Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. Disney World is not mine either. I do not own anything you recognize.
AN- For the ones who were wondering, I didn't get good news this week. Seems there is another small spot in my lymph nodes this time. So I'm not in the clear yet. But I will be. It's just going to take a little longer.
Previously on Criminal Minds- Chuckling at his friend's predicament, Hotch made himself comfortable. He had a feeling it was going to be an interesting show.
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Spencer halfheartedly listened to the announcer explaining the fine art of stunt work. He tried to focus on the men deconstructing the set but his eyes kept drifting to the wall on the left side of the stage where Rossi and the other volunteers had disappeared behind several minutes earlier. The guy in charge had said they were going to costuming to change for their parts. The little boy wondered what kind of costume his co-worker was having to don. He had done a he man pose for the crowd, but somehow Reid didn't think that sort of costume would suit Rossi. Besides, there wasn't a strong man in the movie except for that one burly guy that fought Indy in front of that plane. 'No way that's Rossi' Spencer thought, shaking his head. Seeing the volunteers walking out, the toddler sat gawking for a moment before bursting into a giggling fit. "L-l-l-loot!" he snickered.
"Oh my…I don't believe it!" Emily gasped as she took in the sight of a disgruntled Rossi decked out in a long tan robe tied in the middle with a purple and gold sash. The overly large turban scrunched on his head completed the look.
"Ooo, wait till Kevin sees these!" Garcia exclaimed as she took shot after shot of the veteran profiler.
"This is too good!" Derek chuckled, waving at the scowling man.
Hotch nudged Morgan in the side. "I hope your insurance is paid up." he whispered, flashing a mega watt smile. "You can be certain Dave will pay you back for this one."
"Oh, please. There's no way Rossi could ever get one over on me." Morgan replied. "The guy's not sneaky enough for that."
"I'll be sure to remind you of that." Aaron said.
"Guys, be quiet. They're about to start." JJ shushed. Turning back to the stage, she snapped a picture with her cell, sent it to her husband, Will, and then sat back to enjoy the show.
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"Now that's what I call an awesome show!" Emily said as the BAU team strolled out of the auditorium.
"Yeah, I just wish they'd let Rossi keep that outfit. That turban was styling!" Garcia joked.
"We could always check that store we just passed. I'm sure they have one we could buy." Morgan remarked, settling Reid in his stroller. He carefully turned it around and headed back towards the front of the park. "What do you say, Rossi? Wanna souvenir of your big stage debut?"
"Laugh it up while you can. Your time is coming." Dave warned, grinning mischievously. "Yours too, Little Man."
"Me? But, but…" Reid sputtered.
"But nothing munchkin" Rossi growled. "You put yourself in the line of fire with that 'Untle Wossi' bit of yours. That makes you fair game, sport."
"Don't worry, Reid. I'll protect you from grumpy over there." Derek assured the toddler.
"Alright, children that's enough" Hotch intervened. "We're here to have fun, remember?"
"We're just goofing around, Hotch." Morgan explained, parking the stroller beside the theater and picking up Reid. "Right, Rossi?"
"Uh huh, sure" Dave distractedly muttered.
Reid sighed as he watched Rossi. The man was clearly already plotting his revenge. Worried that a prank war would screw up their vacation, the littlest profiler decided it was time to employ one of every magicians' favorite tricks; distraction. "Mowgan, what's fis wide?" he asked.
"This is The Great Movie Ride, youngster" Derek replied as he walked through the doors of the Mann's Chinese Theater replica. "The map says it's a ride through famous movies."
"Ooo! Look! It's Mary Poppins's horse!" Garcia squealed, pointing to the purple carousel horse on display. "And the Snow Queen's costume!" Snagging her disposable camera out of her bag, she quickly photographed the different items on display before following the rest of the team into the next room.
Reid's mouth dropped open as he took in the elongated room full of people. It was going to take forever to get through this line. And unlike the other waiting areas they'd been to so far, this one had nothing interesting to see. He could hear audio of an old John Wayne movie but that was no good without the picture to go with it. Spotting a piece of what might be a movie screen up ahead, he leaned right and then left trying to investigate. Unable to see anything but people's heads and backs, the toddler huffed. 'Figures' he thought. Suddenly recalling a trick Morgan had used earlier, Spencer excitedly patted his friend on the chest.
"Whatcha need, kid?" Morgan inquired. "Is your ankle hurting?"
Reid shook his head. "Untle Mowgan, tan I get up on youw shouldews?" he asked, remembering to watch his wording in the crowd. "Peas?"
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to let you ride for a few minutes." Derek agreed. He hoisted the toddler up and settled him on his shoulders. "That better, kiddo?"
