MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL! Okay y'all, in this story. I rewound a little bit from my previous chapter. I realized that I mentioned a couple different places a Cowboys hoodie given to Jack by Mac. I decided to tell that story but throw a little angst in there, because Why not? Mac gets shot for the first time. Jack gets his first birthday present from Mac. It's kind of angsty, but very much sweetness! Please, leave a review and tell me what you think! Here it is chapter 6! Enjoy!

Jack wiped a line of sweat off his forehead as he watched Mac through his scope. The kid had been hesitant to take a shift today for some reason. It confused Jack to know end, but didn't bother him. Mac had been acting distracted for about the last week, but Jack didn't question it. When Mac wanted to talk about it, he would. Jack frowned as he spotted a flash of light on a nearby rooftop. He shifted his gaze, focusing near the origin of the flash. His heart rose into his mouth as he was able to see a tarp over someone on the rooftop. The glint of a gun caused Jack's heart to drop into his stomach. He tried to catch a clear shot but the man had Mac in his sights and the tarp hindered his sights, he couldn't get a clear shot without endangering the kid.

"Mac," he radioed in, "Mac, you read me?"

He watched the kid look down and grab his radio, "Yeah, Jack, what's up?"

"You've got a sniper on you," he replied, "I can't get a clean shot without him snagging you. You're gonna have to back up against the wall. He's on the roof over top of you. You have to back up, okay. Get out of his sights."

"Jack..." Mac sounded hesitant, "I can't move. This bomb is about to go off. I have to disarm it."

"Kid," Jack insisted, "you have to move. I can't get the shot and that guys gonna- Mac!" Jack yelled as a small shot echoed through the alley and Mac cried out, falling against the wall, "screw it," Jack cursed, taking the shot and jumping up from his position, "Mac, i'm on my way."

"Jack..." Mac gasped out, "I'm... okay..." he grunted in pain, "it hit my vest. I'm okay."

"Screw that, Mac," Jack snapped, strapping his gun across his chest and heading for the stairs, "I'm on my way."

"No, Jack," Mac sighed, "I'm fine. Really, it's just a flesh wound-"

"Flesh wound!" Jack demanded, panic welling, "hold up there, Hoss! A minute ago you told me it hit your vest! So, which is it?"

"Flesh wound, Jack," Mac sighed, "look, it's a flesh wound on my shoulder. Barely nicked me, okay? I'm fine."

"Okay, Mac," Jack rolled his eyes, "but the second you start gasping for air I'm on my way down there. Ya hear?"

"Yep," Jack could hear Mac's eye roll, "yeah, Jack. I hear ya. Listen, I've almost got this bomb done. You should get ready to move to the next mark. I've got this."

"Yeah," the ex-delta smirked, "man, you and I both know that that is not gonna happen. So, why don't you just get your scrawny ass movin' alright? I'm gettin' cramps just sittin' here watchin' you- what is that?!"

"What is what?" Mac sounded genuinely confused.

"That!" he snapped, staring at the growing red patch on the center of his partner's arm, "okay, yep. I'm on my way down now."

"Jack wha-"

"You and I need to sit down and have a serious conversation about the definition of the words 'flesh wound', kid, because a gaping hole in your arm does not, in my book, qualify as a flesh wound! You hear me?" Jack hauled his gun up onto his back and shot down the stairs, "Stay where you are, mac, I'm comin' to you."

"Jack," Mac protested, "you don't need to- oh," Jack's stomach dropped as Mac's shocked and quiet exclamation filled the comms.

"Yeah 'oh' kid," Jack growled, "very big 'oh'! Now listen to me, kiddo. Take a breath and sit back away from the bomb, kid. I don't need you getting all shaky and blowin' up on me, you got it?"

"Yeah..." Mac sounded shaky and hesitant, "...Jack..."

"Yeah kiddo," Jack panted as he dropped off the landing at the foot of the stairs, "what's wrong?"

When Mac finally spoke up, his voice was quiet and very, very scared, "I've never been shot before..." he whispered, laughing shakily, "I've been blown up, chased in cars, and everything in between... but I've never been shot..."

"Okay, buddy," Jack tried calming his partner, "I know, it's kind of wack, isn't it?"

"Jack," Mac wavered, "I think I'm gonna... Umm... I think I'm gonna..."

