Chapter 3

When JJ had left his office, Hotch took a deep breath. He had tried hard not to let his rage about Rossi's behavior overwhelm him in front of JJ, knowing it wouldn't help any of them, but at the moment, he could not remember if he had ever been this angry with his friend before. How Rossi always managed to affect a whole bunch of people around him with his loose behavior was beyond Hotch's understanding.

Rossi was a notorious playboy, he had been ever since Hotch knew him, and normally he was not particularly interested in Rossi's love life, but this time it was different. This time he had hurt not only a valued member of his team – and therefore possibly jeopardized the whole team dynamics – but also someone Hotch considered a friend. A close friend.

Trying to keep his emotions under control, he went over to Rossi's office, and entered without even bothering to knock. He found Rossi sitting on his couch, looking up at him in surprise as he came in.

"Hotch, what...," Rossi started, but was immediately interrupted.

"You've gone too far this time, Dave!" Hotch said harshly.

"What the heck are you talking about?" Rossi retorted, anger rising in him.

"Oh, I think you know quite well what I'm talking about. You and JJ!"

"I don't think that's any of your business."

"Yes it is! For one because I don't appreciate bad blood among my team ..."

"Then why do you only blame me?" Rossi tried to interrupt, but was talked over without a blink.

"And second, in case you've missed it, I consider JJ a friend, and I don't like to see my friends get hurt."

"Up until now I thought we were friends, too."

"We are, Dave, and I care as much about you as I do about JJ, but you screwed up this time and I can't accept that."

"Wait a minute, she was there, too. She was participating rather willingly in the act that got her pregnant," Rossi tried to defend himself.

"I'm not particularly blaming you for having had sex with her – I'm not too thrilled about that either, but it's not what I'm driving at right now. What makes me really angry is the fact that you called her a liar and that you actually had the nerve to suggest to her she should get an abortion."

"Wait, when did I say that? I never said that!" he exclaimed.

"You might not have said it, but you've implied it, and JJ understood it that way. Do you even think for once before you speak?"

"And what was that about me calling her a liar?"

"The thing with the pill, maybe? You accusing her of having forgotten to take it?" Hotch asked sarcastically.

"Ah, come on, Hotch, you have to admit that something has to be wrong with that. How many women do you know that got pregnant while on the pill?"

Hotch could only shake his head in disbelief. "You are obviously a lot more stupid than I thought."

Before Rossi could say another word, he continued: "But enough of that now. What I want to know is what you're going to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"This is your child we're talking about here."

"Damn it, Hotch, you can't blame me for not being overjoyed with happiness. I never planned on becoming a father. I don't want to be a father."

"Well, you will be, so you better start getting used to that thought."

"I can't be a father."

"Dave, don't make me hit you now!" Hotch warned him with an angry gleam in his eyes. "You and JJ need to talk. Sooner than later."