As always huge thanks to anmodo for betaing this chapter. Also thanks to everyone that has reviewed so far – it really helps.

Chapter 4

Resting his head against the cool glass, Jack asked himself, "Why was this happening?" Maybe he shouldn't of sent Danny and Martin across the country to work on a case – together. But he doubted it was the reason they were missing. He knew that they would watch each others' backs. He knew they wouldn't jeopardize each others' lives. No, there had to be a third party involved in the disappearance of his agents. Missing – Jack thought as he dug his fingernails into his scalp. He had been working missing persons for eleven years and he had been waiting… dreading for this day when someone close to him went missing. He closed his eyes – this could not be happening.

"Jack!" Viv called out as she approached her tired, guilt-ridden boss and friend. She frowned with concern when he didn't respond. "Jack," she tried again.

Slowly, he looked up to the voice that was calling his name. "Viv," he tried. "Have you got any leads?" He knew there wouldn't be, this case had been one dead end after another. It was as though the boys had disappeared off the face of the planet.

"Yes," Viv replied nervously. She had no idea how Jack would react to her news.

"What?" Jack exclaimed. "What is it? Do you know where the boys are?"

"Whoa, Jack, calm down. Okay?" Viv said calmly.

"I will not calm down until they have been returned safely and I am yelling at them for making me worry!" Jack ranted.

"Jack!" Viv exclaimed. "Are you going to let me tell you what the lead is or not?"

"I am sorry, Viv," Jack responded, raking his fingers though his untamed hair. "What have you got?"

"One of the FBI planes crashed somewhere over the Rookies," Viv started.

"And how is this relevant to Danny and Martin?" Jack exclaimed. "You said you had a lead!"

"If you would let me finish! The plane was flying from San Diego to New York," Viv explained. She stopped and let the weight of her words sink in.

"W-What?" Jack managed to stammer.

"Danny and Martin weren't on the passenger manifest, but-"

"This is Danny and Martin we are talking about. They wouldn't pass up a chance to fly on a private jet," Jack interjected solemnly. He rubbed a hand over his wearily face – now he had to deal with the lovely Deputy Director of the FBI. "Have they got a location yet?"

"Yes, but-" Viv stopped, not knowing how to phrase the next part.

"But what Viv? What aren't you telling me?" Jack demanded, he could feel his blood pressure rising. What was worse than the boys being in a plane crash?

"They haven't found anything, yet," Viv started but was soon cut off by Jack.

"What do you mean they haven't found anything?" Jack exclaimed.

"They can't find the plane or any of the wreckage," Viv said quietly.

"What? You can't just lose a 100ft plane – they are obviously aren't looking hard enough!" Jack yelled.

"Jack!" Viv exclaimed. "Calm down and listen to me. I know they are alive and they are way too stubborn to give up. They would probably stay alive just so they could annoy you once they got back."

"They don't annoy me," Jack said in a very quiet, lost voice.

"Sure they don't – they annoy me sometimes. But what I wouldn't give to have them in the office bickering with each other," Viv said gently. "We will get them back."

"I hope so Viv, I really hope so," Jack said quietly.

"We will, and then you can ground them, and chain them to their desks," Viv said light heartily

Jack produced a small smile. "Wish me luck. Now I have to deal with the wonderful Deputy Director," Jack said sarcastically.

Viv smiled. "You'll be fine. Just don't give him an inch and stand up for Danny," Viv said. She looked at Jack's slightly confused expression. "Jack, Martin has his father – who let I remind you is the Deputy Director of the FBI – Danny only has you. You have to make sure that Danny isn't passed over because of the power game."

Leaning back against the wall, he felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. "Don't worry," he sighed. "I promise I won't let that happen."

"I know, Jack," Viv said with a smile. "Oh and good luck."

"Thanks Viv," Jack said slightly sarcastically. He rolled his eyes. This was the moment he was dreading, when he had to tell Martin's father – the deputy director of the FBI no less – that his son had been in a plane crash. He slowly walked towards his office and rubbed his weary face. Taking a deep breath, he walked into the bear pit.

