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Chapter 5:

"So this is Marcus, Willton and Brant. Personally, I must have passed by it a hundred times. Never really took notice to it." Sam said as she stopped the car so Martin could get out.

Jack had called them while they were on the road back to the office from Tessa Grant's. He had wanted Sam to drop Martin off at Danny's work, deciding to skip the office, and have Sam head back to the office to see how things were going on that front.

"Yeah I know. I never really took notice to it either." Martin said.

"Just another one of the many skyscrapers in New York." Sam said as Martin got out of the car.

"Martin." She called to him.

He turned to look at her, eyes questioning and curious to hear what she had to say.

"I just... are you going to be okay with this one?" Sam asked though she felt like she was invading his space.

If it was one thing she had learned about Martin over the years, it was that he liked his space. Just because he had trusted her with a few scattered details about his life didn't mean that he wanted her taking more of an interest or that he was going to offer up more information. It was very possible he'd put on his brave little solider face and say something noncommittal like 'sure' or 'yeah'.

It came as a surprise to her when he smiled at her, the corners of his eyes crinkling just a little and it was the first time Sam realized just how young he was despite the old demeanor and weird suits.

"Some cases affect you more than others, Sam. You get used to it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Martin felt completely out of place in his settings, which was weird considering his family used to have high class parties like the one he was currently attending. He knew how to act cordial and be polite and laugh in that ever so condescending way. It was something you learned as a Fitzgerald, but he hadn't done it in years and it was hard to remember exactly how he was supposed to act.

It was the first Christmas party he and Danny had been to since Danny got his new job. Usually they'd go to the FBI Christmas parties held in the bull pen and laugh with his coworkers. Martin had thought they'd always had a good time, but Danny had to make an impression on these people and it wouldn't do if he skipped out on their fancy Christmas party.

Marcus, Willton and Brant owned a whole building, which was obviously something that was pretty impressive considering they could host a whole Christmas party for their more seasoned associates and not even have to rent out a hall or anything. Martin was beginning to wonder how Danny had even gotten an invitation.

"You're not mingling with anyone." Danny said with a pout on his face.

"Mingling? Danny you do realize you just said mingling, right. You sure you're not running a fever?" Martin said jokingly.

"Yeah I know I said mingling because that's what you usually do at a party. You mingle with the people there." Danny said.

"Danny you hate mingling. You said anyone who mingles should be struck with a lightening bolt. You said anyone that uses the word mingle should be taken out back and shot. You're not pod Danny are you?"

"Martin, it's important that these people like me."

Martin rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Danny, you've never played into this corporate bullshit before." Martin said.

"Yeah that's before I started working in this corporate bullshit." Danny said.

"That was your doing." Martin said somewhat grudgingly.

"Can we not have this argument?" Danny said a little pleadingly.

"What argument? I'm just stating a fact. It was your doing."

"I asked, which I could have been a complete asshole and not have done. I asked, doesn't that mean something."

"You asked and I told you my answer and you went and did what you wanted anyway." Martin said not caring if he was making a scene.

"Could you keep your voice down?" Danny asked as he stepped in front of Martin.

"What do you want me to say? That I want to be here. I'd rather be at the office than here. You know I hate these things." Martin said seriously.

"Look, it's just this once okay. It's all I'm asking. I went to your Christmas parties and spent time with your coworkers." Danny said.

Martin rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Fine whatever."

Danny gave him a pained smile and then turned to the crowd.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, you can see, Mr. Willton, we would really appreciate it if you could give us access to Mr. Taylor's files." Jack said.

He looked angry, or at least that was Martin's assessment of the situation. It seemed Mr. Willton wasn't giving Jack what he wanted, which Martin could have guessed. There was probably incriminating stuff in those files and Danny was nothing if not thorough when it came to his work.

"I'm sorry, Agent Malone, but my clients deserve some right to privacy." Mr. Willton said.

Martin remembered Willton. He was Danny's direct boss and Martin had met him a few times, the Christmas party being one of those times. He'd been a jerk. A complete and utter jerk and Martin still remembered Danny just standing there while he belittled Martin's job as a public servant. When they got home, he and Danny had fought.

It had been the first of many fights that happened after Danny took his new job. The first time it hadn't been too bad. Martin had simply left in the middle of it, showing up at the bureau Christmas party that was still running strong despite it being midnight. He'd proceeded to drink at least four glasses of scotch and he had it on good authority that he'd whined about his life to one of the lower agents at the party.

Viv had taken him home and when he woke up the next morning there'd been eight message on his cell phone all from Danny. Viv told him that Danny had been harassing not only her, but Jack as well and Jack had told her to tell him that he'd better go home and make amends before he was forced to shot Danny.

He'd gone home, but made amends wasn't exactly what he called what he and Danny had done when he got there. More like actively avoid the other.

"Mr. Willton." Martin said when he was close enough to Jack and the other man.

