"I got this." Jack muttered through his aching gritted teeth. Jack had heard that someone somewhere had designed a rollercoaster that killed people as an alternative to lethal injection on death row cases. Jack was beginning to think that would be better than the meth-addled pegasus roiling under his desperate clutch.
Through the thin partition between the cabin and cockpit, Jack could hear the cries of pain and smell the strong smell of puke. Jack had never been motion sick in his life, but was pretty sure the only reason he didn't puke now was nothing sat in his stomach.
"How we doing up there?" Matty's calm voice came over Jack's earphones.
"You better...UGH...UMPG...have med….HUMPH...ics standing by." Jack screamed over the rattle and whine of the bucking Gulfstream. Jack reminded himself that Phoenix could hear him as if he were in the room with them. His arms shook and his white knuckled fists on the control had gone numb an hour ago.
"How's Mac?" Bozer asked. Jac stared out at the darkness around him. Stars bounced across his vision like popcorn. The moon was a narrow fingernail hanging low. Jack couldn't see the mountains, but knew they were there like punji sticks waiting to impale them if he faltered one second, relaxed one millimeter.
"I got this." He whispered.
"Jack?" Bozer asked. Jack could hear a worry that almost matched his own, but couldn't divide his concentration.
"Boze, chill. Jack's busy trying to keep them in the air." Matty snapped. Jack nodded in relief as if the tiny woman was his copilot. Caty had gone back to help Vi. With this savage turbulence, the kids would be flying around the cabin- especially the little ones. Jack worried about everyone back there, of course, but Mac had been savagely beaten. Movement was bad, let alone bounce like a damn Q-ball. And Lilo…
Jack's attention returned to the stick when the nose suddenly dove down. Shit. Jack wheeled to the left then smoothly to the right bringing the nose up by surfing the air current. He spiralled down 500 feet before the air smoothed. He maintained that altitude for half an hour then began to climb back to his original height. Jack took a deep breath. The flight smoothed.
"Matty, where are we at?" Jack managed to unclench his jaw and moved his chin back and forth to loosen the tight muscles. Damn did his face hurt. Jack spared a hand to wipe sweat off his face. If he was honest he was running on as many fumes as the plane was.
As if hearing his thoughts as a challenge, the engines cut out.
"God Dammit!" Jack yelled.
"Jack? What's going on?" Jack was quiet as he did some fast guesstimates.
"I'm gliding, please tell me where within 300 miles."
"You're 310.8 miles from the Gerald Ford." Riley said. Jack wanted to comfort his girl, but had more important things at the moment. He straightened the craft setting the coordinates to the aircraft carrier.
"It might get a bit tricky." Jack said unable to hide his fear. He didn't care about himself, but the kids, women and Mac...nope not gonna happen.
"What about landing in the ocean?" Riley suggested.
"The Navy's right there and could scoop you up outta the drink." Bozer enthused. Jack leaned forward to loosen muscles in his back and shoulders.
"Bozer, the plane would probably crash apart landing on the ocean same as if it were on land…" Jack's mind flashed to Mac's condition, "everyone would drown."
"Oh." Bozer said softly. Jack nodded as if Bozer could see him. Jack focused on the controls. He had to cruise as far as possible and hopefully would crash on the air carrier's deck. He prayed they were past the turbulence and there weren't any mountains in the way.
They had been coasting 10 minutes and Jack could see the brightly lit Gerald Ford. Jack nodded in relief. Almost home. The aircraft suddenly skittered to the left and down a hundred feet. Shit.
"Gulfstream, this is Command Center, we are showing you off course by 20 degrees."
"No shit, Command Center, turbulence is a bitch and I have no way to compensate." Jack tried to angle back to the decent coordinates he was on. He was falling faster than he planned. He could see the sea men running across the long airfield running the length of the carrier. They were hanging an arresting net across the largest of the runways. Jack could see rows of F-15s off to the side. Running into one of them would kill them all, Jack, the kids, the women, Mac, the entire complement on the Gerald Ford and when the nukes blew probably half of South America.
"Let's not do that." Jack gritted. He eased the stick wringing every inch of lift he could. A strong gust slid his plane to the side, facing the F15s. Shit. Jack lowered the flaps on that side and twisted the controls as hard as he could. Then it was up to God.
