Chapter and story title from the song "The World Keeps Turning" by Tom Waits/Kathleen Brennan. I felt like it was an appropriate song for this episode, especially the second chapter.
Tag to 1x12 for Yesteryearsgirl over at . There will be spoilers.
MacGyver helped Jack into the seat of the plane with a soft grunt. While the blond was undoubtedly strong, Jack was still pretty heavy, even though he might not look it.
Taking a step back, the younger man looked at his friend. The man's eyes were starting to droop a bit, and MacGyver decided that jack would probably be unconscious in a few minutes. A few minutes, however, was not now, the blond ruefully found when Jack tried to rise from his seat to walk over to MacGyver. "C'mere, buddy," the man slurred.
MacGyver, not wanting his friend to somehow end up injuring himself, took the few steps to bring him closer to the older man. "What's up, Jack?"
Jack smiled loopily. "We're friends, right?"
Mac, unsure of where this was going, shrugged. "Yeah, we're friends."
Jack looked up at him with a forlorn expression on his face. "Why don't you wanna sit b'me, then?"
The blond hesitated for a moment, then sat in the seat next to Jack. Anything to get him to go to sleep.
Jack slung an arm around his young friend. Mac, squawking in surprise, tried to shrug the arm off, but Jack was determined- and surprisingly strong for someone in his state. Resignedly, the blond settled into his seat to wait until his partner decided to release him. After a moment, Jack started talking again. "I knew you were outs'de th' door."
Mac patted his arm. "I know, Jack. It was the plan, remember?"
Jack frowned, continuing. He felt an urgent need to convey what he was thinking to Mac. "No, n't plan. I knew you wouldn't leave me. You never leave me."
The brunet began to wave his free arm, trying to emphasize his words. "B'th of us. We b'th take care of each other."
MacGyver was beginning to worry. "Are you okay, Jack?"
Jack nodded emphatically. "Neither of us gonna- gonna betray the other one, right?"
MacGyver nodded. "That's right, buddy."
Satisfied, Jack settled back in his seat. "You're a good brother."
MacGyver twitched in surprise. "Um, Jack? We're not related."
Jack shrugged lazily. "Y's we are."
For him, the matter was settled. His eyelids began to droop shut, and MacGyver watched him fall asleep. And, even as Jack's arm grew lax with unconsciousness, MacGyver stayed there.
