(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or it's characters)

Thank you guys for reviewing!

Thanks to sofiatv crazy, E.J. Morgan, Hippiechic81, Astrahan, FallWithMeOffACliff, AZCatmom, and Guest.

Sorry for the delay, I didn't want to give you a half finished chapter again.

Please review.

Enjoy!

Previously:

"Tan't I just call you Hotch?"

"Sorry, buddy," Spencer pouted and as soon as Hotch set him on the floor he hurried over to Morgan.

"What was all that about, Pretty Boy?"

"They're cwazy!"

"You better get used to it," Rossi added.

Henry woke up to the sound of his door squeaking open. He rolled over to face the wall and tried to go back to sleep.

After a few minutes, he turned back and squinted into the dim room.

"Spence?" His eyes widened on the small boy sat on his soccer ball rug. He hopped out of bed and shuffled over, his brow furrowed with curiousity. Spencer looked up and smiled before turning his head back towards the book. Henry saw the gap in his bookshelf and shook his head.

"That's mine, Spence," he snatched the book off the toddler who hurried to his feet and tried to grab it back. He glanced at the title; Matilda. He shook his head again and held the book high in the air out of Spencer's reach.

"You can't read this! It's only for big boys and you're still little." Spencer jumped up and tried to grab the book all the while trying to maintain his balance.

"I wanna wead it," Spencer pleaded.

"You didn't ask," Henry snapped shoving the boy away. Spencer stumbled back, losing his balance and crashing into the bookcase.

Henry dropped the book and was lifting Spencer back off the ground as soon as he hit it.

"Sorry! Sorry! Please don't cry," Henry whispered, glancing around nervously, praying that his mom hadn't heard...or worse: Aaron.

Spencer stood up with Henry's help and looked around a bit bewildered, then the pain hit him and his breath hitched; his head and back throbbed intensely.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you," Henry said. He brushed Spencer off, his eyes full of worry. The pain caused tears to form in Spencer's eyes and he started to sniff miserably.

"Don't cry; I'm sorry," Henry begged, wiping his hands clumsily over Spencer's face where tears were falling. Henry panicked when a small sob broke from Spencer. He knew he had to do something before Aaron heard them.

He released Spencer and grabbed the book. Spencer wiped his face and whimpered convulsively.

"Look, Spence," the book was thrust into Spencer's hands, but his eyes were blinded by unbidden tears. Henry watched in blind panic as Spencer reached up and stroked his head that had started to pound, choking on a sob as he did.

"Uh... h-how about I read it you?" Henry offered. He sat down and patted the spot beside him. Spencer managed to quell his next sob and sat down cautiously, sniffing harshly when his back stung with fiery pain. Henry scooted over to him and wrapped his arm around Spencer's shoulders before opening the book. Henry looked at the words and could make out one or two, but he couldn't read it. He glanced at Spencer who was staring at the book hungrily, waiting eagerly for Henry to start.

"That's Matilda," he pointed at the illustration, ignoring the daunting words. "She's really smart."

Spencer watched Henry as he told the story, knowing that the boy couldn't read it, yet he humoured him. But as he sat infatuated with Henry he realised he was the one being humoured.

JJ woke up and felt strong protective arms anchoring her to the bed. She shimmied her body around until she was face to face with Aaron, whose eyebrows were surprisingly relaxed, rather than their normal tauntness.

She slid through his arms causing him to stir and groan. She snuck out before he broke free of sleep.

She trudged along the corridor and frowned when she saw the guest room was wide open; the nightlight casting a soft light over the shadowed room and vanishing into the sunlit hallway.

She poked her head in and her brow furrowed further, an uneasy sensation of panic knotting in the depths of her stomach. Before she could jump to any conclusions she heard a soft giggle from Henry's door, which had a big green 'H' on the front to prove its allegiance to the owner.

She pushed the door open and felt the knot of panic loosen. Henry looked up from the book that Spencer was tracing his fingers over and smiled.

"Look, Mummy! I'm reading to Spencer!" Henry announced proudly.

