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How it Happened

Chapter 1: Questioning

He was pacing in his office; he had been since arriving over two hours ago, lost in his own world. Oblivious to the fact that Reid, Morgan and Blake sat in the bullpen watching his every move.

"I bet he's walked ten miles back and forth since he arrived. Any guesses as to what's on his mind?" Blake asked.

"It's hard to say, depends on the day, if something is going on at home, if his publisher wants something, as complex as his mind is most of the time it could be any number of things." Reid interjected.

Morgan shook his head, "It also could be something as simple as how to beat Ringo at Rock Band."

"No the look on his face tells me it's not something as simple as a game; there is really something big on his mind." Alex said moving to sit on Reid's desk. They continued to watch as he picked up the phone, dialed spoke for a few minutes and hung it up, returning to his pacing.

A few minutes later, JJ and Garcia came into the bullpen, up the steps and across the catwalk to his office. Morgan gave a questioning look, and JJ just shrugged.

Penelope knocked on the door; she and JJ entered. David Rossi motioned for them to have a seat on the sofa, pulling up a chair. Before sitting he closed the door, looked at the three watching from their desks, then closed the blinds.

Finally sitting down, he ran his hands through his hair, looked at the two women sitting across from him. "I need your help, but this needs to stay just between the three of us for now."

"You know everyone saw us come in here, we'll get questions." JJ said. "They've been watching you."

Smiling, he realized she was right. "That's one of the problems being in a group this small and everyone being profilers. NO privacy. Just tell them for now it's none of their damn business. When I'm ready for them to know I'll tell them myself."

JJ spoke, "What do you need us to do?"

He stood, pacing again. "I know you're having lunch with Erin today." Both nodded. "Do you think you could discreetly feel her out…see how she might feel about…find out if she's interested in…" He couldn't get his thoughts together enough to finish.

Garcia opened her mouth then closed it, replaying his words, it hit her what he was asking them, "Studly, you want us to see how she feels about getting married, don't you?"

"Yes, I do, do you think you can find out for me?" Dave answered.

"Sure we can. How long have you been thinking about this?" JJ asked.

"Awhile, I just don't want to ask if she's not interested and get turned down. The ego isn't what it used to be. Not sure it can take that hit." Dave said. They could see how vulnerable he was.

Both ladies stood and hugged him. "It'll be fine. I'll bet she's as ready as you are, she loves you. We'll let you know when we have something."

JJ and Penelope left the same way they came in. Again Morgan gave a questioning look. This time both women just shook their heads and left the bullpen.

/

Opening and closing the door, "Come on Baby Girl, what was that all about?" Derek asked.

"Don't know what you're talking about." Garcia said not looking at her friend tapping away at the keys on her computer.

"You, JJ, Rossi, in a private meeting in his office, behind closed doors and blinds, is there something the rest of need to know."

Turning her chair around, "Listen, I'm going to ask you to leave it alone…do it for me. Everything is fine, he just needed some advice and he asked JJ and I. Please if you care about him and me, leave it alone."

Derek watched her for a few seconds. "Okay, but you promise me he's okay? Not sick or anything like that? He just needed advice?"

"I promise he's fine." She hugged him. "Now don't you have work to do?"

Smiling Morgan left, he knew he'd get to the bottom of it sooner or later.

/

JJ and Penelope met Erin at the elevator, they'd asked Alex to go, but she had other plans. The team had made remarkable progress in getting along with Strauss, they'd actually come too really like her. Once she let them see the side of her that Dave knew and loved. Also the fact that since the Replicator tried to kill her, Strauss had been promoted and was no longer their Section Chief. She was now a Deputy Director so she took her frustrations out on Section Chiefs instead of Unit Chiefs. She still put her two cents in, but everyone had learned to keep Professional, professional and Personal, personal and this lunch was personal, just three friends having a meal.

They'd decided to go to the Q-Town Café, a favorite of the agents. Once seated, they ordered drinks and requested extra time before ordering.

After ordering and some small talk, JJ asked, "Garcia, Will and I were talking the other night and he asked me a question, so I told him I'd ask you. Why haven't you ever gotten married?"

