As always a huge, huge thanks to my wonderful beta anmodo for betaing this chapter. Also thanks to everyone that has reviewed so far, it really helps. Sorry for the delay in updating, but…. okay fine I was trying to control my evil, evil plot bunnies. Anyway I hope you enjoy this latest instalment of Aviatophobia.
Chapter 8
Resting his head against the window, Jack stared out over the bleak, snow covered landscape. With each passing mile, with each passing hour, he felt his hopes diminishing. How the hell could Danny and Martin still be alive? He didn't know what he would do if he found the boys dead. It would destroy the team--what was left of it. After briefly closing his eyes as the chopper flew over a ridge, he felt his heart skip a beat as he looked down. He could've sworn he saw body down there. Blinking his eyes again, he found himself yelling at Andrew to land the chopper. He looked again and forced himself to calm down. He wasn't still sure it was a human body, and it wasn't moving. Maybe it was one of the boys, but maybe he was too late. He didn't know what he would do if he was. He cursed as the chopper continued to circle, why was it taking so long? It could be one of his agents down there and they needed his help.
As the chopper began to descend, he stood by door waiting for the moment it landed or nearly landed. He was sure he had found one of his agents and he wasn't going to leave them for a moment longer. Feeling a soft thud as the chopper touched down, he yanked open the door. He sprinted down to where he believed he saw one of his agents – praying that he wasn't too late. Feeling his heart skip a beat once again, he recognised the unmoving form.
"Danny," he yelled as he knelt next to him. He bit back tears as he noticed how pale and fragile Danny looked. He hesitantly moved a trembling hand towards Danny's neck – praying that he wasn't too late. He sighed with relief when he found a pulse – but it was weak and thready. Danny was also burning up, despite the freezing temperatures. "Danny," he said as he gently shook him – hoping… waiting for a response.
"Danny, come on kid. Don't do this to me!" Jack cried when he didn't get a response. He cradled Danny's head in his arms and bit back the tears that threatened to fall. This couldn't be happening, Jack thought.
Danny groaned as he felt someone shaking him. After his violent childhood and everything else that happened to him in his life – was it too much to ask for his death to be peaceful? He just wanted to die in peace, but the voice wasn't going to go away. As he listened to it, he noticed how concerned and gentle it sounded. He tried to cracked open an eye, he tried to respond to the voice but found he started coughing again. He felt tears of pain stream down his face as he struggled to catch his breath. He didn't understand what was happening – everything seemed to be a blur of pain.
"Shh. It's okay Danny, take it easy and just breathe okay," Jack coached. He gentled rubbed Danny's back. He felt glad for the response, but he felt his heart breaking as watched tears of pain streaming down his face and his agent struggling to breathe. "It's okay, Danny. You're safe now." Jack closed his eyes as he felt his eyes brimming with tears – hadn't Danny been through enough it his life without this, he thought. Where was Martin? He interlaced his hand with Danny's and squeezed it.
Frowning, Danny recognised the voice but he couldn't put a face to it. Somewhere in his fever ridden confused mind, he connected the owner of the voice was safe – but whose was it? He wanted to know yet he was so tired. Every action seemed to drain his energy – he didn't think he could even open his eyes to see who it was. He felt himself slipping towards the darkness, too tired to fight it.
"Danny, Danny come on Danny-boy, open your eyes for me," Jack pleaded as he continued to cradle Danny's head in his arms. He shivered slightly as the icy wind whipped around him, but he didn't care. "Please Danny," he pleaded again – almost in tears.
Fire danced around him, it was so hot and he couldn't escape the terrible heat. It surrounded him and taunted him, like the nightmares of his past. He could see his father running towards him with a broken beer bottle, he watched as blood began stain his father's shirt – yet he continued to run towards him. The image of Raffi's lifeless body floated in front of his vision – his lifeless eyes boring into him. He could see his mother's blood stained body with her terrified face as she fell to her death. Now the images were joined by his father's drunken yelling and Raffi and Daniela's terrified screams. He couldn't make it stop. He tried to escape them but it was met by something slightly soft. He grabbed hold of it and buried his head against it. "Make it stop," he cried – tears streaming down his face.
