Disclaimer: Don't own the characters. Not making money off of them

Rating: K+ (Genfic, just a little of violence).

What is it about? A kid is missing, some strange things happened all around and the team have to find out what, why and who is behind all of the...'twisted facts' in the case.

Characters: All of them, well, lets think a little... Oh! I forgot somebody... well, guess you all know who...

Thanks Laurel for your beta work!

PART 7

Danny and Sam had been making their way into the building slowly checking around each corner and covering each other when the gunshot split the air. Instantly their eyes met and the adrenaline in their systems ratcheted upwards. They rounded a corner and came to a dead stop. The sight in front of them sickened them. Martin was down on the floor, another man lying partially on top of him and a third man standing over them, gun in hand still smoking. His head came up quickly as he heard the noise of their approach and he pointed his gun at the two agents. Both Danny and Sam raised their guns and fired. Danny's shot hit the man in the upper chest, while Sam's hit him in the stomach. He was thrown backwards by the force and fell heavily, the gun clattering away from his lifeless hand.

Danny raced forward while Sam covered his move. His mind was racing as he thought of what he was going to find. Not again, he and Martin were only just moving past the horrible shooting of last year and here it was happening again. He stepped over Martin and the man lying on top of him long enough to secure the gun from the shooter he and Sam had taken down. Then, with Sam at the ready to cover any moves from the guy laying on Martin he quickly took in the sight of his best friend. Martin's face was bruised and pale, and there was heavy blood flowing from a wound on the side of his head.

With his heart in his throat he rolled the guy off of Martin, the sight he saw sickened him. Martin's chest and stomach were completely drenched in blood.

"Oh God, Martin…Martin…don't do this."

Martin's hand was clenched around a gun, and that's when it hit him. The blood on Martin's torso had to be from the other guy. Danny knew the moment he rolled the other guy off, that he was dead. Fearing and hoping what he would find he put his hand to Martin's throat and felt for a pulse.

"Thank God." Danny could barely control the trembling of his hands and in his voice, but there was a steady, although somewhat weak, pulse between his fingers.

Reassured that no one else was in their immediate vicinity Sam pulled out her cell phone and called 911 reporting and agent down and giving their location. She saw the doorway and carefully pushed it open further. Inside the room she saw the little boy curled up in a little ball in the middle of the floor.

"Danny, I've got Brian!" Sam called over her shoulder as she made her way into the room. First she secured the room and bathroom, to make sure nobody was hidden there, and then she took in the blanket on the floor, and knelt beside the stilled boy.

"Brian, Brian, can you wake up for me?" Sam was concerned. With all the noise in the past few minutes, there was no way for the boy to sleep through it. She checked him for any signs of injury but couldn't find anything wrong.

"Danny, he seems to be alright, but he won't wake up."

Meanwhile Danny was consumed with Martin. All the feelings since the last shooting rose to the surface. He still felt guilty having abandoned Martin to the pain, and the pills and knew that this time he wasn't going to leave Martin alone. This time he would fight by his side the whole way. He had a handkerchief pressed to the side of Martin's head in a vain effort to slow the bleeding and he was trying to wake his friend.

"Martin, it's me, it's Danny. We've got you and Brian. You are both safe. Martin, you have to wake up for me. Come on open your eyes!"

For several moments there was nothing. Then, a twitch, a low moan, and Martin's eyes opened a slit; the blue eyes darted around in a confused motion and then settled on Danny. Danny watched as Martin's eyes blinked rapidly and he knew Martin was trying to focus.

"That's it pal, you can do it. It's Danny. Martin, can you see me?" Martin was restless and tried to move, but Danny pinned him to the ground. "It's OK; everything is going to be fine. Sam and I are here and you're safe now."

Martin continued to be restless. His mouth opened and he tried to form a coherent sentence but Danny couldn't understand his muttering. Then he noticed that Martin kept trying to motion to the little room beyond. He realized the root of his friend's restlessness.

"Sam's got Brian. He's okay buddy, you need to relax; help is on the way."

Just then Sam appeared with Brian in her arms. Martin's eyes opened wide and he struggled more against Danny's restraining grip. Danny leaned his head in to hear Martin's softly whispered words."

"Drugged…bastards…drugged…"

Danny understood and gripped his friend's arm. "Sam, call 911 and tell them we have a four-year old boy who has been drugged with an unknown substance and we have a federal agent shot in the head."

Sam instantly complied and updated the emergency personnel who were en route. No sooner had she finished the call then the sound of approaching sirens could be heard. Knowing it would be helpful if they knew what had been used to drug the little boy Sam quickly searched the table that had obviously been used by the two kidnappers. She saw a small bottle with a label listing the pills as Valium and grabbed it. She quickly ran to the entranceway to guide the paramedics.

Within minutes the ambulance crew was on scene and tending to Martin and Brian. Brian was still sleeping soundly but after an IV was inserted and one of the EMT's tried to rouse him he sluggishly began to respond.

Another team was working on Martin; they put in an IV line and secured the crude splint on his arm. Both Martin and the still drowsy Brian were loaded into the ambulance and Danny started to climb in behind them. Just as he was partially inside the rig he felt someone touch his arm. Looking back he saw Sam. She was holding out a picture to him.

