A/N: Now that 2 for 1 Monday's have become a tradition, I supposed I have to keep that up or y'all will come after me. Sorry it's such a downer. It will get better. I promise.
Chapter 7
As Aaron and Dave walked the boys down the hall to Aaron's apartment, they both could hear two stomachs rumbling. Dave looked at Aaron. "You get them inside, get Zach settled and give Jack a bath. I'll be back in less than 45 minutes."
"Be back?" Hotch said.
"Yes, back. I'm going to be here to help." He looked at Aaron. "Don't argue with me." Zach, going through the toughest day of his life, slightly smiled at Dave standing up to his dad. To say Zach deeply respected Dave was an understatement.
Dave returned less than an hour later with three sacks full of groceries, a small bag for himself and Mudgie. Dave knew his dog would be a comfort for Jack. As he entered, he saw two suitcases next to the door. "The Marshall Service just dropped them off for the boys. From the place in New Jersey," Aaron explained.
"McLean PD is at the entrance to the building so you won't be bothered." By now, the news of the attack, killing the young mother in her own home while protecting her sons, was headline news across the city.
Jack was playing with his cars in the dining room. Zach was lying on the couch, just staring off into space. Aaron had an ice pack on his eye, arm and finger; Dave had stopped on the way to their place to get a large bag. An hour later, the four of them were sitting around the dining room table, enjoying Dave's chicken and pasta dish. Dave looked at Aaron. "That nose of yours could use some ice as well."
"Later," is all he said.
Jack, being four, really didn't understand what was going on, but knowing that something wasn't right around the table, ate mostly in silence, instead of his usual chatter. After they ate, Dave helped Hotch get the kitchen cleaned up while the boys watched some innings of a baseball playoff game, Jack lying on Zach's chest. Dave received an update from Morgan and Prentiss, which he passed along to Hotch. They had notified Jessica, and were driving her to Richmond to tell Haley's parents. After he and Dave finished, Aaron pulled Jack off Zach and got him ready for bed. Zach joined them in his dad's room for Jack's tuck-in and nightly prayers. Aaron stayed behind to rub Jack's back to get him to sleep, with Mudg on the floor next to his side of the bed.
As Zach laid back down to watch more of the game, Dave eyed his suspiciously. "Zach, I know you. You got something on your mind, but you don't want to bother your dad. He's got his hands full with Jack. I'm here." Zach just laid on the couch and stared at the TV. Aaron came out a bit later with the blanket that Zach used to sleep on the couch, his usual place in the two bedroom apartment. He already had his pillow. He got his oldest son settled in, helping him out of his blood-stained clothes to just his boxers and white t-shirt, sleeping in the same attire as his dad. Aaron knew that since it was Tuesday, Zach was still trying to catch up with his sleep from working his weekend nights.
Zach settled in, clicking the TV off. Aaron shut the lights off except for the light on the stove top and then filled an ice bag for his nose. He poured himself and Dave some scotch sliding the glass to Dave sitting at the snack bar. "You don't have to stay, you know," he softly said, easing around the counter to sit next to him, putting the ice bag to the break.
Dave matched his voice. "I know. Please let me help. These boys mean everything to me." They sat in silence, finishing their drinks.
"Take Jack's bed," Hotch said.
Dave slowly shook his head. "I think I'll just hang out in the recliner." Hotch looked at him. "I'll be fine. Get some rest." Aaron headed down the hall.
Dave had fallen asleep a bit when he heard Zach throwing up in the kitchen sink. He blinked at his watch. 10:22 pm. He pushed the recliner's leg rest down. Zach come back in the living room and looked at Dave.
"Sorry Uncle Dave for waking you; and btw, it wasn't your pasta dish."
Dave moved to the coffee table to sit across from Zach. He rubbed his knee. "Talk to me," he whispered. Zach looked at him and the tears started to flow. "Zach please," Dave begged, his heart breaking.
"Uncle Dave," Zach choked out. "I knew it was a trap. Mom was walking into a trap. And she wouldn't listen to me. If I had got her to listen to me, she'd still be alive." The tears Zach had been trying to so valiantly to hold back came out, along with sobs. Before Dave could move, Hotch was pulling his oldest son into his strong embrace. Dave sadly smiled and just rubbed Zach's leg. "I knew dad," he kept saying. "I knew." Aaron just held his son and let him cry himself out.
As Zach started to settle down, Dave explained to him the psyche of Foyet's mind. "Zach, no matter what you could have did, Foyet had her. When he told her that your dad was dead, he had her."
"I could have called you, Uncle Dave."
"No Zach, Foyet had frozen her completely. All she cared about was getting you boys to safety. And I guarantee when Garcia runs down the transcript of his call to your mom, it will bear that out. That's how sick and twisted he was."
"Son, look at me," Aaron gently said. Zach looked into his father's eyes. "This wasn't you fault. Don't ever think that. You did everything you could, including following my plan to get you and Jack safe. Don't ever doubt that you did everything right. This isn't on you son." Aaron kissed his forehead. Dave just nodded his head. Twenty minutes later, Zach was sleeping, the three ibuprofen his dad had given him kicking in.
Dave looked at Hotch. "Aaron, take three yourself, get some rest and that ice bag back on your nose." Dave took Mudg for his evening "walk" and then moved to sleep in Jack's bed. Mudg settled back in his spot next to Jack's side of the bed. Dave climbed into Jack's bed.
