Jack panicked. Jack was adept at battle field first aid, and could even cut out a bullet in a pinch, but his mind blanked at what he was supposed to do after an electric shock. Jack freaked out. He grabbed the front of Mac's shirt and shook him vigorously bouncing him off the carpet and slamming him back down. Mac gasped, and his eyes flashed open. Jack fell back sucking in a deep breath of relief. Mac breathed too fast, and his pulse throbbed irregularly. Mac closed his eyes and moaned rubbing his chest with his burn right hand and forced himself to take slow deep breaths.

Jack sat back and took a steadying breath. He became aware of panicked voices over his com.

"He's back. He's back." Jack whispered to himself loud enough to calm Matty and Riley. Jack studied Mac and gently circled his wrist for reassurance Mac was not dead. Jack frowned. Mac's skin was clammy and pale. "Hey, Mac?" Mac's eyes cracked open but didn't focus on Jack. Jack felt panic reassert itself. He shook Mac. Mac hissed and held Jack's hand stilling it.

"Don't...please…" Mac's voice was barely audible over the plane's engine. Jack looked up as a member of the flight crew, the co-pilot Ken Jones, according to his name tag, knelt beside him. He looked at Mac concerned.

"What the hell is going on? Is he ok?" Jack opened his mouth to answer, but Mac opened his eyes and blinked Ken into focus.

"There was a...bomb…"Mac had to pause to suck in air. Jones' eye brows raised and Jack could see the man tense.

"It's ok; he took care of it." Jack assured the man, "right, bud?" Mac closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Mac nodded. The co-pilot breathed out in relief.

"What about the guy taped up in first class?" Ken asked pointing over his shoulder with his thumb. Mac glanced at Jack amused. Jack shrugged.

"All I had." Jack turned to Jones. "He has something to do with this bomb."

"There's also a kidnapped boy," Mac said rubbing his chest and grunting. The co-pilot looked at Jack. Mac caught the look.

"I'm fine...mostly. One of the bombs…"

"One?" Ken asked. Jack looked down frowning his eyes narrowed. He didn't say anything but Mac could see that his partner had put together the same picture as he had Mac took a couple of deep breaths then tried to push himself upright. Jack pushed him back down. He didn't have to; Mac flopped back to the carpet with a cry of pain.

"One of the bombs was an EMP…" Mac trailed off gasping and rubbing his forehead. The co-pilot's eyes widened. Ken studied the wounded plane panel. He looked back at Mac impressed.

"You rerouted the charge through the lightening mesh." Mac nodded and winced rubbing the back of his neck.

"What does that mean?" Jack asked.

"An EMP bomb works like a dynamo it makes an electrostatic charge which then discharges interrupting any electrical fields in its path. If that had gone off like it was supposed to…"

"We would have dropped like a rock," Jack said eyes wide. He looked down at Mac whose head slumped to the side; the blond's eyes sagged closed. Jack shook his partner. Mac's eyes slowly opened then floated close again. Jack frowned with worry.

"Your friend managed to redirect the charge to the lightning mesh that lines the skin of the plane. It is what protects the plane when lightning hits it."

"Oh man, I saw it go through him then outside...damn." He bent and checked Mac's carotid pulse. The pulse was steady but irregular. Jones nodded and stood up.

"We're going to turn back to LAX. I'll make sure medics and police are there…"

"The medic is great; we already have agents in the area. We'll take care of everything." The co-pilot studied Jack a long minute. Jack smiled but knew that Ken knew there was more to the story and that Jack was not an air marshal. He glanced at the pale, unconscious Mac and nodded. Jack let out a breath.

"Matty?"

"Already on it," Riley answered. "Also checking into who could make an EMP bomb."

"We have a pretty good idea," Jack grumbled.

"Oh?" Matty asked.

"Who do we know uses two different kinds of bombs in one?" Jack said nodding thanks at a flight attendant who offered him a pillow, blanket, and small first aid kit.

