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

I wrote this chapter before I wrote the first chapter of this story so it's been hidden in my doc manager for quite some time. I felt like doing an extra fluffy chapter so I just cleaned this up and added a few bits. I've waited so long to share this chapter, I just need to add a few bits so it fits into the story.

I dropped my IPad in the bath yesterday! That's the second time, I really need to stop writing chapters in the bath. Anyway, it's been in rice for quite some time and appears to be working normally except that the sound effects notification keeps going on and off and is currently stuck in the middle of my screen. Oops... I guess that'll teach me.

Anyway...yay, the notification is gone- oh... I spoke too soon. Anyway, thank you for all your reviews! I'll do that thing I do sometimes where I address you all.

ahowell1993- thanks for reviewing. Nope, there is no cure, this fic is just becoming a fluff-filled story of Spencer's life as a toddler.

Guest- thank you for reviewing. And I totally understand, I had a feeling the chapters were getting slower and less energetic. I promise that I will pick that up soon. After the Christmas chapter (which should be coming soon) I plan to have an exciting storyline... or at least a little more action-packed ;)

Diana- thank you! Your review really touched me, so thank you for taking the time to write it. Your probably the main reason that I finished this early, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm sorry to hear what you've had to go through and I hope that this story continues to help you. My main goal is to make you guys smile and yet you did the opposite and made me smile. Thank you!

FallWithMeOffACliff- I'm so glad to see you back! Thank you for reviewing. I hoped that his aggression would have that effect; I love the idea of Hotch hopping around and Spencer just standing around looking innocent ;D I may have him in daycare again *wink* *wink* ;) I hope you enjoy this early-ish chapter. Thanks again.

fishtrek- thank you for reviewing. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, that makes me so relieved.

AZCatmom- thank you! Your praise means so much and I really enjoy reading your reviews.

Ash59- thank you for your review! And I knew I couldn't delay a tantrum any longer ;)

Astrahan- thank you! That makes me feel so much better, I'm always on edge when I feel the chapters aren't the best, I'm glad you like this story. Your support makes every chapter worth it!

Aja85- thank you, I want to do another chapter with him there, but it may not be for a while. And I feel the same! It's so sweet and I really want to just cover the story with him calling them mummy and daddy, but I want to make it subtle (and it's killing me), but I'm trying to do it more, you may notice as the story progresses. Thanks again!

E.J. Morgan- Thanks for reviewing! And yea, hopefully, he'll start getting used to it, but I'll probably have to drop in a few more tantrums here and there. Hope you enjoy this chapter ;D

Phew. That was long! Sorry about that exhausting Author's note, I understand if you skipped it ;D

I'll shut up now. Enjoy!

Spencer was in a better mood the next day and JJ released a breath she'd been holding when Spencer let her dress him (although the clothing had been his choice.) He wore a white shirt with a grey cardigan. He tried to tie his red bow tie but gave up and let JJ do it for him, a similar situation occurred when he tried to lace up his converse.

They dropped the boys off at school before heading off to work. Spencer practically bounded to his desk and Morgan witnessed the toddler press his face into the wood affectionately. He chuckled to himself and was not in the least bit surprised when Spencer's hazel eyes gazed hungrily at his files.

"I'll be in my office, Spencer," Hotch said, carding a hand through his hair. "If you need anything get me or JJ. Or last resort, Emily," he said and Spencer nodded.

"Oh, I guess I'm not a good enough candidate for the 'Hotchner childcare' specification," Morgan grumbled with a smirk.

"I have a feeling that if we left you in charge of him then he'd have a sugar rush. You realise throwing sugar at a child isn't good parenting?" JJ asked and Morgan gasped his expression offended.

"Garcia's more guilty of that than me!" He protested.

"What am I guilty of, Derek Morgan?"

They spun around- except Spencer, who was already nose deep in a file- to see Garcia traipsing across the bullpen on her extra high heels.

"Aw! My little genius is back!" She gasped and she lent down and peppered Spencer's cheek with kisses.

