(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters)

Final chapter, thank you all for supporting this story!

Enjoy.

1 year later

"Spencer!" Morgan banged on the young man's door for the third time. "C'mon Kid, it's bad enough that I have to be your taxi!"

The door swung open and Spencer staggered through it before slamming it behind him, only managing to pull the tail of his coat out at the last second in his panic. His tie was wrapped haphazardly around his neck and his jacket was back to front. "Sorry, Sorry," he gasped as he shit and licked the door behind him. He stumbled a little as he tried to straighten up of his stiff knee. "My alarm broke."

"Yea, I can see that," Morgan chuckled.

"Hello?" Spencer answered the phone. Morgan glanced over at him.

"Who is it?"

"Shhh, sorry, not you, I'm with someone, Yea."

"Who-"

"It's Holly," Spencer hissed as he pulled the phone briefly from his ear.

Morgan raised his arms off the wheel in surrender. And listened to the conversation.

"I'm doing good, h-how about you?"

"She's probably adopted another cat," Morgan scoffed under his breath and Spencer punched his arm.

"That's great. They're visiting this week. Yea, he's nine now. Hah! No, he looks more like Daniel, like a lot!"

Morgan rolled his eyes at the gossip. He tolerated it for another 5 minutes before making a sharp turn that caused Spencer to smack into the door frame. He smirked when Spencer glowered at him.

"I better go, I'll talk to you soon. Okay, bye." Spencer hung up and glared straight at Morgan. "Was that really necessary?"

"Pretty boys grown some claws," Morgan snickered as he dodged Spencer's next hit.

"Just drive."

"Hey, I'm giving you a lift, you could be a bit more grateful," Morgan gasped in feigned shock.

"I didn't even need a lift," Spencer huffed. Morgan grinned and turned his eyes back to the road.

"Until you retake your driving test-"

"I could take the subway."

"I don't think so, your father wouldn't approve."

They got to the museum not long after with Spencer grumbling about his next driving test which he had to retake after his many months of physical therapy and his raging PTSD that was still very much alive.

Morgan pulled into the parking lot and cut the engine. "Need help?" He asked as he watched Spencer struggled out of the car, balancing on his foot, which was still slightly numb even a year on and then precautioulsy placing his other foot on the ground, letting his knee get used to it.

"I'm fine."

"Good." Morgan undid his seat belt and hopped out of the car. Spencer gaped at him as he licked the car and started towards the museum.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"What? You thought this was just a Reid family event?" Morgan smirked at the younger man. "Oh no, Kid, the whole team is coming."

"Why?" Reid asked nervously.

"Because we wanted to come to the museum... also, we have a barbecue planned afterwards and you said the Reid's were going to the swim centre and I know for a fact that you hate swimming."

Spencer paused and sent Morgan a sideways glance. "That was... thoughtful..." he mumbled as his mind searched for some kind of reason for their kindness. Morgan chuckled and put an arm around Spencer's shoulder.

"We also didn't want you to be alone today when you inevitably turned down going swimming," Morgan said. Spencer smiled softly.

"Ya know: it bein a year and all," Morgan continued and Spencer nodded.

"Thank you," he murmured. Spencer imagined if he had agreed to go swimming; he touched the fabric of his shirt that lingered just above scar on his abdomen and he shivered, he didn't want anyone to see them, especially the ones on his back. He shook his head and decided to drop the matter from his mind. Instead, he glanced around the car park until his eyes landed on his sister. He waved and he watched with a chuckle as she bounced and called for Daniel who looked up and grinned broadly at his brother.

Spencer saw his nephew hop out the car and his grin widened.

The 9-year-old caught sight of him and darted over, catching Spencer in a hug.

"Hey, uncle Spence!" He cried, squeezing his arms around Spencer excitedly.

"Little bro! It's good to see you!" Daniel exulted as he stepped over with his own arms open, giving Spencer no time to recover before engulfing him in a hug.

"Yea, sorry if I've been a bit...," Spencer paused and bit his lip. Daniel shook his head and released him.

