(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters)

So, I think I'm going to start drawing this story to a close. I was hoping to hit a hundred chapters but I feel like I'll be dragging the story out then. I'm also not putting as much effort in and I don't feel the chapters are as good as they could be so this chapter will be a filler before I start the final story line.

The title of this update doesn't mean this is the final chapter. I mean it more broadly. Although I think we're on the final chapters now.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, I'm going to try and shout you guys out in updates again.

Enjoy.

"I still can't believe Strauss made us end the trip early."

"We had a case."

"We had Holiday leave. We can't keep dropping everything for this job." Morgan folded his arms and sat back, using the back of the seat to push his headphones back on.

Aaron sighed, turning to JJ and smiling. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

JJ grinned and leaned in to kiss him. As her lips pulled away from his she whispered, "we only missed the last day, besides, the boy's got to go to every park, I'm sure they weren't that disappointed about missing magical kingdom."

Aaron maintained his sheepish smile. "I know, it's just... that was our family time... now Henry's with his dad, Jack's with Haley and Spencer's-"

"With his favourite auntie in the world." JJ glanced at Emily with an anxious smile. "Don't tell Emily," she muttered as Aaron chuckled. He put his hand on his heart and winked.

JJ shifted closer to Aaron, her fingers linking with his. "And maybe it's time to think about... you know, retiring."

Aaron snorted and tilted his head to meet JJ's. "I was kidding when I said that."

JJ shrugged. "Early retirement. You're older than Rossi was when he did it."

"He started writing."

"He doesn't have kids. You're good at woodwork too, I bet Garcia could help you make a small buissness. Imagine: Aaron's wood shed."

Aaron raised an eyebrow, looking at JJ incredulously. She sighed. "Alright then, Hotch's Hot Hacks." She paused, staring at Aaron with wide eyes. "That's good."

"I don't think so."

"Hunky Hotch's Hot Hacks?"

Aaron laughed. "What is it with the alliteration. It sounds tacky."

"And sexy?"

"No... dirty."

JJ smirked. "Perfect."

The case wasn't long. They were back in two days, by which time Spencer was bouncing off the walls. Penelope blamed herself after feeding him extremely sugary pancakes for breakfast. She couldn't risk letting her 'favourite Aunty' title slip.

"Sit down, Spencer. Please!" Spencer sprung up from under the desk where he'd been hiding from an imaginary monster that was totally Morgan's creation. The night before, after a Skype call with the team where Morgan had told Spencer to get under his sheets unless he wanted a monster eating his toes, Spencer had been vigilant of said nonexistent monster that he'd created a base under Penelope's desk that morning.

"But aunty Pen, the monstew will get my toes!"

"No he won't, Derek is a big old liar, now coke up here."

Spencer poked his head up and pouted at Penelope.

Despite being unruly, Garcia was sure Spencer's stay with her had been a success. He'd started to pronounce his 'c's and 't's under her careful observations and she was ready to reel in the praise.

Penelope tapped the stool beside her. "Come on, I have to finish filling out a form so I need you where I can see you."

"You CAN see me undew the desk," Spencer said, over pronouncing the 'can,' with a smug smile. Garcia smiled back at him, knowing it would be cruel to point out his inability to say his 'r's. She watched as the small boy leaned forward and pulled his tardis toward him. She wondered what life would be like if Spencer was still his old self. She smiled sadly. She missed the old Reid, no matter how much she loved little Spencer, part of her still wished her old friend was there. Obviously, she knew the old Spencer was still with them just packed in a smaller package but she always felt her mind wander to what might have been if they had found a cure.

"Auntie Pen?"

Garcia blinked back into reality and gave Spencer a weary smile. "Yes, honey bun?"

"Will you be the doctow?" Spencer offered the Matt Smith figurine to Garcia with a shy expression.

Garcia leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Of course. Now where are we heading?"

"Spence?"

Spencer turned quickly from his and Penelope's game with his figurines, grinning giddily at the sight of JJ. "Mummy!" he cried, clambering off his stool.

