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- There's a small time jump in this one. Since people seem to be tiring of the story, I thought I'd spend it up a little. Plus apparently all de-aged stories contain random time jumps so I guess I need to add that. It's only a week jump so that puts them in the second week of December.
Previously on Criminal Minds- Feeling safe and secure in his daddy's embrace, Spencer stuck his thumb in his mouth, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
CM
Spencer bounded into the bullpen the next morning. Grinning from ear to ear, he skipped to his desk and clomped up the stairs of his step stool to his chair. After arranging his supplies in the correct order, the tiny profiler grabbed his first file of the day.
"Here you go, Reid" Emily said, handing the boy a steaming mug. "A hot chocolate to start your day off right."
"Fants Emily" Spencer chirped. He took a sip from his Star Wars mug before picking up his pen and starting to work.
Hotch closed his latest folder with a sigh. While it was nice to be at home instead of living out of a go-bag, sitting completing paperwork was as boring as it came. He'd much rather be attempting to figure out an unsub's pattern and reasoning. At least then he'd be moving instead of sitting on his behind all…laughter rang out from bullpen drawing his attention. Curious as to what was going on, the BAU leader stood and crossed to the window. Glancing out the blinds, Aaron chuckled at the sight of Garcia and Spencer dancing around the room while the others cheered them on.
"They're quite a pair, don't you think?" Dave asked, smirking when the younger man jumped.
"They're something alright." Aaron agreed with a nod. "But while they're doing wonders for the team's morale, dancing the day away is not exactly work place appropriate."
"Well Spencer wouldn't have to dance around if a certain somebody hadn't forgotten to take him out to eat lunch and play for a bit." Rossi pointed out as he took a seat in one of the leather chairs in front of the desk.
"Lunch? But it's only" Aaron checked the clock, eyes widening as he caught the time. "One fifteen? Crap! I was supposed to take Spencer to eat over an hour ago." He strode over to his chair and grabbed his jacket. "I better go get him before he wears himself out. Would you like to come with us?"
"Depends, are you going to some kid-friendly restaurant with a bunch of rug rats running around?" Dave inquired.
Aaron smiled. "Yes we are." He answered.
"In that case I'll have to pass." Rossi told him. "I think I'd like to eat somewhere a little quieter."
"You don't know what you're missing." Hotch teased as he headed to the door.
"Yes I do." Dave countered. "That would be why I'm not coming with."
Aaron shrugged. "Suit yourself" he said, opening the door. "Just don't come crying to me later about not being able to spend enough time with Spencer while he's small."
"Yeah, yeah" Rossi muttered. "Go on. Get outta here and get the kid some grub before he decides to make a nest on the bullpen floor."
Aaron rolled his eyes. "Bye Dave" he called over his shoulder as he walked through the door. He hurried down the metal steps. "Reid! Let's go!" he ordered.
"Toming!" Spencer replied. He gave his dance partner a hug and then dashed over to his father figure. Resisting the urge to take the man's hand, the little boy stuck his hands in his pockets. "Awe we going to eat now?" he asked just as his stomach rumbled hungrily.
"Yes we are." Hotch responded as the pair walked into the elevator. "I was thinking we could go through the buffet at the Fun Center on the other side of town. That way you could run around and play without freezing your assets off."
Spencer giggled at his friend's little joke. "Hoootch, fat was…a good idea." He swiftly changed as a couple of other agents trudged onto the elevator.
The four agents rode the rest of the way to the garage in silence. Once the doors opened the two groups stepped out and began walking towards their vehicles which were apparently parked in the same part of the five story structure. Father and son doubled their pace wanting to get to their SUV and away from the other agents as soon as possible. Finally after several more minutes of unnerving quiet, they made it to Hotch's truck. They waved to their unwanted companions before climbing into the safety of the black Durango.
"Fin'ly" Spencer sighed, settling into his car seat. "I fought we'd nevew get away fwom fem."
