YIKES! I haven't been on for a while. So sorry everyone. Although once again, I do promise that I will finish this fic. It just may take some time. A combination of mental health issues and school makes it hard to write. But the semester is winding down so hopefully by April/May I will be able to actually sit down and write. (Fingers crossed). I'd like to thank everyone who's reviewed and messaged me privately to encourage me. You have no idea how much it means to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I love and appreciate you all. The rest of this story, no longer how long it takes to write, is all for you! Enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 29

The rubble site that used to be the clinic was still marked off my tape and metal fencing but that didn't stop the lanky blond from sneaking in. It was a miracle Mac had even been able to find the clinic at all. But somehow the agent had still managed, and now he was digging through the piles of collapsed concrete in his skimpy hospital pajamas and a pair of worn moccasins Jack had brought him as slippers a few days earlier.

"Shit," Mac swore as he cut himself on a sharper piece of stone.

He'd been at the site for at least two hours and he hadn't found anything useful, at least not yet. But he promised himself he wasn't about to leave. Not until he got what he came for.

"Mac!?"

A voice echoed from across the street. Mac froze, his limbs going cold. Across the road, just outside the metal fencing was a figure. There was a gun tucked in his belt, and despite the man trying to conceal it, the bulging outline was obvious. Mac on the other hand, was unarmed and in an open space. He wouldn't stand a chance with his poor excuse for shoes and lack of a weapon.

"I don't… please…" Mac started, holding up his hands in defeat. The figure moved closer, mirroring Mac's posture, hands also in the air. Something was off. That was a sign of surrender. The man wasn't there to hurt him— he was there to help?

"It's Jack, Mac," the figure said. Mac felt a rush go through him before being replaced by the cold again.

Jack. Mac knew that was the man who had come and seen him earlier that day. Apparently they were friends, though Mac had no recollection of that. The fear began to mix with guilt and Mac felt his heart pick up pace.

The blond moved backwards, unsure of whether he should be trusting a man he couldn't remember. Jack flinched as Mac lost his balance and tripped over a concrete slab, then fell over. The wind swept away Jack's cussing but in moments he was beside Mac, having taken the opportunity when Mac was falling to sprint to his partner's side.

"Don't… don't!" Mac screamed, rolling away from Jack as the Delta reached for him. His voice cracked as the debris on the ground dug into his arm. "Don't touch me!"

Jack froze, slowly lifting his hands. His heart broke again. It was hard, fighting his natural instinct to help Mac and instead watching his partner struggle on his own. All the years of training he had, everything they'd been through together, screamed for him to stop standing around and do something. But he couldn't now. It'd just make things worse.

"I'm not here to hurt you kid. I'm just here to help," Jack reassured, leaning back on the heels on his feet. Jack made himself vulnerable, allowing his ready pose to be replaced with lack of balance and openness. Mac might not remember he was an agent, but he sure would know that Jack's posture meant he wasn't about to fight.

Mac pushed himself up, standing to make himself more intimidating while Jack was still crouching amongst the rubble. The wind ruffled his thin pajama shirt, making him shiver slightly.

"Hey man, I have real clothes for you in the car if you want," Jack said, gesturing to a black SUV parked at the end of the street. Mac narrowed his eyes, curious how he'd managed not to notice the SUV when it had arrived.

"Clothes?"

"Look, we all know that big brain of yours isn't going to stop until you find what you're looking for. If we bring you back to Phoenix, you're just going to leave again. I figured I'd help you, and then we can work from there. Deal?"

Mac clenched his jaw, examining Jack thoroughly. The Delta was relaxed, actually, legitimately relaxed. That said a lot. Mac knew that that sort of relaxation signalled that the man was serious. It wasn't a trap.

"I'm looking for the drugs," Mac said, turning back to the rubble while still keeping Jack in his line of sight.

"Drugs. Right, of course," Jack replied, trying to sound confident.

"And you have no clue what I'm even talking about."

Jack snorted and Mac chuckled, just the slightest. Jack felt his cheeks warm as the small gesture of recognition washed over Mac for the split second.

"No I don't, but maybe if you get something warmer on then you can explain to me exactly what your train of thought is, yeah?" Jack suggested. Mac glanced down the road again, considering. Then he gave Jack a small nod.

Jack pointed to his partner, making him hesitate before leaving the site. "But before we leave, you got to promise me that you'll stop pulling the I'm Stupid bullshit around me. Got it? Because if you're anything, Mac, it's not stupid. That's for sure," Jack raised his brow, waiting for an answer.

Mac bit his lip and nodded.

"Ok, now let's get you some real clothes."