A/N: Thank you for the reviews and alerts! I'm going to get you all watching Madam Secretary.

Chapter 2

The adults and Casee were in the kitchen working on the fruit salad. Casee was helping Hayden wash the fruit that would be used. The three boys were in Dave's den watching the baseball game. Bess' security team pulled into the driveway. "Whoa," Jason said. "How much do FBI agents make?"

Henry smiled at him, looking over his shoulder. "David Rossi is a six-time bestselling author, writing books about some of the cases the BAU has solved. Those books, not his Bureau salary bought this house."

"You gotta admit it's still pretty impressive," Allison said, getting out of the SUV after her mom and dad. Henry and Jareth went to the back of the SUV to pull out their cooler while the rest grabbed their bags holding their swimsuits.

The doorbell rang. Dave went to answer the door.

Looking through the peep hole, he smiled and opened the front door. "Come in please," he smiled at the McCord family. "Make yourselves at home."

"Thank you so much for having us," Henry smiled. "We really appreciate it. Where can we put this?" he nodded at the cooler.

"Follow me everyone," Dave smiled. "I'll show you the place for your bags as well." They walked through Dave's opulent home into the kitchen.

"Wow! This is a kitchen," Bess gushed, putting a large meat and cheese tray on the counter with a bag holding four different kinds of crackers.

Dave smiled. "I'm Italian; I like to cook." Dave pointed to the laundry room that already held the Hotchner and Taylor family's bags. "Your bags can go in there. The cooler can go out on the patio," he said, leading Henry and Jareth that way. Beth took the platter and put it in the massive refrigerator.

"Henry," Bess said. "The chicken and deviled eggs." He and Jareth stopped and Bess pulled them out. Abbey took them from her and got them into the fridge as well.

The dogs wandered in at the strange voices. Mudg gave a small warning bark. "Mudgie, mind your manners," Hayden said. Mudg gave a tail wag. "I hope no one is allergic. David forgot to mention the dogs."

Matt turned from his work on the watermelon. "He listens to you now?" as Allison smiled, petting Mudg. Hayden glared at him. Aaron, Beth, Abbey and Casee smiled.

"We're all good," Bess smiled.

"Hayden, it's your first year anniversary with me; you now have a target on your back like everyone else," Matt smiled.

"Thank you for that," Hayden smiled, kissing Matt's cheek. "Just go easy."

"That isn't happening," Matt smiled, pecking her cheek back.

"You really are a fruit salad making machine," Bess smiled at the group.

"We've got this down to a science," Beth smiled.

"Are these your dogs?" Jason asked Hayden, petting Wilma.

"No Jason," she smiled. "The proper lady is the Taylor's dog."

"Her name is Wilma," Casee smiled.

"Wilma?" Stevie asked.

An energetic chocolate lab pup blew into Bess's legs for some love. "That's Jake, Jack's dog," Beth smiled as Bess rubbed down the pup with a smile.

"Stevie," Abbey said, "when the twins were around two and a half, Colin was just a baby; Matt got them hooked on his DVD collection of The Flintstones. Every Saturday morning before breakfast they'd watch one cartoon together. The kids would laugh every time Fred bellowed his wife's name because Matt could imitate it to a T. When we brought the dog home for them….."

Stevie smiled. "Got it." Dave, Henry and Jareth came back into the kitchen.

"Hey fella," Henry smiled petting Jake that now demanded his attention with his puppy enthusiasm.

"That's Jake Hotchner," Bess smiled. "Wilma Taylor," she pointed "and Mudgie Rossi."

"All Labradors?" Jareth asked.

"I got Mudg to be my duck hunting partner. Jake is his grandson with Aaron and Beth finally getting Jack a dog for Christmas. The Taylor's got a Lab because they are so good with kids, especially females with small ones just after Matt joined the Unit," Dave smiled. "Wilma is Mudg's daughter."

"And they keep us company when the team is out," Hayden smiled.

"You too?" Abbey smiled at her.

"David complains that I'm spoiling him. Mudgie sleeps with me when David is gone."

