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

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter.

I was checking and this chapter brings my total word count (for all my stories combined) to one million... which is crazy, I don't know how I've written that much on fics. You guys make every word worth it.

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SENSITIVE MATERIAL INCLUDING A FORCED DRUG OVERDOSE AND DARK THOUGHTS (ABOUT KILLING) these scenes are in italics, please avoid if this upsets you.

Please keep reviewing.

Enjoy

Dave didn't want to look at his watch again. It was late and he didn't think they'd be able to get their pilot to leave that night, especially since they were still working.

Dave pulled himself back to reality just as William Reid lifted his head from his hands.

He looked across at the box, the red light on and recording.

Morgan watched him carefully.

"Kim... she..." William stared at the box for another moment before taking a deep breath and looking at Rossi. "She was ready to report me. I couldn't have that on my record. I-I would have been fired and god... money was... it was so scarce. Diana would have been institutionalised, Spencer would have been put into care. That wasn't the worst scenario. Chris had already threatened me and my family, he would have been prepared to take them all if I was gone."

Rossi listened intently, his toes pressing down into the floor as he prayed for the information he needed.

"She threatened everything you lived for," Rossi said and he watched as William nodded. They both looked down at the tape and William cleared his throat.

"Yes," he said for the sake of the tape. He looked up briefly at the ceiling. He couldn't risk his crimes being revealed to the other inmates, or being sent back to where Chris' men could find him. William took a deep breath. "She was also asking for money, promised she'd keep quiet if I paid Ashley's child benefits and more. I couldn't. I just-"

"Take your time, Mr. Reid."

William didn't look at Rossi as he spoke. He was lost in his own memories.

It had been easy. After a couple of drinks William got into a taxi and found himself at Kim's. He sneered up at the apartment building, his eyes cloudy with intoxication. He slipped into the building after the elderly woman who lived opposite Kim invited him in when she returned from walking her toy-poodle.

William opened Kim's appartment with a key he'd already had cut. He'd used Ashley's set which she'd left at his house one afternoon when she came to visit Spencer.

William had been eager to smash up the apartment, strip it of any valuables that could see him an inch out of his debt. But a dark sensation came over him and he found himself examining Kim's knives and her stock of bleach. He imagined, with a sickening smirk, using each item against his ex-wife. He chose a rusty screwdriver and as he walked down the hall he twisted it in his grip. He muttered what he imagined he'd say to Kim.

"Back up, bitch... you messed with me for the last time," William said and he panted, looking down at the screwdriver with a grin. "Stupid bitch," he muttered, staggering into another room.

He saw the boiler then and the dark, twisted feeling rose back up inside him. He approached it, screwdriver tight in his grip.

Rossi felt a sick feeling of his own overcome him when William looked back up at him.

"Is that what you wanted to hear?" William asked, his voice dripping in hate. "Am I done?"

Rossi attempted to clear his throat but it was Morgan who answered. "And Diana," he said in a low voice.

William looked sharply his way. Then he looked down at the tape and back at Rossi and a look of defeat crossed his face.

"I have your word that I'll remain here? And the plea-"

Rossi nodded. "You will remain in this prison and your sentence will be reduced accordingly for compliance." It wasn't like the ten year deal would make a dent in the three life sentences William was going to be given. William even knew this, after they found Ashley he knew he'd never see freedom again but he could make incarceration a little more bearable.

"Diana," Morgan pushed and William snapped back to his senses.

"Diana... that- well, what happened there was... it was in the spur of the moment..."

"Don't be stupid! Diana! Diana listen to me!"

William shook his wife again and she screamed, reaching toward something that wasn't there.

"Let go! Let me free! Please! Spencer, Spencer, he's killing me! He's killing me, baby!"

William shook his wife harder, his teeth gritted together harshly. "Shut your mouth, you stupid whore! You're having an episode. DIANA!"

Diana snapped her head to the side and glared at William. She balled up everything she had in her mouth, spit, phlegm... blood, and she spat it at William.

"You dirty-"

William reached up to wipe his face and Diana twisted out of his grip.

"I know what you are!" she cried as William managed to clean his face. "I know it! They told me! You have no money!"

William strode across the room and grabbed his wife, wrestling with her for several minutes before shoving her onto the bed. "You have no clue!" he bellowed. Diana stared at his with terror in her eyes.

William held her down like that for another few moments, both of them panting harshly. Finally, William eased off. "Honey," he said, his voice eerily gentle. "I think you better take your pills. You're no5 well, my dear." He sat up, pulling Diana with him. Diana watched, her whole body trembling as William grasped the full bottle of her pills off her bedside table.

"No..." Diana whispered.

