(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or it's characters)
I was going to have the team go to Disneyland, but it's a long journey for a day trip and I have plans for them to go later in this story. The drive there would take over 14 hours and I thought taking the jet would be going a little too far. So I did my research and there is a Busch Gardens around 2.30 hours from Quantico sooooooo...I guess that's where they are heading.
Like I said, I do plan on having a Disney chapter, but I want them to make a holiday of it.
Thank you to KESwriter, Sofia.tv.crazy, laily.spenstar, Sarry22, E.J. Morgan, Ash59, MelissaCceres3, Astrahan, LiasonMorgan, and Snowbeardolphin for their reviews!
Please review this chapter! I really appreciate it!
Enjoy!
"Dave, you really don't have to do this," Hotch said for what must've been the tenth time.
"I want to. Besides, how would it look if a young, attractive man such as myself went to a theme park alone?" Rossi replied and Morgan snickered behind his hand unsubtly. Rossi glared at him and Emily hit Rossi to silence his laughter.
"'Young'," Morgan chuckled, shaking his head.
"As I was saying," Rossi cleared his throat and ignored the younger agent. "I'm happy to pay so stop worrying." He moved forward in the queue. "Oh, and Morgan's paying for lunch," he called back to them. Morgan's sniggering was cut short as he gaped up.
"Wai- wh-what!?" He gasped, hurrying after Rossi as the others burst into laughter.
"Hmmm," Rossi smacked his lips together, interrupting Morgan's protests. "I think I feel like a lobster today. How about you, Aaron?" The Italian mused.
"Sounds about right. Or steak," Hotch said seriously.
"I'll have lobstew too!" Spencer joined in the joke, trying and failing to keep a straight face.
"Don't you start, kid," Morgan grunted and he caught up to Rossi to question what he'd said.
They got into the park and wandered around while Morgan was busy debating with Rossi over paying for lunch. Spencer found it difficult to keep up with their pace, his little legs worked overtime to hurry along with Garcia. He refused to admit defeat and sit in the stroller, besides, he'd been too stubborn to get in it when they arrived and Henry had taken the opportunity of a free ride. He was forced to hold Garcia's hand while Hotch pushed the stroller and Emily, JJ and Jack took the lead, gazing ahead at the rides. JJ and Emily were instantly magnetised to the closet rollercoaster, desperately wanting to get in the queue.
Spencer gripped Garcia's hand a little tighter as he watched the cart shoot up the track and spin upside down. He gulped nervously and looked up at Garcia who looked equally as scared.
"First ride?" Emily raised her eyebrows and when Jack cheered eagerly Hotch sighed, realising he wouldn't get away with not going on.
"Sure," Morgan said, rubbing his hands together.
Henry stood beside the measuring pole and pouted when he was a few inches too short.
"It's not fair," He sulked, folding his arms.
"You can go on the next one," JJ promised, but he continued to pout.
"Aw, would you look at that," Rossi mumbled as he narrowed his eyes at the sign. "Spencer's too small as well." Spencer looked up but was unfazed by the fact he couldn't ride. "I guess I'll have to stay with him and Henry."
"Oh, that's okay, Rossi. I don't want to go on, so I'll wait with the boys," Garcia offered with a smug smile. Rossi smiled sarcastically back.
"Actually, come to think of it, my back is feeling a bit stiff," he made a show of sitting down and valiantly held up his hand. "Go on without me."
"What happened to being 'young'?" Morgan asked. Rossi glowered at him but quickly broke into a mischievous smile.
"I can already taste that lobster," he teased and Morgan narrowed his eyes at the Italian.
"Are we going or what?" Emily moaned.
Henry engaged Spencer in a game of I Spy while they waited and Spencer was trying really hard not to guess correctly so that Henry could win.
"Is it a...is it Auntie Pen?" He asked. Henry laughed and shook his head.
"It's really easy! Do you give up?" Spencer nodded. "It was pants," Henry revealed, patting Rossi's knee.
"These aren't any old pants," Rossi began, but before he could continue the rest of the team exited the ride.
