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 10

Day 3 10:00 AM

Raindrops, there were raindrops falling on his face. When did he go outside in the rain? God he was so tired. He didn't remember ever being this tired, well, not since waking up in the hospital after Dornvald…don't go there, don't ever go there again. He was too tired to open his eyes, so he listened. He heard sobbing, someone was crying. Then he felt hands upon him and the sounds crystallized. A child was crying. The cries were so heartfelt that sometimes they turned into screams. Then he heard Sam. She was alternately talking to him and trying to soothe someone. She heard a name, Brian. With that his senses flooded and his brain cleared. Martin forced his eyes open and tried to focus. He was lying on the floor; Brian sprawled over his chest clutching at him.

Damn, this hurts. His head was lying on the hard floor, and, even though Brian was only four and didn't weigh much his ribs were killing him. He tried to talk, his voice was barely a whisper and he was gasping for breath. Sam looked at him and met his eyes.

"Martin, Martin, just take it easy. You collapsed, Brian thought you were dead. Brian, look, Martin's eyes are open. See, he's alright." Sam's voice was soft and soothing but her eyes were full of concern and fear.

Martin hated seeing Sam afraid. Sam, his Sam should never be afraid. What was that? Did he just think of Sam as his? Another road his mind should not go down right now.

"Martin? Do you think you can get up and over to the chair?"

He just nodded. It took all his breath just to get enough oxygen into his lungs. He wasn't up to talking. Carefully Sam eased him up to a sitting position. She tried to be gentle but with the abuse he had taken it hurt just the same. Slowly he gathered his strength and managed to get his legs under him. Brian continued to sob but the hysteria had abated and now his sobs were mixed with hiccups. At last he was standing, leaning heavily on Sam but she held him and guided him to a chair. Martin was relieved to collapse into the chair and drop his head into him hands and onto his lap. The room was spinning and his vision was dimming, he was afraid he would pass out again.

Sam knelt in front of him steadying him with one hand and pressed the speed dial on her phone with her other.

Upstairs Jack's phone rang, interrupting the meeting.

"Malone."

"It's Sam, Martin collapsed. He lost consciousness for a few minutes but is now awake. Jack, I've got to take him to St. Luke's to get checked. He's breathing too fast and with difficulty, he's sweating but his skin is clammy, and his pulse is racing."

Jack's face never changed expression as he listened to Sam's hasty rundown of Martin's condition but Vivian, Danny, and Van Doren could all tell that something was wrong.

"Okay. I'll have Taylor join you to complete that task, Malone out."

With that Jack snapped his phone shut and jerked his head to Danny. Danny inclined his head to Jack who whispered in his ear. Danny nodded once and quickly got up and left the room.

Collins looked ready to object but Malone's infamous glare stopped him. He looked down at his notes.

"So I need to know if you can explain agent Nichols' behaviour last night. I think you are aware of what had happened in Malone's office." said Van Doren

"I'm not sure I have all the details. I am certain that I told you to keep quiet for three days. However, I can see that you didn't. All of a sudden your agent and the kid are back and in your office. I am sure you know that this means you have probably compromised our surveillance and months of work. I was about to call you for this meeting last night but then the news from the... incident there..." Collins let his words dangle trying for a threatening tone but Jack's stone face look, Vivian's calm, unflappable demeanor, and Van Doren's slightly raised eyebrow communicated that he had failed in his threat.

Now Jack was more than mad. He was tired of getting yanked around, tired of sitting in the presence of filthy agents and more than that, worried about Martin's condition.

"The incident, as you call it," Jack started coldly, "is Agent Nichols killing one of my agents. I hate to think what else would have happened if it wasn't for Agent Johnson." Jack paused and let his words sink in fully, and then he continued; "so if you think I'm just going to sit back and watch while you destroy more lives, you're wrong. Now explain what happened and what you're planning to do, or I'm out of this office right now!"

"First of all, I want the kid here or..." but Collins found he was talking to an empty chair. Jack had left his chair, and left the room. Vivian neatly gathered up her notepad and pen, stood up, pushed her chair back to the table and followed.

Jack and Vivian returned to his office in silence. She sat down and watched him pull out his special phone, the one that Victor had gotten to him press the buttons. She knew better than to ask, if she waited, all would be revealed. So Vivian watched Jack stab the buttons on the phone and wait for Victor to pick up.

