Chapter 2
Thursday morning, Aaron was walking down the catwalk above the Bullpen when his cell rang. He pulled it out of his suitcoat breast pocket and looked at the caller ID. He smiled as he picked up the call heading into the Round Table Room. "Hey Caleigh," he smiled. "What's up?"
"Hi Aaron," Caleigh said. "I just thought you'd like to know that your oldest son just left for his new job."
"New job Caleigh?" The team all looked at him, listening to his side of the conversation.
Caleigh smiled, enjoying couch time with Lexie. "He's on his way to the Ted."
Aaron, reaching for his chair, stopped cold. "Cal?" That got the team around the table more on alert.
"Number 62 is now officially on the Atlanta Braves roster," Caleigh smiled. "He obviously won't play today since he just got there. Neither will Andy by the way." Aaron smiled. "But after the game, the Braves head to Philly."
"Does he think he'll get to play? And why didn't you tell us this last night?"
Caleigh slightly laughed. "Aaron, he just got there and is a bit overwhelmed. I'll talk to him after the game and give you an update when I have it. And we were too excited about the house and knew we woke up you and Beth."
"How was he this morning?"
Caleigh laughed more. "How do you think? He was a nervous wreck. And throw in packing for a road trip with a major league team that has specific standards for how their team dresses. Thanks to Bobby Cox and his standards of professionalism for Braves players. Thank god he knew that. And he's flying now instead of being on a bus. I'll sleep better with that charter."
"I hear that sweetheart," Aaron smiled. "Keep me in the loop."
Caleigh smiled. "When I know, you'll know."
"Thanks Caleigh," Aaron smiled. "I gotta get heads down with the team."
"Why I called at this time," Caleigh smiled. "I know your in office schedule. Zach and I might have a mole. And it's not the High Princess of Information," she laughed.
Aaron laughed. "I'm sitting down," he said, pulling out his chair, "next to your mole," he smiled. Dave in the next chair looked at him. "Thanks Cal for the news. Please keep me and Beth in the loop. Philly is a two hour drive."
"Will do Aaron," Caleigh smiled and ended the call.
"Philly," Reid asked.
"I'm not the mole," Garcia pouted with a question.
Morgan rubbed her shoulder with a smile. "What's up Hotch," he asked with a finger wave at him.
Aaron proudly smiled. "Zach got called up to the Braves yesterday. So did Andy. They're joining the club in Atlanta for a day game today. And then they fly out to Philly for a weekend series."
"That's awesome," JJ smiled. "I think Will and Henry will be watching a lot of baseball this weekend.
"I'm in on that," Tara smiled at her with a point.
"I don't have a TV," Reid said. Morgan sadly shook his head.
"That's great news Aaron. But I can top that," Dave smirked. Hotch looked at him. The team did as well. Dave smiled at the team. "The kids are closing on a beautiful home in Lawrenceville next Thursday." Aaron glared at him. "With my, Kelly and Jose's blessings. Don't worry dad," Dave smiled, rubbing Aaron's shoulder. "Those two kids have got their heads on right. And Jose and Kelly are living up to their promise. They've got the kids back." He smiled. "Aaron, they are getting a steal. And Kelly convinced them to get a loan from their bank down there to help with their taxes. Those two kids, with some help, know what they are doing."
Aaron looked at him. "And some more advice from Uncle Dave?"
Dave rubbed his shoulder more. "With my love." The team all pointed at him.
Aaron smiled at Dave. "The kids talked to me and Beth two weeks ago. I've also talked to Jose quite a bit."
"Busted," Morgan smiled at Dave.
Rossi laughed and looked around the table. "And I've got the MLB package on my satellite TV. Any of you are welcome to join me at my place when we get more news," he smiled at Reid. Reid smiled back.
He looked at Aaron. "I know with Zach around, you've got the MLB package. Jack can watch," he smiled.
"Thanks Dave; again," Aaron smiled.
