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've had several folks ask if I would be writing more little Reid stories once this one is over. The answer is yes. I have a few ideas for short stories featuring little Reid.

To the readers who nominated this story for that fanfic award at that one forum: Thank you! You really didn't have to do that. Y'all reading and your reviews are my rewards and those are better than any award out there.

The song the guys sing is Toy Trains. If you haven't heard the Statler Brothers' version of the song, you might want to look it up. It'll help you picture a certain scene.

Previously on Criminal Minds- Vowing to make Hotch pay for making him play the bad guy, Derek pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards the airport.

A Bump in the Road

"Spencer…wake up Pretty Boy" Morgan called as he gently shook his best friend's shoulder. Seeing the little boy's face scrunch up and his forehead crinkle, the muscular man said the one thing he knew would get the child the rest of the way up. "Come on youngster! Don't make me tickle you!"

Spencer grumpily opened one eye and glared at the older man. "Twit it Mowwwwgaaan, I'm tiwed!" he whined.

Derek quirked an eyebrow at Reid's response and the tone in which it was delivered. The kid shouldn't be tired; he had just woken up from a good night's sleep a few hours earlier. But the weariness was clear in his voice. He definitely needed a nap. Maybe the night hadn't been as restful as Morgan had thought. Then again the drama at the doctor's office could be to blame too. After all, Spencer had come awfully close to having a panic attack before the shot. Add to that the spanking before and all the crying after and the profiler figured you had all the makings for one exhausted little kid. Rubbing the top of his bald head, Derek sighed. He guessed there was just one thing he could do. "Okay, youngster I'll make a deal with you. You stay awake long enough for me to undo these straps and get you outta this contraption and then you can sleep all you want." He offered, smiling down at the bleary eyed tot. "Deal?"

Spencer nodded. "D- *Yawn* deal" he agreed. Knuckling his eyes with one hand, he used the other to pinch his thigh to keep himself awake. He tiredly followed his friend's instructions, moving his arms when told and staying as still as he could without drifting back off. As soon he was freed, Spencer grabbed his Ewok and raised his arms.

Morgan swiftly granted the unspoken request. He scooped the boy up, smiling as Reid's head dropped onto his shoulder. Feeling the little guy's soft breathes caressing his neck, Derek glanced down to find his friend already conked out. "Sleep tight, Baby Boy" he whispered.

Morgan kept a tight grip on his sleeping charge as he strode through the parking lot to the nearest shuttle stop. Standing in one corner of the covered enclosure, he pulled his jacket tighter around the two of them. The last thing he wanted was for the kid to get sick again. Reid really needed a warmer coat, one built for the extremely cold Virginia winters. He bet his mom could help him pick out a good one. Heck, she'd probably find the youngster a whole new wardrobe. Smirking at the thought of his friend having to endure the Fran Morgan shopping experience, Derek walked over and got in line to board the shuttle that was pulling up to the stop. Resolving to ensure that his friend got that very experience, he got onto the heated bus, took a seat all the way in the back, and settled Reid in his lap for the ride to the airport.

CM

When the shuttle came to a stop in front of the building, Morgan picked up Spencer and snuggled him under his coat. He stepped off the warm shuttle and into the cold November weather. Not wanting to expose Reid to the frigid air any longer than necessary, the muscular profiler hurried across the pavement and into the bustling airport. He made a beeline for the bank of monitors hanging on the wall to the left. Once there, Derek checked the status of his mother's flight. He sighed at the word delayed. He'd figured as much. After glancing at the tentative arrival time, the young man decided use the wait time to see if he couldn't find a heavier jacket for Spencer. He wandered over to the airport's directory and quickly scanned it for an appropriate store. Two choices immediately jumped out at him. A quick glance at the provided map gave him the directions and distance to each. Turning, Morgan walked around the lines of people checking in at the various airline counters and through an entryway to an enormous open mall type part of the building. He took a moment to get his bearings and then headed right to the first stop on his list.

Walking into the Museum of Aviation store a few minutes later, Derek looked around with a grin. The place was a plane and space lover's dream! Everything flight centered one could want was scattered around the extra large store. Reid would have been vibrating with glee had he been awake. Deciding to bring the kid back by the store on their way out of the airport, Morgan glanced around, searching for the section he needed. It took a little looking and walking but he finally came across the part of the store he wanted; the children's section. After that it was just a matter of finding the right area and the correct size. Finding his prize, the agent carefully pulled it off the rack. He tried it on his sleeping charge before happily heading to the check-out to pay for the item. Once he'd paid and the tags had been taken off, Morgan walked out of the store and straight over to one of the tables in the middle of the open space. He took a seat and settled Spencer in his lap for the long wait.

