A/N: Please, please! Just hang in there with me. But I have to do it.

*points at tissue boxes*

Chapter 6

Tara and Reid walked through the pool area and saw the scene inside the French doors. They shook their heads at each other and moved away to give the three their privacy.

Morgan met the first team of Marshalls as they entered the area. "Please guys," he said, shaking his head, "the area is secure. But not right now."

"Morgan," one asked. Emily and JJ joined them.

"Lewis dosed the Hotchner's dog and Rossi's. They both just passed. Let them have a little privacy."

"Damn Derek; we get it," the Marshall said, sadly shaking his head.

JJ looked at Morgan. "Not Beans and Mudgie?"

"Jayje, I'm sorry." JJ turned her head as tears formed. Emily rubbed her shoulder as JJ moved to walk away. Reid came out the patio door and put his arm around her and walked away with her.

Morgan's cell rang on his belt. He pulled it off. "Chief Cruz, the scene is secure. Lewis and Beecher are both deceased. I took down Beecher; Hotch shot Lewis. Both were clean and by the book sir."

"Everyone all right on our end Morgan?"

"Not exactly sir."

"Morgan?" Hearing the details, Garcia turned and buried her head in Kevin's chest.

The second Marshall, pulling off his night protective gear with the heat of the late night, looked at Morgan when he ended the call. "My sister is a vet in Annandale. She took over our dad's practice. I'll get her out here to take care of the pets. She'll treat them with loving respect."

Morgan clamped his hand on the Marshall's shoulder. "I appreciate that man." He looked back at the scene and shook his head, then eyeing the Marshall. "So will they." The Marshall nodded his head with a knowing sad smile.

The sun was starting to rise when the scene was finally secured. Aaron crawled into bed and pulled Cait into the crock of his arm. Cait put her head on his bare chest as she wrapped her arm around his waist. He felt a single teardrop fall.

-00CM00-

Aaron's cell buzzed on his nightstand a little before noon. "Dave?"

"Hey," he quietly said. "Good news and bad news. The bad news is the window repair company I got for you two with blessings from your insurance company are on their way to fix the door."

"Dave…"

"Aaron relax; the Bureau notified your homeowner insurance agent this morning, per standard procedure. They got the crime scene photos and signed off. 'Just get it done' they told Cruz."

"The good news," Aaron sleepily asked.

"I'll have brunch ready in a half hour. You two can shower afterwards. Just get here."

Aaron and Cait walked into the kitchen twenty minutes later. Dave looked at Cait. She was wearing her glasses and had no make-up on. Their many weekends at the cabin, Dave was used to that. What he noticed were her red eyes. He pulled her into a hug. "I know; it was tough for me this morning not having Mudg around." She embraced him as Aaron rubbed her back.

Cait finished washing the last of Dave's cooking dishes from the delicious brunch he made and turned to clean the range top as Aaron dried the last pan. "Have you talked to the boys," Dave asked.

Hotch shook his head. "I sent Jarrod a text before we went to bed saying the case was over but it was late here. We haven't heard from them. I'm assuming they're letting us sleep."

Dave, putting away the last dish Aaron dried, pulled an envelope out of the cupboard he put the pan in. "Julia changed your reservations for me, including your rental car. You leave tomorrow morning."

"Dave, we can't," Cait said.

"We've got reports to do," Aaron added.

"I've already talked to Cruz. Do your reports from home this afternoon and then get out to California tomorrow and be with your sons and family." He looked at Aaron. "And what you don't finish today, you can do on the plane tomorrow. I'll get you to the airport in the morning. The entire team is on their annual AL starting today per Cruz's order."

Cait looked at Dave. "What about …"

Dave pulled her into a hug. "The vet has them both. I'll take care of it. You two just get to your family."

-00CM00-

Getting Cait and Aaron's suitcase into the back of his SUV the next morning, Dave looked at Aaron. "You look better and so does Cait."

"She's OK," he smiled. "We talked after we got home from your place yesterday. We didn't tell the boys when we talked to them. We've got to do that in person."

"I agree," Dave nodded.

Cait joined them, handing Dave her carry-on and backpack. "And we need you to do some Rossi magic," she smiled, rubbing his arm.

Dave pointed at his vehicle. "I'll drive you talk. You know I'm in," he said at her.

Still working on catching up with their sleep, Cait and Aaron, sitting in first class with Dave's travel agent's arrangements, enjoyed their breakfast that was served to those passengers. Aaron leaned his seat back a bit with the footrest coming up, pushed up the divider between the seats and pulled Cait to his shoulder. She curled up with him. The senior flight attendant that served first class had to wake them both as the flight made its approach into Denver International.

On the flight from Denver to Sacramento, once again in first class, Aaron finished his last report and closed his laptop, sliding it into Cait's backpack. He looked at her engrossed in a book she had downloaded to the new Kindle he had given her for her birthday. He kissed her cheek. "I didn't know if you'd like that or not. Garcia said she'd been working you over about it," he smiled.

