A/N: This one was the next in my queue. I did not expect to be writing it this late in the spring.

Like all the rest, this is a completely written story. You will get one chapter a day. *Light saber at the ready for the FF gremlins*

All rights to the CM characters belong to Mark Gordon Productions, CBS, and ABC Studios.

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

Zach Hotchner was getting antsy. He couldn't wait for January and the start of baseball practice. It wasn't that he was bored. Between his classes at George Mason, taking care of Jack and working out to get ready for the season, he was plenty busy. After he would finish his last class three days a week, he would use the pool at the local YMCA that his dad used as well, training for another triathlon. The Hotchner's had a family membership. Zach made use of their fitness center as well, following the off-season weight lifting program that the team trainer, Jake Mendez had planned out for him. He and Pete had also started to use a local indoor batting facility together a couple days a week. Jack always came along to watch them hit "dingers"; monster shots that would hit the back wall.

Charlie Wallace, the owner, kidded the guys. "You keep putting dents in my wall, I'm gonna charge you boys more," he smiled. A former baseball player that blew out a knee that ended his career, he knew talented players when he saw them. He supported the boys and cut them a break on the cost with one condition; they let Jack get some at bats in as well. Jack loved his time with the "big guys", still growing like a weed; and developing his own sweet bat swing as well. He would soon be the next Little League star of the Hotchner family.

Once again, the family had a wonderful Christmas. Sean and Beth came down from New York and they had a special and memorable time. Aaron again got an early and treasured present; another letter from the George Mason University president congratulating Zach on making the Dean's List.

New Year's Eve rolled around; still not into the party scene, Zach and Caleigh were more than happy to spend the evening together with Jack while Aaron and Beth enjoyed a night out. Jack was long in bed when 2014 rolled in. Since they were staying in for the evening, Aaron had bought a bottle of champagne for them to share. The couple enjoyed a deep kiss and looked forward to what the New Year would bring for the two of them.

The three of them woke up around nine and joined Aaron and Beth at Rossi's home for brunch at ten. Dave had hosted his usual team New Year's Eve party. JJ, Will and Henry had returned so JJ could help Beth with the cooking. Morgan was there as well; having spent the night at Dave's. Zach walked in and took one look at Dave. He smiled at his dad and Morgan. "Either one of you have your service weapon handy? He needs to be put out of his misery," Zach teased, with his usual bullshit smile.

Dave, suffering his usual NYE hangover, looked at him. "Shut up Zach," he growled.

Jack looked at Caleigh. "I don't think I'm gonna give Uncle Dave a hug this morning."

"Neither am I," Caleigh said, nodding her head in serious agreement. Jack laughed while Henry nodded his blonde head. Dave just glared at them as the rest laughed more. Mudg barked his acceptance.

Dave rubbed his forehead. "Damn dog," he muttered. The younger boys laughed more.

-00CM00-

George Mason University started its second semester the Tuesday after the Martin Luther King holiday. So did Coach Taylor with baseball practice for the Patriots. Those first four days were mainly filled with conditioning exercises and getting practice routines set. The last full week in January, they started regular practices.

Given the time of year in northern Virginia, the team worked out in their indoor practice facility they shared with the women's softball team. The boosters, aka donors to the two programs, had poured a major of amount of money into the facility, as well as the outdoor stadiums for both teams. That was one of the reasons why Zach had chosen GM. The three new facilities, built just before he started there, were amazing.

The tough part was sharing the indoor facility. The two teams traded times in the afternoon; early shift and late shift. Early shift got Zach home a little after four. Jack would get off the bus and spend the time at the neighbors across the street. Sheila home schooled her son who was autistic. Yet Jack and Charlie were the best of buds. Charlie would always light up like a Christmas tree when Jack came in the door. They would spend the time putting puzzles together or playing with Charlie's cars.

It was the late schedule that made things a bit hectic for Zach. After his classes, he'd go home, study for a bit and then start something for dinner. His dad or Aunt Jessica would finish the rest. Aaron, a committed father to Zach playing baseball, when the team was in the office would be home by 4:15 so Zach could make practice at five. Jessica was on the same schedule when the team was out on a case. Zach would get home a little before eight, heat up his dinner, then study some more.

What really kept Zach sane was Caleigh. As a soccer player, her fall schedule was just as hectic, balancing her studies with practices and games. Zach was a constant support to her. He and Jack never missed a home game and sometimes traveled to support her and the team when they had a road game in the area. Aaron would join them whenever he had the chance. Spring was her chance to pay it back to him. If Jess got hung up with her job the afternoons that Zach had late practice, Caleigh was more than happy to help out.

