"Hotchner."

Spencer looked back to see Henry asleep on the couch. He sighed. "Hi, Hotch."

"Reid... Hi. Is everything okay?"

Spencer was quiet for a minute. "No."

"...What's wrong, Spencer?" The man's voice was softer.

"How do you do it?" Spencer asked, speaking before he could stop himself. "What do you tell Jack? Henry's having nightmares that people are going to hurt the people that he loves and I can't even tell him that it will be okay, because...it won't. Elle got shot. I got kidnapped. Morgan's almost been blown up multiple times and then.. You.. your wife...I... How do I tell him that he doesn't need to worry about his mom and his uncles and aunts..."

"Spencer.."

"Foyet killed her, Aaron. He killed her and it can happen again. Someone just as psychotic can come after JJ or him or someone else he loves and we can't do anything to stop it! We tried so hard to save her and we couldn't. We couldn't do anything. We couldn't-"

"Reid!"

Spencer rested his head against the brick, his throat burning.

"Are you calm?" Hotch asked and Spencer sniffed.

"No."

"You tell me that...His aunts and uncles fight the bad guys for him and even though it's dangerous and bad things can happen, that its worth it because they save a lot of people. You tell him that they all look out for each other and they protect each other and everyone they love and that if something ever happens to any of them that the bad guys will be caught and things will get better."

"Do you really believe that, Hotch? Are things better for you?"

"No, they're not. But Jack's safe and he's got us and his family and he will be okay and so will I."

Spencer shook his head. "I can't let that happen to him, Hotch."

"This is the job we chose, Reid. This is the job JJ chose and Derek, Penelope... Emily. We know what we're doing. We know what we risk."

"It's too much."

"Maybe and if it's too much for you, then It's good that you got out before you lost yourself, but...you can't decide that for anyone else."

"But JJ-"

"JJ knows and she wants to help. If it becomes too much, then she'll leave. But you can't make that choice for her to make."

Spencer nodded. "I know.. I just...I'm sorry."

"You're worried about son. There's nothing you need to apologize for. It makes you a good father."

Spencer sniffled again, wiping his eyes. "Thanks, Hotch."

"Anytime, Reid."

Spencer ended the call before turning to see the door opening and Ryan looking out. She frowned seeing his red eyes and nose.

"Spence, what's wrong?"

She wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close. He rested his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.

"I need to go home."

Criminal Minds || Viva Las Vegas

"Are you sure you don't want to stay here another week? We could..." She paused, watching him pack his clothes

"I'll be back for the weekend to pack up everything and we'll spend it together. But...Henry's having nightmares and Will... He can't leave Henry. I got to talk to him and.. Morgan was shot and I wasn't there for that. I should have..."

Ryan grabbed his face, making him look at her. "Hey, shh. You got to do what you got to do. I understand. I was just... I'm going to miss you."

He kissed her, pulling her closer. "I'm going to miss you too, but...I.. I got to fix things, I think. I got...to do something."

She leaned up and kissed him again. "I know."

He leaned his forehead against hers. "I'll be back for the weekend and then, I'll see you at his birthday. We're going to make this work."

She smiled. "We will."

He ran his thumb over his cheek. "Are you mad?"

"How could I be mad at you for wanting to do the right thing for Mini?"

He shrugged. "Because you 'want to be selfish and ask me not to go.'"

She smiled. "Stupid memory."

He smiled a little. "I love you."

She rested her head against his chest. "I love you too. We should do something special tonight."

Spencer nodded. "Whatever you'd like."

Criminal Minds || Viva Las Vegas

Spencer smiled as he saw Jason, Grey, 2 DiMarios, Sarah and Elle at a table. He looked at Ryan and smiled. "You planned this?"

"Daddy, I sit next to the boy?"

"Sure you can." Spencer set him down, watching him. He walked over to DiMarios son and held out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Henry. want to be my friend?"

