Dear Fans, I hope you are enjoying it so far. I keep throwing twists in there. And if you're wondering what's going on with all the babies and pregnancies, well I just became an aunt, so I have babies on the brain. Enjoy!
*Nicole*
Dave had just finished talking to Rafe and Dan about the situation with Mina, when Lettie caught up to him. He watched her approach him. She was radiant. All smiles, though there was a shadow there that showed her concern for Mina.
"She's asleep," she said softly, slipping her arm through his.
"That's good, she'll need the rest." Dave smiled, and patted her hand. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel good, worried about her, but good. They're very active. I swear we've got at least one soccer player or kick boxer."
Dave laughed at this. He knew from his sisters' pregnancies that activity like this is essential to a healthy pregnancy. Lettie took Dave's hand and put it on her rounded abdomen, and he felt the activity first hand. His smiled, then gently kissed her lips, then dropped down and kissed her belly, whispering something against it. Lettie giggled.
"Dave?" JJ's voice brought them to a halt.
"What is it Jayje?" Lettie asked, helping Dave up.
"Have you guys seen Henry or Bella?"
Dave shook his head, and Lettie looked concerned.
"When did you last see them?" Lettie walked toward JJ.
JJ was worried. Henry had never wandered off before and Jess was worried too because it was very unlike Bella. "Just after Mina did her check up on me. Emily said that they were playing with Jack near the creek."
With that Emily and Hotch came running towards them and Dave had a sinking feeling that Jack was missing too. Dave told Lettie to go find Mama, he and the others would start a search party. No pregnant women were allowed because of the dangers of the creek and the forest that surrounded the property. Dave grabbed his jacket and a high-powered light and headed out. By this point it was dark out and it was getting chilly. A disadvantage to living near the creek is it got very cold at night, especially during the spring thaw. The kids didn't have jackets, and they didn't know the lay of the land like Dave's nieces and nephews. The older Rossi children joined in on the search. Dave tried to find his dog then he realized they probably had him with them, and that was a good thing.
"Dave, please let me go with you!" Lettie begged. "She's my niece."
"No bella, it's too dangerous. Plus we need people here, if they come back." He ran to the house, and kissed her. "I promise you, I will find them. We will bring them home."
He told Derek and DJ to come with him, they would search along the creek. Hotch, Rafe and Reid would take the driveway and surrounding bush. The others scattered throughout the property. Emily went with Hotch, while Jessica stayed behind, knowing she had to keep JJ and Lettie calm. Roger went with Dave, as did Cael. The Rossi children, went to all their secret hiding places. Voices called out chillingly through the darkness. "Bella! Jack! Henry!" over and over again. It sent chills up Lettie's spine. Dave had promised to bring them home. She wrapped her arms around herself. Mama came behind her and hugged her.
"Don't worry little one. Dave will find them. They can't have gone far." She said. Her voice calmed Lettie greatly.
The Creek
"Dave?" Derek asked. "How did this happen?"
"I don't know. I was dealing with a problem with Mina and Lettie."
"The babies?"
"No, I'll explain it later. They've got the dog." Dave began whistling the way he did when he was hunting. He was answered with a deep bark.
They moved in the direction of the barking. Dave shined the light up and down the creek. Looking closely at the rocks and small islands that were in the creek. He whistled again. The barking was getting louder. They began to run in the direction. Morgan called Hotch's cell.
"Hotch, they've got the dog, and we're closing in on them. Follow the creek."
They were just about on top of the barking when they heard a deep growl. Dave shined the light around them, then he saw it. Wolves surrounded his niece and nephews and his hunting dog. Dave cursed himself for not grabbing the rifle. The dog was keeping them at bay. The only problem is the wolves were closing in on them, and sadly it was pushing them closer and closer to the creek. Bella was already wet, and Dave could only guess she had already fallen in once. Jack caught sight of his uncles.
"Uncle Derek! Uncle Dave! Help! Bella's sick!" he cried out.
One of the wolves moved in on them, Dave's dog jumped in front of them. The fight was on. The other wolves didn't move, most likely because the alpha was in a fight to the death with Dave's prize dog. Dave knew he was most likely going to lose him, but he had to get his family away from there.
"Jack!" he cried. "Get them into the creek. I know it's cold but we'll come get you there!"
"But Uncle Dave!" Jack pleaded.
"Just do it Jack!" Dave ordered. He didn't mean to sound so harsh, but their lives were all on the line now. "Derek go get 'em."
"Dave, man we gotta shoot the wolves!"
"For fuck sake's Derek!"
With that Morgan slid into the creek quietly as to not alert the wolves of his presence. The children followed suit. Jack half carrying, half dragging Bella. Derek caught up to the children and took Bella from Jack. By this point, Hotch and the others had reached them. Dave cried out as the wolves realized that the children had fled. The wolves turned towards Dave and lunged for his throat. A flash filled the night sky, followed by many more flashes. Gunshots echoed throughout the night. Even at the house, Lettie, JJ and Jessica heard them. Lettie buried her head in Mama Rossi's arms. She was so scared.
