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- Just a heads up, it might take me a little longer to update for a while. Our Tae Kwon Do tournament is less than a month away so I'll be practicing a lot.
Previously on Criminal Minds- Grabbing his long sleeve Disney ohana shirt and a pair of jeans, Reid headed for the door. It was going to be a great day!
Thanksgiving- Part 1
CM
"MOWNING UNTLE WOSSI!" Spencer shouted as he ran into the kitchen. Barreling into the older man's legs, he wrapped his arms around Rossi's knees.
Dave had to grab onto the counter to keep from falling backwards from the force of the collision. Once he was steady, he leaned over and scooped the energetic tot up. "Good morning to you too, Short Stuff." He greeted.
Arms encircling his friend's neck, Spencer laid his head on Rossi's shoulder, put his mouth right beside the man's ear, and whispered, "No mowe Weid's Wules."
Dave nodded. "Waffles it is buddy" he replied, giving the little boy a wink to show he understood. "It'll only take me a few minutes to get them ready. Why don't you go sit with Nana until they're done?"
"Otay" Spencer happily agreed. He released his hold on Rossi's neck and after the senior profiler set him on his feet, toddled over to the table where Fran was sitting with Emily, Garcia, and Morgan. The little boy tugged on Mrs. Morgan's sweater and then raised his arms.
Smiling, Fran quickly picked the youngster up and settled him in her lap. "Good morning Sweetie" she said. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"
"Uh huh" Reid answered, nodding his head.
Penelope leaned over and planted a kiss on her Junior G-man's cheek. "Morning Baby Cakes" she greeted. Remembering the new set of rules, she added, "What would you like to do today?"
Spencer looked to Hotch for the explanation.
Sitting down across the table from his son, Aaron took a sip of his coffee before answering. "Garcia, that paper I gave you last night" he waited for her to nod before continuing. "I want you to trash it. The plaintiff decided he wanted to go back to the way things were originally."
The three FBI agents at the table glanced at their littlest member in surprise. After the huge blowout and the marathon negotiation the day before, they'd thought the new code of conduct was set in stone. They couldn't believe it hadn't even lasted a day. The three wondered what had happened to make their hard headed friend do a one eighty. Had Hotch talked the boy into surrendering his decision making skills or had something happened that scared their friend into ending his rules before they'd really even begun. They couldn't ask; not with Mrs. Morgan in their midst. They'd just have to wait until the group was alone. Vowing to make that alone time happen ASAP, the three refocused their attention on their leader.
"I'll, I'll do that Hotch" Garcia finally replied.
"Good now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get a shower before I eat." Aaron informed the others as he stood.
Morgan frowned as he watched their leader leave the room. Hotch always took his shower before he got dressed and came downstairs. Why hadn't he done that this time? What was going… "What you'd say Mama?"
"I asked if you were alright. You kind of spaced out on us for a second there." Fran replied, the concern clear in her tone.
"I'm fine, Mama." Derek assured her. "I was just thinking about what Hotch said. It's hard to believe the guy changed his mind. He seemed so adamant about it yesterday and then less than twenty-four hours later he wants Garcia to tear it up."
"Tear what up?" JJ asked as she walked into the room with Will and Henry.
"The paperwork Hotch gave Pen last night. It turns out the guy didn't want what he thought he did." Emily explained as she covertly gestured to Reid.
"Sounds like he figured out he had a sweet deal to start with." Will observed. He sat down next to Fran and ruffled Spencer's hair. "Ain't that right, kiddo?"
JJ frowned at her husband. "Will, please don't use that term in front of Henry." She instructed. "It's not even a word."
"Just 'cause ain't ain't a word to people here, that doesn't mean that ain't ain't a real word." Will replied with a sly grin.
"Will" JJ warned.
"Yes Honey" Will replied in his most innocent voice as he flashed her his own set of puppy dog eyes.
Emily snickered at the look. "Give it up JJ. You're not going to win this one." She wisely advised.
"Yeah, Will ain't gonna stop saying ain't as long as the word ain't aggravates you." Derek teased, earning himself a playful slap on the arm from Garcia.
