Those We Gather Close
By: Ridley C. James
A/N: This is sort of a Thanksgiving story masquerading as a beginning of a much larger Christmas story, because as you will see the boys will not be making it to Austin anytime soon. I hope it finds you all well, whether bundled up in front of a fire in the US or sunning in Australia, or somewhere in between. I hope you have much for which to be grateful. The enjoyment I get from writing these stories and hearing from you who read them are counted as two of my biggest blessings! Mike Briar belongs to Gib. He is introduced in her awesome story Lands and Grooves Hills and Valley. Craddock is from my story Paid in Full. It isn't necessary to have read that one first, but just in case you like continuity I thought I would throw it out there. Nurse Sally as always is Poxelda's creation. Thanks to Mary who made this better than it would have been.
RcJ
Mac might have looked at his father's watch for the tenth time when Matty continued to debrief their latest mission to Istanbul. He wasn't sure if their director was pleased they had only caused minimal damage by blowing up one vehicle-which in Mac's defense had been completely necessary and saved countless lives including Jack's-or if she was lamenting the woes of explaining once again to Oversight that she needed reimbursement for said sedan. Honestly, it was hard to tell sometimes with Matty because her default- as Jack liked to say- was ass-chewing mode. Mac thought she would have been a good drill sergeant and credited his ability to usually tune her out while looking completely interested as one of the benefits from his time in the Army. He was finding it harder than usual this go around, blaming the fact he was distracted by the last minute list he was constructing in his head of all the things he needed for his and Jack's upcoming trip.
It was still several days before Thanksgiving but they had decided to leave California early, taking time to actually get to Austin before the big day where they would accompany JP on his annual quest for the newest stock for the Narrow Path Ranch. This year Jack claimed his grandfather had a lead on the brother of the latest Kentucky Derby's winner, Always Dreaming. Jack joked that it might be serendipity because JP was always dreaming of claiming a stake at Churchill Downs.
At first Mac had balked at his partner's suggestion of the extra time off, from work and the search for James MacGyver, but Mac couldn't deny he needed the break from both. After Murdoc and the dicey missions they'd barely survived over the last few months, not to mention one dead end after another where his father was concerned, even he was having a hard time compartmentalizing. His mental trash can was beyond full and bursting at the seams. He had been off before the Bermuda Triangle, but Jack being shot had messed with his head and honestly he was desperate for a diversion, a much-needed reset, something the Ranch and a trip to Austin was offering.
Glancing up from the paper clip in his hand which was shaping up to look a little like a turkey, he found Jack's intense gaze. He hadn't missed his partner's furtive glances, the concerned once overs when he thought Mac wasn't paying attention. Mac couldn't even be irritated at the hyper attention. It wasn't like he hadn't given the other man reason to worry and they were dedicated to having each other's backs not only in times of physical danger but the more subtle aspects of an emotional bombardment that they both understood all too well could be just as deadly for men like them. The recent funeral for one of the men Jack had served with in Delta prior to Mac showing up in the scene was a painful reminder that drove home the all too sobering reality that a soldier could make it back stateside seemingly whole only to succumb to the invisible wounds all who served carried in some form or another.
This time however, instead of a deep frown or head tilted in obvious consternation, Jack offered Mac a roll of his eyes at Matty's droning, making an inappropriate hand gesture behind her back. Whether Bozer's snicker or Cage's raised eyebrow alerted their director or she indeed had eyes in the back of her head as Jack often claimed, she whirled on Mac's partner.
"Do you have some light you want to shed on the situation, Dalton?" Matty growled.
"Considering I was only semi-conscious through the last little bit of the mission, I'm not sure I could spin it exactly right." Jack glanced at Mac, who quickly went back to studying his paper clip sculpture.
"You're basically semi-conscious every day," Matty continued. "That doesn't stop you from insinuating yourself into my debriefings as if what you have to add is of vital importance."
Mac figured his partner had just added another ten minutes to their delay as he launched into a rebuff that would undoubtedly wind up their director further. Riley slid her headphones in and opened her laptop with a put upon sigh. Bozer pulled out his phone, no doubt checking his numerous social media accounts that he constantly updated these days. Mac glanced at Cage who was watching Jack and Matty's exchange with a hint of bewilderment.
Mac imagined the former CIA agent was still adjusting to their team dynamics, Matty and Jack's bickering only one facet of their unique group that was no doubt far from whatever Cage had experienced in either of her former positions. Mac was about to offer up an assurance, something he recognized he tended to do especially when he sensed someone might feel a bit ostracized. He blamed it on always being the outsider as a kid, that feeling continuing up until MIT where it eased when he met Frankie and her friends, only to return full force in the Army.
