Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. Feel free to read and review, but please don't copy.

AN- Okay, this is going to be a series of one shots. I'm going to do something I haven't before.(at least not that I remember) I'm opening this up to prompts. What one shot would you like to see? It can be something set after this one or something that happened earlier. Remember the trickster said he would change Reid back anytime Reid or someone else on the team needed him. If you have a prompt, just let me know. I do my best to write them. One note: please no pairing or character death.

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Reid smiled as he strode through security and across the lobby to the elevators. He shifted the take-out bags in his hands a little so he could press the up button and then stepped back to wait. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long. In less than a minute the doors swished open and the young man walked inside. After pushing the button for his floor, Spencer leaned against the railing along one wall and lost himself in his thoughts once more.

A lot had changed in the three months since New Year's. After much thought and a couple of nights spent alone at his apartment, he found Morgan was right. The quiet was nice for all of thirty minutes. Then it was much too quiet for Spencer. He missed the dogs' growling and chasing each other around the room. And he missed his friends' banter and the laughing and the clank of pots and pans when Rossi or Morgan was cooking. What had once felt like a refuge now felt more like a prison to the profiler. He had been determined to stick it out though at least for a couple of days. Then nighttime came around and a storm rolled in and it was all Reid could do not to drive himself straight back to Morgan's. Instead he had gathered his bedtime supplies along with a couple of flashlights and a pack of batteries that he always kept on hand and hurried into his bedroom. He'd raced through his pre-sleep routine before jumping into bed and snuggling his cherished Ewok into his side. Grabbing a book off his nightstand, the young man had settled in to read determined to ignore the increasing storm. Of course it hadn't been that easy. Spencer had ended up staying awake until the rumbling of the storm subsided. And even then it had taken piling all his stuffed friends into his bed for him to feel safe enough to drift off to sleep.

The ding of the elevator drew Reid out of his thoughts. Shaking off the memories of that first night, he walked out of the lift and headed for the bullpen. As he walked he reminisced about the days after that first night alone. He recalled the challenges he'd faced. The clumsiness had gone away after a day or two. It hadn't taken long to get re-used to his height again either. Remembering that he was tall enough to get and do things for himself had taken a bit longer though. Spencer had gotten so used to everyone doing things for him that it was hard to change. He had spent several meal times as well as at the truck times standing there waiting for someone to pick him up and put him in the chair or the vehicle. The thumb sucking had been the hardest kid habit to kick by far though. Reid had had to sleep with his hands trapped under him for a week to break himself of the habit. And he still woke up some mornings to find his thumb stuck firmly in his mouth. That was something he hoped no one ever found out. He could just imagine the teasing he would endure if that leaked out to Morgan or worse Garcia. Shuddering at the images that brought to mind, Reid bounced up the metal stairs and after knocking, scurried into Hotch's office for lunch.

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Reid and Hotch glanced up as a knock sounded. "Enter" Hotch called.

"Hotch I need to" Morgan began as he came into the room. Seeing the open take out boxes spread out across Hotch's desk, he stopped. "Oh umm, sorry I'll just come back later."

"That's okay, Morgan. Reid and I were just finishing up." Aaron assured the agitated man.

"Are you sure?" Derek questioned. "Cause I could come back if you…"

Hotch frowned. "What's wrong, Morgan?"

"I ummm, I'm gonna need some time off. My sister Sarah just called me. Our aunt Lizzie was k-killed in a traffic accident this morning." Morgan explained. "Lizzie is, was mom's only sibling. I've gotta go. I know its late notice but…"

"Go" Hotch said. "I'll push the paperwork through for a week. If you need more time, just let me know."

"Thanks man" Derek gratefully replied. "I'm gonna, gonna go talk to Garcia; see if she can find me an early flight."

Reid watched his friend rush to the door. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked. "I mean besides taking care of the house and the dogs because you know I have that covered."

Morgan turned and looked at his friend. He ran a hand across the top of his bald head before nodding. "You know, now that I think about it there is."

"What? What is it?" Spencer inquired. Seeing his friend suddenly grin, he furiously shook his head. "Don't you dare!"

