Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the words, this is what comes from my warped brain.
There may be more, but not before I finish my other story.
Reviews are appreciated.
The Beginning.
(Present Day) Erin Strauss opened her eyes; she knew it was early, even though light from the full moon illuminated the master bedroom. Rolling over she looked at the handsome face of the man lying next to her. He was still sleeping, not wanting to disturb him she didn't move, except to lay her head on his chest. She loved touching him; and the slightest touch from him could send sparks through her entire body. She cherished times like this, when he slept and she could be awake and close, listening to him breathe or snore softly. He didn't sleep well… ever. Always a case on his mind or an idea for a new book, something had his brain running constantly. Times like this when his mind actually shut down and let him rest were rare.
Unable to go back to sleep she thought about that those days almost two years ago, the beginning of what had become the best decision of her life. Everyone thought he perused her, when actually she was the one who made the first moves. He'd found out about her stint in rehab, and he'd come to see her…often, becoming her friend and supporting her, but she was the one who wanted more…more from him and more of him. She knew more than 20 years ago she was drawn to him, even when they fought and they battled often, there was always something fascinating about David Rossi.
(Memories) Leaving rehab on a Saturday morning, she visited her children, spent the day with them, had a quiet Sunday. She spoke to him that day and saw him in passing in the office for a few minutes on Monday. It was a little bit of a struggle to get back in the swing of things the first day and by the end of it she needed to see him. She knew he taught at the academy and he was teaching tonight.
Making her way to his class room, she slid into the lecture hall undetected, taking a seat in the last row. She'd never seen him teach; as she listened she understood why the bureau asked him, he was very good. He knew his stuff and he presented it well. He paced as he spoke, answered questions as they were asked. Every once in a while he'd sit on the edge of the desk, hands in his pockets listening to a student explain their answer or tell him why they thought their way would be better. When the class ended she sat still waiting for the few students who stopped to talk to him to disperse. She didn't know he'd noticed her sitting up there about half way through the session. As the last student turned to leave she started down to meet him.
"When did you come in?" He asked putting his materials in his briefcase before turning around and leaning on the desk.
She smiled, "Just before you started."
"I didn't notice until about half way through the lesson." He commented not taking his eyes off her, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You weren't supposed to notice me at all." She took a tentative step toward him, he didn't move.
"Then why did you stay if I wasn't supposed to know you were here?"
She moved closer to him, tugged on his shirt, leaning forward just a bit, and whispered. "I wanted to give you this." Placing her lips on his she kissed him, slow, and soft at first deepening it after a few seconds. He responded the way she hoped he would. Pulling away, Erin Strauss turned and walked away leaving him speechless as his hand moved to touch where her lips had been a minute ago. Neither would sleep that night.
Tuesday saw the team head to Charleston for a case. Dave didn't have time to talk to her before he left so once the briefing was over he sat back pulled out his phone.
Erin was sitting at her desk trying to concentrate on reports she needed to read, but her mind kept going back to last night and the feel of David Rossi's lips. Each time she did she smiled just a little. Her assistant wondered what would put that grin on her bosses face, Erin Strauss very rarely smiled. Something had changed in her since coming back from leave.
Strauss looked to her right as the cell on the desk began to vibrate. Picking it up she saw a text from David, tapping the envelope she read, Good Morning, Erin, how are things today?"
Quickly she answered, "Good Moring, Agent Rossi, things are things. Aren't you supposed to be solving a case?"
"We're still in the air, Can't solve it until we land. I have another mystery I'd like to solve." He typed smiling, and it didn't go unnoticed by others on the plane.
She laughed softly when she read his text; she knew what was coming, "is there anything I can do to help you with your mystery?"
"You sure as hell can, want to tell me what last night was all about, Babe!" he intentionally put the babe there, deciding if she wanted to play games he could play with the best of them.
She laughed again, then saw her assistant look at her, "Sorry, Abbie." Before typing back, "I'd never seen you teach, so I came to watch."
"That's not what I'm talking about and you know it, want to talk about what happened after the class?" as he typed he could still fill her lips on his.