Jack hugged Danny tightly as he suddenly sat up. He rubbed his back and whispered comforting words into his ear, while rocking him slightly – hoping it would chase away whatever demons that were plaguing him. He smiled slightly as he felt Danny relax slightly – but he still didn't know where Martin was. "You're safe now, Danny-boy," Jack said as he continued to reassure him.
"Make them go away, Jack," Danny pleaded desperately in a lost tone.
Jack felt his heart break as he looked at Danny's unfocused fever and fear ridden eyes, "Make who go away, Danny?" Jack asked gently.
"Them!" Danny exclaimed. "They won't leave me alone."
"Its okay, its okay Danny. I won't let them hurt you, I promise," Jack reassured as he realised Danny was probably hallucinating because of the fever. "You're safe now, I've got you."
"Jack!" Danny tried as if he was completely unaware of him before.
"Yes, Danny that's right," Jack said gently
"H-How did you get there?" Danny stammered
"I flew here, to find you and Martin," Jack explained gently
"What's happening to me?" Danny exclaimed with tears streaming down his face. "I d-don't u-understand. What's happening to me?"
Jack let Danny rest his head against his shoulder. He put a protective arm around his shoulders. "You are sick, but I am taking you to hospital and you are going to be just fine," he reassured.
Danny closed his eyes and relaxed slightly. He didn't understand what was happening – he barely knew what was real and what wasn't. But he did know Jack was here and he was real – not some hallucination and if Jack was here, then everything was going to be all right. He was safe and some how he knew Jack would take care of everything.
"Danny, where's Martin?" Jack asked gently, as he squeezed his hand supportively.
"M-Martin," Danny exclaimed as he tired to force his fevered brain into gear. He felt himself panic, he couldn't think of an answer for Jack's question – he knew he should know it.
"Its okay Danny, just take it easy," Jack reassured the panicked Danny Taylor. "Just take it easy Danny-boy. Do you know where Martin is?"
"I-I, I-I," Danny stammered in a panicked tome. He just couldn't think of an answer for Jack's simple question.
"What's this?" Jack asked gently as he pulled the GPS unit out of Danny's pocket and showed it to him.
"U-mm, u-mm," Danny stammered in the same panicked lost tone. "I-I don't, I-I don't know Jack, I don't know," he finished as sobs raked his body.
"Shh, its okay Danny its okay. Is this where Martin is?" Jack asked in a gentle soothing tone as he pointed to the GPS unit. He hated to push Danny when he was in state – but he had no choice, he had to fine out where Martin was.
"U-mm," Danny stammered as he closed his eyes. He fought the continuous nightmarish images of his father killing Raffi and his mother. He had to try and think of where Martin was. All he could think of was Martin falling off the ledge. He managed to force himself to focus on the GPS – was that were Martin was, he asked himself. He closed his eyes as another flashback across his vision. He remembered Martin handing him the GPS and telling him that he had programmed it with his location.
"Yes. Martin is here, he's got a broken leg and I've got to help him," Danny replied frantically. He tried to stand up but found a set of hands stopping him.
"Good, Danny," Jack said as he took the GPS from Danny and handed it to James. "Its okay they will get Martin."
"No you don't understand. I've got to help Martin!" Danny said in the same panicked tone as he struggled against Jack.
"Danny its over, its over," Jack reassured as he pulled him into a safe embrace. "You're safe now, we're helping Martin. You can relax now." He felt himself smile slightly as he felt Danny relax again and rest his head against his shoulder.
Shifting again, Martin looked at his watch. He wondered if he should give Danny a few more minutes, after all the ridge could be farther that he thought. He hissed in pain as white hot pain flared through his leg. He should've never have let Danny walk to the ridge in his current condition. He knew the end was looming and Danny walking up to the ridge may save their lives – but the fact of the matter was that was unlikely. It sounded selfish but he should've never let Danny walk to the ridge because he didn't want to die alone. He closed his eyes, he could've sworn he heard a helicopter, but that was just wishful thinking. He was going to die out here and probably alone. He let a few tears escape; he knew his father would be disappointed. Whatever he had done and would do in his life would never he good enough for his parents. He sighed and shifted as he thought of how he was going to make it up to the ridge. He had wandered through life – hoping to find somewhere he belonged. Only to have it ripped from underneath him once he found it. He closed his eyes and leaned back on a rock - willing the pain to go. He knew he was screwed. He knew that both him and Danny would die and there was nothing he could do about it. He was so lost in a world of pain and dark thoughts that he didn't notice the two men.