"'T-top," Spencer giggled as he wiped his sleeve across his face and smiled up at Garcia with hot cheeks.

"Anyway, What were you saying?" Garcia questioned, turning to Morgan, but keeping her hand on Spencer's shoulder.

"Nothing you need to worry about, baby girl. You're guiltless in my books."

"Oh, I can be bad, just you wait," Garcia hissed and Morgan watched her through narrowed eyes, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Okay, can you stop before you earn us another presentation on sexual harassment," Emily put in, glancing around at the other agents.

"But it's so fun!" Garcia whined.

"Get going before I spank ya," Morgan said, causing a few heads to turn his way. Garcia winked at him, shimmying her shoulders as she tickled Spencer's cheek. She handed Hotch a new file before returning to her lair.

Spencer dove into his files after that and Morgan had to pry him away from his desk to get him to have lunch.

"Do we have a case?" Spencer asked eagerly as he munched on his bag of chips and looked around at his team.

"Not yet," Hotch muttered absentmindedly. Spencer bit into his next chip slowly and tried to hide his disappointment. He hadn't been on a case since the... 'incident.' Strauss had promised to let him go once he turned two, yet he still hadn't been on one. He was eager to do some real work again.

They got back to their paperwork and Spencer managed to get through the majority of his files, even with some of Morgan's slipped in without the boy's knowledge.

Hotch let the team get off early and he led JJ and Spencer to their car. They picked the boys up from an after-school club and Spencer chatted to them as they drove home.

"Me and my friend, Justin, were allowed to play dodgeball with the older boys," Henry explained, his legs kicking against JJ's seat wildly. "And I got Jack out!"

"No, you didn't! I let you do that," Jack muttered angrily.

"No, you didn't!"

"Did so!"

"Did not!"

"Boys," Hotch warned.

"Can we play dodgeball with Spencer?" Henry asked. "If you pick us up earlier next week then he can play in the last round," he added.

"I'm not sure he's old enough for that yet, Henry," JJ explained and the corners of Henry's mouth drooped.

"I wanna p'ay dodgeball!" Spencer yelled and he clasped his hands together happily, waiting for JJ and Hotch's reaction.

"Maybe we can play it at Rossi's when the weather is warmer," Hotch offered and the boys beamed happily at him. Spencer wasn't completely against the idea. True: he sucked at sports, but this was his second chance to change that.

They got home, and Hotch carried Spencer inside and let Jack and Henry kidnap him, helping him upstairs. Jack's door slammed shut and JJ and Hotch rolled their eyes and listened to the sounds coming from his room as they prepared dinner.

"Boys! Dinner time!" JJ called upstairs, but there was no indication of them coming down so she started up the stairs, listening carefully to the yells.

"No! I'm captain! You're the prisoner, Spencer!" Henry snapped and Spencer shook his head and held up his foam sword.

"Nu-Uh."

Jack chuckled and brandished his own dagger. "Yea, we're rebelling! We're gonna take over this ship."

"Jack, you're ruining the game," Henry hissed, tipping his hat to show he was out of character.

"I wanna be a piwate," Spencer said.

"No, you're the prisoner! You shouldn't have stolen that bread," Henry grumbled and Spencer looked down at his feet sadly.

"Come on, Spence," Jack poked him in the ribs. "Let's make the captain walk the plank!"

"No!" Henry cried, and he tore off his hat.

JJ pushed open the door at that moment and Henry pouted up at her.

"They're not playing fair, Mummy!" He wailed.

"Stop fighting, boys," she sighed. "Dinner's ready."

"Dinner!" Henry gasped and he forgot the game, tossing his sword to the floor and flying out the door.

JJ grabbed Spencer and pulled off the prisoner outfit that was too big for him anyway.

"Well done for being good sports," JJ muttered to Jack and Spencer.

"That's okay, but next time me and Spencer are gonna be the pirates," Jack said as he put his sword away and stepped over the toys covering his floor.

"Tan I get a piwate hat? Lite Jack's?" Spencer asked, pointing to the hat Henry had been wearing.

"If you ask Santa, he'll get you one," Jack added as they made their way to the hall. Spencer smiled to himself.