"Yeah, fants!" Reid happily replied as he watched Indiana Jones riding his horse.
Contrary to the resident genius' thoughts, the BAU swiftly moved through the line. After only about ten minutes, they were standing in front of the doors that would take them to the ride itself. A few minutes later, the doors opened and the group was ushered inside and over to row one. They watched as three large, rectangular carts pulled up in front of them. The profilers waited for the carts to stop and then climbed into the bench seat beside the driver.
"Alright, places, everyone! It's time for our big debut!" the driver called once all the riders were seated and the doors to the carts closed. "Lights, Camera, Action!"
The lights on and around the Hollywood mural ahead flashed on as the two huge doors opened. The cart inched forward, going through the doors and into a bubble filled room.
"Wow! Look at those!" JJ whispered as they rode through the musical twenties. The Vegas showgirl dressed animatronic figures covered an entire side of the room.
They then went past a realistic Gene Kelly singing in the rain, and mobster James Cagney knocking on the door of a dilapidated building. Around the corner, the cart came to a stop at a red light of all things. Suddenly, a car pulled out on their right. Shots rang out between the figures in the car and a man hiding behind a barrel on their other side. Dressed in a suit complete with a long coat and hat, the young man dashed over to their cart and, pointing a gun at the driver, forced him out of the ride. Taking over, he shot out the red light and drove the cart through the tunnel and into the next scene.
"Now this is what I call a ride!" Rossi stated as he gazed at John Wayne sitting on his horse. He was struck by the way the horse's ears and tail twitched exactly like a live horse. It was the little details that those that really impressed him.
After passing through the Old West town, the cart went through another set of doors. "Uh oh!" Morgan whispered, taking in the spaceship like corridor. "We're in Alien."
"Alien?" Reid queried. "As in tweatuwes fwom outew pace?"
"Yep" Derek replied. "So, you better watch out. I bet that mother alien would just love a little tiny thing like you."
"Ha ha, Mowgan. I'm not…" Spencer jumped emitting a high pitched squeal as a giant alien lunged from the ceiling at them!
"You were saying?" Derek teased once the ugly creature had retreated.
"Shut up" Reid huffed, unconsciously tightening his hold on his stuffed toy. "You jumped too."
"I most certainly did not." Morgan shot back. "I saw her coming a mile away."
"Wight" Spencer skeptically replied.
Not about to cop to being startled, Morgan quickly used the changing scene to redirect the tiny profiler's attention. "Hey, look! We're in Oz!"
Rolling his eyes at his friend's obvious diversion, Spencer decided to let it go for now. There'd be time for teasing later on. Leaning against the older man, the toddler settled back to enjoy the rest of the ride.
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"That was actually pretty fun." Emily said as the group made their way out of the theater. "It was kind of like a wax museum filled with moving statues."
"Yeah" JJ agreed. "They were very realistic looking, especially the horse. But I think the best part was the bit with the driver and the mobster. I love how they got rid of the thug."
"If only it were so easy in real life." Garcia sighed. Hearing a growling noise, she looked down at Reid. "Derek, our next stop better be a restaurant 'cause somebody's hungry."
Glancing at his watch, Morgan grinned. "Perfect timing, Baby Girl! Our reservations are in five minutes." He informed her as he pulled the stroller back and turned it. "We've got just enough time to get there." Going right, he quickly walked around the theater and down the same little alley they'd gone down on their way to Star Tours. He took the team to the end of the walkway where a tall, oval sign stood.
"Sci-Fi Diner" Hotch read as he bent down to pick Reid up. Noticing the object clutched in the toddler's hands, he shook his head. "Put it down, Spencer. That stuffed animal is not going into the restaurant with us."
"But, it tan't tay hewe." Reid protested, tightening his grip on the toy. "It will get taten."
"If you take it inside, it'll just get dirty. Leave it in the stroller. It'll be safe there while we eat." Hotch assured the youngster.
"But, but…"
"Why don't we put it in my bag?" Garcia broke in. "That way it can go in with us without getting food all over it."
"Otay" Spencer agreed, handing over the toy.
"Now that that's settled, let's go." Derek said as he led the way inside the building. "You guys are gonna love this place. It has an atmosphere all its own."
Reid gazed around the tiny space, frowning at the plain, wooden benches and the frames that passed for walls. "Mowgan, aew you suwe fis pace is finished? It loots lite fey'we till building it."
"Oh, it's finished alright" Derek replied, taking a seat on one of the benches. "This is just the waiting area. Wait till you see the dining room. It's something else!"