Sitting back in her chair, "It's called a kiss, David. I would think a man as worldly as you would know what a kiss was, do I need to explain?"
Dave smiled again, she was really enjoying this game, "I know what a kiss is ERIN, I am just wondering why you kissed me last night, not that I didn't enjoy it immensely."
"I wanted to so I did. It's that simple."
Dave read the words, just as the plane began to land. "We're landing so I need to get to work, we'll finish this as soon as I get back."
"Be careful." She typed putting the phone on the desk and going back to her files, still smiling.
The team worked the case and had it solved easily. Heading back to Quantico, Dave thought about the previous day and Erin Strauss telling him she wanted to kiss him. He never in a million years would have thought that, he thought she hated him or at least disliked him. Looking around the others were sleeping, except for Hotch who like himself seldom slept on the plane. Pulling out his phone he was about to send a message, when it buzzed. Looking at it he smiled.
"Heard your team is on the way home, should be here by 12:30, would you like to have a late lunch with me. My office 1:30?" It was the person he was thinking about. He hadn't been able to get his mind off her since that kiss.
Smirking his trademark grin, "Sure, can I bring anything?"
"Just those luscious lips and an appetite, I'm ordering out." She knew that would stop him.
David Rossi sat at his desk staring at the clock; they'd been back for an hour. He was trying to concentrate on the after reports, but his mind wandered. Time was creeping by and it was driving him insane. What game was Erin playing? Why had she kissed him and why was she inviting him to lunch, this woman baffled him. The woman that came back from rehab was not the woman he'd known half his life. Looking up he saw Hotch enter his office.
"Dave, I just wanted to tell you what great work you did out there." Aaron said sitting in the chair across from him. "You saw things the rest of us didn't and that was the key to catching the unsub as quickly as we did."
"Just doing my job." Dave said looking at the clock again.
Hotch leaned forward, "Is something bothering you, Dave? You've seemed a little distracted the past couple days. Not when working, but in free time and that smile on the plane when you were texting, didn't go unnoticed by anyone."
"No, I'm fine. Well nothing I can talk about right now." Rossi answered, again looking at the clock.
"Okay, but you know where I am if you need someone to talk too," Standing the unit chief moved to the door keeping his eye on his best friend before leaving. He knew Rossi well enough and long enough to know something was up with.
At 1:25 Dave stood and headed to Erin's office. Entering the outer office, Abbie her assistant was getting ready to leave. "I'm heading out to lunch, she stepped out for a minute, you can wait if you like?" motioning toward a chair.
Nodding, Dave sat in the outer area to wait. Erin entered as soon as the assistant was on the elevator and the door closed. She had her arms loaded, standing he took the drink holder from her, following into the inner office. Sitting everything on the table, Erin closed the door, put her purse in the drawer and sat on the couch. "Have a seat, David."
Sitting down, Dave kept watching her, trying to figure her out. Was she screwing with him, had she lost her mind completely or was she really attracted to him. He had always been intrigued by her, but he knew her and he knew she didn't like him or his lifestyle, though in recent years he had changed his priorities.
"Is something wrong, David?" Erin asked handing him one of the to go containers from her favorite little bistro in Quantico. "Why are you staring at me?"
Sitting the food on the table he turned toward her. "I'm trying to figure out who you are and what you did with Erin Strauss? She doesn't like me, she would never invite me to lunch, and I know for a fact she would never kiss me like you did last night."
She could see the questioning and confusion in his eyes. His eyes had always told her more than his words. "David…I'm not the same person I was before rehab. I've learned a lot about myself and what I want in life. Also these past few weeks, with you visiting me and helping me, supporting me have shown me a side of you that I never let myself see and I like what I see."
"Let me see if I have this, you have the hots for me?" He smiled that cheeky grin at her.
Picking up her food, "I wouldn't say hots, I'd rather say attracted, I know I'm being bold, but I've wasted enough time. If you're not interested please just tell me, I'm a big girl, David I can handle it."
