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

Happy New year in a couple of hours! Woooo! Because I'm from the UK, it's going to 2018 sooner than it is for all you American viewers, but I have a feeling that when the year changes for you guys, I will still be awake; perks of a party.

Thank you thank you, thank you for all of your reviews! We are almost at 200 reviews! Ahhh! I didn't think we could do it, but it looks like we just might. Thank you too, who reviewed the last chapter and helped me achieve my goal. Thanks to all the review on the last chapter, thanks to WishForBetter, Sarry22, E.J. Morgan, Ash59, guest, Aja85 and the 4 other guests (Sorry, I wish I knew your names so I could thank you.)

Also thanks for all of the suggestions. There will be a bit of a break between this chapter and the next, in order for me to get organised and ready for college (which I will be attending on Tuesday) but I will be back and I will try and write a chapter with all of the suggestions.

Please review this chapter, we're not at 200 yet, but I'm sure we can do it before 2018! Fingers crossed.

Enjoy this chapter! You guys have earned it!

Previously:

"You can deal with the sugar rush," Hotch said, pointing to Spencer's already wide and wild eyes, his trembling fingers and his excited leg swings.

"Oh...whoops."

JJ finished making sandwiches for the boys and slid them into their bags. She put Spencer's in the new backpack she and Emily had gotten him on their last mall trip. She'd been growing concerned with the number of times Spencer had tripped over his old messenger bag and in the end they'd hung it to rest in their storage cupboard.

Spencer's backpack was similar in colour and material to his messenger bag, but it wasn't falling apart and it looked much cuter on the almost two-year-old's back.

Spencer had been back at work for a week and the agents had gotten used to the presence of the toddler. He only had to have his heavy purple cast on for another 2 weeks and the deep bruises on his body had all disappeared.

"Jack! Henry!" JJ called, setting out two bowls of cereal. She left one on the counter, waiting for Spencer to call for her to help him down the stairs, something he hadn't quite mastered and which Hotch had banned him from doing either way. She was surprised that their little genius hadn't been awake with Jack and Henry, who usually helped him downstairs to watch TV.

Hotch trotted past the kitchen grabbing his piece of toast and straightening his tie while taking a large bite of the charred bread.

"Plate," JJ said, handing Hotch a plate to eat over. He rolled his eyes but took the plate without complaint.

"Is Spencer still not awake?" she asked as Jack and Henry tucked into their bowls, jabbering to each other with mouths full of milky cereal.

"I thought he was down here with you guys?" Hotch raised an eyebrow; a hint of worry laced into his voice.

"He was still sleeping this morning so I let him," JJ brushed it off due to the fact she caught Spencer reading when she went to bed. She'd taken his torch off him and put his favourite books on the top shelf which he wouldn't be reaching for a good few years.

"Chop, chop, Jack, your Mum's coming in..." JJ glanced at the clock and grimaced. "15 minutes." Jack gave JJ a confident smile, milk dribbling down his lips.

"I'm like the flash," he said, slurping up the remnants of his cereal and hopping from his seat at lightning speed. Hotch grinned at his son. Since Spencer had started living with them, Jack had been much more accepting of JJ and he'd heard his son call her Mum on more than one occasion. Each time Hotch had felt a pang of jealousy, but Henry and his relationship was making leeway. He hadn't heard Henry's overused insult of "You're not my real Dad," since Spencer had first arrived. In fact, Henry had chosen to show and tell Hotch's FBI badge over Will's badge and Hotch had to hide his pride when Henry had bragged about him to his friends.

Hotch was so deep in thought he didn't notice his son calling his name.

"Huh?"

"Are you still taking me to soccer practice tomorrow?" He asked.

"Sure I am, but you're going home with your Mum after that."

Jack nodded with understanding and zipped up his bag. He gave his dad a hug and a quick kiss, then Henry, who wiped the kiss away in disgust and then JJ. He glanced around for the youngest family member but realised Spencer was still asleep.

The beeping of the car horn drew their attention to the window.

"I'll see you tomorrow, buddy. Be good," Hotch said as he guided Jack out.

JJ turned to Henry who was pretending his captain crunch pieces were pirates walking the plank, the milk being the murky depths of the ocean.

"I think we should check on your brother," JJ said, pulling Henry's focus away from his cereal.

