Turning Back Time Chapter 87, a criminal minds fanfic

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- I have no idea where the rhyme Will says came from. Its one I've heard since I was a kid.

Previously on Criminal Minds- Spencer glanced from the pacifier to his friend and sighed. "Otay" he conceded. He laid back down, pulled his Ewok to his chest, and popped the pacifier into his mouth. Closing his eyes, he snuggled down into the blanket and dropped off to sleep.

Garcia's fingers flew over the keyboard. "Come on, come on! Where are you?" she muttered, revising her search perimeters. She huffed as that also failed to return the results she needed. The beep of her phone sounded, momentarily freezing her fingers. Not wanting the noise to wake her sleeping charge, she swiftly punched a button and answered the call. "Goddess of the information superhighway, how may I direct your travels?...Hi Sweet'ems! Are you feeling any better?...Oh poor baby, do you want me to send a doctor your way?...Are you sure?...Well, okay if you say so. But I'm putting you on notice right now mister. If you are not doing loads better by the time I get home tonight, you are going to the ER even if I have to drag you there." Hearing the rustling of covers, Garcia glanced over at Reid. "Morgan, I've gotta go. Spencer's waking up…Give the little guy a break. He's had a rough week…I know. It's just been harder on him, you know. Look I've really gotta hang up. Go lay back down and try to get some rest and I'll be there as soon as I can…Derek Morgan, don't tempt me! Oooo! I'll hold you to that…Uh huh, bye." Smiling brightly, Garcia swiveled her chair around to face Reid, who was just beginning to sit up. "Afternoon Sweet Pea! Did you have a good nap?"

Spencer spit the pacifier out of his mouth and smiled back at his friend. "It was quite wefweshing(refreshing) attaully(actually)." He replied, knuckling his eyes.

"I would think so considering how long you slept." Penelope said, opening her drawer and pulling out the boy's snack.

"What do you mean?" Spencer questioned. Pushing the blankets off his legs, he stood and looked over at the clock on the wall behind the computers. His eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw the time. "Fouw o'tlot! You let me leep till fouw o'tlot!" he hollered, stomping his foot. "I was a-pposed to be bat at my dest at two! Why didn't you wate me up?!"

Garcia walked over at knelt down beside the angry boy. "Honey Lamb, there was no way I was going to wake you when you were sleeping so peacefully. You needed that extra time and I wasn't about to take it from you." She explained, palming the boy's cheek. She set the bag of cookies and juice box on Reid's pallet and stood back up. "Now, change, eat your snack, and go back to the bullpen." She went to her chair and spun back around to face her computers. Feeling the mini glare being leveled at her, she glanced back at the still mad youngster. "And Spencer, lose the attitude or sitting at your desk will be very uncomfortable for you. Got it?"

"Y-yes ma'am" Spencer answered, nodding his head. He hurriedly uncrossed his arms and plopped down on his blanket. Snatching up his cookie bag, he quickly dug in.

After finishing off his snack, throwing away the trash, and changing back into his work clothes, Spencer tottled over to the furiously typing tech analyst. "Ummm, Gawcia, I'm going bat to my dest now, otay?" he timidly asked.

Penelope swiveled around and pulled the little boy into her lap. She wrapped him in a great big hug and kissed his forehead. "Go ahead Sweet Pea. Just remember you're my Junior G-Man and I love you." She cooed, embracing the boy once more.

"Love you too" Spencer said, hugging her back.

Garcia held her little one a few more moments before reluctantly setting him on his feet. "Go on now. Get back work." She instructed.

"Yes ma'am" Spencer responded. He grabbed his friend's hand, kissed her palm, and then raced out the door.

"Hey Dr. Reid" Anderson greeted when Spencer walked into the bullpen. The agent suddenly chuckled. "Been to see Garcia, huh?"

"Hi" Spencer answered with a wave. He continued to his desk and scrambled into his chair.

Prentiss glanced up at the boy's voice. "It's alive! Alive!" she teased.

"Ha ha" Spencer deadpanned. His forehead scrunched as his friend started laughing. "What?"

"Come here a *snicker* minute, Handsome" Emily said. She grabbed the wet wipes JJ had passed out after Reid had been shrunk and once the youngster got within her reach, wiped the lipstick stain off his forehead. "There, that's better."

