A/N: Alright folks, I haven't written a fan fic in a really long time, so go easy on me. This is pre series, with Mac and Jack in Afghanistan. I took a lot of liberty on the military stuff and have not had the honor of serving. My gratitude and respect go out to all who have.

Qatar, 2011, 2300 hours

14 Days until Jack's tour is complete.

"Hey! Hey! Let me through." Jack tried pushing his way through the crowd to where a doozy of a fight was taking place. One particularly large soldier blocked his path, not interested in giving up his view of the show. Jack kicked him in the back of the knee, bringing the soldier down. Jack zagged around him and shoved his way to the center of the ring, grabbing his young charge around the waist and pulling him off another soldier. "Break it up!"

Jack to a long look at both young men as more senior soldiers stepped in to add there muscle to ending the fight. Thankfully, Jack was the one with the most seniority on the scene and therefore the one in charge.

"What the hell is going on here?" Jack demanded.

No answered.

"I asked you two a question!" Jack barked. Jack turned his laser focus on the young man that was struggling in his arms, determined to get loose. "Specialist Macgyver?"

Mac's lip was bleeding and his shirt was torn. Refusing to look Jack in the eye, he took an aggressive step toward his combatant.

"I just need to pound some manners into this son of a —"

What the—

Jack kept his grip on Macgyver, surprised at his young partners anger. He bodily moved them both back and turned a glare on the other fighter. "Name and rank, soldier!"

Mac made another lunge around Jack trying to restart the fight.

Jack shot him a hard glare and gripped Mac's biceps, hard.

The soldier shot Jack a dirty look and spit blood into the dirt, barely missing Jack's boot. He was being held back by two other soldiers. "Specialist Chris Johnson, Infantry." He looked around and his eyes landed on Mac again, "you better keep your mouth shut!"

More soldiers filled the tent, "MP's are on the way. Two minutes out."

Jack swore softly under his breath, still doing his best to contain Mac and deal with Specialist Johnson. "Who's your CO, Johnson?"

"I am, Jack."

Jack swore softly under his breath, again.

"Ross, can't you keep your dog on his leash?"

"I could say the same to you, Dalton. Why isn't he house trained yet?" Ross indicated Mac.

"Well finish this later, Ross. I owe you one, anyway. MP's will be here any minute." Jack maintained his grip on Mac as Ross led Johnson away, "what the hell is the matter with you Mac? That guy is twice your size."

Receiving no answer, Jack hurriedly ushered Mac in the opposite direction, hoping everyone kept to the code and kept there mouth shut about Mac's fight. Mac gave another tug, trying to release himself from Jack's iron grip. "Knock it off! I'll turn you loose when I'm good and ready and not a second before."

Jack steered Mac back toward the tent they shared, pushing Mac in before he entered. Never having appreciated their new privacy more than now.

Mac stomped inside.

"What's the matter, he make fun of your cheeseburger name?"

"No! You should have let me finish what I started, Dalton!" Mac roared in his face.

"Whoa, son, you sit yourself down before I help you sit down. Who you think you're talking to?" Jack asked handing Mac a clean cloth for his still bleeding lip. Mac accepted the cloth and sank to his bunk. He grimaced and put a hand to his side. Jack's eyes taking it in. He handed Mac a canteen and indicated for him to drink.

"What happened?" Jack asked, for what felt like the eleventy billionth time.

"Nothing."Mac huffed, looking away. He took a pull on the canteen, then set it down.

"Nothin' huh." Jack sat down next to his partner. "You just threw down with some of biggest, baddest soldiers on this base. You owe me an explanation. Come on, now. I know I'm just some knuckle dragger, but I've got your back. What's going on?"

Mac tried to shift away from the close contact and looked at the entryway of the tent.

"You'd never make it, bud. So don't even try." Jack said with a knowing look.

Mac sighed, letting the cloth drop from his face. "It's nothing, man. Johnson's just a loud mouth, jerk. He needed to be popped in the mouth. I can handle him."

"Well, you'll have to forgive me, but it is my job to keep your skinny butt alive for 14 more days." Jack nudged his arm.

"Thirteen." Mac said, hiding another grimace as he rotate his wrist to look at his watch.

Jack looked at his watch and sure enough, it was midnight.

"Well, anyway, why'd you have to throw down with the biggest guy on the post? Not to mention who his superior officer is. You sure know how to pick 'em."

Jack's Texan accent seemed more pronounced. Mac feared advice was coming his way and looked again to the exit. It seemed he and Jack had come to an understanding. He had saved Jack's life today, returning the favor from when Jack had killed four terrorists with two bullets.

"Look, pal, I can take care of myself." Mac sneered. "I don't need you. You're leaving in thirteen days, anyway."

"Mac, what the hell?" Jack was taken aback by the vehemence in the younger mans voice.

Mac turned away refusing to answer.

"And what did Johnson mean by saying you better keep your mouth shut?"

"It's nothing I can't take care of on my own!" Mac pushed hard at Jack's shoulder and rose to his feet. He swayed for a moment lifting his arms for balance.

Jack wondered if Mac had a concussion for a moment before he grabbed an arm and yanked him back down.

"I've had about enough of this nonsense. What is going on?" Jack took Mac's head in his hands and roughly turned Mac to face him, looking at his pupils.

Mac gave a sharp tug on his head and pushed at the strong arms with his hands, trying to free himself. "Quit mauling my head! Leave me alone."

Jack chuckled at the younger mans attempt to free himself and let him go. "You don't have a concussion, just a severe case of stubbornness. Wonder if there's treatment for that." Jack sighed softly.

Mac laid himself out on his bed and sighed too, all the fight going out of him. He turned away from Jack. "I appreciate what you're trying to do here. But, it's unnecessary. I got this."

Jack watched as Mac effectively shut him out, as his breathing evened out in sleep.

Jack sighed yet again and flipped Mac's blanket over his legs. "Alright, man."