A/N: This one sorta came out of the blue. My beloved NFL football team is playing a big game tonight and as usual, I can't watch. My nerves are killing me bad enough. Plus I've ran into a stone wall for ideas on my case story. So honestly, I'm just killing time. However, I've had the basic premise of this storyline floating around in my head for a couple of years, knowing I could pull it out anytime. So now is as good of time as any to run with it. Like I've said before, writing is my relaxation.

As always, I only post stories that are completely written. You will get a chapter a day.

All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios.

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

All of Zach's hard work he had put into his engineering studies at George Mason University his first three years were finally paying off. His senior and final year featured a very light load of classes. He only needed eighteen class credits to graduate and get his degree. His three first semester classes would chew up twelve of those eighteen credits. Handling his final semester at Mason and playing baseball would be easy for him. Aaron and Beth proudly smiled at his schedule. "You've worked your butt off for this Zach," Beth said rubbing his shoulder.

"I'm proud of you son," Aaron added.

With Beth now in the home, Zach could finally schedule an eight o'clock morning class. She didn't need to be to work until nine, allowing Beth to get Jack on the school bus at 7:20 (and some one on one time with Jack) while Zach battled DC traffic. After his first class, he and Caleigh would meet in the Student Union to enjoy breakfast together. Then it was a class at 10:00 and one at 11:00 and he was done for the day. It also gave him the luxury of having Wednesdays off. The three classes he had were not scheduled that day.

The second full week of classes after starting following Labor Day Monday at Mason, Zach spent some time talking with his professor about an assignment after his final class that Tuesday. In reality, the professor of the civil engineering class was nationally known. Dr. Michael Hillman was pulled out of academia by the US government from 1998 to 2001 to represent them in the design of the new bridge that would span the crossing between Arizona and Nevada at the Hoover Dam. The bridge would replace the old two lane State Road 93 that had many blind curves and literally crossed over the top of the dam. After the 9/11 attacks on the US, the wisdom of building the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge gave the country added security.

Yet once the plan for the bridge was finalized, Dr. Hillman returned to academia, settling in at George Mason. Zach considered himself very blessed and lucky to learn from him. Hillman looked at him. "Zach, that's a helluva of a project to undertake," he said looking at his brightest student. "And it's far above the parameters of the class project for the semester." Zach shrugged and looked at him. Hillman laughed. "I know; you like a challenge."

"What can I say Mike," Zach smiled. "I've learned a lot from you." Zach's cell phone went off in his cargo shorts pocket.

Hillman looked at him. "And I know you well enough that thing doesn't go off when you're in class unless something big is up; answer it."

Zach pulled his cell out and looked at the caller ID. Hillman noticed his immediate concerned look. "Hey Marie; why is this call making my stomach rumble."

Marie, the school nurse, smiled at the other end of the call. "Because you can profile like your dad."

"What happened?" Hillman raised his eyebrows.

"Jack took a fall off the swing he was on after lunch. I tried calling Beth but her cell went to voice mail. I did leave her a message though. But Zach, I think Jack broke his wrist."

"I'm done with classes for the day Marie; I'll be there as soon as I can with traffic."

"Go," Hillman whispered.

"Don't rush Zach," Marie said. "We've got it immobilized and iced down. But I really think he needs to see his doctor."

"I'll make the call as I'm walking to my truck," Zach said. "Marie," he added, "I've gotta ask; which wrist."

Marie smiled. "His right one; the lefty will be fine in his classes."

"I'll get there as soon as I can Marie."

"Zach, please drive safe; this isn't life threatening."

"Yes mother Marie," Zach smiled in his phone, ending the call.

Hillman smiled. "I take it that's the school nurse and you two have talked before."

"More than once," Zach winked gathering up his backpack. "She thinks Jack broke his wrist."

"We'll talk more on Thursday Zach about your idea," Hillman smiled. "Go take care of your brother."

"Thank Mike," Zach smiled, heading out of the classroom.

Walking to his truck, Zach called the medical clinic where Dr. Schmidt, their family practioner worked. "Bring him in when you can," the appointment desk lady said. "Dr. Schmidt will fit him in Zach."

"Thank you," Zach said, reaching his truck in the student parking lot. He got in and sent a quick text to Caleigh before starting his truck and backed out of his parking spot. Just as he was about to pull out onto the street, his cell buzzed. Zach looked at the caller ID and smiled. He hit the speaker button. "Hi Beth."

"Zach, I'm so sorry I missed Marie's call. I was in a huge meeting….."

Zach cut her off. "That I knew about," he smiled. "It's OK Beth. I know you're working on a huge project for your presentation Friday. I can take care of this. I'm just about to pull out of the parking lot to get to the Jack's school. I should be there in less than thirty minutes. And I've already called the clinic; they know we're coming in and Marie knows I'm on the way. She said Jack is fine."

"You two and your dad come first. That's part of being married. You and Caleigh have that pretty much down already." Zach smiled. "I just talked to Marie as well," Beth said. "I'm sorry Zach."

