Massive thanks to anmodo for betaing this chapter without her none of my fics would be possible. Thanks to everyone that has reviewed.

Chapter 2

Slowly opening his eyes, Danny blinked with confusion at the twisted metal frame and exposed wires. What the hell had happened? Why did his whole body ache? Why did his head hurt? Shivering slightly, he pulled his light jacket closer to his body. Letting his eyes adjust to the inky darkness, he tried to work out what had happened and where they were. Using his 'night vision' and the various sparks from the exposed wires, he surveyed his surroundings-- twisted metal, the sparking wires, the wreckage that surrounded him. What had happened? Then it hit like a shot to the stomach. San Diego… getting a spot on the FBI plane… fears… Martin baiting his fears… Martin shouting a warning and – and the plane crashed. He turned to one side and emptied the contents of his stomach onto the floor. Where was Martin? Was he dead? Was the pilot dead? Was he alone? Where was he?

With trembling fingers, he slowly unfastened his seatbelt and looked around. To the right of him, he saw Martin slumped in his chair. He felt as though the air had been sucked out of his lungs. Was he the only one alive? Carefully, he stepped over the twisted metal which was once the plane's cabin. Inhaling sharply, he saw blood trickling down Martin's face. He looked at Martin's pale complexion; he didn't look as though he was breathing. Danny felt himself begin to panic – what would he do if Martin was critically injured? What would he do if Martin was dead? What would he do if he was the only one alive and help never came? Staring at Martin, he slumped against the wall and held his head in his hands. He knew he should check on Martin and the pilot, but fear and panic was overwhelming him. If he closed his eyes tightly enough maybe he when he opened them again he would be in the office debating theories with the team – but somehow he knew this wouldn't happen.

Taking a deep breath, Danny tried to pull himself together. Martin needed his help and he didn't even know what the pilot's condition was. He somehow forced himself to stand. Feeling his knees begin to buckle, he grabbed the wall for support. He closed his eyes and took a few more deep breaths. Opening his eyes again, he waited for the dizziness to pass. Slowly, he walked over to Martin to check him. He had to know what his condition was, then he could deal with it. He had already wasted enough time as it was. With a shaking hand, he checked for a pulse. He let out a breath that he hadn't realised that he was holding when he found a strong, steady pulse.

"Martin, wake up. Come on, man, you're scaring me," Danny pleaded desperately as he tapped Martin's face. He felt himself panicking again when he got no response. "Please Martin, wake up."

Checking Martin's pulse again, he was relived to find it remained the same. Martin's breathing was strong and steady. He was just unconscious. It was just a matter of time before he woke up – if he woke up. Danny sighed and raked his hands through his hair. There was nothing he could do for Martin right now – but he could check on the pilot. Slowly and cautiously, Danny made his way to cockpit. He inhaled sharply as he scanned the cockpit – the pilot was slumped against the controls. He took a couple of deep breaths before he stepped forward toward the pilot. When he found no pulse, he slumped against the wall of the cockpit. He knew what had happened – the pilot died saving them. He had to get out here. He found himself almost running through what was once the plane. He burst out of the wreckage and collapsed on the ground outside. He felt his body shake as panic took hold. The pilot was dead, and Martin was unconscious. Pulling his knees up to his chest, he took some time to take in his surroundings.

He was surrounded by whiteness, that had spots of rocky terrain. He shivered as the icy cold wind bit into his body. He was in the middle of nowhere – as far as he could see there was nothing - nothing but mountains and snow. He let his head fall into his heads and let a few tears escape. He was going to die out here.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Are the boys in yet?" Jack asked as he wandered through the bullpen.

"Not that I have seen," Viv replied as she walked to her desk with a mug of steaming coffee.

Sam looked up from her desk and smiled. "I haven't seen them. Do you think they are still alive?" she asked in a light-hearted tone.

"How many times do have I have to tell you two – they will come back and they will have bonded. They will make a great team," Jack stated.

