A/N: I promise all of you I will not whine about writing this one. I've had it on my "to write" list for over two years. There will be no struggling.

This story takes up just after my story The Next Step. Sorry it's late.

*looks at FF monitors* I really have to do this? Damn. All rights to the Criminal Minds characters belong to the low lives at Mark Gordon Studios, CBS and ABC Studios. *blows large raspberry and hoists certain finger*

Chapter 1

Jack and Lexie came into the duplex after enjoying a short afternoon romp in the backyard when they all got home. The Georgia heat cut it off after five minutes. Lexie immediately found her water bowl and Caleigh handed Jack a bottle of cold water from the fridge. She ran cold water over the dish rag in the sink and wiped down Jack's sweaty head.

Jack gulped down some water and smiled at her. "Thanks sis."

"Any time bud," Caleigh smiled back.

Zach walked into the kitchen. "You sure about this old school training instead of using the kennel," he asked looking at Caleigh.

"Zach, I can't put her into a kennel anytime I need to run off. That's not fair. I'll bite the bullet to train her, the old school way to be good around here and use the kennel when I really need it. I know that will have some major bumps." Zach looked at her. "I'm in; you?"

Zach kissed her. "You know I'll back any call you make." Caleigh hugged him. "Just shut all the bathroom doors before you head out. I've heard Uncle Dave's stories about Mudg being a pup and toilet rolls."

Jack giggled. "Me too," he smiled.

Zach looked at him. "You remember them?" Jack nodded with a smile. "You had to be two back then?"

Jack shrugged. "I'm good; what can I say," he cheekily smiled. Zach pushed his head with a smile. "Or maybe me just remembering you and dad laughing at the story," he smiled. "Back then, I loved to hear dad laugh."

Zach rubbed his head. "You're right. Back then it was good to hear dad laugh." Jack smiled at him, drinking more of his water.

"Duly noted," Caleigh smiled, cooling down Jack again.

Lexie came into the kitchen to snake around their legs. Zach gave her a major dose of love. Just then a car horn honked, pulling into the driveway. Lexie loudly barked. Zach looked at Caleigh and Jack and smiled. "Definitely Mudg bloodlines."

Caleigh smiled at him and rubbed his arm to head to the door to greet her family.

They had a wonderful weekend together with Zach having two great games. And Lexie became easily house trained for bathroom breaks. Following Caleigh's plan, it took only one accident. Caleigh and her family enjoyed the time together as Jack was the batboy for the Gwinnet Braves. The team was in the clubhouse after their victory Saturday night with Zach hitting a walk off home run to win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. John Moses came out of his office and waved Zach into it.

Zach walked in. "What's up Skipper," he asked, reaching for the office door.

Moses smiled. "You don't need to close it Cob." Zach looked at him. "You've caught every game since you've got here. You need a break. You're off tomorrow. Tyler is catching tomorrow." Moses came around the desk. He looked at Zach and deeply smiled. "And I know Jack is leaving tomorrow with Caleigh's family." Moses put his hand on Zach's shoulder and pushed him out of his office. "You don't have to be here so early," he smiled.

"Thanks Skip," Zach smiled.

They entered the lockerroom and Moses whistled. "Listen up guys!" The team all looked at him. "This is the last game we'll have with our awesome batboy Jack Hotchner. He's heading home tomorrow." Moses looked around. "A little thing called back to school," he smiled. "Which we support." The team all nodded.

Moses noticed Jack had his uniform shirt off. "Jack, front and center," he smiled. "And bring that uni top." Jack walked up to him with his uniform shirt. Moses pulled out a black marker and wrote a message on the back of Jack's uniform, signing his name. Moses looked at his team. "Anyone else want to join me," he smiled.

The team gathered around Jack to sign his uniform shirt and say good-bye to him.

The good-bye for Jack the next morning after church and a family visit to Rose's Diner was worse. Caleigh had Lexie in her shoulder harness and on her leash. Jack hugged Lexie. "I'm gonna miss you girl." Jack never had bought into Caleigh and Dave's tough love training. She had slept with him the last two nights on the pull out couch so Rachel and Tom could sleep in the downstairs bedroom.

Zach gently rubbed his shoulder. "And something Caleigh and I won't miss bro. You made Caleigh's job tougher."

Jack threw his arms around Zach. "I know; I'm sorry Zach. And I know after the game today, you gotta leave for Charlotte. But she's just a pup and this all hurts so bad….." Jack broke down and started to cry.

Zach pulled him into his arms and held him close to his chest. "I know bro," he smiled, as Rachel wrapped her arm around Caleigh, already wiping tears. "You've been my rock around here, being with Caleigh when I've been gone. I can't thank you enough for that. You've stepped up way big brother."

