A/N: Hey guys! Thanks so much for all the feedback on the previous chappie! Enjoy!


Chapter 9:

Jack didn't know what to do.

One minute, he was talking to the doctor, letting him know that Mac's reacting to the reversal drug and what he should do to help the kid through it, when he suddenly had this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Jack frowned, only half listening to the doctor as the rest of his brain remained focused on why all the sudden he'd be feeling this way. The first thing that came to mind was possible danger outside, stalking them. He bit back a sigh of relief when he went to the window and did a clear sweep across the front of the house. But even that didn't settle the strange feeling.

So he hurried off to Mac's room.

Jack didn't even recall dropping the phone, nor hearing the smack as the screen hit the ground solidly.

There, sitting in the mess of covers, was Mac. Not the toddler version anymore. It was Mac. The Mac. The one he's always known and loved and has sworn a hundred times over to protect against all odds in any situation.

But there was just one problem.

He wasn't breathing.

The tears falling from his brown eyes were vaguely recalled. He only noticed them when the small salty drops began to drop on to his kid's too still face. Guilt ate him from the inside out. Jack remembered hazily yelling the kid's name, trying to somehow rouse him. His body went into auto pilot as he applied CPR multiple times.

Mac never moved.

Frustration and anger and sadness and loss began to pool in the older agent's stomach. His heart pounded with anxiety and fear. Jack couldn't lose his kid. Not now. Mac was too young. Way too young...

The rest was a blur.

Now, he sat in the familiar looking hospital room. Huh. He smiled humorlessly. That's when you know you spend too much time in this place. When it starts to become familiar. A part of you in a way. He scooted his chair closer to Mac's bed. Catching the movement of his other teammates outside the room out of the corner of his eye, wanting to give them his time.

The Delta sniffled as he took one of his kid's cold hands into his warm one's. He silently willed Mac to squeeze it, something to let him know he was there. He brought the appendage to his cheek when no pressure came. Jack's silent tears wetting their joined hands.

"Don't do this Mac. Please. Don't do this to me. I need you. I need you, Mac. You can't leave me like this. I know you're in there. I know you are. Please...come back to me."

He closed his eyes after he made his soft, tearful plea. Not able to stand the look of that pale face any longer. He cried harder. Not caring if his team or somebody else heard him. All he wanted was his kid. That's all that mattered in that agonizing moment.

Then, something happened.

Jack didn't quite catch it at first. Too distraught with his emotions to catch the soft movement. But the second time it happened, Jack looked up. Watching as the pale fingers twitched once in his hand. Mac's eyes started to flutter under his lids a moment later.

"Mac? Mac, can you hear me?" He gently squeezed Mac's hand, praying for a reaction. But instead of a simple squeeze back, he got something better.

Those baby blues Jack treasured so much slowly opened, confused at first, but calming when they finally found Jack's.

"J'ck? What...happened?"

Jack was too overjoyed to give an explanation to his best friend's question. He gave a loud cry of joy and shouted to the other's that he was awake before wrapping his skinny kid in a tight embrace. Mac was confused at first until he realized his voice didn't sound childish anymore. He looked at his hand, having a heavy sense of deja vu as he did so. He felt his own joy well up inside and started to cry tears of joy when he realized he wasn't a kid anymore. He hugged Jack back with everything he had, both of them laughing hysterically from being drunk on their new found happiness.

"Hey, Jack?" Mac asked once things had calmed down some and it was just them again in the room.

"Yeah?" He looked away from the window to meet his partner's gaze.

"You'd make a really great dad someday."

Jack smiled, feeling his heart swell with emotion at the admission. "I already am, brother."


Ok guys! That's all for this one! I know, I'm sad to see it go too, but it's time to wrap this one up. Thanks again for all the wonderful feedback and for over 6k views! I'm so happy y'all enjoyed this fic just as much as I did. Have a blessed day y'all! Stay gold! Peace.