-00CM00-
On the flight to Philadelphia, Brent Snitker walked towards the coach section of the plane from his first class seat to the two seats in the back Zach and Andy were sitting in. Zach watching the Braves on TV, thought the world of Fredi Garcia. But when the Braves had an early season losing streak, Fredi got fired. Brent, the former Skipper at Gwinnet, and with the young players coming up, was promoted to the bigs. Zach had long ago accepted that and never questioned the move with the front office personal when he signed his contract. And talking with the guys at Gwinnet, Snitker was a player's manager.
Snitker approached the two seats the friends were sharing. "Hey guys," he smiled.
"Hi Skip," they both responded
Snitker looked at Zach. "If I need a pinch hitter tonight, you ready?"
"Put me in coach," Zach smiled.
Snitker looked at Andy. "You get a bullpen session in with Cob and Roger tonight and tomorrow. You two are our battery on Sunday," he smiled.
"Thanks Skip," Andy smiled. Snitker walked back to his seat. Zach and Andy pulled out their cellphones.
Dave was going over a profile for the Seattle PD when his cell rang. He looked at the caller ID. "What's up hun," he smiled, knowing it was Caleigh.
"Uncle Dave, can you hook me and Victoria up with your travel agent? Andy and Zach are starting for the Braves on Sunday."
"Yes I can," he smiled, moving the mouse for his desktop computer. "But I can tell you the BAU contingent, when they hear this news, and Philly being a two hour drive will be there. Fly into DC and ride up with us." Dave looked at his computer screen. "I'm looking at the schedule. It's a day game. And your folks might want to join us," he smiled.
"We want to fly Saturday night Dave," Caleigh said. "We'll take you up on that. We can work on the sleeping arrangements later."
"I've got a mansion," Dave smiled.
"Which may be used Uncle Dave," Caleigh responded.
Dave noted her tone. "Take a deep breath sweetheart. We'll work this out. What about Lexie?"
"Josiah said he would take her." Dave smiled at Jack's wonderful stories of the elderly man that watched over the players' parking lot for the Gwinnet Braves.
"Jack told us all about him," Dave smiled again. "He sounds like a great guy."
Caleigh smiled. "He is; he was wonderful with Jack and lives two blocks away. He'll keep an eye on the plex."
"Jack felt the same way," Dave smiled. He tapped his cell. "Julia's cell number sent sweetheart."
Caleigh looked at her cell and laughed. "Got it; and I'm not going to stroke your ego and say it again."
"Damn girl, you've been hanging around that man of yours too much," Dave laughed.
"See ya Saturday Uncle Dave."
"You and Victoria catch an early afternoon flight to DC Saturday. I've hung around that man of yours too much as well. I know how he cooks chops. I'll help Aaron. And I'm sure Aaron is working with John on tickets."
Caleigh laughed. "Still not going to stroke your ego Uncle Dave. See ya then."
Dave laughed. "You win; I'll let your father-in-law to be know."
"Thanks Uncle Dave," Caleigh laughed. "Love you."
-00CM00-
The Hotchner family intently watched their TV that night. A camera shot was replayed after the in between inning commercials. Chip Carey's voice came over the video as Zach was sitting next to the Braves' veteran, and nearly forty year old catcher, A.J. Pierzynski. They were talking together. "That kid is already picking his brain," Carey commented.
"No doubt Chip," Joe Simpson, the color commentator responded. Dave, sitting in his study, raised his scotch glass to his TV screen.
The tied game headed into the top of the ninth inning. Jace Peterson, who doubled to start off the inning, headed to third on a nasty ground out to the first baseman that allowed him to advance to third. Snitker looked down his bench with the pitcher due up next. "Craw, get back in here," he said to the pitcher in the on deck circle. Snitker looked again. "Cob, you're up!"
Zach looked at A.J. already knowing a mentor. "All we need is a long fly ball," he smiled.
"No pressure," Zach smiled, as he moved to head to get his bat and helmet.
A.J. looked at him. "That's what I'm exactly telling you kid. We all know you're a team player," he nodded around. "Just be that. You don't have to be the total hero."
