A/N: Hey y'all! How's things? So I read this excellent anthology and one of the short stories inspired this, I'm not going to name it quite yet, because it might give something away! I hadn't intended on writing another crossover (but I do so love them!) but the SEAL Team guys asked so nicely that I just had to let them in the story, and the thought of Sonny & Jack in the same room together makes me laugh! A huge thank you to my amazing wonderful beta, Bkworm4life4! And as always I don't own MacGyver, I hope you enjoy!
Angus MacGyver, known to family and friends simply as Mac, let out a wet sounding cough and huddled back in the corner tying to find a tiny bit of warmth in the cold cell that he was currently residing in. Another cough burst out, and Mac spat out the mucus that came up with it. He took a deep breath, and was pleased with the results. If he had pneumonia it was just a mild case. A clang sounded at the end of the hallway, and Mac knew that meant that the guard would be coming for him soon.
As he curled up tighter, trying get a little warmer a sharp stab of pain shot through his left leg causing him to shift his weight off of it, which then pulled at the long cut that ran down his side. The guard who he had nicknamed Brutus, even though he looked more like Sgt. Shutlz from Hogan's Heroes, had worked him over thoroughly after his second escape attempt. The cut was really starting to look bad, and he was worried that if it wasn't already infected it would be soon, but it was his leg that really bothered him. At first after the initial injury he had been able to get around on it without it hurting to bad, but now he had a hard time putting his weight on it and hobbling down to the interrogation room, often breaking out in a cold sweat by the time he got there.
He hoped that his persistent headache, which flared with each cough, was only caused by dehydration and was not an indication of serious head trauma. He knew that he was in bad shape and a mirthless chuckle at his situation passed his lips. Then he laughed again as the thought of possibly getting pneumonia from water-boarding while also being in a persistent state of dehydration. He could just hear Jack tell him, "Well, why didn't you drink it instead of letting it go to your lungs there Bud?"
"If it was only that easy," He replied out loud. Realizing how crazy he sounded Mac laughed, but it quickly turned into a coughing fit. "Okay, maybe it's a little bit worse than a touch of pneumonia. Maybe walking pneumonia?" He gave up trying to figure it out as a shiver wracked his thin frame. He shifted on the mat that had been left in his cell and pulled his good knee up closer to his body and wrapped the thin blanket a bit tighter around his bony shoulders. With a sigh Mac let his head rest against the rough cinderblock.
"You're looking a bit rough there Bud, I really don't like how that cut looks." Imaginary Jack said. Mac could visualize Jack standing before him analyzing everything that was wrong with him. "And your face isn't healing as quickly as it normally does."
Another harsh round of coughing stole his ability to speak. "Well I feel pretty rough." Mac answered, when he was finally able to talk again, not bothering to open his eyes. "But my split lip has healed, and the loose tooth isn't as loose anymore." Mac knew that Jack wasn't really there, but even his phantom presence was a comfort. In the distance Mac could hear the heavy door at the end of the hallway slowly slide open. Then Brutus's footfalls began making their way down the hallway steady and even.
The first week he had been there the sound of Brutus's footstep had made Mac's heart speed up in nervous anticipation. He hated how it made him look forward to the sessions. The interrogation room was everything his cell wasn't. It was warm and welcoming, and they often used food as a reward. It was much better than the bruised apple and half rotten bread and water he was given when he first arrived. As the steps drew closer Mac slowly and painfully pulled himself up so he could be ready, again something he learned over the past weeks.
As Mac swayed on his feet he wasn't sure if the weakness and dizziness was due to injury, sickness or what. He pulled off the blanket and set it down on his thin sleeping mat. Brutus stepped in front of the bars to Mac's cell. "See I didn't hurt you that bad. You're standing aren't you?" Brutus laughed cruelly. "Come on Angus, we don't want to keep your new friend waiting, since you're such buddies now and all."
