Huge, huge thanks to anmodo for betaing this chapter. As thanks to everyone that has reviewed so far, I am glad you are enjoying it.
Chapter 7
Rocky Mountains, CO
130 hours missing
Closing his eyes, Danny forced himself to put one foot in front of the other. The mountain seemed endless. His cough seemed to be constantly with him now, it was as though he couldn't go more that a few feet without coughing. He was also in constant pain now. Every time he breathed—it hurt. Between this, and the headache that had developed, there were tears in his eyes. He just wanted this to end. He wanted to curl up and sleep – but he knew he couldn't. He had to keep on going - that was the only thing playing on his mind. He had to keep on going.
"Danny, let's take a break," Martin called out. It was almost unbearable to watch Danny continuing to struggle. But it was his fault Danny was suffering. If he hadn't walked that close to the ledge, then they wouldn't be in this situation. At least he could share the burden with Danny. "Man, let's take a break," Martin called out again, when Danny didn't respond.
"No, we have to keep on going," Danny said in a slightly distant tone as he continued to push his fever-ridden body.
"No, you- we need to take a break and grab something to eat from our wonderful selection," Martin replied, as he eyed his friend's struggling form.
"I have to keep going Martin, 'cos if I don't, I don't think I will be able to get going again," Danny said in almost desperate tone. "I just can't stop, man."
"It's okay, man you need to take a break and you will be able to get going again," Martin reassured.
"No, I have to keep on going – I have to. If I don't, we will die out here!" Danny rambled. He wrapped his arms around his chest as started to cough again. Each time it felt like someone was stabbing him in the chest. He felt tears stream down his face. "We are going to die out here!"
"Danny, listen to me, we are not going to die out here," Martin reassured, his voice laced with concern. "Man, you need to take a break, you need to rest!"
"I need to keep going, Martin – I don't think I can do anything else," Danny rambled. "I have to keep going."
"No, Danny you need to rest, man. It's not going to make any difference if you take five minutes," Martin started. He looked at Danny struggling and wondered what he could do to persuade Danny to rest. "Danny, please, you know Jack would think it was a good idea."
"How would you know? Jack isn't here," Danny exclaimed.
"I know, but I know Jack is a good guy and he cares about you. Danny none of the team would like you to push yourself like you are – nor do I," Martin explained calmly. "Please Danny just stop." 'Before you kill yourself' Martin silently added.
Danny collapsed to the ground and tried to catch his breath – but it was so difficult and painful. He wrapped his arms protectively around his chest and pulled his knees up. He rested his head against his knees and let a few tears escape. Now that he had stopped, he had no idea if he could get up again – but he had to. Every step felt like a mile. Every breath felt like he had been stabbed in the chest. He just wanted to wake up from this nightmare – but he knew he wouldn't. He knew he would die out here and, months later, someone would find his frozen body, on this bleak landscape. Closing his eyes, he let the tears run freely down his face. He couldn't go on. They were going to die out here and it was going to be all his fault. Before he could sink deeper in his dark thoughts, a voice pulled him out of them.
"Hey man, just take it easy," Martin said gently as he draped a blanket over Danny's shoulders.
"Martin," Danny started. He briefly looked at Martin before he stared blankly out on the bleak mountainous landscape. "U-mm look, I'm really sorry about the way I have treated you."
Martin rubbed his leg and leant back. "Its okay man, I doubt I would have welcomed you with open arms if I had been in your shoes – I guess it's a guy thing," Martin said with a smile.
Danny rubbed his hands over his weary face. "I don't know. The way I have seen some women react around each other, the way they attack each other – man, it's plain scary." He shivered slightly and pulled his coat closer to his body in a vain attempt to conserve his body heat. "I don't understand why people come to places like this out of choice."
Leaning back, he grabbed a blanket and draped it over Danny's shoulders. "Well to start off-- you aren't generally in this kind of situation. You have a pack and take a day hike around the trails – it's amazing, usually. It's really good fun if you and couple of buddies camp out for the night. You have a couple of beers, light a camp fire, cook on the fire and talk to the early hours," Martin said with a smile.
"How is that fun?" Danny exclaimed with spread a part arms – gesturing to the landscape. "Man it's freezing, I am exhausted, hungry and all I wanna do is sleep."
