Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. I do not own anything you recognize.
AN- I made Henry a little bit older than he should be to make the interaction between Henry and Reid a little better. For the purposes of this story, Henry is almost 2 and a half.
Previously on Criminal Minds- "Halloween of course" Penelope replied. "We've got to decide…" she broke off with a shriek as the lights in the cabin flickered before going out, plunging the jet and its occupants into darkness!
CM
"Everyone stay calm" Hotch ordered. "The pilot will have the lights…" The BAU leader's speech was cut short as haunting laughter rang out.
"Vincent Price?" Rossi incredulously stated. "What in the world?"
"Maybe this is the pilot's idea of a joke" Morgan offered. "He could be…"
"BOO!" a deep voice hollered as the lights came on revealing a masked man wielding a knife standing in front of the group.
The team jumped in fright before reaching for their weapons and training them on the intruder who was now rolling on the floor laughing hysterically. The profilers exchanged bewildered looks not knowing what to make of the strange visitor. Keeping their guns trained on the chuckling hitch hiker, they waited for him to stop laughing and explain himself. They didn't have to wait long.
"Y-y-you sh-should have seen, seen y-your fa-faces!" the costumed man giggled. "Th-that was aw-awesome!"
"Wait a minute! I've heard that voice before!" Morgan hollered, wincing when Reid whined. The profiler held his breath as he watched the toddler squirm restlessly for a moment before snuggling into Hotch's side and settling back down. Turning back to their unwelcome guest, Derek lowered his voice and called, "Gabe?"
"The one and only" the Loki proudly responded. He took off his scream mask and smirked at the stunned profilers.
"What the Hell are you doing here?" Rossi quietly demanded.
"Oh, just thought I'd cross another item off my bucket list" Gabe casually replied.
"Being in a shoot-out with the FBI was on your list?" Emily asked.
"What? No! Course not, Sweet Cheeks! Been there, done that. Even got the t-shirt, see?" the Trickster answered, holding up a bullet riddled t-shirt.
"Well then, what was the point of your little show?" Morgan ground out. "What were you trying to do?"
"Scare the pants off the FBI of course!" Gabe gleefully said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"But you didn't…"
"Guys" JJ broke in. Snickering, she gestured towards their laps.
Feeling a sudden draft, the three men glanced down to see their boxers on display. "Gabe!" the men growled as they attempted to cover themselves. "Put them back!"
"Awww, look at the cute little hearts." Emily teased, pointing her phone at a red-faced Morgan. "Pen's gonna love this!"
"Prentiss, don't you dare." Derek warned, dropping his jacket in his lap.
"Too late" Emily smugly advised. Hearing the dark skinned profiler's cell begin to ring, she chuckled.
"Better answer it. You don't want to keep your sweet heart waiting." JJ sing songed.
"Gabe, if you know what's good for you, you will give us back our pants." Hotch threatened.
"Now there's something you don't hear every day." Loki commented with a grin. Noting the laser-like glares being leveled at him, the being sighed. "Fine" he huffed. He snapped his fingers and the men's pants suddenly reappeared. "Party poopers"
"Gabe, why are you really here?" Rossi asked, gazing at the pouting being curiously.
"You mean besides to mess with Mr. Stick in the mud?" the trickster inquired, looking pointedly at Hotch. "I just wanted to see how the shrimp was doing; make sure Agent Grimm wasn't trying to turn the kid into his own mini me."
"Hotch is doing a great job with Reid. He's been a loving and caring father to Spencer." JJ defended.
"JJ's right. He's the best dad a kid could ever have." Emily tossed in.
"He's the best dad a kid could ever have." Gabe echoed in a high pitched voice before pretending to gag. "Geeze, the love fest you girls are putting out is just sickening. I think that's my cue to leave. I need to check on my favorite brothers anyway. It's been far too long since I've had a run in with those two." He walked to the front of the jet, stopping at the sound of his name.
Rossi waited for the being to turn around before asking, "What did they do to earn a visit from you? They take candy from a baby or something?"
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you. Trust me." The trickster replied, rolling his eyes as Rossi motioned for more. "Let's just say, they are two of the most interesting and aggravating guys you'll ever meet. In fact, they're a little like your friend, Reid. Their daddy really screwed them up. The older of the two boys has this tragic hero complex. You know, the poor me the weight of the world is on my shoulders bit. He's also one of the biggest hypocrites I've ever seen. What's wrong for others to do is okay for him. I swear one of these days he's going to fall off that pedestal he's put himself on and break his fool neck. And then there's the younger one. He's so busy fighting to be seen as an equal instead of the kid brother that needs to be protected and told what to do that he does things without thinking. The kid's got a long history of doing the wrong things for all the right reasons." He shook his head. "They're a lot of fun to mess with but there's enough angst and drama there to choke a horse. I blame the ladies in their lives for that. When the younger does something wrong, he's vilified no matter what his reasons while his brother gets the poor pitiful pearl treatment. But when the situation is reversed, the older is still pearl and the younger is horrible for being upset with his brother. I just don't get it. Women, I'll never understand'em."
