A/N: I know I'm sorta on a Zach roll; my muse still isn't co-operating the best. But these latest stories keep that storyline up to date with the calendar. So I'm running with it right now.

As you read through the chapters, you'll understand more what is happening. For my international readers, I sincerely hope my A/N's explain what is going on. If they don't, please feel free to drop me a PM if you have any questions.

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

*Knightly bow*

Chapter 1

The Patriots of George Mason once again won the Atlantic-10 Conference title the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. On the next day, they received the number one seed, not only in the East Regional, but as the top overall team in the College World Series that would begin the following weekend. Being a number one seed, the Patriots earned a well-deserved bye through the first part of the sub-regional bracket.

Memorial Day Monday was spent doing the usual. Aaron, Beth, Jack, Zach and Caleigh visited Haley and then Erin Strauss. A single red rose layed across Erin's grave. Jack looked at them with Haley's soft smile. "Uncle Dave has already been here." The four smiled at him. Beth rubbed Jack's neck.

"I think I know where we might meet up with him," Aaron smiled. Zach and Caleigh gave Jack a knowing smile as well.

"Then let's get there," Jack said.

Sure enough, the five of them joined Dave in Arlington as he visited Harrison Scott. Zach wrapped his long arm around Dave's shoulder. "I miss him so much."

Dave put his arm around Zach and rubbed his back. "Me too Zach," he smiled.

"So do I," Jack added, nestled up to Caleigh. "And even though I don't have Uncle Harry's dogtags anymore, I know he's still watching over us when you go out on a case," he smiled at his dad. Zach winked at Dave.

"So do I Jack," Beth smiled.

-00CM00-

The fruit salad made for Dave's annual Memorial Day picnic for the team, Aaron was rough housing with the boys in the pool. Caleigh and Beth were in the kitchen talking wedding plans. Dave was puttering around the patio, watering the flowers already in his swim trunks yet still wearing one of his expensive white t-shirts. Taking a breather with his elbows on the pool apron, Zach nodded at Dave to his dad with a smile. "We finally got him into the sport flip flops the rest of us wear?"

"There's a win," Jack smiled.

Aaron shook his head. "Never thought I'd see the day." Jack giggled.

"Hey old man," Zach said. "What's up with the footwear? Ya goin' down in your social standing?" Jack giggled more.

Dave flipped him off continuing to water the hanging plants. The three Hotchner men roared with laughter. Zach pulled himself out of the pool with his muscular arms and headed to Dave's garage. He came back out with a can of beer in a cooler cup and opened it, taking a swig. Aaron eyed him.

Zach smiled. "Dad, what time did I get home Saturday night after we won the A-10 tourney?"

"About three hours after we did."

"It takes the team an hour and a half to get on the bus after a game. Then an hour bus ride back to the campus. All of us seniors stopped at Gabe's; I had one beer and headed home. I wanted to go to church yesterday morning. Tonight is my night to celebrate."

Aaron smiled. "Caleigh got your truck keys?"

"You know better dad," Zach smiled back.

"Give it a good home son," Aaron smiled. Zach took another sip.

Beth came out onto the patio with Caleigh and looked at her. "Yes, I'm sober cab tonight," Caleigh smiled. "We both can sleep in tomorrow with no classes."

-00CM0-

Being the number one seed, the Regional Finals were held at the Patriots home field. The Patriots polished off Utah State, punching their ticket to Omaha and the College World Series on Saturday. Walking to their vehicles in the parking lot, Dave looked around at the Hotchner and Graystone families and then his watch. He shook his head. "It's too late to put a meal together."

Jack burrowed the Hotchner glare into his uncle. "What did you tell me one time? It's never too late for Sal's Pizza."

Tom Graystone looked at Rossi. "Busted Dave," he smiled, rubbing Jack's shoulder. Caleb and Jack shared a high five. Tom looked at Dave. "Which we all pitch in on to pay for," he waged his index finger at Dave. Dave smiled back. They discussed what they wanted around the vehicles.

Jack looked at Caleb. "You like Hawaiian? Really?" Caleb smiled. "With the pineapple?" Caleb smiled more. "Dude, you're just totally off." The rest laughed and settled on their order.

Beth pulled out her cellphone and punched a button. Caleb looked at her. "You've got Sal's on speed dial?"

Beth nodded with a smile as she said, "Hey Sal! It's Beth Hotchner. I need to place a delivery order to Aaron's and my home for about an hour and half from now."

"Perfect Beth," Sal smiled. "We're swamped right now" Beth gave Sal the order. "Sounds like a celebration," he smiled.

