Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. I do not own anything you recognize.
AN- Kudos to all the folks who knew the two brothers were Sam and Dean Winchester from Supernatural.
Previously on Criminal Minds- "Now I'm ready." Emily 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."
CM
Prentiss trudged into the kitchen and dropped onto a chair at the large, wooden table. "It should be illegal to get out of bed before noon." She moaned, propping her head up on her hand.
Morgan chuckled. "And here I thought you were a morning person." Grabbing the coffee pot, he swiftly filled two mugs of the delicious brew before walking over to his friend and co-worker. "Here, this outta wake you up." he said, handing Emily one of the mugs.
Prentiss took a sip and smiled. "Ahhh" she sighed. "That's better". Seeing Morgan walk back over to the counter and begin cracking eggs, Emily decided to offer her services. "Need any help?"
"Nah, I've got it." Derek responded as he reached for the spatula. "You just sit there and relax. We've got a long day ahead of us."
"As long as that day includes plenty of coffee, I'm good." Emily muttered. Sitting back in her chair, she casually sipped her drink as she watched her friend cook breakfast. The two fell into a comfortable silence as they thought about the special night to come. Running through her checklist of things she still needed to do before their evening out Emily suddenly became aware of the fact that a certain someone was missing. "Morgan, where's Reid?" she asked.
"He'd just gotten out of the tub when I came down so he's probably still getting ready." Derek informed her. "He should be down soon."
"Oh, okay…Wait! What!" Emily exclaimed, glaring at her friend. "You're planning on letting Reid walk down the stairs on his own?"
"No, of course not" Morgan indignantly replied.
"But you said…"
"Man, you must have been really out of it this morning." Derek commented, shaking his head. "Didn't you see the little addition at the top of the stairs when you came down?"
"Addition? What are you talking about Morgan?" Emily questioned.
"Come on, I'll show you." Derek replied. He checked the eggs one more time before walking out of the kitchen.
Intrigued, Emily followed her friend through the open doorway and past the living room to the far side of the stairs. Taking in the long, yellow, twisty slide with the island of pillows under it, she couldn't help but chuckle. "An indoor slide? You're going to spoil him rotten if you're not careful."
"I'm not spoiling him. I'm just giving him some independence." Morgan corrected. "Having to depend on us for almost everything is the hardest part of this second childhood for Reid. So I plan on doing anything I can to make things a little easier for the kid."
"I hear ya" Prentiss agreed as she made her way around the plastic slide. She tugged on its side and attempted to shake it before nodding her approval. "Where'd you find the time to set it up?"
"I didn't. A friend of mine put it up for me while we were in Vegas." Derek explained.
"Well, he did a great…"
"What awe you guys tanding fewe for?" Reid called from the second story landing.
"What do you think youngster?" Morgan fired back. "We're waiting for your inaugural slide."
"Yeah, come on Reid! Let's see how fast this bad boy goes!" Emily encouraged.
"Otay" Spencer agreed. The little boy tottled over to the slide and plopped down on his behind. He waved at his friends before pushing off the landing and disappearing into the slide. Seconds later, the giggling toddler shot out of the bottom of the slide, landing stomach first in the middle of the clump of pillows. Grinning from ear to ear, he sat up and began to crawl out of the fluffy fortress. "Fat was awesome!" he whooped. "I wanna do it again!" Making it to the edge of the pillows, Reid jumped up and raced towards the stairs.
"Oh, no you don't" Morgan said, scooping up the boy before he could make it to his destination. He tossed the youngster over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and headed for the kitchen. "There's no time for a second go round, kid. We've got to grab breakfast and hit the road if we want to make it to work on time." Stepping into the kitchen, the muscular man flipped the toddler around and deposited him in his booster seat. Derek then hurried to the stove to check on the eggs. "Reid, I'm fixing eggs and bacon for breakfast. Do you want those or do you want to try out the waffle maker that couple sent?" he asked the tiny profiler.
"Waffles, peas" Spencer replied.
"One order of Mickey Mouse waffles, coming up!" Morgan announced, eliciting snickers from the two at the table. Opening the fridge, he took out the waffle batter he'd mixed earlier and set it on the counter. He sprayed the waffle maker with Pam and plugged it in before turning his attention back to the stove. Grabbing the spatula, he carefully scooped the eggs onto a plate. He laid several bacon strips into the pan and then poured the waffle batter into a measuring cup. Seeing the light on the waffle maker go off, Morgan lifted the lid, poured the cup full of batter into the machine and closed the lid. "Prentiss, you wanna grab the juice outta the fridge for me?"