JJ came off the ride, her cheeks flushed and a huge smile on her face. Jack was clutching her hand and speaking animatedly. Morgan came off looking unchanged as did Emily, but Hotch staggered behind, appearing a little green.
"Fun?" Garcia asked, bouncing Henry on her knee who appeared to cheer even more when he saw his mom.
"It was awesome!" Jack exulted, holding his hand up to Henry who returned it with a weak high five.
"What was it like?" Henry asked, hopping off Garcia and looking seriously at Jack.
"Well, there was a massive loop an-" Jack used wild hand gestures to explain the ride while Hotch took a seat on the bench, breathing deeply.
"Wanna go again?" Emily asked and Hotch held up a hand and shook his head indefinitely.
"Aw, why not, babe?" JJ teased as she threw a hand over his shoulder and kissed his cheek.
"Why don't we try something a bit tamer?" Rossi suggested. He glanced at Spencer who was staring off at another ride with his mouth agape. He nudged the boy and Spencer tore his eyes from the fast-moving cart and saw Rossi staring at him.
"Sowwy, what did you say?" he asked.
"I said, shall we find a ride that's tame?"
"Oh...I don't mind," Spencer went back to staring at the ride, gazing at the worn metal track and cringing as the cart rumbled over it.
"Can we go to Sesame Street?" Henry asked.
Emily raised an eyebrow in bewilderment.
"They have Sesame street?"
Henry whirled around and stared at Emily in disbelief.
"What, I've never been here."
"You've got lots to learn," huffed Hotch after he finally shook off his nausea.
Morgan found himself being dragged onto one of the kids' rides, he looked back at Hotch, JJ, Emily and Jack who were just pointing and laughing at him.
"Oscar's whirly worm? Really?" Morgan whined as Garcia pulled him along the empty path. Henry and Rossi scurried along after them. The Italian was trying to comprehend everything the four-year-old was telling him about Sesame Street, but not much was sticking.
The gates closed as they got near and Garcia moaned.
"It's okay, we'll get the next one," she added cheerfully, shifting Spencer on her hip as he looked at the ride contentedly. That looks safer, he thought, watching the mechanics roll around gently and the young children squeal with delight. This one is too easy, he thought smugly. He patted Garcia's arm and leaned in to whisper.
"This is a baby wide," he whispered with a smile on his face.
"Those are my favourite," she whispered back. "And now you're all small and adorable; I have an excuse to go on them," she said. Spencer giggled and made her smile widen.
"Baby Girl, do I have to do this one?" Morgan groaned.
"What's wrong? Are you afraid it will make you look less macho?" she asked with a smirk.
"Yes!" He snapped, he turned to exit the ride when Spencer reached out, causing Garcia to hold him tighter. He touched Morgan's shoulder gently and when the older agent glared back, he gave a nervous smile.
"P'eas Mowgan. I wanna wide with you," he murmured, his soft hazel eyes boring into Morgan and sending waves of guilt through him.
"Fine. Just this one, okay, kid?" Morgan warned and Spencer nodded giddily.
Garcia pushed Morgan onto the ride while he continued to roll his eyes. She carried Spencer on behind him and sat the small boy between her and Morgan, making sure there was no way he could fall out and carefully adjusting his casted arm so it didn't get knocked. Spencer shifted uncomfortably but found he couldn't move due to Garcia and Morgan's closeness.
Rossi and Henry claimed on in the row in front of them and Spencer waited eagerly for the bar to fall down. Morgan couldn't help but smile when he felt the toddler vibrate against him as he stared at the bar, willing it down. When it finally did Spencer squeaked excitedly, his small hand pressing against Garcia's leg.
He saw Henry waving at Hotch, JJ, Jack and Emily and he copied the action, waving frantically at them.
Suddenly, the ride jumped into action and Spencer's eyes expanded. Morgan looked over the edge and sighed at how slow they were going. He could hear Henry cheering and he looked down and saw Spencer grasping the bar tight, his eyes darting around with fear. Garcia was giggling and she tapped Rossi, trying to get him react. Rossi glanced around and smiled awkwardly. She turned her focus back to her row and also felt Spencer freeze.