"You walk a bit, you're not pushing yourself unless you want to," Martin explained. He looked up at the sky and tried to gage the clouds. He needed to figure out what the weather was going to do, so he could plan the rest of the route. He turned to Danny and added. "I will have to take you for a hike when we get back."
"No offense, Martin, but if we make it out of here alive it will be a while before I head back up to the mountains," Danny replied.
"Good enough," Martin said with a smile. "But once we get back you have to come with me to my aunt Bonnie's. I love her to pieces, and they will all probably love you."
"M-Martin," Danny stammered, genuinely shocked by Martin's gesture. "I would love to, but it will be a while before Jack and the rest of the team let us out of their sights."
"You think?" Martin asked
"I don't think, I know," Danny said confidently. He found himself grinning as he thought of the group of people that had become the closest thing he had to a family in a very long time. For the first time in his life since Raffi died, he felt as though someone actually gave a damn. "Nah Fitzy – Jack, Sam and Viv are good people and they really care."
"I know," Martin started in a slightly distant tone. "Can you remember my first day?"
"Yeah!" Danny said with raised eyebrows. He took a breath and shrugged away his judgemental attitude. "I remember, but it's always tough on your first day."
"Well after I left you, well as you know I went down to Bart's place – where I screwed up," Martin sighed as he thought back to his first day.
Flashback
Martin groaned as he slowly and reluctantly returned to the world of consciousness. He quickly closed his eyes as painfully bright light stabbed his eyes. What the hell had happened? Why was he lying on the floor with a splitting headache? Then it hit him, he groaned again as he was met with hundreds of flashbacks. He had really screwed up and it was his first day. He felt a hand on his shoulder and groaned again.
"Martin, Martin," Jack said his voice laced with concern.
"J-Jack," Martin tried as he tried to sit up, but found a set of hands stopping him.
"Easy Martin, easy just stay down, okay. I am going to get some medics to check you over, okay?" Jack said gently
Martin allowed himself to relax slightly. He closed his eyes again, allowing himself to slip in the sanctuary of the darkness. He couldn't believe he had completely screwed up on his first day. Why did he have to be all gung ho - running in there to try and save the damsel in distress. He tried to sit up again but found the same set of hands stopping him. "Jack, Maggie. Is Maggie all right?" he asked desperately
"Maggie is fine," Jack said quickly as he fought the urge to add – no thanks to you. But Martin didn't need that right now. "I don't want you to worry about that right now, okay, Martin?"
"Look Jack I am really sorry, I screwed up and could've got Maggie killed, I am so sorry," Martin said in a lost tone as he struggled to sit up again.
"Okay it wasn't the best of things to do, but it's in the past and Maggie is okay. So don't worry about it," Jack reassured. He quickly scanned the room – waiting for the medics to arrive. He could barely contain his frustration with Martin. He couldn't believe that he had been so gung ho and nearly got Maggie killed. But right now he was more concerned about Martin's well being.
Martin nodded weakly. He couldn't believe Jack was so concerned. But it was probably because he didn't want to be an agent down or because he feared the wrath of his father. What was he thinking that someone actually cared about him, but it had been nice for those few moments that someone did care about him? He slowly sat up and felt the world spin violently – causing him to nearly fall. But Jack was there in a second.
"Damn-it Martin, I told you to stay down," Jack said in a suitable guff voice. He looked and nodded as the medics came in. He stood back a little and let them treat Martin, shooting an intimating glare every now and again.
End of Flashback
"It sounds really stupid now, but I dunno. I think I was probably imagining it," Martin stuttered, as he looked around. How could he possible think that they cared? The team were only co-workers, why would they care? When he had worked in Seattle his co-workers hadn't really cared – apart from who his father was. Martin sighed and raked his hands through his hair. He guessed that he was one of those people that no one really gave a shit about as long as his father was happy. Maybe they would show 'concern' but that was only because they thought that they should.
"Man, they do care," Danny said genuinely. "I promise you man, they really do care," Danny reassured. "Jack's the kind of boss that gives us hell, but would kill someone that attacks one of us. He can get very scary and overprotective." Danny added with a smile.
"So you think he's biting off heads to find us," Martin said in a small voice as he stared at the ground. He couldn't imagine his father doing that. As long as he didn't embarrass him, his father didn't care. He guessed his father had showed concern to begin with because it looked good – he didn't wanted to appear completely cold and inhuman.