"What awe you…oh" Spencer mumbled, seeing the bright pink smudge on the wipe. "Fants Em'ly"

"Anytime Short Stuff" Emily replied. She ruffled the tiny profiler's hair. "Now that I've helped you out how about returning the favor by getting started on your workload? We've got an hour and a half to make a dent in our files and Morgan's.

"Otay" Reid agreed. He gave his friend a smile and then went to his desk, climbed into his chair, and set to work.

A stack of finished folders and one hot chocolate later, the FBI agents walked out of the elevators and into the parking garage. They talked and laughed about the day's events as they made their way to JJ and Spencer's ride. Getting to the red car, they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

After a grueling forty-five minutes in rush hour traffic, JJ and her two very energetic passengers finally made it home. The tired mother swiftly unfastened the straps of Henry's car seat while Spencer tackled his own. Once both boys were free, they jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the front yard. Grabbing Henry's playground ball, they kicked it back and forth until JJ called them inside.

JJ helped them take off their coats and hats and hang them up before shooing them into the living room. "Alright boys, I want you to play in here while I start supper." JJ told the youngsters.

"Otay mommy" Henry replied.

"Yeah otay" Spencer answered. Taking a step closer to his friend, he quietly added, "Don't wowwy JJ. I'll teep an eye on Henwy fow you."

"Thanks Spencer" she whispered. JJ watched her best friend and her son play for a few minutes before turning and going into the kitchen to cook.

Both boys looked up at the sound of the front door opening.

"Honey, I'm home!" Will called as he walked into the living room.

"DADDY!" Henry hollered. He raced over and jumped into his father's arms.

Spencer watched the end of the workday ritual between father and son. He'd witnessed it before a time or two when he was visiting and he'd always been curious about it. He couldn't remember a time his own father had greeted him with a hug or whirled him around like Will was doing. He wondered what it was like to be treated like that; if it was as wonderful as he imagined it to be. Reid sighed. He guessed he'd never…"Huh?"

Will rolled his eyes. "I said I don't get a hug from you, too?" he repeated, holding out his arms.

Henry ran up to Spencer and grabbed his hand. "'Mon, Weid give daddy a hug." He demanded.

"I, ummm, I'm not su-suwe" Spencer stammered.

"Come on, kiddo. It's okay." Will encouraged.

"Oh, well in fat tase I guess I tould…"

"Weid, go hug." Henry insisted, tugging the mini agent forward.

"Otay, otay" Spencer replied. Jogging over to Will, he jumped into his friend's arms. He giggled as the man spun him around before setting him back on his feet.

Will ruffled both boys' hair and then trudged over to the couch and dropped onto it. "So have you two been good today?" he asked as he settled back against the sofa.

"Uh huh, me was vewy good." Henry answered, trotting over to his daddy. The small boy climbed onto Will's knee and patted his chest. "Daddy, play pony?"

"I don't know Henry. Daddy's pretty tired." Will hedged.

"Peas, daddy?" Henry urged, pulling out his own version of the puppy eyes.

Will rubbed his chin for a moment. "I guess I've got a couple of pony rides left in me." He told his son.

"Yea! Henry wide pony!" the excited youngster yelled.

Will took Henry's tiny hands in his and started bouncing his son on his knee. "Ride a pony, ride a pony way down town. Watch out Henry, don't fall down!" he chanted, straightening his leg at the end of the verse so a giggling Henry slid down to the floor.

Henry quickly climbed back onto Will's knee. "Again!" he hollered.

Spencer stood beside the recliner and curiously eyed the new game. The father and son game looked like fun. He wondered if it was as awesome as the door greeting game.

Catching sight of his audience out of the corner of his eye, Will inwardly sighed. He could tell Spencer wanted to play too but was too shy or maybe even too embarrassed to ask. Well, he could fix that. He finished the current pony ride and then said, "Henry, give Reid a turn."

"No daddy, I ride!" Henry protested.

"Henry, you have to take turns, remember?" Will urged, adopting a stern expression.

Not wanting his godson to get in trouble, Spencer quickly spoke up. "It's otay Will. I don't have to…"

"Yes you do." Will interrupted. "He has to learn to share with his friends." He then focused back on his son. "Henry, go tell Reid it's his turn." He directed.

"Otay daddy" Henry replied. He trudged over to the tiny profiler. "Weid's tuwn to wide." Henry grumbled, kicking the carpet.

"Fants Henwy" Spencer responded. He gave his godson a dimpled grin before hurrying over to Will and climbing onto his knee.