"It did feel a little like they were following us." Hotch agreed. He glanced in the rearview mirror feeling relieved when he didn't see a vehicle behind them. "Hazard of our job, I guess."
"Not a hazawd, a pwote'tion (protection) mechanism." Reid corrected. "Wif ouw jobs we have to be vewy tautious."
"True" Aaron replied, pulling out of the parking lot and onto the highway. Wanting to change the topic to something more family friendly, he asked, "So, have you given any thought to what you'd like to do for Christmas? It's only a few weeks away, you know."
Spencer cocked his head to one side in thought. "I don't know. It doesn't weally mattew what we do. Jut being wif you guys is 'nough fow me."
That simple statement brought tears to Hotch's eyes and a smile to his face. The very thought that the boy merely wanted to be with his family warmed his heart. Still… "There must be something you'd like to do. Maybe something you wanted to do as a child and weren't able to? Or perhaps some place you've always dreamed of going?" Aaron questioned.
"Fewe is one pace." Reid admitted, looking anywhere but at his friend. "I'd uh, I'd lite to go bat to Di-Disney."
Aaron's smile widened. "Sounds like a plan to me." He replied. "JJ would love to have the chance to show Will and Henry around. And I know Morgan, Garcia, and Emily will agree. In fact they'll be over the moon. They've been talking about going back since we left that night."
"Weally?" Reid questioned surprise leaking through his tone.
"Yes really" Hotch told him. "All of us would like an opportunity to finish our vacation." He turned into the parking lot of the children's restaurant and pulled into the first available space. After cutting the engine, Aaron scooted around until he was facing his passenger. "Come on buddy. We'll start making the plans while we eat."
"Otay" Spencer agreed. He scrambled over the console and then slid out of the front seat behind his surrogate father. Taking the man's offered hand, the rambunctious boy hopped, skipped, and jumped his way to the child themed restaurant and play place.
Once they'd ordered and set their tray on an empty table, Hotch led his overactive charge to the enormous pipe and rope climbing area. He helped the boy take off his shoes and released his hand. "Okay Spencer you can play until our meal comes. Alright?"
"Yes siw" Reid replied before taking off at full speed.
Aaron plopped down on the bench at their table and watched his littlest agent race around the play area. The youngster climbed through the pipes and over the rope bridges all the way to the top and then launched himself down the twisty slide. As soon as he flew out the bottom, Spencer would hop up and start the process all over again. The giggling tot raced back and forth only stopping to let another child to pass or to catch his breath.
Anderson followed his sister and her kids to a booth in the very back of the restaurant. Keeping his head down, he slid into the bench and started passing out the plates. If anybody from work found out he'd been here, he'd never hear the end of it. It'd be especially bad if Agent Morgan heard about his…his thoughts ground to a halt as he noticed…"Dr. Reid?" he gasped, watching the man run over and disappear into a red pipe. Rubbing his eyes, Anderson shook his head. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. There was no way…his mouth dropped open as he spotted Hotch sitting in a booth at the other end of the restaurant. 'No, no way' Anderson thought. 'It can't be. There's gotta be some kind of mistake. Agent Hotchner would never be caught dead in a place like this and Dr. Reid wouldn't hardly be in a public place playing on children's equipment. That just wouldn't…
"Hi Andewson!" Spencer hollered as he ran past the man's booth. "See you bat at wowt in a little while!"
Anderson's eyes shot to Hotch who waved at him. The young agent paled. "Sis, I uhhhh I've gotta go." He stammered as he stood. "I'm not, not feeling well. I'll c-call you to-tonight okay?" With that he turned on his heels and practically ran out of the restaurant.
CM
Hotch allowed Reid to play an extra five minutes before calling him over. Father and son discussed the coming holiday and trip as they ate the greasy cheese pizza they'd ordered. Aaron even got out his phone and made a list of things they would need as well as rides and attractions they didn't want to miss. They also decided to check the Disney website for any special activities during the Christmas season. By the time they finished eating the two had mapped out an impressive list of must see rides and attractions along with a massive set of notes of things to do before they went.
