Chapter Text
It was an incredibly rare thing for Quantico, Virginia to receive more than a couple of inches of snow in the winter. Maybe in the mountains, but those were far from here. Sure, a steady stream of snow for a couple of hours was normal. But a blizzard? Basically unheard of.
Tonight was different, apparently. It was just the beginning of December, and with the BAU team having just finished a long and stressful case, Rossi invited his colleagues over to enjoy dinner and drinks. And shockingly, they all had the evening free. Will was with Henry at home, and Jack was with Haley for the week.
The meal had started out perfect, with a lighthearted and festive atmosphere in the air as smooth jazz from Rossi’s record player filled the space. Though they all knew Rossi would cook enough food, they still had the courtesy to bring their own dishes and treats. Penelope, of course, brought homemade sugar cookies for dessert, the others bearing side dishes and drinks.
They didn’t plan on staying too long, as the roads would probably be slippery on the drive home if it kept snowing like this. But despite those plans, snow came down harder and harder as the dinner progressed. A full blown snow storm that none of them had expected. The forecast hadn’t predicted a blizzard, but as the warnings buzzed on their phones during dinner telling them to prepare, seek shelter, and stay warm, they realized they probably weren’t leaving this house until the snow stopped blasting and the roads were clear. Rossi, of course, didn’t mind. He had plenty of guest rooms, and a large stock of alcohol to keep them busy; besides Reid, who didn’t drink and stuck to warm apple cider this evening. He wanted hot chocolate, but Emily scolded him about his lactose intolerance and he accepted his fate.
It was a wrench in their night’s agenda, but if you asked them… none of them minded that much. They hadn’t had a good get-together like this in a while, with work getting in the way often. After briefly taking the time to reconcile with the fact that they’d be here until morning, they settled down in the cozy living room. Letting the conversation flow along with the drinks. Chatting, telling stories, bringing up shared memories with “remember when”. The atmosphere was lighthearted and full of closeness and laughter. After a long year of the typical negatives their job presented, they were basking in the atmosphere of playfulness and peace. This was healing for them.
To further soften the vibe, the main lights have been shut off, with gentle, warm toned lamps filling the space, everything topped off with the warm fireplace dancing and crackling. All of the blinds are pulled up with the curtains drawn out of the way, so they can watch the snow blow down in the background. It was a complete whiteout, and they could hardly even see the houses across the street in these conditions.
“Okay, okay, wait,” Emily interrupts through chuckles and embarrassed complaints coming from Spencer.
“Reid kissed Lila Archer on a case and you guys have never told me this?” She asks in disbelief.
The conversation started lightly, with the others discussing exes and crazy things that happened in the relationship. Morgan, being the instigator he is, brought up Spencer and Lila from a few years ago.
“Oh, and there’s pictures,” Penelope tells Prentiss excitedly.
“No,” Emily gasps, which prompts Garcia to rush over with her phone.
Spencer, seated in one of Rossi’s leather armchairs, is not having it. He tries and fails to defend himself.
“She kissed me, I would have never even attempted anything!”
“Oh trust us, we know,” Hotch assures him with a rare smile.
That prompts a few drunken giggles from the others, as they never pass up a chance to tease him.
This is so nice. The storm raging in the background adds a certain ambiance that has them all basking in the closeness of this moment.
——
And that’s where you come in.
“This is so embarrassing,” You complain to yourself in a strained tone, fighting against the bitter winds.
See, you had been on your way to the bus stop from the library. Feeling disappointed after finding out the one book you came for was currently checked out, you instead planned on cozying up at home with hot cocoa and a movie you’ve seen just about eight million times. But… life got in the way, as it usually did for you.
You’re bad luck. It’s not self deprecating, it’s just a fact! Your family, your friends, even your coworkers know it. Last week, you dropped a dish of food at your waitressing job, only to find out the plate was destined for a food critic reviewing your restaurant. Yesterday, you spilled half a bottle of bright orange fabric dye onto an expensive silk fabric, meaning you had to go back and buy more of it. You got your wallet stolen, you dropped your phone down a sewer grate and had to have firefighters retrieve it, and now this! A blizzard. You had been trying to have a relaxing night after a long week of school and work. It had been snowing decently hard when you left the building, but you decided to trek on and keep the goal of sweet, sweet warmth in mind. That wasn’t happening anytime soon, safe to say.
You thought that you had dressed pretty warm, but your long winter cloak and skirt set, lined with a layer of both blizzard fleece and sherpa, were proving a failure against the raging storm. You had made it yourself for your fashion design course, and were proud of it for being functional. Guess it only really works in *normal* amounts of snow. The only thing that stood a chance against this storm was professional winter gear.
As an act of desperation, you stumbled into the nearby neighborhood, seeking solace from the harsh conditions. You could probably find one person nice enough to let you in… right?
So, you fought your way through the storm in this scarily rich neighborhood. You could hardly make out the houses through the blur of white, but you could tell these houses were a million times out of your tax bracket. Imagine you, a broke college student, living in one of these homes. It would take you maybe fifty years of saving every penny you’ve earned to afford the cheapest one of these homes. Scratch that; mansions.
“Shit!” You cry out.
