AN:

I'm blown away by all the positive feedback. Thank you so much. I guess, we all have a weak spot for a sick Mac and a caring Jack. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

More snow had fallen during the last hour and it slowed them down even more. They had only made half of the distance, when Mattys voice came over the coms. „I'm sorry guys, but we have a problem."

Jack pointed an accusing finger at Mac and said. „I knew it! Ok Matty out with it. What's wrong?"

„The chopper assigned to pick you up has an engine problem. The next one available is at least three hours out and there is a snow storm moving in fast." Matty reported.

„Damn." The Delta cursed and Mac asked. „How long until it reaches us?"

Riley answered. „An hour max. Satellite images indicate, that it'll last 8 to 12 hours, so we can get you out of there in the late afternoon the soonest. I've found what looks like a hunting cabin about eight klicks south of your current position. I can't tell in what condition it is, but it's the only kind of shelter available. I've sent you the coordinates."

Jack sighed. „Thanks baby. I guess it's better than nothing, huh?"

Mac nodded. „It can't be helped. Let's get going. We won't make it there in time anyway. We're off coms now."

The walked along in silence until Jack started muttering under his breath. „Snow, ice, a storm. What a milk run indeed."

„Look Jack. I'm sorry I said it, but it would have happened anyway. It's just a coincidence that's all." Mac tried to placate his friend. Being stuck in a snow storm with a grumpy Texan was not on his wish list.

„There is no such thing as a coincidence. The universe is seldom so lazy." The Delta stated stubbornly.

Mac laughed. „Where have you picked up that piece of wisdom?"

Jack blushed and mumbled. „T'was a science show on Discovery Channel."

„Really? I didn't know you're into that kind of stuff." Mac wondered.

Jack waved a hand. „I've never told you, but I try to keep up a bit. I always feel like an idiot, when you get your science geek on. Makes me realize how dumb I am." The cold was obviously getting to Jack. Normally he wouldn't reveal things like that to his partner. He often felt self-conscious beside Mac. Especially when the blond launched into a science lecture.

Mac stopped and gripped his friends arm. When their eyes met, the blond said insistently. „You're NOT dumb Jack and I don't want to hear you talking about yourself like that. You're a tactical genius and you wouldn't have made it into Delta if you weren't a smart guy. I don't know anybody, who knows more about weaponary or Bruce Willis than you." The blond added with a smile and that caused a grin to appear on Jacks face.

„You're serious, aren't you? Oh man, what wouldn't I give for lounging on my couch and having a Die Hard marathon right now." He sighed longingly.

„I'm totally with you, but that'll have to wait a bit." Mac agreed and they started moving again.

They fought their way through the deeper getting snow until Jack noticed that Mac was lagging behind. There were a few rocks in front of them and Jack suggested. „Let's rest up for a bit. We've still got at least two klicks to go." Mac nodded, sank down to the ground with a sigh and leaned against a rock. The Delta watched his partner closely and asked. „You ok Mac?"

The blond nodded. „Yeah, I'm fine, just tired."

Jack wasn't convinced, but decided to let it go for now. They drank some water and the Delta noticed his partners flushed face, but it was probably due to the exertion. The wind was picking up and it was snowing harder.

„Come on Mac, we need to go if we want to reach the cabin before it gets much worse." Jack shouldered his pack and stood. The blond stood up stiffly using the rock as support. When he made a step forward his leg gave out and he fell back into the snow with a scream.

„Mac!" Jack was at his partners side in an instant. „Talk to me hoss. What's wrong?"

The blond was panting and tried to sit up, his face contorted in pain and he rolled onto his side. „I don't know Jack. It's my hip, hurts like hell." He uttered between clenched teeth.

„Did one of the guards get you with a knife or something?" There weren't any shots fired when they took out the bad guys, so that was Jacks first thought.

Mac shook his head. „No, honestly Jack I didn't take a single punch. I was fine until half an hour ago. My hip started aching a bit, but that's all."

