I Won't Hold You Back…Ever
By: mrsrossino4
Summary: This is my first attempt at fan fiction. Dave Rossi just can't seem to get a break in his personal life. Can he learn to accept and move on? Based partially on the Toto song "I Won't Hold You Back Now".
Chapter One: Regrets and memories
In this chapter, Dave Rossi comes to terms with his third wife's absence, and remembers the first time they met.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Criminal Minds, but if I did I certainly would show Dave Rossi what a good woman is! Oh man I need to stop thinking about him!
Dave Rossi was sitting in the living room with the lights off sipping on a glass of his favorite scotch. His faithful companion Mudgie was sitting next to him nudging his hand to see if he could pet him for a minute. The dog always seemed to be able to sense when his master was in a bad mood.
"I know, boy, she's gone and there's nothing we can do to get her back" Dave said with a sense of sadness. He honestly thought his third marriage would be the last one. Alicia was a social worker who had a big future in store. She was gorgeous, intelligent, and a loyal mate to boot.
Dave started to think back to when he first met her. He had recently retired from the BAU and had taken a job part time at Georgetown University as a Criminology professor. He was watching the students file into the classroom and could sense the hero worship coming across the room. Damn, he could already tell these kids took this class simply because of him teaching. That was when she walked in.
This woman was in her late twenties, short, with a light tan, long flowing dark red hair and emerald green eyes. She was dressed conservatively, as if she came straight from work to attend class. Dave could tell she had an ample bosom she was trying to cover with a high neck sweater. She walked over to the center seat in front of the class and got her book out. She looked like one of the very few who were actually in the class to learn something.
During the semester he found this woman, whose name was Alicia Santos, was indeed his definition of a dream student. She asked relevant questions about the material and stuck with the material. The problem between them developed when she stayed after class one day to question him about an assignment she had made a B minus on.
"Um, excuse me, Mr. Rossi; may I speak with you about the paper you handed back during class?"
Dave turned around to meet those lovely green eyes. "Miss Santos, I assume you are questioning the validity of the grade you received? I have to say you did quite well on the assignment, considering…" Suddenly she cut him off in mid-sentence.
"Sir, with all due respect, I spent a great deal of time researching the assignment, I formatted it correctly, and I feel it was superior work. I don't understand why you gave me a B minus. Can you please reconsider?"
"Miss Santos, you are right, you technically did everything correctly, but I have no plans of regrading your paper. I'm sorry". Dave stood back and studied the girl's face to see how she would react to this statement. As expected, she was about to launch into a tearful plea. "Miss Santos, before you begin what is sure to be a dramatic performance, I must point out to you that everything in life does not require you to be perfect. Now, if you would like me to explain why you earned this grade, I would ask we continue this discussion over dinner. I'm starving".
Alicia could not believe what she just heard. How dare this smug son of a bitch tell her she did not earn an A on this paper! And he's asking me on a date? He can't be serious!
"Mr. Rossi, I am not interested in going on a date with anyone who tears me to shreds the way you just did! Besides, it's unethical to date students".
Dave smiled in spite of himself. Wow, she sure was a ball of fire, not to mention presumptuous. But under different circumstances, he had to admit he would love to escort her on a date.
"Look, you said you were curious why I gave you the grade on this paper. It's not a date; it's discussing your work over food. Nothing unethical about that. I promise to sit far away if it will make you feel better".
Alicia laughed in spite of herself. She was excited when she had been told David Rossi was teaching this class, and now she was getting advice from him about her academic performance. And, in all honesty, he was not a bad looking man. Oh man, did she just allow her thoughts to go there? He was her teacher!
Twenty minutes later Rossi and Alicia were seated in a nearby Italian restaurant waiting on their food. Dave ordered the lasagna and Alicia got a small antipasto. Naturally, being an old school gentleman, Dave insisted he pay. Dave studied his student while she thoughtfully nibbled on a breadstick.
"Alright, so you asked me why you earned the grade you received on that paper. I have to warn you, though, I don't hold back when asked a question. I'm going to give you my honest feedback, so if you're okay with that I'll review your work".
Alicia knew even though she was sensitive to criticism, she had to know why he graded her work so harshly. She swallowed hard and nodded.
"Well," Dave began slowly, "first I have to say you are correct. Your work is technically sound and well-written. But the problem is you lack passion. You're regurgitating facts without showing any feeling. I get more entertainment reading the dictionary than reading your papers."
Dave could see the girl was hurt by his comments. He reached over and took her hand gently. "Alicia, you're not in high school, and you're not competing against the popular crowd any more. Stop trying to impress everyone and just write from the heart. This is graduate school; I think you've proven you're smarter than whoever bullied you in school".
Alicia couldn't bring herself to look into Rossi's eyes. She should have expected him to profile her. However, it almost seemed as though the older man was showing tenderness that she had not had since her mother died eight years ago. No, she thought to herself, I can't allow him to get too close, it hurts too much.
Dave continued his thoughts tenderly as to not upset her any more than she already was. "I understand how you feel. You spent years trying to fit in, but no one let you in their circle. You're smarter than other children, and your parents kept you isolated. Even though you enjoyed your parents' company, you longed for a friend. Someone to tell you that you're normal. When you kept getting let down by others, you retreated into yourself. When you lost one of your parents, you decided to show those people who made your life hell that you are a good person. You lost weight, graduated at the top of your class in college, and went into social work to help those who are being treated like you were. But you don't have to live this way, Alicia. Show me the passion you have for your work, let it out of your soul. Show me who Alicia Santos really is".
Alicia was fighting to hold back tears. This man saw straight into her soul and knew what drove her. He said he understood how she feels. Can she trust him? "And how, Mr. Rossi, do you want me to show you passion?"
The older man smiled. "Easy, you have a week until the final thesis is due. If you want, change your topic to something you're passionate about. Write from your heart, Alicia. And," he paused before continuing, "If you are agreeable, I'd like to see you again outside the classroom. You're quite an enigma, young lady, someone I think I'd like to know better".
"Now wait, Mr. Rossi…"
"Dave. Call me Dave. Except inside the classroom of course".
"Okay, Dave, you're my teacher, even though only for another two weeks…"
"If you want to wait until after term ends, it's fine by me. But if you know anything about me, you would know I'm not one for playing by the rules".
Alicia could not believe what she was hearing. David Rossi, famed author and BAU profiler, wants to see her again? This was too good to be true!
Well I'll be damned; Dave thought to himself, she can smile.
They walked out of the restaurant together and walked to their cars. Alicia was about to get in her car when Dave put his hand on her shoulder. His touch felt like silk.
"Hey, aren't you forgetting something? Even if this wasn't a date, can't I get a good night kiss?"
"Dave, I'm not sure about that, but I'll give you a good night hug".
Dave wrapped his muscular arms around her and pulled her close. He could smell the apple shampoo in her hair and the perfume she wore. God, if he weren't a gentleman…
"So, Miss Santos, until next week then, unless you decide to give me a call before then."
With a simple turn, the older man got into his truck and headed for parts unknown. Alicia was beside herself with too many conflicting emotions. Maybe she should bend the rules a little and see if it paid off. The question is will she get hurt again?
Okay, so here ends the first chapter. I plan on taking this in a hopefully interesting direction, out of cannon of course. Please let me know what you think!