"I guess Martin and Brian spent some time drawing. I get the feeling that Brian is going to want this." Danny took the picture and climbed into the rig. Looking back at Sam, he knew he was selfish for being the one to stay with Martin. He knew she cared. She smiled and nodded her head; she knew it was important for Danny to be there for Martin now.

As the ambulance pulled away she pulled out her cell again and punched the speed dial to Jack's phone.

"Jack, we've got them. Martin and Brian are on their way to the hospital and we have two shooters DOA in the warehouse." Having updated Jack, Sam returned to the mop-up operation at the warehouse.

The ambulance arrived at the hospital and the paramedics wheeled both Brian and Martin into the ER. Blood was taken on Brian and sent to the lab for rapid testing to ascertain how much Valium he had been given. The little boy was not fully aware but the fact that he reacted to sound and touch reassured the medical staff.

Martin was sent for a Cat Scan to diagnosis the full extent of the trauma. Then a team went to work setting his arm, and treating his other injuries. Danny was allowed to sit with Brian while the medical team worked on Martin.

The little boy stirred on the stretcher and his eyes popped open and began to dart around at the strange place. Danny could see the fear evident in Brian's eyes.

"Brian, my name is Danny, I'm a policeman. You're going to be okay now. You're safe." The little boy turned to look at him but the fear didn't leave his eyes.

"Martin, I want Martin." Brian became more and more agitated and started to cry and scream. "Where's Martin, he's my friend, where is he?"

"Hey buddy, it's okay. My name is Danny and I'm a real good friend of Martin's, he wants me to be with you while he gets checked out, okay?" Danny could see this was having little effect on the boy and then he got an idea. He pulled out the picture that Sam had given him and showed it to Brian.

"Hey, here's a picture we found. I'll bet that you are the warrior that's going to fight that big ole dragon." Danny watched with satisfaction as the little boy calmed down and took the picture from him.

"Martin said that I was the warrior and that I could beat that big dragon." Brian yawned sleepily and screwed up one of his little fists and rubbed his eye. "Where's Martin? I need him to help me beat the dragon. He keeps me safe; he plays with me and helps me eat."

Danny knew that keeping Brian awake right now was important so he gently asked him questions about what he and Martin had done. Under Danny's gentle questioning Brian told him about how Martin made sure he got milk and fruit and a sandwich each night for dinner.

"What did Martin eat?" That question caused Brian to stop and tilt his head to the side. He seemed confused for a moment and then he spoke slowly.

"The first night, I think…yes, it was the first night; well he drank water. I think he wasn't very hungry after he fell off the chair. I never saw him eat anything, he only drank water."

Danny thought to himself for a moment. He had noticed the bruises on Martin's face and the way Martin flinched when he had held him down and pressed against his ribs. He didn't think Martin had fallen off of a chair. More likely, Martin had been beaten. Danny was roused from his thoughts by Brian's little hand tugging at his sleeve. Looking down he saw that fear and confusion had returned to Brian's eyes. Danny decided to change the subject.

"I like your picture."

"Martin drew it. I colored it. I tried to make the flames come out of the dragon's mouth but I got so sleepy. I want to finish it for Martin. He can have it as a present." Brian yawned again but he fought to keep his eyes open. "I want to see Martin, he makes me feel safe. When can I see him?"

The voice was so small and plaintive that Danny couldn't help but smile. Looks like Martin has made quite an impression on this little boy, Danny thought. Then his thoughts darkened a bit; I only hope we can keep them both safe in this mess.

"I want to finish the picture. I want to draw another warrior, a bigger one. I want to put a badge on the warrior's armor. I want the warrior to be just like Martin…" with that said, Brian's eyes closed again and he relaxed into sleep.

Danny leaned back a bit content that Brian at least was doing well. He didn't know how long he had sat there sitting while Brian slept, but a light touch on his shoulder brought him to full awareness.

"Hey Danny, Brian looks alright. Has there been any news about Martin?" Sam's voice was pitched low so as not to wake Brian but Danny could hear the deep worry reflected. He straightened up and stretched his back until his spine cracked and popped. Shaking his head in answer to her question he checked his watch.

"Damn. I must have dozed off; it's been over two hours. Did you get everything cleaned up at the warehouse?"

"Yeah, the lab has a team there going over everything. We're running the identities of the two kidnappers; looks like they were the only ones there besides Martin and Brian. From what remains in the trash can, it only looks like they got enough food for Brian and themselves; doesn't look like Martin had been fed."

"Yeah, that's what the kid said. Said that Martin made sure he got fed a couple times a day. He said Martin just drank water, claimed he wasn't hungry."

Both Sam and Danny shared a knowing smile. Martin was always hungry. They realized that Martin had put the needs of the little boy ahead of himself and kept Brian from harm.

Sam smiled again as she picked up the drawing that was resting across Brian's chest.

"He wants to finish it for Martin. He wants to draw another warrior next to the little one, this one will be bigger, wear a badge, and look like Martin."