"Fine" JJ huffed. "But I better not hear Henry say…"
"Ain't!" Henry hollered, clapping his hands. "Ain't, ain't, ain't!"
JJ groaned. "Wiilll"
"Don't look at me Chere. That was Morgan's doing." Will teased, dodging Derek's attempt to land a blow.
Spencer watched wide eyed as his friends bantered and joked with each other. Wanting to get in on the fun, he decided to try out the new word. "Ain't!" he shouted. He threw both hands over his mouth and giggled at the expressions on his friends' faces. Seeing storm clouds begin to form over JJ's head, the littlest profiler dropped his hands and pasted on a worried look. "Uh oh! Untle Mowgan and Untle Will awe in twouble! Fey ain't gonna lite what Aunt JJ does!"
Morgan and Will spun around and stared at the fuming woman, matching deer in the headlights expressions adorning their faces. Gulping, the two men quickly attempted to mount a defense. "Come on JJ! Don't look like that! We were just teasing." Derek explained.
"Yeah Chere, we were having a little fun. That's all. There's no need to go all Mama Bear on us." Will chimed in.
"Oh really?" JJ scoffed, crossing her arms. "So teaching Henry and Reid a bad word is okay?"
Henry peered up at his mother in surprise. "Daddy sayed a bad wowd?" he gasped.
"Yes he did baby." JJ answered.
"Daddy, get a time out?" Henry inquired, glancing at his aunts in confusion when they snickered.
"I think that's a great idea." JJ announced.
"What?!" Derek shouted.
"You can't be serious?" Will balked.
"Oh, I'm serious alright." JJ replied. She pointed to the two far corners of the room. "Now go before I decide you need a more creative punishment."
Copying his mother's stance, Henry turned his version of the mad dad expression on his father. "Go daddy and no say bad wowds no mowe." He scolded.
Will glanced from his stern looking son to his smug wife before sliding his chair back with a huff. While he wanted nothing more than to refuse the ridiculous punishment, he knew he didn't have that option. Like it or not he had to follow through with this silliness for the sake of his son. That didn't mean JJ had won however. On the contrary her little stunt just made her public enemy number one and he couldn't wait to pay her back. Smirking at that thought, Will strolled past his wife. "This ain't over Chere." He whispered.
JJ rolled her eyes. "I'm so scared." She quietly replied. Out loud she said, "Quit your stalling and go."
Resigned to their fate, Morgan and Will slunk over to the appointed corners and plopped down on the floor.
Spencer rolled at the image of his two fierce friends sitting in the naughty corner like two bad little boys. This was just too good! He hoped someone got a pic…a flash followed by a whined "Garcia!" set off another round of giggles. This was so much more fun than that new rules dream world!
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Five minutes later Henry and Spencer slid off their mother and Nana's laps and toddled over to the two corner prisoners.
"Say sowwy daddy and fen you tan tome out." Henry instructed.
Will sighed. This was beyond humiliating. JJ was going down as soon as their Thanksgiving feast was over. But for now; "I'm sorry buddy" he apologized, hugging his little boy.
Henry smiled. "Now daddy tan tome pay." He advised.
Releasing his hold on his son, Will stood and glanced over at his partner in crime.
"Say youw sowwy Mowgan" Spencer said, trying and failing to hold back a snicker.
Derek huffed. He'd played along so far but there was no way he was apologizing. He hadn't done anything wrong. "Kid, I can't believe you of all people expect me to apologize."
Smirking, Reid took a step closer to his friend. "Little pitchews have big eaws." He whispered, discretely motioning to Henry.
"That saying never made any sense." Morgan grumbled. Catching Henry staring his way, the profiler quickly swallowed his pride. "I'm sorry Reid." He apologized.
Spencer launched himself into his big brother's arms. "You'we fowgiven." He absolved, blushing as his stomach chose that moment to express its discontent at being empty.
Morgan sniggered. "Come on Shrimp. Let's go see what's keeping your waffles."
"The waffles are ready!" Rossi called. "I was just waiting on the two of you to make up and get your behinds over here."
