Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. I do not own anything you recognize.
A huge thank you goes to Reidemption for a comment in her review of Chapter 33! Reid's actions at breakfast grew came out of that!
AN- Thank you for being so patient. RL is incredibly busy right now. And a special thank you for the people who took the time to review.
To the anonymous reviewers, thank you for reading and reviewing. I love hearing from you!
Yuki- In answer to your question; yes, all the places I've written about are real. The farm they went to is based on a place a few hours away from me and the chicken place is a fast food restaurant named Chick-Fil-A. As for Disney, all the rides and attractions I wrote about really are there, as well as the Halloween party.
Previously on Criminal Minds- Picking up the tiny agent, Hotch gently laid Spencer's head on his shoulder. He exchanged glances with the rest of the team and then quickly went back to eating his meal. He needed to get the toddler back to the hotel and in bed. They had a long day ahead of them.
CM
Early the next morning Morgan and Prentiss trudged into the hotel's almost deserted restaurant. Spotting their team mates sitting around a table at the far corner of the room, the two slowly made their way over.
Derek dropped into the empty chair between Reid and Garcia with a huff. "Nice of you guys to wait on us." He commented, eyeing the delicious looking waffle sitting on the younger agent's plate.
"What can I say? You snooze, you lose" Garcia teased, taking another bite of her enormous omelet.
"We did try to wait on you." JJ offered. "But there was only so long we could sit here and listen to Reid and Rossi's dueling stomachs."
"JJ's right." Aaron chimed in, ignoring the twin glares being sent his way. "We had to order before those two woke the entire hotel."
Snickering, Emily looked over at her boss. "What's with the crack of dawn wake-up call, anyway?" she asked. "I thought we were staying until afternoon?"
"We are, but Dr. Norman will be here within the hour to discuss Reid visiting his mother and I need all of you in attendance." Hotch answered.
"In other words, he wants us there so Dr. Norman doesn't lock him up and throw away the key after he hears the story." Rossi said with a smirk.
"Dw. Nowman wouldn't do fat." Spencer stated, shaking his head.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Sweet Cheeks. I consider myself to be a very open minded person but even I would think you were nuts if I wasn't living through it." Penelope countered.
"She's got a point, Spence." JJ agreed.
"Yeah, you've gotta admit, turning a grown man into a child sounds unbelievable." Morgan chimed in, gazing longingly at the whipped cream covered waffle in front of the boy. Maybe he could snatch a piece while the kid was distracted. Grinning, Derek placed his hand on the table and slowly started to creep closer and closer to the overloaded plate. Making it to the edge of the dish, he snuck a glance at the toddler before reaching out and…
WHACK!
"OW!" Morgan yelped, swiftly drawing back his hand. "Reid!"
"Hands off the waffle, Mowgan" Spencer growled, raising the flyswatter threateningly.
"Kid, that is so not cool." Derek huffed. Shaking out his smarting hand, the profiler eyed the weapon warily.
"Hey Reid" JJ started, grinning down at the youngster. "Not that I didn't enjoy Morgan finally getting his comeuppance because I did. But I just have to ask. What on Earth possessed you to bring a flyswatter to breakfast with you?"
"Wossi told me to bwing it." Reid simply stated before taking another bite of his breakfast.
"I most certainly did not." Dave argued. "I merely reminded you of Morgan's penchant for snatching food off your plate when you're not looking."
"I do not." Morgan snapped, shaking his head.
"I hate to break it to you, but you do." Emily said.
"She's telling the truth, Sweet Stuff." Penelope chimed in.
"Not you too, Baby Girl" Morgan groaned.
"Sorry, my Sugar-Loving Romeo but as the BAU's All Knowing Oracle, I cannot tell a lie not even for you." Garcia replied.
Wanting someone to back him up, Morgan turned to the only team member who hadn't said anything about the incident yet. "Hotch, are you just going to let Spencer get away with hitting me?" he asked. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
"As I matter of fact, I am." Aaron replied before turning his attention to his youngest agent. "Nice shot, Spencer" he said, high fiving the boy.
Morgan's jaw dropped. "Hotch, you, you can't…"
"Face it, Morgan." Rossi broke in. "Your little flyswatter joke just came back and bit you in the butt."
"Yeah" Spencer chimed in. Smiling mischievously, he playfully swatted the air near his friend. "You'we the one fat told me to use it to beat fings bat."
"I didn't mean me!" Derek protested.
"Umm, excuse me" Tammi, their petite blond waitress, said interrupting the group's teasing. Seven sets of eyes snapped up to stare at her causing the young woman to shift from foot to foot nervously. Relaxing at the smiles she received, the new waitress quickly handed Morgan and Prentiss menus. "Do you know what you'd like to order or would you like me to give you a few minutes?"
Emily glanced at Derek who shrugged. "I'm ready." She replied. She waited until the waitress had pulled her pencil and pad out of her apron before continuing. "I'll have the ham and cheese omelet and a coffee."