Zach looked at him and smiled. "Got it Big Dog," he smiled. "Thanks A.J."
A.J. smiled. Zach took the first pitch he saw and hit it into deep center field but it was caught. Jace, tagging up, scored with ease. A.J. met Zach at the top of the steps of the dugout and smiled at him. "Relax kid and enjoy the ride; you'll do fine," A.J. pointed, putting his arm around Zach.
In a suburb of DC, a young brother did a happy dance around his big brother's den. Aaron and Beth smiled at him. Dave hoisted his scotch glass to the TV. "Way to go kid," he smiled.
Zach looked at A.J. "Thank you," he smiled.
A.J. Pierzynski had a reputation around the major league baseball world. He could be more than nasty and a bit dirty and underhanded. And he was certainly not a friend to the umpires that didn't like his barbed comments. He smiled at Zach, wrapping an arm around him. "Am I going to toughen you up?"
"Nope," Zach smiled, slapping his chest. "I rock, you roll," he smiled at the veteran catcher.
Matt Kemp, another veteran member of the young team via a trade from the San Diego Padres looked at the two of them. "He good A.J.?"
Pierzynski smiled. "Yup." Kemp gave Zach a high five.
Snitker was the next to congratulate Zach. "Way to go Cob," he smiled.
Jim Johnson, the Atlanta closer, shut down the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth and the Braves won 6-5.
-00CM00-
Saturday afternoon, Beth waved at Caleigh and Victoria coming out of the Huntington Metro stop and smiled at them. She opened the back of Aaron's SUV and helped them load their luggage. "You two are staying with us tonight." She looked at Caleigh. "But I've got to warn you." Caleigh looked at her. "Dave has got something going for tomorrow."
Victoria smiled. "I've heard so many Uncle Dave stories, I'm not surprised."
Caleigh shook her head. "Expect something over the top tomorrow."
The Hotchner and Greystone family enjoyed the pork chops and the dinner everyone chipped in on. The whole group was surprised by Sela and Merrill Dobson joining them. Merrill smiled at all of them. "You think we'd miss this?"
As they were finishing up, Dave pulled out his cellphone. "Garcia, you just about ready?"
"Super-Agent, Kevin and I are getting there. Is Boss Man around?"
"I'm here Garcia," Aaron said.
"Sir, I'm having trouble getting Reid."
"Give him a priority message."
"Sir, that's against Bureau protocol because it's not a case."
"Garcia, Cruz has buy in; he's joining us tomorrow." They all could hear Garcia typing madly.
"Yahtzee!" They all could hear her make a few key strokes. "Sir, you've got the entire group."
"Hi all," Aaron said into Dave's cell. "Working with the Braves, we've got a block of forty tickets. They all aren't together; but they're in the same section just past third base. But I'm getting phone calls from Zach's high school and college teammates and coaches. They want in on this. I need an exact head count from all of you of who is in and who isn't. And so I don't get all of you at once, I'm going to do roll call. And just a heads up, our family is taking the first nineteen. Morgan?"
"Savannah and I are in. Baby Girl's babysitting crew for the wedding are doing a practice run."
Aaron smiled. "JJ, I think you're next."
"That means me, Will and Henry Hotch. Michael is part of the practice run." Beth wrote more names on her list.
"Reid?" Hotch listened. "Reid?"
"Sorry Hotch, I'm into a Voltaire classic. Count me in."
"Tara?"
"I'm in."
"Sir, you know Kevin and I are in. So are Gina and Anderson."
"Cruz and his oldest daughter Melissa are joining up as well," Aaron said.
Aaron's cell pinged with a text from JJ. Save one more. Aaron smiled. He looked at Beth "Scratch another one."
"Aaron, that only leaves seven left."
"That leaves the coaches that want tickets. The rest are going to have be on their own. With the Phillies record and them being kids, they can do what they want for cheaper tickets."
