"Thank you for coming on such short notice, Agent Rossi." Detective Shepherd spoke to him.

"Of course. Fill me in on the details?" Rossi asked.

"You remember the Ganet case from a year ago?" He raised a brow.

"Benjamin Ganet?"

"The very same."

"What about him?"

"Well, he had two sons. The youngest.. Saw the murder?" Detective Shepherd sighed,"His grandmother told us that Stacy Ganet has been abusing him."

"Do you think it's true?" Rossi tilted his head.

"From the state of the kid? Yeah." He crossed his arms,"She wasn't even trying to make it look like an accident."

"Where is he? The boy."

"He's in here." Shepherd stopped outside a door,"Be careful. Some of our guys tried to talk to him but they say he's quite skittish."

Rossi nodded slowly and walked in, looking at the fragile boy in front of him. Elijah looked up at Rossi, pulling his knees close to his chest.

"Hey kid, what's your name?" Rossi asked as he closed the door.

"Elijah.."

"Elijah? That's a cool name." Rossi nodded,"Where's that accent from?"

"England, we moved here for dad's work." Elijah looked off to the side.

"What part of England?"

"Somerset.. Everyone always asks about London, but I'm not from London."

"People automatically assume London when they hear England, don't they?" Rossi chuckled.

"Mhm." Elijah nodded, his shoulders starting to relax.

"It's like Americans think when you say UK, they only think of England or London."

"They're not very smart." Elijah shook his head.

"Not really." Rossi chuckled.

Elijah smiled softly. He liked the Agent much more than the scary officers.

"You don't need to tell me if you're not comfortable, Elijah.. But can you tell me what happened tonight?"

"Mother.. Got angry at me again." Elijah shrunk back into his seat.

"What happens when she gets angry?"

"She gets loud, shouts.. She.." Elijah looked away.

"It's okay, take your time."

"She hurt me.. But- But it's okay." Elijah told him,"It was my fault, I burnt her food."

"No, no.. It wasn't your fault. You're.. What age are you?"

"I'm eleven."

"You're eleven years old, you shouldn't need to be making her food at this age." Rossi sighed.

"But I do everything for her, she needs me." Elijah shook her head,"I clean, I cook- She sleeps a lot."

"You shouldn't need to do that Elijah.. You're a kid."

"I'm a bad kid."

"No you're not."

"I am."

"Elijah."

"I'm bad." Elijah rubbed his eyes,"They all say it- I know I am."

"Who says it?" Rossi tilted his head.

"Mother, neighbors.. The guards.."

"The guards?"

"At the prison.. They tell me I'm bad, like him." Elijah looked down at his hands.

"Son, you're not bad."

"I.. I want to go see Nonna." Elijah was near tears.

"I know.. Why don't we go say goodbye to her?" Rossi suggested.

"I'd like that.." Elijah wiped his eyes.

"Come on." Rossi held his hand out

Elijah looked up at Rossi before slowly taking his hand.

"We'll go see Nonna." He nodded.

".. Thank you." Elijah smiled softly.

*********************************

Soon enough, Rossi and Elijah got into the hospital, going to the room Lizzie was in.

"Nonna?" Elijah hurried to her bedside.

"Hi, my bambino." Lizzie sighed.

Elijah took her hand and held it close,"Are you okay?"

"Tonight.. I don't think I'll make it." Lizzie shook her head,"I'm too ill."

"But- But you can't leave me." Elijah shook his head.

"I don't want to leave my sweet boy.. But it's my time."

"No.. No, it's not.."

"I'm so sorry, Bambino.."

"I don't want to be alone." Elijah squeezed her hand.

"You won't be alone, dear. I'll always be watching."

"Nonna, I'm scared.."

"You're my brave boy, you'll be okay." Lizzie nodded.

"I'm not-" Elijah went quiet,"Nonna, ho paura.. Per favore."

"So che hai paura, tesoro... Ma devi essere forte."

"Non posso.." Elijah was tearing up.

"It's time to give Nonna a hug." The nurse sighed as she walked in.

