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

Would you look at that! I'm actually updating normally again. I gave myself some well-needed rest yesterday and cracked on with this chapter. I don't really help myself when I write different snippets of the chapter and then I have to go back and fill in all the missing bits, but I've done it! I hope I can keep this organised, speaking of which, I should get started on the next chapter.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! There's a lot of you, but I'm actually going to address all of your reviews today because I'm in a good mood, here goes. (It may also be because I'm avoiding doing 'Measure for Measure' revision)

Hippiechic81: Thank you for your review, and they're always on time... fingers crossed ;)

Ash59: Thank you for your review! And I totally agree! I promise to keep the next chapters light and fluffy, but I can't control nightmares...well I sort of can, but sometimes I can't control my own imagination.

Sarry22: Thank you! You won't have to wait any longer, my friend. I hope you enjoy this chapter...speak soon.

Guest: Thank you for reviewing! Put your name (username, any name really) with your review next time so I can thank you properly and put a name to you.

Poorbear123: Thank you for your review! I'm a little disappointed with the team for being so slow. Hurry up he's dying!

AZCatmom: Thank you! I was scared when I read your review, I saw capital letters and I knew you meant business. I tried to finish this yesterday for you, but it probably would've been rushed. SORRY! Please accept this chapter a day late as my apology, I hope that can excuse my mean cliffhanger. Also, I really don't want coal, I want a cardboard cut out Matthew Gray Gubler! I'LL BE GOOD!

Astrahan: Thank youuuuuuuu! Your wish is my command.

E.J. Morgan: Thank you for your review! And I agree, Spencer better get a treat for being so brave!

Rebecca1: Thank you for your review. Don't worry, I'm going to give him a break...maybe. And he's enjoying the company he has as a child.

FallWithMeOffAClift: Thank youuuuu for your review! I'm so glad you liked the last chapter! I love that it actually sparked an emotional reaction, that is my main goal in my stories. Your kind words are really motivating, so I thank you...again. And revision! Ahhhhhh! Don't get me started, now I've finished these I've gotta go and revise! WHY WORLD, WHY? I just wanna write fanfiction ;( anyway, enjoy this chapter!

I just want to point out that I've almost remembered all of you regular reviewers names! I feel like Reid ;D

Please leave reviews on this chapter. I'd love to hear your thoughts and what you'd like to see. And maybe I'll reply to the reviews like this in the next chapter, we'll see what mood I'm in then ;)

Enjoy!

Hotch spun the wheel erratically; 80 degrees to the left then 180 degrees to the right and down a street. The SUV jostled over small bumps in the road and with each one Hotch's foot pressed harder into the gas pedal. The pointer on the speedometer crept higher and higher and Rossi grabbed the handle on the roof and gritted his teeth.

Eton could hear the roar of blood in his ears as it coursed through his body. He shook the boy, his hands pushing harder against the toddler's windpipe.

Spencer's eyes closed and his head lolled further back, but Eton didn't stop.

Hotch slammed his foot into the door handle, not caring that it was typically Morgan's job. The door swung open and he caught sight of Dr. Eton clutching Reid by his neck. Blinded by rage, Hotch fired 3 shots and watched Eton stagger back and disappear behind the table.

"Clear!" Morgan yelled from somewhere behind him. Hotch blinked away the blackness and saw Spencer's all too still body on the table.

He swayed forward and pulled at the tight restraints. His shoe squelched in blood, but he refused to even look in the doctor's direction.

"Spencer!" Hotch fumbled with the leather restraints. Morgan pressed his fingers to the boy's neck and started pushing down on Spencer's chest.

"Morgan? Wha-"

"He's not breathing, Hotch," he growled, pumping Spencer's chest as gently as he could despite the panic rising within him. Hotch ripped off the foot restraint and turned to Morgan, who had started sweating profusely.

"Come on, Spence," Morgan grunted, breathing a mouthful of air into Spencer's lungs. He ignored how cold Reid's lips felt against his own warm ones.

"Let me," Hotch took over chest compressions and cringed at the purple shade of Spencer's lips.

Emily bent down and checked Eton's pulse. "He's dead," She deadpanned, though they already knew from the bullet in his neck and the two embedded side by side in his skull. She stood up and resisted the urge to spit on him.

"Good," JJ hissed. She bit her lip until she drew blood. After a few seconds of standing around and feeling useless, she grabbed Spencer's small limp hand and pressed her lips to the cold fingers.

"How longs he been like that?" The sheriff muttered as he tumbled into the room and lowered his gun. Rossi pushed past him and staggered to his agent's.

"Aaron..." he breathed as Aaron pumped on the boy's chest harder and took a deep breath to give to him.

"Don't know," Emily mumbled, her hand covering her mouth as she watched Hotch with bated breath.