"Can I wake him up?" Henry asked, following JJ into the hall and up the stairs.

"No!" JJ chuckled. They got to Spencer's door and JJ quietly pushed it open.

JJ sighed when she saw Spencer still curled up in bed.

"Spencer, come on, we need to go soon."

Spencer didn't move, and although she didn't want to, JJ switched the light on, spewing yellow light from the dim room which had only been lit by a soft nightlight. Spencer groaned and curled into himself more; a shiver trickling down his spine.

Henry bounced in and clapped his hands loudly, causing Spencer to flinch in an almost painful manner.

"Wakey, wakey, Spence! " he called. JJ grabbed him before he could give the boy a headache and clasped a hand over his mouth. Henry laughed wickedly into it and JJ had to drag him from the room. When she turned back Spencer still hadn't moved.

JJ sighed and walked up to his bed, preparing herself for a Spencer Reid temper tantrum which she'd witnessed only once before when Hotch caught him making himself a coffee just a few days before. He'd poured the sugary coffee contents down the sink and Spencer had stormed into the front room and screamed into a pillow. After several minutes of kicking and hitting the couch, he'd calmed sufficiently to drag himself into a corner and sit there sulking for a few hours.

This was different. She hadn't had a problem waking him up before, it was more the falling asleep part they struggled with.

JJ put her hand on Spencer, ready to shake him awake and she frowned at the heat radiating through his nightshirt.

"Spence?"

He whimpered and rolled towards her. JJ noticed how flushed his face was and also the small droplets of sweat peppering his usually pale skin.

"Jeez, Spence," she pressed a hand to his roasting forehead and hissed in panic. "You're burning up."

"D-don't feel good," He mumbled sleepily, wetting his dry lips. He shivered as JJ pulled the sheets from him. JJ felt his bare arm and scowled at the heat emitting off it.

"C-cold..." he whined, groping weakly for the sheets.

Henry stood inthe threshold; an anxious look adorning his features.

"What's wrong with him, Mommy?"Henry whispered. JJ whipped her head around.

"Go tell Daddy to come upstairs," she said, turning back to Spencer. Henry frowned for a moment and reaslied JJ had been talking about Aaron not Will. Henry bounced down the stairs and saw Hotch coming through the front door.

"Dad-" Henry cut himself off with a curt shake of his head. "Aaron, Mummy wants you! Something's wrong with Spencer," he said urgently, hurrying back upstairs. Hotch followed quickly, his heart pounding. He skidded to a stop in front of Spencer's door and staggered it. JJ looked up and grimaced, motioning to the fragile boy trembling in bed.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure. I think it's a fever," JJ muttered. Hotch knelt beside her and touched Spencer's forehead. His eyes widened at the heat his fingers were met with.

"I'll get the thermometer."

"Get a cold washcloth as well."

JJ stroked Spencer's sweat-soaked hair and whispered quietly to him.

"Mummy..." Henry mumbled nervously, not knowing what to do.

"Henry, why don't you get your stuff ready for school," she said with a smile so as not to worry him. Henry nodded and slowly trudged into his room.

Hotch barged back in and handed JJ the thermometer and then carefully folded the damp washcloth and placed it on Spencer's hot head. Spencer let out a small sigh. JJ put the thermometer in his mouth which he didn't protest to, he just closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

"I'll have to call Will and see if he can take Henry. I don't want them catching this," JJ said to Hotch, who nodded.

"I'll ask Haley if she can have Jack a bit longer."

"Sowwy," Spencer muttered through the thermometer. JJ palmed his cheek and shook her head.

"It's not your fault, Spence." She removed the thermometer and visibly cringed.

"What's it say?" Hotch asked

"102.9," she hissed.

"Should we take him to the doctors?" Hotch asked. Both JJ and Spencer shook their heads.

"If it goes up to 104 we should."

Henry was in the doorway again, biting his nails anxiously, his bag slung over his shoulder.

"I'll stay home with Spence. Can you take Henry to school?"

Hotch nodded and straightened up.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather I stay and you go to work?"

"And have you facing the wrath of Strauss for staying home? Besides, they need a unit chief more than they need me," JJ winked.

"Spencer," Hotch said and the small boy squinted up at him. "How are you feeling?"