"Toming!" Spencer yelled. Jumping out of Morgan's arms, he raced across the room and scrambled into his chair, oblivious to the amused looks on his friends' faces.
Rossi walked up to the table and set the two plates he was carrying in front of the little boys. "Chow down bambinos. You've got a big day ahead of you."
Settling in his chair, Morgan glanced from Spencer's waffle filled plate to the empty space in front of him. "Hey, what about us?" he asked.
"You know where the waffle maker is." Dave replied, swatting the younger man on the back of his head. "Make your own."
"Be sure to make yourself a big breakfast because you're not coming back into the kitchen. Rossi and I have a Thanksgiving feast to prepare." Will told Morgan.
"Got it" Derek said. He stood and slowly headed for the counter.
"Get a move on or you'll go hungry." Dave threatened.
"Okay! Okay!" Morgan grumbled, adding "grandpa" under his breath. "I'm…OW! What was that for?!" he asked, rubbing his stinging behind.
"That was for that smart mouth of yours." Rossi replied as he folded the dish towel back up. "Keep it up and I'll make you go without Thanksgiving dinner."
"You wouldn't" Morgan gasped.
"I wouldn't test him on that if I were you, my Pretty Pilgrim." Garcia advised. "He's got his 'I can out stubborn a mule' face on."
"You better listen to her, Morgan." Hotch suggested as he strode into the kitchen. "It's a long time till our Thanksgiving dinner."
"Daddy! Daddy!" Spencer shouted. He slid off his chair, ran over to his surrogate father, and leapt into his arms. "Guess what! Mowgan and Will had to sit in time out fow saying a bad wowd!"
"They did?" Aaron asked, the corners of his mouth turning up.
"Uh huh" Spencer replied, nodding his head. "JJ said fey had to 'tause fey said…"
Aaron covered the little boy's mouth before he could repeat the word and land himself in corner time. "No saying the bad word buddy" he told his son before removing his hand. "I'd rather you didn't have to spend time in the corner today."
Spencer's eyes went saucer wide. "Yes siw" he meekly answered.
"Good" Hotch said, kissing the boy's forehead. "Now what do you say we go eat our breakfast?"
"Yes siw!" Spencer replied, perking up at the mention of food.
Smiling, Aaron carried his son to the table and set him in his chair before going over to the counter to fix his own breakfast. He poured his bowl of cereal, added a few cut strawberries and a little milk, and then returned to the table. Sitting down beside Reid, the young father picked up the boy's napkin and tucked it into the collar of Spencer's shirt. Ignoring the disgruntled look his actions caused, Aaron dug into his breakfast.
"Finally" Derek muttered when the waffle maker buzzed. Grabbing the handle, he flipped the grill over and opened the lid. After getting a fork, he stabbed his hot waffle and slid it onto his plate. He then slathered syrup on the Mickey Mouse shaped breakfast and carried his treat to the table. Plopping down in a chair across from his best friend, he cut a huge slice of waffle off one mouse ear and raised it to his mouth. Spotting Spencer gazing hungrily at the piece, Morgan sighed and set down his fork. "Here you go kid" he said, sliding his plate over to the tiny profiler.
Reid looked up at Morgan in surprise. "Awe you suwe?" he asked.
"Yeah man" Derek replied, giving the tiny boy a grin. "Go ahead and eat that one. I can make me another one."
"Fants!" Spencer shouted, stuffing the already cut bite into his mouth.
"You're welcome, kiddo" Morgan said. He ruffled the boy's hair and then stood and hurried back over to the counter to cook another waffle.
JJ pulled a wet wipe out of the pack she'd left on the table and wiped Henry's sticky hands and face. "So what do you two want to do today?" she asked the little boys.
"Wide the toastew!" Henry excitedly shouted.
"Me too! Me too!" Spencer hollered, accidently spraying the table with bits of waffle.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Reid." Aaron reminded.
Spencer finished chewing and swallowing before responding, "Yes siw". Thinking of the fun to come, he swiftly stuffed another huge chunk of waffle into his mouth. He needed to get through so he could play.
