Hi friends! Sorry for the wait. Here is the final chapter of this story. I was running out of ideas and didn't want to drag it unnecessarily so thought it would be best to end it. The small the better right? A huuuuge heartfelt THANK YOU to all my readers who have favourite followed and read this story. A biiiiige THANK YOU for reviewing the chapters. On with the last chapter. Sorry for mistakes.

Enjoy :-)))

Mac shuddered on the floor when a pulsing pain ran through his pulled out nails all the way up to his body. This damn pain was the only reason he couldn't sleep. He was feeling hot from outside and cold from inside. He could feel Jack's presence beside him and knew the older man was very worried for him. The young agent was feeling guilty. He was suppose to be the brains between them but the pounding in his head was making so difficult for him to think straight. All he could think and feel was...pain.

Suddenly Mac heard the sound of basement hatch getting unlocked. He tensed and felt Jack squeeze his shoulder in comfort. Then he saw Jack get up from the floor and out of the blue, Mac saw fists were flying in the room and then the unthinkable happened

Mac saw Jack was on the floor and Rhodes was on top of him with a knife in his hand that was way too close to his friend's heart. A dread pooled in his stomach and chest. Jack's life was in danger. Rhodes was going to kill him. No! He was not going to let this happen. Jack was his best friend...his partner.. his moral support and most importantly a father he always wished for. He will not let anyone take his father away from him again. Mac saw the gun was a feet away from him and he immediately crawled towards it

Mac raised his shaky hands after getting hold on the gun. His feverish eyes saw Rhodes was going to make his final strike when he pulled the trigger.

A shot rang in the empty basement and Mac saw Rhodes's body drop down on the floor like a crumbled building. Jack turned to his left and saw Mac on the floor with a gun in hand right hand still pointing at Rhodes, ready if the goon decided to get up and attack Jack again. His eyes were wide and refused to look away from the man he just shot

Jack walked over to Mac and crouched down to his friend "Kid?" he said softly. The boy just continued to stare at the unmoving form on the floor "Kiddo? Mac!" Jack tried again this time a little louder

Mac finally snapped out of his daze and looked at his friend "Handle over the gun bud" Jack held his hand out and Mac immediately gave the gun back as if it was going to bite him

Just then saw a team of Swat members came rushing down the stairs with guns in hand "Don't shoot!" Jack yelled out and held his hands in surrender

"Jack?" Matty's voice came from the top of the stairs and it sounded as music to Jack's ears "Thank God! We're here Boss!"

One of the officer knelt down and checked for a pluse on Rhodes "He's dead" he accounced. Jack placed his hand on Mac's shoulder "You with me bud?" Mac looked at his friend and nodded but he eyes didn't lock with Jack "Yeah...yeah I'm fine"

Jack didn't believe the boy and yelled at his Boss "Matty I need an ambulance now!" At the same moment Mac's eyes rolled at the back of his head and his body went slack in Jack's arms "Mac!"

The next few hours were blur for Jack. Mac was whisked away by the paramedics and was taken to Phoenix foundation. Jack was also brought for minor injuries. He wanted to go with Mac but Matty told him he could see him once he was treated. Matty had informed the older agent that they were able to nail Angelo and his men with the diamonds in a van outside the abandoned house where they were held prisoners in the basement. Finally the case was sloved and Jack took a breath of relief

Mac on the other hand had a much longer road ahead him. He was suffering blood loss along with three broken ribs and deep cuts to his arms. His fever was high when brought to foundation but was now under control. He was still unconscious but Dr Hedith told Jack who was fretting outside Mac's room for hours, could see the young man

When Jack walked in the room he couldn't hold back a silent gasp. Mac looked so pale and was clearly hurting and that made Jack want to kill Rhodes all over again. He took a deep breath and reached near Mac's bed and placed his hand on the kid's head "Thank you bud. You saved my life. I owe you big time kid. Just wake up and get well soon so I can personally thank you" Jack didn't get an answer so he settled himself in a chair "I'm right here kid" he shifted and picked up a magazine to read.

FEW HOURS LATER

Mac woke up to a constant beeping that was annoying him and he wanted it to stop. His head felt heavy and so did his body. He was also feeling nauseous and now suddenly...floaty?

Mac thought it was the alarm that was beeping so he extended his hand to make it stop, instead he hit the jug of water on the side table which made a loud shattering noise. Jack who had dozed in his chair woke up with a start and sprang off from his seat "Mac!"

Mac heard Jack's voice and with that came the flashes of what happened to him in few days. He witnessed a murder. He suffered an internal bleeding. He was kidnapped and Jack was shot. He was tortured for information. Jack came and...and then...he...he shot a man to death.

Mac's breathing quickened and with that increased the high bleeping of the machine "Mac! Calm down kid. You're okay. Please relax"

"Jack?" croaked Mac and Jack nodded "I'm right here kid. Everthing is fine. All bad guys are caught and you're at Phoenix. You hear me? You're good"

Mac shook his head "I...I killed him...I used a gun" Jack knew this part was going to come sooner of later. Mac never used guns. Infact the boy hated guns. He always tried to avoid using them and today he not only used it but ended a life

"So what Mac. If you hadn't used it Rhodes would've killed me first and then you"

"But.."

"No kid! What you did was for self defence and it won't be considered as a crime. You saved my life. Now that is nothing to be ashamed of" Jack assured his friend. When he saw the boy was still beating himself about it he changed his tactic "Oh now I get it"

Mac looked at the older man with confusion "What?" Jack made a hurt look and spoke "You wanna get rid of me. You wanted me to die. Now you don't need me anymore...well that hurts man"

"No! Jack that is not true!"

"Do you regret your decision?" asked Jack looking straight at Mac who answered without hesitation "No. I would do it again if I've to"

Jack smiled and ran his hand on Mac's head "Then don't blame yourself kid. That man deserved a punishment and he got one. Thank you for saving my life kiddo" Mac nodded feeling droopy "I couldn't let him... take... my father again" with these slur words Mac closed his eyes and fell asleep

Jack stood with shocked and speechless expression. A warm feeling swelled up in his heart with the kid's words. Did Mac just call him father or was the drugs speaking. Still a broad smile crept on his face and Jack felt proud.

Proud that Mac kept fighting.

Proud that Mac used a gun.

Proud that he shot a man and saved his life.

Proud that Mac was his son.

Jack laughed lightly at his own words and whispered to young man on the bed "Sleep well son"

THE END :-)))

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