"Have you been taking something? Because this is Danny and Martin we are talking about. The last time—sorry--the only time I have seen them together they have been at each other's throats," Viv exclaimed.

"They will be fine, they just need-"

"They just need to get the cavemen out of them," Sam finished. "The million dollar question is how long is that going to take?"

"You obviously have little faith in me. Viv remember when Danny joined the team – what did you think?" Jack started.

"Jack, it's not that I don't think that Martin wasn't a great choice, its just-" Sam said

"We know Danny and Martin will make a great team eventually. They are two young men who are marking their territory and they will stop – but as Sam said – when?" Viv cut in

Jack smiled and shook his head. He had known that Danny and Martin had the 'right stuff' from the moment he had meet them. He knew as soon as they had settled their differences they would make a great team – but it was a question of how long would it take. "Anyway back to the original question – has anyone heard from the boys?"

"Not today," Sam replied. "I haven't heard from them since Martin phoned from the airport."

"They probably got held up in traffic or something," Viv reassured

"Surprisingly, I am not that bothered. They must have got back after midnight. So I will give them a break – a small one. If they are not here in a few minutes, they will be doing overtime for free," Jack joked. He smiled as he picked up a stack of paperwork and sat down at the table.

A few hours later

Leaning back in her chair, Viv sighed. They had been doing paperwork for hours and it didn't feel like they had made any headway. "This is one thing they forgot to put in the recruitment leaflet. They never tell you how much paperwork you will have to do," she commented.

Jack smirked. "Well I don't know about you, but I have done over half," he joked

"I think paperwork should come with a health warning," Sam added. "Anyway…now I am worried? Where are Danny and Martin?"

Jack looked up and scanned the bullpen. "They haven't called in yet?" he asked nervously.

"No," Viv replied, concern building in her voice. "What time did you tell Danny to come in?"

Jack looked down at his watch inhaled sharply. "They should have been here three hours ago," he exclaimed. "Viv try and contact Danny – Sam you try and get hold of Martin," Jack ordered. He closed his eyes briefly as Sam and Viv started ringing the boys home and cell phones. He held his head in his hands. Why was he so nervous? They were only three hours late. But his gut told him otherwise – something had happened to his agents.

"Jack!"

"Yeah!" Jack answered in a startled tone.

"I have no reply from Danny's home phone and his cell is going straight to voice mail," Viv said concern evident in her voice.

"Same here," Sam added.

"Ok," Jack said as he took a deep calming breath, raking his hands through his hair. "Ok, the boys have probably slept in so there's no point in-"

"Freaking out," Viv cut in. They hadn't slept in – she didn't know how she did, but she did. If they were going to be late, they would have phoned in. Mostly because of the job, but also because the wrath of Jack Malone.

"Yes," Jack continued in a distant tone. "Ok right, we need to…" he stammered as he raked his hands through his hair again to pull himself together. "Viv, go to Danny's. Sam, go to Martin's. I will stay to deal with them were they turn up."

Jack rubbed his face wearily, even though he had slept for hours last night – it felt as though he hadn't slept in weeks. He watched Viv and Sam hurried off towards the elevators. He hoped they return shortly with the boys or at least a phone call to say they were fine – but he doubted it. Maybe the job had made him paranoid – but his gut was screaming at him. He knew something had happened to them – the question was what hospital--or God forbid--morgue they were in.

He jumped slightly when the phone rang, he stared around his office and wondered how long ago Viv and Sam had gone. He stared at the caller id and inhaled sharply.

"Viv," he answered tensely

"Jack, Danny's not here and no one has seen him since he went to San Diego. I checked his answering machine and a part from the messages left by us, there was a message left from woman, presumably a date. She was supposed to meet him last night and he never showed," Viv reeled off. "Have you heard from Sam yet?"

Jack rubbed his temple – what the hell had happened to his agents?

"Jack," Sam called out tensely.

"Martin wasn't there, was he?" Jack guessed.

