A.N: again sorry for the long delay life's hell but I know that's no excuse. But the story is back now hopefully till I finish it and the two after it to. So thank you all for being very patience with me and waiting and also for all the reviews, alerts and added to favorites for this story. Also for nominating me for another "Profiler's Choice Awards" for best Characterization of Penelope Garcia it's a great honor to have been nominated and I thank you deeply and now that all the mushy stuff is out of the way on with the show.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but me

Chapter fourteen

Bonding

JJ hung back taking the trail at a much slower pace her thoughts swirling around in her head, she wasn't sure what it was about that darkly handsome Italian man that turned her insides to mush, but there was something. Knowing that her feelings could be dangerous, what she had with Will was… she couldn't bring herself to say stable or even that it felt right because it hadn't felt right for a long time. Granted she loved the man, but wasn't in love with him anymore.

"Penny for your thought's Bella," came David's rich baritone from her left side.

She whipped her head around a touch startled by the nearness of his body and the heat that radiated from his cloth covered form. Her insides doing the tango at his proximity as she tried to form words to speak while his deep fathomless brown eyes surveyed her face tracing each line and contour, she didn't understand why now of all the times they'd been together. Why were her emotions all tangled up in knots when he came near when before she could keep them tramped down.

Unnerved yet heat flooded her body as those dark orbs guilelessly caressed her face spread chills on her cooling skin as she tried to answer, "My thoughts aren't worth a penny Rossi."

She couldn't, wouldn't let him know what his nearness did to her. Covered it up like all the other times she felt the flutter of butterfly wings in her stomach. Never had, no that would be wrong, she corrected herself, Will had made those same butterflies dance in her abdomen when they first met and started dating, but once Henry was born things seem to go south and stay there through the winter months and on into the spring and summer. Shaking her head and wrapping her thin arms around herself, JJ kept her glaze from peeking up at the delectable man with his long strides and sexy swagger. Even in camouflage he looked deadly lethal he was a man's man as her grandmother would say and damn if her hormones weren't firing off in all directions because of him.

Dave frowned trying to read the blonde beside him. He never could figure her out, but then he was never that great with the opposite sex unless it was in the bedroom then he was Tiger Woods. He'd tried really tried to put the afford into making his marriages work, all three of them, but nothing ever fell into place like it should and divorce seemed the best option. He always figured that real love and happiness would elude him that he'd found it with Emma all those years ago but ambition and pride kept him from claiming that dream. Though as he searched the blonde haired, blue eyed temptress walking beside him, he felt like the fates had given him one more shot and he would be damned to screw this one up.

"They are to me JJ," he said sincerity in the deep timber of his voice.

The cool breeze had nothing to do with the shiver that worked its way down her body one that she tried to suppress. "It's nothing really Dave, just the fact that it's so peaceful here. It can either make you crazy or give you the tranquility which lacks in the big city, something that seems to be missing from my life."

"Profound words caro," David whispered the last word slipping out in Italian as he grasped her upper arm in his larger callused and weathered palm drawing her to a stop. "Tell me is there anything I can do to help?" (Translation caro dear one)

JJ shook her head, "Nothing Rossi, just…" she trailed off not wanting to burden anyone else. Not having told Penelope or Emily about the extent of her relationship decay and she damn sure didn't want to spill her dirty laundry to a man who she thought wouldn't understand.

"It must be something to have your mind in such a state you almost walk into a tree a bit ago," he countered searched her drawn up face.

Heat flooded her cheeks, she hadn't been watching what path her feet took but evidently David had and the thought mortified and warmed her at the same time. "Thinking… have a lot on my mind," JJ said by way of an explanation. "I should be getting back you know in case…"

She had to get away there was something about those beguiling deep brown eyes that called to her to spill everything to finally be free of the turmoil in her heart and mind. Yet she couldn't bring herself to do just that to get some relief and advice fearing that she'd be pitied something she never wanted to feel ever. With that thought in mind JJ kept her eyes on the pathway back towards the house wanting to see Henry.

David watched her walk away a subtle shake to her normally graceful gait and it puzzled him why would she be so stand offish, why did it feel like she was hiding something from him, something he was sure he wouldn't like. Shaking those feelings off Rossi followed at a much slower pace thinking that JJ was right the city didn't give you the peaceful tranquility that the country did making him wonder if it wasn't time to retire once again. He'd solved the case which plagued him for years, still had the bracelet but it no longer took up home in his pocket a constant reminder of what use to be a failed attempted, now rested with his medals, tokens of an era gone by and memories of a time long gone. With that though lingering in his mind David took one more long look around him before starting back towards the house.

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An hour earlier

He watched her, the way her hips swayed, the perfect curve of her body, the bounce of her soft red hair and cursed his stupidity for not seeing what was right in front of him for so very long. Yet he knew damn good and well he hadn't been ready then not for the lifelong commitment, to settle down and start a family. No siree he hadn't been ready then, but now he could and would grab the bull by the horns and make that beautiful woman his come hell or high water, cause there was one thing Derek Morgan had learned from his brush with death a few months back, was that life needed to be living and cherished to seize what God gave him and not let go.