"Good boy, Henry," she praised, knowing full well that Henry was not at the reading stage yet.

"I bet you two are hungry after all that reading." Henry nodded eagerly and closed the book much to Spencer's disappointment. He jumped up and pulled Spencer with him.

Henry ran out into the hallway, dragging a slower and less agile Reid with him. He halted at the stairs and waited for JJ who knelt down to lift Spencer up.

"I can help him, mummy," Henry insisted, taking Spencer's hand.

"Henry-"

"Please! I'll be careful," he promised and JJ sighed.

"Okay, but go slow. No running," she warned. Henry squeezed Spencer's hand and hopped down the first step, waiting for Spencer to step down. JJ held onto Spencer's collar in case he slipped. Spence stuck his tongue out in concentration creating a rhythm. First foot, next foot, first foot, next foot. When he got to the bottom Henry held his hand up for a high five, but Spencer wasn't too sure what he was asking for.

"Can you high five, Henry, Spence?" JJ high fived her son to demonstrate. Reid hit the waiting hand and smiled at JJ, who ruffled his messy and partly sticky hair.

"Mommy to the rescue!" Morgan laughed.

"Mommy?" Spencer mumbled with a frown.

Spencer shook himself out of the memory. I don't need help, he told himself sternly. He scurried into the kitchen after Henry who was becoming his guide, not only around the house but also in the act of acting like a child.

Hotch entered the kitchen, showered and dressed and inhaled the sweet smell of pancakes of syrup.

"Daddy! JJ says we're going to the park," Jack beamed at his father as he shoved a forkful of pancakes heavily doused in syrup in his mouth. Spencer watched Jack curiously and tried to stab his pancakes in the same way, but once again the fork refused to cooperate. He snuck a quick look at JJ to make sure she was distracted before picking up the pancake piece she had already cut up for him and shoved it into his mouth. He closed his eyes as the sugar dissolved on his tongue.

"We were planning on taking a picnic and meeting the team if that's alright with you?" Henry and Jack both cheered. Spencer was too distracted with trying to figure his fork out and he was leaving sticky fingerprints all over the handle. JJ took the fork from him, stabbed the pancake and held it in front of his mouth waiting to feed it to him. Spencer stared at the fork and refused to open his mouth. Instead, he took the fork awkwardly from her and fed himself, relishing in the flavour. JJ sighed and loaded the fork again. If he needed help it would be done his way.

"You boys need to get cleaned up and pack all the things you want to take. And I don't mean your dinosaur collection, Henry," Aaron chuckled, but Henry glared at him.

"My daddy would let me."

"Aaron said no, Henry. You can take some outdoor toys but nothing silly," JJ warned and Henry nodded as he finished his last piece of pancake.

"Speaking of getting cleaned up," Hotch motioned to Spencer who had syrup over his face and all over his fingers that he kept brushing though his hair which wasn't helping the situation.

"Looks like we have a sticky situation," JJ winked and Spencer giggled.

The bath was as difficult as JJ had imagined. When she finally got Spencer in the warm bubbly water he relaxed a little and concentrated on the wind-up boat chugging through the bubbles.

"Spence, I need to wash your hair," JJ said in a resigned voice, but Spencer shook his head.

"I tan do it," he insisted, reaching out for the shampoo in her hands. He struggled with the lid, his small fingers trying to get under the cap.

"Just let me," JJ took it back and popped it open, but refused to give it him when he reached out again. Much to his frustration, she wet his hand and rubbed in the yellow shampoo.

"I said I tan do it!" Spencer grumbled. He tried to push JJ's hands away so he could rub the soap in.

"Sit still. The quicker I get this done, the sooner you can get out," JJ jibbed, pushing Spencer's hands back. Spencer folded his arms and huffed.

"All done!" JJ grinned, rubbing a hand through his clean wet hair.

"Tan I get out now?"

"One last thing," JJ rubbed the washcloth over his face making sure to get rid of all of the stickiness. "Okay, now you can."

