A/N: You know me and Memorial Day. This one crossed my mind; and I couldn't resist. It's a follow-up to my Madam Secretary crossover story Getting It Done and my last year's story Dad Why is Memorial Day Important to You? It was originally a one shot. My OK Teacher that I asked for some advice wanted the picnic. I give her the picnic; it's now two chapters. I serve at the pleasure of my proofreader; that is my rock. And I love.

That said, I'm gonna break a promise to you my loyal readers. This story was originally a one shot.*whispers* I wanted to write the picnic too. But that means it's gonna take me a day or two to write the second chapter. I promise you will get it soon. It just takes me awhile to write the fun. I promise you I will not leave you waiting long; I'm shooting for Wednesday; Thursday latest. And I've still got my original eyes and an idea to run with. That's what I'm gonna do while I can still see straight.

All rights to the characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, Barbara Hall Productions, ABC Studios and CBS. *growls at CBS and ABC*

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

The Saturday before Memorial Day, the Taylor kids were once again sitting around the dining room table for breakfast. The kids chose their traditional having dad home breakfast; pancakes and sausages.

As Matt and Abbey cooked for their kids, Casee softly elbowed Cam in the ribs, nodding her head at their dad. Col nodded at the twins with his smile. "Do it Cam," he whispered.

"Hey dad."

"Yeah bud."

"Can we all go to Arlington again this Monday? You don't have to wear you uniform." Matt winked at Abbey as he poured the batter for the first round of pancakes.

"Cam?"

"It was pretty special last year dad."

"Thanks son," Matt smiled. "I think we can do that. And thank you."

"Dad?"

"For the uniform reprieve."

Abbey moved to the table and kissed the heads of their children. "This is one time, I love you all for your conspiring," she smiled at them. She rubbed Colin's shoulder. "This means the world to your dad."

"It does to us too mom," Case chimed in.

Abbey smiled at her daughter. "Me too sweetheart,' she smiled, cupping Casee's chin in her hand.

-00CM00-

Once again, the Hotchner's met the Taylor family outside the gates of Fort Myer to get into the hallowed ground. But there were two other people in their vehicle. Jack shared the backseat with Uncle Dave and Aunt Hayden.

The kids proudly watched again as Matt and Dave, even dressed down for the warm DC weather, saluted during the ceremony of the President laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Leaving the area after the ceremony, Colin pulled Hayden's hand to the tombstone that he remembered from the year before of the B-17 flight crew. "Look Aunt Hayden," he nodded in respect instead of his youthful point, "they're all honored here together," he whispered.

"They are most honored," Hayden smiled, kissing the top of Colin's head.

Case gave Dave her wonderful smile, as Dave put his hand on her shoulder. "That is special sweetheart," he softly smiled.

Making their way to Matt's Marine's, someone said, "Excuse me; Colonel Taylor?"

Matt turned to the voice and then smiled. "Good morning Madam Secretary," he said, looking at how he was dressed in cargo shorts, a polo shirt and sandals. "But with all due respect Ma'am, I'm not a Colonel today."

"I get that Matt," Elizabeth McCord smiled. "It's good to see you again," she smiled, offering her right hand.

"Likewise Ma'am," Matt said, shaking her hand. He looked at Hotch. "Ma'am, you remember Agent Hotchner?"

Bess McCord deeply smiled, shaking his hand. "You two represented the Bureau very well. I was deeply impressed. Honestly guys, you scared the crap out of me." Everyone laughed.

"Trained them well Jedi Rossi," Jack said.

"Thank you my Padawan," Dave smiled. Bess pointed at Jack.

"It's good to see again Agent Hotchner. You too Agent Rossi," Bess smiled at Dave. "But let's cut the formalities. I'm dressed down like all the rest of you; and for the same reason. I'm just a citizen, honoring our heroes," she smiled. Matt, Aaron and Dave smiled back at her as they all made the family introductions.

"It's a pleasure to see you again Madam Secretary," Hotch smiled.

Bess looked around at her family. "Jayce, you remember these folks."

Jason McCord smiled. "How could I forget one of the best days of my life," he said. He stuck his hand out to Dave. "It's great to see you again Agent Rossi."

"Today kid," Rossi smiled, "I'm like the Colonel and your mom; I'm just Dave." Jason smiled.

"I think I know what brings all of you out here," Bess smiled.

"We're going to see dad's Marines," Colin blurted out.

Abbey glared at the twins before they could hammer their fists into Colin upper arms. Stevie and Allison, the two oldest McCord daughters smiled at memory of the same glare from their mother. Abbey looked at them with a smile. "More than once?"

Stevie smiled with a nod of her head. "With Jason the anarchist around," she pointed at her brother.

"Dude?" Matt said, looking at Jason.

"Someone has to question it all," Jason retorted.

"Please stay away from our youngest son," Matt fired back. The group quietly laughed, respecting the hallowed grounds.

