A/N: I've had this story in the back of my head for some time, but really didn't know if I wanted to run with it. So I've just taken my time with it, coming back to it here and there, in between the stories in my writing queue. But all of a sudden, it just really dragged me in and hollered, "Work and finish me."

Y'all know the premise. The first chapter will give the backstory, and it will run from there.

As always, this is a completely written story. Other than the demons that possess this site in getting a chapter posted, you will get one a day. That is the promise I've made from day one of embarking on this FF experience. And other than the gremlins of this site interfering with that plan, I've kept. If all of you are kind enough to read my stories, I'm not going to make you wait for updates.

And you know by now who gets the first shout out. Luvs ya my mentor.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Criminal Minds. That's the property of Mark Gordon Productions, CBS and ABC Studios. I just have fun with the characters. And create OCs. Again.

Chapter 1

A little over a year after graduation from Law School and serving as a Federal Prosecutor in Denver, Aaron Hotchner talked with his wife Haley, at length. She agreed that joining the FBI was really what he wanted to do. "Instead of getting them after the fact, I have a chance to just get them; to get bad people off the street," he said, giving her a kiss, "and out you and everyone else's lives." Haley smiled broadly and kissed her husband. She fully supported the decision which also got them both back to Virginia where their families were while Aaron was to be at the FBI Academy. While he was there, they lived with her folks.

Upon his graduation, at the top of the class, Aaron was assigned to the Albuquerque Field Office. Ten months later, they moved to the Seattle, with Aaron's new assignment. Haley happily accepted the moves. A Theatre major in college, she could always find some work in regional theaters where ever Aaron was located. They were a happy, young couple.

While in Seattle, things changed a bit for them. Aaron's beloved mother had passed away, six months after his step-father, but the one man he loved in his heart as dad. So did Sean. Yet, their parent's estate, divided between the two brothers, provided the young couple a chance. They bought their first home. It was a little, square box on the corner of Magnolia Avenue and 38th Street that took Aaron precisely eight minutes to mow the yard. But, for the young couple, it was home.

Then Aaron's FBI career began to roll. A case, involving a serial killer, dropped on Aaron's desk as the lead agent. He flew to San Francisco, and worked with Agent David Rossi, one of the founders of the newly minted Behavioral Analysis Unit. That got him noticed to the Bureau top brass, which made him and Haley both proud. He quickly moved up the chain of command in the Seattle office. That prompted the next discussion.

Haley looked her husband in the eyes. "I think we're ready to start a family," she said one night around their small kitchen nook table as they ate dinner. Aaron just smiled.

Eleven months later, they welcomed Zachary Aaron Hotchner into the world. A year and a half later, Aaron was promoted to head of the Seattle field office.

While Aaron worked long hours, Haley loved being a stay at home mother and Zach grew quickly. With what Aaron was making, they could afford it.

Two years later, after a very tough miscarriage that Haley went through, Aaron Hotchner received the call that would change all of their lives. Aaron had been selected to join the BAU. The couple, with their young son welcomed the news. They, and their son, were going home. It meant the world to Haley after what she had just been through. She would have her parents and sister. And they would no longer be vagabonds, going from field office to field office.

They happily packed up and quickly sold their house in Seattle, at three times the price they paid, and used that money to buy a house in McLean, Virginia as Aaron started his mentoring process in the BAU with David Rossi.

The years passed as Zach grew and started school and Hotch rose up the ladder at the BAU, yet having a setback. David Rossi, his mentor, and friend, retired. Two months later, Haley suffered another miscarriage. That time inwardly shook Aaron. Haley was hurting and so was he. Yet, loving each other, they got through it.

-00CM00-

Life moved on for the Hotchner's. Zach developed a love for playing baseball, which his parents supported. When he was nine, and a stand out player in Little League, Haley suffered her third miscarriage. Aaron and Haley mourned deeply their third attempt at another child, while never taking away from Zach's happy nature, even with his dad traveling more and more as the BAU began to receive its prominence.