Spencer scowled at the outfit JJ had laid out. He shook his head stubbornly.

"I'm not weawing dat!"

"Come on, Spence, it's cute!"

"No."

"Please!"

"JJ, I'll look weiwd," Spencer mumbled self consciously. JJ could've laughed because Spencer was stood before her in Henry's hooded towel that hung down to the floor. It had ears and was meant to be a bear, but had faded from years of use. She quickly snuffed her laughter as the boy balanced from one foot to the other nervously.

"No, you won't. I promise."

It was a warm August afternoon and unsurprisingly the park was busy. Spencer fumbled with the straps on his seat and couldn't understand why they wouldn't undo. He glanced at Henry who had managed to get his undone and was waiting for JJ to let him out. The door beside him opened and Hotch appeared with a smile.

"I tan't-" Spencer motioned to the straps holding him down.

"Don't worry, I'll do that," Hotch released the straps easily and pulled Spencer out and into his arms, he held a hand out for Jack. "Come on, buddy."

JJ grabbed their things, handing Jack his soccer ball and Henry his soft bat and ball. Spencer went to protest when he realised that he was more covered in Hotch's arms than he would be walking, and he didn't want all the picnickers to see the dungarees, short sleeve top, and sandals that JJ had wrangled him into. He was still annoyed that Hotch just so happened to have found an old pair of Jack's sandals for him to wear.

Spencer saw Rossi and Emily spreading out a blanket on the grass and he felt his cheeks burn red, praying they didn't take notice of his outfit. He also saw the huge kids park and noticed how Jack and Henry exchanged an eager glance; it didn't make him feel much better.

"Look who's here!" Rossi patted Emily's shoulder and she stood up from straightening the blanket and gave their visitors a genuine smile.

"Good! I'm not setting this up alone," Emily winked. JJ slung their blanket on the floor along with a bag filled with food.

"Where's Garcia and Morgan?" Hotch asked, readjusting his hold on Reid who was clinging to his shirt as he stared at the park anxiously.

"Garcia is having a lift with Morgan."

"Oh, I see," Laughed JJ, knowing how unreliable Morgan could be with timing.

"She's not going to be a very happy bunny," Chuckled Rossi. He turned to Jack and Henry and handed them a football.

"Thought you boys would like this."

"Thanks, Uncle Dave!" Jack took it and glanced at Hotch for approval.

"Knock yourself out."

"Can Spencer play?" Henry asked. Spencer was still distracted by the daunting sight of the park.

"He's still a bit small for those sorts of games, but you two can still play," JJ explained, taking Spencer from Hotch. He didn't seem to mind the transfer, his eyes flicking around the park and the number of people. JJ could feel the fast pace of his heart drumming against her chest. Henry gave his mom and Spencer a look of reluctance before following Jack to a free spot.

"What's wrong, Spence?" JJ asked, snapping Spencer's attention back to her. He shrugged, fidgeting with his fingers. JJ sighed and put him on the blanket Hotch had just rolled out.

"You were right, JJ. Those dungarees are so adorable!" Emily squealed looking over Spencer's outfit. Spencer squeaked with embarrassment and covered his chest with his thin arms.

"Oh stop, Reid. You look awesome," Emily rolled her eyes and palmed the toddler's warm cheek.

"Weally?" He asked doubtfully, giving Emily a sad look.

"Spencer Reid, are you calling me a liar?" She asked seriously and Spencer's eyes widened.

"N-no, no-"

"I'm joking, handsome. You look great. Doesn't he Rossi?" Rossi glanced up from the glass he'd been pouring his tonic water into. He took in the small dungarees, stripy orange, white and pink top underneath and the brown sandals.

"Sure, he looks pretty cute," Rossi shrugged, his cheeks turning red when he realised he'd called Reid cute.

"I'm not cute," Spencer insisted.

"Sorry, Spence, but you kind of are," JJ teased.