Elijah rubbed his eyes and hugged Lizzie tightly, he didn't want to leave her.

"My boy." Lizzie kissed his head.

Elijah wiped his eyes as he let go of Lizzie, slowly walking back over to Rossi.

"You're okay, son." Rossi assured Elijah.

Elijah held onto Rossi's arm, looking at the ground. Everything was.. Just going wrong.

*********************************

"So what's going to happen to the kid?' Rossi asked to the social worker.

"We'll probably try and get him into a foster home. He's got no living relatives that are willing to take him." She sighed.

".. I'll take him." Rossi offered.

"You'll take him?"

"Just until we find a family that will take him in."

"Well, there's some paperwork that I'll have you sign." She nodded,"Are you absolutely sure about this?"

"I'm sure." Rossi nodded.

"Well, I'll to get that paperwork." She smiled before walking off.

Rossi looked at Elijah through the glass before waking in,"Son?"

Elijah looked up at him quietly, holding his stuffed bunny.

"What if..cYou came home with me for a little while?"

"You.. Want to look after me?"

"Of course. Unless you don't want me to?"

"No- I.. I'd like that." Elijah smiled softly.

"I've just gotta fill some paperwork, then it's final." Rossi nodded.

Elijah squeezed his bunny,"I'll be good, I promise."

"I don't care if you're bad."

"..Thank you."

"Anytime." Rossi smiled.

Elijah stood up and walked over to Rossi, hugging him. Rossi looked down at the small boy before gently hugging back.

"Can I call you.. Dad?" Elijah looked up at him

"If you'd like." Rossi nodded.

Elijah smiled, he'd missed having a dad.. A good dad.

*********************************

"So this is home for now." Rossi nodded.

"It's big." Elijah looked around.

"I worked for my money." He chuckled.

"You must've worked really hard."

"I hope so."

"Well.. You get rid of the bad people, right?"

"Of course I do. I don't want the world to be a bad place."

"Is it.. Scary?" Elijah asked him.

"The bad people? Well, sometimes."

"When I grow up, I want to stop bad people too." Elijah told him.

"Yeah? With the right training, I know for a fact you'll be a great Agent." Rossi smiled.

"You think so?"

"Of course. Anyone can do it."

Elijah smiled as he rubbed his eyes. He was tired after everything that had happened.

"I'll show you to your room, huh?" Rossi suggested.

"Yes please." He nodded.

Rossi took Elijah's hand, leading him towards a bedroom. Elijah smiled softly as he held Rossi's hand.

"This is your bedroom. Mine isn't too far, just down there, so if you need anything during g the night then you know where to find me." Rossi walked them into a bedroom.

"This.. Is for me?" Elijah looked up at Rossi.

"It's all for you."

"I just- Thank you."

"Of course, kid. Do you need anything?" Rossi asked.

"No, no, I'm okay." Elijah shook his head.

"Alright. I'm just gonna go grab you some pyjamas, then you can get into bed and get some sleep." Rossi nodded.

"Thank you."

Rossi walked off to grab some before coming back and held out some pyjamas.

Elijah took the pyjamas,"Thank you."

"Right. I'll let you get changed and I'll see you in the morning, hm?"

"Yeah."

"Night, son." Rossi gave a small smile.

"Goodnight, papà." Elijah smiled back.

Rossi hummed and closed the door over. Elijah sighed as he got changed. He couldn't believe that he'd be staying here.. How long would he be staying here?

*********************************

"Right. They don't bite." Rossi chuckled as the two stood in the elevator.

"Are you sure?" Elijah looked up at him.

"Well.. Maybe Hotch, but he's just moody." He nodded.

Elijah grabbed Rossi's hand as the elevator doors opened.

"Morning David- And.. David's friend." Hotch blinked.

Elijah stepped behind Rossi, still holding onto his hand.

"Aaron, this is Elijah. He's going to be staying with me for a little while." Rossi nodded.

"They let you look after a child?" Hotch raised a brow.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm kidding." Hotch assured him,"You'd make a great dad."