Connor looked at his dad before at the boy. "Sure."

Spencer smiled sitting down. "All you guys came."

"We couldn't let you leave without a good bye." Grey said. "Kaleigh and the girls will be here soon."

Spencer smiled. "Really? It'll be good to see them again."

"Again?" Ryan asked.

Grey grinned. "Spencer came over to dinner once before you snatched him away."

Ryan rolled her eyes. "I didn't do any snatching. He fell for my charms."

DiMario laughed. "Had nothing to do with the fact that you're sexy as hell."

Spencer looked at him. "Just because I'm leaving doesn't mean she's single."

"Wow, Spencer. Sticking up for your lady. Someone's really grown up." Elle teased and Ryan kissed his cheek.

Henry looked up. "Daddy, I get a Coke like Connor?"

"No, buddy. We got to get up early so you got to go to bed when we get home."

Henry frowned. "But Connor gets one."

"Connor's daddy said he could. Yours said no." Spencer said, looking at him.

He jutted out his lip. "But Daddy! I was good all day like I promised. Pleease."

"No, Henry."

"Daddy! PLEASE?"

"Henry, what did I say?" Spencer said, flushing a little as everyone's eyes were on them.

Henry whined and looked at him angrily. "I want a Coke!"

Spencer sighed, looking at Ryan. What was he supposed to do? Ryan didn't help him. He stood up.

"Come on, Henry. Let's go talk about this."

"I don't want to talk about this, Daddy. I want a coke! Connor got a coke and Ms. Ryan got what she wanted. I want a Coke."

Spencer scooped up the little boy who fidgeted in his arms. "No! Daddy! NO!"

Ryan watched as he took the now screaming boy outside. Grey looked at her.

"He handled that way better than I expected."

"He's learning." Ryan nodded, looking at the door, wondering if she should help him. She sipped her drink before looking at everyone.

"He's not getting a lot of sleep. Nightmares the last couple weeks, I guess. He's cranky a lot lately."

Elle frowned. "Poor kid."

"Poor Reid." DiMario said. "He's got a two year whose intelligence is as high as his. I bet they're out there debating why He should or should not have a coke."

Criminal Minds || Viva Las Vegas

"Daddy. It not fair!" Henry cried.

"Connor is seven, Henry. He's a big boy -"

"I a big boy too Daddy! I potty in the big boy potty. I eat at the big boy table. I...I.. I a big boy and I have a coke."

"You can't have a coke. You can have fruit punch. You like fruit punch."

"I don't want fruit punch, Daddy! I want Coke like Connor!"

Spencer rubbed his temples. "It's night time, Henry. It's almost time for bed, the caffeine and sugar wouldn't be good for you."

"You drinking Coke though, daddy. You got to go to bed too, but you get one."

"Yes, but I'm an adult."

"So?" Henry pouted.

"So...it's...different."

"Daddy, please?"

Spencer looked at the little boy. "No, Henry."

He watched as the little boy stomped his feet and cried some more. Spencer rubbed his eyes. How did JJ do this?

"Henry. Henry, listen to me. Let's compromise, here."

Henry glared at him. "Compromise?"

"If you stop crying and get fruit punch tonight, you can have a Coke on the plane tomorrow."

"But I want coke now."

"It's too late for a coke right now, Henry, but you can have one tomorrow if you're a good boy."

"I have two?"

"No, but maybe we can get some pizza when we get back to Mommy's."

Henry sighed. "With pineapple?"

"Sure. But you got to be really good, okay?"

"And I get coke tomorrow?"

"If you're good."

Henry looked at him, thinking about it. "Can I have lemonade?"

Spencer breathed out in relief. "Sure, buddy. You can have lemonade."

Henry sighed. "I really want a coke, though...but I guess I have a lemonade. I have coke tomorrow though, right?"

Spencer nodded and Henry finally smiled a little. "Okay, Daddy. I go back and see Connor now?"