Sickfics- Multi-fandom

Dad to the Rescue -David Rossi (CM)

(I know that something similar to this happens later in the show but I haven't made it there yet so this is a slight spin on that plot line I guess?)

The jet tilted slightly, making the whole team hold onto their papers tightly.

"Bumpy ride." Emily smirked.

"Bumpy season." Rossi mumbled.

Emily cringed and gave him a little pat on the shoulder. He had a lot of changes in his personal life.

About six months ago, Rossi found out that his ex-girlfriend, Maggie died. And even more surprising - she had had a baby. His baby. Now that baby is 16 years old.

Her name was Gemma, and she had gone against her very powerful politician grandfather and found Rossi to tell him the truth.

Maggie had left everything to Rossi in her will. There was an implied condition that he'd be the one to take custody of Gemma in the case of her untimely death, but it wasn't required.

Gemma said she didn't expect him to do that, but wanted him to have the money he was owed. Rossi sensed something was off. He couldn't say what it was.

Gemma seemed sad, not just about her mom dying (granted Maggie died only a few months before Gemma came to him), but she seemed resigned to the fact that Rossi was not going to raise her.... that he wouldn't want to.

He took a chance and told her she could live with him if she wanted to. Gemma seemed to light up at the idea of getting to know him. She moved in 4 months ago.

Hotch frowned. "Things are not going well with Gemma?"

Rossi rubbed his temple. "No, Gemma's great. That's the problem."

Spencer squinted. "Okay I never say this but...I'm confused."

Rossi sighed. "She gets herself to school and work on time. She's an honors student who makes perfect grades. She is kind, responsible and doesn't have any bad friends. I've never caught her with drugs or alcohol. She cleans and cooks. This morning she even made me breakfast!"

"Still not seeing the problem." Morgan interjected with a raised brow.

Rossi lay his head back. "I'm having a hard time doing anything for her. She clearly doesn't need anyone to raise her. She doesn't need me. She doesn't need a parent. What am I even doing?"

Emily smiled. "She's 16. She's not a baby. But she's still growing into her own person. Maybe you shouldn't think of your job as 'raising her.'"

"What is my job then?" Rossi asked.

"To love her." JJ said obviously.

When Rossi got home from their case, he was surprised to hear the TV on the living room on.

Their flight was delayed so he knew it was late. He walked down the hall to the open concept kitchen and living room.

The oven clock read 1:12 am.

"Gemma?" he said. He could see the outline of her legs out stretched onto the coffee table. The sound of an old sitcom and the light from the TV were the only stimulation in the room.

He walked over to see Gemma completely asleep. She was laying with most of her body on the couch, but her legs obviously propped up on the table. 

He made a note that he should get a matching ottoman for her if she liked to sit like that.

There was stuff on the coffee table. She never left anything around... like she didn't want to take too much space in his house.

He inspected the scene. There was a can of ginger ale, a sleeve of half eaten crackers and a large bottle of Advil. He frowned. In the short time he had known her she had never complained of so much as a splinter.