"Now I can say that I know a real life multi-millionaire," Allison thrilled at dinner that evening. "I am so glad you finally got everything straightened out. You deserve it!"
"And, you can also say that you have a new silent business partner," Laurel told her. "As soon as you can get me the information on the financing you need for your inn, the money is yours."
"I can't let you do that!" Allison protested. "I can work things out. And, besides, what if something goes wrong and I lose everything?"
"You took Paige and me in when we needed it most," Laurel reminded her. "If I remember right, you traipsed through gale force winds in the middle of a tropical storm to find us in that car we were living in and take us back to the inn. You never hesitated to help us. Let me do this for you now!"
"Don't argue with her!" Rossi warned. "If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is to never argue with a determined woman. And I think I see one now."
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"She's a good person," Hotch observed later that evening when he and Rossi were back in their hotel suite.
"She remembers her friends and takes care of them," Rossi agreed. "Always a desirable trait in a person." He gave Hotch a speculative look.
"And," he added. "What do you intend to do about her?"
Hotch effort to look disinterested failed miserably.
"Aaron," Rossi prompted him. "You may think you are an expert at managing your micro-expressions but, remember, you are dealing with a master here. You obviously have feelings for that lady. What are you planning on doing about them?"
"Hero complex, transference, whatever you want to call it," Hotch spoke the words reluctantly. "I'm the knight in shinning armor and she's the damsel in distress. There is no way of knowing how long that will last, but when it begins to wear off and the real world comes crashing in, it will end. I don't want to go through that and I don't want her to have to go through that either."
"Well, take things slowly and let it wear off," Rossi advised. "I think you will be surprised at what is left – For both of you."