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- Sorry it's so short. It's been a really busy week.
Previously on Criminal Minds- Hotch tapped the others on their shoulders to get their attention before pointing to the sleeping toddler. Once everyone had gotten the message, the team slowly started maneuvering around the crowd. It was time to go home.
CM
Hotch pulled up alongside the building in front of the concourse and put the black SUV in park. He turned off the vehicle and sat back with a sigh. Flying home was the last thing he wanted to do. His team was in no shape to take on a case; not after everything that had happened the past two days. They needed time to deal and heal especially after what they'd learned earlier. And that's exactly what playing in the parks had been doing for them. Aaron had seen it in their smiles and heard it in their laughter as they watched their youngest member trick or treat for the first time. A few more days were all they needed to recover, that's all. Then the group would be emotionally and physically ready to tackle their jobs again. The BAU leader had half a mind to turn the borrowed truck around and drive back to Disney to give them just that. But while the father part of him yearned to give his friends those few more days of fun, the FBI agent in him knew he could not. Disobeying the order from Strauss would only result in harsh punishment for the whole team. Staying was definitely not an option. They had to go home. He'd just have to ensure that once there the group had time to relax and that Spencer got the happy childhood he'd never had. Decision made, he grabbed the door handle and opened his door.
"Hotch, wait" JJ softly called from her spot in the back seat. "We've got a problem."
"Besides the obvious one, you mean?" Rossi asked.
"More like part of it." JJ clarified. She slid over to the middle of the seat and then scooted up until her shoulder bumped the back of Hotch's seat. "The trickster said that Spence would appear to be an adult to other people when we're working, right?" Getting twin nods, she said, "Then how are we going to get him onto the plane? The pilot's always there to greet us when we board. What's he going to think when he sees one of us carrying Reid like a baby?"
"We've all been hurt and had to be helped onto the jet before." Dave reminded.
"Yes, but someone helping you walk is vastly different from being carried." Hotch pointed out. He thought for a moment. "Alright, here's what we'll do. Dave and I will board first. I'll engage the pilot in conversation, leading him away from the cabin as we talk. Rossi will signal you when the coast is clear and you can carry Reid aboard then."
"We'll come back for our bags and the boxes once Reid is settled." Rossi added.
"Good" Aaron replied, stepping out of the vehicle. "JJ, fill the others in on the plan. Dave, let's go."
JJ climbed out of the SUV and walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle. She waved her friends over before opening the back door and unbuckling the straps on Spencer's car seat. Careful to keep her back to the plane, the media liaison gently picked up the sleeping boy and turned to her co-workers. "Alright guys, here's the plan."
CM
A short time later found the BAU sitting around a table on their jet nursing mugs of coffee as they watched JJ change their youngest member before tucking him in.
"Hotch" Morgan softly called, breaking the silence in the cabin. "What are we gonna do with Reid when we get home? He can't go back to his apartment by himself."
"He'll have to stay with one of us." Hotch responded, eyes still locked on the toddler sleeping on the long couch.
A chorus of 'I'll take him' filled the cabin causing the BAU leader to quickly raise his hand for silence. "I know you'd all be more than happy to take him home with you, but your places aren't set up for children. He'll be coming home with me tonight." He informed the group.
"But that's not fair. Why should you get to take our baby genius home?" Garcia argued.
"It's only for tonight, Garcia. You'll all get a turn taking care of him." Aaron clarified. "We'll set up a schedule after work tomorrow."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Aaron. I may not know a lot about raising kids but I do know they need a routine, structure." Rossi pointed out. "I know we'd all like to have a turn babysitting him but I just don't think that's wise. He has enough to deal with. He doesn't need us dragging him from pillar to post every time he turns around."
"As much as I hate to say it, Dave's right. Moving from place to place is no fun. Trust me." Emily agreed. "We'll just have to come up with another way."
"How about if we take turns staying at Hotch's place with Spencer?" Garcia suggested. "That way, Reid would have a stable home and the structure he needs. The only thing that would change is who was watching him."