"Yeah, he's probably growled at several officials. It wouldn't surprise me if he has slammed a couple against walls – demanding information. I don't know what you think about Jack, but for me, he's the best boss I have ever had and he's one the first people in my life that actually gave a damn about me."
"So if you had offers to join other units of the FBI or take another career you would turn them down?" Martin asked, as he watched Danny struggle to pull himself to his feet.
"P-Probably," Danny panted breathless as he putted himself to his feet and looked around. "I guess it's the security. For the first time in my life, I feel happy and relaxed and safe. And that's because of the team."
Martin smiled, he wondered if he would ever feel this security that Danny was talking about. He sighed as he watched Danny preparing to start walking. "You know you should rest for a bit longer," he said quickly.
"Nope. Can't, Martin. I am getting slower and slower. And because of this, I have to hike for longer," Danny quickly explained. He massaged his temples as the latest wave of pain shot through his skull. He stumbled slightly but forced himself to start walking. Each step, each breath was like torture. He didn't want to tell Martin – that he doubted he able to go on after a few hours.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Denver, CO
Same time
Jack stepped out the bus and pulled his thick coat as the icy wind bit into him. He looked up at the mountains. If he was cold down here, how the hell were boys faring – if they were alive? He took a breath and wandered into the heliport. He smiled at the young woman behind the desk, but silently sighed. The boys would have charmed her in five seconds flat, they probably would've rented the chopper for a heavily discounted price.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"U-mm yes, yes you can," Jack started with his most charming smile. "I would like to rent a helicopter."
"What is the purpose of the rental?" the receptionist asked with a smile.
"A rescue mission," Jack replied nervously. He tried another smile and pulled out his ID. He didn't want to intimidate her, but he just wanted to let her know he meant business.
"Sir, that is usually dealt by the FAA or mountain rescue," she replied slightly nervously as she stared at his ID.
"I know, but they have called it off," Jack said tiredly as he raked his hands through his dishevelled hair.
"Sir if they have called the search off then…" she trailed off, slightly afraid of how this obviously desperate man would react.
"No, you don't understand, they are still alive, my agents are still alive," Jack said desperately. He dug into his pocket with trembling fingers. His hands were shaking so much that contents of his pockets spilled out on the reception desk. "Please help me," he pleaded as he pulled out the official 'missing' photographs of Danny and Martin. "Please help, I know these two are still alive."
The receptionist looked at the desperate agent sadly and her heart went out to him. "I will see what I can do," she said gently.
"Thank you, thank you so much," Jack said in a small voice as he produced a small smile. He looked around the reception area and found a threadbare chair and collapsed into it. He held his head in his hands and dug his fingernails into his scalp. He had to get a chopper, he had to find the boys and he didn't care about the cost.
"Excuse me?"
Jack looked up to see the receptionist and a tall man in his fifties. He stood up and extended his hand. "Jack Malone," he said with a smile.
"Andrew Davidson," the tall man said as he shook Jack's hand. "I hear you want to rent a chopper for a rescue mission."
"Yes, I do," Jack replied quickly. "Look I know the FAA and Mountain rescue deal with this – but they have called off the search."
"And you believe your men are still alive?" Andrew said as he looked the dishevelled FBI agent up and down. It was obvious that these two agents meant more to him than simply agents.
"My agents aren't quitters. They wouldn't simply give up. They are tough, strong and fit – I know they are still alive," Jack said passionately.
Andrew nodded slowly. "You say you are FBI?" he said as he thought things through.
"Yes, yes I am," Jack said quickly as he pulled out his ID.
"So your men were on that FBI plane," Andrew asked. "Which crashed about a week ago?"
"Yes they were on that plane," Jack replied slowly. "I know what you're thinking. How can they possibly survive five days in the mountains with the weather conditions that have been through this region? Add that to the fact that no wreckage has been found."
"No I believe you. I was in a chopper crash several years ago when we were flying over the Bering Strait. It took us two weeks to get back to civilization," Andrew explained. "With the plane, it could have been exposed to a magnetic pulse – thus messing with the navigation systems."
"So you think the plane went down in a different location?" Jack asked, his voice alive with interest.
"Yes – do you want to come back to my office and we can try and work out where your agents are?" Andrew asked as he guided Jack towards his office.