"'Told," Spencer mumbled as he quivered.

"Don't worry, buddy," Hotch glanced over at the door where Henry was still stood. "Mommy will make you feel better." He palmed Spencer's cheek before turning to the door and taking Henry's hand.

"Bye, mom, bye, Spence," Henry mumbled sadly.

JJ stayed by Spencer's bedside for another hour, stroking his hot skin and humming quietly. When he drifted back off into what seemed to be a deep sleep, she stood up and started to tiptoe out. Spencer whimpered unconsciously when her touch disappeared.

"Mommy..." he whined unconsciously, wrapping his arms tighter around his rabbit and rolling into a smaller ball.

JJ froze for a moment, a smug smile on her face. She waited until Spencer's breathing became even once more and she glided from the room.

She got downstairs and text Aaron to update him. Then she dialed Will's number to ask him to take Henry.

"Jennifer? What's up? Is it Henry? What's he done?" Will's thick and almost intolerably slow voice broke through the rings.

"I was just calling to ask if you could take Henry for the next few nights? I know it's not your days until Friday, but Spencer has the flu or something and we don't want the boys to catch it."

"Spencer..." Will mumbled in bewilderment. "As in Reid?"

JJ sighed and shook her head. "No, Will. Don't you remember-" she was cut off by Will's loud voice.

"Oh, right, Yea, Sorry. That's fine. You know how much I love having Henry around. The more time the better," Will rambled cheerfully.

"Thanks, he finishes at 3."

"Okay. Just so you know, Claudia is staying over this week-"

"Good for her. Just look after Henry. I'll call you when Spencer's better." She hung up before Will could talk about his girlfriend.

She turned into the front room and groaned at the sight of the floor which was littered with the boys' countless toys.

Hotch got in late and avoided the narrowed eyes glaring at him from Strauss's office.

"You're late, Aaron," Rossi pointed out as Hotch staggered up the stairs.

"Yea, Sorry."

"And it looks like you forgot JJ and Spencer," Morgan added with a smirk, glancing around for the toddler, who he was sure was hiding somewhere to try and scare him.

"Spencer's sick," Hotch explained and the teams faces all contorted in worry. Garcia's reaction was most notable when she lept off Morgan's desk and stared up at her boss.

"Calm down. It's just a fever-"

"Just a fever!? My poor angel!" Garcia gasped. "I'll make him some cookies," she muttered, taking a note on her hand with one of her fluffy fairy pens that had been stashed behind her ear. Hotch went to argue but decided that Spencer would like some cookies, and he was always open to accepting Garcia's baking.

"Word of warning," Rossi muttered, pointing in the general direction of Strauss's office. "The dragon's been watching your office."

JJ tidied the front room and flicked on the TV while she folded the blankets. She narrowed her eyes at the show that had just come on.

She recognised the blue police box and the familiar British accents. She dropped the blankets and arranged the pillows in the corner of the couch before hurrying up the stairs. She tapped on Spencer's door and peered in. Spencer glanced up sleepily and mumbled something JJ couldn't quite understand.

"Do you feel like watching TV?" She asked and Spencer shrugged. "What if I told you Doctor Who is on?" She added and Spencer's eyelids snapped open.

JJ managed to get Spencer snuggled on the couch beside her and he leaned into her side as they watched the TV. Spencer dozed off several times, leaving JJ to watch his favourite show, which, though she wouldn't admit it, she was getting quite attached to.

Spencer jolted awake when JJ gasped loudly.

"Mommy?" Spencer mumbled, looking around tiredly.

"That can't happen to Clara!" JJ snapped at the TV. Spencer rubbed his eyes and looked up curiously at JJ. She cleared her throat, blushing slightly and smiled down at him.

"You want something to eat?" she asked. Spencer nodded and smiled back. JJ noticed how his cheeks weren't as flushed and he wasn't shivering anymore. JJ threw a tin of soup into a saucepan and checked Spencer's temperature while she waited.

"101. It's going down, Spence," JJ simpered and Spencer beamed back. She gave him some children's Tylenol before his soup, which he practically inhaled after having missed breakfast.

"Tan I go back to wowk now?" He asked. JJ paused the Doctor Who episode, with much reluctance, and gaped at Spencer.

"Excuse me?"

