A/N: I don't own any of the Criminal Minds characters, plot, etc. all belong to CBS

"If Men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and the next place, oblige it to control itself." James Madison

Jade POV

It's early on the Fourth of July and I'm trying to decide what to wear, I flip through my closet but nothing seems right. What does one wear to a picnic at a mansion? Do you dress up? Dress casually? Something in the middle? Ugh, I have no clue. Should I call JJ and ask her advice? Or will Em know? I decide to quickly text them both, separately, to see what I should wear.

As I wait for their responses, I paint my toenails a bright red. I'm in the process of fanning them dry when my phone rings and I see Em's name pop up.

"Hey there!" I answer the phone, happy to see Em's name on the screen, I can't help but to smile broadly.

"So a big celebration over at the Rossi Mansion? Is it your first time over there?" Em asks, voice a purr of happiness.

"Yeah, its my first time to Rossi's. What should I wear? Something super fancy or will casual picnic wear be alright?" I ask, pausing to blow air across my bright toenails.

"I think something middle of the road is appropriate. A nice, summer blouse with light capri's or golf shorts would be best. If I were there, I'd want you in a pretty little sundress, but that's just for my own reasons, not for what is expected. Unless you love sundresses, then go for it" Em answers and I can tell she is thinking about me in a pretty sundress, showing me off.

"Thanks. So what are you up to? I'm guessing ex-Pats don't celebrate Independence Day in London?"

"Right you are, Princess. I do have the day off, by coincidence only. I'm just sipping wine on my balcony, enjoying a rare sunny day.

"Sounds lovely. Wish I could be there with you. I definitely prefer wine on a balcony over a big fancy party." I reply, applying a second coat of polish.

"And I wish you were here with me, Princess. It gets so lonely to be so far away from you. To be so far from all my friends. Clyde and I worked very closely for a very long time, but it is nothing at all compare to the closeness of the BAU. You guys are all like family. I miss you so much, Princess." Em confesses emotionally.

"I miss you too, Em. I think the whole team does. I wish you'd come back to the BAU. Garcia definitely wants you back too." I relay, not wanting to get too emotional over the phone. It is so hard, we can only say so much, anything more falls flat, when we can't even act on what we say, what we feel for each other.

"Well, have fun at Rossi's. Make sure you drink plenty of his good wine, he had a collection bought just for my tastes and I don't think I had more than 2 bottles before I moved back to London."

"I'll be sure to raid the Emily Prentiss Collection today and raise a toast in your honor."

"Be good, Princess. Have fun! Talk to you soon." Emily says, wrapping up the conversation. I can hear her pouring more wine in the background.

"You too, Em. Enjoy a glass of wine for me now. Bye." I say, smiling into the phone like a love-sick fool. Perhaps I am, lovesick. We haven't said those words yet, it just feels odd saying it for the first time over the phone.

Around 2:00 I find my way into Rossi's grand driveway. I take a moment and drink in the front of his massive mansion. The team was not exaggerating one bit when they told me about how big and fancy his house is. Certainly the biggest house I've ever been in so far in my 24 years. I make my way around back, to where I can hear the others have gathered. I decided to go with my white capris and a red v-neck blouse and I smile when I see JJ dressed nearly identically. Nothing to worry about, I suppose. There were several tables of food already set. Classic barbecue fare, ribs, steak, chicken wings, as well as what I'd expect at the Italian Stallion's home. Several platters of antipasto, pasta salad, stuffed tomatoes and several types of meatballs align the tables. I join the team and accept the glass of white wine JJ offers me as we chat.

No one from the team really enjoys loud fireworks for a variety of reasons, but we all do want to celebrate the great federal holiday with great people. We snack all day, enjoying the constant stream of delicious foods and fun company. Alex Blake and her husband James make a brief appearance, around 4:00, they even brought a watermelon for everyone to enjoy. We cut it and enjoy the sweet treat as the day has turned out to be stifling and hot. We chat and drink wine finding some shade along the side of Dave's house to avoid getting sunburnt. Too soon, Alex announces that she and James must duck out earliest to get some quality time together. James and Aaron share a wink and we all know what they plan on doing at home. We bid them a joyful goodbye and thank them for stopping out. It was the first I've met her husband and he seems like a very kind man, I like him already.