"No he wasn't. What about Danny?" Sam asked nervously

"No he wasn't there either. Viv checked his messages and a part from messages from us there was a message from a woman – he was supposed to meet her last night," Jack replied

"So they have been missing for-" Sam looked at her watch. "Twenty eight hours."

"Yeah," Jack agreed tiredly. "Ok start checking the hospitals and the-" He couldn't continue. He didn't want to know that his agents where dead.

"This is Danny and Martin we are talking about-"

"Yes I am aware of that. What is your point?" Jack snapped

"My point is," Sam said, ignoring Jack's snappiness. "My point is that as soon as they got to New York they would have gone their separate ways – I think we just think about looking at San Diego."

"Ok, fine. Call the airline first," Jack said shortly

Sam briefly glared at Jack but she knew his shortness came from caring about his agents. After finding the number, she returned to her desk and dialled it. She frowned when she was told the information. Martin had phoned her from the airport. He said he was just about to check in. If someone had taken Danny and Martin, someone would have seen it. Danny and Martin were two highly trained, fit guys. It would take a lot to take them against their will.

"U-mm, Jack, they never made it on to the flight."

"What?" Jack exclaimed

"I phoned the airline – they never were on that flight," Sam repeated.

"Maybe they missed it, or there wasn't enough room on it," Jack said in desperation. "Check the rest of the flights."

"I have checked all United flights and I am just about to check the rest – but Jack, they should be here by now," Sam exclaimed

Frowning, Jack knew Sam was right. "Ok, fine. U-mm, I will start checking JFK, La Guardia and every other commercial airport in the New York area. Maybe something happened to them at the San Diego airport," Jack suggested.

"If something happened, we would have heard about it. I know for sure that Danny can take care of himself. He took out one of those 350 pound 'celebrity minder' guys," Sam commented.

Jack frowned. "Fine – when did Danny take out this guy," he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Oh ages ago at a martial arts class," Sam explained with a grin.

"Oh," Jack said with a small smile. "Why were you and Danny at a martial arts class?"

"It was when I first joined the team. I saw Danny leaving - asked him off hand what he was going to do when he left work and he invited me. I never realised how graceful he is," Sam replied with a grin.

Jack smirked but his expression turned grim as he remembered why he was having the conversation. "Ok right," he stammered. "Sam I need to check all flights out of San Diego bound for New York in the last twenty four hours, I will start checking with New York airport security."

Several frustrating hours later, Viv leaned back in her chair and sighed. "I've got nothing – its as though they have disappeared off the face of this earth," she exclaimed.

"Wait. I think I have something," Sam said as spun around. "I have just got off the phone with the check in staff that was on when Danny and Martin were due to fly. She remembers them, she says they cancelled their ticket!"

"What?" Jack yelled. "How did she remember them? How did they seem?"

"Whoa Jack, calm down!" Sam said. "Apparently, they were relaxed, and she remembers them – get this -- because they were so good looking and charming!"

Viv rolled her eyes. "Did they say why they cancelled the ticket?"

"No," Sam replied somberly

Clenching his jaw, he stared as his agents empty desks. "Ok, we know Danny and Martin were at San Diego airport at 11 am yesterday, where they appeared relaxed. But they cancelled their flight back to New York," he reeled off. He looked down at his feet, he didn't want to do this but he had to. "Viv get a recent photo of the boys, Sam open a case number - the boys are missing."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Martin slowly opened his eyes and gasped in pain, as what felt like a sledgehammer had been taken to his tender skull. Slowly surveying the loose sparking wires and the twisted metal, the last thing he remembered was Danny pissing him off at the airport. He rested his head in his heads and started to massage his temples. He took a deep calming breath as he forced himself to remember what had happened. He remembered the cancelling his ticket and getting on the FBI plane with Danny. He remembered playing on Danny's fears, he remembered Danny freaking out. He gasped and inhaled sharply as he remembered the plane going down. He looked around franticly – where the hell was Danny? What if Danny's last thoughts were him taunting him. God he was such a bastard. Danny was scared of flying, he had played on those fears and the plane had crashed. He slowly unfastened his seatbelt and walked across the plane searching for Danny. He could've sworn he heard something outside. Finding an opening in the wreckage, he carefully climbed out. Martin closed his eyes briefly as he was met with the bright sunshine reflecting off the brilliant white snow. Squinting, he slowly began scan the area looking for any forms of life – looking for Danny.

