A/N: Howdy! I'm back from a couple of detours. First detour was a medical problem that required a couple stints in the hospital in June, not Covid related. I'm back to 100%.

Before all that started, I took another detour to write a different story. When I get an idea, I run with it. But I'm back home in CM FF world now and we've got some catching up to do.

Short refresher. This story is set in June. Zach and Caleigh's twins are now three-and-a-half. Logan is eleven months old. Jack *gulp* will be seventeen in October.

All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios.

*Jedi Knight bow*

Chapter 1

The entire Atlanta Braves team, coaching staff and traveling team support personnel were enjoying their breakfast in one of the ballrooms of the JW Marriott in downtown Washington D.C. The White House was a block and half away.

Brian Snitker, the manager of the Braves, walked up to Zach's table as Zach was bullshitting with Minnie, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, Adam Duval and Travis d'Arnaud. Snit put his hand on Zach's shoulder. "Zach, I'm sorry. You need to head up to your room and pack your things. You've been traded to Detroit."

Zach looked at Snit and then did a quick glance around the room. He shook his head. "You dumb shits do know my dad is head of the FBI Unit that does profiling," he said. "My uncle, on dad's team, wrote the book on profiling." Zach broadly grinned. "I've already got all you pegged for your shitty poker faces and will clean your clocks on a future team flight to the west coast." Everyone in the ballroom roared with laughter.

Snit smiled. "It's your birthday kid. Plus you're home and you've already asked for tomorrow off. And hell Zach, after what you did last night, the rest of the guys want you the hell out of the line-up so they can do their thing."

Matt looked at Zach. "We can carry the load the next two days," he smiled.

"And with Minnie pitching tomorrow," Travis, Zach's back-up said, "I can handle him throwing his shit all over the plate." That drew more laughter.

Snit squeezed Zach's shoulder. "This comes from the top Zach. And I mean the top. You've played every game so far this season. Get the hell out of here. That's an order. We'll see you and Jack tomorrow night on the charter to Chicago. Give Caleigh and the kids all our love, say hi to Beth and your dad from all of us and get that niece of yours baptized tomorrow."

Andy Minton smiled. "I'll pack up your locker for you."

"Thanks Minnie. Don't forget Jack's uni for Chicago."

"Got it," Minnie said.

"Thanks Skip," Zach smiled at him and then looked around the room. "If any of you idiots start to sing Happy Birthday…"

Ronnie Acuña smiled at Ozzie Albies. Na, na, na, na they started to sing. Marcel Ozuna, Guillermo Heredia and Orlando Arcia joined them. Na, na, na, na. They entire team did the final chorus. Hey, hey! Good-bye! They kept singing, and got louder, as Zach made his way out of the ballroom, giving his teammates a one-finger salute behind his head. The guys all roared with laughter.

Forty minutes later, the Uber driver the team had ordered for Zach pulled into the cul-de-sac where his and Caleigh's home was across the street from his dad's and Beth's. The Uber driver looked into the rear view mirror at Zach. "That one sir?" he pointed to the left.

Zach looked, to see Jack playing with Trev and Tay in the backyard of his dad's home with Molly and Lexie. "Sorry Eduardo," Zach said. "Pull into that driveway," he pointed.

Zach came around the house, putting his suitcase and backpack down. Taylor saw him. "Da-dee!" she squealed, running at him. Zach pulled her up into a hug.

"Hi my lady," Zach smiled. "I've missed you," he said, kissing her.

"Missed you daddy," Taylor said back. The two dogs bounded up, clamoring for Zach's attention.

"What are you doing here?" Jack asked, as Zach hugged Trevor.

"I got traded to Detroit. I've got seventy-two hours to report. I'm taking it," Zach said.

"You're so full of b-s," Jack grinned, hugging Zach.

"Daddy, can we swim this afternoon?" Trev asked.

"After your naps? You bet," Zach smiled. "Let's go in so I can see grandma and grandpa."

"They'll love that," Jack said. Zach looked at him. "Logan is driving them crazy," Jack giggled. "He's into everything."

Zach smiled, pushing Jack's head. "I remember you being like that," he grinned as he grabbed his suitcase. Jack picked the backpack and they headed up the steps with the twins following the dogs. They came in through the patio door in the dining room. "Grandma!" Trev shouted. "Daddy is here!"

"I can see that," Beth smiled, standing in the kitchen.

Just then, Aaron walked in, holding Logan. "Zach? What's up?"

"He got traded," Jack deadpanned, getting a water bottle from the fridge. He pulled out two smaller ones for the twins. Aaron and Beth looked at Zach.

