I won't be able to write at all this weekend dear readers, so I will leave something to hold you over….
Disclaimer: I do not own criminal minds or cannon characters and am making no profit from this story.
Chapter 13-Safety
Spencer looked up at Hotch, tears gathering. "Spencer scared Daddy. Scared more bad mans come. Why dey no go away an leave Spencer alone? Am good boy-no hurt dem or anybody! Why dey still wanna hurt Spencer?!" the boy cried, tears running down his face. "It's going to be okay Buddy," responded Hotch, "Daddy won't let them hurt you anymore. Go ahead and cry baby, let it all out, I'm going to keep you safe Buddy. You're safe…" Hotch reassured as he rubbed the crying boy's back.
Moments after Ann stepped from the room, Morgan entered. "How's the little man?" he queried, noting Hotch seated beside the boy's bed, rubbing calming circles on his back as the child clutched his teddy bear and sobbed into it.
"I think he's just had enough. A lot has happened in the last couple of days. Thank-you for clearing the room by the way. What's the current situation?" responded the unit chief, speaking quietly in a calm tone so as not to upset his charge.
"The coroner is on the way for our mystery man. The hired gun is on his way to the station with Prentiss. JJ and Rossi are talking with the Hospital Administrator about security arrangements. The guard will be fine-he's down in the ER getting checked out. Nurse Ann is looking for Dr. Martin, and the code Adam hospital lockdown has been lifted." Related Morgan in a similar quiet voice. "We've taken DNA from both of those Bozos to check against the samples we haven't identified. Spencer didn't act as if he recognized either one though. Did he say anything to you?"
"Not yet, but he's kinda upset right now. I'll ask him when he calms down." Responded the worried father. "He told me he's scared of more men coming after him, and I can understand why. We have got to do better security wise."
"Agreed" stated Rossi, strolling into the room. "And I believe I have the solution to that issue. This hospital, like others in Vegas, has a VIP suite on the top floor. In case a celebrity or rich high-roller needs it. It is empty right now, so I 'rented' it out for us. Nurse Ann's husband is in the Air Force, and deployed overseas right now, so she has agreed to be Spencer's private nurse for as long as we need her. The hospital will pay her salary for nights, I'll pay for her days. A special key is needed to reach the top floor, so that will prevent further unsubs wandering into the boy's room uninvited, and we can take shifts guarding the elevator. The suite is big enough for us to all settle in and set up work areas, and there are plenty of restaurants we can order meals from. So, waddaya think?"
"Dave, I… I don't know what to say" stuttered a stunned Hotch. "It sounds perfect…are you sure? I could never repay you…"
"Hey, I'm the rich famous author Uncle. Let me do something meaningful with my millions, OK? Make me the Godfather and we're even."
"Godfather Rossi it is! I am honored to entrust you with that duty. I can't thank you enough for this."
"What a godfather?" piped a small voice from the bed.
"Well," explained Hotch, "a Godfather is someone who will become like a Daddy in case something bad happens and your Daddy isn't there anymore. It means he loves you even more than an uncle and wants to take care of you if your Daddy can't."
Spencer looked up at Rossi, his eyes wide in wonder. "Thank-you Mr. Rossi fo wanna be Godfather an fo find somewhere safe. You nice!"
"It's my pleasure Spencer, but it's Uncle Dave, OK?" responded the pleased Italian.
"OK" chirped the boy with a watery smile. "When we go to new place?"
"Right now" declared Ann as she entered the room on the heels of the boy's query. "Get ready for a ride honey. I'm just going to wheel you up in your bed, OK? Grab any personal possessions profilers and follow me…I've got the magic key!"
Everyone trouped after Ann as she led the way to the elevator and pushed the 'up' button. Soon the little group was getting off the elevator and entering the plush world of the high roller. The first area off the elevator was a sitting room with plush couches and rich wood tables, cut glass lamps, and brass decorations. Three rooms branched off from the sitting room, one of which looked outfitted for hospital use, the other two with 2 luxurious looking beds and a dresser each. Ann wheeled Spencer into the hospital type room, and it also contained a single bed, large plush chair, and a dresser.
"Ok Hotchners, here is your room," smiled the nurse, engaging the locks on the boy's bed and adjusting the lighting to a calming level. "I'll be up all night while you sleep in the bed" she told Aaron, "And I'll sleep there a bit while you are awake and on duty, ok? Of course, if Spencer needs me, wake me up. You can all rotate between guarding the elevator and working the case and sleeping. We can have whiteboards and whatever else you need sent up to the sitting room. As Agent Rossi mentioned there are several restaurants that deliver to the hospital, and there is always food from the cafeteria. The food is pretty good here, I promise. Here is the key-whomever leaves to go pick up supplies or whatever will need it to get back up here. There is an emergency fire exit over there, at the side of the sitting room, but the door is locked and inaccessible on the other side. Any Questions?"
"No bad mans can come here?" asked Spencer.
"No honey" responded Ann, "they don't have the key. And even if they did someone will be watching the only way onto the floor and if any bad people try to come up here they will go straight to jail, right guys?"
"Right!" declared Rossi, Hotch, and Morgan together.
"OK!" Said the nurse, "Now, over here, on the side of this table, we have a fridge. Soon it will be stocked with pudding, jello, milk, and other snacks for Spencer. Feel free to put other food and soda in there. You might as well check out of your hotel and send someone for your bags. I'm going to dash down to my car and pick up the weekend bag I keep there for just in case and pick up Spencer's dinner tray first though." And with a pert salute she disappeared into the elevator.