Author's note: JJ/Rossi angst, with a little fluff thrown in. Should this be a one-shot, or should I keep going? Please read and review and let me know! I have no claims to Criminal Minds or its characters.

David Rossi sat in his SUV in the parking lot of the hospital where Jennifer Jareau had just given birth, mentally preparing himself to visit to her and her son. He almost hadn't come, but, according to Garcia, the new mother wanted to see him. He couldn't refuse.

He had been greatly relieved when he got the call that Jennifer's suffering was over and baby Henry had arrived screaming and healthy – those eighteen hours she had been in labor with him were the longest of Rossi's life – but knowing what he knew about Will LaMontagne, he couldn't feel happy. For not a week ago, Rossi had run into Will in a dark, smoky bar, cozying up to a woman who was not Jennifer and clearly enjoying himself. Until he'd seen Rossi come in.

Before Rossi had even settled himself on a barstool, Will had been at his side, telling the bartender to put that Scotch on his tab and offering an explanation. Rossi shook his head in disgust as he remembered what the father-to-be had said: "JJ's ready to pop. She doesn't need to know about this. What do you say we keep it we keep it between us?"

It's none of your business, he tried to tell himself after Will and his "friend" left, together, and after he'd told the bartender to give the drink to someone else. Would she believe you if you told her? Would she forgive you for not telling her?

In the end, he decided to keep his peace. Rossi had no doubt that Will would slip up, and Jennifer would see him for what he really was – a liar and a cheater. He just had to trust that she'd come to him, and that when she did, he'd know what to do – tell her that he knew, or just let it go?

The most important truth, at least from Rossi's point of view, was that he loved her. Adored her. Worshiped her. Would never, ever betray her. He hated Will for what he'd done, wanted nothing more than to beat the hell out of him for stepping out on the mother of his child when she needed him most. He was a pitiful excuse for a man.

David Rossi hadn't prayed in a long time, but as he got out of his SUV and started for the hospital, he asked God to give him strength to face Jennifer.

~*~

The door to her room was closed, and for a few seconds, Rossi just stood there, not sure if he should knock or leave. His desire to see Jennifer with his own eyes, to be certain that she was okay, won, so he knocked, but hesitantly. In case she's sleeping, he reasoned.

She sounded weak and tired yet triumphant as she called, "Come in!"

When he saw her, sitting up in bed, cradling Henry, he had to smile. She was pale, and she looked like she'd been to hell and back, but he would always remember thinking that no woman had ever been more beautiful than Jennifer at that moment. "Dave!" Her face lit up when she was him. "You came!"

"When you call, I answer – you should know that by now," he said, automatically going to her bedside. "These are for you," he added unnecessarily as he handed her the bouquet of wildflowers he'd picked up on his way over.

"Oh, Dave ... you didn't have to, but I'm glad you did." She grinned. "Of all my family and friends, you're the only one who remembers that I don't care for roses. Thank you."

"No thanks necessary," he replied. "Aren't you going to introduce us?" He glanced down to the baby in her arms.

"I would love to," she said as she shifted Henry so Rossi could get a good look at him. "Henry Jareau, please meet David Rossi, one of your mommy's bestest friends in the whole wide world."

Her introduction made him feel like a heel for being dishonest with her, but there was no way he could destroy her happiness now, even if it was based on a lie. He didn't trust his voice to not waver as he touched Henry's cheek with his finger. "Jennifer ... oh my God ... he's – he's beautiful ... he looks just like you."

"You think?" she smiled as she looked up from the baby to Rossi.

"I do," he said sincerely, totally enraptured by the small bundle that was starting to squirm. "You did good."

That was all it took to make her tears start to fall. It broke his heart. "Oh, honey ... shh ... it's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." He took the baby from her and laid him in the bassinet by the bed before sitting down and taking her in his arms.

She buried her face in his shirt, and he simply let her cry. "I guess it's the hormones," she tried to joke as she took the Kleenex he offered her. "I'm sorry, Dave – I made a wet spot on you."

"Don't apologize," he said softly, brushing her blonde hair away from her face and gazing into her blue eyes. "But why don't you tell me why you're really crying?"

She sighed; she could no more lie to him than she could stop the sun from rising, and she need him, needed his strength and certainty, right now. "I'm scared."

"Scared? Of what?" he asked seriously. "Talk to me. Please. I can't bear to see you like this."

The tears threatened to start up again, but she replied shakily,"I was just telling Henry that he's going to have to bear with me while I learn to be a mother."

"You'll be great. You know it. I know it," he soothed as he continued to hold her.

Her next confession caught him off guard. "I-I worry a-about Will, too," she sniffled.

He hoped she couldn't feel him stiffen at the mention of her son's father. "You do?"

"Yeah," she said as she extricated herself from his arms and lay back against her pillows. Rossi noticed that she had shredded her Kleenex into a million pieces and gave her another. "He asked me to marry him, but for some reason, I can't say yes. I can't even give his own son his last name. How terrible is that? Tell me, Dave."

The fact was he couldn't tell her it was terrible, because he didn't think it was. "Don't beat yourself up, Jennifer," he settled for saying as he took her hand, the one without the IV, and stroked it comfortingly. "Don't let him push you into something you're not ready for."

"But Henry deserves two parents, a mommy and a daddy, together!" she cried.

"Honey, calm down – look at me." He tipped her chin up so her eyes had to meet his. "Henry deserves love, and love is what he will have, whether you and Will are together or not." He didn't need to point out that the new father was nowhere to be seen at the moment. It made his blood boil. Jennifer felt bad enough, and there was no way in hell he would ask her a question that would only make her feel worse. "Henry also deserves a happy mother."

"But – "

"No buts." He silenced her by placing a finger to her lips. "I know you're worried, but you need to try to put all this out of your mind and get some rest. You've had a long day."

She smiled slightly and nodded. "Yeah, I have. Thank you for coming, Dave. I don't know what I'd do without you." She grabbed his hand.

He was a goner. He just had to be patient. "You'll never have to find out," he whispered as he lifted her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. "And that's a promise."