The muscular profiler's grin widened. "Sorry Pretty Boy" he apologized though his tone didn't sound the least bit sorry. Derek gazed up at the ceiling and called out, "Hey Gabe! I need your help! Mom really needs to see her little one!"

Reid huffed as he immediately shrunk to his former toddler height. He glared up at his friend. "I hate you." he growled.

Morgan snickered. "You know you love me." he countered before turning to their boss. "Hotch, can you…"

"Consider it done" Aaron broke in with a smile.

"Thanks" Morgan responded. Glancing down at the upset child sitting across from his boss, he held out a hand. "Come on kid. Let's go see Garcia."

Grumbling under his breath, Spencer slid off the chair and stomped over to his best friend. "Otay" he said, wincing at the mispronunciation.

Morgan led the boy to the door and grasped the handle. He turned at Hotch's call. "Yes sir?"

"Keep a close eye on Spencer, Morgan." Aaron ordered. "I don't want to get a phone call from you saying he's been hurt."

"Don't worry Hotch. I've got this." Morgan assured the worried father. He gave the man his signature grin and then turned and ushered his charge out the door.

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Sarah opened the door of her mom's house. "Derek! You made it!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her brother and drawing him into a hug. Noticing the toddler in his arms, she raised an eyebrow. "And who is this little guy? Is there something you've neglected to tell me Der?"

Morgan quickly stepped into the house and shut the door. He set Reid on his feet and started tugging off the boy's coat. "No, this is Hotch's nephew Reid. He's been staying with Hotch for a few months now. Hotch's babysitter had a family emergency so the kid came to work with him this morning. And then the team caught a case and Hotch had to find a new sitter fast. And since I already had the time off, I volunteered to bring him with me. I figured it would do mom some good to see him again."

"Oh, so this is the infamous little Reid that mom has gone on and on about." Sarah said, tousling the youngster's hair. She crouched down in front of the boy. "Your nana is sitting in the next room. Why don't you go say hi? I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you."

Spencer glanced up at Morgan.

"Go ahead kiddo" Derek told him. "We'll be right behind you."

Smiling, Spencer toddled down the short hall and into the living room. Seeing Mrs. Morgan sitting on the sofa with her youngest daughter, he hollered, "Nana!" before racing over and jumping into the shocked woman's arms.

"Reid?" Fran breathed out, breaking into a smile as a slobbery kiss was planted on her cheek. "What are you doing here, baby?"

"He came with me, mama." Derek answered as he and Sarah walked into the room. He dropped down on the couch and hugged his mother. "It seems somebody's been missing you."

"Is that so?" Fran asked, bouncing the toddler on her lap. "Well, nana's missed her sweet little one too." She hugged Morgan and Reid. "And she is so happy to have both her boys back with her."

"Weid love nana." Spencer announced, hugging her back. He then held up his Mickey Mouse backpack. "Weid and nana pay?"

Fran smiled. "I'd love to Sweet Pea."

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Spencer spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening playing with Fran, Sarah, Desiree, and Derek as well as entertaining anyone who stopped by to pay their condolences. As the day wore on he met family friends, heard all kinds of embarrassing childhood stories about Derek, and saw enough food brought in to feed an entire army. Seeing a burly police officer and his wife enter the living room with the most glorious smelling covered dish imaginable, he rubbed his tummy hungrily. Spencer dropped the blue crayon he was coloring with and crawled up on the couch beside his best friend. He patted Derek's chest to get his attention and then announced, "Mowgan, I'm hungwy!"

Derek chuckled. "Well, let's go get something to eat then, Short Stuff." he replied, scooping the boy up and settling him on his hip. He followed the new visitors into the kitchen and grabbed a plate. Balancing the toddler and the paper plate, he looked down at the counter full of food. "Okay, kiddo what'll it be?"

Spencer looked down all the luscious looking foods and licked his lips. "Tan I haf some of evewyfing?" he inquired.

"You most certainly may." Fran replied. Turning to her son, she said, "Take him on to the table. I've got this." Taking the paper plate from her son, she quickly loaded it with small amounts from all the different containers. Once she had a little of everything, she hurried over to the table and set the overflowing plate in front of the little boy. "There you go, Sweetie."

"Fant you" Spencer politely stated before picking up his fork and digging in.