After several hours and mugs of coffee, Jack felt like he had poured over hundreds of maps. He felt like he had gotten no closer – but Andrew seemed excited. He was buzzing around, pulling out more maps and doing more calculations. Leaning forward, Jack frowned as he looked at the calculations – not understanding a single number. "Andrew do you any idea where my agents are?" he asked
"I have an idea, but I will explain when we are in the air," Andrew said as he started to stride towards the helipad. "I have rung a couple of my friends, who are medics and mountaineers - I thought we might be needing them."
Jack jogged to catch up with Andrew's long strides. "Why are you doing this?" he asked.
"Because you seem like a nice guy and the mountains can be an inhospitable place – so if you can help you do," Andrew explained as he started to check the helicopter. He nodded as three of his friends jogged over to the chopper. "Okay, let's go," he shouted and started up the engine an soon as his friends had stepped aboard.
"So what are your calculations based on?" Jack asked as the helicopter flew over the mountains. He looked around him and found a smile as he looked at Andrew's friends. He couldn't believe his luck. Most people would've given him a sympathetic smile and sent him on his way – but Andrew. Andrew believed Danny and Martin were still alive. He just hoped his luck held.
"The calculations are based on the normal flight path, air traffic control, the plane's 'GPS location' and data from what happens to navigation systems when they have been exposed to a magnetic force," Andrew reeled off. "Jack why don't you sit up front with me and you can get a better view."
Jack slowly and carefully made his way to the front of the chopper and sat down next to Andrew. "So based on these calculations you think the plane went down in this area – 200 miles from the GPS reading?" he asked.
"Yes, I do," Andrew said as he turned Jack. "There is a good chance your men are still alive. It's just everyone has been looking in the wrong place."
"Why do you think the plane was exposed to a magnetic field?" Jack asked as he tried to understand the situation.
"It makes sense. Even if the plane crashed at full speed and blew up on impact there would be some evidence. A plane doesn't simply crash and leave no evidence these days," Andrew explained gently.
Jack raked his hands through his hair and closed his eyes. "But I read about plane crashes in this region where the plane wasn't found for months, if at all," he said in a slightly panicked tone.
Andrew sighed, he guessed that everyone got this now. The person 'googled' the information pulled up one website, usually in a panic and didn't think about the facts. "Jack did you look at the dates?" he asked gently.
"U-mm, I can't remember," Jack stammered as he looked at the wild expanse of bleak landscape.
"I am guessing you googled 'plane crashes in the Rocky mountains.' And yes there was wreckage that wasn't found of months on end but that was in the 1940s and 1950s. The rescue techniques are completely different now. We have GPS, we have IMINT which can be used for rescue, we have thermal and infer-red cameras and search planes. Today a plane can simply not disappear – someone is watching," Andrew reassured. He checked his GPS and looked out the window. "Okay we are approaching the region where I think the plane went down.
Jack stared out of the window – forcing himself not to blink, he didn't want to miss a thing. If Danny and Martin were out there, he was going to find them. After an hour, Jack looked across at Andrew he knew that he would have to refuel sometime – he just hoped it wasn't soon. He heard someone yell from behind and spun around.
"Check your four o' clock. We have a possible sighting," James yelled.
Jack stared down and felt his heart skip a beat as he was a snow covered object. He grabbed his seat tightly as the chopper banked hard towards the wreckage.
"Can you see any possible landing sites?" Andrew yelled
"Not at the moment but be careful this area is a serious avalanche risk. It has already had some by the look of things," James yelled back.
Jack's body tensed up as he stared down at the object. He could swear it was a plane, but maybe that was because he was hoping it was a plane. But avalanches – the boys may have survived a plane crash but could they survive an avalanche?
"I can see a possible landing site, its on seven o'clock. Do you have it?" James yelled.
"Got it," Andrew yelled as he banked the chopper to the possible landing site. He hovered over it before gently touched down – keeping the engine running. "I'll stay here with the bird running, just in case it becomes unstable. You check it out."
Before anyone could say anything Jack had climbed to the back of the chopper and was standing by the door. "I am going with you," he said in a tone that clearly stated that there was no room for agruement.
"Okay," James said, as he gripped the door handle – preventing Jack from opening it. "But this is my turf and you will do what I say."
"Fine," Jack replied. "Can we go now?"
"Yes," James sighed. He had known from the moment he had seen Jack that he wasn't the kind of person that was going to sit in the chopper while they searched for his agents. "But you stick behind me."