Then it all hit the fan at once. Jason Gideon had his melt down after the Adrian Bale situation, prompting the FBI to promote Aaron to SAC of the BAU. About that time, Haley announced she was pregnant again. Yet, through the miracles of the latest medicines and technology, she came full term. Zach, now 12, stood with his smiling parents in the lobby of the sixth floor of the FBI Building in Quantico as Aaron and Haley introduced Morgan, Elle, Reid, JJ and Garcia to one Jackson Phillip Hotchner, the middle name for Aaron's dad. Zach smiled at his younger brother. Aaron smiled proudly at his two sons that shared their mother's hair color. Being a true baseball player, where nicknames were a way of life, Zach called his brother JP. Haley and Hotch just smiled at it, loving that Zach accepted his brother so much younger.

And the family settled into a new routine with a baby in the house. Zach dotted on his little brother, not afraid to change a diaper. One day, Haley had to run to the grocery store for something. Aaron was on his way home and she was cooking a special dinner. They both walked in to see Jack happily crawling around the living room floor. Zach smiled at his mom, "JP had a stinky one and I changed it." Haley kissed and praised her oldest son. Aaron gave him a high five.

It was at one of Zach's ballgame's that Haley caught the video of Jack taking his first steps. Videoing the game for Aaron, she caught him walking towards the dugout with the excitement of Zach's teammates, after Zach had hit a homerun.

-00CM00-

Shortly after Aaron and Haley divorced, with Haley moving back into the house and Aaron finding his own apartment, Haley frantically called Aaron. Flying home from Miami, Dave saw Aaron's face turn to sheer panic as they shared the two top of seats in the back. It was the second time Dave saw the blood drain from his friend's face, and the second wasn't any easier.

"Hotch? I've seen that look before. One of the boys?"

"Zach is gone."

"What?"

"He's just gone. Haley can't find him."

"Was he home?"

"Yes, she and boys were there together. Haley was downstairs with Jack. Zach was in his room upstairs. And now he's gone."

Dave looked Hotch in the eye. "This is not a stranger abduction Aaron. The boys sleep on the second floor with you and Haley. He left, finding some way that got him out." Dave said, eyeing Hotch closely. "He'll turn up; probably waiting for you at your place." Dave softly smiled. "Aaron, look at me." Aaron Hotchner gave David Rossi his full attention. "He had to have a reason, Aaron. Just hear him out. Zach doesn't pull a stunt like this without a helluva a reason. He's too responsible. And don't have the police go there. He just needs his dad," Dave smiled. "He'll be waiting for you; guaranteed." Hotch relaxed somewhat, while dialing Haley's cell. "Aaron, promise me." Hotch nodded his head as he started talking with Haley.

Two hours later, Aaron Hotchner walked down the hallway to his apartment to see his oldest son sound asleep in the doorway. Hotch shook his head at how well his best friend had profiled the situation. Aaron stopped halfway down the hall. "Haley, he's here; just like Dave said. But he's spending the night with me." Haley didn't argue. After what she went through to get Jack into the world, he was mama's boy. Zach never flinched at that and highly supported it. But Aaron was dad, especially to his oldest son; the bond he and Zach shared was unbreakable.

"Please call me in the morning Aaron."

"I will Haley."

He bent his knees to crouch down and looked his growing son in the face and quietly shook him awake. Zach rubbed his eyes open and they immediately filled with tears. "I know I'm in trouble dad, big trouble, but I can't live there anymore. I have to live with you."

Aaron rubbed his son's shoulder. "Let's just get inside and sit down and talk." Hotch helped his fourteen year old son up from his cramped spot and got him inside. Zach made a beeline for the bathroom and then came back out to his dad putting a pillow and blanket on the couch. Zach took off his shoes, socks, jeans and shirt off and dove under the warmth of the blanket.

