A/N: A bit of a baseball chapter. And what happens in this chapter would never happen in the real baseball world.

Welcome to FF. I get to do it. Please also remember that I write stories to set up other stories.

Chapter 5

Zach's cell rang just as he was about to head out to the ballpark for the Braves game against the Marlins. He immediately thought it was Caleigh. Picking it up, he smiled at the caller ID. "Hi dad."

"How are you doing Zach?"

"It hurts dad; I miss my wife. But I've got my game face on and just about ready to head out to SunTrust."

"Zach, you know this is the right thing for Caleigh and the baby."

"Yes dad, I do. She needs to get to know Dr. Mahoney. I'm in. And she'll have all of you around. Tell Beth to just help her spend some money to get the nursery all set up and don't let her near paint or wallpaper."

Aaron smiled. "Got it. I'll pass the message along." He paused. "How are you really son?"

"Dad, like I said, I miss her terribly already. And Lex. So I'm just trying to find positives. The one positive is the team is trying to make the playoffs. I can concentrate on that a bit more. It's still all a huge learning curve for me at this level. I'll have more time to study game film and work with the pitching staff."

"You're working with the pitching staff Zach?"

Zach shook his head. "Chuck Hernandez, the pitching coach…"

"I know who he is Zach," Aaron said.

"… is not the answer for this mainly young staff. It's getting to be a major problem. So we're going to keep doing our thing, piss off Hernandez more and see if upper management does something about it."

Dave looked at Aaron, sitting on the other side of Aaron's desk. "Is that wise Zach?"

Zach smiled. "Ask Uncle Dave what our record is for the last ten games." Aaron put his cell on speaker.

"Busted," Dave said. "And your dad knows how well the team has been playing lately just like me. But I'll repeat his question. Is that wise?"

"As in you think they'll trade me?" Zach asked. "I'm not worried about that. Mutiny for the right cause is just in my world. And all the team is in; not just the pitchers and catchers. Bottom line – I've got something to concentrate on instead of a big, empty house."

Aaron smiled. "Guess how that home will be next April Zach?" Dave smiled as well.

"And that's why you two know I support Dr. Navarro and Dr. Mahoney's decision. Just take care of my ladies when they get there."

"All over that," Aaron smiled. "Jack too; he's on 'soon to be uncle mission'." Zach smiled at that.

"You know better Zach," Dave lovingly growled.

"Thanks you two; love you both. I'll text Jack when I get to the park. But it's time for me to get to work Uncle Dave." Aaron smiled at Dave.

"Kick their asses tonight kid," Dave smiled.

"That's the plan Uncle Dave."

Aaron smiled. "Have a good night Zach."

"Thanks dad. You too Uncle Dave. I love you both."

-00CM00-

Three days later, Caleigh came in the Hotchner home through the garage door. She heard the TV on as Lex sped towards Jack. "Caleigh," Jack barked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm cooking dinner for you, Beth and your dad tonight," she smiled, setting a grocery bag on the counter. "I need the distraction."

"And you walked up here?"

Caleigh smiled. "It's a block Jack. I'm not that pregnant yet."

Jack grabbed her hand, pulling her into the living room. "Then you gotta come quick Cal."

"Jack?"

"Cal, get in here," Jack said, pointing at the TV. "Something big is happening."

"Back to our breaking news out of Atlanta," Rece Davis, the ESPN broadcaster said. "Most teams vying for play-off spots this time of year now that the trading deadline has passed can still make moves. But the Braves made some major moves today and it wasn't about players."

"This is huge," Linda Cohn, the co-anchor said. "And unprecedented. We're waiting on the official press conference."

The TV switched to a video of Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos stepping up to the microphone at the conference room table in SunTrust Park. "In recent weeks, Brian Snitker and I, along with other coaches, have become aware of some problems on our coaching staff. To that end, Grant Anger, our hitting coach and Chuck Hernandez, our pitching coach, have both been released from their contracts." The press conference room buzzed.

"To fill those vacancies, the Braves have hired former Kansas City player and coach Kevin Sitzer as hitting coach and UNLV pitching coach Greg Maddux. We feel they will both work better with our younger players."

Jack looked at Caleigh. "Oh. Holy. Shit," he whispered.

"Watch your language," Caleigh chided.

"Cal! It's Zach and Maddux working together," he smiled.

"I get it Jack," Caleigh smiled, pulling out her phone, sending a text.

"You texting Zach?" Jack asked.