"What the hell was that about?" Victor yelled, as he stormed p to Jack. "I just want information on my son's case and you storm out – I hope this is not how you treat all of the victims' families. I will be taking this up with your supervisors."

Jack closed his eyes as Victor continued to rant, of course this wasn't how he treated the victims' families. It was just this case was striking a little to close to home. "Victor," he started quietly, "Victor, I have a lead on the case."

"You are just a cold, heartless bastard – my son could be dead or dying out there and you don't give a damn!" Victor exclaimed as he continued to rant – not hearing what Jack said.

"Victor," Jack started again. "Victor, damn-it listen to me!"'

Victor stopped and looked up, barely drawing breath. "What?" he yelled.

"We have reason to believe that Danny and Martin were in a plane crash," Jack explained – he stood and waited for Victor's onslaught of words.

"What?" Victor exclaimed – fear evident on his voice. "How do you know that, where's the evidence, is Martin okay?"

"One of the FBI planes was flying from San Diego to New York and it crashed en route," Jack explained.

"And you think my son was on that plane?" Victor started. He looked at Jack's fearful expression and knew the answer; it was all Taylor's fault. He just wished that his son wouldn't have had to mix with the scum of the earth. If he had taken a career in politics, Martin would be mixing with the right kind of people – not like Taylor and Malone. "Damn-it Jack, this has to be all Taylor's doing."

"What?" Jack said in disbelief. "Why the hell is it Danny's fault?"

"Because 'Taylor' is the reason my son is on that flight!" Victor spat.

Feeling his blood boil, he hated the way Victor Fitzgerald said Danny's name as if it was some form of insult. "Danny is a good kid, he's smart and he's a good agent. He isn't perfect, but I hate to break it to you—neither is your son," Jack said coldly.

"What?" Victor said in a cold voice as he stood over Jack.

"Your son broke major protocol on his first day and could've got our missing person killed," Jack explained in a calm voice.

"What are you trying to say?" Victor exclaimed.

"I am saying that your son isn't perfect. Nor is Danny, nor am I and I hate to break it to you, but nor are you. We are human beings – we are naturally flawed. And it's just as much Martin's fault as it's Danny's why they are on that plane – but they didn't crash it."

"Why are you so protective over Taylor?" Victor asked. "He's only an agent."

"Because I have known him for four years. And he's a good person. And my team and I are basically the closest thing to family he's had in a very long time," Jack explained. "But they are both my agents and there's nothing I wouldn't do to get them back!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Somewhere in the Rookie Mountains, CO

Danny stared at the bleak landscape. It had been four days since the crash and there had been no sign of rescue, so they had decided to walk out. He had asked Martin if he needed any help packing up the stuff they would need, but Martin had turned down the offer – telling him in a light-hearted tone that he would be in the way. Danny understood Martin's reasons, but he needed to do something. The thought of walking throughout the bleak mountainous terrain filled Danny a gut-wrenching fear. It wasn't that he wasn't physically fit; he ran three miles everyday – but this, the challenge he was about to undertake – he didn't think he could do it. Martin probably had been walking in the mountains from the moment he could walk. Leaning against the wreckage, he wrapped his arms around his chest as he let a cough escape. He had been gradually getting sick over the pass couple of days, but he hadn't let it show – he couldn't. Martin already had enough to think about – he didn't want to put anything else on his plate. He shook his head. It was probably nothing – the air was probably to clean and cold, he just needed time to get use to it. There was no point in worrying Martin about stupid fears.

"You all right, man," Martin said as he wandered out carrying supplies.

"W-What," Danny stammered, temporary confused by Martin's question, as it pulled him deep out his thoughts. "Sorry, I was just thinking. I'm fine," he quickly added.

"About what?" Martin asked, as he sunk down next to Danny.

"I may not have been a boy scout – but that cloud," Danny said as pointed the ominous black cloud that was rapidly approaching them. "That cloud looks like bad news."

"Shit!" Martin swore. "You're right, it's a snow cloud and from the look of things—a bad one!"

