Summary: Reid is left to babysit Jack while Hotch attends a Bureau dinner and things don't go as swimmingly as either of them planned.

"The Beast Sitter"

5124 Mount Herman Circle was silent as SSA Aaron Hotchner drew up into the driveway, steering his black SUV around the curved stone until the car sat parked under the shady American sweetgum tree that leaned stubbornly over the garage. Hotch allowed himself a small smile, gathering his go-bag and briefcase from the passenger seat and exiting the vehicle, eager to get inside the house and out of the chipped winter wind that blew the leaves around in swirls on the front lawn. Bright lights from the living room shot out through the partly closed curtains, casting an inviting glow outside and a warm orange color burned from Jack's room on the second floor.

Hotch sighed, hearing the satisfying click of his car locking. The dinner with the Bureau Brass had gone accordingly, albeit tiresomely slow, and by the time the checks were cleared and the offer of après-dinner cigars up in the air, Hotch knew it was time to excuse himself. The promise of returning home to his son and boyfriend - the acting babysitter for the night - was on the seam of his lips but remained unspoken in the professional setting.

He took a moment to look up at the house. His home. And it seemed forever ago that Hotch had once thought he would never again enter a family space without the thought of Hayley on his mind. While he was partially right, the lonely and loving considerations had eased with the quasi-permanent addition of one tall genius and the definite addition of one small flaxen-haired seven-year-old who held a certain starry-eyed affection for said genius.

Hotch continued his way up the stone path but before he could even dip his hand into the outer pocket of his suit jacket to retrieve his key, the navy front door was almost comically flung open, revealing the slender figure of one Dr. Spencer Reid.

"You're son is a wild beast who needs to be tamed." He announced hysterically, grabbing Hotch by the wrist and hauling him into the carpeted foyer.

"What happened?" Hotch's eyebrows flew up, though he was only mildly alarmed. His boyfriend of over a year had a certain tendency to dramatize his time with Jack Hotchner. "Where's Jack?"

He began to lean in to press a quick kiss hello to Reid's rambling lips but was halted when the younger agent grabbed his face between his palms and held it away, Hotch's cheeks smashed together.

"Spence?" Hotch murmured. "Where's Jack?" He repeated. His heart began to beat a little faster in anticipation and concern.

This wasn't Reid's first time babysitting Jack but it was definitely the longest. Hotch hadn't expected the dinner to last as long as it did but after a quick text to Reid requesting that he bathe his son and tuck him into bed, he had thought the agent could handle it.

Obviously he was wrong.

"I don't want to say." Reid sighed, releasing his grasp on his lover's face.

"Is he safe?" Hotch made a move to step around Reid but his partner was faster than he was and darted in front of him, a hand to his chest.

"Technically, yes."

"Spence-" Hotch's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Where is my son? Is he hurt?" He grasped Reid by the shoulders and moved him to the side before climbing the stairs two at a time. "Jack! Buddy?"

"He was like a wild UnSub, Aaron! I couldn't control him!" Reid suddenly burst out, taking after Hotch up the stairs. "It's not my fault!"

Hotch turned. "What the hell is going on Spencer?"

Reid huffed before leaning his head against the wall that ran along the staircase. "He's running around in his room. Naked." He sighed. "He refuses to put on clothes."

"My son is running around naked upstairs?" That was apparently the only thing Hotch had heard and he immediately began to rush up the stairs.

"He's a beast! I told you!" Reid's voice grew fainter and more hysterical as Hotch neared his son's room.

"Jack? Buddy? Daddy's home." Hotch approached the bedroom door. Was he seriously dealing with this? "Were you being…..beastly to Spencer tonight?"

"Was not!" Jack immediately appeared in the doorway, indeed naked with a cross look on his face.

The boy already had his father's patent glare down by the petulant age of seven.

Hotch squatted down, his brow drawn together in impatience and concern. He felt Reid's presence behind him.

"He wouldn't take a bath so I tried to explain to him what happens when bacteria accumulates on clothing and all the dirt kids pick up during the day." Reid huffed again, crossing his arms.

Hotch had to stifle an Oh, Christ as he realized Reid had probably just turned his son into a total mysophobic. "Jack. It's time to put some clothes on."

"NO!" Jack's frown intensified.

"Jack, Daddy needs you to put on your pajamas. It's way past your bedtime." His tone was firmer this time.

"I said no!" A small stomp of a foot on the carpet this time.

'Your pajamas aren't dirty. Spencer was just trying to explain why you needed a bath." Hotch cocked an eyebrow at Reid, who moved to sit next to him in the threshold to Jack's room. His patience was wearing thin.

"Hey Jack? If I pull a coin from behind your ear will you put on clean clothes?" It was a sudden inspiration on Reid's part and Jack looked up quickly, curiosity painting his flushed face.

"I bet you can't."

"Oh, I don't know Jack. Spence is a pretty good magician." Hotch smiled, his concern forgotten. He admired Reid stepping in, despite the fact that it was his fault for getting them into the situation in the first place.

Reid was grateful he always kept a coin in the sleeve of his shirt and Jack grinned and ran back into his room when a small silver dime appeared in Reid's fingers.

"You're awesome!" The boy reappeared in an instant and threw his arms around Reid's neck.

Reid chuckled, strangely comfortable. "Well you were holding out on me, man!" He held out a hand for Jack to high-five and the boy met it with enthusiasm.

"Daddy will you read me a story?"

Reid knew it was his cue to return downstairs to clear up the mess of dinner and Hotch's knees cracked with effort as he stood and ruffled his son's hair.

"Of course. Go pick out a book." He urged as Jack disappeared.

"I'll be downstairs." Reid smiled, starting back down the stairs.

"Hey I didn't get my kiss hello." Hotch quipped, grabbing Reid's collar and pulling him close. Their lips met in a sweet, chaste greeting. "Thank you for doing this tonight."

Reid grinned. "Your son is still a beast."

Hope you guys liked that little one-shot! More like those to come! Please review!