Hi, my brain is mush since I quit my job to care for my mom. Writing fan fiction is easy. I haven't been able to return to my other stories because I am not the same person, I was six months ago, and I need to find a way to refocus. I will return to them, I promise.

Also, I know this isn't how the education system works, but I'm trying.

Students are being killed at a school for the smartest children in the world. The father of one victim chooses to bribe and blackmail the FBI into using his experimental de-aging serum to send Reid undercover to protect his other child as the clock ticks down to find a nefarious killer.

Another De-Aged Reid Story

Adam Wendt adjusted his collar nervously as they sat in the reception area.

"Do not screw this up for me," his boss Jeremiah Travers said.

"I have stakes in this too," he said. "My niece goes there."

"Mine are bigger and your conscience gets in the way."

"Not this time."

Travers was dressed in an Armani power suit compared to his off-the-rack brand. He also cut a more striking figure with carefully coifed salt and pepper hair, compared to Wendt's mousy brown slightly balding scalp. It was clear who was the underling among the pair.

"Gentlemen," the receptionist said. "You can go in now."

"Thanks, Lacy," Travers said.

The woman raised eyebrow.

"I didn't tell you my name."

"I know everything Lacy," Travers said seriously. "Because I am in the business of knowing things more than the CIA will ever be."

"Okay," she said as she opened the door.

Wendt sighed. Travers was going to pull out all the stops.

"Dr. Travers and Dr. Wendt," Director Fickler said. "Have a seat."

"Thank you," he said. "Now I'd like all of you to pull out your phones."

"What did you do?" The deputy director Ann Ching asked alarmed.

"Since you refused my request to bring in presentation equipment, I had it programmed to your phones."

"You hacked our phones?" Cruz said looking at his.

"Hacking is such a nasty word. I repurposed the technology," he said in a tone slick like oil.

"Why are we here Dr. Travers?" Fickler said. "The only reason I agreed to this meeting as specified was because of your business dealings with the president."

"We're here because of four dead kids you aren't doing jack about," Travers said.

The images of the murdered children between the ages of eight and twelve appeared on the phones. Looks of disgust appeared.

"We're looking into it as discreetly as possible," Fickler said.

"And another kid died on your watch," Travers said. "Your idea of 'looking into it' involved interviewing a few parents, talking to teachers, and not monitoring the situation more closely."

"The last child was ruled accidental," Ching said.

"Bull," he said. "Octavian, while among the best academically, is as dirty as they come. They'll prioritize staying out of the press over the safety of the children."

"We're doing everything we can," Cruz said.

"Which is not enough!" Travers roared. "My Adrian is dead, and Thea could be next. More needs to be done!"

"Dr, Travers, you may among the richest men on this planet," Fickler said. "But you cannot dictate how this investigation is run."

"Oh, I think I can," he said icily. "Look at your phones."

They each stared in shock at their phones.

"Someone has a gamboling problem, someone is hooked on Meth, and finally someone has a lesbian lover her husband doesn't know about."

"This is how you plan on changing the course of the investigation," Cruz said. "By blackmailing us?"

"Not just that," Travers said. "Look at your phone again Deputy Ching."

She stared hard at it. "Scholarship money for my son and daughter."

"Don't worry, it won't be like the varsity blues scandal, I know how to cover my tracks. Director Fickler there's something for you."

He looked at his phone. "I have been trying to get my aunt into this cancer study for months."

"Chief Cruz you're next."

"My sister has been named partner to a firm," he said.

"Who is your assistant sweating in his suit?" Ching asked.

"His role will be clear enough soon. Now the big question is: Do I have your attention?"

"You really think some bribes and blackmail is enough to change the course of the investigation?" Fickler

"I have more dirt on your respective families if I need to bring it up. I will send all the dirt to a reporter of my choice if you fail to comply. Your careers will be over, and you will be considered disgraces to your families. Not to mention any trust left in FBI will be gone."

Traver's put his hands on the table.

"I suggest you cooperate with my plan to save the children of Octavian School for Gifted Learners."

Fickler gritted his teeth.

"What do you have in mind?"

Travers nodded to Wendt.

"Your turn."

"If you look at your phones, you'll see our data on how Bornean orangutans can live up to forty-five years. We've managed to successfully de-age eight to roughly the age of between ten and twelve. The process we found was quite painless and one hundred percent successful."

Ching glared at Travers.

"You want to do this to one of our agents?"

"Not just any agent," Traver said. The one I want and will accept no substitution for is Dr. Spencer Reid."