A/N: Ok, so here's the companion piece to For You, Always and Conflicted that I promised I'd write a long time ago. This one centers on Rossi's point of view. Again, this takes place during the same timeline of each of the previous stories but we get a glimpse into Rossi's head this time around. So, like before, some scenes will overlap.
The first chapter takes place right after the episode Demonology (Season 4, episode 17), like the next day after. So there are spoilers to that episode. Also, this first chapter takes place about a month before the first chapter of Conflicted and 2 months before the first chapter of For You, Always.
You do not need to have read the other two stories to understand this one.
So, I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds
Chapter 1: Protector:
SSA David Rossi tiredly walked through the front door of his home. He threw off his coat, tossing it onto the coat hanger by the door. He strolled into his living room where he kept a well stocked bar.
After the day he just had, or more precisely, the last three days, a drink would do him good. He pulled out a glass decanter that held his strongest scotch and poured himself half a tumblers worth. Taking a sip, the rich liquid burned straight down his throat. Just the way he liked it. Cradling the glass and bottle in each hand he made his way to the leather sofa and took a seat.
He really needed that drink, but he knew there was one other person other than him that needed the drink more. And he wished with all his heart that fellow agent and friend SSA Emily Prentiss was all right on her walk through the snowy streets of Washington D.C.
The case, that wasn't a case, as Hotch liked to put it, had taken its toll on the entire team. The Priest's actions questioned so many things in each of their lives. Rossi knew that not a single member of the team had come out of this ordeal unscathed. But most of all, this case had affected Emily, for obvious reasons. And he hoped that she could reconcile what had happened in the past and present and move on. She would be changed, yes, but he knew that knowing the man would be dealt with helped for closure on what happened to Matthew Benton.
He ran a shaky hand through his hair. God, he hated seeing her so sad. It wasn't right. Ever since he'd met her a year ago he had become accustomed to her trademark, one hundred watt smile. And all he'd seen from her the past 72 hours was that same dejected look, like she'd lost her best friend. And he guessed from what she'd told him, she had.
He was glad she'd opened up to him. Rossi worried about her, and the words his friend, Jimmy, had uttered to him before he'd left the church the other day, "Take care of her…" came right back to him.
He thought back to the almost broken look on her face before she had left his side tonight and he suddenly realized he was going to do just that.
"Are you sure you're ok?" Garcia fretted.
Emily made a motion with her hands like she was brushing off dust, but her tone belied her true feelings. "I… I just need to move on…"
"Gotcha," Garcia said tactfully. "I'm here for you, hun!"
Emily just nodded. Garcia gave her one last pat before leaving the break room. Emily sat there for a minute more alone, before another team member joined her.
"Emily," she heard Morgan's tentative voice.
She turned around in her seat to see the concerned look on his face. "I'm fine," she said adamantly.
Morgan gave her an unbelieving look; he walked over to her and gave her shoulder a squeeze. Then he took the seat across from her.
From the look on his face, she knew he was about to say some unnecessary things. "Derek, you don't need to—"
"—Apologize?" he cut her off. "Yes I do. I should have believed you right away. You were right."
"Derek, you wouldn't be the star profiler you are if you didn't question, didn't analyze," Emily allowed.
"Still," Derek said unconvinced.
She was surprised when he reached out and covered her hand with his own. His thumb brushed the palm of her hand and she had to use every ounce of strength she had to not jump at the sudden pleasant contact.
She gave him a small, hesitant smile. "You were there for me in the end, that's what matters to me," she paused. "Again, thank you."
He smiled back. "Like I said before, always."
Rossi walked through the glass doors to the BAU offices, holding a tray of coffee in one hand. After a good nights sleep he felt refreshed, he felt brand new, like he had a new out look on his life. And that new outlook included looking after and protecting Emily Prentiss.
He knew she would argue with him and deny she needed protecting but she was vulnerable at the moment. And he was going to make sure that no one took advantage of her. He would look after her through their friendship and maybe… who knew… maybe something more.
Rossi didn't see her at her desk; he made his way toward the break room, assuming she had already sought out some coffee. He found her in there, all right, but the situation he found her in had his protective instincts screaming.
Emily was sitting at the table, Morgan across from her, his hand covering hers. He caught the tail-end of their conversation, a mimic of what was said between them last night. And now they sat their staring at each other, pretty intensely if you asked him. And Rossi found he didn't much like that.
For some reason, looking at Morgan sitting there, making eyes at Emily, reminded him of something. And that something, or rather someone was himself some twenty odd years ago.
He had been a player back then, no other way of putting it, and he saw a lot of that part of himself in SSA Derek Morgan. What the younger agent did in his own time was his business, but he wouldn't allow him to hurt Emily.
He cleared his throat, getting their attention. The pair jumped apart abruptly.
"Dave," Emily greeted, giving him a warm smile.
He smiled back.
"Hey man," Derek said cheerfully. He stood up. "Is that coffee?"
Rossi held the tray out to him. "Yep."
Derek eagerly grabbed a cup. "Thanks Rossi. I'll see you later, Emily."
She nodded.
Rossi watched the younger man leave the room before taking Morgan's vacated seat. He put the tray in front of her, reaching for a cup of his own. He pulled back on the tab, taking a sip. The entire time, he kept his eyes low.
"Not you too…" Emily protested.
Rossi looked up at her exasperated expression; he gave her a small, sad smile. "Hey, I didn't say anything."
She shook her head. "We saved John…" she went on. "In the end, that's what really matters."
"Hey," he said calmly.
He reached out a hand to cover hers; realizing it was the exact same thing Derek had done, he gave it a pat and pulled back. He had to remind himself that he'd grown out of his womanizing ways. This was Emily Prentiss, after all, his friend, a person he'd grown to care for quite a bit. She deserved someone who took his time with her. His old ways were not an option. And… he was getting off topic.
"Emily," he tried again. "Hey, this is me, the person you told about what Matthew really meant to you. And I can guess who John really is to you. I—"
"Dave, please," she pleaded.
He held up a hand to her urging her to stay calm. "All I'm trying to say is I understand how you feel… and if you want to talk about it. I'm here for you. Remember, I'm all in."
She smiled at him. "Ok."
"Ok?" he said surprised. "Ok, as in you want to talk about it?"
She nodded, letting out a sigh. "It's been awhile since I've told anyone about this. It weighs on you, you know?"
"Yeah, I know," he assured her. "Drink, after work?"
"Sure."
Well that's it for now. I'd really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