"Hey!" Emily objected.
"Hey sweet thing, how are you?" Gabe asked, smirking at the profiler's glare. "Rowwwr, the claws have come out! Now I know I'm outta here. Say hello to Short Stuff for me." He waved at the group and then disappeared.
"Well, that was interesting." Dave commented.
"That's one word for it." Morgan muttered. He made himself comfortable in his seat before pulling out his IPod. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to try to get some shut eye before Reid wakes up."
"Good idea" Emily agreed. Taking her book off the table in front of her, she pulled her legs up under her and leaned back in her chair.
"Aaron, why don't you and Spencer take the couch? He'll sleep better lying down." Dave suggested.
"You're right about that." Hotch replied as he unfastened his seat belt. Gently picking up the slumbering toddler, the BAU leader slowly stood and strode to the long couch. He took a seat on one end and attempted to lay Spencer down beside him. Feeling tiny fingers tightly fisting his shirt, he sighed. "Alright, buddy you win." He whispered before lying down and settling the youngster on his chest.
Dave lowered the lights in the cabin before claiming a spot facing the couch. He glanced at his slumbering colleagues and then leaned back and closed his eyes.
CM
Rossi looked up as the seat belt sign began blinking. "Bout time" he grumbled under his breath. Leaning out of his seat, he turned to the duo wrestling around on the floor. "Go buckle up you two. We're about to land."
"Got it" Morgan replied as he continued to tickle Reid. He attacked the toddler's tummy one last time before scooping the giggling boy up and carrying him to the closest seat. The profiler settled Spencer in his lap and buckled the seat belt around them. "Anybody got an idea for supper?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. When I talked to Will earlier, he said you were all invited to our house to eat. He's fixing his famous fried chicken and rice dinner." JJ told her friends. "He also said he wasn't taking no for an answer."
"I'm in." Dave immediately responded. "I've never turned down a dinner invitation before and I don't intent to start now."
"We'll come, too. After six days away from home, I'm sure we don't have much of anything left that's still good in the fridge." Morgan said.
"JJ?" Spencer called out. "Does Will, does he know I'm a little tid?"
"He knows, Spence. If fact, that's probably one of the reasons he's cooking for us. Will's wanted to see you ever since I told him what happened. But with Henry sick and the case, he hasn't had the chance." JJ explained. "I have a feeling he thinks I'm just pulling his leg."
"Boy is he in for a surprise!" Emily snickered.
"Yeah, you better make sure he's not holding Henry when Reid walks in." Garcia added. "I'd hate to have to make a trip to the emergency room with another toddler."
"Don't even joke about that." Aaron groaned.
"Ummm, JJ, what about Henry? What are we going to tell him?" Derek asked.
"I hadn't thought about that." the media liaison gasped. "He's too young to understand that Reid is his Uncle Spence in a child's body. We'll just have to pretend he's a nephew of one of you guys."
"That plan has merit but there are a few items we need to work out for it to work." Dave said. "With the first and most important being what are we going to call Reid? We don't want to confuse Henry by calling him Spencer since that's what he calls his grown godfather. We'll have to call Reid something different."
"Matty" Derek declared with a smirk.
"No" Spencer adamantly stated. "No Matty, Reid"
"Are you sure? Matty would be…"
Spencer crossed his arms and glared at Hotch. "I wefuse to be talled Matty again." He growled.
"Okay, okay" Aaron replied, holding up his hands in surrender. "Reid it is."
Spencer nodded. "Fat's better" he said.
"So, it's agreed? We'll all head to JJ's from here?" Rossi questioned as the plane taxied to a stop and the seat belt light went off.
"Definitely"
"Absolutely"
"Good" Dave said, getting out of his chair. "Then let's get going. I'm starved!"
Hearing Spencer's stomach loudly growl, Morgan chuckled. "Uh oh! Better hurry it up guys!"
Laughing as the toddler turned beet red, the team of profilers grabbed their belongings and hurried off the aircraft, each of them hoping that the next few hours would go smoothly.
CM
"Will! Henry! I'm home!" JJ shouted as she walked in her front door followed by the rest of the team.
"MOMMY!" a high pitched voice screamed just as a tiny boy raced into the room and barreled into the media liaison's legs.