"Not the ghost?" Riley asked frustration in her voice. Jack could hear Matty and Riley start talking to each other. Jack turned it out. He gently put the pillow under Mac's head. He covered him and examined the kid's hands. Jack winced. The inside of Mac's fingers and thumb were blistered and charred. Jack put some burn gel on then gently wrapped both hands loosely with non-stick gauze. Jack brushed aside Mac's bangs. Mac's eyes cracked open.

"Hey," Jack said. Mac blinked, but his eyes drifted to Jack's face. Mac rubbed his forehead. "How bad?" Jack asked his voice tight with worry.

"I'm ok," Mac mumbled. "Just a bit stunned." Mac looked at his wrapped hands and winced.

"Next time do not try to reroute a lightning bolt!" Jack growled. Mac chuckled then gasped and ran his hand across his chest.

"It wasn't that strong. It would have knocked out the plane, and there were only three seconds left."

"Good job, Mac," Matty said. Jack frowned when Mac gave no sign he heard. "Mac?" Mac looked at Jack puzzled. He jumped when Jack leaned forward and pulled out his ear bud. Mac raised an eyebrow when Jack showed him the black melted plastic inside the ear piece. Mac shook his head, feeling his eyes demand to close. All of his muscles ached, and he felt as if he couldn't get his breath. His chest hurt, and he could feel his bounding pulse beat irregularly. Mac's scalp burned and his jaw ached. Mac wasn't sure if that was from muscle spasms or his charred com. Mac took a deep breath and couldn't keep his eyes open. He was exhausted.

"His comm got fried," Jack said. He glanced down at Mac who was out again. "He was lucky." Jack sighed. He looked up feeling the plane slowly bank into a full curve. "Looks like we're heading back now."

"Ok, Jack. We'll meet you when you land." Matty said. Jack acknowledged then pulled out his comm rubbing his head. He realized that the passengers were murmuring and glancing down the aisle at them. Jack managed a smile and waved. The pilot came over the intercom stating that they were returning to LAX due to a medical emergency. Jack could see cell phones pointing at them. Jack put the comm back in and informed Riley who assured Jack she would take care of it. Riley babbled something technical the only thing Jack understood was virus. Jack held Mac's hand keeping his fingers on his partner's pulse using it to calm his own.

Mac gasped as he felt arms lift him up and carry him. Mac's eyes focused on Jack who was carrying him under his arms. Then he was moving through the airport wrapped snuggly on a gurney. The ambulance was cold; Mac began to shiver. He heard voices around him, but they were unintelligible. The sirens seemed to saw through his head. Mac began to vomit. They raised his head. Then he was being shifted onto a narrow cart in ER. Mac moaned, his chest felt like a knife was twisting into his heart. He felt himself puke again; then he was floating.

"Hey, bud. You awake?" The voice seemed to echo through a vast empty canyon. Mac tried to answer, but his mouth was too dry. Mac coughed.

"Easy, kiddo. Here." Mac felt a straw poke into his mouth; he drank greedily. He opened his eyes, and everything blinked into focus. Mac frowned at an IV running into his arm and the monitor attached to his bare chest. By the bustle and sounds, Mac realized he was in ER. His fingers were wrapped in finger long band aids. Mac grunted and reached over to pull out the IV ignoring the screaming from his muscles and hands. Jack slapped his hands and his jaw bunched in frustration.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Jack, we have to get out of here." Jack frowned at the tight urgency in the younger man's voice. Mac reached out to pull himself upright. Everything spun, and Mac found himself flopping back.

"You aren't going anywhere for awhile." Mac glared at Jack then pulled again until he was sitting then fell forward off the cart. Swearing Jack managed to grab Mac and pull him back onto the bed. "Will you stop!"

"We have to find that kid before it's too late." Mac looked down. Jack could feel the tension coming off his partner in waves.

"Mac, what…?"

"Hey," Both men turned to see a CNA holding a manila envelope out to Mac. "Your friend sent this back for you." Mac sat up straighter and looked at Jack with a desperation Jack couldn't decipher.

"What did he look like?"

"Old dude, wrinkly short dark hair." The CNA shrugged and walked into another cubicle. Mac shook his head.

"No, not again…" He whispered. He opened it and pulled out a photo. Mac closed his eyes and dropped his head rubbing his forehead. Jack frowned taking the picture from his partner.

