A/N: Yup, it's the Monday 2 for 1 special! My way of giving back the luvs I get from all of you!

Chapter 23

The team, working on a case in Joliet, Illinois, was gathered in the police station in their work space. The sun was beginning to set. Garcia pinged up on their laptops. "Sir, you have to see this vid but it has nothing to do with the case."

"Garcia?" Hotch questioned.

"My captain, oh my captain, just watch." The video showed up on their laptops. Aaron immediately recognized the baseball uniforms. "I know nothing about baseball, but my informant told me it was the top of first, whatever that means," she said as she froze the video. "The two lead off guys were on and Zach was up for his first bat with the Central Cardinals." She re-started the video.

It showed Zach swinging at the first pitch, connecting with the ball. In the background of the video, the team could hear the fans in stands.

Holy shit; that's a monster shot! That'll clear the fence by 50 feet!

That's out of here baby! And dead center field. Holy crap, is this guy really that good?

The video ran some more, showing Zach rounding the bases, getting a handshake from Coach Bock in the third base coaches' box, and getting high fives from his two teammates in front of him that scored at home plate. Pete was waiting for him half way to the dugout, being the next batter up; the two of them shared their special greeting. It was a high five, with both swinging their arms down for a low five at their thighs. Hotch grinned broadly as did Dave. "But here's the best part sir," Garcia said.

As Zach approached the dugout, Jack, in his helmet, met his brother, in his special made uniform as well, still holding Zach's bat. The brothers shared a fist bump and then repeated the routine that Zach and Pete shared. Zach slouched down to meet the second half and then waggled Jack's helmet as the two of them walked into the dugout together. The video ended.

"Garcia, thank you," Hotch intoned, smiling proudly. "But how did you get this?"

"My liege, I trust your oldest son. And all of us have buy in sir. One of the team mom's sent it to me. Zach gave her my email."

Dave smiled broadly, giving Hotch a rub on his shoulder as he sat in his chair. "It does take a village, Aaron. And you've got one." The entire team, including Garcia on their laptops, smiled broadly.

Dave looked at Aaron. "Hey kitten, can you run that vid again?"

"You bet Sir Rossi." Dave just smiled at Aaron as they all re-watched Zach's first at bat with the Central Cardinals, hitting not only a home run, but a huge monster shot.

-00CM00-

So began the season for the Central Cardinals. They thrashed their first opponent, in a non-conference game, 12-1, with the mercy rule kicking in. Zach was four for four hitting and as catcher, threw out two of the opposing team players that attempted to steal second base.

The team was in the office for the home opener for the Cardinals and they all showed up, with Will bringing Henry as well. As they moved to stand behind the fence around the home plate area and the first base dugout, which was the Cardinals' side at home, they made a daunting site. Aaron and Dave had their suit coats off and dress shirt sleeves rolled up. Aaron had even ditched the tie in his SUV since it was a gorgeous spring day. But every member of the team was wearing their weapon, as required.

The home plate umpire dusted off the base before the start of the game. He stood up to walk behind Zach and stopped. "Whoa," he said to himself.

"Blue," Zach questioned. He nodded at the group. Zach turned to look and smiled. "That's my dad and his team. Their FBI agents; they're required to carry at all times."

The umpire looked at him. "So I better not screw up calling balls and strikes?" he smiled.

"You're good blue," Zach smiled at him. "No worries."

The first time the Cardinals came up to bat, the BAU team watched proudly as Jack took his place at the top of the dugout steps, ready to retrieve a bat. Morgan looked at him and then Hotch. "He's wearing eye black?" he questioned with a smile.

"If big brother is, then he is too," Hotch smiled. As Jack ran out to get the first bat, Emily pointed out to Garcia and Reid what Morgan was talking about.

Derek, while baseball really wasn't his game, even though he played in high school, watched Zach intently as he called pitches behind home plate. And Zach made a couple great plays blocking some errant pitches that landed in the dirt around the base. "He's damn good," he said to no one in particular, watching as Zach made a trip to the mound, trying to get the young pitcher settled.

Will standing next to him, smiled. "I played ball in high school and legion ball as well. I never saw a kid that good at that age. He's got the tools."

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Cardinals were ahead 9-0, the bases were loaded and Zach came to bat. He let the first two pitches go, both called balls by the umpire. Zach settled into his batting stance. "He's sitting on a pitch, isn't he?" Dave whispered to Hotch.

Hotch whispered back, "The pitcher has got to throw a strike or he's behind 3-0 in the count." He smiled at Dave. "Zach's smart enough to know that so yeah, he's looking for a pitch."

The team watched as Zach connected with the pitch, sending a towering shot that everyone in the stands knew was going to clear the fence when it left the bat. The Cardinal dugout exploded. Zach hustled out of the batter's box, running heads down towards first base like always, never taking anything for granted. As he approached the base, Coach Rogers in the coaching box shouted at him. "Cob! Look up and enjoy it!" Zach hit the base and started moving to second, taking a peek. He saw the ball flying over the centerfield fence, clearing it by a wider margin than his first one and slowed down at bit. But he wasn't one to rub it into the opposing team, so he made his way around the bases quickly. As he approached Coach Bock for the traditional homerun handshake, Bock smiled at him.

"How does that feel Cob?" Zach just smiled at him. His teammates that scored in front of him were huddled around home plate, already holding their arms up for high fives as Zach made his way down the baseline. When he reached them, there were smiles all around. The umpire signaled that he touched the plate and the game was over, compliments again of the mercy rule. Zach greeted Pete next with the usual.

The BAU team watched closely as Jack was next, waiting for him just past the dugout steps. They all broke out into huge smiles as the Hotchner boys exchanged the greeting they saw on the video Garcia sent them. The rest of the team was waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. Pete scooped Jack up in his arm so he wouldn't get swamped by the older, bigger boys.

As the BAU team hung around to talk with Zach after the game, a teenage girl walked up to Hotch. "Excuse me, Agent Hotchner; I'm Lisa Turner, Pete's girlfriend."

Aaron extended his hand. "Pleasure to meet you Lisa; I'm Aaron and you take beautiful pictures," he said, remembering the ones she took of the boys for Dave and Sean's Christmas presents.

She smiled and blushed as she shook his hand. "I've got a couple that you might be interested in. Would you like to see them?" Aaron nodded and pulled his sunglasses up, gently leading her away from the group to look at the images on her digital camera. A couple minutes later, she walked away smiling.

About then, the team started to filter out from the field. Zach and Jack made their way out with Zach carrying his large equipment bag, needed to carry his catching equipment. His cleats were in there as well. Jack carried his sport bag too, mainly filled with stuff Jack could nibble on if he got hungry and juice boxes and of course, his cleats. They both had their cloth baseball caps on with the flying Cardinal logo with the "C" in the middle and were wearing sneakers. Jack spotted Aaron and burst towards him. "Daddy, did you see me?"

Aaron pulled him into his arms for a big hug. "You did a great job buddy," he said smiling, tugging down the bill of his cap over his eyes. Dave grabbed Jack's bag out of his hand.

"Daddddd," Jack said, pushing it back into place and then laughing.

Morgan greeted Zach first. "That was monster big dog!" he said, giving Zach a high five.

"Thanks Derek, we just really appreciate you coming to watch," Zach smiled at the team.

Derek looked at him. "Number 31; Mike Piazza, right?"

Zach shook his head. "Piazza was great but my 31 is for Greg Maddux; that man played the game from here on up," Zach gestured from his chin to the top of his head. Morgan, a Chicago boy, that had seen Maddux at the height of his career, playing for the Cubs, smiled his approval.

Dave eyed Zach. "You were sitting dead red, weren't you?"

Zach smiled as they shared a high five. "He couldn't risk throwing me a curve ball and missing. The count goes 3-0 and I weed him out for ball four. Game over. The first two he threw was his change-up and he missed with both." Zach shrugged.

"So baseball is about reading tendencies?" The good Doctor asked.

"Yeah Dr. Reid, you have to be smart at the plate."

Reid smiled. "Which is why you hit that ball that far." Zach just pointed at him.

"And calling pitches," Will drawled. "You called a heckuva game Zach and have a cannon for an arm. Why do they think they can run on you?" Zach gave him a puzzled look. "I pitched back in my day."