"Fine," Jack replied as he followed James out of the chopper. He shivered as the icy mountain air hit him – how could the boys survive this? Martin was use to the cold, but Danny was always complaining when it got cold in New York. After what felt like hours, he reached the snowed object which on closer inspection was a plane – a gulfstream. He felt as though the air had been sucked out of his lungs as he stared at the tail. It was FBI plane and had had been in an avalanche. He collapsed to his knees as he was over come with grief – this could not be happening.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rocky Mountains, CO
132 hours missing
Danny fell to his knees as looked up the ridge. He knew he had to make it up there, but he didn't know if he could. But he had to – he had to see what was on the other side of that ridge. He held his head in his hands and tried not to break down. He was so tired and confused all we wanted to do was lie down and sleep – but something told him that he had to keep going. He didn't really understand everything was so confusing; he just wanted it to end.
"Danny, Danny," Martin called out his voice thick with concern.
"U-mm, Martin," Danny tried. He closed his eyes and curled up in the snow, it was so cool, so soothing that he just wanted to fall asleep right now.
"Danny!" Martin exclaimed as he crawled towards Danny and shook him. "Danny come on man, don't do this to me. Not now, Danny. We are nearly there, then you sleep as much as you want. But you can't sleep now."
Danny groaned and tried to shake off the annoying set of hands. Why were they doing this to him? Didn't they understand that he just wanted to sleep? He was so tired and the snow was so cool, he felt at peace. Why didn't they want him to be at peace?
"Danny!" Martin screamed as he shook Danny hard. "Come on man, wake up. You cannot sleep now! Please Danny wake up," he cried. He angrily wiped away the tears that began to fall – he was so scared. This couldn't be happening. Not now when they had gone so far. He wasn't going to let Danny die out here. But what could he do?
Danny slowly rolled over and cracked an eye open. Why was the light so bright? What was happening? "Martin," he tried again.
"Yes Danny that's right man. Come on. Let's get you sitting up," Martin said gently as he pulled Danny into a sitting position.
Danny groaned and coughed hard as he sat up. He closed his eyes tightly as the world began to spin. What was happening to him? He took a painful breath and tried to hold back the tears. It wasn't so much tears of emotion but tears of pain. It felt like he couldn't do anything that didn't cause pain.
"You okay, man?" Martin asked his voice thick with concern.
"Yeah," Danny said slowly as if he had to think about the question. "Yeah, I'm okay." He closed his eyes again and massaged his temples. The ridge, he suddenly thought. He had to get to the ridge. He forced himself to stand and swayed as he did.
"Sit down before you fall down," Martin said firmly.
Danny dodged Martin and looked up at the ridge. It couldn't be that far. If he walked up there himself, he could check it out and then he would know if there was any point of dragging Martin up there. He started to walk up towards the ridge.
"Danny, Danny what are you doing?" Martin called out concern and fear evident in his voice
"I am going to check out the ridge I need to find out what's on the other side," Danny said in a distant tone.
"No Danny you can't," Martin started, as he tried to think of away to stop Danny from walking.
"I have to Martin, if I walk up there by myself I will save energy and see if there is any point to walking up there," Danny said in the same distant and now completely despondent tone.
Martin opened his mouth to protest but he knew it made sense. He just didn't want Danny to walk up there alone in his current state. If Danny wasn't back in an hour he would go after him, Martin decided. He pulled out one of the GPS units and programmed it with his location, handing it to Danny. "Man here is the GPS unit, I have programmed it with my location," Martin said cautiously. "Danny if you are not back in an hour I am coming after you."
"Okay," Danny said slowly. He looked up again and produced a small smile. "See you in a bit, man," he said as he started to make his way slowly up to the ridge.
"Good luck," Martin called out, he closed his eyes – he just hoped Danny would return in one piece.
Danny slowly made it up the mountainside – trying not to take deep breaths. He briefly closed his eyes and pinched his nose. He forced himself forward, he had to. But if this happened to earlier – before he was on the team, he didn't know if he would carry on. When he had a joined the team, he hadn't felt like he belonged somewhere. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was home. He loved working with the team; he closed his eyes as he thought back to the first time he realised that they cared about him.