"Weally?" He gasped, playing along with Jack.

"Yea. I'm asking for a wrestling belt, like the ones the champions have," Jack said. "We have to make our lists on the first of December and then Dad will send them to the North Pole," he pointed out to the toddler.

"Otay," Spencer murmured as he worked out the price of postage to the North Pole in his head and he wondered who would deliver it when it arrived there.

They got settled for dinner and talked contently to each other. Henry explained to Hotch the rules of his pirate game and why Spencer and Jack were doing it wrong. Hotch nodded and made 'hmm' sounds which seemed to satisfy Henry.

Soon enough Spencer was being released from his chair and he made it to the front room before the others. He snatched up the remote and put a documentary channel on. The boys groaned when they sat down to find the TV blaring on about wind energy.

They were finally able to put on what they wanted when Spencer got distracted with a book.

Everything was pleasant until JJ walked in with her hands on her hips.

"It's almost bedtime, Spencer."

Spencer, although willing to allow this, wasn't about to give in without a fight. He shut his book and hurried out of the room before JJ could catch him.

"Spencer! Get back here!" JJ yelled as the young boy darted away from her and out of the room.

"NO! Not tiwed!" Spencer cried back, glancing down the corridor for somewhere to hide. He could hear JJ's angry footsteps behind him.

"Come here and get your pyjamas on! This is your only warning," Spencer couldn't help but giggle as he stumbled through the second door to the front room and hid behind the armchair. JJ could see his messy hair sticking out over the arm and sighed.

"Come out, come out wherever you are," JJ heard a small giggle from behind the chair and rolled her eyes.

"I'll get A-...'Daddy' if you don't come out."

Spencer didn't move; he knew JJ was in the same room as him and he couldn't risk moving.

"Fine! You've done it now! Aaron!" There was no reply and Spencer held his breath hopefully.

"Daddy!" She called and footsteps could be heard from upstairs. Spencer cringed at the sound.

"JJ? What is it?" Hotch asked from the hall. His face appeared in the doorway. Spencer felt his presence and lay flat on the floor.

"Spencer's hiding," She motioned to the couch and Hotch grinned and rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I wonder where he is? It's almost his bedtime," Hotch mused in an animated voice.

"Can't he stay up with us a bit longer, Dad?" Jack asked, Spencer, sat on his knees and peeked over the arm only to duck back under when he found JJ and Hotch's eyes on him.

"Yea! We can play in our 'ship' again," Henry said.

"No. He's younger than you guys and he needs more sleep. Spencer, are you going to come out or am I going to have to come and get you?"

Spencer slapped his head, realising he had been caught. He could still escape. He heard Hotch move closer and decided to make a dash for it. He knew he wouldn't make it far, but he still had bags of energy and he needed to use it up somehow (at least that was the excuse he told himself.) He sprinted in front of the TV, making Henry and Jack laugh. He hurried out of the other doorway (the one JJ and Hotch weren't standing by) and rushed through the kitchen and into the dining room. Spencer focused on the wooden dining table that he planned on hiding under.

"Spencer!" Hotch yelled in frustration as he chased the small child at a moderate speed. Spencer glanced back and saw Hotch chasing him, he also saw Hotch's expression change suddenly.

"STOP!" Hotch shouted picking up his pace. Spencer turned his head and came face to face with the low dining table, smacking his head into the hard wooden table edge. He fell flat on his back onto the floor, blinking dazedly. The pain suddenly registered and his small hands flew to his head as he burst into sobs.

"Spence!" JJ cried, breaking from her position at the threshold and hurrying over. Hotch got to Spencer first and picked him up, holding him to his chest with one hand while the other tried to pry the boy's fingers from his forehead. Spencer squeezed his eyes shut, his hands clutching his head as if to will the pain away.

"Spencer, move your hands," Hotch ordered gently, still trying to pull Spencer's hands away.

"Sit him on the counter," JJ instructed as she hastened to a drawer and pulled out the first aid kit.

