As always huge, huge thanks to anmodo for betaing this chapter. Thanks also to everyone that has reviewed.

Chapter 7

"What!" Megan yelled, quickly changing lanes as the car in front of her braked hard.

"And you know what these guys are like. If there is chatter, it usually means the threat is real and… as we can't get in contact with Malone…"

"No Steve, Jack's fine," Megan said as she watched the needle on her speedometer climb over the 140 mph mark. "Why doesn't he fucking leave them alone?"

"When has he touched them before today?" Steve asked.

Megan bit her lip as Steve almost caught her off guard; she inhaled deeply and pulled herself together. "Isn't today bad enough?"

"Of course, it is. I just thought – well the way you said it and how much you are now tied up in this case—it would seem that Marco Alvarez had honoured his presence on Malone's team before?" Steve asked suspiciously.

"Not that I know of," Megan lied not wanting to divulge Danny's secret to anyone. "It's just, I thought this guy was a real shit before today and then today happened. This bastard came after my friends and the man I love. I didn't think it was possible for my opinion of him to drop farther, but it has."

"Fair enough," Steve said sounding satisfied. "But if you get any intelligence on this scumbag – tell me."

"Sure – I'll send it in a small box," Megan said as she ended the call.

Clenching her jaw, Megan concentrated on the road ahead. She thought of where Jack might be. Using what little information she had, she figured that the attack had taken place at an abandoned warehouse in Queens. Although it wasn't their exact stomping ground of the FARC, it was pretty close. As she put these two factors together – it only came to one conclusion. Jack had gone up to the FARC's base in Queens – an abandoned warehouse a mere one-mile from were the attack had taken place. Megan sighed. She may not get on that well with Jack but she knew his heart was in the right place. He was only looking out for his team – which was the reason he had gone to the FARC's base – to seek revenge against the people who dared hurt his people. She flicked on the radio trying to find a way to distract herself from her concerns. Danny WAS going to be fine, Jack WAS going to be fine be fine and Marco Alvarez WOULD die.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Approaching the abandoned warehouse, Jack looked around. He had a tip that there had been activity around his abandoned warehouse and had gone to check it out – feeling that it might be related to their latest case. Not the Miguel Bien case, but the case that was related to the attempted murder of two of his agents. No one was going to get away with what they did to Sam and Danny; he was going to make sure of that. Drawing his gun, he looked around again. It appeared to be clear and the warehouse looked as though it was abandoned. In fact, it looked as though the warehouse had been abandoned for years and therefore it couldn't possibly be that bastard and his nut job friend's base camp.

Cautiously, he tried the door – finding it easily opened. Flicking on his flashlight, he slowly moved from room to room, feeling his heart rate increase with each room he cleared. He knew he should've taken back up but he wasn't thinking about his safety, he was thinking about revenge against the people who hurt his people. Finally, he stepped out into the natural light and cursed. The warehouse was abandoned and by the look of things had been abandoned for years. Running a hand over his weary face, he sighed and started to walk towards his car. Jack looked up and frowned when he thought he heard a car approaching at what sounded like a high speed. Looking around, he shook his head. The explosion must have done more damage than he thought. Maybe he should take the orders that he had given the boys and get himself checked out. Sighing, he started to walk towards his car again.

After slamming on the brakes, Megan entered the warehouse complex and looked around hoping to see Jack Malone – alive. She silently got out of the car moving around to the trunk. Popping the trunk, she slid on her vest and grabbed several extra clips for her gun. Megan briefly look at her assault rifle before slinging it across her shoulders, if the amount of chatter there had been was relating to the hit on Jack – she would need it. Crouching down, she quickly moved between the two warehouses. In the corner of her eye, she saw movement; she quickly and silently turned and aimed her gun at the movement – her finger hovering over the trigger.

"Jack," Megan called out, but he appeared not hear her. Not wanting to draw attention to herself or Jack, she quickly moved though the shadows towards him. Danny had never said it, but she knew the team was like family to him. And now that he'd lost his real family, she wasn't going to let his adopted family be taken out. She watched in horror as Jack walked towards his car pulling out his keys as he approached it. Looking around, she knew she had only a spit second decision to make. She had no idea what the trigger was – for all she knew the bomb switch was unlocking the car. Taking a deep breath, she sprinted towards him and with every once of weight and strength she had, she tackled him – pulling them both behind a wall. She ducked low and covered her ears as the explosion ripped over them. She quickly rolled off Jack and looked around for any hostiles.

"Jack, Jack," Megan said as she shook his shoulders. "Jack, are you all right?"

"Damn-it, I mean thanks," Jack said startled as he sat up and rubbed his shoulder. "I don't know what hurt more – hitting the ground or you tackling me – do you play football?" Jack joked despite the situation.

Finishing her visual sweep, Megan returned the smile. "Rugby--with health and safety," Megan joked as she relaxed slightly, know Jack was okay.