"Gonna what, Mac?" Jack questioned, moving as fast as he could towards the kid, "what're you gonna do?"

"I think I'm gonna hurl," Mac answered, sounding very much indeed like he was going to be sick.

Jack almost laughed, "yeah, buddy. I know. How do you feel, buddy? I'm almost there."

"Jack..." Mac's frown was audible over comms, "just.. just get here... okay?"

"Okay, buddy," Jack whipped around a corner, "I'm literally a minute away, okay?"

"Yeah... okay..." Mac's voice was growing distant, "okay... umm, Jack?"

"What's up kiddo?" Jack asked, as he turned the corner to see Mac still next to the bomb, "you're in my sights kid, and what the hell are you doing?!"

Mac looked up, "I disarmed it," he informed his over-sight, "listen, I've got it. I disarmed it. It's just a simple...uhh.. it's a simple... ya know... a..."

Jack quickly reached Mac and pulled him back, "okay, yeah. I hear ya buddy. But how about we back off from the big ole bomb that's sitting in front of us. Okay? How's that sound?"

Mac's eyes were glazed over and he looked dazed, "Jack... I..."

"Yeah, buddy," Jack nodded along, "I hear ya, I know it hurts. I've been there done that kid."

"No," Mac shook his head lazily, "I... umm... No, I know how to... umm... I can still disarm the... the thing..."

"You already did, Mac," Jack hauled Mac along with him, keeping one hand clenched on top of the wound, "and you did great, buddy. I got you kid. Just hold on."

He radioed it in and called for help, "my partner and I are comin' in hot, kiddo. He's hit and isn't really thinkin' straight. I need medics ready to go when I get there. We clear?"

"Medic is prepping now, Dalton," the soldier responded, "what are we looking at?"

"Looks like a through and through to the shoulder," Jack replied quickly, "listen, usually I wouldn't be as worried but the kid's never been shot before. He's panicking a bit, so i'm gonna need people in place."

With only slight difficulty, Jack managed to rip off a shred of Mac's shirt and wrap it around the wound. Having successfully slowed down the bleeding, he then maneuvered his young partner into the Humvee. Mac leaned up against him, allowing Jack to drive at full speed and still keep his hand pressed to Mac's wound. He was acutely aware of every drop of blood dripping between his tightly gripped fingers. He swore quietly, suddenly his every thought being consumed with keeping Mac alive.

The young blonde groaned, shifting in Jack's arms, "... 'm fine, jack."

"Yeah,yeah, buddy," Jack murmured distractedly, "you're right as rain. I know, I know. Just keep your eyes open 'til we get to camp, alright? Alright, we can do that, right?"

"Mhmm," Mac hummed, "I'm fine, Jack. Why're you worryin'? It's your birthday, you shouldn't be worrying?"

The EOD technician's words almost stopped Jack's world entirely, "you- wait! You are shot in the shoulder and losing blood, and all you can think about is that it's my birthday? How the hell did you even remember that, man? I don't even think I told you when my birthday is!"

"Nope," Mac smirked, pain lingering behind it, "but I read it in your file. It's your birthday, why don't you just drop me off at the infirmary and then you can go kick back an have a beer with some of the guys or something?"

"Yeah okay," Jack laughed, "I knew you were crazy before, but damn kid, this is a whole new level for you! Partnering up with you is literally signing up for the crazy train, is't it?"

Mac giggled, nodding lethargically, "maaaybe," he smirked, "at least I disarmed the bomb though..."

Jack nodded at the young man laying against him, "yeah, how the hell did you disarm a bomb with a bullet in your shoulder?"

Mac shrugged slothfully, "i dunno, Jack," he lifted his hands and wiggled his fingers, "I'm magic."

"Sure you are kid," Jack snorted, Mac's state almost made him laugh if it wasn't so damn scary. The kid was never this loose with him. He was always wound up tighter than a taut bow string.

"Jack..." Mac gripped his partner's hand tightly, "Ja-ack," he winced, "why... why can't I... why can't I feel my arm..?"

Jack shot a sharp look down at his lethargic partner, "What?"

Mac shifted, wincing in pain, "I... I can't... I can't feel my arm..."

