Chapter 3: Testing Boundaries
"Who's taking the first shift of the week?" Morgan asked his team as they settled down for breakfast. "I believe it was decided that I would," Rossi exclaimed. "Sounds like a plan. When he wakes up, can you help him get dressed and feed him some breakfast? Make sure he eats enough," Hotchner explained. "Yes, Hotch. I've taken care of kids before. You do know that right?" Rossi chuckled. "Don't take it personal, Rossi. The boss man is just overprotective," Morgan explained. "Yeah, boy genius is Hotch's little baby now, meaning we're gonna have to get used to the overprotective nature," Prentiss explained and the team giggled. "Okay, that's enough. We've got a case and we need to get started on it quickly. I have a feeling this unsub won't stop killing anytime soon," Hotch informed.
Once the team made their way out the door, Rossi made his way upstairs to Spencer. When he saw that the racecar bed was empty, along with Hotchner's bed, he felt a slight twinge of panic. "Hey, kid! Where are you?" He called out. "Here, uncle Rossi!" the toddler called back. Rossi made his way over to the closet where the voice came from. "Spencer, what in the hell are you doing in the closet?" the older man laughed. "Well, you see...I wanted to come downstairs but I wanted to get dressed first. So I tried to get my clothes from the closet and then I got very stuck," Spencer explained. "Very stuck, huh? Well how about next time that you'd like to get dressed, you ask for some help, okay?" Rossi said, lifting the child into his arms. 'Okay, uncle Rossi. Could I have some help getting dressed?" Reid giggled.
Once Reid was dressed, the uncle and toddler made their way downstairs to the kitchen. "Alrighty, what are you thinking you would like for breakfast?" Rossi inquired. Spencer thought for a moment before giggling, "hmmm, maybe some ice cream?" "No way kiddo, you know your dads rule. No sweets or treats until after dinner. How about some cereal?" he asked, gaining a pouty Spencer. "But daddy isn't here…" the toddler smirked. Rossi pulled out his phone, "Well, I'll give him a call and see how he feels about your idea…" he threatened. "Cereal sounds good to me!" Spencer exclaimed, not wanting to be lectured by his dad. "Mhm, that's what I thought, now eat up," Rossi laughed, pouring the child a bowl of cereal.
Once breakfast was finished, Rossi turned on some morning cartoons for the two to watch. However, Spencer had other plans. "Uncle Rossi, I think I'm gonna go play in my room."
"Alright, that's not a problem. I'll just be down here watching cartoons. We will go to the park or something in a bit. Just let me have my coffee," Rossi decided. Spencer nodded and toddled up the stairs to his room. Little did Rossi know that the child had snuck some of Garcia's candies into his pockets earlier that morning.
"I am an adult," the child muttered to himself, "I can eat candy if I want to." He unwrapped the sugary treats one by one and shoved them in his mouth. "Hey Spencer, I meant to ask-" Rossi stopped in his tracks when he saw the toddler. "Uncle Rossi...I- I was just…" he trailed off, unsure of how to explain himself. "I don't want to hear it. You are in big trouble young man," he lectured, lifting the boy into his arms. "No, no, no wait! I will be good! I promise!" he pleaded. "Oh no, you are not getting out of this one, kiddo," Rossi shook his head, placing the boy in the corner of the room. "Now you know that this behavior is unacceptable. You stand here in the corner for a timeout. Do not come out until I say so. Unless you want a trip over my knee," Rossi lectured, ignoring the cries of the toddler. "Please don't tell daddy," Spencer cried. "You know that I have to. But I will tell him I already handled it. As long as you take your punishment without giving me any issues. Now this discussion is over. Stand in the corner and do not come out," he gave the boy a quick swat on his backside before walking out of the room.
Spencer slumped his shoulders and rested his forehead where the two walls met. He hated being a little kid. He hated timeouts and lectures and not being able to do the things he could as an adult. He cried to himself for what seemed like an hour, but in reality it was only five or six minutes before Rossi came back into the room. "Hey kiddo, come sit on my lap," he said gently, grabbing the boy's hand. The caring uncle lifted the boy onto his lap and wiped his tears. "Hey Spencer, I know that was hard for you. But you did good and I'm proud of you. I talked to Hotch and he said that he would have a talk with you when he gets home, but he knows you've already been punished. Can you promise me you will try to behave for the rest of the day?" He soothed, cuddling the boy to his chest. "Y-yes Uncle Rossi. I promise. I'm s-sorry for sneaking candy. A-a-are you s-still mad at me?" the toddler blubbered through tears. "No, buddy. I'm not mad at you. All is well. You aren't in trouble anymore. Now, what do you say we head to the park like we talked about earlier? How's that sound?" Rossi assured, kissing the boy on the head. Spencer wiped his tears and smiled, nodding at the park suggestion.
After a long fun day of playgrounds, park picnics and laughter, it was finally time for the rest of the team to arrive home. "There's my baby boy!" Garcia cheered, lifting Spencer into a big hug. "Hey pretty boy, how was your day with Uncle Rossi?" Morgan asked, ruffling Reid's fluffy hair. "So fun! We went to the park and I even made him go down the slide!" the mini genius giggled. "I'm so glad you had fun buddy. Can you all figure out what we're doing for dinner while Spencer and I have a chat upstairs?" Hotch asked. The team agreed while Spencer gulped and grabbed onto JJ's hand. "Um, do we have to talk daddy?" he asked. "Yes buddy, let's go."
The duo made their way upstairs and Hotchner shut the door behind them. "Would you like to explain why Rossi had to call me earlier?" Hotch began. "Um...I'm not sure…" Spencer lied. "Spencer Reid I know you are not lying to me right now. Because if you are that would result in serious consequences. Now I'm going to give you one more chance to explain to me what happened earlier today," he demanded. "Okay, okay. Well...I told Uncle Rossi that I was going upstairs to play...but then I kinda ate some candy that I snuck from Aunt Garcia's purse. I'm really sorry, daddy! But I already had a timeout for it, I promise!" Spencer burst into tears. "I know you did, Spencer. You aren't in trouble anymore. But you need to understand that you have to follow the rules. They aren't to stop you from having fun. They are to keep you safe and healthy. The next time that I hear about you sneaking candy, you will be put over my knee. Is that clear?" Hotch reprimanded. "Yes, daddy. I'm sorry," Spencer apologized. "Good. You are forgiven. I love you, buddy. Come give me a hug and then I expect you to go apologize to Garcia for sneaking candy from her purse." The father and son embraced tightly before Spencer raced downstairs to apologize to Garcia and get ready for dinner. Hotchner chuckled at the toddler. He sure was a handful, but he was his and he loved him.