A/N: Thank you one and all for the reviews and alerts on this new story. It will either be a 3 or 4 shot… not 100% sure yet. I apologize for the cliffy… Crys… no more tennis balls I still have a lump on my head from that… Thank you again one and all… now to the new chapter…

As always READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!

Je t'aimes… Joyeux Noël et Bonne Nouvelle Année

Translation= I love you… Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Nicole


She tried again, and fell again, though this time someone caught her. When she was finally on her feet, she turned to face her rescuer. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"You forgot your shawl on the table. I told Derek that I'd bring over." Dave said as he steadied her.

"Are you sure that's all it was?" JJ looked at him. She never expected to have David Rossi rescue her, or actually ever show up on her doorstep without an invitation when the rest of the team was also invited.

"That and I was worried."

"Why?" JJ asked as Dave helped wipe the snow off of her.

"Because I saw Bryan grab you at the party. I could see him being so standoffish. He didn't seem to leave your side. Jen, we're profilers. I had to make sure he wasn't hurting you. I had to check to see if you were okay."

This time JJ couldn't hold back the tears. They flowed down her cheeks, streaking her mascara and eyeliner.

"JJ, bella, what's wrong?"

"He broke up with me!" She sobbed. "He said his family hates me. They only met me once and they hate me. Then he said I'm pushy. And demeaning… and self-righteous."

She was shaking from the sobs that were wracking her body. Dave pulled her close to her. "He said what?" He asked. He was furious. JJ was the least self-righteous person that he had ever met. She was never demeaning and the only people she was pushy with was media when she was on the job.

"They hated me! He called me names. I didn't think I was such a horrible person." She continued to sob. Her tears soaking through the fabric of his jacket.

"Bella, no. No you are not a horrible person! You are the kindest, most gentle person I have ever met. You aren't pushy, unless you have to be. Jesus, bella… No he was wrong. His family was wrong. No one can hate you. Not possible." He rubbed her back, trying to ease her pain. Deep down in him, he felt rage building. No person should be told the things that were told to JJ. That bastard would get what was coming to him eventually, but for now he wanted to get JJ in her house and out of the cold. The last thing she needed was to catch pneumonia before Christmas. She was already going to have a hard Christmas. "Come on Jen, let's go inside and get you warmed up. I'm going to stay and you can talk to me about anything. I'll listen. I can't stand to see you hurt."

JJ just nodded, trying to stifle the sobs that were still bottled up inside.

Dave got her in the house and locked the door. He took her coat and put it near the fireplace. He then looked around. "Jen? Bella what's wrong?"

"I just… I don't know Dave!" She fell to the floor in tears.

He dropped to his knees next to her. He looked her over. She was a mess, but the worst part was that she was actually bleeding. He lifted her into her arms. "Come on babe. I'm gonna clean these cuts up. Then we're going to get you to bed."

"I don't need you to stay Dave. You probably have better things to do." She whispered. She knew his reputation. He was known to have fun and sleep around. But still with him here she felt safe… she felt better.

"No, bella. I have nothing more important that making sure you're alright." Dave wasn't sure what had all happened with her and Bryan, but he was going to make her feel better.

Realization hit JJ. "Where's Henry?"

"Calm down, JJ. Henry's fine. Mama's spoiling the little guy. She said to make sure you had a good night and she'd bring him by after lunch tomorrow."

"She doesn't have to do that." JJ said as he put her on the edge of the tub.

"Henry is like a grandson to her. The BAU is her extended family Jen. She has 5 biological children, me and me 4 sisters. Then she has 3 adopted sons in Reid, Derek and Aaron. Then she's adopted you, Emily and Penelope. Henry and Jack are grandchildren to her too." Dave said as he assessed the damage to her knees. Her nylons were torn, and her knees were scrapped. "JJ, can I take these off to clean your knees?" he pointed to the ruined nylons covering her legs.

She looked down at them and realized that she was actually bleeding. She nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay." Dave gently reached up her leg to pull them off. They were only thigh highs so that he didn't have to get her to stand up. He carefully pulled them away, but JJ still flinched when the nylon peeled away from the dried blood that was on the scrape. "I'm sorry bella. I'm trying to be gentle."

"It's okay Dave. I didn't know that I had scraped my knees so bad." She examined the full damage once the nylons were in the trashcan.

"I'll clean them up. Where's the peroxide and cotton balls?" He asked.

"Peroxide's in the mirror cabinet, and the cotton balls are in the mermaid container by the sink." JJ pointed.

"Mermaid?" Dave snorted.

"Henry's going through a Disney phase, and he loved "The Little Mermaid"."

"It is a good movie."

"How would you know?"

"I'm a good uncle… I babysit."

JJ giggled. He then returned with the needed items. "This will probably sting." He applied the peroxide covered cotton ball to her right knee. She hissed. "Sorry bella. But it needs to be cleaned."

She gritted her teeth. "I know. Just still hurts." She laughed a little.

Dave finished cleaning them. "They're not too bad. I'll just put Polysporin on it and a couple Band-Aids, and you'll be good as new."

He did what he had said he would. Then he bent down and kissed both knees.

"Dave." She giggled.

"What? Mama used to do that to me all the time. It always made me feel better."