"So should we wait out the storm?" Danny asked nervously. He just wanted to be anywhere but on this mountain right now. It wasn't just the remoteness that scared him. But the sheer scale of the hike that they were about to undertake and the fact the incoming storm had Martin freaked out.

"U-mm," Martin said as he surveyed the area. Even with the wreckage, they were too exposed here and with the storm – there was a serious risk of avalanche. "We are too exposed here – we have to move."

"What are you talking about? There's a storm approaching, surely we shouldn't be walking in the mountains where we will be more exposed," Danny exclaimed nervously.

"You are right in theory, but my other concern is the risk of avalanches," Martin explained. He looked at Danny's fearful expression and added. "It will be fine. I am sure there will be a cave or something like that we can shelter in."

"But you don't know that!" Danny exclaimed. "You don't even know which way we are supposed to be going! You haven't even looked at the maps!"

"What maps? I would've looked at the fucking maps if you had told me about them!" Martin yelled, as once again, he could feel the tension rising between them.

"I did tell you about them! I even started to look at them and plan our route. But you think you are so high and mighty and think someone like me could never figure out a route," Danny yelled back. He turned and started down the mountain. What the fuck was Martin's problem? Was he the only one that was trying to get them the hell off this mountain?

"Oh don't play the 'poor little Danny Taylor card' with me," Martin yelled. "Oh come on! How bad was your childhood? I bet it was paradise compared to mine."

"What – where the fuck did that come from? Danny yelled. "Do you really wanna hear what my childhood was like? Do you wanna hear that the bastard use to break bottles over me and stub cigarettes out on me – is that what you want to hear?"

"No Danny, I didn't. I'm sorry," Martin said instantly regarding what he said.

"I will fucking tell you about my 'paradise' childhood," Danny yelled.

Flashback

A seven-year-old Danny Alvarez quietly entered the family's apartment. He scanned the apartment – looking for any signs of his father. Finding none, he quickly walked towards his room, which he shared with Raffi. He wished on occasions that he had his own room, but the majority of the time he was thankful that he shared it with Raffi. Raffi, was his big brother and his protector. He shielded him from the worse of his father's abused, but today was not one of those days.

"You ungrateful brat, come here," Marco Alvarez yelled.

Danny felt himself freeze up with fear. He wanted to run and hide, but he knew if he did, the abuse would be worse. He closed his eyes and took a breath, by the sound of things; his father had been drinking – a lot. He just hoped that he hadn't done anything to piss his father off – but he knew he had. Everything he did was wrong. He raked his hands through his hair and tried to hide his fear – but it was pointless, his father could smell fear.

"Yes, Papi," Danny said in a small innocent voice.

"Don't play innocent with me," Marco yelled. He drunkenly swung the near empty whisky bottle around and gestured to a piece of paper on the table. "And your teachers have been phoning about you – why the hell are you drawing attention to yourself!"

"Papi I-I," Danny stammered as he looked down at his science paper. He hadn't studied much but somehow he had managed to get 95. He looked down – what was he supposed to say? It wasn't as though he had studied for this test. He just found school easy.

"What the hell do you have to say for yourself," Marco growled. "Why the hell can't you be normal?" He stood over his youngest son and took a long swig of whisky. He had two useless sons. One was failing everything, while the other was some kind of genius – but both were drawing attention and he didn't like that.

"U-mm, I-I," Danny stammered as he looked around wildly for some form of escape – there was none. He felt a tear roll down his face and angrily wiped it away. He didn't want his father to see his fears – but he knew he had failed. He just hoped Raffi or his Mom would turn up before his father killed him.

"Cat got your tongue. boy?" Marco sneered as he emptied the whisky bottle – not wanting to waste the precious liquid on the poor excuse he had for a son. He smiled as he watched Danny look wildly around with his big, fearful eyes. He sighed. Danny was weak. He never put up much of a fight, so disappointingly this would be over quickly. He brought the empty bottle down hard on Danny's shoulder, laughing when Danny cried out.

