Title: The Eyes Are The Windows to the Soul
By: Daisyangel
Pairing: gen
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Rating: G
A/n: Spoilers for "It Takes A Village" This story was inspired by a question that someone asked during the chat with Thomas Gibson (Hotch) and Erica Messer (CM writer) on Thursday. The person asked if it was there imagination or did Rossi not look as surprised that Emily was alive as the others? I'm paraphrasing, but you get the general idea. Here's the answer to their question. Good catch stay tuned… like watch the next episode. So this my version of wy Rossi isn't so surprised. This is or Ilovetvalot who is having a really bad time of it lately. Hope this brightens your day a bit.
Summary: Post-ep for "It Takes A Village" so spoilers for that! JJ wonders why Rossi didn't look nearly as surprised as the rest of the team at Hotch's revelation of Emily being alive. JJ/Rossi friendship.

***

Dave was only slightly surprised when JJ entered his office without knocking. It was long after the others had left and he thought he was the only one here. He should have known better, Dave mused as he looked at the blonde profiler who took a seat in front of his desk. It was clear that something was weighing heavily on her mind.

"What can I do for you, JJ?" JJ twisted a lock of hair around her finger before speaking.

"You didn't look nearly as surprised at Hotch's revelation today about Em being alive as the rest of the team. You want to tell me why?"

"That's simple, my dear. I wasn't surprised, because I already knew she was alive," he answered.

"But… how? We were all so careful. I don't understand." JJ broke off unsure how to finish her sentence.

"Think back, what exactly did you say to all of us in that hospital seven months ago?" Rossi prompted. JJ frowned and closed her eyes trying to remember.

XXXX

The team looked up when JJ appeared. They could all tell by the look on her face she wasn't bringing good news.

"How is she?" Morgan asked barely able to get the words out.

"Em didn't make it off the table," JJ whispered. That was all it took for the fragile hope the rest of the team had clung to to shatter into a million tiny bits, never to be put back together the same way ever again.

XXXX

Pulling herself back to the present, JJ spoke.

"I said Emily didn't make it."

"No, you said Emily didn't make it off the table. Emily didn't, but her new identity did. If she'd died you would have probably said something like she died, or she passed away. I could tell in your eyes that she hadn't died."

"I don't understand," the female agent protested.

"The eyes are the windows to the soul and looking into yours I saw pain and sadness, but not the gut wrenching pain that comes with someone's death. Trust me I've seen a lot of that I know what it looks like. What I saw was the pain of someone who was losing her best friend and was having to lie to her family to protect them. Who's idea was it to fake her death?"

"It was hers," she replied.

"I thought so. That's a very Prentiss thing to do."

"It is,," JJ agreed. Taking a deep breath, JJ spoke shakily.

"So are we okay?"

"We will be, Bella, we will be." Giving the older man a smile of relief, JJ moved forward and the two embraced thankful to have their family back together even if it would take a long time to rebuild lost trust and repair the damage. What was happening between them now was a start.

Finished!

***