champagne problems x jemily/hotchniss

thirty-two: david

if this chapter has a lot of spelling errors or mistakes, i'm so sorry. i managed to juggle around three finals to get started on and writing. So these next couple of chapters won't be proofread at all😅

also fun fact! there's an actual place in dc called "the diner" so it's not just me being vague about it lmao all restaurants and places mentioned in this story are real😭

i'm exhausted and want to sleep but i have a boat load of work to do and edits so no sleep for salem🥳

happy readings and stay safe besties! -salem🤍

TW: alcohol abuse, mentions of drinking at work, mentions of smoking, outbursts of anger, swearing, hallucinations
word count: 4819

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Rossi: "Fear, poverty, alcoholism, loneliness are terminal illness. Emergencies, in fact." Lucia Berlin.

The four agents stood right against the black SUV. All had their eyes fixed on the door in front of them. Slowly, the doors opened, and a familiar blonde-haired woman walked out. JJ kept her eyes down as she walked out with the nurse right next to her. She looked worse than before. Her bags had gotten darker. JJ even looked skinnier than when she was admitted.

All four of them paused as JJ slowly lifted her eyes to see them there. Her eyes filled with tears. Rossi stepped away from the group and walked towards JJ. The blonde woman broke away from the nurse and running to him.

"Kiddo," David said as JJ practically jumped into his arms. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as she cried. David shut his eyes as he held JJ. "I got you. I've got you, JJ."

"Rossi," JJ said as tears fell from her eyes. The man just held her tightly.

"You're okay. We've got you now," David said and rubbed the woman's back. A weight lifted off of his shoulders as the woman was now in his arms.

"Happy Birthday, Dave," JJ said softly. The rest of the team all surrounding the woman in a group hug. JJ's tears were falling freely as she felt the presence of her team surrounding her with love and protection. "Hi, guys."

"You're here," Penelope said and nuzzled her face right against JJ's arm. "We missed you."

"So much," Spencer finished and rested his head against JJ's.

"Like a lot," Derek said and chuckled. The group broke away from each other. JJ's smiled softly at each individual member.

"Are you hungry? We were going to go to the diner for a brunch since it's Rossi's birthday," Penelope said and placed her hand on Rossi's arm. JJ nodded her head as the four of them shuffled the woman towards the car. They all piled into the car before Derek took off down the road.

"Pull over right up the road. I have to do something before we go for brunch," Rossi said and pointed in the direction towards the church. Derek nodded and did as the man said. Rossi unbuckled his seat belt.

"Can I go with you?" Spencer asked and made a move to undo his seatbelt. Rossi nodded as Reid got out of the car. The other three agents all shrugged their shoulders. The two men headed into the church.

Rossi looked right towards the crucifix and did the sign of the cross. Spencer, who was behind him, mirrored him not to be disrespectful. The two men headed towards the candles in the back. Spencer observed Rossi as he walked up to the candles.

"I know you're not the religious type. But I wanted to do something," Rossi said and smiled softly at Spencer. He handed him a match. "You light a candle when you want to send a prayer to someone. Usually, these things are all full up on holidays or birthdays and anniversaries. Or just as an 'I thought about you.'"