"Son of a bitch!" He hissed. He handed back the picture then moved off talking fast to Matty and Riley. Mac looked back at the picture his heart heavy. The boy was obviously Jennifer's son. He looked the right age and wore a Power Ranger's shirt. Mac rubbed his eyes and forced himself to focus. The kid was tied so he couldn't move a muscle and gagged. Mac avoided looking at the child's terrified eyes. He knew that look too well. Mac studied the bomb attached to the boy's chest. A display showed 10 minutes and counted down with an annoying buzz. Mac ignored that and looked closer. He could only see one bomb, unfortunately it looked like liquid nitroglycerine in a glass covered beaker with a motion detector trigger. Shit.

Mac studied the background and closed his eyes rubbing his forehead. It looked like an abandoned industrial basement. In the dim light, Mac was able to make out a metal sink divided into three sections. Mac frowned. It was the kind used in food service.

"Matty notified the police, she's giving the Russian the fourth degree. Do you have anything?"

"It's here in the hospital," Mac said closing his eyes as he stood up and everything seemed to fade a shade. He looked up at Jack's concerned face and offered a reassuring smile; it was more of a white-lipped grim line. Mac blinked and took a deep breath.

"How do you know that?" Mac handed Jack the picture and strode out of the cubicle. At first, he staggered then his adrenaline pumped. Mac walked up to a house keeper. Jack followed him. Mac took the picture from him and showed it to the woman.

"Do you know where this is?" Mac asked. The woman studied it and frowned.

"I think it's the old cafeteria. It's through the tunnel to the old building. They're going to rebuild it into offices or something." Mac got directions then asked where the current cafeteria was. The woman raised a confused eye brow and told him. Mac took off in his ground eating deer stride. Jack was passing on information to Matty as they went. Mac slid into the cafeteria then into the kitchen. Cooks in white uniforms and hair netting looked up at the two men surprised.

"I need Jello or pudding." Mac declared. Everone stared. "NOW!" He growled. The man standing over the grill came toward them demanding information. Mac rolled his eyes and ran to the only door that could open into a pantry.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? You can't go back there!" Jack intercepted the man and put a hand on the man's chest stopping him.

"I know this is a pain, but believe me we need that Jello!" The cook glared at Jack. Jack frowned. "I know how weird that sounds, but I'm serious…"

"I'm going to call security this is ridiculous!" Jack nodded. Mac flew past him carrying a handful of boxes of jello.

"Sorry," Jack muttered as he spun and ran on his partner's heels. The tunnel was long and lit only by dim green lights. It was surreal and eerie. Jack felt his skin crawl. He glanced at Mac. Mac's face was splotched pink and sweaty. They sped through a large empty room, a small cooking area, to the back prep area. Mac slowed huffing. Jack went to turn on the lights. Mac grabbed his hand and shook his head. Jack opened his mouth, and Mac shook his head. Mac indicated that Jack should stay where he was standing. Jack nodded. Mac crossed the room. Jack lost sight of Mac but could hear him move around the chamber. There was a click, and a flashlight lit up. The bulb was dim. Mac shook it, and the light brightened. He shared a worried look at Jack. The batteries wouldn't stay on for long. Mac moved deeper into the room. Jack followed carefully walking directly behind his partner just as he did when they were in Afghanistan. Mac paused and let out a deep breath.

The boy's eyes were dripping tears. The countdown gave them three more minutes.

"Oh boy," Jack said. Mac handed him the flashlight.

"Yeah." Jack did not like the fear in Mac's voice. That meant it was bad, really bad.

"What is it?" Jack asked finding himself whispering as Mac slowly crept closer as if he were trying to sneak up on the bomb.

"We're going to get you out of here, I promise," Mac said with a soft smile to the boy. "But it's essential you don't move anything, ok?" To his credit, the boy didn't nod. Jack crept closer and shined the light on the bomb. Jack's mouth went dry.

"Is that nitro?"

"Uhm-hmm." Mac slowly opened the boxes of pudding, and one by one slowly poured them into the clear liquid. He stepped back and tossed the boxes across the room. Mac wiped his sweaty face. Bent over leaning on his knees a minute.

