Note: Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays! Thank you for the kind feedback on my last chapter to Hero 76, Caranath, sm2003495, Erin Jordan, Paulina Ann, Candylou, max 2013, Guest, BeeBee 18, and BMSH. You all are sincerely appreciated! I decided to post a day early since the company has left and I have some down time. To those who celebrate, Merry Christmas!

Stay by my Side

Chapter 6

Frank gathered with a small group of officers and agents and watched as the camera was snaked through the ventilation system in the toy store. The images were revealing only dirt and confusion as the FBI tech agent moved with his small team, following the building plans. It was painstakingly slow.

"It's the best way," Fenton assured him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "We have to be patient."

Frank nodded and turned to his dad. "Easier said than done," Frank replied in a soft voice. He tried to remain focused and professional, but it was hard.

Fenton motioned him away from the screen, and he followed surreptitiously off to a corner. As soon as they were out of view, Frank found himself pulled into his father's arms. To his horror, he found himself taking shaky breaths; felt his eyes filled with tears fighting to spill over. He knew he was trembling, felt ashamed. Still, he held onto his father.

"Listen to me," Fenton told him gently as he rubbed his back. "Your brother is very smart; he is resourceful. And he loves JJ like he loves Evan. Please have faith in him."

Frank nodded, unable to speak.

Fenton seemed to sense Frank's discomfort, and sighed inwardly. Frank was always so strong and he tried never to burden anyone with his issues. Rarely did he let his insecurities show, so Fenton knew how deeply everything was affecting him now.

Frank was brave, strong, incredibly smart; he liked letting others have the spotlight and shine; had always bolstered Joe up and loved watching him thrive. For as much credit as Joe always got for being so loving and fun and easy going, Frank was just as kind and generous in his own way; a genuinely sweet person. The only things that ever hurt him were when his family was in danger. And Frank loved no one more than his children, Callie, and Joe. Fenton knew how scared Frank was and all he could do was try to comfort him.

"I know," Frank choked out at last. "I feel helpless."

"You've been great so far," Fenton assured him. "You found the old doorway; you helped the FBI narrow down the entrance to the vents for the camera. You need to breathe, Frank. Your brother and son need you."

Frank pulled away from his father and looked at him through watery eyes. "Thanks, Dad."

Fenton smiled and rubbed his shoulder. "Frank, I get it. That's my son and grandson in there. We need to make sure they're safe. Think. You know Joe better than anyone here. Think like him; that's how you'll help him, and only you can do it."

Frank breathed deeply and nodded.

"I love you, son. I'm right by your side; don't forget that. Now, text your wife; I'll call mom and Vanessa. Then it's back to work."

"I love you too, dad," Frank answered. "You're right. I know what to do. Thank you."

When his father turned away, Frank took a few minutes to collect himself. His dad was right, absolutely. Already, he had been forming a long shot plan, and it was ridiculous and truly almost stupid; but he knew that Joe would understand it, and so it just might work.

He took out his phone and texted Callie quickly. All okay so far. Stay strong. I love you and Laur so much. Say a lot of prayers. Will be in touch.

Then, although he knew Joe wouldn't get it, he sent him a text as well. I trust no one more with JJ than you. I'm here, Joe, by your side always. Know that. I love you. He hit "send" and asked the universe to deliver the message.

When he returned to the distant table where the camera monitoring was going on, he saw the same old thing. Then… the screen shook.

"What's happening?" he asked, as Pat and two other agents gathered near.

The screen images went blank, then, all of a sudden, he saw images in the distance. He heard an officer say "Yes!" as Pat clenched his fist in victory.

The camera came into focus, and the first image it transmitted was an adorable, curious little boy clutching a teddy bear and a very tired looking Joe Hardy staring at the screen.

Frank almost wept with relief.

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"All right, little guy!" Joe said to JJ as he hugged him. "You did awesome! You have the best ears ever!"

JJ looked confused. "What dat light?" JJ asked.

Joe nuzzled his nose. "That, buddy, is a light from a camera. You have to be real quiet and pretend you don't see it, though. Can you do that?"

JJ nodded. "Why cam-ra dere?"

Joe let out a deep breath and smiled. "Cause the good guys found us. You know what? I bet Daddy is watching now. Can you be real sneaky, but blow him a kiss?"

JJ smiled. "Daddy? I want daddy," he said, eyes bright and hopeful as he looked around. When Joe subtly pointed at the light, JJ looked and blew a kiss. Somehow, Joe knew Frank would see that at some point.

