Chapter 3:

When they got to Jack's house, the former Delta instantly started fussing over the toddler. Getting him comfy and bathed and fed...The man even took him shopping for some clothes, which had been a dulling challenge all on its own. Mac yawned. Snuggling up to his bundle of blankets the agent had wrapped him in. He shook his head stubbornly. So much for trying to prove he wasn't helpless. It seemed like he was caving into his five year old side more and more as the seconds ticked by. It was irritating and down right concerning all at the same time.

He heard dishes cling together as Jack rinsed them off and put them in the dishwasher after a filling dinner of pizza and fried wings. Mac frowned thoughtfully, ignoring the classic TV show for the time being. The former Delta almost seemed to be taking advantage of the situation. Sure, he knew how much his partner enjoyed being the 'big brother' or 'father figure' out of the two of them, but...Jack was starting to go a little over the top. It was almost to the point of overwhelming. However, and he would never admit it to anyone who asked, only because he would blame it on his current predicament, Mac found he kind of liked all the babying, strange as it may be for him. He sighed. Mac felt torn between just giving in, and fighting to be his normal self. The turned-toddler already knew all his field work was definitely cut until they could figure out what the hell is wrong with him but that didn't mean he'd have to give his personality too. It'd be a little odd for a while, but they'd get used to it. It's not like his teammates would judge him anyway. Mac nodded. He could pull it off.

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Jack asked, seeming to pop out of nowhere. He plopped down beside him on the couch a moment later, scrolling through Netflix. Mac noticed his partner seemed to hug the arm rest more than he did Mac's space. Jack must've sensed something was up with him.

"Nothing."

"Nothing, eh?" Jack shook his head and resumed scrolling. "I think you an' I both know it wasn't nothing, but I'll respect that if you don't wanna talk about it."

Mac scowled at him. This wasn't like Jack. His partner would usually dive at every angle in order to get him talking about whatever was bothering him. It was just the way he was.

"Why are you acting like that?"

Jack met his gaze. "Like what?"

"Why are you being so..." he gestured wildly with his hands before huffing in frustration in a very toddler-like way. "I don't know! Understanding, I guess. It's weird so stop it." Jack raised a brow at how upset his now much younger partner was starting to get. He set the remote down and gave Mac his undivided attention. Jack kept his voice kind and understanding.

"Well, Mac, I'm trying not to put too much pressure on you. You've been through a lot today and I don't want to add to it. I know how confused and frustrated you probably are right now and the last thing I want to have happen is you feeling stressed out. I'm sorry if you're getting annoyed. That was never my intention. I just want to give you time to...adjust for a bit."

"But I don't want to adjust!" Mac yelled. "I want to be me again, Jack! Me! Not this good for nothing kid that can't do anything but sit around on the sidelines and play as baggage for the team! That's not who I want to be!" The toddler's voice broke at the end and he looked down. He

felt the couch dip more as Jack scooted closer to him. The older agent wrapped an arm around his thin shoulders and gently pulled him closer. Mac resisted at first, but gave in when a tear slipped down. He ended up curled into Jack's warm side, his face now glistening with tear stains.

"Don't you ever think for a minute that you're useless just because of what's happened, Mac." Jack muttered firmly, yet gently to the weeping toddler. "You are not and never will be useless. You're an amazing guy and anyone would be honored to have you in their life. I know I am. And their's nothing I would change between us just because you're now a literal kid again. I love ya, kiddo and I'll always be here for you, ok?"

He felt Mac nod into his side, sniffling a little. Mac laid there against his side for a few moments longer before pulling away. He wiped his eyes. Jack smiled at him, rubbing his back comfortingly. Jack started to chuckle suddenly. Mac frowned at him.

"What?"

"I just thought how whenever I call you 'kiddo', it has a new, literal meaning now." Mac chuckled along with Jack, feeling the earlier stress start to bleed away.