A/N: Thanks for your wonderful reactions, they mean a lot to me. Hope you'll enjoy the next piece!

Chapter 7

That night JJ just couldn't seem to fall asleep. She threw the covers aside, grabbed her clothes and headed into the little bathroom to change so she wouldn't wake Tara. Once she was dressed she quietly slipped out, heading downstairs to the bar. She ordered a martini and sat down, letting out a deep sigh.

"Something troubling you?" Rossi asked as he slipped on the barstool next to her. He smiled when JJ jumped lightly and turned towards him. He held up his hands, "sorry, didn't mean to startle you," he said and ordered a whiskey. "So?"

JJ let out a deep sigh, looking into her glass. She wasn't very keen on sharing the story with anyone else, but her conscience was heavy. "Yeah," she sighed out. "I just… it doesn't really feel right to talk about it," she admitted. "There's something I feel incredibly guilty about and I wish I could turn back time."

"And it has to do with our youngest member," Rossi said as he took a sip of his whiskey. He chuckled lowly at the surprise on JJ's face. "Remember we're all profilers here," he said. "It was clear to see he was trying to avoid you today, something is definitely on his mind. Whatever it is is probably the same thing you feel guilty about."

JJ nodded, "Promise you won't talk about this with anyone else?" She asked as she ate the olive before taking a sip of her martini.

"My lips are sealed," Rossi nodded as he turned slightly in his seat to face her more.

"About four months ago Will and I broke up," she started, receiving a nod from Rossi, "the reason we did, or well the final reason, was because we found out Michael isn't Will's son."

"He's Reid's," Rossi replied and took a sip. He wasn't all that surprised. He'd seen the resemblance between the young boy and their colleague.

JJ nodded, "We spent one night together after Gideon's death," she said, "we were careful though, so when I found out I was pregnant I was certain it wouldn't be his. But when Will started to doubt and wanted a paternity test we found out." She sighed deeply, tears burning in her eyes. "I kept it a secret from him for four months Dave, I'm a horrible person," she said, swallowing the lump in her throat as a few tears started to roll down her cheeks.

"Listen to me Cara," Rossi started gently and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You're not a horrible person, and I bet Reid doesn't think you are either. Yes you should have told him sooner, but he will understand you were scared."

JJ brushed her tears away with her other hand, "I just hope he can forgive me," she whispered. "And that he'll want to be a part of his son's life."

Rossi gave a gentle smile and grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket, handing it to her. "He will in time, the man's got a big heart. And he will definitely want to be a part of his life, you don't have to worry about that."

"Thanks Dave," JJ whispered and finished her drink. "I better go and try to get some more sleep. You should as well."

Rossi nodded and kissed her cheek. "See you in the morning Cara," he said and got up, heading back to the elevators and up to his hotel room.

Reid stirred when he heard the door open and close. He had heard Rossi leave a little while earlier and had only slept lightly during his absence. He pushed himself up on his elbows, squinting a little in the dark. "Where did you go off to?" He asked.

Rossi sat down on his bed, facing Reid's bed. "I had trouble falling asleep so I decided to get a drink downstairs. Turned out I wasn't the only one," he said.

Reid frowned, "Who?" He asked.

"JJ," Rossi responded and started taking off his shoes.

"Oh…"

"Don't be mad, but she told me what was going on," Rossi said as he set his shoes aside. "She's incredibly sorry Reid, her guilt is weighing heavy on her heart."

Reid felt his jaw tighten a little, slightly upset at Rossi knowing about their situation now. On the other hand, if it had been him at the bar he'd probably have opened up as well. "It's so confusing and upsetting," he admitted. "I mean… she kept this from me for four months, kept my son from me for four months."

Rossi continued to undress before slipping under the covers. "She's equally upset with herself for not telling you sooner and I can understand you're angry at her about that," he said and let out a deep sigh. "But I'm sure you'll be able to forgive her in time."

"I'm not angry," Reid replied, "just disappointed. I missed out on so much, not just the past four months, but his entire life," he sighed. "And I'm sure I will, but it's going to take time."

"Nobody expects you to be okay with everything instantly Reid, she'll accept it is going to take time. But I'm sure she'll do everything in her power to make things up to you."

"I know," Reid replied, his voice dying down to a whisper. "Goodnight Rossi."

"Goodnight Reid."

The next morning the team was all woken early by a call from the police station. Another body had been found. JJ felt a slight headache as she stood under the hot stream of the shower, ready to start another day. She grabbed a Tylenol and got dressed, heading downstairs to grab a quick breakfast before they had to go.

"Morning," she greeted her colleagues when she arrived at the car. She shot Reid a quick look, noticing he was looking at her. She could sense maybe Rossi hadn't entirely kept his promise about keeping his mouth shut. She gave a soft smile and was happy to receive one in return.

"Okay, Rossi and Reid I want you to head out to the scene, Tara and JJ I want you to go meet the victim's family," Hotch assigned the tasks.

"Family? Does that mean this man wasn't in Vegas alone?" JJ asked, a small frown on her face.

Hotch nodded, "He was out on his own last night, his wife and daughter stayed at the hotel," he explained.

"How old is the daughter?" Tara asked.

"Sixteen," Hotch replied as he got behind the wheel. "You'll take a care at the police station," he said as he drove off.

"Poor girl, no child should ever have to live without their father," Rossi said, sending both of his colleagues a subliminal hint, which didn't go unnoticed by either of them.

"Let's find this woman as soon as we can, put all of this to an end," Hotch sighed.

TBC