Catching Spencer yawning and knuckling his eyes, Aaron quickly saved his notes before cleaning up the mess they'd made of the table. He deposited everything on their tray, dumped it in the trash receptacle at the end of the row, and hurried back to the table. He scooped up his sleepy son and headed for the door.
Spencer wearily dropped his head onto his father's shoulder. He knew he should try to stay awake but he was just too tired. Besides, it wasn't like they had to hurry back or anything. Now that the director was in on his change they had more leeway around naptime. If they didn't make it back to work until he woke up from his nap, no one would say a word. Sticking his thumb in his mouth, Spencer closed his eyes. He was asleep in seconds.
CM
Spencer hurried into the bullpen a few hours later. "Hi guys" he greeted as he climbed into his seat. "Miss me?"
"You know it Pretty Boy." Morgan answered, leaning back in his chair. "Without you there's no distraction from the mound of paperwork on our desks."
"Yeah, and pranking Morgan's no fun when no one else is here to see his reaction." Emily added, smirking at the muscular agent's indignant squawk.
"Prank? Prank?" Morgan scoffed. "What are you talking about woman? No one pranks the master."
"Uh huh right" Prentiss said, pretending to yawn. "Just keep telling yourself…"
Smiling as he listened to his friend's banter, Spencer picked up his pen and opened his next folder. He didn't care what the others said. Paperwork days were the best!
CM
Spencer woke with a groan. He hated paperwork days. They had started out fun but as the days went by his friends had grown quieter and quieter and grouchier and grouchier. The friendly teasing and bantering morphed into grumbles and heated words. Not to mention that two weeks straight of nothing but filling out paper after paper had done a number on his hand as well as his mind. While the consults were interesting, they just didn't challenge him the way their cases usually did. Flexing his aching hand, Spencer slowly sat up. With a sigh he crawled over to the edge of the bed and slid down. At least today was Saturday. Hopefully, the day off would ease his friends' bad moods and get them back to their old selves. Hearing a sudden shriek of glee, the tiny agent smiled. Somebody must be in a good mood if Henry's shout was anything to go by. Wanting to be part of some fun for a change, Reid hurried out of the room. After a quick pit stop at the bathroom, he raced down the hall and launched himself down his slide. Spencer shot out the end and into the pillow pit. He quickly climbed out and scurried around the couch, following the sound of his godson's laughter. Seeing Henry playing the build and destroy game with Morgan, he sighed. He loved Henry and he enjoyed playing with him but after a week of sitting still the last thing he wanted to do was sit and play that boring game. He needed something more; something that…
"Why so glum Chum?" a voice behind him asked.
Jumping, Spencer spun around to find himself face to knee with the trickster.
"Gabe, what are you doing here?" Aaron inquired as he walked over and stood behind Spencer.
"I came to check on the runt." Loki answered with a frown. "And it's a good thing I did too because that is not his happy face." He gazed down at the sad tot. "So I'll ask again, what's wrong, Short Stuff?"
"Nofing" Spencer fibbed, fiddling with the hem of his pajama shirt.
"I ain't buying what you're selling kid." Gabe chided. "Now what's bugging you? Come on. Spit it out already so I can do something about it."
"I umm, I…it's jut sometimes I wish I had someone else to pay wif; someone biggew." Spencer confessed.
"Is that all?" the trickster said. "Dude, that's an easy fix. All I have to do is this." He snapped his fingers. "There you go. Weekend playmates. Gotta go now. See ya Sunday night." A laughing Gabe disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Spencer's mouth dropped open as he looked around at his friends; his very different friends. He glanced from one five year old to another before grinning. "He, he Shwunt(shrunk) you!" he hollered.