"Yes Sal, we're going to Omaha; and celebrating Zach's birthday."

A little over an hour later, Zach and Caleigh joined the group in the backyard, coming out of the garage with their own beers. Mike looked at his sister. "You don't look happy."

Caleigh shook her head. "I'm not: Zach and I had an argument on the way here." She looked at Mike. "How many arguments do I like to lose big brother?"

"Exactly zero," Mike smiled, giving her a kiss. Mike looked at Zach. "And you're not proclaiming victory?"

Zach shook his head. "I like sleeping in my own bed." The group laughed. Zach looked at them. "The argument was about this: something Pete and I have both discussed at length."

Dave looked at Zach and immediately profiled it was important. "What is it Zach?"

"While we both absolutely loved all of you being out in Omaha last year for the whole CWS supporting us," he said, "we understand the financial part of that. Twelve days of hotel rooms and food caused a serious dent. Not to mention vacation time." He looked all of them in the eye. "We don't want you to do that this year. If, hopefully and God willing, we make the semi-finals, just come out then."

"Zach," Aaron said.

Zach shook his head. "No dad; Pete and I are adamant about this. We realized the strain it put on Caleigh and Lisa's bank accounts; and how hard they worked to get it built back up. Even with Dave letting them bunk in his suite. We deeply and truly appreciate the support; but please, don't do it again." He looked at his dad. "How much vacation time did Uncle Sean burn up?" Aaron looked at him. "I know; almost all of it. He's got Kim in his life now; I don't want him to burn that all up; they need some time for them." He looked at the rest of the group. "And I won't do that to Caleigh. Pete is just simply looking at him and Lisa's budget."

Aaron opened his mouth to argue with his son. "Aaron," Dave said, "don't argue with him," he gently smiled. "He's got a point." He looked at him with a smile. "Think of the kids."

Tom looked at Dave. "Honestly, we'd all love to come out there and be a part of that experience. But we can't afford twelve days. Not with what is coming after that. And a wedding."

"I don't have that kind of vacation time or money either even bunking in with Bub in mom and dad's room," Mike added with a smile. He looked at Caleigh. "Sorry sis; I have bro's back on this one." Caleigh stuck her tongue out at him. That relieved the tension of the moment and made everyone laugh.

"But I want to see all the games," Jack angrily said.

Zach smiled. "I know you do bro; the joys of being a senior and co-captain." Jack eyed him. "I talked with the Skipper. You are our batboy for the series," he smiled. "I need to get you on campus tomorrow to get you fitted for a uniform. You can travel with the team and bunk in with me and Pete."

"Really Zach?"

Zach beamed. "Yup; Skipper's oldest son Micah is also going to be involved. But you're gonna have to be his mentor. You've got the experience doing it for the Cardinals in high school and the Pirates." Jack widely smiled.

Dave looked at Zach. "Kid, I've got your back. I'll talk dad down."

"Thanks Uncle Dave," Zach smiled.

Dave pulled Caleigh to him. "Sorry luvs," he said, kissing her cheek. "You win some, you lose some."

Caleigh accepted his hug and then looked at him, kissing his cheek. "Something you have a little experience in?"

Dave shook his head with a smile. "Carolyn and I could go toe to toe. Hayden's head was her way or the highway. But my dear," he said, kissing her cheek, "you never got the pleasure and I use the term very loosely of arguing with Erin."

Caleigh kissed him back. "From what I've learned, something I'm eternally grateful for," she smiled. Zach rolled his eyes at his dad. Aaron proudly smiled at his oldest son that did go toe to toe with Erin Strauss. And won.

###

A/N: Hiya! The Atlantic-10 Conference is the college "league" that the Patriots play the majority of their games in. I know it's confusing for my international peeps. College teams play their "regular season" games in a specific conference. And it doesn't go specifically to general area.

The NCAA baseball tournament has four regionals to get to the College World Series in Omaha: East, West, Midwest and South. They also rank the teams for the entire bracket. Which means Mason is the team to beat being the #1 seed.

A "cooler cup" is a cloth type holder that holds a cold aluminum can of beverage making it the cold can easier to hold while also keeping the beverage a bit colder.

"Give it a good home" is wishing the person drinking the beverage to enjoy it.

Reminder – the Pirates are the town team that Zach and Pete played on during the summer after the college season was over the past three summers. And y'all know I could have made that a quiz question. I'm feeling generous. :D

Hurricanhorse – the check is in the mail? MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA