Season 02 Episode 16: Hammock + Balcony

„Where's Jack? How is his shoulder?"
Mac stormed into the conference room, where Alex studied some patient files.
"He's with Thomas. You can wait here for him, if you want to."
Mac murmured a 'Thanks' and sat down at the table next to Alex. He just came back from France. In thoughts he gazed at the nurse, who returned his look openly.
"Do you think Jack is acting weird lately?"
She smiled. "You mean, after your last incident with the two assassins? When you were kicked out of Helman's way by a bullet from Murdoc and since the killer escaped prison once more?"
Mac was irritated. "Uhm, yes."
"I would think more about it, if he was not acting weird", Alex answered in a calm manor. "You said yourself, that he always gets full mother-hen mode, after you were in danger. The danger was very directly and with Murdoc's escape it's not over for you yet. Of course Jack's acting weird. He wants to protect you."
"Mh." Mac didn't know what to say. She had a point.
"If there's another reason on top, he clearly will tell you."
"You're right." Mac dropped his look down and followed the texture of the wooden table with his fingertip. It was visible how his thoughts raced in his mind. She had to distract him, otherwise he would go nuts until Jack finished his PT with Thomas.
"How was your marriage?"

Mac stood on top of the stairs and observed secretly Bozer's parents. Milton came home late that night after a stake. Quietly he closed the front door, put off his shoes and jacket and headed into the direction of the kitchen. Lauretta came to the entrance and they hugged each other. Happyly she melted into his arms and kissed him passionately. Mac knew that he should go back to bed and sleep, but he couldn't take his eyes from the scene. The two adults seemed to be so familiar and happy, he never saw before.
"I prepared a midnight-meal for you. It's not hot, but I think you're hungry."
Milton thanked his wife with a long kiss, laid his arm around her shoulder and they went together to the kitchen.

Mac sat down on the floor and still looked at the spot where the married couple stood a few seconds before.
Was there a time, when his parents were equally happy? Just as familiar to each other? He couldn't remember a lot of his mother. He missed his father too, but the years alone with him alienated them more and more. He couldn't imagine James as a loving husband. A loving father he was clearly not. Were his parents happy together? Mac didn't know, he couldn't remember it. Tears filled his eyes, but he held them back. Angrily he wiped with his hand over his face. From far away he heard the voices of Lauretta and Milton. It was a calming sound. Mac stood up and went back to Bozer's room. He tiptoed to his bed, but sleep didn't come for a long time. His thoughts were racing through his mind.

„It wasn't real."
„Didn't you wish for one moment it would be real? I know it's hard for you all to find a girlfriend. Jack's always complaining about it."
Alex knew her question was very personal and she was curious how Mac would react. His answer was quite different to what she expected.
"Leanna is beautiful, intelligent and has all a man could dream of", Mac confessed truly before he laughed, "and she's Bozer's girlfriend."
Alex starred at him in disbelief. He explained her how he got to know that news and that Matty intentionally threaded the joint task force with the CIA.
"She wanted to know if Bozer was ready for the friendship with another agent. He passed her test without a doubt and now he must not make a secret out of it anymore. I think it's incredible. It was the best she could do for Bozer, I never thought she could be that empathic and considerate."
"You should not underestimate Matty in that way. Only because she acts strictly to the rules and follows her missions with a clear line, it doesn't mean she's not empathetic. On the contrary, she's very responsive to emotions."
Of course Mac knew that Alex got to know a very different side of his boss lady. A side she never showed to the agents. Therefore he wasn't surprised that the nurse had another impression of the 'human being' Matty.

At that moment Jack entered the room.
"Come on, Mac. We're driving to yours. I want to show you something."
Mac startled. No greeting, no nice talking, no asking about the mission in France. When Mac got up, Jack was vanished in the hallway.
"Seems to be important", he stated unnecessarily.
"I knew he would tell you, if there's a reason, why he's acting weird. I'm sure, that's now."
"Yeah, looks like it. I'm excited to get to know." Mac closed the door behind him and followed Jack.