But it was tough on the two them getting some "date" time together. Caleigh's season with the Patriots ended in the Regionals of the NCAA play-offs in mid-November. Before the couple could blink, it was the holidays with Thanksgiving and Christmas.

-00CM00-

By mid-February, while still a little chilly, the team got into their regular routine of 1:30 practices outside on their field. But the practices were intense; the team would be soon leaving for their annual week-long trip to Florida for a tournament before the start of the regular season. They would always face tough competition.

The team would start practices with a 15 minute warm-up routine designed specifically for the position players. Mike Jeffries, the pitchers and catchers coach that had been Zach's mentor when he was younger kept a close eye on his players to make sure they got warmed up properly. He knew that Zach never slouched off on those routines, like some young players could.

When the full practice began, Mike worked tirelessly with his players. "We're facing three teams in Florida that have speed demons. If they get on, it's up to all of you to not let them advance on a steal." Zach, as the number one catcher, took most of the reps with the pitchers, with Johnny Laird, the third-string catcher fielding the throws at second base. Javier Lopez, Zach's back-up, took the pick-off throws from the pitchers at first.

By Wednesday, the drill had become routine for the group. Zach zipped off another of his perfect throws to Johnny and went down in a heap, clutching his upper right arm with his catcher's mitt. Jake Mendez, keeping an eye on the entire team from his usual spot in the first base coach's box, raced to him. Mike was hot on his heels. Tomas Aurilla, the team's top pitcher, who was on the mound, wasn't far behind.

Zach shook off his catcher's mitt to rub his arm as Jake got to him. Zach sat up, still rubbing his arm. "Zach, talk to me," he gently said, pushing up his catcher's mask. When Zach looked at him, he saw the tears in eyes.

"Shit Jake; it hurts."

"Where Cob?"

"Right here," Zach said, pointing to his upper arm, just below his shoulder.

Mike looked at Jake. Please don't let it be his rotator cuff he thought. Jake gently probed the area. When he hit the sore spot, Zach withered in pain more.

Tomas knelt down to support him behind his back. "I got you Cob. Let Jake help you." The rest of the team, including Coach Taylor and the rest of his staff, noticed what was happening and rushed in. Pete got there first.

"Cob; you OK?" Zach just shook his head at him. Jenny Lawton, one of Jake's training staff assigned to the team with her sports medicine studies appeared with a huge ice bag.

Jake smiled at her. "You're good Jen." He applied the ice. Trayvon Washburn was right behind with the ace bandage to hold it in place. Jake gently lifted Zach's arm to get the bandage around the ice with Jenny supporting Zach's wrist and elbow. Jake rubbed Zach's chest. "Let the ice kick in and take some deep breathes."

Zach looked at him. "Jake, what is it? Talk to me; is it my rotator cuff?"

"I don't know Cob," he said. Zach burrowed the Hotchner glare at him. "It's in the area," he said, shaking his head. "But it's not what I usually feel with that. Let the ice kick in; we'll get you into the locker room and go from there."

Tomas, Pete and Trayvon got Zach on his feet and he walked into the dugout. Jake helped him get his catcher's gear off and into his team bag. Trayvon grabbed the bag and Jake and Jenny led him into the locker room.

Coach Taylor looked at the rest of his team. "Let's get back at it." The team looked at him. They knew who the quiet rock of the team was. "I know; I'm hurting like the rest of you. But we move on as a team. Cob would want that." The team dispersed back to their stations. Taylor grabbed Pete's arm. "Stan, I understand if you want….."

Pete shook his head. "That Cobra would kick my ass," he sadly smiled. "I'll check on him after practice on my way home."

"Give me a heads up on what you find out, OK," Taylor asked.

"You got it Skipper," Pete said.

Zach, in the locker room, refused a shower that Jake offered. "I didn't break a sweat out there. Jake, what happens from here?"

"Cob, you go through the hoops with your normal doctor. Just show the registration staff your university ID with the insurance stamp and they'll take it from there. But Cob, get the hell out of here and get that appointment made." Jenny disappeared to let Zach change and less than fifteen minutes later; Zach was pulling out his cell phone, dressed in his regular clothes.

Jake looked at him. "I help dad deal with a second grader; our family doc is on speed dial." Jake smiled, knowing the family situation.

Twenty minutes later, Jake re-appeared on the field. Coach Taylor noticed him coming out of the dugout and walked to him. "He's got a 5:20 appointment with his doc." Jake paused. "Thank God." Taylor gave him another look. "I don't like how it looks Skipper."

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A/N: Just a reminder: the Dean's List is students that accumulate a GPA (grade point average) of 3.5 (on a scale of 0 – 4.0) or higher for the semester. Skipper is what the head coach of a baseball team is called.