A/N: This is a birthday present for my dear friend, the OK teacher that supports this storyline. I deeply appreciate that support.

*Knightly bow* (so does someone else :D )

Chapter 1

While most everyone at McAuliffe Elementary School, including the staff, knew that Jack Hotchner lived in a big mansion at the outer most part of the school district, no one cared. Jack was one of the most respectful, grounded, down to earth kids in the school. His happy smile and polite manners brightened the day of the "lunch hour ladies" he and his friends called the group serving their daily school meal. The entire staff that supported his parents felt the same way.

What made his two fathers the most proud was they never had to impress on Jack to be that way, despite his home and life. That was all Jack.

The summer between third and fourth grade was filled with friends at the home. The backyard provided a huge play area for many adventures for the "gang of five" as Dave called them with a deep smile. Jack and his best bud Keegan; Carter, whose Afro-American parents were both military officers stationed at the Pentagon; Manny, with his parents running a Hispanic bistro that had become a family favorite restaurant and was highly popular; and Micah. Micah was the "wise ass" of the group Dave quickly profiled.

"With good reason Papa," Jack had smiled back at him when Dave "delivered" his profile at dinner one night. Dave and Aaron looked at him. "He's earned it being the fighter he is." The two fathers smiled at each other. Jack's profile was spot on. Micah, his parents and older sister Andrea were involved in a devastating car crash when Micah was three. Even in his protective car seat, the crash was so horrific, Micah now ran with the rest of the gang on an artificial left leg from the knee down. The family, thankfully, had all survived. The huge settlement they had received from the drunk driver and his rich roots, allowed the blue collar family the chance to fulfill some dreams. Both of his parents got their college degrees and escaped their former world.

Yet none of the parents lived remotely near David Rossi's neighborhood. It didn't matter. The boys were so close, Jose, Manny's father had no problem picking up the rest of the boys to take them to the home for a play day. His work day started in the early afternoon. And Rosa loved having the boys to fix lunch for. The other parents happily picked up the kids in the afternoon; many time the boy's siblings as well.

And of course, the afternoon involved the pool. Andrea, Micah's sister, now fifteen and her boyfriend Jake with his driver's license, joined them to keep an eye on the boys in the pool, while enjoying the benefits as well. When Carter's older sister joined the group, there was an extra set of eyes with the pool involved. Plus there was Max, the four legged member of the gang. Jack had a fantastic summer with his friends and wonderful weekends at the cabin with his parents when their schedules allowed.

The much anticipated arrival of the school year quickly faded into the fall colors. Jack regaled his parents of the gang's playground stories during lunch recess. Yet, Dave and Aaron noticed as the weather turned, the visits of Jack's buddies dramatically decreased like the temperatures. Walking through the woods at the cabin one fall weekend looking for deer, Dave rubbed Jack's shoulder. "Hey Champino, why hasn't the gang of five been together at our house?"

Jack shrugged. "You know how it is when school starts." Dave immediately recognized Jack was hiding something. There was a deeper issue going on.

Aaron and Dave were in bed that night. "Aaron, we need to talk about Jack."

"What do you mean," Aaron asked rolling over on his side to look at Dave.

"I asked Jack why his friends don't come around anymore and he blew me off."

Aaron, already suspecting the real answer, smiled at Dave, giving him a kiss. "I'll see if I can get some answers." That turned problematic the next ten days as the team worked a major case in Seattle.

Once home and settled after dinner, Aaron quietly chased Dave to his study to work on his latest book. Aaron softly ascended the stairs and quietly knocked on Jack's open door to his room. Dave had kicked Aaron's butt enough. "Spend your time with our son. You can do your damn reports after he's gone to bed." Aaron learned that lesson and appreciated it.

Jack was immersed in a book at the desk his room now sported. "Hey buddy," he smiled. Jack looked at him. "Papa is heads down, working on his book. It's a nice night; how 'bout you, Max and I take a walk?"

Jack beamed. "That sounds great dad!" Max, lying at Jack's feet, loudly barked his acceptance of the plan. Aaron smiled at the two of them, waving them out of the room.

Fifteen minutes later, the Hotchner's walked through the neighborhood with Jack holding the leash Max was attached to in his shoulder harness. As well trained as Max was, they both obeyed the city ordinance for walking a dog. Max, as usual, didn't care.

They made small talk as they walked along, laughing at Max barking a squirrel up a tree. Getting to the park in the neighborhood, Jack looked around and unhooked Max. He took off for a run. Aaron smiled at Jack and nodded at him to join him, sitting down on side by side swings. Jack dug the toe of his tennis shoe in the ground, knowing what was coming. "Buddy, look at me," Aaron softly said. Jack complied. "What's up with your friends not coming over?"

Jack looked off in the distance at Max. "Jack, you know you can be honest with me." Jack nodded, still watching Max. "Come on buddy; talk to me."

Jack turned to him. "Dad, I love our home and what we all have there. It's a great place."

"But…" Jack looked off again and then shook his head. "Spit it out Jack," Aaron smiled.

"Dad, I get and respect what Papa has there. He was a poor kid and worked his ass off," drawing a mini Hotch glare at the language. That didn't stop Jack. "To get the money he has now." Aaron patiently waited for the next sentence. "He's got really special things around there. He earned that."

"Yes he did; and yes he does," Aaron said.

