Chapter 3

With the motor coach approaching Philadelphia, Aaron looked at a text on his cell phone. He got out of his seat and approached the driver. "Can you take a quick detour Mike?"

Mike, the driver, had been very personable with the group the whole trip, putting in a DVD of A League of Their Own for the group to watch to help them pass the time. Most of the bus quoted the infamous line from the movie "There's no crying in baseball." Everyone laughed. Keeping his eyes on the road he said, "What do you need?"

"A brief stop at the Amtrak station."

Mike smiled. "That's easy. But do I have to wait long?"

"No," Aaron smiled. "My brother and his girlfriend are joining us from NYC. Their train is just pulling in."

"Perfect," Mike smiled. "And I know a quick way to the stadium from there."

"Thank Mike," Aaron smiled, rubbing his shoulder.

Fifteen minutes later, Sean and Kim got on the bus and took their seats behind Aaron and Beth. As they approached Citizens Bank Park, Aaron approached Mike again, looking at his cellphone. "Mike you need to go around the park to the private security entrance on the west side."

Mike glanced at him. "Really?"

"Really," Aaron smiled.

"You got an in there to get us past that?"

"No," Aaron smiled. "I just have an in with the Braves organization."

"That must be some major juice," Mike said, taking the turn into the lot. A security officer stopped the bus. Mike opened his driver side window.

"What the hell do you think you're doing," the security officer rudely asked.

Aaron leaned over Mike shoulder. "We're the group that John Schuerholz, President of the Atlanta Braves is expecting."

"Holy shit," the security officer said, motioning to the others to raise the barricade. "You didn't have to drop names."

Jack frowned at Dave. "Welcome to Philly kid. Some of them don't like to play nice."

Mike looked at Aaron as he pulled the bus past the barricade. Aaron smiled. "My son is the starting catcher for the Braves today."

"Jeez," Mike smiled. "You've got some serious juice."

Aaron rubbed his shoulder. "And you've got a free ticket to the game as well." Mike smiled and followed the directions of another security person. He pulled the bus up to a stadium entrance and opened the door.

A security person got on followed by Schuerholz. The security officer looked at him. "You can vouch for this group?"

Schuerholz smiled at Aaron. "You or me?"

Mat Cruz came up the aisle of the bus. "Sir, I'm Mateo Cruz. I'm a Section Chief with the FBI," showing his credentials. He nodded at Aaron. "He's one of my Unit Chiefs." Cruz looked around the bus. "Show your Bureau credentials." The BAU crew all did. "Plus there's a Police Chief of a town in Ohio on board as well as a credential DC Metro detective. We're not a security threat sir," Mat smiled.

The security officer looked at Schuerholz. "Sorry sir; I've got a job to do."

Schuerholz smiled. "We all understand that and appreciate your work. They good?"

The security officer nodded and looked at Mike. "Just park the bus at the back of the lot."

Mike smiled at him and looked at Aaron. "Major juice."

Aaron smiled as the security officer got off. He shook John's hand. "Good to see you again John."

"Likewise Aaron," he smiled. "My assistant Jenna has got your tickets and a seating map so you all can decide where you want to sit."

Aaron shook his head. "How many times do I have to say thank you to you."

Schuerholz smiled. "We've got your son; that's thanks enough." Jack came out of his seat and hugged him. "Hey buddy! How's school going?"

"Sixth grade is a big step up."

"And you'll handle that just like Zach," he smiled, hugging Jack. JJ and Emily shared a smile across the aisle with Penelope.

John Schuerholz took the time to greet every person getting off the bus. He warmly greeted John, Hannah and Jessica. "We think the world of that grandson of yours," he smiled at the grandparents after Aaron and Sean helped them off. "And deeply respect what Haley did for her family." Hannah hugged him. He hugged Caleigh and Victoria as well. "I'm glad you two are here," he warmly smiled.

All the members of the BAU and their families got his special greetings with his thanks for the job the team did. He spent a bit more time talking with Zach's former coaches.

Garcia looked at Morgan. "He's a baseball exec Baby Girl. They're gonna talk shop." Garcia smiled. Everyone gathered around Schuerholz's assistant to get their tickets.

The group was escorted into the stadium, by-passing the security check. An usher lead them into the stadium as the Braves in their BP uniforms started to come out of the dugout. Zach and Andy were one of the first ones out and headed towards the group that were heading to the front rail of the stadium behind third base

Aaron grabbed Jack as he instinctively tried to run to Zach. Jack looked at him. "Buddy, we've talked to you about this. Caleigh is number one," Aaron smiled. Beth and the Brooks family nodded at him. Zach and Andy hugged their ladies and kissed them.

"OK, I get it and I said I buy in," Jack said. Beth winked at Jessica. "But is sucks," Jack mumbled. The family shared smiles.

"Champino," Dave lightly scolded.

"You too Uncle Dave?"

"Yupppp," Dave smiled. "Buy in."

Jack looked at Sean. Sean smiled. "You're a sixth grader now?" Jack smiled. Sean looked at him. "Then you should be able to understand and accept second place." Jack eyed him. "Or don't you love Caleigh?"

Dave smiled. "You are now totally busted Champino," rubbing Jack's chest.

Aaron rubbed Sean's shoulder with a smile. "Thanks brother." Sean smiled and winked at him.

Zach smiled at the group, quickly greeting all of them individually. Caleigh walked to Jack and put her arm around. "Please be patient." She pulled him off to the side so Zach could greet the rest.

He smiled as Garcia rubbed her lipstick off his cheek. "Thanks Princess P," he smiled.

"Be most awesome today my big golden Hotchner boy."