"Won't work, Pen. Hotch lives in a friendly community. His neighbors know him. Can you imagine their reaction if the three of us start spending alternating nights at his place?" Emily countered. "And what about the guys? I don't even want to know what their reaction would be to them."
"Alright, so Aaron's place is out. We'll just have to come up with a different home base." Rossi mused.
"But where? All of us would get that reaction sooner or later." Emily stated.
"Maybe we could rent a place for the next few months." Garcia threw out.
"That's it!" Morgan shouted, startling everyone. His eyes shot to the toddler on the couch. Seeing Reid still peacefully sleeping, he let out a relieved breathe. Turning back to the others, he whispered, "I've got the perfect place. It's big, far away from the nearest neighbors, but still close to work. I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier."
"I'll bite. Where is this perfect place?" Rossi questioned. "And can we get it?"
"Getting it will be no problem. It's mine." Derek replied. "I bought it a couple of months ago. Was gonna flip it but after I noticed how calm and quiet it was there and how happy running around in the backyard made Clooney, I decided to keep it. I fixed it up and we moved in last week. This place is perfect for the kid and us. It's a two story with four bedrooms and two and a half baths. One of the rooms is even blue with a truck border and it has one of those car bed frames. It needs a mattress but I can get that tomorrow after work."
"What about furniture?" Emily asked.
"The kid's room was already furnished when I bought it. The living room, dining room, and two of the other bedrooms are furnished with the stuff from my place. I turned the other bedroom into an office so there's a desk, computer, and shelves in there."
"And why haven't I heard about this before, My Handsome Handyman?" Penelope heatedly inquired.
"I was gonna tell you, Baby Girl" Morgan assured. "Honest. I was planning on having a big party when I got settled in but then this case came up." Looking over at his boss, he said, "What do you say, man? Sound like a good place to raise Reid?"
Hotch nodded. "Since you don't have a mattress, he'll still spend the night with me tonight. We can go out to your place tomorrow and get him settled in. I'll bring the mattress and all the other necessities he'll need. Between the two of us it shouldn't take long to get everything set up for him."
"And since you guys will be busy working, JJ, Em, and I can bring food!" Garcia excitedly added. "Ooo, we'll make it a giant house warming party/cookout!"
"In that case, I'll fire up the grill." Derek offered. "We can have steaks!"
"Make that chicken legs" Aaron amended. Sensing the younger man's stare, he shrugged. "It needs to be something easy for Spencer to eat. He's going to be upset enough as it is. I don't want him to have to endure someone cutting up his food for him."
"Chicken, it is." Morgan conceded. Glancing around the table at the others he asked, "What about it guys? You up for a little party?"
"Sounds like fun. Count me in!" Rossi said.
"Me too!" Emily chimed in. "I'll stop by Reid's on the way and get some of his books and whatever else he might want. He'll be more comfortable staying at your place if he has some of his things."
"Good" Aaron stated, stifling a yawn. "Now that that's settled, I think we should all get some rest. We've got a long day ahead of us." Getting nods of agreement mixed with a few grumbles, the BAU leader smiled. He watched his friends stand and shuffle to their various favorite sleeping spots before leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes.
CM
After another hour on the jet and a short drive, Hotch pulled into his driveway. He pressed the button on his remote, drove into the garage, and pressing the remote, closed the door behind them. Shutting off the engine, he glanced up in the rearview mirror to check on his sleeping charge. Seeing the toddler sleeping peacefully, Aaron decided to unpack the truck before carrying the boy inside. He quietly opened the door and climbed out of the vehicle. After unlocking the house, he swiftly hauled their bags and one of Spencer's boxes into the kitchen, dropping them right inside the doorway. Once he was finished, the father hurried back to his truck and opened the back door. He carefully unfastened the car seat straps and picked up the sleeping toddler. He slowly shut the door and then carried Reid into the house, up the stairs, and into Jack's bedroom. Stepping up to the bed, Aaron tossed back the covers and gently laid the little boy down. He pulled the blanket over Spencer and tucked him in. Leaning down, he kissed the baby's forehead and then walked out of the room.
