A/N: I hint. I deliver.

Remember this is set in August. When I say I'm taking a break, I'm taking a break. And it's a bit long-winded. But, for once, when I say it's a one-shot, I'm sticking to it. The OK Teach is buying the first round. Hehehehehehe

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

Minor tissue alert. And gee, I might have dropped a few references to old Zach stories. Sorry. No quiz. Just enjoy.

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

Aaron Hotchner looked at his youngest son as the Gulf Stream jet his oldest son provided made its way northeast to Boston. He slightly shook his head and smiled. Jack was heads down listening to his playlist on his cell phone while playing a game he downloaded.

Aaron leaned back into his seat and shut his eyes. Yet his mind was swirling. My God. How far have my two sons come since it all started there, he questioned in silent thought. Why Haley isn't here anymore. Aaron shook his head and smiled, looking at Jack. She would be so proud of both of them.

Less than two hours later, the car service that Dave had hired pulled up to the Marriott Copley Place. Aaron and Jack got out with Aaron tipping the driver as the driver handed them their bag. A uniformed doorman welcomed them to the hotel. Walking into the lobby, Jack looked at Aaron. "Dad, I don't know if we can check in without the team being here."

Aaron looked at him. "We can try and see what happens." They walked up to the check-in counter.

"Good evening. Welcome to the Marriott," the woman smiled. Her nametag said Sandra "Do you have a reservation?"

"Yes," Aaron said. "But we're part of the Atlanta Braves traveling party."

Sandra smiled. "You must be Aaron and Jack Hotchner. The Braves staff gave us a heads up that you would be arriving before the team. I can check you in."

Jack shook his head. "I should have known that."

"Just tell your brother to take it easy on my Sox," Sandra grinned at Jack, typing into her computer. She put two swipe card keys into a small envelope. "You are sharing our corner suite combo with Zach and Andy Minton. The room number is on the envelope. Enjoy your stay with us."

"Thank you," Aaron and Jack both smiled at her as Aaron took the envelope. They headed towards the elevators.

Aaron was putting the keycard into the room lock when Jack's cell buzzed with a text. We've landed. Need dinner and beer. Jack showed it to his dad. "You get the beer," Jack smiled as they entered the room. "Since the team is coming in from New York after an afternoon game, they'll know where to go for dinner. I can hang out here."

"And Facetime with Rashad and Miguel?" Aaron asked with a smile.

"You know it dad," Jack grinned.

Aaron looked around. "This is a lot like the corner combo suite Zach and Caleigh shared with Beth and me in New York City." The door between the two rooms was open.

Jack shook his head. "That was before they got married."

"The old man can still remember things Jack," Aaron smiled.

"You're not old dad," Jack said. "Just maturing nicely," he snarked with the wicked grin he shared with his brother.

"Thanks a lot," Aaron said, putting his room key in his back pocket. "What do you want to drink/"

"I can't have one of those beers?" Jack cheekily smiled.

"I thought you hadn't acquired the taste yet?" Aaron zinged back.

"I haven't," Jack grinned. "But that doesn't mean I can't push your buttons."

Aaron looked at Jack. "That's how the next few days are going to go?"

"Yup," Jack smiled. Aaron shook his head, pulling the door open and heading out into the hallway.

Aaron was sipping his beer when Zach and Andy came in the door to their suite forty minutes later. Zach and Andy each put their bag up on the space provided in the room and pulled off their backpacks, putting them on the beds. They came into Aaron and Jack's room.

"Beer me please," Zach said, shaking his head at Jack. "I hate that place."

"But you took four out of five," Jack said.

"I don't care," Zach growled.

"Right behind you Cob," Minnie said. Jack went into the bathroom. He came out thirty seconds later with two beers as Aaron hugged Zach. Andy shook his head. "Why the bathroom?"

Aaron smiled at him. "Something my team has learned along the way after we bring a case home and aren't flying until the next day. The Styrofoam cooler we buy at the liquor store," Aaron said, waving his hand, "package store in your world." Andy smiled. "Are not the best. Nine times out of ten…"

"They leak," Zach deduced.

"Why it's in the bathtub," Aaron smiled.

"How do we shower tomorrow"" Jack asked.

Zach smiled, pulling Jack into a hug. "You put the cooler on a towel on the floor tomorrow morning. The excellent hotel staff who we know we have will clean the shower, then put the cooler back in the tub and take away the wet towel that was under the leaking cooler."

Aaron smiled at Andy. "Just like that."

"Good to see you Aaron," Andy ginned, shaking his hand.