Suddenly, Hotch felt Spencer twitch and he pulled back and looked down to see Spencer's eyelashes fluttering.

"Spencer," he said, pulling the child back into reality. Spencer gasped, a throaty cough racking his body. Aaron held the boy in a sitting position to help him breathe.

"Breath. That's it, follow me," Hotch took even breaths and Spencer tried his best to do the same, his big brown eyes inching around the room with bewilderment as he took in the faces of his team. He felt JJ's hand stroking his own, but he couldn't squeeze it back nor could he couldn't hold himself up and tears started to roll down his cheeks.

"H-he's he-hewe," Spencer whispered, looking up at Hotch with terrified eyes.

"He's dead, Spencer." The unit chief announced and he gathered the boy into his arms and embraced him with relief.

Spencer continued to rasp and cough to try and catch his lost breath, but he seemed to relax slightly in Hotch's arms.

"You're alright," Hotch mumbled, pressing Spencer's head to his shoulder. Spencer hung to him like a koala, his body felt limp, and Hotch had to keep repositioning him so he didn't fall from his arms. He offered to carry the child out, all the while speaking in a hushed voice to calm him. The EMTs were waiting with a gurney and Hotch gently laid Spencer on it.

Spencer whined, desperately trying to cling on, but his body was still not following his commands. He didn't understand what was happening or where he was or where he was going, and he began to panic as unfamiliar faces entered his vision.

"Where are his parents?" A paramedic asked.

Hotch and JJ stepped forward as if to answer her question. Spencer caught sight of JJ and called her name with a whimper.

"Oh," she looked skeptically at Hotch and JJ's vests but didn't question them. "There isn't room for both of you to come with us, but we can allow one of you."

JJ exchanged a look with Hotch and he nodded.

"I'm coming." She turned back to Hotch and gave him a quick, rushed kiss on the lips, "I'll meet you at the hospital," she promised and hopped into the back of the ambulance, instantly taking Spencer's hand in hers and sweeping hair from his sweat covered forehead. He looked up at her weakly as she soothed him. His whole body hurt, especially his arm and his head. His pain threshold must have become extremely low for him to be feeling such immense pain.

"Spence, can you hear me?" JJ scooted by the nurse so she was beside Spencer's head and her motherly instincts took over and she found her fingers tangled in his soft brown waves as she stroked through the knots. Spencer groaned and his wet hazel eyes locked on her. "I'm here. You're going to be alright," she cooed, palming his purpling cheek.

Spencer squeezed his eyes shut as an EMT pressed gently on his rib cage, a squeal of pain leaking from his lips. JJ quickly distracted him with a kiss on his forehead.

"Shhh. We're going to look after you now," she whispered. "You're safe."

"M-miss-..." Spencer swallowed hard. "M-miss' y-you," he stuttered, his throat tightening with pain.

"I missed you too. We love you, Spence."

Hotch's foot tapped against the grey speckled tiles impatiently. He kept glancing up at the doorway, waiting for someone to enter.

Hailey had dropped Jack off with them 10 minutes earlier, complaining that she had organised a date that Hotch knew full well about, but she left before she could argue about how Hotch was meant to have had Jack over the last 2 days, which was due to the warning looks that the rest of the team had sent her.

A doctor walked purposefully through the door and Hotch became taunt like a puppet on a string.

"Spencer Hotchner?" The doctor asked.

"How is he?" Hotch asked, standing quickly. Jack followed his action and looked up at the doctor, folding his arms and showing he meant business.

"I take it you're his father," Hotch gave a simple nod. "He's doing well. Your wife is with him now and I can take you to them soon, I just wanted to give you a run through of his injuries," Hotch nodded: he and JJ had gone through this at the hotel, they couldn't give Spencer's real name in case he aroused suspicion, it seemed much simpler to just call him a Hotchner.

He looked down at Jack who was waiting patiently at his side.

"Jack," the boy turned and gave Hotch a very serious look which almost made him laugh. He pulled out five dollars from his pocket and placed it in Jack's hands. "Go with Emily and grab some snacks. I need you to get me something too, do you think you can do that?" Jack took the note cautiously at first but then he gasped and nodded at his father eagerly.

"What about Spencer and JJ?" He asked thoughtfully.

"Good idea," Aaron delved back into his pocket and pulled out a few spare dollars that had been forgotten. "Tell Emily she can get her own," He snickered.

"I'll just have to eat your one," Emily retorted, taking Jack's hand and encouraging him to stick his tongue out at Hotch. The doctor waited for Aaron I straighten up before commencing his explanation.

"Would you prefer to talk somewhere more private?" The team rolled their eyes and Morgan appeared as if he was about to argue.

"That's not necessary. We're family."

"Okay. I'm going to start off by saying that physically your son will recover just fine. We were worried about the three broken ribs," Hotch grimaced when he recalled the feeling of snapping bone beneath his hands as he tried to restart Spencer's heart.

