Hide n' Seek Chapter 6
AN: Sorry for the long delay between chapters, I've just been really busy with my job and it being summer. This chapter is on the longer side so that should help make up for it. Thanks so much for all the reviews and follows for the last chapter!
Shutting his phone Derek looked up at the concerned faces that were directed his way. "That was my sister, apparently my mom was found on the floor of her kitchen this morning, she had fallen sometime last night and broke her leg. She's in surgery right now to put some pins in her leg and that's all Desiree knows so far."
"Aw my poor muffin, is there anything I can do for you? I can hack into the hospital's computer system to see if I can get any more information on her condition. Garcia said looking worried for her best friend. Hotch walked in then catching the end of the conversation.
"Thanks Garcia, but I think I'll just head down there myself and see with my own eyes that she is doing okay. That is if you can spare another agent for a couple of days." Morgan asked turning pleading eyes to their stoic leader.
"Of course you can have a couple days, your mother's health is important. We will figure something out about missing another agent, don't worry just focus on your mom." Hotch replied showing some compassion for the younger agent.
"Thanks Hotch, Garcia can you do me a favor and book the first flight out of here to Chicago. I am just going to go pack a bag so I can leave now." Morgan said standing up from the table and starting to head towards his bedroom.
"On it my chocolate cupcake, make sure to give Mama Morgan an extra hug and kiss for me." Garcia called out to Morgan's retreating back.
Rushing to go and grab her laptop from the other room, the other four agents were left sitting at the table. "Now with Morgan gone for a couple of days, we have to make do with the agents we do have so we will just have to bring Spencer in with us to the office so we can get as much accomplished as possible."
"Well I was thinking about that and I have a different idea if you will allow it." JJ spoke up.
"I'll take any suggestions this obviously isn't the most ideal situation."
"Well Henry is being watched by his nanny tomorrow as he is done school for the summer. I am sure she wouldn't mind watching one extra child. That way we can get our work done without any interruptions and Spencer won't be bored stiff staying at the office all day." JJ suggested.
"If you are sure that the nanny wouldn't mind watching Spencer as well then I think that is the best option."
"I'm sure and I'm pretty sure the nanny is taking Henry to the children's fair that is going on down at the park. That way Spencer can have some fun tomorrow and we can focus on the cases."
After plans were made and Garcia was able to book a ticket for Morgan, Derek rushed out of the house with a packed bag in hand. The other profilers were left in the house to lock up and get some rest before their work filled day the next day.
Waking up early JJ decided to go and get Spencer ready for his day at the fair. Stepping into his room JJ found him curled up in the middle of the bed with a stuffed dog under his arm and a thumb stuck in his mouth. Brushing his hair back from his face she tried to wake him up "Spence baby, it's time to wake up." Spencer rolled over with his back to her burrowing his face into his pillow and grunting with displeasure. It was too early to wake up and he wanted to sleep for a few more minutes. JJ laughed at the child's grouchiness, she bent over tickling the side of Spencer's neck to see if she could rouse him more.
Spencer squirmed trying to get away from her fingers, "JJ top, I'm leeping."
"Well if you're sleeping how are you going to go to the fair today at the park? It'll be pretty hard to have fun if you're sleeping the whole time."
Spencer's eyes shot open looking up at JJ excited "I get to go to a faiw today?"
"Yep, and if you don't get up soon you're going to miss it." JJ said helping Spencer to untangle himself from the blankets and sit up. Helping Spencer with his bath, JJ dressed him in an outfit for the day. She picked out a blue t-shirt with Sully from monster's inc on the front and the saying Little Monster underneath. She paired it with bright green chino shorts and little toddler sunglasses. Deciding to pack a backpack that Spencer could take with him to the park, she put in a fuzzy blue and white polka doted blanket with Spencer's favorite stuffed puppy. Adding a change of clothes and pull-ups in case of an accident, JJ finished the packing with a water bottle and a package of mini Oreo cookies.
Grabbing his hand JJ led Spencer into the kitchen to have a fast breakfast. Setting a plate down in front of Spencer adorned with toast smothered in peanut butter and apple slices JJ told him to hurry up before the nanny got there to take him for the day.
Spencer looked up at JJ startled, "What do you mean? Awen't you taking me to the faiw?"
"No Spence, I have to go to the office and since Morgan had to go away and spend time with his mother, we can't spare another agent to babysit you today."
"But I don't know this nanny, what if she is mean to me?"
"Don't worry Spence, the nanny is Henry's nanny and he will be spending the day with you as well. Do you think I would let just anyone look after Henry or you?"
"No, I guess not but I'm till tared, I don't know this pewson." Spencer said starting to wring his hands together in his lap.
Placing her hand over the toddler's JJ spoke up "Spence, I'm sure you will be fine Henry will be with you the entire time and you know him."
Spencer just nodded looking not entirely convinced and began to eat his breakfast.
Hearing a knock at the door, JJ went to open it greeting her son with a big hug and kiss and letting him and the nanny inside. "Spence come here and meet Dani."
Spencer timidly entered the foyer stopping just behind JJ and peered out from behind her legs. Looking up with big doe eyes he sized up the young woman in front of him. Dani knelt down beside JJ and held out her hand "Hi Spencer, I'm Dani we're going to go to the fair today how does that sound?"
Spencer just nodded his head ignoring the hand held out for him and too afraid to speak. JJ carded a hand through the boy's hair trying to calm him and show him that he was safe. "Spencer is just a little bit shy, I'm sure he'll come around once he is having a whole bunch of fun this afternoon."
"Yeah Spence, we are going to have fun today, there is a whole bunch of games at the fair and even cotton candy!" Henry exclaimed coming over and grabbing his young friend's hand. As Henry began to pull Spencer out of the door, JJ turned to Dani "He should be alright today if he has Henry with him, but if he is getting too freaked out you can call me and I can come pick him up."
"No problem, Spencer just doesn't know me I'm sure he will warm up soon enough." Dani reassured JJ, grabbing Spencer's backpack and walking out of the house with a wave.
JJ sighed turning back into the house, she hoped that Spencer would get over his shyness once he started to have fun but she was still worried about how uncomfortable Spencer seemed with a stranger. Getting ready for the day JJ locked up the house and made her way into the office where the other profilers waited getting a head start this morning on the paperwork.
Back at the park, Spencer began to warm up to Dani as they walked through the different fair's booths taking in all the crafts and toys that were displayed. As the morning wore on the boys were able to get their faces painted, participate in the three legged race and even played a few fair games. Spencer was especially excited for the next booth where a Lego building contest was taking place. Tugging on Dani's pant leg Spencer asked if he could try building a Lego set. Nodding Dani set Spencer in front of a table with a disassembled Lego spaceship on it. Standing back her and Henry cheered Spencer on as his little fingers worked fast to put together all the pieces.
While Spencer and Henry were having fun at the summer festival, the BAU agents were working their way through the stacks of consults that were on their desks. They didn't have any cases that needed their presence out of state but the sheer amount of paperwork was keeping them busy.
Deciding to take a break from all the consults, Emily phoned up her partner to see how he was doing. "Hey Princess, just couldn't stay away could ya?"
"You wish I'm just calling to check in, how is your mother doing?"
"Well she has a broken leg, but other than that she seems to be in good spirits. She even scolded me for coming down here, saying that I didn't need to take off work and leave my team hanging when she was just fine." Morgan explained laughing slightly at his mother's reaction.
"I'm glad to hear that your mother is doing okay, tell her that you didn't leave us hanging and we have everything handled here."
"Will do, how is everything doing there anyway. Has the kid got you pulling out your hair yet with all of his statistics and trivia?" Morgan asked.
"No, Spencer isn't here JJ had her nanny take him and Henry to the fair that is going on at the park today." Prentiss replied.
"Oh that's good at least the kid will be having fun and not bored just sitting around the office today."
"Yeah he's having the time of his life and we are stuck here shuffling paperwork. I wish I could take the day off and go to the fair and play some games."
"Don't pout princess, you'll have your day with him soon enough. But I have to go, the doctor just came in and I think he is going to discharge mom." The two profilers exchanged goodbyes and then hung up the phone, Prentiss going back to her files and Morgan listening to what the doctor had to say in Chicago.
At the park Spencer and Henry came across a bouncy castle obstacle course. Looking like fun the two boys decided to try it out. Climbing up onto the bouncy track Spencer tried a few little jumps to test it out, feeling that it was safe Spencer started hoping and jumping his way down the obstacle course, giggling as he kept falling over. Getting to the end of the obstacle course Spencer jumped off planning to run around and start all over again.
