A/N: *sets out tissue box for my OK teacher* :D

Chapter 6

The pre-game ceremonies Saturday were almost as special as the ones the night before. Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch were the living members of the Atlanta Braves that were now inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame besides Henry Aaron: Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux, all wearing their Braves jersey tops. To catch their pitches were the young players of Braves, including Freddie and Swannie. Of course, Zach caught for Maddux. Caleigh smiled at Aaron as Zach trotted out to Maddux like the rest of the young players to give them the ball they threw.

Zach widely smiled at Maddux. "This is dream come true."

Maddux smiled at him. "You keep being you using that head of yours. Just relax and let the rest fall together."

"Thanks Maddog," Zach smiled, shaking his hand.

As the entire group headed down the dugout steps, Maddux stopped in front of Jack. "Hi Jack," he smiled. "How's school going?"

"It's the home stretch Greg," Jack smiled. "I can see summer recess from here."

Maddux laughed, pulled out a pen, signed the ball in his hand and gave it to Jack. "Make sure your brother gets that," he winked.

"You got it Greg," Jack broadly smiled.

Cox softly knocked on Jack's helmet. "Hey kid," he smiled.

"Hi Bobby," Jack smiled back. As the retired players moved up the tunnel, Jack made a beeline for the lockerroom, found Zach's well stashed lock box key and put the ball in there. He locked it, put the key back and ran back towards the dugout.

The Atlanta gay men's choir sang another amazing rendition of the national anthem with five vintage World War Two fighters doing the flyover at the end.

As the fourth inning was about to start, Greg and Cathy Maddux, along with Bobby and Pam Cox, came into the suite from the Presidential suite next door. Schuerholz quickly made the introductions. Watching the game, Cathy pulled Caleigh aside. "I know it's tough with him being gone; and having two homes. Then add the kids later. If you need any advice, I'm here for you."

Caleigh looked at her. "Has your cell number changed?" Cathy shook her head. Caleigh smiled, showing Cathy her contact list on her cellphone. They exchanged email addresses to keep in touch as well.

Greg stood by Aaron watching the game. He shook his head as Zach deftly blocked a pitch that got away from Andy that he threw in the dirt around homeplate. "He's got all the tools; the best being his brain. And if something should happen to him…,"

"God forbid," Schuerholz interjected.

Maddux smiled and winked at Aaron. "He kept his promise to his mom. Aaron," Maddux said, "enjoy the ride dad," he deeply smiled.

"Thanks Greg," Aaron smiled, shaking his hand.

Bobby walked up to Beth. "What the hell are you feeding Jack? Grow pup?" Everyone in the suite roared with laughter.

Zach and Freddie had a monster night backing Minnie. They both went three for four batting with back to back homeruns in the first inning. The early two run cushion was all Minnie needed. Andy threw a three hit shutout. The Braves won 5-0 and everyone was out of the stadium a little past nine o'clock.

Jack was waiting on Zach as he came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. "Come on Zach; hurry up. I'm hungry."

Zach smiled and quickly dressed. He opened the lock box and looked in. Jack beamed at him. "Whoa," Zach said.

"Maddog wanted you to have that bro." The Brothers Hotchner, after a Golden Arches drive-through were both in bed by eleven.

-00CM00-

The whole family, including Dave, attended eight o'clock Easter service at Zach and Caleigh's southern home church. But they all quickly sped home to eat breakfast to get Zach on his way as everyone admired Zach's new treasure.

Dave winked at Beth and Caleigh. "I think I've already got his birthday present in mind," he broadly smiled with a whisper.

"Uncle Dave, you know how much that ball means to Zach," Caleigh said, looking at him. Dave nodded. "Do it up in right in traditional Rossi style," she smiled.

"All over that my dear," Dave smiled, kissing her cheek.

"What about after the game," Zach asked, gathering his things.

"You're cooking me ribs on the grill," Dave smiled. "We all can sleep on the jet home."

"You do have your good moments Uncle Dave," Jack said. Rachel and Tom snickered.

Dave glared at Aaron and Beth. "The over-grown one I know I have to put up with – he can kick my ass. You two can't do anything with the growing squirt?"

Aaron gave Dave his smile. "No; he keeps you young and on your toes. The team needs that."

"Busted Uncle Dave," Beth smiled, rubbing his shoulder.

The ending for the families' baseball weekend was Zach hitting a pinch hit, walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth for the game winner.

Dinner was finished and the kitchen was cleaned up by seven. Zach looked at his dad. "What time you flying?"

"Dave's car service is picking us in an hour." They spent the time in the backyard with Zach and Jack playing with Lex.

"They need that together," Rachel smiled.

"Yes they do," Caleigh said, putting her arm around her mom.