"Victor, it's Jack. Thought you should know that Sam and Danny have taken Martin to St. Luke's for some follow-up tests…No, I'm sure all is fine. Just being cautious…I left the meeting…Collins is an idiot…yeah, I know, being an idiot is the least of his concerns right now…I sent Danny along for back-up…yes Brian is with them. The kid and Martin seem to have formed a very strong bond…No, nothing new on the surveillance, we'll just have to be patient…yes, not my strong suit either…of course, I'll tell him you asked."

Vivian twitched half a grin at Jack. She knew the relationship with Assistant Director Fitzgerald was a little easier since Martin's shooting at the hands of Dornvald and since Victor recognized how Jack had never once referred to Victor's actions as reckless and unfitting the Assistant Director, but still, she knew that Jack and Victor were both alpha males and would always have a difficult time relating. She was glad, once again, that she did not have to make those types of phone calls on a regular basis.

"Is Martin alright?"

"I hope so. Sam wanted to be careful, and I agree. I'm not happy about them being out of our sight again but if Martin needs help…" Jack let the rest of his thoughts trail off.

Just then Mac ran into his office. This was concerning for many reasons, not the least of which was that Jack thought he had locked down the floor, and second, he couldn't ever remember Mac running, ever.

"Jack, Vivian, you have got to come see this." He held the door and urged them to their feet. Then he walked very fast to his office.

"So Jack, how was your call from Sam? Is everything okay?"

Jack looked at him with surprise. "How did you know I talked to Sam?"

"The same way other people who are tracing your cell phones will know by now." and he showed them the time of the phone call he had had with Sam.

"Mac, any chance they know what we said? I mean, can they hear us or are they just tracing where the calls are coming from?" Panic was in Jack's voice. St. Luke's was not far away, in all likelihood his agents were in the ER right now.

"No way for me to know that. Wait a minute. Here's another one." Jack and Vivian leaned in close as Mac's finger pointed to a little box that appeared on his computer screen.

"So, was Victor happy to hear from you?"

"Dammit! This phone is supposed to be secure!"

He and Vivian ran out of the office and went down to the parking garage to get their car. Jack tried calling Sam but got no answer. He suspected she had turned it off upon reaching the hospital. He called information instead and got the number for St. Luke's ER, as he dialled the number he prayed they would get there in time.

At St. Luke's Sam was praying that they would let her and Brian in to see Martin soon. Brian was wiggling and fussing and generally calling attention to himself, and her with his actions. She knew he wanted to be with Martin; she wanted to be with Martin and reassure herself that he really was alright.

During the short trip to the hospital Martin had begun to breathe a little easier and some more color had returned to his face. He was still clammy though and his pulse was faster than it should be.

Upon reaching the ER Danny had helped Martin from the car and into the ER leaving Sam the task of parking the car and keeping Brian from dashing after them. Thank goodness for power locks and child security on the locks and windows.

Once she parked the car she grabbed Brian's hand and allowed him to pull her to the building. Inside the waiting area were lots of people waiting to be seen and no one to get her the answers she needed. So she took a seat.

Finally Danny appeared, met her eyes and motioned for her to follow him. She pointed Danny out to Brian and allowed a small grin to dance across her mouth as she watched him race across the room to follow Danny. She caught up with them and grabbed one of Brian's hands.

Sam held Brian by his hand and they headed to where Martin was being tended. Martin was looking a little better. He was still pale, but not as white as he had been. He had an oxygen mask on and appeared to be breathing better

He saw Brian's and the look of relief that crossed his expression made both Danny and Sam smile. Brian seemed unconcerned about the oxygen mask and the IV line hooked to Martin. Instead he tried to climb up onto the stretcher with him.

Martin closed his eyes as Brian snuggled again against his good shoulder. Danny whispered to Sam what the doctor had told him.

"Dehydration, mild but enough for the IV, also, headaches and dizziness because of the concussion. As far as the difficulty breathing, the doctor is pretty sure it's because of the trauma both physical and emotional. In situations like this the victim should be resting, not dashing from one place to another waiting for another attack."

"OK, so what…" Sam's question was cut-off as a nurse stuck her head into the curtained area.

"Which one of you is Agent Spade?"

"That would be me." Sam answered wondering why anyone was looking for her here.

"I have an Agent Jack Malone on the phone; he says it's imperative that he talk to you now."

Sam exchanged concerned looks with Danny but followed the nurse to the phone. She picked up the phone the nurse indicated.

"Jack?"

