Mac opened his eyes, someone was definitely in his kitchen. Stretching out his hand he felt only the blanket. Well, that explained it, Desi must have gotten up. Rolling over he tried to fall back asleep before she came back. In the kitchen, something was knocked over and he heard glass shatter everywhere. It was then he remembered that Desi was away on a mission and wouldn't be back for several days. Stealthily he slid out of bed and crept towards the main part of the house. From around a corner, he could see three men, all wearing black masks and heavily armed. Their movements were precise; clearly well trained and on the hunt for something in particular. Mac glanced around the room trying to decide his next move.
Something cold pressed against the back of his neck.
"Don't move,"
Apparently, it was a four-man team.
The man shoved Mac into the living room, the others surrounded them and one who seemed to be the leader addressed him.
"Where is he?"
Mac was confused, he was the only one in the house.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he answered.
The man replied with a punch directly in the nose. Mac staggered back as his vision turned white for a moment. Someone behind him grabbed his hair.
"Where is he?"
His nose must be broken, he thought, it was hard to hear over the ringing in his ears. He tilted his head forward, partly from dizziness and partly to keep the blood from flowing back into his throat.
"Where is he?"
"Wha-at?"
Something hit him in the back sending shooting pains to his already injured head. He collapsed, rolling on his back with his hands held up to shield his face. Before he could open his eyes, the man kicked him in the ribs. His groan sounded distant to his ears as the kicks continued.
The kicks ended suddenly, cracking one eye open, Mac saw two of the men unmoving on the ground, while the other two were fighting a stranger who clearly had the upper hand. Dazed as he was Mac thought he recognized his fighting pattern. But it couldn't be.
With a final punch, the last man dropped. The stranger rushed over to Mac and began checking him over.
"You alright Hoss?"
"I'm good," answered Mac reflexively as she tried to sit up. Looking up into the stranger's face he started.
"Jack?" Mac's eyes filled with tears as he shook his head in disbelief. He must have been hit harder than he thought. Jack was dead he couldn't be here
Jack took Mac in his arms and held him against his chest.
"I'm so sorry, kid, I'm so sorry."
Mac believed then. He didn't answer and just held Jack as tight as he could. Burying his face in Jack's shoulder he let the tears fall freely.