Hey my dudes! Thanks for your reviews and suggestions! I love hearing from my peeps! Well, I'm back at you with another chapter I was working in it for quite a while so... Enjoy!
Mac led Jack to their room, it was on the opposite end of the compound. He hated seeing the looks the other guys gave him, it made him uncomfortable. They weren't exactly the greatest guys, but they stayed mostly away from him. He was their boss' son, after all. They mess with him without his permission then they got in trouble. Of course, they usually had permission to give him crap. Or hurt him. He repressed a shudder and quickened his pace, aware of every single stare.
Jack glared the men around him. They were all staring at Mac as if he were a hunted animal. An invasive species. None of these guys liked his kid. Jack growled as one of them shifted in front of Mac, causing the blond to run into him.
"Hey," the man snapped, grabbing Mac's collar as he stumbled back, "watch where you're going, kid."
"Sorry, Levi," Mac held his hands up in an automatic defensive posture, "I didn't mean-"
"What did you say?" Levi demanded, pulling Mac up to where his feet hovered off the ground, his face inches away from the kid's.
"Sorry," Mac said frantically, " I meant sir," he held the other man's wrists in his hands, trying to pull away, "I meant sir! I'm sorry!"
"Did I ask you to talk, at all, Blondie?" Levi snarled, shoving Mac's hands away.
Jack went to step forward, but someone caught the back of his shirt. It was a younger guy, probably about Mac's age. He shook his head and pulled Jack backwards.
"Do not intervene," he whispered, "they are testing you, seeing how you'll react. Do not engage, Dalton. You'll only get yourself killed."
Without another word, the man released Jack's shirt and faded into the crowd of men that had gathered. Jack looked up sharply as a loud crack sounded through the air, accompanied by a whimper from his partner. Jack spun around, eyes on fire, to see Mac squirming in the man's grip. Ine of the blond's hands was covering his left cheek and he didn't look up at his attacker.
The man, Levi, was grinning at the others, "looks like I caught somethin' boys! He's a wriggler."
"So small, maybe you outta throw him back," a crowd member shouted as jeers filled the hallway.
"Maybe I outta," Levi sneered at Mac, "whataya say, Maccy boy," he taunted, "should I throw you back to the fishes?"
Mac trembled, his head faced down at the floor. He didn't answer and Jack stepped forward, ignoring the warning from the mysterious shadower.
"Hey," he snapped, "why don't you pick on someone more your size."
Mac's head snapped up, "Jack-" he tried to warn his friend, but was cut off by a sharp slap to his face.
"Keep your mouth shut, ya piece of trash," Levi growled, throwing Mac to the floor.
"Mac," Jack kept his eyes trained squarely on Levi, "you alright, kid?"
"I'm fine," Jack pulled the blond up next to him, glancing him over furtively.
"You sure," he questioned, casting sparing glances between his friend and their enemy.
"I'm fine, Jack," Mac sighed, trying to pull Jack away, "just leave it."
Jack turned to look at his kid, silently asking if he was sure. Mac's expression begged him to let it go, and Jack relented.
"Next time," he threw the comment at the other man, "I won't be so easily persuaded to not beat your punk butt into the ground."
Levi snarled something unintelligible but allowed Mac to lead the delta past. Only once they were clear around a corner and out of everyone's sight, did Jack spin Mac around and examine his face. His blood boiled at the bruise that was already blooming across the kid's face.
"Jack," Mac pulled away slightly, sensing his friend's anger, "I told you, I'm fine."
"You're not fine 'till you let me take a good look at that bruise," Jack sighed, reluctantly releasing Mac's arms, "kid, do they always treat you like that?"
Mac shrugged, continuing down the hallway, "it's fine, Jack. I'm used to it."
"You shouldn't have to be 'used to it'!" Jack exclaimed, "does no one stand up for you in this place?"
Mac shook his head, "my dad says it's fine, so they think it's fine," he sighed, "he says it 'toughens me up'," he snorted bitterly, "like I need that."
Jack rested his hand on Mac's shoulder, "well, I got your back kid," he promised, "whether you want me to or not."
