A/N: I'm gonna be honest with all of you. I had the working theory for this story in my head for a couple of months. But then real life kicked this one up to a new level. A level I struggled with mightily; even seeking the guidance of my mentor.
Just on FYI; for those you that follow this story, you know Freddie Freeman is a teammate of Zach's. In real life, he's married to Chelsea and they have a young son named Charlie. Just so you know the players in this chapter upfront; because they will play an early role in this chapter.
Once again, and with deepest regrets, I must acknowledge that all rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Productions, CBS and ABC Studios. I think all you of have figured out by now how I feel about them.
*Knightly bow*
Chapter 1
On a Tuesday day off for Zach, he and Caleigh sat at the kitchen table eating dinner with ESPN on the TV waiting for the announcement of the All-Star game players. "Do you think you start?" Caleigh asked.
"Hell no babe; there are too many veteran catchers that the fans will vote in; starting with Buster Possy of the Giants." Caleigh looked at him. "Yeah, the Braves media and front office put up a lot of noise." He shook his head. "I'm not counting on anything. Joe Madden is going to go with veterans; not rookies."
ESPN announced the National League All-Stars that the fans voted in. Buster Possy was the starting catcher. "Nailed it," Zach smiled at Caleigh.
"I hate when you're always right," Caleigh shot back.
"And when Madden announces the rest of his line-up, Yadi Molina from St. Louis will be the second catcher," Zach said.
ESPN put up the rest of the National League All-Stars line-up. Zach looked at Caleigh with his bullshit smile, putting in another bite of the chicken he had grilled. He pulled the fork out with flare, looking at her.
"Again; I hate it when you're right."
"I know babe. But Cal, it's five days off for us," he smiled.
"I like you not being appreciated for your play," Caleigh smiled back.
"Jeez babe, go straight for the heart shot." Caleigh laughed.
"What about this weekend with Amelia's baptism?"
"All of us players get to take our spouses on two road trips per year. I've already got you cleared for our three day road trip to D.C.. After the Astros will probably kick our asses at SunTrust."
"Zach, D.C. is home; I can go there anytime. Chelsea and I want to go to Denver. And Chicago later in August. And her folks are going to take care of Charlie. We've already planned it out."
"So how the hell are you going to get to D.C. for Amelia's baptism?"
"Hello Zach," Caleigh said. "I'll drive and, because you now have five days off, I can bring Lex with me and we can enjoy some family time." She snuggled up to him, pulling her plate off the table. "At home: our home."
"No way," Zach said.
"Zach?"
"There is no way I'm letting you make that nine hour drive alone."
"I'll have Lex," Caleigh smiled.
"That would lick to death anyone that would take advantage of you at the stops you have to make. Dad and Uncle Dave would absolutely kill me."
Caleigh smiled at Zach. "Why I love you; you worry about me. But loves, I'm a big girl; and Lex and I can make the trip together. Plus we'll have a vehicle while we're home."
"Take the truck."
Caleigh smiled, kissing his cheek. "That gas guzzler? You going back home in my vehicle. Suck it up."
"God, I hate arguing with you."
Caleigh laughed. "You just hate losing an argument. You've got too much Hotchner in you."
"True that," Zach smiled, kissing Caleigh.
"Actually Zach, I'm leaving Wednesday with our usual stop in Gastonia. I need mom one on one time Thursday. Jack has already agreed to take Lex."
Zach looked at Caleigh. "You're going to abandon me while we get our butts kicked by the best team in baseball?"
"Something like that," Caleigh smiled, kissing his cheek.
"I love you too babe," Zach growled.
Caleigh smiled, rubbing Zach's back. "At least you and Jack get some time together with him being batboy this weekend in D.C. playing the Nats."
"One thing at a time babe," Zach smiled. "You and Lex get home safe. Then I'll enjoy Jack."
Caleigh kissed Zach. "We will; and I'll get Jack there Friday for Aaron and Beth."
-00CM00-
Like Zach predicted, the major league leading Houston Astros kicked the Braves butts in their two game series. Zach looked at Andy on their flight to D.C.. "That wasn't fun."
