A/N Hello, people. Sorry for the delay. I have returned from vacation now so all updates should return to their previously scheduled schedule.

Thanks to All Reviewers!

Dedication: To MCR-1993 for her review!

Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Hardy, but there is an urgent phone call for you in the front office." Mrs. Howard, a secretary at Bayport Elementary School, said entering Callie's class of second graders.

"Thank you." Callie said politely while her mind began to race wondering if something had happened to one of her family members, more specifically if something had happened to Frank. "Could you possibly watch my class for me for a few moments? It's silent reading time right now so they shouldn't be any trouble." The last part was a warning for her students not to act up just because she left the room.

"Of course," Mrs. Howard replied waving the teacher out of the room.

Callie hastened down the hallway towards the front office, when she entered; she was directed to the phone on Mrs. Howard's desk. "Callie Hardy speaking." She said upon taking the phone off hold.

"Callie? It's Fenton, something's happened."

"What?" The blonde asked anxiously tightening her grip on the phone as she waited for him to speak.

"Frank and Charlie were abducted from Charlie's office yesterday, I am sorry I didn't call you sooner but Joe was injured in the attempt-"

"Is Joe okay?" Callie managed to voice her concern for her brother-in-law even as she panicked about whether her husband was alright.

"He's fine, he had a mild concussion he was released from the hospital earlier this morning." Fenton assured her.

"I'm coming there." Callie said firmly.

"It's really not necessary," Fenton began.

"I am coming to California, you can expect me later this evening." Callie repeated.

"Alright," Fenton conceded to his daughter-in-law. "Call me with your flight information." He added.

"Will do. Bye." Callie said before ending the call, and heading towards the principal's office to explain to her boss her need to leave immediately, as well as taking vacation time pending the safe return of her husband.

-Story Break-

Upon walking into the FBI office that morning, Don was accosted by his team member Colby Granger and informed that Assistant Director Merrick wanted to see Don in his office immediately. Don had a feeling that this was not going to be a conversation he would like. He was right of course.

"Sit down, Agent." Merrick said by way of greeting when Don entered his office.

"Yes, sir." Don said sitting down in the chair opposite Merrick's.

"We need to have a discussion about your continued involvement in the genius disappearance cases." Merrick explained.

Don had a really good idea where this was going, and he would be damned if he'd be pulled off the case. His little brother and cousin were missing, and if the assistant director thought he could make Don give up the case he was a few books short of a library. Apparently, Merrick thought exactly that.

"Your continued involvement with this case represents a significant conflict of interest, with your brother and cousin the latest in the disappearances you cannot be allowed to investigate further." Merrick said firmly.

"Technically, there's no proof that these cases are linked." Don pointed out. "And in regards to the other disappearances I have no conflict."

Merrick favored the SAC with a withering look. "You and I both know that they are. And, besides that, the CalSci security tapes managed to get some footage of the van that Dr. Eppes and Dr. Hardy were abducted in, it matches the description of the van in the other California abduction, which is evidence in favor of them being linked, therefore, you are off the case. Agent Reeves will take over." He said decisively. "You will return to working on the money laundering case that your team had been assigned to prior to this." He continued. "You are dismissed."

Don rose to stand angry at being pulled off the case, but knowing that there was nothing he could do about it. "Yes sir."

"Oh, and agent?"

"Yes?"

"I hope you know that the bureau is very concerned about your brother and cousin's abductions. Especially Dr. Eppes' we all view him as one of our own. Which is why I am taking you off this case, we don't want to risk the evidence getting thrown out and letting the perp walk."

"I understand." Don said, and he did, he really did, but that didn't make it any less frustrating.

-Story Break-

"I've been pulled off the case." Don announced upon walking into his father's-well actually Charlie's-house. His cousin was seated on the living room couch ostensibly resting, while Alan was fussing over him presumably to take his mind off the fact that his own son and other nephew were missing. Fenton meanwhile had been on the phone in the other room but came in upon hearing Don's pronouncement.

"I expected that to be the case." Fenton said grimly.

"What about you? Are you still on the case?" Don asked.

"Technically, I am a consultant for the New Hampshire office, not the California office, so while the two offices may be collaborating the cases are separate. Also, as a private investigator, I can still look into the disappearance either way even if they decide to kick me off at the FBI, so I'm assuming they're allowing me to stay on because they would rather be able to supervise me than have me go off and investigate as I choose." His uncle replied.

"I however am an FBI agent placing me completely under the control of my superiors." Don said bitterly. "Of course...I could always offer suggestion to you which you can pass on." He continued innocently.

"Whatever it takes to find them safely." Fenton replied.

A/N Review, update next Saturday!