Pena taking Mac under his wing had been a bright spot, but even that hadn't done Mac many favors with his EOD peers, all of whom thought he was the top teacher's pet protégé winning a coveted spot many of them wanted for themselves. Jack had been the one to really make Mac feel included, the other men in his Delta unit following suit. Jack's team was the first place Mac had felt marginally whole and completely a part of something bigger than himself. He continued to have that in his and Jack's team now.
A sharp knock on the door to the War Room derailed any act of extending yet another olive branch to Cage, the novelty of such an interruption bringing about an abrupt pause in Matty and Jack's heated verbal volley. Before Matty could acknowledge or yell at whomever had mustered the audacity to interrupt one of her debriefings the door opened to reveal a flustered Jill followed by three men in suits Mac didn't recognize. The tallest, a black man with a bald head and a neatly trimmed beard clearly seemed to be in charge, flanked by the other two who didn't bother to remove their dark sunglasses as they all breached Phoenix's inner sanctum with the ease one might when entering a coffee shop. More worrisome than the men in suits was the group of armed men that accompanied them, decked out in full tactical gear. Mac quickly stood, along with the rest of their team.
The security detail looked similar to Phoenix's own, who, much to Mac's amazement also filed into the room along with another former member of Jack's Delta Unit, Deckland Landry. Jack had suggested Landry for Phoenix after his last tour two years before and since then their old teammate had taken over the day to day duties of running the tactical unit which Jack oversaw when he wasn't in the field. All the men were loyal to Jack, especially Landry, and Mac wasn't surprised when they seemed to be staring at the former Delta Operator with rapt attention.
"What the hell is going on?" Matty swore, her ire for Jack now transferred to the strangers who'd entered. "What are you doing here, Sutton? The CIA no longer makes curtesy calls before barging into another firm's house? How would you like it if I showed up uninvited to your place?"
"A little bird told me you have been prone to do exactly that as of late, Matilda." Sutton took a few steps forward, jutting his head towards Landry and Phoenix's armed guards. "I hear Bill gave you a friendlier reception than the one I'm being afforded when you broke into his house."
"That was a social call between two old colleagues, Franklin." Matty folded her arms over her chest. "This looks like business if your fellow trespassers are any indication. Protocol demands a heads up before such a visit, especially one from The Office of Inspector General, so I won't apologize for Agent Landry's vigilance in escorting you while you're here. We've not had the best of luck with surprise visits lately as I'm sure you're aware."
"This isn't social and it isn't typical business, Director Weber." Sutton ran a hand over his tie, his dark eyes going from Matty to Cage. Mac placed the man to be around Jack's age, nearly as tall as Mac's partner, and just as foreboding. Even if he hadn't been menacing, Mac supposed the fact he was assigned to the CIA's internal affairs division was enough to strike terror into anyone affiliated with Langley.
"Sir…" Cage started, earning twin glares from both Matty and Sutton, along with an added raised hand from their director, clearly indicating Cage should shut up.
Mac met Jack's gaze, noting his partner had moved just to Matty's right, slightly off to the side but still in position to put himself in between their boss, the rest of their team, and the interlopers.
"Then why are you here?" Matty gestured to the tactical team. "And why are you armed for bear? There's nothing or should I say no one for you to hunt here." Matty glanced at Cage, who was looking as shaken as Mac had seen her. He couldn't blame her considering the look of clear disdain Sutton had given her. "We've already cleared the air about any and all situations that could have warranted you bringing your boys into my house to poke around."
"You have nothing to do with this particular visit, Matilda. Neither does former Operations Officer Cage." Sutton looked from Matty to focus squarely on Jack, his gaze dark. "Agent Dalton, however, needs to come with me."
Mac's heartbeat seemed to triple in speed although logically he knew that wasn't possible and was an illusion created by the surge of adrenaline that was now charging through his endocrine system. He found himself taking a step towards Jack, who gave Mac a slight shake of his head before grinning at Sutton.
"I'm flattered that you thought it necessary to bring an entire squad of your wind-up toy soldiers just to convince me to have a chat with you, Frankie." Mac recognized Jack's smile, the one that had nothing to do with warmth or welcome and everything to do with predation. Whomever this Franklin Sutton was, he was not a friend of Jack's.
"I'm not here to talk, Jack." Sutton took a step forward with what Mac imagined was an attempted smile of his own, although the sentiment was painfully out of place on the man's hard features as if he hadn't used the particular muscles required very often, if ever. "I'm here to do something I've wanted to do for a long damn time."
"Finally admit I'm the far superior agent and all around better man?" Jack smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Because I agree that reality check is way over due on your part, old pal."
"Still the smart ass you have always been, I see." Sutton moved closer to Jack, hard lines on his face.
"Death and taxes, you know." Jack shrugged, feigning nonchalance. Mac didn't miss the way his partner tensed, or the fact he glanced at Landry and to his tactical team. "Some things are as certain as a sunrise."
"If you want to speak to one of my people…" Matty started only to have Sutton interrupt her.
"Jack Dalton, you're under arrest." Sutton waved the other two suits forward, one of them removing a pair of cuffs from his belt as they surrounded Jack.
"What?" The completely unexpected proclamation had Mac attempting to move to Jack's side, the atypical threat to his partner eliciting a well-honed protective response. He could feel Bozer backing him up, and knew Riley was not far behind. "What are the charges?" he demanded, his pulse speeding up.
"You have the right to remain silent," Sutton ignored Mac's question but blocked his path to Jack, stepping toe to toe with Mac's partner. "But I know all too well that's damn near impossible for you."
"Is this because I stole your girl?" Jack laughed, but Mac detected the slight change in the inflection of his partner's voice, how it had dropped an octave, changing similar to the way a wolf's growl might quickly go from playful to one of warning. "I know my abundant good looks and charm should be illegal but last time I checked being irresistible to women wasn't a crime."
"My agent asked you a very good question, Sutton," Matty spoke up. "What are the charges?"
"Murder." Franklin's eyes never left Jack's face, his smile turning colder and somehow looking much more natural on his face than his previous attempt at one. "Jack Dalton, you're under arrest for the murder of Operations Officer Clay Craddock."
"No. No way." If Mac had thought his pulse was racing before, it was off the charts now. The mere mention of Craddock was typically like tossing a match to kerosene drenched tinder-one of the many reasons he and his partner avoided talk of Cairo- but in the already primed situation Mac had to fight to keep panic from overwhelming him.
"Step off, MacGyver." Sutton turned on Mac, his hand lightning fast as he went to block Mac's way once more as Mac stepped forward. Whether he intended to make contact or not, his move shoved Mac back, causing him to stumble into Bozer, whose quick reflexes kept him on his feet. "Before I find …"
Sutton's words were cut off by the brutal punch Jack landed to the man's face. Not only did the strike knock Sutton on his ass but it instigated a shockwave of activity as certain as if a bomb had been detonated in the center of the War Room. When the dust cleared Sutton was picking himself up off the floor, Jack was struggling between the two suited CIA agents attempting to restrain him. Phoenix's and Sutton's tactical teams had raised their weapons, facing each other in a determined tension-charged standoff. Cage had pulled her own sidearm, but looked uncertain as to where to point it. Mac felt a bit like he did when he'd been caught up in percussion of a blast, dazed and unsteady, although he could sense Bozer and Riley alongside him.
"Stand down!" Matty ordered, although Mac wasn't sure if she was talking to Jack or Landry's team, possibly both.
Jack didn't comply, continuing to thrash despite the fact he was now secured in cuffs. "Put your hands on my partner again, you son of a bitch and see what you get."
"You going to strangle me to death like you did Craddock, Dalton?" Sutton made it to his feet, rubbing a hand across his mouth, smearing blood over his lips. "Maybe smash my skull in for good measure?"
"Don't answer that, Jack!" Matty commanded.
"Tombstone!" Mac jerked at the sound of Landry's sharp voice, the use of his partner's Delta handle snapping him from his momentary shellshock and surprisingly causing Jack to go stock still. "Stand down."
"You better listen to your man, Dalton." Sutton's warped smile was back. "Or on second thought maybe you shouldn't because I would love a reason to take you down a peg or two in front of your team."
"While he's in cuffs?" Mac shook off the hand Bozer still had on his shoulder, stepping in between Sutton and Jack. He flashed the man a challenging glare which he hoped spoke volumes on what would happen if he tried such a cowardly move. "The odds still wouldn't be in your favor and you'd look like more of an ass than you've already presented yourself to be."
"Don't push me, MacGyver." Sutton jabbed a finger towards Mac. "If a reputable witness hadn't come forward with an extremely convenient alibi for you at Craddock's time of death, Dalton wouldn't be the only one in restraints."