As the smoke cleared, Hotch looked around him. There were three wolves down, the others had fled. Roger shot the one that had survived to take it out of its misery. Hotch looked around for Dave. He saw him near the edge of the creek. Claw marks and bite marks covered his right side, and he had a scratch across his face. There was a significant amount of blood but Dave's unconsciousness worried him more than the blood loss. Hotch called for Derek and Dave's brothers-in-law to come help him carry Dave back to the house. Derek handed Bella to Emily who was calming the other children. She and the other Rossis headed to the house with Roger, since he was armed, while the others helped lift Dave and begin the journey back home.
The House
Lettie was sobbing, while Mama Rossi comforted her. Bernadette had taken to cleaning the kitchen. JJ and Jess anxiously awaited any news on their children. Through the living room window they saw approaching lights. Jessica went to get Lettie, and the women went to the veranda. They tried to make out the shadowy figures in the night, to see who was coming home. They heard a variety of voices. Most of them were female or very young. Lettie worried even more. None of the men were there. Where was Dave? Derek? Hotch? Reid? Her future brothers-in-law? She heard her father's voice and she tore herself away from Mama and ran to the group.
"Get Mina!" her father called into the night.
Mama Rossi left, in search of the only medical care they had here at Little Creek. When Lettie approached, she saw her father armed with a hunting rifle, Emily with a soaking wet Bella in her arms, Henry on the back of one of Dave's nephews. Jack was towing behind with the rest of the Rossi brood.
"What happened?" Mina called as she ran from the house to meet up with the group.
"The kids had got lost." Emily began to explain. "Bella fell in the creek and she was getting cold, and the boys stayed with her. Dave's hunting dog was with them."
Mina reached them and began looking over Bella. She was shivering. She was unconscious and breathing in a very shallow manner. Mina told Emily to get her to the house.
"Bella!" Jessica cried out. "What's wrong with my baby?"
"We're getting her in the house. I need to look her over. Go get towels, blankets and start a hot bath!"
JJ and Jessica tore into the house, swiftly followed by Mama Rossi to do whatever was needed.
"What happened to the guys?" Mina asked as she continued to monitor Bella.
"Dave, Derek, Roger, DJ and Cael found them deep in the woods along the creek. There were wolves. Derek got them out of the water, but the wolves lunged at Dave. All I know is there's three dead wolves, an injured hunting dog and Dave was hurt. I'm sorry Lettie."
They reached the house, Lettie told them to bring Bella into her bathroom, because of the bigger space and better bath. The water was poured. Mina did a quick once over.
"I think she's slightly hypothermic. Her heart rate is slow, but not dangerously low. We'll get her in the water and see what happens. Jess, get in the tub and hold her close to you. It'll be better for her to come to with your arms around her than a stranger's."
Jessica got in the tub, it was hot, but she'd do everything she could for her baby girl. They laid a freezing Bella into her arms, and they waited. It didn't take too long that Bella began to stir. She started coughing. Mina checked her over again.
"Her heart rate's up. Stay in here for another 10 minutes then get her out, change her and wrap her up tightly in blankets. I'll be back to check on her once I find out if the guys are back yet. Mama can stay and help you, right Mama?"
Mama Rossi nodded, "But if Davey is hurt bad, I want to be there!"
"Yes, Mama, we'll come find you right away."
"The guys are back!" Allegra's voice came up from the landing.
Lettie and Mina sped out of the bathroom and went to meet the men outside. Lettie was looking for Dave, she could see Hotch, Derek, Reid, and…
"Oh God!" Lettie was being held back by her father. "No Dave!"
Roger held his daughter closely.
"Daddy, no! I need to see him!"
"No sweetheart, you don't want to."
"Please. Dave. God no! What happened?! Someone tell me what the hell is going on!!!" Lettie struggled against her father's strong arms.
"Roger, get her out of here. This stress isn't good for her or the babies." Mina shouted. She ran to the men that were carrying David's limp body to the house.
Roger picked his little girl up, and carried her to the house. She fought the whole way.
"Daddy! Please, I want to see him. I love him!"
"I know sweetie, but you need to let Mina do her job." He comforted his daughter, rubbing her back.
He didn't want her to worry or to stress out too much, because neither were good for her health or for the health of his unborn grandchildren.
"Let me see him." Mina ordered. She managed to peak over their shoulders. She saw the nasty claw marks and bite marks all over his body. "Get him upstairs and get his clothes off."
"Yes ma'am." DJ started the group moving.
Mina went ahead. "Lettie, sweetie, you need to leave this room. We need the bed and as soon as I check him over, you can come in okay?"
Lettie nodded and allowed her father to guide her out the bathroom entrance. The guys put Dave gently on the bed. Derek used his knife, as did Carl to remove the older Rossi's clothing. Once he was down to underwear, Mina began to examine Dave. The cuts and scratches were superficial and would only need cleaning. The bite marks, on the other hand, some of them would require stitches and he'd need a new tetanus shot.
