The diner was starting to fill with people for lunch by the time Jack pulled in to a spot close enough he could see through the big front window. Jack turned off the Vette and narrowed his eyes looking through the moving customers searching for his partner. If Mac wasn't here, Jack had no idea where to look. Only a year ago, this was Mac's go to thinking spot. Mac had told Jack this had been his grandfather's version of skee ball and pizza. Now something about meeting his father in a diner spoiled it. Jack didn't even know which diner Mac and Big Mac met in, but it made things too complicated or something. Jack sighed as he palmed the keys and strode into the diner.

He could have stepped through time. The greasy spoon noise and smell of pie and fried foods. Jack licked his lips. He waited for the waitress to seat a group in front of him before he studied the booths. He was about to leave when he saw a single slumped silhouette almost hidden by shadow in the last booth.

"How many?" The waitress, Molly, was too old to be a teenager but didn't look near old enough to look as worn as she did. Jack smiled at her.

"It's ok, darling. I found my boy." Jack pointed over to Mac. Molly nodded and turned to a family of four that crowded in behind him. Jack crossed to the back booth and stood over the table studying his partner.

Mac looked bad, really bad. He'd gone beyond ash white to bloodless except for the multihued bruising, cuts and scrapes. Mac's eyes were sunken and he looked like he was about to fall over. Jack scowled when Mac didn't seem to notice him. Mac stared into his coffee as if he saw the answers to the entire universe in his dark reflection. Jack cleared his throat. Still no response. Jack rolled his eyes and slid into the booth across from Mac. Mac didn't look up until Molly came to their table. Mac stared at Jack blinking slowly as if he'd just woken up from a nap. Even his hair seemed to stick up in all different directions.

"Yeah, we'll take two stacks of cakes and OJ and some bacon," Jack paused and studied Mac another second, "Make that bacon and sausage." Molly smiled and disappeared. Jack leaned forward and met Mac's gaze. Mac turned away.

"You found me." Mac's voice was flat with exhaustion.

"You thought I wouldn't?" Mac shook his head.

"No...yeah, fuck I don't know." Mac held his forehead in his head.

"The others came over." Mac sighed.

"Jack, I don't want to-"

"They're worried about you, and I gotta say I'm more than a little worried myself, bud." Mac rubbed his eyes.

"I'm-"

"No, you're not and you know it." Jack stared into Mac's eyes. Mac turned away and sniffed. Before he could say anything, Molly returned with a large tray full of food. Mac stared at his pancakes. Jack smiled at the faint green tint his pallor took. He'd had to pay the morning tab on more than a few alcohol binges in his time. As much as his friend drank, Jack almost felt a little guilty. Almost. If Mac didn't look like he hadn't eaten for the past month, Jack might have let it go. Might have.

For his part, Jack let conversation go as he dug into the plate of food. He felt like he hadn't eaten in the past month, plus he'd learned a long time ago you ate when you had the chance. Mac sipped his orange juice and nibbled on the bacon. After that settled and he was reassured it wouldn't come back up, Mac dug into his plate in earnest. Jack smiled but didn't say anything until the dishes were cleared and they sipped coffee. Mac sat with eyes closed. He looked like he was reconsidering the whole puking proposition. Jack's phone beeped. Both men jumped in surprise. Jack stood up and left the table enough so Mac probably couldn't hear his conversation.

"Yeah, I found him." Jack started before the others could say a word.

"How is he?" Bozer asked.

"About like you'd expect."

"When are you bringing him in?" Matty asked. Jack didn't like the edge of anger in her voice. Jack frowned studying his friend. Mac leaned forward and buried his face in his arms. An idea occurred to him.

"Matty-"

"No, Jack."

"No? You didn't even hear what I was-"

"You want to take Blondie on the road."

"Well, I think-"

"No, he needs to be seen and debriefed."

"Ma-"

"No."

"Will you let me finish a sen-"

"Matty, Jack's right." Jack rolled his eyes, but didn't complain. Riley continued, "Look, he isn't going to open up to us and you saw how he was after this mission. He needs to decompress."

"That's all well and-"

"Matty, this time was bad." Bozer interrupted Matty. Jack smiled at the silence that followed. He could feel Matty's glare. Matty huffed loud enough for her irritation to come through loud and clear.