"It does work. I just haven't had someone do that in about 20 years."

"Well then it's long overdue." He took her hands to bring her back to her feet.

She wobbled then began to fall forward. "Ow!"

Dave caught her. "What is it bella?"

"My ankle." She pointed to her right ankle.

He could see it was purplish already and it was beginning to swell.

"Okay, JJ. Hold on, I'm gonna carry you. Where's your bedroom?"

She gaped at him. "Dave, you don't have to do that."

"You're not walking on that ankle. I'm putting you to bed, then getting you an ice pack." He swept her up into his arms. He was stronger than she gave him credit for. He took her to her room. It was exactly how he had pictured it. Well kept. The bed was turned down but neatly made. The room was colorfully decorated and it had an attached bathroom, as well as a door to Henry's nursery. He laid her in the bed and smiled. "Okay, now where are your pajamas?"

She looked at him in shock. "David Rossi!"

"I'm not going to change you. You're gonna change yourself while I get ice. But you're not getting off this bed. Capice?"

"Yes sir." She mock saluted him. He glared jokingly at her. "They're behind the door in the bathroom."

Dave quickly got the silk tank top and short shorts. He looked at them and asked. "JJ, I would have never thought you'd be one to buy these types of things."

She reached for them, but he kept them out of her grasp. "Dave come on!"

"They match your eyes." He said softly.

"Thank you. Now ice packs are in the freezer in the laundry room."

"Aye aye!" Dave took off and JJ changed careful not to aggravate her very sore ankle.

He returned just as she finished changing.

"That color looks gorgeous on you bella."

"Thanks." She blushed.

Dave wrapped the ice pack in a towel and the helped JJ under the blankets, putting the ice pack on her obviously sprained ankle. "There. Now. Rest. I'm going to go sleep on the couch. Holler if you need me." He turned to leave.

She grabbed his arm. "No. Dave. Can you stay in here tonight?"

He looked at her, slightly shocked. "JJ?"

"I don't want to be alone. Especially if I have to get up in the night."

She had a point.

"Alright. But I'm going to stay on top of the covers."

"Whatever you want. I just want to feel safe, and you have to be comfortable."

He looked around. "Hang on bella. I'm going to go get my 'go bag' from my truck." And true to his word he wasn't gone long. He quickly changed in the bathroom. When he emerged he was in a pair of low riding sweats.

JJ had to make sure she wasn't drooling. He was definitely built.

"Bella?" Dave asked. "You okay?"

"What?" She was now jolted out of a mini fantasy involving her and this Italian Adonis.

"Are you okay? You looked a little zoned out." He smiled.

"Yeah. Sorry. Just thinking."

He climbed onto the bed and pulled her gently into his arms. "About?"

"Everything that's happened."

"It'll be alright. You'll find love, bella." He whispered the next part. "Maybe sooner than you think." He stroked her back as she began to doze off. He barely slept. He was worried about her. He loved her. Mama knew it and she had sent him there to try and convince her.

Morning came, and Dave didn't budge. He was tempted to go make coffee but he wanted to make sure JJ saw him first thing when she woke up so she wouldn't panic. Soon she was up, and he carried her to the kitchen. He made her an amazing breakfast and they talked.

JJ told him of her worries about Henry not having a father and her never finding love again. Dave listened whole-heartedly. It tugged at his heartstrings. He knew the pain she felt. Henry deserved a real father. JJ deserved to be loved. He wanted to find true love, something he had yet to feel. That was until he had met JJ. He loved her from the moment he laid eyes on her. But he had been afraid to act on his feelings.

"JJ." He said softly.

"Yes Dave?" She answered, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Hear me out okay?" He was slightly hesitant.

She nodded. "Okay?"

"I know that right now you're hurting. I understand that. But, I can't keep this to myself any longer. I'd like you to think about giving me a chance to prove to you that you will be loved and that Henry will have a father that loves him."

"Dave, are you asking me to date you?"

"If you'd consider it and when you've healed from what that moron did to you."

"Dave." She whispered. "I'd like that. In time."

"I'll give you all the time in the world bella. Just tell me you'll think about it."

"I will. It won't be long. I just need to get him out of my mind."

"Don't worry bella. I'll wait for you. I love you Jennifer Jareau."

"Dave, I know this probably is a little out there but I love you too. I'll take you up on your offer. But let's just go slow."

"What ever you want to bella. What ever you want." He kissed her forehead.

The doorbell rang just then. Dave went and when he returned he had Henry in his arms jabbering away.

"Hey my little man." JJ put her arms out to take him.

"Mama… Dada stay?" He pointed to Dave.

This just confirmed it for both of them. "Yes." JJ smiled to her son. "Dada is going to stay."

With that, the new family unit sat down to watch "It's A Wonderful Life". JJ would be hurting for a while, but with Dave's help, she'd get over it. And once again she would feel love. Love and time heals all wounds. And with him and Henry, she was surrounded by love.


A/N: Well my lovelies, that is the end of the story… well more or less… there is an epilogue that will be put up in the next few days. Please continue to read and review. I love reading all of them and I appreciate input.

I love you all and Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy New Year.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Nouvelle Année!

Bisous!

Nicole