Jack slammed forward as the Gulfstream slammed into the metal ship. It's right wing hit the same time as the belly and didn't break off. Jack had a second to offer a breath of thanks before the mangled grinding stole any thoughts he had. Red sparks blocked his vision from the front and starboard cockpit windows. His left window had a nice view of the slight lighting of dawn.
Jack felt the plane tip forward then spring back. He closed his eyes. The netting, built for fighter jets landing at full speed, held the Gulfstream easily. Thick foam covered the windows leaving the cockpit in muted darkness.
Distantly Jack heard the excited cries of the kids. He closed his eyes sore and exhausted.
"Any landing you can walk away from." He sighed as he passed out.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxwxyz
A hushed argument woke Jack up. The room was dim, completely dark except for the open door. In the faint light Jack could see children sprawled on his and Mac's beds. Jack smiled down at Lilo who had curled up close to his side. Alvin stood center in the doorway arms crossed and back stiff with determination. Jack grinned when he recognized the frustrated voice of Matty.
"Look, I know you want to protect them, but the doctors…" Alvin cut her off with a hostile growl in his own language. Jack couldn't see Matty, but knew from experience that the Hun was about to check in. Jack sat up. All of the kids poked awake like a herd of startled meerkats. Jack groaned and looked down. His elbow was encased in a thick surgical cast that immobilized it and a sling that attached it to his abdomen.
Jack glanced at the kids. They looked worn and scared. Jack realized that they had stayed with him and Mac for their own comfort as much as the two men's. They all hopped out of bed, ready to back up Alvin. Even in basic kid clothes of T-Shirts and jeans, the kids had an angular feral look that reminded Jack of Jaguars-or at least the one he'd seen too up close and way too personal.
"Hey, Alvin, it's ok she's one of the good guys-I think." Jack's throat and mouth were dry. He glanced over surprised he wasn't attached to an IV. Alvin turned startled and grinned. He jumped from the door and ran to give Jack a hug. In seconds Jack was under a squirming pile of giggling children mauling him.
"Very funny, Dalton." Matty said with pretend anger. She stood in line then hugged Jack when the children let her through. Matty grinned, "Well, Jack. I'm glad you finally woke up, your protector there refused to let us in until you woke up ." Matty said thumping on a light. Jack and all the kids on top of him moaned. Jack squinted at Matty his vision drowned by a white comet ghosting across his skull leaving a blaze of pain in its wake.
"How long was I out?"
"Two days."
"Really? I don't really feel rested and...Mac?" Jack gently pulled Lilo off his chest as he looked over at his brother. If it wasn't for the mask of livid bruising and bandaging, Jack would have had a hard time discerning Mac from the white sheets. Jack slid through the mumbling group of kids and sat on Mac's bed. Mac's face was slick with sweat and his hair flattened back. Jack could see Dora sitting in a chair on the other side of Mac wiping his head with a cool rag. Jack smiled at her; she turned away, but Jack thought he could see the start of a shy smile. Jack put his hand on his partner's forehead and frowned.
"He's had a fever since you guys got aboard." Matty stood at his elbow. She was as tall as Alvin who stood behind her a fierce look on his face. Jack smiled. Alvin turned his head trying to keep a fierce look on his face. Jack knew the kid was one step away from bursting with pride.
"Jack?" Jack snapped around at Mac's tired whisper. Mac's eyes were half-lidded as they bounced around the room taking in the faces of the now silent kids watching him worriedly. Mac offered a weak smile that included Matty as the older woman patted his hand. Jack sat sidesaddle beside Mac. Mac smiled and held up a fist, Jack bumped it grinning it. Mac's eyes slid shut and his head tipped to the side. Jack leaned back and felt his shoulder muscles finally unknot. They'd survived.
"Ja-ah-ck?" Jack looked down and saw Lilo standing in front of him eyes serious. Jack reached down and mussed the kid's hair. Lilo slapped his hand away but gave the older man a toothy grin. If Jack didn't feel like shit, he'd started wrestling the boy. As he stood up he found Lilo standing on his feet arm around his waist. Jack grunted and walked the few feet back to his own bed biting back a hiss of pain at the extra 50 pounds.