Henry McCord smiled at Matt. "I'm a veteran of the same war. Our family would be honored to join you."

"You're more than welcome to join us," Matt smiled. "I know you were a Marine aviator. How many sorties did you fly Henry?"

Henry looked at him and then smiled recognizing Matt had done his research. "We flew two a day for five days." Matt shook his head. "How 'bout you," Henry asked as the group walked together.

"I was the XO of a Marine Recon company that Schwarzkopf selected for part of his brilliant plan."

Henry looked at Matt. "You mean that?"

"Yes I do Henry; it was a great battle plan. The problem was we practiced our portion in the desert for thirty days before we actually jumped. With God and creation watching."

"Including the IRG," Henry said, shaking his head.

"Yup," Matt said. "Three days before H-hour, our CO jumped out of one of the Army hueys that would take us in and his right leg landed in a hole. He broke his tibia and fibula. I took command." Henry looked at him. "We were tasked with taking down a village that held an IRG stronghold that was converted to a communications center." Matt looked at Henry. "Four hours before jump off I changed the battle plan and had the hueys come in nap of the earth at the backdoor instead of the front door the IRG was expecting us to show up at."

"Nap of the earth," Jack asked.

"Jack," Matt smiled, "when a chopper is flying ten feet off the ground, no one hears it. And radar doesn't see it."

"Nice call Uncle Matt," Jack smiled. Matt rubbed his shoulder with a smile.

"The element of surprise worked and we quickly took our objective, blowing up the communication center. But that took time and gave the Iraqis time to counter attack from the other end of the village. I lost nineteen Marines that day." Matt nodded at the headstones they were passing as the group walked. "Four of them our buried here in Arlington."

"Sir," Jareth, Stevie's financé questioned with his proper British accent, "and please sir, pardon me for asking and with all due respect – how do you live with that?"

Matt looked at him. "First off Jareth, I'm Matt," he smiled. "And in a sentence; you meet a beautiful woman that won't accept your engagement ring until you get your ass into therapy." Jareth smiled at him, putting his arm around Stevie.

Beth smiled at Abbey. "You're good," she said, rubbing her best friend's arm.

"I loved him; but he was getting eaten from the inside out with the memories," Abbey said to her.

"I heard one of those memories; it wasn't good," Dave said, kissing Abbey's cheek. "Thank you sweetheart."

"Jareth," Henry said, rubbing his future son-in-law's shoulder, "Matt is an MOH." Jareth looked at Henry with a question, as did the rest of his children. "Matt is a Medal of Honor recipient; one of his platoons got cut off. That's twelve men. Matt pulled out one by one the seven that were still alive under heavy enemy gunfire."

"Doing my frickin' job with my company backing me in the firefight," Matt growled.

Bess looked at Abbey. "More therapy?"

"No," Abbey smiled. "That was the toughest part; he lost Marines but got the hero mantle. But he's finally at peace with it." Bess looked at her. "Our children and Jack look at the BAU team as their superheroes," Abbey smiled.

"And solving cases is something we all can live with, dealing with what we do," Aaron said.

"Your team amazes me SAC Hotchner," Jason said.

Aaron smiled at him. "Have you not caught on to the convo anarchist?" Hotch smiled. "I'm off duty as well. And I'm Aaron; or Hotch; either works," he smiled at Jason.

The group came to the area where Matt's four Marines were buried. They all proudly watched the three Marines as First Sergeant David Rossi, Captain Henry McCord and Colonel Matthew Taylor honored the four with a salute.

Walking away from the site, Colin once again slipped his hand into his dad's and looked back. "Thanks Marines." Abbey put her arm around Matt's waist. Bess and Hayden did the same with their husbands. Aaron put his arm around Beth.

"Thank you for letting us share that with you," Henry said. "But I'm ready to head home before the heat really sets in."

"Me too," Jason added.

"What's your plan for the rest of the day," Dave asked. Matt winked at Hotch with his Irish smile.

"Staying at home, having family time in the AC," Henry smiled.

"Being cooped up," Jason mumbled.

"Or you could come to a huge, shaded backyard with a pool. And a butt kicking Memorial Day picnic," Dave smiled. The McCord kid's faces lit up.

"Slight problem with that," Bess said.

Cob looked at the head of her security detail. "Matt, Dave lives in the Stone Hill residential area of Annandale. I know you know it."

"We can live with that Ma'am," her head of security smiled at her.

"Cob, is there any one you don't know?" Hotch asked.

"If they're former military and now doing security work? No Aaron, not many." Hotch shook his head.

Two golf carts showed up to get the McCord's back to Fort Myer. Henry looked at the group. "If you don't mind, we need to talk this over."

Matt looked at one of the drivers as the Secretary's security detail got on after the family to form their shield. "Sergeant, we're gonna start walking that way. But please come back for us when you get the Secretary's family delivered."

The Sergeant smiled. "You got it Colonel."