"Oh come on, you pathetic brat," Marco laughed as he landed another sharp kick to his son's chest. He bent down and looked into Danny's pain and tear-ridden eyes. He smiled and pulled a pack of smokes from his pocket. He flicked the lighter in front of Danny and landed a hard punch to Danny's stomach. He never hit on the arms, legs or face, as it would leave marks, that the world to see. He lit up the cigarette and took a long drag. He smiled as he watched the fear dance across Danny's eyes. "So, Danny do you have any thing to say?"

"U-mm, y-yes," Danny managed to gasp though the pain. He tried to curl up into a defensive ball – knowing what was coming next. "I-I am so sorry Papi. It will never happen again."

"The thing is, Danny, it will and if you are not screwing up getting A+'s etc the teachers will notice and then I will get more phone calls and attention," Marco sighed. He took one final drag of the cigarette before slowly exhaling – blowing the smoke into Danny's eyes. "Danny, you have screwed up and there is nothing we can do about it," he sneered as he stubbed the cigarette out on Danny's shoulder.

Danny cried out in pain as he felt the cigarette burn his skin. The room darkened. The blackout was coming but he welcomed it this time – anything to get away from his father. If he was unconscious, he couldn't feel his father's abuse – so he went towards the darkness.

"What the hell have you done?"

Marco slowly looked around, to come face to face with his oldest son. "He screwed up so I taught him a lesson," Marco growled.

Raffi pushed passed his father, and gathered Danny up in his arms. "He's a little boy, Papi. Danny has done nothing wrong! You should be proud of him – Mom and I are!" Raffi exclaimed as he quickly checked his baby brother over for any life threatening injuries. He knew their father would never take Danny to a hospital - they would ask too many questions. So he pushed his father and stormed into his room. Danny began to whimper as he gently laid him on his bed. Raffi cradled Danny in his arms and stroked his hair. "It's okay, Danny, I've got you. He won't hurt you now – I promise. It's okay Danny-boy, I'm so proud of you," Raffi said in-between tears.

End flashback

"That was my 'picnic' childhood, Martin and if you think it got better after my parents died then you are sadly mistaken," Danny yelled. He felt tears begin to stream down his face and angrily wiped them away. He wanted to get as far away as possible from Martin but he knew he couldn't. Why the hell did Martin have to bring up his childhood now?

"D-Danny I'm so sorry; I didn't mean it like that, I'm so sorry man. There is no excuse for my behaviour, but I am sorry," Martin stammered as he slowly approached Danny. "I know its no excuse, but with the snow and everything…well…I guess- I'm sorry Danny that I is no excuse."

Danny collapsed and buried his head in his hands – not wanting Martin to see his tear streaked face. He could understand what Martin was saying this whole situation was getting to him as well – probably the reason why all of his tightly guarded emotions were so close to the surface. "Its okay," he managed to sniff.

"Okay," Martin said as he looked towards the plane. He had looked at the maps and had seen what looked like a cave just over half a mile from here. He could run half a mile in two minutes in normal conditions – but these were not normal conditions. With the thin air, the deep snow and minimum amount of supplies they were taking they had to start moving now before the storm hit. "Danny, there is what looks like a cave half a mile from here, but we have to go now if we wanna make it before the storm."

Danny continued to stare at his feet. As much as he hated it, he had to rely on Martin – his life depended on it. He slowly pulled himself to his feet, biting back a cough as he did. "What are we waiting for – let's go."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

26 Federal Plaza

Jack sat silently at one end of the conference room – Victor Fitzgerald sat at the other. They had barely exchanged a word since they had been here.

"Do you think my son is still alive?"

The question had been said so quietly and suddenly that it had caught Jack completely off guard. "U-mm, sorry? Yes I do," Jack managed stammer. "I may have only known Martin for a few weeks, but I know he is tough, smart and stubborn - so is Danny. Victor, we will get them back alive."

"And what we if don't?"

"I-I don't know," Jack stammered.

"The thing is Jack, that you would have only lost two agents, you can replace them. But I would've lost a son – I could never replace Martin," Victor explained.

