Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. The occasional scenes from episodes of Criminal Minds in this story belongs to the writers of Criminal Minds and CBS. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Hello again, everyone!

Again, sorry for the delay! I've been feeling really lately!

My apologies if I had made any mistakes but do enjoy the chapter!

Also, I would like to credit ahowell1993 for helping me with this chapter.

"Good morning, sweet brain." Élise kisses Reid's lips.

"And morning to you, Lady Law." Reid pecks her lips back. Opal starts jumping up and down, "And good morning to you, my puppy princess."

"She's starting to grow, huh?" Élise said.

Reid chuckles, "Just wait until we have our children."

Patting Opal down, "I know. And before I forget, you have your first physical therapy appointment this afternoon. And you're coming whether you want to or not." Noticing the cast on Reid's left leg.

"Yes, ma'am." Reid obeyed

Reid was sitting in the roundtable room with the rest of his teammates when Hotch and Rossi entered the room,

"What have we got?" Hotch asked as he sat down.

"Ben Vanderwaal was killed in Commack, long island, last night, shot at close range, Once in the heart, once in the head, .22 caliber shell," JJ said.

Morgan comments, "They found hair and blood traces from Ben Vanderwaal's wife heather."

"But not Heather?" Rossi wondered.

"No," JJ answered before continuing. "she's still missing, presumed dead. The caliber and placement of the bullets Match that of two previous victims. The first, Rita Haslat. Eight months ago, she went missing from her home in new jersey. 4 weeks later, she was found in a trash bin."

"She went from that to this in under 3 weeks?" Prentiss asked as she pointed out the picture. "She's totally emaciated."

"Ligature marks on her wrists and ankles indicate she was constrained," Reid notes.

Morgan adds, "One in the heart, one in the head- same as Vanderwaal."

"Sounds more like an execution." Hotch thinks.

Reid asked, "Then why cut off Vanderwaal's hands postmortem?"

"What about the third victim?" Rossi asked.

"Bill Levington," JJ said. "His appearance was certainly altered."

"His genitals were missing," Prentiss observes.

"Though the method of mutilation is different in each crime, Clearly there's a signature. The question is, what? Wheels-up in 20 minutes." Hotch said before looking at Reid, "Élise left me a message telling me that you start physical therapy this afternoon, so you're staying behind so you can attend your first appointment," said Hotch.

Spencer thought about how much time he took off after contracting anthrax, his trip to London and Vegas with Élise, and his shooting, "I can't leave you guys down an agent again."

"Élise would find a way to prosecute me if I let you miss today's appointment, so you're staying behind so you can work yourself towards getting around without crutches or a wheelchair," said Hotch.

Reid was playing with one of Garcia's desk toys when she got JJ on the phone.

"Garcia." JJ was now on the phone.

"We've been getting to know Heather Vanderwaal." Garcia said as she coats the toy from Reid's hands. "I can't tell you her favorite Beatle, but I can tell you she was Living La Vida unhappy."

JJ asked, "What did you find?"

As Reid stared at one of Garcia's computer screens, "Her ex-husband took her daughter Allison out of school mid-term. After that, Heather cut a check for $5,000 To a place called Lewis, Bell, & Peters 6 days ago."

"Law firm?" JJ figured.

"Family law." Garcia corrected her.

"Thanks," JJ said before hanging up.

Reid and Garcia began video chatting with the rest of the team as Hotch looked at Detective Gill Hardesty. "Detective, our technical analyst Penelope Garcia and Dr. Spencer Reid."

Reid waved. "Sorry I couldn't be there; an unsub shot me in my left leg, and I shot him in between the eyes."

"Are you feeling better now?" Detective Hardesty asked.

"My fiancée and I will be going to my first physical therapy appointment this afternoon."

"That's good and congrats on your engagement."

"Thanks. Let's get back to the case."

"I agree." Hotch comments. "Morgan."

Morgan starts off, "The removal of the hands is as specific As Rita Haslat's condition was when she was found."

"Just as specific as the removal of Bill Levington's genitals," Prentiss added.

"There's a message in the mutilations the unsub wants us to know," Hotch said.

