I believe that all of us have the capacity for one adventure inside us, but great adventure is facing responsibility day after day – William Gordon.
--
Rossi . . .
David Rossi rubbed his temples and placed his head upon the desk, trying to ease the throbbing headache that was bombarding him. Slowly he lifted his head and examined the picture frame which he had nearly knocked to the ground. It was him and his un dolce (sweet one). Her name was Elanora Ricci and she was the daughter of his college friend, Corradeo. Tragedy had struck Elanora though, a little over ten years ago. Corradeo and his wife, Isabella, were killed when their boat was hit by a freak storm. Dave, having no children himself and being godfather to Elanora asked for permission to care for her, however Child Protection Services had insisted to put her in a foster system because of Dave's work field. He hadn't seen Ellie since.
Emily Prentiss came striding into his office, file clasped in one hand and coffee cup in the other. She smiled at him warmly.
'You look like you could use this' she said, handing him the coffee cup.
'Thank you' he said, eyes still fixed firmly on the photo.
--
Prentiss . . .
As Prentiss handed Dave the coffee cup she noticed that he was holding a picture frame very tightly, so tightly that his knuckles were white. On the back of the frame, written in neat white script was un dolce. She knew instantly that it meant sweet one.
'Uhhh Dave? Who's the picture of?' Prentiss asked tentatively, hoping to god that it wasn't a girlfriend and then wondering why it bothered her if it was.
'Mmm, oh this?' Rossi lifted the frame slightly before showing her the photo 'It's my god-daughter Ellie'
'She's gorgeous Dave' Prentiss commented.
'Yes well, she's nine in that photo and it's been ten years since I last saw her' Rossi said quietly.
'Why –' Prentiss was cut off as JJ poked her head round the door.
'Guys, we've got a bad case' she said urgently.
'Right JJ, we're coming' Rossi said, grabbing his coffee cup and leading the way out of his office.
--
Rossi . . .
'I got a call from Minnesota PD; they've reported three young males missing in the past three weeks' JJ explained.
Rossi took a swig from his coffee cup, instantly remembering the busy city of Minnesota. He glanced at the photos of the missing boys from under his lashes. All of them looked to be no older than twelve or thirteen at the oldest. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Prentiss' eyes cloud with sorrow as she too took in the victims.
'Is there any connections?' Hotch asked.
'All these boys suffered from a form of depression or anxiety for various reasons and they were all members of their local youth group' JJ replied quickly.
'Easy victims' Morgan commented.
Rossi was frowning at the screen. 'There's something that concerns me'
'What's that Dave?' Prentiss asked.
'Think about it, all these boys are too old for the "priest rape" category and too young for the "family/friend rape" category' Rossi said, confusion plastering his face.
'Statistically speaking young males, all though less likely to be kidnapped, are raped when they are kidnapped' Reid reeled off.
JJ nodded. 'So we heading to Minnesota?' she asked.
'We're heading to Minnesota' Hotch verified.
--
Reid . . .
Reid was engrossed in his novel as the jet took off from the ground. The turbulence no longer bothered the young genius. Before he used to close his eyes and reel off facts inside his head to keep calm. Since then he had matured a lot.
'Hey Reid, up for a game of chess?' Rossi asked, sitting down opposite him.
'If you're prepared to loose' Reid smiled, putting his book away.
'Kid don't tempt him' Morgan teased, looking up from his own book.
Fifteen minutes into the game, Reid and Rossi on equal losses, Reid's mind wandered. He looked out the window and felt Rossi's eyes follow the movement.
'What's on your mind Reid?' Rossi asked, not beating round the bush.
Reid was silent for a moment, deciding best how to say what was on his mind. He turned his head and stared into Rossi's eyes for a moment.
'What's true love like Rossi?' he asked.
--
Rossi . . .
Rossi's brain went into overdrive when Reid voiced his thoughts. The kid was deadly serious from the look on his face. He sighed and ran a hand over his freshly shaven chin. He looked up at the ceiling of the jet, noticing Prentiss approaching.
'Why do you ask Spence?' Prentiss asked.
'Well I – just curious I guess' Reid said, trailing off.
Rossi moved to the side allowing Prentiss room to sit down. He leaned forward, as though he was trying to read Reid's soul.
'Well it's different for all kinds of people Reid. For me it's when you feel like nothing can take away happy and loved feeling you feel. When you touch their hand its like you were meant to hold hands. Everything feels perfect, right like nothing is more perfect' Rossi said softly.
By this time Morgan and JJ were listening and Hotch was pretending he wasn't listening but Rossi was sure that he was.
'Wow – thanks Dave' Reid said awkwardly.
'Any time Reid. By the way Reid guess what?'
'What?'
'Checkmate'
--
Prentiss . . .
Prentiss looked at her watch, almost stunned at how late it was. The flight had taken longer than she had thought. They were going to meet the Minnesota PD tomorrow so they could get a good night's sleep. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. She was sitting in the passenger seat as Dave drove them to the hotel. It was just the two of them, Hotch, Morgan, JJ and Reid had taken the other car.
'Tired?' Rossi asked.
'A little' Prentiss said truthfully.
'Sleep is what you need'
'I know so Dave, tell me how come you haven't seen Ellie for ten years?'
David almost swerved the car in his shock at Prentiss remembering Ellie's name. He looked at her silently. He sighed.
'Trust me Prentiss, it's not a nice story' he said, exhaustion in his voice.
'Please?' she asked 'The way you were looking at her photo, it was enough to tell me that you miss her. She's the one you have a photo of in your wallet too? Right?'
'Prentiss . . .'
'Don't Prentiss me. I'm a big girl Dave. If you don't want to tell me fine but don't treat me like a little girl' Prentiss snapped.
Rossi looked at her, keeping one eye on the road and then sighed deeply.
'I'm sorry' he said 'Ok then. Ten years ago Ellie was my life; this was just after I got divorced from my second wife. I spoilt her rotten'
'As you do' Prentiss said happiness in her voice.
'Yes but then – you see fate is a cruel thing Emily. So cruel.' Rossi's voice shook.
Prentiss felt horror and sadness creep over her. 'Oh god' she whispered.
'I was away on a case and Ellie's parents, Corradeo and Isabella, went away on vacation leaving Ellie with the neighbors. They went to California. They went boating and a freak storm hit. They never found the bodies'
'Oh God! Dave that's terrible!' Prentiss sounded like she might cry.
'It get's worse. Corradeo, he was my best friend but could be silly, he didn't leave a will. I told Child Protection Services that I was her godfather and that I'd take care of her. But because my job type they insisted she go into foster care. Since then I haven't been allowed to contact her, at all'
'Dear god Dave. I think I'm going to cry' Prentiss whispered.
'I did warn you' Rossi said sadly.
'Jeez Dave you have a lot more emotional baggage than I thought.'
'Prentiss . . . '
'Dave could you please call me Emily. It makes me feel like I'm nothing more than a colleague to you if you call me Prentiss' Emily said, smiling at the older man.
'Emily then.'
'Dave, I appreciate you trusting me' Emily continued, placing a hand over Rossi's own. 'Thank you'
--
Rossi . . .
As Prentiss' hand covered his own Rossi felt a swoop in his heart. Emotion and caring rushed to his brain and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. Immediately his brain filled with images of him and Emily, in romantic situations. Then his conscience kicked in. Stop it! Don't think of her like that!
At that moment they arrived at the hotel and Emily squeezed Dave's hand and then released it, hoping out of the car bag in hand and still smiling. Dave breathed deeply, telling himself that he could not think of Emily Prentiss that way. He then followed the rest of the team inside.
-----TBC----