The good-byes, as always were tough; especially the Brothers Hotchner and Caleigh with her mom. "We've got June bro," Zach said, hugging Jack. "The day after my birthday, we've got a three game series with the Nats." He looked at Jack. "Should I have Nattie get an away uniform ready for you? I know your loyalties Jack and I respect that." He looked at Jack thinking. "But if you want that, you fly home with me and the team for a long homestand, doing your job," he smiled. "We have Father's Day in Atlanta with dad."

"You don't play fair," Jack said.

"That's blackmail," Caleb said.

"It's working," Jack said. "I'm in."

"Then start counting days bro," Zach smiled, hugging Jack.

Letting Jack go, Mike wagged a finger at Zach with a deep stare. Zach stared back. Mike broadly smiled. "You brothers enjoy that. I'll be down some time later in the summer for a weekend."

Zach hugged Mike. "Thanks for coming bro; take care you." They shared a handshake. Zach said good-bye to the rest of Caleigh's family as she said good-bye to his family. Zach pulled Rachel into a deep hug, whispering in her ear.

"I know she does Zach," Rachel whispered back. "We'll be here as much as we can."

Zach deeply hugged Beth. "I'm gonna miss you much."

"Likewise," Beth said, hugging Zach deeply. She kissed his cheek.

Zach looked at Dave. "Thanks; again Uncle Dave."

Dave pulled him into a hug. "You do your job kiddo; number one being keep loving that wife of yours."

Zach pulled out of the hug. "You're giving me marriage advice?" The group roared with laughter which took the sharp edge off the hurt of saying good-bye.

"Asshole," Dave growled, pulling Zach to him.

"Been called that more than once Uncle Dave." They held their hug for a couple seconds more.

Dave laughed. "The joys of being married kiddo." The group laughed more.

Aaron pulled Zach to him. "I'm proud of you son; and love you."

"I'm proud of you dad; you're my superhero. I just get to play baseball."

"I've learned it's a bit more than that this weekend," Tom said.

Zach deeply hugged his dad. "Take care you; be safe; watch out for the old fart; take care of your team. I've got my end."

"That's all I ask of you my son; I've got my end."

"I love you dad."

-00CM00-

Epilogue

Taking two days off, Aaron Hotchner was in his office at seven the next morning to go through all the emails that needed his attention. Dave was in by eight-thirty, a rarity, to do the same. The whole team noticed.

The two of them came into the Round Table Room promptly at ten. "Let's get started," Hotch said.

"Time out on that play Hotch," Morgan said, looking into Hotch's eyes. Hotch knew where the conversation was going and didn't give his usual glare, giving Morgan his soft smile.

"That good," Tara smiled.

"Yeah, it was," Rossi smiled, touching her shoulder. The team all beamed.

"Sorry boss man," Garcia said. "We don't do the dirty deets until we get the good ones." She looked at Hotch. "What was yours," she smiled, knowing she had a soft spot in Hotch's heart.

"Seeing my two sons in Atlanta Braves uniforms, doing their jobs," he proudly smiled, "especially during the national anthem Friday night."

"That," JJ smiled, pointing at Hotch, "is a keeper. The FoxSports South coverage showed Zach and Jack," she smiled more. Hotch looked at her. "I, Will and the boys loved that. We watched all three games together. Henry sorta insisted that his dad get the MLB package to keep up with Zach. Will didn't put up much of fight." Garcia pointed at her with her large smile. Tara joined her.

"Big Dog," Morgan smiled at Rossi.

Dave thought for a second. "A walk-off homerun was pretty sweet," he broadly smiled. Morgan sitting next to him rubbed his shoulder. "However, the highlight for me was seeing Zach catch a pitch from his childhood idol. That is something Zach will never forget." Aaron smiled at the memory as well.

"I saw the walk-off homerun," Reid said. "It was pretty awesome."

Hotch and Dave shared a look. Garcia looked at the team. "I think they know," she whispered.

Hotch shook his head. "All I want to know is if I have to deal with any of my team getting DUI's leaving the party at the LaMontagne's."

"You're good on that point sir," Garcia smiled.

"Thank you."

Before Hotch could again say his immortal words to start a briefing, Dave looked around the table. "Just tell me you all had a good time and ate as well as we did yesterday," he smiled.

"Check Big Dog," Morgan smiled with a point.

"We all just might be a little tired," Reid added.

"In that club kid," Dave smiled.

"Now Garcia."

###

A/N: Maddog was Greg Maddux's nickname as a baseball player. The Golden Arches is McDonald's. I think most of my international readers know that. I'm just doing CMA – covering my assets. ;)

Thank you all for the reviews and alerts. And I'll say it again: just simply reading. All of that is deeply, deeply appreciated.

*Jedi Knight bow*