As he began to race back to the beginning he felt a pair of arms grab him at the waist lifting him off the ground and a hand clamped shut over his mouth. Kicking with everything he had Spencer tried to squirm out of the kidnapper's grasp but he did not have much luck. The arm around his mouth was pulled back and as Spencer took a deep breath in to scream a gun cracked down on his skull causing him to black out.
Standing at the beginning of the obstacle course Dani's brow furrowed as Henry came racing into sight but Spencer was not behind him. Pulling Henry back before he could climb back onto the bouncy castle Dani asked him if he knew where Spencer was. Henry responded by saying that Spencer was just behind him and probably got held up at the end of the race. By then Henry pulled away and raced back into the obstacle course. Dani still worried looked around for the sight of Spencer, not seeing him she decided to make her way back to the end of the course.
Seeing Spencer's sneaker on the ground Dani bent down to pick it up and looked around for the tot. Getting an ominous feeling Dani began to call out Spencer's name getting more and more concerned when she didn't hear a response. Knowing that the shy toddler wouldn't stray too far away from his buddy Henry Dani was scared when she couldn't find Spencer.
Hearing her cell phone ring JJ looked down at the caller id, seeing Dani's name appear she answered the call. "Hey Dani, what's up… wow calm down and start from the beginning… are you sure, did you look all around the area?... okay I'll be right there."
Listening to JJ's side of the conversation Emily and Rossi looked up from their work wondering who was on the other side of the phone that had JJ so upset.
JJ turned toward the profilers with a fearful expression on her face. "That was Dani, she was at an obstacle course with Henry and Spencer and when only Henry came back she went looking for Reid. He wasn't there and his sneaker was on the ground behind the course with scuffs on the ground. She tried calling for him but there was no answer, she has gone to security but she thinks Spencer was taken." As JJ explained the situation her eyes began to fill with tears.
"JJ we don't know if Spencer has been taken yet, maybe something just caught his eye and he wandered away. But I'll go grab Hotch and you girls grab Garcia and we will make our way to the park and help search for Spencer. It won't help to get caught up in the worst case scenario right now we have to keep level heads." Rossi commanded, his calm and reassuring voice helping to compose JJ.
Twin SUVs tore into the parking lot of the children's festival and four agents jumped out with the blonde rushing over to the young brunette woman standing at the entrance. "Dani have you found him yet?"
"No but security are guarding all of the entrances and looking through all the booths for him. I was told to wait here for you guys."
"Good, thank you Dani you did everything you could and this is not your fault. Why don't you take Henry home and we will call you with any updates." JJ suggested, starting to take over the situation and walking to the two security guards posted at the entrance. While JJ briefed the security guards on the procedure to find the missing child Hotch turned towards the remaining agents.
"Rossi you and Prentiss look around the obstacle course, see if you can find anything else besides the shoe. I'm going to go speak to the workers and see if anyone saw anything suspicious. I'll have Garcia see if there is any footage from any cameras we can use."
Spreading out to do their different tasks, the agents searched tirelessly for any clues as to where their littlest agent could be.
Spencer woke up with an awful pain in his head and wrists. Squinting so the light wouldn't bother his eyes as much Spencer looked around trying to figure out where he was. Spencer was laying in the bottom of a crib with his wrists tied with ropes to the slats. He was changed at some point because now he was wearing footie pajamas and had a pacifier in his mouth. Thrashing around Reid tried to see if he could get out of his restraints but all that happened was more pain shooting through his arms. Whimpering Spencer started to cry just wanting his team to come find him soon and bring him home.
Rossi looked up as Prentiss called out walking over to see what she held in her hand. Prentiss lifted up the object which turned out to be a pistol with blood covering the end of it. "I think this was used to subdue Spencer but the question is why would the kidnapper leave a gun behind, you think they would want to hold onto it for later use?"
"Well it's a good thing that the unsub ditched the gun, that probably means that they don't intend to kill Spencer." Rossi reasoned going over to where Hotch was standing talking to a fair worker. Telling Hotch what they have found, Hotch told them that no one noticed anything suspicious around the obstacle course. Deciding that they had collected all they could from the crime scene they decided to head back to the bureau to begin working on a profile and to see what Garcia had found.
