After taking yet another deep breath, Rossi knocked on the front door of the ramshackle appearing farmhouse that the Saunders-Reeves family called home. Hotch had called a break for the night and Rossi had promptly commandeered one of the SUVs to 'go visit an old friend' as he put it. As he had hurried out of the conference room, he had made a concerted effort to ignore the knowing smile JJ was giving him, as well as the smirk on Morgan's face.
He was beginning to wonder if he should ring the doorbell when the heavy oak door flew open.
"Dave?" Krystall stood in front of him, dressed in a beat-up sweatshirt, a well-worn pair of jeans, and moccasins. "What are you doing here?"
"I had some time off," Rossi suddenly felt uncomfortable. "And, I thought I would take a chance and drop by. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Nothing at all," Krystall smiled at him as she opened the door further and stepped back. "Come on in. We are just getting ready to have dinner. I hope you can join us."
"I don't want to inconvenience you," Rossi told her as he hesitantly crossed the threshold.
"It's no bother," Krystall assured him.
"Ashley, toss another salad," she called out. "And, Jonathan, set another place at the table."
"Come on back," she invited as she began leading the way down a naturally lit hallway towards the back of the house.
The eat-in kitchen they walked into took Rossi's breath away.
"You like it?" Krystall asked when she noticed the look on his face.
"How much room do you have in here?" he asked, turning his head from side to side. "And, all these appliances - Nothing but the latest and the greatest." Among other things, he noticed several security camera monitors discretely located in one of the cabinets.
"I enjoy cooking," Krystall explained. "So, when we had this house built, I made sure I had exactly what I wanted. I have updated several of the appliances and added some new ones, but it remains the same room I designed."
"You had this house built?" Rossi questioned surprised. "It looks – "
"Established?" Krystall suggested. "That is the way it was designed to look - Like it has been here forever and over time has just blended into the landscape."
"You certainly succeeded," Rossi complimented her. "I am very impressed!"
"Thank you," Krystall smiled at him. "Now, I would like you to meet my kids. The young man placing dishes on the table is my son, Jonathan, and the young lady torturing the lettuce is Ashley."
"Glad to meet you, Agent Rossi," Jonathan walked over and offered his hand to shake. "I've read all of your books. And I really enjoyed them."
As he shook the young man's hand, it suddenly dawned on Rossi that he could very well be shaking hands with a much younger version of himself.
"You've read all my books?" Rossi questioned as he sneaked a better look at Ashley and realized with a start that she bore an uncanny resemblance to several of his cousins' kids.
"How old are you now?" he added, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Fifteen," was the reply. Rossi drew a quick breath of relief.
"I've read all your books, too," the call came from across the kitchen. "Mom has them all. However, she did try to censor some parts of them from me. And I don't think that's fair. How do you feel about censorship, Agent Rossi?"
"Censorship is certainly a rather involved issue," Rossi improvised. "And, I really think that each situation needs to be considered individually."
"Okay – Enough of putting Agent Rossi on the spot," Krystall interrupted. "I believe that dinner is ready, so why don't we all sit down and try to discuss something a little less controversial while we eat?"
"That sounds like a very good idea," Rossi quickly agreed. "Where would you like me to sit?"
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Dinner was a lively affair with ideas and discussions flying around the table, accompanied by several threats of impending food fights. Rossi soon relaxed and discovered that he was enjoying getting reacquainted with Krystall as well as getting to know her two children.
"Whose turn is it to clean up?" Desert had been eaten and Krystall was looking between the two kids.
"Mine," Ashley volunteered.
"Okay," Krystall told her. "Why don't you get going on that? Then, when you're finished, it's off to bed with you. Tomorrow is a school day. And, Jon, you have an hour before lights out. Homework and whatever else needs doing."
She turned to Rossi. "Why don't you go and make yourself at home in the den?" she suggested. "Down the hallway and first door on the left. I think you'll find something to drink in the bar in there. I'll join you as soon as I see to a couple of things in here."
"You're sure I can't help in here?" Rossi questioned.
"I'm sure," Krystall assured him. "Make yourself at home. I won't be long."