At first Penelope seemed shocked by the question, then it dawned on her, JJ was starting a conversation where they could gather the information Rossi needed. "I just haven't found the man who makes me want to settle down and take the plunge. Besides why do you need a piece of paper to tell you that you're with the one you're meant to be with?"

"I know I put it off, but marrying Will was the best thing I've ever done." JJ said. "What about you Erin, would you ever want to get married again?"

Strauss was quiet for a minute, "Maybe. I've thought about it, especially since things are going so well living with David."

"How long have you two actually been living together?" Garcia asked.

Erin thought, "We were pretty much living together before the replicator tried to kill me. We spent our time going between his house and my condo. We didn't stay together when the kids were around, but they knew he was a huge part of my life. Then after I got out of the hospital, he asked me to move in with him, I did. He had the kids pick a bedroom and then let them decorate it however they wanted, that way they have their own room there. They started staying with us more and more, they love him. Jack hates it that David and the kids get along so well." She took a drink of her tea, "a few months later, we moved the rest of my things, sold the condo, put my name on the house. He said he wanted me to really feel like it was ours…sorry that's the long answer…short answer we've lived together about a year and a half, but we've been together a little over two."

"Would you marry Dave if he asked?" JJ questioned. "I know if I had to do it again, I wouldn't have waited so long to say yes to Will."

"I don't think that's something we'll have to worry about; he's been married and divorced three times. I remember him telling me once three times was enough to let him know he wasn't the kind of man who should be married." Erin said as their food came.

JJ and Penelope looked at each other, then at Erin. "That didn't answer JJ's question." Penelope said.

"Would I marry, David if he asked? I'm already more married to him then I was to Jack. I know a lot of people think this relationship won't survive, but it's already lasted longer than either one of us thought it would. I think that's because we communicate, really talk and listen to each other. We're completely devoted to one another. I love David like I've never loved anyone. He's not the man I knew 20 years ago." She said "he's a much better man, this team helped make him a better man, more of a team player, and that's a plus in a marriage. So would I marry David if he asked…in a heartbeat."

"Would you change your name?" JJ asked.

Erin thought for a minute, "Everywhere but work, I'd still want to be Deputy Director Strauss, maybe hyphenate it at work Strauss-Rossi, but for all the other legal things I'd want to be Erin Rossi. I don't know how that would work, but that's what I'd want. Let's change the subject. I don't see David ever wanting to get married again." The subject was changed and the three women talked and laughed for the remainder of their lunch.

/

Once back at Headquarters, Erin stopped by the bullpen, said hello to the others, and then went to Rossi's office. Leaning on the doorframe, she watched him as he stared out the window. "What are you thinking about so intently over there handsome?"

Turning just a little to look at her, Dave smiled. "You."

Stepping into the office, she moved to where he stood. "What about me?"

Dave glanced out at the bullpen, pulled her closer to him, kissing her quickly, but with passion. "I was thinking about how you'll never know how much I love you."

Placing her hand on his cheek, then moved it to lay over his heart, "Why do you think that? I know you love me. You show me every day in so many ways."

He sighed and continues. "Erin, I've never loved anyone the way I love you. Not Carolyn, not Emma, not anyone. Who would have thought when I came to visit that first day in rehab, two years later, I'd be hopelessly, completely, head over heels in love with you."

Snuggling into him just for a few minutes, "David, I do know how much you love me. I love you too. More sometimes than even I want to admit, I cherish our life together. It's better than I ever dreamt it would be. When I think about the future, there isn't a time that I don't see you by my side. You are truly my partner, my soul mate."

"Thank you, you know I feel the same way. You are my heart, Erin." Dave said letting her see the devotion in his eyes.

Erin kissed him one more time, "Now Agent Rossi, it's time for Erin and David to get back to work."

Smiling he walked her out the door, "Yes Ma'am, Deputy Director Strauss."

She sauntered out the door, turning down the catwalk; calling over her shoulder, "Agent Rossi, stop staring at my ass."

Luckily the bullpen contained only the Alpha team and a couple other agents, as soon as she was out of ear shot the room erupted in laughter. Dave turned to them took a bow laughing before returning to his office.