"Danny," he called out when his eyes fell on a hunched figure.

Danny looked wildly around, he was sure that someone had just called his name – but how was this possible – he was the only one alive. He let his head fall into his hands. He was now hearing things.

"Danny," Martin called again as he approached the hunched figure.

Danny looked up again, he frowned. "Martin," he tried, as the figure approached him.

"That's right Danny, are you all right man?" Martin asked as he sat down next to Danny. Although he could see no obvious injuries, it didn't mean that Danny had escaped the crash completely unharmed.

"Am I all right?" Danny exclaimed. "How can I be all right? We've been in a fucking plane crash. The pilot's dead. We are in the middle of no where and I thought you were dead, too!"

"Danny, calm down. We are going to fine," Martin reassured as he slightly shook Danny's shoulders. "We are going to fine. We just have to sit tight for a day at most, then they will come and pick us up."

"What if they don't? How do you know this?" Danny rambled in a lost panicked tone.

"All planes have emergency beacons, traffic control has been monitoring our flight – so they will know our position within a couple of meters," Martin explained. "It's going to be all right man."

"You don't know that! And-and the pilot's dead – he has a wife and two kids, what are they going to do?" Danny exclaimed.

"Once we get home, we will make sure his family is looked after," Martin reassured.

"I think we should start walking now – while we still have a chance. For all we know, those beacon things don't work and air traffic control hasn't monitored a damn thing," Danny said as he stood up.

"Danny, listen to me. Sit down, shut up and listen to me!" Martin yelled. He watched as Danny slowly collapsed to the ground. "The beacons will be working and in the unlikelihood that they aren't - we stand more a chance of being found if we stay with the plane."

Danny didn't respond at first, his first instinct being to argue with Martin, but then he relented. "I guess so," Danny said quietly. "And the plane gives us shelter. I am sorry Martin, I, I just, well I dunno."

"Don't worry about it. If I had come to first and thought I was the only one left, I'd be freaking out, too," Martin reassured. "And if the plane had crashed in some city – I would be totally freaking out," he added.

"Man, if it had crashed in a city – there would a lot people around and our cell phones might actually get a signal," Danny replied, relaxing a little.

"Yes, but cities freak me out," Martin confessed.

"Seriously?" Danny started. "What's there to be freaked out in cities?"

"They are confined, lots of people and very few places to escape. Probably the complete opposite to why you get freaked out in the country," Martin exclaimed.

"I guess so. But this? Isn't the country. It's the middle of freaking nowhere. Do you think the team knows yet?" Danny asked, deep in thought.

"I dunno – I hope so. You think Jack will be worried?" Martin asked

"Yes," Danny replied with a smirk. "I pity anyone that has information – especially if they are stupid enough to withhold it from Jack."

"Do you think that he let us take it easy for a while?" Martin asked with a grin.

"I doubt it. But just so you know – Jack Malone has far greater medical knowledge that a doctor of thirty-seven years," Danny joked.

"Great," Martin replied sarcastically. He shivered slightly and pulled his jacket closed to his body. He didn't know how he was holding together right now – but he had to until Danny got his head on straight. He was terrified and cold. For one of the first times in his life, he really wanted to see his father – anything would be better that this.

The plane was two hundred miles off course and locating beacons were smashed beyond all recognition. No one knew where they were, and no one was coming to rescue them. – but Danny and Martin didn't know this. As far as they were concerned a helicopter would pick them up in a couple of hours – little did they know the search planes were searching 200 miles from their present location.