Mac winced as Jack drove through a pothole fast enough to thump his head against the passenger's window. It rang through his skull like a gong.
"Sorry, kiddo." Mac let out a deep breath but didn't open his eyes. Partly because the world was going too fast and spinning, but mostly because he didn't want to deal with Jack's irritability, or worse his sympathy. Mac swallowed, but the knot wouldn't leave his throat. He shifted in his seat and couldn't suppress a soft groan. Everything hurt.
"Mac, we're almost there-"
"I'm fine." Mac grimaced at the petulant tone in his voice. He sounded like a pouting teen. He straightened in his seat and faced his partner. Jack deserved better, especially after last night. Mac offered a smile. He was pretty sure it came out looking like a snarl. He licked his lips and softened his voice.
"I'm fine, Jack, really." It probably would have been more reassuring if his voice didn't warble like a kicked cat. He cleared his throat and turned away. He closed his eyes. The world was still too fast. He leaned his head back. His stomach flip-flopped.
"Really? So this pea-green and bruised look is healthy?" Mac shook his head.
"Not now, Jack." He growled.
"Uh-huh, right." The car was uncomfortably quiet for a long minute. Mac sighed.
"I'm sorry, Jack." He said. He turned his head and looked out the window. He couldn't face the older man's irritation, or worse his concern. He didn't deserve it. Mac closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. He could feel the cold metal, disturbingly comfortable in his hand. Feel the weight as he lifted it. Bozer's wide terrified eyes. The wash of hot dripping blood. Mac's whole body twitched and he folded his arms across his chest shivering with a sudden chill.
A warm hand on his shoulder startled him. He stared down at his boots. He couldn't face Jack. Not after-Mac swiped at dampness he refused to let drip from his eyes. The car stopped. Mac looked up surprised to find them in the parking lot of Phoenix. They were in the back of the lot, far away from prying eyes. Mac braced himself and stared out the passenger's window taking deep breaths, letting go of the coiled monster slashing apart his insides. He thought the nausea he felt wasn't from the after effects of his alcohol binge or bar brawl. He scurried for the door. He fell to his knees on the pavement and lost the ghost of food in his empty gut.
"Aw Kid." Mac shivered feeling cold and sweaty. Low blood sugar. HIs brain absently catalogued. The scientific assessment of his misery didn't do anything to ease it, but did give him the illusion of control. When he finished, he leaned against the Vette wiping his mouth with his forearm.
"What the hell did you drink last night?" Jack asked as he helped Mac to his feet. Mac groaned at the pull in his ribs.
"I think it was quantity not quality." Mac groaned. Jack chuckled in his ear. Mac shot him a quick glare as the older man helped him into the car. Jack studied him for a long minute.
"Ok, ok." He said. He drove toward the underground parking garage. Without looking at Mac, Jack spoke softly, "We are going to talk more later, right?" Mac turned away and didn't answer.
"Ok." Jack said. Mac knew he was talking more to himself than to Mac. Mac sighed almost hearing Jack's brain whirl fueled by worry and plans to crack Mac open. Mac thought of the loudness of the gunshot and shivered. He couldn't tell Jack. Mac again swiped his empty eyes. He didn't deserve it.
Jack chuckled to himself. Mac walked slower and slower as they approached the elevator. Mac shot him savage glares, but didn't say anything. He held an arm across his abdomen and limped. He was also a sickly pale color. In short, Mac looked like he was about to keel over. That did not diminish how pissed off he was about being dragged to medical. Jack's phone rang as they approached the elevator.
"Yeah?"
"Are you coming for a debrief?" Jack pushed the button and turned in time to see Mac whirl around and head to the door they'd come through. Jack grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and tugged him back. Mac growled at Jack and fought free upping the wattage of his glare.
"I'm taking Mac to medical now-" Mac crossed his arms and turned away from Jack his back stiff.
"How is he?" Riley asked.
"About like you'd expect." Mac half turned. Jack thought the kid's head was going to explode with the sheer crankiness in his glare. Jack smiled, "Oh, Sally is working."
"What? We didn't say anything-"
"Jack, don't be mean." Matty snapped. Jack could almost hear her eyes roll. For his part, Mac squared his shoulders and pulled his shirt down. His hands curled into white knuckled fists and Jack could see his jaw clench and unclench. He turned away.
"Is everything set up?" He asked softly. He glanced over. Mac spun his head away acting as if he hadn't heard Jack.
"This is a stupid idea." Matty declared with an angry huff.
"I think you're crazy." Riley added.
"Just answer the question." Jack whined rubbing his forehead. He could feel a headache coming on. The elevator dinged open. Mac moved aside to let Jack enter first. Jack casually reached out and put an arm over Mac's shoulders physically shooing him in the elevator first. Mac slapped at Jack's arm and crossed his arms. Silver-blue eyes gleamed like knives silently slicing off the top of Jack's head.
"Bozer's home packing for you now." Matty's voice softened.
"I think he should talk to Mac before you guys leave." Jack studied Mac a long minute. Mac rolled his eyes and began to pace.
"Yeah, we'll meet him there. Gotta go, the wars about to start."
"Jack!" Mac snarled, his voice elevated.
"Prove me wrong, brother. Let's go." The door dinged. Jack stood behind Mac and held onto his shoulders pushing him along. Mac leaned back squirming.