"Thank you Sergeant," Matt smiled.

The golf carts whisked away. Henry McCord tapped the Sergeant on the shoulder sitting behind him. "So the rumors are true about Colonel Taylor?"

"Sir, if I got called into combat, I'd want him leading the way. And I'd follow him to hell and back." Henry looked at Bess.

Fifteen minutes later, the golf carts buzzed into the parking lot with the second group. The McCord family was waiting for them. Matt winked at Dave holding Casee on his lap.

Henry looked at them. "So what does this kick ass picnic involve? We don't want to intrude."

Dave smiled at him. "You won't be intruding. I've always hosted the team's let their hair down holiday picnic since I got back to the BAU. We need that; as a family. But it's the whole family." He smiled at the Secretary. "Agent Morgan, his wife, son and mother. Agent Jareau, her husband and their two boys and JJ's mom. Jack's grandparents and aunt from Aaron's first marriage." He beaded a look in her eye. "You getting this?" Dave smiled.

Bess smiled back at him. "Please tell me everyone brings something."

"I," Dave said. Hayden eyed him. "Sorry, we supply the burgers and the place. Everyone brings the rest."

Matt winked at Hotch. "I think the ring finally set in." Aaron and Beth smiled at him.

"Matthew, you are as incorrigible as your youngest son," Hayden pronounced.

"I love your accent," Jareth smiled at her hearing an accent that was like his own.

"Hayden," Matt smiled. "Colin is incorrigible; I'm Irish."

"Same thing," Hayden and Jareth said together. Matt glared at them with his Irish smile.

"Mom? Dad? Can I talk like Uncle Dave one time," Cam asked.

"Go for it son," Matt smiled, knowing Cam was going to nail his Uncle Dave impression. Abbey winked at Beth.

"Hell, Uncle Dave's priest Father Jimmy shows up," Cam growled exactly like Dave. Matt gave Cam a high five. The McCord's laughed

"I'll deal with you later," Dave growled at Cam. The group laughed more.

"Are you all seriously going to turn down a picnic, grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwursts, chicken…," Matt said.

"Grilled chicken," Jason asked.

"Hotch and I are the grilled chicken masters on Big Dog's Cadillac Weber." Jason eyed his parents.

"How 'bout deviled eggs?" Allison asked. "They are my favorite," she smiled.

Matt put his hand on his chest. "A girl after my own heart." He looked at Ally. "But sorry hun, I'm already married." Ally laughed. "Jack's grandma takes care of that for me. However if you wanna make more to contribute…," Matt smiled with his voice trailing off.

"I can do that," Allison smiled. "It's just a pain to put the mixture back into the eggs."

Abbey smiled at her. "Ally, put the egg yolks you scoop out into a plastic storage bag. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix it together with your hands," she gestured, showing her how to do it. "Then cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and use it like a pastry decorating bag," she smiled. Ally and Stevie smiled back at her.

"Do it dad," Colin whispered.

"Its slicker than bat shit," Matt smiled, covertly holding out his hand by his thigh. Colin slapped it, smugly smiling at his mother.

Abbey looked at Hayden and shook her head. Hayden roared with laughter. "I married this one," she pointed at Dave, "again. You deal with your own." The group all laughed.

Aaron looked at Henry. "I saw Jason's eyes light up at the grilled chicken. Stop and get a cut up fryer; Matt and I will cook it," he smiled.

"Plus the deviled eggs," Matt smiled. "You're gold. Just remember its BYOB."

Bess eyed Aaron. "How is your team going to look tomorrow at the BAU?"

Aaron smiled. "Like me; worthless. But my team needs the down time. And you all are more than welcome to watch that crash and burn."

"I have yet to drive home from this picnic," Matt smiled. "I'm Irish; I can drink beer until the cows come home. Dave's scotch bottle after dinner is my killer." Aaron raised his hand to second that.

"I'm in," Henry McCord smiled.

"When can we come?" Bess asked.

"We're there by noon to put the fruit salad together," Beth smiled. "The boys will be watching the Nationals game. Why don't you show up then and enjoy some family time in the pool."

"Really?" Stevie asked.

"Really sweetheart," Dave smiled. "Just bring your own swimsuits. We've got the pool towels."

"Au natural is reserved for Big Dog and Hayden," Matt snarked.

"Matthew!" Hayden barked.

"Asshole," Dave growled.

"Dat's me," Matt imitating Dave's accent. He and Aaron shared a high five. The rest laughed.

Bess looked at Dave. "Dress code?" Dave smiled and pointed at his protégés dressed the same.

###

A/N: "Stevie" is short for Stephanie. For those of you that do not watch Madam Secretary, that is what Bess and Henry call their oldest daughter. And just an FYI: Allison, aka Ally is their second child. Jason is the youngest. "Hueys" are helicopters.

I promise; just give me a day or two. I over cooked this and my proofreader loved it. I will not leave you hanging, waiting for the next chapter.