Jack looked at Zach. "I'm getting hungry."

"You and me both," Zach smiled.

"You got a recommendation?" Jack asked.

"Yup. I texted Brookie," Zach smiled. Aaron looked at his sons.

"Mike Trout dad," Jack explained. "They're baseball players. They come up with dumb nicknames for each other."

Andy looked at Jack. "You're not having a beer with us?"

"Not there yet Minnie," Jack responded.

"Join Uncle Dave on his duck hunting weekend," Zach smiled.

"Thank you. Son," Aaron growled.

Zach shook his head, draining his beer. "Dude, you are two seasons behind on that," he winked at Jack. Aaron shook his head as Andy laughed, finishing his beer. "I'm hungry. Let's head out."

While the four of them were waiting for their dinners, their cells all went off. They each looked. We knew he'd catch up, Caleigh texted. They all smiled at the video of Logan chasing after Lexie. Running. Zach just shook his head and rolled his eyes as Aaron, Jack and Andy laughed.

Walking back to the hotel, Jack looked at Zach. "Don't tell Uncle Sean. But that Shrimp Florentine was as good as his."

"I agree," Zach smiled, pulling Jack to him. "And my lips are sealed."

"I won't tell my brother about my filet," Aaron added.

"Aaron, is this the package store you hit?" Andy pointed.

"Yes," he responded.

Andy pointed in the window, looking at Zach. "They've got pints of Jamison."

"I'm so in," Zach said. "A night cap and bed."

Aaron pulled out his wallet, handing a twenty-dollar bill to Andy. "Buy two," he smiled.

Back in the hotel suite twenty minutes later, everyone was in cotton sleep pants and a t-shirt. Andy, Zach and Aaron were enjoying their Jamison on the rocks, using the glasses in the rooms. They were all sprawled out in Andy and Zach's room, watching Sunday night baseball on ESPN while having Facetime with their families.

Aaron looked at Jack. "Want a try?" he asked, handing his glass to Jack.

"Aaron," Beth growled. Jack accepted the glass and took one sniff.

"Nope dad," Jack said, handing the glass back. "I'm not that dumb. I'll get into beer first."

Zach smiled at his dad. "Let him go duck hunting with Uncle Dave. He's got his head screwed on straight."

"You get that past my wife," Aaron said.

Zach smiled at his dad. "Not my wife. Love ya Beth."

"Love you too Zach," Beth grinned.

By ten o'clock, both bedrooms were dark.

-00CM00-

The four were up, showered and, with the exception of Jack, shaved when they walked into the breakfast buffet. Team members and staff that were already there greeted Jack. "Glad you could join us Aaron," Snit smiled.

"Good to be here Skipper," Aaron smiled back, shaking Snit's hand. Players that had been on previous year's teams greeted Aaron. Aaron gave Ronnie a hug. "Good to see you back," he smiled. Zach introduced his dad to the new ones, including Matt Olson.

"Mind if I join y'all for breakfast?" Olson, the Atlanta native, asked.

"I'd enjoy that Matt," Aaron smiled. Maddux joined the table with his breakfast plate. "Come on grandpa," Aaron grinned at Doggie. "Show off that new granddaughter of yours." Greg proudly smiled, pulling out his cellphone.

When they all finished, Aaron looked at his watch and then Zach. "Now what?"

"The bus doesn't leave for the park until three-thirty."

Aaron looked at him. "There's a lot of history in this city."

Jack softly shook his head. "You don't do history Jack?" Matt asked.

"Not like him," Jack nodded at his brother.

Zach looked at Jack. "I'm really not down on that either." He thought for a second. "However…" he smiled. "I wouldn't mind seeing a part of history that has two lines." He winked at his dad. They both watched Jack process the challenge.

Jack smiled. "One if by land. Two if by sea." He grinned. "That would be cool."

"The Old North Church," Andy smiled. "I'm in."

"Me too," Matt grinned.

"It's a two-for on the grandpas," Greg smiled.

They all walked into the lobby. Zach approached the doorman. "Hey Will," Zach said, noticing his nametag. "Can you find us some transport to do some gawking at the Old North Church?"

Will smiled as he looked at the bellman's desk. "Hey Tomas! You done running vans," he pointed at the two fifteen passenger vans parked out front, "to the airport?"

"We're down to one every hour, on the hour," Tomas answered.

"Grab one buddy," Will winked, nodding at the group. "Quick trip to the Old North Church."

Zach looked at his dad and Doggie. "Tip Will grandpas," Zach grinned with his usual bullshit smile.