Jack closed his eyes and thought of his girls – he didn't know what he would do if something happened to them. But Victor was wrong, the boys are irreplaceable. "Victor I have two girls. I don't want to even think about what I do if I lost them. But you're wrong. I couldn't just replace Danny and Martin – they are vital, irreplaceable part of my team."

Victor was just about to answer, when someone entered the room. Both men looked up nervously – not knowing what to say. The small, fat man cleared his throat. "Are you here for agents Fitzgerald and Taylor?" he asked.

"Yes," Victor said as he stood up and shook the man's hand. "My name is Deputy Director Victor Fitzgerald of the FBI," Victor said, enhancing that the fact he was the Deputy Director of the FBI. "I am Martin's father."

"Y-Yes sir," the man stammered. "My name is George Thompson of the FFA. I am investigating the disappearance of flight GA -34524 NY." He glared at Jack. "Who are you?"

"Special Agent Jack Malone," Jack said, as he extended his hand.

George glared at Jack. "I am sorry, but you are not family member. So I can't divulge any form of information."

"What?" Jack exclaimed. He stood over George Thompson and coldly glared at him. "Special Agent Taylor has no family and as I am his emergency contact – I will acting on the behalf of his family – understand?"

"Y-Yes," George stammered. He looked around wildly; he didn't know how these two men would react when he told them the little, but depressing news. "U-mm at 1800 we lost radio contact with flight GA – 34524 NY."

"So it may not have crashed?" Victor asked, staring at the squiring figure of George. "If you have only lost radio contact with it, then it may have been hijacked."

"Y-Yes, that is true, and while the beacons have not been activated, I don't believe that flight GA – 34524 NY was a victim of hijacking."

"Why not?" Victor demanded.

"Because I believe, we would have received a ransom demand by now," George explained nervously.

"Not necessarily," Jack said speaking up for the first time. He cleared his throat as two sets of eyes stared at him. "That plane has a range of several thousand miles, they could've flown it down to South America where the kidnapper could've dealt with it on their own turf. But there is another reason why you think the plane wasn't hijacked."

"Yes sir, u-mm well flight GA – 34524 NY just disappeared off the radar and no hijacking could have done that. Also, we have had no visuals on it," George explained.

"So what are you doing to get my son back?" Victor growled.

"We have several rescue helicopters and search planes sweeping the area. Sir, we will get your son back – I promise you. I will personally make sure that we get Martin back," George reassured.

Jack stopped pacing the room and looked up. He glared at George and Victor – did they have any value on Danny's life. He stormed up to them. "And what about Danny's life? Does that have any value?" Jack yelled.

"Yes sir. Of course it does," George stammered.

"It's just saving Danny wouldn't move you up the DC ladder," Jack yelled. "But you better listen to me. Danny has worked in the New York office for five years, he is well known and well liked – so a lot of people wouldn't be happy if you didn't treat his life the same as Martin's. Oh and another thing George, I will take his death personally," Jack growled as he stormed out of the office.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Somewhere in Rookie Mountains, CO

Martin put the last of the metal sheeting up, just as the wind started to howl. He shivered slightly and looked down the cave to where Danny was. He was concerned about him – Danny had been quiet and withdrawn during the walk over. At first Martin wasn't too concern but then he had seen Danny was struggling. He knew Danny was as fit as he was – he had been running in the park and met Danny. Wanting to prove himself, he had pushed himself as hard Danny – he found Danny and himself had been equally matched. But during the walk over, Danny had been clearly struggling – if he was struggling now on relatively easy terrain how was he going to cope with the rest of the trek?

"Man, are you okay?" Martin asked as he sat down next to Danny. He still felt guilty for pushing Danny earlier – he really didn't mean to pry in to Danny's obviously painful childhood.

"I am fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Danny said quickly and defensively. He looked down and continued to busy himself with the fire. He had rigged up a device, which enabled them to burn a fire and not die from smoke inhalation.

"Nothing," Martin said slowly. "Look, Danny, I am really sorry about before. I never meant to pry. I never meant to imply that your childhood was a picnic. I am really sorry, man."

