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.
Previously on Criminal Minds- "I promise." Hotch replied. Taking a deep breath, the young man glanced over at Rossi and nodded. "Alright, we're ready now. Let's go."
CM
"Man that was awesome!" Morgan crowed as he walked back out into the bright sunshine. "Hotch is going to regret missing that one!"
"Maybe we can talk him into trying it later on." JJ suggested.
"Yeah, he's definitely got to go on that coaster before we leave." Emily chimed in as the group turned a corner and started down the street.
"Ooo, look! The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror!" Garcia squealed, pointing to an older looking building. Seeing what looked like elevator doors at the top, she watched as they opened for a few moments and then closed. Breaking into a grin as screams split the air, the tech analyst turned to the rest of the group. "We have got to go on that ride next."
"Absolutely" Derek agreed, pulling out his cell. "Just give me a minute to let Hotch and Rossi know and we'll be on our way. Flipping his phone open, he frowned at the flashing icon signaling a missed message. The profiler punched a couple of buttons and held the cell up to his ear. His frown deepened as he listened to Rossi's tense voice briefly explaining the earlier events. Snapping his phone shut seconds later, Derek shoved it back in its cradle and rounded on Garcia. "Where's the map?" he gruffly asked.
"Right here, sugar" Penelope replied, handing the folded paper to the angry man. She winced as he practically tore the map in half trying to unfold it. "What's wrong, sweetie? Is it Reid? Did something happen to my Junior G-man?"
"Come on! Come on! Where is it?" Morgan growled as he searched the map.
Seeing the anger and fear in her friend's eyes as he scoured the map had JJ's stomach doing flips. That look meant that something bad had occurred while they were separated. And judging by Morgan's demeanor, she had a pretty good idea just who it had happened to. Walking over to the tense man, JJ lightly touched his arm. "What's going on Derek?" she softly asked. "What happened to Spence?"
Morgan glanced up at JJ for a moment before returning his attention to the map in his hands. He took a few calming, deep breaths and then shook his head. "I don't know." The handsome man gruffly admitted. "All Rossi said was that there was an incident with Reid and to get there as soon as we could."
"Where's th…"
"Got it!" Morgan shouted. Crumpling the paper map up, he tossed it towards Garcia. "This way!" he called over his shoulder as he dashed down the street.
After exchanging worried looks, the three female agents hurried after the rapidly disappearing young profiler.
CM
Jim drove into the emergency room entrance of the hospital and quickly pulled into the first available parking spot he could find. Climbing out, he locked the security vehicle and strode across the lot and into the ER behind Hotch and Reid. Once inside, he directed the younger man to the front desk. "Annie, this is the little fella I told you about on the phone." He told the fifty something nurse manning the desk.
The gray haired woman gazed sympathetically at the toddler and his father. "I informed Dr. Michaels of the events of your arrival and he said to go ahead and put the little boy in exam room three." She relayed. "Why don't you take this clipboard and fill out the paperwork while I take him back?"
"NO!" Spencer hollered, burying his face in Hotch's shirt. "Don't let hew tate me!"
"It's okay sweetie. I'm not going to hurt you." The nurse cooed. She reached for the toddler only to have the father step back, glaring at her. "Sir, if you'll just hand the baby to me, we will get him checked out and back to you as quickly as we can."
"I'm going with Spencer." Aaron declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Opting to let the doctor handle the intimidating man, Nurse Annie nodded. "Alright, if you'll just follow me," She said, heading to the door on the left side of the room.
"Hey Annie!" Jim called out as he jogged up to her. Once he had her attention, he lowered his voice not wanting to be overheard. "Make sure the records show that all the bills are to be sent to the park. The Hotchners are not to pay any part of it."
"That's not…"
"Sorry Agent Hotchner, those are my orders." Jim broke in. Noticing that the toddler's trembling was increasing, the security guard decided to quickly put an end to the conversation. "I've gotta go now. I need to be back at the crime scene when the police get there."
"Thank you Jim" Hotch said, shaking the man's hand. "For everything"
"No thanks necessary son. You just take good care of that little one of yours, okay?" the older man replied. "And if you need anything while you're here, anything at all, just tell one of the Disney employees to call me and I'll get it for you."
"I'll do that." Aaron responded. "Thanks again Jim."
Hotch watched the security guard walk away before turning and following the short, plump nurse through the double doors and halfway down a long hall.
Annie held the door of exam room three for the father and son. Stepping in behind them, she closed the door and motioned the young man towards the chair in the corner of the room. "If you'll just have a sit, the doctor will be with you shortly." The matronly nurse instructed, setting the clipboard on the chair beside the young man. Seeing the father comforting the distraught boy in his lap, the nurse silently went back to the door and let herself out.