"Look, Jack," Mac turned to face his partner, not meeting his gaze, "I appreciate your watching out for me, but it's only going to get you hurt," he hung his head, "or killed."
"Hey," Jack stepped forward, tipping Mac's head up to see his eyes, "first off, do not ever let these guys scare you so bad that you won't meet my eyes. Second, off, my job is to protect you," he sighed, "it's not just my job, kid, it's my life. I don't want you to get hurt, ever, and especially not on my watch," he squeezed Mac's shoulder gently, "you get me?"
"Yeah, Jack," Mac sighed, "I get it, and I'll drop it."
"Good," Jack released Mac and allowed the blond to lead him the rest of the way to their room in peace.
***Line Break***
"I told you he was suspicious," Levi snapped, "how did he slip past our initial checks?"
James paced back and forth, rubbing his hands through his hair in frustration, "I don't know, but now we have to move all our production and get rid of this foolish man who has decided to try and get the better of me."
"You want me to kill him?" Levi asked his leader, eager to take care of this thorn in James' side.
"No," James shook his head, "no, we can use this to our advantage for now. We know who he is so we can make sure to keep him close. We'll feed him all the wrong information and that way we keep production going here, and keep Phoenix off our tails. If it comes down to it, we can use Angus as leverage. Dalton won't endanger him. We both know that."
"Smart move," Levi commented.
James glanced at him in mild irritation, "yes," he snarked, "I am known for those occasionally."
"Oh!" Levi tried to backtrack, "no! That's not-"
James held up his hand, effectively shutting the other man up, "just shut up, Levi."
Levi nodded, ducking his head down slightly. He might be James' partner, but they were nowhere near equals. James was by far more intelligent and definitely superior.
James braced his hands against the small desk in the corner of the room and knelt over the map, studying the city circled in red, "we have work to do," he told his partner, "and now that we have one in our midst, we have to move quicker," he glanced up, exchanging a grin with his friend, "the president won't know what hit him."
He stood, pulling Levi out after him. The map lay out on the table, proudly proclaiming to the room exactly who it's target was. Washington D.C.
***Line Break***
Two weeks had passed, and Jack was becoming increasingly concerned. Something told him that something was wrong. He didn't know what, but James seemed to be very trusting for a master-mind. He scouted around the compound and slid his cellphone out of his pocket. He shot a quick text off to Matty. he knew she would be worried about him, maybe about Mac, but mostly about him. His boss had grown softer with the kid, so Jack knew that something was going on with her. She didn't trust Mac, at all.
Jack was shocked out of his thoughts by Mac stumbling inside, holding his side tightly. The kid turned, resting his head against the door as he locked it. He then collapsed onto his bed sobbing, not even acknowledging Jack's presence. The delta froze. He didn't want to scare Mac, but he knew he needed to alert the kid of his presence. And he was worried, what had happened this time. Jack had become accustomed to Mac collapsing in their room, either near tears or in tears. Sometimes, it took gentle prodding, and sometimes it felt like Jack was having to pry the kid open with a crowbar. He wandered which one it would be this time.
Jack sighed silently and crossed to the small sink without at sound. He grabbed a rag and ran some water over it. It would be another long, painful night for the kid. For his kid.
Mac felt childish when he hid his face in his pillow, but that didn't stop him from doing it. He felt his mattress sink slightly where Jack sat down. The delta's hand wrapped gently around his shoulder. Mac didn't resist when Jack pulled him up, or when he pulled him close in for a hug. He sank into Jack's chest, drawing from his partner's warmth to chase away the cold fear and hurt that surrounded him.
"What happened, Mac?" Jack questioned, pulling away slightly and running the cold cloth over his swelling eye, "who was it?"
The last thing Mac wanted to do was talk about it, so he just shook his head and buried it back against Jack. His throat ached where a shoe had kicked it, his voice hurt to use. His entire torso ached from the kicks the men had managed to get on him before he got away. he leaned up against Jack, taking comfort in feeling the older man's arms wrap around him. He sighed, then winced as it brought on a wave of pain from his throat. He tucked his head under Jack's chin and flinched as the delta gently felt along his ribs.