"What's going on Zach?" Aaron asked. "You're more responsible than this." Zach shivered under the blanket and then looked his dad in the eye. Aaron reached to rub his chest to get him warm. "Talk to me son, please."

Zach's eyes welled with the tears again. "Yesterday afternoon, I was supposed to practice with Mike. Just like every Tuesday. Mom said, 'No, you're not going, and you're not playing in tonight's game.' Dad, I tried to talk to her; I didn't shout at her, but all she said was, 'It's my decision and it's final.' I tried to talk to her again this morning, but all she said was the same thing. Dad, it's not fair without a reason." The tears rolled.

Mike was Mike Jefferies, Aaron's best friend in high school, other than Haley, of course. He was a highly recruited catcher that went to Arizona State. The pro scouts had him tabbed as a top prospect. But after horribly blowing his knee out in his sophomore year at ASU, his days of playing baseball ended. Rather than dwelling on what might have been, Mike got his degree, moved back to Virginia and began coaching young boys. Zach Hotchner was the best young catcher he had seen in twenty years. He had the defensive tools, which just needed honing; the sweetest hitting stroke Mike had ever seen in a young man and most importantly a brain like none other. He was the smartest kid he had ever coached. Aaron silently raged inside that Haley had taken that away from Zach, but knew there had to be a reason in her mind. They just all needed sleep and clear heads.

"We'll both talk to mom tomorrow and get it straightened out. OK?" Zach smiled slightly, rubbing away the tears.

While still rubbing Zach's chest, Aaron ran his left hand over his son's forehead. "You getting warmed up?" His answer was a huge yawn. Aaron kissed a spot where he had pushed away the hair. "See you in the morning son." Zach fell soundly to sleep. Aaron walked to his liquor cabinet, and poured himself a splash of scotch. As he sat back down on the coffee table to watch his oldest son sleep, he shook his head.

The next morning, just before leaving, Hotch woke Zach. "Son, I'm heading to the office. I've got to get some work done this morning. But I'll get the afternoon off, and then we'll go talk to mom. There's milk in the fridge and you know where the cereal is, right?" Zach sleepily nodded. "I'll call you when I'm on the way. You know where all my shower stuff is, right?" Zach barely nodded as he drifted back to sleep. Aaron kissed him and headed out the door.

On the way to BAU, he called Haley. "Really Haley? No baseball? What's going on?"

"I know more than you do," she curtly replied. Aaron just shook his head.

"I've got to work this morning. After you get Jack down for his nap, we'll be there and we'll talk this out."

"Aaron, there is nothing to talk about. I've made my decision and it's final." Hotch steamed, but let it go.

"Haley, Zach and I will be there after lunch, and we will talk this out." He clicked his cell phone to end the call.

A little after 12:30, Aaron walked into his place to see Zach in the kitchen, pouring a bowl of Trix, he and Jack's favorite cereal. Zach was showered. Aaron looked at him. "How many," he asked, gently smiling.

"My third," Zach smiled. Aaron just looked at him. "Whatttttt dad, I'm a growing kid.'

"You're a bottomless pit," Aaron shook his head, as he headed to change.

Driving over to the house, Aaron looked at Zach at a red light. "Explain one thing to me Zach. Mom said you never came downstairs after supper. How did you get out?"

Zach devilishly smiled at his dad. "My friend, the big oak tree, just outside of the bathroom window." Aaron looked at him, remembering Zach's first run in with that oak. It was his turn to inwardly shiver. When Zach was seven, he tried to climb that tree, as young boys do. But he fell, landing twelve feet below on the ground, on his stomach that hit the big root that stuck above the ground. Less than 24 hours later, he was in surgery, repairing a rupture to his upper intestine, while he and Dave were out on a case. Dave watched all color drain out of Hotch's face as he got the call. That was the toughest day of Hotch's life, trying to get back home for his son's surgery.

Aaron looked at him. "The big branch dad that rubs against the house when it storms is right by the bathroom window. It's an easy reach for the part that will hold my weight. The rest is climbing down," Zach proudly smiled. Aaron looked at his oldest son and just shook his head.