CM
Morgan ran into the family changing room with the ladies right on his heels. The young man skidded to a stop in front of Rossi. "Wh, what hap-pened?" he panted. "And wh-where are Reid and Hotch?"
Shaking his head, Rossi motioned Morgan and the girls over to a spot away from the group of security guards that were stationed around the prisoner. He waited for the other profilers to gather around and then began. "They're at the hospital getting Spencer checked out."
"What?" Garcia cried.
"I'm guessing it was more than just a little rough housing this time." Emily commented, eyeing the gang of guards as well as the man sitting cross-legged on the ground in the middle of them. "What happened? And who's the dude with the blood everywhere?"
Sighing, Dave ran a weary hand across his face. "That dude, as you so quaintly called him, is one of Florida's least wanted. He snatched Spencer from the bathroom next door and brought him in here." He explained. "And if we hadn't seen where he went and busted in right after him, he would have, would have…"
"Oh my G…!" JJ gasped, throwing a hand over her mouth as her mind filled in the blanks. Shaking, she leaned against the wall for support. "You, you said would have. That means he didn't r-hurt Spence right? Please tell me he didn't hurt him!"
"It's okay JJ. He didn't hurt Spencer. The dirt bag only got as far as pulling Reid's pants down. That's it. Hotch and I got to them before he could do anything else."
"I'm gonna kill him!" Derek growled. Racing across the small room, the muscular profiler fought to get past the guards and get his hands on the pedophile who'd dared to lay his hands on his little brother.
Figuring out what Morgan was about to do, Rossi jumped into action. He quickly wrapped his arms around the taller man in an attempt to restrain him. Seeing what was happening, some of the security guards left their posts and latched onto the profiler to keep him from reaching the pedophile. In the end it took Rossi and four guards to finally subdue Morgan. They pulled him back over to where JJ and Emily were standing, trying to talk him down the whole way but having no luck.
Seeing the men's struggles, Emily quickly stepped in. "Derek, you've gotta stop! Spencer wouldn't want you to take that guy's head off and you know it!" she scolded. "Think about it. What would beating the tar outta him accomplish anyway?"
"It'll make me feel better." Morgan furiously stated, fighting even harder to get free.
"Yeah, and then the guards will have to arrest you, which Spencer will undoubtedly blame himself for. Spencer doesn't need that, dumbass." Emily pointed out. "He needs you with him, not in some old smelly jail cell. You're the only one that can really help him through this and you know it."
Ceasing his struggling, Morgan dropped his head. He ran a hand across the top of his head. "You're right." He softly said, raising his head to meet Emily's eyes. "I'm sorry I…wait, where's Gar…"
SMACK! "OW!"
"You, you sick, twisted, piece of filth! How dare you touch my sweet little baby!" Garcia ranted, swinging her handbag around for another hit.
"Whoa Baby Girl!" Derek hollered, grabbing the bag before it could do anymore damage. "Don't do that!"
"But he hurt Spencer!" Penelope cried, trying to take her bag back from her friend.
"I know and the police will deal with him." Derek assured as he led the furious woman away from the fuming prisoner. "Right now we need to worry about Spencer, okay?"
"Yeah, Rossi said that the park officials have a car waiting to take us to the hospital." Prentiss added.
"Now?" Garcia asked, looking at Rossi.
"Yes ma'am" Dave answered.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go! Our Junior G-man needs us!" Garcia exclaimed, intertwining her arm with Rossi's. "Lead the way O Wise One."
CM
Aaron sat on the exam table rocking a terrified Spencer. "Shhh Spencer, it's alright. He's gone. You're safe." He murmured, rubbing the boy's back. Glancing up when he heard the door open, he let out a relieved breath as a woman doctor followed the motherly nurse from earlier into the room this time. Nodding his head in greeting, he kept up the litany of reassurances.
Dr. Sarah Klein slowly approached the father and son on the table. Knowing the boy had had an extreme reaction to her colleague, Dr. Mark Logan, she took a few minutes to just stand and observe. She was hoping her presence would be tolerated better than her male counterparts had been. But after several minutes had gone by and the child had not calmed down, she decided she'd have to resort to different means. Stepping up to the exam table, she slowly held out a hand. "Good evening, sir. I'm Dr. Klein. I'll be performing your son's examination." She informed the wary father. "If I could just talk to you in private for a moment before we begin, I'd appreciate it. It won't take long, I promise. I just need to go over a couple of things with you."