"Listen up everyone," Dave said. "We all met at the Park and Ride in Vienna. I just texted the location to Garcia. She'll send it to all of you. Princess, make sure the rest get it please."
"Roger that Sir Rossi," Garcia said.
Aaron glared at him. "Did you do a thing?"
"I might have done a thing," Dave smiled. Aaron glared at him. "And for the record all of you, I'm getting the infamous Hotchner glare." The team all roared as Aaron shook his head at Dave. "See ya all tomorrow," Dave said.
"Whatever Dave is cooking up, be there at eight. Working with the Braves, we'll get into the stadium early so we can talk to Zach and Andy," he smiled at Victoria, "while they are taking BP."
"BP," Reid asked.
"Batting practice," Hotch, Dave, JJ, Tara and Morgan said.
"Got it," the young genius said. The team all laughed and said their good-byes save Garcia.
Aaron looked at Dave. "Just what exactly did you do?"
Dave smiled at him. "You're the profiler I trained. Take the hint at the park and ride and run with it."
Aaron thought and then shook his head at Tom and Merrill. "You didn't," he said, looking at Dave.
"Yuppppp, I did," Dave smiled. "Garcia, text everyone involved again. It's BYOC. As in bring your own cooler."
"Roger that sir. Garcia out." She ended the connection.
-00CM00-
The crew assembled the next morning at Rossi's location. Mateo Cruz looked at his Unit Chief and nodded him away from the ever growing crowd to talk to Aaron in private. "What do you think is Dave's thing he pulled?"
Aaron smiled and pointed at the motor coach pulling into the lot. "That," he said.
"Leave it to Dave," Cruz smiled. Aaron just shook his head.
Caleigh deeply eyed Dave. "Zach and I could have paid for this."
Dave kissed her. "You and Zach paid for the tickets. And I love you both."
Victoria looked at Caleigh. "This is Uncle Dave in action?"
"Yupppppp," Dave smiled. Caleigh rubbed his shoulder.
Victoria kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she smiled.
"Anytime sweetheart," Rossi smiled back.
The entire group waited until Aaron and Jessica got John and Hannah seated in the front seat behind the driver. Morgan loudly whistled. "The fam gets on first!" Everyone smiled.
"Backing that brother," Will pointed at him with a smile as he handed the driver another cooler to put in the luggage compartment of the bus.
Jack looked at Dave. "You and I seat buddies Uncle Dave?"
"You bet Champino," Dave smiled.
Three of Zach's high school coaches and four of he and Andy's college coaches were the last to get on. JJ was sitting alone in a seat with Henry and Will sitting across from her. Aaron got up from his seat and looked around. "We ready to head out?"
"No Hotch," JJ said.
"Jayje?"
"Four more minutes; please," she said looking at her cell. Aaron looked at Dave who shook his head with no knowledge of what JJ was up to. Two minutes later, a taxi came flying into the Park and Ride. Everyone looked out the windows to see Emily getting out of the taxi with her overnight bag. She ran to get on the bus.
"Sorry Hotch," she smiled at him, getting on. "I wasn't going to miss this."
Aaron smiled back, giving her a hug and taking her bag from her. "I didn't say wheels up yet." Emily hugged Beth. Aaron stuck it the overhead bin as Emily slowly made her way down the aisle to the seat JJ was holding for her, greeting everyone.
Caleigh hugged her and introduced her to Victoria. "This means so much to me. And I know Zach will be just blow away."
Emily smiled at her. "I wouldn't miss this for the world," she smiled. "Just like a wedding."
"You're awesome," Jack smiled, hugging her.
Emily hugged him back and kissed Dave's cheek. "You're good Big Dog," she smiled as the driver pulled the motor coach out of the parking lot.
"I have my moments," he smiled. "Good to see you." Emily rubbed his chest and slowly made her way back to sit with JJ, greeting everyone.
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A/N: A little Emily love for my Dutch Delight. :D
MLB is Major League Baseball. "Battery" in baseball terms is the pitcher and catcher.