"Sam, get you, the kid, Martin, and Danny to a safe place there! They know where you are, turn on your phone, I'll call you when I get to the hospital."

They didn't wait for the doctor to show up, they just left the room. They gathered all their things and went to the first floor to a supply room Sam had spotted earlier and closed the door from inside.

"I'm getting tired of this" said Martin.

"I hate this hiding and dodging too. You two stay here while Sam and I scout a quick route out of here."

With that Danny and Sam quickly left the room and left Brian once more to Martin's care.

Meanwhile Jack, and Viv had arrived at the hospital. He called Sam's phone and she told him where they were. Knowing that Jack was on his way, she turned back and headed to the supply room her eyes sweeping the halls and passer bys for any sign of trouble.

What she had missed was the sharp eyes that belonged to three very intent men. They had seen her and Danny slip out of the supply room and knew that meant Martin and Brian were alone and vulnerable. It had only taken them seconds to reach the door and quietly slip inside.

Martin glanced up expecting to see Sam or Danny. Instead he saw three men blocking his way to freedom. He stood in front of Brian and moved to defend him. He knew it would be a short fight since his left arm was damaged and he still felt woozy from earlier. Still, he hoped that if they made enough noise, someone would come and that would buy enough time for the team to come for them.

It was not to be. Sure enough the fight was quick. Martin landed one weak punch before he was struck again by the butt of a gun. As had become his habit of late, he sank quickly into unconsciousness on the floor. One of the men grabbed Brian and inserted a needle into his arm. As Brian cried hysterically, the plunger was depressed. It took only moments for the sedative to take effect and both victims were subdued.

Sometimes the simple plans are the best. A laundry cart was grabbed from the corner, Martin and Brian were unceremoniously placed inside, some additional linen was tossed over them effectively hiding them and the cart was wheeled down the hall.

They had a van outside the elevators and put Martin and Brian inside. Less than five minutes total and the van was casually driven away from the hospital.

Sam met Jack by the visitor's elevators and rushed to the room they were hidden, only to find nobody was there and it was clear from the chaos in the room that they had not gone willingly.

"No! Not again!" was all Sam could say at that time "I just left them here to find you! How did they found them?"

"I should say like Mac told us they would" said Jack. At Sam's inquiring look he elaborated. "Turns out all our cell phones are being tracked, even the secure one that Victor provided."

"Victor." Sam gasped, then jumped as Danny and Vivian came around the corner.

"What about Victor?" Jack prompted. He shook his head sadly as Danny tried to look into the room. To say the least, the team was stunned at the speed and ruthless efficiency of their adversaries.

"Martin said that one of his father's trusted friends is involved in this"

"What! When did this happen?"

"Right before he collapsed."

"Alright, let's regroup. Danny, get a hold of any surveillance tapes this place has. I want Mac working on them within the hour. Sam, I want you and Vivian to go back and check that list of names. Sam, do you remember which name triggered Martin?"

"He never said which name; he only stopped me at one point. It could have been the last name I said or the one before…"

"Doesn't matter, you and Viv start background searches on the three names prior. We'll start there. I'll update Van Doren and find a way to get a hold of Victor. Maybe one of the names will mean something to him."

Jack looked awful. He couldn't think why they would take Martin alive (Thank God!) this time, he thought they only wanted Brian by now, but he was obviously wrong. He needed to know the reason, he felt it was important to know the answer to the WHY question.

Unfortunately Mac wasn't able to bring up much information about the destination of the van with Brian and Martin. He could see it in the video but the plates were hidden. But what Mac could see very clear was the faces of all the men involved in this new kidnapping, they were uncovered because they were dressed in hospital clothes. Some of them were men they knew from the Coltwell's company, but the two of them directly involved were federal agents, he was able to identify them and he pulled up their data.

Placing a trace on their cell phone he waited. It didn't take long. The phones were on and he could trace their signal around the city. It would take some time, but he was sure he would locate the area where the agents were. While he watched he contacted Jack with his progress. Jack assigned Vivian. He wanted Sam to work on the names, and knew that she and Danny could use a little office time to collect themselves. It didn't take a Ph.D to recognize that both his agents believed they had somehow let Martin down.

Vivian was now driving to one of the possible locations Mac had pointed her as places where Martin and Brian could be. There were several large buildings full of offices for rent. She remembered from their research earlier that some of these buildings were owned by Coltwell or some of his associates. She couldn't imagine what they wanted from Martin this time. The one thing she did know, she was sure she wasn't going to like the answer.

TBC