Greetings Dear Readers, I have missed you. Sorry for the delay, but work has been crazy and I have been too tired to write. More fluff, minor tension, and mild angst await you-enjoy!

As always-don't own Criminal Minds or cannon characters, and no profits made.

Chapter 30

As Aaron pulled up to his apartment building, he was surprised to see both Morgan and Rossi parked in the lot, leaning against their cars and chatting. They turned and grinned at Hotch as he pulled up next to them, a quizzical expression on his face. Noting the sleeping form of their new nephew in the back seat, strapped into Jack's car seat in the middle, the pair gestured to their Chief to join them a few feet from the vehicle.

"What, you thought we were gonna leave you to get the bambino AND everything else inside by yourself?" questioned Rossi in a hushed voice.

"No way!" chipped in Morgan with a grin.

"Thanks guys" Hotch responded gratefully. "I was just wondering how to pull that off. What's the plan-I'm too tired to think."

"First muscles and I carry the box of books to your front door," outlined Dave. "then you carry Spencer in while we get the bags and bear in, push in the box, then bid you good night."

"Sounds like a plan to me-I'll get the bags out while you guys take care of the books. I owe you both bigtime!" declared the tired father.

"No you don't Hotch-this is what family does." Morgan responded with a gentle smile. Nodding back with a smile of his own, Aaron began hauling out his go bag and the bags containing Spencer's meager possessions (primarily art supplies) and set them on the hood of his vehicle as the box was wrestled out and carried into the building by the proud Uncle and Godfather.

Once the two returned, the trio then executed their plan flawlessly, without waking the sleeping child-who was gently laid upon the couch-and Hotch helped Rossi and Morgan bring in the massive box of books into the living room. Looking about with satisfaction, Rossi bid them goodnight and took his leave. After ensuring his boss didn't need anything else, Morgan also went home to rest.

Hotch decided to call Jessica in the morning, since it was so late, locked up the apartment and carried Spencer into the bedroom. Taking off the boy's shoes, he then removed his own along with his suit jacket and tie, laid them both on the bed under the blanket that had been folded on the end of the bed, and left the bedside lamp on low in case Spencer woke up in the night. Soon he joined his new son in peaceful slumber.

A few hours later, Hotch jerked awake to the sound of a quiet whimper from Spencer. His face was drawn up in distress, and the child murmured "No! Please, don't hurt Boy-Boy was good! Please! No hurt!" then he groaned, and writhed, as in pain.

"Spencer, wake up! Daddy's here, you are safe! McCormick is dead. He can't hurt you anymore. Wake up!" called Aaron, gently shaking the boy's shoulder. "Wake up!"

Spencer awoke with a jerk, sitting up and looking around wildly, breathing rapidly. As soon as he spotted Aaron he launched himself into his daddy's arms and began to sob raggedly, clinging desperately to Aaron's neck. "He hurt me!" wailed the terrified child. "He hurt me bad!"

"I know sweetheart, but you're safe now, I've got you. I won't let anyone hurt you again." Aaron soothed. "It was just a nightmare."

"No, it was a-a m-memory" the boy sobbed. "I remember everything, even from before HE took me. I w-want to for-forget, bu-but the memories won't go awaaay!"

"I'm so sorry honey, I'm so sorry you were hurt and have to remember it. Just give yourself time to forget. And to make new happy memories to replace the bad ones. One day this will all fade, and won't be so scary, OK buddy?" Hotch soothed, gently rocking the distressed child while he carded a gentle hand through his silky hair.

"You rea-really think so?" Spencer sniffled, laying his head down on Aaron's shoulder.

"Yes Baby, I do. I love you, and so do all your aunts and uncles. We won't let anyone hurt you anymore, and we are going to give you a good life, with lots of happy memories to replace the bad. Just relax, and go back to sleep now. Daddy will keep you safe. Just sleep, and have happy dreams about all the fun we're going to have. You and Jack will meet tomorrow, and he is so excited to have a brother. I just know the two of you are going to be good friends, so think about that, alright? That's good, just close your little eyes and relax, Daddy's got you…" murmured Hotch in a gentle soothing tone, continuing to rock and stroke the child's hair until a change in his breathing let him know the boy had dropped back into sleep. Easing his son back down on the bed and laying down beside him, covering them again with the blanket, Hotch cuddled the boy to his chest and was soon fast asleep as well.

Morning came bright and sunny, heralded by the harsh ringing of a cellphone. "Hotchner" answered the tired unit chief quietly, trying to avoid waking the sleeping youngster at his side.

"Good morning Aaron!" came Jessica's voice, "I was just checking to see if you two were ready for me to bring Jack home. He's literally asking every 5 minutes if it's time to go meet his new brother yet."

Grabbing his watch from the bedside table, Hotch was shocked to see it was nearly 10 am. "Jessie I am so sorry-I didn't mean to let us sleep this late! Give me a little time to get us cleaned up and fed and I'll call you right back…"

In an amused tone, Jessica interrupted with "Hey, it's OK-you both had a long day yesterday. Why don't I come over and make brunch while the boys get acquainted, then you can clean them both up afterward. You KNOW how sticky Jack gets with pancakes!"

"That he does" laughed Aaron. "Ok-that sounds like a much better plan. I'll see you soon then, and thanks. You know you're the world's best Sister-in-law, right?"

"You got that right," she smirked, hanging up the phone and grabbing her keys. "Come on Jack, time to meet your brother!" she called.

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Spencer sat nervously on the couch, both excited and scared to meet his new little brother …well, little as far as age if not in size-the boy new he was very small for nearly 7 years old and Jack was a well grown 5 year old.. "What if he doesn't like me?" he fretted to himself. "He's Daddy's real son. If he doesn't like me Daddy will have to give me back and then what will happen? Mommy is too sick to take care of me…." His anxious ruminations were halted by the sound of keys unlocking the front door.

Oh No! I lied! The boys will meet NEXT chapter! Ain't I awful? And a cliffhanger to boot! To be continued soon….until then, Dear Readers.