"Supper's ready" JJ announced as she strolled into the living room. She bit back a laugh at the sight of her husband being double teamed by Henry and Spencer. "Come on, guys. You can finish your wrestling match later."

Will immediately stilled the little boys. "Alright boys, you heard your mom. It's time to eat." He said. Wrapping an arm around each boy's waist, he stood and headed for the bathroom. "Be right back, Chere." He called.

"Alright" JJ replied. "Just hurry. The boys need to run off some of that energy before bedtime or we'll never get them to sleep tonight." Getting a nod in response, JJ turned and went back into the kitchen. She had two character cups to fill.

Once everyone had finished their meal, Will sent his wife and the boys into the other room so he could clean up in piece. He flipped on the TV and tuned it to the news channel before going to the sink and turning on the faucet. With the hot water running, he strode back over to the dining table. Will stacked the dirty dishes, silverware, and cups. He then carefully carried the pile to the counter. The Cajun had just picked up the first dish when the home phone rang. Sighing, he set it back down and snatched the receiver off the wall phone. "Hello" he greeted. "Oh, hey Hotch…yeah, he's here. Hang on just a minute." Will covered the receiver before bellowing, "Reid! H-Your daddy's on the phone!" He smirked as running feet sounded. Seeing an excited Spencer race through the doorway and up to the counter, the father quickly rounded the counter, hoisted the little boy onto a stool, and handed him the phone.

"H-Hotch, is youw p-pawt of the twial o-over?" Spencer breathlessly asked. His face fell when he heard the answer. "Oh, otay, do you know how long…pwomise…otay…I'm fine. I'm having fun wif JJ and Will and Henwy…Wowt went otay. Em'ly and I made a good sized dent in ouw papew wowt…Yes siw I did but…Gawcia made me, made me" Spencer glanced over at Will before lowering his voice and whispering, "She made me use a pac'fiew. Tould you tall hew and tell hew I don't need one…yeah, I attually ovewslept…but Hotch…but you don't undewtand!...fat's not it…otay, otay fat's pawt of it…it's green with fese big but(buck) teef on the fwont!...yes siw…pwomise?...otay I'll twy…uh huh, talt to you tomowwow…yes siw night Hotch." Spencer listened for a minute more before handing the receiver back to Will. "Fants Will" he said before sadly shuffling out the kitchen door.

Will shook his head as he placed the phone back in the cradle. The tiny agent had sounded just like any other child talking to their daddy. The kid was finally starting to act like a real little kid and he couldn't be happier. Reid had needed this for a long time. And Will planned to see to it that his friend experienced as much childhood fun as he could.

Will plopped down in his favorite chair and reclined it all the way back. After wrestling with two active boys for half an hour and then helping them with their baths, he was beyond tired. Luckily, he had the next thirty minutes or so to himself. It would take JJ that long at least to tuck Henry and Reid into bed and read them a story. Once she finished, it would be goodnight hugs and kisses time and then he and JJ would finally have some time to themselves. Smiling at that thought, Will opened up the evening paper and settled in to read. He managed to make it two sentences into the first article before the pitter patter of little feet drew his attention to the entryway. He frowned as Reid hesitantly stepped into the room. "What's up, kiddo?" he asked. "I thought JJ was reading you guys a story."

"She is." Spencer replied, taking a step closer to the recliner. "But "The Little Taw(Star) is JJ and Henwy's pecial towy. I don't want to intwude on feiw pecial time."

"You wouldn't be intruding, Spencer." Will countered. "JJ would love for you to be with them."

"I know but, ummm, I uhhh" Spencer stammered.

Noticing a book sticking out from behind the youngster's back, Will smothered a grin. "Spencer, would you like me to read that to you?" he asked, pointing to the badly concealed paperback.

Reid shyly nodded.

Will levered his recliner back in the upright position and patted his lap. "Come on up here, kiddo" he cheerfully invited.

Spencer didn't have to be told twice. He clambered into the young father's lap and held out his book. Leaning back, he snuggled into Will's chest with a contented sigh.

Wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulder, Will took the offered book and glanced at the cover. "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed huh?" he muttered, opening the paperback. "Okay kiddo, here we go."

"Well, they're finally out for the night." JJ announced as she walked into the bedroom. She flopped onto the bed. "Remind me to have a talk with Mrs. Woodard about not giving Henry sugary treats in the afternoon. I didn't think he was ever going to calm down enough to go to sleep."