"Martin Fitzgerald, we are here to help you," a voice called out.
Martin opened his eyes and squinted in disbelief at the two approaching figures. He shook his head, he was hallucinating now – he had to be.
"Martin, my name is David Cartwright and this is Chad Becker. We were sent by your boss, Jack Malone, to find you," David said as he knelt down next to Martin.
Martin frowned and blinked again. "Jack sent you?" he asked – still not believing they were real.
"Well he was the one that rented the chopper, but your friend – the other agent was the one that told us you were here," David explained as he showed the GPS unit to Martin hoping that he would make the connection.
"D-Danny told you?" Martin stammered as he tried to make sense of things. He moved but instantly regretted it as he cried out in pain.
"Yes he did," David replied
"I-Is he okay?"
"He's pretty sick, but he's going to get medical attention, he will be fine," David reassured. "So how about we get you out of here before your boss kills me."
Martin closed his eyes, he could've cried with relief. It was finally over. He and Danny were both alive. He knew his father would be disappointed, but right now he didn't care. He was alive, Danny was alive and they were going to live to annoy Jack for another day.
Jack sighed, he had finally persuaded a feverish, delusional Danny into the helicopter. He frowned with concern as he watched Danny draw his knees up to his chest – his big fearful eyes darted around the chopper. Slowly and carefully, he moved across the chopper towards Danny and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Danny, Danny," Jack said as he tried to get a response.
The metal box was airless, Danny felt as though the metal walls were closing in on him. He wanted his terrified mother's dying screams to stop; he wanted the images of his murdering father to stop. M-Martin was dead and it was all his fault. He dropped his head to his knees and draped his arms over his head. He felt sobs begin to rack his body. It was all his fault. Martin was dead and it was all his fault.
"Danny!" Jack tried again, his concern rising by the second. What demons were chasing Danny, he thought, as he slightly shook Danny. "Its okay, Danny. You're safe now."
"I promise I never wanted you to die," Danny mumbled. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Danny continued to mumble as he rocked back and fore. Tears streamed down his face as he thought all of the people that had died because of him. His flashed between his father yelling at him, to Jack yelling at him. They both were going to kill him; he just wanted it to end. He felt someone shaking him and backed against the wall. They were going to kill him – he just hoped it was going to be quick.
"Danny, Danny its okay, I promise you," Jack said as he cautiously wrapped a protective arm around Danny's trembling shoulders. "Its okay Danny-boy, I've got you."
The images seemed to disappear as he heard that name. No one apart from the people that cared about him called him Danny-boy. Maybe he was safe, but it didn't change the fact that he killed Martin. Martin was dead because if him. He looked up and slowly opened his eyes. "Jack," he tried in a small lost voice.
"That's right," Jack replied in a soothing voice as he pulled Danny into a safe embrace.
Danny pulled away – fearing Jack's reaction when he told him about Martin. "I'm so sorry Jack, I screwed up. It's all my fault. M-Martin," he stammered with tears streaming down his face. "M-Martin, I'm so sorry."
Jack frowned slightly as he tried to make sense of Danny's feared ramblings. Then it clicked – Danny's guilt and Martin's name. Danny thought Martin was dead. "Danny, Danny, Martin's alive. You're both going to be fine," Jack soothed.
"M-Martin, Martin's alive," Danny stammered.
"Yes he is," Jack reassured.
"Then where is he?" Danny explained and tried to get out of the helicopter. "How do know he's alive?"
"Because," Jack said as he pulled Danny down again. "Because when we gave that GPS to those people. They went down to find him, once they found him they radioed up to say that they had – they are on their way up now."
"So Martin's okay?" Danny questioned
"Apart from a broken leg and being a bit cold he seems fine. You did good Danny, you really did," Jack reassured.
"B-But the pilot, we have to bring his body back. We have to make sure that his family is looked after – he has two small kids," Danny rambled in a slightly panicked tone.