"Mac…?"

"Now the hard part," Mac said softly. He glanced at Jack. "You probably want to leave the flashlight on the counter and get the hell out of here. The pudding gives us a little wiggle room, but one jolt…"

"You know better than that, C'mon bud, let's do it." Mac threw him a half smile in gratitude. Mac crouched and moving in extreme slow motion unhooked the bomb from the belt hanging over the boy's head. Mac's hands were steady, and he moved with a tense but fluid grace. The rhythmic buzzing rattled through Jack's skull reminding him there were only a few more left. Mac was turning to the metal sink when the flashlight died. Mac froze.

"Jack?" Jack slapped the flashlight and shook it desperately. The flashlight was dead.

"It's dead!" Jack's voice squealed with fear. Mac let out a slow breath.

"Jack slowly walk over to me." Jack set the flashlight on the ground and moved quickly toward Mac's voice. He held out his hands and was relieved when his fingertips brushed along Mac's shoulder. Mac sucked in a small breath but managed not to jump in surprise. "Ok, walk straight ahead until you feel the sink." Jack did.

"Ok."

"Keep talking, hold out your hand, high so it'll brush my hair."

"Or poke you in the eye, you know it's always fun until you poke out an eye…" Jack babbled. They had 30 seconds left. His hand bushed Mac's chin. Jack frowned at how clammy his friend's skin felt. Jack slid his hand to Mac's shoulder and guided him to the sink.

"Ok, Jack I need you to back across the room."

"Mac, look…"

"Jack!"

"Fine, no need to yell." Jack crossed over to where he thought the boy was still tied up. He felt the kid's hair then stood in front of him, holding his hands out behind him trying to reassure the tied up boy.

15 seconds. Mac could feel the cold sweat run down his face. Only his stubbornness held his muscles steady. He wanted nothing more than to curl up and sleep. He slowly bent, pausing every second or so to make sure the fluid didn't slosh and the pudding didn't move. He slowly slid the beaker off his hand to the metal bottom of the sleep.

"Mac? C'mon, bud." Mac ignored his friend. 3 seconds. Mac took out his Zippo lit it and dropped it in the nitro. Mac turned and dove for the floor. There were a whoosh and a volcanic wave of fire. Mac held his arms over his head but could feel the wave of heat brush along his body. He grimaced smelling burnt hair. Mac coughed and rolled over. He sucked in air, but the scorching heat burned his lungs. Everything went gray. Mac felt familiar hands grab him by the shoulders and drag him out to the hall. Mac laid back and closed his eyes focusing on breathing. From miles away he heard more voices and felt a steady stream of thumping feet around him. Mac jumped as a plastic oxygen mask slipped over his nose and mouth. Mac opened his eyes and moved to pull off the mask. Jack stopped him.

"Quit it, just breathe ok. You're scaring the crap out of me today." Mac raised an eye brow and moved to sit up. Jack helped him sit with his back against the wall. Mac tipped his head against the cool cement and held the oxygen taking steady breaths.

"The kid?" Mac asked tiredly.

"He's fine, they took him to ER, his mom is going to be with him." Mac nodded and dropped the mask in his lap. He moved to drag himself to his feet. Jack held onto him.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Mac looked at him with tired eyes that were caverous with his pain.

"We don't have much time. He'll contact us soon." Jack stood up and held Mac's elbow until his partner was on his feet.

"What? Why would he do that? How do you know?" Mac smiled at Jack. It was a hollow expression that frightened Jack almost as much as the nitro.

"We've done this dance before."

"What? When?" Mac shook his head and pushed off the wall walking away without answering. Jack caught his arm, and half turned him. "Talk to me, what's going on?"

"The Ghost likes to play games and will keep going until you lose," Mac said through tightly gritted teeth. His jaw clenched, and his eyes seemed to look into the distance. Jack remembered what he'd told Thornton "I've seen this man kill hundreds...".

"Mac?" Mac shook himself and walked out of the cellar kitchen.

"Let's see what we can get out of the Russian. I don't plan on losing to the bastard again." Jack frowned and followed the younger man back through the tunnel.