A/N: Here's some more Mac and Jack pre series. Mac and Jack have been partnered for one year. Many thanks to Dlwells
Jack and his fellow snipers hopped off the Blackhawk and headed for their separate living quarters. Jack had thoroughly enjoyed the time with his fellow knuckle draggers, as Mac had called them. Jack hefted his rifle in its case in his left hand and a case of Blue Moon beer in his right. He excitedly entered the wall tent that he shared with Macgyver. The young EOD was due back two days before the sniper and Jack couldn't wait to reconnect. Jack came to a quick stop. Their quarters were the exact same as when Jack had left it five days ago. Usually, Mac had clothes and various electronic parts and mechanical gears everywhere. The place was as spotless as when Jack had left it. Mac had clearly not been back.
Huh.
Jack dumped his gear on his bunk, but tucked the warm beer underneath. With all unnecessary items stowed away for now, he straightened his sun glasses and headed back out. Jack followed the well worn path to command.
Entering, Jack gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness and pushed his glasses onto the top of his head. He looked around and spotted Kristoph.
"Hey, my man. Kristoph, you seen Mac?" Jack asked.
"He and the other EOD's never came back after training." Kristoph said, without looking up.
A wave of cold ran through Jack's veins.
"What?" Jack growled, moving closer.
"We've had patrols out scouting for them. So far, no luck." Kristoph offered.
Jack moved forward and bumped Kristoph's body enough that Kristoph had to take two steps to regain his balance.
"I need a map of what road they took and a confirmation on what time Mac's group left the training grounds. I want to know what areas have already been cleared. I also want satellite and a helo. Now." Jack ordered. "I'll be back in ten minutes, get me that helo."
Jack quickly exited the tent and ran head long into the crusty group of snipers he was looking for.
"They never made it back from training," Jack dumped his sunglasses back down to cover his eyes and looked at the other four. All five of them had been rehoning their sniper skills while their five EOD Specialists had been being briefed and trained on the latest information and technology in their respective fields.
"They're two days overdue," Jack's long time friend Gunner pointed out. "What's our move, Boss?"
"I know," Jack sighed. "I'm working on a helicopter. If you're coming with me, you've got eight minutes to grab whatever you need and meet me back here."
The other four moved quickly to gather their supplies. Jack headed back to his tent, grabbed his gear and filled his camel pack. As an after thought, he tossed a handful of power bars and his Delta grade first aid kit in the top of his pack.
Kristoph had come through on the maps, satellite and helo.
"We've got their hummer here." He indicated an area off a well traveled road. When our teams reported back that the EOD's were gone, but their gear was still in the truck, we searched the area. Listened for intel, but so far nothing."
Jack and Gunner eyed the map and shared a look. Someone had seen or heard something. You just had to know who to ask.
"Let's go, boys." Jack called, donning his helmet. "I'll drive."
Jack set the helo down right in the middle of a nearby town. He cut the engine and all five of the Delta's headed into a familiar shack. After five minutes of smacking around a familiar informant, Jack had the information he needed.
"Cobra, you take the stick." Jack wanted to be hands free. The good news was that Mac and his buddies weren't far. The bad news was Jack and his buddies had shady intel on the number of bad guys to expect. They were likely outnumbered five to one.
When they got to the old jail in the abandoned town, the Delta team moved like a well oiled machine. Each man quickly and methodically moved throughout, dealing with all resistance they faced efficiently.
Jack and Gunner went right, the other three went left. They came in hot and loud.
Jack found them in a dirty jail cell with no beds. Dalton quickly counted five heads, then rattled the door. Locked. They were all a complete mess. Mac had dried blood covering most of his body, one of his buddies heads lay in his lap. "Snakebite one two, this is snakebite one one, we've got them. To the right and down the stairs." Jack listened for the good copy and turned his attention to the downed soldiers. "Cavalry's here, boys. Don't move."
Mac's head snapped up at the familiar voice. "Jack." It was part cry of anguish and part cry of relief. Mac eased out from under his friend and hobbled to the cell door. Mac's arm hung at an unnatural angle. Jack couldn't tell if his face was just filthy or bruised all over. His lips were cracked and bleeding. The kid was clearly disoriented.
"Easy kid," Jack admonished. "we don't know where all your hurt! Get back so I can shoot the lock."
But, Mac didn't get back. He reached through the bars and clutched Jack by the jacket, bringing their faces close.
Perfect. Now Jack could yell right in his face.