CM

Fran Morgan hurried down the long corridor leading to the baggage claim where her boy was waiting. She couldn't wait to see her baby again! It had been far too long since they'd been together. She was planning on making up all that lost time though. She had managed to procure a whole week off and she planned to spend every minute of it with her son. It was going to be wonderful! And not just because of Derek. Fran was also excited to get to spend some time with his colleagues, especially that Garcia woman she'd heard so much about. She was sure to learn…her thoughts suddenly ground to a halt. There standing next to the baggage carousel was the most handsome young man in the world; her son Derek. His smiling face wasn't what stopped her in her tracks however. The tiny boy in his arms caused that reaction. Wondering what in the world was going on, Fran stormed up to her son, crossed her arms, and gave him her infamous 'what did you do now' look. "Something you want to tell me, Derek?" she inquired.

His momma's expression had Morgan taking a step back. Growing up, that look had meant he was in serious trouble which usually translated into not being able to sit for a very long time. He had no idea why he'd be seeing it now though. He hadn't done anything to warrant…feeling Spencer tense, he glanced down at the boy. Noticing his friend staring nervously at his mother, Derek looked over at her. Seeing her gazing at the tot in his arms and…oh! No wonder she looked like she was about to spontaneously combust. "Relax momma, he's not mine. He's my boss Hotch's nephew Reid." He introduced. "Reid, this is my momma."

Thumb in mouth Spencer raised his free hand and wiggled his fingers up and down like Henry did when he waved goodbye.

"He's Agent Hotchner's nephew? Why is he with you then?" Fran asked.

Morgan smiled in an attempt to put both his loved ones at ease. "He's been staying with Hotch for a few months so he's gotten to know all of us and he's gotten kinda attached to us all." He explained. "We all moved to Rossi's cabin yesterday for the holiday and when he heard me telling Hotch I was coming to the airport to pick you up, he wanted to go. Isn't that right, Reid?"

Spencer nodded before shyly burying his face in Morgan's shoulder.

"Awwww, he is adorable!" Fran exclaimed, stepping closer to the duo. "And he seems to have taken a real liking to you."

Morgan grinned. "Yeah, the kid and I have gotten really close the last few weeks." He proudly stated. Hearing luggage sliding down the ramp and onto the carousel, he asked, "Did you bring your big, red suitcase?"

Fran nodded. "Yes" she replied as they went over to the machine. "And there's a smaller, red one, too. They should be coming out soon."

"I'll get'em momma." Derek offered.

"Honey, you can't pick up the bags. Your hands are already full." Fran pointed out. "Besides, I'm not so old that you have to be doing things for me. I am perfectly capable of taking a couple of suitcases off a baggage carousel."

Morgan raised a hand in surrender. "I know momma. I know." He replied. "I was just trying to be a gentleman like you taught me."

"Nice to know you listened to me about something." She teased. Spying one of her suitcases, she swiftly scooped it up. She set it by her feet and got into position to grab the heavier bag as it went past. She pulled that one off the carousel. Setting the suitcase on its wheels, she raised the handle until it snapped into place.

Bags in hand the Morgans and Reid started making their way through the airport. They chatted about the flight and their plans for the week as they walked past shop after shop.

Seeing Reid's eyes lock onto a spot ahead of them, Fran glanced over to see what had caught the boy's attention. The giant, colorful Disney store sign gave her a wonderful idea. She stopped as they came to the store front. "Let's look in here before we go." She suggested.

Spencer's face lit up. "Tan we Untle Mowgan?" he excitedly asked.

"I don't see why not." Derek replied, ruffling the boy's hair. He set the bouncing youngster on his feet, took a tiny hand in his, and walked the rambunctious boy into the store.

CM

Forty five minutes and two overloaded shopping bags later the trio waltzed out of the Disney store and headed for the exit once more. They hurried past the rest of the stores as well as the ticket counters and over to the glass sliding doors leading to the outside. Not wanting to stand out in the cold air the group stood by the doors and watched for the shuttle.

When the bus finally came into view, Morgan helped Spencer pull on his new aviator jacket and zip it up. The profiler then slid on his own coat, grabbed the suitcases and shopping bags, looked down at his friend who was reaching out to him, and said, "I can't pick you up, kiddo. I've got my hands full right now." Seeing the woebegone expression come over the child's face, Derek frowned. Spencer was acting very un-Spencer like and he was starting to worry about the kid. He needed to find out…a warm body leaning against his leg drew him out of his thoughts. Glancing down, he saw Reid wearily knuckling his eyes. Okay time for plan B. Morgan turned to his mom. "Momma, would you mind carrying Reid? I think we've wore him out."