Will shook his head at Zach as Tomas went out to get in the van. "No worries. Tomas and I will split what you give him."

"Thanks Will," Zach smiled.

"Ole," Dansby said, coming out of the ballroom. "What's up?"

"We're going to see the Old North Church," Matt answered.

Dansby looked at Austin Riley. "You in?" he grinned.

"You bet. Mrs. Farnsworth, my third grade teacher, made us recite that poem," Austin said.

Adam Duvall, Travis d'Arnund and Charlie Morton came out of the ballroom. "What's going on?" Mort asked. Minnie filled him in. Mort shook his head. "Been there, done it. But it's worth the trip," he smiled.

"Me too," Travis smiled.

"But I'm in," Duvy grinned.

Tomas got the group there. They took pictures of the historical marker and walked around as they all made their way up the narrow steps to the steeple. Two of the group at a time. "Wow dad," Jack said in awe.

Aaron rubbed his shoulder. "I'll let your history buff brother bring the lesson home."

Jack shook his head. "Not needed dad." He nodded at the view of the Boston harbor from the steeple. "I get it."

When they got back to the hotel, Aaron looked at Zach. "Now what?"

"I'm taking a swim," Zach said.

"I'll join you," Aaron smiled back.

A couple hours later, Aaron and Jack were walking into the visitor's locker room at Fenway with the team. Aaron looked around the small space. "Wrigley is a lot like this," Jack observed.

"Why we appreciate what we have at Truist," Zach added, finding his locker. He smiled at the practice uniforms that were hanging in there for his dad and Jack, handing the clothing to them.

After they finished dressing, they went into the minuscule area where the players could get something to eat. What the area lacked in size was made-up by the quality of the food. Fifteen minutes later, they each walked out with a third-pound, cooked to order bacon cheeseburger on their trays. Jack's tray also had a plate full of waffle fries for them to share. Zach had three containers of fresh fruit on his. Aaron's tray had their drinks. They sat down at a picnic table in the tunnel outside the area. Austin, Matt and Duvy joined them.

Aaron smiled at the conversation around the table as they all ate. He looked at his sons. Now I get why Jack loves being around these guys he thought. Ronnie, sitting at the picnic table behind them, nabbed one of Jack's waffle fries out his hand. The mealtime was laughter and camaraderie.

Batting practice for the Braves was to begin at five forty-five. By five forty, the whole team was standing in the dugout, waiting to get on the field. Aaron and Jack were the last to enter the dugout. "Holy…." Jack said in awe, looking at the thirty-seven foot high green wall in left field. Aaron shook his head, looking at the Green Monster.

When they finally got on the field, Walt Weiss, the Braves bench coach, walked up to Jack. "Sorry Jack, but you can't shag balls today in the outfield."

"I get it Coach," Jack smiled. "The outfielders need to learn how to play all the balls that are hit out there." He looked around at the different caroms of the outfield fence, shaking his head. "That one in right center is nuts."

Weiss smiled at Jack. "You are a member of the team." Aaron proudly smiled.

Aaron and Jack stood behind the batting cage watching batting practice while the players all hit balls to help the outfields get acclimated. Zach drilled ball after ball off the Green Monster so the outfielders could practice how to play the ball bouncing off the wall. After he finished, he went into the dugout, heading towards the locker room. He came out five minutes later with his catcher's mitt and two fielder's gloves. "Let's play catch," he smiled at his dad and Jack.

Aaron smiled. "I won't get many chances to play catch with my sons at Fenway Park." Zach handed him a glove with his big smile.

"Nope, you won't dad," Jack grinned, taking his glove from Zach. Every Braves player and coach took the time to enjoy the three playing catch together in front of the visitor's dugout. Aaron's cell pinged. He pulled it out of his uni shorts pocket. You can't send me some video? Dave's text read.

Duvy happened to walk by. "Adam," Aaron said. "Can you please take some video of the three of us playing catch with the Green Monster in the background? Dave is all over my ass."

Adam Duval grinned. "I loved burying his ass last year. You got it Aaron," taking Aaron's cell.

A few minutes later, Aaron's cell pinged again. Zach laughed. "Mother Rossi is satisfied." Aaron and Jack laughed as well.

When batting practice was finished, they all headed into the visitor's clubhouse. Snit was waiting for them. "Aaron, I know your job."

Aaron smiled. "That dugout isn't big enough for Jack and me to be in there."

Snit nodded. "You have box seats a couple rows behind the dugout. The Red Sox provide them to the visiting team. You won't take any grief. The fans are really good."

"Thanks Skipper," Jack smiled.