"Jack, can you get me an ice pack?" she called over her shoulder and Jack didn't argue, he was gaping at his youngest brother anxiously. Hotch sat Spencer on the edge of the kitchen counter and managed to pull his hands away from his face, holding them gently to look at Spencer's head.

"H-hu-h-hur-ts," Spencer hiccuped through sobs, shaking his pounding head as JJ rubbed a finger over it. Hotch scowled at the angry red mark forming on the left side of his forehead, just above his eye. The skin had swelled a little and JJ could feel the bump as she ran her fingers over it.

"I know, baby, we'll make it better," JJ cooed, running her hand over his fringe. Jack handed her the ice pack which she carefully wrapped in a cloth. Hotch was still holding the boy's hands and examining the injury while he whimpered helplessly.

"Should we take him to the hospital?" Hotch asked, looking up at JJ worriedly as she placed the ice pack over Spencer's head. Hotch released Spencer's arms and the small boy held his arms out to JJ, his sobs quieting as she held and rocked him slowly, keeping the ice pack over his sore head.

"I don't think so. Kids bump there heads all the time," she sighed as Spencer nuzzled into her neck, his wet cheeks dampening her skin.

"Are you sure?" Hotch asked, running a hand down Spencer's back.

"Maybe we should keep him up a bit longer to watch him," she whispered after leaning close, but Spencer was still calming down so all he could hear was his sharp intakes of breath as he tried to ease his crying. Hotch nodded.

"I'll change him," he offered, but JJ shook her head.

"It's best we don't disturb him too much, I'll do it. You put on a film for the boy's and I'll be in soon," Hotch leaned in and kissed JJ's cheek before kissing the back of Spencer's head.

JJ carried Spencer into his bedroom but didn't set him down. Instead, she picked up his discarded Scooby Doo pyjamas off the floor with one hand as she continued to hold the small boy close to her chest. She sat down on the floor and tried to pry Spencer from around her neck.

"Spence...Spencer, let's get you changed and then you can cuddle, okay," she mumbled. Reluctantly, Spencer unlatched and sat in her lap looking up at her with red, puffy, bloodshot eyes, an occasional hiccup escaping him.

"H-hurts," he whimpered and JJ's brow furrowed in sympathy as she palmed his cheek and he pressed his safe into the gentle touch.

"Shh, I know. Hold this to your head while I change you," she gave him the ice pack which was in the shape of Spider-Man. Spencer stared at it for a second before holding it to his head, wincing as it touched the sensitive skin. He wondered why everything seemed to hurt so much more now he was a toddler.

JJ worked quickly to exchange Spencer's bottom half with a pull up (which he didn't complain about) and the navy pyjama bottoms with Scooby's collar charm stamped all over them.

"Arms," she said with a smile and Spencer lifted his shaky arms. She held the ice pack as she pulled off the top, quickly pulling on the short sleeve pyjama top. This one had navy sleeves with the rest of the top being a lighter blue. On the centre of the top was a picture of scooby doo, his face front and centre and a big smile across it; Garcia had bought them for him of course. Spencer cried out when the neckline dragged along his bump. JJ quickly handed him the ice pack and leaned over to his bed to grab any stuffed animal she could find. She handed him his fluffy rabbit and he shook his head, pointing to the stuffed Sully teddy that Emily had bought him. JJ exchanged the two stuffed toys and Spencer held the one he wanted to his chest.

"Better?" She asked.

"'till huwts," he mumbled, wiping his eyes and clutching JJ's shirt. JJ sighed and hitched Spencer onto her hip, letting him snuggle back into her, but this time with Sully between them. Hotch appeared at the door still looking worried.

"Aaron, could you get some children's Tylenol? I think Spence has got a headache."

"I'll grab some now. The boy's are watching a film so I'll meet you in there. You okay, buddy?"

Spencer didn't look up but mumbled something into JJ's shoulder.

"He's alright. Just tired and feeling a bit sorry for himself", JJ winked.

"I'm not," came a muffled voice and Hotch laughed.