Taking a bite of his sandwich, he kept watching her, he could tell she was getting very nervous, she put it out there and he hadn't said anything. "Erin…I've always thought you were beautiful and sexy as hell…"
"..But you're not interested in seeing what could develop." She said standing. She thought from the way he kissed her back the other night and the text messages that he just might want to explore where they could go.
He reached for her hand, pulling her back down, only a little closer to him. "I didn't say that. I'm just a little surprised." He watched her, as he leaned in giving her a shy kiss. "Like I said, I've always found you beautiful and sexy as hell. Why don't I take you out for dinner tonight and we'll see how things go?"
"Like a date?" She asked cautiously
"Yes, Erin, I'm asking you on a date. I'll pick you up at seven; we'll have a nice dinner, maybe a little dancing, and then see what happens."
"I'd like that." She said, relaxing a bit. As they ate, she asked him about the case they had just closed and he asked her about her kids. Once they had finished eating he helped her clean up and sat back down on the sofa.
The couple talked a little more, before Dave stood, held out his hand, pulling her to her feet. Still holding her hand, he walked to her door, leaned in and whispered, "These luscious lips are going to kiss you now." And he did. Breaking the kiss he smiled, exiting the room, calling over his shoulder, "See you at seven."
Erin smiled, thankful Abbie wasn't back yet, closing her door again and leaning on it.
Precisely at seven, Dave knocked on Erin's door. Opening it she asked him in and he handed her a bouquet of wild flowers. That was one thing he knew about her, she loved wild flowers. "Thank you; come talk to me while I put them in water?"
He followed her to the kitchen, leaning against the island. "You're stunning, Erin." She wore a simple black dress, black bolero jacket, with matching shoes, sapphire earrings and necklace. Her hair was up, he liked it better down, but it looked sexy the way it was tonight.
"You look pretty damn good yourself, David." Having finished with the flowers, she moved to stand in front of him, straightening his tie. He wore a black Italian suit, with black shirt and tie. Erin had always thought he looked oh so sexy dressed all in black, gave him a little of that mafia look.
He placed his hands on her waist, "I'm going to kiss you now." He said as his lips found hers in a short kiss full of promise. Offering her his arm, "Shall we go?"
The restaurant was a nice romantic place in DC. He'd called ahead for the table with the best view, preordered their finest non-alcoholic champagne, and asked for the chef to make her favorite dessert, chocolate soufflé. Dave pulled out the chair and held it for her. He was the perfect gentleman.
Once their order had been taken, Dave reached over and took her hand in his, letting their fingers move and wrestle in a quixotic dance. "This place is wonderful, David. Where did you find it or do I want to know?"
Chuckling, "Actually, Andy told me about this place."
"Andy…as in Andy Shepherd, the Director of the FBI?" She questioned. "You saw him today?"
"That would be the one and I saw him in the men's room." He said seeing her begin to pale, "Don't worry Erin, I didn't tell him who I was going out with, I just asked him if he knew a place that I could take a very special lady for a nice romantic dinner and dancing, some place new. He started asking me questions, but I told him, it was a new friendship, that I was exploring and when I was ready to tell someone I might call him." Once he was finished she seemed to relax.
The couple enjoyed their dinner, talking and teasing. Anyone who watched them would have thought they had been together for years, not on a first date. After dinner, but before dessert, Dave stood, held out his hand, leading her to the dance floor. The music was soft and slow, they danced for several songs, whispering about work, the team, how they would react if they knew the pair were on an genuine rendezvous. One more dance, Dave asked if she was ready for her special dessert.
Back at the table, the waiter brought out the chocolate soufflé. "I'm impressed Rossi, this wasn't on the menu, I looked, it's my favorite."
Smiling, "I know I called ahead, only the best."
"Thank you, David. This has been a wonderful evening." She said placing her hand over his.
"It's not over yet." He lead her back to the dance floor, they danced for a while longer. Finally he asked if she was ready to go. She nodded; Dave paid the bill and led her out of the door turning left.
"David, the car is that way." She commented pointing right.
Wrapping his arm loosely around her waist, "I know."