William ignored her, still gripping her arm while he used his free hand to pop open the pills. "You haven't taken your medicine," he said again. He let go of her briefly to shake out three pills.

Diana stared at his open hand.

"Spencer... he gave me them already."

William chuckled and shook his head. "Our son is three. He couldn't have given you your pills. Here."

Diana shook her head desperately.

"I've had them, William," she whispered.

William's face started to twist with annoyance again. "Take them," he hissed, thrusting his hand in front of Diana's mouth. Reluctantly, she picked them out of William's hand and tipped them into her mouth.

William watched, his eyes narrowed. "Swallow," he ordered and Diana did so. He smiled and slowly lifted the bottle, dropping four new pills into his hand.

Diana blinked at him wearily.

"Take them, darling. They'll make you better."

"But I've-"

"TAKE THEM!"

William forced the pills into Diana's mouth and while she struggled to swallow them, William was tipping more into his hand. Diana's eyes were growing heavy by then and William coaxed five more pills down her throat.

Neither parent realised that Spencer was stood by the doorway, his precious teddy bear-Gary- firmly in his grip. He stood watching until he saw mummy collapse onto the bed.

When William has finished Rossi reached out and stoped the recording. Morgan was already out of his chair, looking extremely unwell.

William Reid just stared down at the table.

"We're done here," said Rossi to the mirror behind them and a guard walked in swiftly and grabbed William.

William looked up suddenly, pulling back from the guard. "You will make sure I'm protected? I had your word," he said. He stared at Rossi who just watched him silently. Nether agent answered William Reid.

They left quietly. The evidence was handed over to the lawyers who thanked both agents profusely for all the extra work they'd done. Rossi didn't say much. He and Morgan made their way back to the hotel, stopping only for something to eat. Morgan parked and glanced over at Rossi.

"Are we flying back tomorrow?" he asked. Rossi nodded, looking across at Morgan. "It's nearly one. You better get some rest."

"As long as you'll try," retorted Derek and Dave smiled fondly.

"Thank you. For coming and backing me up."

Derek grinned. "My pleasure to see that bastard squirm." He paused, glancing back out of his dark window. "That was..."

Rossi glanced Derek's way and they exchanged a look.

Morgan sighed. "Poor Spencer."

Aaron woke up to a quiet house. He glanced across Dave's side of the bed- still empty- and saw the time flashing back at him. Aaron blinked at the 6.32 wavering in his vision. He grunted, pressing his face back into the pillow. Ten more minutes, he thought. The next time he opened his eyes the clock was flashing 7.04, and Aaron finally managed to pull himself up from the sheets.

He sat up in bed, waiting for everything to grow clearer. Saturday. Aaron sighed, tilting himself left and dragging his legs off the bed. JJ was coming at eleven. Aaron glanced a little bitterly at Dave's side of the bed. He stood, stepping slowly to the door. He got to Jack's room and pushed his head in. Jack, of course, wasn't sleeping, he was lay across his bed, his feet in the air, tongue out and fingers flicking back and forth against his controller.

He shot a brief look toward his father before turning back to his game.

"Mornin'," he mumbled. Aaron shook his head fondly.

"Morning, buddy. Fifteen more minutes then I want you up for breakfast."

Jack nodded absently, throwing his body to the right when a sharp turn came up on his game.

Aaron continued to shake his head as he backed away. He took the few steps to Spencer's room and pushed the door open. To his relief, Spencer was still sleeping. The kid was curled up in the middle of his bed, the sheets pulled tightly around him. He had one arm draped over his face which, unlike the previous day, was no-longer scrunched you in pain.

Aaron gave a long exhale as he stepped gingerly toward the boy. He leaned down and gently pressed his palm to Spencer's head.

"Thank god," he muttered when he found the forehead to only be slightly warm.

Spencer grumbled in his sleep, pulling the sheets up to his chin, his arm stretching out over his head before easing.

Aaron glanced at the doorway and when he turned back he bit his lip. He hated waking the boy but they had a busy morning ahead of them.

Aaron carefully manoeuvred Spencer more onto his side and Spencer started to mumble again. Aaron rubbed his back, encouraging Spencer's movement.

"Spencer?" he whispered. Spencer shifted, trying to turn onto his stomach but Aaron stopped him. Spencer whined, his hands dropping on his face. Aaron continued to rub his back as Spencer shifted uncomfortably, whimpering and rubbing at his eyes. After a few minutes of gentle encouragement, Spencer opened his eyes. He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, a frown on his brow before his gaze drifted to Aaron.