Garcia managed to sneak up on the toddler who was lay on the blanket wiggling his legs as he read the book laid out in front of him. It was one JJ had packed from Henry's bookshelf. Garcia grabbed him from behind and hoisted him into the air before snuggling him to her chest in a suffocating hug.

"Oh, I missed you, Baby Genius!" She cried swaying with him tucked into her arms.

"It has only been eighteen houws and fowty-two minutes," Spencer giggled.

"That's a long time for me not to see my junior G man." She planted a kiss on his face and left lipstick marks on his already pink cheeks.

"Sorry we're late," Morgan grimaced, collapsing onto the blanket where food had already been set out.

"Too right! We almost started without you," jibbed Emily.

"Can we please eat now?" huffed Rossi, his fingers trembling over a box of chicken wings.

"Boys! Food!" JJ called. She placed three sandwich quarters on their plates alongside carrot and cucumber sticks, potato chips and miniature sausages. Henry and Jack eagerly took the plates and started wolfing down the food so they could play again. JJ handed Spencer a similar plate with two sandwich wedges and the same assortment of extras.

"Fanks," he muttered through a mouthful of cheese sandwich.

"Rossi!" Emily gasped

"Huh?"

"How did you make this chicken taste so good," she moaned, taking another bite of the succulent chicken wing. Rossi winked at her and tapped his nose.

"Rossi family secrets."

Spencer fisted his eyes, ignoring the next sandwich and moving straight to the carrot sticks.

"Slow down boys. The park isn't going anywhere," Hotch said and the boys slowed their pace ever so slightly.

"Spencer, do you want to come with us to the park after lunch?" Jack asked as he dropped his final crust down and crunched on the cucumber. Spencer yawned and shrugged.

"Spencer needs to have his nap first, but we'll come over as soon as he's done," Spencer scowled at JJ.

"Not tiwed..." he whispered.

"And I'm the queen of England," Laughed Garcia.

Soon enough Spencer had curled up on the blanket and fallen asleep. Hotch had been dragged off to the park to watch the boys and the rest of the team were chatting.

"Is he sleeping?" JJ asked, craning her neck to see if Spencer had closed his eyes and given in on not taking a nap.

"Like a baby," Morgan chortled.

"Don't let him hear you say that," warned Emily.

JJ pulled a pillow and blanket from a separate bag and carefully lay the pillow beneath his head and tucked the blanket around his sleeping form.

"How was he this morning?" Rossi asked.

"He's been fine. A little nervous and a lot stubborn, but we got there. I mean, I managed to get him outside in those dungarees," JJ announced with pride.

"Has Hotch had any update on Jarvis?"

"He'll be going away for life after the evidence stacked against him, but he hasn't said anything more about an antidote. All of his places of residence were searched and nothing has been found."

"Ah well," Garcia sighed. She wasn't devastated by the news.

"Every cloud," Rossi added, carding a hand through Spencer's hair.

"He's not taking it as well as you guys."

Spencer woke up to the smell of grass and the sound of laughter. He sat up slowly and glanced around and saw his team playing a game of cards.

"Go fish, Rossi!" Squealed Garcia as Rossi delved into the pile of cards.

"JJ, got any...10's?" Morgan asked, a smirk on his face.

"Son of a bitch," JJ threw her three 10's down, which Morgan collected greedily. He noticed the toddler watching them with his thumb in his mouth.

"Afternoon, Pretty Boy," He smiled. Spencer nodded and leaned into JJ, looking at her cards and watching her play. She wrapped an arm around him and drew him nearer.

"You okay, sweetie?" She asked.

"Mmhmm," he mumbled, fumbling with the buttons on her thin cardigan.

"Give me all your 2's Emily," JJ demanded and Emily slung down a two. JJ's eyes then locked on Garcia. "Pay up!"

"Sorry, not today. Go fish."

"How long was I as'eep for?" Spencer mumbled past his thumb.

"Just a little over 2 hours."

"Oh," Spencer frowned. He felt as if he'd missed out on something.

Suddenly, Hotch collapsed onto the blanket beside him and heaved out a breath of relief.