"Get towels, hot water, peroxide, and Derek, go get my med kit in my room." Mina ordered.
Derek ran to Mina's room got the black bag, and ran back. Mina began to unpack what she needed to stitch Dave back up again.
"Is he going to be okay?" Aaron asked, concern seeping into the question.
"He will be. I need someone to turn him over, and hold him while I give him his tetanus shot and rabies shot too. Just to be safe."
Derek, Cael and DJ held him down, while Reid, following Mina's orders went to talk to Lettie. Once the shots were in, Lettie was allowed in the room. The men, except for Aaron, Derek and Rafe left the room. Lettie carefully bathed the superficial wounds, while Mina irrigated the deeper wounds in preparation for stitching. Dave was still unconscious.
Lettie inquired if the unconsciousness was normal. Mina replied that because he had lost blood, it was. She also assured Lettie that his blood pressure was fine now that the bleeding had stopped, his heart rate and breathing rate was fine. The unconsciousness was normal and probably very good, since there was not much anesthetic available to stitch him up. The wounds were cleaned. Mina quickly dabbed peroxide over all the wounds. Dave began to stir.
Lettie took his hand. "Dave? Honey, I'm right here."
Dave's eyes fluttered open and he whispered. "Lettie?"
"I'm here baby. It's okay. Are you feeling okay?"
"The kids?"
"Are fine. You got attacked, and we're more worried about you than anything." Lettie said worriedly.
"I'm fine. My ass is sore though."
"That would be because you needed a tetanus and rabies shot." Mina giggled. "Now Mr. Macho. We need to stitch these up. I don't have much local. It's going to hurt, a lot."
"I'll be fine." He gritted his teeth as Mina began to stitch the deepest of his wounds up.
Hotch left, followed by Derek after Dave confirmation that he was okay. Rafe refused to leave. Lettie held his hand and kept him occupied as Mina stitched him up quickly and efficiently.
"All done. No moving tonight. Stay put. The stitches are going to be in for a couple weeks. No huge activity. And I mean it." Mina left the room to go check on Bella, and promised to return with an update on all the children.
"Dave, you had me worried sick."
"I'm sorry bella. I didn't mean to get attacked, but protecting our nieces and nephews took control. Plus your father shot the wolves."
"Dad shot something? And hit them?" Lettie was in shock.
"Yeah, why?"
"Daddy usually can't hit the broad side of a barn!"
"I can if my future-son-in-law is about to become wolf food. I don't want to have to go through that hell again." Roger said from the doorway. "How are you feeling?"
"I'll be better, once I know how Bella, Jack and Henry are doing."
"Dave?" Jessica's voice came from the door.
Dave tried to sit up, but both Rafe and Lettie held him down. Lettie invited Jessica in. She came in with Isabella in her arms, followed by JJ with Henry and Emily, Aaron and Jack.
Bella looked pale, but better then when Dave had seen her by the creek. Henry had a small scratch on his face, it seemed to have been made by a tree branch. Jack seemed okay, but his face said more than his appearance ever could. The children came to the bedside.
"Uncle Dave," Bella started. "Thank you for rescuing us from the wolves."
"We're really sorry we got lost." Henry added. A tear trickled down his face.
"I'm really sorry we didn't tell you or anyone where we were going Uncle Dave." Jack broke down. "It's all my fault."
Dave shook his head. "No Jack. It's not your fault, or Bella's or Henry's. It was an accident."
"But you got hurt." Henry too began to cry.
"But I'm better. See? Mina made me feel better." Dave smiled. He was in pain, but he wasn't about to let the kids see it. "It wasn't anyone's fault that the wolves showed up either."
"But if it hadn't been for us, your dog would still be here." Jack sniffled.
"Monty, as Bella has called him is fine. He just has a couple scratches. He's tough. Just like me." This news seemed to brighten the children up somewhat. "Come here and give me a hug."
The children gently got on the bed, and careful of his wounds, hugged him. Bella kissed his cheek.
"Thank you Unka Dave. You're my hero." She whispered in his ear. She and Henry toddled off.
Jack looked at his uncle. "Are you sure you're not mad?"
"I'm positive. It's partially because of you too that Isabella and Henry were able to come back. You're a hero too Jack." Jack hugged Dave one last time and headed out after his cousins.
JJ and Jessica thanked Dave incessantly. Reid came in after the children left. He told Dave that Monty was definitely going to be fine and thanked him for rescuing his son. After that the three left. Emily and Aaron approached the bed.
"Dave, thank you. You shouldn't have to put your life on the line all the time." Hotch shook the older agent's hand. "And you could have been harder on Jack."
"No Hotch, I couldn't. Because he was already tearing himself apart inside. It wasn't his fault. I'm going to be alright. Bella is safe. Jack's safe and so is Henry and that's all that matters." Dave answered curtly as Lettie kissed his forehead.
"Thanks Dave." Emily hugged her mentor and friend and guided a startled Hotch out of the room.
"Now Mr. Rossi. You rest." Lettie ordered.
"As you wish my love, as you wish."