Not long after they leave, Uncle Mike and his new wife, Nicola, also make a brief appearance. He stops and gives me a big hug and we chat a bit, I haven't been able to talk to him as much as we are used to, I've been so busy with the BAU and my internship. Mike and Rossi smoke a cigar and shoot the breeze for a bit while Nicola mingles and gets introduced to the team, by either Uncle Mike or myself. She is warmly received and quickly makes friends with Garcia and Sam.

They leave the party around the same time as Cruz arrives, alone. He only stays long enough to get teasingly picked on by everyone for being alone. He and JJ chat a bit, catch up and they share a brief story with everyone about why they really dislike fireworks now. While they were deployed several land mines exploded and now the mere sound of the exploding fireworks reminds them of that traumatic experience. Much of the team shares similar stories, nodding sadly. Gladly, Rossi doesn't plan on putting off any fireworks and "my neighbors are all too old to get into any of that kind of trouble".

I head into the house at one point, nearing sunset, to get another bottle of wine. As I head back toward the door, with a bottle I can almost guarantee was purchased for Em, Rossi intercepts, offers to give me an official tour of his house. Looking at the wine bottle I think for a moment before I accept the offer for a tour. The house is even bigger on the inside than it seems. So many finely decorated rooms, I bet my entire apartment could fit in his kitchen and dining room. He gets uncharacteristically uncomfortable when we come to his master bedroom, I make a dumb joke, but we make eye contact and I blush hard again. Briefly frozen to the spot, I just look between his bedroom and his tall stature, unsure of how we got into this predicament. A few breaths later I remember that Reid, Will and JJ wanted the wine I am holding, and dramatically I lift it between the two of us, Rossi chuckles and gives his lop sided smirk before placing a hand on the small of my back to guide me back toward the door to his back yard.

"Don't let your friends wait, I know how they get when they want another drink. Also, you have expensive taste in wine." Rossi says, eyeing the bottle I picked up, gazing a the expensive looking label.

"I wasn't aware you bought anything inexpensive." I answer aloofly, a slight roll of my shoulders, not giving away that I was searching for this particular bottle of Cabernet for several minutes.

"But to pick one of my most expensive bottles." Rossi returns the non-answer with a non-statement, rolling his eyes through his grin.

"If it's an issue I can bring them a less expensive bottle they will probably enjoy just as much." I offer, smirking over at him as he holds the door open.

"No, Tesoro*, give them that bottle of Cabernet. I bought it for Prentiss, she was crazy over that vintage. She'd be glad to know it is going to be enjoyed by the team." He says with a smile, fondly remembering her. She really was a big part of this team and I'm sad I never got to witness it.

"It sounds like she has a fantastic taste in wine. I enjoy this vintage too. It would have been great to work with her, everything I hear about her sounds amazing."

"Oh you got that right, Tesoro*" Dave replies with another reminiscent smile.

I just roll my eyes as I walk out the door, nudging him slightly with my elbow as I pass. He knows I hate being called his treasure, darling or sweetheart, but he keeps up with the unfortunate nicknames just to get under my skin. JJ, Will and Reid are indeed happy with the selection of wine and we finish the bottle just as it starts to get dark.

In the growing darkness, Will and JJ bring over a big box of sparklers and her new digital camera, with a slow-motion feature. We take turns drawing flowers, smiles, hearts and the girls try to draw a big flag in front of the camera, giggling as we go. Hotch and Morgan take turns drawing rude things, a middle finger and male genitalia, before JJ realizes what they are doing. Laughing, she stops them.

"Guys! Henry is old enough to go through the pictures and videos on here! You can't be doing anything dirty like that!"

"So you're saying there is no slow-motion videos of you and Will on here?" Morgan jokes, raising and eyebrow and flashing his dimples.

"Of course not! We aren't stuck in our teenage years. You two are both old enough to know better." JJ scolds in her Mom Voice, blushing as she deletes the inappropriate content from the drunk agents off her camera.

We take a few group pictures both with sparklers and without, people loosening up and laughing with the free flowing wine. Like all parties, as the night progresses, this party devolves to separate casual conversations with a few people drifting between conversations, especially Rossi, the host. Garcia, Sam and I are talking in a small group, chatting happily about their ukulele classes and about Em. Just Em, not Emily Prentiss. They seem so happy for me, I promise to make plans where she can join sometime soon. I wonder how long I can keep making believable excuses for why my girlfriend is never able to join in the fun.