"I'll bet." Rossi mumbled. He started to sit down only to stop as a waitress called their group. Smirking, he followed the roller skating woman down a short hall and between the two wooden frames acting as walls. He stepped into the darkened main room, looking around in awe. A mural covered all four walls giving the appearance of nighttime outdoor scene. Conveniently placed lights in the walls and ceiling shone down like stars. And to top off the effect row after row of old 50's style cars were 'parked' beside posts with 'speakers' adorning them. The place looked exactly like the drive-in movie theaters he remembered from his youth right down to the enormous screen showing previews of coming attractions. Walking up to the red Chevy with the group, he was surprised to see the "car's" dashboard was a long, slender table and that another one was attached to the front seat for the people sitting in the back seat. Taking a seat in the front with JJ and Hotch, the veteran profiler glanced behind him. "Alright now, no making out in the back seat, Morgan" He quipped.
"Is that the best you can do, old man?" Derek challenged.
"Oh, I'm just getting started, youngster." Rossi fired back. "By the time I get through with you, you're going to wish you'd never even thought of pranking me."
"Uh huh, riight whatever you say, old timer" Morgan replied.
A waitress appeared putting an end to the friendly banter for the moment. "Would you like a high chair for the little one?" she asked.
"No thank you. Spencer's fine right here." Hotch answered, patting the toddler's back. He glanced at the menu for a moment before ordering burgers and fries for himself and Reid.
After writing down everyone's order, the thin, red head promised to be right back with their drinks and then turned and skated towards the "refreshment stand" at the back of the room.
The family spent the time waiting for their food watching the previews for old science fiction movies and odd news, laughing every once in a while at some of the ridiculous inventions shown. When they're food arrived, the group quickly dug in. They ate in companionable silence broken only by the occasional sound of a fork hitting the plate.
Spencer shoved the last bite of cheeseburger in his mouth, washing it down with a sip of juice. Gazing down at his now empty plate, he frowned. He was still hungry. He glanced over at the menu Hotch had slid behind the salt and pepper containers, eyes lighting up when he saw the picture at the bottom. Peering up at his boss, Reid patted the older man's chest to get his attention. "Tan I have some ice team?" he asked once Aaron looked his way.
Seeing the cleaned plate, Hotch nodded. "I guess a little ice cream wouldn't hurt." He said, motioning for the waitress. He ordered a small cup of ice cream with chocolate syrup for the little boy and then tucked back into his meal.
Reid fidgeted as he waited for his desert. He couldn't believe Hotch was actually letting him have ice cream with syrup. He thought most parents frowned on that kind of thing since the sugar rush would hype most kids up to the point of being unbearable. Then again he wasn't really a kid and everyone knew he pretty much lived on sugar with a little coffee mixed in. So a little ice cream couldn't possibly…his thoughts screeched to a halt as a rather large cup of syrup drenched ice cream appeared in front of him. Licking his lips, the toddler snatched up his spoon and eagerly dug in.
Garcia wiped her mouth before laying the napkin on top of her empty plate. Pulling her bag up into her lap, she rifled through it until she found the item she needed. She set her bag back down and then scooted out of the bench, camera in hand. "Hey guys! I'm gonna get a quick picture, okay?" she stated as she walked around to the front of the "car".
"Would you like me to take that, Miss?" a waitress behind her asked. "That way you could be in the picture, too."
"Thanks!" Penelope replied. She handed the young blond the disposable camera and hurried back to her seat.
"On three" the waitress said, raising the camera. "One, two, three!" She snapped a couple of photos before skating over and handing the camera back to the tech analyst.
"Thank you so much!" Garcia cheerfully told the woman.
"No problem, ma'am" the waitress answered as she rolled to the front of the car and picked up her tray once more. Skating up to Hotch, she handed him a few napkins. "You're going to need those." She whispered before turning and wheeling away.
Aaron glanced from the disappearing waitress to the napkins in confusion for a moment. Hearing a giggle from beside him, he looked over at JJ who motioned to Reid. Peering down at the toddler in his lap, he couldn't help but smile. The BAU's resident genius was an ice cream and syrup covered mess. Sighing, Hotch knew it was going to take more than just a few napkins to clean the boy up. Spotting the restroom sign on one wall, he set the napkins down. "Excuse us for a moment" he said, carefully picking up the sticky child. He slid out of the "car" and hurried across the room to the bathrooms. Opening the door, he walked over to the sinks. Sitting Reid on the counter, he grabbed a paper towel and wet it. After squeezing out the excess water, Aaron set about cleaning his charge's face. "Sit still, Spencer" he warned the squirming boy.
"Top it Hotch! I tan do it!" Reid protested as he tried to grab the offending towel.