"You okay, kid?" Morgan asked.
Spencer tore his eyes up to Morgan and nodded slowly.
"What if it breaks?" He mumbled as they lurched forward. He yelped and grabbed onto Morgan's thigh, closing his eyes and trembling.
"Spencer, this is the safest ride in this park. Do you really think Hotch would let you on it...or even Henry for that matter."
Spencer kept his eyes shut but soon realised Morgan was right. He opened his eyes and forced himself to relax. This isn't bad, he thought. He relaxed and felt himself enjoying the ride. He could feel similar sensations to Henry and wanted to throw his arms up like the older boy, but he was still a little apprehensive and so he continued to cling to Morgan.
When the ride finally stopped he allowed Morgan to carry him off and to the exit. They took a few steps and found Emily, Jack, JJ and Hotch.
"Not so bad, was it, pretty boy?"Morgan grinned. Spencer nodded, a smile breaking across his face.
"'Can we go again, Mow-uncle Dewek?"
After another ride, with a reluctant and disgruntled Morgan, the team found themselves sat in the nearest restaurant.
Jack and Henry were trying to convince JJ and Hotch that they deserved 2 desserts each. Whereas, Spencer was quite content with his bowl of ice cream which he was becoming a slight addiction of his. His throat was still sore, but JJ had a feeling that he'd use the ice cream remedy excuse while manifesting something much bigger. She let it slide considering Spencer didn't eat much anyway, but also because he was acting almost like himself again.
Morgan didn't end up paying, Instead, they went 6 ways and Hotch offered to pay extra for the second bowl of chocolate cake that Jack and Henry shared.
As soon as they walked out Emily caught sight of a roller coaster and she began to pull the team towards it.
"Really?" Morgan grunted, holding a hand to his stomach. "I've just eaten."
Emily turned around and scowled at him with her hands on her hips.
"Well then, why don't you take the kids back to the sesame street and you can go on one of those."
"Would you look at that; I'm feeling much better," exulted Morgan; a cheesy grin on his face. Emily turned back and mumbled something along the lines of "Yea right" and "weak stomached."
Spencer struggled along behind them, his feet dragging a little on the concrete. He looked up at Hotch who had grabbed his hand as soon as they'd stood up from the table. JJ was pushing the empty stroller and was nodding at Henry who was hopping around ahead of them, pointing at all the places. Garcia tried to grab the 4-year-olds hand several times but each time he'd pull away and skip between the team members.
As they passed through mini Italy, which was much busier than the other places, Spencer somehow found himself holding Rossi's warm hand, and Jack and Henry were firmly in Hotch's grip. Henry was glaring irritably at the floor and Jack didn't look much happier.
Rossi, on the other hand, had a big smile on his face as he passed through familiar sights. He pointed out certain things to the small boy beside him, who was listening intently, too tired to add anything of his own to the conversation. In fact, he enjoyed listening to the Italian talk about his home.
"Why did you pick the ride that's the furthest away?" Morgan called sarcastically over the bustle of people.
"Will you quit complaining! At least this gives your food time to go down!" Emily yelled back.
They left the Italian section and Rossi sighed in content, glancing back with a nostalgic smile. He felt the hand he was holding grow heavier and he glanced down and found Spencer lagging behind, his feet tripping over each other every few seconds.
"JJ, what's the time?" He asked and she checked her phone.
"It's 1.22. Why?" Her eyes trailed down to Spencer who yawned as if on cue. "Oh right." She stopped and pulled her bag out of the stroller. Rossi stopped and Spencer bumped clumsily into his leg but was thankful for the break.
"You guys okay?" Garcia asked and their whole group stopped.
"It's past one," JJ said as a way of explanation. Hotch nodded in understanding and mouthed 'nap' to the others.
"Go ahead; we'll catch up," Rossi added.
Spencer squinted up at his team members, wondering why they'd stopped.
"Hop in, Spence," JJ motioned to the stroller and Spencer took a step back, shaking his head.
"Come on, Spence, you're practically sleepwalking."
"I don't wanna," he whined and the adults rolled their eyes. Spencer frowned, realising how childish he sounded. Pull yourself together, he berated himself.