"Ok, you guys want ice cream?" Matty said. Jack lost sight of her behind a flurry of jumping children squalling in their language. Ice cream were the first words they'd learned in English. Jack smiled at Matty leading them out like the pied piper. He leaned back and sighed. He looked over at Mac sleeping soundly. Dora bent down and kissed Mac on the forehead then moved after her friends-no, family-at a light scamper. Jack closed his eyes and gave in to sleep once more.
Jack slept off and on. Mac slept as IV after IV antibiotic was pumped into him. Jack sat beside him murmuring calming things when his brother's fever spiked and he thrashed sweating profusely. Jack was nearing exhaustion when Mac's fever finally broke. Jack sank back too tired to move. Riley and Bozer had been on herd patrol, coming and visiting with one or two kids at a time.
Riley and Alvin walked in as Jack flopped back more asleep than awake. Riley glanced at Alvin who nodded. Jack was dimly aware of being hauled over to his bed, then he was asleep. Jack had no way of telling time below decks on the carrier, but it felt like the next day. Jack sat up and blinked. Mac's bunk was made with regulation corners, the blonde was nowhere in sight. Jack sat up slowly and wiped his sweaty forehead. He didn't have a fever, he was just...gross.
Jack spotted a telephone headset beside the door. He picked it up. Immediately a crisp friendly voice bounced back,
"Yes, sir?"
"Uh...this is Jack Dalton…"
"Yes, sir. A hospitality officer is on his way down."
"Well, great! Thanks."
"Yes, sir."
Jack had no idea where he'd come from, but it couldn't have been far. A sharp looking skinny kid with fire engine red hair in a tight near-bald cut was there almost as soon as Jack hung up the phone. The man, Lt. Stuart, helped to the shower and gave him a clean flight suit. Jack was tickled to get both. The man escorted Jack to the mess hall. Never straying too far away in case he had to catch Jack. Jack was annoyed; it made him feel a hundred years old.
The mess hall bustled with a flotilla of multicolored uniforms in varying levels of grease. The men and women ate boisterously. Jack grinned. It was like all the military mess tents he'd ever been in.
"That's him, the pilot!" Someone brayed over the noise. The room went silent. Jack shifted from foot to foot and nudged at Stuart to move ahead. They were probably going to beat him down for the mess on deck he'd made. Lt. Stuart's face was as still as a mannequin and he neither hurried or slowed. Jack was about to shove the officer aside when everyone in the room stood up and started clapping and calling. Jack gaped at them. Jack heard whooping then he was surrounded by air crews and sailors patting him on the back and yelling at him.
"Can't believe you landed that, Dude!"
"Come work with us, man!"
"Great job!"
"You da man!" Jack grinned, refusing to cry. He couldn't hide the sniffled though. He bumped fists and high-fived back as many as he could nodding his head as he made his way through the mess hall. Jack had to rest a minute when he passed the melee and the sea men and women returned to their grub. Jack rubbed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
"Damn." He sighed, overwhelmed. Lt. Stuart put a hand on Jack's shoulder. Jack looked at him to find the man grinning at him. It took the starch out of the Lt's stance. His blue eyes and freckles made him look like that kid...Opie? Jack grinned back, "Didn't expect that."
"The landing you made was incredible, sir."
"Thank you, Lt...it's just, well, normally a landing like that cost me a month of salary." Stuart laughed.
"This way, sir. The Captain is in his mess."
"Jack, just call me Jack."
"Yes, sir." He followed Stuart through a narrow hallway. The hospitality stopped at an open deck door stood to the side and smartly saluted. Jack returned it, glad it wasn't his right wing that was broke. That'd plum be embarrassing.
"I'll be back when you're finished, sir." Jack nodded. Stuart wheeled and strode back the way they'd come from. Jack stepped into the Captain's mess. It wasn't as fancy as he thought it would be. A long gleaming solid wood table took up most of the room. Small port windows lined one wall. Jack peeked out and smiled to see a bright sunny day.
"You look human again." Matty smiled over a cup of wine. Jack patted his flight suit self consciously. There were six officers at the table and Matty. The sailors all wore perfectly clean and sharp uniforms. Jack cleared his throat and nodded moving to scurry to his seat. Now he'd get the dressing down. Jack braced.