"Thanks Will," Zach smiled, shaking his hand. Zach looked at Henry in Will's arms. Henry was in total awe of seeing a baseball player this up close. Clearly, he and dad had watched some baseball together on TV. He stuck his hand out for fist bump. "Got some for me Hammerin' Hank?" Henry smiled broadly and matched Zach's fist bump.

"All I know is you two Hotchner's are stylin' and grovin' in those uniforms," Garcia smiled. Kevin nodded his approval as well as Jack reached to get a hug from Dave.

Emily rubbed Zach's arm. "Great game Zach; you look like a pro out there," she smiled. Zach blushed. "No, I mean it. I'm a huge Nats fan. I watch a lot of baseball."

Jack smiled as Dave put him on the ground. "Really Emily? I'm a big Nats fan too!" Emily stuck out her hand for a hand slap from Jack. He laughed as he returned it.

"Then I think you and I should go to a game sometime," she smiled. "Just us."

"Ohhhh, Emily that would be just way cool." Emily smiled.

JJ reached to pull Zach into a hug. "JJ, please," he balked, "I love you too, but I smell pretty bad."

"I don't care," she said, grabbing him anyway. The bond the two of them formed that dreadful day was now unbreakable.

Zach finally got to his dad. Aaron looked at him. "I don't care how you smell either." He pulled him into a huge hug. "Great game son," he whispered in his ear.

About that time, Pete wandered by. He greeted them all and thanked them for coming to the game as well.

Dave looked at the group. "There's a Green Mill a couple of miles away from here. You all had to pass to get to the field. Anyone in?"

Morgan looked at him with his big smile. "You buying?"

"No Derek, I'm suggesting."

Zach shook his head. "Uncle Dave, you know I love you. But I need a shower; and I've BBQ's in the crock pot at home and a ton of homework."

Aaron smiled at Dave. "Thanks, but that means us Hotchner's are out." Dave smiled and nodded. They all drifted away, with Dave, Morgan and Emily enjoying the restaurant. Dave stopped after Jack was sleeping to get Mudg. He wanted Jack to fall asleep with Mudg.

Four days later, Aaron Hotchner's office, in the hutch behind his desk, sported a new 8x10 picture of his sons. Zach was in his catcher's equipment with the foot, shin and knee guard assembly and chest protector. Pushed up on the top of his head was his catcher's mask with his baseball cap backwards on his head under the mask. He was in his catcher's crouch, his arm wrapped around Jack in between his legs. Jack was wearing his baseball cap, pushed up a little to show off his brown eyes that matched his father and brother. Both of them of them were wearing their eye black.

Dave walked into Hotch's office to discuss a consult and immediately noticed it. "How do I get me one of that?" he smiled.

"You have Zach hook you up with Lisa," Aaron beamed.

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A/N1: I could have warned all of you at the top that this would be a partially heavy baseball chapter, but I wanted you to stick around to read the team stuff at the end. Rather than trying to explain all the terminology for those of you that don't know or understand baseball, if you have questions, please, please, drop me a PM. However, there are some things I do need to explain. The mercy rule in high school baseball, where the games are only seven innings instead of nine in the pros, is if a team is ahead by 10 runs after five innings, the game is called. HS baseball umpires wear blue uniforms, so they are referred to as "blue". Eye black is what pro players use to put under their eyes to ward off the glare of the sun. Legion ball, as in baseball, is played during the summer in the States, after the kids are on their holiday and out of school. The teams are sponsored by their hometown American Legion, which is an organization for US military veterans. Hammerin' Hank is a reference to Henry Aaron, who broke Babe Ruth's home run record. That was his nickname. And the Nats are the Nationals, the pro baseball team in the DC area.

A/N2: The reference to Emily being a huge Nats fan and going to games is a shout out to my mentor and her wonderful story It's A Great Day for Baseball. Please check it out. Jack being a Nats fan was showed in the opening of Coda S6 with a Nats cap hanging on the corner of his chair in his room.

A/N3: Green Mill is a chain restaurant; not exactly upscale but the menu is way better than a McDonald's. They do sandwiches, entrees and pizzas and have a bar for liquor drinks and beer.