Andy smiled. "Hell Cob; I'm glad I'm facing the Nats tomorrow night." He looked at Zach. "You and I know their line-up. The Astros?" Andy shook his head. "I'm damn glad I missed that buzz saw with our four man rotation."
Zach smiled. "You and me both bro; I've got you."
"I know Cob," Andy smiled. Andy pitched a four hit shutout Friday night against the Nats. Zach homered; twice.
-00CM00-
The family was in their seats when Zach came up to bat in the second inning Saturday night. Aaron, Beth, Dave and Caleigh and her family.
Max Scherzer let go of an inside fastball that sailed on him. "Cob! Look out!"
Zach had just enough time with Max's warning to turn his back. The pitch landed in his upper shoulder area near his neck. He collapsed to the ground. Caleigh bolted out of her seat with Aaron joining her. "My God Aaron his spine," she said. Mike put his arm around his sister. The stadium went silent.
Jack bolted out of the dugout, once again being Braves' batboy with the Nationals buy in. Brian Snitker missed pulling him back in. Matt Kemp, in the on deck circle, nabbed Jack as Brian and Jeff Porter, the Braves' head trainer sped past them.
"Jack," Kemp said, rubbing his chest. "Let Jeff do his thing. He's the best." Jack looked at him. "I gotcha buddy," he smiled. "And your bro." Matt knelt down on his knee and held Jack close.
By the time Porter and Snitker got there, Zach had rolled on his back. Matt Wieters, the Nationals catcher looked at him. "Stop moving Cob."
"Look Cal," Mike said. "He's moving around," hugging her closer.
"I'm OK," Zach said sitting up as Porter got to him.
"Cob?"
"I'm OK Jeff," Zach said.
"Where'd you get hit? Exactly?"
"Jeez Jeff, I think you can find it," he pointed to the spot as Scherzer joined the group.
"You OK Cob?"
Zach smiled at him. "I'm good; thanks for the warning."
"So you aren't going to kick my ass like you did Jose?" Max asked.
"Naw man; we're all good. I know that one got away from you," Zach smiled at him.
Porter rubbed his hand across the spot just above Zach's uniform shirt. "Yup, you found it Jeff," Zach said, wincing in some pain.
Potter looked at Snitker, shaking his head a bit. "It hit the major muscle coming out of the skull just at the start of the shoulder. This isn't going away overnight. It's going to take some time to heal."
Snitker looked at the homeplate umpire, pulling his line-up card out of his back pocket. "How much time do I have blue to get Flowers warmed up?"
"As much as you need Skip," Angel Hernandez said back as Porter got Zach standing.
"Thank God," Tom softly said. Caleigh shook her head at Mike while Aaron rubbed her back, holding Beth close with his other arm.
"Cob, are your fingers in your right hand tingling?" Porter asked.
"No, they're good," Zach said, heading for the dugout. He saw Jack with Matt. "I'm OK bro," he smiled, wiggling Jack's helmet. Matt rubbed Jack's chest a bit more and smiled at him.
"Go with Jeff Jack," Kemp smiled.
Zach acknowledged the Nationals crowd that applauded him walking off with a tip of his baseball cap as he headed into the dugout. Skip pulled off Jack's helmet as Jeff headed Zach to the lockerroom with Zach putting his arm around Jack.
"You OK Z-man?"
"It hurts like hell JP. But we'll get through this," Zach smiled at Jack, rubbing his shoulder. Jeff rubbed Jack's head as they walked into the locker room.
###
A/N: I've got some yellow highlights to explain. ESPN is the premier sports network here in the States; via cable or satellite TV. The Astros are the MLB team in Houston.
Joe Madden is the Skipper of the Chicago Cubs. I hope you all know by now that the manager, aka coach, aka boss of a baseball team is called the Skipper. The Skippers for the All-Star teams are the managers that had their teams in the World Series. Which is the final play-off game series to determine an MLB Champion.
On deck circle is where the next batter in the line-up warms up while the player bats before him. I think you all by know that "blue" means one of the umpires.
I'm gonna get you internationals educated in baseball one way or another. :D