Fifth story in the series that follows "Daddy's Favourite Fool". Dave is on his book tour trying not to think of what waits for him in Quantico. Then he meets a woman who changes his life and another who makes him have a "come to Jesus" moment. As he tries to right the wrongs, he reaches out and discovers a secret that can end his road to salvation.

Song prompt: All Roads Lead To You by Chicago

I don't own Criminal Minds.

All Roads Lead To You

David Rossi sat down at the dining room table at the prestigious hotel he was staying at, and tried to relax. Fifteen cities in nineteen days were more than he had ever done before, but it was worth it; his book was number one on the crime fiction list. Not that he was surprised, but when he got the news that morning from his agent, it dawned on him that he really had no one to share the good news with.

The team was in Oklahoma working a serial arson case so they wouldn't care about hearing from him. And though he had managed to keep in touch with Hotch over the past three weeks, Dave was pretty sure that Hotch was still upset with what transpired between his agents- and under his nose of all things! Dave had spent a couple nights awake trying to put himself in Hotch's shoes and realized that had he been in charge, heads would have rolled. No doubt about it.

But here he sat in one of New York's finest hotels, looking across the room at the couples dining together, and wondered how his life had come to this. It wasn't as though he couldn't have a woman; the problem was that he didn't know which woman he wanted. Maybe it was arrogance speaking or perhaps it was experience, but there was a time he could go anywhere at any time and have a woman on his arm. Or even his bed.

Looking at the woman at the bar, he caught her eye and gave one of his famous come-hither smiles. Not surprisingly she smiled back. Getting up, he walked over to her and introduced himself.

"Mind if I sit down?" Dave asked.

"I'm saving it for someone."

"Really?"

"Yep. But if you buy me a drink, I'll let you stay until he arrives."

"Deal." He took a seat beside the buxom blonde. "I'm Dave." He offered his hand.

"Angelica."

Dave glanced at her drink. "What are you having?"

"White wine spritzer." Dave raised his eyebrow. "I can't stomach anything stronger."

Suddenly Dave had the flash-memory of a dark haired woman throwing shots back at the hotel in Vegas and suffering the consequences the next morning. An involuntary smile tugged at his mouth.

"What's so funny?" Angelica asked.

Dave shook his head. "Nothing. Just remembering someone from my past."

"She must be pretty special."

"Who?"

"The woman you were thinking of."

Dave gave her a coy look. "What makes you think it was a woman?"

Angelica's laughter rang out. "Men. Your face lit up when I said 'she'. I don't think it was your dog, unless... and then I would think this conversation is over."

Dave laughed back. "My dog is a male. And yes, I adore him, but that's as far as it goes."

The bartender came over and Dave gave their order. Placed in front of them, Dave took a sip of his scotch. "So, Angelica, what brings you to New York City? Business or pleasure."

"My sister's wedding is tomorrow. My parents are throwing the reception here in the ball room. What about you?"

"Business. I'm a writer. I finished a book signing earlier today at the Barnes & Noble and now I'm just relaxing until I fly out on Tuesday."

Angelica looked at him. "A writer? Interesting. What genre?"

"True Crime. Mostly FBI stories. This latest one was a crime fic."

"You must be popular?"

He gave her a half-smile. "Got a call today that the book is number one."

Angelica smiled widely. "Congratulations! You must be so happy!"

Dave shrugged. "Thanks."

"You're not happy about it."

"Guess I'm just tired. Book tours are tough."

Angelica sipped her wine. "Did you call her and tell her the good news?"

Dave set his glass down and tried to laugh off her question. "No. It's not like that; we're co-workers. Nothing serious."

"Hmmm hmmm. That's what you say, but your eyes keep saying something else. So why isn't she with you?"

"A misunderstanding. And she had to work."

"Oh." Angelica placed her wine glass on the bar. "That's code for 'I really screwed up'. So what did you do?"