The look on Fran's face said it all. "Of course I will." She replied. She knelt down and held out her arms. "Reid" she softly called. "Come to Nana."

Spencer shuffled over and gratefully sank into Fran's warm embrace. Dropping his head onto her shoulder, he popped his thumb in his mouth and let out a contented sigh.

"Nana?" Derek curiously questioned as they hurried out to the shuttle.

"Yes Nana" Fran defended. "I've always dreamed my grandbabies would call me that but at the rate you and your sisters are going, that's never gonna happen. So I might as well allow Reid to use it. Besides, it'll be nice to hear an angelic little voice calling me Nana."

Morgan chuckled. "Whatever you say, Momma" he said. He helped the bus driver load the suitcases into the storage compartment before stepping onto the shuttle and claiming the seat next to his mother. Running a hand up and down an unusually quiet Spencer's back, he readied himself for what he hoped was a quick trip to the truck.

CM

Morgan hurried through the front door of Rossi's cabin carrying a shivering Spencer. "Hotch!" he bellowed, heading for the kitchen.

The sound of boots thudding up the stairs was heard followed by the appearance of Hotch, Rossi, Will, and Prentiss. Seeing their friend cradling the littlest profiler, the group rushed over. "What happened?" Aaron asked, kicking himself for letting the boy out of his sight.

"I'm not sure. He was fine when we left. He took a little nap after he got the flu shot but with the freak out he had about getting it, that wasn't a surprise. He seemed to be alright when he woke up. But then he started getting tired again. I thought maybe it was because it was getting close to naptime. It wasn't until he refused to eat that I knew something was definitely wrong." Derek explained, handing the youngster over to Hotch.

"Daddy, I don't feel good." Spencer muttered around his thumb.

Feeling the unnatural warmth of the tiny body and spying the twin red spots on his cheeks, Aaron sighed. "Let's get you to bed." He said. "Dave"

"On it," Rossi called over his shoulder as he strode towards the kitchen.

"Morgan, you said Reid got his flu shot this morning?" Will asked.

"Yeah, why?" Derek answered.

"This could be a side effect of the shot." Will told him. "Or it might be an allergic reaction. Did the nurse give you an information sheet about what to expect?"

Morgan nodded. "It's in my pocket." He replied.

"Come on. Let's get it to Hotch." Will urged.

Emily watched the two men hurry up the stairs before turning to the only other person in the room: Fran. "Mrs. Morgan, why don't I show you to your room while the guys get Reid settled?" she offered.

"That would be wonderful!" Fran agreed. "It's been a long morning and I'd love to freshen up a little bit."

Smiling Emily grabbed the bigger of the two bags and started for the back. "Right this way." She directed. "So tell me, what was Derek like as a kid?"

Fran laughed. "Oh Honey, he was a real handful. The stories I could tell you would make you cringe."

"Such as?" Prentiss prodded.

Fran thought for a moment before smirking. "Well, there was that one time he…"

CM

"How bad is it?" Aaron asked without taking his eyes off his sick son.

"100.7" Dave read off.

"No wonder you feel like crap, kid." Morgan muttered. He glanced up as Will reentered the room. "What'd the doc say?"

"He said a fever under 101, chills, and muscle aches were all common side effects of the vaccine." Will replied. "And that we could give him Children's Tylenol for the fever and if it wasn't gone in a couple of days to bring him in." He handed Hotch the medicine cup already filled with the needed dose of medication.

"Thanks" Aaron said. He helped Spencer sit up long enough to swallow the bubble gum flavored medicine. "There you go, buddy. That'll have you feeling better in no time."

"Go to sleep Bambino." Dave instructed, palming the boy's cheek. "We've got ya."

Seeing the boy fighting to keep his eyes open instead, Will frowned. "What's a matter, kiddo?" he asked.

Spencer peered up at the men with tear filled eyes. "Will you, you sing? Peas?" he quietly requested.

"Sure Pretty Boy" Morgan agreed.

Smiling the four men formed a sitting circle around their sick friend. They whispered among themselves for a moment, deciding on a song. Then after agreeing on who would sing which part, they readied themselves for a new experience.

Dave cleared his throat and began. "Old toy trains"

"Little toy tracks" Will sang.

"Little boy toys" Derek chimed in.

"Coming from a sack" Aaron sang. The others then joined in. "Carried by a man, dressed in white and red. Little boy don't you think it's time you were in bed."