"We are doing that Danny, we are bring his body home. You need to calm down, you need to relax," Jack reassured as he put an arm around Danny's shoulders. "Everything is going to be all right."
Danny looked wildly around. He closed his eyes again – he could hear voices again, he hoped they were real not come figment of his imagination. "M-Martin," he stammered as he saw a stretcher appear thought the door.
"Hey Danny," Martin said and took Danny's hand into a brotherhood grip. "How are you?"
"I'm-I'm fine," Danny stammered as he stared at Martin in disbelief, he couldn't believe Martin was alive. If Martin was alive then maybe everything was going to be okay. "How about you?"
"I'll be fine," Martin replied with a smile. "Thanks man."
"Thanks for what?" Danny asked in a confused, lost tone.
"Thanks for saving my life," Martin replied. "If it hadn't been for you, I would be dead."
"I d-doubt it," Danny stammered and looked down feeling embarrassed and confused. What was Martin talking about? He left Martin to die like he did with his mother and Raffi.
"You did," Martin insisted.
"I-I," Danny stammered. He closed his eyes as he felt the affects of exhaustion and fever take hold. He turned into Jack's embrace and rested his head on Jack's shoulders. Maybe it was over, he thought. But he was just too tired to think about it now. All he wanted to do was sleep. He wanted to tell Martin, if hadn't been for him they would gotta off this goddamn mountain ranges ages ago. That he wouldn't have a broken leg. That Jack had rescued them. That the reason they were alive was because of Jack and not him. But he was just too tired.
Jack cradled Danny's exhausted, fever-ridden body in his arms and rubbed his back. "Its okay Danny, you did good, you did real good," he reassured. "It's over Danny-boy," he whispered. He looked over Danny's head to Martin and mouthed, "You okay?"
"Yeah," Martin whispered. He closed his eyes, so this was what Danny was talking about. Jack really did care about them.
"You sure?" Jack questioned not quite believing him.
"Yes," Martin said, hoping his voice sounded more convincing his time. "Yes, I'm good Jack." He added a smile for good measure.
Jack frowned, he didn't believe Martin, but he would deal with that later. Once he knew the boys were going to be okay physically he would deal with the emotional fallout. He felt Danny become restless again as the helicopter landed and rubbed his arm. "Its okay Danny we are just landing that's all, you're safe now. Its over."
Jack continued to reassure Danny as the doctors loaded him on to a gurney, he watched Martin disappear into the hospital. He didn't want to leave either of his agents but Danny was the one that needed reassuring. He sighed and jumped out of the helicopter and quickly jogged to catch up with Danny's gurney. He took Danny's hand and squeezed it. "It's going to be all right, Danny. Both of you are going to be all right," Jack said with a reassuring smile.
Danny swallowed and nodded. He closed his eyes tightly as he was wheeled into the hospital. The harsh white lights painfully penetrated his skull. He moaned and tightened his grip on Jack's hand. In an instant, he felt a comforting hand stroking his hair and voice saying comforting words. It was Jack – he would make sure that everything was okay. He allowed himself to relax; he was safe. It was over – he could relax now.
Jack hovered, not knowing what do as the doctors started to treat Danny. He knew it was out of his hands now, but he couldn't bring himself to leave. He didn't want Danny to feel alone and scared – with his current condition that was highly likely. But he needed to know how Martin was. He sighed and slowly walked up – careful to avoid the doctors. He took Danny's hand and squeezed it. "Danny."
"Jack," Danny tried in a small, lost voice.
"That's right kiddo," Jack said soothingly as he rested his hand on Danny's head. "Are you okay?"
Danny nodded and tried to bite back the tears that were welling up. He guessed his emotions were all over the place because he was sick. He so desperately wanted to put on a strong, brave face for Jack – but he couldn't.
"I'm going to check on Martin? But I will be right back, okay Danny," Jack said gently.
Danny nodded, not knowing what to say. He produced a small smile for Jack.
Jack smiled and rubbed Danny's arm. "I'll be right back, I promise Danny. I will be right back," he reassured. He reluctantly turned – leaving Danny to find Martin. He stepped next door and quickly found Martin. Unlike Danny, Martin appeared calm and relaxed but that could have something to do with that he wasn't running a 105 degree fever. "Hey there Martin, how are you doing?" Jack asked as he squeezed Martin's shoulder.