Mac pushed off the wall that had been holding him upright, and he slowly and painfully made his way to the door. A few steps into the hallway Mac was shoved forward. He had been expecting it, and didn't fall…this time. "Walk faster Angus. My old grandmother walks faster than you and she only has one leg." Mac sighed, it was Brutus's usual insult, and soon he would try to physically push Mac to hurry him along. Mac just bit his lip and kept on hobbling along. He had quickly learned that the price of resistance was just too high. An unexpected blow landed on his injured knee and down Mac went, painfully crashing down onto the concrete sending bolts of pain through his elbow leaving it numb, as he hadn't had time to catch himself. Cruel cackling laughter came from above him. "I told you to be careful Angus." Brutus taunted.
'Only a little longer.' Mac thought as he slowly and painfully made his way upright. Mac was thankful that the rest of the short trip was uneventful.
Arriving at a normal looking door Brutus rapped twice then pushed the door open so that Mac could shuffle into the nicely appointed room. The difference between this room and the rest of his prison was startling. Mac stepped from the old stained concrete into a small room with soft carpeting and more important heating. In a comfortable chair sat Mac's interrogator, who had introduced himself only as Lazlo. Just like Brutus, he spoke perfect English, with only a trace of an accent.
"It's so good to see you again Angus." Lazlo said pleasantly, as if Mac had a choice about being there. "Please have a seat," he gestured towards a chair that was identical to the one he sat on. Mac didn't understand it, the man was capable of immense violence, but he always maintained a thin veneer of politeness, as if Mac was a guest instead of a prisoner. Once Mac had taken a seat Lazlo dismissed Brutus with a wave. "Did you have a pleasant night?" Lazlo asked fully expecting an answer.
The bruise Mac had on his left cheek was from where he had been struck for not answering Lazlo's 'polite' questions, so he answered as icily as possible. "As usual it was very chilly and the thin blanket that you most graciously rewarded me with didn't help any of my aches."
Lazlo ignored Mac's sarcastic reply and pulled a bottle of water from a wine cooler that had been placed beside the interrogation table. He cracked open the bottle and took a deep drink. "Natural spring water. Bottled near where I was born, the best water in the world." His polite tone was deceptive, and Mac recognized the tactic for what it was, a play to increase his thirst. "I'm so sorry that our accommodations aren't up to your high standards Angus. You American's are just so picky." He shook his head in mock sincerity. "But I have brought you another present since you were so helpful last time and, you seem to enjoy your blanket." Also, on the table next to the wine cooler was a covered tray, which Lazlo took the plate off the tray and as he slid it over to Mac, he pulled the top off and presented the contents. "The finest cuisine for my American friend, we have spaghetti bolognese, a nice side salad, some garlic bread, and, as a little treat, some zefir."
Mac noticed that Lazlo hadn't offered him anything to drink, and he wanted to resist the food, but his stomach gnawed with hunger. He resisted for a few more seconds before he couldn't stand it anymore and dug in with his hands since no utensils had been provided for him. Lazlo smiled at him. "Now isn't that better? See you get rewards when you cooperate. If you continue to cooperate I might be able to find you a better bed, or maybe a warmer blanket, or even more food like this, and maybe even some medical attention. You aren't looking so good with all those bruises and that horrid limp."
After he swallowed the first mouthful Mac couldn't stop once he started ravenously consuming the food. The hunger that had been abated, came roaring back full force as he gracelessly consumed the food sitting in front of him. During the first few days after his capture he had been given meager amounts of food, most of it on the verge of being inedible, then Lazlo started withholding food to have something to entice Mac to talk, and it had worked to a point. He had finished about half of the food when the cover slammed back down on top of it, almost taking his fingers with it. Mac looked up at Lazlo, angrier than he cared to admit.
"That's enough for right now." Lazlo said as he pushed the plate back over to where it had been resting before. "Answer a question and I'll let you have some water, answer a few more and you may have the rest of the food. Do you understand?"
Mac glared at the despicable man in front of him, then slowly nodded, hating himself every second.
"I need you to speak Angus." Lazlo instructed.
"Yes, I understand." Mac quietly said.
Lazlo smiled, "Good let's get started with something easy that you've already told us. What is your full name and where do you live?"
A/N 2: Like it? Found a mistake? Let me know! I love hearing from y'all even if it's to let me know i forgot a period.
And as always a bit of shameless self promotion. I hope to have chapter 2 of 'Love, Lies, & Deception' up next Monday! Then will try to keep an every other week update of these two stories. Hope to see you there!