"Are you always this blunt with strangers you just met?"

Her laughter was contagious. "Sorry about that; I'm a psychology major at Columbia. I'm hoping to join the FBI or CIA after I graduate."

Dave remained neutral. "You don't say?"

"Ever since 9/11, I have wanted to do something productive and catch the bad guys."

"I have a feeling you'll do very well."

She shrugged indifferently. "My boyfriend wants to get married, but I want a career. I don't think it's too much to ask that I do something with my life before I settle down. Don't you agree?"

Dave nodded. "I'm a firm believer in pursuing your dreams."

She nodded in agreement. "So, what did you do? Cheat on her? Lie?"

Dave reached toward his collar and tried to loosen the sudden constriction. "Uh, Angelica…"

"Dave, I'm not trying to get personal; what ever you did is between the two of you. But you don't strike me as the kind of guy who would deliberately hurt the woman he loves."

Was it getting hot in here or were all of his sins nipping at his heels as hell beckoned him with open arms? Dave stared at her, as he tried to search for the right words.

"Send her flowers."

"Excuse me?" Dave blinked.

"Send her flowers. You aren't going to start making your way back without taking the first step. What is her favourite flower?"

Dave opened his mouth and then closed it. "I have no idea."

"Well, then I would go with irises or tulips. You can't go wrong either way. Or mix them and really surprise her."

"I'll consider that."

"Mind if I ask if you're married?"

"No."

"Oh."

"No, I meant: no I'm not married."

"But you have been. How many times?"

"Aren't you persistent? Three times."

Angelica cocked her head curiously. "That would explain why you don't know about sending flowers to mend trust."

"I've sent dozens of roses to my ex-wives."

"Hmmm, right there; roses are when you care to send the very generic. Tulips and irises require thought and planning which shows her you were paying attention. Some times 'it's the thought that counts' works, but this is when actions speak louder than words."

"If this doesn't work?"

"Jewelry. A necklace. Stay away from diamonds. A woman who goes with a man like you is of a fiery nature and deserves rubies or onyx."

"Thanks for the info." Before Dave could elaborate on her suggestion, a little girl came up to where they sat.

"Gen, Mom wants us to meet her and Sylvia at the manager's office. Something about the flowers."

Angelica put her glass down. "Okay."

Dave was startled. "Did she call you Gen?"

"That is her nickname for me because she couldn't say 'Angelica' when she was a toddler. It stuck. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it just threw me." He turned his attention to the young girl standing beside the woman who lived up to her name.

"Who are you?" the girl asked Dave, her eyes wide with wonderment.

"I'm Dave, and you?"

"Emily Grace Ethel Rosalie Allen. But you can call me Emily."

Dave tried to hide his shock as he smiled at the little girl. "That's a beautiful name."

"I guess. Everyone always wants to call me Emmy; I would rather go by Grace."

Dark brown curls, big brown eyes and a heart shaped face. Dave was glad he was sitting down. "No, sweetheart, stay with Emily. It's my favourite name." Where the hell did that come from?

Angelica stood up. "Well, it was nice to meet you Dave. I hope it all works out for you and your lady friend."

"Thanks for the advice. Good luck with the wedding. Give my best to the bride."

"Thanks." Angelica took Emily's hand and they walked away. Dave watched them until they turned a corner. Grabbing his glass, he made his way back to his table.

Later in his room, sitting on the bed with the drafts of another manuscript, Dave tried to make sense of what he had written. Frustrated, he tossed it aside.

Getting up, Dave paced the room as he played back the evening's events. It couldn't be coincidence that Angelica was there at the bar with much needed advice, right? And what were the odds that her little sister would be named Emily?

Sweet, beautiful Emily with her big brown eyes and combat boots. The woman who took all he had to give and never complained. The woman who stood toe to toe with him and never backed down. Even when she knew that there was a possibility that he had slept with her best friend, she never said a word. She let him fuck her in every way and never once did he tell her that he was sorry.