"And I'd like one of those." Morgan added, pointing to what was left of Reid's waffle. "with coffee"
"Okay, that's a ham and cheese omelet, a chocolate chip waffle with whipped cream, and two coffees" Tammi repeated. Getting twin nods, she smiled. "I'll go put your orders in and be right back with some coffee."
"Thanks" Prentiss said, handing her menu back to the waitress. Once the young woman walked away, she turned to her boss. "Okay, how do you want to play this?"
CM
An hour later, the team sat in Hotch's hotel room nervously waiting for Dr. Norman to arrive. They all knew the meeting was not going to be an easy one and one none of them were looking forward to. They just hoped that they could find a way to make the good doctor believe their story and once he did that he would allow Reid to see his mom.
The team looked up as a knock sounded on the door. "I've got it." Aaron announced. Taking a deep breath, he strode over to the door. After looking through the peep hole, the BAU leader unlocked and opened the door. "Good morning Dr. Norman" he greeted, extending his hand.
"Good morning Agent Hotchner" Dr. Norman replied, shaking the man's hand. Seeing Reid walking up, he smiled. "And this must be little Jack."
"No, he's not Jack." Hotch began. Walking over to Spencer, he put his hands on the boy's shoulders. "He's actually the reason I called you here. Before I go any further, I think you better sit down."
"Alright" Dr. Norman agreed. He took a seat in the chair Rossi had just vacated. "What's going on? If that isn't Jack, who is he and why is he with you?"
"This is Dr. Reid." Aaron responded.
"Hi, Dw. Nowman" Spencer greeted with a wave.
"Agent Hotchner if this is some kind of joke, it isn't funny." Dr. Normal angrily said as he stood. "I don't have…"
"Doctor, please just hear us out." Rossi interrupted. "If you still don't believe us when we're done, you can leave. Just please, let us explain first."
Dr. Norman glanced at each member of the team before nodding. "Alright, I'll listen." He said, taking a seat once more.
"It all began with a case in Florida." Hotch started as he sank down onto the end of the bed, pulling Reid up to sit beside him. Keeping eye contact with the doctor, he launched into the story of how Reid had gone from a grown man to a toddler. Finishing half an hour later with the time frame the Loki had given them, he waited for the doctor's reaction. When several minutes went by without a word, he sighed. "Well?" he prodded.
Dr. Norman shook his head. "I think this has got to be one of the most far-fetched stories I've ever heard. I don't know what you're up to with this little charade but I'm not going to put up with anymore." he ranted.
"Dr. Norman, there has to be some way we can prove we're telling the truth." JJ said, in the soothing tone she usually reserved for victim's families.
"I know" Morgan exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "Reid, what's the 20th digit in Pi?"
"Four" Spencer answered.
"What's the distance from Las Vegas to D.C.?" Emily inquired.
"Appox'ly two fousand four hundwed and twenty miles." Reid recited.
"What were Edgar Allen Poe's last words?" Garcia questioned.
"It depends on who you ast. Most say it was "Lowd help my poow soul". But ofers say it was "He who awched the heavens and upholds the univewse, has His detwees(decrees) legibly witten upon the fwon'et(frontlet) of evewy human being and upon demons incarnate" which doesn't mate any sense at all." Spencer told the group.
"Is any of this helping, Dr. Norman?" Dave asked the stunned man.
"While I'm impressed, knowing those facts doesn't make that little boy Dr. Reid." The doctor skeptically replied. "You could have coached the boy to say those things."
"Fair enough" Rossi conceded. "Why don't you ask him something then? Something personal maybe?"
"Alright" Dr. Norman agreed. "I know just what to ask; something I'm positive Reid's never told anyone." Gazing down at the toddler he asked, "What is the one food your mother refuses to eat and why?"
Spencer groaned. He had known that was what Dr. Norman would ask but it didn't make it any easier to answer. Sighing, he said, "Mom wefuses to eat sa'mon patties tause she says fey, feylootlitetowpatties."
Morgan grinned. "You wanna say that again, kid? A little slower this time."
"I said mom won't eat sa'mon tause she says fey loot lite tow patties." Reid repeated, huffing as Morgan burst out laughing.
"Spencer?" Dr. Norman gasped. He stood and walked over to the toddler. Kneeling down in front of Reid, he looked the child in the eye. "Agent Hotchner was telling the truth. It's really you, isn't it?"
"Yes siw" Reid replied.
"I can't…how can" the doctor stammered before blurting out, "Where are you glasses, Spencer?"
Reid shrugged. "I don't need fem. I fint the Loti mut have fixed my eyesight."
"Dr. Norman, I know this is a lot to take in all at once but we don't have much time." Hotch broke in. "We're scheduled to fly out at one."
"Yes, yes of course" Dr. Norman replied. Standing back up, he looked over to the BAU leader. "What can I do to help?"