"No one is going to notice. In fact, I think it's strange for people to see a two-year-old walking, rather than one in a stroller. Also, you shouldn't be walking after... you know."
Spencer rubbed his neck nervously with his free hand and chewed his lip as he mulled it over in his mind.
"You won't leave me, wight?" He whispered. JJ knelt down beside him and pushed a stand of a hair behind his ear.
"We will never leave you, okay? I promise, someone will be with you the whole time," she assured him. He glanced back at the others who were walking at a slow pace and he knew he was being a burden.
"Otay," he whispered and he slowly released Rossi's hand, but quickly grabbed JJ's outstretched fingers for safety. She helped him into the stroller and wary of his casted arm, buckled him in. She rummaged through her bag and handed him something soft and fluffy.
"I don't need dis," he giggled, trying to hand the stuffed rabbit back.
"I didn't say you needed it, but you might want it," she replied and she disappeared behind the stroller before he could hand it back.
"There it is," Emily sighed, throwing her arms up at the ride in question. "The Griffon!"
Garcia took one look, found the nearest bench and sat down.
"Yea, that's not really for me," the tech analyst said.
"I'm out too," Hotch grumbled, collapsing down beside Garcia. Emily glanced around for any willing participants.
"Come on, Rossi, it's not that bad," she said with an unconvincing grin. Behind her the giant carts carrying at least 30 people shot down the track and a chorus of screams echoed from it. Rossi smiled back and sat down.
"I'd like to live a little longer, thanks."
"I'll come on with you, Auntie Em!" Jack cheered and he charged up to the measuring pole. He waited to get given the all clear but no one said anything. He looked up and found that he was a few inches too short.
"Sorry, buddy, you're going to have to stay with us," Hotch grimaced.
"No, wait!" Jack stood on his tiptoes until his head touched the bar. He smirked victoriously, but Hotch continued to shake his head.
"That doesn't count."
Jack huffed and stormed away. Hotch grabbed him arm and forced him to sit on the stone wall beside him.
"I'm coming, Prentiss," Morgan grinned and Emily brightened up a little.
JJ parked the stroller beside Hotch and Jack and checked on Spencer who was sleeping peacefully, his thumb in his mouth and his rabbit pressed against the fading bruise on his cheek.
Henry squeezed between Garcia and Rossi and gave JJ a thumbs up.
"Be good. Oh, and Jack, Henry, make sure Uncle Dave and Auntie Pen behave themselves," JJ ordered and the boys laughed, exchanging a glance with each other.
"Hey," Rossi started, but JJ was already hurrying after Emily and Morgan.
Spencer woke up to the sound of laughter from his team. He peered out of his one eye and saw a flustered looking Emily, her cheeks red and her hair messier than normal.
He sat up and managed to open both eyes in time to see Garcia smack Morgan on the side of his head.
"It was a joke, baby girl!" He laughed, holding his hands up to defend himself.
"It wasn't very funny! You should have told me it was a scary ride!" She cried.
"You wouldn't have come on then."
"Exactly!"
"Hey, you needed to go on at least one big one before we left," Morgan said and Garcia made a high pitched grunt.
"Awe we going home?" Spencer asked, fumbling with the stroller straps. The team all looked around at him and chuckled fondly at his sleepy appearance. Spencer's hair was stuck up in odd angles and his thumb was still in his mouth. He soon reaslied this and pulled it out as his cheeks burned red.
"You had a long nap, Kiddo. This lot have done most of the rides," Rossi explained, unbuckling Spencer and helping him out. Jack stood up and took Spencer's hand, guiding him to the bench and telling him how big the ride was that they had got Garcia to go on...or tricked her to go on. Spencer listened and laughed when Jack described Garcia's scream.
"Hey! You two are supposed to be on my side," Garcia protested.
"Sorry, Auntie Pen, But it was really funny!"Jack giggled. "I went on loads too! And one of them did a loop!"
Spencer felt a new rush of energy flow through him as the older boy explained everything he'd missed.