Mac wisely stayed quiet, wincing when his partner didn't show the same restraint. He felt Jack bump against his shoulder as he strained against the men holding him to get to Sutton.
"Clay Craddock was a traitorous sonofabitch that got exactly what he deserved, Sutton," Mac's partner spat. "If anyone in this room has blood on their hands it's you and the rest of your CIA cronies."
"Jack." Mac turned to give his partner a different kind of glare, hoping his warning tone held the right mix of 'don't be an idiot' and 'please just follow my lead' that Mac had perfected over the years during situations when Jack's pride, hot-headedness or protective streak led him to less than wise, although be it often noble, actions. In other words, he was trying to reach Bruce Banner in Jack's current 'hulk-out' moment. He placed a restraining hand on the older agent's chest. "Just be quiet, big guy."
"Looks like the rumors are true, Jack, and your boy wonder partner is a whole hell of lot smarter than you." Sutton had taken a handkerchief from his pocket and was attempting to clean his face. "Once this whole mess is over he might even find himself wanting to send Mike Briar a thankyou note for removing the albatross from around his neck."
"What does Mike Briar have to do with any of this?" Matty demanded.
Jack shot Mac a quick look that held no surprise, but a grim realization. "That sonofabitch!"
Mac ran a hand through his hair, sighing. Apparently the off the radar investigation Matty had been running into Briar's activity since Mac's little run in with the man in Mexico hadn't been as covert as they had hoped.
"Briar is the investigating operations officer on this case. I'm sure he'll be glad to share information with Dalton's council, when that's arranged."
"Which sounds like something Jack should do before he says anything else to any of you." Riley was the voice of reason. She frowned at Mac and Jack as if they both should know better. Mac did indeed know better and felt slightly chagrined under their computer tech's accusing stare that he'd been drawn in so easily to Sutton's show. "Lawyering up, that is," Riley continued as she moved her dark gaze to Sutton. She lifted her chin, adding, "Maybe you should save your empty threats for his attorney."
"Spoken like a properly vetted ex-con, Ms. Davis," Sutton's condescension was easily detected and the cutting mark had Jack once more lunging for the man and Mac again having to put a restraining hand on his partner.
"Enough," Mac hissed, lowering his voice. "He's messing with you."
"When I get out of these cuffs I'm going to return the fucking favor ten-fold by messing him up and I won't be using below the belt quips to do so."
"Getting you out of the cuffs would be a lot easier if you weren't acting like a raging maniac," Matty pointed out. "How about you try something really novel and keep your mouth closed until I get this whole misunderstanding cleared up."
"The only misunderstanding is you thinking you have any authority in this matter, Matilda." Sutton nodded to his tactical team. "I'll be leaving now, with my prisoner."
"Where are you taking him?" Mac demanded, hoping the spike of fear he felt as two of the tactical team Sutton had brought moved to flank the other agents holding Jack didn't register on his face or cause his voice to crack.
"That's information for his council." Sutton glanced at Riley then back to Mac, giving another cold smile. "You and your little sister should use some of that brain power and get to work on that."
"Call Hammond," Jack said, his eyes finding Mac's. He gave a slight nod and Mac's gut twisted at the concern he saw reflected in his partner's dark gaze. It was the same look of worry he'd become accustomed to over the last few months, one full of concern for Mac's well-being, instead of holding a healthy dose of self-preservation. "It'll be okay. He'll work this out, brother. We'll be on our way to Texas tomorrow just like we planned."
Mac nodded, swallowing to bring some moisture to his mouth to actually speak, but Jack had shifted his gaze to Landry before Mac had a chance. "Watch him, Deck."
"You know I will, Jack."
Jack winked at Riley. "Keep them all straight, sweetheart."
Riley only nodded, her eyes following Jack as he was led out of the War Room, Landry and his tactical team following behind. "Mac?" She said, when the door closed.
"It's okay." Mac assured, although he felt anything but confident as the realization Jack was gone and he'd been unable to do one damn thing to prevent it from happening sank in. "We're going to get him back."
"Maybe I missed it, but who the hell is Clay Craddock?" Bozer asked, bringing Matty and Riley's gaze to him.
Mac ignored his best friend's question, his eyes going to their newest teammate. He took some satisfaction that she looked almost as wary of his sudden attention as she had the appearance of Franklin Sutton, proving the wrath Mac suddenly felt was easily conveyed to his face. "I think the more important question at the moment, Boze, is why Cage has been feeding intel about us to her old friend, Mike Briar?"
To be continued…