All I own is Paige and the plot. Everything else belongs to CBS.

R&R please.

Several breaths came in sharply.

"Hotch? Hotch!" Dave Rossi asked impatiently.

"She-she says that she thinks you're her dad." Hotch said. The line went dead. Hotch, J.J. and Derek all studied Paige quietly, each trying to ascertain whether or not Paige looked like their friend.

Fifteen minutes later, Rossi walked into the bullpen and made a beeline for Paige. Paige shifted nervously.

"Miss Haller?" Rossi asked.

"That's me," she said. "You must be Agent Rossi." She looked up at him. The other agents couldn't help but stare. Paige and Rossi wore the same puzzled expression.

"Who is your mother?" Rossi inquired, cutting straight to the chase.

"Casey."

"Casey?" Rossi paused, memories flooding his brain.

"Dave, I want a divorce." Casey said one day, out of the blue.

"Casey, a divorce?" Dave asked, hoping that maybe he hadn't heard him right.

"I'm not happy anymore. I want a divorce." She repeated.

"Casey-" He said.

"Dave, I've met someone. He's asked me to leave with him. I'm going." She said. "I'm sorry Dave. I love him."

And just like that, she was gone. And it had broken Rossi's heart.

"No, that's not possible. Casey wasn't pregnant when she left me. She was having an affair. That must be your father."

"No. He's not. I look nothing like him. And anyways. It doesn't matter, because he left a few months ago. And then-" Paige trailed off.

"Then what?" Rossi asked.

"Then my mom got sick again."

"Casey's sick?" Paige nodded. "Cancer. It's terminal. The doctors say there's nothing they can do. She's only got a short time left. She sent me here to look for you. She said she didn't want me to watch her die." A few tears rolled down Paige's cheeks.

Hotch pulled Rossi aside. The went over to the break area to talk, while J.J. and Derek talked to Paige, trying to comfort her.

"Hotch, how is this possible?" Rossi asked, completely bewildered.

"Dave, pull yourself together. Look at her. She looks just like you. I'm giving you a couple of weeks off to take care of things, and I'll arrange a DNA test. I know this is a big shock for you. If you need anything whatsoever, feel free to call any one of us. I'm sure Paige is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but regardless, if you feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to call." He said. All Rossi could do was nod.

The pair walked back to the bullpen and found Paige sniffling, and J.J. was rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry, I'm being such a baby." She said, rubbing her eyes. Black makeup was smeared where she had rubbed. J.J. handed her a tissue.

"It's alright. It's perfectly normal to cry, especially given your situation." She said. Rossi coughed. "Look, Rossi's here."

Paige stood up and faced him.

"Well, Paige. We're going to get a DNA test, just to be sure, but until we get things situated, you can stay in the guest room at my house."

"Thank you." Paige said, sniffling.

Rossi grabbed her suitcase and she carried her backpack. She said goodbye to Hotch, J.J. and Derek, thanking them for their help. Rossi led her out of the bullpen and down the hall to the elevator When they got to the main floor, a young man with chin-length hair was waiting for the elevator.

"Goodnight, Reid." Rossi said, exhausted.

"Goodnight, Rossi." Reid said. He was about to introduce himself to the young girl following his colleague, but a tired Rossi kept going. Reid shrugged it off and got on the elevator. When he arrived at his destination, he wandered into the bullpen, finding J.J., Derek and Hotch talking quietly.

"Hey guys," he said, putting his messenger bag down on his desk.

"Hey, Spence. I thought you'd gone home?" J.J. replied.

"I did, but the second I walked through the door I realized I forgot to give Hotch my paperwork." He said, digging a file out of his bag. He made sure everything was in order and handed the file over to his superior. Hotch nodded his thanks.

"Hey, do you know who that girl is that was walking out with Rossi?" He asked.

"Only time will tell," Hotch said. And with that, he went back to his office. J.J. and Derek said goodnight, walking out before Reid could ask more questions. They weren't sure that Rossi wanted the news spread out to the whole team yet.

Reid walked out by himself, confused. He shrugged it off, figuring he'd know soon enough, but it didn't keep his curious mind from wondering.

Meanwhile, Rossi and Paige had left the building and headed for Rossi's house, both a bundle of nerves. Each wondered what was in store for them next.

A/N: Ah, I'm so cruel. I just had to torture our boy genius. Poor guy. It's okay though, I won't keep him in the dark for much longer. Prentiss and Garcia will find out soon enough as well.