Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. I do not own anything you recognize.

AN- Two quick notes: I'm not sure if there is a couch in the conference room, but for the purposes of this chapter, there is. Also couldn't find any info on the age of Strauss's children. The only thing I found was photos from Season 2 when Hotch profiled her. And those could be old. Anyway, for this her kids are young adults.

To the reviewer who was upset with Hotch for not spending time with his son: Hotch is not neglecting his son. This story takes place while Hailey and Jack are in the witness protection program.(check chapter 13) The only times Jack has been mentioned in the story have been when Hotch was thinking of his son.

Previously on Criminal Minds- Flipping his cell closed, the weary profiler looked over at his companions. "We have a case."

CM

"Reid, wake up" Morgan called, gently shaking the youngster. "Come on Sleepyhead, open those eyes. We've gotta get going."

Spencer's face scrunched up and a whine escaped his lips. Turning his back on the person pestering him, the toddler snuggled further down into the blanket covering him.

"Oh, no you don't" Derek growled, snatching the thick, blue fleece off the little boy.

Reid's eyes snapped open as the cooler air of the vehicle hit him. The toddler flipped around in his seat and glared at his friend. "Mowwwgan, give it bat." He whined, reaching for the blanket. "I'm told."

"Sorry kid, no blankie until we get inside." Derek stated with a grin.

Hearing his car door open, Spencer glanced up, pinning his surrogate father with his kicked puppy look. "Hotch, tell Mowgan to give it bat." He pleaded.

"Morgan will give you the blanket." Hotch replied as he unfastened the youngster's seat belt. "Just as soon as we walk into the conference room."

"Tonf'ence woom?" Spencer repeated. Looking around for the first time since waking up, the genius quickly realized where they were. "We have a tase?"

"Yes, JJ called right after you fell asleep." Aaron filled in, helping the toddler out of the SUV. Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, he began steering the youngster towards the parking garage's bank of elevators. "She received the file via messenger approximately a half hour before she called."

"This one evidently has some kind of connection to Strauss." Rossi added. "I've never known her to lobby for a case unless there was something in it for her."

"Which means Strauss will be looking over our shoulder every step of the way. Great." Morgan huffed, reaching out to punch the button for the elevator. "That's just wh…Ow!" he yelped, shaking his stinging hand. "Reid, what the Hell man?"

"I push the button!" Spencer declared. Getting up on his tip-toes, he pressed the up button. He rushed into the elevator as soon as the doors split, hurried to the back and wrapped his arms around himself. Still shivering, the toddler edged closer to his friends for warmth. When that didn't help, he glanced around the lift for another solution. Noticing Rossi's long coat, Spencer wasted no time. He ran the few steps to the older man, grabbed one side of the coat, and cocooned himself in it.

Looking down at the tug on his Cashmere walking coat, Dave chuckled at the sight of two tiny shoes protruding from the bottom of his jacket. "Are you playing hide and seek again, kid?" he jokily asked as he pulled the youngster closer to him.

"No, I'm twying to get wawm." Floated up from the toddler sized bulge in the coat.

"Hang in there, Pretty Boy" Morgan encouraged. "You'll be all wrapped up in a nice warm blanket just as soon as we get to the bullpen."

"I *yawn* know." Reid replied, sighing as the elevator doors chose that moment to open. He reluctantly untangled himself from Rossi's coat and walked out onto the ground floor of their building.

After a quick run through security, the group of profilers stepped onto another elevator for the trip up to their floor. Knowing their area would be practically devoid of people, Rossi picked Reid up and tucked him under his heavy coat. Feeling the toddler's head drop onto his shoulder and his arms wrap around his neck, the senior profiler smiled. He felt like he was getting a second chance being a father and he was loving every minute of it.

Once the doors opened, the men got out of the elevator, walked down the hall, and through the glass doors to the bullpen. Taking a left, they headed for the conference room. "Dave, you and Morgan go ahead." Hotch instructed as he turned and walked in the opposite direction. "I'm just going to grab the blanket off the back of the couch in my office." Hearing Rossi's affirmative reply, the BAU leader hurried over to the stairs leading to his destination. He took the steps two at a time and walked over to his door. He unlocked it and strode into his office, going straight for the couch. After taking the throw, Aaron went over to the cabinet by the far wall. Pulling open the doors, he took out the first aid kit he'd packed after Reid had been shrunk. Grabbing his go bag, the surrogate father quickly unzipped it and stuffed the kit inside. Zipping the bag closed, Hotch pushed the doors shut and turned, startling at the sight of Reid staring at him from the couch. "Spencer, what are you doing in here?" he inquired. "I thought you were going with Morgan and Rossi."