"Fine, but you are going to keep in contact, got it?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"And Mac has to be checked over by Doc Carl first."

"I'm thinking the same thing."

"Fine. And Jack, quit smirking." Jack chuckled as Matty hung up. Jack frowned as he stowed his phone. Ok, so where should he take Mac? His first instinct was Los Vegas, but he worried about the sheer number of bar brawls they could end up fighting. He thought about going home to Texas, but Mac wanted to curl up and hide from the world. Jack knew Mac had to work through whatever was stuck in his craw. There are too many distractions at Nana Beth's. Jack sighed. Face it, he told himself, he really wanted to spend time alone with his boy.

Jack was feeling ragged himself and the separate missions were taking their toll on both of the brothers. They needed somewhere quiet to rest and restore. Jack scratched the scrub on his cheek. Somewhere bad guys couldn't find them, they wouldn't have to rescue anyone, and Mac couldn't fall off a cliff or drown after falling off a fishing boat. Jack shook his head. He thought about taking Mac out on a boat for a month, but he didn't want to be the only punching bag for Mac's funk. Normally, he wouldn't mind but Jack knew he was tired and a bit burned out. He worried he would lash out in anger back at his partner. On a boat there wasn't anywhere they could go to chill out away from each other after a fight. Jack knew fights were coming.

Jack slid into the booth and studied Mac thoughtfully. He thought about Mac's cabin. He knew it would be good for Mac, but honestly wanted to get away from California. The outdoors was a good idea though. On the other hand, the last mission was out in the middle of the woods. Would it bring up bad associations for the kid?

Jack considered Hawaii. They would run into distractions, at least Jack would. He'd want to visit the Five-O team, plus Hawaii was hardly free from trouble. Jack's brain instantly came up with a million ways they could end up held captive, have to foil terrorists, or hell, run into a convenience store burglary.

"Why are you staring at me?" Mac asked without looking up. Jack straightened in surprise.

"I'm not-" Mac looked up his blood shot eyes reflecting his exhaustion.

"Yes, you are. I told you I'm-" Mac trailed off a familiar look crossed his face and he ran from the booth. Jack watched as Mac fled for the bathroom. Maybe the added sausage had been a mistake after all. If the bathroom wasn't a single Jack would have followed his friend, but the patrons of the diner would stare and Mac didn't need that right now. Jack yawned as he stood and grabbing Mac's jacket, went to pay for breakfast.

As he stood in line, he googled. He typed in what he wanted and scrolled through the list. He raised an eyebrow at the last entry. Isolated, no chance of bad guys finding him, even a chance for Mac to do some sciency stuff. Best of all, nowhere for Mac to run. Jack grinned.

"Bingo." He payed for breakfast then went to wait for Mac. As he stood by the bathroom door he could hear Mac losing most of his innards. Jack winced. As Mac let out a moan then continued barfing. Jack scrolled through pictures of their destination. It felt right. Making a decision, Jack booked their trip. By the time Mac emerged pale and shaken, Jack already had their travel plans set up. Mac leaned on the doorway. He looked like he was going to fall over. Jack absently handed Mac his jacket.

"C'mon, brother, we got places to go." Mac narrowed his eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Jack grinned at the wariness in Mac's voice.

"You trust me don't you?" Mac groaned and staggered forward, "Perfect. First stop, we get to visit your favorite person in the whole world." Mac stopped in mid step.

"You don't mean-"

"Yep." Mac opened his mouth to argue. Jack put an arm around Mac's shoulders squeezing enough to remind Mac of his recently acquired aches and pains and how he'd gotten them.

"Close that mouth, kiddo. I'm not exactly giving you a choice." Mac stiffened and Jack could see him puff with anger. He leaned in closer, "Unless you want all these kind people watch me haul you over my shoulder." Mac opened his mouth then snapped it shut.

"Fine." He growled. He whirled away from Jack and stalked out to the car.

"Yup, this is going to be fun." Jack said following in the blonde's wake. He wondered if Sally really was working today. He thought about calling her in just for Mac's visit if she wasn't. Seeing Mac pouting in the front of the car, Jack took pity on his friend. Mac would have to take his chances. Jack was grumpy enough he hoped the Evil Elf was on duty, but he wasn't going to torment his friend. No more than he needed to anyway.