CHAPTER NINE
Sarah-Jane was busy listening to the arguments as to who should stay from Joe and David when Prentiss arrived. She waved her hand at Aaron when the doorbell rang for him to show her in.
Sarah-Jane watched the face of her guest as Joe continued his tirade. If she found it half as amusing as Aaron did, to her credit she didn't let it show.
"I'll tell you why I should be the one protecting her."
Joe's finger was dangerously close to David's face and Sarah-Jane watched as David fought for control of his emotions.
"She's an ABI agent, NOT a Fed! I don't know or care how you do things in Quantico mister but down here we take care of our own."
David calmly turned away from Joe, walking slowly and deliberately towards her.
"That may be, but she's my wife."
Sarah-Jane listened as her heart beat once, twice, and then stopped; all other sound in the room suddenly and mysteriously vanishing.
Joe's voice shook as he yelled, "The hell she is buster! In case you've forgotten you gave up that right twenty-two years ago."
David smiled and sat down beside her, "Okay, my ex-wife if that makes you feel any better; but someone I still feel a responsibility too."
Sarah-Jane took a deep breath and blew it out. She was half tempted to let these two duke it out, and be done with their caterwauling but good sense and her southern upbringing wouldn't allow it.
Besides she had more important things to worry about.
Like who was killing women that resembled her and why.
Sarah-Jane looked up as she noticed the quick glance Prentiss gave Aaron at David's announcement.
"Stop it, both of you. Agent Prentiss is here and perfectly capable of handling this assignment." She turned, "I'll show you to the guest room, Agent Prentiss." Sarah-Jane stood and headed up stairs, the pretty agent falling in behind her.
Sarah-Jane opened the guest room door and stepped aside as Prentiss made her way in.
"Wow! I've stayed in five-star hotels that weren't this eloquent."
"Thank you," Sarah-Jane liked this woman. "Your bath is through those doors and there are extra linens in the armoire. Please don't hesitate; if you need something my room is just down the hall."
"Thank you."
Sarah-Jane listened as the men's voices drifted up the stairs. "Perhaps I could help you unpack? I certainly don't want to go downstairs."
Emily smiled, "I can't say I blame you. It looks like those two are ready to start another war."
Sarah-Jane laughed, "Precisely why I asked you be given this assignment. I swear they remind me of two roosters fighting over the same hen house."
Emily placed her go bag near the four poster bed.
Sarah-Jane waited. She could see the questions written on her face. "Go ahead; ask me."
Well I was just wondering…"
"Yes?"
"The BAU only sees one side of David Rossi."
"Let me guess, the profiler side?"
Emily nodded.
"And you want to know what kind of man he is outside the office?"
"Oh nothing too terribly personal, it's just that we've all been curious as to why he would want to return to the BAU. I mean after all, he is a successful writer now, and he did solve that case he couldn't let go of a couple of years back."
"I suppose you've answered your own question, Miss Prentiss."
"Emily, please."
"Well Emily, David Rossi and marriage are probably not the best mix."
"I don't understand."
"Marriage requires a commitment David just can't make."
Sarah-Jane watched the confusion grow on her face.
"Did he ever tell you what he did in the Marines?"
Emily shook her head.
"He was in Force Reconnaissance Company A."
Emily's pretty eyes widened.
"Bravo Division."
"Force Recon went on some of the most dangerous missions of all."
Sarah-Jane smiled at the incredulous tone.
"Yes, so you see unless David is going mach-six with his hair on fire he'll never be happy. Marriage is just too mundane for a man like him."
"I never knew."
"Yes well, you still don't – if you get my meaning." The last thing she wanted was for David Rossi to find out she was the one who told anyone in the BAU anything about him.
"Oh I understand." Emily offered, processing the information.
Sarah-Jane smiled, "So how long have you been in love with Aaron?"
Sarah-Jane watched her guest head snap up so fast for a moment she thought it might break off.
"I'm…I…that is…"
Sarah-Jane locked eyes with her, "Come on sugar, you can't hide that from a pro."
"A pro?"
Sarah-Jane turned as the men's voices continued to rise and fall below them, "Take my advice Emily, and don't hide your feelings. The pain will eat away at your heart until there's nothing left."
