Monday Blues Chapter 4

AN - Wow that cliffhanger really got you talking. Thanks so much for those who reviewed/followed you're kind words keep me writing.

The constant ringing of the phone was the most infuriating sound David Rossi had ever heard, the fact that Clyde wouldn't pick up, so he could find out what was going on was making him pace more and more with worry. He gave up and pocketed his phone, again glancing at the bank. Moments ago outside the bank they'd all seen the flash of gun fire, and heard the all too familiar sound of bullet exploding from the barrel of a gun and it had all happened just as Jack Hotchner was trying to escape. None of them had time to react to anything. Jess's screams would haunt him for a long time he was sure of that.

Those moments when the door opened and it seemed that all hell had broken loose, the solitary shot ringing out sounding louder than usual, echoing for an eternity. In those terrifying moments every single person was filled with dread and utter panic at seeing Jack, little legs running as fast as he could, fall seconds after the shot was fired. Morgan had been the first to react practically leaping the SUV and racing towards the youngest Hotchner scooping him up in one quick move before moving out of sight of the bank's windows and any further shots. Rossi was sure he'd seen tears in Morgan's eyes when Jack had gone down seconds before he'd raced to the boy. Not that he could say anything; his own tears had taken on a life of their own in that moment.

He didn't need to look at the other BAU agents to know they would be in exactly the same state. He couldn't figure out who had let the choked sob escape but it was exactly how he'd felt when they'd seen Jack go down, and Morgan go sprinting toward him.

He glanced towards the ambulance that was parked up nearby, JJ was sat in the back with Jack nestled firmly on her knee sobbing uncontrollably. Dave made his way over and nodded at JJ who offered a solemn smile. The only saving grace right now was that aside from grazed knees from the fall, Jack was fine physically. Emotionally was another matter he hadn't spoken about what he'd seen yet but it was clearly upsetting.

"Jack. Uncle Dave is here to talk if you want?" JJ offered to the boy nestled in her arms. She knew they had a bond through his father's friendship with Dave and was hoping that might tempt Jack out of his shocked, emotional shell. Another sniff and the boy looked up from her soaked shoulder where his tears had gathered.

"He hit Dad Uncle Dave, really hard. He was bleeding and then he kept kicking him."

JJ closed her eyes as Jack shook in her arms. That was the last thing any of them wanted, the boy to see his father being assaulted. Dave climbed into the ambulance and knelt to the youngster's height running a gentle thumb across Jack's face wiping tears from his stained cheek.

"I know it seems bad right now kiddo but you know your dad... he's tough he just wanted you out before he did anything. Doesn't want you getting hurt right kiddo?"

Jack seemed to contemplate this and nodded slowly, the answer seemed to make sense and placate him a little, at least for now, so he sat up a little more to look at Uncle Dave.

"Is that why dad did what he did?" The question hung in the air as Dave and JJ exchanged looks.

"What did he do Jack?" Dave had to ask, though deep down he had a feeling that Aaron's instinct to protect his son had overridden any usual caution he might've had in this situation. After all they'd just seen Morgan do exactly that moments earlier when they'd seen Jack go down. Their safety and any usual FBI protocol was clearly long forgotten when it came to wanting Jack to make it through unscathed.

"He made the bad man angry so he left me alone. He said he'd shoot dad and then dad yelled at me to run. That's when the bang went" Jack covered his ears. "Is dad gone like mom now?"

"Of course not." Dave answered quickly wanting to ease the child's fears, despite the fact he had a sickening worry that Aaron had been killed for his actions in saving his son's life. "The man was just acting tough. We'll have your dad out in no time at all." He ruffled Jack's hair and climbed out from the ambulance returning to the team who were still studying blue prints trying to come up with a plan of attack, patience wearing thin now.

"Rossi what happened man?" Morgan could see from the look on his face he'd learned something bad in the last few minutes.

"Hotch drew the gunman way from Jack, antagonised him into giving Jack enough room to break free. That was seconds before the shot rang out."

No one said anything; they all knew that since Jack was out unharmed it was highly likely that Hotch was the centre of the gunman's range. Morgan slammed his hand on the hood of the SUV, glaring at the bank itching to get in.

"We gotta do something man..."

"I know! But what can we do... We've no eyes in there and we can't risk any innocent lives. There are still hostages in there, and believe me I know its hard not knowing what's happened with Aaron but we still have to get everyone else out alive!"

"Guys, hold up." JJ approached and interrupted before the argument could go any further amidst the rising tension and panic. Jack was still in her arms his head resting on her shoulder, his eyes puffed red through tears and exhaustion. "Jack said he thinks he can point to where everyone's being held if we show him some photos."

"Garcia..."

"On it. Photos will be coming on momentarily so my brave little soldier can help us rescue our brave big soldier. I want to see our Hotchner boys hugging very soon."

Jack nodded on JJ's shoulder through the tears; he really wanted that to happen too.

TBC...