Well, folks, it's that time of the year again! The temperatures are dropping - along with the leaves. The fires are crackling and families are gathering around the tree to celebrate the joy of the season. It should be that easy for the team. Christmas is the season for rebirth and this series is about looking at the past, acknowledging your faults, and embracing your future with open arms.
Dave Rossi and Emily Prentiss are about to be married. They have finally found their soul mate in each other. But Dave has a secret…or rather a past that is preventing him from the happiness he thinks he doesn't deserve. As he gets ready to chuck it all, 3 ghosts come back to haunt…er, visit and show him that what could have been wasn't what was supposed to be. And though it's never to late to say "I'm sorry" it can be too late to make things right.
Song prompt: "Saint Forgiveness" by Tamara Champlin.
This story is dedicated to Tamara and Bill Champlin. Thank you so much for your friendship and your wonderful songs. There are not enough words to thank you. You are truly a blessing in my life.
A Christmas Carol…Dave Rossi Style.
Dave Rossi was bent over the stack of papers on his desk. His pen furiously wrote out the copy of his notes from the previous case. It had been a bad one: a man murdering his fiancée one week before their wedding and then brutally murdering six innocent people to throw investigators off his tracks. And all because he was afraid that his pregnant lover would be exposed before the wedding and cause it to be called off.
A total sociopath was all Dave could use to describe the scumbag. Scribbling his name in the bottom of the page, he flipped the manila folder closed. It was done. Now he could relax. Suddenly, his phone rang.
"Rossi," he greeted.
"Where are you?" Hotch asked.
"What do you mean? I'm in my office." Dave stacked the folders and moved them to the side of the desk.
"Did you forget that we're supposed to be getting our final tux fittings in an hour?" Hotch asked.
Dave closed his eyes. He had forgotten. He checked his watch.
"I'll be down there in five."
"What are you going to tell Emily if she catches you?"
"The truth. That last case took it out of me and I had to finish my report," Dave replied.
"I know. Well, make it quick. If we miss this appointment, the women will skin us."
"Which is nothing compared to what Emily would do."
"Exactly." Hotch disconnected. Dave snapped his phone closed and stood up. He reached for the sports coat on the back of his chair.
A knock interrupted him. Before he could answer, Em whisked in, folders in her hand.
"Are you still here?" she asked with surprise in her voice.
Dave grimaced. "Yes."
"Aren't you and Hotch supposed to be getting your last fitting?" Em moved closer to the man who had been her off and on again partner for so many years and was now about to become her partner for the rest of her life. She had never imagined that when the great David Rossi had walked thru the doors of the FBI that long ago Halloween's eve, that they would be getting married on Christmas Day. It was almost too perfect.
"I got behind on that last report." Dave looked down into Em's dark brown eyes as his arms went around her waist.
"I'm glad," she whispered huskily and wrapped her arms around Dave's neck. "I get to spend a few more minutes with you."
"Are you saying that you are willing to break FBI regs?" Dave's eyebrow rose in question. A smile tugged on his lips.
"What can I say? I've been corrupted." Her fingers fiddled with his hair. Ever since the first time they shook hands, she could barely keep her hands off of him. She was disappointed that he was running late for his fitting, but she reveled in being able to have that little bit of time with him.
"Are you stating that I've corrupted you?" Dave wondered.
"Maybe." Em kissed him lightly. She felt that familiar tingle go thru her body as their lips met. She had always wondered what all the fuss was about, but the moment they had shared their first forbidden kiss, her world had been rocked.
Dave responded accordingly…until Em's hands began to stroke him. Slowly, he pulled back.
"Em, I have to go," he tried to excuse himself.
"Just a couple of more minutes," Em pleaded. "I won't be seeing you for a while."
"I'll be home tonight. I promise," Dave said as he tried to untangle himself.
"Okay." Em smiled. "But you know that mother will be wanting me to spend the rest of the time at her place until the wedding?"
"I'm surprised that she's letting you marry me," Dave quipped.
"She doesn't have a choice," Em replied firmly. "You are my fiancé. And it's not as though we're exactly going into this blind. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"She is paying for half the wedding," Dave reminded. "So, she still has a choice."
"Well, I've made up my mind. Nothing is going to change it." Em smiled lovingly at the man she would lay her life down for in a New York minute. She leaned in and kissed him again. "I have to run these down to the file room; I'll see you later."
Em turned and hurried out of the office. Dave finished putting on his coat. As he reached for his phone and his overcoat, he paused. Em's words rang in his ears. Closing his eyes, he sighed.
Well, I've made up my mind. Nothing is going to change it.
"I wouldn't bet on it," he muttered. Turning the knob, he let himself out and closed the door soundly behind him.