Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing.

Previously on Criminal Minds- If Julia wanted to meet his son, she would meet his son. And she would meet a Spencer who loved his dad. He'd make sure of that.

CM

"This place is beautiful! It's like we're really going into a rainforest." Garcia exclaimed as she followed the greeter past enormous, green trees, circular aquariums, and animatronic animals. "If I didn't know better, I'd think we were back at Disney!"

"Wish we were there. I'd much rather ride roller coasters this afternoon. Tackling that mound of paperwork on my desk is not my idea of a good time." Morgan grumbled. Stopping behind the café employee, he placed the booster seat on the chair at one end of the table and then scooped up Spencer and settled him in it.

"I'm with you. We didn't even get to see half the attractions at the parks before we got called back." Prentiss chimed in. "I think we should go back at Christmas break and finish our vacation."

"I vote for that." JJ said. "I'd love to take Henry and Will to…"

"Loot at fat!" Spencer shouted, pointing to the placard in the middle of the table.

Derek picked up the clear, plastic frame. "Sparkling Volcano" he read, his mouth watering as he eyed the luscious mound of chocolate brownie and vanilla ice cream covered with whipped cream and caramel and chocolate sauce. "Now that's what I call dessert! Wanna split one with me, youngster?"

"Yes!" Spencer excitedly answered, pumping his fist.

"I'm not sure that's wise." Aaron stated.

Reid swiftly pulled out the puppy dog eyes. "Peas, daddy?" he pleaded, adding a sniffle to the mix. "I pwomise I'll only eat a touple of bites. Peas, tan I?"

Setting down his menu, Aaron rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I might allow it." he paused before breaking into a grin. "If you guys agree to split it three ways."

"You've gotta deal." Morgan agreed with a chuckle.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Cindy and I'll be your waitress." A tall, thin blond greeted as she walked up to the table. "Are you folks ready to order or would like a few minutes?"

Rossi glanced around the table before answering. "I think we're ready."

"Okay dokie" Cindy pulled out her pad and pencil. "Why don't we start with this little guy? Do you know what you want to eat, Sweetie?"

Spencer nodded. "Poptown shwimp and cho'late milt" he replied.

"Would you like chips, corn, or applesauce with that?" Cindy inquired.

"He'll have the applesauce" Hotch answered for the boy.

"Alright" Cindy said, snickering at the toddler's pout. "And for you?"

"I'll have the Amazon Feast with a coffee." Aaron ordered.

"Sounds good to me" Morgan said, closing his menu. "I'll take one of those, too."

"Count me in." Rossi thirded.

Nodding, Cindy scribbled down the men's order. "And for the ladies?" she asked once she was done.

"I'd like the chicken salad sandwich with a sparkling water" Garcia stated.

"The Calypso Salad with an iced tea for me" Emily ordered.

"Me too" JJ called.

"Okay that's three Amazon Feasts with coffees, a child's popcorn shrimp with applesauce and chocolate milk, two Calypso salads with tea, and a chicken salad sandwich with sparkling water." Cindy rattled off. "Can I get you folks anything else?"

"No thank you" Hotch responded, handing the young waitress their menus.

"Alright, I'll be right back with your drinks." Cindy told the group. "Feel free to look around the gift shop while you wait." She turned to go and then stopped. "Oh, a word of warning, every twenty minutes there's a mini thunderstorm in here complete with rain, lightning, and flickering lights." she whispered, making quotation marks at some words. "Between the storm sounds and the animal noises, it gets pretty loud in here. You might want to keep your little one close."

"Thanks for the tip." Dave said.

"You're welcome, sir" Cindy replied before turning around and bopping away.

"Come on Sweetness, let's go check out the rest of the restaurant!" Garcia squeed as she jumped out of her chair.

"Tan I, daddy?" Spencer eagerly asked.

"Go ahead" Aaron agreed. "Just make sure you stay with Garcia."

"Otay" Reid responded. He quickly slid off his chair and joined the vivacious tech analyst. He took her outstretched hand and the two skipped off.

"Hey Em, you wanna check out the gift shop?" JJ asked, pushing her chair back from the table.

"Sure, just let me…"

"Wait a minute ladies. There are a couple of things we need to discuss first." Dave informed them.

The ladies retook their seats. "What is it, Rossi?" JJ questioned.

Dave leaned forward a little. "Mr. Reid's surprise visit rattled Spencer more than he's willing to admit. He'd didn't venture farther than arms-length away from Aaron or I all morning, not even at bathroom breaks. And just now, he grabbed onto Garcia's hand so tight, she winced." He related.

"Yeah, we kinda noticed his little shadow routine." Morgan said. "The kid's afraid the man's going to show up again. He'll calm down once he sees that security isn't going to let that happen."

"True, but that could take days." Rossi pointed out.

"What are you getting at, Dave?" Hotch curiously inquired.

Rossi smiled. "I think we should all stay at Morgan's place for a while. Reid needs his family around him."

Derek's mouth dropped open. "Man, my house may be big but it's not that big." He protested. "I don't have room for all you guys."

"Actually, you do" Aaron countered. "We can convert your office into another bedroom. The ladies can take one room and the rest of us can double up. I have a couple of air mattresses we can use and I believe Dave does too."

"I do. They aren't the most comfortable mattresses to sleep on but they'll be alright for a few days." Rossi told the others. "So, how about it? Are you guys up for a sleep over?"

"I'm game." Derek replied.

"Me too" Emily agreed.

JJ sighed. "I'm afraid I can't. Henry doesn't sleep well in a strange place." She relayed.

"That's understandable." Hotch said.

"Okay, so it's settled. With the exception of JJ we'll all stay at Morgan's until the kid's back to his old self." Rossi stated. "Now for the next problem. I think we all know that naptime is going to be filled with nightmares." He waited for the others to nod before continuing. "Normally, that wouldn't be a problem. But with Strauss on the warpath, I think we're going to have to change Reid's nap spot."

"Is that really necessary?" Emily asked. "Garcia's office is far enough away from the bullpen that nobody should hear if he wakes up screaming."

"Maybe, but what if someone's walking by when he wakes up? Or worse what if Strauss decides to pay Garcia a visit? Are you willing to chance Strauss finding Reid taking a nap on Garcia's floor?" Hotch questioned.

Prentiss flinched. She hadn't thought of that. "No" she answered. "But what's the alternative?"

"One of us could take him home." Derek threw out.

"How would we explain two missing agents?" Dave inquired.

"I'm sure we could think of something." Hotch confidently said.

"Thankfully, you won't have to." JJ told him. "I just texted Will our problem and he said he'd be happy to watch Spence."

"What about Henry? Won't Reid's screaming scare him?" Morgan asked.

"Please. Henry's a deep sleeper. A tornado could go through his room and he'd never know." JJ related.

"Okay then, it's settled. We'll…"

"What's settled?" a perky voice called from behind them.

Turning, they saw Garcia and Reid walking up, each carrying a green Rainforest Café bag.

"Whatcha got there, Junior?" Morgan asked as he picked the toddler up and set him in his chair.

Grinning, Spencer reached into his bag and pulled out two smaller ones. "Fis is fow Henwy and fis one is fow Jat." He said, passing the bags to respective parents. "Fey'we(They're) glow in the dawt taws(stars). You tan tit(stick) fem on the ceiling and fey will shine at night."

"Thanks, Spence" JJ said, giving the boy a hug. "Henry will love these."

"Yes, thank you, Spencer" Hotch echoed.

Garcia eyed her friends suspiciously. "Okay spill. What's…"

The waitress chose that moment to come with their food. After setting the overloaded tray on the table behind them, she swiftly passed out the food and drinks. "Alright folks, if you need anything else, just let me know." She instructed before turning and walking away.

"Dig in, people. We have to be back at the office in thirty." Hotch told the group.

Taking their boss' advice, the agents quickly began eating.

CM

"Man, that was the best dessert I've ever put in my mouth!" Morgan exclaimed, patting his stomach. "We are definitely coming back here and soon!"

"You'll get no argument from me." Dave said, stepping up to their Durango. "Just give me a week or two to recover from this feast first though."

"That was a little much." Prentiss agreed.

"But it was, was *yawn* good." Spencer sleepily stated.

"Yes, it was." Aaron softly said as he strapped the youngster into his car seat. He brushed the toddler's bangs out of the way before kissing his forehead. "Be good for Will."

"Do I *yawn* weally have to, to *yawn* go?" Reid mumbled around his thumb.

Hotch nodded. "I know you're not thrilled about napping at JJ's but we don't have a choice. We can't risk Strauss coming in Garcia's lair and seeing you conked out on the floor."

"He's right, Spence." JJ called from the front passenger seat. "You know how she gets when she's on a rampage. She stomps around the entire floor, trying to find someone doing the wrong thing. And while we can easily explain your absence, there's no way we could give her an adequate explanation for you sleeping on Garcia's floor."

"I know, it's *yawn* its jut…"

"Sweetie, if you're worried about Will, don't be. He doesn't mind." JJ told the boy. "And he's not going to think any less of you for needing a nap. He understands your situation."

"But, but what if I ha *yawn* ve a night *yawn* mawe and wate Henwy?" Reid asked, blinking his eyes open as he stubbornly fought sleep.

"You won't. Henry is an extremely deep sleeper." JJ advised. Seeing doubt and another emotion she couldn't decipher still on the toddler's face, she added, "And even if you did, he'd just fall back to sleep."

"Awe you *yawn* su…" Spencer's head dropped to his chest as sleep claimed him.

Chuckling, Aaron gently shut the door. After checking the door to ensure it was secure, he stepped up to the driver's side window. "Remember, drop him off and come on back to work. You don't want to be late today."

"Don't worry, Hotch. We'll make it." Derek assured.

"See that you do." Aaron recommended, taking a step back from the vehicle.

"Yes sir" Morgan said, giving his friend a mock salute before speeding out of the parking lot.

Aaron watched the SUV disappear from sight and then turned and headed for the vehicle Rossi and Prentiss were waiting in. He hoped they were doing the right thing by sending Reid to Will. The boy was bound to have nightmares after the morning he'd had and Hotch wasn't sure how he'd react to Will attempting to comfort him. Crossing his fingers, he sent out a prayer that the toddler would lean on their friend instead of pushing him away.

CM

Will rolled his eyes as his cell buzzed for the sixth time in the past half an hour. Checking the display, he wasn't surprised to see the name of the only BAU member who hadn't called him yet. Sighing, he flipped open his phone. "He's fine, Chere…he's had one. He woke up screaming a little while ago but he dropped right back off…no, I didn't…he didn't want me hugging him. he was uncomfortable enough with me just being in the room…I know, but…Chere, he's fine. I promise…uh huh, uh huh, I will…You have my word." A whimper from the baby monitor had Will quickly bringing the conversation to a close. "I've gotta go. Talk to you later, Chere…I will. Bye."

Hearing a scream of "No daddy!", the young father threw his cell on the couch and bolted across the living room. He raced down the hall and into the guest bedroom. Seeing the toddler thrashing around as he hollered for his attacker to stop hurting him, Will rushed over to the bed. Grabbing the boy's shoulder, he winced as Spencer jumped before attempting to get away. "Reid! Reid, wake up son!" he called, shaking the trembling shoulder. "Come on Reid! Wake up! it's just a nightmare!" he assured. Getting no response, the man resorted to a harsher tactic. He lightly slapped the youngster's cheek. "Reid! Wake up, Reid!"

Eyes snapping open, Spencer sat straight up in bed. Breathing heavily, he frantically glanced around the room.

"Reid, it's okay. It was just a dream." Will assured the shaking boy.

Startling at his friend's voice, Spencer looked up. Seeing his friend's concerned face, the toddler scrambled out from under the blankets and crawled into the surprised man's lap. He grabbed a fistful of Will's shirt and buried his face in the man's chest.

Will immediately began rubbing the quaking toddler's back. "It's okay, Reid. You're alright." He softly whispered. "Come on kiddo, calm it down. You're safe." Seeing the boy's hand fly up to his mouth, the father quickly grabbed the trash can he'd set next to the bed earlier. He thrust it under Spencer's face just as the first round of vomiting started. Holding the wastebasket with one hand, he used the other to steady the youngster as he threw up everything he'd eaten that day. He murmured reassurances as the bout of sickness went on and on.

Several minutes and one round of dry heaves later it was finally over. Totally spent, Spencer fell back against Will's chest. "Sowwy" he rasped.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Reid." Will told the trembling toddler. He set the trash can down and rubbed the little boy's back until the shivering stopped. "You okay now?" he asked.

Reid nodded before reluctantly sliding off his friend's lap. Crawling over to his pillow, he laid down and wrapped his arms around his aching stomach.

Will frowned at the move. "Your stomach still hurting?" he questioned.

"A little" Spencer croaked.

"You're not going to be sick again, are you?" the young father worriedly inquired.

"I, I don't fint so." Reid replied with a groan.

Deciding he needed to get rid of the trash can before the smell made the toddler sick again, Will stood and picked up the offending object. "I'm gonna go empty this. I'll be back in a minute, alright?"

"No!" Spencer shouted. Jumping off the bed, he latched onto the man's leg. "Don't leave! He'll get me!"

Shocked by the boy's actions, Will froze. He'd thought the mini agent was alright. A muffled sob tore the father out of his thoughts. Setting the wastebasket down, he leaned down and detached the toddler before picking him up and enveloping him in a hug. "Shhh, it's alright. I'm not leaving you." He soothed, patting the boy's back. Scooping up the trash can, he quickly took it into the bathroom and set it in the tub. He then hurried out of the room and down the hall to the living room. Will settled himself in the worn rocking chair and slowly started to rock. Rubbing the upset toddler's back, he silently vowed to protect the youngster from the man who had hurt him.

CM

"Hey Reid" Prentiss greeted when the boy trudged into the bullpen. Seeing the toddler's pale face and weary expression, she frowned. "Are you okay?"

Spencer slowly shuffled past the worried profiler without looking up.

"Will? Em? What's going on?" JJ asked as she walked up to the two. Following their gaze, she saw the BAU's resident genius tottling towards the stairway at a snail's pace. "Is Spence alright?"

"No" Will answered, massaging his forehead. "He's been sick as a dog the past hour or so."

"He's sick?" Emily questioned.

Will nodded. "Yeah, the nightmares left him shaky, clingy, and sick to his stomach. He's thrown up three times. Each one was worse than the one before." He explained. "I had to give him some of that anti-nausea medicine the doc gave Henry last time he was sick. Once that kicked in his stomach finally settled down a little."

"Henry's medicine?" JJ repeated. Her eyes widened as she realized just what medicine her husband was referring to. "Oh my…how did he take that?"

Will winced. "Let's just say I'm not his favorite person right now."

"I'll bet." JJ snickered.

Emily glanced quizzically at the two. "I get the feeling I'm missing something." She said. "Would one of you care to fill me in?"

"The meds aren't taken orally, Em." JJ stated, stifling another chuckle.

"They're not. But then how did…oh" Emily made a face. "You're a good friend, Will." She said, patting the man's shoulder before walking away.

"Thanks, I think" Will called after her. Turning his attention to his wife, he sighed. "I've gotta go. I promised Mrs. Maze I wouldn't be long. Do me a favor and see if you can't get him to go home for the rest of the day. He doesn't need to be at work in the shape he's in."

"I will." JJ promised, giving the frowning man a hug. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just" Will started. He blew out a frustrated breath. "If I ever get my hands on Reid's daddy, I'm gonna rip him apart."

"I know Honey, I know." JJ said.

"Strauss alert" Morgan whispered, walking past the couple.

Will nodded. "I'm outta here." he stated. He kissed JJ on the cheek before reluctantly breaking the hug. "I'll see you tonight."

"Bye Honey" JJ called. Spinning on her heel, she headed for Rossi's office. She had a stubborn toddler to deal with.