The Element of Surprise

Limelight - Part 5

Rossi enters the office Hotch has been assigned to and finds the Unit Chief staring pointlessly into space, "Aaron, I need to know where Estella is. She won't answer her phone and clearly, something happened that upset her."

Aaron blinks from his semi-trance and meets the senior agent's eyes, "Completely understandable, she doesn't want to be bothered."

"And yet, you asked Garcia to call her."

Hotch rises from his seat and rounds his desk, "Because Garcia is her best friend and right now, that's what Estella needs."

"So you admit it," the senior agent's eyes narrow, "You know why she's upset."

"Of course, I know she's upset. She told me."

"Because you two are secretly dating?"

Aaron pauses and frowns, complete and utterly baffled at the assumption, "Not you too, Dave. Did you hear it from Morgan and Prentiss?"

"Maybe," Rossi slips his hands into his blazer's pockets, "But I saw the signs a while ago. It was only a matter of time before I realized the rumors are true. How long has this been going on, huh? While you and Halley were still married?"

In a flash, Hotch is standing in front of him and pointing a finger at Rossi's chest, "Don't ever assume I cheated on Halley. And to answer your question, Estella and I aren't seeing each other. We're friends and colleagues who look out for each other and that's that."

"You expect me to believe that?" Dave huffs a laugh.

"Believe what you want, but I'm rather curious what you were doing with Agent Morris last night," Aaron directs a question back to Rossi and puts him on the spot, "I know you went out for drinks, heard you from next door."

"And it was just that," Rossi's tone drops dangerously, "We talked, we had one drink each, and that's where it ended. I don't need to explain myself to you."

"So you don't think Agent Morris is attractive?"

"I didn't say that."

"Do you like her?"

"No!"

"And Estella?"

"Of course! Why do you think I-" Rossi's words catch in his throat once he realize what he just said. Blinking, he looks at Aaron who only wears a smug grin on his face. It all clicks. "You knew."

"I did."

"For how long?"

"Ever since the case in Florida," Hotch says, referring to their satanic killer who made three course meals out of his victims. "I'm not sure what happened during that case, but it brought you closer. I'm just surprised it took you this long to admit it."

Rossi emits a long breath. Somehow he feels lighter knowing his secret is out, on the other hand, he's yet again reminded why he kept it a secret in the first place.

"Don't tell her. Or the team."

"Why?" Aaron pushes for answers, "Maybe she feels the same."

"She won't," Dave shakes his head despondently, "It's bad enough that I'm almost twice her age, I don't want to make things awkward between us. Promise me you will keep this quiet."

Hotch rolls his eyes internally; another secret. Does he need to spell it out for Dave? He likes Estella, Estella likes him, it's not that complicated. They're both adults and can choose who they want to date, the rest should respect and accept that. Still, this frustrates him to the point of waving a gun around and just forcing them to confess to each other.