The Captain looked like a private school principal; his craggy face was stern and unreadable. Jack gulped as the man raked his eyes up and down the Delta taking his measure. Jack didn't breathe again until the man grinned at him. It was like a window opening. All of the officers stepped forward to shake his hand and introduce themselves. Jack nodded and slithered into his seat before his knocking knees melted.
"That was some damn fine flying, son." The Captain said. Jack grinned and moved to open his mouth to brag when he caught Matty's glare out of the corner of his eyes. Jack cleared his throat.
"Uh, thank you Captain...sorry about the mess?" The room erupted in laughter. Jack's eyes widened as a lobster tail and sirloin tips with piles of sides set in front of him. It smelled so good...Jack glanced up and smiled forcing himself to sit back and wait until the Captain told them they could dive in. Jack did. He tuned out the rest of the room as he did a reverse somersault with four half twists into a pile of mashed potatoes. Jack didn't come up for air until his plate was clean enough to put back in the cupboard. He'd enjoyed piranha ka-bobs, but this...this was "he died and went to heaven only to leave and have a second helping" good. Then came dessert. It was some sort of pie on fire. Jack leaned back, he wasn't sure fire and food was a good idea outside 'smores and hotdogs on a camping trip. He was wrong again. Sugary heaven melted in his mouth. Jack was pretty sure he'd gained a hundred pounds before he sat back and sipped his after dinner wine.
"Better?" Matty asked amusement in her dark eyes. Jack flushed a color, realizing he just grazed like a cow in the dining room of the command of the US Navy's newest and most powerful aircraft carriers. He cleared his throat and dabbed his mouth. At least he'd thought to toss the cloth embossed napkin over his lap.
"Sorry...it's just been awhile since I had good…" Jack faltered at the memory of the steak shared at Buck's house. At the time it had been manna, now he felt like he'd eaten maggots. Matty put a hand on Jack's forearm.
"I was teasing, Jack. You're fine. Rog and I were just hammering out our exfil." Jack raised an eyebrow- Rog? His other eyebrow joined when Matty gave a girlish smile and blushed just a little. Jack studied the Captain as the man leaned forward and recapped to the other officers the details of Jack and Mac's hike through the Amazon. Jack smirked at Matty. She rolled her eyes, but couldn't quite quash the girly grin and pink flush.
"Where's Mac?" Jack whispered to Matty. Matty smiled.
"He's up on the guest observation deck working on some bone thing." Jack nodded. Bone thing, Mac was making the tooth into a necklace. Jack hoped the blonde would keep it to remind him what a tough bastard he really was, or give it to Jack for what an awesome friend he was.
"What about the kids?" Jack asked worry softening the wrinkles around his eyes. Matty sighed and set down her empty glass.
"Riley and the team of linguists have come up with a program that can translate parts of their language, and teach them a few words in English…"
"Like ice cream?" Matty smiled.
"Yes, like ice cream, Jack. But it's slow going. Vi, Caty, Mirabella and Tabitha are all going to accompany them to New York where they are going to testify in front of the UN and the FBI's terrorist and genocide unit." Jack looked at his reflection in the polished wood. He was gonna miss the little guys, but he was glad they were in good hands. He rubbed his face the conversation around the table becoming a blur.
"Sir?" Jack looked up surprised to find Lt. Stuart at his elbow. Jack glanced around the table. The conversation had gone on without him. He did see the Captain smile and give him a nod. Jack nodded back grateful. He wobbled to his feet. Stuart steadied him with a hand on his back that no one seemed to notice. Jack absently waved at the other officers and Matty then followed the Lt. out. He realized the man was leading him back to his bunk.
"I'd like to go to the observation deck." Lt. Stuart nodded and altered their course without missing a step. Jack focused on his feet as they travelled a tight warren of hatches until they reached the observation deck. Jack took several deep breaths trying to shake away his lightheadedness.
"If you need me, the phone is on the south wall." Jack nodded and rubbed the blur out of his eyes. He whistled. This was nice. One whole wall was made of open windows. The constant grinding of surf mingled with the wafer smell of salt relaxed Jack enough he almost melted into a puddle on the carpet. Jack managed to walk to his partner who leaned over a small table. Jack smiled at the familiar determined bend in Mac's upper lip as he worked on a problem. It was as comforting as the ocean.