They both walked into the house and it was quickly readable that Haley was not happy. Aaron tried to get her settled down and for the three of them to sit down at the table and talk.

"Aaron, I've made my decision and that's it."

"And I'm Zach's father; no matter what is happening between us, that doesn't change. He deserves an explanation, which you haven't given him." Aaron softened his eyes. "Haley, please."

She turned and paced a bit as Hotch motioned Zach to sit down at the table, putting his hand on Zach's shoulder. He joined his oldest son. Haley finally sat down at the table. "After Zach's game on Sunday, which you weren't there for," she said, looking at Hotch, "I overheard Mike talking to someone. The man told Mike, 'He'll be one of best prospects in the country by the time he's a senior." Hotch and Zach both looked at her.

Haley looked at both of them incredulously. "Aaron, he's too smart to follow a baseball career. What if he does and then blows a knee out like Mike. Do you want our son working at Wal-Mart the rest of his life?"

"Mom, when did I say anything about not going to college?" Zach questioned, beating his dad to the same query.

"They've got you projected as a top prospect," Haley countered.

"Haley," Aaron, trying desperately to play peacemaker, added, "answer Zach's question," he gently said.

His oldest son beat him. "Mom how 'bout this? Yes, I want to play ball. But, I also know what a college education means. And mom, I'm 14. Who knows what happens between now and then? I could get totally burned out. But at the moment, I love it. However I'll give you my promise. Where ever baseball might take me, I promise you I'll get my college education first." Aaron proudly smiled at his oldest son and looked Haley straight in the eye.

Haley just looked at him. "Mom, I promise."

She looked at her oldest son. "Zach, I'm really sorry about yesterday, but it all thundered down on me and I rolled all night Sunday. I just want you to get a college education. Your dad and I have worked and saved for that."

Aaron, playing mediator, looked at Zach. "We have son."

"Dad, I don't doubt that. And mom, I gave you my word."

Haley shook her head and lowered it. "I'm sorry Zach."

"I'm sorry mom I ran out on you and made you worry. I really am. I love you mom," Zach said. "But mom, what's going on with you two is your business. But Jack and I need time with dad too."

Haley smiled. "Can you take them this weekend?"

Aaron nodded. Dave got wind that Hotch would have the boys on the weekend. "Aaron, that little apartment of yours is no place for two active boys. Bring them up to cabin. Mudg and I would love to have the company."

For whatever reason, the demons that guided serial killers decided to take a lot of the weekends off that Aaron had the boys. For the next year and a half, some of those weekends were spent at the cabin at Little Creek. Jack loved the time with his dad, and to have a dog around was icing on his cake. After the second weekend there, Aaron brought home a fully potty trained Jack. "Iz hangin' wif the guys mom," he proudly smiled.

Hotch and Jack spent lazy Saturday afternoon's bonding. Zach spent them walking through the woods with the man he soon started to call "Uncle Dave" as well as putting in serious workout time in Dave's in ground pool when the seasons allowed. Aaron joined him, following Mike's plan for Zach's development as an athlete. Mike was a firm anti-jogger. "That just pounds three joints into the ground. Swimming is the best workout possible." The diving board served as muscle builder for Zach's upper body, grabbing the end of the board while in the water and pulling his body out. He began to sprout shoulders and a chest that started to fill a t-shirt. But what really warmed Aaron's heart was watching his oldest son begin to become a young man, both physically and mentally. He was wonderful with his younger brother, and despite the age difference, they grew very close. Jack just simply loved being with the "guys".

"'Specially Mudg, mom," Jack would always report when Aaron returned them to her on Sunday night.

And then, on a gorgeous day in May, that world fell apart.

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A/N: For those of you not familiar with baseball, the catcher is the person that receives the ball from the pitcher. A catcher also signals what pitch the pitcher delivers. It is a highly skilled position.