"Mac!" Jack started only to be interrupted by Gunner shooting the lock at an angle that didn't put anyone in the path of the bullet. Jack turned back to Mac and watched as he got a far away look on his face. Jack rushed into the cell, knowing Mac was going down. He got there it time to ease Mac down to the dirty floor.
Back at Base
Next Day
"You are not very far from getting yourself zip tied to this bed, young man ." Davida led a wobbly Mac back down the hall to his hospital bed, careful of the younger man's broken arm.
"I'm feeling a lot better," Mac wheezed, quickly. "Plus I've got ... stuff to do."
"Good grief," Davida huffed as Mac wavered on his feet. "Dalton was right about you."
"Jack? He's here?" Mac looked around, still woozy.
"No, he isn't here right now." Davida plopped Mac on his bed and reattached his saline drip. "But, he's going to be right back and if I tell him half of what you've been up to, he isn't going to like it one bit."
"I don't think we should tell him," Mac said.
"You put this oxygen mask back on and it'll be our little secret," Davida offered.
"Yeah, but, I don't need it." Mac wheezed, blocking Davida's attempt to put it on his face,
"Dalton!" Davida yelled.
Mac felt cold fear run through his veins. Fear from Jack? That gave him pause, didn't seem quite right. Mac snatched the mask out of her hand and put it back on, fearful that Jack would come stomping in at that moment. Though Mac's bellowing for him hadn't worked in the last few hours. "Dictator." Mac shot her a look of disgust.
"Do what I tell you, little boy." Davida growled as she left the room.
"Not little," Mac muttered. Mac figured he'd do the right thing and be patient. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he'd give Jack five more minutes to show up and if he hadn't Mac would try to break out again. Mac wanted to see the Delta, but he didn't want Jack to be angry at him. Mac knew he was confused. Between the pain killers running through his body and his insecure desire to be around Jack, he knew he was gonna get in trouble. The doctor and Davida had both told him to stay put. But, he wanted to be in close proximity to his cover and in the familiar surroundings of his quarters.
Jack breezed into the room with a pair of Mac's sweatpants and one of his own Dallas Cowboys shirts in his hand. "Huh, figures you'd finally wake up the second I left."
Mac tried for nonchalant as failed miserably. "Where were you?"
"Wow, you Ok?" Jack eyed him carefully. The kid sure seemed off.
Mac shrugged and indicated the clothes. "Are those for me?"
"What? Oh, yeah." Jack handed them over and Mac forgot all about behaving and unhooked his saline drip and tossed off the oxygen mask. Followed by the sling. He quickly shed the hospital gown he'd woken up in and pulled the shirt over his head and the sweatpants up.
"Are you supposed to do that?" Jack asked, doubtfully.
"Yeah, they said I could go when you got here, too." Mac stood to his feet and swayed.
"Oh, did they now?" Jack looked doubtful.
"Well, not in those words, but it was implied."
"That's funny. Davida told me that they were going to keep you here a few days." Dalton smirked.
"Now that I'm awake, I'm sure I can go." Mac looked up and tried to focus his vision so there was only one Jack in front of him.
"Oh, come on. It's nice here."
Mac shot him an angry look. "You just want the tent all to yourself."
"As much as I like not tripping over your bomb parts," Jack growled, "That's not true. I have warm beer for us."
"Great, let's go." Mac hopped off his hospital bed.
Jack dumped him right back on it. "No. You're gonna stay here and get better."
Mac shot him a betrayed look.
"Don't gimme that look. It's air conditioned and they bring the food to you." Jack sat down in a nearby chair. "Your friends are all staying and they've been awake longer than you. Here, sling goes back on."
"I'm awake, I'm better, I'm leaving." Mac used his uninjured arm to lift himself up to a sitting position.
"Why did you join the Army? You hate following orders, you never do what your told. You argue about everything." Jack grumbled.
"I don't argue about everything." Mac grimaced in pain.
"Hold the glare, bud." Jack went to the door and popped his head out. "Davida? Mac needs more painkillers!"
"No!" Mac pushed all the way to his feet. "I want out of here."
"Sit down."
Davida walked in, "You bellowed?"
"He's in pain." Jack pointed at the still swaying Mac.
"I don't want anything." Mac put up a hand.
"You gave him clothes?" Davida shot Jack a glare.
"I figured he'd feel better with some pants. A man needs his pants." Jack defended.
"They make him think he's leaving." Davida went to try and ease Mac back down onto the bed.
"I am."
"He's not."
Davida raised an eyebrow.
A/N: Next chapter coming soon.
