A/N: Remember after my last Thanksgiving story, I said I needed a break from writing? While I truly did, this story popped into my head. My wonderful mentor opened a world to me that is my relaxation and catharsis. And writing this family is so relaxing for me, I wrote this story over that break. Yes, this whole story has been sitting in my Word files for six months. You know me and my timing of posting stories.
I'd been hunting for a way to combine two of my favorite TV shows (and btw before my much grown affection for Madam Secretary.) Plus, with this story, I've been able to do my two greatest FF loves; write my favorite OC while doing some mega research. I think y'all can figure out the rest. I just hope you enjoy the journey.
As always, this is a completely written story. You will get a chapter a day.
All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Productions, CBS, and ABC Studios.
*Knightly bow*
Chapter 1
Aaron and Cait Hotchner had a wonderful Friday night with their sons with the northern Virginia early March winds howling cold for some reason. Matt, with his conference baseball season fast approaching, came home for a weekend before it began. The Hotchner's enjoyed a true family Friday night, huddled with each other downstairs, eating popcorn as they watched their favorite show The Amazing Race. The fireplace blazed with the unseasonably cold temperatures outside.
Jack kept tossing kernels of popcorn to Beans, finally getting Cait's glare. "One more piece Jack and Mike will send Beans into your room to let her out in the middle of the night."
"Busted bro," Matt smiled, rubbing Jack's head, curled up in his arms.
"Got it Matt," he smiled. He looked at his oldest brother. "I miss you Mattie and I'm glad you're here."
"Lauren is with her family in Florida," he smiled. "I get some time with my family," he added, rubbing Jack's head more with his big smile, pulling his little brother closer to him. Aaron and Cait beamed.
Mike looked at his parents. "I read online they're going to do another family race," he smiled. They all had talked many times, dreaming about doing the race together as a family.
Aaron looked at him. "Mike, I agree it would be fun. But look around here; do you really think we need a million dollars?"
Matt, finally clued in on the family's finances, receiving his paperwork for the trust fund that had been set up for him when he turned twenty-one, shook his head. "Mike, trust me; we don't," he smiled. Cait and Aaron smiled at their mature son.
"I get it Matt," Mike said. "But it'd still be fun to try," he smiled.
"Sorry Matt," Jack added. "I'm in with Mike on one this."
"I know bro," Matt smiled.
-00CM00-
Later that night, Cait and Aaron laid in bed together. Aaron held his wife in the crook of his arm, her head lying on his chest. "I had a visit from Cruz this afternoon."
"That sounds ominous," Cait replied.
Aaron smiled. "It really wasn't; and not totally unexpected." Cait lifted her head to look at him. "The Bureau can run Unit Chiefs in and out like a revolving door. The few of us that have been in the same position for six years or more because they want us there; they don't want to burn out."
Cait eyed him intently. "After those six years, we're supposed to get a mandatory six week stand down every third year. They know, and rightly so, that the units we work with has senior agents that can take care of things. I should have got mine a couple summers ago. But with our annual trip to California in June, and then Erin getting murdered, that got blown out of the water. Cruz told me that the Bureau will not let that happen this year."
"So you're getting six weeks this summer," Cait asked looking at him.
"No," he smiled, "Between that, my AL, and vacation, I've got from Memorial Day weekend until the second week in August off." Cait laid her head back down on Aaron's chest.
After a minute, Aaron laughed. "Doc, I can hear the wheels turning in you head. Spit it out."
Cait rolled up on his chest and put her hands underneath her chin, leaning on his chest. Aaron rubbed her back. "You remember the butt kicking we got from Max?" Aaron nodded, thinking back to a couple weeks earlier with their accountant (and Dave's) hitting them over the head about how much money they had in reserve. Through Max, they had taken advantage of tax laws and remained legal. And Max reported what he had to by law, even with the deferments. Yet, they were once again paying a hefty sum of taxes to Uncle Sam and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Cait gave him her Cheshire cat smile. "We just celebrated our fifth anniversary. Our financial goal has always been to get things settled and then do something for that anniversary," she smiled.
"I believe I promised you Paris," Aaron smiled.
"Paris is overrated; trust me," Cait purred. "And besides, we can do that when we're old and grey."
"And your plan Doc?"
"Well obviously the first part of June is eaten up with Matt possibly making the college World Series." Aaron nodded. "But either way, there's the trip to the ranch." She smiled at him. "It's after that, I'm thinking about."
Aaron looked at her. "I'll roll with you Doc; keep talking. I know you've got a plan."
"Not a plan Aaron; just a thought." He looked at her more closely. "Instead of flying to the ranch, how 'bout we take a cross country journey to the ranch. I don't care if we get there in June or July; the weather will be the same." Aaron gave her a questioned look. Cait smiled. "We make it our version of an amazing race of sorts for the boys."
Aaron looked at her. "Our three sons together in a car? For that long? No," he flatly said.
Cait shook her head. "Think RV lover," she smiled. "And Beans could even come along." Aaron thought about her idea. Cait laughed. "And now I can hear your wheels turning." He looked at her. "Aaron, we know what is going to happen next summer. The minute Matt graduates from college is when he'll pop the question to Lauren. With the job she's already got lined up when she graduates and his trust fund, they can make it with Matt going to law school." She smiled at Aaron. "We've reared a son to be financially responsible. He's finally getting the lesson. This is our last chance as a family."
Aaron looked at her. "We've talked about that happening with the age difference in the boys." Cait nodded. "And I know the educator in you," he smiled. "You could come up with ways to challenge the boys."
"Get the terminology right lover," Cait cooed. "Route info, road blocks and detours."
Aaron sensuously smiled at her. "And what's my reward if I do?"
Cait pulled off her sleep shirt, kissing him, throwing it on the floor. "You get me naked," she purred.
-00CM00-
Over the course of the next five weeks, David Rossi noticed Aaron working on a project when the team had down time on the jet coming home from cases. He's not doing his usual paperwork Dave observed. And he noted the soft smile on Aaron's lips.
Coming home from a case in Denver in early May, Dave slid into the two top seat across from Aaron, handing him a glass of scotch. The rest of the team was conked out. Aaron smiled at him, accepting the glass of their magic elixir. "Aaron, I've gave you your space," Dave smiled. "But something is up." Aaron eyed him. "Care to share?"
Aaron smiled. "It's a family thing."
"I get that," Dave said, slightly exasperated. "I'm a profiler remember. The one that mentored you." Aaron softly laughed. "What gives?"
"Our last family hurrah together," Aaron said. Dave arched his eyebrows. Aaron smiled. "Cait and I are taking the boys on a cross country trip and back." Dave eyed him. "Our version of The Amazing Race." He pointed at Dave, shaking his finger at him. "And one that you will not contribute on, other than taking care of the team along with Morgan."
Dave smiled. "I got the email from Cruz. So did Morgan. We've already talked." Dave took a sip of his scotch. Aaron joined him. "Do I at least get to know the plan?"
Aaron smiled, taking another sip from his tumbler. "It involves a big ass RV and my educator wife," he beamed.
Dave beamed back. "I like it. Tell me more."
###
A/N: If you have not watched The Amazing Race, I cannot simply explain it to you. I suggest Google going to Wikipedia or the CBS web site.
An RV is a recreational vehicle.
There is one downfall about writing a story six months ahead. The CM writers didn't get my memo about my story. I've got a little editing to do. ;) Hence the author notes in italics.
And to my newly discovered neighbor to the north that remembers the same things I do being around the same age: a big Wisconsin thank you Judy! :D