"Okay, we can go one one last ride," Hotch announced as Garcia rubbed her face and stood up.
"I think I'll give this one a miss," she mumbled, stretching out her stiffening arms.
"You know what they say about too much of a good thing," Morgan added, cracking his neck and leaning on a metal fence.
"Well, it's your fault!"
"I'm sorry, Mama. I will never do that again." Garcia huffed in acceptance of his apology.
"I'll do another," Emily said.
Spencer jumped up and down a step patiently as he waited for the others to decide. He didn't understand why they all looked so tired.
"Why don't we let the kids go one one last one," Garcia suggested. Henry's eyes widened and he took the map from Rossi a little roughly.
"Can we do this one!?" he begged, pointing at a water ride. Jack snatched the map and looked at where Henry had been pointing.
"He wants to go on lochs adventure," the older boy clarified. Jack gave the map back to a grumpy Rossi, who grumbled at the creases in the map as he straightened it out.
"It's over dere," Spencer said, pointing over to a withering crowd of people. "Tan we go now?"
"Yea, but this will be the last ride boys, so are you sure?"
Jack shrugged and Henry and Spencer nodded eagerly.
"Morgan and I will go and get everyone an ice cream to eat on the way out. You guys have fun and we'll meet you there," Garcia said, grasping a confused looking Morgan's arm and pulling him to an ice cream cart she'd seen earlier.
"Looks like it's just us," JJ said.
They go to the ride and Spencer looked up and smiled at its slow pace and at the intriguing colours. He stood beside the measuring sign and grimaced when he read that the minimum height limit was 36 inches. He turned back to JJ and tugged on her pant leg.
"What's wrong, Spence? Don't you want to go on it? Jack and Henry are going to, and so are Emily and I", JJ said and Spencer shook his head sadly.
"I'm too small," he mumbled sadly.
"Huh?" Hotch raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"I'm thiwty fwee and a half inches. The minimum is thiwrty six," he sighed shuffling over to Hotch and standing beside him.
"No one will notice," Emily winked, grabbing him from behind and throwing him in the air. Spencer gasped and relaxed as soon as she held him normally. "You're coming with me, so I'm sure you'll be safe," she added.
"Actually, it says 'walking to 36 inches' and considering you can walk," JJ grinned, tapping Spencer's nose, "I'm sure you hit the requirements."
"Will you go with me, mommy?" Henry asked hopefully.
"Of course, Baby, come on, let's go before Uncle Derek and Auntie Pen come back with ice cream," JJ pushed Jack and Henry forward and Emily didn't give Spencer a choice as she followed swiftly after with the toddler still in her arms.
Hotch sat down on the brick wall with Rossi and looked back at Jack a little sadly. He remembered when Jack had begged him to ride with him. His mind drifted back to a time when he had Jack sat in front of him gazing at the water and giggling madly when they floated beneath several water streams.
Jack offered him a quick wave before they disappeared onto the ride.
He's growing upHotch told himself.
"Emiwy..."Spencer whimpered as the boat started moving.
"Don't worry, Spence. This one's fun," Emily said, stroking a hand down his back.
The boat floated gently along the water and Spencer eased up a little, leaning into Emily and watching their slow journey. They went through several streams on water and Spencer ducked despite the fact that the boats floated right beneath it. He squeaked when a small droplet hit his cheek and he giggled loudly when he saw one hit Emily.
They went down a dip and he couldn't help the gasp that escaped him. He glanced over the side of the boat and marvelled at the underwater track.
All too soon their boat came to a stop and Emily was lifting him out.
"Again! Again!" he cried as they met up with JJ, Henry and Jack.
"Sorry, Spence. That was the last one," JJ sighed a little guiltily.
"But, remember, we have ice cream waiting for us," Emily reminded him and he licked his lips hungrily.
"Dis is the best day evew!"
Sorry, if that seemed really rushed, I was trying so hard to fit a lot in, but my time just slowly started to run out and I really wanted to update this tonight. I hope this is satisfactory.
Thank you for reading, sorry for the delay, I've been working on this for what feels like ages.
Please review, I really appreciate it.
See you in the next chapter!