JJ untangled her son's arms and scooped him up. "Hey Sweetie" she said, kissing the boy's forehead. "Were you a good boy for daddy?"
"Uh huh" Henry answered, planting a slobbery kiss on his mother's cheek.
"Henry's telling the truth. He was a little angel while you were away." Will stated as he walked into the room and hugged JJ. Noticing the toddler staring up at his wife and son longingly, Will did a double take. Sure JJ had told him about Dr. Reid being shrunk, but he'd thought she was joking. 'Evidently not' he mentally concluded. Wanting to wipe the woebegone expression off the little boy's face, Will leaned down and picked the child up. "Hey Spencer"
"Wait, you're not shocked?" Emily asked. "JJ tells you that's Reid and you're okay with that? Aren't you the least bit surprised?"
"I'm from New Orleans." Will reminded her. "Things like this don't surprise me."
Seeing Will holding Spencer, JJ smiled. "Will, Henry, I'd like you to meet Hotch's little nephew Reid." She introduced.
Henry frowned when he saw his daddy holding another little boy. He reached out for Will, smiling as his daddy took him. Giving the stranger his best mad look, Henry pushed Reid. "My daddy!" he yelled.
"Henry!" JJ gasped. "You don't…"
"I've got this, Chere." Will interrupted. Turning his attention to his son, he frowned. "Henry, that wasn't a nice thing to do. Reid came a long way to play with you. He doesn't deserve to be hit. Now tell Reid you're sorry."
"Weid, tame to play wif me?" Henry asked, staring at the boy who was peering at him from the safety of Hotch's embrace.
"That's right. Reid came to play with you." Will repeated. "Now what do you tell him."
"I sowwy, Weid" Henry apologized. He reached out and hugged the surprised toddler.
"It's otay, Henwy" Spencer replied, smiling at his godson.
"Henwy and Weid play now?" Henry asked, looking up at his daddy.
"Not yet, Henry. We have to eat first. Okay?" Will explained. Getting a nod, he turned to the other adults in the room. "If y'all will follow me, I'll show you to the feast." He led the way into the dining room, where a table full of food was waiting. "Y'all go ahead and dig in. I'll bring in the rest of the food."
"You mean there's more?" Dave asked.
"Of course" Will replied before walking through the kitchen door. Moments later, he returned carrying a tray full of sweets.
"JJ" Dave called as he filled his plate. "You have excellent taste in men, my dear."
"Thanks, I think" JJ answered, blushing at the unexpected compliment.
Laughing, the group quickly dug into their meal. Mindful of the child in their midst, they kept the conversation light. The team relaxed as they talked and laughed and ate.
Once everyone had had their fill, the group helped clear the dishes before moving to the living room. The adults sat and discussed the coming holiday while the two toddlers sat on the floor playing with Henry's block set.
Spencer sighed as he built another tower only for Henry to knock it down. While he usually loved their little game of build and destroy, he just wasn't in to it tonight. Having been cooped up in the jet for several hours, he was tired of sitting still. He longed to move but it seemed like that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Resigning himself to sitting there, he picked up a red block and started to build another tower.
Will watched Spencer's gaze wander to a certain object on the other side of the room a few times before he had finally had enough. Walking over, he took a seat on the floor beside the two toddlers. "Hey S-Reid, why don't you go try out that tricycle?" he suggested.
Reid looked up at Will in surprise. He didn't think anyone had noticed. "No fant you" he politely declined.
"Come on kid, you've been looking at that bike for the last ten minutes. Go ahead and ride it. JJ and I don't mind." Will encouraged.
Spencer's gaze jumped from the tricycle to Will and back a few times before stopping on his friend. "I, I don't know how to wide." He quietly admitted.
"That's okay. I can help you with that." Will replied. "Tricycles are pretty easy to ride. See the pedals?" He waited for the boy to nod before continuing. "Okay, to make it go you just push down on the pedal that's at the top. It's kinda like those gear machines at that science museum you took Henry to last month. The only difference is instead of turning a handle, you're turning the pedals."
"I get it!" Spencer excitedly exclaimed.
"Good, then what do you say we go try it out?" Will asked as he stood and held out his hand.
Spencer eagerly stood and took his friend's hand. He walked over to the tricycle and climbed on. Grabbing the handle bars, he put his feet on the pedals and started to push. Smiling as the bike slowly began to move, Spencer yelled, "Loot! I'm doing it!"
"That you are, Reid!" Will replied. Seeing Henry come up beside him, he pointed to Spencer. "See how Reid's pedaling, Henry? When you get big enough, you'll be able to ride just like Reid."