"Will you stop!" He growled. Mac twisted free. Jack let him go. Mac shoved Mac away and stormed down the hall. Jack followed at a leisurely pace. There were only two places for Mac to go Medical or a broom closet. Jack paused a thought occurred to him. He sped up flying around the corner. He didn't see Mac. His heart pounded as he reached the supply closet. He let out a breath. Mac was in medical.
"Get off me!" Jack shook his head as Mac's voice echoed through the double swing doors and down the empty hall. The listened a long minute. A familiar soft voice interrupted Mac's yelps. Sally was here. Oh boy. Jack braced himself and pushed through the doors. Let the games begin.
Mac shoved the evil red head away. Screw this. He was sore, tired, hung over, and had had enough.
"Mac, c'mon you know-" Sally got in front of him again. Mac skidded to the side wincing at the pain in his leg from the maneuver.
"I'm outta here." He muttered. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Doc Carl coming out of his office. Mac moved faster. He pulled up as Jack suddenly popped into his path. Mac tried another sidestep, but Jack was too fast. Before he knew it, Jack had his arm behind him and Mac was bent over the gurney.
"Let me go!" Mac snarled trying to head butt backwards. Jack leaned his weight in a little. Mac wheezed and closed his eyes as pain flared through his chest.
"Look, kiddo, I know you're pissed off and a mess from the last few weeks, but you are going to get checked out if I have to sit on you. Ok?" Mac kicked backwards. He knew he was in a losing battle, but he'd be damned if he just gave in. He smiled as he managed to hit Jack's shin.
"Ow, dammit." Jack growled and leaned forward harder. Mac's breath whooshed out and everything seemed to dim. Mac's mouth opened and drool ran out. He couldn't suck in enough air to puke. He closed his eyes.
"Give up yet?" Black spots were dancing in front of his eyes. Mac knew he was about to pass out. He considered it, but who knew what these assholes would do when he was out. Mac managed a weak not. Jack let go. Mac's knees buckled and he slumped to the floor, "Whoa, easy kiddo." Jack's voice echoed from far away. Familiar hands caught him before he hit tile. Mac closed his eyes dizzy as Sally, Doc Carl, and Jack hauled him up on the gurney. Bright lights blared on above him. He moaned and turned his head aside. Voices seemed to swirl around him, but he was too dizzy to follow them.
"Ok, let's get that shirt off." Mac narrowed his eyes, his gaze focusing on Sally.
"Go away, bitch." Mac growled. He shoved her away and moved to sit up. He tilted to the side. He curled forward almost doing a header to the floor. Jack caught his shoulders and looked down to meet his gaze. Mac blinked up to see double of Jack's face. The Delta was starting to boil. Mac swallowed. He wasn't afraid of Jack, but a pissed off Jack would only mean more aggravation and pain. Mac let out a long breath. He turned in Sally's general direction.
"Sorry." He said. He met her calm, concerned eyes and felt a small pang of guilt. He swallowed, "Seriously, sorry." He thought he sounded like he meant it. She smiled and patted his shoulder.
"I know Mac, you must really be having a bad day." Mac closed his eyes and straightened with a resigned sigh. Might as well get this done. Mac shrugged out of his jacket and winced at his right shoulder pulling. He could feel Doc Carl watching every flinch and twitch. Mac met Jack's eyes. Jack patted Mac on the back silently letting Mac know they were ok. Mac stared at the ground as he pulled off his shirt. The other three stared at him their eyes open in surprise. He didn't need to look down to know he had all the colors of the rainbow. He'd felt the bruises peaking.
"Here, Mac, lay down." Mac shot a venomous look at Jack but eased back. He grimaced as he flattened his arms crossed across his chest. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the explosions of pain that followed the Doc's easy touch. Mac almost flopped from the table when Doc Carl hit his left side.
"Whoa, easy, easy." Jack said as he again kept Mac from splattering his brains against the floor. Mac closed his eyes as everything spun. He gagged, but nothing came up. He puffed trying to breath through the tidal waves of pain. The others helped him lay back down. Mac put his arm over his eyes and breathed. The others spoke softly. Mac was too busy fighting nausea to focus on what they said.
"Mac?" Mac moaned as he looked up into the curly haired face of the young doctor.
"We need to get an xray. I'm pretty sure you have a broken rib or two, but I'm worried about the nausea. We're also going to get some fluids in you." Mac glared at him. Total overkill, as usual. Mac pushed their arms away.
"I 'ppreciate it, I really do, but-YEOWCH!" Mac yelled as he arched back. He clapped a hand over his shoulder and glared at Sally. He'd broken rule #1, always watch the nurse. Especially Sally. She was sneaky and fast and...mean. Mac blinked and shook his head.
"Wha- what was tha-?" Mac was suddenly having a hard time moving his muscles in the right order. He swayed. Jack and Sally eased him back. Mac blinked trying to keep the bright lights from circling his head.
"Don't worry, Mac. It's just gonna make you sleep a little while." Doc Carl's voice seemed to come from Sally's face. Mac frowned up at them.
"Wh-thu-nung." Mac's eyes closed and his head slumped to the side.
"Finally." Jack let out a relieved breath and nodded agreement.
"Was it me or was that worse than usual?" Sally asked worried. She pulled Mac's arm toward her and tugged a table already set up with all the IV gear she needed.
"He just got off a tough mission and is screwed up inside." Jack said softly brushing Mac's hair back from his forehead. He winced at the cold sweaty grit under his palm.
"Is this something we need to address more?" Doc Carl asked with a worried frown.
"I hope not."