Dave woke and heard Zach in the bathroom. He looked at his cellphone on Jack's night stand. 3:56 am. Dave did the math, realizing that the ibuprofen had worn off for Zach. He met Zach at the bathroom door, got him back on the couch and gave him more of the pain reliever. He noticed the ice bags on Zach's extremities and his eye had melted. He replenished them and got Zach settled back down. Zach returned to settled sleep. Dave went back to Jack's bed, setting his alarm for 7 am to take Mudg for his morning walk. When it went off, they quietly slipped out and they were back in ten minutes. Dave climbed in for a power nap.
He woke at 7:45 to hear Aaron in the shower. As Hotch exited, Dave walked out of Jack's bedroom. "Did you get any sleep?"
"Some," he replied. "I laid out a towel and wash cloth for you." Aaron walked back into his bedroom. Dave quickly showered and shaved and joined Aaron in the kitchen as the coffee maker was finishing.
Reaching for a mug in the mug tree Aaron had there, Dave looked at him. "You know, what happened to Haley isn't your fault either. Do I have to give you the same sermonette that I gave Zach?" Dave whispered.
"No; I just can't shake the helplessness - if I had only got there sooner." Dave just rubbed his friend's shoulder.
"I heard from Sean last night; he's coming tomorrow. I'm picking him up at Metro Station."
"Good; I'm glad he's going to be around." Hotch shook his head. "That's what I laid awake most of the night thinking about. I've got a million things to do in probably two days and I don't know how I'm going to get it all done."
"Then let us help; Sean, myself, the team – we're here to help. What are the biggest things on your list?"
"Strauss' inquisition and how that's going to affect Zach. Both the boys need suits. Dealing with funeral arrangements with Haley's family, who will be here later this morning."
"One thing at a time Aaron. When does Haley's family get here?"
"They're going to be here around 9:30. They want to see the boys. The four of us meet with the funeral home director at 10:30. We should be done by noon. Zach has to meet with Captain Murdock at three and I meet with Strauss at four."
"That works," Dave slightly smiled. "I'm meeting with Strauss at 11 and I don't plan on taking any of her bullshit. I should be done by noon, if not before. I'll meet you back here and we'll go see Gino."
Hotch knew that Gino was his Italian tailor. "Dave, I can't afford Gino and you're not buying."
"Aaron, Gino works on my stuff in his little shop on Merchant and 45th afterhours. He lives upstairs. What he makes there wouldn't keep him in his place¸ far less food on the table. So during the day, he works at The Men's Warehouse near the McLean Mall as their tailor. He'll get the boys fixed up. Trust me. I'll call him to give him a head's up."
About that time, Jack rattled in the kitchen, yawning and wanting some juice. Dave reached into the fridge and pulled out a bottle he bought the night before. As Hotch reached into the cupboard for a glass, he looked at Dave. "Add getting groceries to the list." Zach began to stir as well, and Dave dived in to make scrambled eggs and bacon for the four of them from the few items he had bought. Aaron got Jack moving on getting his teeth brushed and getting changed. He then started on some toast. Zach moved to get his teeth brushed as well, dug through his suitcase in Jack's room, found clothes and underwear and got dressed as well.
The four of them had just finished eating when Dave's phone pinged. He looked at the other three and said, "I'll be right back."
He came back into the apartment a few minutes later with the Pastor from Hotch and the boys' church. He had explained to Dave that one of the county deputies that was on the scene yesterday was a member of their church as well, and his mother was part of the close group that Hotch joined when he could for coffee after church, while Jack went to Sunday School and Zach was part of the teen Bible study group.
Dave picked up his plate and coffee cup. "Pastor, sit here," Dave motioned to the spot he had just vacated. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?"
"Thank you Agent Rossi; I'd appreciate that." For the next half hour, this special man talked with Aaron and the boys, using Scripture and just his uncanny ability to be a rock when needed. He especially talked to Jack, now sitting in Aaron's lap, at his level of understanding. He explained the difference between good and evil and God's promises.
When he finished, Jack smiled. "I still wish mommy was here, but I feel better Pastor." Aaron and Zach shared sad smiles. Dave and the Pastor did the same. Dave's phone pinged again.
Hotch looked at him. "They're here." The Pastor looked at all of them with a question.
"It's Haley's family Pastor," Aaron told him. "And in a way, I'm glad you're here." Dave went out of the apartment to meet them coming down the hall and lead them in.
John, Hannah and Jessica Brooks took one look at Aaron and Zach and knew immediately how badly they had fought the evil that took their beloved Haley. Trying desperately not to make a tough scene for Jack, they shared hugs and a few tears. Seeing Zach in his condition was the toughest for the grandparents, and Zach just hung his head, shaking it, with the tears coming again.
Hannah cupped her oldest grandson's chin and pulled his face up. "Don't Zach; please don't. Your mom is so proud of you." Zach looked into the eyes that mirrored his mother's and she pulled him into a large hug.
Having met their Pastor before, John stopped the Pastor as he started to leave. "Could you please read the 23rd Psalm for us; as a family?"
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A/N: The Men's Warehouse is a chain store in the US that sells very nice suits at reasonable prices, including the tailoring. It's the only place my dad will buy a suit. For those of you not of the Christian faith, the 23rd Psalm of the Bible is considered one of the most healing chapters, especially for those suffering a loss like this. My deepest and sincerest apologies to anyone that might take offense with that; it was not my intention.