December 9

Secret Santa, pt. 4

JJ stared at the picture for a few moments, trying to think of any team member who could have a reason for sending her gifts, but again she found at least one reason for everyone for not being her Secret Santa. "Thank you for being the light in my life," had been written on the first note, which in her mind ruled out every single one. Hotch's light was Emily and Emily's light was Hotch, even though they would never admit it to anyone, not even to each other (which was something that maybe she and Garcia should work on sometime, JJ thought). Garcia had Kevin, Morgan was too much of a playboy to commit to one woman alone, and Reid was her little brother.

And Rossi was just right out impossible. They worked together, but aside from his birthday, they had never spend one single moment together outside the office. She couldn't even remember, if she had ever exchanged a private word with him that went beyond the occasional small talk. And, considering his reputation with the female species, which was well-known to the entire office, wouldn't he have made a move already had he been interested in her?

She shook her head and sat down. Having to catch up with the paperwork from their last case plus some new files, which had found their way onto her desk, she immersed herself into her work, only to stop for a break at lunchtime.

Making her way to the break room a couple of minutes after noon, she poured herself a cup of coffee and was about to go back to her office, when Rossi came in, fully clothed in his winter coat, going over to the sink to put his empty coffee mug in there. He gave her a warm smile, which made her heart skip a beat, and she immediately berated herself for reacting so intensely. "What's going on with me," she thought. His deep voice jarred her out of her thoughts. Mentally shaking herself, she turned towards him. "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. What did you say?"

"I asked you if you're taking a lunch break right now. I thought we could maybe walk over to the Diner together and get ourselves something."

"Oh my God. What?" Her mind screamed at her. Staring at him for a few seconds, processing his words, she wondered if she'd heard him correctly. When she saw him opening his mouth to continue, she quickly replied. "Yes, sure."

"This is your chance at finding out if he's your Secret Santa, Jareau!" She told herself. Putting down her coffee, she said: "Hang on a minute, I'll just get my coat."

Quickly walking over to her office, she pun on her coat and almost jumped out of her shoes, when she suddenly heard him say behind her: "Wow, your office is a mess!" Turning around sharply, she hissed at him: "Jesus, Rossi, you scared me! Didn't your mother teach you not to sneak up on ladies?"

"Oh, my mother taught me a lot of things, " he smirked suggestively, going over to her desk, and taking the framed photographinto his hands that JJ had gotten this morning, and which she had put onto the only free place on the table right in front of her.

"Nice photograph," he said casually, and before JJ could stop herself, she replied: "Of course you have to say that, since you're the one who gave it to me." Dropping her hand to her mouth, she blushed to the roots of her hair. Damn, she'd actually planned a discreet interrogation at lunch.

Rossi looked at her quizzically. "What? Why would you say that?"

"I just... Oh God...,"Where was the black hole to disappear in when you need it?

"I'm sorry, forget what I said."

He smiled at her gently without saying another word, and they headed out.

Lunch went by quickly. JJ and Rossi shared a wonderful and relaxed conversation, and JJ found herself more and more attracted to him, enjoying his presence very much. Rossi was an absolute gentleman and an attentive listener. They'd talked about anything and everything over their meal which Rossi had insisted paying for. She didn't ask about the Secret Santa gifts, though, being more sure than ever that he couldn't possibly have sent them. What she was sure about, however, was the fact that she really wanted to spend more time with him, to get to know him better. There was so much more to discover beneath the surface of his arrogant and confident David-Rossi-famous-profiler-and-bestselling-author attitude that he had on at work most of the time.

When they arrived back at the BAU, Rossi escorted her to her office and helped her out of her coat.

"Thanks for lunch," JJ said.

"I have to thank you for the pleasant company," Rossi replied with a charming smile. "Maybe we could do that again tomorrow?"

"Of course," JJ answered happily.

"Great. I gotta go back to work now. Have a nice afternoon then."

"You too."

With that, he was out of her office, leaving a slightly irritated JJ staring behind him. What had happened today? She asked herself over and over again. Why the sudden change in Rossi's demeanor? Whatever it was, JJ realized that she really liked it.