As they entered the conference room Garcia rushed in chattering away with excitement saying that she found the kidnapper. Bringing up the video on the big screen all the profilers leaned forward not wanting to miss a minute of the security footage. JJ gasped as she watched a short brunette woman walking through the parking lot carrying a limp Spencer in her arms and placing him in a red minivan.
Clicking off the screen Garcia turned towards the agents "So I was able to run the woman's image through my databases and I found her! She is Linda Terrone a 36 year old school teacher who is divorced and lost her two year old son six months ago in a car accident. Her husband left her three months later and recently she has been calling in sick to work and not showing up to appointments. I have her home address as well as an address for a family home that she inherited a few years ago."
"Okay Rossi and Prentiss you guys take the family home and JJ and I will take her home. We need to approach carefully obviously she is having a delusion and she believes that Spencer is her dead son. We don't want to break that delusion or she might hurt Spencer. Try to go in silently and see if you can get Spencer out of there first before confronting her. " Hotch ordered looking around and making sure everyone understood the instructions.
The team all gave grim nods showing their understanding of the instructions. They were all worried for the safety of Spencer and what Linda was doing to him but they would stay focused and professional so they could find him. Splitting at the elevators Rossi and Prentiss went one way to their SUV in the parking garage and Hotch and JJ went another.
Arriving at their destination and seeing a car in the driveway Hotch turned towards JJ "I don't want to alert her that we know that she has Spencer until we can make sure he is safe. So you will go up to the front door and get her to answer it. Make up some story about how you are surveying the neighbourhood related to a case and if she has seen anything suspicious. I will go around to the back door and enter through there. I will go in and retrieve Spencer if he is indeed here and then I will give you a signal to arrest Ms. Terrone. Try to keep her talking as long as possible so I can find Spencer."
JJ nodded her understanding and taking a deep breath got out of the vehicle and walked toward the front door. Ringing the doorbell she anxiously waited for the door to open. As the door swung open she looked into the eyes of the woman who kidnapped Spencer and sudden dislike roared up within her. Stamping down the reaction JJ pasted on her media liaison smile and started to tell Ms. Terrone about a series of break and enters in the area and asking if she has seen anything suspicious.
While JJ was at the front of the house speaking to Ms. Terrone Hotch made his way around the back carefully opening the back door as to not make a noise and stealthily entered. Deciding to check the basement first Hotch quickly and quietly made his way down the stairs looking around for any signs of Spencer. Seeing a barren room Hotch immediately deduced that Spencer was not being held in the basement so he made his way back up the stairs pausing to make sure that JJ still held the unsub's attention. He quickly cleared the rooms on the first floor and made his way up the stairs. Coming to the first closed door Hotch tried the door knob finding it locked. Knowing that Spencer was most likely behind the door Hotch kicked in the door entering quickly.
Spencer startled awake when he heard his door crash open looking to see who was behind it. Seeing Hotch Spencer cried out in relief and started pulling against his restraints to try to get to his protector.
Hotch rushed forward when he saw Spencer tied down in a crib and struggling to get free. Making quick work of the ropes Hotch was able to release Spencer from his ties and he picked him up pulling him against his chest. Spencer was trembling with wracking sobs, gripping the back of Hotch's shirt tightly not wanting to let him go.
Downstairs as soon as Linda heard the door crash open above her she tried to make a run for it but was tackled to the ground by JJ. JJ pressed her knee into Linda's back keeping her from getting up, reaching around to her back pocket she grabbed her handcuffs and snapped them on Linda's wrists. As JJ began to read her the Miranda rights Hotch made his way down the stairs with Spencer in his arms.
"I called Garcia for back up and she said that Rossi and Prentiss were on their way. I'm going to take Spencer out to the SUV until they arrive, he shouldn't be in here." Hotch informed her.
"Okay I'll stay here with Ms. Terrone until backup arrives to take over." JJ answered.
Walking outside Spencer cringed when the sunlight assaulted his senses making his headache worse. Hotch looked down in concern when he felt the boy flinch in his arms, rubbing the boys back he asked "What hurts buddy?"
"My head huwts." Whispered Spencer leaning further into Hotch's chest.
Hotch carefully ran his hand over Spencer's head checking for any bumps or cuts. He stopped once he felt matted blood at the back of Spencer's head, he was worried that Spencer's head injury was worse than he initially thought. "Ohh Buddy, we will get that head looked at real soon and feeling better. Does anything else hurt?"
