A/N: I know the last couple of chapters have been posted at a different time. I've on vacation, so not on my regular schedule. That will resume tomorrow. Enjoy! And thanks again for the reviews, favs and follows!
Chapter 18
By two that afternoon, the team was wheels up, heading to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Aaron had called Zach to let him know before they left the office. When they first talked to Principal Shaw, they worked out that Zach could excuse himself from class to take a call from his dad. All of Zach's teachers were very supportive, especially after Zach became his little brother's primary care giver when Aaron had to leave. Aaron had alerted Dr. Shaw to the change. He wanted to keep him in the loop. Aaron knew Zach's principal genuinely cared and wanted to support the family.
As they were getting ready to discuss the case on the jet, Dave went "Shit." Aaron looked at him. "Maria is off this week. I have no one to take of Mudgie."
"How 'bout Zach?" Prentiss offered, looking at Hotch. "You live, what, ten minutes away."
"That won't work Emily. Mudg needs to be let out at night and Jack will be in bed. Zach can't leave him alone," Dave countered.
"What if Zach let Mudg out at night without leaving Jack alone," Aaron asked with a small smile.
"Aaron?"
"Can Zach get into the house?"
"I've got a key hid, but Aaron….."
"Mudg could stay with the boys. And I like the idea of having a little extra security at night for the boys. I was going to mention it to you, after Sam went to college and you had to get Maria to do it. But I knew you paid Maria more and I didn't want to take that away from her."
Dave smiled. "So you don't mind? Because Maria won't mind at all; I pay her quite well as it is."
"I wouldn't have offered if I did. And the boys will love having him around. So would I. Mudg is a little back up security that helps me sleep at night." The team smiled at the resolved situation and dove into the case.
Three days later, Mudg barked as the garage door went up and the hair on his back rose. Zach, getting dinner ready laughed. "It's OK Mudg, it's just dad." Mudg started wagging his tail and went to the door he heard opening. Seeing his master as well, he barked a happy greeting to them both. Aaron and Dave took the time to give him some love and moved inside.
Jack, as usual, flew at Aaron. "Hi daddy!" Missed you!" Aaron pulled him up into a hug and carried him into the kitchen. He handed him to Dave for hug and pulled Zach into his arms. Zach gave Dave a hug as well with Jack still in his arms. It warmed Dave's heart and soul.
"Do you want to stay for dinner Uncle Dave? There's plenty for you," Zach said.
Dave noticed the covered skillet on the range top. Whatever was underneath the lid smelled wonderful. "What's for dinner?" he asked.
"Tacos Uncle Dave," Jack smiled brightly.
"Tacos?" Dave slightly cringed.
"Uncle Dave, it's a tortilla shell. I know you eat tortilla chips and salsa. The hamburger has taco seasoning that my stomach can handle. Jack eats his with a little lettuce and shredded cheddar cheese. I add sour cream to all that for mine. I've got diced tomatoes and onions in the fridge for dad." Zach stared him in the eye. "What do you not like?"
"Nothing; but a little salsa sounds good to me to." Zach went to the fridge, pulled a jar out and set it on the counter. Dave smiled. "I'm in."
Dave just shook his head as he watched the Hotchner's eating the tacos. Sure, he had been around them many times before eating, but this was a whole different sight. Jack plowed through two tacos like a hurricane and half of another one; Aaron polished off four himself, and Zach ripped through five like a tornado. He and Aaron shared the other half that Jack left. Dave felt rather lucky to get three in and silently counted that he had all of his fingers.
As they finished, Dave looked at Zach. "Do you mind making this thing with Mudg permanent when I go out with your dad and the team?"
Both the boys broke out in huge smiles. Aaron smiled as well, and looked at his partner. "I think you have your answer."
Dave looked at Hotch. "Then, do you care if I borrow him for about a half hour?" he said, pointing at Zach. "I've got a spare key at the house and some other things I want him to check when he comes over to get Mudg. He can follow me over in his truck," Dave smiled.
Aaron shook his head. "Zach cooked; Jack and I are on clean-up detail. He's all yours." Dave whistled for Mudg, they both grabbed their coats and headed out.
Zach followed Dave into his home. Mudg raced in around their legs. "Zach, you sure about this?" Zach set the bag of Mudgie's dog food into the back entry way where he found it like Dave had said that night in a phone call.
"Uncle Dave, it's an easy swing over to get Mudg and I really like having him around. Now that we're in the house, Jack sleeps on the futon in the rec room when you and dad are gone. He wants to be close to me and I like that. I want him close too. And Mudg sleeps with him. But I worry about that patio door. So with Mudg, and the alarm system, I just sleep better," he smiled at Dave.
Dave smiled back. "Will you let me sleep better, but not tell your dad?"
"Uncle Dave?"
Dave reached into a kitchen drawer and pulled out a spare key. "That's yours. You remember the code for the security system, right?" Zach nodded. "Then hang on a sec; I've got to get something out my office for you."
Dave walked back in a few minutes later and handed Zach a bank card with Zach's name on it. "I've had this for a couple of weeks but couldn't find the right moment to give it to you. But now that you are taking care of Mudgie, I have a reason." Zach looked at Dave, completely dumbfounded.
"Zach, that is to my bank account. Well, one of them. I want you to have this. I pay for one fill-up of gas for your truck a month for you running over here to get Mudg." Zach looked at him and started to shake his head. "No arguments; just make sure you get a receipt and I get it. And the next purchase I want you to make is the forty pound bag of dog food for Mudg. I get it at the Pet Warehouse. You take it to the house so you don't have to keep hauling a bag back and forth. Get some food and water dishes as well. And when the bag gets low…."
"I buy another one," Zach smiled. "I got it Uncle Dave. But Uncle Dave, I can't ….."
"Zach, I want you to use that card for more. I know your dad is paying you for taking care of Jack. I suggested that when your dad and I talked. Which btw, I backed your butt that you could handle." Zach smiled again. "But if money gets a little short towards the end of the month or if you need something in an emergency, you use that. No questions; just the same directive to give me a receipt."
Zach looked at him. "I don't need this for that Uncle Dave. I doing just fine with what dad gives me. Actually, my back account is growing. You should like that," he smiled.
"But I want you to have it and spend a little something on yourself every now and then. A meal at McDonald's for you and Jack; a shirt you want at a store or a DVD. Anything, something; Zach, you are stepping up to the plate so huge for your dad. And it's taken a lot of pressure off him. He knew things weren't going good with Jess, god love her. Hell Zach, he's a profiler that I taught. This is my way of saying how proud I am of you. And how much Zach, you are supporting the team. If your dad is worried about you guys, he's no good to the team. And we need him." Zach smiled. "And Zach, while I know I don't have to really tell you this, I'm going to anyway. Just don't go gonzo. You give me every receipt and justify every purchase."
"Uncle Dave, I can't," he shook his head. "If dad finds out, he'll kick my ass up and down the street."
Dave smiled slyly. "Then don't tell your dad. This is our secret. Zach, please take it." Zach took the card and put it in his wallet.
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