"Two appeared to be at least a day old, which lead me to believe that his heart stopped sometime yesterday as well."

"Sonovabitch," Morgan Hissed.

"Luckily none of those breaks did any internal damage, you'll just need to bind them to reduce movement and make sure he has plenty of bed rest. Spencer also suffered a broken arm. It was a clean break but he will need surgery to put pins in the bone so that it heals properly. He also has a mild concussion, which is why we are holding off on surgery. He's on a small amount of pain medication which we will increase as soon as we're sure it's safe, so he's in a little discomfort right now. The rest of his injuries are superficial; bruises and scratches, the works. The bruises on his neck are deep, but apart from a sore throat, he shouldn't have any long-term effects. I recommend ice cream," the doctor concluded with a chuckle. Hotch paused before asking what he dreaded. They'd found needles and drugs at Eton's lab and the doctors had confirmed that he'd been drugged on arrival.

"What about the drugs? Are th-"

"Don't worry, Agent. There are no drugs in his system. Whatever was used on him was only short term. The paralysing drug has almost worn off, but he's a little stiff. Would you like me to take you to see him now?"

Hotch nodded and the team took an eager step forward.

"I'm not sure about all of you, I wouldn't want to overwhelm him."

"We will leave if he starts to get uncomfortable, we just want to make sure he's okay," Rossi put in and the doctor sighed.

"Look, Daddy! I got you a snickers," Jack ran down the corridor and collided into Hotch's legs, nearly knocking him off his feet. He grinned up at his dad and offered the candy in his firm grip.

"Thanks, Buddy. We're going to see Spencer now," Hotch said. Jack cheered and thrust another candy bar in front of him.

"I got him this to feel better." Hotch felt himself swell with pride and he ruffled Jack's hair.

Spencer was sat up on the bed. It looked as if the bed could swallow him and he barely made a dent in the mattress. He looked up as the team entered and his eyes lit up happily, his lips curling at the corners.

"How are you feeling, Spencer?"

"-'tay," He cleared his throat. "O-otay," He croaked, swallowing painfully.

"He's a little trooper," the nurse chirped, carding a hand through Spencer's hair and making his smile grow.

"Sounds about right," Morgan added.

"H-he-" Spencer started, his eyes watering and his voice straining painfully. Hotch was by his side in an instant.

"It's okay. Save your voice. You can tell us what happened when its better." Spencer looked up at the older agent gratefully.

JJ was sat on the bed beside him, her hand snaked around his back and was stroking his arm carefully, wary of the splint holding it in place.

Spencer swallowed and whimpered quietly in pain.

"I think I have just the thing to make your throat feel better,' the spritely nurse said, bending down so she was eye level with Spencer, who gave a small squeak in reply, raising his eyebrows curiously. "Ice cream," she gave a big toothy grin and Spencer couldn't help but return it with his own version, which hurt his aching face where a bruise had formed on his cheek.

"Is that okay with mummy and daddy?" The nurse asked, turning to Hotch and JJ. Jack had just finished his packet of skittles and was vibrating happily at Hotch's side.

"I guess he can have a treat," JJ smirked, earning herself a one-armed hug from Spencer.

"And J-Jack!" Spencer croaked, ignoring the pain that issued from talking. He pointed to Jack, who was already licking his lips.

"And Jack, of course," the nurse winked.

"Thank you," Hotch felt his heart swell at the looks of delight expressed on the boys' faces.

"Just doing my job, sir."

The nurse stepped back to grab the plain vanilla ice cream from the cantine. It was bland but no one ever complained when they were sat in a hospital bed eating sludge all day. She backed up and knocked a metal tray clumsily, she straightened it, unaware of the way her patient had jolted at the sound of clanging metal. His trembling returned and he lifted his good arm up in defense, hiding uselessly behind it. JJ felt Spencer press into her and she wrapped an arm around him before he started breathing erratically.

"Hey, Hey, it's okay," she mumbled, rubbing a hand across Spencer's temple.

"H-he's toming," Spencer whispered, squeezing his eyes shut.

"No, Spencer. He's gone. I promise he won't ever come back." She glanced around at the team. Morgan rubbed the back of his neck. Emily looked as if she wanted to help, but couldn't find the words. Rossi was watching Spencer thoughtfully. It was Hotch who spoke up.

"The only thing that's coming is a bowl of ice cream with your name on," he faked a smile and Spencer seemed to calm down.

"I bet it's chocolate! Do you like chocolate ice cream, Spence?" Jack asked. Spencer shook his head, sinking back into JJ and forgetting he even had a pillow to lean on in the first place.

"Strawberry?" Spencer shook his head again.

"'Nilla," Spencer rasped and Jack gave a dramatic nod.