Willton turned to look at Martin, recognition clear in his eyes. He cleared his throat and stood just a little straighter.

"Martin, wasn't that your name?" He said.

"Well, Agent Fitzgerald, sir." Martin said flashing his badge and ID.

"Oh, yes, that's right. I remember Daniel saying something about you being an FBI agent." Mr. Willton said in a stuffy voice.

Martin tried not to look put off.

"That's right, sir. Look, as I'm sure Agent Malone has told you, those files could be of great value to us." Martin said as politely as he could manage.

"There's a certain matter of confidentiality here, son." Willton said.

"Look if you don't give us those files, we will get them subpoenaed and that could close down shop for hours." Jack said tersely.

Willton smiled. Martin had seen smiles like that before. He hated them.

"Agent Malone, I do not take kindly to threats. Go ahead. Have them subpoenaed. I'm sure any judge would agree with me that the breach of confidentiality is too important." Willton said.

"More important than a persons life? You really are a piece of work you know that?" Jack said.

"I assure you, Agent Malone, we would like nothing more than for Daniel to be returned safely, but I know for a fact that our clients were not responsible for his disappearance." Willton said.

"What you were with every single one of them last night?" Jack said sarcastically.

"Jack. Look, Mr. Willton. We're not interested in what you're clients are doing. Any information on their cases will be kept classified, but we would really appreciate it if we could have access to those files." Martin said putting on his best upper classman voice.

He really hated that he could do it so easily.

"I don't know. Our clients are notable people."

"And their privacy means a great deal to us, but we're just trying to do our job. And in doing our job, you can do your job better." Martin said.

"How so?"

"I would think that the sooner we locate Mr. Taylor, the better for your company."

Willton smiled.

"I suppose your right." Willton said.

Martin smiled as pleasantly as he could at him.

"Marcy, please allow these men to into Mr. Taylor's office." Willton said.

Marcy, Danny's secretary, nodded and went to open the door. Martin and Jack followed her inside.

"Oh and Agent Fitzgerald." Willton said.

"Yes." Martin said turning around.

"You would have made an excellent lawyer." Willton said before leaving.

Martin tried not to flinch.

"That was pretty impressive and also... kind of scary." Jack commented, thanking Marcy as she left the room.

"Yeah, you're telling me." Martin said.

"Well it got us what we needed. That's a good thing." Jack said.

"Yup."

"Let's get to work."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"And it would appear that the police and FBI are keeping this one as close to under wraps as they can. This is Rita Winter for channel six news, back to you Hank."

Danny watched the report, his eyes a little glazed and his head throbbing with lots of pain. His kidnapper had dragged him out of the room he'd first been in to what appeared to be the main living room. He then turned on the TV and they'd sat there watching the news until something about Danny's disappearance showed up.

"They were quicker than I thought they'd be." The man said.

"Told you there'd be something." Danny muttered.

He was lying on the ground, head turned to look at the TV. When they'd reached the living room, the man had thrown him onto the ground and Danny hadn't attempted to get up, somehow knowing that he was supposed to stay put.

"And you think this upsets me. Hell, it makes me happier than I was before. So someone out there actually gives a shit about you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You know, I love you." Martin said happy gleam in his eyes.

"You're just saying that because I have a big apartment and now you get to live here. Oh yeah and I did all the heavy lifting." Danny grumbled as he flopped down on the couch next to Martin.

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.

"You know, you have a lot of crap."

"Oh, did it hurt carrying in everything?" Martin asked.

"As a matter of fact it did." Danny said.

Martin sighed and curled up against Danny's sighed, lips finding Danny's neck as he started to kiss and nibble just a little. Danny couldn't help it if he leaned in just a little.

"Poor baby." Martin said, his hand finding Danny's as their fingers intertwined.

"You know, I've never lived with anyone before. This could be fun." Martin whispered into his ear.

"You're talking about sex aren't you."

"How could you tell."

"I just know you is all."

"Really, so if you know me so well what am I thinking now." Martin said with a serious look on his face.

Danny turned in his arms and smiled.

"That you love me."

"Wow you must be psychic or something."

Danny rolled his eyes and Martin started to laugh a little.

"Come on, let's go to bed."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Come on, let's go."

"Where?" Danny asked, though he knew it probably wasn't smart to ask questions.

"I'm gonna need you to do something for me. It'd be best if you just went along with it."

Danny did as he said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, we've got tons of files for everyone to sort through. Fun." Martin said as he stepped inside the elevator.

"Yeah, well, maybe something will point us in the right direction." Jack said as he pushed the button to their floor.

"You're right." Martin nodded.

They waited for the elevator to make it to their floor and stepped out when the doors opened. They walked over to the main office, still talking about the possibilities when Sam came rushing towards them, a tape in hand.

"What's up, Sam." Martin asked.

"You guys are going to wanna watch this." Sam said handing Jack the tape.

"What's on it?" Jack asked.

"It's a ransom note."

Chapter 6

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