Aaron and Jack were moving to their seats when Zach, Mort and Doggie came out of the dugout, heading to the Braves' bullpen to get Mort warmed up for his start. As usual, Aaron and Jack were wearing their grey visitor's uniform top with Zach's number and name on it. A number of Boston fans were already sitting in their seats around them. Aaron and Jack sat down.

The guy sitting next to Aaron looked at him. "Are you Zach's dad?"

Aaron smiled. "Yes, I am."

The guy looked around Aaron. "You must be Jack," he smiled.

"Yup, I am," Jack grinned back.

"Mike Petroski," the man smiled, sticking out his hand to Hotch. "I've voted for Zach to get into the All Star Game every year. Helluva player."

"Aaron Hotchner Mike. Thank you," he said, smiling and shaking Mike's hand. "And yes, this is my younger son Jack. Pleasure to meet you."

"Hey Mike," Jack waved at him.

"Pleasure to meet you Aaron," Mike said. He leaned over. "And you Jack. Welcome to Fenway. None of us will bust your chops during the game. Enjoy it watching Zach," he grinned.

"Thanks Mike," Aaron smiled back.

"Wow dad," Jack said. "This is better than Philly."

Mike laughed. "Philly fans suck. We're the good guys. We just love baseball." He nodded at the person sitting next to him. "This is my son Robbie." Aaron and Jack smiled, sharing handshakes with Robbie. They enjoyed a wonderful conversation with Mike and Robbie. And joined them in honoring America with the playing of the National Anthem.

Mike looked at Aaron. "Thank you for your respect."

Aaron smiled. "I work for the DOJ."

Mike shook his head. "You're an FBI Field Agent. Any true baseball fan that knows Cob knows that. You serve. Thank you for that."

Aaron looked at Mike. "And you're a Vietnam vet. Thank you for your service."

Mike looked at Aaron. "How do you know?"

Aaron softly smiled. "Part of my job." Mike looked closer at Aaron. "Your age and you stood at attention during the anthem."

Ronnie led off the top of the first inning with a walk. Dansby hit a dribbler on a check swing that the Boston catcher pounced on and threw Dansby out at first. But Ronnie had advanced to second base. Matt Olson came up and three pitches later sent a hit into right field, scoring Ronnie.

Zach stepped into the batter's box. And hit the first ball he saw. It immediately was on a trajectory to clear the Green Monster. And then some. Jack jumped out of his seat. "Holy shit dad!" he shouted. And then looked around. "Sorry," he added, sitting back down.

The Boston fans around him and Aaron smiled. "Enjoy it kid," Jack heard from all of them.

Mort pitched a two hitter into the seventh inning. Ole, Austin and Dansby homered as well. The Braves bullpen did the rest. It was an eight to one victory for the Braves.

Mike looked at Aaron and smiled. "See ya tomorrow night?"

"You bet," Aaron smiled, shaking Mike's hand.

Aaron and Jack, with one of the Braves traveling staff helping them, made their way to the door of the visitor's locker room. Jack put his hand on Aaron's arm. "Jack?"

Jack shook his head. "As small as that locker room is and with all the media in there, let's wait out here for Zach."

"You're the veteran," Aaron smiled at Jack.

A couple beer vendors came into the area as the media members started to filter out of the locker room. Aaron looked at them and smiled. "Final sales for the night?"

"You know it," one of the guys smiled.

"Anyone got Miller Lite?" Aaron asked. The vendors shook their heads.

"Dad, Coor's Light is the fall back," Jack smiled. Aaron looked at Jack. Jack shrugged with his and his brother's usual bullshit smile.

"I've got that," one guy said.

"I'll take six of them," Aaron said. "Keep five of them cold. I'll take one now," he grinned. The vendor pulled out a sixteen-ounce aluminum bottle and twisted off the top, handing it to Aaron. "How much do I owe you?" Aaron asked, pulling out his wallet.

The vendor smiled, pulling a baseball out of his pocket. "You get me an autograph from your son for my grandson, we're even."

Aaron pulled a ten-dollar bill out of his wallet and handed to the vendor. "Deal," he grinned, taking a drink of the beer. He looked at Jack, smiled and offered him a drink. "Thanks dad," Jack smiled, taking the beer. "This means more coming from you," he said, taking a sip. Aaron beamed, rubbing Jack's shoulder. Jack shook his head, handing the beer back to his dad. "Still not my favorite."

Aaron grinned. "Please hang onto that for another four, five years." The vendors all laughed.

"Uncle Dave is in the picture," Jack snarked.

