Lost
His heart stopped. The Delta swore it did. There's no way the graphic sight before him could've allowed such a privilege when his best friend - his kid - laid there in a growing pool of his own blood. Jack felt his throat instantly clamp up as he approached the still blonde. His brown eyes flooding with barely suppressed tears.
"Mac! C'mon, buddy, wake up." Jack begged helplessly. He carefully gathered the kid in his arms, bringing him close to his chest. He barely noticed the thick red substance that coated his hands.
The blonde stirred with a groan, pinching his eyes closed in pain.
"J'ck?" He slurred painfully, burying his face into Jack's warm broad chest. The Delta managed a watery smile as he gently brushed away the kid's bangs.
"Yeah, it's me. You're gonna be just fine, kiddo. I promise." He said softly. Mac shook his head.
"No…" He replied with a wince, taking a breath. The dejectedness and defeat in Mac's voice was the scariest thing Jack had ever heard.
"No." Jack bit out forcibly, his face inches away from Mac's. "No, you listen to me! You're going to be fine, Mac. You hear me? You're going to be fine! Stop talking like that. It's not that bad-"
"Jack?" Mac's voice may have been weak, but there was a glint in his eyes. And Jack knew it. He knew.
"No! NO! Shut up! You're not dying on me! Fight it, dammit! Fight it!"
The wounded agent took another small breath, using the last bit of his strength to latch onto Jack's wrist so the older man would lock eyes with him. Jack was trembling, visibly on the verge of breaking down.
"Love you, brother." Mac's voice faded softly, a lone tear running down the corner of his eye and he went limp in Jack's hold.