Code Red

Jack had just got home to change his overnight bag and stock the fridge up to make sure his dad ate. He knew if someone wasn't keeping an eye on him he wouldn't eat. He just couldn't bear the memories and reminders of his baby brother.

It was all his fault! If only he'd been watching his brother instead of having a sneaky fag with his friends he'd never have been taken. He'd never forget how he'd told him to go away. If only he'd known it would be the last time they'd see Toby alive.

As soon as he stepped into the family home a feeling of foreboding had come over him and his chest tightened. "Dad," he called. "Dad, are you home? Uncle Dave told me you were due home yesterday."

There was no answer so he searched the house. He stopped when he saw a note on the kitchen table. No, it couldn't be! He couldn't have done!

He picked the note up fearfully and read it. His eyes widened in alarm as he read:

'Jack, I'm sorry you deserve better than this. You deserve more than a hollow shell as a father. It's clear now your stepmother's never coming back. I can't carry on like this. I love you, son, and I am so proud of you but please don't stop me from joining your brother. Love dad.'

No, no, he wasn't going to take this! He had to save his dad no matter what he said! Why was he so stupid and selfish to have left him when he needed him? If he died there would be another death on his conscience. It was all his fault! He should have helped him over his brother's death but he'd only been fifteen when he died.

It was time to grow up and stop running. His father's life was at stake. He still thought of him as his hero even when he didn't come home with his kid brother. He'd at least tried to save him and had killed his killer. The only thing he hadn't respected was when he'd refused to grieve and started shutting him and Emily out.

When Emily ran off he was all his dad had and he took that from him like a selfish fifteen year old that could only see his pain. He'd left him to wallow in his grief and guilt. This was all his fault that he'd allowed his dad to live like this.

He called the only person he knew could help him save his dad.

"Rossi speaking," he picked up.

"Uncle Dave, it's me," Jack answered worried.

Sensing the fear and worry in his voice he asked, "What is it?"

"Dad's missing..."

"What?" he answered worried about his best friend. He hadn't been himself since they'd lost his little boy on a case.

"I came home and he was gone..." He gulped and added, "He left a suicide note."

"I'll be right over."

"Please hurry."

"We'll find him."

He hung up and rushed to the house to help the boy save his father.

As soon as he arrived at the house Jack gave him Aaron's suicide note. He went over it trying to keep his composure. He should have insisted he'd move in with him. That way he could have kept an eye on him and that way they could have taken him away from the reminders of his dead son.

"Is there anywhere he and Toby used to love going together?" he asked knowing he'd probably have attempted somewhere that meant something to him and Toby. He'd said he wanted to join Toby.

"Anacostia River," he answered looking down trying to bite back the pain. "They used to play Pooh sticks together."

They jumped into Rossi's car and he drove them to the river. When they arrived they both jumped out and Jack ran to the bridge while Rossi ran after him. They looked around but couldn't see any sign of Hotch apart from a smashed phone on the middle of the bridge.

Jack ran to it and picked it up. It was the latest blackberry; the same model as his dad had. He put it back together and switched it on. There on the screen was a picture of himself and his kid brother in happier times. He felt a lump form in his throat as he saw it.

"Its dad's phone," he said to the older man. He saw him looking at the trees intently. "What have you found?" he asked concerned.

"First of all there's these tire tracks here," he answered crouching down by the skid marks beside the river. Jack nodded and then Dave got up and pointed to the tree. "And there's a security camera."

"Do you think they'll let us see the footage?" he asked concerned.

"With this they will," he answered flashing his badge.

Jack smiled slightly and followed him to the security office. He flashed his badge so they'd let them in telling them Jack was with him.

Once in there they were shown the footage. Their chests tightened as they saw him drown then be saved only to be kidnapped. Someone had taken his father he thought and they had no idea where he'd been taken or what he was going to do. They had to save him as soon as possible.

Rossi called in the team to meet him at the BAU in ten minutes. After doing so he patted the young man's arm and said, "We'll find him, kiddo, we'll find him."

He nodded and they got back into his car. They drove to the BAU making a quick stop to pick up Jack's laptop. He'd insisted he needed it. He was the only one who could contact her. He was the only one she'd got back in touch with. His father needed her now more than ever.

When they reached the BAU the team gathered in the conference room while he was left in his father's office. He looked around smiling sadly. It reminded him so much of the man his dad was before all this happened.