"I'm okay, glad to be off that mountain," Martin replied. "How's Danny?"
"He's pretty sick, but he's Danny, so he's going to be just fine," Jack replied with a smile. "Now are you sure you're all right? Do you want me to phone anyone else apart from your father?"
"No, no its okay. Thanks," Martin replied quickly as he clenched his jaw and bit back the tears that threatened. "I doubt my father would care anyway."
Jack smiled sadly at Martin. "You did good, Martin. I'm really proud of both of you," he said as he gave Martin's shoulder another squeeze. But he felt his blood boil slightly as he thought of the 'great Deputy Director'. How could he treat his son with such disregard?
"You should check on Danny, I'm fine," Martin said as he looked away. He didn't understand why Jack was so concerned about him – he was only an agent to him, he was replaceable. He looked away and closed his eyes tightly, biting back the tears that threaten.
"I am going to check on Danny, but I wanted to make sure you were all right as well," Jack explained.
"I'm fine," Martin replied quickly. "They are pretty sure that I won't need surgery, so that's good. In a couple of minutes they are going to take me up to x-ray," he continued in a monotone voice. "I'll be fine Jack, I think you should check on Danny – he's worse off that me."
"I know he is, but I need… I want to check that you're okay as well," Jack said, concern evident in his voice.
Martin looked away again, unable to look Jack in the eye. He didn't deserve Jack's concern or pity – Danny did though. The reason they were alive was because Danny pushed himself past the breaking point to get them to safety. He produced a small smile. "Really Jack, I'm fine. Just… everything is catching up with me, that's all."
"Okay," Jack said slowly not believing a word Martin said. "I'm to check on Danny again, but if you want anything, anything at all, get someone to get me – understand?"
Martin nodded and added, "will do Jack." He added a smile for good measure.
Jack sighed and squeezed Martin's hand before he left. Right now there was nothing he could do and besides Martin was right, Danny needed him more. Danny needed to know he was safe and he doubted the doctors could do that. Because of his past, Danny took a long time to trust people and that was going to be made worse by the fact he was running a very high fever. He sighed again and wandered next door, to be met with the scene of Danny panicking. He rushed towards him, pushing past people. He grabbed one of Danny's flailing hands and squeezed it tightly. "Danny, Danny-boy its okay, you're okay," he said as he rested his hand on Danny's cheek.
He struggled again, what was happening? Why were people stabbing needles into him? Jack had said he was safe – then why was this happening? Or maybe Jack had never been there, maybe Jack had been some hallucination. What was real? Was he eleven years old again, and he was being treated after the car crash that claimed his parents lives? He had to get the needle out of his hand; he had to get out of here.
"Danny, Danny-boy," Jack said again as he grabbed Danny's other flailing arm – preventing from yanking the IV out of his hand. "Danny-boy its Jack. You're safe now, I won't let anything happen to you but you have to calm down."
"Jack," Danny tried in a panicked, small, lost tone.
"Yeah that's right kid," Jack said. He felt his heart break as Danny stared at him with unfocused, fearful eyes. "You're okay Danny, you're in hospital, but you have to calm down – understand?"
Danny nodded and blinked back tears. He sat up despite the doctors and Jack's protests. He just wanted the images to stop – maybe Jack would help. Maybe Jack would understand.
"Its okay Danny, its okay," Jack said as he pulled Danny into a safe embrace. "Danny I'm so proud of you. I am so proud of you. You did good out there, you did real good, but you just need to relax now."
Danny nodded and relaxed into the embrace, he was too tired and confused to talk about the hallucinations that he didn't even know were hallucinations or not. But Jack was here and if Jack was here then he would make sure that everything was alright – that must he was sure of.
Jack felt Danny relax again and helped him lie down. He squeezed his hand again and gave a warm reassuring smile. He needed to know what demons where chasing Danny – but that had to wait, as they were taking Danny for more tests. "You okay now," he asked.
"Yeah," Danny whispered, feeling glad for Jack's presence.
"Good, now Danny they are going to take you for more tests but you are going to be fine. They just need to confirm some things, that's all," Jack reassured. He looked in the direction of the doctors and nodded.