"OH! I do too!" He giggled. He eyed the foot of the bed where there was plenty of room and heaved himself halfway up.

"Ned any help?" Hotch chuckled as Jack started sliding back down, pulling the blanket with him.

"Yea please." Hotch gave him a boost and Jack got comfortable opposite Spencer, entertaining himself and calming Spencer by talking about his stay with his mother over the past two days.

"She said you were a troublemaker," Jack said seriously and Spencer felt JJ tense behind him. He noticed how whenever Hailey was mentioned JJ seemed to shut off.

"I'll be having words with your mother," Hotch muttered and Jack looked up questioningly.

"She also told Aunt Jessica you were a-" Jack was interrupted by a cheerful voice coming through the door. The nurse trotted in carrying two small bowls, each laden with a spoon.

"Bon appetite," she announced, handing the boy's their bowls.

Jack dug in furiously but slowed down after the icy flavour hit his tongue. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't good. Spencer slowly swallowed the ice cream and his face relaxed. The cool icy substance eased the burning in his throat. It had quite the opposite effect on him as it had with Jack.

He took his time, finishing way after Jack who had begun to flick through the TV channels, searching for his wrestling programme. He offered the bowl to JJ to put on the side and readjusted himself so he was fully using her as a human pillow. His body tensed at the action, his bound up rib cage reminiscent of pain. JJ got herself more comfortable on the bed once she realised that she wasn't going anywhere for a while.

"Tan we go home?" He asked, breathing in the smell of her clothes that reminded him of 'home.' He looked down and fumbled with his gown as the adults exchanged grimaces.

"No, Honey, not yet. They're going to fix your arm tomorrow," Spencer whined and she quickly carded a hand through his hair to soothe him. "We'll stay with you tonight," she assured. Spencer looked up, his hazel eyes full of wonder. He knew that he didn't really need them to stay, he would be fine on his own, but a silent yearning gnawed at his insides.

"Weally?" He asked, and JJ chuckled lightly.

"Of course." She pressed her lips to the top of his head and leaned back into the bed, pulling him with her and cuddling him close.

"I can drop Jack off at Hailey's," Hotch offered, ignoring the whine from Jack and his own doubtful feelings, grimacing at the thought of the younger lashing she would give him for calling her to take Jack again.

"It's okay. You can take him home and I'll stay here with Spence."

"I don't want to leave you guys alone," Hotch protested just as he felt a hand creep over his shoulder. He looked around and saw Emily grinning at him.

"You won't. I'll stay here. JJ and I can have a girls night," JJ laughed and continued to rub Spencer's back.

"I'm not sure-"

"Oh relax, Hotch. Spencer's safe here," Morgan chimed in.

"Besides we'll be back in the morning," Rossi added. Hotch looked from JJ to Emily and sighed.

"Okay, but we're coming back early."

Morgan was about to comment on how there was such a thing as 'too early' when his phone started ringing.

"Whoops. It's Garcia, I promised to call her as soon as we saw Spencer," he grimaced before ducking out. The team heard Garcia's angry yells on the other end of the phone before the door closed.

"You guys should get home. We all need some rest," JJ said. She glanced down and found Spencer had fallen asleep in her arms. Hotch pulled the sheets up so they covered Spencer, before leaving a soft kiss on JJ's cheek. Jack tiptoed over the bed, cautious not to wake his brother. He kissed JJ's other cheek and it took all of her willpower not to embrace him; she didn't want to wake Spencer.

"Night, mom," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her neck before thrusting them out to Aaron, commanding his father to scoop him off the bed.

Hotch lifted Jack into his arms but didn't set him down and Jack took advantage and coiled his arms around Hotch's neck.

"See you guys in morning," he whispered. Rossi waved and followed Hotch from the room.

"-well, no. We're going home...no...we-no! JJ and Emily are still wit-... oh fine, but don't moan about it," Hotch and Rossi rolled their eyes as they passed Morgan offering him a wave. He waved back and started up a whole new debate with the technical analyst.

"Dad?" Jack pulled back a little and looked into his father's dark brown eyes.

"What's up, buddy?"

"We need to get Spencer some better ice cream. That stuff was gross," he whispered.

So I'm going to set myself a goal...but I need your help. I've been running some numbers in my head and I think that if I keep updating regularly then this story could get 200 reviews before the end of the year...does that sound too ambitious? If I reach it I'll...uh...actually I'm not too sure. If you have any ideas leave it in a review. Even if I don't reach that number this year, I will still do something special, because it's New Year! I really do love hearing your thoughts. If you haven't reviewed this story, just give it a go ;) I genuinely love to know your opinion, good or bad, so I know what to continue and what to improve.

There's the little box...just down there...you can do it.

Thank you to everyone who reads, reviews, favourites and follows. If you haven't already, put this story on your alert list if you want updates whenever I post.

See you in the next chapter!