A/N: Sorry, no Monday two for one special. This one isn't that long.

Chapter 4

Caleigh walked into the kitchen a little after seven the next morning, dressed for her day at college. Aaron was getting Jack his breakfast, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. "Good morning you," he smiled. "How's our patient? And did you get some sleep?"

Caleigh kissed his cheek, accepting a cup of coffee. She added some creamer and sat down next to Jack eating his breakfast at the nook kitchen bar. "I actually got a lot of sleep. After dessert, he conked out. He woke a few times coughing. I got him on the second round with the inhaler and his third dose of cough medicine per Doc's instructions. Zach settled more when the inhaler kicked in, but had a horrible coughing attack around eleven. I won't describe the junk that came out."

"Thanks for that," Jack snarked, shoveling in another bite of cereal.

"But by two," Caleigh continued, "he conked out and hasn't moved sleeping soundly. And not coughing; except for me waking him up to get more meds and Gatorade in him around six."

"Jack, get moving," Aaron said. "The bus will be here in fifteen minutes." Caleigh rubbed his head with a smile.

"Beth getting ready for work," Caleigh asked, taking a sip of her coffee. Aaron nodded, getting a bowl of Wheaties for himself. "What about you?"

"I've got Zach this morning until you get back from school," he smiled. Caleigh looked at him. "I'm working on the demon this morning." Caleigh smiled, getting off her chair to get her own bowl of cereal.

"Demon," Jack asked.

"Zach's got a lot on his mind buddy. I'm gonna help him with that." He looked at Jack. "Eat; you gotta get moving."

"Geez dad, I get it," Jack said, taking another bite.

"What about the team Aaron," Caleigh asked, sitting back down.

Beth came into the kitchen dressed for work and took Jack's finished cereal bowl. "Teeth and bookbag," she pointed with a smile. Jack took off. "And a jacket this morning; it's not the warmest out."

"Got it Beth," Jack hollered back, going up the steps.

"I can sit in on the team briefing this morning via my laptop," Aaron smiled. "And I can take care of the rest of the pressing emails as well."

"Thank goodness for Penelope," Beth said, giving him a kiss.

Caleigh smiled at them and looked at her phone. "I've got to get going as well to beat the DC traffic for my nine o'clock class." She finished her bowl of cereal.

Aaron took it for her. "I've got it; you go get ready," he smiled.

Jack met Caleigh on the steps. "Bye you," Caleigh said, giving him a hug. "Have a good day at school."

"You too Caleigh," Jack smiled. Beth and Aaron joined Jack in the entry way as Caleigh went to Zach's bathroom. After hugs and good-byes, Jack blew out the door, literally to run down the driveway to get on the bus.

Aaron just shook his head at Beth as they shared a smile. Caleigh walked into the kitchen ten minutes later with her purse and book bag over her shoulder, wearing her own spring coat. "Bye you two," she smiled.

"Caleigh, wait," Aaron said, fishing out some keys from the basket on the counter. "Take Zach's truck," he said, handing her Zach's keys.

Caleigh shook her head. "Instead of driving my little car? I'd feel like I was driving a semi."

Aaron smiled. "I know you've been having problems with your car." Caleigh eyed him. "Joe, Pete's brother, has worked on it how many times? Humor me so I have one less thing to worry about this morning because I do have to get to the office for a while this afternoon. I've got a meeting with Cruz at two."

Caleigh took the keys. "Thanks," she smiled. "Bye Beth," she said, giving her a hug.

"I'm gonna be right behind you," Beth smiled.

Aaron pulled Caleigh into a hug. "I should be back here by one at the latest. More cough medicine around noon."

"That works sweetheart," he smiled.

Five minutes later in the quiet home, Aaron snuck down the steps to check on Zach. He was still sleeping soundly. Aaron went to the master bedroom and enjoyed his unusual Monday morning leisurely shower and shave.

Twenty minutes later, he walked into the kitchen to see Dave pouring himself a cup of coffee. "You don't knock? And you're up this early?"

"I needed a cup of coffee for my drive to work," Dave devilishly smiled, "that happens to be free."

"Like you can't afford coffee."

"Hey," Dave said, slightly offended. "I brought Mudgie down to keep your son warm." Aaron just shook his head, refilling his own cup. "How is he," Dave pointed towards the steps.

"Caleigh said the meds really set in; he's been sleeping soundly since around two this morning."

"And the reason you're not going to the office now?"

"Dave, Zach has something going on in his head. All this with him just didn't blow up in a day or two. I need to see what I can do so I can take care of it."

Dave eyed him closely. "You've got an idea what it is?"

Aaron smiled. "I've got more than an idea."

"Then take care of it Aaron."

"That's my intention David," Hotch fired back.

Rossi glared at him. "You've never called me David."

Aaron laughed. "Channeling my inner Erin Strauss for you stinking up the joint at trying to be a mother hen. Get the hell to work. You've got the team this morning. I've gave Morgan the heads up. I'll sit in on the briefing at ten via my laptop and be in after one."

"And our mistress of information is…"

"…all over that Dave," Aaron smiled.

Dave smiled, grabbing his traveler cup filled with coffee. "Thanks for the brew."

"Talk to you in a bit," Aaron smiled.

Standing in the kitchen, Aaron enjoyed a rare opportunity for him – to hear the home completely quiet.

A little after nine and catching up on his emails, he reached for his wallet, pulled out a business card, grabbed his cell and dialed a number. "Good morning, Atlanta Braves Executive Offices; this is Melanie," he heard.

"Good morning Melanie, I'm Aaron Hotchner; Zach Hotchner's father."

"Good morning Agent Hotchner. How may I help you?"

"Is it possible to speak to Mr. Hart? I've got some questions that I know are concerning Zach. But he can't call. However, those concerns are really weighing on Zach. He's just been diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia. I feel it's him worrying about things after his collegiate season is done that is partially to blame for his health."

"I'm so sorry to hear about Zach's condition Agent Hotchner, which I'll pass along to Mr. Hart. However, he's on a conference call at the moment and has a meeting scheduled at ten. He should be available by ten forty-five. I'll make sure your message is a top priority for a return call."

"Thank you Melanie," Aaron smiled. "That will be a perfect. Zach will be back in bed. He doesn't know I'm calling. And I don't want him too."

"Understood Agent Hotchner," Melanie said.

###

A/N: Very honestly to you, my readers: I haven't made up my mind how I'm going to address Morgan leaving the show. You've read my thinking for now.

And just a catch up for you, my very sharp-eyed readers. Since my story last year about Zach meeting the Atlanta Braves bigwigs, John Schuerholz has semi-retired to be an Executive Vice President. John Hart, whom Zach also met in Omaha last year, is now running the day to day operations of the Braves with new hire John Coppolella as the General Manager.