Here's another chapter for you!

Gideon sighed. "Leaving is not going to go over well."

Everyone knew what the Unit Chief meant, and they all knew this was going to be hard on Aaron along with their favorite genius, Jason began to make his way over to the room where Aaron had been staying in for time being. He paused before knocking, as he could actually hear laughter coming from the other end of the door, he imaged Reid actually somehow entertaining a teenager like Aaron to the point where he's actually laughing, opposed to how he looked when they first arrived. It sent pangs into the aged man's heart, knowing that he was soon to shatter the joy they were currently sharing. Mentally preparing himself, he finally knocked a couple times on the door and turned the knob, pushing the door open.

Spencer and Aaron were seated on either side of the table, in which a Scrabble board sat atop. Where they got it, Jason wasn't sure of, but they were clearly having a good time. Either Reid was going easy on the teen, or he was proving to be quite the competition for the young doctor, the guilt had almost become overwhelming at this point, he nearly couldn't find it in himself to be the sole destroyer of their happiness.

"Reid." He eventually spoke up, though it came out a little quieter than he intended.

"Yeah, Gideon?" Spencer looked up to face his mentor.

Sighing once, he said. "We need to get ready to head back soon."

"What, now? Already?"

The BAU leader nodded sadly. "Foyet confessed, our work is over. And as much as I hate to say it, yes, there are other case we need to tend to."

"You're leaving?" Aaron raised an eyebrow at Reid, who swallowed thickly.

"I, uh, I'm afraid so." He replied softly. The boy then turned to look at Gideon, who only nodded once more. "Yes, son, there are other people that need our help too." Aaron exhaled quietly, he should have anticipated this, Dr. Reid did have a job to do, he couldn't exactly focus on just Aaron. He didn't really want to see them go, especially not Spencer, but that wasn't his decision to make. He allowed his shoulders to sag, even if it was uncharacteristic, this only made Gideon feel worse, and Reid soon followed.

"I'm sorry, Aaron, but I have to go." Spencer apologized. "Here," He walked over and picked up his profiling book. "If you'd like, you can keep this." He handed it to the teen, who accepted it wordlessly.

"Aaron, there's an officer outside who's going to take you back to the orphanage." Jason pointed out, though the pain in his voice was evident. Sighing, the young man retrieved the bag of clothes while gripping Spencer's book in his other hand. "Bye, Dr. Reid, Agent Gideon." The two profilers watched as Aaron followed the waiting officer to the doors. Once they were gone, Reid felt his eyes get warm and watery as his lips pursed. He managed to keep from choking out a sob, but a tear still fell down his cheek. He flinched a little when Jason wiped it with his finger, the older man then wrapped an arm around his shoulder and patted him. "You did an outstanding job, Reid. You taught him that there's still good people in the world, and I'm sure he appreciates it, and you."

Spencer sniffled. "Thanks, Gideon." He wiped his nose with his sleeve. "Can I tell you something? I always felt this odd feeling, like a connection of some sort when I was with Aaron, I didn't quite understand it, because I've never really felt it before."

"Spencer," Jason spoke kindly. "You and the boy developed a very strong bond with each other, one that he probably won't ever forget. And this may shock you, but I'm positive that you were seeing Aaron as if he was your son."

"I don't have any kids," Reid explained. "I've never really taken care of any before either."

"Be that as it may, Aaron found a special place in your heart, just like you did with him. Things can change, Reid, you may not have been much of a child person back then, and your parental instincts may not be highly developed, but that boy that you took care of during this case clearly saw you as more than just some stranger who works for the FBI. In fact, I would almost bet money that once he grows up, he'll start studying criminal justice, considering I saw that you gave him your profiling book." The team leader smiled.

"Yeah, he'd been reading it earlier. Since he may never see me again, it felt like the right thing to do by giving him something to remember me by." Spencer replied.

"Even if you hadn't, I doubt he'll forget about you for a long time, if that."

"Thank you." A ghost of a smile formed on the young genius's lips.

"Let's go home." With that, Reid grabbed his bag and Gideon lead his team's youngest out of the room and over to where the others were waiting, Spencer quickly wiped his face of any tear streaks before anyone saw him.

"Ready to go?" Rossi asked.

"Yes, we are." Jason answered.

Morgan stifled a yawn. "Good, 'cause I think I'll probably fall asleep in the car."

"You and me both." Prentiss said, her eyes drooping a little even as she was still standing.

After saying goodbye to the police chief, the team headed out, although Reid was a little upset, his colleagues were acting as if this case was no different than any others they've done, it certainly was nowhere near close to that, this one involved a boy who looked up to him, and whom Spencer himself had grown fond of. Yes, there are other victims in the past they've spent more time with than they should have, but like Gideon said, Aaron was a special child, one who will always be in his heart.

