A/N: This is a standalone story. It does include a small part of background from my story The Circle of Life. However, you don't need to read that to understand this FF.

PLEASE NOTE: this is my universe of Hotch and Rossi being married and parents to Jack. And while the rating on this story is "T", it is solely for the storyline; this is PG-13 at worst. Once again, if that is not your cup of tea, I understand and respect your decision; walk away with my blessings. However, I ask that you please respect my decision to write this manner of story.

For those of you sticking around, you will get my usual chapter a day.

All rights to the Criminal Minds characters in this story belong to Mark Gordon Productions, ABC Studios and CBS.

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

Aaron and David had talked many times about one subject. They discussed it while doing dishes after dinner as Jack finished his homework upstairs in his bedroom; on the jet together after a long case; or lying in bed.

Flying home from a case in Chicago, they sat together in the back two top of seats. Dave looked at his spouse. "Aaron, when are you going to tell what is really bugging you about this," Dave softly asked.

Aaron looked out the window to gather his thoughts. Dave is Jack's parent as well. He has a right to know his conscience told him. He sadly shook his head. "It's about Jack's dreams; the ones he had after Haley died," he whispered. "There was one re-occurring theme to them." Dave looked at him. "Daddy, I heard the big bangs while I was working the case with you."

It was Dave's turn to shake his head. "You don't want that to come back and haunt Jack?" Aaron just nodded. They flew home the rest of the way in silence.

The next night, Dave was drying the cooking dishes he used that Aaron washed by hand. "Can I suggest something about my idea?"

"Sure Dave," Aaron smiled. "You know I'll listen."

"We're going to the cabin tomorrow to store the fishing boat and pull out the duck boat. Before I put all the foliage camouflage on it, I was going to take Max out on the lake. I got some blank shotgun shells from Fred at the Bureau firing range. I want to get Max trained to get off the boat after I shoot and where to come back in." Aaron looked at him. "Aaron, I understand your reservations. We can take care of your two biggest together. You and Jack can come along. And you can teach him where to be safely in the boat and how to stay out of my firing range. After that, we'll see if any bad memories crop up."

Aaron paused. "Give me a day to think on that, OK?"

"As long as you promise to think about it," Dave smiled.

"I promise," Aaron smiled back, kissing him.

-00CM00-

After their usual stop at Molly's Place, they climbed back into Dave's SUV with Aaron driving. He pulled back onto the state road that led to the cabin. "So guys," Jack piped up in the backseat, "what's cooking for tomorrow besides swapping out the boats?"

Aaron shot Dave a look. Dave quickly shook his head non-verbally telling his spouse that he hadn't said a word to Jack. Aaron eyed him a bit longer and then looked at Jack in the rearview mirror. Satisfied there wasn't a conspiracy going on, he looked at Jack again in the mirror.

"Well buddy, we've got some wood cutting to do in the morning."

"Ouch," Jack said. "There goes my staying up late tonight." Dave and Aaron laughed.

"After that Jack, we'll swap out the boats. When we get Papa's duck boat in the water, he's going to take Max out to get him used to the shotgun blast and jumping off the boat and how to get back on after that." Dave looked at Aaron, almost holding his breath. Aaron smiled at him and then Jack. "You and I are going along."

"We are dad," Jack excitedly asked.

"You've worked really hard at training Max for his first duck hunt. You should be in on the next step."

"Awesome," Jack beamed. "I'll give up movie night for that!" Dave swung in his seat to look at Jack. "And popcorn Papa," he smiled. The spouses laughed at their son.

Later that night, lying in bed together, Dave curled up into Aaron's shoulder. Aaron held him in a warm embrace with his left arm as Dave laid his head on Aaron's chest. "Thank you," he said, kissing his chest above his heart.

"Dave, I agreed to this; but Max will not be the only one passing a test tomorrow."

Dave leaned up and kissed his lips. "Agreed."

-00CM00-

The three of them woke early the next morning. After a monster breakfast, they were out in the woods by eight and worked hard until almost noon. Jack, now nine worked as hard as his young body would let him. Cory had showed up to help them.

Sitting on the back deck overlooking the lake, the four of them, dressed in jeans and t-shirts enjoyed a large glass of lemonade as they cooled down a bit from their work. Mother Nature had blessed the area with her last warmth with fall gaining on the calendar. Cory polished off his glass. "I'm gonna head out guys. I've got leaves to blow into the compost pile; after the frost last weekend, they're really starting to come down." He looked at Dave. "I've got the lawn service lined up," he smiled. "They'll take care of yours."

"Thanks Cory," Dave smiled. "You know you can use my service to take care of you and Tina's lawn. A little bonus from me," he smiled.

"Thanks Dave," Cory said with a smile. "Tina and I like getting out in the yard."

Dave nodded his head with a smile. They said their good-byes to Cory as he climbed into his truck. Jack anxiously looked at his parents. "Now guys?"

Aaron laughed. "Now Jack."

"'Bout time," Jack replied. "But I gotta whiz first." Aaron looked at him, as he sped off into the cabin, shaking his head a tiny bit.

Dave looked at his partner. "A little melancholy there dad?"

"I'll always miss my little boy Dave. Four years ago, his response would have been yippee. Now, he just cares about taking a piss. He's growing up too damn fast on us."

Dave shook his head with a laugh. "I hear that."

Less than two hours later, they were out on the lake in Dave's duck boat. As Dave parked it in the cove around the point from Cory and Tina's home and Aaron dropped the anchor, Jack looked at him. "Papa, won't you scare away the ducks with this practice?"