"That's alright, we know how busy work can be for you."

Spencer nodded, keeping his eyes low. That had not been the reason for his silence. Nightmares of Tony had plagued him into hibernation. Spencer swallowed, blinked hard, letting the forest green eyes fade out of his vision.

When he came back to reality Daniel was still holding him up.

"Yea... I-I have," Spencer wearily said and he waved awkwardly at Margo who was making her way over with Daniel's wife and William.

"Spencer!" Margo squealed and she wrapped her arms gently around Spencer's neck and planted a kiss on his supple cheek. "I've missed you," she admitted and Spencer blushed. "And your adorableness," she added, pinching his cheek.

"I missed you too. A-all if you," Spencer stammered. He looked back over his shoulder at Morgan who was leaning against Emily's car and laughing about something with her.

"Can I have a piggy back, uncle Spence?" Spencer asked eagerly, his fingers crossed behind his back. Reid broke his gaze and grinned down at his nephew, he nodded as he knelt before Spencer all the while ignoring the ache in his knee. Little Spencer could hardly suppress his excitement as he leapt onto Reid, causing an 'oof' from the older man.

"Careful, Spencer, you know uncle Spence is still recovering," cautioned Daniel as his younger brother straightened and offered the parents a reassuring smile.

"I got it," he said, hitching the boy up higher. Little Spencer wrapped his arms around Reid's neck, a manic grin on his face.

"Yea, he's got it, Dad," Spencer mimicked sarcastically, swinging his legs to make his uncle move.

"Watch it, young man."

"Spencer, stand still, young man." Angela stood with her hands on her hips while Spencer shifted uncomfortably in his school uniform.

"Can't I go to a normal school?" Spencer whined.

Angela tutted and stepped forward to fiddle with Spencer's tie. She'd shown him how to do it several times but his clumsy, uncoordinated fingers had not served him well. Once that was straight she licked her sleeve and rubbed a mark off the boy's face.

"Mom, Stop," Spencer cried as he pushed his mother away and wiped his cheek.

"Oh, I wish you'd brush your hair better," chided Angela but she was restrained by her husband before she could run her hands through Spencer's hair.

"There," she sighed, beaming at the small 8-year-old. "Doesn't he look smart, George?" She asked, nudging the older man in the ribs.

George grunted and glanced at a blushing Spencer. "Sure... Yea," he mumbled absentmindedly.

"Will you pay attention!"

George broke his gaze from the window and floundered for a moment. "What? I came with you didn't I?"

"Spencer's got to look his part at the private school," Angela said in strained voice.

"Can't I just go to a normal high school? They're letting me skip grades," Spencer grumbled, kicking his smart black shoes against the carpeted floor which earned him a glare from his mother who thought he looked like one of those other bratty children that she would silently judge while George glowered at him, his mind thinking about the price tag.

"You're better than a 'normal school,' isn't that right, George?"

Angela turned a raised eyebrow on George who rubbed the back of his neck. "Well..."

"Well What?" Angela snapped.

George cleared his throat. "The price of that school is extortionate, honey, I'm just not sure our budget can stretch more than one term," he admitted. Spencer bit his lip and loosened the tie that was choking him very carefully, like his father he was thinking of the big price tag that it came with.

"See," Spencer murmured as he managed to pull the tie off. "I don't mind going to public school." He smiled wearily, trying his best to appear positive; he'd really liked the library at Mount Vernon Academy but he would make do.

George grinned in relief and put his hand on his now grumpy wife's shoulder. "There you are, honey, no need to buy new expensive uniform."

Angela pursed her lips together and waved Spencer away. "Go get changed then, Spencer. We'll buy you some new sneakers and a few shirts instead."

Spencer slunk off back into the dressing room, pulling the curtain shut behind him. He started to tug his shoes off when he heard his mother sigh.

"Did you have to say that... in front of him, George," he heard her snap. He imagined his father's smile falling and his eyes rolling.

"He's too smart for me not to tell him. Besides, I wasn't lying, what's the point of putting his hopes up for some hoity-toity school when we can barely pay for a pair of those shoes he likes."