"Dually noted" Will responded as he massaged his wife's shoulders and back. "You coming to bed now?"

JJ sighed. "No, I'm gonna take a shower first." She reluctantly stood back up. She leaned down and kissed Will, snickering as he pulled her in for another kiss. "Hold that thought." she said, putting a finger over his lips.

"Always, Chere" Will answered. He watched his wife slink into the bathroom and close the door before turning his attention to the hallway outside the room. "You can come out now, Reid." He called.

Spencer slowly tottled into the room. Carrying stuffed animals in both arms and dragging a blanket behind him, the littlest profiler trudged over to the bed. "Will, tould I, umm, do you fint I tould, umm" Reid stammered, fidgeting from foot to foot.

Will smiled down at the boy. "Yes, you can sleep with us." He told Reid, answering the still unasked question. He leaned over, scooped the youngster up, and settled him in the middle of the bed. After tucking the blankets around Spencer, Will snuggled the sleepy boy into his side. "Go to sleep buddy. I've got ya." He whispered.

A short while later JJ walked out of the bathroom followed by a cloud of steam. "I'm ready for my…" she cut off as she noticed the child sleeping beside her husband. "Is he okay?" she whispered, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah, he's just missing all his father figures." Will hypothesized.

JJ brushed a stray bang out of Reid's face. "I think you're right. That's the stuffed reindeer Hotch bought him, the tiger Morgan made, and the throw Rossi got for him." she replied, pointing out the different items.

"I guess that's his way of keeping them close to him." Will said.

"Makes sense" JJ softly answered. "He's been clinging to Hotch since we found out about Gideon. And now Hotch, Rossi, and Morgan have all left him for one reason or another. It's no wonder his abandonment issues have come back full force."

"Yeah, well he's still got me and I'm not going anywhere." Will adamantly stated.

"Me either, Honey, me either" JJ whispered.

After another grueling day filled with paperwork and hot chocolate, JJ and Spencer trudged into the townhouse with Henry in tow.

"Weid! Tome pay!" Henry hollered, running into the living room.

"Toming!" Spencer yelled back. He handed his jacket to JJ and then raced after his godson.

Shaking her head at the two, JJ hung up their jackets and hats and then headed into the kitchen. She took the pork chops out of the fridge, coated them, and stuck them in the oven. The main part of supper taken care of she set about mixing a salad. Snatching her ringing cell out of its holster, JJ set it on the counter and put it on speaker. "Hey Pen, how's Morgan?"

"My Handsome Hunk is actually doing a lot better." Garcia reported. "He hasn't gotten sick since before lunch and he's even been able to keep a little soup down."

"That's great, Pen!" JJ exclaimed. "Sounds like he'll be back to his normal, annoying self very soon."

"He will if I have anything to say about it." Penelope intoned. "What about my Little Pumpkin? Is he really doing okay?"

"Relax Pen, Spence is doing just fine. Spending time with us has actually been good for him. He has a little partner in crime to play with so he can really cut loose and just be a kid." JJ explained.

"But what about…"

"Hang on a minute Pen" JJ broke in. She hurried over to the kitchen entryway, making it just as the front door opened and Will stepped inside.

"DADDY!" Henry shouted the same time as Spencer yelled, "Will!" Both boys jumped up, raced over to the newcomer and leapt into his arms, giggling as he spun them around.

JJ stopped recording and swiftly sent the short video to her friend. "Pen, I just sent you something that should put your mind at ease." She said. "I'll send you more a little later on but right now I have to finish fixing dinner…yeah okay bye." Setting her cell back in its cradle, the young mother went back to her meal.

Spencer sighed as he stared at the silent wall phone. Shifting his gaze to the clock on the microwave, he realized he had another six minutes and thirty-seven seconds before the court would break for a short recess allowing Hotch time to call him. He didn't think he could wait that long. He needed something to do to occupy his mind until then. Deciding to help Will with the dishes, Spencer started to slide off the stool only to stop as an image of the Middleton, Washington courthouse came on the television. He climbed onto the counter, grabbed the remote, and thumbed up the volume.

"We have breaking news ladies and gentlemen. Gunfire has been reported inside the Middleton courthouse where the trial of the serial killer known as the Paxton Slasher is currently underway. It appears an unknown assailant stood up during the testimony of an F.B.I. profiler and began firing. According to sources inside the courtroom, several people were shot including the agent on the stand.