"Don't remind me," Aaron growled.

The team started to filter out of the locker room, making the vendors busy. Zach and Minnie came out. Aaron nodded them over to him. He pointed at the vendor. "Pay Carl," Aaron smiled. Zach reached for his wallet. Carl pulled out the ball and a pen.

"It's for my grandson," Carl smiled.

Zach happily signed it and handed the ball to Andy. "You get a two-for Carl," he grinned. "Now I need a beer." Carl twisted off the top and gave Zach a beer as Andy signed the ball. Andy waited for Carl to get him a beer and dry off his hands from the ice water in his cooler and handed the ball back to him.

"Thanks guys," Carl smiled.

Zach looked at Aaron with his grin. "How far are we behind?"

Aaron shook his head. "Your dad," Aaron said, pointing at Andy, "and I drove you two soaks home after the World Series last fall. I have no doubt you'll both catch up." He winked at Carl. Carl laughed as the rest of the team made their way out of the locker room.

Snit came out of the locker room with the coaching staff. "Get 'em to go guys," he said. "Grandpa needs his beauty sleep." The team all laughed, getting a roadie for the bus trip.

Zach, Andy and Aaron polished off their first beer, handing the empties to Carl. "I'm getting hungry," Jack said.

"Don't say pizza," Zach said.

Carl looked at the group, pulling out three more beers for them to take on the team bus. "You're staying at the Marriott Copley right?" They all nodded. "Go out the hotel door, take at right. At the corner, take another right. There's a Jersey's Mike sub shop up on the next corner." He grinned. "They're open until two for the bar crowd."

Zach and Andy each handed Carl a twenty. "See you tomorrow night," Zach smiled.

"I'll be here," Carl grinned back.

-00CM00-

Zach woke the next morning around nine-thirty. He got out of bed and went into the next room, shaking his dad's feet. "Zach?" Aaron sleepily said.

"Let's go for a swim before breakfast. Just you and me," Zach whispered. Jack was still snoring.

"I'm in," Aaron smiled.

They swam lazy laps for nearly thirty minutes. Aaron climbed out of the pool and grabbed a towel. Zach put in two more power laps and then joined his dad. He looked Aaron in the eye while drying off. "Did this help?"

"Zach?"

"I know the painful memories this city has. It all started here." Zach looked down for second and then looked his father in the eyes. "Losing mom." He paused. "I wanted you to come on this trip along with Jack. To take away that bad memory. To give you a new and special one."

Aaron pulled Zach into a deep hug. "Mission accomplished son," Aaron whispered in his ear.

Zach hugged his dad. "Good. I love you."

"Love you too," Aaron said. "I'm glad we're not flying until tomorrow morning."

"Me too," Zach smiled.

Later, the team was taking batting practice at Fenway. Eddie Perez, the catcher's coach and world-class BP pitcher, smiled at Aaron as Zach came into the batting cage. Jack was shagging balls in the outfield as usual. "You pitch to him," Eddie smiled at Aaron.

Aaron walked to where Eddie was and threw Zach his best fastball. Zach torched it, sending it over the Green Monster. Aaron watched it fly out of the ballpark. "Holy shit!" Jack yelled from the outfield.

Zach grinned at his dad. "How's that memory?"

"It's a keeper son. Thank you," Aaron grinned back.

The Braves won nine to zero with Max Fried pitching a complete game shutout to Zach.

Sitting around in their corner suite, Zach, Aaron and Andy polished off the last of the Jamison Irish Whiskey.

XXXXX

A/N: First off. I am not promoting under-age drinking. But Jack, in this verse, is a junior in high school. Alcohol enters into that age group. Aaron and Zach are doing it responsibly. I've always promoted in this verse drinking with the parents rather than sneaking out to do it.

Charlie Morton used to play in the American League in US baseball before he joined the Braves that are in the National League. He's been to Boston before. Same thing with Travis. The Braves rarely play games against American League teams. Why the trip to Boston and Fenway Park is so rare. And special. Fenway is a historic baseball park. With the Green Monster.

The Old North Church and its significance to the American Revolutionary War was written in a poen by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entitled Paul Revere's Ride. Where the "one if by land, two if by sea" lines are from.

My apologies to any Phillies fans reading this. You're a tough but dedicated bunch. And congrats on a great post-season. I'll touch on that in the next Zach story. But for now, it's the usual Thanksgiving story. And thankfully, I've got my idea.

My deepest thanks again to the OK Teach for doing the proofreading.

Thank you in advance for the alerts, favorites and reviews. See you in a couple weeks.

*Knightly bow*