Therefore he watched her, his body tightening with need and want of her having done nothing more than some very heavy petting in the last four days since she'd asked that faithful question that brought him and the rest of the team here that brought them closer together in all the right way. With a deep chuckle he turned once Penelope disappeared from view back to the pit when out of the corner of his eye he spotted Reid sitting by the pool staring off into space.

"Somethin' wrong kid," Derek called just barely gaining his attention.

Keeping his eyes on the rippling waters of the aqua blue pool his deep voice answered solemnly, "Nothing's wrong Morgan just have a lot on my mind."

"Spill," Derek commanded simply.

Reid lifted confused eyes towards Morgan, "I have nothing to spill Morgan there is no drink."

Derek shook his head, but conceded the point, "That's not what I meant Reid," he retorted slowly. "Tell me the problem maybe I can help."

"It's nothing,"

"Must be something to have you sitting there brooding like a bear with a sore head."

"I'm not a…"

Derek held up a hand, "I know that kid it's a figure of speech," he interrupted laying the tongs down beside the pit then made his was over. "Listen I get it if you don't want to spill whatever secrets that roll around in that big brain of yours but know this if you need to talk I've got your back," and to emphasize his point Morgan gave him a slap on the back before turning to walk away.

"He wants back in my life," Reid stated quietly.

"Who?" Derek asked re-facing him knowing that it could be one of two people.

"My father," he simply put eyes glancing up at the only man he could call a brother.

Growing up he hadn't had many friends if any at all even through college he'd been the outsider the kid who just didn't fit in anywhere. Till the BAU, till Gideon took him under his wing and showed him a kindness and fatherly love that he never got from his own biological father. Of course that didn't last long having only a letter to explain why he left in the first place tore a hole in Reid's heart one that only now was beginning to heal because of the family he didn't know he'd had or the brother Derek turned out to be. Showing him the world outside his books and knowledge after Gideon left them all high and dry. They'd bonded on a level many didn't know about or cared to look at, a brother he never had.

Derek took the space next to Reid on the warm stone bench rubbing a hand over his clean shavin' head trying to come up with something to say. "Reid I… I can't tell you what to do here you have to figure that one out."

"I know that Derek," Reid said slowly using the other man's first name a rarity from his lips. "It's just why now, why did he wait so long?"

"Questions you're going to have to ask him kid. No book is gonna tell ya the answer."

"I just don't get it," Reid exclaimed voice raising an octave in annoyance. "What would you do?"

"Whoa," Derek stated putting both his hands up in the age old symbol of stop. "You can't ask a man whose father got killed when he was ten that kind of question. It's just not something I can give you advice on."

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to…," Reid trailed off eyes returning to the calm waters of the pool.

Derek studied the man next to him for a long minute trying to decipher what could possibly be going on in the younger man's head. He had a feeling that it was something that went a lot deeper and more involved than what he was saying.

An idea popped into Derek's head, "What did he say?"

"It's more of what he did than said Morgan," Reid said keeping his line of vision straight ahead.

"All right then what did he do?" Morgan questioned getting just a touch tired of the cat and mouse game Reid seemed to be playing with information.

"Just forget…"

But Derek interrupted him, "Not going to happen pretty boy now what did he do."

Eyes fell to his hands clasped in his lap long tapered fingers entwining each other in a nervous habit he'd had for years. "After we finished that case in Vegas two years ago he stayed in contact with my mother visited her. At first just to check up but never went to see or talk to her. Till a year ago went he started to have regular weekly visits with her." Reid paused as if collecting his thoughts for a minute. "Cassie, the head nurse at Bennington, had called me two days after we got back from that case in Oklahoma to tell me mother's been receiving a visitor that she seemed to be accepting the appearances well but that they wanted to let me know."

"They never said who," Derek asked finding it a bit strange.

Reid shook his head, "No and I never guessed it could be my father I just assumed it was Aunt Martha mother's sister. Then mother wrote to me about his visits finally saying that he wanted a place in our lives again. It all seems too easy."

"What part?"

"All of it Morgan," Reid responded glumly with all his knowledge nothing had prepared him for the reappearance of his father. "I don't know what to do."

Resting a hand on his shoulder Derek tried to give him some kind of answer, "Take it one day at a time Reid that's all you can. If at one point you don't feel comfortable tell him that as my own Ma would say honesty is the best policy."

"I don't even know if I want to meet with him at all."

"Then tell him that to. I can only imagine what kind of life ya had without your dad. For me it was not walk in the park but then my father wasn't just a few miles away either."

"Five point six miles to be exact Morgan he lived that close, yet never made the effort to come see us, me, he couldn't be bothered when I was growing up why should I now."

"Reid people change maybe it's time to give him a chance."

"Yeah like I gave Austin a chance," the words had slipped out before Reid realized he's said them out loud and wished the earth would open up and swallow him whole.

With Reid's slip up Derek finally understood the second part of the turmoil coursing through the younger man, well only slightly anyway.

What neither knew was that Hotch had come back and stood just on the threshold of the French doors. Not having heard the whole conversation but could see the plain as day discomfort written all over Reid's face.