"Sure" Emily replied. "Come on Reid, we've got a table to set."
"Otay" Spencer agreed. He slid out of his seat and padded over to the cabinets. Following Morgan's instructions, he opened the door closest to the fridge. After rummaging around a little, he found a stack of paper plates. He pulled three off the top, shut the door, and walked back to the table.
"Need a hand, handsome?" Prentiss asked. She set the juice and glasses on the table before picking the boy up and settling him on his booster seat.
"Fants" Spencer said. Getting up on his knees, he quickly passed out the plates. Taking the forks and napkins Emily handed him, he placed those next to the paper dishes.
"Perfect timing" Morgan commented as he came up behind the two. Picking up one of the plates, he flipped the Mickey Mouse waffle onto it and set it in front of the waiting toddler. Going back over to the counter, he grabbed the platter of eggs and bacon before walking back to the table and taking a seat. "Alright guys, dig in. We've need to head out in about twenty minutes."
"Hold on, Quick Draw" Emily said, taking the fork out of Reid's hand. Taking a napkin, she unfolded it and tucked one end under the collar of the youngster's shirt. "Now you can eat."
Spencer looked down at the make shift bib in disgust. "I don't need…"
"Yes you do." Morgan broke in. "We don't have time for you to change if some of that syrup drops on you."
"Fine" Reid huffed. Snatching up his fork, he began to eat.
CM
Garcia looked up at the swish of the glass doors. "You're late." She scolded, giving her friends a concerned glare. "I was starting to get worried. What happened?"
"Mowgan had to *snicker* change tause he pilled juice on his pants." Reid stated before being overtaken by a giggling fit.
"Laugh it up, Short Stuff. Your time is coming." Derek warned as he stomped to his desk.
"Don't listen to him, Sweet Cheeks." Penelope suggested, taking the toddler by the hand. "He's just embarrassed about being messier than you. He'll calm down in a little while."
"Yeah, all that paperwork is bound to improve his mood." Prentiss deadpanned.
Sighing, Reid headed over to his friend. The last thing he wanted to do was spend all day with a ticked off Derek Morgan, especially with it being a paperwork day. While his friends hated days spent filling out forms until their hands hurt, Spencer loved them. And it wasn't because of the paperwork like the others thought. He got tired of sitting and writing, too. No, what made the paperwork days so special was that the whole time they worked, the profilers also talked and joked and generally hung out together. That was something he'd watched all the kids in high school and even college do but something he'd never been allowed to be part of at least not until he'd become a member of this team. Besides, he hadn't meant to make Morgan angry. He just couldn't resist teasing his friend after he had made such a big deal about him needing to wear a napkin around his neck like a bib. Stopping beside his friend, he patted the older man's knee. "I'm sowwy I teased you." He apologized.
Looking down into the toddler's huge, doe eyes and sad face, Derek melted. He couldn't stand to see that hang dog expression on the kid's face. "Nah, I'm the one that's sorry." He corrected, grinning at his best friend. "I shouldn't have gotten mad. You guys were just teasing."
"So we're good?" Reid asked, needing the reassurance.
"Yeah, we're good, youngster" Derek replied, ruffling the boy's hair.
"Now that you two have kissed and made up, can we please get to work?" Prentiss urged. "Our in-boxes aren't going to magically get any smaller, you know."
"I wouldn't be too suwe about that, Emily" Reid called, brandishing his trickster made pen.
"Uh huh, rub it in." Prentiss huffed, attempting and failing to hide a smile. "Just don't be surprised if you come back from a coffee run and find that pen missing."
"Don't listen to her, Reid. She's not going to take your stuff." Morgan refuted. "I'm the one you've gotta worry about."
"We'll just see about that, Morgan." Emily challenged.
Grinning, Spencer sat back in his chair as he listened to his two friends' banter. It was going to be a good day.
CM
"Dave, could I have a word?" Hotch asked from the doorway of the older man's office.
"Of course" Rossi replied, motioning the BAU leader in. He closed the folder he was working on before looking intently at his boss. "What's up?"