The rest of breakfast went by quickly with the boys rushing to finish their meals and the adults doing their best to keep up with them. Once everyone was finished and the table cleaned off, the group hurried out of the kitchen, leaving Rossi and Will to prepare the turkey dinner.
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"Tan't tatch me!" Spencer shouted, darting out of Morgan's reach. Shrieking with delight, the mini profiler scampered across the grassy area. He skidded to a stop beside Henry's inchworm, spun around, and stared at his opponent. Sticking his fingers in his ears, Spencer stuck his tongue out at his best friend. "Na, na, na, na, na! You tan't get me!" he chanted.
"Laugh it up while you can, youngster." Morgan called as he stepped closer to the over confident boy. "But I'll have the last laugh 'cause the tickle monster is coming to get…YOU!" Derek suddenly charged at the giggling tot.
Laughing, Spencer raced around the enclosed yard. He dodged benches and jumped over toys as he ran from the snarling monster trying to catch him. He ran and ran, breathing hard. He finally had to stop a few minutes later so he could catch his breathe. Hands on knees, the youngster panted. Glancing back at his best friend, he was glad to see that Morgan had also stopped to rest. Assured that the tickle monster wasn't planning a sneak attack, Reid focused back on his breathing. Once he had slowed it back down to a more normal level, the little boy took off again. He ran towards the middle of the enclosure where he knew his protector was waiting. Rounding a corner of one of the benches, he risked a peek back at his pursuer. He blew a raspberry at Morgan, giggling as the man growled. Grinning with glee, Spencer started to turn his gaze back to the front. He yelped as he tripped, landing hard on his hands and knees. Blinking back tears, the little boy pushed himself up. He glanced forlornly down at his scraped knees and hands. They hurt more than he thought they should especially his left…Spencer's head snapped up at JJ's scream. Seeing the metal cart of the roller coaster barreling towards him, the tiny boy tried to jump off the track. His escape was thwarted however by one of his untied shoelaces. He tugged on the trapped lace but he just wasn't strong enough to pull it free. Shutting his eyes, Reid waited for the imminent collision.
Spying the deadly situation, Emily leapt into action. She dashed over to the track, grabbed the stuck tot, and with an enormous tug, rolled out of the way of the speeding coaster. They cleared the track just in the nick of time.
"SPENCER! EMILY!" Aaron shouted as he raced to his fallen family members. Dropping to his knees beside them, he placed a hand on both of their trembling backs. "Emily, are you and Spencer alright?" he questioned.
"Y-yeah I, I think so." Prentiss stammered. Finishing her check of the sobbing boy in her arms, she wrapped him in a loving embrace. "It's okay, Reid. You're alright." She whispered.
"Is everyone okay? You're not hurt, are you?" Morgan asked as he skidded to a stop beside Hotch.
Emily nodded. "Nothing a few band aids won't fix." She answered, grimacing at the wet feeling on her pants leg. "Oh and we could use some clean pants, too."
"Clean pants?" Aaron repeated, his expression softening as he realized what she meant. Running a hand up and down his son's back, he quietly said, "Spencer? Spencer buddy, come to daddy."
Reid immediately released his hold on Emily and threw himself into Hotch's waiting arms. Burying his face in his father figure's neck, the little boy sobbed out his distress.
"Are you sure you're alright, Prentiss?" Hotch asked as he cradled his distraught son.
"I'm fine. Honest." Emily replied. "Go. Get Spencer inside and taken care of. I'll be there in a minute."
Nodding, Aaron stood and hurried away.
"Did Reid get hurt?" JJ inquired as she and Henry made it to the scene.
"Weid gots a boo boo?" Henry questioned.
"I'm afraid so, Henry." Emily told the boy. "But don't worry. Hotch will fix his skinned knees up in no time."
"Pwomise?" Henry asked.
"I promise." Emily answered. She got shakily to her feet and gave the worried youngster a fake smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm gonna go change and then go downstairs to the playroom for a while. This room has suddenly lost its appeal."
"You got that right." Derek agreed. He wrapped an arm around the still trembling woman's shoulders and the group started for the door at the end of the enclosed room. They made it almost half way before the door burst open and Garcia and Fran rushed in.
