CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Rebecca watched from what had been her office for only a few brief moments as Leila shuffled papers and fielded phone calls like a professional baseball player.

She shook her head. She couldn't take it any longer.

Rebecca reached for the phone and called in reinforcement. She waited until JJ, Emily and Garcia converged around Leila's desk.

"We're here!" Garcia smiled as Rebecca stepped into the room.

JJ closed the door, "And we're ready for action." She smiled holding up her go bag.

Leila looked confused. "Is there a case I don't know about?"

Emily nodded. "You could say that." She busied herself lowering blinds and locking the door.

"What's going on?" Leila's voice trembled as she glanced around the room.

"Leila, do you remember what I said before I left."

Rebecca watched as Leila struggled to remember.

"I told you there was more than one way to 'skin a peach.'"

Leila relaxed a bit, "Oh! Yes ma'am. I remember, but…" she looked at JJ who was leading her to a chair she'd pulled to the middle of the room. She gently guided her into the seat.

Rebecca bent until she was eye level with her assistant. "We're gonna skin that peach." She smiled before tugging free the clip holding her hair.

XXX

Rebecca leaned against the railing and looked down into the bullpen at Spencer Reid.

The poor boy had no idea.

She smiled at JJ and Emily.

"Everything set?" She asked. The two nodded, both looked like the cat who'd swallowed the proverbial canary.

"Set for what?" Rebecca turned to see Aaron and David.

"Well, you're just in time for the show." Emily grinned.

David ran a hand over his goatee. "I know that look," he pointed a finger at Rebecca, "You're up to something."

Rebecca flattened her hand over her heart and batted her eyes, giving her best imitation of innocence, "Who me?"

Before he could comment, the male dominated bullpen went suddenly quiet.

Mouths dropped, eyes widened and men scrambled to make way as Leila walked in and found her way to Spencer's desk.

"What?" Aaron looked at Rebecca and his agents.

Rebecca shrugged slightly.

Below them Leila's auburn hair had been softened with JJ's curling iron, and her green eyes were brought out by Garcia's expertise with make-up. A quick manicure by Emily and a black Chanel dress Emily kept on hand for emergency visits to her mom's had worked their magic. Rebecca had even managed to put her in a pair of sleek pumps instead of the hideous shoes she normally wore.

Every man in the bullpen had sat up and took notice.

Leila was beautiful.

Rebecca watched as she handed a stack of files to Spencer, who was still standing slack-jawed as she spoke.

Of course they couldn't hear the conversation, but as Leila turned to walk away Derrick nudged his friend and motioned him to follow her.

Spencer caught up to her and the two left the room. Spencer chatting, and Leila smiling as she listened.

"You did that." David whispered in her ear as the group broke up.

Rebecca smiled.

"You always did know how to peel a peach."

Rebecca laughed. "It's not that hard David. The trick is finding the right peach."

He shook his head and grinned.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence and Rebecca shifted her briefcase from one hand to the other.

"You're leaving."

Rebecca sighed. It was just like David Rossi to cut to the chase.

She nodded.

"Back to Magnolia Ridge?"

She nodded again.

"You gave your profile to the President?"

Rebecca sighed, "Yes David. That was the job I was asked to do. It's over. I'm heading home."

"Still have work to do?"

She didn't answer for a long moment. Rebecca took a deep breath, "If you're ever in Georgia, David."

He nodded and Rebecca headed for the door. Her car was waiting and neither she nor David were into long good-byes.

XXX

Rebecca accepted the hand of the chauffer who helped her out of the limousine.

Rain had settled over Virginia, washing the heat and smell of gasoline from the tarmac. She followed the driver and umbrella he held for her, to the private plane.

Leaving the BAU – again had been harder than she thought, but there were patients waiting. Killer's didn't stop killing and the victims and their families needed her help.

Rebecca stopped. Her hand was on the railing, one foot on the stairs leading to the plane.

"Is something wrong, ma-am?" The chauffer asked.

Wrong? Yeah, something was definitely not over.

A dark SUV squealed onto the tarmac, blue and red lights flashed from the visor and white strobe lights danced along the bumper. The door opened.

David.

Rebecca stopped as David ran towards her. She ran to meet him.

They stood in the rain.

"There is no way in hell, I'm letting you just walk out of my life again."

Rebecca blinked, the rain drenching them.

He pulled her against him.

There was no doubt in her mind he meant this kiss to be breathtaking.

God help her she thought as she wrapped her arms around him.

It was.

THE END