"Damn, limey," Jack said as he shook his head, letting himself enjoy the light hearted moment – knowing there would very few of those in the coming days and weeks. Pulling himself back to the threat-ridden reality, he looked at Megan. She had just saved his life, but how the hell did she know about the bomb. How the hell did she know where he was?

"How did you know?" he asked, hoping that he didn't sound to accusing.

Megan leaned across the wall and looked across at Jack. "How's Danny?" she asked, ignoring Jack's question.

Jack frowned, irritated that she hadn't answered his question. "Broken wrist and ribs, concussion, lost quite a bit of blood from a stab wound. He's going to have to take it easy for a bit, but he's going to be fine. Now how the hell did you a) know about the bomb and b) know I was here," Jack asked calmly, but his voice demanded an answer.

Megan sighed in relief – Danny was going to be all right. That bastard that called himself his father hadn't taken him from them. Rubbing a hand over her face, she knew the reasons of knowing about the bomb and where Jack was – were legit; she just hoped that Jack accepted her answers. She needed Jack, no Danny needed Jack, Danny would need all of his friends now – she didn't want to add unnecessary tension.

"I was at a meeting in DC, where we were discussing a potential Intel asset – which for the record, I totally disagreed with. Anyway Steve Brockbank of the FBI told us about what had happened because it was related to the meeting," Megan sighed and ran her hand through her hair. She looked across at Jack's neutral expression before continuing. "Anyway I was caning it down towards New York when Steve rang me again and told me about the hit. I guessed you would be here – because whatever we think about each other, you always look out for your agents and there is no way in hell you would let someone get away with what they did to Danny and Sam."

"The person you were discussing at the meeting wasn't by any chance the same bastard that came after my people?" Jack asked trying to keep the anger from his voice.

"The very same," Megan replied. "What do you know about this guy?"

"A part from the fact that he should be dead?" Jack watched Megan smirk and found himself doing the same. "Sorry. He was believed to be dead and that scumbag doesn't deserve his son."

"So you know about Danny's-"

"Yes, I know that bastard is Danny's father," Jack replied tensely. "What do you know about him?"

"Not here," Megan said as she found the overwhelming urge to kill the bastards that associated themselves with Danny's father. Looking around, she hoped that she could find one of them to take her anger out on. Noticing Jack pulling out his car keys, she bent down again. "Jack I don't think you are going to get anywhere with your car."

Jack looked down at his keys and then at the smoking wreck that was his car. "I guess not, I presume we are going to the same place?" he asked.

"So I am guessing that you want a lift?" Megan said as she slowly began to stand scanning the building as she moved. "Fuck," she swore.

"What?" Jack asked quickly looking around.

"Why the fuck isn't he here?" Megan yelled. "I need to make him pay for what he did to Danny."

Jack grabbed Megan and shook her. "Damn it! Do you want to get us killed?"

"No! I just what that bastard dead!" Megan yelled as she collapsed against the wall. "I'm sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to, I-I just, I just love Danny so much."

"It's okay. I understand and, anyway, I am use to dealing with hotheaded young agents. I have team full of them," Jack said with a smile. "So shall we see Danny and try to not get ourselves killed on the way?"

"Yeah. That would be great," Megan replied in a slightly lost tone. "B-but what, but what about the car?"

"I'll call it in and get the paperwork done later," Jack replied gently. "Are you okay to drive?"

"I'm fine," Megan replied as she walked across the complex. She rubbed her hand over her face.

Jack slid into Megan's car and glanced across at her, suddenly noticing how tired she looked. "Are you sure you're all right?" he asked. "Megan, this is Danny we're talking about. He's going to be fine."

"I know, but it still doesn't make it right. I mean that bastard is his father, I just," Megan said as she closed her eyes and tightly gripped the steering wheel. "I would like to say that I can't believe it but unfortunately I can."

"Unfortunately, so can I," Jack replied sadly. "What I can't believe is how this bastard is still alive. He should be dead… I mean he will be dead once I get my hands on him. What do you know about him?"

Megan sighed as she started to drive out of the complex. "Well, it's all classified, but I'm going to tell Danny. Since he's not going to be in a condition to deal with it for a bit, and as he told you about his father…"

"Megan if you're worried about the whole classified thing, I give you my word that this will go no farther than this car," Jack reassured.

"It's not that, well yes. Damn-it," Megan said as she ran her hand through her hair. "I know I can trust you, but it's Danny. I don't want to betray his trust – he's already had enough people who have done that in his life."

"Megan, my primary concern right now, well most of the time is the safety and well-being of my team. At the moment, I am very concerned about Danny – we know he's going to be fine physically but emotionally-" Jack stopped. His silence spoke for his fears.

"I know, I just don't know what to do," Megan exclaimed as she forced herself to concentrate on the road.

"Just be there for Danny, he's going need us," Jack replied gently. "So what do you know about his father."

