Chp. 12

Emily woke up slowly, her eyes still closed. A smile crept to her face as she registered the weight in her arms. Spencer was here, with her. It hadn't been a dream. A part of her knew that there were hard, difficult days ahead. Every day wouldn't be like this. But she wouldn't focus on that now. Opening her eyes, Emily looked down at the small head pillowed on her chest. Normally, she would've gotten out of bed and started her day. But she knew Spencer needed all the sleep he could get, so she waited. Spencer must have sensed her watching him because he stirred and looked up at her. Emily smiled. "Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?"

Spencer returned the smile. "Uh huh. Did you?"

Emily smiled. "I did. Now, how about we get you a bath and get you dressed?"

"Then can we get breakfast?"

Emily leaned in and kissed his forehead. "Of course, sweetie. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't take care of you, would I?"

Spencer wanted to correct Emily for using the word 'friend' in place of 'mommy.' He'd heard Emily call herself Mommy when she thought he was asleep while they were in the office the day before. As far as he was concerned, she was his mommy now. Emily was just the type of mother his real mom would have wanted him to have. He wanted if Derek would be a good dad; not like William Reid. Spencer hoped so because he liked him. But, like Emily, he knew if he called her that too soon, Spencer's dream of having a family would be shattered and he couldn't let that happen.

000

Morgan woke up early and quietly dressed in a blue t-shirt with FBI emblazoned in white block letters on the front, gym shorts and tennis shoes before heading to the hotel's fitness center to get in a quick workout before the flight back Quantico. As his body worked, Derek let his mind wonder back over the case in general and Spencer Reid specifically. He knew Emily was attached to the little boy and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't as well, but…

But what if it doesn't work out like you want it to. What then?

Derek resolved that he would do whatever it took to help Emily get permanent custody of Spencer. But another question hovered at the back of his mind. Can I make it work? Derek knew that he wanted to help Spencer in the same way Emily did. He wanted to show the boy that not all men were like William Reid. But doing that would take work and, while Derek was willing to put in that work, he wasn't sure where he stood with Emily. That was just as important to him as reaching Spencer was. He'd been attracted to Emily, at least physically, from day one. But as he got to know her, the attraction went deeper than just the physical. But now Spencer was added to the mix and, while the thought of a family with Spencer and Emily brought a smile to Derek's face, he knew that slow and steady would be the only way to win that race.

000

After getting him bathed and dressed, Emily carried Spencer to the elevator and pressed the down arrow. "So, what do you want to eat, Spence?"

"What'd they have?"

"mm…I think I saw a waffle maker down there when we checked in the other day. Does that sound good?"

Spencer smiled. "I love waffles!"

Emily smiled at Spencer's happy look. She resolved to keep that expression on the little boy's face if she could. "Ok, let's get some waffles."

000

After finishing his workout, Derek decided to grab some breakfast before they headed to the airport. He found his and Hotch's room empty and figured Hotch had the same idea. Showering and dressing quickly, he went to Emily's room to see if she and Spencer wanted join him. He knocked on the door, but got no response. Knocking again he announced himself, "Emily, its Derek. You and Spence wanna grab some breakfast?" No response.

A cold dread suddenly seized Derek. He knew it was paranoia; that he should just go downstairs and wait, but he had to be sure. He pulled out a credit card and jimmied the door open. What he saw started a twinge at the base of his spine. The room was empty. Derek ran from the room, slamming the stairwell door open with his shoulder. Inside the stairwell, he pulled his Glock from the holster on his belt and practically sprinted down the stairs. He didn't know how much time had. As he reached the lobby door, he slowed. Holding his pistol behind his back, Morgan opened the door and moved into the lobby, scanning the room.

"Derek!" A voice behind him. Spencer's voice.

He kept the gun behind his back and turned around. He quickly appraised the scene in front of him and saw Emily, Hotch and Spencer sitting at a table in the area used for complementary breakfasts. He suddenly felt very foolish, but he'd never second guessed his gut and wasn't about to start now. Quickly holstering his sidearm, Derek smiled at Spencer in an effort to hide the fear he'd felt only moments ago and walked over the group.

000

"You were in Vegas for three months! Surely they can give you a couple of days."

Will had debated just sneaking off to the office and not telling JJ about the debriefing, but he knew that would only make things worse. "It was hardly a vacation, JJ. Besides, I'll only be a couple hours." Will said, smiling in an effort to placate his wife's anger. "Then I'm yours again, cher."

JJ's face softened. She knew she was being unreasonable, at least partially. But she wanted Will here, with her and Henry. "Ok, just be careful."

Will got up and gently hugged her. "I'm always careful, cher."

They heard the distinctive rumble of Mark's '67 Mustang stop in front of the house. "That's my cue."

"I'll walk you out."

They hugged and kissed again on the front stoop and Will walked to the car. Mark waved from the driver's seat and JJ walked back into the house without acknowledging the gesture.

"So when are you going to tell her what we really do?" Mark asked as he pulled away from the curb.

"What do you care when I tell her?" Will asked, in an angry tone.

Mark knew his partner didn't like being separated from his family, and he should let the issue drop for the time being. "It makes our job harder, having to keep the secret."

"What did Karen want?"

"She probably wants to try and figure out how to take out the target."

"We're still on?" Will asked, surprised. He'd thought William Reid would be tried and convicted.

"Of course we're still on. You think I could let this go? I want William Reid's head on a spit." Mark answered in a tone that said Will should've known better.

They drove in silence for a few blocks, each man alone with his thoughts.

"You know this violates rule number 1, right? How are we supposed to be effective if we do that?"

Dragon Slayer rule #1 – DO NOT LET A CASE GET PERSONAL, EVER!, flashed through Mark's mind.

As he pulled up to the guard post at the U.S. Marshals headquarters in D.C., Mark turned to Will. "And if it were Henry, Will? Would you say the same thing?"

Both men silently handed the gate guard their credentials, and when they were returned, Mark pulled away and searched for a parking space. It was then that Will answered his question, even though both men already knew the answer. "If he'd touched Henry, that son of a bitch would already be dead."

000