"I got something here that might help us with—" Garcia was interrupted when,

"Technically, we have something here that might help with that." Reid corrected her. "Bill Levington was involved in a serial rape case, All involving minors, and it never went to trial."

"Rita Haslat?"

"A former social worker, a former—"

"Attained said former status When she was fired from the DCFS for gross negligence. In one of her cases, a 7-year-old boy starved to death."

Prentiss said, "which explains why Haslat was so emaciated when she was found."

"If all the victims were indicated in crimes against children, Then we've found a connection." Morgan figured.

"One of the unsubs has access to the crimes of the victims And probably works in the justice system. Garcia and Reid?"

"On it." Said Reid and Garcia in unison just as Spencer's phone vibrated causing him to see a text message from Élise.

JUST GOT PAST SECURITY, SO I'LL BE IN THE BAU TO TAKE YOU TO PHYSICAL THERAPY ~ EB

"Was that Élise?" asked Hotch.

"She's on her way up," said Reid.

"Take the rest of the day off," said Hotch.

"Are you sure?" asked Reid.

Hotch thought about Spencer's new home office. "Enjoy the rest of the day with your fiancée and if we need you, you can just work from home," said Hotch.

Reid sighed before saying, "OK,"

"You don't have to push me," Reid said as Élise wheels him towards the elevator.

"I want to, babe," Élise insisted. "Plus, the wheelchair has an attachment for your crutches, so you're good."

"Dr. Reid?" A familiar voice calls out his name.

"Ma'am."

It was Section Chief Erin Strauss.

Strauss nodded her head. "And Élise Bastien."

"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am." Élise politely smiled.

"I've heard about what happened with you and how you were left alone with any backup. I already gave Agent Prentiss a talk when I read the report. I've already arranged the FBI to send you to the best physical therapist."

"Thank you, ma'am." Reid gave her a small smile.

"And I also heard about your engagement. Congratulations."

"Thank you, ma'am." Élise smiled. "And if we may, we would like to invite you to our Spring wedding in Las Vegas."

Strauss was a bit speechless. "I…I…I'll have to think about it."

"Of course."

"Thank you anyway."

Élise and Reid sat down to each other in the doctor's slightly chilly room. Soon a tall doctor walks into the room with a chart in his hands and a smile on his face.

"Hello. I'm Dr. Mason Thompson, but you can also call me Dr. Mason."

Élise shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, Dr. Mason."

"Same here, Ms. Bastien." He warmly greets her back.

The physical therapist looked at Spencer. "What happened to you?"

"While I was on a case, I was shot by an unsub in the above my thigh."

"Unsub?" Dr. Mason.

"Unknown subject," Élise explained. "He's a Supervisory Special FBI Agent for the Behavioral Analysis Unit of Quantico, Virginia."

"Basically, I study human behavior and profile."

"Sounds like an interesting job."

Reid nodded in agreement. "It can be."

"Now, about your knee, we're going to work on making it stronger; it may take time but, in the end, it'll help cut down the pain and stress off your knee. Just to be on the safe side, we're going to run an ultrasound, electric stimulation, kinesiology taping, soft tissue massages, just to help monitor the program and other treatments."

"Yes, doctor," Reid said.

"Now, if you develop acute knee pain, follow the R.I.C.E. principle immediately. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation."

"We've been doing that lately." Élise nodded her head.

"Well, that's great. Now, exercising is extremely important to help strengthen and improve the knee's mobility. This includes quad sets and straight legs raises, short arc quads, lower extremity stretches, balance exercises, electrical nerve, and muscle stimulation. And also, do you have a pet?"

"We have a three-month-old puppy named Opal, why?" asked Spencer.

"Taking Opal for evening walks as we work you down to one crutch and eventually a cane will help you walk unassisted faster," said Dr. Mason. "If we remain on schedule, we'll see improvement in your knee in a matter of weeks."

Squeezing each other's hands, "Well, that's great since we're getting married in the Spring."

"Congratulations."

Reid was in his home office when he gets a call. "Reid here,"

"I thought you were with Garcia." Rossi wondered.

"Hotch had me go home early for my physical therapy," Reid said.

"Fine. My friend Ray needs your help with a crossword puzzle question."

Reid was ready, "Okay."

