Where is Jack Hotchner

Jerry Thomas

Time jump:

Everyone, except for Hotch and Garcia had gone down to the docks. Knocks had given them the number of 6 storage bins. The team broke into groups of two. What they found was enough to make any man cry.

You had crates lined up alongside the wall of the bins. Two rows, one crate on top of the other. The smell of urine nearly knocked the agents out. Walking between the line, they found pictures in each crate hanging. They held a picture of the child. Age, weight, ethnicity, and whether they were un-touched or not. In no time they had the locks broken and children carried to the paramedics.

JJ pulled open the door to the very last crate, nearly falling to her knees at what she found. A little girl about two or three laid on the ground. She wore a thin pink dress. Her bare feet were bloody from the splinters of the wood. Her arms were paper thin and she was sure the girl was dehydrated. Reaching out to check for a pulse, she was met with frantic waving arms. JJ quickly pick up the girl in her arms and held her.

"Shh, it's okay." She whispered. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to save you." The child cried uncontrollably, gripping as hard as she could to JJ's jacket. "It's okay now. I got you. I got you." JJ held her as close as she could. Still afraid of hurting her at the fact that she was so tiny and frail. "Nathan, get these damn chains off her."

Nathan did as ordered without a word. He didn't blame the blonde for the emotions she was feeling. He himself was on verge of snapping. Using the bolt cutters, he freed the child. A question on his mind. "No other kid was chained inside the crates. Why her?"

JJ shook her head, carrying the little girl out of the bin. "I don't know, maybe she tried escaping?"

"S-she tried helping another kid escape." An older boy spoke up. He was sitting on the floor wrapped in a warm blanket.

JJ handed her over to a paramedic. "What kid sweetheart?"

The kid shrugged. "I don't know his name. He wasn't in there for long. But he fought our captor. He got away one time, nearly making it out of the docks. The second time, Izzie held the man back while he ran. He got caught and Izzie was chained. He said that if anyone of us did something like that again, we will also be chained. Given no food and water."

JJ pulled her phone out, pulling a picture of Jack up. "Was he here?"

"That's the boy!" The kid yelped. "You know, before he was taken he told us not to worry."

"Not to worry?" Nathan asked.

The boy nodded. "He said his dad and team would find us. That they were looking for him and that they will find us too." He looked up with hopeful eyes. "Are you his dad?"

JJ smiled, holding back her tears. "We are his dad's team. His dad is still looking for him and so are we."

"Thank you." He gave them a watery smile. "I get to see my mom again because of him and you. I wish you find him soon." An officer came over, taking him away. "When you find him, tell him James says hi." Waving at the agent's bye, he climbed into the cruiser and anticipated his way back home.

JJ finally allowed her tears to fall. "He's alive."

"You ever doubted that?" Nathan chuckled. "That kid is everything his father is, mixed with the influence of all you. Jack grew up with every one of you. He wasn't going laid back and let them take him. That boy will fight to the end, just like his father." Placing a hand on her shoulder, he squeezed lightly. "He gave these kids hope in their darkest time. Managed to escape twice. I wouldn't be surprised if he found us first."

JJ laughed. "Neither would I." Wiping the tears away, she turned towards her teammates. "Let finish up here and head back. Garcia should be close to finding out the buyer."

Garcia was furiously typing away on Knocks computer. The man was creepily organized. He had two main files locked away. Male and female. Each one of those two files had dozens more. All categorizing the children to specific traits. Searching his browser history, she gasped at finding the auction page. Scrolling down the page, she found many auctions still active. Coming to the bottom she found Jack's ad. Clicking on it, she forced herself to read it.

Male-6-dirty blonde.

This wonderful untouched boy is up for grabs. He is as fresh as they come. Ready to follow your every command. Might need a little discipline, but nothing a firm hand can't fix.

Garcia nearly gagged at the caption. "There will be no more sales tonight." Shutting the page down, she watched it blank. "Sick bastards." Using the bidding from Jack, she followed the money trail. Each bid was submitted from directly a bank. Following that and she would... "Bingo!" Garcia's shout was heard throughout the entire house. "I got you, you son of a-Hotch!"

Hotch came running into the room coming to a skidding halt. "What did you find?"

"I-I followed the money used in the bidding." Garcia explained. "I found the bank account and the name."

"What's the name?" Hotch was so close. "Name Garcia."

"Jerry Thomas."