AN:
So I'm back with a new one. I'm still no medic and still no native speaker. It would be great, if you would leave me a few words.
Chapter 1
„Barbie or Minnie Mouse?" Jack asked and couldn't hide his smirk.
An annoyed huff was his only answer, so the Delta repeated his question. „Barbie or Minnie Mouse? I mean you're as skinny as Barbie, but the color of your face right now would suggest Minnie."
„You can't be serious Jack! Look again! It can't be true that Angela put only girl band-aids in the FAK, when she was restocking it." Mac crained his neck and tried to see for himself.
„It's your own fault Mac. I told you she would get back at you for bailing, when you were due for your flu shot last week." Jack answered and started rolling up Macs trouser leg.
„There was an emergency." Mac insisted stubbornly.
Jack snickered. „Yeah, the broken coffee machine in the cafeteria was a matter of life and death. And I'm not entirely convinced you didn't have a hand in it breaking down."
„You ratted me out, didn't you?" Mac accused his partner and tried to pull his leg out of the Deltas grip.
Jack shook his head. „That woman is simply smart and I guess she knows us too good by now. Hey at least this is better than the pink hospital gown she threatened you with, when you'd be laid up the next time. Maybe her thirst for revenge is satiated with the girl band-aids."
Mac shook his head and covered his knee with both hands.
Jack sighed and began rummaging through the first aid kit again. They were on their flight back from a mission. A milk run indeed. A clean in and out. Intel secured and already sent to Matty. No one was injured, well apart from Mac, who had stumbled and hit his knee on the pavement. That brought them to the current situation. Jack always the caretaker insisted on cleaning and dressing the small wound and Mac putting up a fuss. Bozer and Riley were watching the scene and were clearly enjoying it.
Mac tried one last time to convince Jack to let it go. „It's only a scratch. It isn't even bleeding anymore. And I'm not letting you put a Barbie band-aid on it. Stop treating me like a five year old Jack."
Jack shot him an affectionate smile and had to stop himself from ruffling Macs blond mop. „I stop treating you as a kid, when you stop behaving like one. There's dirt in the wound and it's been in too long. We need to clean it out now and you know it. So … Ah, that's it!" He triumphantly held up an Elsa band-aid he had found.
Mac rolled his eyes. „No Jack!"
„Come on Mac. Elsa is bad ass. She can throw ice lightnings. That's really cool."
Riley laughed loud. „I didn't know you're so familiar with the movie Jack."
The Delta blushed, but admitted. „I watched it with one of my nieces last christmas. It's not that bad. The snowman is really funny." He turned back to his partner and held up the collection again.
Mac ignored him and looked out the window as if there was something needing his whole attention.
The Delta shrugged, slowly losing his patience with his stubborn partner. „Barbie it is then." He started cleaning the wound throroughly, ignoring the hiss of pain when he poured a liberal amount of disinfectant over the wound.
Just before he opened the Barbie band-aid Mac uttered „Elsa" between clenched teeth.
Riley and Bozer were almost on the floor with laughter and Mac threatened. „I have a really good idea, what I can build out of that new kitchen appliance you got last month Boze. And Riley the next time your car breaks down, don't bother to call me." The words were sharp, but he wasn't able to stop the grin spreading over his face.
Jack was finished with his leg and held up a lollipop, he had found in the FAK as well. „At least Angela put in a treat too."
Mac made a grab for the lollipop but Jack was quicker. „No way man. I earned it more than you. Digging a bullet out of you was almost easier than tending to your scraped knee." He unwrapped the lollipop and stuck it in his mouth immediately.
Matty raised her brow when she spotted Jack with the lollipop as they entered the war room for debrief. „Do I want to know?"
Jack grinned and answered. „It's a reward for treating our princess …ow. Damn that hurt." He shot his partner a glare and rubbed his aching arm.
Mac sat down without a word and grabbed a paperclip out of the bowl. Matty decided to let it go and went back to business. As there weren't any problems with this mission it was a short affair and everyone was back in a good mood. They agreed to meet at Macs place for beer and pizza and left the war room. Left behind on the table was a paperclip remodelled into a tiny crown.
They had a lot of fun that evening, especially when Bozer began retelling the band-aid incident on the plane. Matty wiped tears of laughter out of her eyes, but couldn't stop herself from asking. „You sure your knee is ok?"
Before Mac could answer Bozer piped up. „Don't worry Matty. Jack used almost a whole bottle of disinfectant, because he was losing his patience with our little princess."
Mac threw an empty can at Bozers head and his friend fell over dramatically. „Jack, I need you to patch me up."
„No way man. Doctor Jack is out of the office. And you're so ugly, it would cost you at least two lollipops." Jack contered with a big grin.
Riley had to add her two cents. „I could make an appointment with Angela for you."
„No thanks, she creeps me out. I think she's able to read my thoughts, every time I'm in there." Bozer shuddered and everybody laughed.
A few days later the team was assembled in the war room and Matty was walking them the through their next mission.
Riley pulled up a map and Mac sighed. „Siberia? I hate Siberia."
Jack agreed. „Yeah, me too. I guess, we'd better pack our long johns. So, what are we gonna do there boss?"
„As you can see, it is a pretty remote area. That's why Boris Varilov choose it to build his weapons depot there. He's the biggest arms dealer in the area since he got rid of his two business rivals last year. Before that he was using several smaller places, but without his competitors he decided to store everything in one big place." Matty explained.
„If we can get rid of it, that would be a huge blow to all the terrorists and mercs who get supplied by him." Jack remarked and Director Webber agreed.
