"JJ, wake up. Come on sweetheart, I need you to wake up. I need your help figuring out how we're getting out of this mess." Rossi lightly slapped JJ's cheek, pleading with her to wake until her eyes were round and, mostly, focused. "There you are, honey. I was getting lonely out here without you." Rossi's attempt at humor put a look of mirth on his face, while his eyes held nothing but worry and fear for the small blonde whose head was currently nestled in his lap.

"Lonely, my foot." JJ tried to answer with more vigor than she felt. Well, at least she wasn't slurring her words, she thought. She was just so tired. What she wouldn't give for just a few minutes of uninterrupted sleep. "The day the great David Rossi is lonely is the day that Morgan outwits Reid in a chess match."

Rossi placed his hand over his heart and did his best to look hurt at the blonde's witty response. "Why JJ, you wound me. I'm not the lady's man everyone thinks me to be. You'd be surprised just how many nights I've been going home alone." JJ noted sincerity and, could it be, regret in the latter part of his statement. Maybe there was more to this man than everyone knew. More than she knew. While that thought thrilled her and gave a jump to her heart, now was not the time to focus on that. Right now, she needed to focus on getting upright. Having her head cradled by the older agent was definitely not the worst place to be, but her back was killing her and she was starting to shiver while lying on the cool, damp ground.

Rossi noticed JJ trying to sit up and gently supported her shoulders and neck with one hand while bracing her back with the other. Once she was sitting, JJ, eyes closed, rested her forehead against Rossi's strong shoulder, waiting for the dizziness and expected nausea to pass.

"You doing ok, honey?" Rossi whispered into her hair.

"Well, I'm not puking my guts up so that's a plus. Don't think I could handle that embarrassment twice in one night." JJ muttered as she tried to get her bearings. It felt so good to be held by Rossi. For some strange reason, she felt safe and protected, regardless of their current circumstances, being held by the older man. And, she thought with a shudder of a not distant enough memory, she hadn't felt that way in a long time.

Rossi mistook JJ's shudder as a sign that she needed some more warmth. He held her a little tighter, privately relishing the moment, and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. The moment ended, however, when their predicament became, once again, forefront in his mind. Rossi straightened JJ slowly, looking into her eyes for any sign of dizziness or pain. Noticing her pinched eyes, but otherwise straight stature, he took it as a good sign.

"Alright, JJ," Rossi started softly, "I want you to be honest with me and tell me what hurts, how you're really feeling. I need to be able to get a handle on what we're facing."

"What do you mean, what we're facing?" She asked with a hint of rising panic in her voice.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed, we're kind of out here, in the middle of nowhere, with no current means of transportation. I'd say we've been out here for at least 15 minutes and not a car has driven by. It's getting dark, and I know you've noticed that it's getting much colder. So, we've got some strategic thinking to do. I need to know what you're up for." Rossi did his best to relay his concerns to JJ in a calm, self-assured manner. He did not want her any more upset than necessary. He was sure that couldn't be good for her concussion, whether she knew she had one or not.

JJ looked at Rossi, quietly assessing her sore and tired body. "Well," she started quietly "I'm incredibly tired, sore all over, and my head is killing me." JJ reached up at that moment to touch the wound on her forehead. Fortunately, the bleeding had abated. It still felt nasty and was sure to require a few stitches. "I must have hit my head on the window beside me or the airbag. I just can't seem to remember much."

David offered a reassuring smile and quickly squeezed her hand. "Don't worry about that, honey. I'm sure it's not something you'd want to remember, anyway. The important part is that you didn't get hurt any worse than you did."

"What about you," the media liaison asked. "I don't see any blood anywhere. Are you ok?"

Rossi was touched at the concern for him that he heard in her soft voice. It had been far too long since anyone had had any concern for him whatsoever. He suddenly found that he could get used to that. "I think I'm ok. Couple scrapes and bruises and I'm sure we'll both be needing some muscle relaxers by tomorrow. Hopefully, I can get us out of here quickly, and we'll be high as a kite by tonight."

JJ smiled, relieved that he hadn't been hurt any further in the crash. "So, what's the game plan, Boss?" She asked with more confidence than she felt.

"Well, first step is to see what we can salvage from the truck. Think you're up to a short walk?" Rossi wasn't so sure that JJ could handle it, but he knew he couldn't leave her here alone. Other than the fact that he couldn't let her go to sleep at the moment, there was no telling what other dangers they might be facing out here alone in the dark. Screw serial killers, he thought, I'm worried about the four-legged and no-legged creeps out here.

Rossi stood as he felt JJ trying to do the same. Once on her own two feet, her head again found that safe place on Rossi's shoulder to steady herself. "Well," she replied, "I'm game if you are."

Thanks to all who've reviewed thus far. This is my first fic ever, so the reviews help. Especially since I'm already an avid fan of all who've reviewed!