"Converse," Angela hissed and Spencer heard his father grunt indignantly. He sat on the changing bench and slowly wrestled out of the school blazer and shirt.

"I just want the best for him." Spencer paused and stumbled over to the curtain.

"Don't you remember where he came from, Angie, he's in a much better situation," he heard his father retort.

"So. I still want to make him happy, he deserves something good."

Spencer was exhausted and they'd only made it around half of the exhibits which he was being pulled around by his nephew at double the speed his family and the team were doing.

He managed to catch himself on a bench and he sat there for a few moments before little Spencer caught up with his and tugged on his fingers.

"Give me... five, Spencer," Reid panted, swallowing thickly as he did.

"But the next exhibit is on Nicholas Tesla! I thought you liked him, uncle Spence!"

Spencer let out a pained breath and nodded.

"That's right, buddy, come on then."

December 21st, 1984

"The hell you reading?"

Spencer jolted upright on his bed, dropping the book and watching in horror as it slipped off the sheets and onto the floor. He still had to return that to the library.

"I said-!"

"Nicholas Tesla!" Spencer squeaked. "Sir," he added quickly as the half dressed man in his doorway marched inside, grabbing the book from the floor.

Tony lifted it up and slowly read the front cover. It was a biography on Tesla, discussing his greatest achievements which had been, up to that point, fascinating the three-year-old. Tony made a face at the photo on the front and Spencer cowered back on the bed.

Tony sneered at it before raising the book and bringing the spine down hard on Spencer's head. "What is this crap!" He bellowed. "And do not interrupt me!" He snarled as he threw the book to the ground. Spencer yelled and covered his throbbing head with trembling hands. He waited until he heard the shirtless man slam his door shut before he groaned in pain.

"Oh no," he whimpered as he slid off the bed and crawled over to the book which was now scratched and bent. Daniela would have to pay for it now... and she'd tell Tony when they came back and...and...

Spencer's head dropped into his hands and sobbed.

"Wow, Pretty Boy, you look ready to drop," Morgan chuckled as he put an arm around Spencer's shoulder and directed him in the direction of his car. Spencer turned and waved enthusiastically at the Reid's who waved back, his nephew's hand waving the most erratically.

"I am," Spencer huffed as he spun back and let Morgan guide him to his car.

"Well you have about 40 minutes to relax in the car before Henry and Jack will want your undivided attention."

Spencer groaned and leant against the door frame while Morgan fished out his keys.

"Can't you entertain them?" Spencer whined.

Morgan laughed. "I don't do magic tricks," he snorted.

"Urgh!" Spencer groaned. "How does Rossi get away with sitting around drinking scotch!?"

"Uh, it's his house, Spencer," Morgan replied sarcastically.

They got to the Rossi mansion where, to Spencer's relief, Jack and Henry were occupied with a mini baseball match. He watched from the sidelines, his arms tiredly folded across the middle as he watched Jack hit the ball and raise his arms in amazement.

"Hold the bat upright, Kiddo."

"I am, Dave!"

"No, look." David took the bat from the 9-year-old and held it upright, standing in a professional pose. Spencer pouted and crossed his arms.

"It's heavy."

"You can do it, come on, c'mere," Dave said, motioning Spencer to the box and handing him the bat which fell to the floor when Spencer couldn't keep it up. David put his hand over Spencer's and helped him raise the bat.

"Are you ready!?" The pitcher called.

"Hold your horses, Jason, I'm just giving him a hand," Dave called back and Spencer blushed with embarrassment.

"Can we just go finish the picnic?" He mumbled. "I can't do it."

"There's no such thing as can't," chided Rossi and Spencer huffed. "Besides, you gotta make your old man proud."

Spencer glanced back at his father and mother sat on fold up chairs they'd brought to the park. His mother waved at him and sipped her pink lemonade while his father watched with a hard face.

"No chance of that."

"Hey, don't put yourself down. Now look at the ball and don't take your eyes off it."

"It's not moving, Uncle Dave," Spencer grumbled sarcastically.