Going into the kitchen, Aaron picked up the box that was sitting on the floor. He took it over to the table and set it down before opening it. The profiler rifled through the box, pulling out several different items. Once he had what he needed, Hotch hurried back to his son's bedroom. He plugged the Mickey Mouse nightlight into the socket in the far wall and set the baby monitor on the small table beside the bed. He then set the stuffed Ewok and tiger on either side of Spencer and left the room, leaving the door open a crack just in case.
Carrying the other half of the baby monitor with him, the young man went through the house checking the locks on all the windows and doors. Finding everything secure, he wearily walked back to the kitchen and set the alarm. He knew he should take a quick shower before going to bed himself but he just couldn't bring himself to be somewhere he couldn't hear Spencer if he needed him. Deciding his shower would have to wait till morning, Aaron grabbed his go-bag and shuffled through the house to his room. He set the baby monitor on the nightstand and quickly changed before climbing into bed. Closing his eyes, he quickly drifted off.
CM
Sometime later, Aaron jolted awake! Sitting up, he glanced around the dark room attempting to find what had woken him from a sound sleep. Hearing a terrified "no, daddy don't" come over the monitor, Hotch quickly scrambled out of the bed. He dashed down the hall to Jack's room and raced inside. Aaron hurried over to the bed, taking a seat beside a screaming Reid. "Spencer, Spencer wake up!" he called, shaking the boy's shoulder. Getting no response, he gently tapped the toddler's cheek. "Come on, Spencer. Wake up son." Still no response. Changing tactics once more, the profiler reached down to pick the boy up.
"NO!" Reid shouted, suddenly sitting straight up in bed.
"Spencer, it's alright, you're safe" Hotch assured, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
The moment Hotch's hand touched him, Reid went ballistic! Kicking and screaming like a madman, he scuttled across the bed. Stopping when his back hit the headboard, the toddler drew his legs up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. "No, daddy, peas don't huwt me" he cried.
Stilling, Aaron slowly held his hands up for the boy to see. "Reid? Reid, it's me Hotch" he softly said. "You're safe, buddy. It was just a dream."
Cocking his head to one side, Spencer gazed warily at the man. After a few tense seconds, his eyes widened as recognition set in. "Hotch?" he quietly questioned.
"That's right, Spencer. It's just me. You're…" Aaron had to grab hold of the mattress to keep from falling off the side as the toddler barreled into him. Quickly regaining his balance, the young man wrapped both arms around the trembling boy. "Shhh, it's alright buddy." He cooed. "It was just a dream."
"H-Hotch, he, he, it was my, my d-d-dad! He, he t-t-ame into…an-and h-he, he…"Spencer was cut off as a tiny hand suddenly flew up to cover his mouth.
Reacting instantly, Hotch snatched the nearby wastebasket off the floor and thrust it under the little boy's chin just in the nick of time. Holding the trash can with one hand, the profiler used the other to steady the ailing boy as he threw up everything he'd eaten that day and then some. When the heaving finally stopped, he felt the youngster drop back against his chest. "Are you through, Spencer?" he softly asked. Getting a slight nod and nothing more, he frowned. A quiet Reid was never a good sign. He'd have to keep a closer eye on the boy. Noticing the toddler struggling to stay awake, Aaron decided to stop thinking and start moving. He readjusted his hold on Spencer and the wastebasket before standing and hurrying across the hall to the bathroom. He set the smelly trash can over by the toilet and then went over to the sink. Grabbing the character cup sitting on the counter, he ran a little water in it and held it in front of the little boy. "Rinse your mouth out, Spencer." He instructed. After the youngster was finished, the young father filled the cup again. He allowed Reid to take a few small sips before setting the cup back down. Once that was done, Aaron snagged a wash cloth off the rack and wet it. He gently wiped off Spencer's face and hands. Clean up complete, he tossed the rag in the direction of the hamper and swiftly made his way out of the bathroom and down the hall to his room. The BAU leader shuffled over to the bed and laid down, placing the now sleeping toddler on his chest. Finding the edge of the blanket with his fingers, he carefully covered himself and Reid with it. Carding a hand through the baby's long locks, Aaron closed his eyes. He laid there listening to Spencer's rhythmic breathing for a long time before the soothing sound lulled him to sleep.