At least Jack hadn't touched his chest yet. Mac was certain he had a boot print on his chest where a man had managed to stomp on him. He curled up against his partner unashamedly, allowing his tears to soak into Jack's shirt. He just needed silence. Just needed rest. He shut his eyes tightly.
"I got you Mac," Jack whispered in his ear, "just sleep, kiddo, I've got you. I promise."
Jack's anger burned in his chest. He hated seeing Mac like this. The kid was usually so strong, so to see him reduced to tears was painful every time. He wrapped his arms around Mac, whispering to him comfortingly. He felt Mac relax against him and soon, the kid's breaths evened out. He sighed in relief and leaned up against the wall. He ran his fingers absentmindedly through Mac's hair.
Glancing at the locked door, Jack pulled his cell back out of his pocket. He clicked on Matty's contact and held it to his ear.
***Line Break***
Matty glanced over at her phone, then grabbed it when she saw who was calling. Panic flew through her mind when she saw Jack's name. It was not time for a scheduled sit-rep, so either something was going down or something was wrong.
"Jack," she answered, "talk to me."
"Matty," Jack was whispering, "we're gonna have to wrap this mission up soon."
Matty grabbed her tablet and prepared to send out the order for exfil, "what's going on, Dalton?"
"He's beat up bad this time, Matty," despite the way Jack's voice was tight with worry and frustration, Matty relaxed, "he's breathing funny and there are shoe marks on his throat and chest. Someone kicked him. Hard," there was a rustling noise, then Jack's voice came over again. It sounded a little dimmer, as if he'd pulled the phone away from his ear, "easy, Mac. I've got you, kid. Just get some sleep."
Matty's heart clenched when she heard Mac's pained voice mutter from the other end, "Ja...Jack...hurts."
"I know buddy," Jack's voice was filled with sadness, "just sleep, kiddo, sleep'll help it. I promise."
She heard Mac's voice again, this time it sounded as if he was dozing off again, "don't...leave...please...Ja...Jack...don't..."
"Shh, buddy," the anguish in Jack's voice almost broke Matty's clam demeanor, "I'm not going anywhere. Remember, you go kaboom, I go kaboom. I'm not going anywhere. Just sleep, kiddo."
"M'kay," came the barely audible response, then Jack's voice came back on the phone, "Matty," he pleaded.
"I heard, Jack," Matty struggled to reign in her emotions, "but you know we can't..." she sighed, "Jack, please don't make this hard."
"Matty," Jack sounded desperate, "he needs medical help, and more than I can give him!"
"I know that, Jack!" Matty snapped, the she took a deep breath, "Mac knows the risks of this whole op. He knows what he's going in to. There's nothing I can do unless we pull the op, and if we do that then Mac could very well go to jail due to affiliation. This op is his best chance of not being prosecuted at all."
"We can get a lawyer, Matty," Jack snapped, "I cannot stand by and let these people hurt Mac. It kills me."
"I know, Jack," Matty sighed, "but he's a big boy and can take care of himself. Eve if he needs your help sometimes."
She heard a sharp intake of breath and knew she had angered Jack. Her thoughts were confirmed by his tine when he finally responded.
"Matty," Jack's voice was low and dangerous, "if he dies..." the delta took a deep breath, allowing Matty to know that this was a very well thought out sentence, "I will never speak to you again. And," he growled, "I will have you written up for endangering the life of a civilian."
Not giving Matty a chance to reply, the line clicked shut and she lost contact with her agent. She laid her phone on the desk and forced herself to breath deeply. Jack was angry, that much she knew, but she also knew that he meant every word he'd just said. Jack was never one for empty threats. Ever.
Shaking her head, Matty forced herself to focus on the paperwork in front of her. She shoved to the back of her mind all thoughts of her agent and the blond boy.
BOOM! Chapter 4! Hope y'all enjoyed it! AspiringAuthor29, FANTASTIC IDEA! I will admit, I was trying to find something that would shove Jack over and that idea sold it for me! That was so great! Thank you for suggesting it! I will be using it in the next chapter! And thank y'all for all the amazing, and uplifting reviews! Can't wait to post again! Love y'all!
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