"Hey, kiddo. Whatcha doing?" Mac looked up and grinned.
"Finally! I thought you were going into deep hibernation."
"Hey at my age, we need our beauty sleep." Jack mentally groaned as Mac snapped the trap shut.
"I think you need to go back to sleep for a few more decades."
"Har-har-har." Jack plopped next to Mac. Mac sat in the corner of a sectional. Jack sank into it. Fluffier than a pile of marshmallows. He sighed then opened one eye to glare at Mac's snickering.
"Shut up." Jack grunted.
"I didn't say anything." Mac said. Jack gave him a double-barrelled glare.
"You didn't have to." He grumped. Mac's eyes softened with worry.
"Are you ok, big guy?" He asked studying Jack. Jack closed his eyes and turned away.
"Of course." Mac put a hand on Jack's good shoulder.
"You know it's ok not to be. I know what Buck's company meant…"
"He was a bad guy, you were right." Jack snapped moving to stand. He managed to pull his butt off the cushion six inches before he fell back.
"Jack!" Mac leaned over. Jack caught his arm gently and pushed it away.
"I'm ok, brother. Just tired."
"I'm sorry, Jack...about Buck, I mean." Jack sighed and scrubbed his face with both hands.
"Yeah me too. He woulda been a great guy if he wasn't such a murderous asshole." Jack looked at Mac and they both broke into laughter.
"Yeah, there is that." Mac agreed turning back to his project. Jack looked at it amused. Mac had the Jaguar tooth in a small vice and was slowly drilling a hole through the top of it by twisting a drill bit he'd attached a plastic handle to. Mac looked up meeting Jack's eyes.
"What?"
"You are honoring your Jaguar brotherhood." Jack said. Mac rolled his eyes but didn't argue. They sat in comfortable silence for a time, the swishing of the ocean and soft breeze cleaning their spirits of the heavy jungle air. It was weird not to hear sea birds or feel any rocking.
"So where are the kids?" Jack asked. Mac removed the drill when it poked through the tooth and blew away the dust. He sat back grimacing at the pain in his chest and back.
"At the movies." Jack's eyes widened.
"They have a movie theater on this boat?"
"First, it's a ship not a boat and second, Jack this thing is a whole island. There is a whole city here-malls, gyms…"
"And the girls?"
"At the spa, Jack." Jack sat back surprised.
"They have a spa?"
"Several, I'm told."
"Damn."
"Yeah." Mac groaned and took in a shaky breath as he leaned forward with a string of black leather. Jack scooted beside him in a second.
"How are you, brother?" Mac's eyes slid over to Jack for a fraction of a second. In that one glance, Jack saw the same agony exhaustion he felt.
"Fantastic." Mac said drolly. His hands shook as he grimaced trying to lace it through the four inch bone.
"Here, let me." Mac sank back into the couch gratefully. Jack managed to thread and tie the leather lanyard around the tooth. Mac's head bent backwards and the kid was already out. Jack pushed the table aside and sat closer to Mac. He pulled his brother closer to him, tilting Mac's head against his shoulder. Jack sprawled out and was asleep in seconds comforted by the familiar breathing of his partner.
The kid's were terrified on the flight from the carrier to New York. Bozer, Riley, Vi and Caty all worked to comfort them and improve their English. Jack and Mac slept most of the trip. Jack did tell one story in charades. Jack put more energy into it as he captured all of their attention. The kids laughed, teared up and gasped at all the right spots, so Jack counted it as a roaring success. Jack yawned as he returned to his seat beside Mac. Mac leaned against the window a fluffy pillow under his head. He met Jack's eyes.
"Did you just C3P0 Die Hard?" Jack laughed stretching out.
"Yep, and the little Ewoks loved it."
Saying goodbye was harder than Jack thought it could be. He offered murmurs of comfort as the scared kids ringed him crying. Jack hugged them having to clear his throat several times. Mac moved among them giving honest if reserved affection.
"Thank you, if it wasn't for you…" Jack winced at Vi's hug. Caty nodded at him and looked away. Jack shook his head. Cold fish, that one. Mirabella rolled her eyes and shoved Jack out of her way. She of course doted on Mac as if he were her long lost grandson. Jack chuckled. Figures.