Walking two blocks, Erin looked at Dave; standing before them was a beautiful white horse drawn carriage. "David, is this for us?"
"Yes, I thought a tour of DC at night would be fun." He commented helping her into the carriage.
The ride was an especially long one, stopping at all the sites of DC, they'd both seen many times, but not like this. Dave wrapped his arm around her pulling her close, she laid her head on his shoulder, content to just sit and enjoy the ride together.
The driver took them all the way back to Dave's car. Erin petted Jackson, the horse, fed him the apple that Max the driver gave her, while Dave settled the bill, making sure to give a generous tip.
Again Rossi held the car door, helping her in. The drive back to her house was quiet; the only sound was soft jazz playing low on the radio. She didn't want the evening to end, even though it was nearly midnight. They both had to work tomorrow.
Pulling into the drive, Dave turned off the car, putting his hands on the steering wheel, letting out a long sigh. Getting out, he walked around the car, opened the door and helped her out. Capturing her hand he led her to the door, took her keys and unlocked the door, but didn't open it instead he leaned in kissing her, soft, gentle and slow. She wrapped her arms around his back, deepening the kiss, allowing him access to her mouth, tongues dancing, breaking away when their lungs screamed for air.
"I had an amazing time tonight, David, thank you." Erin said laying her head against his chest as he held her tight.
"Erin, I wanted tonight to be special, our first date to be romantic and extraordinary. I want you to always remember this night. I wanted it to be as breathtaking as you are." He said into her hair.
Looking into his eyes, "So does this mean there will be a second date, David?"
"Most definitely, how about a quiet dinner tomorrow night if we don't get called away, I'll cook," he asked.
"I'd like that." She said, kissing him again. "Would you like to come in?"
"I'd love nothing more, but I'm not going to. I'm trying to be a gentleman, I'm going to kiss you goodnight make sure you get in and I'm going to leave." Kissing her again, he opened the door, "Good night, Erin." He made sure she was in; the door was locked before getting in his car and heading home.
Thursday morning, Erin entered to a nearly empty bullpen, looking up both Aaron and Dave's doors were closed and the lights off. Heading to her office, she passed Garcia. "Ma'am, Agent Rossi asked if I would give this to you when you came in."
Taking the envelope, Strauss went to her office, put her things away and sat down. Turning the envelope over and over, wondering what he might have put into it, deciding the only want to find out was to open it. Starting to tear it open her cell buzzed.
A text from David, "Good morning, beautiful, did you get the envelope?"
"Good morning, I have it here?"
"Have you opened it?" He typed.
Looking at it again, "not yet, what's in it?"
He chuckled, "Open it woman, and you'll see." Looking around to make sure no one was watching him.
Opening the packet, there were four tickets, 2 for an opera and 2 to a cigar aficionado event. "What am I suppose to do with these?" she knew what they were she just wanted to hear him say it.
"We're supposed to go to them. I'll go to the opera with you and you go to the cigar show with me. We do things together that the other enjoys." He typed shaking his head, glad the team was on a short break and most of them were outside, only JJ was in the room and she was busy talking to Will.
Teasingly, she typed back, "why would I want to do that, the Opera, sure, but why would I want to go to a smelly cigar event?" Erin had to control herself or she would have laughed out loud.
Dave knew she was screwing with him and decided to play along, "It's called dating, Babe."
"Okay, 0kay, I'll put these events on my calendar. You better get that case closed so you can be here. I'd hate to have to find another date for the opera and the cigar show." This time Erin did laugh.
"Okay, I have to get busy; I'll see you no later than tomorrow. I'm sorry about dinner tonight."
"I understand, be safe." Erin tucked the phone back into her pocket, put the tickets in her purse and began her day.
The rest of Thursday was quiet for Strauss, getting lots of work done and chewing a couple agents' new ones for actions not up to standards. Dave and the team worked hard to get the confession and close the case so they could get back to Quantico for the weekend. It was too late when they finished to head back, so they decided to spend another night.
When Alpha team arrived back at the hotel, they agreed to meet in an hour for dinner. Dave and Derek were roommates this trip, since Morgan said he wasn't rooming with Reid.