"J, Uncle Joe has to do some things, so I need you to stay with Ms. Janet way over there." He pointed at the far end of the room. "Be a good boy. Can you do that?"

JJ nodded. "Daddy now?" he asked.

"Soon, J. Promise." With that, he kissed JJ on the cheek and sent him with Janet and her son.

Turning to Sage, he said, "They found us. That's good. Help me out. The guy out there— he's distracted and not paying too much attention. Block the door as best you can while I see how this thing is sealed. I'll see if I can communicate somehow with the cops and tell them about this exit."

"How would you do that?" Sage, a man in his early thirties, here with his little cousin, asked.

"I have no idea," Joe admitted honestly. "But I'm going to try. I may need help, and I have no idea how tightly or with what this thing is sealed, but I have to check it out. Just cover me for a few minutes. There's enough chaos in here that no one should notice, but I'm not risking anything with these kids."

Sage nodded seriously. "Will do," he responded and made his way to the front of the room.

Joe looked at the camera which was blinking rapidly. What the hell kind of camera blinked like that? It was strange for sure. Cameras needed illumination, but, once they fixed on a set target, they usually remained steady. What do I know? Maybe they've invented some weird new video system since last time I looked. Cars are what I know; cameras are Frank's thing.

For some reason, that thought nagged at him.

He quickly looked up and pointed at the wall, hoping against hope that whoever was looking at this could try to figure out what he was saying. Then, he peaked under the posters and started feeling the wall, focusing on the cracks. He looked around and felt where the breeze was coming though. He pushed, but nothing gave.

He stood back and crossed his arms. He was out of luck with a concrete sealer, since he had no chemical to remove it and he sure as hell couldn't blast his way through. For a fleeting instant, he thought of his best friend, Biff, who worked for a very successful construction company. He'd be a help right now. If nothing else, he and 6'5" Biff could use sheer muscle to beat at the wall. The thought made him smile briefly. They'd done more stupid things than that in their time.

Then he looked at the wall again, still trying to figure out what to do. If the sealer was good, it shouldn't have a crack in it. He moved closer, eyeing the door where Sage was stationed. So far, so good.

What the—?! No freaking way. He couldn't believe it. Now that he was up close, he could see the shoddy workmanship. Whoever had sealed this thing, probably years ago, hadn't used concrete sealant at all! The outline of the door was still pretty visible if you knew it was there. It was… foam weatherstripping. Horrible, but great for the moment.

Joe relied on what he knew about it from Biff, who'd explained it to him once when he had helped Biff on a job. That type of weatherstripping bridged the gap between the door and the sill. A person would line the sill sides and top with foam weatherstripping and just cut it to fit and press it in place. When the door is closed, the foam basically just compresses and makes a positive air-tight seal around the door. It would still be a time consuming pain in the ass, but it would be manageable— he just had to scrape together some materials.

Resigned, he looked at the camera again and mouthed "foam weatherstripping", having no idea if anyone could even see or understand him.

The light on the camera continued to blink intermittently, almost lulling him into calmness. In the distance, he saw Sage move towards him, saw the masked gunman peak into the room before looking out again.

Breathing a sigh of temporary relief, he stared in thanks at the camera. Then he started focusing on those weird light intervals. Huh. Since when did cameras do that?

He furrowed his brows. He knew he was making a whole lot of assumptions here, but he knew, he just did, that Frank was close by. He'd be damned if he would stay away if Evan or Vanessa was ever in trouble, either. Plus, Frank always found him, always helped, always could be relied on, even in the most dire of circumstances.

Frank. The lights. If Frank was here, he would… he would try to communicate with him, no doubt. And...no. He wouldn't, would he?

He peered at the lights again. The same pattern repeated several times. Longer flashes; shorter ones; subtle, but there.

Long, short. Frank. Communicate. No… yes. Yes! Joe felt his face light up as he saw exactly what was happening. He had always joked with Frank that he would get someone's attention if he was ever on a deserted island by making smoke signals by doing it— just joking, of course, because Frank's scientific explanation of why it was completely improbable and the seriousness with which he expressed it always made him laugh.

But he wasn't laughing now.

Morse code. And the pattern spelled out, simply, "Joe."

He pointed to his eyes and slowly blinked back a response to the best of his memory. "OK." And he nodded.

Leave it to his brother. He nodded at the camera, indicating he definitely understood.

Finally, he had real hope. He wasn't alone. He could do this. They could do this.

It was starting now, and he could only pray that whatever happened was going to happen quickly and safely. And it would, because his brother was at his side, as he always had been.