Jack's foot slammed down on the gas, urging the car on as fast as it could go, "okay, buddy. I hear you, just hang on for a minute, okay? We're almost back. We'll get you some help. You'll be okay, kid."

Mac sighed and nodded, leaning up against his partner, "mkay, Jack..." he frowned and shifted up against him, "Jack?"

"Yeah Mac," Jack responded distractedly, breathing in relief as the camp came into view, "what's up kiddo?"

"Happy birthday," Mac whispered, grinning loosely and curling in on himself.

"yeah, kid," Jack sighed, holding tightly onto Mac's wound, stemming the flow of blood, "thanks, buddy. Listen, kid, we're almost there, okay? Just hold on, for a few more minutes Mac."

"Mhmm," Mac hummed, resting up against Jack's arm, his head on Jack's lap.

Jack sighed in relief as he saw two medics running towards his car. He slammed on the brakes, pulling Mac out of the Humvee with him. The two medics ran up and Jack had to force down the protective instinct that rose in him. It urged him to push the two strangers away and keep Mac to himself. He tamped it down and handed Mac off to the medics, ignoring the slight whimper of protest that escaped Mac. He followed behind the medics telling them what happened all the way to the tent, until one of them held out a hand and pushed him backwards.

"You can't come any further," the man warned, "we need to clean him up and make sure the bullet is through and through."

Jack bit his lip and nodded, watching as they took Mac into the tent. Something in him felt torn as the blonde disappeared inside with someone that wasn't him. He found himself pacing before he consciously made the decision to. After about an hour, the sergeant passed by the frantic delta, frowning.

"Dalton," he called, "how is Macgyver?"

Jack glanced up, "I don't know, Sarge," he shook his head, "they took him in an hour ago."

The Man looked Jack up and down, "are you okay?"

Jack looked at him curiously, "huh?" he asked eloquently.

"You have blood all over you," Jack looked down at his uniform, swallowing down the bile that rose in his throat, "it's not mine," he winced at the strangled tone in his voice, "it's... it's Mac's..."

The sergeant was silent for a few moments before clearing his throat, "you should go clean up and change clothes," the man advised, "you don't want Mac to wake up and have a heart attack because you're covered in blood."

Jack shook his head, "I have to be here," he said, stepping closer to the tent, "The kid's my partner, Sarge. I can't be MIA when he wakes up."

"Did that sound like a suggestion?" Sarge snapped, his tone changing, "because I don't think that's what that was, soldier."

Jack winced, "yes sir," he replied promptly, snapping to attention.

"Go get yourself cleaned up," Sarge growled, gesturing towards the tent and propelling Jack forward.

"Yes sir," Jack nodded, glancing back at the tent once more before jogging over to his tent. If Sarge was gonna make him clean up then he was at least going to do it as fast as possible.

Sarge watched his soldier leave. He sighed, knowing full well that, within minutes, Jack would be back, cleaned up and fresh for a new bout of pacing.

***Line Break***

Mac woke up slowly, quiet noises filtering into his ears. He blinked slowly, looking around and trying to place where he was. A panicky and flighty feeling arose inside of him at the unfamiliar surroundings. His eyes darted around, until landing on his partner. Jack was standing near the entrance of the medical tent, talking quickly with the doctor. Mac shifted, muffling a groan as pain shot through his shoulder. When his vision cleared, Jack was kneeling next to him, watching him carefully.

"Hey buddy," he grinned, "how ya feelin'?"

"Fine," Mac answered reflexively, "I'm fine."

"That's a lie," Jack smirked, "I've been shot before, kid, and it's no walk in the park. Tell me the truth."

Mac grimaced as he shifted a little, "fine. I feel like I've been chewed up by dogs, spit back out, and run over by a train."

Jack laughed, "sounds about right," he helped Mac sit up a little more, piling pillows up behind the young EOD tech, "that good Hoss?"

"Yeah, Jack, thanks," Mac held onto his hand, gripping it tightly as he shifted, "how long was I out?"

"A few hours," Jack told him, "it's the same day, kid, you were just out for a few hours."

Mac nodded, sighing in relief, "good, I hate losing track of days," he perked up a bit, "oh, wait! That means it's still your birthday."

"You're still on that, kid?" Jack laughed, "you talked about it earlier too."

"But it is your birthday," Mac persisted, watching the older man carefully.