Hotch headed into the conference room where the others were tucking into their lunch. The table felt a little empty without JJ or Spencer but he shrugged it off. They'd be back in no more than a few days.

"It's so quiet," Morgan chuckled wistfully.

"I'm just glad we don't have a case," Emily said before shoving a mouthful of salad past her lips and making a face at the bland taste.

Hotch's phone rang and the team held their breath, praying it wasn't a case.

"Hotchner."

"Aaron, can you please tell Spencer that he is not coming into work. He says he feels better and is insisting on coming in," Hotch shook his head and chuckled.

"Put him on the phone," Hotch stepped out the room to avoid the looks from his team.

"Hi!" Spencer's spritely voice came from the other end of the phone.

"You're not coming back to work until the day after tomorrow," Hotch said, deciding to rip the band-aid off rather than teeter over the subject.

"What?! But I'm feeling much bettew!" Spencer protested.

"I'm glad to hear that, but you're not coming in until we're sure it's gone-"

"I'm a doctow, so I fink I should know."

"And we're your parents...technically, so it's not up to you,"Hotch jibbed and he smirked when a whine echoed down the phone.

"I'm an adult! I Tan decide."

"Sorry, buddy, I've made my mind up. How about I make you a deal. If you do as I say I'll get you...some...uh ice cream. How does that sound?"

There was silence down Spencer's end for several moments.

"Ben and Jewwy's?" Came a small voice.

"Sure, do we have a deal?"

"Chocolate chip cookie dough," Spencer requested.

"Yes, Fine. Chocolate chip cookie dough it is," Hotch said in a resigned voice.

I take it you bribed him?" JJ asked.

"You try reasoning with him."

"I did, hence why I called you. Good idea pulling the ice cream card," she chuckled.

"Works every time. I'll get a tub on my way home. Pick a movie and we'll watch it when I get back. Oh and don't let Spencer pick, or we'll be watching Star Wars again," Hotch grinned.

"See you later, love you."

"Love you too," Hotch hung up and spun around on his heal only to come face to face with a conference room full of smug looking profilers, all of whom were watching him.

"What?"

"Cookie dough? He's got you wrapped around his little finger," Rossi chortled.

"I think he's guilty of having that effect on all of us," Garcia added.

Hotch pushed open the front door with his free hand. He shut the door quietly and hung up his coat and blazer. He had worked a bit later than expected.

The house was dark except for an ominous light from the front room. As he approached he heard quiet giggles erupting from the room and hushed whispers.

He poked his head around the door and found his girlfriend wrapped in a blanket with his surrogate son sat on her lap, pointing wildly at the TV screen and laughing.

"I see someones better," Hotch said and the two almost jumped out of their skin at the sight of him standing in the doorway. It only made them burst into laughter again.

"Yea, He's 100.9 right now, which is still high, but you wouldn't think it," She said, pressing her fingers into Spencer's sides and causing a fresh wave of giggles.

"I got the bribe," Hotch announced, digging into his bag and pulling out a pot of Ben and Jerrys. Spencer's eyes went as big as saucers and he drooled over the tub.

"It's probably melted a bit but-" Hotch was interrupted by Spencer who had hopped off JJ's lap and grabbed the ice cream. JJ handed him a spoon when he jumped back up.

"We came prepared," She said, nabbing a spoonful of ice cream before Spencer, who hugged it to his chest tightly and sent her a suspicious glare.

"Of course you did,"Hotch sighed, kicking off his shoes, grabbing the extra spoon JJ had left on the arm for him and collapsing down on Spencer's other side.

"What are we watching," he asked, looking up at the paused screen.

"Doctor Who," JJ said with an eager smile.

"I told you to pick it, Not Spencer," Hotch groaned.

"I did pick it," she replied.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! It's sadly the last chapter I will ever post in 2017!

WE ARE LITERALLY 5 REVIEWS AWAY FROM 200! I'm so happy. Please review and help this story achieve 200 before 2018, there's still 3 hours left of this year here in the UK, so please leave a review, I'd really appreciate it!

I'm going to take a few days off after this chapter, and I'm sorry to say that I will have exams over the next two weeks so updates will be slow.

Thank you guys for making my year amazing!

Goodbye 2017...

Hello, 2018 and hello like 20 new stories!

See you next year!