Sorry for the long break between chapters. It has been so busy at work that I did three weeks straight without a break! You'll be happy to know that the ending is right around the corner! And this chapter is going to have some surprises - you may need a tissue (just a warning!). Thanks for your patience.
This chapter is dedicated to Vonnie and Bernadette for believing and being kind enough to give me that subtle kick in the hello when required and praise when warranted.
One Hello
"Thought you might like some company," Zoe greeted with a smile as she approached Dave. She had noticed how sullen he had become, and she took it upon herself to lift his spirits. She owed him that much.
Dave looked up. "Zoe…I…" Before he could finish, a loud bark filled the air. Dave barely had time to stand up when the black Lab bound from nowhere and into his arms. "Mudgie. Is that you, boy?" Mudgie barked happily and licked his beloved pet's face.
"I thought you both might want to spend some time together. I know that he's missed you," Zoe said. Her heart filled with love as she took in the scene. "And I know you've missed him, too."
Dave scratched the Lab behind the ears. The last few days of Mudgie's life flashed, but were quickly replaced by the excited dog jumping around in circles. "He looks good," Dave remarked in a choking voice. He wiped a tear away with the back of his hand.
"Looks like he's happy to see you."
"What's your ulterior motive?"
Zoe's facial expression never changed. "You think I have one?"
"Why not?" he challenged. "Emma made it clear that she would like for me to stay here. Now you bring me Mudgie, and I can't help but wonder if you are trying to tempt me to stay here, too."
"What ever motives Emma may have for wanting you here, aren't mine," she returned evenly. "To be honest, I saw a friend in despair, so I thought I could cheer him up."
"So, you thought you'd bring me Mudgie?"
Zoe shook her head. "No. I thought I'd bring you to Mudgie. He's missed you."
Dave gestured for Mudgie to heel. Immediately the dog did as he was instructed. Taking his place beside his master, he was perfectly still – sans his tail wagging furiously.
"Do you?" Dave asked.
"Do I, what?"
"Want me to stay here?"
"What do you want?" she returned.
"Answers. A logical explanantion…anything to help me decide what would be best for everyone," Dave replied in frustration.
"I see. What does it matter what everyone else wants? I can't recall when you marched to someone else's drummer. You have to decide what works for you."
"I want my daughter, and I want Em."
Zoe shrugged. "You appear to have made your choice."
"Not everybody feels that way."
"Em hasn't requested you to come back?" Zoe asked softly.
"No."
"Hmmm…I can see how that's making you confused."
"I'm not confused," he argued. "I just want an answer."
Zoe pondered his demand. "Well, Dave, from where I stand you are a pretty lucky man as you have a family down on earth, and you are currently standing outside the gates of heaven. For a man of your reputation, I would consider you blessed."
Sensing his master's distress, Mudgie whined. Instinctively, Dave reached down and petted his head. Pulling back, Mudgie licked Dave's hand lovingly.
"You need to make the decision that is best for you. You can't take into account what anyone else wants or doesn't want. The choice has to make you happy," she pointed out matter of factly. "Your heart is not going to lie to you, but don't confuse want with doing the right thing."
"I know the difference," he stated matter of factly.
"If you had the chance to go back right now and it turned out that Emily didn't want you, how would you feel?" she challenged.
"I could live with it. She's alive, and that's what matters most." Dave didn't feel the sadness he expected to as he said the words aloud. For a brief moment he wondered if he could finally be resolving himself to staying in heaven.
"That's a good start."
"What do you mean?"
"I remember the man you were four years ago; you didn't care what anyone thought. Nor did you want to hear about your shortcomings."
"I was different then," Dave admitted without vanity. He tried not to think about the man he used to be. That David Rossi was long gone. If he got a second chance, he was going to be the best friend and father possible. And with a blessing or two, he might even be the best husband…but it still had to be Em's choice.
"You were. I like the man you've become." Zoe bent over to scratch Mudgie's head. "Sort of like the hero I had formed in my imagination…before I actually met you," she finished, but her eyes twinkled.
"Zoe. That night…when you…and I sent you away…" Dave halted. For an acclaimed author, the words were failing him. "I'm…I'm sorry."
Zoe's brown eyes radiated love and understanding. "I forgive you." She straightened up. "I'll let you and Mudgie finish visiting." Turning around, she left the pair. But there was a huge smile on her face.
*****
Emily Prentiss was at her wit's end. Between phone calls, telegrams, emails, and visitors, she hadn't had a moment's peace and quiet all day. Since her return back from visiting Dave, she had been bombarded with demands and requests relating to the embassy attack.
Taking a sip from the mug on her desk, she blanched and tried not to spit out the coffee that had grown cold and stale. Choking it down, she glanced at the papers littering her desk top. Compartmentalize, Em, she ordered herself. Taking a deep breath, she attacked the papers with gusto.
Ten minutes later she leaned back to admire her handiwork. Three stacks stood in front of her, separated by priority. She would deal with the get well wishes tomorrow. The phone calls could be returned after dinner, she reasoned with the time difference. And the requests for television and talk show appearances…well, her secretary could wade thru and decline on her behalf.
Now she only had to gather and organize everything she was going to need for the Senate Hearing. Though she had been down that road before, something warned her that this time they were going to be looking for blood. Probably hers…and Dave's. They were going to need a scapegoat, and a sacrificial lamb. Chances were they were going to try and pin it on Dave. And if he didn't pull through… She shook her head to clear out the worst case scenario. He wasn't going to die! She wouldn't let him!
She would contact Pen later about getting everything downloaded to disc and making a backup just incase. But first, she needed to rest. Sighing heavily, she rested her head on her arms. She needed to close her eyes for five minutes…
"Ambassador Prentiss?" a voice called out followed by a knock.
Jerked awake, Em tried to straighten up and appear presentable. Inadvertently, her elbow hit a small stack of papers, sending them to the floor. Brushing her hair with her fingers, she called out, "Come in."
"Will you be taking your dinner in here, or will you be dining with your family?" the butler asked.
"I'll be dining with them, Stewart. Thank you," Em replied.
"Very well, Ambassador. I will inform your mother." He closed the door gently.
Groaning softly, Em rubbed her eyes. God, she needed sleep! But images of Dave lying on the cold tile floor of the embassy as the blood flowed from his wound, haunted her. It didn't help that her mother's words played like a record in her head. If only she knew where she had stood with him, then she could make a choice. But as God was her witness, she didn't want him to die.
Bending over, she began to gather the papers in a haphazard stack. She would sort thru them later… Her eye caught her name on the cream coloured envelope. Setting the stack to the side, she held the envelope. She recognized Dave's writing. With shaking hands, she opened the flap and pulled out the sheets of paper.
"I, David Anthony Rossi, being of sound mind…" His Last Will & Testament, she realized as she read the words that would transfer everything to Claire upon his death. It came as no surprise that he made Hotch his executor. It would be like him to prepare for the worst, she mused and shuffled the paper behind the others. But it was the words on the second sheet that caused her to pause.
"My dearest Tesoro…"
Her eyes darted over the words again and again as their meaning finally sank in and her tears fell to smudge the ink. Reading the last word, she wiped at her cheeks, then folded up the papers to place them back in the envelope for safe-keeping. Picking up the phone, she hit the button that would connect her to her mother's room.
"Mother, it's Emily. I won't be making dinner. Explain to Claire that I need to go to the hospital." She paused to let Elizabeth reply. "It is an emergency; I need to tell Dave I love him."
