Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. Feel free to read and review, but please don't copy.
AN- Thank you to everyone still reading! And a huge thank you to all the folks who have put the story on alert, favorites, and those who have reviewed!
Previously on Criminal Minds- "Let's go put the kiddies to bed." Dave said. He snapped a couple of quick pictures of the three and then led the way to the park exit. It was time to head to the hotel.
CM
Reid awoke to a silent room. Knuckling his eyes, he slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position and sleepily gazed around. He was surprised to find himself alone in the bedroom area. Wondering where everyone was, the littlest profiler threw off the covers, crawled over to the side of the bed, and slid down. With his newest stuffed animal in one hand and the other firmly fastened to his face by his thumb the youngster tottled over to the bathroom. After a quick stop to use the facilities, he hurried out of the room. Walking into the living area, he was shocked to find it devoid of people as well. Spencer had thought the others would be there waiting for him to wake up. Frowning, he hugged his reindeer as he attempted to figure out where his friends could have gone. They wouldn't have gone too far; not without him. His family had to be close by. But where? Laughter rang out answering the boy's question and putting an end to his search. Reid dashed through the door to the adjoining room, letting out a relieved breath when he found his entire family sitting around the couch and table.
"Hey, Pretty Boy! About time you woke up!" Morgan called from his spot at the table. He popped another cookie into his mouth. "I was starting to think Henry and I would have to eat your share of snack."
Spencer's mouth watered at the sight of his favorite snack; chocolate teddy bear cookies and grape juice. He raced over to the table and raised his arms to Rossi, who was sitting beside Morgan watching him eat. When the older man failed to notice him, the little boy called, "Up, peas".
"I've gotcha" Aaron said, picking his son up from behind. He settled his charge in his seat before going to the counter to fetch the boy's snack.
Spencer licked his lips. He couldn't wait to bite into the chocolately goodness. Hearing his daddy coming up next to him, the boy rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He was ready to dig in! Seeing a box set in front of him instead of a bag, he frowned.
"Sorry kiddo, Morgan and Henry ate the last of the Teddy Grahams." Hotch explained.
That announcement had Derek setting down his almost empty bag. He hadn't even thought to ask if there was another bag for Reid. He had just taken what he was given and started chowing down. Morgan couldn't believe it! He knew the cookies were his little bro's favorite! Wanting to make up for his lapse in judgment, the older boy held out his bag. "You can have the rest of mine." He offered. "I'm full."
Spencer eyed his friend before shaking his head. "Fat's otay. You tan eat fem. I'll eat the aminal tooties." He replied with a smile. He could deal with the animal cookies for one snack time. 'At least there's grape ju…" his thoughts cut off as a box of apple juice was placed in front of him. Reid sighed in disappoint. He was beginning to see a downside to his friend being de-aged. Spencer cast a glance at the delicious bag of cookies before reluctantly picking up his box of cardboard tasting treats and starting in on his snack.
After the three boys finished their snacks and were cleaned up, the family headed back out. The men hoisted the youngsters onto their shoulders and the group walked the short distance to the Fun Factory. Once inside, they went straight to the back where the little children's play area was situated. Will, Aaron, and Dave set their charges on their feet and sent them off to play.
Henry and Spencer immediately ran towards the bouncy playground and slide, leaving Morgan standing by himself. The newest little boy shifted from foot to foot nervously for a few minutes before looking up at Rossi and hesitantly asking, "You wanna go check out those motorcycle games?"
"Sure" Dave agreed. He took the boy by the hand and the two sauntered over to the row of racing simulation arcade games.
"I better go with them." Garcia told the others as she scooted around the group. "Those motorcycles are far too big. My little love bug is going to need my help to stay on those things."
Chuckling at the bubbly blond's latest excuse to be near Morgan, the group went over to a nearby table and took a seat. Keeping an eye on the two little ones playing, the family settled in for a noisy but fun afternoon.
CM
Aaron sipped his coffee as he watched his son. Reid had started out playing and laughing along with Henry but as the afternoon wore on, the mini agent had withdrawn to the point of not playing at all. Frowning at the now quiet, still boy, the father turned to the family for advice. "I'm worried about Spencer. He's been acting off ever since he woke up from his nap." He told the others.
"I hope he's not getting sick again." Emily commented.
"Yeah, that's the last thing Spence needs." JJ agreed.
One look at the woebegone expression on the tot's face and the direction the boy was facing was all it took for Will to put two and two together. "I don't think you have to worry about the kid being sick." Will confidently stated. "Reid's okay. He's just missing somebody."
"Missing who? Morgan?" Prentiss questioned.
"I don't think so. Morgan may be smaller but he's been his same annoying big brother self to Spencer." Hotch pointed out.