"Wilma's my sleep partner," Abbey admitted.

"Time out," Bess said, turning serious. "How do you handle them being gone so much?"

"They're chasing the monsters that threaten children and our country," Beth simply said. "We told you earlier; our children have their own personal superheroes."

"Hit it babe," Matt smiled, digging out the last watermelon ball.

"They bag 'em; I tag 'em," Abbey smiled. The McCord's looked at her. "I'm an assistant federal prosecutor. I've dealt with more than one of the team's unsubs. The BAU delivers prosecutors air tight cases. They don't walk on a technicality."

"Enough shop talk," Dave smiled. "This is about you all getting some family time together as much as it is about the team getting some down time. Grab your bags, find a bathroom or bedroom to change and hit the pool."

Jason smiled. "Don't have to tell me twice," he said, heading for the laundry room. He came back out with his bag.

"Jason," Dave pointed. "Go straight down that hallway. That leads to my den. The boys are in there watching the baseball game. They'll point out the bathroom." The three dogs barked at him, heading down the hall.

"I think I can find it," he smiled, following the dogs.

"Bess and Henry," Hayden said, "David and I's bedroom is at the top of the steps; take a left; it's at the end of the hallway. Please, all of you make yourselves at home," she smiled.

"Thank you," they all smiled.

The McCord's enjoyed the pool for an hour, laughing and having fun. The group in the kitchen smiled at the family's downtime as they finished the monster fruit salad and cleaned up the kitchen. Beth got the commercial sized baked beans can emptied into the crock pot to start getting them warm as Abbey and Hayden put the last of the dishes away.

After enjoying the pool, the McCord family was in the shade in Dave's cabana area next to the house, grabbing water bottles out from their cooler. Dave, Aaron and Matt came out in their swimsuits and jumped into the pool, swimming lazy laps together.

Abbey came out with the huge meat and cheese tray and crackers. "Dive in," she smiled. "The guys will join you soon." Henry looked at her and nodded at the pool. "The Three Musketeers swim," she smiled.

"Three Musketeers?" Bess asked.

"That's what the team calls them," Abbey smiled. "They are the three lead agents. And I hope you don't mind. They need this time; the three of them."

"We don't mind at all," Bess smiled as Jason dived into the munchies.

"Abbey, I'm sorry, but I have to ask," Henry said. "The scars?"

Abbey smiled, grabbing a cracker putting on some items from the tray. "It's OK Henry," she said, taking a bite. "Matt's are from mortar fragments as he was bringing the last guy out in the Gulf. He spent nearly four months at Bethesda Naval Hospital." She smiled. "But that's how I met him. I had just graduated from law school and took a position with the Houston DA's office. Matt was sent to Fort Sam Houston Hospital for his final round of PT. They sent him out one Friday night with a male nurse and told him to get drunk. I was out with friends. I was the first woman he hit on," she brightly smiled, "and I fell for the Irish bullshit." The McCord family all laughed. "Aaron's are deeply personal; but show how much he's moved on. He pissed off one of their unsubs; the Reaper made it personal to him like unsubs can."

"George Foyet," Henry asked. Abbey nodded. "I remember reading about the original killings in Boston."

"Foyet did that to Aaron; two months later, he killed Jack's mother in their home. Luckily, with Foyet's ego, he called Aaron before he killed Haley. Aaron covertly told Jack where to hide so Foyet couldn't find him until Aaron got there to save him."

"The first wife reference this morning to Jack's grandparents," Bess said.

Abbey nodded her head. "Aaron and Haley were divorced; but it wasn't because they didn't love each other anymore. Haley just couldn't handle Aaron's job. After we leave Arlington we always go see her and Erin Strauss, the team's former Section Chief. Another of the team's unsubs got her. Dave and Erin were in a relationship at the time." The area got quiet for a couple of minutes with everyone enjoying the appetizers while the McCord family digested what they heard.

Jason smiled, grabbing another cracker and putting on a meat and cheese slice. "I get why the team calls Matt 'Cob' now. That tat is amazing."