Dave smiled. "That's a good question my son. But ducks are migratory birds. How many ducks do you see around right now?" Jack stood up looking around. He shook his head. "But now son," Dave looked deeply in his eyes, "is where you listen to every word your dad is about to tell you." Jack matched his look. "And you learn every word."

"Got it Papa," Jack affirmed. Dave got Max into his life vest and then gently pulled his shotgun out of its leather case. Max wagged his tail.

"Jack," Aaron said, "the second you see that gun coming out, you are on alert. You keep your eyes focused on Papa and where he's at on the boat at all times."

"I got it dad," Jack solemnly said, looking it his dad's eyes. Then his bright eyes appeared. "But did you notice dad? Max is ready to go!"

"I did son," Aaron smiled. "You, Papa and Brian trained him well. And Jack, I know you want to see Max work. But your first priority has to be Papa and where he's aiming."

"Jack," Dave said, moving to his shooting platform, "the second I step up here, your eyes are on me." Jack nodded diligently. "However son, if you stay sitting in that seat you are with your dad, you will never be in my gun range." Jack quickly sat back down next to Aaron. "That's the key son; you stay sitting down." Dave smiled. "And from there, you can see Max work."

Dave loaded two of the blank shells into his shotgun. "Come Max," he said, getting him up on the shooting platform. Max jumped up. "Sit Max," Dave commanded. Max promptly sat down next to Dave's feet. Dave pushed the safety off the shotgun.

"Jack, when Papa does that, that means that is a live gun, ready to fire. Do you understand that?"

"Yup dad; I stay sitting down." Aaron smiled at his response and then Dave. Dave fired two shots into the air.

Max stood up on all four feet, quivering with excitement. Aaron rose and heaved the practice duck plastic bottle out into the water. "Go Max," Dave commanded. Max flew off the boat.

Jack sprang out his seat. Aaron pulled him back down. "Jack, until you see Papa put the safety back on the shotgun, you do not move," he gently scolded.

Dave looked at Jack, putting the safety on, while looking at Max happily swimming to his "duck". "Sorry son, that's on me; I should've known better. I was watching Max. Dad's right; and it won't happen again."

"Now," Jack asked, looking at the two of them. They both smiled at him as Jack got up and went to stand at the edge of the shooting platform. Max reached the "duck" with the ease of his young body, barking as he got there. Jack smiled at Dave.

Aaron happened to look across the lake. "Incoming Dave; it's a game warden and he doesn't look happy by how fast he's coming in."

"Come Max," Dave said, slapping his thigh. Max started the swim back. "Fall officers Aaron; they're newbies that trained with a warden over the summer," he said, keeping an eye on Max. "They want to make their mark. You were like that at one time," he smiled at him. He turned back to Max. "Right here boy," he pointed, as Max approached the boat with his duck.

Max perfectly approached the back landing area for him and climbed into the boat. He dropped his "duck" at Jack's feet. "Good boy Max," Jack said, petting him. Before Dave could shout a warning, Max sprayed Jack with lake water, getting his fur coat rinsed.

Aaron laughed. "Lesson number two that you seemed to forget."

Jack wiped the water off his face. "Yup dad, I sorta did." Max happily barked as the game warden slowed his boat and pulled to the side of Dave's.

"Good afternoon Warden," Dave smiled. "What's up," Dave innocently asked.

"Sir, you do know it's not duck hunting season yet. I'll need to see your license."

Jack moved to his dad as Dave stepped down from the shooting platform and set his shotgun in its case. He gently pulled his wallet out and handed the warden his duck hunting license for the season. "Warden, with all due respect, I'm just out here training my new hunting partner."

"Partner," the warden asked suspiciously.

"Yes," Dave smiled. "My dog; it's his first season," he pointed at Max. He barked and wagged his tail at the warden. Aaron smiled at his spouse. Dave had fully accepted his decision for the trial run; and respected Aaron's thoughts before making his final decision. He still didn't include Jack in equation. "Firing blanks Warden." He introduced Aaron and Jack to him.

Looking up from Dave's license, the young Warden looked at him. "Where the hell did you get blank shotgun shells?"

"Warden, I'm going to pull something out of back pants pocket. My spouse will do the same. We're both with the FBI. I got the blanks from our gun range in Quantico." They both pulled out their credentials.

The kid shook his head. "I'm sorry agents…"

"Don't apologize Warden," Dave smiled. "You're doing your job."

"And I'm learning hunter safety so I can someday hunt with Papa," Jack added with a smile. "Dad is teaching me."

Warden Valdez smiled. "I think you've got the best two teachers around." Jack brightly smiled back at him, as Valdez handed Dave his hunting license. "Have fun with the training session." He gently pulled his boat away.

Later that night, Dave laid next to Aaron. He knew better than to initiate a love making session. Aaron was on guard; listening for Jack.

The dreams never appeared.

-00CM00-

They spent Sunday morning cutting more wood for the winter at the cabin. Driving back to home, it was a race to see who conked out first; Jack or Max.

Dave looked at Aaron, deep in thought. "And….?"

Aaron shook his head. "You spend too much money on Jack."

"Where the hell is that coming from," Dave asked. "We're talking about Jack going hunting with me and Max."

"Exactly my point," Aaron said, glancing at him while driving. "You will not trip out our son with camouflage wear that he will grow out before next year. We find him some wool-lined brown pants, warm boots and green jacket and camo life vest." Dave looked at him. "Or he doesn't go."

Dave eyed Aaron with a smile. "Can I at least throw in a camo colored baseball hat?"

Aaron looked at him and shook his head. "You can be an ass Dave."

Dave smiled. "You knew that walking in," he devilishly smiled. "But you have to admit I'm a loveable ass."

###