Jack whistled for Max. As the yellow lab raced back to them, Jack eyed his father. "It's not kid friendly."

"Jack, we've talked about this."

"I know dad; but it's not fair. Can I honest?" Aaron nodded at him. "One day this summer, Manny and I went into the bathroom off Papa's study that we all use when we're in the pool." Aaron smiled at him to continue. "We were horsing around," Jack quietly confessed.

"And…"

"Manny accidently bumped the end table by Papa's couch in his study. It took a diving grab by me to save the lamp from breaking."

Aaron smiled inwardly as he looked at his son. "Nice grab."

"Thanks dad," Jack absently said rubbing Max's head.

Aaron rubbed his shoulder. "Jack talk to me please."

"Dad all my friends enjoy the outside. But they know how careful they have to be on the inside to protect Papa's stuff." Jack paused; Aaron knew what was coming next. "They don't want to come and play when they all have to be so careful." Jack looked at him. "Me too; heck dad, Max and I can't really play together."

"I know it's hard on you Jack," Aaron said. "And you're right; it's not fair to you."

Jack looked at his dad. "Papa has a basement. It's underneath the house."

"I understand basements Jack," Aaron smiled with his small laugh.

"Dad, you don't get it; a huge big butt basement. That's underneath the whole house."

"Jack?"

"Max and I snuck down there one time this summer when Rosa was cleaning. There's a special room for Papa's files under the steps; and a fireplace in the corner below the one in Papa's study. But that's it."

"You and your buddies can't play down there?" Aaron asked.

"Dad," Jack exasperatedly said, "it's a basement. There's not even a bathroom and hardly any lights. I had to use my flashlight."

Aaron, with his FBI game face that could give Reid fits playing cards, looked at his son. "Let's go home and I'll think about what you said."

"Promise dad?" Jack brightly asked.

"Promise," Aaron smiled, rising out of the swing.

Dave took a break from his writing to join Aaron to tuck in Jack for the night. Jack yawned and rolled on his side as Max jumped up on the bed.

The partners walked down the steps together. Dave looked at Aaron. "You go to your study and work a bit more; I'm going to pour a scotch for the both of us and think a bit." Dave quietly accepted Aaron's offer and went back to his study.

Aaron entered later, seeing Dave heads down at his laptop. He smiled and just watched with the two tumblers of scotch in his hand, leaning against the doorframe. Dave pounded out a few more sentences, hit the save button and looked at him. "So?"

Aaron walked to the desk, handed Dave a tumbler and sat down in one of the chairs across from the desk. He shook his head, stretching out his long legs. "I'm about to give you you're golden pass," he looked at Dave.

"My golden pass Aaron?"

Aaron reflectively looked at the amber goodness in his tumbler. He took a few seconds and then looked at Dave. "I'm going to let you spend some of your money on our son," he said taking a sip.

"How?" Dave asked. "And technically, it's our money now," he smiled.

"You've got a big ass basement," Aaron smiled.

"Aaron?"

Hotch recounted to Dave his conversation with Jack. He pointed to the lamp. "It took a diving save by our son to protect that lamp from our son not being in the doghouse."

"Aaron?"

"Dave, as much as Jack and I appreciate what we have here and how hard you've worked to get," Aaron said, taking another sip. "It's not kid friendly." Dave thought for a few seconds and then put it all together. He brightly smiled at Aaron. "Dave, my message the first day we committed to this relationship still stands. You will not spoil our son."

"That said," Dave smugly smiled.

Aaron shook his head. "I love you; but right now, with that smirk of yours…."

Dave shook his head. "I'm sorry; I don't want Jack to be spoiled either. He's such a well centered kid. That's why he has the wonderful friends he has." He eyed Aaron. "But why do I think you've got an idea I'll love," he deeply smiled.

Aaron shook his head. "I've got four conditions."

"Name them," Dave fired back.

"The area around the fireplace down there is made into a home theater." Dave smiled. "But nothing fancy," Aaron growled. "Something that will withstand a growing son and his friends. They're going to be sixteen quicker than we think."

Dave looked at him "God, I don't want to think about that."

"Me either," Aaron smiled. "Honestly Dave, one I can enjoy as well. Your den or living room doesn't cut it for me as well. I want to be able to spill a beer watching a football game."

Dave smiled. "Number two, you find an architect that will plan for the future; a play area for Jack and his friends that could become a bedroom for him, having a space of his own."

"I'm good with that Aaron," Dave smiled.

"By the way, I'm buying the gaming system you'll install in the home theater."

Dave nodded. "That's fine Aaron. What's number three?"

"Through your connections you find a contractor that can do the work solely when Jack is at school and leaves no trace of their work at the end of the day."

"Damnit Aaron, that's a stretch."

"I know," Aaron slyly smiled. "But get it done. Because number four is it's Jack's Christmas present and it is the only present he will get from us this year."

"I can live with all that Aaron," Dave softly smiled.

"Oh shit."

"Aaron?"

"Number five; put in a bathroom; one with a shower for our growing son."

Dave softly smiled, leaning back in his chair, taking a sip. "Way ahead of you on that one Aaron."

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A/N: In my story Not Mortal Sins, I established Keegan as Jack's buddy. Yup; shameless plug. :D

Happy birthday OK Teach! Hugs and luvs. :D