Aaron glanced down at the agitated toddler in his arms before nodding. "Spencer, I need to go talk to the doctor for a minute but I'm not going far. I'll be right there by the chair where you can see me the whole time." He softly explained. "Okay?" Getting a shaky nod in reply, Aaron smiled. "Good man" he praised, ruffling Reid's hair. He slid off the table and gently laid the toddler down. "I won't be long. Promise."
Hotch palmed the little boy's cheek before turning and following the doctor to the chairs. Standing sideways so he could keep one eye on his charge, the profiler glanced at the doctor. "What is it?" he asked.
"As you know, I've been observing for a while now." Dr. Sarah began. "I was hoping that given a little time your son would calm down enough for me to perform the exam but I don't see that happening."
"You have your colleague to thank for that." Hotch snapped. "He never should have come into the room and tried to touch my son. Spencer was attacked by a male pedophile! A male doctor was the last thing he needed."
"I agree" Dr. Klein replied. "I apologize for that incident. The nurse that sent Dr. Logan in hadn't been informed of your son's attack. I am truly sorry that Spencer was put through a second trauma. That said, the problem remains."
"And what problem might that be?" Hotch asked, hoping their conversation wasn't headed where he thought it was.
"I cannot examine your son in the state he is in now." The doctor simply stated. "Anytime the nurse or I step close to the table, Spencer's breathing increases almost to the point of a panic attack."
"What do you suggest?" the profiler questioned.
"I'd like to give Spencer a mild sedative. Nothing too strong, just enough to relax him" Dr. Klein told Hotch. "Maybe even allow him to sleep through the exam."
Aaron gazed at the trembling toddler laying on the table before nodding. "Okay" he agreed. "Are you going to give him the sedative in his arm?"
"I'm afraid the injection has to be administered in his hip." The doctor explained.
'Of course it does' Hotch thought with a sigh. Out loud he said, "In that case, you and your nurse will have to be in charge of lowering his pants and giving the injection. I'll need both hands to hold him down."
"Understood" Dr. Sarah answered. "Go ahead back to your son. I'll let you know when we're ready to begin."
Nodding, Aaron hurried over to the exam table. He picked Reid up and walked over to the chairs, taking a seat. "Spencer, I want you to listen." He whispered into the toddler's ear. "The doctor is going to come over here in a minute and give you a sedative to…"
"No" Reid adamantly stated, shaking his head.
"It's just a mild one, Spencer." Aaron assured.
"No, Hotch" Spencer repeated.
"Daddy" Hotch corrected. "You need this, Spencer. Your heart's beating so fast, I can feel it. And you haven't stopped shaking since it happened. You can't honestly tell me that the doctor and nurse touching you isn't going to make it worse."
"No, but…"
"Spencer, let the doctor give you the sedative. I'll be right here to make sure nothing happens to you." Aaron said, mentally adding 'this time'. "Do it for me, okay buddy?"
Seeing the worry in his friend's eyes and feeling the tense set of the man's shoulders, Reid relented. "Otay" he sighed. "How is she…" he broke off when he spied the doctor headed his way with a syringe in her hand. "No! No needles!" he frantically whispered.
"I know you aren't very fond of injections since your, umm, problem but you don't have a choice, buddy. Just hold onto me. It'll be over before you know it." Aaron told the toddler. Noticing the nurse kneeling beside them, he tightened his hold on the boy in his arms and then nodded.
Hotch knew Reid would be upset when the nurse touched him but he was not prepared for the violent reaction it brought. As soon as the nurse grasped the toddler's pants, Spencer went ballistic. Screaming "NO, leave me alone!" at the top of his lungs, the boy fought like a wildcat as he tried to escape Aaron's vice like hold. It took everything Hotch had to keep Reid in his arms and still enough for the doctor to proceed.
Once the child's pants were down, Dr. Klein swiftly swabbed a small area of her patient's hip and administered the injection, wincing as the toddler's screams morphed into sobbing before quickly tapering off.
Feeling the struggling body he was holding suddenly go limp, Hotch sighed. Looking down at the tear filled face of the now sleeping toddler, the father felt himself deflate as well. Raising a shaking hand, he tenderly brushed a stray bang out of Spencer's eyes. He took a couple of deep breaths to settle himself and then stood and shuffled over to the exam table. Aaron kissed the toddler's forehead before gently laying him down. Seeing the nurse beginning to disrobe Reid, the BAU leader readied himself for the exam ahead. Taking a tiny hand in his, he could only hope that Spencer would sleep until the exam was over and he was safely back at the hotel.