"Elijah's just a little bit scared." Rossi told him.

"I'm nice, I promise. We all are." Hotch smiled.

Elijah nodded slowly, stepping out from behind Rossi.

"Don't worry about them. They're okay." Rossi assured him.

"It's.. It's nice to meet you." Elijah nodded to Hotch.

"As it is with you, Elijah." Hotch hummed.

Elijah smiled softly, letting go of Rossi. Hotch seemed nice.

"C'mon." Rossi nodded for Elijah to follow him.

Elijah nodded and followed after Rossi, not wanting to be left behind.

"We're going to see Gideon." He hummed.

"Who's Gideon?"

"Jason Gideon. He's my friend." Rossi walked to Gideon's office.

"Okay.." Elijah nodded slowly.

"Jason?" Rossi asked.

"David, it's-" Gideon looked down at Elijah,"Oh, who's this supposed to be?"

"This is Elijah, I'm going to be looking after him for a little while." Rossi nodded.

"Well, hey there." Gideon bent down slightly.

Elijah held onto Rossi's hand tightly, waving at Gideon.

"And Debbie can't look after him so he's with me today." He hummed.

"Are you gonna help Rossi?" Gideon asked him.

"Mhm.."

"He won't be a bother." Rossi assured him.

"I don't mind him being around, it's Strauss who might have the issue." Gideon shrugged.

"Strauss can kiss my ass." He joked.

"What was that, David?" Came a voice from behind.

Strauss.

"I said.. I remember Hayden's ass when she wore this nice skirt." Rossi spoke slowly.

"David, what have I told you about workplace discussions?" Strauss asked.

"Sorry Erin." He chuckled.

"Now, have either of you finished those reports on the cases?" Strauss crossed her arms.

"Uh- Yes." Rossi nodded,"But I have a problem.."

Strauss sighed,"And this problem is?"

"Well, he's not a problem.. But this is Elijah." Rossi nodded towards to him.

"Hi.." Elijah looked up at Strauss, trying to hide again.

"Erin, Elijah will be staying with me for a little bit."

"Did Hayden drop him off with you?" She raised a brow.

"No, I brought him." Rossi shook his head.

"Well, just make sure he stays near you. I don't want him wandering off and getting lost." Strauss pointed.

"You got it boss."

Strauss sighed and shook her hesd as she walked out.

"She's scary." Elijah whispered.

"Oh, I know.. She's very scary."

"I don't want to see her again." Elijah quickly shook his head.

"You and me both, son." Rossi chuckled.

Elijah hugged Rossi's side, holding onto his jacket.

*********************************

"Elijah! Come on down, dinner is ready!" Rossi shouted.

Although, there was no response. He couldn't hear footsteps coming from upstairs either.

"Eli, it's spaghetti." Rossi walked to the stairs.

Still nothing, it was far too quiet.

Rossi sighed and walked upstairs,"I'm getting too old for this, figlio."

Usually he'd be able to hear something, anything, but tonight.. Nothing. However the bathroom door was closed tight, despite it usually being open, at least a little.

"Elijah." Rossi knocked on the door.

No response.. But he must've been in there. He had to be.

"Alright, I'm coming in." Rossi opened the door.

Elijah was stood by the sink, clutching a small bottle of pills.

"Figilo?" Rossi slowly walked in.

"Just.. Just go away. You'll be happier this way."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm a burden.. You always have to worry about me and I don't want that for you. You have enough to worry about." Elijah looked away from him.

"Of course I worry about you.. You're my son." Rossi stood behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"But.. You should be worrying about more important things." Elijah rubbed his arm.

"Like what? You're my only important thing."

Elijah looked up at Rossi as he slowly lowered the pills,"Y-you mean it?"

"I mean it.. Now hand me the bottle."

Elijah handed the pills to Rossi and let out a shaky breath,"I'm sorry.."

"It's okay, come here." Rossi opened his arms.

Elijah turned and hugged Rossi as he broke down in his arms.

"It's okay.. Let's go sit, hm?"

Elijah nodded slowly, still crying as he let go of Rossi and took his hand. Rossi then lead them towards Elijah's room and walked inside.

Rossi sat them down on Elijah's bed, rubbing his back,"Talk to me."

"I just.. I'm sorry- When I close my eyes, I hear her.. I see her.. I'm back in the dark place." Elijah pulled his knees to his chest.

"I've told you, whenever you feel like that, you come talk to me." Rossi nodded.

"But you were working and I heard you talking with Uncle Aaron on the phone.. He said it was a bad one."

"Yeah, the case was bad, but it doesn't mean I look away from my duty as a father."

Elijah leaned against Rossi,"I'm really sorry.. I promise."

"Stop saying sorry." He chuckled,"Let's get you cleaned up and get you some spaghetti, yeah?"

"I'd like that." Elijah rubbed his eyes, smiling softly.

"Right. Come on." He got up.

Elijah got up as well, fixing his sleeves,"..Thank you."

*********************************

Elijah was studying in the living room when he heard a knock at the front door. Elijah quickly got up, nearly tripping over his own feet as he hurried to open the door.

"Elijah." Hotch waved.

"Uncle Aaron!" Elijah smiled.

"Hey kid." Hotch chuckled.

"Come in, come in." Elijah held the door open for him.

"Where's your dad?"

"He's in the kitchen." Elijah pointed.

"How's your studies going?" Hotch tilted his head.

"They're fine." Elijah sighed.

"How is fine?"

"Not good." Elijah rubbed his arms,"I don't understand any of it."

"I can help have a look." Hotch suggested.

"Please?"

"Come on, give me a show."

Elijah nodded and lead Hotch to where he had been trying to study.

"Jesus, it's messy." Hotch sighed.

"Sorry." Elijah shook his head.

"It's alright, I can help." Hotch assured him.

"Are you sure?" Elijah sighed as he sat down.

"Of course. What subject is it?"

"Chemistry."

"Right.. Is there any law?" Hotch blinked.

"No..?" Elijah shook his head,"Hotch, I'm thirteen."

"Okay. I'll try my best." Hotch nodded.

"Thank you."

"Let's see.." Hotch took his folder.

Elijah fiddled with his hands,"Nothing makes sense."

"I know, but it will get better."

"Will it?"

"Trust me." Hotch smiled.

"Okay.. Okay, I trust you." Elijah smiled back.

Hotch chuckled as he wrote down some solutions to help Elijah. Elijah leaned against him, reading over his shoulder.

"Can you tell your father I'm here?"

"Oh- Yeah." Elijah got up and walked to the kitchen,"Papà?"

"Hm?" Rossi looked up from the cook book.

"Uncle Aaron is here." Elijah hummed.

"He is? Why?" Rossi blinked.

"I don't know- But he's helping me with school."

"That's good." He nodded,"I'll be through soon."

"Alright." Elijah smiled as he walked back into the living room.

"Right. Most of the solutions are written down, that's the most I can do unfortunately." Hotch sighed.

"It's alright, thank you." Elijah hugged him.

"Anytime." Hotch rubbed his back.

"I love you." Elijah whispered.

"I love you too, kiddo." Hotch hummed.

Elijah smiled as he leaned against him, he liked this. He felt safe.

*********************************

"No, I don't know. I've been calling him." Rossi sighed to Hotch on the phone.

"And he's still not back yet?" Hutch asked,"He's never this late."

"I think I'm gonna go look for him." Rossi shook his head.

"Do you want me to come over? We can look together." Hotch offered.

"I'll call if I need you." Rossi told him.

"Of course." Hotch nodded as the door creaked open.

"Hold on." Rossi walked towards the door.

Elijah had creeped in, trying to close the door quietly.

"Elijah, thank god." Rossi cursed.

"Sorry, I got caught up in studying- I lost track of time." Elijah shook his head.

"You could've texted me."

"My phone died."

Rossi sighed,"I was so worried."

"I know.. I'm sorry." Elijah looked away.

"Come here, I'm sorry for being mad." He walked closer to Elijah.

Elijah took a step back,"No- No, it's okay."

Rossi tilted his head,"What's happened?"

"Nothing." Elijah told him.

"Elijah."

"Nothing happened." Elijah insisted.

"If you say so." Rossi sighed, studying his son.

Elijah kept his arms crossed, and he refused to look at Rossi as he tried to walk past him.

"..I'll bring dinner up to you."

"I'm not hungry." Elijah contiued to his room.

"What about something to drink? Some water?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Fine." Rossi sighed,"Brush your teeth."

"Mhm." Elijah nodded as he walked up the stairs.

"Elijah?"

"Hm?" Elijah stopped at the top of the stairs.

"I love you."

"I love you too.." Elijah quickly walked to his room.

Rossi sighed and watched Elijah, what had gotten into him? Elijah hurried to his room and shut the door, trying hard not to start crying. He couldn't tell Rossi. He couldn't tell anyone.

*********************************

"Elijah, come on. You've not ate." Rossi sighed.

"I don't want to eat." Elijah told him.

"It's been two days."

"So?"

"So, you've not eaten for two days, you've not been at school. You need to tell me what's going on."

"I don't want to."

Rossi sat down at the table,"Son."

Elijah looked away from him,"Lasciami in pace.."

"Okay, now I know something is definitely wrong." Rossi sighed.

Elijah shook his head as he stood up.

"Figliolo, per favore... Tutto quello che voglio fare è aiutarti. Qualunque cosa sia accaduta, non ti giudicherò." Rossi looked at him.

"Mi... Mi odierai. So che lo farai." Elijah stepped back.

"You know I could never do that."

Elijah hugged himself as he looked down,"I'm sorry.. Sorry- I'm sorry.."

"Eli.. You have nothing to be sorry for.. Unless you let out my spaghetti recipe." He joked.

Elijah started to cry,"Papà.. Please, I told them to stop.."

"Told who?" Rossi crouched down.

Elijah shook his head,"No, I can't- He said it would be worse if I told you."

"Who said it would be worse? What happened bambino?"

"I.. He said he liked me, I thought- But he- And them-" Elijah choked back sobs as he struggled to get his words out.

"It's okay.. It's okay." Rossi assured him.

"No.. No- I'm sorry! I didn't want it, I promise.."

"..Did something happen at school?"

Elijah nodded as he slowly walked up to Rossi.

"You can tell me."

Elijah held onto Rossi as he sobbed, still apologizing. It was all his fault.

"It's okay my boy..Shh.." Rossi hugged his son.

"I didn't want it.. It hurts.."

"I just want to help you." Rossi sighed.

"I.. I thought he wanted to go out with me but.. When I got there.." Elijah trailed off,"They hurt me.."

"Who hurt you?"

"Craig.. C-Craig and his friends- They were older, scary.."

"Craig? The boy we talked about?"

Elijah nodded as he clung onto Rossi,"Papà, they were on me.."

"Whatever happened was not your fault." Rossi assured him.

"It was- I.. I had to punish myself-"

"No, no. You didn't need to do anything."

Elijah hid his face in Rossi's shoulder,"I don't wanna go back there.. Please.."

"I'll transfer you to another school, don't worry." He assured him.

"I.." Elijah looked up at Rossi,"Posso restare nella tua stanza stanotte? Lo... non riuscivo a dormire..."

Rossi nodded and kissed his head,"Of course."

Elijah slowly let go of him,"Can I go up there now?"

"On you go. I'll bring up some dinner."

Elijah nodded as he headed upstairs and into Rossi's room, curling up on the bed. He was safe now.. And he always would be.

*********************************

"Right. Be good, I'm not there to tell you off." Rossi spoke over the phone.

"I'll behave.. Unless I see a cute guy, I make no promises then." Elijah hummed.

"Well..I can't promise that."

"It's the FBI, there's bound to be at least one cute guy."

"There might be a few." He shrugged.

"Look, I'll see you when I get back, alright?" Elijah chuckled.

"Have a good day."

