AN: This fic is in response to challenge 22 on CCOAC, the challenge from other challenges assignment. Challenge I received was "New Years resolution; Characters: David Rossi & Jennifer Jareau; His resolution: To get his teammates to loosen up a little". I'm slightly altering the course of history, so we'll just pretend things went a little differently in the season finale *grin* Will be friendship only for Rossi/JJ, but will probably hint at other pairings.

Chapter 1:

The inside of the jet was quiet as the BAU team flew back from yet another exhausting case. They had stopped yet another killer but not before he had left a path of destruction and heartache in his wake for families as well as the community after claiming six victims before he had been stopped. As they often did each team member took the opportunity of the flight back to reflect on the case, relax as best they could and try to cope with the horrors they had witnessed before they were assigned to step into yet another path of destruction. As Rossi surveyed the group of profilers assembled in the jet he found himself unabashedly profiling the team members as he studied their weary faces, turbulence having prevented anyone from taking the opportunity for a nap yet. As usual Morgan was lying back with headphones on, listening to music to help soothe the troubling images of the last victim they had not been able to save.

Rossi's dark eyes scanned left to see Reid engrossed in a book, obviously pouring his focus into yet more research and memorization of facts rather than thinking of the case they had finished. Continuing the scan of the small cabin he could see that Prentiss had also chosen the book route, though he recognized her reading material as a recent best seller as opposed to a scholarly manual. With a smile at seeing how engrossed she was in the obvious page turner he moved to JJ, knowing before he saw her what her escape would be, every team member had their own usual routine he had learned, his being people watching or engaging in a chat with his colleagues as needed.

As expected JJ was focused on her phone, likely viewing pictures and videos of her son that Jessica had likely sent her. It only took a glance back over to his right to see that Hotch was doing the same thing as he also watched his phone with a warm look on his face. Rossi knew that Haley's sister had been a lifesaver for JJ and Henry after Will had been killed in a bank robbery gone wrong. With the support of the team and the task of being a single mother JJ had gradually healed from her loss and had been more than grateful when hearing of her plight Jessica had volunteered to take Henry along with Jack when cases arose that called the team away. Of course JJ had known it wasn't purely out of good will as she paid a slightly more than reasonable charge for the service, but it was worth it to her to know it was someone she could trust, the fact that Hotch entrusted his former sister in law with his son more than enough validation of her trustworthiness than any background check or interview could have given. It was an added bonus that Henry and the older boy seemed to get along well despite their age difference, she was sure from some of the photos of them playing together that Hotch likely had the same images on his own phone.

Rossi sighed inwardly as he studied the teams body language, knowing that even as they worked to cope with the violence, the latest case had obviously left its mark. Ever since the holidays he had become increasingly aware of the added stress levels to the team, feeling as if he was watching a rope slowly stretching tighter and tighter to the point he feared that one day it would fray and eventually snap. He could almost see in his mind's eye how each member represented a strand of the rope and wondered if they would be able to go on hold together as they were continually faced with yet one horror after another.

The thought took him back to a plan he had been toying with now for several months. He had made his resolution at the New Year's party he had attended to get his increasingly somber teammates to lighten up, but in the wake of Will's death and Reid still recuperating from visiting his mother who had suffered another psychotic break during his visit the holiday mood had been fairly gloomy at best. So he patiently waited, wisely keeping his fingers on the pulse of the team to wait until a time they might be more receptive to his plotting before he made his move. He had thought it might be time as spring started to arrive but his plans were thwarted again when Hotch had suddenly had to deal with Beth deciding that as much as she cared for him they couldn't make a relationship work around his busy schedule. Even though the unit chief had put on his stony mask of acceptance the older profiler knew the younger man was deeply hurt not just by Beth's rejection but on a deeper level as he had finally started to open his heart again only to have it broken. He had made a token effort just before the case had begun but had not made much headway before they were summoned again on the present case they had just completed.

Now was the time to make his move he thought as he surveyed the airplane cabin again, knowing from his initial failed attempt that he would need an accomplice to make his plan work. He let a smile gradually spread across his face as he saw JJ put the phone down and instinctively knew she would be his best ally in carrying out the plan he had tucked up his sleeve. With the jet temporarily riding smoothly he quickly moved to sit across from her in the confined quarters. JJ looked up in obvious surprise though her welcoming smile showed his intrusion into her space was not unwelcome. Rossi knew his move would not have gone unnoticed and could almost feel the curious looks burn into his back but he ignored them, knowing from their position away from the others they would not be overheard as long as they kept their voices low.

"JJ, I've been thinking of a plan and wanted to get your help," he began, cutting to the chase as he leaned forward keeping his voice low. Intrigued by whatever he might be proposing she leaned forward, obviously ready to listen as she encouraged him to continue. His last plot had resulted in her being able to return to the BAU so she was already inclined to trust that whatever plan he had hatched was going to be in the best interests of whoever the target may be.

JJ listened intently and found herself nodding subtly in agreement as he voiced his concern about the tension and stress affecting the team, realizing she had not been the only one to notice a tension and distance starting to slowly rise. She had once been tempted to share her concerns with Hotch before telling herself that she would be intruding as it was his job as unit chief to monitor the team's emotional and mental health. It relieved her to know that Rossi had apparently been brushed off when he had tried to address these concerns, telling her that even if she had tried to speak up it probably wouldn't have had much result. As she listened to his plan unfold she had to smile, liking the plan he had of going further than he had from their cooking lesson by again wanting to get them all together for extended quality time.

"This is where you come in," he finally shed light onto why he had approached her. "I think it's a great idea for us all to spend a long weekend at my cabin. There's a lake for swimming and boating, a fireplace, hiking trails, television, a library, a rec room complete with pool table as well as a gourmet kitchen and some ATV's. Literally there's something for everyone and I know we would all have a great time, but I don't think I can get everyone else to agree." Rossi finally presented the details to his plan.

"That certainly changes my image of a rustic little cabin by the lake," JJ couldn't help but comment as she tried to envision the place he had described. "When you talked about your cabin I always envisioned a small one room cabin by the lake for nothing more than sleeping and fishing."

"Having a few books on the bestsellers list does allow for some expansions and upgrades," Rossi said modestly, though was eager to share his retreat with the team. "So are you in? And before you ask Jack and Henry both would also be welcome."

"I'm in but I'm not sure what you expect me to do," JJ answered honestly, it sounds like you've already got it all planned out.

"I do, except for one small detail," He shared conspiratorially taking a quick glance around the interior of the plane to see everyone had apparently given up interest in the quiet exchange before he continued. "Despite my powers of persuasion I can't get everyone to agree to come. "

"What, someone turned down an invitation for a long weekend retreat?" JJ asked trying not to sound incredulous.

"Let me count the ways." Rossi began as he lifted his hand and began ticking off the reasons on his fingers. "I'm really not into wilderness retreats. Don't we spend enough time together as a team already? I'm too busy. And last but not least , I would but you know no one else will."

"Let me guess, Reid, Morgan, Hotch and Prentiss?" JJ accurately linked the excuses to her coworkers, seeing more clearly what dilemma Rossi was referring to. "So how can I help," she grinned more broadly, eager to help the senior profiler in his attempts to bring everyone together for something other than a horrific case so they could loosen up a bit.