"Yeah, I-I'm fine," Danny stammered but added a smile for good measure as they started to wheel him out of the treatment room. He felt his eyes begin to close and gave into the battle.
Jack gave Danny's hand one final squeeze before they took him up to x-ray. He was glad that Danny had finally fallen asleep, the poor kid was suffering from exhaustion as well as pneumonia. But it was Danny and now he was in the right hands, he would back to his normal self before he knew it. He was so wrapped up his thoughts that he didn't realise Andrew was there until he walked into him.
"Are your men going to be okay?" Andrew asked
"U-mm, yeah they going to be fine – they're tough and stubborn," Jack managed to blurted out, he added a smile for good measure.
"Well I knew that much already," Andrew replied. "Are you okay?"
"Me!" Jack exclaimed. "Yeah I'm fine, I wasn't the one stuck on that mountain range for a week."
"You sure?" Andrew questioned not quite believing him.
"Yeah, I'm fine thanks now. Now I know my agents are going to be okay, I'm just fine," Jack replied. He rested his head against the wall and blinked a couple of times before replying. "U-mm how much do I owe you?"
"Nothing," Andrew replied with a smile.
"What?" Jack exclaimed. "Nothing?"
"Yes," Andrew replied.
"Why?" Jack exclaimed
"Because, the search for your guys should have never been called off and I was glad to help," Andrew explained
"Oh," Jack replied, his voice full of emotion. "Thank you; I really don't know how to thank you."
"There is no need, the fact that your guys are alive is good enough for me," Andrew said. "Look I have to head back, I think my parking ticket is about to run out and then they will tow my chopper," he added with a smirk.
Jack chuckled. "I guess so. Really thank you Andrew, I really mean that and so do the rest of my team, you never know you may get a personal thanks from the Deputy Director of the FBI," he said sarcastically.
"You never know. Goodbye Jack it was nice meeting you," Andrew said as he turned and headed towards the roof.
"You too," Jack said as he watched the man that saved Danny and Martin disappear into the elevator.
He pulled out his cell phone and stared at it for a while. He knew he had to contact the team and Victor Fitzgerald. The team would be easy, but the 'lovely' Deputy Director on the over hand was a whole new ball game. He sighed, he would start with the easier phone call first. He punched the speed dial and waited a couple of seconds, before the phone was answered.
"Agent Johnson."
"Viv, its me."
"Jack," Viv exclaimed, causing Sam to look up from her paperwork and hurry over. "Where are you, how are you?"
"I'm at St. Anthony hospital in Denver and I'm great," Jack replied with a smile as he leant against the wall.
"H-Have, have you u-mm," Viv stammered
"Yes I have the boys," Jack said with a huge grin on his face. "And they are going to be just fine."
Viv sighed loudly in relief. "How are they?" she questioned.
"Martin has a broken leg and the doctors are pretty sure that Danny has a bad case of pneumonia, but they are running more tests just to make sure," Jack explained.
Viv couldn't help but smile. She knew it was bad but not half as bad as what they were dealing with before. "Jack, make sure they take care of the boys and make sure you take care of yourself as well."
"Will do"
Sam gestured to the phone. "Hang on Jack, Sam wants to talk to you," Viv said as she handed to the phone over to Jack.
"Jack how are they?" Sam asked
"Sam this is the boys we are talking about, they are going to be just fine."
"Okay," Sam sighed. "Look Jack u-mm, can you tell Danny that the Die Hard trilogy will be waiting for him when he gets home and that goes for Martin as well."
"Will do, Sam I've gotta go," Jack said.
"See you soon Jack, bye."
Jack hung up and stared at the device as he tried to summon the courage to contact Victor Fitzgerald. He wondered if the man would give a shit that Martin was alive. Sighing, he guessed that he would just have to find out. He punched in a couple of numbers and waited. The call went straight to voice mail, where he left an irate message. He sighed again and punched in another number and waited. This time he got through to Victor Fitzgerald's disinterested secretary, where he left another irate message. He couldn't believe Victor Fitzgerald, he had a great son, yet he treated him like dirt.
Closing his phone, Jack leaned against the wall, letting himself slide down it. It was over. It was finally over. Both of his agents were going to be okay.
