The Time Has Come

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas.

This is my story for the Dearly Departed challenge on CCOAC. As the challenge suggests there will be a character death. In this case my assigned character is David Rossi. This is set approximately 30 years in the future, so all of our beloved characters have retired from FBI life and the lovely boys are grown up.

. . .

Wondering through the peaceful surroundings Dave basked in the eternal sunshine. He had had just over a week to become accustomed to his new abode. His initial placing had surprised him, somehow he had expected a fierier reception to the ever after. Sister O'Donaghue of St. Mary's school had done much to encourage that belief. The look on her face as he had walked through the Pearly Gates had made all those Sunday school sessions worthwhile. Obviously she still hadn't expected to see him there.

However Father James had given him the chance over the months since his diagnose to come to terms with the 'highs and lows' of the life of David Rossi – as he had liked to refer to it. They had even laughed that, given more time, it would have been a best seller. Dave had given him permission to break the confessional rules and make it big if he thought the story was that interesting. Though he knew the young priest never would.

As he settled on the edge of heaven, Dave scanned the scene below. It wasn't vanity or curiosity that brought him to watch his own funeral, rather the burning need to be there for those who were mourning his passing. And maybe just to check his more elaborate requests were being met.

He could remember so clearly calling Aaron all those years ago - before they knew that cancer was gnawing away at him. That day he had handed over the box with a full set of instructions: "It's all you need to say goodbye when I am gone." Aaron had been surprised and confused, but Dave had insisted he keep the box safe and open it when the time came.

Aaron had been true to his word, Dave knew as he had watched him unpack the box a week ago. He felt guilty as he had watched his friend come to terms with the news and process his wishes at the same time. Had he been wrong to ask Aaron to do this for him? He hoped not. Though he knew he could count on one hand the number of times he had seen Aaron cry. Last Tuesday just added one more to the total.

Looking down over the edge of the soft silvery clouds, Dave observed the procession towards the graveside. Aaron was at the front alongside Morgan, and behind him was his grown son, Jack. Adjacent to Jack was Henry, both still kids in Dave's eyes - even though they were in their thirties with children of their own. At the rear were Will and Reid.

It was only when he saw how Dr. Spencer Reid had aged that Dave realised the total of his own long life. The sixty-one year old university professor was well beyond the kid he had tried to father for many years before hand. Dave hoped he had been of some help to the troubled soul.

Following the coffin was Mrs Rossi number four. Erin Strauss had only accepted his proposal on the day of their joint resignation from the BAU. As they no longer needed to be secretive of their relationship they decided to live out their retirement in wedded bliss. And the years had been blissful. All three of her children had openly accepted their mother's happy news and had given Dave the ready-made family that he had long ago believed he would never have. Being 'Pops' to a cluster of grandchildren had kept him young at heart and physically fit. Or so they had thought.

That very family flanked Erin now as she grieved their loss. Dave hated to see her cry. The strong woman that he had once loved to hate, but had grown into the companion he loved and cherished, didn't suit tears. His stilled heart crumbled as he wished he could hold her one last time, reassuring her that it was all going to be alright.

Behind were the ladies of the BAU, the colleagues who had become friends and warped into the family he had never expected. JJ, the fiery blonde retained her cool disposition as she supported her long term best friend Penelope Garcia. It broke Dave's heart to see his colourful kitten festooned in black. Why had he not thought to add that to his instructions – that black was banned. On her other side was Emily Prentiss.

The ambassador's daughter maintained the dignified demeanour of her mother who was following on behind with Mr. Prentiss. Both now nearing one hundred but fighting aging as only a Prentiss could - after all, how dare such a piffling thing as time think it could take on Elizabeth Prentiss and win? That woman would defy death if she knew how.

Directly behind JJ, Pen and Emily walked Alex Blake and Ashley Carter, nee Seaver. Alex containing her own grief and was offering comfort to the younger woman. Ashley was devastated at the loss of the man she had views as her replacement father. After all he had been the man she asked to give her away at her wedding over twenty years ago. And it was an honour to be asked. As he was unable to officially be their grandparent Ashley had asked him to be Godfather to both of her boys. The boys trailed behind, having unfortunately trod the same path a few years back when they had buried their father after a tragic car crash.

Behind those closest to him were many who had been in his life for much briefer periods. Among which were each of the Galen children, though none were children - now parents of their own children. Each year he had continued to stay in contact with them, enjoying receiving photos of their growing families. Plus those who felt they needed to be seen, the current director of the FBI included.

Dave's lips twitched into a smirk, he had never imaged such a gathering. Though he was pretty sure Mrs. Rossi number three was only there to ensure he was dead and buried!

As he watched his friends and family intently, something caught the corner of his eye. Standing away from the group, under the shade of a large tree stood an old man. He was rather frail, even with a light wood cane in his left hand he rested against the trunk of the tree. Dave squinted, there was something familiar about the man. No! It couldn't be, could it?

Jason Gideon had come this far out of hiding, but was obviously not ready to face the others and their barrage of questions. Dave smiled, so the rumours of him disappearing to commit suicide were not true, though he had never held stock in that one. They may not have seen eye to eye on everything, but Dave was glad he had come to no harm, though the years had not been kind to Jason. It was obvious he was in pain, and not just physical, Dave assumed.

Dave sat alone listening to Aaron's words of praise, and watching as one by one those he loved placed a single white rose on his coffin. Aaron better do as he requested and gather up those flowers and have them delivered to the nearest hospital as gifts. He had always hated to see such beautiful blooms wasted. He watched as the crowd dispersed and return to their vehicles ready to move onto the wake.