"Morning, sleepy head," said Aaron and he beamed at Spencer who was still frowning. Spencer sat up a little, looking around him. Aaron smirked at the way Spencer's hair stuck up on his right side and all across the back. He reached around and brushed his fingers through it. Spencer flinched at first but eased into the affectionate touch.

"Did you sleep well?"

Spencer was still groggy and he looked back at Aaron blankly, his fingers scrunching in his sheets.

Aaron chuckled. "Well you slept a long time."

Spencer gave a small nod and he yawned, his body tensing slightly with a stretch.

"Come on," Aaron said, offering his arms out so as to lift Spencer.

Spencer gave a small grumble as Aaron picked him up and he pointed back at the bed for Gary. Aaron grabbed the bear and gave it to Spencer as he headed to the bathroom. Spencer pushed Gary to his face, holding him there with his two little fists.

Aaron put Spencer on the bathroom counter and went quickly about removing the banadgaes on his foot and redressing it.

The day seemed to be going from bad to good, sure Dave wasn't home, but Spencer had slept the whole night and his foot was almost it's normal size and the redness that had eclipsed the small foot the previous day was now just a soft pink. It was still sore, Spencer had tears in his eyes when Aaron was done but he got a hug at the end of it which seemed to make everything better.

The pain had woken Spencer up properly and he was looking around with his normal inquisitiveness when Aaron set him down at the kitchen table.

Aaron pulled down the Cheerios and shook them at Spencer. "Cheerios?"

Spencer stared at the Cheerios before his eyes shifted back to the cupboard. Aaron held his breath and he stepped aside.

He motioned to the cupboard. "Do you want something else? We have... fruit loops, they're like Cheerios but they taste like fruit, Jack has them," Aaron said, trying not to sound as excited as he was. "Or... uh, oh, we have lucky charms!" Aaron pulled the bright box from the cupboard and Spencer's eyes lit up.

"Those please," Spencer said.

Aaron beamed down at Spencer as he set the box down and grabbed Spencer a bowl.

Lucky charms were a big hit with Spencer. He looked a little critical when he first saw his bowl being filled but after his first spoon he was wolfing the rest down.

By the time Jack walked in, Spencer had eaten most of his bowl and was showing no signs of stopping.

"Lucky charms!" Jack cried, lunging for the box. "I didn't know we had these!" he said as he filled his own bowl to nearly overflowing.

"They're good," Spencer said after swallowing a bite.

Jack nodded eagerly, grabbing his spoon and ramming a good portion into his mouth. "'Da ma'shmewos... s'ho good!" Jack said behind his mouthful.

Aaron just shook his head at the sight, watching as both boys spilled cereal onto the table.

He glanced at his watch then peeked at the door. He wondered what was taking Dave so long.

When JJ's car pulled up, Aaron was more nervous than Spencer. He let them in, Henry rushing inside like a hurricane, searching for Jack who was putting away his legos, Spencer helping at his side.

"Jack!" Henry cried, jumping the boy and pulling him up into a hug. Jack laughed and embraced Henry, unaware of Spencer's defensive stance at his side.

Aaron smiled as JJ walked in with Michael on her hip. He was squirming in her arms until she put him down and he stumbled into the front room too.

JJ shook her head and smiled. "They couldn't get out of the car fast enough," she said. She hugged Aaron and glanced around. "No Dave?"

Aaron shook his head. "He was meant to be back soon."

"He better be, we can't deal with four kids alone!"

Aaron chuckled, turning toward the front room.

Henry hadn't stopped talking since he'd tackled Jack but Spencer had crawled away. He was pressed against the couch, his eyes staring back at Aaron imploringly.

Aaron started toward Spencer, knowing he'd likely have to pull Spencer away for a little while to keep him calm, but Jack got to the boy before he could.

"Spencer." Jack turned and smiled softly at his foster brother. He moved toward him, motioning Henry to follow him. Spencer watched Michael anxiously as the younger boy reached for the legos box. Spencer looked to JJ and Aaron a little desperately.

"Michael, don't touch, honey. Here," JJ said, holding out a stuffed animal to Michael who grabbed it with a smile.

Spencer glanced back at Jack who was still smiling. "Spence, these are our cousins."

Spencer frowned. "Cousins?" He didn't realise Aaron and JJ were related.

"Yea," Jack said with a shrug. "Sort of. Anyway, this is Henry."

"Hi," Henry mumbled, suddenly shy. Spencer stared at him with wonder. Why would he be nervous?

"H-hi," Spencer said and he felt his cheeks grow hot. He looked down at Gary, wishing Henry away.

"Do you like um..." Henry paused thoughtfully, glancing back at his mum for help.