Caleigh shook her head. "No," she said as she typed, "a dear friend."

You sure Kathy? Caleigh texted.

Her phone pinged back in less than ten seconds. We're both sure. Greg wants this. And with the kids out of college, I have no problem going back to Atlanta. Vegas may be Greg's hometown, but Vegas sucks in the summer. I'll take the Atlanta heat and humidity. Caleigh smiled at Jack. "Now we celebrate."

"And call Zach?" Jack asked.

Caleigh shook her head. "It's after four. He's heads down in prep for tonight's game." Jack frowned. "But you however, get to help me get dinner ready," she smiled. "Guess who the extra guest is?"

Jack smiled. "Uncle Dave."

An hour later, Aaron, Beth and Dave walked into the kitchen. "Something smells good," Beth smiled, hugging Jack.

"Guys," Jack said, pulling out of her hug. "You gotta hear the news! It's huge!"

Aaron looked at Caleigh, kissing her cheek. She smiled. "For once, that is not Jack hyperbole. It is huge."

"What is it Caleigh?" Aaron, on alert, asked.

"Down dad," Caleigh smiled. "The entire team, with Zach just following along, in a secret location meeting have been planning a coup." Dave seriously looked at her. "They've been pissed with two coaches all season. Upper management finally realized what was happening and took action." She smiled at Jack. "Hit it bro."

"You guys are not going to guess who the new pitching coach for the Braves is. Not in a million years!"

Caleigh looked at Aaron. "Don't burst his balloon dad." Aaron looked at her. "I know how much you and Zach talk together," she smiled.

Aaron shook his head. "I haven't talked to Zach today."

"I can't wait to hear," Dave smiled at Jack. "Because Zach doesn't tell me these things." Caleigh and Beth rolled their eyes at each other. Aaron shook his head at Dave.

Jack was oblivious to the undertone of the conversation. "Dad and Beth! Uncle Dave! It's Maddux!"

"What Jack?" Dave said.

"Greg Maddux is the new pitching coach for the Braves! He's gonna be working with Zach! How cool is that?!"

Aaron and Beth looked at Caleigh. "Really?" Aaron asked.

"Really," Caleigh smiled.

"That's one major coup," Dave said.

Aaron looked at Jack. "I think I need a beer on this news."

"Me too," Beth smiled.

"Draw three Jack," Dave smiled.

"Coming up," Jack smiled, heading to the garage.

Dave looked at Aaron. Aaron shook his head. "Zach didn't start this. Nick Markakis and Ender Incarte, the captains of the team did. But he supported it. He told us a couple days ago. Remember Dave?" Dave nodded his head. Aaron lowered his head and then looked at the three in the kitchen. "They got Maddux for a pitching coach?" Aaron whispered with a stunned, almost reverent tone. He looked at Caleigh. "Have you talked to him?"

"Nope," Caleigh said. "He's busy getting ready for tonight's game. I know better." Beth smiled at her. "But I've texted with Greg's wife," she smiled. Aaron, Beth and Dave looked at her. "She's been my rock through all this. Remember when Zach signed his contract? Greg said to call if I needed someone to talk to?" The three nodded their heads, re-living the moment. "She had to do the same thing when she was pregnant with their daughter Paige who is now married and living in Seattle. Kathy spent her last trimester in Vegas in 1993 while Greg was still in Atlanta. In their big, spacious, new Atlanta home," she winked at the three adults.

Dave smiled as Jack handed him a beer. "Sometimes coups are a good thing," he said.

The five of them were finishing up cleaning the kitchen after enjoying Caleigh's wonderful Chicken Bacon Ranch pasta dish. The opening of the Braves' broadcast of that night's game came on the TV via the MLB Network.

"Good evening from SunTrust Park as the Braves begin a four game series with the Colorado Rockies. I'm Chip Carey and welcome to Fox Sports South. Folks, I've never used my grandpa's catch phrase in all my years of broadcasting. But I am tonight with the news today. Holy cow! Your thoughts Joe."

The group all watched as Joe Simpson, the color commentator gave his analysis. "Honestly Chip, I've been hearing rumblings from the players all year. With all due respect, Anger was not liked by the players. And when Freddie Freeman makes an off the record comment to me, I knew it was real. The same thing with Julio, our starting pitcher tonight. He's got the catcher he wants behind the plate tonight. Hernandez never supported that." The five in the Hotchner house looked at each other.

Aaron looked at Caleigh. "Did you know?"