Shaking his head, Henry ran over to Spencer and pushed him as hard as he could, causing the tricycle and Reid to topple over. "NO! MY BIKE!" he yelled, stomping his foot.
"Reid!" Morgan hollered, running over to his fallen friend. Getting there just as Will pulled the tricycle off Spencer, the profiler knelt down and looked the toddler over. "You okay, kid?" he asked, once he was sure nothing was broken or bleeding.
"I'm otay" Spencer quietly replied before raising his arms to be held.
Raising an eyebrow at the move, Derek swiftly complied with the request. Scooping the toddler up, he gave Reid a hug.
Spencer laid his head on Morgan's shoulder and looked over at Henry. He was hurt that his godson had pushed him but he also understood it. After all, the countless books he'd read on child care after Henry was born had all warned about the terrible two's and the problems with sharing most young children had. Hearing Will utter the words, time out, Reid quickly spoke up. "Don't do fat. Henwy didn't huwt me."
"I have to. Henry has to learn that he can't push other kids." Will replied. Picking up his crying son, he left the room.
"I'm sowwy JJ. I didn't mean to get Henwy in twouble." Spencer told his friend.
"I know you didn't, Spence." JJ assured the upset toddler. "It's not your fault anyway. Henry knows better than to push."
"I remember when Jack went through the terrible twos stage." Hotch told the group. "He didn't want any of his friends touching any of his toys. He'd hit or kick or a couple of times even bite to stop them. You know, for a while I thought he'd never grow out of it. But he did eventually. And Henry will, too."
"I agree with Hotch. Every child goes through the terrible twos and every child grows out of it." Rossi said, wrapping an arm around JJ's shoulder.
"I know. Every book I read on parenting said the same thing." JJ replied, smiling as she glanced at a yawning Spencer. "Guys, I don't mean to rush you but I think it's almost somebody's bedtime."
All eyes shot to Reid, who had his head down on Morgan's shoulder and his thumb stuck in his mouth.
"I guess you're right." Morgan sighed, patting the toddler's back. "So, who's staying with us tonight?"
"Emily" Spencer answered around his thumb.
"That okay with you, Em?" Garcia asked, noticing the strange expression on her friend's face.
"What? Yeah, no problem" Prentiss replied, wondering why the toddler had picked her. She figured she would be the last person he'd want near him after the way the visit with his mother had ended. "I'm, uhh, I'm ready whenever you are."
"Alright, let's hit the road then." Morgan told her. Turning to JJ, he said, "Tell Will thank you for supper. That was the best home cooked meal I've had in a long time."
"I will" JJ responded. She gave Spencer a quick hug and kiss and then showed them to the door. "Be careful on the road, guys."
"Don't worry, we will." Derek called back as he carefully strapped Reid into his car seat.
"Call you when we get there." Prentiss promised before climbing into her car.
The rest of the BAU watched the vehicles pull out of the driveway and drive away. Once they were out of sight, the group turned and walked back into the house.
CM
Derek carried a freshly bathed and dressed Spencer into his bedroom and gently laid him in his bed. "You need anything before you go to sleep, kid?" he asked.
Reid nodded. "Tould you tell Emily to tome in hewe?"
"Sure thing, Short Stuff" Morgan replied, ruffling the toddler's hair.
As soon as his friend left the room, Spencer slid off the bed and crept over to his go bag. He unzipped one side and pulled a book out before zipping it closed once more. Holding the book with both hands, the toddler quickly made his way back to bed.
"You wanted to see me?" Emily asked as she came into the room.
"Uh huh" Reid answered with a yawn.
Prentiss walked over to the bed and took a seat beside the sleepy boy. "Okay, what's up? What did you want to talk to me about?"
Spencer nervously fiddled with the cover. "I was wond'ing, I mean, tould you, tould you" he stammered. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the book out from under the covers and handed it to his friend. "Tould you wead fis to me?" he quietly asked.
Emily glanced at the book and smiled. "Sure thing, kiddo" she replied. "I just need to get comfortable first." Turning around, the profiler scooted back until she was leaning against the wall at the head of the bed and patted a spot beside her.
Spencer eagerly crawled up beside Prentiss. Plopping down next to her, he asked, "Awe you weady now?"
"Not quite. I need to do one more thing." Emily replied. Reaching out, she wrapped an arm around the boy's tiny shoulder and snuggled him into her side. "Now I'm ready." She whispered, kissing the top of Reid's head. Using her free hand, she opened the tall, thin book and began reading, "Chester Raccoon stood at the edge of the forest and cried."
AN- Once again the words in italics are the first words from the book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn.
Anybody guess who the two brothers are?