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- Two quick things: If you'd like the recipes to either desert mentioned in this chapter, let me know. I'm headed out early tomorrow morning for the weekend but as soon as I'm back and send it your way. And a challenge: Can you spot the Supernatural reference in this one?

Previously on Criminal Minds- Clutching the phone tightly, the tiny boy closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Dinner is Served

CM

Reid woke to a warm hand on his shoulder and a soft voice calling his name. Blinking open his eyes, he popped the pacifier out of his mouth and peered up into Morgan's smiling face.

"Evening, Pretty Boy" Derek greeted as he shifted his hand to the boy's back and began rubbing. "It's almost time for supper. You think you can eat something?"

Spencer sighed. He had no interest in eating. In fact the only thing he wanted was a nice warm bed and maybe a back rub or two. However, that wasn't in the cards for him right now. Reid knew from past experiences that he needed to at least eat a little something before he took any medication. And it was almost time for his next dose of Tylenol if his blossoming headache was any indication. So Spencer smiled up at the man who had come to be like an older brother to him. "Yeah, I fint I tould eat a little; jut nofing heavy." he truthfully stated. "Maybe some soup?"

"I think we can handle that." Morgan replied, returning the boy's smile with one of his own. "Actually, I know we can. My mom is one of the cooks tonight and she's nursed enough sick kids to know what their stomachs can and can't take."

Spencer let out a relived breathe at that information. Having an experienced parent cooking meant he was sure to have something easy on his stomach to eat. "Good" he said, patting his growling belly. Noticing that they were alone for the first time, he frowned at the absence of his father figure. "Whewe's Hotch?"

"He's downstairs playing with Henry. Hotch sat with you for most of the afternoon; worrying every time you so much as moved and fussing over you making sure your blanket was just right and you were comfy. He was driving all of us nuts. He didn't seem to notice though; he was too focused on taking care of you. He'd still be sitting on the edge of the couch with you, too if Will hadn't gone to help Rossi and momma with supper. Henry begged him to play train with him then. And since Hotch figured you wouldn't want him to disappoint Henry, he agreed." Derek explained. "He's been up here to check on you every half hour though." He glanced at his watch. "In fact, he should be walking into the room in five, four, three, two, one." Morgan pointed to the entryway.

"How's Reid?" Aaron whispered as he strode into the room. Getting giggling in response, he quickly rounded the couch and smiled down at his laughing son. "I see someone's feeling better."

"Yes siw" Spencer answered.

"He's definitely on the mend." Morgan told the BAU leader. "He's hungry."

Aaron's brow furrowed. "Are you now?" he asked, placing the back of his hand on the little boy's forehead.

"Uh huh" Spencer said. "I fint I tan eat a little bit."

Aaron nodded. "Alright, let's go wash up then." He suggested, reaching for the youngster.

Morgan swiftly blocked the motion. "I've got him, Hotch." He informed the young father.

Spencer rolled his eyes as the two men began to argue over who was going to take him to wash his hands. Honestly, they sounded like two little…he yelped as he was suddenly scooped up from behind.

"Come on Little Bit let's go get you washed up while the two of them work things out." Will said as he settled the boy on his hip. As he walked towards the hallway, he called over his shoulder, "I'm taking Reid to wash his hands. Then we're going to the dining room to eat. When y'all finish arguing, come join us."

Aaron and Derek stared after the Cajun, both their mouths hanging open. Morgan was the first to find his voice. "Did, did he just…"

"I do believe he did." Hotch answered, shaking his head. "What do you think we should do about it?"

Derek ran a hand across his bald head for a moment and then grinned like the cat that had eaten the canary. "I'd say Will just went and made himself the newest target of the prank wars."

Aaron's lips curled up evilly. "I like the sound of that."

Hearing his mom calling them, Morgan huffed. "We'll discuss the details after supper." He told his partner in crime before hollering, "We're coming, momma!"

Aaron barked out a laugh at the childlike shout. "How old are you again?" he teased as the two headed to the dining room.

"What?" Morgan fired back with a smirk. "I didn't do anything. I merely let my…OW! What was that for momma?" he asked, rubbing the back of his head.

Fran pointed the wooden spoon she'd just popped her son with at him. "Derek Morgan, you know better than to yell in the house!" she scolded. "I taught you better than that!"

"Sorry momma" Morgan apologized, giving her a peck on the cheek. Taking a seat at the table, he raised an eyebrow at the giggling youngsters across from him. "What's so funny?"

"Untle Mowgan got in, in twouble!" Spencer happily stated. His laughter increased as Henry echoed his statement. Groaning as the giggling made his headache worse, the little boy quickly sobered up and stopped laughing. He closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths to calm the ache in his head. Once his headache toned down to a more manageable pain, Spencer opened his eyes to find everyone staring at him. Uncomfortable with the attention, he turned to his favorite method of getting his friends focused elsewhere. "Untle Wossi is fat soup?" he asked, pointing to the large pot the older man was carrying.