Caleigh shook her head. "Not all of it. I knew Zach wasn't happy. And neither were Minnie and Freddie. Beyond that – no. Zach doesn't bring home work issues to me."

Beth looked at Aaron. "That sounds familiar."

Caleigh smiled. "I get it. They're protecting us. And just wanting a haven away from the problems."

Dave kissed Caleigh's cheek. "You get it kid," he smiled. "But I'm gonna head out to go home and watch the Nats. That said, dinner was primo," he said hugging her. "Take care you." Caleigh smiled, rubbing his back. He looked at Jack "We text each other updates on scores."

"You got it Uncle Dave," Jack smiled hugging him.

"Can you give me a ride home Uncle Dave?" Caleigh asked. Dave nodded with a smile.

Dave turned toward the door after sharing good nights with Beth and Aaron. He stopped. Then shook his head, turning to look at them.

Beth smiled. "Thought you had to whistle for Mudg?"

Dave softly smiled. "Yeah; that might take a while longer."

Aaron rubbed his shoulder with a smile as Jack hugged him. "I get it Uncle Dave. I miss him too."

"Good night Champino," Dave smiled. He looked at Caleigh and Lex. "Your ride awaits my ladies." Caleigh and Lex said their good-byes and followed Dave out the door.

Chuck Hernandez did not believe the ace of the pitching staff needed the first string catcher. All season long, he had Kurt Suzuki catching for him. A veteran pitcher with a veteran catcher.

Jack texted Dave. Bro behind dish for ace. Julio has two-hitter thru 7. Zach HR with 2 RBI. Up 6-0.

Zach was walking to his truck after the game when he called Caleigh. "Hi you," he heard.

"Hi you back," Zach said. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good," Caleigh smiled. "I cooked dinner for the Hotchners with Uncle Dave joining them. I loved the exercise I got walking up there. It's put the little one to sleep," she said, yawning. "I'm ready to join that world; soon. Holy hell Zach."

"Tell me about it babe," Zach said. "We covertly pushed for this change. But Maddog and Sitzer? My god. Alex is the new GM that the team didn't know if we could trust. With what he did for trades before the deadline and this now? We do. We're all a bit stunned."

"Zach," Caleigh smiled. "Say it. Jack already has."

"Holy shit it's Maddux!" Caleigh laughed and then yawned.

"Get to sleep babe. I'll sleep well tonight. With no video prep."

"Zach, no video prep tonight?"

"I've got a pitchers and catchers meeting to get to tomorrow afternoon at one. I think I'll be in school with the pitching coach after that."

Caleigh smiled. "And a brain trust love affair begins. Just remember I love you more." Zach laughed. "Zach, for the record, Kathy is stoked about the move. We talk; she's been a godsend to me."

"I'm glad. And thanks babe," Zach said, beeping his truck open. "That's good to hear. Get to sleep babe. I love you; miss you much."

"Same back," Caleigh smiled. "Good night my love."

-00CM00-

Zach walked into the conference room that was part of the player's spacious locker room at SunTrust. Greg Maddux was watching video tape on the big screen. Zach smiled. "Welcome aboard Coach," Zach said. "I'm….."

Maddux paused the video and got out of his chair. "Shut up you ass," Maddux smiled, pulling Zach into a hug. "How's Caleigh doing?"

"Adjusting pretty well thanks to your wife."

Maddux smiled. "You ready to do this?"

"You bet Coach," Zach said.

Maddux looked at him. "You call me 'coach' again I'm shipping your ass down to Gwinnett permanently."

Zach roared with laughter and then looked at his childhood idol. "Holy hell Doggie." he said, shaking his head.

"I wanna work with the best. And wear the same uniform with the best. That's you kid," he smiled. "Maybe get another or two World Series rings." He turned serious. "You've got forty-five minutes to catch me up on my pitching staff."

"Let's do it," Zach said, sitting down.

Maddux picked up the remote.

###

A/N: First off – taking care of all the yellow in this chapter. What I need to explain. Trade is a way for baseball clubs to change players. Yup, I'm bringing out the Chicken Bacon Ranch pasta dish again. It's the bomb! Chip Carey, the TV voice of the Atlanta Braves on Fox Sports South is the grandson of the legendary Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Carey. Harry's signature call was "holy cow!" Behind the dish is being the catcher. Home plate in baseball is referred to as the dish. Greg Maddux's nickname playing baseball was Maddog. His teammates called him Doggie.

*rubs hands gleefully together*