"For what?"

"I couldn't take the call."

Zach shook his head. "Beth, we're Team Hotchner. You've taken a lot of pressure off me. This one just worked out that I'm available. It's all good; trust me."

"What about your dad?"

"He and the team are heads down in their case; don't bother him."

"Really Zach?"

"Trust me Beth, I'm more than sure. Let dad and the team do their job; like Marie told the both of us, this isn't life threatening. We'll handle it together and then tell dad when he calls."

"You sure Zach?"

Zach smiled. "Positive; I'll go to Jack's school and pick him up. With the traffic you have to deal with, just meet us at the clinic. You know where it is?"

Beth exhaled a relaxing breath. "You know your dad; I got the full lay of the land; down to the minute detail."

Zach laughed. "Yup I do; see you there."

"Thanks Zach."

-00CM00-

Zach walked into the school office of McAuliffe Elementary. Shannon Willis, one of the secretaries came out her office. She was the mother of Jeremy Willis that Zach had mentored back in high school as his back-up catcher. "He's in there," she pointed with a smile.

"Thanks Shannon," he smiled back. "Say hi to Willie for me," he added, walking to Marie's office. She nodded with a smile.

Zach strode in a slight knock on the door to see Jack lying on a cot, his right wrist wrapped in ice lying on his stomach. "Hey bro," he smiled, nodding at Marie. "How ya doin'?"

"My stomach is getting cold," Jack frowned. Zach shook his head at Marie with a smile. "The ice is working?"

Marie smiled moving to Jack. "Let's get you sitting up." Jack started to move. "Hold on Jack; you move after I hold that wrist." She got him in a sitting position and looked at Zach.

"I've already called the clinic," he smiled. "They're waiting on us."

"And Beth?"

"She's meeting us there; she's got to get through DC lunch traffic." Zach rubbed Jack's shoulder and sat down next to him. "How are you really doing bro?"

"It hurts."

"Welcome to my world," Zach smiled nudging his shoulder. Jack giggled a bit. "Come on bro, you've got an appointment with Doc Schmidt."

Jack looked at him, brightening a bit. "Doc is going to take care of me?"

Zach winked at Marie and smiled at Jack. "He's waiting on us; let's get rolling."

"Zach, he needs to keep that wrist stable," Marie said.

Zach pulled up the bottom of Jack's t-shirt he was wearing, effectively making a sling for his wrist. "Jack, you hang onto that." Jack took the bottom of the shirt in his left hand.

"That works," Marie smiled.

"What about dad," Jack asked, standing up.

Zach smiled. "Beth is my new co-conspirator; Uncle Dave and Caleigh are off the hook. We don't let him know until he calls us." Marie nodded her approval of the plan with a smile.

Just then Zach's cell buzzed. He pulled it out and looked at it. He winked at Jack. "Hi babe; I'm here with Jack. We're about to head to the doctor's office. Beth is meeting us there," he said as he and Marie got Jack into the main office area.

"Keep me in the loop Zach," Caleigh said.

"I'll try and let you know before you start practice."

"Zach, put me on speaker please." Zach pushed the button on his cell. "Love ya little brother."

"Thanks Caleigh; love you too."

"Cal, we've gotta head out."

"Love ya both," Caleigh said, ending the call.

Shannon rubbed his bicep. "I saw you two in church on Sunday with all of your friends," she smiled. "Congratulations; Randy and I couldn't get to you two before you left."

"Yeah, they sorta got swamped," Jack said. "Can we go now? I'm the one in pain."

Shannon laughed, handing Zach Jack's bookbag. "Ms. Hurst said to email her if you want Jack's assignments if he needs to be off tomorrow."

Zach winked and laughed. "Perfect," he smiled. "I'm off from school tomorrow. Thanks Shannon."

Marie walked out with them to Zach's truck. Zach opened the passenger door of the truck, put Jack in his arms and got him in the front seat. He buckled the seatbelt around his shoulder and pointed at the armrest in the door. "When I shut the door, you put your arm there."

"Got it," Jack said. "I can ride up front with you?"

Zach smiled at him. "You're getting big enough now and a hurting wrist pushes that."

"At least one good thing happened today," Jack responded.

Marie looked at Zach. "Call me with an update please; no matter the time."

Zach rubbed her shoulder. "You got it; thank you. Again," he smiled.

"I'm here to support you Zach and your family," she smiled. "Why I love my job. And deeply support the job your dad does."

"You're the best," Zach smiled, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. He walked around the back of his truck and got in.

Zach waved at Marie as he pulled away from the school.

###

A/N: While Dr. Michael Hillman is a fictional character of my own making, the project of the bridge span over the Hoover Dam is not. It is now one of the world's tallest concrete arch bridge spans. Please Google the Wiki article. That is where, as usual, I got my facts I used in this chapter.

And btw: the Packers beat the Seahawks! #GoPackGo!