Part 5

"You have reached the Rossi residence. Please leave your name, number and the reason you called and we will get back to you as soon as possible," Rossi's voice boomed from the machine in the hallway. The loud beep that followed was the actual culprit that pulled Dave from his deep slumber.

He lowered the footrest of the recliner and peered at the clock as the voice at the other end of the phone began to talk.

"Hey Dave, its JJ. I'm sorry to call so early especially on Christmas. I left a message on your cell too. I know you said you had plans for the day but I was hoping you could help me out." Dave rose from the chair and made his way to the phone as JJ continued to speak. "We had an accident on the way to New Orleans and now we're at the hospi…"

Dave yanked the phone receiver from the cradle and pressed it to his ear. "Are you guys okay?" he asked breathlessly.

JJ took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "We're fine. A little shaken up but that's all."

"Where are you? What do you need?" he asked quickly.

"We're in Roanoke," JJ sighed. "What we need is a miracle. You don't know any mechanics here that might be willing to work today, do you?"

"I know a few people but none of them are mechanics. You need a car? The airport there has rental agencies."

"The storm has shut down the airport, the hotels are all full and the agencies are out of cars," her voice wobbled at the end. "I didn't know who to call other than you. I'm sorry. I just… I don't want Henry to spend Christmas in a hospital."

"I'll come get you," Dave said without pause.

"Oh no. No, Dave that isn't what I am asking."

"I don't care what you're asking," Dave said cutting her off. "I'm not offering either. I'm coming so you guys just try to get some rest. I'll be there in a few hours."

"David? Have you actually looked outside?" she asked amused.

"I was asleep JJ."

"The news channel says the whole Eastern seaboard is covered in snow," she told him. "They're asking people to stay at home and not drive anywhere today."

"Well it's a good thing I'm not people," he replied sassily.

JJ laughed. "You know Rossi…"

"I know," he stated. "You picked the right guy though. Now I'm going to make a pot of coffee for the road and get out of here."

"There's someone out there waiting for you, you know," she carried on.

"I'm done with that," he replied sadly. "I'm not wasting anyone else's time."

"She doesn't think you're a waste of time," JJ said softly.

Dave stopped. "Who?"

"See you soon," JJ smiled.

The line was dead for several seconds before Dave hung up the phone.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Aaron reached the door at the same time as the voice recorder finished its spiel and sounded the beep.

"Hey Hotch," Spencer's lilting voice drifted through the foyer. "If you can hear this would you please come to the door?"

Aaron lowered his guard and peered through the peephole to see three shivering bodies on his stoop. He unlocked the door and pulled it open.

"Oh thank the lord," Penelope wailed. "It's beyond cold out here."

"What are you three doing here? I thought you were all flying out tonight," Aaron questioned.

"The storm turned us around and shut us down," Derek replied.

They all stepped into the house and Aaron closed the door.

"Jack! You stay right here!" Beth yelled from upstairs. The little boy's response was lost as a door closed firmly.

"Jack thought you guys were Santa Claus," Aaron explained.

"We apologize for waking you all up," Derek spoke up. "Yours was the closest safe place."

"We left the airport almost two hours ago," Spencer relayed. "The snow is really piling up out there."

"You haven't heard from JJ have you?" Penelope asked.

Aaron's response was cut off by the ringing phone. "Maybe that's her. Garcia, will you go tell Beth and Jack that you're here?"

"Sure," Penelope smiled. "The trek up the stairs will get my blood flowing."

"Do you mind if we heat some coffee?" Derek asked already moving to the kitchen.

"Help yourselves," Aaron replied as he grabbed the phone.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

David adjusted the volume on the radio as he navigated the black SUV down the deserted snow covered highway. The cup holder held a large, hot cup of fresh coffee and on the seat next to him was a cooler full of fruits, sandwiches and chips as well as a thermos full of coffee. He was ready for the long, arduous trip.

His phone, hanging from the hands free device on the dashboard rang. He reached up and pressed the send button. "Rossi."

"Dave."

"Aaron," Dave replied lowly. "What are you doing up at this hour?"

Aaron chuckled. "My house has turned into Grand Central Station."

"What's going on?" Dave asked curious.

"Spencer, Penelope and Derek showed up at my door freezing to death…"

"I thought they were…"

Aaron cut him off. "They were, the storm derailed their plans."

"Well that sucks," Dave replied.

"Yeah," Aaron agreed. "But that's not the most unusual thing to happen tonight."

"Really?"

"I got a call from Mitch in the equipment room. He called to tell me that one of my agents had checked out an SUV and he wanted to make certain it was okay," Aaron explained.

Dave sighed. "And here I thought you just wanted to call and tell me about your day."

"What's going on?"

"JJ called me. They are stuck in a hospital in Roanoke."

"A hospital!? Are they okay?"

Dave chuckled this time. "They are but apparently their car isn't. There are no hotels or rental cars available, so…"

"Uncle Dave is driving to the rescue?" Aaron supplied.

"Something like that," Dave breathed.

"Do you want some company?" Aaron offered.

"I'm already forty miles outside of the area," Dave relayed. "I'm not coming back to get anyone."

"Okay," Aaron sighed. "Be careful. You guys should come here when you get back in town. The rest of the team is here minus Blake but a phone call can take care of that. We can have Christmas dinner together. Families should be together for Christmas."

Dave was silent for a moment. "Send someone to my house, in the spare bedroom there is a pile of wrapped presents. I was going to drop by later with yours…"

"You didn't have to do that," Aaron said softly.

"I know," Dave smiled. "There's something there for everyone so make sure whoever goes grabs everything."

"Okay," Aaron promised. "I'll go right after we rescue Derek's car."

"I'll see you in a few hours."

"Be careful David."

End Part 5