Hey everyone, here is the next chapter for you all. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I am nervous about this chapter but I loved writing it. There are some upsetting moments in this. Sorry for delay in getting this chapter out. Enjoy and I look forward to hearing from you all. Oh, and for those who read Vigilante. I'm posting the next chapter tomorrow along with some other updates. I've put a rush on it after all the reviews I got.

Thank you for all the reviews. You're absolutely wonderful and they really gave me a boost in the week. Thanks!

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All mistakes are my own

Spencer let out a small whimper before bringing the blankets over his body to try to hide from the world and from his father. Morgan gently stroked his hand over Spencer's head. "Hey, he's not coming in here. I promise that you're safe in here."

Morgan passed him the teddy bear and brought the blankets back over him. "You just rest here. I'll send him away and then we'll get you some jello."

Walking out of the room, Morgan prepared himself for a fight. He closed the door behind him and walked over to William Reid. Diana Reid stood behind him with her entire body tensed up with fear. "Mr Reid, I thought the situation was explained to you."

"I want to see my son, Agent. How long does he have to stay in the hospital?" William demanded.

"Social services is coming to speak with you. Spencer is showing signs of abuse and it's clear that some of it was inflicted before his abduction. You are not to have any contact with him till a full investigation has been made."

"This is outrageous!" William fumed angrily as he pulled out his phone. "You have no right to keep our son away from us. I'll be calling social services and giving them a taste of what happens when you get in my way."

Diana stayed in front of Morgan as her husband stormed off. She quickly wiped away a stray tear that travelled down her cheek. She looked into Morgan's eyes. "Is Spencer safe? Did that woman hurt him?"

"He has a few bruises and a cut to his forehead but he's safe," he assured her. "I'm sorry but we know what William has done to him and what he's doing to you, Mrs Reid."

Diana closed her eyes and brought out some pictures from her pocket. Her thumb stroked over them as she began to spoke shakily. "Spencer is the most important thing in the world to me. I'm a terrible mother."

"Not according to your son," Morgan tried to soothe. "How long will your husband be gone?"

"At least ten minutes," she answered. "He has contacts, Agent. He'll do whatever he can to keep our son in his grip. Spencer deserves so much more than I can ever give."

Morgan walked forward and gently took her hand, he led her into the room and signalled the doctor that it was okay he was bringing her inside the room.

Diana walked over to the bed and immediately began to cry at the sight of her son cowering under the blankets. "Spencer, it's mommy."

Spencer quickly rose up and let out a small sob as he saw her. Diana swooped him up from the bed and into her arms. "Mommy, I missed you."

"I missed you too," she smiled before kissing his cheek and holding him close to her. "Oh, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you. Did that woman hurt you?"

"She wanted me to call her mommy but I wouldn't. You're my mommy and no-one else can make me call them mommy. She was mean to me but I could take it. I love you, mommy."

"I love you too, my little wonder," she said gently before kissing his head and stroking her hand through his hair. They stayed silent and just stayed holding each other for a few minutes. As she brought him away from her and sat him on the edge of the bed, she made a decision that would change Spencer's life. She knelt in front of him and stroked some of his brown hair away from his face. "Spencer, I need you to be a brave little boy for me. I know that you understand what is happening and I want you to know that I love you and I always will. Till the end of time, I will always love you. You can't come home with me and I think the best place for you is with someone who can take care of you. I'm your mother. It's my job to protect you and not your job to protect me. I can't stand by and watch your father hurt you."

"No, mommy," Spencer began to cry as he clutched at her hands. "I want to go home with you. I can protect you from daddy."

"You're six years old, sweetie. You should be running around and playing with other children. You should have a room full of toys and beautiful things but as long as you stay with your father that will never happen. I can't take another day of seeing him hurt you. Daddy is a very bad man and I swear he will never touch you again. I've been so afraid but I can't let that fear take over any more."

They all jumped when they heard William calling for her. Diana kissed her son's forehead and both his cheeks as tears flowed down her pale cheeks. "I will always love you."

She picked him up and placed him in Morgan's arms. Spencer clung to her sleeve with an iron grip. Diana looked into Morgan's eyes. "Don't let William come near him. Whatever happens to me, promise me that you will take care of him and make sure he's cared for. Please, quickly."

"He'll be cared for, I promise," Morgan replied quickly.

Diana gently brought her son's hand from her sleeve and kissed the back of it. "I'm doing this to keep you safe."

She rushed out of the room and felt her heart break into a thousand pieces as her little boy screamed for her to come back. William began to storm over to her followed by a woman with a badge and clipboard that she assumed was from social services. Grabbing an empty bed pan, she smashed it across William's face when he tried to touch her. He crashed to the floor and clutched the side of his face as blood began to spill from a deep cut to his cheek.

"YOU'RE NEVER TOUCHING HIM AGAIN!"

Morgan kept a tight hold on Spencer as he still tried to process what had just happened. There was a commotion outside the door but he couldn't see what was happening because he was trying to calm down the child in his arms.

"MOMMY!" Spencer screamed as his face became red and puffy as tears continued to cascade down his face. "Mommy, come back!"

Morgan brought Spencer over to the bed and placed him down on the edge. "Hey, Spencer. Look at me."

"He'll hurt her," the young boy cried. "I have to protect her. Why did she leave me?"

Morgan put his hands on Spencer's small shoulders. "Spencer, your mother wants a good life for you. Like she just said, she will always love you and wants you away from the abuse that your father is inflicting onto you. I promise I will find out what is happening but I need you to calm down. She isn't saying goodbye forever."

"My home is with my mommy," Spencer hiccuped. "I don't want to live with strangers."

"For tonight, your home is in this hospital. Tomorrow, we will have answers. I promise that your mother will stay safe. Shhh, calm down," Morgan soothed as he brought a tissue across the young boy's cheek.

"Please don't leave me alone, Morgan," Spencer whimpered as he struggled to calm himself down. "Everyone leaves and I don't like being alone."

"I'm not going anywhere, little buddy."

William was escorted to an exam room by a guard while Diana was handcuffed by security and escorted into a private room. Diana stayed at the table she had been placed at and knew she had to deal with the pain her decision had brought into her heart. For nine months, she had carried her son inside of her and felt his strong kicks. William had tolerated the pregnancy but had wanted to wait till his career had improved. His career came to a stand still during her pregnancy and his anger had grown and his drinking wasn't something she was able to stop, especially when he began to hit her. He had almost taken away her precious little boy before she had ever seen his face. Diana remembered the punch to her pregnant stomach and the bleeding that had followed. She had cried the entire way to the hospital thinking that her child was gone. William had stayed at the house to drink and watch television. By some miracle, Spencer had survived and there was no damage to him. It was also the day she had found out she was going to have a little boy. Every time William would shout at her or hit her, she would remember the sound of her little boy's heartbeat coming from the ultrasound and block out the fear and pain with it.

Her mind snapped away from the past as Hotch walked into the room.

"You need to keep my son safe, Agent Hotchner. William hurts him and I don't care what happens to me any more. Just keep Spencer safe, I beg you."

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