JJ felt lost, there was no other word for it. Will was still upset with her from the fight they had had the previous week, and Erin wasn't in her office, she hadn't been there for a few weeks. And Hotch, well, he had found someone else to keep company with, or so office gossip said, and that just made her feel even worse.

Letting out a deep sigh, she scrolled down through Penelope's wishlist once more, trying to find the perfect gift for her. Ever since they had returned from San Francisco, time had seemed to grow wings, and Christmas was just around the corner. She felt like all her gifts this year were going to fall flat, like she was going to fail her friends, and that made her sadder than it really should. Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes, randomly scrolled around the page and then opened her eyes to find some geeky computer thing that she didn't really understand sitting on her screen. "I really hope that she likes this," she whispered as she ordered the item, sending it directly to her friend's doorstep.

Pushing away from her desk, she began to pace around the bullpen, needing to take her mind off the lingering doubts that she had about everything in her life. Rossi's office door opened, and she caught the older man's eye. He gave her a long, searching, look, and she shook her head. His shoulders sagged a little as he beckoned to her.

It was nothing to make her feet head up the steps and enter his office, and JJ welcomed the warm arm around her shoulders that led her over to the leather couch that sat in the corner of his room. "What is on your mind, kiddo?"

The warm words made her tear up, and she shook her head, unable to explain just how wrong and off everything felt. "I don't know, and I wish I did. I feel on the verge of crying every day, like I've failed everyone. And it's like these feelings are coming from nowhere, since I don't think I've done anything to disappoint anyone here. This is a time where I would dearly love to talk to Strauss, but it seems like she's abandoned me, and I wonder if she's gone off on our…"

Her words trailed off as she realized what she had almost revealed to Rossi. He seemed to take it in stride, though, since he didn't poke at her, or ask her to tell him anything more. "She's not on assignment, but she can't take visitors. Believe me, I've tried. And before you ask, I'm not telling you why I might want to visit her."

There was a playful glint in his eyes, beneath the serious expression on his face, and she nodded, wondering if they really were a couple, or if she was just setting up everyone to make them happy. "Well, if you can, let her know that she's missed."

"I can do that for you, kiddo. Now, are you feeling any better, or should I go after someone and kick their ass for making you feel so low?"

JJ let out a watery giggle as she shook her head. "I'm afraid that you'd be kicking my ass, Rossi. Seriously, I have no idea what is happening in my mind right now."

"Well, it's a good thing that we have the holidays off this year, so that you can rest and relax." His hand gently massaged her shoulder as she nodded. "Now, have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?"

"No, I was planning on doing more of that after work today."

He shook his head as he grinned at her. "How about I send you, Emily, and Kitten, home right now, with the order to spend the afternoon shopping together?"

"That would be really nice, actually." JJ stood up and made her way over to the door. "Should I send them in here, or should I let you do the honors?"

Rossi stood and dug around in his pocket before handing over a credit card. JJ didn't want to look at it, but as he pressed it into her hand, she felt like her breath had been sucked from her lungs. "Yes, I know. It is an AmEx Black. And you are going to use it today and not worry about what anything costs, especially when it comes to your son."

"I can't do that," she protested, only to feel him close her fingers around the heavy piece of plastic. "That's not…"

"I don't have any children, Jen. I have more money than God, or so it seems, and will never be able to spend it all before I die. Please, humor an old man and make a wonderful Christmas for your family."

JJ knew that she could argue with him any longer, so she finally nodded. "Only as long as Penelope and Emily have that same privilege."

"Of course, kiddo. Now go, round them up and get out of here before I change my mind."

He smiled at her as she nodded and turned on her heel, exiting the office all out of breath at the display of generosity. Since Penelope was closer, she went down to her office and knocked rapidly on the door. "Yes, Jayje?" her friend asked as she wrenched the door open. All JJ could do was hold up the credit card, watching Penelope's eyes grow large as she looked from it to her face and back again. "That, that is a really exclusive card."

"It is, and we're allowed to use it and finish our Christmas shopping today. Just us three women," she replied, noting how dazed her voice sounded. "He said that this was his gift to us, since he doesn't have any children."

"Oh, wow. That is really generous," Penelope whispered as she grabbed her coat and slipped it on. "Let's get going before he takes it back. All of a sudden, I feel like Cinderella at the ball."

"That is exactly how I feel," she replied as they quickly climbed down the stairs. Emily looked up at them, giving them a quizzical look as they approached her desk. "We have been cut for the day, with orders to finish our shopping. You should thank your lucky stars that I drove the van to work this morning."

"What?" Emily asked, still not getting what they were saying.

"Rossi is being totally generous and giving us the use of his American Express card." Penelope squealed a little as she waggled her fingers excitedly. "Seriously, this really is the most wonderful time of the year, thanks to him."

"And yet, JJ doesn't look quite as excited about this as you do, PG."

JJ blushed a little as she dug the toe of her shoe into the carpet. "I'm still in a bit of a fog over the generosity that he's showing us. After all, he doesn't have to be so kind."

Once more, the well of unworthiness seemed to open up in her heart, and JJ bit her lip to keep from showing her emotions to them. She was trying to learn from Emily just how to compartmentalize everything in her life, and she felt like she was doing a pretty good job, even if Rossi could see right through her. Emily, though, didn't completely buy the façade she was wearing, since she reached out and squeezed her hand before standing and pulling on her jacket. "All right, if Rossi really wants to pay that credit card bill, let's not disappoint him." They walked out together, and JJ tried to get her emotions back in check, not wanting to reveal her hidden heart to them at that moment.