Zach smiled. "They gave me today off as well."

Aaron looked at Zach, handing him Logan. "You have played every day."

"Yeah dad. Being the DH is real tough," Zach said, rolling his eyes.

"Your favorite rule in baseball," Jack snarked.

"Shuddup," Zach growled. "Where's Caleigh?"

"Helping Rachel prep the food for tomorrow," Beth said. "She said she would be done in time to put the kids down at your place. I was just going to start some Mac and cheese for the kids' lunch."

"You like Mac and cheese?" Zach asked Logan, who babbled back his answer.

"If he'll sit long enough," Aaron softly grumbled.

Zach shook his head. "You two have to learn to not be so PC. Give his butt a swat. He's wearing a diaper. He won't feel a thing. But you'll get his attention."

"The diaper is clean," Aaron said, putting the dirty one in the garbage.

Zach grinned at him. "Part of being grandpa, Dad." They shared a hug and Zach moved into the kitchen to hug Beth as well.

"Zach, do you want lunch?" Beth asked.

"Goodness no Beth," Zach smiled. "I just finished brunch at the team hotel an hour ago. I'm stuffed."

"I can't wait for that," Jack smiled.

Aaron rubbed Jack's shoulder. "This is the perfect road trip for you isn't it?" he smiled.

"Yup," Jack grinned. "Wrigley and then back to Atlanta."

"And the posse," Zach grinned.

Twenty minutes later, everyone was enjoying their lunch. The kids with their Mac and cheese. Aaron and Beth were enjoying a tuna salad with pasta. Jack, like his older brother, took a pass on the tuna salad and made himself a turkey and cheddar cheese sandwich. He shared his chips with the twins.

Zach was in the kitchen, cutting up an apple for the twins and a banana for Logan when Caleigh walked in. "Hi you," she beamed. Zach pulled her into a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"He got traded," Jack, Aaron and Beth said together. Caleigh laughed.

"I got an extra day off," Zach smiled.

"Perfect," Caleigh smiled back. "Lisa and Pete are bringing Amelia over to use the pool."

Zach looked at her. "How quick can we make that into a cookout? Burgers and hotdogs."

Caleigh smiled. "I'll text Lisa."

Zach looked at Beth and his dad. "You can join us," he smiled.

"No thanks," Aaron smiled back.

"There're two ribeyes in the fridge," Beth grinned.

"Ouch," Zach snarked.

"But Zach," Aaron said.

Zach looked at him and grinned. "Uncle Dave might like an invite." Aaron smiled.

-00CM00-

Dave walked into the pool patio of Zach and Caleigh's DC home a little after three. Zach and Pete were already enjoying a beer, watching Amelia in the pool. "Hey Uncle Dave," Zach smiled, hugging him. "I see you helped yourself to the beer fridge."

"Yes I did. Missed ya kid," Dave said, pulling out of the embrace. "Good to see you again Pete," he smiled, shaking hands with him.

"You too Dave," Pete grinned.

Dave looked at Zach. "They really voted you off the island?"

"Hell Dave, I would have," Pete said. "He's leading the NL in batting average and went five for five last night with nine RBIs. He's been carrying the team. Again. Let someone else step up."

Zach winked at Dave. "He's working part time for Jose."

Dave looked at Zach. "You have played every game so far this season."

"Thank you Aaron," Zach snarked.

Pete looked at Zach. "I know how you feel about the DH rule. You're a baseball purist. But that rule is saving your career and giving you some longevity."

Zach shook his head. "Pete, what I'm about to tell you, you repeat to no one. And I mean no one," Zach growled. "I'm putting in my ten years and then I'm done. While I still have knees and a back to use." Pete looked at him. "I'll have growing kids by then. Starting to play sports or be in dance class or whatever. I want to be around for that."

Pete shook his head and then looked at Zach. "I get it my friend," he smiled.

Caleigh came out the patio door and smiled at Dave. "He's all yours Uncle Dave," she grinned, hugging Dave and then giving him Logan.

Dave grinned holding Logan. "Hello my boy. My pride and joy." Zach winked at Pete as Logan snuggled up to Dave's shoulder to take an extra snooze. That lasted ten minutes with the twins, Caleigh and Lisa joining the group.

The three older kids were in the pool, enjoying the small water slide that landed the kids in four feet of water under Dave's watchful eye sitting in the shade. Zach and Pete were in the pool as well. Logan was playing with some toys on the pool steps with Caleigh and Lisa sitting with him. The two cousins were happily chatting together, with Lisa finally six months pregnant after two miscarriages.