Dave gave him a light smack on the shoulder. "Don't get smart with me, Kiddo. I know how distracted you get. Don't look at the bat, don't look at Jason; keep those eyes on the ball. Got it."

Spencer sighed loudly.

"Got it?" Dave added sharply as Spencer nodded. "I can't hear you."

"No such word as 'can't'," Spencer muttered bravely.

Dave raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"Nothing," Spencer said quickly, he kept his eyes down. "I got it."

"Good."

"You ready!?" Gideon called again.

Dave gave him a thumbs up before putting his hand over Spencer's and the bat to help guide it to the ball.

Spencer saw the ball coming and closed his eyes while he (with Rossi's help) swung the bat. His eyes snapped open when he heard a crack. He watched in amazement as the ball soared away from him.

"Good job, Kiddo!" Dave said as he released the bat. "Now run!"

Spencer glanced around at Rossi briefly and the older man gave him a shove, his eyes egging him onwards.he caught sight of his father who who on his feet, a smile on his face as he started applauding slowly. Spencer beamed before he nodded at Dave and hesitantly darted away from him, he ran awkwardly across the bases, looking around as he did so for someone to tell him he was doing it wrong.

Dave watched at the sidelines as he clapped his hands slowly and proudly. "Go on, Spencer!"

Spencer managed to get out of entertaining the boys, they asked for one magic trick before they settled in front of the TV with a film Penelope had got them.

Spencer found himself at Dave's side, watching the team laughing and drinking. Rossi sent a sideways look Spencer's way bfeore he glanced up at the sky, emitting a deep breath.

"Nice night," he murmured.

Spencer blinked back to reality and looked over at Rossi, following his gaze up to the stars. "Hmmm," he mumbled. "Despite popular belief-"

Dave grinned.

"-stars don't actually twinkle," Spencer said absently.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, they just appear to do so, it's not actually the star it's the Earth's atmosphere that makes..." Spencer stopped himself and looked down at his hands. He chewed his lip as Dave's gaze fell on him.

"What's wrong?"

"I was rambling again," Spencer whispered self-consciously.

"And?"

"And... well, I was trying to work on that," Spencer admitted sheepishly, his cheeks flaring a light pink. He found Dave's eyes and smiled. "You know... I'm working on social skills... trying that thing people do every new year; new year, new me."

David laughed. "It's not new year yet," he pointed out.

"I know... but it's sort of a landmark for me anyway... I-I... my therapist told me to try and not distract myself from my feelings by stating facts every time I feel... emotional."

Rossi frowned back up at the sky before staring at Spencer. "Why don't you talk to me about it then?" the senior agent asked.

"It's not that easy, Dave."

"No... it's not, but there's no such word as can't," Dave retorted and his lips quirked up when Spencer looked up with an amused expression.

"No I guess not," Spencer sighed.

"So... what are you thinking right now? What were you trying to distract yourself from?

Spencer let out a sigh and looked into Dave's dark brown eyes. "I went from one leaky roof to another leaky roof," he mumbled.

Rossi frowned thoughtfully at the metaphorical language that rarely graced the young man's tongue. Spencer blinked and stared into the darkening sky.

"I was looking for shelter... from the storm. I was looking for family." He licked his lips. "I feel...angry," he said. "But..."

"But?"

"I also feel... grateful, f-for the shelter... fr-from the storm," Spencer explained, struggling with the metaphor which he was trying to express his emotions with. "Thank you," Spencer breathed, gazing back at Rossi.

"What for?"

"You... Dad, mom, Jason, the team, you never left me."

Dave let out a soft. "The storm won't end anytime soon."

"It doesn't matter," Spencer mumbled. "I have shelter now."

Aaaand that's a wrap. I didn't really know how else to end this story.

It's been fun, you guys, I hope this ending was somewhat satisfactory.

Please review; tell me what you thought of the story, either just this chapter or the whole thing. I put a lot of work overall into this story and so your feedback really does mean a lot and it doesn't take long to write something, no matter how small ;)

I guess I can start a new story now! ;D