Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. I do not own anything you recognize.
Angel, Yuki, and Piegrl12- Thank you for reading and reviewing. Folks like you are the reason I leave anonymous reviewing enabled.
Krynny- Thank you for your review! In answer to your question; Spencer said, "I may be a kid but I can still kick your…".(your PM is turned off, so I couldn't send a response to you. :) )
AN- Sorry for the shortness of this one. Someone at Tae Kwon Do Friday night wore what must have been a bucket full of perfume and I've been dealing with the fallout ever since.
Previously on Criminal Minds- Hotch put down his pen and looked up at his team. "Alright, here's how it's going to go." He began.
CM
Emily glanced into the rearview mirror as she turned into Bennington's parking lot. "Are you okay back there, Reid?" she inquired. "You're awfully quiet."
Spencer shook his head with a sigh. "What if my mom wet'n, wet'n, figures out who I am?" he asked.
"I don't think you have to worry about that, kiddo. You look different than you did when you really were a kid. Your hair is longer, you're not wearing glasses, and you're dressed like a child instead of a mini adult. I doubt she'll recognize you." Prentiss replied.
"But what if…"
"Spencer, I want you to listen to me." Emily instructed as she pulled into a parking space. Cutting the engine, she turned around to face the nervous youngster. "The only thing that's going to happen is you and your mom are going to have a good time together. Your mom maybe a very smart woman however she's not going to figure out your secret. You might look familiar to her, but the thought that it's you won't even cross her mind. No one would think that. It's too unbelievable. But if you're that worried about it, we could always turn around and go back to the hotel; not see your mom. It's up to you Sweetie. What do you wanna do?"
Staring at his hands as they toyed with the hem of his shirt, Spencer took a minute to think before mumbling something.
"What was that, Reid?" Prentiss questioned.
"I said I want to see my mom." The toddler repeated.
"Good choice" Emily praised. She climbed out of the vehicle and opened the back door. After unfastening the straps on the car seat, the young woman gently lifted the boy out of it. Setting the youngster on his feet, she took his hand and started for the enormous building. "Come on Matty."
Reid scowled. "I'm gonna get Mowgan for fat name."
"Hey, you're the one that told us you're middle name was Matthew." Emily reminded the boy.
"Yeah, Mafew, not Matty" Spencer corrected.
"Sorry Shrimp, but Morgan was right. Most parents change baby names like that a little to make them sound more like a child's name. You know, like saying Sammy instead of Samuel or Bobby for Robert." Prentiss stated as the two walked up the steps. "The only time they'd call a little guy like you by his given name is when he was in trouble. Besides, you can't even say Matthew."
Reid huffed. He opened his mouth to protest only to shut it as Dr. Norman appeared in the doorway. "Hi, Dw. Nowman" he greeted.
"Hello, Spencer" Dr. Norman said, picking up the little boy. "Agent Prentiss, I trust Agent Hotchner relayed my stipulations to you."
"He did." Emily replied, following the doctor into the institution. "You don't have to worry. Spencer knows how to act. Right, Reid?"
Spencer nodded. "I know what to do."
"That's good to hear." Dr. Norman told the two profilers. "Do you two have any questions before we start?"
"I have one. Hotch said a hidden camera would be placed in Mrs. Reid's room so Reid would have a video of his time with his mom. Did you manage to get one in place?" Prentiss asked, ignoring Reid's surprised gasp.
"As a matter of fact, we did. One was put in place while Diana was taking a shower." Dr. Norman explained. "Anything else?"
"Not that I can think of." Emily answered.
"No siw" Reid replied, shaking his head.
"Well then, let's get this show on the road." Dr. Norman said.
CM
Minutes later, Spencer found himself staring at his mother's open door. He couldn't believe it! He was going to interact with his mom as a toddler. He wondered how she was going to react to seeing him. Would she call him into her room or would she immediately take him to one of the staff? What would he do if she did? Nerves getting the better of him, Spencer stood frozen in place as different scenarios played through his mind. Feeling something hit him in the back, Reid turned to see Prentiss making shooing motions. Nodding in response, he took a deep breath and tottled the few feet to his mother's room stopping in the doorway.