Amidst your admiration for the houses around you, you wandered a little too close to the curb. A sharp feeling of pain bloomed in your ankle as it twisted in a near impossible way. A whine of exasperation leaves your throat while you pull your foot up, knowing you have to keep going despite the injury.
Soft whispers of pain are all you can do to comfort yourself, cursing and complaining about the situation. Your arms clutch each other tighter under your thick winter shawl… you were sure if you were out here any longer you’d turn into an ice sculpture. Your hair was soaked, as well as the top half of your face. Thankfully you had a disposable mask covering the bottom half, but that was getting ruined with water, too.
You were completely desperate. Throwing all stranger danger out the window, you start to hobble towards the only house with visible lights on inside. Hopefully, they were nice people.
——
“….but, anyways,” JJ laughs along with the others, finishing up a story from when she was in highschool.
“Hold up,” Morgan cuts through the laughter, standing from his spot on the couch.
“Is that a person…?” He points out, his gaze fixed on Rossi’s front windows.
The others turn to look out, immediately alarmed by his observation. Someone out in this storm? That would be insane—-
“Oh my god, yeah,” Emily realizes, standing up to get a closer look.
There, among the intense flurry of snowflakes, they can make out the bright color of your winter set, as well as your slightly hunched over form as you fight against the harsh winds.
“Rossi, go see if they need help,” Penelope urges, but he’s already on it.
After rushing to his entryway, he slips on his long and thick trench coat, just as a precaution. The others gather at the windows, watching with concern and curiosity about this person.
Immediately when Rossi opens his door, a large gust blows it open all the way. He ignores the fact that there’s snow blowing onto his wooden floors and steps onto his covered porch, squinting his eyes to try and make you out better.
“Hey, kid! What are you doing out here?” He shouts over the howling winds.
You snap your head up, locating the source of the voice. Oh, thank the universe, you may just be saved.
“I got stuck out here,” You yell back, making your way through his front gate and across the path in his lawn.
“Jesus, you really are just a kid—- get inside, quickly,” Rossi urges when you get closer.
He’s always had a protective instinct, especially when it came to younger people. He was an overbearing caretaker at heart, just ask the team. The type to load up your plate even after you insist you’re full.
By the time you get inside, you’re trembling all over. You were almost positive that your fingers were seconds away from falling off, because you couldn’t even feel them anymore. Maybe you’ve died, and this man was an angel sent to collect your sorry soul.
You could hardly even get a look around before you’re being surrounded by seven concerned adults, fussing over you like a hurt child.
“Oh my gosh, are you okay?”
“You must be freezing!”
“What were you doing out there in this weather?”
“We need to get these wet clothes off of you—-“
Though, their overlapping questions are interrupted by the man who’s let you in.
“Give her a second,” He reminds in an annoyed tone.
Everyone shuts up after that, taking a moment to collect themselves. As you remove your hood and face mask, they can finally view you properly. You’re embarrassed, because your normally well-styled hair is now damp and frizzy, and your skin is definitely paler and more pink than usual.
Though you ignore those thoughts, instead opting to look around the parts of the house you can see with concealed awe. However, you suddenly remember your manners and turn to the considerate man who’s allowed you in.
“Thank you so much,” You breathe out.
He smiles at you fondly, with his eyes crinkling at the corners. His features seem strong and wise, but he wears them kindly.
“I was walking to the bus stop when the storm picked up super hard, I know I look like a total idiot being out there,” You attempt to defend yourself frantically.
“Oh, nonsense, you’re completely fine. You can stay with us until the storm blows over,” Penelope speaks up.
“What’s your name, kid?” Rossi asks you finally.
“Ah—- (Y/N). I’m nineteen, almost twenty,” You answer.
“I’m David Rossi,” He introduces.
The others take the time to tell you their names, saying hello. You’re getting the scent of wine and whiskey off of them as they speak, a smell you’re not quite fond of, but you won’t say anything.
“Are you hurt?” Spencer asks, eyeing your ankle that’s very slightly hovering over the ground.
“Ah.. I think I sprained it. It slipped off the curb,” I explain as if it’s no big deal, but you’re really glad he noticed because you never would have spoken up otherwise.
“I can check it out for you and we’ll get it iced,” He assures.
“Lets get you out of these wet clothes,” JJ urges, helping you out of your thick winter shawl.
“Where did you get that set, by the way? It’s completely adorable,” Penelope gushes.
“Oh—-“ You stammer, looking down at the skirt, darting your eyes to the cloak the other blonde woman has a hold of.
“I made it, for my fashion design course,” You explain, much to Penelope’s delight.
But before she can start rambling about how cute it is and how much she’d pay you for one, Hotch speaks up.
“I think a hot shower would do you some good, we don’t want you getting ill,” He insists.
“I agree, kid. How does that sound?” Rossi asks expectantly.
“That sounds amazing, actually, but are you sure it’s okay—-“
“Hush. Come on.”
Realizing that you didn’t have a choice, you let the man lead you out of his entryway and further into his home. You were being helped to what you hope is a bathroom and not a torture dungeon in this stranger’s home.
As you’re limping forward with the man there for stability, you’re able to take in the interior of the house. Polished wooden floors, elegant and cozy decorating, with a peaceful vibe given by the warm toned lighting. The ceilings were tall, and there was a large curved staircase leading to an upstairs. Wow. You feel incredibly out of place here.