"I would say that Martin has made quite an impression on this little one. Has he asked for his parents?"

"No, he just wanted to talk about Martin, that's strange, don't you think? I thought he would ask for his mom first."

At the sounds of them talking Brian began to stir. He heard them saying Martin's name and forced his eyes open.

'M…Martin? Where's Martin?"

Just as Danny was about to answer the curtain parted a bit and a doctor entered the examining area.

"Are you two agents with Martin Fitzgerald as well?"

"Yes, we are. How is he?"

"He's pretty lucky and he's going to be alright with some rest. Why don't I talk to one of you out here?" The doctor held open the curtain a bit and inclined his head indicating he wanted to talk away from the little boy. Sam got up and followed him out.

"I want to see Martin. I want to see him now!" Brian began to rise on the stretcher but Danny leaned in close and reassured him.

"Just a little bit more pal and we'll both go see him. The doctor just said that he's going to be fine."

While Danny tried to calm the little boy Sam was trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach as she waited for the doctor to update her on Martin's condition.

"Like I said in there, he's lucky. The bullet grazed the right side of his skull. He's lost a fair amount of blood but that's to be expected from head wounds. He also has quite a concussion. Look's like he was worked over pretty good in addition. His arm is broken, fortunately it's a clean break and the crude splint that he put on it helped to keep the injury from getting any worse. Some of his ribs are badly bruised and one might even be cracked. The x-rays aren't conclusive but that's not unusual. We've taped his ribs, and put a temporary cast on his arm. There's still a fair amount of swelling around the injury and we want that to come down some before fitting him with his permanent cast."

"We'd found that he hasn't had a meal in almost three days, I think you should know that. Can we see him?"

"That would explain his low BP and low sugar value, that doesn't help his condition. I'll take care of that. He's being moved to a private room as we speak. Here's the number."

The doctor handed Sam a slip of paper with the room number.

"Doctor, both Agent Fitzgerald and the little boy were victims in a crime. Agent Taylor and I are going to need to keep them together and we're going to need to limit access to his room and anything relating to his medical condition."

The doctor assured her that those measures would be handled and then he left to treat other patients.

Sam returned to the cubicle and smiled as she saw Danny struggling to reassure the little boy. Stepping up to Brian's stretcher she knelt down to be at his eye level.

"Brian, the doctor says Martin is going to be fine. We're going to take you up to see him in just a few minutes, OK?" The little boy looked pleadingly at her and then nodded his head. As he calmed back down Sam turned to look at Danny.

"Sam, what did Jack have to say when you talked to him?"

"He's in the middle of...something" she gave a special nod to Brian, meaning she couldn't talk about that at the moment.

Danny nodded his understanding but persisted in his inquiry. "Has the deal gone down? Are we in the clear?"

"No, it's getting more complicated, if you know what I mean..."again looking at Brian

"No, I really don't know what you mean" then he looked at the kid and talked to him face to face. "Brian, would you mind staying with Sam? I'll be right back. Why don't you show Sam your drawing?" and he whispered to Sam "You might be very surprised with that drawing."

Sam sighed and looked down at Brian. It was evident that Brian and Martin had developed a bond during their time together. She wanted to see what was in this drawing that Danny thought was going to surprise her. She put her best kindergarten teacher face on and looked at the kid.

Danny walked to the hall and talked to Jack to his secured line. "Jack! How is it going?"

"It doesn't look good. We're still waiting for the deal to go down, and you won't believe what Victor has given us. Victor is so pissed off that he's moving all his contacts and from what I can tell this is going to get worse in the next few hours. Keep the kid and Martin close to each other and you both stick with them. Don't call anybody. Wait to hear from me. Ask the doctor if there is any chance to move Martin away from there."

"The doctor said he should be fine, but I haven't gotten all of the details. Sam talked to him. I'll find out if we can move him."

"All right. Be ready to move at my call."

"Ok, Jack"

Danny turned back and reentered the Emergency Room. He saw a nurse settling Brian into a child's wheelchair in preparation to move him up to be with Martin. He looked around him and saw Martin's doctor at the desk reviewing a chart.

"Doctor, Agent Spade hasn't filled me in on the details of Agent Fitzgerald's condition." Danny purposely used the term 'agent' to add an official tone to his next question. "Doctor, is there any danger for him if we have to take him from the hospital?"

"Of course it's dangerous. With his concussion and the loss of blood I'd recommend keeping him here for a minimum of 24 hours."

"There's a chance that staying here would be more dangerous than taking him away."

The doctor studied Danny for a moment and then nodded his understanding.

"I'd like to have him regain full consciousness at a minimum, but his BP, while low, is stable. I'll order a prescription of medication for him and have it delivered to the room in case you need to leave. We do need to put the permanent cast on his arm as soon as the swelling comes down, that could be tomorrow."

Danny shook his hand and gave his thanks; he turned to see Sam standing next to Brian who was clutching his prized picture while seated in the wheelchair.

Stepping up to them he grinned and said; "Who wants to go see Martin?"

Both Sam and Danny smiled at Brian's beaming face and they started down the corridor to see their friend, and one little boy's hero.

TBC