Therefore with a subtle clearing of his throat Hotch took the three steps out into the back yard, stating in a mock chiding tone, "Morgan you're supposed to be watching the barbecue pit. You better hope nothings burned or I'll let the women have your hid."

Unabashedly Derek rebuffed him, "Nothin' burnt Hotch a little trust would be nice ya know."

"Like the last time you said that and we ended up eating charcoal ribs that night," Aaron returned his back towards the two men.

Derek shook his head wearily, "Will I ever live that down?"

"Nope," Reid stated plainly from beside him. "Sorry to say but that is one thing you will never live down. Cause you did profess to claim that you were the "King of the pit" after all."

"No help kid," Morgan growled but not meaning it.

Reid merely shrugged his shoulders in response.

"If you think it's so easy than you try it genius," Derek barked hauling his muscular frame upwards then smacking Reid's thin shoulder to get him moving.

"Nothing to it really if you know what you're doing," Reid countered rubbing his aching shoulder.

"Wrong words Reid," Aaron voiced with a deep shake of his dark head. "You're challenging the wrong man."

Grinning evilly and rubbing his hands together Derek forced Spencer forwards towards the pit where Hotch stood. "Your so right Hotch," then rounded on the younger man. "All right genius show us what ya got if you know so much."

Spencer rolled his eyes, but turned his attention towards the round metal pit which bellowed white fragments smoke that filled the palatial back yard.

Willingly Hotch held out the tongs handle towards Reid, "All yours," and when he took them Aaron stepped back.

Eyes wide with shock that Hotch gave over the reins, Reid just stood there unsure of what really.

"What's the matter Reid," Derek asked slapping him on the back again.

"I've never… I mean this is something…" Reid tried but nothing formed complete sentences and only came out in sputters.

"Need help?" Hotch offered hopefully getting the younger man's thoughts away from the darkness that seemed to encompass him just a short time ago.

Reid nodded finally saying, "I've never done this."

"Done what Reid cooked?" Derek asked razzing him farther.

"Roasted meat over an open flame Morgan," Reid responded dryly. "I've cooked inside before hundreds of times with more success than you've had."

Hotch tried to keep the chuckle from escaping but failed miserably and it slipped out as Morgan scowled.

"Not funny," he growled lowly giving both men a menacing look.

"But the truth," Hotch couldn't help but return.

"Fine laugh it up both of you," Morgan gouged scowling darkly, "but remember I know where you both live."

"And that means what exactly?" Reid asked innocently enjoying the turn of events thankful that both men where in his life to balance it out and give him levity and guidance.

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"You know it wasn't very nice to leave JJ back there?" Emily voiced as she, Kate and Penelope had taken off right after Rossi's shoot.

"But so very needed kitten I mean really those two need to be locked in some dark room so they can sort out their feelings," Penelope countered a wistfully look on her cherub face.

"You mean like you and Morgan hu?" Kate asked humor glinting in her dark brown eyes.

"Don't start with me sugar plum cause pay backs a bitch after all," Penelope shot back an evil smirk filling her honey eyes.

Kate held up her hands but the mischief didn't leave, "I have no reason for pay back sugar I have no man after all."

"Oh really and you ogling boss man's ass was nothing hu?" Penelope countered triumphantly when a slight rose blush crept up Kate's cheeks.

Kate shook her head, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I have no boss man and know no such person."

"Hotch of course," Emily said stepping into the conversation.

Narrowing her eyes playfully, Kate turned towards the raven haired beauty, "Naturally but then I didn't think you would have noticed seeing's as you kept your own eyes firmly planted on Dr. Reid."

Emily sputtered hating the fact that she was caught out, "I wasn't…"

"Oh honey," Penelope giggled resting a hand against her chest dramatically, "give it up we all know you have the hot's for my sweet junior G-man. Just give in all ready and kiss him. It's the only way to get his attention."

"Ha," Emily exclaimed a slight bitterness seeping into her voice. "It'll never happen PG he doesn't see me like that."

"Let me Pen," Kate stated bring the three of them to a stop. "I know we don't know each other well Emily, but I've come to be able to read people pretty well in my line of work, so take this grain of salt for what it's worth. That fine specimen of man ya'll call Reid is smitten on you dear. I saw that the moment we got here the interaction between the two of you even when you're not looking."

Emily shook her head disbelieving, "It's nothing like that."

Kate shrugged her shoulders, "Believe what you will Emily, but trust me there is somethin' behind that exterior of brains he hides behind, somethin' he doesn't share but longs to and with you," and with that said Kate resumed the trek back towards the house.

Emily looked towards Penelope, "What was that?"

Penelope shrugged her shoulders, "Advice I'm guessing gum drop and maybe a few wise words."

Emily shook of the feelings not so sure Kate wasn't insane and in need of a strait jacket, but in the back of her mind a nagging voice told her that seeing was believing and she should open her own eyes and see the facts for herself. She would never know till she asked the tough questions.

End note: not the best but I hope you like it. Oh and Ellen69 sorry for the long wait writes block can be such a pain in the butt.