Disclaimer: In no way do I own Criminal Minds or Heartland and I'm not making any profit off of this story.

Summary: After a brutal case the team is having trouble coping and the board is threatening to split them up. They only have one last hope but some are keener than others.

This is for the crossover challenge on CCOAC forum. I picked the character Jack Bartlett from Heartland and was given David Rossi from Criminal Minds. I've been thinking about writing a Criminal Minds/Heartland crossover for years. I always thought Heartland, which for those of you who don't know is a horse ranch in rural Alberta, would be an awesome setting for a team based fic.

Anyways hope you all Enjoy!

…

Both Dave and Erin watched as Aaron stood stiffly and then turned his back on the Section Chief. Without being dismissed he left her office.

Erin's eyes followed his retreating form until she couldn't see him anymore and then leveled her gaze at Dave, daring him to make some excuse for his friend.

Dave placed his hands in his lap and cleared his throat "Now Erin," he said calmly "I know this looks bad but Aaron has just been under a bit of stress, nothing he…"

Erin cut Dave off "That was exactly the point I was trying to make. Your whole team has been under stress since Chicago, that's why the board suggested this retreat."

Dave shook his head "Yes, the team has been under a bit of stress but as I was trying to say before, it's nothing we can't handle. We just need a bit of time to get things sorted, and really, a retreat?"

Erin shot him a skeptical look "Just need a bit of time? Dave, it's been two months. How much more time do you think you'll need?"

Dave frowned, he opened his mouth to respond but before he could say anything Erin continued.

"As for the retreat it was my idea."

That shocked Dave. He had thought Erin was on their side. She might still be a little rough around the edges but in the last few months she had seemed to have calmed down. She no longer judged each and every one of the team's decisions or tried to find a way to split them up.

Erin held up her hand "I know what you're thinking, Strauss the Dragon Lady…" at his surprised look "yes I know what they all call me behind my back…is up to her old tricks again but I'm not. I will be the first to admit that over the years I have given your team hell but I've come to understand just how well you all work together. I'm on your side one hundred percent now. That's why you must go on this retreat. I know that your team just needs time but the rest of the board isn't willing to wait. They wanted to disband your team. They said you've all gotten too comfortable, that you're off your game now and the only logical solution would be to split you all up. They want Morgan to be the leader of another team, maybe you as well. Aaron's fate is uncertain and the rest of your team, they'll all be assigned to different teams."

Erin sighed as she rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

"However I now know that would be the wrong decision. Your team is the best the BAU has ever had."

That made Dave smile although he was still trying to get over the shock of everything else she had just said.

Erin rolled her eyes "Don't go getting a big head or I'll think twice about ever complementing you again."

Dave hid his smile and did his best to look serious.

"Anyway I managed to convince the board to give you a second…and last chance. Now, I'm sure you're curious as to why I suggested the retreat in the first place."

Dave nodded.

"One of my nieces went there a few years ago and returned almost a whole other person, in a good way of course. Her mental health has been better than it ever has. Before she went to Heartland she had a mild case of hypochondria. She was always worried about getting sick and was, or she said she was, allergic to almost everything. Of course it was all psychosomatic. But then after only a week at this ranch she came back and she was better. She was able to do things she never could before, she was more adventurous, wasn't allergic to everything and she even got married this past summer. Now she's very happy and for the most part stress free. As a last resort I told the board this and they agreed that if you all went and seemed better when you returned, that you could stay a team."

After a short silence Dave sighed and muttered "I guess we're headed to Canada then."

Erin gave him the briefest of smiles "Thank you."

"No," Dave said standing up "thank you, seriously. It's not every day that your chief risks her own ass and goes out on a limb for you."

Erin just nodded.

"Now, I'm going to convince my undoubtedly reluctant team." Dave said as he headed to the door.

"Good luck with that," Erin said.

"No kidding," Dave replied stepping out of the office "I'm going to need it."