Dave gave the little boy a pointed look, telling him he wasn't buying the ruse. However, that didn't stop him from going along with it. He smiled down at the boy. "Yes it is." He replied, placing the pot on the table. "Mrs., I mean, Fran made it especially for you." Rossi took a seat at the head of the long, oak table and reaching over, grasped the hands of the people sitting closest to him; Spencer and Fran. "Aaron, you wanna do the honors?"

Hotch nodded. Taking Spencer and JJ's hands, he bowed his head and began. "Dear Lord, thank you for bringing our family together and for the wonderful meal you have provided. Please bless all our family and friends and give us a safe and happy Thanksgiving week. Amen."

"Amen" everyone chorused before opening their eyes.

Standing, Fran spooned a good sized helping of soup into a Mickey Mouse bowl and set it on Spencer's plate. "This is my tomato rice soup. I used to make it every time one of my kids was sick. It was always the one thing they could eat." She told Spencer. "I hope you like it."

"Fant you" Spencer politely said. He picked up his plastic Goofy spoon and scooped up a tiny bit. Putting it in his mouth, he smiled. "Fis is good!"

"Told ya he'd like it." Derek stated. After spooning a helping of noodles onto his plate and passing the bowl to his mom, he scanned the table full of food. "Hey Will, did you make one of your famous ice cream cakes for desert?"

Will grinned. "Nah, I'm saving that for Thanksgiving dinner." He replied. "Your mom made tonight's desert and let me tell you it smelled good."

Morgan turned eager eyes on his mom. "Momma, please tell me you made what I think you made."

Fran fondly shook her head at her son. "Yes, Derek I made your favorite; milk pie." she answered, pinching the excited man's cheek. "But you're not getting any until you've cleaned your plate." Hearing muffled snickers, she gave the rest of the group her infamous mom glare. "That goes for the rest of you, too. I expect to see empty plates if you're figuring on tasting that pie."

"Yes ma'am" Aaron responded for the group.

"Dig in guys. You do not want to miss out on that milk pie!" Morgan informed the others.

Spurred into action by the promise of a delicious desert the BAU family swiftly tucked into their meals.

CM

"Oh man! I'm so full I don't think I can move." Emily groaned as she pushed back from the table.

"Me either" Garcia seconded. "That was an absolutely terrific meal though. I loved every bite of it."

"Ummmm hmmm" Spencer said around the pie in his mouth. Getting a raised eyebrow from Rossi, he obediently chewed and swallowed his mouthful before speaking again. "The pie and the soup wewe weally good. Fant you Nana"

"You're welcome, Sweetie" Fran replied. Seeing pain flash across the boy's face, she frowned. "Are you feeling alright, Honey?"

Shaking his head, Spencer slid off his chair and shuffled the two steps to Rossi's chair. He looked up at his friend and raised his arms.

Dave quickly scooped the ailing youngster up. "Awww buddy, your fever going up again?"

Reid nodded into the senior profiler's shoulder.

Dave sighed. "Alright buddy, let's get you back to bed." He whispered. He stood and hurried out of the room.

"I better get the Tylenol." Aaron muttered before leaving the room also.

Concern for the youngster drove the rest of the family to stand and quickly start clearing the table. While Will took Henry downstairs to play, the others quietly divided up the various jobs and got to work.

CM

"How is my sweet little who?" Garcia softly asked as she entered the bedroom followed closely by Derek and his mother.

Aaron massaged his forehead. "His fever's shot up again and his head is killing him." he explained.

"The injection site is extremely sore as well." Dave added, stoking Spencer's hair. "Not to mention the fever is making him cold. He's been shaking like a leaf since we put him to bed. And his muscles ache."

"I can fix that." Fran told the worried men. She rushed out of the room.

Dave stared after the woman. "Derek"

"I have no idea, man." Morgan interrupted. "But I guarantee whatever momma has in mind will help."

Aaron nodded. "I hope so." He said, palming his son's cheek and frowning at the heat he found there. Hearing footsteps, he glanced up to see Mrs. Morgan and Emily coming into the room with hot water bottles.

"This should help with the aches and pains." Fran quietly told the men and she carefully placed the water bottles.

Spencer let out a contented sigh and snuggled further under the blankets.

"Thank you" Aaron whispered.

"That's what families for Honey" Fran replied, patting the young man's shoulder. "We're gonna go now so the little one can sleep. You call if you need anything."

"We will." Dave promised. He watched the ladies and Morgan leave the room before turning to the only grown-up left. "Aaron, why don't you lay down with Spencer? It'll make both of you feel better."

Aaron nodded. "I think I will." He answered. He scooted down the bed a little and then laid back. Wrapping an arm around Spencer, he gently and carefully pulled him closer and snuggled him into his side. He was asleep in seconds.