Entering their room, Dave and Derek each flopped down on their beds; Morgan turned the TV on, flipping channels. Dave took out his phone and began tapping at the keys.
"Hey, good-looking, you still working?"
Erin opened her phone, and read the message, smiling when she saw it was from him. The smile didn't go unnoticed by Jessie, who was visiting her mom. "No, actually I'm having dinner with Jessie, my youngest. I heard you closed the case, when will your team be home?"
"We'll leave in the morning, around eight I think. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were busy; enjoy your time with your daughter. I'll catch up with you when we get home." He put his phone back in his pocket. It wasn't long before it buzzed again.
"Its okay, David, I can text for a few minutes. She's doing her own thing and giving me funny looks. I think she wonders who her mother is texting with."
"Are we still on for tomorrow night or do you have the kids?" He questioned
"No children, Jess is with her dad and the others are at school. I'm all yours. Actually I'm looking forward to it."
"Good, so am I. The team is ready for dinner, so I should join them. I'll see you when we get home. Have fun with Jessie and sleep well."
"You sleep well too, Good night, David."
"Good night, Erin." Putting his phone in his pocket again, he actually was enjoying this dance they were doing.
Friday morning, found Erin Strauss looking forward to the evening. She knew she had to get through the day and there was plenty of work to do. The team arrived back at Quantico a little after ten, and immediately went to work on after reports. Dave and Hotch also spent the majority of the afternoon doing a consultation with the Atlanta PD.
Dave looked at his watch, it was getting late. Taking out his phone, he sent Erin a text. "We're still dealing with Atlanta; can we meet at the convention center at 7, lobby of the hotel?"
"Sure that's fine. See you then." She replied closing her phone a little disappointed.
Entering the convention center hotel, Dave looked around for her; she wasn't there yet, he sat in a chair where he could watch the door. Erin arrived a few minutes later, standing he met her halfway. Dave leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
Handing him the tickets, he'd given her, "How does this event work?" she asked.
Taking her hand and leading her to the exposition hall, "Well the hall is filled with cigar exhibitors from all over. You can try them if you want. They are for sale too. There are also booths that teach you how to roll your own, how to cut one correctly and I forget what else. Also there is food and drinks."
"I hope they have water or club soda." She commented.
Dave smiled, he'd decided earlier, he wasn't going to drink tonight, he knew she was battling and he wanted to make it as easy as he could. "I'm sure they do." He handed the girl at the door their tickets, placing his hand on the small of her back to usher her through the door and into the event. The hall was large and filled to the edges with vendors. They walked around looking and trying various cigars and paraphernalia, Dave explaining things as they went. Both decided after being there for almost 3 hours it was getting hot and stuffy in the room.
"Let's get out of here, I'm burning up." He said, wrapping an arm protectively around her waist. Erin nodded as he showed her the way.
Neither were ready to call it a night, so they walked the halls of the convention center. Dave noticed a dark alcove off to the left, taking her hand; he pulled her into the darkness with him. Placing his hands on her waist, he captured her mouth with his. This kiss was more passionate than any they had shared.
Erin felt this kiss all the way to her toes. She had always imagined what it would be like to have his lips kissing her, and his body pressed against her, but she never thought it would be this good. Her mind wondered if he was as good in bed as the rumors suggested he was.
Their kiss deepened as she ran her hand through his hair. He placed one hand at the swell of her hip and the other gently gravitated to her breast. He heard her moan, breaking the kiss and dropping his hands to her waist again, Dave leaned his forehead against hers. "We better stop."
She looked deep into his eyes, seeing lust and want there, knowing hers mirrored his. "I don't want to stop, David."
Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, then letting his hand rest on her cheek, "What do you want, Erin?" He knew what she wanted, he could see it in her eyes, but he needed her to tell him, he needed to make sure she wouldn't regret it in the morning.
Kissing him again, she murmured "I want you, David. I want to feel your skin next to mine feel your arms around me. I want to get to know every inch of you" Smiling at him, "What do you want?"