Jack pulled back in Zach's arms and looked at him. "I had a good role model," he smiled, wiping away tears. "You did it after mom died." Zach deeply hugged him. Tom rubbed Caleb's shoulder as Caleb wiped away tear. "And why you got Lexie for Caleigh," Jack smiled, still in his brother's strong arms.

"Yupppp," Zach smiled.

Jack threw his arms around Zach's neck and tightly hugged him. "I'm gonna miss you so much Z-man."

Zach hugged him back. "I'm gonna miss you JP," Zach whispered in his ear.

Caleigh rubbed Jack's back. Zach set Jack down on his feet so he could hug Caleigh as Zach took Lexie's leash. "I love you sis."

"I've loved our time together too Jack," Caleigh said. "But your dad and Beth are missing you so much."

Jack pulled away and wiped his tears. He softly smiled. "I miss them." Caleigh kissed him.

Zach pulled Jack into his arms and hugged him again. "See ya soon bro; be good for Rachel and Tom on the drive home JP."

Jack nearly choked Zach with his hug. "I promise Z-man."

Zach set him down on his feet again and said good-bye to Tom, Rachel and Caleb. Jack hugged Caleigh again and said his final good-bye to Lexie. The four of them headed to Tom's car.

Rachel smiled at the couple. "I'll keep you two in the loop," she winked.

Zach and Caleigh waved at them as Tom pulled the car out of the driveway. Lexie barked a good-bye.

Zach pulled Caleigh and Lexie into the house. "I'm next; I may not be catching today. But we leave after the game for Charlotte." He hugged Caleigh. "You OK?"

Caleigh kissed him. "Zach, how many times do I have to tell you? When I committed to our relationship, I knew what I was getting into. You were drop dead honest with me." She looked him in the eye. "You don't want to know the talk I got from mom and dad."

Zach smiled at her. "And you stuck with me anyway?"

Caleigh laughed and kissed him. "Yuppp," she smiled.

"Babe…."

Caleigh smiled and deeply kissed him. "You go; I've got the fort." She looked at Lexie. "And a project."

Zach kissed her. "I think I should marry you."

Caleigh laughed.

-00CM00-

Zach climbed into bed with Caleigh around four Thursday morning. She rolled over and looked at him in the dark. "Where's Lexie?"

"On her bed where she's supposed to be," he smiled at her in the darkness, kissing her and pulling her close. "I'm in on your plan. We played a bit and then I told her to stay put. She laid back down."

"Did you sleep on the bus?"

"I conked out. And Cal, it's raining outside. And it's supposed to get worse. We might be looking at rainout game later tonight."

Caleigh rolled on her side in his arms and smiled at him. "Good. I'll have breakfast for you around ten. And then we need to talk."

"Cal?"

She smiled. "A good talk; moving forward with our future."

Zach kissed her. "Can't wait," he smiled. Caleigh rolled back on her side in Zach's arms and they both fell asleep.

-00CM00-

Someone was in his office in the upper tier of the BAU when his desk phone rang. "David Rossi," he answered.

"Uncle Dave, if dad is in there do not give away that it's me calling."

Dave smiled. "Zach, he's heads down in reports like me and the rest of the team."

"He texted me you all finally cleaned up the escapees mess and took care of Peter Lewis. Thanks for having dad's back and blowing his brains out."

Dave smiled again. "I back my partner and my team. What's on your mind?"

Zach pushed in a bite of waffles. "Sorry Uncle Dave; I slept in a bit and eating my breakfast." Dave smiled. "Caleigh is sending you a file as we speak. Please look it over and email us back with any pertinent questions you think we should ask. We're meeting the realtor at the house at four. Jose is flying down to be here as well."

Dave opened his email. "Your dad said you had a game tonight?"

"Already officially rained out; doubleheader tomorrow for the make-up game."

Dave opened the file Caleigh sent and read a bit. "Zach, I can tell you my first question."

"I got that one Uncle Dave. We get it's a spec home the developer put up and then the real estate market went to hell. But why has this house sat vacant for nearly seven years and no one wants it?

"Good man Zach," Dave distantly said, reading more. "Damn, the price is right."

"That's what I told Jose."

"Zach, let me read some more, touch on a few of my contacts and then email you two back."

"Thanks Uncle Dave," Zach smiled into his phone, winking at Caleigh.

"Call me back after you go through the house."

"You got it Uncle Dave. Thank you; love you."

Dave smiled. "I sorta love you two. Talk to you later Zach." He hung up the phone, read more, and then rumbled through his desktop file of business cards. He picked up the phone and dialed.

