A/N: Why does FF always have a brain fart when I'm posting stories?

Chapter 3

After the Skype session, Jack said good night to his brothers, their wonderful ladies and Jake. The group all knew that only grandma and grandpa could get him into bed. The three of them headed up the steps.

Mike looked at Matt. "What the hell was that about church tomorrow night?"

Matt shook his head. "He told Lauren and me in the car that he knows how special it is to mom and dad. The first year mom and dad were married they talked about it with him; apparently at length."

"And if they don't make it home for that," Jake asked.

The brothers shook their heads. "He'll start to slide into total quiet mode. I don't want to know what he'll be like tomorrow night when we all go to church and mom and dad aren't there," Matt said.

Mike shook his head. "He's held up so far; that might hurt him if they're not there."

Jake shook his head. "Give the kid a chance; he's growing up and understands."

Matt shook his head. "Uncle Jake, its mom and dad. I won't bet on that."

-00CM00-

The gang at Deer Valley Road slept in; including Jack. Yet, by nine-thirty, the family was all gathered in the kitchen with the two oldest Hotchner boys getting pancakes and sausages cooking with the help of their two lovely ladies. Jack smiled at Jarrod, sipping his apple juice as Jarrod took a drink of his coffee, giving Jack a wink.

"Anything from mom and dad," Jack asked.

Jarrod smiled. "Sorry bud; I think they're busy. You heard what they said last night," he said, rubbing Jack's shoulder. The boys had filled in their grandparents about their conversation the night before.

The family enjoyed a wonderful day together. Jarrod, Maggie and Jack took the two dogs on a long walk while Lauren and Andi did cooking prep for the side dishes that would match the pork chops the guys would grill.

-00CM00-

Derek and JJ followed the lead on Eric Carcani and his connection to Colin Bromwell. Rossi, JJ and Emily chased down the network of hiding abused spouses with their lead of Bromwell's first two victims to find out Maya Carcani's location.

Two hours later, the team walked into the conference room and smiled at Cruz and Cait. "Nice shot," Cait smiled, rubbing Aaron's back.

"He flinched."

"Aaron?"

"I saw him through my scope. He had the kill shot and I thought I was too late. But he flinched for a second, which gave me the shot."

Dave shook his head. "He got caught up in his own fantasy. I'm willing to bet that he made Maya part of his fantasy as he stalked her."

"Snipers can really do that seventy-two hour thing," Cait asked.

"They're trained to do it Mother Goose." Morgan said. He looked at Aaron. "Good call Hotch," he smiled.

Cait shook her head. "We all learn something every day. How's Maya," she asked.

"Shook," Emily said. "But she's alive. She'll make sense of it; some day. At least she's safe."

Reid looked around the conference room. "You don't want to know the odds. We scored a huge win today guys."

"We'll take the win," Cruz smiled. "Let's pack up and head for home. You all can do your initial field reports on the jet. Your full reports I don't expect until Tuesday."

Cait looked at Aaron. "Jack needs this; remember our first Maundy Thursday together?"

JJ looked at them. "Cait?"

"It's a solemn and yet wonderful service; the institution of Holy Communion. The first Easter season that Aaron and I were married, he noticed," Cait smiled at her.

"We answered all his questions. He knows how special it is for the two of us," Aaron added

"I'll get Chuck and Angie moving," Derek smiled.

"My orders stand," Mat said. "Let's get the hell home. My two daughters are in the same boat with Jack."

Two hours later, Cait looked across the four top. "This case could be a wonderful teaching tool to my students in my graduate class."

"Doc, I'm trying; I really am," Hotch said.

"Try harder," Cait said, burrowing him a glare. "You've promised for how long? And I've only got four weeks left with them."

Cruz smiled at Hotch. "I'm pulling rank on you about this Aaron. And the team needs some down time." He looked at Cait. "Next week work?"

Cait gave Aaron her "gotcha smile" and looked at Cruz. "Thank you Mat."

"I'm gonna sit in. I want to see this," he smiled back.

-00CM00-

As the day wore on, Jack became quieter and distant. He spent the last two hours before dinner in his bedroom; alone, chasing the dogs out that knew he was hurting, slamming his door shut.

"What do we do," Andi asked in the kitchen, putting in her and Lauren's cheese potatoes.

"Hope like hell mom, dad and the team's lead panned out and they get the hell home tonight Andi," Mike said.

-00CM00-

Cait and Aaron looked at Dave as the team rode up the elevator together to the BAU. He smiled. "Jack's getting what he needs tonight. I'll see you all tomorrow night for your Tenebrae service. Jimmy can't top that."

'What's a Tenebrae service," Tara asked.

"In Judo Christian worship, it's a darkness service," Reid intoned, "that follows the seven times Christ spoke from the cross on Good Friday according to the Bible. The church is darkened after each reading of those sentences. Including one of the seven candles on the candelabra's that adorns each side of a Christian altar." Tara looked at him. "Catholic and Protestant." Reid looked around. "You all let me give my short dissertation without interrupting me?" Cait winked at Aaron.

Emily shook her head and looked at Dave. "That good?"

"Em, it's very moving."