I also make certain that Hotch isn't around to hear the conversation, lest he join in and Out Em accidentally, as he appears quite drunk tonight. Thankfully Beth is here to drive them both home. Someone needs to be responsible in that pairing. Drunk Hotch is very funny. I never seen him quite so relaxed, at ease and ready for laughter. No wonder everyone on the team loves him. He is serious when he needs to be, but he's just one of us when the tie comes off. In fact I hardly recognized him when I arrived this afternoon, in a casual polo shirt, cargo shorts and sandals.

JJ POV

As the fun party at Rossi's carries on, Will and I stand off to the side, chatting and finishing off the watermelon from when Blake was here. I'm glad she and her husband were able to stop in for a bit, they hardly ever come out to these parties. Anyway, my husband and I gossip and chat about the team, judging everyone and I try to get his outside opinion on all the other interactions. It's one of our little hobbies, gossiping and trying to figure everyone out, even if we are way off in our guesses. Throughout the entire party, several times at least, Jade and Rossi have disappeared or had private whispered conversations far enough away that no one could hear.

"Babe" I say, nodding my head toward Rossi and Jade, who were standing by the grill and chatting, Rossi standing over her and Jades arms crossed, but their eyes are locked on each other, in their own little world. "Both of them say they are friends only, but anytime those two are alone, or even think no one is watching, their eyes are glued together." I take a big drink of my glass of wine and allow him to watch them for a few seconds.

"He definitely wants to jump that young ladies bones. She seems overwhelmed and slightly intimidated, he clearly has all the power, but, she isn't scared." Will assesses. "Are they dating?"

"You should consider being a profiler, babe." I reply, popping another cube of watermelon in my mouth. "But no, they aren't dating. He's still single since Strauss died in Hotch's arms and she has a girlfriend now, I told you about that."

"Aw no, that ain't for me. I'm just a regular detective. Enough excitement this way. Keeps us apart just enough to keep things spicy." Will drawls, looking me over with a wink and pulling me close to plant a kiss on my cheek.

"But you think Rossi wants to sleep with Jade?"

"For sure, that posture, hell, he's giving her the "fuck me" eyes right now in the middle of his party."

"Uh, "fuck me eyes", babe?"

"Yeah, that look of lust. I wouldn't be surprised if he hits on her and tries to make a move tonight." Will says, shaking his head slightly.

"Wow. Thanks for the input. I didn't know there was such a thing as "fuck me eyes"." I answer leaning into my husbands arm and breathe in the comforting scent of his cologne.

"And here I was, thinking you knew all about human behavior." He jokes, squeezing me tight for a second.

"Did you ever look at me with "fuck me eyes"? I ask with a grin, swirling my wine glass.

"Did I? Hell, honey, I give you that look every night and nearly every damn morning too."

"Oh. I thought that was your sleepy look." I giggle and he playfully pushes me away.

"Come on, lets head inside for one more glass of wine before we go" Will suggests, tugging me along with a wink and frisky little smile. I giggle as I follow my husband inside the mansion.

Jade POV

Somehow, I am the last to leave the party. As Sam and Garcia make their exit just minutes after Hotch and Beth, it leaves me standing alone on the front porch with Rossi in the near darkness. Shit. I try to say goodnight and go as well, but Rossi grabs my arm perhaps slightly more aggressively than he planned.

"Sorry, Tesoro*," He immediately apologizes and I forgive him at once with a nod. "There is still some opened wine and I would absolutely hate to waste it." He looks down at me with that dark expression he had any time we spoke all evening, there was something else being offered, but I couldn't quite place what it was.

I seriously consider taking him up on the offer, I love a good glass of wine, but I must decline, "Thanks, but no thanks, Dave. I wouldn't be in any condition to drive home, at any rate."

"You know, I have several guest rooms, if you are worried." He offers, looking back to the party tables with a bit of a smile.

"No, Dave, I insist. I couldn't spend the night even in a guest room." I cross my arms, the night starting to get chill in more ways than one.

Dave understands, he smiles and nods as he pulls me close, wraps me in a hug, which I return, leaning my head against his chest for a moment. He kisses the top of my head while he hugs me, like the most natural thing in the world. A fatherly and protective hug that I don't need but I'm sure he feels is quite necessary . I roll my eyes as I pull away, but catch the tender look in his eyes before he wishes me goodnight.

"Thanks for a great party, Dave. Happy Fourth of July and enjoy the weekend." I say as I get into my car and head home from a truly enjoyable party.

* Tesoro = treasure, darling

"The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." John Adams