"Jason, that is my husband before I was around, getting drunk in the Philippines," she broadly smiled.

"Been there; but didn't do that," Henry smiled.

"And the one on his back," Jareth asked. "The eagle with the American flag in its wings and the Twin Towers?"

Abbey softly smiled at him. "Matt's sister-in-law Clare died in Tower Two on 9/11. That's why he resigned his commission with the Marines and joined the Bureau. He wanted to get back into the game rather than plan battle strategy to get Marines killed."

All of them shook their heads, watching the trio still swimming lazy laps as Abbey went back into the house to get the kids ready for the pool. Aaron and Dave finally stopped at the shallow end of the pool, putting their elbows up on the pool apron. Matt swam another lap and then got out of the pool, heading for Dave's garage. He came back out with three beers and cooler cups. He put the first beer can into the cup and handed it to Dave. "Thank you Matthew," Dave smiled, popping the top.

"Thanks Matt," Aaron smiled, taking the second.

Matt pushed the third into a cup and looked at Dave and Aaron. "Munchies are out," he smiled.

"'Bout damn time," Dave growled getting out of the pool. Aaron was right behind him.

Matt smiled at the McCord's. "This is where we crash your family party."

"You're letting us crash yours," Bess smiled. "Crash away."

Henry looked at Matt's beer. "What? I'm Irish; it's after noon," he smiled. Henry shook his head with a smile.

Three minutes later, the kids raced towards the pool, making a huge splash as they hit the water together. Dave smiled. "Why I have the pool. Sorta love my kids."

Matt and Hotch turned to make sure four heads popped up. Bess and Henry joined them. "Jareth and I can watch them," Stevie offered with a smile.

"Thank you sweetheart," Dave smiled, putting a meat and cheese slice on his cracker. "It's sorta our thing. But we might put you two to work later if you don't mind."

"A Three Musketeers thing?" Jason asked with a smile. Ally glared at him.

"Exactly son," Dave smiled. "They're the kids of two of the Three Musketeers," he winked at Jason. He looked at Ally. "Give the anarchist a pass. He nailed the profile." Jason beamed a smile at his sister.

"Whatever," Ally responded.

"We would love to help out," Jareth said.

"Did Big Dog just set up the engaged couple to get some experience?" Matt whispered at Hotch, watching the kids in the pool.

"You think?" Hotch smiled. The McCord parents looked at them.

"A nearly two year old and a fourteenth month old," Hotch smiled at them.

"Best damn birth control in four little bare feet," Matt whispered at Bess and Henry with his Irish smile.

"Thank you," they both said with large smiles.

"On that, I think I need a beer as well," Henry smiled, moving to their cooler.

"Grab two Henry," Beth smiled. She looked at Hotch and Matt watching the kids. "Thank you," she smiled.

Matt winked at her. "We're profilers Ma'am." Matt pulled two more of Dave's cooler cups out of his swimsuit pockets for their beers.

Henry kissed Bess' cheek. "I think this is gonna be one day we're glad to have the security detail driving us home."

Matt and Hotch both laughed, taking a drink of their beers with the McCord's.

"Hey Noodle, be careful," Matt barked.

"Dad?" Allison asked.

"It's not you Noodle," Henry smiled. "It's Casee."

Matt looked at him. "You've got a Noodle too?" he smiled.

"Ally was our contortionist baby," Bess smiled.

"Case, show the McCord's why you're mom and I's Noodle," Matt smiled. Abbey, Beth and Hayden came out of the house to see Casee climbing out of the pool. They all had a glass of wine and joined their husbands.

"Rock it Case," Dave smiled, joining the parents at the pool with Hayden. Casee started to run across Dave's backyard. She put on a gymnastic show across the large expanse of grass.

"Go Casee!" Ally shouted. "Oh my god!" she shouted, watching Casee. "You are amazing!" Casee smiled at her as she made another tumbling pass back to the pool area.

"You go girl," Dave smiled. The McCord family applauded the display.