"But I was still playing, Aaron!" Henry whined as he plonked down beside his mom's boyfriend.

"I just need a rest. 5 minutes,"Hotch panted.

"Spencer's awake!" Cheered Jack.

"Can he come to the park with us?"

Spencer held Hotch's hand as they made their way back to the park. Spencer wanted desperately to turn back, but Henry was motioning to the equipment eagerly.

Spencer peeked around at his team, who were finishing up their game of cards. They waved at him and he hurried along to keep up with Hotch's slow strides.

Jack skipped through the gate and put a hand in front of Hotch to stop him.

"Sorry, Dad. Only kids can come in." Hotch chuckled, but Spencer gave him a nervous look.

"Fine, but I'll stay here and watch. Look after Henry and Spencer," Hotch gave Spencer a little push forward and Jack took his hand. Spencer turned to Hotch and shook his head.

"You'll be fine. I'll be watching. Shout me if you guys need anything," Hotch assured him as Jack dragged him away to the nearest climbing frame.

Spencer watched the boys for what felt like hours. He was used to watching over them at parks as he had done when he was an adult. What he wasn't used to was the nudges and pleas from Henry and Jack trying to get him to play on the equipment.

They managed to coax him onto the swings.

"It's fun, Spence. You just sit on this and we push you," Henry explained as he tried to lift Spencer into the swing seat.

Hotch strode over seemingly out of nowhere and deposited Spencer into the seat.

"I can push," Jack insisted, giving Spencer a little push. Henry struggled onto the swing next to him, which didn't have railings.

"Aaron, can you give me a push?" He asked. Spencer felt his legs sway in the air and he looked down curiously at the moving ground.

"Higher!" Cried Henry, kicking his legs out.

"Do you wanna go higher, Spence?" Spencer shook his head, deciding he liked the slow pace of his swing in contrast to Henry's.

"Higher!"

"Henry, you could fall off if you go any higher.

"My Dad would push me higher," Henry snapped and Hotch sighed.

Spencer was comfortable in the swing when Henry hopped off his and pointed eagerly at the slide.

"Look! The slide is free!" He yelled and Spencer stopped swinging at once.

"You can stay here with me if you want," Hotch said taking over pushing the swing. Henry looked up at Spence, a pleading look on his face. Spencer sighed.

"It's otay, I'll go with dem," he said, giving Hitch a reassuring smile. Henry whooped and stole Spencer's hand as soon as Hotch set him down.

"Be careful," Hotch called. Henry followed Jack into the crowd with Spencer tethered to his hand.

"Henwy," Spencer whispered as they were swallowed by the sea of energetic kids. He gripped tight to Henry and let him pull him through, closing his eyes as towering youngsters brushed past him. He couldn't see Henry and Jack anymore and his slick hand began slipping from Henry's.

Spencer lost the hand he'd been holding and he was suddenly swept away by the tide of children. He gasped around desperately, looking for Henry all the while being bumped and pushed, this way and that. Each time he regained his balance he was knocked back down by kids twice his height. An eleven-year-old lept past him causing him to fall on his backside, which stung painfully. He glanced around and saw only unfamiliar faces and for the second time that day he felt tears burning in the corner of his eyes. He covered his face and pulled his knees to his chest.

"Hey. Hey, Kid," a gruff voice that sounded as if it had been subjected to years of smoking broke through his thoughts and Spencer peeked up, tears beginning to roll down his cheeks.

An older man stood before him, he had thick greying hair, parted neatly on his head and a set of wire glasses pushed up his nose and pinched the skin harshly. He grinned toothily at Spencer and bent down before him.

"Where's your father?" He asked, his grin spreading like the Cheshire Cat that Spencer had seen on a book on Henry's shelf. He felt his heart rate quicken as he gasped at the Man.

"You do speak, right? You're not all alone are you?" Spencer shook his head, licking his lips nervously.