Ignoring the toddler's complaints, the father continued his ministrations. After cleaning the boy's face, he moved on to the sticky hands. A few minutes later, all traces of ice cream were gone. Throwing the paper towel in the trash, he picked up the pouting boy and headed back out the door. "Quit pouting, Spencer. You're too old for that." he whispered as he made his way to the table.
"I'm too old fow you to wash my face, too." Reid grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Do we need to go back in the bathroom and have a little talk?" Aaron sternly asked. "You're not too old for me to take over my knee, remember?"
"No, no siw! We don't need to go bat." Spencer replied, shaking his head emphatically. "I'm otay now."
"Good" Aaron said. Making it to the table, he found the bill paid and the team ready to go. The group walked out of the restaurant and over to the stroller parking. Hotch settled Reid in his stroller, smiling as the toddler excitedly reclaimed his stuffed Ewok from Garcia. Turning the stroller around, he followed Morgan across the park and down another side street. Coming to a stop beside an arched sign for another roller coaster, he shook his head. "I think I'm going to sit this one out. You guys go ahead without me." He told the others.
"You can't cop out on this one, Hotch! It's got Aerosmith music, man!" Morgan pressed, pointing to the Rockin' Roller Coaster sign.
"Sorry, Morgan" Hotch apologized. "Much as I'd like to, I don't think my stomach could handle that right now."
"We could wait and ride it later if you want." Emily suggested.
"No, you four go ahead." Hotch insisted.
"Okay, if you're sure" Emily agreed. "We'll call you when we get off."
Rossi watched the others go under the sign and disappear around the side of the building. "Well, what do you two want to do while we wait?" he asked.
"I don't know." Hotch replied. "We could follow this road, see where it leads."
"Sounds good to me" Rossi said. The two walked down the semi crowded street, taking in all the different shops and attractions. Spotting a signpost, they read their options before deciding on The Magic of Disney Animation, thinking their youngest would enjoy the show. Following the arrow, the men strolled down another short street, stopping as a small voice called out. "What was that, Reid?" Rossi questioned.
"I said I need to use the bafwoom." Spencer repeated.
Knowing they didn't have much time, Rossi snatched the map out of his back pocket and quickly found the nearest restroom. Taking the lead, he hurried down the street and over to a little alcove.
Hotch parked the stroller and scooped up Reid. Rolling his eyes at the toy in the toddler's hands, he sighed. "You know your toy can't go in the bathroom, Spencer." He told the boy.
"I'll hold it for you." Dave volunteered.
"Fants, Wossi" Reid said, handing the stuffed animal to the older man.
"Anytime, kid" Rossi replied. Taking a seat on a stone bench, he carefully placed the toy back in the stroller and sat back to wait.
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Once in the bathroom, Reid quickly did his business before reluctantly allowing Hotch to help him fasten his clothes.
Aaron snapped the toddler's jeans and then gently set the boy on his feet. "Okay Spencer, just let me use the bathroom and then we'll go." He said as he started undoing his belt.
"No! Wait!" Reid hollered, covering his eyes. "You tan't do fat wif me in hewe! I'll go sit wif Wossi."
"Spencer, you're not supposed to be walking on that ankle, remember?" Hotch told the boy. "Even if you could, there's no way I'd let you go somewhere by yourself. Something might happen to you."
"But Wossi's wight outside!" Reid protested.
"Doesn't matter. You're not going." Hotch sternly declared. Recalling a trick one of Haley's friends had told them about, he decided now was the time to try it. "I'll make you a deal. If you promise to stand still, I'll let you wait on the other side of the door."
Reid thought for a moment before nodding his head in agreement.
Smiling, Hotch picked up the toddler and opened the door. Walking to the side of the stall, he gently set the boy on his feet, making sure his shoes were partially under the stall wall. "Now stay right here, okay Spencer?"
"Yes siw" Reid replied. He stood quietly playing with a coin he'd found in his pocket while Hotch went back in the stall. Hearing footsteps, he glanced back at the burly man who'd just come in before turning back around. Nervous he divided his attention between the coin trick he was performing and the sound of the stranger's footsteps. Odds were he was just a father taking a potty break but the profiler in him couldn't help running through the statistics of child abductions. Spencer calmed as the sound of water running in the sink reached his ears. The man was evidently just there to wash his hands. "Must have eaten some ice cream" Reid thought as he shifted his focus back to the coin in his hand. Relaxing as he ran through the familiar trick, the toddler never heard the man crept up behind him. It wasn't until a hand wrapped around his waist while another covered his mouth that he knew he was in trouble. Spencer kicked and punched for all he was worth but the muscle bound man easily yanked him up. Pressing the toddler to his chest, the black haired man raced out of the bathroom!