"You sure you really want to know?" She nodded, "I want to get a room, take you upstairs and explore what makes you scream. I want to pleasure you; I want to hear you shriek my name in ecstasy."
Pulling him out of the darkness, "get a room, David and take me to bed," she said.
He didn't need any more prodding. After going to the desk and getting a suite. Dave led her to the elevators. For a brief moment he wondered if this was a good idea, but when she brushed her hand along the front of his jeans, all reasonable thought flew right out of his head.
Once in the room, Dave took her sweater, hung it up then did the same with his jacket. He watched her for a few minutes, and then moved to stand in front of her, stilling her pacing form, "Erin…"
Before he could say anything else, her lips were devouring his, and her hands were unbuttoning his shirt, pulling it from his jeans, she pushed it off his shoulders. Leaving his lips, she nibbled and kissed his collarbone, moving south until she reached one flat nipple. Sucking lightly on it she heard him whimper, smiling moved back up to his lips as her hands found the button and zipper of his jeans.
Stopping her for a moment, "Are you sure about this?" Again she nodded, "If at any time you want to stop, you just say so and we'll stop."
"I'm a big girl, David. I know what I'm doing. I know what I want and I want you. I want to feel the weight of your body on mine; I want to feel you inside me our bodies moving together. Make love to me, David, Please."
Stepping out of his shoes, sliding off his jeans and socks, Dave helped Erin undress. She was a little nervous, she hadn't thought about how her body had changed. Her uneasiness was instantly relieved, when he cupped her breasted and whispered, "Beautiful, You're beautiful."
They made love most of the night, taking things slow, learning what they liked, exploring every inch of the other, kissing, licking, sucking, nibbling, and touching. Dave also found out exactly what to do to make her scream his name. Between bouts they talked, teased and got to know each other, found out about the people they were now. Finally the pair dozed off in each other's arms, his leg comfortably resting between hers, the rest of their bodies skin to skin.
Their wake up call was set for seven, answering it, Erin got up and went into the bathroom, when she came out David was watching her. Pulling back the covers, she slid back in next to him. Kissing his neck, several minutes later, "David, we need to get out of here."
"No one knows we're here, we have time," capturing her lips.
"David…" She said slipping out of his grip.
He watched as she began to find her clothes and get dressed. She wouldn't look at him. Getting up himself, pulling on his boxers and jeans, Dave reached for her hand, pulling her to sit on the bed with him, she seemed nervous. "Erin…what is it? Do you regret last night, regret starting this, if you do tell me now, because I don't. I don't regret anything, except not having you kiss me years ago."
Erin turned to face him, taking his face in her hands, "No, I don't regret last night, not at all. I'm just not sure where we go from here. I've never made the first moves; I've never slept with a man after two date, I've never been one to enjoy sex, or initiate it."
"Why do we have to know where we're going? Why can't we just enjoy the journey? As far as you never making the first moves, it's a different time then before you married Jack. It's acceptable for the woman to make the first move. If you hadn't kissed me, told me what you wanted, I don't think I would have, no matter how much I might have want it."
Erin smiled, "Why are you afraid of me, David?"
Laughing, "Have you ever known me to be afraid of you or anyone?" she shook her head, "No, I just figured the Erin Strauss I knew hated me. I figured if I made a move, you'd slap me. Erin, I know this isn't going to be easy. I know we will have to keep personal, personal and work, work. I know you're still my boss, professionally and I'll abide by that, not that I'll change and not fight with you. I like those battles." He kissed her quickly.
"I'd expect nothing less." Erin laughed.
"Good, now I guess I should get dressed," picking up his shirt, putting it on.
Erin looked around to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything. Standing at the door she pulled David into a deep passionate kiss. "Thank you, David."
"For what," he asked.
"Last night, this whole week, for not making me feel like a freak." She said kissing him again.
Smirking, "You're not a freak; you're a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. Now, I'll call you later and we can discuss out next adventure."
Dave left first, running into Penelope Garcia and Spencer Reid. Unaware that they saw Erin leave the hotel moments later.