Title: Discovery

Author: scgirl_317,

Characters: Vin Tanner, Martin Fitzgerald

Genre: Drama, crossover

Summary: ATF/Without a Trace crossover. While Danny takes Elena to Denver for a ski trip, Ezra goes to New York to visit Maude. But what happens when Danny meets Vin and Ezra meets Martin?

A/N: Thanks to PJ in NH and Toni for help beta reading this fic. Their feedback was invaluable!

A/N2: Section breaks are indicated by the italicized location/time "stamps."

A/N3: This story was originally posted on Blackraptor (it's still there), but I realized that a lost of people probably don't pay any attention to the notes I leave on my profile, and that my readers here haven't seen it. With that in mind, I decided to double-post it. I know that's generally frowned upon; I hope I will be forgiven.

New York City

Federal Building

Manhattan

10:45 a.m. EST

"Try not to have too much fun," Jack Malone said with a hint of a smirk. "We do need you back, eventually."

"Don't worry," Danny Taylor insisted. "We'll be back in a week."

"Sophie's in a play at school next weekend and she made Danny promise he'd be there," Elena Delgado smiled at her boss. Her daughter had Danny wrapped around her little finger.

The two were taking some much needed R&R time and Danny insisted on introducing her to the best skiing locales in the country. Their flight for Denver left in a couple hours, and they decided to stop by the office for one last farewell after dropping Sophie off at Elena's mother's apartment.

"Don't let him get into too much trouble out there, unsupervised," Martin Fitzgerald said, taking a jab at his partner.

Danny's only response was to snort indignantly.

"If you children are quite through," interrupted Vivian Johnson, "I believe they have a plane to catch."

One last round of goodbyes and Danny and Elena were on their way to Denver, Colorado via American Airlines Flight 317 out of LaGuardia.

Denver, Colorado

Denver International Airport

12 noon MST

"I thank you for the ride, Mr. Sanchez," said Ezra Standish, getting out of his teammate's ancient Suburban.

"It's no problem, Ezra," replied Josiah. "Are you sure you don't want some company?"

Ezra grabbed his carry-on and garment bag from Josiah's backseat. The former was on his way to visit his mother in New York, the latest of Maude Standish's residences. It was a visit he wasn't looking forward to.

"No, thank you," the undercover agent said. "A visit with Maude is best prepared for in solitude, but I appreciate the offer."

"You know to call us if you need anything."

"That I do, Josiah. Please be sure the remainder of our companions refrain from igniting the wrath of our auspicious leader."

Josiah chuckled, "Don't worry, Ezra. I'll make sure Chris doesn't kill them."

Ezra gave the profiler a two-fingered salute before closing the car door and turned for the airport entrance. Josiah shook his head as Ezra slung the garment bag over his shoulder and sauntered up to the ticket counter, no doubt confirming his first-class seat. With one last chuckle at the fancy southerner, Josiah shifted the SUV into gear and headed to the office.

As Ezra headed for the concourse, he accidentally bumped into a Hispanic gentleman and his girlfriend headed for the baggage claim area.

"Excuse me, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," he said reaching for the lady's dropped bag.

"It's no problem," she responded with a smile.

He tipped an imaginary hat to the couple and continued on.

Day 1

New York City

Federal Building

Manhattan

3:45 p.m. EST

Martin had just finished his paperwork for their latest case when he heard a voice that sent chills down his spine. He wouldn't let anyone know it, but Victor Fitzgerald scared the crap out of him. It wasn't just his intimidating nature, but there was an underlying shadow which had no scruples when it came to removing those who opposed him. Martin wasn't naïve; he knew there was more to the deputy director's rise to power than met the eye. He had seen glimpses of it in just his first year in the Missing Persons' Unit, in both "Bull" Carver's case and the OPR investigation of Anwar Samir's case.

"Martin."

Martin inwardly flinched as he looked up to face his father.

"Dad," he said, staying in his chair. He wouldn't pay Victor the dignity of rising to greet him.

"Your mother and I are in town for a few days. I have some business here to take care of. We're having dinner at Le Bon Vie. We'll see you there at eight." With that, Victor turned and walked off.

"Doesn't leave much room for argument, does he?" Samantha Spade said, coming over to Martin. Things had gotten better between them over the past few months, especially since he had come to terms with his drug problem.

"No, he doesn't."

"Want some moral support?" she offered.

He shot her a surprised look. "I'd never subject you to that, even on our worst day."

"If you're sure."

"I'm sure," Martin smiled. "Besides, the unit can only afford to lose one agent to the fire from on high. I'll be fine."

Le Bon Vie

Manhattan

7:45 p.m. EST

Ezra followed the maître d' to Maude's table, noting the absence of said mother. He sipped his bourbon while watching the door. It was almost eight o'clock when he saw Victor Fitzgerald walk in with a woman he presumed to be the Deputy Director's wife. Ezra quickly looked away, not wanting to be seen by his former superior, considering that the last time the two had encountered each other, it had ended on less than friendly terms.

Ezra spotted Maude as soon as she walked in, but the man entering behind her was the one who caught his eye. He shook his head to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Dread was his first reaction; 'Good lord, there are two of them!' was his first thought. But he studied the young gentleman and noticed that there were subtle differences: less muscle, shorter hair, etc. His eyes followed him to Victor Fitzgerald's table, where he joined the couple.

By then, Maude had reached him. If she noticed his distraction, she didn't react to it.

"Ezra, dear," Maude greeted.

"Mother."

Ezra managed to be civil during dinner, listening to tales of Maude's latest divorce. Before he knew it, two hours had passed, and Ezra jumped at the opportunity to leave.

"If you'll excuse me, Mother, I'll head back to my hotel," he said, rising. "I assume we're still on for breakfast?"

"Of course, dear," she replied in her soft southern drawl. "I'll see you in the mornin'."

Ezra made his escape just as the young man from the Fitzgerald table made his own. As they waited at the valet stand for their cars, Ezra started up a conversation.

"It appears to me that your meal was about as enjoyable as my own," he said, tugging on his sleeve.

"You have no idea," the young man grimaced.

"Actually, I may have a better one than you think," Ezra countered. "My own mother is not so different from the illustrious Victor Fitzgerald."

"You know my dad?" the younger Fitzgerald asked, finally looking at Ezra.

"I worked for the FBI until about three years ago. I've had my fair share of run-ins with the Deputy Director. I pity your misfortune at being his son."

"Yeah, he's kinda hard to forget," he agreed. "Martin Fitzgerald, FBI Missing Persons Unit."

"Ezra Standish, Denver ATF," Ezra introduced himself, taking the other man's offered hand. "Perhaps we can meet later to commiserate our ill-fated lineages?" Ezra simply wanted to get to know this Vin Tanner look-alike he had stumbled upon.

"Sure," Martin agreed. "There's this little deli near the Federal Building that some of us go to for lunch. Why don't you stop by the office about eleven thirty and we can head over from there?"

"That sounds like an ideal plan. It will give me ample reason to bow out of breakfast. Mother can be a bit long-winded. Here's my card, in case something comes up," Ezra said, handing Martin a card with his number on it.

"Wow," said Martin, admiring the embossed lettering. "I don't have anything this fancy, but here's my number in case you need it."

Ezra took down Martin's number, already thinking of ways to get information out of him the next day.