"But if you're not talking about Morgan, who are you talking about?" JJ queried.
"Rossi and Garcia" Will answered, nodding at the two. "They've been pretty much glued to Morgan's side ever since he became a kid."
"Wait, you mean Spencer's jealous?" Emily gasped.
"No, not jealous, heartsick" Will corrected. "He's not upset or angry with Morgan for taking them away from him. Reid's just missing spending time with them."
"Okay so, what do we do about it?" JJ asked.
"We don't have to do anything. Look." Emily said, pointing to their tiny friend.
CM
Spencer sat at the top of the bouncy slide and stared forlornly at his absentee friends. He missed Rossi's hugs and teasing and Garcia's pet names and warm embraces. He knew Morgan needed help sometimes now and he didn't begrudge his best friend that. But they didn't have to spend all their time with him. Morgan didn't even want all that attention. He kept trying to push them away. Why didn't they get the hint and come play with him for a while? He needed them just as much as Morgan. Why didn't they understand that? 'Maybe I should go tell them.' Spencer thought before shaking his head. His attempt to garner their attention hadn't worked an hour ago. Why would now be any different? No, if he wanted to get their attention, he was going to have to do something more drastic then walking up and raising his arms to be held. But what? Spencer scanned the area around his friends, searching for anything that might help his cause. He needed something to…there! The boy genius smiled as he swiftly formulated the perfect scenario to get what he so desperately needed. Ironing out the details in mere seconds, Reid mentally ran through the plan to ensure it would work. After he was satisfied that nothing could go wrong, the youngster put his plan into action. He ran over to the slide, dropped on his bottom, and slid down. Pushing himself to his feet, he raced across the open area to the racing simulators. When he was almost to the spot he'd seen from his hideout, Spencer stepped on his untied shoelace and went down hard on the metal edge of one of the games.
Rossi startled at the scream of pain that sounded right behind him. Spinning around, he gasped at the sight of a crying Reid sprawled on the ground, clutching his arm. "Garcia, watch Morgan" he ordered before hurrying over and kneeling beside the obviously hurt little boy. "Spencer, are you…oomph!" Dave rocked back on his heels as Spencer threw himself at the older man. Wrapping his arms around the distraught boy, the senior profiler immediately started searching for injuries. Finding nothing more than a miniscule cut on the youngster's arm, he quickly switched from medic to comforter. "Shhh, it's alright buddy. You're okay." He soothed.
CM
Aaron smiled as he watched his son race towards Morgan and the others. It looked like Spencer had decided to take the bull by the horns and work things out with Rossi and Garcia. He wasn't needed after…Spencer's scream cut him off mid-thought. Seeing his youngest laying on the ground crying, Aaron started over. He hadn't made it two steps when he was stopped by a hand on his arm.
"Don't" Will warned. "Let Rossi and Garcia handle it."
"But Spencer needs…"
"He needs to spend some time with Rossi and Garcia." JJ broke in.
"They're right, Hotch. Spencer's finally got what he wanted; their attention. If you go over there, Rossi will just hand Reid to you and the little guy will be miserable all over again." Emily added.
Aaron rubbed his chin. "I know." He replied, frowning as a thought occurred to him. "How do we know this will work? What if Dave brings Spencer to me and goes back to Morgan?"
Will grinned. "Leave that to me." He marched across the play area to where Rossi, Garcia, and Morgan were all comforting a sniffling Spencer. "Rossi is the little rugrat okay?" he asked.
"Spencer will be fine. He just banged himself up a little on the metal under the game." Dave replied without taking his eyes off the boy in his arms.
"Good" Will said before looking down at Morgan. "Hey Morgan, JJ and Emily just challenged Hotch and me to a game of hoops. They claimed Henry for their team and we need someone to even the odds. What do you say? You up for a little b-ball?"
Derek grinned. "You bet." He answered, taking the man's offered hand.
"Spencer, you be good for Rossi and Garcia" Will told the confused boy. Seeing the light bulb go off, he winked at the junior G-man. "You three have fun!" he added before turning and walking off with Morgan.
Rossi watched the two cross the play area and then focused his attention back on his charge. "Well, kiddo, it looks like it's just the three of us." He said, ruffling the boy's chestnut hair. "So what should we do?"
"Oo! Oo! I know!" Penelope shouted, bouncing up and down. "Let's go play that giant Connect Four game we saw when we came in!"
"Boys against girl?" Dave inquired.
"You're on!" Garcia replied. "Just try not to be too upset when I wipe the floor with you and my Baby Bunting."
"Ha!" Dave scoffed. "Come on buddy. Let's go show Garcia who the real boss is."
Nodding, Spencer snuggled into Rossi's chest with a smile. He finally had his friends back.