-00CM00-

Caleigh and Zach "Lexie proofed" the duplex and headed out to meet the realtor. Caleigh's phone pinged with a text. She opened it. "Uncle Dave's questions," she smiled.

Her cell rang. "Speaking of the devil," she smiled, answering the call. "Hi Uncle Dave!"

"Hi sweetheart," he smiled into his office phone. "Put me on speaker."

Caleigh laughed. "Way ahead of you."

"I've talked to my contacts down there. They've all told me the same thing. Lisa Barton is the most reputable realtor in the Atlanta area. You can trust her. But ask my questions. All of them."

Caleigh looked over his text. "I've got it Uncle Dave. We're going to get there early so we can go over them before she gets here."

"Zach, since you called me, you know I'm going to meddle. Jose and I have talked. He's about ten minutes behind you. Do not make any hint of making a bid on the house until you talk to him. Hell, show as little interest as you can."

Zach laughed. "Gee, there's a news flash. But what are you really telling us?"

"Zach, the place is a steal. Barton and the developer are married. That obviously set off some things with me. But that could have scared off a lot of prospective buyers. I had one of my contacts in the area do some deep digging. They're very legit and have had the place inspected every month for bugs and rodents. For seven years. Do you hear that Zach."

Zach smiled. "They want out of those expenses."

Dave smiled. "You got it kid. And the house passed Lawrenceville city inspections when it was built with flying colors. To quote their report 'most up to date code home we've seen'. You two ask your questions. But damnit, you follow Jose's lead. That's why he's making the big bucks. You make your agent work for you."

"Got it Uncle Dave. Tell Garcia thank you," Zach winked at Caleigh.

"Zach," Dave growled. "I love her as much as you. But with something like this, she's the last person I'd call. Your dad would know in thirty seconds."

Zach smiled. "Thanks Uncle Dave. You're our rock as usual. But dad and I talked last night."

"Love you Uncle Dave," Caleigh said.

"Thanks again Uncle Dave," Zach said. "We're just pulling up to house." He looked in his rearview mirror. "And Jose is right behind us."

"We've compared notes Zach," Dave said. "Listen to him."

"Yes Uncle Dave," Zach smiled.

"Call me later."

The kids toured the four bedroom two story home with a full basement underneath it with Jose. Barton played the solid construction the home featured. The kitchen was fully equipped. "The original appliances that were put in were pulled out last month and replaced with newer models." Zach eyed Jose.

"So why hasn't this house sold," Caleigh asked.

"We've had many prospects. But it always comes down to the same two things. One - they don't like the remote location at the end of the development with no other houses on the block. Or their finances didn't go through," Barton said.

Zach looked at Jose. He deeply eyed Zach back.

-00CM00-

After defeating the Norfolk Hawks the last day of August, Zach came out of the shower to Minnie already dressed. "Skip wants to see us," Andy said. Zach pulled off his towel around his waistline, tossed it into the nearest laundry hamper and hastily pulled on his boxers, sports shorts and grabbed his t-shirt. The two headed to Moses' office.

"You wanted to see us Skip," Zach asked.

Moses smiled. "Welcome to the bigs boys. Shut the door and sit down," he pointed at the two chairs in front of his desk. "I've got to give you the lay of the land for your arrival at the Ted."

Zach and Andy looked at each other. Walking back into the lockerroom after talking with Moses, they both accepted the heartfelt congratulations from their teammates.

Finally getting to their lockers, they both reached for their cellphones and turned them on. Zach's pinged with a message from Caleigh. Get home soon, he read. I've got news.

Zach texted back. So do I, adding smiley face emoji's.

Thirty minutes later, Zach walked into the duplex from the garage. Caleigh was waiting for him with a huge smile. "Let me guess," Zach smiled back. "Our loan, with Kelly's help got approved by the bank and they accepted our bid on the house."

"Yup," Caleigh smiled. She raced into his arms. Zach scooped her up and Caleigh wrapped her legs around him. Lexie happily barked. "And the two lots on the block. We've got our privacy."

"That's fantastic babe," Zach smiled kissing her.

Caleigh looked at him. "Let me guess your news," she smiled, still wrapped around him. "You have to be in Atlanta tomorrow on business," she smiled.

Zach beamed. "Yup babe, I'm in the bigs. And it's an afternoon game. With heading to Philly after it."

Caleigh smiled at him. "I guess the party is off tonight."

Zach kissed her. "Yuppppp." He looked at her. "But we gotta let someone know," he smiled.

David Rossi, sound asleep, woke up to two texts while the kids were talking to their parents.

###

A/N: The "Ted" is Turner Field where the Atlanta Braves currently play. It's named after the past owner of the Braves, Ted Turner.