"What happened out here? Why was my little Ingenious Indian crying?" Penelope questioned as hurried over to the group. Noticing Prentiss' disheveled hair and rumbled clothes, she added, "And why does Em look like she wrestled a bear?"
That brought a smile to the adults' faces. "Relax Baby Girl, he's alright." Morgan assured the worried woman. "Reid just had a little accident."
"Accident?! What kind of accident?!" Garcia asked, her worry increasing as different scenarios flashed through her mind.
"He fell on the roller coaster track and skinned his knees." JJ explained, wisely leaving out him almost getting hit by the cart.
"Oh, okay" Penelope sighed. The explanation of the run of the mill accident calmed her immediately. Taking Henry from his mom, Garcia tickled the tot's tummy. "Why don't we go downstairs and play while we wait for Spencer to get doctored up? Nana and I set up a few surprises for you."
"Pwises?!" Henry squealed. "Yay! Pwises! Henry get pwises!"
"Let's go then youngster." Morgan said. Lifting Henry out of Garcia's arms, he hoisted the little boy onto his shoulders and ran for the door.
Chuckling at the boys, the ladies slowly followed the two inside.
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"Here we go." Aaron softly stated as he lowered a sniffling Spencer into the tub. Picking up a wash cloth, he wet it and then began gently cleaning the little boy's injuries.
Spencer sat quietly and allowed his father to take control. The shock of the accident combined with the adrenaline crash after had left him exhausted. Yawning, he tiredly fisted his eyes. A nap sounded really good ab…Reid gasped, attempting to yank his leg out of Hotch's grasp. "Ow! Huwts!" he cried.
"Easy buddy, easy. I'm almost done." Aaron soothed. Tightening his grip on the tiny limb, he ran the wash cloth over the bloody knee again. He frowned when the boy yelped in pain and tried to pull his leg back once more. Examining the injury more closely, Hotch noticed something poking out of the wound. Sighing, he set Reid's leg down and stood. He went over to the sink and grabbed his toiletry kit. After unzipping the case and retrieving the tweezers, Aaron took a moment to prepare himself for what he was about to do. He took a deep breath, let it out, and then steeled himself for a painful next few minutes. Once he was ready, the young father picked up the tweezers and went back to his son.
Spencer looked up, eyes widening when he saw the instrument in Hotch's hand. Not wanting that used on him, he swiftly pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his hands around them. "No, go away" he cried.
"Sorry buddy" Aaron softly replied as he took up position beside the tub. "I have to get it out. You know that." Capturing the boy's flailing limb, he held it steady as he positioned the tweezers. He pinched the top of the splinter and started to pull, wincing at the scream the action elicited.
By the time the one inch sliver of wood was out both father and son were in tears.
Aaron threw the tweezers across the bathroom and scooped up his hurting son, wrapping a towel around him. "It's okay, buddy. It's okay. It's over now." He soothed, rubbing the boy's back. Standing, he carried Reid into the bedroom. Taking a seat on the end of the bed, Aaron rocked his crying little boy. He needed to finish cleaning the wound but that could wait. Right now nothing was more important than comforting his son.
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Garcia looked up at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Seeing Hotch step into the playroom with a teary eyed Spencer, she smiled at the two and patted the spot beside her on the couch in invitation.
Returning the tech analyst's smile with a tired grin, Aaron trudged over to the sofa and plopped down.
"Hey Sweet Pea" Penelope greeted, palming the boy's cheek. "I heard you had an accident. Are you alright?"
Spencer shakily nodded. "Uh huh" he muttered around his thumb.
"Do you want to go play now?" Aaron asked.
"No" Spencer replied, leaning back against his father's chest.
Garcia sighed. This was bad. The accident must have been worse than the others had let on. She wished there was something she could do to make her junior G-man feel better. Recalling a site she'd found when Reid had first been turned, Penelope smiled. Maybe there was something she could do. "Sweetums, I was about to check out this new website I heard about. It sounds like something Henry might like when he's a little older. Do you feel up to looking at it with me?"
Spencer glanced at his friend curiously. "Otay" he said.
"Great!" Penelope exclaimed. Grabbing her laptop, she settled it in her lap, opened the internet, and rapidly typed in the remembered address. She downloaded and installed the needed information before pressing play. After it finished loading, Garcia turned the computer so the mini profiler could see the screen. "Okay so the site's called Toontown and its made by Disney so I know it's safe."
"How does it wowt?" Spencer questioned. Sitting up, he scooted closer to the tech analyst and eyed the screen.
"Well, first you have to make a toon." Garcia instructed.
"A toon?" Reid repeated, ghosting his fingers over the keyboard.
"Yes, a toon" Penelope replied. She picked up the laptop and set it in the curious boy's lap. "Here, you make it. See, just click those arrows until the toon looks like you want it to."
Spencer flipped through the different characters, giggling at some of the kooky combinations he made. He went through all the various possibilities twice before settling on a mouse. Clicking the next button, he chose his toon's color and clothes. After going through the short tutorial, Spencer set out on the main part of the site. In minutes he was completely engrossed in his game.
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"Snack time!" Will announced as he tromped into the room sometime later.
"Snack time? What happened to lunch?" Morgan asked, walking over to the bar along one end of the room.
Will set the tray of snacks and drinks on the bar and then turned to his frowning friend. "Lunch today is our Thanksgiving feast and that won't be ready for a couple more hours." He replied. "We thought about fixing something for lunch but with the amount of food we're making, we figured it would be better to switch snack and lunch time around. We did add a little to the snacks though." He nodded towards the grilled cheese sandwiches.
"Sounds good to me," Derek said, snitching the top sandwich and shoving it in his mouth.
Will snickered. "Boys, better come and get it before Big Mouth here eats it all!" he called.
"Come on Spencer, time to eat." Aaron stated, closing the laptop and setting it on the coffee table.
"But I was jut about to tate ovew a tog(cog) building!" Spencer protested.
Aaron smiled at the childish display. "The cog building will still be there after you eat." He told the boy. He picked up his son before the youngster could reclaim his toy and walked over to the bar. Placing Spencer on a stool, he swiftly fixed a plate for the tiny agent. "Alright buddy, eat up."
Reid obediently took a bite of his sandwich. "Tan I pay Toontown when I'm fwough?" he asked.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Aaron instructed, using a napkin to wipe up the bits of sandwich that his son had accidently sprayed the table with. "And no you cannot. You're taking a nap after you finish eating."
"But daddy"
"Spencer" Hotch warned.
"Fine" Spencer huffed, crossing his arms. "I'll tate a nap lite a good little boy."
"Spencer, lose the attitude or there will be no more Toontown today." Aaron sternly advised.
Spencer immediately straightened up. He didn't want to risk losing his new favorite game. "Yes siw" he meekly replied. Picking up his sandwich, he quickly began eating.
Smiling at Reid's compliance, Hotch ruffled the boy's hair and then turned his attention to his own snack.
It wasn't long before the sandwiches were devoured and the cookies and fruit bags were empty. The grown-ups swiftly cleaned up, throwing away the trash and wiping down the counter and the stools. Once that was finished, Garcia, Morgan, and Emily followed Will upstairs to help with their feast while JJ and Hotch headed for their boys.
Seeing Spencer sneaking over to the computer, Aaron hurried across the room and scooped the wayward youngster up. "Naptime Spencer" he reminded as he carried his son to the stairs.
"But, but I'm n *yawn* not tiiiiwed." Spencer argued even as his head dropped onto Hotch's shoulder.
"Sure you're not" Hotch muttered, smiling when the little boy snuggled into him. Humming softly, he walked through the living room, up the stairs, and down the hall to the room he and Spencer shared. He laid his now sleeping son in the middle of the bed and tucked the blankets around him. "Sleep tight buddy" he whispered, kissing the boy's forehead. Walking over to the well-worn rocking chair, Aaron dropped into it. Wanting to be close by in case the nightmares came back, he settled back in the chair, closed his eyes, and joined his son in dreamland.
AN- Towntown is a real online game for kids. It's also a good stress reliever for adults.