Cait looked at him. "Honestly, I miss the old fashion page turning." She smiled. "But it is pretty awesome." She gave him her fiendish smile. "I promise I won't tell Penelope,' she giggled.

"Oh Doc, please do," he smiled. "I like keeping her happy." Cait laughed. Aaron rejoiced at hearing that. One down he thought.

-00CM00-

Aaron turned their rental vehicle onto the long driveway to Cait's family home. She looked around and smiled. Aaron rubbed her shoulder. "It's good to be back," he smiled.

Cait nodded, smiling at him. "It's so peaceful here."

Aaron looked at her. "I'm not looking forward to it any more than you are Doc."

Cait looked at him. "This is the right place to tell them Aaron. I'm thankful for that."

He rubbed her shoulder and gave her the smile she fell in love with, pulling into the driveway. Getting out, they noticed Mike and Jack nearly taking off the garage screen door to fly at them. Matt and Lauren were right behind them.

"Hey guys," Jack shouted, nearly tackling them both.

Cait hugged him. "Missed you bud," she said, kissing the top of his head.

"Missed you too mom." Jack moved to his dad.

Mike pulled Cait into a hug, lifting her off her feet. Cait looked at him. "Do that again and shake the kinks out my back," she smiled.

Mike laughed. "It's good to have you both finally out her," he said, setting her on her feet. "We missed you both," he said, kissing Cait's cheek.

Cait kissed him back. "The feeling is mutual son," Aaron smiled at him, pulling Mike into a hug. Maggie and Jarrod joined the family reunion.

Matt hugged his mother. "We really missed you two," he said in her ear.

"We missed all of you too," Cait said, hugging him. Cait looked at Lauren. "No cuts or bruises? You've survived the Barkley family," she smiled.

Lauren laughed, giving Cait a hug. "They've all been wonderful. And it's amazing out here. I can see why you all enjoy it." Aaron letting go of Matt, pulled her into a hug.

Jarrod looked Cait. "Hi daddy," she said, wrapping her arms around him. Jarrod pulled her into a deep hug and kissed her cheek. "Thank you," she whispered, hugging him tightly.

Jarrod kissed her again. "You OK," he questioned in her ear. Cait nodded in his embrace. He let Cait go and pulled Aaron's offered hand to hug him. "Welcome home son."

"It's good to be home," Aaron said. Matt put his arm around Lauren with a smile. Maggie and Cait shared a long hug with Maggie rubbing her back.

"Thanks mom," Cait whispered in her ear. "I need this."

When Maggie let Cait go, she looked at Aaron. "Welcome home you," she smiled.

"Thanks Maggie," he said, kissing her cheek and giving her a hug.

Just then, Jake snuck up the driveway and tapped Cait on the shoulder. "Boo," he said. Cait startled a bit and turned.

"Hey little brother," Cait smiled as Jake engulfed her into a massive hug.

Lauren looked at Matt, pointing at Jake. "Little brother?"

Matt smiled, kissing her. "Oldest sibling proving her dominance over youngest sibling." The group laughed as Jake shook hands with Aaron.

"Tee time tomorrow morning is eight twenty with Luke and Adam bro," Jake smiled at him with a point.

"I'm in," Aaron smiled back.

Mike grabbed their luggage from the back of the vehicle, handing Cait's backpack and carry-on to Jack.

A little later, Jack walked into Aaron and Cait's bedroom and hopped on the bed as they were unpacking. Aaron looked at him. "Can you summarize Zazu's morning report," he smiled with a question.

"Zazu? I was over that years ago dad." Cait smiled, shaking her head at Aaron.

"I still need a report," Aaron smiled.

"Lots of horseback riding with grandpa and lots of swimming," Jack responded with a smile that matched his dad's.

"Well done Padawan," Cait smiled, kissing his head, grabbing more clothes. She pulled out her and Aaron's swimsuits. "Speaking of…." she smiled at Jack, waving them at him.

"Yes," he beamed, jumping off the bed. He tore down the steps. "We're going swimming guys!"

They all enjoyed the pool for over any hour until Maggie brought some munchies for them to nibble on. She quietly put them on the table and went back inside. Everyone got out and dug in. "Where's grandma and grandpa," Mike asked.

"They'll be out in a bit," Aaron said. "Your mom and I need to talk to you."

"What's up dad," Matt asked.

"The case that we and the team were working on involved a criminal that would gas his victims. The gas would make his victims do horrible things to their family in their home. And we were pretty sure he would come after me," Aaron explained.

"Why dad," Matt asked.

"Because he did it before and that's when we arrested him the first time. Plus, he was part of the plan that tried to frame me. That large plan involved four different prison breaks. That criminal had escaped."

"What a sec," Mike said. "You said this criminal struck in victims homes?" Aaron and Cait nodded. "Did he try to hit you two at home?"

"Tuesday night," Cait softly said, with a small head nod.

"That's why you sent us out here," Matt said. Cait and Aaron nodded.