"Yeah, kid," Jack rolled his eyes, "it's my birthday."

"Yeah," Mac nodded slowly in confirmation, "that's what I thought. Um, listen, there's a package in my crate at the foot of my bed. It has a star logo on it, you can't miss it. It's for you."

"What?" Jack demanded, "how did you even-? Where did you get a-? what?"

Mac laughed uncomfortably, shifting a little and twisting his hand loosely around in the blanket, "yes, Jack. I got you a present. Don't make such a big deal out of it. Just go get it."

Jack glanced at the doctor, who nodded, "you can leave him alone for a minute."

Jack frowned, glaring fondly down at his reckless partner, "stay put, Mac. Don't go anywhere."

Mac snorted, wincing as he shifted, "but I wanted to go for a jog."

"Shut up," Jack rolled his eyes, "and listen to your doctor. Overwatch's orders."

Mac smiled, not a full smile, but a smile none-the-less. Jack grinned, ruffling the kid's hair before he realized what he was doing. Mac squawked indignantly and ducked away from Jack's hand, hiding a smile behind his floppy blond bangs. Jack ducked out of the tent, puzzling over what the heck the kid could have possibly gotten him. he was also confused as to how the kid remembered his birthday. Mac was shot in the arm and drugged to the gills and still managed to remember that it was Jack's birthday. Jack grinned, shaking his head in happy confusion. He quickly realized that he was growing far too attached to the kid, but he couldn't help it. There was something about Mac that just sort of drew you in. When you met the kid your first initial impression might be that he was annoying or frustrating to work with but the more time you spent around him, the more you'd slowly start to get attached. And that is definitely what Jack was. Attached. he scowled, but there wasn't any malice behind it. It was pure puzzlement. (I don't know if that's a word but let's just roll with it) He ducked inside the tent, glancing over at Mac's corner. he walked over and hesitantly opened the small box at the end of the bunk. He grinned at the contents. On the top of the small stack of clothes was a picture of a younger Macgyver with a young, African-American boy, presumably... Boxer, or whatever Mac's friend's name was. Tucked down next to it was a stack of letters, also from said friend, Bozer! That's what his name was! Then across the box from that was a small package with a cowboys star on it. Jack grinned broadly, the kid had gotten him something from Texas. In that exact moment, Jack didn't care what it was, he loved it instantly. He tore open the small package and grinned as an honest-to-goodness Cowboy's hoodie tumbled out into his lap. It was light and thin, perfect for the cool nights in camp. It had the football team's logo on the front with TEXAS SPIRIT scrawled across the back of it. Jack's grin grew as he discovered it fit him perfectly. It wasn't too tight or loose enough to make it frumpy. It was perfect. He threw it on over his undershirt and jogged back to the medical tent, ignoring the other soldiers who thought he was crazy for wearing a hoodie during the heat of the day. He burst into the tent, his broad Texas smile still in place. Mac looked up, nerves poorly hidden behind a weak smiley mask.

"You like it?" he asked hesitantly, watching Jack's face carefully.

Jack laughed at the kid's hesitance, "kid, it's perfect,"and if the gift hadn't been enough of a present, Jack got his full birthday happiness from the full grin that broke out across his partner's face. before he realized what he was doing, Jack had grabbed the kid in a big bear hug. Mac tensed for a few seconds, but gradually relaxed in Jack's grip, allowing himself to hug the delta back. Jack pulled back a little after a minute, his mind frazzled with happiness. Between the kid being healthy, the present, the smile, and the hug, Jack realized that he couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

Okidoki y'all! There you go! Chapter 6 complete! I hope y'all enjoyed it! I found myself in desperate need of some Jack and Mac interaction with the new season coming out. The lack of Jack in it has me dying and wilting on the inside. Hope y'all like the chapter and it sufficiently helped heal the poor, Jack/Mac deficient hearts out there! I love y'all and can't wait to publish again! Leave a review or a suggestion. I am always watching to see if y'all will leave me suggestions on what to write in this fic! I want to write what y'all want to read, so leave me a suggestion and I'll see how I can help you and your wants! Love y'all so much and thank you for the continued support! I'll probably be updating soon, but of course, my schedule is picking up again, so we'll see! Love y'all and can't wait to hear what y'all think!

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