TBITC Chp. 21

Ten minutes after he and Alexx got back from Sphere, after getting some coffee from the kitchen,Jack grabbed his jeans, a t-shirt and his tactical vest from the bedroom and went to the bathroom to change. When he came back to the bedroom where Alexx and Sam were sleeping, he found Sam in Alexx's arms, wide awake and sobbing his little heart out.

"Shh, it's ok, baby. You're safe. I've got you." Alexx crooned, rocking him back and forth. She caught Jack's eye and mouthed 'nightmare' as an explanation. He nodded and took up station behind his .308 sniper rifle at the window.

He watched the front of the house, and half listened as Alexx comforted Sam. Once he'd calmed down enough so that she could understand what he was saying, Alexx asked, "Do you wanna tell me what's got you so upset, baby? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but it might help. It always helps me to talk to someone when I'm upset." She said, running her hand through his hair.

While Jack was in the bathroom, Alexx had asked Meagan how everything had gone with Sam and she'd explained that he was an angel, as always. Alexx thanked Meagan and Horatio for watching Sam, told them goodnight and went to bed. She was just getting into bed when Sam woke up, bawling.

Sam looked at the only person he'd ever genuinely trusted and nodded. "Ok, Alwexx. I dreamed the bad men camed and tookted me away, and when Jack twied ta shoot dem with his gun," fresh tears came into Sam's eyes at this point, and he stopped. Alexx waited patiently for him to continue. Jack had left his position at the window, and knelt at the end of the bed. "But dey…dey…" Sam couldn't finish as he started crying harder. Alexx took him in her arms, got off the bed and walked around the room, rocking Sam in her arms and tried her best to comfort him.

But how do you comfort someone whose never known comfort? Jack thought, sadly.

When Sam's cries had subsided, Alexx sat down on the end of the bed next to Jack. Jack turned and looked at Sam. His head was buried in Alexx's chest. Jack started say something when he heard Ken's voice over his radio earpiece. Ken was in an overwatch position 200 yards from the front house, watching the road.

"Jack, we got company."

000

Miami Dade Police Sergeant Miguel Santos didn't like this assignment one bit. He, like ninety percent of all cops in Miami knew or at least knew of Horatio Caine and respected him. The fact that he'd been ordered to go against a man he didn't know, but respected none the less, made his stomach turn. But orders were orders, and his kids needed to eat and have a roof over their heads.

They reached the house, lights blazing and sirens blaring, another of Detective Stetler's ideas. Santos quickly crossed himself and got out of the car. Whatever happened in the next few minutes, it wouldn't be pretty.

000

Jack, Horatio, Frank, Ryan and Eric had taken up various defensive positions around the living room and front door, weapons drawn. Mike had joined Kenny in the overwatch poistion. Jack had made one thing clear. Whatever Rick Stetler thought, Sam was not leaving unless there was no other option than to shoot it out with their brother officers who Stetler brought as reinforcements. Which none of them were willing to do, even for Sam's sake.

They heard the squad cars stop outside the house, and waited. Five minutes passed before there was a knock at the door. No one moved. Then they heard Stetler's voice. "Caine, I know you're in there. Let's not make this any harder than it has to be. Come on, its not like he's your kid. What do you care what happens to him?"

Horatio watched Jack tense at these words, and shook his head. Wrong thing to say, Rick.

Two more minutes passed before Stetler said, "Break it down."

Jack tensed, and a second later, the door slammed open, the lock mechanism broken. Four uniformed officers stormed in, taser's drawn. "Drop your weapons and give us the boy." Stetler said.

"Never happen, kalet." Jack said, his M-4 aimed between Rick's eyes.

Jack watched as Rick's nostril's flared, and his eyes bugged. "What did you call me?!"

"It's Arabic. It means bastard. Personally, I think it describes you, and your bitches perfectly."

Jack watched as a woman who'd come in with Rick and the other officers stepped forward. "Mr. Caine, if I may, my name is Nancy Jefferies and I'm with Dade County Department of Children and Families. Detective Stetler has informed us that Dr., Woods failed to follow procedure when she took the child in question into custody."

Jack shook his head in disgust. "And you believe this prick? Why am I not surprised? You people are all a like, stupid. I can assure you, Ms., Jefferies, that Sam, is being given everything he needs right now, and if you want to take him, then you have to go through me!" Jack yelled, his voice rising with each word. His rifle was now pointed at Nancy's head. "Oh, by the way, at this range I can make certain you have a closed casket funeral, Puta." He said, then spit in her face as a parting shot. He watched her bristle at being threatened and insulted. Then she stepped aside. "I tried to be reasonable."

Jack noticed the taser again but too late, and tried to turn, but not before he felt something stabbing into his right thigh, and hot, blinding pain shooting through his body.

000

Several things happened in the next few minutes, but Jack couldn't hear any of it. He'd been hit three times with the taser, which was why he was lying on his back on the floor. He saw the woman from DCF going to bedrooms. He reached out and tried to grab her leg to stop her, but suddenly felt something hit him in the ribs, and air being forced from his lungs. Though it hurt, Jack found himself thankful for the kick in the ribs, because it caused his senses to return. The first thing he heard was Sam screaming Alexx's name, and trying to get out of the DCF woman's hold and get to Alexx. He saw tears streaming down Alexx's faces as she tried to tell Sam that he'd be ok.

Then he heard Rick's voice. "This all could have been avoided if you'd listen to reason, idiot."

That caused Jack's blood to boil and he lunged at Rick, but the man was too fast. He moved out of the way and kicked Jack again. This time Jack screamed in pain. He squeezed his eyes shut and suddenly noticed everything was quiet. He looked up and saw his father's Sig Sauer pointed at Rick's head. "Kick my son again Rick, and I swear to God I will kill you. Do you understand?"

Rick grinned evilly. "Sure, Horatio, I've got what I want." With that he turned and walked out. The last thing Jack heard before passing out was Sam screaming. But even through the pain, Jack could swear Sam was screaming one word and it tore his heart out. Because that word was Daddy.

000

A/N: Hope you liked it. Kahlet, pronounced kalet is Arabic for bastard. And puta is Spanish for whore, in case you didn't know. The reason I used an Arabic word is because Jack's speaks fluent Arabic, as well as several other languages. Thanks for reading and I hope you liked it.