"You've heard of the FARC right," Megan asked, she watched Jack nod. "Okay, well Danny's father, or Marco Alvarez or Jorge Castaño is a high ranking member of the FARC." Megan started as she began to tell Jack everything she knew about Danny's father and FARC.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Leaning forward, Vivian pushed a wayward strand of hair off Danny's battered forehead, but as least he was sleeping peacefully. He had been so restless and it grieved her to see him in pain. She had always felt a strong maternal instinct towards both of the boys; she needed to be here for Danny – still feeling guilty that she hadn't been there for Martin. Jack had phoned earlier, telling her that he and Megan would be there shortly.

She remembered being so angry with the team for not telling her about the shooting. She had glared and had words with Jack and Sam when they had visited, but when Danny had eventually visited he had looked so lost that she couldn't be mad at him. She had honestly thought that he was going to pass out as he almost stumbled across the room. His face was full of fear; his eyes were darting all over the place. She watched as he looked at her and smiled. His mask appeared but his eyes remained lost and scared. She wondered if anyone had stopped and asked if he was all right. She wondered if he had slept since the shooting – by the dark circles under his eyes she doubted he had slept at all. But this wasn't Dornvald's ambush – she could do something about this. She would make sure that Danny got all help and support he needed.

Megan slowly opened the door and poked her head around the door. "Hey Viv," she said softly as she approached them. Biting her lip, she noted the stitches under Danny's eye and on his forehead, as well as the swelling and bruising.

"Megan," Viv said looking up. She frowned when she saw Megan's slightly dishevelled and tired state. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah. I'm fine," Megan, replied sounding slightly distracted. "How's Danny?"

"He was really restless earlier, but he seems okay now – I mean he's sleeping peacefully," Viv stated as she stroked his head. "I'm going to get a coffee. Do you want one?"

"U-mm, yeah, sorry yes, please," Megan said as she leaned down and gently kissed his cheek. She watched as Viv leave and returned her gaze to Danny. "Hey baby. I just want you to know that I am here for you and so is everyone else. I want you to know there is nothing I won't do for you. I love you, Danny, everything is going to be alright – understand?"

Megan didn't know how long she had been resting her head next to Danny's, when she felt his hand twitch. "Danny?" Megan said as she saw his eyes begin to flutter open. "Hey baby, its okay."

"Megan," Danny tried as he opened his eyes. The headache wasn't as bad as before, nor was the rest of the pain. He didn't feel as cold. He looked around the sterile, white room. "Hospital?"

"Yeah, you're a bit banged up but you're going to be fine," Megan reassured as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "You're going to be just fine."

Danny shifted, wincing as he did. "Is everyone else alright?" he asked wondering how he was going to tell Megan about his father.

"Everyone is fine," she replied gently.

"Good, good. U-mm Megs you know about, well you know about my father-" Danny stuttered and stopped, unable to continue.

Megan rested her hand on his shoulder. "Its okay. I know about it – Jack told me," she explained. "Whatever you want done to him, I will do it for you."

"Thanks, but I-I just, I just don't know what to do," Danny said in a slightly panicked tone. He tried to curl up but found the movement caused pain to flare across his damaged ribs – bringing tears to his eyes.

"Danny, baby, it's okay. You don't have to make any decisions at the moment," Megan reassured as she gently stroked his arm. "It's okay, baby, it's okay," she repeated as she wiped the tears from his face.

"Jack's going to be mad – isn't he?" Danny asked

"No he isn't, why do you think that?" Megan asked gently

"Because I let a madman hold a gun to Sam's head and did nothing about it. I couldn't shoot him. What if he had killed her?" Danny replied in a panicked tone.

"Whatever you think about him – he's still your father. And what are you talking about? You exchanged your life for Sam's; I think that is called doing something. Jack isn't mad with you. He may be insanely worried about you, but he's not mad at all," Megan reassured as she leaned forward and kissed him again. "No one is mad at you, Danny."

"Is Sam really okay?"

"She's fine, thanks to you. Seriously, that bastard was holding a gun to her head - your options were limited. What you did was incredibly brave; there are not many people that would've done that. But you did and because of you, Sam got away with a headache," Megan said as she continued to reassure him. She interlaced her hand with his.

The door open and Jack quietly walked in. "Hey there. How are you feeling?" he asked gently.

"Better," Danny replied taking his eyes off Megan for a moment.

"Good. I can't keep having psychopath perps trying to take out my agents," Jack said as he gently squeezed Danny's shoulder. "I have found a lead in the case," he said, directing his statement to Megan.

"What case?" Danny asked suddenly.

Jack rubbed a hand over his face. He hoped that Danny wouldn't ask, he had hoped that he could keep Danny away for the case, at least until they had found some thing solid to go on. But whom was he kidding? "Your case. We think we have got a lead on it," Jack replied gently. "It's just a lead okay? You don't have to make any decisions yet and I will support whatever decision you make."

"Thanks, Jack," Danny said quietly.

Megan took her eyes from Danny for a moment, but her hand never left his. "What's the lead?"

"A FARC member," Jack replied.

TBC