The burly cop strode over to the table and took a seat across from the profilers. "When did you become a family man, Derek?" he questioned. "And where is the missus?"

"Missus? Oh, you mean Reid? He's not mine. He's my boss' nephew." Derek explained. "The team caught an out of town case and Hotch needed a babysitter since his had a family emergency."

"So, he let the kid fly here with you?" Freddy asked, the disbelief clear in his tone.

Morgan shrugged. "It was either that or call one of those nanny services and hope they sent one that wasn't abusive or neglectful." He reasoned.

Freddy nodded. He'd seen many a case of child care gone wrong in his years at the precinct. "Still" he drawled. "I don't remember you being any kind of 'kid' person."

"I've changed a lot since you've seen me." Derek defended as he unfolded a napkin and stuck it under Spencer's collar. "Some of the team have children and I've been around and taken care of them many times."

"My boy's telling you the truth, Fred. He's wonderful with children." Fran bragged. "He's going to be a great daddy one day."

"Uh huh" Spencer chimed in. "Untle Mowgan's fun! Him pays wif me and Henwy!" Fisting his eyes, he let out a yawn.

"Uncle Morgan, it looks like somebody's getting sleepy." Freddy teased.

"Yeah" Derek agreed. "It's been kind of a long day. Let the kid finish eating and then I'll put him to bed.

"Umm, I think he's finished." The family friend said, gesturing to the boy whose head was slowly dropping to his chest.

Morgan smiled. "Guess I better get him to bed then." He whispered. Standing, he gently picked the sleeping boy up. "It was good to see you again Fred." He shook the man's hand before making his way out of the room.

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One week later Reid stood at the front door of the Morgan home preparing to tell them goodbye. After six days of playing and snuggling and hugs and kisses, they were finally going home. He just wasn't sure if he was ready to leave. He'd forgotten how great it felt to be cared for; to not have to worry about anything. Sure his family still showered him with affection and they were there for him whenever he needed them. But there were just some things they couldn't do any more like allowing him to sleep with one of them or rocking him to sleep or even reading to him. He was going to miss those things when…

"What's a matter Sweet Pea?" Fran asked the forlorn boy.

Mentally berating himself for being caught woolgathering, Spencer swiftly thought up an excuse for his behavior. "Weid gonna miss Nana." He said, raising his arms.

Fran scooped up the little boy and wrapped him in a warm embrace. "Nana is going to miss you, too Sweetie." She admitted. "But we're going to see each other again soon. I promised Derek that I'd come down for Easter if he doesn't have a case."

"Weally?" Reid asked.

"Really" Fran affirmed.

Morgan came up behind the two and hugged his mother from behind. "We've really got to be going or we're going to miss our flight." He advised.

"I know." Fran replied, handing the youngster over to her son. She kissed both her boys. "You two take care of each other now."

"We will." Derek assured his mother. He kissed her cheek. "Take care of yourself mom."

"You too" Fran returned, hugging her son tightly. "I don't wanna get a call from your boss saying you've been hurt."

"You won't mama." Derek promised. "You don't have to worry about me. Now Sarah and Desiree on the other hand…"

Laughing, Fran swatted her boy's arm. "Derek Morgan, what am I gonna do with you?"

Reid threw both hands over his mouth and giggled. "Uh oh! Untle Mowgan's in twouble!" he teased.

"You little…"

"Der, the cab's here!" Sarah hollered from her post at the window.

Morgan sighed. "Bye mama, I love you." he said. "Take care of yourself and I'll see you next month, okay?"

"Bye bye nana." Spencer said, opening and closing his hand in a perfect imitation of a toddler wave. "Weid love nana."

"Goodbye my beautiful boys" Fran replied, kissing each one once more. "I'll see you soon!"

"K" Derek voiced. Picking up their go-bags, he stepped out the door his big sister was holding open. "Bye Sarah! Bye Desi! Bye mom!"

"Call me when you get home!" Fran called.

"I will." Morgan hollered over his shoulder. He tossed the go-bags into the trunk of the cab before fastening Reid's car seat in the vehicle. He then strapped Spencer into his seat, climbed in beside him, and shut the door. After giving the driver their destination, he waved at his family and then leaned back against the seat. It was time to go home.