I'm sorry, my fellow profilers that I haven't updated recently. It's been...how long? A couple of months now? Oh wow... Well, I'm updating now? (*nervous chuckle*) It's all this homework and exams of the new semester. Forgive and forget, ay? (*shifty eyes*)

Shout outs:

CSIflea: Oh, but why not? I do enjoy it so! Ah, thanks so much. I do believe we all tend to drool at some point when we sleep right? I liked the way I brought in Garcia too! I hope that doesn't sound too conceited… Gracias love.

TheMysteriousGeek2345: YEEES! I had to get someone shot! I mean, what's a CM story without someone getting a bullet pumped into them? Just kidding. Take a look-see at this chap, you may be surprised... Much obliged, my friend.

P9500: I just thought since Garcia calls Spencer Junior G-man, that she'd have her own made up nicknames for toddlerized Hotchner. We all know that Hotch is cute, bed head or not. Thanks, dearie.

occasionalreader: Your wish is my command! Is there any De-aged Hotch stories? Please give a link to them if so! I've wanted to read one for soooo long! Merci, fellow fanfictioner.

MrsCriminalMinds: Ah-ha-ha-ha, but I had to! It's no fun any other way! As you can see, I've complied with your wishes. Read on, love.

Cat Jenkins: Awe, thanks new reader! That makes me so happy to hear I can actually bring images to your mind! I've been working on that lately to improve my writing! Golly gee, I've done it! Anywho, thanks for the review! I'd love to hear what ya think of this update.

Kyra235: I have, I have, I have, I have! Here is your update! With the New Year, new semester, and new kiddies to watch I've been really busy! But, I'm updating now and hope to hear from you (as well as the rest of you) in reviews again! Danke, friend. (Danke means thanks.)

Hotch fan: Just wait and see. It makes me happy to see my dedicated readers leaving reviews!

Sand n' Sable: Oh, a newbie? Well, I shall give you a welcoming initiation party! (*pops a party popper and blows a noisemaker*) How was that as a warm welcome?

judithya88: OMGoodness! (*tosses virtual rope*) Here's your lifeline! A new chapter! Awe, too cute! Blue boxers, nice. Keep the reviews comin'. Grazie, il mio amico. (Thank you, my friend.)

Disclaimer: NO.

Breakdowns can create breakthroughs. Things fall apart so things can fall together." - Unknown

It seemed as if my family, and that being the BAU team, was falling apart. Again.

A team of a few SWAT agents, some uniforms, and a couple of FBI agents had infiltrated the building at a location unknown to the UnSub. Their entrance had been quick without any difficulties; they'd made it in through Claire's unsuspected. That was until they'd met a couple of Jeffries' patrollers around the corner. Shots had been fired, and in the end, one man hit. And that man, or rather boy in my eyes, was Dr. Spencer Reid.

"Hey, Reid, can you hear me? Keep your eyes open. Keep em' open and looking at me!" I was beside his gurney, apparently taking up the role that Jason Gideon had so recently vacated. Surrogate father. Of course I didn't mind a bit; I had fallen in love with the kid the moment he'd looked at me with those innocent and yet intelligent honeysuckle eyes of his. But sometimes I wondered if I had what it took. Not only to be an agent, but a father to a team that was already so broken.

"Pretty-Boy, come on. I wanna see those eyes of yours. Tell me, tell me the names of each US President backwards in alphabetical order. Come on, you can do it."

I looked over at Morgan who was on the opposite side of the bed, his voice quaking. And then I flicked my eyes to the paramedics that were frantically trying to keep the deathly pale kid awake. The three were checking vitals, taking pulses, and putting in an IV. I glanced back down at Spencer who was sweating profusely; I pushed some strands of short curls behind his ear.

"Wilson, Washington, Van Buren, Tyler, Truman, Taylor..." His voice was slowing and fading with every name he recited. He was losing blood quickly from the wound right beside his prominent ribcage. Thankfully it had entered and exited.

"That's it! That's it! Keep going! Let's go, Baby-Boy." The black man's eyes glazed over in worry when Spencer didn't respond.

"His blood pressures dropping," quipped one of the medics, a girl with fire red hair. They had pushed him all the way to the awaiting ambulance, the other surrounding uniforms, SWAT agents, and FBI men swarming the premises, shouting orders and placing Jeffries and his men in custody."Come on, up and in."

Morgan and I had moved aside as they effortlessly lifted Reid into the back.

"Who's riding?" A medic who's name I never caught looked at me with knowing grey eyes.

