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When David Rossi joins the team, it doesn’t take him long to realize Hotch has broken one of the cardinal rules of the BAU – never get emotionally involved.
Normally that means with the case, but it also means with your coworkers. Being friends is all fine and dandy, but nothing should ever go beyond that.
Whatever is going on between Hotch and Reid goes very much beyond that.
The rest of the team doesn’t seem to notice it. In fact, the rest of the team have their own compromises. JJ and Prentiss act more like sisters than friends, Morgan seems to have taken on a big brother role to Reid, and don’t get him started on whatever kind of relationship Morgan and Garcia have. And those are just the ones he can spot immediately. Still, they’re friendly enough with everyone, and it’s hard to tell if those relationships are compromises or just a natural reflection of who they are.
Rossi knows Hotch, though. He knows the man’s tells. Back in the day, Rossi considered Hotch to be his closest friend. As close of a friend as he had at work, at any rate. Profiling him is easy.
He’s always the first one in and the last one to leave. As the others filter in, Hotch watches specifically for Reid. When Reid comes in, his gaze always finds Hotch’s office briefly before he turns his attention to his paperwork.
Rossi wonders about that. He wonders at the way they treat each other, at the strange awareness the entire team seems to have, but he doesn’t say anything.
Yet.
He wonders, though. He deserves the chewing out Hotch gave him after that first case with the team, but he also hadn’t missed the reason – the spike of fear he’d seen on Hotch’s face as Morgan walked right in between them and the unsub. It wasn’t the time or place to check on his teammate’s status then, but that night at the hotel he hears the two of them talking.
Are you sure you’re okay? Hotch, something like guilt in his voice. Morgan just laughs at him.
I’ve survived worse, and I know you’re not gonna shoot me.
I know. Still –
Still nothing, Hotch. I’m fine. Everything worked out. Just go easy on the old man when you decide to chew him out. He’s not used to us yet.
Rossi frowns. The conversation fades away, but he can’t hear their footsteps outside his door. Did Hotch decide to have the conversation there? To what end? To show him just how much he cares for his teammates?
Now he’s going to have to say something.
/-----------/
He’s in the round room with Morgan, Hotch, and Reid, waiting for the others to show up. Hotch, as usual, is digging around the table looking for that one case file that they need to get started. Reid has his back to the group, examining the white board while the others discuss the case.
Rossi ignores the kid for the moment. “How many cases are we looking at right now?” he asks Hotch.
“JJ has six active cases. Two have been handed off to other teams, Prentiss and Morgan have written profiles for the other three, which leaves one that needs our attention immediately.”
“Florida.” Morgan says. Rossi groans.
“Great. That’s going to be bad.”
“Garcia has it.” Reid says abruptly.
“Thanks, Reid.” Hotch replies. To Rossi, he adds, “Hopefully not as bad as it normally is. I’d like to get this done as quickly as possible just in case the other cases need our attention.”
It isn’t until Garcia walks in and hands Hotch a file that Rossi realizes the strangeness of what just happened.
/-------------/
He waits until they’re on the plane back from Florida before saying anything. The others are asleep. It’s just him and Hotch finishing up the paperwork.
“What’s going on with you and Dr. Reid?” The words come out before Rossi can stop them. Hotch freezes for a second before resuming his work.
“What are you talking about?”
“I know you better than you’d like, Aaron.” Rossi leans forward just a bit, but Hotch stubbornly keeps his gaze down. “What happened to don’t get emotionally involved?”
“Like you have room to talk.” Hotch points out dryly. “And that still doesn’t answer my question.”
That earns him an eye roll. “Don’t be snide. I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, but I have. You treat Reid differently. Why?”
It’s okay, Hotch. You can tell him.
“Tell me what?” Rossi demands, turning in his seat. He doesn’t quite miss the way Hotch’s eyes widen, and he definitely doesn’t miss the satisfied smile on the young man’s face.
It’s hard not to get close to people when you’re like this.
Rossi’s entire expression goes blank. He looks back at Hotch, who smiles faintly. It took a while for us to get used to it. Hotch’s gaze slides past him to Reid. “How did you know? I didn’t even notice.”
“Neither did I.” Reid says with a grin. “I guess we’ve just gotten too used to it, but Garcia noticed. Apparently, Rossi brought her an extra cup of coffee when she just thought she wanted some.”
Rossi sits there, dumbfounded. “I’m sorry – what?”
Hotch just packs his paperwork away and leans back in his seat. “You can explain this to him. I’m taking a nap.”
For the first time, it dawns on Rossi that the faint hint of amusement he feels is not his own.
Reid comes and joins them, sitting down next to Hotch.
Welcome to the team.