All I Have
"So, today is your last day?" Dave asked as he walked past Em's desk as she busily packed her personal belongings into the cardboard boxes.
"Yes, it is," she smiled with a sigh. "Though tomorrow is the 'official' last day."
"What's wrong?" He noticed the change in her attitude.
Em stopped placing the books in the box and turned to face him. "I'm just waiting for word back from the real estate agent." She looked at her watch. "She was supposed to let me know when the house was going to close."
"You really want that place, don't you?"
"Yes. It's perfect. It has a patio where Mother can sit during the days and good weather, and it has a bedroom on the first floor so she doesn't have to climb stairs. Plus the backyard is gorgeous."
"But…"
"I still feel that something is going to happen."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't put my finger on it, but it seems that everything is falling into place too easily. I can't help but wait for the other shoe to drop."
"I understand; buying a house is a big responsibility," Dave agreed.
"And taking care of your own parent is an even bigger one."
Dave glanced at the desk that was now clear of pictures and mementos. "So, when do you start your new job?"
Emily finished placing a couple of books in the box and straightened up. Brushing back a lock of hair from her face, she sighed. "Two Mondays from now. I am taking a week to move my stuff and get Mother settled."
"I'll bet you'll forget about this place."
Em shook her head. "Dave…that isn't true. I could never forget my family."
"But now that you have your weekends free and holidays off, you'll probably find yourself in the dating scene and surrounded by beaus trying to win your heart."
"Beaus?" she snorted. "I doubt that."
"It could happen."
Em crossed her arms over her chest. "Dave, what is this really about?"
"What do you mean?" He kept his expression stoic.
"It's just…JJ marrying Will. After all that has happened between them, and her telling me that she would never marry him, all of a sudden she changes her mind and decides to tie the knot on a moment's notice." She shook her head as if still trying to comprehend her best friend's decision.
"Love is strange that way. Sometimes when the chips are down and you think you're going to lose someone, you pull out the stops to make sure that they stay in your life," he said wistfully.
"Would you?" she challenged.
"Would I what?"
"Pull out the stops to make someone you care about stay in your life?" She watched his face for any reaction that might tell her the truth. But his look remained stoic - revealing nothing.
"Sometimes…" he chose his words carefully, "…people will do things out of their nature when it looks like they may have no other way to win."
"That doesn't answer my question. But it doesn't surprise me," she sighed heavily. "You didn't do anything out of the ordinary with your ex-wives, so why change now?"
"Em, that's unfair…" His protest was interrupted by Em's phone ringing.
"Hold that thought." She hit "talk". "Emily Prentiss." She paused as the person on the other end spoke. "Uh huh…I see." She bit her lip. "Are you sure? …but what about another opinion from another contractor?" She rolled her eyes as the voice continued. "He's the best in Georgetown? I see. Is there anything else I can trade it for?" She nodded. "Okay. I'll be in on Monday. Thank you." Em disconnected the call.
"What's wrong?" Dave saw the parade of emotions flit across Em's face. Usually she could hide it, but there was no hiding the hurt that filled her big brown eyes.
"It's the house." She shook her head in disbelief. "I can't get it."
Dave looked concern. "What do you mean? What's wrong?"
"Foundation problems."
"I'm not following you."
"The realtor said that she had a feeling that something was not quite right with the house, so she sent a contractor out to do a more thorough inspection. It seems her gut was right on because cracks were found in the far basement wall, and there was significant water damage in that area. Something about black mold under the paint." Em blinked back the tears.
"Em, I'm sorry."
She gave a small laugh. "I don't know why you're sorry; I was the one trying to get the house." She sat down on the office chair. "Great. Now where am I going to put Mother when she flies in next week? She can't stay at my place."
"Let her stay at mine," Dave suggested.
"I can't do that. But that's the least of my worries. I have the movers coming on Monday. Now what do I do?"
"Cancel them."
"I don't get the deposit back," she retorted.
"So?"
"Well, Monday, I have to go in and look at new houses. Not what I had planned on doing. I have indoc and meetings to go to…" She buried her face in her hands. "Why is this happening?" she groaned.
"Well…you still have the wedding on Saturday to look forward to," Dave encouraged with a smile.
Em turned her face to look at him. "I lost my house, I'm probably going to lose my job, and now I get to see my best friend marry a man who is all wrong for her. That is really going to top off my week."
"Emily…"
Em pressed her hand to her throbbing forehead. "Dave…I really need to finish packing. Umm…I will see you later." She blinked fast; there was no way David Rossi was going to catch her breaking down in the BAU bullpen.
"Em…" He reached out to touch her.
"No, Dave. Please. I need to be alone right now." She stood up and hurried to the double doors before Dave could call out to her again.
He watched as she disappeared around the corner. "Great going, Dave," he muttered. Sighing, he walked up the small staircase to Hotch's office. Knocking lightly, he waited for the invite.
"Are you busy?" he asked as he stepped inside and closed the door.
"No. Sit down," Hotch invited. "What's wrong?" He took in the lost look on his friend's face.
"It's Emily's house."
"What about it?" Hotch was all ears.
"It fell thru. Literally."
"I thought it was a sealed deal. She even signed the papers and gave the cheque…"
"It had foundation problems…amongst other things."
"When did she find out?"
"About five minutes ago. I was with her when the phone call came in." Dave looked at Hotch. "Tell me that you have a bottle of Scotch in the drawer."
"Not during working hours I don't. So, Emily isn't getting the house?" Hotch probed for answers.
"Legally, she can't. Even if she could find a way around it, the house has cracks in the foundation and black mold. It's unsellable."
"You should be happy because it will be one less thing to get rid of when you marry Emily," Hotch teased lightly.
"About that…" Something in Dave's tone caused Hotch's feelers to go up.
"Do I want to know?" Hotch reached down to open the bottom drawer. Forget working hours, he cursed, if Dave had anything to do with Emily Prentiss's house, he was going to get drunk. Written reprimands be damned.
"I may have had something to do with the house not selling..." Dave gave a weak smile of contriteness.
"Dave…" Hotch's hand rested on the bottle.
"Not the way you think," he corrected hastily. "I went over to look at it about a week ago and thought I noticed the wall was wet. Considering we haven't had rain in a while, the stone should have been bone dry. I called the realtor and asked that she send someone over to check it out. I wanted…oh hell," he cursed. "I wanted something that would prevent the closing for a few more days so I could get her to change her mind; I didn't want the damn thing demolished."
"Looks like your plan to get her is not happening the way you out lined," Hotch pointed out.
"I still have an ace I can use."
"Unless she shoots you." Hotch placed two glasses on the desk and poured the amber liquid generously.
Dave took the glass and brought it to his lips. At least Hotch knew a good scotch, he thought as he sniffed the potent drink. He took a big swallow.
"I never thought I'd see it," Hotch spoke to break the silence.
"What?"
"That you're really in love. I mean, if you are doing all of this with the outcome being that Emily marries you - when in reality she could very well shoot you…"
"Which no one would blame her," Dave interjected.
"True. But you must really love her," Hotch pointed out.
Dave nodded. "I would die for her."
"Which might be sooner than you think."
Dave sighed. "Yes. But at least I can say I've been there when I reach the Pearly Gates."
"I hope she marries you, Dave."
A/N: Until further notice, this story, and all others, are on hiatus. Thank you.