"Crossword question. 10 letter Crater creator," Ray said.

Reid started to think, "10 letters. Crater creator…Arctangent."

"Did you get that?" asked Rossi.

"Damn, he's smart," said Ray.

"Thanks," Reid said as Élise walks into the home office.

"Thanks what?" Élise wondered.

"Ray's friend needed my help with a crossword question."

"Knowing you, you got it right." Élise taps his nose.

"You know I did." Reid pecks her lips onto his.

Reid used his crutches and leaned over Garcia's shoulders, trying to read some of the information. "Oh-oh, we've got gobs of two-way traffic going on, which means someone is trying to bounce us out."

"Ok, Bosola didn't come cheap," Prentiss reminded them. "So, Judge Schuller had to have made some pretty substantial transactions."

"Got wire transfers to a Cayman island bank and that's where the trace ends."

Prentiss asked, "How many, how much?"

Garcia continued, "June, he debits numerations of $9,999 every few days, total of 4, he takes a break for a few weeks until he makes his final transaction for the same magic number."

"Anything less than $10,000 keeps the IRS off your trail," Reid said.

"I know that, too." Garcia pointed out.

"So, the final payment must be for proof of death. That makes $50,000 the price of a kill." Prentiss thinks.

Garcia went on, "He did that 3 times over a period of 12 months, but 2 days ago, He raided his account for $100,000 all in one hit."

"He also closed all his accounts and handed his entire estate over to a victims support group," Reid said before everything on the screen disappears.

"Someone who isn't suffering from too many brainiacs in the high-tech kitchen just bounced us out."

"Good job."

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Élise said to Reid as he woke up, carrying a tray before gently setting it down on his lap. A tray consisting of two chocolate birthday cake pancakes and two waffles with dairy-free ice cream, fresh brew coffee, a chocolate donut with sprinkles.

"Aw, a breakfast buffet for me." Reid blushed. "You shouldn't have."

"But I wanted, too." Élise kisses his lips. "It's your birthday, babe."

"You're so wonderful to me." Reid kisses her back. "So, what are the plans for today?"

"After you finish breakfast, we'll do some morning physical therapy as well as taking Opal for a walk. We can spend the whole day watching our favorite movies from childhood and perhaps a small get-together with the team."

"I think I'd like that." Élise and Reid kissed again before Opal jumps on the bed and starts licking Reid's face.

"I guess Opal's giving you birthday kisses." Élise chuckles.

"Happy birthday to you," The team, including Élise, sang to Reid. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Dr. Spencer Walter Reid. Happy birthday to you!"

As Reid blew out the purple 2 and 8 candles, everyone showered him with gifts, hugs, and kisses, including one from Élise and Opal.

"Happy birthday!"

"Happy birthday, pretty boy." Morgan chuckles, messes up his hair. "In two years, you'll be 30. Looks like someone's getting old."

"You're eight years older than him, borderline middle-age," Élise smirked.

Morgan tries to assure Élise, "I'm not that old."

"Uh-huh." Élise sounded doubtful as she cuts up a big slice for Reid.

"You made the chocolate cake, Élise?" Prentiss asked.

"From scratch, including the chocolate buttercream. Hope it's not too sweet."

"Well, it's delicious," Garcia said as she took a bite and swooned. "The buttercream frosting is paradise and it's not too sweet."

"And the tandoori chicken is nice." JJ agreed.

"Élise and I have been taking cooking classes lately," Reid said.

"Well, you need to taste my veggie stir-fry; très tasty."

"Like me?" Morgan wraps his arms around Garcia.

"Like you, mon cher." Garcia softly growled.

Élise raises her glass of sparkling water, "I'd like to make a toast to the most wonderful man in the world, Spencer. And to the man who brought us together, Aaron. And also, to Haley and Jack."

"To Haley and Jack."

Soon, Élise's jaw dropped before letting out a slight chuckle.

"What?" Morgan asked, noticing the look on Élise's face.

"Opal left a surprise on your shoes." Élise points her index finger down. As Morgan looked down.

"Opal!" Reid cried as he chuckled.

"She peed on his shoes." Prentiss giggled.

"And they were new."

Until next time, everybody!