"How about you come with me and I'll help you find your parents?" Spencer shook his head and the man sighed again. "I'm just trying to help you." Spencer swallowed thickly, he knew he had to act like a two-year-old and part of him wanted to trust the man, but his brain screamed no and begged him to call for help. Spencer glanced back just as the man grabbed his arm. Spencer's breath caught in his throat and he did the only thing he could think of.

"Shout me if you guys need anything."

"DADDY!" He screamed and several heads turned towards him. The man's face contorted in panic and he placed a hand on Spencer's shoulder to calm him.

"I'll help you find hi-"

"DADDY!" Spencer cried again, trying to get away from the man. He felt hot tears drip from his chin.

Suddenly he felt hands grabbing him.

"Da-"

"Shh Spencer, it's okay, it's okay," Hotch said calmly, stroking Spencer's hair as he wrapped his arms around Hotch's neck. Hotch glared at the man who had upset Spencer. The man stood up and straightened his suit.

"You must be his father. We were just looking for you-" he reached out to touch Spencer but Hotch took a step back.

"Get away from my son," he spat.

"I was just trying to hel-"

"I know men like you! I've put guys like you in prison, but if you even look at my son again I'll-" JJ was at his side and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"My apologies," the man said hurriedly, scurrying away like a sewer rat.

"Take him," Hotch growled, offering the boy to JJ who refused to take him. Spencer refused to let go.

"Aaron, there's no point in chasing him. Spencer's alright and that's all that matters."

"Bu-"

"That's all that matters," she repeated firmly. She stroked Spencer's face coaxing him out from Hotch's shirt. "You alright, Spence? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Spencer shook his head his eyes flickering over the noisy kids.

"Too many people," he whimpered and Hotch felt him shiver.

"Grab the boys, JJ. We'll go back to the others and play our own games."

Spencer snuggled sleepily into Garcia's lap. The sun was beginning sink down below the horizon, casting a soft orange hue over the emptying park. He watched as Jack hit the softball and ran past Rossi's post, raising his arms wildly and sticking his tongue out at Hotch.

Garcia smiled as Morgan pretended to blunder with the ball so Henry could score a home run. She rolled her eyes when Hotch came jogging up to them, knowing exactly what he wanted.

"It's your turn, Spencer," he said, holding his hand out to Spencer.

"I'm not vewy good...I tan't hit it," Spencer mumbled.

"I'll help you."

Garcia sat on the blanket alone, with a big smile on her face as she watched Hotch hold the bat with Spencer and help him hit the ball a little distance. Spencer gasped at the ball, amazed that it had even hit the bat when he realised that the team was shouting for him to run. He dropped the bat and stumbled towards the first post. He fell to his knees twice before finally dodging past Rossi.

Surprisingly, he played on with the team until they finally decided to go home. At that point, he was ready to pass out.

They finished off the leftovers and chatted about work. Spencer was asleep after one sandwich and 3 carrot sticks.

Spencer opened his eyes to see buildings pass in the darkening sky. He realised he was strapped into his car seat, but he didn't struggle against it. He relaxed into the soft interior.

"Can we watch a movie when we get back?"

"Jack, I don't think you have enough time."

"It's only 5, Aaron. They could watch it until 7. They've had dinner."

Spencer shut his eyes and listened. He could still taste the sandwich quarter on his tongue and he licked his lips to remember the flavour.

"Fine, but you guys need to be in bed as soon as it finishes. I'll put Spencer to bed while you put the film on." Spencer opened one eye at the sound of his name.

"Where's Spencer's mommy and daddy?" Jack asked and Spencer frowned a little as he began to drift back to sleep.

"They can't look after him anymore."

"Did they not want him?" Henry asked.

"Uh-"

"It's okay, cuz we do," Henry cut in and Spencer felt a warm hand on his leg. Henry watched Spencer fondly.

"Are you his new mommy and daddy?" Jack asked.

"I guess. And that would make you two his brothers." The boys smiled at that.

Thanks for reading.

Sorry if it was fast paced or whatever, I tried to fit a lot into a little.

Please leave a review and I'll see you in the next chapter!