"That's major noodle action right there," Bess smiled with a point at Casee as she dived back into the pool.

Henry looked at Matt. "Two sons; and our daughter is the best athlete," Matt smiled, putting his arm around Abbey's shoulder.

"And dad can live with that," Abbey smiled. "The Irishman has grown up," she winked. The parents all laughed.

"Yup," Matt smiled, kissing Abbey. "But I need another beer. This is my downtime."

"Draw two Matt," Hotch said.

Matt looked at Dave. "You really have to do the math after all these years Matthew?" Dave asked. "I trained you better than that." Matt flipped him off walking to the garage. The rest all laughed.

-00CM00-

By three-thirty, the pool area was filled with the team and their families. Bess and Henry made their way around the pool, meeting them all. Declan and Jason immediately hit it off being the same age, joining the younger kids in the pool. They kept an eye on the kids now including Henry.

Elizabeth McCord pulled Hannah Brooks into a hug. "God bless Haley," she said.

"Thank you Madam Secretary," Hannah smiled.

"Hannah, I'm Bess today. And you, from what I hear from Matt are grandma for this team," Bess smiled. "Thank you for supporting them; even with what you and John went through losing Haley." Bess looked at the pool with her Henry, Matt, Aaron, Dave and Morgan playing with the older kids. Stevie and Jareth were chasing Michael LaMontagne and Hank Morgan around the backyard to keep the little ones out of trouble. But with the afternoon passing, the couple had help with three dogs who enjoyed the shade. But Jake proved to be the puppy that he was. Bess and Henry laughed as Jake chased the kids away from the couple. Mudg and Wilma barked their deep disapproval.

Bess rubbed Hannah shoulder. "I know you miss your daughter; rightly so. And it's been tough on Jack losing his mom so young. But Hannah," she pointed. "Those kids are right. They have real superheroes in their world. I've seen them in action; including Aaron."

Hannah smiled at her. "We know that."

John pulled Bess to his shoulder. "Yes we do. Welcome to the family party," he smiled. "If Dave invited you here, we know you support this team. We trust Dave."

"My family and I are honored to be here John," Bess smiled. "And yes; I support this team; they bailed me out of an international pickle. I'll support them to the end of the earth." She smiled at the couple. "And I understand the superhero thing. They're my superheroes too. My family and I needed this so, so much today," she smiled.

"Then go and enjoy it Bess," Hannah smiled, "instead of hanging out with us old folks." Bess rubbed her shoulder and moved to the pool, jumping in to join Henry.

Around four o'clock, Matt looked at the clock in Dave's cabana area. "Hotch, we need to get some charcoal going for the chicken."

Bess smiled at them. "Take Henry along and show him how to cook chicken on the grill." Henry smiled at her. "And yes, give him another beer. I've got the kids," she smiled. Matt smiled at her with his usual point.

The three got out of the pool and dried off, putting on their t-shirts. Matt went to the back of his truck and pulled out a twenty pound bag of charcoal, throwing it on his shoulder. Aaron had the cover for Dave's Weber pulled off and folded up with Henry's help.

Morgan hollered from the pool. "Shout out if you need me!"

Hotch looked at him. "Just keep an eye on the kids. Cob, Henry and I have got this."

"Hotch," Henry said, "I've never cooked chicken on the grill in my life."

Hotch winked at him. "Welcome to graduate school Dr. McCord. Cob and I are about to make you a master in a hurry," he smiled.

###

A/N: I think I've explained cooler cups before. But for the record, they are made of a material that keeps the can of beer cold (no glass around the pool area) while keeping your hand warm from the cold beer can. A gift for us beer drinkers. :D

The Flintstones? Really? You don't know that cartoon? That was my fav growing up. *points to YouTube*

And yes, I followed up with Jack getting a dog at Christmas. I write these stories remember?. :D And my apologies; Jake was the first name to come to my small mind. And it sorta fit into my world with Jack.

Damn; this is now going to be three chapters. Sorry to disappoint you. :D That said….give me a few more days for final, final. :D

Thank you for all of the support.