Sorry for the delay between updates, but now have lots of thoughts in my head to put down on paper. Thanks so much for all of the wonderful reviews and for all of the other fan-fics out there. As ever, I don't own anything "Criminal Minds."
For once in his long life, David Rossi, legendary profiler and prolific writer of numerous books was rendered speechless. JJ's soft lips had only rested against his for an innocent second, but it would be that second that would stay forever emblazoned in his memory and, more importantly, in his heart. In that one sweet second, David's heart had become JJ's forever.
For her part, JJ was afraid that she had gone too far. That possibly, she had mistaken David's previous declarations of care for something more than what he had meant. But, after all the mistakes she had made in her recent past, she would never consider this moment as one of them. Whatever may happen from here, this simple young woman from Pennsylvania had kissed the man of her dreams. And she would never forget it. She would never regret it.
Rossi cleared his throat, staring into JJ's beautiful blue eyes, almost daring her to look away. Holding her own ground, JJ looked steadily into his dark brown orbs.
"So," she whispered.
"So," he whispered back.
"What do we do now, David?" JJ did her best to hide the nerves in her voice, but, between her concussion and her mounting fatigue, she need not have even tried.
"What we do now, honey, is lay you down a little closer to this fire so you can get a little nap in." Rossi pulled her up with him, slowly so that she could get her bearings. Feeling her resistance, he held her tight to him, drawing comfort from her presence. Trying to ease the uncertainty he knew that she had to be feeling, he softly whispered to her, "I'm not going anywhere, JJ. And when this is all over, we'll have that talk that I know you're already planning in that pretty little head of yours. But, now is not the time or the place. You're exhausted and overwhelmed and I'm starting to get a little tired myself. I want us, no, I need us to both be clear headed and rested when we talk. That way we'll know that nothing but our own hearts is going to influence our future."
"What future, David? We work together. We're colleagues. I crossed the line a few minutes ago. I'm sorry." Trying to still the tears already forming in her eyes, JJ continued to rest her head against Rossi's shoulder.
"Don't you dare apologize for that kiss, JJ!" Surprised by the force of his own voice, Rossi softened his tone. "I will treasure that moment for the rest of my life. I hate to think that you don't feel the same."
"But I do!" JJ declared. "I'm just so confused! How did we go from an exit-interview to a torrid rendezvous in the middle of the western woods? It's all so surreal."
"Well, honey, I'm not sure if this is exactly what I would define as a 'torrid rendezvous' in the woods. But, we'll work on that later." Chuckling at the nervous beauty he was holding, he reluctantly loosened his grip and led her closer to the camp fire that was already starting to die down. Gently helping her to the ground, David got a limb resting nearby and stoked the fire back to an appropriate blaze. Turning to look at JJ, his heart swelled at the memory of their shared kiss. Feeling like he had finally found his pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the weathered agent vowed to himself that he would not lose her when this was over.
Sitting on the ground, JJ studied the shaking hands in her lap. After feeling so secure for the past hour the feelings of dread and trepidation that had been her constant companions for the past several months had returned. Convincing herself that it had to be a combination of fatigue and adrenaline from that wonderful kiss she had just experienced, JJ reached for her purse that had been tossed aside and, still protectively encased in David's suit jacket, laid down on the ground, using the purse for a pillow. Closing her eyes, she listened for the comforting sounds David was quietly making. After a few minutes, she could hear his heavy footsteps walking towards her.
Sitting on the ground next to her, David gently stroked her hair from her face. "Sleep, JJ. Don't worry about anything, honey. I'll get us out of here."
"I know, David. I trust you." JJ practically purred back as his strong hands continued to stroke her face. Several minutes later, once he was sure that she was asleep, David stood up with his cell phone. Walking in circles while holding it up in the air every which way that he could he finally caught a signal on the display. But, before he could call Hotch to his rescue, he was blinded by the headlights of an on-coming vehicle.