"I am." I hopped in quickly as if I wasn't past my prime. "Morgan, make sure to break it to Garcia gently. And, whatever you do, make sure she isn't holding Aaron when you're doing it. I don't want to get a call that he may have brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain. We all know she tends to squeeze a little too tight when she's anxious."

"Got it." The African nodded. "You better make sure he makes it." He looked between the three people in the ambulance. The demanding tone of his voice gave every indication that he was serious.

"We'll do our very best, sir." Knowing that was all the assurance he was going to get from them, Derek ran back toward where Emily and JJ was last seen taking a couple of henchmen.

My eyes flitted back down to Spencer, grabbing his frail, clammy hand in my own. All I knew was that this kid had better make it through, if not for me, for Hotch. Spencer was like a son to him, and to lose him would kill him. Inside and out.

And not only would it kill Hotch, but this team, would die as well.

I squeezed Spencer's unmoving hand.

"Come on, kid. You can do this."

Criminal Minds

"Spencer. Spencer wake up!" I had awoken to the sound of this mantra repeated over and over again. "Spencer, wake up!" It was the impatient demanding of Aaron Hotchner.

"My junior boss-man, I don't think he can hear you." It was another voice, mellifluous, which could only be described as Garicia's.

I was sitting in a very uncomfortable plastic hospital chair. Lowering my head, I came to see Aaron beside Spencer's bed, propped up on the doctors stool from the desk across from them. He had his now little hands placed upon the man's upper chest, brown eyes starring down at Reid's impassive face. I watched in wonder as Aaron lifted a hand up to the physically older man's face, gently brushing his appendage over his pale forehead.

"Garcia, I know Spencer can. His eyelids are twitching which signal a dream state. The brain can process things heard even while asleep." Hotch still had his eyes intently trained on the boy.

"Very true," I'd finally voiced my new presence in the room since neither of them had seemed to notice. Sitting up I brushed a hand through my now greasy hair.

"Rossi, you've finally joined the land of the living." Aaron's voice dripped heavily with sarcasm, and I sensed an eye roll in there.

"Watch your tone young man. I don't appreciate your snippy attitude. I understand that Spencer being injured as he is, is quite unnerving, but your tone will not be accepted." Before I had so abruptly passed out I had talked to the doctor, Dr. Stephen Baits. He'd said that the bullet had entered and exited, puncturing his appendix. So, they'd gone in and removed it since it wasn't an organ needed anyway. The procedure had taken an hour since the appendix hadn't been infected.

"I wasn't being 'snippy', Rossi. I was just making a statement that..." I propelled my hand forward, making contact with his backside. Penelope jumped a bit from her seat in the corner, a hand flew to her glossy pink lips. I guessed that discipline was not one of her strong suits.

"Ow, hey!" He turned quickly, shooting a fiery look in my direction. "What was that..."

Another swat. This one had brought unshed tears to his eyes.

"The first one was for back-talking me. The second, using your outdoor voice in an inside place. You want to start listening, or do you want another spank on your backside? Your choice." I crossed my arms sternly and raised an eyebrow. He was now a toddler, and while he was mentally a man, it didn't give him the right to disrespect his elders.

A childish pout formed on his lips though no sound came out. He was going to cry more from embarrassment than pain, I could tell. We were in a public area, and if he looked like a three year old, then he was sure going act like a well behaved one. I sighed, leaned toward him, and scooped him into my arms. Gently I sat him in my lap and began to stroke a hand through his hair.

"Look Hotch, when you make bad choices, you warrant bad consequences. I was easy on you this time, but when we're in public places, with listening ears, you can't mock me like that. Understand?" I had rested my head atop his that lay on my chest. I could feel he was tense, there wasn't a doubt about that, though my soft pats to his back and head seemed to calm him a little, whether he like to admit it or not. I felt a nod against me. "Good."

Garcia smiled from where she sat, twiddling a ring around her finger.

"I'd never mock you, Rossi..."

"Reid!" I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at Aaron's euphoric squeal.

The door swung open to reveal Morgan, JJ, and Prentiss, each showing signs of fatigue and worry. Derek was the first to get to Spencer's bedside. He leant down and enveloped the scrawny kid into a hug.

Pulling back he looked at Spencer with scrunched eyebrows, "You're not going anywhere are you?"

"Not anytime soon..." The kid responded with an equally inquisitive look.

"That's what I thought, Pretty-Boy. Now stop gettin' yourself shot."

Everyone including Hotch laughed.

Maybe this team would be okay. We just had to take it one step at a time.

Criminal Minds

Tell me what you think of the update? Not sure about this one... Again, my apologies for the long wait. Blame it on children and schooling.

-PrettyLiterallyPractical