"But we were ready for him with Bureau and two other federal agencies keeping round the clock surveillance of the house. The team used Jamaal and Lisa's basement for their part of that," Aaron added.

"So you got him before he got to you," Mike smiled.

"He got as far as the French door," Cait said. "The criminal and an accomplice made a speed run across the backyard. US Marshals were watching from the woods. But they had a lot of ground to cover. So did Derek coming out the egress window at Jamaal and Lisa's."

"But you're both OK aren't you," Jack worriedly asked.

Cait smiled, rubbing his shoulder. "Yes, we're fine. But he broke a window in the French doors. Mudg and Beans were there barking and growling. He sprayed them with the gas."

Jack started to shake his head. Cait pulled him to her.

Aaron looked at the boys. "They both didn't make it. The gas was too powerful for their size," he softly said.

Jack started to sob and Mike hung his head, tears already forming. Lauren hugged Matt that was already crying. Aaron pulled Mike to him.

"It's not fair," Jack cried. "Your job takes too much from us."

"And you the most Jack," Cait said, kneeling down. "It's not fair at all. And it hurts horribly. But imagine what this world would be like if there wasn't a team like dad's. Thousands more people would have the hurt you went through and the hurt you're feeling now."

"Dad and the team with mom's help put their lives on the line to stop these people Jack," Matt said, wiping tears. "That involves taking a risk with themselves and sometime those closest to them. Look what happened to Derek last fall. That's why we support them and thank God for them each and every night Jack."

"It's still not fair," Jack said, wiping the tears that wouldn't stop coming.

"No it's not Jack," Cait said. "And you're old enough now you're going to have to sort that out on your own." Jack gave her a look that said he didn't like that answer. But his grief bested him and he reached to hug her more as she stood up.

"Did they suffer," Mike softly asked.

Aaron gently shook his head. "No; and they didn't go alone. Gas like that dissipates in a large area like that very quickly. Mom was able to be with them."

"I didn't get to say good-bye," Jack said.

"You said a wonderful good-bye to both of them before you left on Friday," Cait said, looking at him, rubbing his back. "Remember the kiss Beans gave you?" Jack nodded with a small smile. "And dad and I were both able to say good-bye to them from all of us. So did Uncle Dave."

Lauren hugged Mike as Matt moved to hug Aaron. Letting go, Aaron looked at Jack. "Come on bud, sit down with me." He sat down in one of the patio table chairs. Jack walked between his legs and sat down on his thigh. Aaron pulled him to his side. The boys took their turns hugging their mother. They all sat down.

Maggie and Jarrod were keeping a watchful eye on the situation through the kitchen window without overtly spying. "Think it's time to go out there," she whispered. Jarrod just shook his head. Maggie softly blew her nose again and wiped another tear.

They sat around the table for a few minutes in silence. "It sure is going to be different around home," Mike quietly commented.

"Wednesday was horrible for me," Cait said. "I kept turning around, expecting her to be standing there with her smile, wagging her tail."

"Yeah, but we've got some great memories," Matt said. "Having her along last year on our amazing race was awesome." He softly smiled at the memories.

"Remember Beans and Mudg swimming in that lake in Pennsylvania when Uncle Dave joined us for the trip to Gettysburg," Mike asked.

"The two of them chased minnows for an hour," Matt softly laughed.

"Remember the chocolate cake," Jack said, smiling. The family all laughed at the memory, recounting the memory to Lauren.

Mike rubbed Cait's shoulder. "But she was the closest to you," he said, shaking his head. "So was Mudg. I'm so sorry mom."

"I was the one that house broke her and they both were my book reading companions after you three went to bed. But boy those first few weeks were tough with Beans when she was a puppy," she sadly smiled.

"What's your favorite memory mom," Jack asked, leaning back up against Aaron.

Cait smiled. "Uncle Dave brought Beans to us after the boys had finished the school year." She pointed at Matt. "You had just finished sixth grade. I was done teaching so I had all summer to get her house broken and trained. The house breaking was easy. One accident and she got it. By the time I was ready to start back for fall semester, I thought she was good to go." Cait smiled. "I get home from the very first day of classes, walk in the door," Cait recalled, trying not to giggle at the memory. "I walked in from the garage. And I was greeted with toilet paper going out of the kitchen bathroom all the way into nook." The boys already started to snicker.

"I followed said trail and looked in the great room and there was an additional line of toilet paper coming out of then my bathroom that stopped next to her in the middle of the room. She was sitting on the floor, wagging her tail at me. She gave me her happy look like 'hey mom, I decorated for you'." The family all roared.

Jack looked at Aaron. "Can we call Uncle Dave?"

Matt reached for his cell with a small smile. After a few more tears, the laughter of happy memories of both dogs filled the patio.

Jarrod looked at Maggie in the kitchen. "Now," he smiled.

###

A/N: The chocolate cake memory was told in my story Family Heals when Aaron and Matt were trying to take Cait's mind off her pain before her surgery.