"Thanks P," Zach smiled. He looked at Derek and Savannah. "I've got to get to work soon. Latest Hank pic," he smiled as he shook Derek's hand. Savannah pulled out her phone with a large smiled and showed him. Zach smiled taking her phone. "Now that's a Big Dog." He leaned against the rail and took a picture of the three of them together on Savannah's phone. That quickly became the thing to do. Garcia and Kevin got theirs. Along with Tara and Reid together and Mat Cruz and his daughter.

Emily tapped him on the shoulder. Zach shook his head. "Oh snap," he said, shaking his head, pulling her into a hug.

"I've got a jet at my disposal," she smiled. "One of the perks of my job." Zach smiled as she leaned over the rail to get a picture. Zach took her phone and snapped the picture. Handing her cell back to her, he looked at her. "You'll never know what this means to me."

Emily smiled. "When this team was reeling from what happened to your mother, you stepped up and got our leader back into the game." She rubbed Zach's facial hair around his chin. "My turn to step up handsome," she smiled. Zach hugged her again and moved to the LaMontagne family.

Zach pulled Henry over the rail to give him a hug. "Where's the little guy," he asked looking at JJ and Will.

"Dry run for the wedding babysitters with Michael," Will drawled with a smiled. "Good luck today," he smiled shaking Zach's hand. The four got a picture together.

"Thanks Will," Zach smiled, hugging JJ.

Andy waved at the group. "Thank you so much for coming today. We really appreciate it. But I've gotta get some BP done and then head out to the bullpen to start warming up." He kissed Victoria again. "Love you babe," he smiled.

"Good luck Andy," Aaron said, sticking out his hand.

"Thanks Aaron," Andy smiled, shaking his hand and headed off. Dave slapped him on the shoulder with a smile as Andy left.

Zach worked up to the Brooks family after greeting Sela and Merrill doing the cell picture. He looked around and quickly hugged Hannah, shaking John's hand. John looked at him. "You have to get to work."

Nodding his head, Zach said, "Yeah Grandpa; real soon."

"Go son," he smiled. Zach grabbed Jess's phone and took a picture of the four of them.

"Perfect," Jess smiled, hugging Zach.

Zach got to Dave. "Be you," Dave said.

"Thanks Uncle Dave." They shared a hug. Zach quickly took some time with Caleigh's family. Zach took Caleb's cell and got a picture of the five of them with Caleigh joining them.

Zach smiled at Sean and Kim. "Thanks you two."

Sean handed Zach his phone. "Just get it done." Zach snapped the picture and handed Sean his phone. Sean looked at him. "Now listen to Uncle Dave," he smiled.

"Thanks Uncle Sean," Zach smiled. He reached for Beth and pulled her into a deep hug. They whispered words into each other's ear. Zach kissed her and looked at this dad, shaking his head. "This is just out of this world."

Aaron smiled. "You know who to blame." Zach nodded, pointing at Dave with his huge smile. The group all laughed. Aaron pulled him into a hug. "I'm proud of you son," he whispered. "But Dave is right – be you. And know mom is watching." He squeezed Zach tightly; Zach reciprocated.

"Thanks dad," Zach said, looking into his father's dark eyes. "I know she is. I love you."

"Love you too son," Aaron smiled back.

Zach finally got to Jack. "You're sulking because you're last?" Jack glared at him. "Bro, you need to grow up." Zach smiled and lifted him over the rail as Schuerholz came out of the dugout. Caleigh winked at Aaron and Beth with a big smile. "I need to get to work and you need to go with John," he said, setting Jack on his feet. "You get the front row seat today."

"Z-man?"

"Jack," Schuerholz said, "Atlanta Braves batboys wear the proper uniform. You are not in that."

Jack looked at Zach. "No way!"

"Yes way," Zach smiled, giving him a hug. "Now get your butt moving with John. I've got to get to work." He waved at the group, giving Caleigh, Beth and Hannah another kiss, rubbed his dad chest and then moved to the dugout. He came back out a minute later carrying a bat and warmed up a bit before going into the batting cage. He took ten swings, launching all the pitches into the outfield seats, and moved out. Freddie Freeman, the Braves first baseman smiled at him and moved into the cage.

Derek was standing next to Will as Freddie moved out and Zach stepped in again. "You're the baseball player Cajun. What do you think?"

Will shook his head at Morgan. "I said it day one and I'll say it again. That kid has the sweetest batting stroke I've seen." Morgan rubbed Will's shoulder with a smile as Zach launched other bomb.

Jack came down the runway from the visitor's dugout with Schuerholz wearing his uniform. He started to run onto the field. Eddie Perez, the first base coach grabbed him. "Not so fast my young friend," he smiled. He pulled a batting helmet out of the rack that held them, putting it on Jack's head. "That was sent to us from the Gwinnet Braves," he smiled. "But Jack," Eddie said, seriously looking at him. "That doesn't come off until the end of the game."

"Yes sir," Jack said, as Eddie put the helmet on Jack's head. Schuerholz smiled at Perez with a wink. Jack looked at the two men. "Now?"

They both laughed. "Go Jack," John smiled.

The bus group took video of the "other" number 62 Hotchner standing around the batting cage, watching his big brother with Eddie Perez standing with him.

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A/N: OK, I know I'm a total Braves fans. But a lot of you are not. Back in the day, Eddie Perez was the back-up catcher for the Braves in the 90's. He's stayed with the organization after his retirement because they love what he brings to the club and working with the younger players.

Why he means so much to the Hotchner brothers? Eddie Perez was Greg Maddox's personal catcher. Maddox would only let Perez catch for him when Maddox joined the Braves.

And yes, if you do the math, Zach was barely born then. He watches a lot of video. ;)