Taking out his cell phone, he pressed a number. "Garcia? Rossi here."

"Hey Boss. How can I help you?"

"I need a phone number."

"Go ahead."

"JJ."

"Why?"

"Do I need a reason Kitten?"

"No. Okay, I sent it to your phone."

"Thanks."

"Oh Boss? Congratulations on being number one."

Dave thought for a moment. "Thanks."

"You'll be back on Wednesday?" Garcia asked enthusiastically.

"That's the plan."

"Can't wait! It's been lonely without you here. Have a safe flight back."

"Thanks Kitten." He ended the call. Retrieving the text, he dialed and waited.

"Hello?" greeted the sweet dulcet tones of the former BAU Liaison Officer.

"JJ? It's Dave."

"Oh hi Dave! How are you?" No sense of her being uncomfortable. That was a good sign. Dave felt himself relax.

"Fine. I'm in New York for a book signing."

"I heard."

"Thanks. Congratulations on the wedding."

"Yeah. Once we got here, we figured without the pressure of DC breathing down our necks, we decided that it was time to make it legal. We're going to have a real Mardi Gras wedding."

"Oh."

"I already sent your invitation."

"Thank you." Dave tried to gather his courage. He needed to clear the air. "JJ, there is something I need to tell you…"

"I know. I'm sorry. I don't regret it, but I'm sorry that it went down the way it did. We both did and said things that night. And now I know that you did all you could with Strauss. I wish I had stayed to talk about it, but I had to leave."

"I understand. We were both caught up in the moment and I think we got carried away. I'm not saying that it wasn't a mistake…it was a mistake…a beautiful mistake nonetheless. As wonderful as it was- I can't help but wish things had turned out differently."

"Yeah, I came to the same conclusion. There is no denying that it wasn't wonderful, but it was a mistake and I forgive you. But I have to ask: why are you calling me to say all of this?"

"Emily knows. And I need to win her trust back if I am going to go forward with her in any way, so I am clearing the air."

"Emily knows? How did she find out?"

"That night before you left this last time, you and she went out and you told her."

JJ got quiet. Twice Dave looked at his phone to make sure it was still on. Finally she spoke. "Dave, I never told Emily about us." Dave felt his heart fall into his stomach. What the hell?

"What happened between us was private and personal and there is no way that I would tell anyone if there was a chance it could make its way to Will. My world is Will and Henry- and right or wrong, you opened my eyes to that and I will always be grateful. But it's nobody's business but ours. I love Emily like a sister, but this was not a secret worth sharing."

"Are you sure?" It was a stupid question, but he had to know.

"I may have told her that I went over to your place that night to talk, but nothing else."

Oh shit! "JJ, no one will ever hear it from me."

"I know that Dave. That is one of the things I admire the most about you. Well, I have to go. Tell the others I said hello."

"Will do. Thank you JJ. Bye."

"You're welcome. Bye."

Dave disconnected the call. JJ forgave him. That had to mean something right? And then when he tied in the coincidental meeting downstairs…it was God giving him a much needed kick in the ass. But Emily lied to him. Why? He was going to have to get to the bottom of this and meet her on her turf. And the first thing he was going to have to do was throw her off her game.

Opening the phone he dialed for the third time. "Valerie, it's Dave. I know it's past nine. I need you to do me a favour. Just listen. The tour is over, but I need to get back to Quantico. If you can't change my flight then arrange for a car. First thing tomorrow if you can. Then I want you to call the florists in DC and get me a dozen…no, wait! Two dozen bouquets of irises and tulips. I don't know the colour. Pick one. And then I need them sent to the BAU. ASAP! I understand. Well call me when you get the information. Bye."

Closing the phone, Dave looked at the room. He was getting ready to head back home and right the wrongs from the bottom up. This time he was going to make it right.

And Emily Prentiss was going to meet her match.