Diana Reid glanced up at the sound of footsteps. Spotting a frightened toddler standing at her door staring at her, she gasped. Worried for the boy's safety, she took a few steps before kneeling down. "Well hello there little fellow. What are you doing here by yourself?" she asked.
Spencer resisted the urge to run to his mom. 'Little kids are wary of strangers.' He reminded himself. Copying Henry's reactions to new people, the little boy took a step back and stuck his thumb in his mouth.
"It's alright Sweetie. I won't hurt you." Diana assured the boy, opening her arms.
Cocking his head to one side, Spencer took a step closer and timidly asked, "Ganma?"
Diana smiled. "That's right. Come to grandma." She called.
Spencer didn't need to be told twice. Dropping the book and stuffed animal in his hands, he raced into his mother's embrace. Throwing his tiny arms around his mother's neck, Reid buried his face in her shoulder.
"Oh baby, it's alright." Diana soothed as she rubbed the boy's back in comfort. Adjusting her hold on the toddler, she slowly stood up and walked over to her door. Taking a step outside, Diana scanned both sides of the hallway for the child's family. Seeing no one, she leaned down and picked up baby's belongings before quickly walking back into her room. She'd just have to take care of him until his family found him. Tossing the book and toy onto the couch, she took a seat beside them. Diana settled the boy on her lap. She smiled as huge brown eyes peered up at her. "My goodness, aren't you a handsome fellow." she complimented, brushing a stray hair out of his face. "Can you tell me your name, Sweetie?"
Reid nodded. "I'm Matty." He proudly announced.
"Matty, what a nice name." Diana said, hoping the little boy could give her some information that would help find his missing family. "Who brought you here today, Matty?"
"Mommy" Spencer simply stated.
"I see." Mrs. Reid replied. "Can you tell me mommy's name?"
"Uh huh" Spencer answered. "Mommy's name is…mommy!"
Diana chuckled. She'd forgotten what it was like to talk with a toddler. Spencer had always been so intelligent it was easy to forget what a normal child was like. Knowing she wouldn't be able to get the information she needed to reunite family and son, Diana decided to just relax and enjoy the little boy. The staff would find him soon enough. Besides, it had been far too long since she'd had a visitor to brighten her day. Picking up the little boy's book, she held it up. "Would you like me to read you a story, Matty?" she asked.
"Yea! Ganma read to Matty!" Spencer hollered, clapping his hands.
"That's right. Grandma's going to read to Matty." Diana repeated, smiling as the toddler leaned back against her. Glancing at the cover, she quickly hid her disgust. This was definitely not the reading material she would have chosen. But the toddler was obviously eager to hear it so Diana resigned herself to reading the children's book. Opening the book, she held it out for the boy to see and began to read. "Chester Raccoon stood at the edge of the forest and cried."
CM
"The end" Diana stated, closing the book. She had to admit the story had surprised her. While nowhere near the genius of the 15th century literature she'd once taught, it was still a decent work. And the mother's simple solution to her son's fears was definitely something she'd have to remember the next time her son came to visit. She could always tell how much he hated leaving her and though the solution in the book was meant for a small child it just might sooth her son as well. She could just picture his face when she took…she was drawn out of her thoughts by a hand patting her chest. Looking down into the toddler's big doe eyes, Diana shook her head. She couldn't believe she'd gotten so caught up in her thoughts that she'd forgotten about her tiny charge. Smiling at the boy, she said, "Well, now that our story is over, we need to find something else to do to occupy our time. Let's see, you're too little to discuss the great authors and I certainly can't take you out among the crazies. We'll just have to find something to do in here." Setting the youngster on the couch, Diana got up and crossed the room to her bookshelf. "Let's see, not much here for little ones. He can't play with this, it's glass. This is too fragile for small hands. He'd probably choke on this. Hmmm, maybe?" She reached up to the top shelf and took down an old, dusty box. Taking the lid off, she set it on a shelf and began digging through the box. "Aha! I knew I put these in here!" she exclaimed. She took her prize out of the box and then set it aside. Hurrying back to the couch, Diana reclaimed her seat beside the boy. She held out her hand with a grin. "Wanna play cars?" she asked.
AN- The words in italics are the first words from the book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn.