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AN- Thank you for your continued support of this story!
Previously on Criminal Minds- Gabe cackled, drawing the family's attention to him. "Have fun with your new mommy, Babykins!" he gloated before disappearing in a whirlwind.
CM
The family stood quietly staring at the place the trickster had occupied just seconds before. This latest prank had taken them all by surprise. While the being had had a somewhat valid reason for turning Reid back into a child, the same couldn't be said for Morgan. He'd had a normal childhood, at least until his father was killed and Carl Buford came into the picture. Huh, maybe the Loki did have…
"Put me down!" Morgan hollered, breaking the silence that had enveloped the room when he'd been de-aged. Feeling his friend hug him tighter instead, he groaned. "Hotch, make Garcia put me down!"
Aaron peeled his eyes away from the empty spot and turned to face his newest charge. "Garcia, let Morgan go." He instructed.
The brilliant smile that had decorated the blond's face since her Stud Muffin had been turned fell at her boss' order. "But, but I can't." she argued, hugging the boy closer to her chest. "My mini muffin needs me."
"Mini muffin!" Spencer cackled, causing all eyes to snap to him. The little boy rolled around on the bed, his giggling making the adults smile.
Derek pushed and shoved against his Baby Girl's hold. Discovering he wasn't strong enough to break her grip, the youngster went limp. "Hotch" he whined. "Come on man! Help me out here!"
Sighing, Aaron schooled his expression, strode over to the couple, and held out his arms. "Hand him over, Garcia. He needs to change out of that giant shirt before he gets sick."
Penelope took a step back. "I, I can help him get dressed!" she eagerly offered.
The ecstatic expression on the tech analyst face had JJ and Emily dissolving into a giggling fit.
Hotch rubbed his forehead. It was too early to deal with this. Determined to end the standoff, he put on his sternest expression and glared at the bubbly blond. "Penelope Garcia, hand Derek over right this minute or I will bar you from seeing him until he's back to his adult self." He threatened.
"Y-yes sir" Garcia replied. She reluctantly relinquished her hold on the boy and backed away.
"Ladies, why don't you walk down to that little store and get some snacks and a few movies?" Dave suggested in an attempt to get them out of the room for Morgan's sake. "It looks like we'll be staying in today."
"But we can't stay in!" Penelope protested. "We promised Henry we'd take him to Santa Land!"
"Nobody is staying cooped up in the room. Where would the fun be in that?" the trickster scoffed as he appeared in the painting. "I put an extra car seat in your truck for the brat and I morphed your stroller into a two seater so you have no excuse not to go out."
"Why do you care whether we go out or not?" Emily questioned.
"Do you really have to ask?" Loki shot back. Seeing the confusion on the woman's face, he huffed. "It wouldn't be a very funny prank if it didn't embarrass the crap out of the guy."
"True" Rossi agreed. "But what makes you think we'll do what you want us to?"
"Maybe because if you don't, I'll have to find another way to get him into the public eye," the trickster answered. He tapped his chin with a finger in thought. "I could always make him sick or hurt. You'd have to take him to the ER then and that would definitely be an embarrassing situation for him. Ooooo! Me likey! And I know just what to give him, too. There's this stomach bug that's been making the rounds. Nasty thing, too. The kid's end up having to take meds up…"
"Okay! Okay! We get the picture!" Emily conceded. "We'll take him to Santa Land with us and stay all day. Satisfied?"
"I don't know." The trickster hedged. "I kinda like the other idea better." Sensing the glares being sent his way, he smirked. "I'm just fooling with ya! A trip to Santa Land is good. Now take the kiddies out and have some fun! And remember I'll be watching you." With that, the being disappeared once again.
JJ looked at Morgan who was practically swimming in the shirt he'd been wearing and scooped up Henry. "Come on girls. Let's go so Morgan can get change into better fitting clothes before he catches cold."
Will followed the ladies to the door. "I, ahh, I think I'll go check on the trucks. Make sure there really is another car seat." He said before hurrying out of the room.
Shaking his head at the Cajun's actions, Aaron took Derek over to the bed and set him beside Spencer. "Okay, just let me grab a couple of things and we'll get you dressed."
Morgan crossed his arms and glared at the two grown men. "You are not dressing me. There's no need to anyway cause I'm not leaving this room until I'm me again." He adamantly stated.
Spencer patted his friend's shoulder consolingly. "You have to. You do not want him mating you sit and having to tate meds fat way. Twust me." He reasoned. "It'll be otay, Mowgan. Going out won't be so bad. Gawcia will tate good tawe of you, Mini Muffin."
Morgan scowled at the giggling youngster. "You're enjoying this a little too much, kid." He growled.
Spencer wiped the tears out of his eyes and grinned brightly at the slightly older boy. "I tan't help it. It's nice to have someone else walting in my shoes." He responded.
"Misery loves company, huh kiddo?" Dave teased as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "A piece of advice Morgan; quit fussing and enjoy being a kid again. You've got the perfect opportunity. Nobody knows you here. You can just kick back and cut loose for the day."
"We'll keep Garcia from going too overboard." Aaron added, laying out an outfit for the boy.
"I know." Morgan sighed. "It's just…" he froze as he noticed a particular item of clothing. "Oh, Hell no! I am not wearing those!"
"It's only temporary, Morgan." Aaron told the boy. "Once we know for sure that you're, umm, potty trained, we'll get you some real underwear. Just like we did with Reid."
"Yeah, fat's wi…Wait! What!" Spencer hollered.
"Surely you didn't believe that bit about pull-ups being the only kind of underwear in your size?" Dave snickered.
Now it was Morgan's turn to laugh. "You, you did, didn't you?" he giggled. "Kid, for someone that's so smart, you can really be clueless sometimes."
Spencer turned beet red. "Yeah, well at least I don't have to weaw a tupid pull-up to the pawt(park)." he muttered.
"Alright you two, that's enough." Aaron lightly scolded, picking up the pile of clothing and handing it to the older of the two. "Do you need some help or can you handle it?"
"No, I'm good." Derek replied, shaking his head. He snatched the clothes from Hotch, slid off the bed, and stomped into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
"Well, this is going to be a fun day." Dave sarcastically stated.
"He'll calm down once we get to the amusement park and start having fun." Aaron theorized, crossing his fingers.
"I hope so. I'd rather not have to deal with an ornery little kid all day." Rossi replied.
"I'll help him welax." Spencer promised. He crawled to the edge of the bed, slid down the side on his tummy, and hurried over to his go-bag. After sifting through the contents for several minutes, the youngster finally found what he was looking for. Reid pulled the stuffed sabre tooth tiger out and went to where the men were standing. Seeing the bathroom door open and his friend trudge out, Spencer quickly walked over and held out the toy. "Hewe Mowgan, you tan bow'ow(borrow) my tigew." He offered.
Derek opened his mouth to tell his friend that he didn't need to borrow some dumb toy only to close it as he recalled how Spencer treasured that particular stuffed animal. Touched by the gesture, Morgan carefully took the tiger from the boy. "Thanks man" he said.
Aaron let out a relieved breath. He'd been afraid Morgan would lay into Spencer and they'd have two upset children on their hands. Hoping this wasn't the calm before the storm, the father went over and took both boys by the hand. "Time to go, guys" he announced, leading the two to the door.
Grabbing Spencer's bag, Dave followed the three out the door. After collecting the rest of the family, they proceeded through the hotel and out to their vehicles. Dave and Aaron buckled the two tiny profilers into their car seats and then climbed into the Jeep. Hotch started the SUV and they drove out of the parking lot ready for a day of fun.
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A half hour later the group pulled to a stop in the Santa Land lot. They swiftly exited the vehicles and unloaded the strollers. Knowing the boys needed to release some energy after being cooped up for so long, the family allowed the three to walk to the entrance of the park. Once they'd paid for their tickets, they followed the bouncing youngsters into Santa Land.
Dave unfolded the map he'd been given and scanned it. "Okay, all the rides are that way, the animals are over there, and the big guy's house is straight ahead." He said, pointing out the different areas. "So, what do we want to do first?"
"Why don't we ride the train?" Emily suggested, pocketing her own map. "It goes around the whole park."
"Sounds good to me" Aaron agreed. "What do you think, boys?"
"Twain! Henwy wide twain!" the toddler shouted as he jumped up and down.
"Me too! Me too!" Spencer hollered, bouncing right along with Henry.
"Morgan, what about you?" JJ asked.
"If that's what the kids want to do, it's alright with me." He smoothly answered as he forced himself to stay still. In all honesty, he was dying to dance around like the others were doing but he was an adult and adults didn't act that way.
Rossi resisted the urge to laugh at the conflicted expression on the boy's face. It was the same one Reid had worn when he'd first been turned. It wouldn't be long before the boy gave in and started acting like the kid he now was. He had no doubt of that. Until then…"The train it is." Dave proclaimed. He turned and led the way to the station.
After a short wait, the train pulled into the depot and the family climbed aboard. They rode all the way around the park once and then halfway back around to Fun Land. Exiting the train, the group headed straight for the Rudicoaster, a brown rollercoaster with a reindeer head in the front.
Deciding this would be a father/son ride, Aaron handed the stroller to Emily and took Spencer by the hand. "Come on son, let's go ride!" he told the youngster.
"Yes!" Spencer cheered. He grabbed ahold of his father's hand and began pulling him towards the short line.
"Time to ride your first rollercoaster ride, kiddo" Will said, hoisting Henry up to sit on his shoulders.
Dave watched the fathers and sons hurry to the ride and then glanced at the boy still standing with the ladies. Going over, he extended his hand. "Hey Morgan, help an old man out. Come ride with me." He suggested.
Derek shrugged. "Okay" he agreed, taking the offered hand.
The ladies smiled as the mini profiler happily bounded up to the line with the senior of the group. "Looks like somebody's starting to relax," Emily observed.
"Definitely" JJ agreed.
"Isn't he just the cutest little thing?" Garcia gushed as she snapped picture after picture of the de-aged Derek.
Snickering at their friend's remark, JJ and Emily watched their boys, big and small, whoop and holler as the roller coaster raced around the track. It never ceased to amaze them to see their hardened team mates laughing and playing like little kids.
Spencer groaned as the ride slowed. He wasn't ready for it to end. He was having too much fun! Waving at the girls as the coaster pulled into the station, the youngster came up with what he thought was a great idea. Spencer waited for the ride to come to a stop and Hotch to lift the lap bar before putting his plan into action. Jumping off the coaster, he raced over to his friends and took Emily's hand. "Tome on Emily, you've gotta twy fa…OW!" Spencer grabbed his smarting bottom and burst into tears.
Unable to stand seeing the little boy upset again, Emily reached down and scooped him up. "It's okay honey. I've got you." She soothed while glaring daggers at her boss. "You're okay."
Nonplussed by the death rays emanating from the raven haired beauty's eyes, Aaron stepped up to her and held out his arms. "Hand him over, Emily" he instructed.
"No, he stays with me." Prentiss replied, taking a step back and tightening her hold on the boy. "You shouldn't have spanked him, Hotch. Yes, he should have waited for you but he was in our sight the whole time. And besides, he deserves a break after everything he's had to deal with the past few days."
Hotch shook his head. "We can't just overlook his misbehavior." He disagreed. "Spencer has to learn he can't go running off by himself."
"I, I know fa-fat." Spencer mumbled into the crook of Emily's neck. "But fey wewe, wewe watching me and, and I f-fought it would be al-alwight." He raised his head and reached for Aaron who quickly pulled him into an embrace. "I'm so-wwy!"
"Me too buddy, me too" Aaron whispered, kissing the top of the toddler's head. He rubbed the little boy's back until the youngster's tears stopped. Pulling Spencer back a little, Hotch wiped his son's face. "Ready to ride some more now?" he asked.
"Um hmm" Spencer replied around his thumb.
"Good, 'cause I'm dying to try that reindeer coaster out." Emily piped up, holding out her hand.
Spencer glanced from Hotch to Prentiss and back.
"It's okay, Reid. Go ahead. I'll be right here when the ride's over." Aaron encouraged, setting the youngster on his feet.
Grinning, Spencer grabbed Emily's hand and the two raced over to the roller coaster line.
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After riding the rest of the kiddie rides as well as the giant ferris wheel, the family moved on to the zoo part of the park. The little boys went from cage to cage looking at the animals and feeding the ones they could. Making it to Whitebeard's Lake, the group thought about riding the paddle boats to Monkey Island to feed the monkeys. They decided against the trip, however, when they saw the multitude of Koi surrounding the boats. Instead, they turned down the path to Santa's House. A few minutes later they came to a small theater and stopped. Seeing the sign announcing a magic show, the family hurried inside, took a seat, and waited for the show to begin.
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"That was pretty good." Dave admitted as the group walked out of the theater.
Spencer shook his head. "He was an amateuw." He countered. "I tan do mot(most) of the twits(tricks) he did."
"Still, it did make for a good show." Emily pointed out.
"I guess." Reid replied with a shrug. Climbing into the stroller with Morgan, he snatched up his Ewok and leaned back in his seat with a sigh. "What's next?" he asked.
"I think its time to go see the big guy himself." Will answered. "What do you say, Henry? Wanna go see Santa?"
"Yea!" Henry shouted, clapping his hands.
"And where are the rest of us going to go?" Morgan warily inquired.
Aaron knelt down in front of the stroller and looked at the two mini agents. "We're all going to see Santa." He informed them.
"No, not happening! I am not going to go sit on some fat old man's lap!" Morgan scoffed.
"But we have to!" Spencer protested.
"Why? Don't tell me you still believe in Santa Claus, Pretty Boy?" Derek teased.
"No, of touwse not. I nevew believed in him the fiwst time. I wasn't tupid. I knew how it wowted.(worked)" Reid related, making the rest of the family frown at the missed childhood experience. "But Henwy believes in Santa and fat's all fat mattews. If he wants to see him, I'll happily go wif him."
Morgan sighed before nodding his agreement. "Okay, I'll go. For Henry."
"Like you had a choice." Aaron joked. He ruffled both boys' hair much to Derek's chagrin and then stood. Taking control of the stroller, Hotch started pushing it down the lane to Santa's house. He just hoped the visit with the jolly old elf went smoothly.