Continued thanks for all the nice reviews I've been receiving! As someone who is new to writing fan fiction, the positive responses to this story definitely inspire me to keep writing. I hope you'll keep reading and enjoying!
Erin smiled at David's familiar message as she started to walk toward the bank of elevators in the hallway. When she arrived, she pushed the down arrow and waited for the doors to open. When they did, she was more than a little surprised to see David standing there, two cups of coffee in his hands. He held one out to her.
"I thought you might need this. We had a late night, and I'm sure you were up early."
"Thank you," Erin said, as she gratefully accepted the cup. "We did, and I was, but it was more than worth it."
"I'm glad we agree on that," he said, placing a kiss firmly on her lips. "Are you all set to check out? I think the car service will be here to take us to the airport in about fifteen minutes."
"I was heading to the lobby now to return my keys. Where is everyone else?" Erin asked.
"Great, I'll go with you I'll even be a gentleman and carry your suitcase. The rest of the team is downstairs getting coffee and checking out too. We're all together and all set to go," David said.
"Sounds good, thanks, I'll meet you outside as soon as I'm done," Erin replied.
Erin proceeded to the front desk to check out and return her room keys. As walked toward the main entrance, she felt someone's eyes on her. She turned around and saw JJ standing there with a look on her face that registered somewhere between confusion and amusement.
JJ tried to hide her smile as she spoke. "I heard some interesting noises coming from your room last night. Did you want to clue me in as to what was, is or might still be going on?"
"You may not think that I'm as good of a profiler as the rest of you, but I can tell by the look on your face that you know exactly what's going on," Erin retorted.
"Possibly, but I just wanted to hear you say it. You're making out with David Rossi! I feel like I'm the last one to know about this," JJ said, trying to emphasize the mock sense of hurt in her voice.
"What? I didn't think anyone knew! We were trying to be discreet."
"Think back to about a year ago. Remember when you and Rossi were hooking up at that swanky hotel a few miles from the office?"
"How did you know about that?"
"Well, Reid and Garcia were attending a convention there and they saw Rossi getting his car. Then they saw you come out a few minutes later. They put two and two together."
"Let me guess how the rest of this goes," Erin said. "Garcia told Morgan, Reid told Hotch and Blake, and Hotch told you."
"You're close, but not quite. Hotch was respectful enough to ask Rossi first, and he didn't say yes specifically, but he didn't deny it either. Everyone just assumed the non-denial meant yes."
"Great, and here I was thinking that we were pulling the wool over your eyes. I guess it was the other way around," Erin sighed.
JJ laughed, "It's not a problem for any of us. We are all actually really happy for the both of you. So, I don't think anyone would mind if you two wanted to cuddle on the plane ride home, or even better, join the mile high club."
"Oh please! I'm embarrassed enough!" Erin said as she swatted JJ's arm.
Just then, David walked up to them.
"Am I interrupting?" he asked. It seems like you two are having a pretty animated conversation."
"No, you have perfect timing; absolutely perfect," Erin said, thankful for the distraction.
"Ok, well, I just wanted to let you know that your luggage is loaded and we're ready to go."
"Great, thanks so much." Erin turned back to JJ. "It's always a pleasure conversing with you, Agent Jareau."
"Indeed it is, Chief Strauss. See you on the plane. Agent Rossi," she acknowledged David and with a wave, walked out the doors of the hotel and got into the first of two town cars waiting to take the team to the airport.
"Do I even want to ask what that was about?" David asked Erin curiously.
"They all know about what we're doing, whatever it is we're calling it." Erin replied.
"I kind of figured they might have a clue, and for now, let's just call it enjoying each other. We should get going. It looks like the cars are ready to leave."
David put his hand on the small of Erin's back, leading her out of the hotel and into the car.
Erin thought about David's definition of what they were doing on the ride to the airport. Enjoying each other seemed like a sugar coated way of saying he didn't want anything serious to develop between them. Was she happy keeping it casual, or was she looking for something more? She wasn't sure, but she didn't like the way she felt when she sensed David was leaning toward just a casual relationship.