Spencer just shook his head not bothering to look up or respond. Hotch sighed he could tell that Spencer was in shock from his ordeal but he hoped it didn't progress into something much worse.
Right then Rossi and Prentiss came roaring in coming to a stop beside where Hotch was parked. Jumping out they rushed over to Hotch to see for themselves that Spencer was alright. Seeing the young toddler cuddled up into Hotch's chest shielding his face they turned questioning eyes to Hotch.
"Spencer has quite the bump on his head and the light is bothering him. I want to get him checked out as soon as possible but I need one of you to stay here with JJ until the locals get here to take over." Hotch said looking between the two seeing who would stay. Rossi offered to stay so Prentiss walked around to the driver's seat and Hotch got into the back with Spencer trying to soothe and calm him.
Reaching the hospital Hotch made his way inside and went to the front desk demanding that a doctor see them. The woman at the front desk just handed Hotch a clipboard and told him to wait in the chairs to be called back.
"He needs to be seen now! He was kidnapped this morning and has quite a large gash on the back of his head and possibly other injuries that need to be looked at." Hotch demanded irately flashing his badge.
"Sir you need to fill out the paperwork and a doctor will see you shortly." The clerk reiterated not being swayed by Hotch's authority.
Hotch huffed picking the clipboard back up and stomping over to the chairs. Emily walked in then after parking the car and went to go sit beside Hotch. Seeing her team leader so upset and angry she decided to take the clipboard from his hands and fill out the paperwork herself.
As soon as Emily was done filling out all the papers a doctor appeared calling Spencer's name. Hotch stood up with Spencer in his arms and looked down at Emily. "Are you coming with us?"
"No, its fine I'll wait here for Rossi and JJ I'm not particularly fond of hospitals so I'll leave that to you. I'll also call Garcia and update her." Emily said waving Hotch off. As soon as he disappeared behind the double doors Emily pulled out her phone and dialed Garcia.
"Oh Emily thank god, is my little vanilla cupcake alright. He wasn't hurt was he, he's doing just fine and is right there to talk to me. Say something to me Emily before I have a panic attack." Garcia rambled anxious for news on Spencer. Being in her bat cave not being able to see what was going on Garcia worried for her entire team and how they were doing.
"Garcia slow down, Spencer is just getting checked out now he has a slight bump on his head but otherwise he is fine." Emily reassured her.
"Oh my poor pumpkin, I'm going to go to the toy store right now and pick something out to make him feel better and then I am going to squeeze the stuffing out of him to make sure he is alright."
"Don't go overboard Garcia and can you call Morgan he doesn't even know what happened yet."
"Oh I completely forgot, I will call him right now he is going to be so upset that we didn't think to call him."
"Yeah that's why I'm giving you the job to inform him, he can't get mad at his baby girl."
"Well let's hope you're right, Garcia out." Garcia hung up the phone and proceeded to call Morgan letting him know what had happened that day and that Spencer was getting checked out at the hospital but should be fine. Morgan was understandably upset and asked Garcia to book him the next flight back.
Back at the hospital JJ and Rossi walked in just as Hotch came out with a still subdued Spencer in his arms. "The doctor says that he was a moderate concussion and we should check on him throughout the night to make sure he doesn't get worse. Also he needed a few stitches in the back of his head but otherwise he was fine." Hotch updated them running a hand up and down Spencer's back.
"You must have the worst luck Reid, first you get deaged and are playing a game of cat and mouse with the unsub. Then you almost drown and now you get kidnapped by a psychotic woman who thought you were her son. I have half a mind to wrap you up in bubble wrap to keep you safe." Rossi joked seeing if he could get a smile out of the youngster. Reid didn't even lift his head up from Hotch's shoulder to acknowledge Rossi.
Hotch just shook his head letting them know that Spencer was still upset and not in the mood for jokes. The other profiles cast worried looks amongst themselves, hoping that Spencer would perk up soon and start having fun as a toddler again.
Walking out of the hospitals front doors, the team of agents decided to head home having a long enough day already and just wanting to unwind with family close by.
AN: Oh no, poor Spencer. Don't worry next chapter will be more upbeat. I hope to post sooner than I did this last one but I can't make any promises. Hope you guys are having a great summer! Read and enjoy.