Maybe Jason was right, he did see Aaron as if he were his own, it was hard to believe regarding a person like Spencer, the socially awkward genius who people often mistake for a collage student. While he truly was certain that he wouldn't see him again, perhaps he could send the boy letters like he does for his mother, at least then they would have some slight form of communication, even if Aaron couldn't respond back... or wouldn't. The thought of the young man actually hating him now seemed unlikely, but being as insecure as Spencer was, it lingered in his mind.

During the drive home, Morgan was the first to fall asleep, despite the blasting hip-hop from his headphones, the girls both soon followed suit, Gideon and Rossi were still awake, they were having a conversation that Reid didn't care to listen to, all he kept thinking about was Aaron, he was close to coming in terms with the emerging parent figure within him, though nobody, not even Aaron knew about what he'd been thinking about before,, at least that's what he thought, how he wondered what life would be like if the boy was actually under his care. Derek would probably laugh and point out that Spencer barely takes care of himself, considering his skinny frame and typically pale skin. It's not like Aaron was a newborn or anything, he was a fourteen year old, Reid has plenty of experience taking care of older people, even if that only person at the time was his mother, he honestly didn't see that he would have too much trouble caring for Aaron, the kid has lived in an orphanage for ten years already, he'll likely get out of there once he becomes an adult, and Spencer hated to see that kind of a start for the young man's future. Still, that wasn't much of an excuse, and he couldn't guarantee the reactions he would get if he told his team what he had considered before.

After Gideon dropped Rossi and JJ off at their homes, Reid's apartment was the next to come up, he and Spencer cast a goodnight to each other before the older man drove off to finish the task of dropping off his last two agents, who had yet to wake up. Reid sighed as he went up the steps to his door and unlocked it, quickly turning on the nearest light, he shut the door and relocked it before tossing his gun and credentials on the table. He was exhausted, he barely had the energy to change into pajamas, but he managed anyway. After that, he crawled into bed, and despite how tired he felt, he wasn't sure if he would even sleep tonight or not.

Once all of his team members were situated, Gideon drove up to his own home. If it weren't for Dave talking with him, he might've fallen asleep at the wheel. Today was Friday, he was hoping that him and the team would be able to have an undisturbed weekend off, they all deserved it, especially Reid. He knew his youngest was having a hard time, it was like one moment he found a child where which they bonded with each other like neither of them had before, then the next they have to go their separate ways. The first time Spencer actually takes care of someone younger than himself, he has to say goodbye to him so suddenly. Jason winced a little as he imagined how Reid must've felt, but on the flip side, Aaron and many other people were safe finally, a man whom the BAU had been after for so long was finally caught and put where he can't hurt another person again. In the end, it seemed like everything turned out alright.

I win. Foyet's voice echoed through the Unit Chief's head, though Gideon hadn't thought much of it, as he knew from experience during his years at the Bureau that serial killers often try to get into people's heads, and that's what it came off as to Jason, which would make The Reaper's 'statement' false, he was being placed in a maximum security prison, Foyet may be street smart, but he was no genius, unless he was referring to Aaron, George must be assuming that he scarred the boy for life after killing his family in front of him, but from the laughing he heard from both him and Reid earlier sure seemed to say otherwise, Gideon didn't know if it was because of Spencer's company had somehow perked Aaron up significantly, or if he was just really good at hiding his true emotions. Should it be the second answer, Jason had to applaud the young man, for being dubbed a traumatized child, Aaron was doing pretty well. Then again, Reid and the kid had some kind of a connection that was a little complicated to explain, although he never had pictured Spencer to be a parent any time soon, he surely showed that he was capable of being one while he spent all that time with Aaron at the station. Maybe not for an infant or a toddler, but Jason actually pictured Reid doing just fine if he were to actually take care of Aaron, Of course, that likely wouldn't be happening anytime shortly, not because Gideon figured Spencer would be embarrassed to admit how he feels for the boy, but because of the job they do, it's demanding at the very least. It's considered a lucky break for JJ if they don't get any cases, then she can actually go home at a normal time to see Will, a man who she's engaged to, as well as her son, Henry. Just how much worse would it be for Reid if Aaron was under his guardianship?

Once he realized how lost he'd become in his own thoughts, Gideon shook his head. He really needed to try and get some sleep, which shouldn't be too difficult for him knowing that another evil man was locked away for good. He headed for his bedroom, eager for what he hoped would be a good night's sleep, then his phone suddenly rang. Curious on who might be calling him at this late hour, he retrieved his phone from his pocket, raised an eyebrow at the caller ID, then answered. "Gideon."

"Agent Gideon, we have a major problem."

"Yes?" Jason responded calmly.

"Foyet escaped from custody."

The BAU leader lost all composure after that. "...What?"

So, how many of you saw that coming? :P