Chp. 7

Jack and Horatio made quick exits as Alexx comforted Sam. Both men felt terrible for putting the boy through the pain of reliving painful memories, but at the same time both resolved to find whoever had done this to Sam.

Mike and Kenny didn't have to ask how it went. They had known it was going to be bad from the beginning, but from the looks on their friend's faces, it was worse than they originally thought. Finally, because someone had to say something, Mike asked, "So, did you find out anything?"

Jack opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again. Horatio nodded and answered. "Apparently, Sam was molested by one of Mandy's clients, and when Sam resisted, Mandy put him in the closet as punishment."

Both former Seals faces hardened at this revelation, and it became clear to Horatio that if Jack, Kenny and Miguel had their way, whoever abused Sam would die, slowly and painfully.

"How do you wanna play this?"

Horatio already had an idea in mind. "Take Sam to Alexx's, lay low and we'll go from there, ok?"

Jack nodded, "Alright. See you in an hour." And just like that, he was gone.

000

Alexx didn't know how long she sat there, Sam in her arms, his head rest on her chest. After ten minutes, he was quiet. Alexx gently laid him down on the bed and went to the window. Then, looking out at the Miami cityscape, she let the tears fall once again. Because she knew that no matter what assurances she gave Sam, she couldn't completely erase the pain of what had been done to him.

000

Jack drove to his apartment and packed enough clothes and ammunition to last a week. Then he opened his gun safe. In addition to his shotgun and pistol, Jack had a Wilson Combat M4-T Tactical Carbine and an Accuracy International AW .308 bolt action sniper rifle. Jack put these in the bag with his shotgun, and collected all the magazines he had for his pistol and carbine. In addition to the weapons and magazines, he brought a Leupold Mark 4 Tactical Spotting scope, with night vision capability, a Blackhawk tactical vest, a SERPA tactical thigh and a K-Bar fighting knife. After taking one last look around the apartment, Jack collected his bags and left.

As he loaded his gear into the trunk of his car, a man watched his every move from a parked BMW a block away. When Jack left his apartment complex, the man pulled out his cell phone, and punched 3 on speed dial.

It was answered on the third ring with a curt. "Si'"

"Clavo, Caine's kid just left the apartment. You want me to follow him?"

On the other end of the phone, Clavo Cruz considered the question. Though he wanted his 'toy' back in the worst way, he knew if he moved too quickly, he'd be in a world of trouble. Caine might be a pest, but he wasn't dumb.

"No, stay there in case he comes back."

When the he hung up the phone, Clavo smiled. The boy would be back where he belonged soon, and Caine would, hopefully, be dead.

000

As he drove back to the hospital, Jack hoped Alexx could convince Sam to tell who hurt him. He knew that Mandy had, like Sam, just been a pawn in this game. But that didn't excuse what she had done and Jack found that he no longer felt sorry that she was dead. But he was sorry that he hadn't had the chance to kill her. But he put these thoughts out of his mind as he parked at the hospital once again, got out of his car and went to Sam's room.

"That was fast." Horatio said, when he saw Jack stepping off the elevator.

"Be prepared. That's my motto. Any news?"

"Sam's being released."

"How's he feel about that?" Jack asked, as they walked to Sam's room. Ken and Miguel had been replaced with two uniformed officers'. Like Jack, both former Seals were packing weapons and equipment for an extended protection detail.

Horatio turned to face his son at this question. "He's scared; scared that this is all a dream and Alexx is going to leave. And that you will too."

Jack hand had been reaching for the doorknob, but stopped when he heard this. Apparently, Sam had warmed to him. Old feelings stirred within him once again, but Jack slammed a door shut on them and went into Sam's room. He walked over to the bed and Jack noticed the fear in Sam's eyes. He smiled, in an effort to reassure the boy. "Hey, bud, I heard you're getting out today. That's good."

Sam looked down. "I guess so."

"Sam thinks you and I are going to leave and that he'll get sent back to the 'bad people." Alexx said, attempting to fill in the blanks.

"Is that so?" Jack said, sitting down on Sam's other side. Sam nodded, as tears rolled down his face.

Jack sighed. "Sam, looked at me, buddy." Jack said, but Sam shook his head no. "Please?" Jack asked, and Sam looked up at him.

When Sam looked up at him, Jack continued. "Sam, it's my job to protect you, cause you're a v.i.p." Jack said.

Sam's brow furrowed. "What's that?"

"It means you're a very important person," Jack said, "and it's my job to protect you. It's what I did when I was in the army."

Sam's widened. He'd seen soldiers on t.v., and thought that was cool. To be in the presents of one… He suddenly felt braver. "You were a soldier?"

Jack nodded. "Yes, I was."

Sam pondered on all this for a longtime before looking at Alexx. "You're not going to leave?"

Alexx shook her head no and hugged him. "No, baby."

"And you're gonna protect me?" Sam asked, looking at Jack.

"Yeah, buddy."

"Alexx too?"

Jack smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Alexx too."

000

A/N: Sorry about all the technical/equipment descriptions. I know it can get boring at times, but I appreciate everyone who reads and reviews. Thanks for reading and happy new year!

Thanks,

Terry