JJ sat on the couch, sitting Spencer on her lap and holding the ice pack for him so he could cuddle his toy. Jack and Henry bounced over, both looking from their mother to their brother with worry.

"Is he okay?"

"Does he need his head glued?"

Spencer whimpered at this and looked up anxiously at JJ.

"Henry don't scare him. He's fine, you guys just watch the film and let Spencer have some quiet time," JJ warned.

"Bu-" Jack started, but JJ sent him a look that made him trudge back to his seat, but both boys kept glancing at their baby brother to make sure he was okay.

The cold ice pack soothed his throbbing head, but Spencer could still feel pain resonating in that area, and as a child that pain was intensified. He yelped a little and buried himself further into JJ. He watched the TV. It was a Spider-Man cartoon that Henry loved, usually, Jack would kick up a fuss, but neither boy wanted to make the situation worse. He watched as the man in the red and blue suit swung from building to building. He put his thumb in his mouth and sniffed as JJ rubbed his back.

Suddenly, Hotch came into view and Spencer blinked at him as he knelt down with a bottle and measuring cup in his hand.

"Take some of this, buddy," he simpered.

Spencer shook his head, his eyes wide and scared. Hotch sighed and squeezed Spencer's knee.

"It's only Tylenol, buddy. It'll make you feel better," he whispered, guiding the cup to Spencer's mouth and helping him tip in the unpleasant tasting medicine. Spencer cringed and quickly stuck his thumb back in his mouth to try and get rid of the flavour before turning back to the TV screen. Hotch remained knelt and watched the boy anxiously. He carded a hand through his hair and looked up at JJ.

"Come here," she urged, patting the seat next to her where Jack had left a space. Hotch sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Spencer shuffled a little until he was in Hotch's lap. The small groggy boy sighed and leaned his head into Hotch, his arms still wrapped around his stuffed monster and his thumb firmly in his mouth.

JJ rubbed her thumb soothingly against Spencer's small leg and watched the TV.

The house was quiet for at least 5 minutes except for the noise coming from the TV. The silence was broken when Henry cheered as Spider-Man beat up the bad guy.

"He's just like you two!" Henry squealed, grinning at JJ. JJ and Hotch exchanged a look and rolled their eyes. Both of their eyes dropped down to the child between them. His eyes were closed and the ice pack had slid down onto his toy. He still had his thumb in his mouth, but it sat limply between his lips which were slightly open in sleep. JJ smiled and stroked Spencer's hair, gently brushing past his injury. Spencer frowned a little but remained asleep. The lump on his head had gone down a little, but a purple bruise had started breaking out.

"You can explain that to Garcia," JJ smirked at her partner whose eyes widened.

"What? Why me?" He hissed.

"You chased him," JJ chuckled quietly.

"We may need to babyproof the table edges," mused Hotch, a smile gracing his lips.

"Or we could wrap him in bubble wrap," JJ suggested, planting a kiss on Spencer's head. "We should put him to bed," she added.

"I'll do it. Jack and Henry will need to go to bed soon, so you can put Henry to bed when this finishes, leave Spencer and Jack to me," He winked, standing up and lifting a limp Spencer into his arms, the boy shifted and settled in Hotch's arms, the hand holding sully unconsciously wrapped around Hotch's neck, while the other one remained firmly to his mouth and he continued to suck his thumb. JJ beamed at the endearing sight as Hotch gently took Sully so he wouldn't fall.

Hotch pulled back the Star Wars covers that Emily had got Spencer with the stuffed toy. He lent down and slowly pried the boy off him and into the bed. Instantly Spencer tossed about for something to hold. Hotch slipped the toy beside him and watched as Spencer hugged it to him and smiled in his sleep. Hotch couldn't help but smile as he pulled the covers up over Spencer and his friend. He lent down and kissed his son...son, Hotch thought and his grin broadened.

And there you go. Chapter 44... I think.

Please review! I love reading your thoughts!

Also, thank you to everyone who favourited and followed this story, I can't believe we've reached 100 followers... well 103 but you get it. I'm beyond esctatic!

See you all soon! Probably not as soon as this update, but soon-ish.