"I'll do my best." Elijah smiled,"Ti amo, Papà."

"Ti amo, my boy."

Elijah hummed as he hung up. This was his first day at the BAU, an official FBI Agent. He knew there would be people who assumed he got in purely because of his father, but he knew why he was here. He worked to get here and he was going to prove it

"Excuse me, do you know where Aaron Hotchner's office is?" A brunette girl walked up to him.

"Hm?" Elijah turned before pointing,"Oh, his office is that way, darling. I could walk you if you'd like, I'm on my way there."

"Are you starting today too?"

"I am." Elijah nodded,"Sorry, I don't think I caught your name."

"Fleur Howards." Fleur smiled,"You?"

"Elijah. Elijah Rossi." He held out his hands.

"Rossi. As in David Rossi?"

"My father."

"That's so cool." Fleur hummed as they walked.

"I know." Elijah smiled,"He used to bring me here sometimes."

"So you know your way around already." Fleur nodded.

"That's right, darling." Elijah knocked on the door of Hotch's office.

"Come in." Hotch's voice spoke.

"He's not as scary as he looks, honest." Elijah whispered to Fleur as he opened the door.

Fleur smiled and walked in, Elijah following her inside.

"Elijah." Hotch looked up,"And you must be Fleur."

"It's great being back here again." Elijah looked around.

"Just this time you're actually working." Hotch nodded.

"I know, it's surreal." Elijah turned to Fleur,"You're going to love it here."

"I hope I do." Fleur smiled.

"Right, head through to the Conference Room. I'll be there, go meet the team." Hotch told them.

"Of course." Elijah hummed.

The two then headed into the Conference Room, being met with some new faces.

"You just be the team." Elijah hummed holding out his hand,"I'm Elijah Rossi."

"Little Rossi, hey man." Morgan smiled,"Not seen you in a while."

"Morgan, it's been too long." Elijah shook his head.

"You know each other?" Fleur asked.

"I told you, I've been around before." Elijah shrugged,"Morgan tried to teach me how to play sports."

"Tried." Morgan chuckled,"This kid cannot throw a ball."

"I can so." Elijah pointed,"Just.. Not very far. Or in the right direction."

Fleur smiled,"I'm Fleur Howards."

"Derek Morgan." He smiled back.

"I'm Jennifer Jareau, this is Jason Gideon, Elle Greenaway and Spencer Reid." JJ introduced herself.

"Gideon and I know each other." Elijah nodded,"But its a pleasure to meet the rest of you."

"As it is with you." Reid nodded,"So you're David Rossi's son?"

"I am."

"That's so cool." Reid smiled.

"Thanks." Elijah smiled back.

"Right, sit down. We have a lot of catching up do to for this case." Gideon sighed.

"Oh, I love catching up." Elijah sat down.

*********************************

"So? How was it?" Rossi asked as he picked up Elijah after the case.

"It was amazing." Elijah smiled as he put on his seat belt.

"How come amazing?"

"Well, I met this guy." Elijah hummed,"And he's just so smart nd he seems so sweet- He's a doctor, too."

"Reid?"

"Yeah."

"How did I know?" Rossi shrugged.

"He's just incredible." Elijah sighed.

"I think someone has a crush." He hummed.

"How could I not?"

"You've only met the boy once."

"Oh, but I miss him already."

"I can tell." Rossi chuckled.

"He could just talk for hours and I'd listen." Elijah closed his eyes.

"He always talks."

"I love his voice."

"Elijah."

"Hm?"

"You're making me miss love."

"Aw, Papà." Elijah tilted his head,"You've still got time. You might find love again."

"We'll just need to see." Rossi nodded and drove off.

"Oh, we will." Elijah pointed.

"If you can find me a woman, you'll be my favourite."

"You say that like I'm not your favourite already." Elijah crossed his arms.

"No, the cat's my favourite. He doesn't argue." Rossi smirked.

"You- Fine. I'm going to sneak out and sleep with Reid." Elijah turned away.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Rossi shook his head and chuckled.