Emily looked at Cait. "What time?"

Cait smiled. "Seven."

-00CM00-

Jack barely said a word through dinner and quietly went up the steps to get ready for church. He pulled out a pair of khaki pants and matched up a long sleeve polo shirt to them along with a belt that the fashion conscious Cait had clued him in on. He came down the steps ten minutes later in his Oxford leather shoes to match his ensemble that he knew his mother would approve of.

"You OK Jack," Matt asked, rubbing his back. His silence was deafening as he shrugged his shoulders. Matt looked at Maggie and Jarrod.

Jarrod smiled at him, pulling on his jacket. "Come on pal; you're riding with me and grandma with Matt and Lauren."

Jarrod and Maggie were seated in the church pew with Jack next to Maggie along with Jake, Lauren and Matt. Jack needed the comfort of a female presence. She put her arm around him as Jake sitting next to Jack smiled as Mike and Andi quietly sat down in the pew in front of them.

Pastor Jon came out to introduce the service in the solemn tone it deserved. Just as he was finishing, he noticed the couple coming up the side aisle. Moving to his chair in the altar area he sent a message to the God he served. Thank you for safely bringing them home.

Cait rubbed Mike's shoulder and nodded him over with a smile to make room for her and Aaron to sit down. Jack looked at Maggie with his huge smile. "Go," she whispered with her own smile. Jack stood up and Jake picked him up in his strong arms and set him in front Matt, who was already moving out of the pew to let Jack out.

"Go bro," Matt whispered, rubbing Jack's back as he quickly moved to the next pew. The family in the church pew smiled.

As the church organist played the solemn intro to the first hymn, Jack shared a hug with his parents and then sat down between them. Cait put her arm around him as Aaron reached his long arm over the top of the pew back to hold them both close. Mike winked at this dad with his soft smile. Aaron rubbed his shoulder and then put his hand on Cait's shoulder, giving Jack's thigh a light rub with his other hand. Jack deeply exhaled and smiled at his dad. Cait smiled at Jack, putting her hand on his ribs, giving them a rub.

-00CM00-

Twenty four hours later, the normal pew the Hotchner's sat in was filled with the seven of them. The pew in front of them was filled with the Barkley's and Dave. The LaMontagne family plus Emily and Declan sat in the pew in front of the Barkley's.

In the completely darkened church, the sound system played a large stone being rolled to symbolize the burial of Christ. The church members walked out of the darkened sanctuary in silence.

The family and friends met outside the church. "Thanks for the tip Rossi," Emily smiled at him.

"I've still got goose bumps," Declan said.

"It's powerful," Dave said, smiling at Declan. "And brings the message home." The older Hotchner boys rubbed Declan's shoulder.

"It was sad but really awesome too," Henry added.

Cait rubbed his neck. "Yeah, it was." She looked at the family. "What's up for Easter?"

JJ smiled. "Mom is driving down tomorrow and then spending the week since we have down time."

"I like down time," Will drawled.

Maggie and Jarrod smiled at them as Jake shared a high five with Henry. "Grandma time," Jake smiled.

"Yup Uncle Jake," Henry smiled back.

"Gram gram," Michael added with his yawning smile. Cait pulled him out of JJ's arms to give him a hug.

"You enjoy gram gram time," she smiled, kissing him and gently rocking him in her arms.

Aaron smiled. "Say good night Michael." The rest all smiled as Cait got him conked out.

Aaron and Cait looked at Emily. "Its church for us; then reservations at Marty's for their fantastic Easter brunch. I get to watch my son decimate it," she smiled. Cait smiled at Michael soundly sleeping in her arms. Maggie rubbed her back.

"All over that mom," Declan smiled. "And then it's watching Nats baseball."

"I think a nap might figure into that plan," Emily added. "At least for me."

"Good plan," Dave softly smiled.

JJ looked at the Hotchner's. "How 'bout you guys?"

-00CM00-

Easter Sunday afternoon was spent like most holidays on Deer Valley Road. It was filled with a gathered family. Cait smiled at her family around the table in her formal dining room. The Brooks family was there along with Dave, Father Jimmy, Reid and Tara.

Like always, love and laughter filled the home.

#####

A/N: Did you catch the major hint to my next story?

But you might have to wait a while on that. At the ripe old age of 58, I was recently diagnosed with cataracts. "I'm looking at the eyes of a 68 YO." Thank you Dr. Eye Surgeon.

That is why I contacted my mentor. I wanted this "set up story" for the much larger one I'm gonna write. It was her suggestion to write a quick one to let you all know I'm still here and not going away.

That said, I'm having my surgeries done in June. I know it's all very simple. I'm not worried. But Eye Doc says the surgery will not correct my vision to 20/20. So my "new" eyes will take a period of adjustment. I don't want to fool around writing through that. As much as I truly appreciate all of you readers, my health comes first.

So this story is just my heads up that I'm gonna take a little down time again. I'm hoping you hear from me again late July/early August with the follow-up to this story I hinted at.

I made a promise to you all. I'm gonna keep that promise. The "real" CM stays alive in my world.

Thanks again Tigger! *Jedi Knight bow*