Reid nervously fidgeted for a moment. "I, I fought you might need some help?" he fibbed.

"Retrieving a blanket?" Aaron skeptically asked, raising an eyebrow at the obvious lie.

"Oh, yeah ummm" the toddler stammered, dropping his gaze to his lap. He wrapped his arms around himself for warmth and comfort before speaking again. "I, I wanted to apol'gize fow leaving Mowgan's and tawing(scaring) you."

Hotch mentally winced as he studied the little boy's face and body language. Reid was seeking reassurance just like Jack always did after getting into trouble. Sighing, Aaron went over and sat down beside the trembling toddler. "I know, Spencer" he said, draping the thick brown blanket over the child. "Care to tell me why you ran off like that?"

"I wasn't wunning off. I, I was jut so angwy. I needed to *yawn* get away fwom fewe so I went fow a w-yawn-walk." Spencer explained as he scooted closer to his boss.

"Spencer, you can't just go for a walk. Not now. If someone had seen you out in that field alone, they could have called CPS or the police. Or worse, they could have kidnapped you." Hotch sternly scolded even as he pulled the boy into his side.

"I know." Reid quietly replied with a nod. "I'm jut so tiwed of you guys finting I need help wif evewyfing. I know I'm small but I tan till do some fings fow myself. I need to do fings fow myself."

Now it was Hotch's turn to nod. "How about we make a deal? I'll talk with the others and we'll set it up so you can do as much as possible on your own. And you try to deal with us helping and doing some things for you." He suggested. "And You promise to come to me when it gets to be too much."

Reid carefully thought over the offer before agreeing. "Otay" he replied, burrowing into Hotch's side. Yawning, he stubbornly fought to keep his eyes open. There was one more thing he had to know before he could sleep. "Awe we otay now?"

"Yes, Spencer we're okay." Aaron told the youngster. "That doesn't mean you're getting out of your punishment, though. We will be having a talk about your behavior tonight at the hotel."

"Yes sir" Reid whispered, dropping his head. He'd had a feeling he wouldn't escape being punished. He just hoped it wasn't going to be what he thought it was.

Seeing the toddler fisting his eyes, Hotch swiftly scooped the tiny agent up. "Get some sleep, buddy" he instructed, running a hand up and down Spencer's back.

Reid obediently closed his eyes. Relaxing into his surrogate father's embrace, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

CM

"What have got, JJ?" Hotch asked once everyone was seated around the table.

Handing a pile of folders to Hotch, JJ picked up the remote and flicked on the monitors. "There's been four murders in the past four months in southern California. Three females and one male, ranging in age from twenty-five to fifty-eight, were found in or around their homes." The media liaison recounted, keeping her voice low in deference to the sleeping toddler on the couch. "The murders occurred in three different counties and each victim was killed in a different way."

"Are we sure these cases are even connected?" Prentiss asked. "Cause so far, I'm not seeing a link."

"Next to all the bodies was a message scrawled in the victim's blood." JJ answered, putting the next slide on the screens.

"You failed?" Rossi read.

"All the victims were teachers." JJ filled in. "The three females were employed at different schools in three different districts while the male had retired a couple of years ago."

"So, the unsub is probably a student or parent?" Morgan theorized.

"A former colleague is more likely." Rossi corrected. "I doubt parents would move around that much."

"You'd be surprised." Emily told him.

"Prentiss is right. According to the police, the schools have an abundance of children leaving and coming back." Hotch stated, closing his file. "Apparently, a lot of parents in those counties either moved every time they couldn't pay the rent or moved if their child was in danger of failing."

"Great, that ought to make things…"

"Agent Hotchner, has your team been brought up to speed on the situation." Strauss called as she breezed into the room.

"We're just going over the information now, ma'am." Hotch replied.

"Good" the section chief said as she looked at the other agents. Frowning, she turned back to the BAU leader. "Where's Dr. Reid?"

Morgan's eyes shot to the sofa and his friend. Seeing only a tiny tuft of brown hair sticking out from under the brown blanket, he grinned. The kid was safe.

Keeping his expression neutral, Hotch resisted the urge to glance over at the couch to assure himself the toddler was still there. "Agent Reid is on his way as we speak. He'll be briefed on the jet."

"Good" Strauss stated as she walked over to the couch and started to take a seat.

"Wait! You can't sit there!" Garcia screeched, jumping out of her chair.

"Excuse me?" Strauss growled, glaring at the festively dressed woman.

"Oh, ummm I'm sorry ma'am. I just thought you'd be more comfortable at the table." Garcia hastily explained, motioning to her now vacant seat.

"I'm fine right here." the section chief haughtily stated, placing a hand on the blanket covered lump.

Wanting to get Strauss got of there before Reid moved and gave himself away, Rossi quickly piped up. "Erin, what are you doing here?" he asked. "What about this case has you so wound up?"

Strauss glared at the senior profiler for a moment before sighing. "The last victim, Maria Hastings, was my son's finance." She relayed.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I had no idea…"

"I don't want your sympathy." The section chief growled. "I want results! I want whoever did this to pay!"

"And they will." Rossi assured their boss. Going over to the upset woman, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Go home, Erin. Take care of Kyle. Let us deal with the case."

Strauss reached up and squeezed Rossi's hand before nodding. "You're right." She agreed as she stood. She walked over to the doorway and stopped. "I want to be kept in the loop. The second you have a lead, I expect to know about it. Understood?"

"You have my word, ma'am." Hotch answered. He watched her turn and clomp down the hall before relaxing.

"That was too close." Morgan breathed out.

"You got that right. A few more inches to the right and she'd have squashed our junior G-man." Garcia added, smiling as she caught sight of two wide eyes peering up at them. "Well, look who decided to join us! Are you feeling better Sweetie?"

Reid slowly sat up and ran a hand through his unruly hair. "Yeah" Spencer replied with a yawn. "I'm otay."

"Are you still cold?" Aaron asked.

Spencer shook his head. "No sir, I'm fine now. Honest." He said. "Have you tawted(started) the bwiefing yet?"

"We finished already, Sport." Rossi answered. "Don't worry, we'll fill you in on the plane."

Hotch nodded. "Get your things together. Wheels up in thirty." He announced.

The group quickly filed out of the room to gather their things and make last minute phone calls. Thirty minutes barely gave them enough time to get everything done.

Walking out the door of the conference room, JJ discreetly pulled Hotch aside. "Can I make a suggestion?" she asked once she was sure no one was in hearing range.

"Of course" Aaron replied. "What is it?"

"Whatever punishment you plan on doling out, do it before we get on the jet." The media liaison suggested. "Waiting till we get to the hotel tonight is not an option."

"How did you…"

"I saw the look Spence gave you. It's the same look my sister used to get anytime she was in trouble." JJ explained. "When we little and got into trouble, my mom would always say "Wait till your dad gets home." Having to sit there and wait for hours sometimes until my dad came home and dealt with us was torture. It was actually worse than whatever punishment he handed out. Don't do that to Spence. You know how he is. He'll worry himself sick."

Hotch nodded. "I was only putting it off to save Reid embarrassment."

"I can help with that. I'll make sure the others stay away from your office." JJ volunteered.

"Thanks" Aaron replied. "I'd rather we didn't have an audience for this."

"Give me five minutes." JJ told her boss.

"You've got it." Hotch agreed. He strode out the door and down the hall. Hurrying down the stairs and into the bullpen, the surrogate father walked straight to his charge's desk. "Spencer, my office" he simply ordered.

Gulping, Reid slid out of his chair and trudged after his boss. He wasn't sure what was up but whatever it was, it wasn't good. That much he was sure of.

Hotch ushered Spencer into his office. Glancing down at the bullpen, he saw the other profilers beating a hasty retreat. He wished he could go with them. He hated being the disciplinarian. Sighing, Aaron walked into the office and shut the door. He had a little troublemaker to deal with.

CM

Twenty minutes later, Hotch carried a red faced, teary eyed Reid onto the jet. Stepping into the interior of the plane, he gently set the toddler on his feet.

As soon as his feet hit the floor, Reid took off. He raced over to JJ, jumping into the young mother's arms. Burying his face in her shoulder, the toddler let out a muffled sob.

"Oh Spence" JJ sighed as she began to rock. "Shhh, it's alright. You're okay. I've gotcha."

"I take it you and Spencer had your little talk." Dave stated as Hotch sat down beside him.

"Yes" Aaron replied. "I was going to wait until tonight but JJ reminded me of why waiting wasn't a good idea."

"Personally, I used to dread hearing 'just wait till your father gets home'." Rossi said, buckling his seat belt. "Waiting for one of my dad's 'talks' was the worst torture there was. I always thought they should use that strategy on prisoners. Those guys would spill in a heartbeat under that threat."

"I know what you mean. Only in my case the 'talk' was every bit as bad as the waiting: sometimes worse." Aaron relayed, causing his friend to grimace.

"Aaron…"

"I'm going to go over the case file one more time. I want to see what I can glean from it before we get there." Hotch said, effectively putting an end to their conversation.

Frowning, Rossi turned to look out the window. He'd let that revelation go for now. But once this case was finished, he was sitting down with Aaron and getting him to talk.

AN- I hate writing case fic. It takes forever to figure out the case.(now you know why it's taken so long to update.)