Flashback
Leaning against the car, Danny clutched his ribs. They had just arrested a suspect, and he had taken a pretty hard knock. He felt the world tilt violently. He closed his eyes and held the on to the car as if was the only thing holding upright. He vaguely watched people walk around the crime scene. He felt cold sweat run down his back and took a breath. He heard a voice and knew he should respond. It was his boss. He knew Jack was probably mad at him. He should be in that apartment – helping to process the evidence. He should be debating theories with the team. But he could move from the car, because if he did he didn't think that he would remain upright.
"Danny," Jack called out again as he walked towards his agent. There was something off about Danny - the way he was standing, the colour or lack of colour in his face and his shallow breathing. "Danny, are you alright?"
Danny frowned with confusion as he tried to process the question. He didn't understand what Jack was asking him – but he knew he should answer the question – whatever that meant. "U-mm," he stammered, as he looked at a blurry image of his boss. He could swear Jack was angry. Of course Jack was angry, everyone in his life had been angry with him and why would Jack be any different?
Jack quickly approached Danny and put his hand on his shoulder. He could feel the slight tremors running through his body. He gently eased Danny to the ground and yelled for the paramedics. "Danny are you alright?" Jack asked again his voice laced with concern. He frowned when Danny remained unresponsive.
"Jack," Danny tried
"That's right Danny, are you alright?" Jack asked again.
"U-mm yeah I'm fine," Danny said slowly, he added a smile for good measure.
"Are you sure? Because you don't look it," Jack said as he sat knelt down in front of Danny.
"I told you I am fine," Danny said as he tried to sound convincing and smiled again. But his mind was plaguing him with questions. Why was Jack asking all the questions? Everyone he had eve known was fine with his simple explanation. But not Jack. Why did he care? He was just an agent to him, that's all he was. Then why was he so concerned? Danny guessed it was because Jack would be a man down and he would have to fill out a ton of paperwork.
"That's great Danny, but I am still going to have you checked out," Jack said as he stepped back making way for the medics.
"Jack, I'm fine, I don't need to be checked out," Danny weakly protested. He hissed in pain as one of the paramedics touched his chest. He glared at them as they ripped open his shirt and started to yell medical terms at each other. "Jack I am really sorry I messed up, I will write up my report in a couple of hours."
"Danny I don't want you to worry about writing the report and you didn't mess up. You did good Danny," Jack reassured, as he squeezed Danny's shoulder. "You are part of my team now Danny. So the rest of us will write up our reports and you'll write yours later – much later."
"Look Jack I am fine, I really don't need to go to hospital. I need, I should be helping you out of this mess that I created," Danny pleaded, as he was loaded into the ambulance.
"First of all Danny you need to go the hospital – you have been stabbed. Second I was there and so was the rest of the team, so we all created that mess," Jack said. He looked around, before he jumped into ambulance next to Danny. "Danny remember, you are part of my team now and no one messes with my team."
End of flashback
Danny leaned against a rock and tried to catch his breath. He felt tears rolling down his face as he thought of the first time he realised that people actually gave a damn about him. For the first time in his life, it had almost been perfect and now he was probably going to die. Why was life so cruel? All he wanted from life was to be happy – was that to much to ask? He wrapped his arms around his chest and tried to carry on, but found himself stumbling. He managed to regain his footing and leant against a rock for support. He took a breath, biting back the tears as pain shot through his chest. He looked around at the white landscape, at the place that was going to become his grave. He had pushed himself for the last three days but he couldn't take it any longer. He didn't think he couldn't carry on, but he forced himself to carry on up the mountain.
He could see the top of the ridge yet it never seemed so far. He was so tired; all he wanted to do was curl up and sleep. There didn't seem any point to carry on, he was going to die here – he was already dying. He let himself collapse; he leant against a rock, before curling up. He closed his eyes; he hoped they would find Martin alive. He didn't mean to cause any pain but he was just so tired. Every moment he made, every breath he took was agony. He closed his eyes and hoped death would be painless.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Somewhere above the Rocky Mountains, CO
Same time
Jack raked his hands through his hair. He didn't know what to do. He knew his agents had survived the crash and he knew they hadn't gotten caught up in the avalanche that had almost destroyed the plane. When they had searched the area they had found the pilots body in a cave with a note beside it. It had said that they were both alive and they had decided to walk out, then it detailed the route they were going to take.
He wanted to scream and shout how unfair it was. What had Danny and Martin ever done to deserve this! He stared out the window, at the snow covered landscape. He hoped that he would bring the boys home, put with each passing hour, with each passing storm, this became less and less likely.
