The security team leaned over a table covered with papers and photos as police officers mingled around them. "We searched this entire building for a god damned clue and found nothing. NOTHING!" David exclaimed with a dramatic slam of his fists on the table.

"Calm down . . . I love those kids too, but breaking the table won't find Bastian . . ." Joe murmured as he placed a hand on David's shoulder.

"You two know the kids?" Officer Travin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nick assigned us to protect his family a few weeks ago while he was in L.A. Mac and Bastian were great . . . Bastian's gonna be an awesome hockey player when he grows up. He's good for a five year old . . . plays in one of those kiddie leagues."

Officer Travin gave a short nod before redirecting his attention to the kidnapping note that was now slipped into a plastic bag.

Carrying Mackenzie with one arm and holding Melissa's hand with the other, Nick walked out the main entrance of the hotel surrounded by security. The flashes of cameras and the call of reporters blurred together into a blinding and deafening combination. Mackenzie burrowed her face in Nick's shoulder as both her parents bowed their heads and refused to talk to the media.

As soon as Sebastian's disappearance was made known, reporters had swarmed around the hotel non-stop. A few snuck in to harrass the Carters inside, but most were kept at bay outside. The articles released were from the few statements made by Nick, Melissa and the police with the addition of photographs of Sebastian and speculation from kidnapping "experts".

As soon as the limo door slammed shut, the reporters started walking next to the car until it rolled too fast for them to keep up. Melissa fastened a seat belt around Mackenzie's waist before settling in beside Nick. Her head immediately fell to his shoulder as she released a weary sigh.

Nick pressed his lips to her hair and whispered, "We'll get him back . . ."

She didn't reply as she opened her eyes to watch Mackenzie. The little girl was playing with her favorite doll Marie. The toy's curly blond hair matched Mackenzie's, the curls bouncing as Mackenzie made her "walk" across the seat. Usually it would be Sebastian that Marie walked on. Melissa remembered the last limo ride . . . Sebastian ended up grabbing Marie by the legs and threatening to throw the doll out the window if Mackenzie didn't stop. Sighing again, Melissa closed her eyes and hoped the drive wasn't much longer. They were only going a few miles to a conference center where the Boys were meeting with their management team . . . It shouldn't take too long . . .

With the meeting now done, Nick stood up from his chair and stretched before moving toward the waiting room to find Melissa and Mackenzie. Just as he reached for the door, someone tapped his shoulder. Turning, he found the head of security standing there with a note. "Someone left this for you at the front desk . . . said it was important."

Nick took the small piece of paper and slowly unfolded it.

Nick - Sebastian's such a dear! You should have introduced us before . . . Love, Your Secret Admirer

Nick's face paled before he pushed past the security guard and sprinted to the main lobby. Turning, he looked everywhere to find a clue, a sign that she was there.

"Over here . . ." he heard someone whisper. His head whipped around to look at a shadowed hallway. Without a thought or care, he sprinted into the dim hall until he came to a dead end.

"Where the hell are you?!" he screamed as he bent over to catch his breath. He looked to each side and chose one, now walking into the darkness. He stopped and heard a second set of steps stop as well. He took a few more steps past the pool of a single light hanging on the wall before turning around quickly. In the light now stood a frozen blond figure, her black garb perfect for hiding in shadows.

Nick didn't realize how quickly he was stepping to her and gripping her thin neck with his hands. "Where's my son?" he growled, his fingers twitching to grip harder.

"He's been right under your nose this whole time . . ." she replied with a smile.

"Let me say this again . . ." he said as he pushed her back against the wall. "Where's my son?"

Suddenly, a large hand gripped the back of Nick's shirt. "Let her go . . ." a deep voice growled in Nick's ear.

"Johnny . . . so nice of you to show up!" she said as Nick let go of her throat. She shuffled out of Nick's glare before running into the darkness.

Nick quickly turned around and landed a solid right on the man's jaw, sending the big bully back a few steps from the blow. Nick then broke into a run after her retreating footsteps as Johnny shook off the ache in his jaw.

Having no clue where he was, Nick continued to twist through the maze of service and employee hallways until he was completely lost. Turning down yet another corridor, he found a set of double doors and could hear people on the other side. He pushed at the handles but the latch was stuck, so he backed up and slammed his whole body against them. He then found himself sailing to the floor of the large auditorium . . . in front of a gathering of reporters. Uh oh . . . reporters! Quickly dusting himself off and apologizing for the inconvenience, he ran to the exit and found the lobby on the other side of the doors.