"I have to go out for a little while and I need you to run interference for me." Hotch told his colleague.
"Interference? Why?" Dave questioned.
"Spencer has an appointment to get his stitches out at eleven. The doctor's office is on the other side of the city so we'll need to leave soon to make it there in time." Aaron explained.
"I see." Rossi said, leaning back in his chair. Running a hand across his face, he was silent for a moment before sitting up straighter. "Why don't you let me take him? It would save us from thinking up a story to tell Strauss and we'd definitely avoid her getting suspicious if I had to lie about your whereabouts. Besides, I think you've spent more than enough time at the doctor's with Reid."
"Are you sure, Dave? It probably won't be a pleasant experience." Hotch warned.
"Since when is anything we do pleasant?" Dave countered with a smile. "Don't worry, Aaron. I'm a big boy. I think I can handle a toddler at the doctor's."
"Okay, just don't say I didn't warn you." Aaron said.
Raising an eyebrow at the mischievous grin on Aaron's face, Dave slowly stood and grabbed his jacket. "Alright, tell me where to go." He instructed, wincing as he realized the door he'd just opened for his friend. "I mean, give me the doctor's address."
"Nice save, Dave" Hotch snickered.
"Just tell me the address before I change my mind." Rossi good-naturedly grumbled.
"Okay, okay" Aaron agreed, raising his hands in surrender. "Here are the directions."
CM
"Reid, let's go!" Rossi called across the bullpen. "We've got a consult to get to."
"Toming" Spencer replied. He slid out of his chair and grabbed his diaper bag. After exchanging confused glances with Morgan and Prentiss, he hurried over to the older man. Wondering why the senior profiler chose to take him out, Reid followed Rossi through the hallway and into the elevator. Stepping onto the crowded elevator, the tiny agent sighed. He'd have to wait until they got to the SUV to ask.
Dave glanced down at his charge. He knew the boy had to be curious as to why he was the one chosen to go. He couldn't really blame the kid. After all, if he really was going to consult with a police department Reid would be his last choice right now. It was just too risky with him being in child form. But they weren't going on a consult; they were going to the doctor. And he'd tell the kid that just as soon as they were alone.
Hearing the ping of the elevator, Reid scooted closer to Rossi. He didn't want to be separated from his friend when the doors opened.
Feeling the elevator jerk to a stop, Rossi put a hand on Spencer's shoulder. Once the doors slid open, he guided Reid through the lobby and out of the building. The profiler walked the boy across the parking garage to their toddler outfitted SUV. Opening the back door, Dave glanced around before picking the toddler up and placing him in his car seat. He swiftly pulled the straps over Reid's head and buckled him in. After making sure his charge was secure, Rossi climbed into the driver's seat and started the vehicle. He pulled out of the parking garage and onto the highway. Glancing into the rearview mirror, he cleared his throat. "I guess you've already figured out we're not going on a consult." He stated.
Spencer nodded. "Whewe awe we weally going?" he asked.
"We're headed to the doctor to get your stitches out." Dave informed the youngster.
"Oh" Reid muttered, turning to gaze out the window. "How did Hotch find fis dottow?"
"Actually you have the trickster to thank for that. It seems a new file showed up on Garcia's computer after your little accident. It had your doctor's number and address as well as a shot record and a few other items." Dave explained. "And before you ask, Hotch was planning on taking you but I talked him out of it. It'll be easier for him to explain us being gone than the other way around."
Spencer nodded his head as he turned and looked at his friend. "Yeah, you'we wight." He agreed.
"Glad you think so, kid" Rossi muttered. The two chatted the rest of the way to the doctor's office. Finally reaching their destination several minutes later, Dave turned into the parking lot of the brick building and pulled into the first empty spot.
Reid sighed as he stared at the brightly painted sign announcing Dr. Ridge's office. He really wished Hotch was here. It wasn't that he was scared or anything. He just knew the next few minutes probably weren't going to be pleasant and the little kid side of him needed the comfort of his father figure. Spencer shook his head at that thought. "Man up, Reid. You're an adult, not a child. You don't need someone holding your hand." He mentally berated himself. Deciding it was high time his adult self got back control, the profiler took his diaper bag and dropped it onto the floorboard. Resisting the urge to reach for his version of a security blanket, he crossed his arms, trapping his hands under his arm pits. Spencer waited for Rossi to open his door before blurting out, "You don't have to tome in wif me. I tan go in by myself."
