Hit 'Send'
Chapter 13 –

JJ returned to her office still irate over Will's behaviour. It didn't help either that Tony had been right there, he could've stopped him but then again, was that really how she wanted to meet him? What if Tony was going to reveal himself before Will showed up and made him back off. Besides how dare her ex say crap like that to her? She'd been reduced to helplessness while he took their son here, there, and everywhere and had a long string of girlfriends to boot but God forbid, one man comes into her life and buys Henry a toy, suddenly he has the right to get into her business and demand answers. She picked up her phone only to throw it back into her bag. She didn't want to talk to Tony or anyone at the moment. That was until she saw the file on top of her desk and she cussed under her breath, it was a case, great, now to call Will and arrange with him to pick up Henry. She picked up her phone once again nd starting hitting the buttons on the screen with vengeance. "Just freaking perfect," she growled.

*HS*

Rossi was less irate and more pensive about all that had gone on today. His unexpected announcement to Hotch, the run-in with Will, it left him a lot to think about. Where was their relationship going? How long and far could he take things before the idea surpassed the reality? He knew in his gut that it wasn't time to tell JJ yet but sooner or later it would happen. Provided JJ agrees, having their relationship out in the open would probably cause more problems with Will, not that the man needed in help in that department. Rossi made it to his office, locked the door, poured himself a scotch and knocked most of it back in one go. He wanted to sock Will so hard, he'd land right back in New Orleans. Why would JJ tolerate his behaviour? Did she feel some sort of need to? The Jennifer Jareau he knew would have never allowed Will to go that far without one swift kick in the nuts. Before this was all said and done, Will would get his, Rossi swore to it. Making some heavy promises today, his conscience observed. Be careful, you don't know what you'll be able to keep. Surprisingly however, leaving the Bureau didn't weight on Rossi like it probably should have. He loved his job sure, loved the team, but he could live not coming into the office every day. He wanted to see the team, he could invite them over for dinner. He could consult with BAU from time to time and that was arrangement he would gladly accept if JJ would be there. He pulled his phone from his pocket but decided against it, let things just simmer down for a bit. He'd contact JJ in the evening to check on her and until then, one more scotch. "To the world's greatest fools," he toasted the air, "the lovers."

*HS*

It didn't escape Hotch's notice that both JJ and Rossi returned from lunch with stony expressions. It seemed unlikely to him that his friend has confessed to JJ after the pronouncement in his office but he knew something was up. He couldn't talk to Rossi because they could be overheard and he was probably still defensive from earlier. He couldn't talk to JJ either because that could potentially reveal who her mystery friend was. Still he had to make sure his team was solid so after a minute or two of deliberation he picked up his phone, "Garcia, could you come to my office please?"

Penelope was at his door within minutes, "Sir?"

"Garcia," he fiddled with his pen, trying to figure out how to say this without giving away anything. "I was wondering if you were aware of any problems with JJ and Rossi?"

"Uh," Penelope gripped her skirt in an effort to focus her tension elsewhere. "Problems? No, not that I can think of." For the record, she hated lying to Bossman but her 'Erik' and 'Christine' deserved to be happy.

Too bad Hotch was a very observant profiler who noticed her death hold on her clothes. "Is there something wrong Garcia?"

"No," she immediately denied. "Everything is fine."

Hotch narrowed his eyes and really scrutinized the tech, "Garcia…do you know?"

"Know what?" Hotch just gave her a look and she gave him one right back. "What do you know?"

"Depends on what you know," Aaron knew Pen was trustworthy but there could be some conflict of interest given her loyalty to JJ. She might not like having her friend deceived like this.

"Sorry my liege but if someone was to know something that was on a need-to-know basis then divulging one's knowing in a setting of unequal authority should really begin with the higher rank admitting to knowing."

Hotch digested that for a moment, "Garcia you should really consider a future with litigation."

Garcia grinned, "High praise from you Mon Capitan so…"

"So…" at this point he was almost a hundred percent sure she knew. "Rossi has been anonymously texting JJ."

Garcia's shoulders slumped in relief, "I was in on it, I was the one who helped Rossi get the new phone after his old one passed on then JJ came to me to run a background check on him."

"I should have thought about that," Hotch admitted.

"But what kind of problem could there be? Last time I checked, they were golden. I mean Rossi is being a stubborn ass – with all due respect sir -"

"Don't worry, I happen to agree."

"I keep telling him to just tell her but he won't listen. Anyway, other than that, they're fine. Did something happen?"

"I'm not certain, they came in after lunch looking upset. I've already had it out with Dave earlier, I really don't want to confront him again especially with all the staff around. I'm not sure if I can keep myself from revealing anything to JJ by accident."

"Fret not sir, I shall scope the situation and report back to you later," Penelope promised and made to leave.

"Garcia," she stopped mid-step and turned. Hotch tapped his pen against his desk, "You wouldn't…do you think he has a chance?"

Penelope smiled, "I believe JJ will give him a chance, a good one too."

"Thanks."