"Spencer likes legos, don't you, Spence. We made a police station together," said Jack, beaming down at Spencer who looked back up, his cheeks still hot.

"Cool," said Henry, coming out of his shell. "Me and daddy made a giant tower!"

Spencer picked his head up in interest.

"Yea, until this one knocked it down," said JJ and she poked Michael's side, making the boy laugh.

"No," Michael said through his giggles.

"Yes you did!" Henry cried indignantly, shooting his brother a glare.

"Nu-uh!" Michael grinned at JJ.

Henry just shook his head and sat down beside Spencer. Jack sat down too and Spencer shifted back uncomfortably.

Henry pointed half-heartedly at his brother. The boy had fluffy blonde hair, big blue eyes and chubby cheeks. "That's my little brother," Henry explained. "He's annoying."

"I not annoying!"

"He is," Henry added and Spencer smiled. Michael, on the other hand, was scowling while he clutched JJ's legs.

"You a poo-poo-head, Henwy!" Michael said, his voice so obnoxiously high that it made Spencer giggle behind his hand.

"No thank you, Michael," JJ said and she gave Michael a stern look.

Henry was laughing. "He's annoying," he whispered and Jack and Spencer laughed quietly.

Spencer shuffled closer to the two other boys, leaving Gary beside the couch.

"What shall we play?" Jack asked, looking around the room for something.

Henry glanced longing at the giant box of legos and he sighed. "We can't play with legos," he mumbled. "Mum says it's too small for Michael, and he always breaks my towers."

Spencer nodded in understanding, he once had someone in his life who wanted to destroy everything he loved... Spencer shook the sad thoughts away and blinked up at Jack.

"How about... hmm." Jack glanced at Spencer who had grabbed his leg and was gazing up at him for guidance. He looked over at Henry who was also listening eagerly and he smirked. "We could be spies," Jack said.

Henry's face lit up. "Yea! That sounds awesome!"

Spencer nodded.

"What sort of spies are we?"

Aaron cut in then, hopeful to have the boys playing so he and JJ could talk. "You know boys, Dave lost his glasses last week. Your mission could be to find his glasses without getting caught."

"By who?" Jack asked.

"By Mudgie," said Aaron and he stood up and walked to the utility room door. He opened it and Mudgie hurried out, his nose sniffing around, detecting new smells.

Jack and Spencer laughed at the sight of their big brown Labrador.

"What if he catches us?" Henry said, tilting his head at the dog.

"You'll have to hide, or you can distract him."

Aaron demonstrated by grabbing a pack of dog treats and holding one out for Mudgie. He threw it on the direction of the kitchen and Mudgie bounded after it.

Henry nodded and scampered into the utility room, coming out with a squeaky toy.

He narrowed his eyes at Jack and Spencer. "Come on, guys," he said. "Let's find those glasses."

Dave got off the plane and hugged Derek goodbye before getting into his car. He barely noticed where he was going until a familiar driveway came into view. He turned into it.

He saw JJ's car beside Aaron's and he gave a weary smile. "Sorry, Aaron," he muttered, wondering if the boys were too much of a handful.

He got to the door, pausing to listen. He was beyond thankful when he didn't hear Spencer crying or screaming on the other side. He pushed his key into the lock and nudged the door open.

Aaron and Spencer's heads whipped around when they heard the door. Spencer broke into a wide smile, stumbling to his feet and staggering toward the door. Aaron was at his heels, cringing when Spencer walked on his bad foot.

Dave, despite still being exhausted, grinned when he saw Spencer and he crouched down to gather him into his arms. "Hey, kiddo!"

Spencer was so happy that he giggled giddily, crushing Dave into a hug. The uneasy thoughts of having to tell Spencer the truth about his mother's death ebbed away from Dave's mind and he just squeezed the boy back.

"You are late." Dave looked up from Spencer's shirt to see Aaron smirking down at them.

"I am so sorry," he said, smirking too. "It will never happen again."

"Hmm," Aaron mumbled but his smile was soon back when Dave stood and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Forgiven," he grunted.

Dave looked back down at Spencer who was still beaming. The boy grabbed his hand and gave Dave a tug forward. Dave noticed Spencer's limp seemed heavier but he didn't question it since Spencer was so happy.

"What have you been up to?" Dave said instead and Spencer's eyes widened.

"I'll show you. Henry, me, Jack, and Michael have been playing. We're secret agents."

Dave raised his eyebrows. He was starting to feel choked up with pride. "Have you really?" he asked quietly and Spencer nodded.

"Come on, papa, I'll show you."

Dave wasn't ashamed of the tears that came to his eyes after that.

Thanks for reading, please leave your thoughts in the reviews.

Stay Safe and see you Friday.