This is really short! Thanks for the reviews, PMs and the alerts! It means a lot!
"Hey, sweetheart. I've got to stop by the BAU for a couple of hours then we can head off to your appointment. That okay? Will you be able to find something to do there for a little bit?" Morgan asked his niece as they prepared to leave the house.
Bella waved her copy of Jane Eyre at him then dropped it into her bag. "Oh, yeah. It's cool. I've got summer reading. Boring, but you know, it's got to be done."
"That's exactly how I feel about this paperwork I've got to do." Morgan chuckled.
-:-
This is weird… Bella thought to herself as she walked into the almost completely empty bullpen. All the desks were unoccupied and only a few upstairs offices had light's shining underneath the doors. Even the lights seemed dimmer.
"Okay, I'm going to get started. I'll try to make it quick, all right?" Morgan said, plopping down at his desk.
Bella nodded and sat down in Emily's abandoned desk. After taking a few minutes to get all settled in a comfortable position, with her boot and all, she took out the thick book. Sighing, she cracked the spine. Sure, she was a pretty fast reader, but still. The book was over 500 pages of tiny writing. However, after an hour or so, she was so consumed in the book, she didn't even hear her uncle call her name.
"Bells." He said softly, for the third time. She looked up. "Hey, would you mind taking this up to Rossi? I think he's in his office." He asked. His eyes drifted to her boot. "Wait, never mind. I'll do it, I don't want to make you get up."
Bella stopped him. "No!" She exclaimed, a bit too eagerly. "Anything to get away from this book." She pushed herself up and snatched the file from her uncle's fingers.
He laughed and shook his head as she limped up the stairs, her heavy boot making a loud THUNK with each step she took. She paused outside Rossi's office, knocking lightly.
"Come in." She heard him say. She let herself in and walked up to his desk. "Hello Isabella. What brings you here?"
Bella held back a giggle. Dave was the only person who made her first name sound cool. She loved the way he said it. "Oh, nothing. Derek's got me locked up here while he's finishing some paperwork. Then, I have a follow up appointment for my knee."
Rossi pretended to cringe. "How's that been feeling?"
Bella shrugged. "You know, not great. Not terrible. It's the heavy boot that really bugs me. What are you up to?"
Rossi smiled lightly. "I just finished up the last of my paperwork and was checking my email. An old pal sent me a 'story with holes' thing. Want to help me solve a few?" He asked. "I wouldn't mind the company."
"Sure. I wouldn't mind taking a break from my ever-exciting summer reading. Plus, I don't mean to brag, but I'm a master at stories with holes."
Rossi laughed and began reading the first brain puzzle. Rossi, being a FBI profiler, managed to get the answers to the puzzles quite simply, but there were one or two where Bella beat him to the solution.
"You know, you're quite bright for your age." Rossi complimented after Bella solved a rather difficult one with ease.
Bella flushed. "Thanks, that means a lot coming from you."
"From me?" Rossi asked, not sure what she meant.
Bella placed a hand on her hip. "Oh, come on. You are one of the most intelligent people in the US."
Rossi was shocked, not many teenagers acknowledged his work. "Well, thank you. But, most intelligent in the US? That's a bit much."
"No. Not at all. You're a legend. Don't tell Derek this, but I've read your books. They're fantastic. And I've watched as many lectures as possible."
Rossi nodded. "Wow. I'm impressed, but you are a bit young to be reading that stuff, don't you think? And how did you watch my…"
Bella cut him off. "YouTube."
"Thank you. I'm flattered." He said.
"Oh, you should be. It's so intriguing. How the mind works. I love reading about it. I'd rather read your books 20 times than have to read my summer reading book for school." She complained, sitting down in the chair across from his desk.
Rossi smirked. "What book?"
"Jane Eyre." Bella replied, sticking her tongue.
"I've read it." Rossi said.
"You have? Isn't it a bit…girly?" She asked, giggling.
"Well, yes, but I also had summer reading as a kid. It was required."
"You did?" She questioned.
Rossi smiled. "Yes, I'm not from prehistoric times, Isabella. You know what else we had to read?"
"What?"
"Romeo and Juliet. Have you read it?"
"Of course. I actually was surprised. I hated certain aspects of it, but didn't hate the whole thing overall." She replied.
"What didn't you like?"
The two continued to chat about books and such until there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Rossi called.
Morgan popped his head in. "Hey, Bells. Time to head out."
"You all done with your work?" She asked, standing up.
"No, actually. But you can't miss your appointment, so I'll come back another day."
"Oh, okay." She said. "Bye, Dave!"
"Bye." Rossi called back.
"Hey, Bells. I'll meet you in the car, okay?" Her uncle told her.
She nodded and left.
"Thanks for keeping her company." Morgan told Rossi.
"It was no trouble." Rossi replied. "I actually had a great time. You've got a smart one there. She's going places."
Morgan smiled. "Don't I know it. See you." He began to close the door.
"Wait!" Rossi called, getting an idea.
-:-
3 minutes later, Bella was surprised to see Rossi emerge from the BAU building holding the car keys, instead of her uncle.
"What's up?" She asked.
"Well, your uncle wasn't done with his work. However, I am, I enjoyed your company and I'm not busy. So, I'm taking you to your appointment."
Bella smirked. "Really?"
"Yes. Now let's go. We don't want to be late." Rossi replied, opening the car door.
-:-
The first part of the appointment was easy. Bella just answered questions about her knee and did some simple tasks like walking in a straight line while Dave sat watching. But then came the part where they had to check and see if the bone was healing correctly. They removed her cast and revealed her knee while was swollen and bruised. Another doctor came in and they began to poke and prod at the knee, examining it and occasionally asking if it hurt when they touched certain parts. It was beyond painful. At first, Bella could handle it, but when they took the gauze off the area where the skin was cut, tears began to gather in her brown eyes. Taking notice, one of the doctors paused.
He looked at Rossi. "You can hold her hand at this part if you…" He hinted.
"No!" Bella squeaked, wanted to avoid any embarrassment and awkwardness. "It's all right."
Rossi cleared his throat and stood. "No." He walked around her and grabbed her left hand in his. "I've got you, Isabella."
Bella nodded and the doctor got back to work. Things must've gotten worse, because soon Bella squeezed her eyes shut and clenched Rossi's hand with so much pressure that it began to hurt. Dave wouldn't let go though. Instead, he wrapped his right arm around her shoulders and patted her forearm, attempting to calm her down. She pressed her face into his chest. After a few minutes, the doctors finished. They cleaned, dressed and re-booted her knee. After confirming her knee was healing correctly and giving Bella some painkillers, they were allowed to leave. Bella was more than ready to get out of the hospital. Rossi quickly signed her out of the hospital and the two made their way silently to the car.
"Thanks." Bella said softly, strapping in.
Rossi started the car. "It was no big deal. I had a few free hours anyways."
Bella looked at Rossi, her face completely serious for once. "No, really. Thanks for everything. It means a lot."
Rossi smiled ever so slightly. "Anytime, kiddo."
I figured Rossi and Bella should have a little bonding time. :] What did you think? I might post more tonight, as I'm bored and looking for a way to avoid doing my summer reading project… Read and review, please!