"It's fine, it's in the past," Danny said absentmindedly, as he continued to stare into the fire. It was so cold in here, even right next to the fire he felt cold. He held back another cough that he could feel brewing in his chest. He didn't want Martin to think that he was weak. He didn't want Martin to have something that he could use against him.

"Are you sure your all right? I mean you seemed to be struggling a little," Martin said

"What?" Danny exclaimed. "What the hell is your problem? Everything is a competition with you, isn't it?" He tried to bit back the cough but couldn't and started to have a coughing fit.

Martin grabbed a bottle of water and quickly uncapped it, handing it to Danny. "Easy man, it's okay. Just breathe and take small sips," Martin coached.

"Thanks," Danny said breathlessly, as the coughing fit ended. He looked away and silently swore – why couldn't he keep it together? Why was he so weak? He took a long swig of water and continued to gaze at the fire.

"It's okay to ask for help – it's not a sign of weakness," Martin said quietly.

"I am not weak. I am fine, I just have a cough, that's all," Danny said as he started to nervously rant. "I am not weak, Martin. Why do you think I am fucking weak!"

"Listen to me! I do not think you are weak – far from it. But it's okay to ask for help, it's not a sign of weakness. I know it's hard. It took me a while to realise it and half the time I don't ask for help when I should. But this is a different situation Danny – we are relying on each other."

"And who told you that?" Danny exclaimed

"My Aunt Bonnie," Martin replied.

Flashback

A nine year old Martin Fitzgerald hung his head as he watched his parents pack up to go on yet another trip. He watched his father with added interest as he yelled on the phone at some poor person.

"Damn it," Victor Fitzgerald yelled.

"What is it?" Sarah Fitzgerald asked as she sipped her coffee.

"Mary Lyman – the new au pair – has called to say she can't do it, something about family problems," Victor spat.

"What are we going to about him?" Sarah exclaimed as she pointed at Martin.

"I don't know. I guess I could phone my sister," Victor suggested. He picked up his phone and quickly dialled Bonnie's number. "Bonnie, its Victor…. yes I am fine… look can you do me a favour and take Martin… Great, I will see you half an hour."

"Is it worked out?" Sarah asked hesitantly, as she looked between her husband and her son.

"Yes Bonnie has agreed to take Martin for the whole summer," Victor said, he looked at his son and gave him a small smile. "I am sure you will have a great summer Martin, probably a hell of better than with an au pair."

Martin slowly nodded, to be honest he really didn't know what to do. But as the news slowly sunk in he produced a small smile. He loved Bonnie and her family, it was a place where he could feel like a child.

Half an hour later, they arrived outside Bonnie's family home. After the cold, slightly official farewells from his mother and father, he looked down at his case and bit back the tears that threatened to fall. He slowly looked up, when he felt a set of comforting hands on his shoulders.

"It's okay, Martin, you can ask for help – its not a sign of weakness," Bonnie said soothingly.

"But I-I," Martin stammered, as he could feel his defences slowly breaking down.

"You are not weak, Martin, but it takes a strong person to ask for help," Bonnie said gently as she hugged him.

Martin let himself collapse into Bonnie's comforting embrace and let the tears fall. He didn't know why he was crying – his life was better that most people's.

"How about you help me make some cookies?" Bonnie suggest with a smile.

Martin produced a small smile and took Bonnie's hand and let her lead him into the warm family home – a place that felt more like home that his.

End of flashback

"Most kids spend their whole childhood not wanting to be treated like children but I loved it. When I was at my Aunt Bonnie's, I was a child, not an adult in a child's body," Martin said quietly. He closed his eyes as he listened to the howling storm outside – which sounded like it was getting worse.

Danny frowned with concern as he looked at Martin, sensing Martin wanted to change the subject. "The storm sounds like it's getting worse out there."

"Yeah I am glad we moved from the plane," Martin replied. "At least it's warm in here."

"True, but how long do you think this storm will last?" Danny asked nervously.

"I dunno, but if it lasts any longer, we may be trapped in here," Martin exclaimed.