Spencer yanked on the doctor's pants leg to gain his attention before saying, "I want to see my mom."
Dr. Norman ran a hand across his face with a sigh. "While I'd love to grant your request, I'm afraid I cannot allow it. Diana is not in any shape to see you like this. Her mind simply would not be able to handle it."
"But, but…" Reid started.
"I'm sorry Spencer but the answer is no." Dr. Norman told the youngster.
"Doctor, could I have a word with you in private?" Hotch asked.
"Certainly" Dr. Norman replied.
"We can go in my room. It's right across the hall." Dave volunteered. Walking over to the door, he held it open for Hotch and Dr. Norman before stepping out himself. Glancing back into the room, Dave gave Reid a smile and a wink before shutting the door.
Spencer slid off the bed and sank down to the floor. Bringing his knees up to his chest, he wrapped his arms tightly around his legs before dropping his head to his knees.
Seeing his friend's actions, Morgan hurried over. He scooped Spencer up and sat down on the end of the bed. "Oh no you don't, Pretty Boy! No water works, yet." He instructed as he wrapped his arms around the upset toddler. "Hotch and Rossi are gonna fix this. They'll talk Dr. Norman into letting you see your mom. Just wait and see."
"You weally fint so?" Reid asked, peering up at the older agent.
"Kid, have you ever known Hotch to lose an argument?" Derek countered.
Spencer shook his head.
"Okay then, there's your answer." Morgan stated.
"Morgan's right, Spence. Hotch and Rossi will change Dr. Norman's mind." JJ comforted.
"But, but what if he's wight? What if seeing me as a tid tausing hew to have an episode or wowse?" Reid tearfully inquired.
"One thing at a time, kiddo" Prentiss replied. "Let's get Dr. Norman's okay first. Then we'll figure out a way to make sure seeing you doesn't hurt your mom, okay?"
"Otay" Spencer agreed.
Deciding a distraction was in order, Garcia pulled a deck of playing cards out of her pocketbook. "Anyone up for a game of cards?" she asked, holding up the deck.
"Sure Pen" Prentiss answered. She quickly cleared the table. "Come on guys, let's play a few hands while Hotch and Rossi work their magic."
Morgan looked down at the toddler in his lap. "What do you say, kid? You up to getting your clock cleaned?" he challenged.
"In youw dweams, Mowgan" Spencer fired back. "I may be a tid but I tan till tit youw…"
"Oh, it is on, Pretty Boy!" Derek exclaimed. Setting the little boy on his feet, the muscular profiler followed his friend to the table. He helped the toddler into a chair and took a seat beside him. Taking the deck of cards from Garcia, Morgan shuffled the cards a few times before swiftly passing them out. Setting down the remainder of the deck, he picked up his hand and grinned. "Let the games begin!" he announced.
CM
A half hour later Hotch and Rossi walked into the room to find the rest of the team engaged in a game of poker. It was easy to tell who was winning by the huge amount of M&M's piled in front of the youngest player. Raising an eyebrow as the toddler popped a piece into his mouth before placing his bid in the middle of the table with the others. "If you four have allowed him to eat those, then you'll get to deal with Spencer on a sugar high."
"Hotch!" Reid hollered. Leaping off his chair, he raced across the room to his boss. "Did you tonvince Dw. Nowman? Am I going to see my mom?" he asked as he jumped up and down.
Sighing, Aaron put a hand on the youngster's shoulder to stop bouncing. "Calm down, Reid" he instructed. "Dr. Norman has agreed to allow you to visit. However, he did have a few stipulations."
"What kind of stipulations?" JJ inquired.
"I'll fill all of you in shortly. First though, Reid needs to get ready." Hotch replied. Gazing down at the excited boy, he smiled. "Spencer, I want you to go wash your hands and face. I'll bring you something more appropriate to change into."
"What's wong wif what I'm weawing?" Reid questioned, glancing down at his khakis pants and button down shirt.
"Just follow Hotch's lead, okay kid? I promise we'll explain everything once you're done." Rossi told the toddler.
Reid looked from Hotch to Rossi and back before nodding. "Otay" he reluctantly agreed. Turning, he ran into the bathroom and shut the door only to open it seconds later. Peering around the corner, he said, "I ummm, I tan't weach the sint."
"I'm coming, Short Stuff" Morgan called. Laying down his cards, he quickly crossed the room. He took the change of clothes Hotch handed him before going into the bathroom and shutting the door.
A short time later, Morgan emerged from the bathroom with a confused Reid. The two walked over to the table the rest of the team were gathered around and took a seat. "Okay, let's hear it." Morgan said.
"Yeah, why did I have to change into fis?" Spencer asked, motioning to the Stitch shirt and blue jeans he was wearing.
Hotch put down his pen and looked up at his team. "Alright, here's how it's going to go." He began.