"Thank you, Jack. You saved me." Tabitha said tears rolling down her perfect face.
"I'm not sure who ended up saving who, Tabitha." Jack said in her ear as she hugged him. She shoved back and glowered at him.
"Jack! IT'S TAB-" She froze and a delighted grin crossed her face, "You knew! You knew the whole time!" Tabitha turned and jogged to the group of girls. Jack watched her confused. What the hell was she talking about?
"What was that?" Mac said at the older man's elbow. Jack shrugged.
"No idea, that Tina's a nice girl, but a bit weird if you ask me." Mac chuckled and turned scanning the hangar.
"Have you seen Alvin?"
"No, why? You ok?" Jack immediately straightened automatically searching for threats. Mac sighed sadly.
"Yeah, I'm good."
They didn't see Alvin until it was time for the kids to board the bus taking them from the airport to the hotel near the UN. The kids waved in varying states of upset as they slowly climbed into the bus. Jack wiped at the tears that insisted on running down his face. Lilo took a step then ran and bowled into Jack sobbing.
"Ja-ah-ck!" The kid wailed. Jack knelt and pulled the boy closer rubbing his back over the little guy's back. Jack couldn't stop himself crying. He thought of all this little kid had been through...he was pretty sure his heart was crumbling apart. He finally pulled back. Lilo looked at him miserably. Jack smiled. He pulled out of his black leather coat and put it on Lilo's shoulders. It hung to the kid's feet. Lilo grinned rubbing at his reddened eyes. The boy pushed a finger into his chest,
"Lilo!" He then jabbed the finger into Jack's chest, "Stitch!" Jack pulled him into a happier hug. Well that answered the question of what movie they'd seen.
"You got it, buddy. I'm your Stitch." Jack didn't want the kid to go, but he could see the FBI guards getting twitchy. He nodded at Lilo and forced himself to keep it together as the boy skipped into the bus. Jack turned away wiping his eyes with the bottom of his black T-Shirt.
He frowned. Alvin stood apart from the others staring out at the busy airfield, arms across his chest, back stiff-standing guard, Jack realized. Before he could go to the boy, Mac awkwardly knelt before the kid. Very solemnly he gave Alvin the Jaguar tooth necklace. Alvin's mouth hung open as he fingered the long brown stained tooth. He solemnly nodded back. Alvin didn't give in to tears until Mac slowly wrapped him into a one armed hug.
"Thanks for looking after us, Alvin." Mac murmured as Jack joined them. Alvin's chin wavered and he angrily brushed away tears. He sniffed and nodded. He took a stiff few steps without looking back. Jack sighed. He was a strong and loyal man in the making. Jack paused in front of the boy and held out a fist. Alvin fought a smile as he bumped it. He paused and stared deeply into Jack's eyes searching for something. Jack frowned puzzled. Alvin turned to Mac and pointed at his chest.
"Muck." He said. Jack nodded. Alvin pointed at his chest, then poked Jack's chest then pointed back at Mac who was watching them confused. Jack wasn't confused. Very seriously he held out a hand. Alvin nodded and shook it. He pivoted and climbed on the bus without ever looking back.
"What was that?" Mac asked softly as they waved at the bus as it groaned past them.
"He told me to keep an eye on you." Mac glanced at Jack amused.
"Are you sure? I thought he said keep an eye out FOR me, you know protect me, keep me alive, stuff like that?" Jack laughed.
"Brother, with you it's the same thing!"
"Fair enough. And you do it anyway, right Stitch?" Jack pulled the blonde into a side hug.
"Damned right, brother. Damned right."
+++++Thank you to everyone who has read/ commented/ favorited. Your encouragement is what keeps this engine running. :) I have all kinds of story ideas flitting through my brain. While I work on Rabbit, I will be starting Bits and Bobs season 2 soon. Tempest is still in the works, and hell, you never know what else will tumble out of my brain (literally-haha). Special thanks to the new readers who have gone back to read all of my stories. I am glad you like them enough to leave comments! I do think I have improved my skills along the way, and confess to being a little embarassed with my first stories-but hey, had to start somewhere right? You guys rock!-Pox