"You most certainly cannot." Rossi vetoed. "You may be an adult but the people in there see you as a little two year old…"
"Fwee" Spencer corrected.
Dave rolled his eyes at the boy. "As I was saying before being so rudely interrupted, you're a two and a half year old to them." Rossi said, grinning at the toddler's indignant scoff. "And no one allows a child that young to go in a doctor's office alone. Hell, most older kids still want their mamas and daddys in the office with them." Seeing the youngster open his mouth to protest, the senior agent shook his head. "Not happening, kid. I'm going in with you whether you like it or not."
"Alwight, you tan tome." Spencer huffed.
"Like you really had a choice" Rossi mumbled as he picked the boy up and walked the short distance to the office entrance. "Remember, they see you as a toddler so you need to act like one." He reminded, taking hold of the door handle. "No drama queen acting, though. You start that crap and I'll turn you over my knee and give you something to cry about. Understand?"
"Got it" Reid agreed, nodding his head.
Steeling himself for what was sure to be a unique experience, Dave took a deep breath and opened the door. Walking into the building, he hoped his good deed wasn't about to come back and bite him in the behind.
CM
Half an hour later, the duo finally stepped out of the building. Licking on his grape flavored lollipop, Spencer glanced up at his sour faced colleague. "Fat wasn't too bad." He announced.
"Wasn't too bad!" Dave hollered. "You call the way you acted in that not bad!"
"You'we the one fat told me to att lite a li'l tid." Reid reminded, smiling innocently up at the out done man.
Rossi raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this a little too much." He observed, stopping at their SUV. "You acted like that on purpose, didn't you?"
Not wanting Rossi to know just how freaked out he'd been by the male doctor, Spencer nodded.
"Why the H-heck would you do that?" Dave asked.
Reid waited until the older man was finished buckling him into his seat to answer. "It got me a suter, didn't it?" he reasoned, holding up his sticky treat.
Huffing, Rossi closed the back door. Leaning back against the vehicle, he rubbed the back of his neck. He'd seen the fear and panic in Reid's eyes when Dr. Ridge had walked into the room. He'd known in that instant that the visit was going to be bad. He just hadn't known how bad it was going to get. One thing was for sure: kid or not, Reid could definitely protect himself. The doctor would more than likely be sporting some bruises curtesy of the tiny agent. "Serves him right for not listening" he muttered. Hoping this latest scare wouldn't set the boy's recovery back, Dave climbed into the SUV and quickly pulled out of the parking lot. He kept an eye on his quiet charge as he drove down the street. Four red lights later, he finally spotted the fast food joint Garcia had mentioned to him. Flicking on his blinker, he pulled into the semi-crowded lot and parked in the first available space.
Spencer looked out the window in surprise. They must be stopping for a bathroom break because there was no way Rossi would be planning on eating here. Would he? Curious, he sat up in his seat. "Ummm, Wossi" he hesitantly began. "What awe we doing hewe?"
"Having lunch" Dave simply replied. He got out of the SUV and opened the back door. "Why? Don't you like McDonald's?"
"Yes, but I didn't fint it was a pace you would pit to eat." Reid replied.
Dave unfastened the straps holding Spencer and pulled the toddler out of the vehicle. Settling the boy on his hip, he headed for the restaurant. "You're right. Normally, I wouldn't spare this place a second glance. But today it's the perfect place to grab a bite to eat."
"Why?" Spencer questioned.
"You know of anywhere else that's giving away trick or treat buckets with their kid's meals?" Rossi threw back.
"Twit ow tweat butets?" Spencer repeated, eyes widening as the implications of Rossi's answer hit him. "We're going twit ow tweating tonight!"
"That's the only reason I know of for us to be getting a Halloween bucket." Dave reasoned as he opened the door and walked into the fast food place.
"Tool!" Reid squealed before throwing his arms around Rossi's neck and hugging him. "Fants, Wossi, you'we the best!"
"Anytime, kid" Dave muttered, patting the toddler's back. "Now let's go order so you can check out that play place we saw on the way in."
"Yea!" Spencer cheered.
Setting the rambunctious toddler on his feet, Dave took the boy's hand and headed for the counter. It was time to make some good memories.