A/N: It's time to catch up with Zach my boy, my pride and joy!
Normally when I start to write a story, I block out the major story lines, work out an outline from there and have a general idea of how many chapters it may run. For this one? I had my points to hit; but beyond that I just ran with my muse. However, and like always, it is a completely written story. You will get a chapter a day until it ends. *pulls out Jedi Knight light saber at the FF deities*
All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios.
Chapter 1
The team was sitting around the table in the briefing room. JJ looked at Dave. "Seriously? Valentine's Day has come and gone….."
I'm not pushing my boy," Dave said, pointing at her. "So don't you. He's heads down in his studies and baseball and Caleigh is fine with that."
"Come on Rossi," Garcia pleaded. "They're a big of match as Savannah and my man," she smiled at Morgan.
"Penelope, I'm just the supportive uncle. I suggest you all be the same," he looked around the table.
"They have been dating for a year and a half," Reid noted.
"You don't have that down into days, hours and minutes," Morgan asked, looking at Reid. The doctor genius started to open his mouth.
Hotch entered. "Let's get started," he said, sitting down with his files.
-00CM00-
Aaron had tucked Jack into a bed an hour ago, with Zach joining them for prayers. Yet Aaron knew his oldest son. The stress of college finals, along with the George Mason Patriots blazing into the final week of the Atlantic 10 Conference baseball schedule was taking its usual toll on Zach. The Patriots were on top of the conference. That, along with a conference tournament win would ensure them a high ranking in the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Mason was currently ranked number five in the country. Zach was juggling and doing it big time. And as usual, Zach on the outside seemed to be handling it in stride. Aaron knew his oldest son better than that.
Putting the top of his laptop down, finishing off some BAU reports, Aaron, barefoot and in sports shorts like his sons with the warm May weather, padded down the steps into Zach's lair. The TV was off, which was unusual for a Sunday night. Zach always watched Sunday night baseball on ESPN. And it was Mother's Day. That included a visit to Haley's gravesite after church; the day was as hard on Zach as it was for him. And Jack, now growing older, understood the significance deeper as well. Each year as he grew older, Jack embraced the visit more. This morning, he spent even more time with Haley in quiet solitude, alone with his thoughts, sitting in front of her headstone. It was a quiet ride home.
Aaron stuck his head in Zach's open bedroom door and looked. Zach was diligently working on his laptop. "How's it going," he quietly asked.
Zach looked up at his father, his glasses already replacing his contacts. Zach shrugged. "I'm making my stand with my history professor for our final class essay." He looked at his dad. "He doesn't get the Vietnam War."
Aaron shook his head. "You sure you want to fight that battle Zach," Aaron asked entering the room. "Sometimes it's better to give professors what they want to hear rather than making your point."
Zach smiled. "True dad and I've done that on more than one occasion." He looked at his dad. "I've profiled them pretty well," he smiled. Aaron beamed, sitting down on the back edge of Zach's bed. "But this dude," Zach said. "I dunno; I think he wants a challenge."
Aaron smiled. "And between Uncle Dave and Uncle Harry, you've got the ammunition."
"Yes I do dad," he smiled. "It's putting all the words together to support my theory. My mind isn't cooperating right now," he confessed, hitting the save button. Zach looked at Aaron. "Thanks dad," he smiled more. "I needed the break." He eyed his dad more deeply. "What's up?"
Aaron shook his head. "The BAU is calling any time you want to join," he smiled. Aaron looked at his hands and then his son.
Zach laughed. "Spit it out dad."
"I got a phone call this afternoon."
Zach raised his eyebrows. "From who?"
"Beth."
"Dad?"
Aaron clasped his hands together. "It seems her job in Milan isn't going well." Zach looked at him. "Her boss only hired her so he could sexually harass her into his bed." He noticed his oldest son's temper immediately flare.
"Dad please tell me Beth is smart enough to call bullshit and get the hell away from that situation." He paused, his temper brewing hotter. "The bastard," he muttered.
"First off son, get in line." He watched Zach smile a bit. Aaron smiled. "She is." Zach looked at him. "She's working with her Italian lawyer to get out of her contract with the museum. The bigwigs that run the museum, after her lawyer got their attention, have full buy-in. It's just the usual little details."
"I'm so sorry dad; for Beth," he added. "That's just shit."
"Yeah, it is."
Zach smiled broadly. "So let me guess dad. She's coming home, her mom is gone and she doesn't have a place to live. Gee, how do you think that should be handled," he asked with his mischievous grin that Aaron remembered him having since he was Jack's age.
"Beth is pretty sure she can get a job at the Smithsonian with her contacts. She may have to take a step down. But…."
Zach laughed. "Damn the finances around here could be rough if she moves in without a job for a while. I mean we're really struggling right now."
Aaron shook his head at his son and his acerbic wit. "You hang out with Uncle Dave too much."
"Thank you," Zach smiled, needling his dad more. His smile softened. "I don't have a problem with it dad, if that's what you're asking; today of all days. Mom told you to show Jack love. You promised her, remember?" Aaron nodded his head with a smile, yet showing sadness. "When are you going to tell the squirt," Zach asked with his bright smile.
"When the legal beagle work is signed, sealed and delivered," Aaron said. "It's not a done deal; there's a couple of board members of the museum that are putting up a fight, backing the asshole. I don't want to get his hopes up and then have it all fall through."
Zach laughed. "Shit dad, call Uncle Dave and have him get in contact with some family members back in the old country. They'll take care of that. It'll be done and over with in a day." Aaron shook his head at his son. Zach smiled. "My lips are sealed dad; Jack and Uncle Dave." He looked at his dad. "No promises on Cal though," he smiled.
"I never doubted that Zach," Aaron smiled and rose from the bed. "Thanks Zach; I really appreciate your support," he smiled, rubbing Zach's shoulder.
"Dad," Zach smiled. "I want you to be happy."
"Like you?"
Zach nodded his head. "Yeah, like me," he smiled.
Aaron looked his oldest son in the eye. "You gonna take care of that?"
Zach smiled. "When the time is right, yes dad."
Aaron rubbed his shoulder. "I respect that Zach; why I'm continuing to fight off the vultures otherwise known as my team that are not so patiently waiting on a big announcement."
Zach laughed. "And Uncle Dave is leading that parade."
Aaron laughed as well. "He's the drum major, but is telling everyone he isn't. Welcome to Uncle Dave getting older and inpatient." Zach laughed more. Aaron heard Haley in his laugh. He rubbed Zach's shoulder. "You do know the wonderful woman you have in your life Zach?" Zach nodded with Haley's warm smile. "Then son, you do it in your own time and way. I'm not part of the parade."
"Thanks dad," Zach sincerely smiled.
"Don't be up late son," Aaron smiled. He rubbed Zach's shoulder again. "Good night Zach; I love you."
"Love you too dad," Zach smiled. Aaron moved out of the room and Zach cracked his knuckles, ready to do battle with professor.
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A/N: Welcome back everyone!