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Tomorrow & Tomorrow

Chapter Three

Clearing his throat, Dave leaned forward, propping his elbows against the table and clasping his hands. "I might have been able to work a deal, if you want it, that is."

"What kind of deal?" JJ asked, interested.

"The kind that brings you back to the BAU in six months," Dave answered plainly, refusing to mince his words after finally reaching this stage. "You serve six months at DOD at the end of which time, the choice to stay or go becomes yours. If you choose to go, your position at the BAU will still be available to you, but it will be your call."

Eyes widening as her overwhelmed brain processed his exact words, JJ's breath caught in her throat. "What did you say?" Had he really just said what she hoped he had?

"I said you've got a job waiting on you in six months if you decide you want it," Dave repeated, enunciating each word as he waited for her response.

"H-how?" JJ breathed, unable to find any other words to express her thoughts.

"Hotch and I called in a few favors," Dave shrugged.

"I suspect those favors might have been owed more to you than Hotch," JJ said softly, her eyes knowing.

"I've been around longer...more people owe me," Dave said, lifting his lips in a derisive half-smile.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, because truthfully, I'm overjoyed, but is Strauss aware of any of this?" JJ inquired hesitantly, unable to ignore what she considered to be the dragon in the room.

"She knows," Dave nodded, not quite meeting JJ's eyes as he reached for his coffee mug again.

"I'm assuming that she's less than thrilled by the prospect," JJ murmured.

"Strauss is a non-issue for you, JJ," Dave stated evenly, meeting her eyes. "If you want it, the job will be yours. But, for the record, Erin is never happy unless she's the one dealing the cards from the deck. Don't worry about it."

Her heart lightened at Dave's steady manner. "Thank you, Dave," she said softly, letting herself relax as she suddenly realized that her future might actually something to look forward to.

"Nothing to thank me for, Jen," Rossi said with a brief shake of his head. "It was dirty pool putting you in this position to begin with. I'm just sorry that I couldn't make it easier for you immediately. And, maybe, until you find your footing without Will, you could use this six months."

"You're right," JJ said with a gentle smile. "Single parenthood is an adjustment. But, it's better than the constant fighting. Better for both of us," she said with a look toward the nursery.

Nodding, Dave asked, gently, "I don't want to overstep my bounds, but is there anything else you need?"

"You mean are there any flat tires that need air or eaves that need cleaning?" JJ chuckled with a wave of her hand toward the newly-mended sink.

"Something like that," Dave grinned.

"We're okay for now, Dave, but thank you," JJ smiled, tilting her head to the side. "What about you? How do I repay you for rescuing my kitchen plumbing?" she asked, nodding at the now pristine sink.

"Well," Dave hedged, never one to turn his back on an opportunity but uncertain how far to push it in one evening, "I wouldn't say no to having a dinner companion this weekend."

Canting her head to one side, JJ tried to decide whether his invitation warranted the requirements for a date. "Are you asking me out, Agent Rossi?"

"Would it be impossible to believe if I said yes, JJ?" Dave asked, returning her stare.

Caught off guard with his blasé response, JJ blinked. "Perhaps, a little. I didn't think I was exactly your type of woman."

"Meaning?" Dave asked, arching one brow as he half-encouraged and half-dared her to continue.

"Meaning, I'm a single mother with severe trust issues," JJ replied honestly, refusing to couch her words in pretty phrases at this stage of her life.

"I'm a reformed lothario with a mostly bad temper. Sounds like an even trade to me," Dave shrugged.

"Now, how could a girl say no to that?" JJ asked dramatically, pressing her hands to her cheeks.

"Smartass," Dave muttered, his heart clenching as his mind reminded him how much he'd missed her sense of humor the past week on the road. "Tomorrow's Saturday and it's supposed to be a gorgeous fall day. Why don't you let me take you and Henry on a field trip to my cabin? The neighboring farm has a pumpkin patch. You could let Henry choose his first pumpkin for Halloween."

A guy that didn't mind including her son? A man like David Rossi wanted to spend his free time with them? "I...I think we'd like that," JJ said haltingly, her mind finally catching up with her heart. "We'd like that a lot."

"Good," Dave smiled, rising from his seat. "I'll pick you up tomorrow around ten if that works for you. Just pack the munchkin and yourself an overnight bag. The cabin has plenty of bedrooms."

"Dave, I wouldn't want to impose on you..." JJ trailed off, her heart beating faster.

"No imposition at all," Dave denied, holding up one hand. "Although, I'd understand if you wanted to come home. We can..."

"No," JJ said quickly as she rose from her own chair, alarmed she might have seemed too hesitant. "I just don't want you to feel like you have to..."

"JJ," Dave interrupted, his voice deep and patient as he took a step closer, "You've known me long enough to realize that I never do anything that I don't want to do," he reminded her as he stood facing her.

"You're right," JJ nodded, mesmerized for a moment by the darkness of his eyes. "Thank you, Dave. Henry and I would love to stay out at the cabin for the weekend. It'll do us both good to get away from the city."

"Then, I'll see you both tomorrow morning," Dave replied, impulsively leaning forward and brushing his lips against her smooth cheek.

"I...Okay," JJ nodded, shocked and delighted by the feel of his warm lips against her flesh.

Following him into her entryway, JJ held her breath as he opened her door and turned to look at her. "Tomorrow," he said, turning to look at her one last time, his eyes staring steadily into hers.

"Tomorrow," JJ whispered, slightly awed that it appeared as though she had a date, albeit one chaperoned by her toddler son, with one of the most renowned bachelors in Washington, D.C.

"Lock the door behind me," Dave ordered gently, stepping out onto the small stoop as he told himself that it was just for one day. He would be seeing her again…soon…tomorrow.

"I will," JJ nodded, stepping forward and closing the door as he began to walk toward his truck.

And climbing inside the cab of his pickup, Dave whistled to himself, watching as her porch light extinguished.

One thing was certain: he couldn't wait for his tomorrow.

Finis

Author's Note 2 - Also guys, please don't forget that if you'd like to advertise the awards on your own profile pages or stories, there's a short blurb on my (ilovetvalot) and Tonnie's (tonnie2001969) profile page for you to copy and paste if you choose!

Again, thanks to everyone reading, reviewing, alerting and favoriting this story!