes welling up as pain radiated from his warm cheek. "You should wish that your little fall killed you," she hissed her fists clenching as she practically came nose to nose with Spencer. Tears trickled down Spencer's face, irritating the skin of his left cheek. Debra shook her head with a cruel smirk and smacked Spencer again, the wetness of his cheek making the pain even worse and Spencer screamed in pain.
"Shut that ugly little mouth," Debra yelled, grabbing Spencer's chin between her sharp claws and forcing his head up. Her face was scrunched up with so much rage that Spencer thought she might take a chunk out of his face with her yellowing teeth.
"I think he's had enough," the older carer said, not Natalie who was cowering behind the crowd. Back at the house, a few kids were out in the garden, watching in horror, some were peeking through the windows. Debra turned sharply and scowled at the carer. Spencer slumped in the male worker's arms and began to shiver convulsively.
"Fine; take him to the quiet room," she instructed and Natalie stepped forward to take Spencer but Debra put a hand out to stop her. "Not you," She sneered. "It seems you have quite a soft spot for the child. Davis, you take him," she ordered, sending the older women a cold stare. She nodded and walked to the worker to take Spencer who flinched at the woman's touch.
"P'eas," he whimpered as the woman lifted him into her arms roughly, she marched away from the others. She walked past the children and into the house and once there she released a breath and gently laid Spencer's unhurt cheek on her shoulder.
"Shhh," she mumbled as a sob broke through Spencer's chapped lips. "It's okay," she hushed, bouncing him a little and thumbing his soft curls away from his sweat and tear soaked face. She made her way slowly to the quiet room sending the other curious children glares when they craned their necks to see the boy.
She got to the door which had three locks on the outside. She pulled her ring of keys out and unlocked the room which was dark. There was nothing within the room, the walls were white the floor was made up of distressed wooden boards and scratch marks lingered in some places where other children had dug in their fingernails and the door was in a similar state. The carer closed her eyes briefly before stepping inside.
"You stay here, okay?" She mumbled, sitting Spencer on the floor. The boy covered his eyes and sobbed quietly. The carer shook her head sadly. He was too young for this. She left the room with the toddler still crying his heart out on the floor. She shut the door and locked it reluctantly behind her, counting each lock as she did so. One, two, three. Lastly, she slotted the key into the hole and turned it. She could no longer hear the child crying.
"JJ!" Hotch yelled as he watched his girlfriend slam her foot on the accelerator.
"What a bitch! How could she!?" JJ spat as she jerked the wheel and Hotch clutched onto the doorframe his eyes blown to double their natural size.
"Jen, calm down," he whispered as JJ took another sharp turn.
"She wanted us to lose the boys, Aaron. And the nerve of Will to just sit there and play the victim!"
The cars in the opposite lanes honked their horns when JJ swerved around the car in front of her.
"California! I mean really!"
"Jennifer!"
"I'd be quite happy never to see them again but Henry is staying put."
"Please slow down, Hun," Hotch begged as they turned onto the home stretch. JJ narrowed her eyes on their house in the distance and sped up. "JJ!"
"Stop yelling at me."
"Then calm down," Hotch retorted as they neared their house. Suddenly, the car breaked and Hotch almost smacked his nose into the dashboard. He grumbled angrily as he lifted his head up. "You didn't have to make a point of it," he muttered as he looked at JJ who was staring at their driveway in horror.
"What?" Hotch tech asked as he followed her gaze. It landed on a cop car parked in front of their house. "Shit."
"I didn't clean the house," JJ mumbled, her lips trembling, and her eyes staring out absently.
"It's only an inspection, JJ. We'll be fine."
JJ swallowed thickly and let the car roll slowly forward. Just an inspection... just an inspection.
Thanks for reading! That got a little dramatic...oops, hope it wasn't too over the top. Sorry if Will is totally out of character, I never cared much for his parts... sorry if you're a hardcore Will fan.
Please leave a review telling me your thoughts.
See yo in the next chapter.