„Exactly. That's why we're sending you and Mac in. You only have to confirm that the weapons and ammunition is there and blow the whole place up." Matty ended and smiled, when Macs face lit up.
„Hey, Christmas is coming early for you this year Mac," Jack slapped his partner on the shoulder.
Mac grinned. „That makes up for it being in Siberia."
Matty continued. „Riley will be monitoring coms from here and Bozer you're heading to that make up conference you've been gnawing my ear off for the last week."
Bozer let out cheerful scream. „Christmas for me too."
Jack made a face. „And what about me Matty?"
„You're getting a new pair of long johns." She teased him.
An hour later Mac and Jack were in the Phoenix jet ready for take off.
The Delta got comfortable in his seat with a big grin on his face. Mac frowned. „Why are you so happy? I thought you hated going to Siberia?"
Jack nodded but his eyes were still sparkling. „I do, I hate the cold. But this," he waved an arm around the cabin „is what I love. A straight forward mission. Just you and me like in the old times. Don't get me wrong, I love Riley and Bozer. We're making a great team, but sometimes I miss it just being the two of us going after the bad guys. I'm able to focus completely on you and don't have to worry if someone is sneaking up on Riley in the van or if Bozer is getting into trouble." Jack looked a bit embarrassed.
Macs eyes widened at his partners confession. „I know what you mean Jack. I've always loved working with you. It was easier, when I didn't have to explain as much as I do now. You just simply trust my crazy ideas and go along with them. But I'm sorry, if it makes your job more stressful, because you have to worry about Riley and Bozer too. Maybe you should stay back with them more often, I'll be fine on my own." The blond offered. He wouldn't feel comfortable without Jack by his side, but he wanted to ease his partners workload.
„Stop right there." Jack cupped his partners face and waited until their eyes connected. „Listen good Mac. You always were and always will be my number one priority and that is not negotiable. Our little family has grown and I'm happy to have Riley back and call Bozer a friend, but that doesn't change your status. I'm in for the long haul hoss." Jacks brown eyes shone with sincerity and Mac choked out. „Thanks Jack. That really means a lo to me."
„You're welcome Mac."
The spent the rest of the flight chatting about a new action movie until the jet touched down on a small airfield, where they would transfer on a chopper.
Jack was checking his gear and leaned over to check his partners as well. Mac raised an eyebrow and Jack explained. „It's been a while since we've done a night jump into our landing zone, just making sure we're all set." The Delta didn't comment on his partners fear of heights. He knew it was a difficult situation for the blond, so he tried to reassure him by making sure everything was as safe as possible.
Mac nodded with a nervous smile. „Thanks Jack. I really appreciate it."
As soon as they reached their destination. Jack opened the door and gave the pilot a thumbs up. Mac jumped first after a moment of hesitation. Jack was right behind him, keeping an eye on his friend in case he had trouble with the parachute. When they landed Jack let out a whoop of joy.
„That was awesome!" The adrenaline rush clearly showing on his face.
Mac grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. „Yeah, I'm glad we got down safely. Come on big guy. Let's hide the chutes and get on our way. It's definitely too cold to idle away."
„Yeah, why can't the bad guys hide in a nice sunny spot." Jack complained and Mac laughed.
„Last week in Sumatra you griped about the heat," the blond remarked.
The Delta defended his actions. „You have to admit Sumatra was a sauna. I was afraid my clothes would get moldy in my bag before we were done there. No, I'm talking about a nice mediterranean climate. Not too hot nor too cold. Is it too much to ask?"
The blond chuckled. „Definitely."
Suddenly Mattys voice came over the coms. „Next you will complain about the travel time and demand that the bad guys show up on our doorstep to make it more convenient for you."
Jack shuddered. „God no! I still have nightmares about Murdoc showing up at Macs place." He looked at the GPS. „About five klicks to the compound. The snow is deep, so it'll take a bit longer than we thought. Come on Mac shake a leg."
Jack was right. It was slow going and exhausting in their thick white winter camo gear. They stopped talking and the air was filled with their heavy breathing. Finally they could make out some lights in the distance. Mac opened his backpack and took out a bottle of water. He stilled his thirst while Jack checked the coordinates. The Delta nodded and they activated their coms again.
„We're half a click away from Boris place. What have you got on infrared Riles?" Jack asked and accepted the bottle from Mac.
„It's not that bad Jack. I've got four guys patrolling outside and only two in the house." Riley informed them from the war room.
Jack whistled. „Boris must really feel safe out here, if he has sent his guards on vacation. Well, they're in for a surprise when they come back and their work place is gone."
„Ok, big guy let's take them out and go home." Mac said and they crept closer.
Ten minutes later all their enemies were taken out. Mac opened his backpack and took out C4 and the supplies he needed to blow the place up. Jack grinned. „Makes for a nice change, that you have explosives with you."
Mac nodded. „I knew what to expect here so I brought what I would need. Normally when I blow something up in the field, it's because we have to improvise."
The night was lit up only five minutes later with a huge fireball with Mac and Jack watching from a distance. They grinned at each other and the blond started. „Well, that was a milk umpf"
Jacks hand on his mouth prevented him from finishing the sentence. „Oh no hoss. You're not gonna jinx the mission by calling it a success until we're back at the Phoenix. No, scratch that. Until we're sitting at your firepit with a cold one in our hands. You got it?"
Mac rolled his eyes, but agreed. „I won't. Happy?"
„Ecstatic. Let's hoof it out of here and back to exfil." Jack answered and adjusted his pack.
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