Amelia, nearly six years old, walked to the side of pool where Zach and Pete were in the deep end. "Daddy, can I jump in?"

"Absolutely," Pete smiled.

Zach winked at Pete. "I'll keep my two corralled Enjoy some dad time with her."

Later that afternoon, Dave was supervising Zach and Pete cooking the burgers that nearly filled the grill grate of the Zach's Weber. "Where are you two geniuses going to cook the hot dogs?" Dave asked.

"Patience Uncle Dave," Zach smiled. "They don't take that long and not much heat." As the burgers in the middle of grill, getting more heat from the charcoal, were starting to get done, Zach and Pete moved around the burgers. As the others, getting the heat, began to get done, Zach put them on top of the others on the outside rim of the grate. Pete put on the hot dogs.

Dave smiled. "You two are good."

Pete looked at Zach. "Damn Cob, I've missed this."

"You and me both Stan," Zach smiled. "This is a welcome break for me."

Dave rubbed Zach's shoulder. "That organization appreciates you Zach. Don't forget that."

"Amen Dave," Pete smiled, turning the hot dogs.

"I know Uncle Dave," Zach said.

Caleigh and Lisa where laying out the buffet for dinner when Dave walked into the kitchen. He put a bowl of fruit salad on the counter. Caleigh looked at him. "That looks homemade."

"It is," Dave smiled. Zach looked at him. "I'm bored. I work a fulltime job getting into nut jobs heads. And then I'm supposed to write another book, getting into their heads further?" Dave shook his head. "I'm done with that."

Zach looked at Dave. "Do I say the 'r' word to you?"

"Oh hell no Zach," Dave groused. "Retirement? I'd be more bored. But I have already told your dad to leave me out of the literal chasing unsubs part of the job. I'm getting too damn old for that kind of running around. That's Morgan's and JJ's job."

Pete smiled. "You need a woman in your life."

Dave shook his head. "Oh for three Pete. I'm not going down that road again."

Zach smiled. "Who said she has to have two legs?"

Dave softly smiled. "Now that, I've thought about. My duck hunting group needs a younger lab. And I'd love to train a new one to retrieve. But try finding a rescue that fits the bill. I'm too damn old to deal with a puppy."

"Bless you Dave," Lisa said, kissing his cheek, "for trying to find a rescue." Caleigh and Zach shared a look.

After dinner, Dave was supervising the kids playing in the living room while the two couples made quick work of the kitchen clean-up. The four walked into the living room.

Dave shook his head at Caleigh and Zach. "I remember the twins at Logan's age. They were trying to walk around anything they could. He has no interest," he pointed at Logan.

Zach shook his head. "He's been crawling since the middle of February. It gets him wherever he wants to go. Why walk?"

Dave looked at Caleigh. "Yes, I've talked to the pediatrician," Caleigh smiled. "She says he'll finally figure out that walking helps him keep with the twins and he'll take off. We're not to worry about it."

Dave nodded and looked at the two couples. "You playing cards tonight with some Canadian whiskey?" he smiled.

"No," Zach said. "We have three kids that need baths and we have to be up early tomorrow so we all can be at church by nine-thirty."

Pete rubbed Dave's shoulder. "I'm getting older too. Get home, plop my butt in the recliner and watch the Braves beat the Nats again tonight."

Dave smiled. "Then I'm gonna head out." He looked at Pete and Lisa and grinned. "It was wonderful to see you again," he said, giving Lisa a hug. "Take of this little one," he smiled at her.

"We will," Lisa said.

"Good seeing you again Dave," Pete smiled, offering his hand.

"Likewise Pete," Dave grinned, shaking his hand.

Amelia came up to Dave. "Do I get a hug Uncle Dave?"

"Yes you do," Dave grinned, pulling her off the floor. "Love you princess."

"Love you too Uncle Dave," Amelia smiled, hugging Dave back. He put Amelia down and said good-bye to the three little Hotchners.

Caleigh rubbed his shoulder. "See you tomorrow Uncle Dave. Your clean bowl is on the counter. Thank you for the fruit salad. It was a hit with the kids."

"Thanks sweetheart. Why I made it," Dave smiled, kissing her cheek.

"See you tomorrow Uncle Dave," Zach said, hugging him.

When he left, Lisa looked at Caleigh and Zach. "I saw the look you two."

"So did I," Pete added.

Zach smiled at Caleigh and they both looked at Lisa and Pete. "A possibility." Caleigh winked.

XXX