"Thank God for a short case," JJ said to Penelope before she was smothered in a warm 'Spencer' hug. "Hey, sweetheart," she said, standing up and pulling Spencer with her, her arms trapping him tightly to her chest. "Were you good for Penelope?"

"When has he ever been bad," Garcia said, beaming at the two. "Show them your words, Spencer."

Spencer pulled back, his smile almost woozy with excitement. "Auntie Pen taught be my 'k's." He sounded out the letter 'k,' turning to Garcia who was nodding proudly.

"No way," said JJ. "Say Cat."

Spencer paused for a moment before crinkling his nose and forcing out, "cat," before breaking into a grin. "See!"

"That's awesome, buddy," Aaron said, stepping into the office behind JJ. Spencer's face lit up even more.

"Daddy!"

Aaron smiled, not bothering to steal Spencer from JJ's arms. What with Henry being away with his dad, he didn't want to deprive JJ of anymore.

"Awe we goin home now?" Spencer asked.

Aaron glanced back at the team who were starting to wave their goodbyes, eager to have a break after their productive holiday and the case straight after.

"Yea. We have to pick Rosie up from Joanne first."

"Joanne?" Garcia said with a frown. She'd wondered where the small dog had been staying.

"Our neighbour," JJ said. "She offered childcare when we first moved in and then dogcare when we got Rosie. We're paying her of course." JJ eyed Aaron who dove a hand into his pocket, retrieving his wallet with a smile.

"Of course," he said.

"Come on then."

"Say thank you to Penelope and give her hug first."

Spencer was more than happy to do that, he stuck a big kiss on Penelope's cheek as she squeezed him into a hug.

Aaron was watching Spencer in silent pride. The kid had been struggling with so much that working on his speech impediment (which Diana had confirmed had been with him until he was at least three,) wasn't their biggest concern. Yet the boy was pushing through it.

They said their goodbyes to the team before getting in their car to pick up the furry member of their family

"Wosie!" Spencer dropped to his knees as the little dog leapt from her bed and dashed toward them. She stopped at Spence, bouncing around him, plastering his face with wet dog kisses, before dancing around Aaron and JJ's feet. Aaron grabbed the dog before she scampered off and he craned his neck away from her excited tongue. He chuckled as Rosie gave up on kissing him and just sat in his arms, her tail wagging and her tongue hanging out.

"Thanks for having her," Aaron said, smiling at his neighbour. JJ handed over some cash which they'd promised in exchange for looking after Rosie. She also tucked Rosie's little bed under one arm and grabbed Spencer's hand.

Aaron glanced back and saw a familiar blue sedan across the street. He frowned at it, wondering where he'd seen it before but Rosie was too excited for him to wonder for long. Her tongue was seeking his neck again and he pulled her away, laughing and forgetting all about the car.

They walked away from the neighbours, JJ was holding Spencer's hand and talking animatedly about their Disney trip. Aaron raised his hand and smiled at a woman walking in the other direction on the opposite side of the road. She paused, her hood slipping a little before she smiled and waved back awkwardly.

They walked the few houses back to theirs, talking amongst themselves but Aaron couldn't help the feeling of uneasiness coursing through him. He unlocked the front door and opened it for JJ and Spencer. As he was kicking off his shoes with his toes he spotted a small envelope tucked up against one of the windows.

Aaron set Rosie on the ground and waited for her, JJ and Spencer to be out of sight before ducking back through the door and grabbing the letter from where it was fluttering against the window pane. It had al five of their names on the front and no address. Aaron looked across the road, searching for someone who may be waiting for him to get the letter. No one popped up from behind the bushes so Aaron tucked the letter under his arm and stepped back into the warm house.

He shut the door, leaning against it as he tore open the letter.

His eyes scanned over it and he stopped part way through, his eyes rising in search of JJ.

"Jen?" he called, his voice quiet. He looked over the rest of the letter and he exhaled deeply.

"Yea?"

JJ stepped out of the kitchen, smiling at Aaron. Her smile fell at the sight of Aaron's pale face. "What is it?"

"We have a problem."

Thanks for reading. I've dropped a few small hints over the past chapters, the final ones were in this chapter, next chapter we're gonna jump right into it.

Please review.

See you soon and stay safe.