Jack knew that the blond was honest. They wouldn't lie to each other about their health in the current situation. „Ok hoss, we'll get you sorted. Don't worry bud." The Delta threw off his gloves and started to feel along Macs leg and hip. Nothing seemed to be swollen or dislocated, as far as he could tell with all the winter gear his partner was wearing. Then he reached up and laid his hand on the blonds forehead. „Damn, you're burning up Mac. Why didn't you say anything?"

„I … I didn't realize. I was hot, but I thought it was because of the exhausting treck." Mac frowned. „What's wrong with me Jack?" He knew the Delta didn't have an answer to that question, but he couldn't refrain from asking anyway. His partner was always his rock and took care of him.

Jack shook his head. „I don't know yet. We need to get you to the cabin, so I can look you over properly. Ok, let's get you up hoss." Gently he pulled Mac up and put the blonds arm around his shoulder.

They were struggling forward at a snails pace. Mac panted and let out an occasional whimper that shot a dagger right through Jacks heart every time he heard it. They hadn't made more than half a klick when the blond went limp suddenly. Jack wasn't prepared for it and so they both fell down into the snow.

„Mac! No, no, no buddy. It's not time to sleep now. Come on partner, open that baby blues for me." Jack tried to rouse his partner, but without avail. The blonds fever seemed to have risen in the short time since Jack had last checked it. Quickly the Delta freed his partner of his backpack. He took out everything they would need and transferred it into his own. He would have to carry Mac bridal style, because he didn't want to risk injuring him further by using a firemans carry. After a quick glance at the GPS he picked up his precious cargo and started wading through the snow.

By the time the agents reached the cabin the blizzard had made it neccessary to check the GPS constantly. Jack had put it on his partners chest, so he could find his way. He just hoped, there wasn't a slope or something, because he had no visual at all. The light on his helmet only showed white.

After an eternity there seemed to be a shadow in front of him. Another look at the small monitor confirmed that they had finally reached their destination. Jacks muscles were trembling and his lungs were burning. His whole body screamed for rest, but there was no time. With his shoulder Jack pushed open the door and stumbled into the dark of the cabin, kicking the door shut with his leg.

With a grunt Jack fell on his knees, but his arms were securely wrapped around his partner. The Delta allowed himself a minute to just breathe and rest. He raised his head and took in his surroundings. The cabin had only one room, but was surprisingly well furnished. A woodstove with a stack of wood beside it, cupboards with what looked like canned food, a bed, a small table and two chairs.

Jack sighed relieved, he could work with that. He fought his way to his feet and lowered his partner carefully on the bed. Then he lit a lantern and a few candles illuminated the room in a warm glow. The oven was lit in a matter of minutes and Jack sent a silent thank you to the person, who kept the place so well stocked. After shedding his gear he turned to Mac.

There was still no sound from his partner and Jack got extremely concerned when he couldn't rouse him. He tapped his coms and reported to the war room. „Matty, we've reached the cabin, but we've got a problem."

Matty could hear it in Jacks voice that something was seriously wrong. „Shoot Dalton. What's going on?"

„It's Mac. He's running a pretty high fever and can't put any weight on his leg, he complained about sudden pain in his hip. He passed out a mile or so ago, so I had to carry him here. Good news is the place has everything we need for now. Well anything apart from a doc and decent meds. Get Doc Ward on the line, I want to talk to him." Jack was sounding calmer than he felt.

„On it Jack. What happened at Varilovs compound? Did he get shot? I thought it went smoothly." The director probed.

Jack agreed while he started removing Macs winter camo gear. „For once it was a milk run. Mac said he didn't even take a single punch, there were no shots fired and no knife play either. Our genius doesn't know what's wrong with him."

Matty doubted. „You sure? We know how hard he tries to hide his injuries. He did it before." She pointed out.

„Not this time boss. We're in Siberia, in the middle of a fucking snow storm. Mac knows this isn't the time to downplay something." Jack defended his partner. He had made it to the blonds underwear, but apart from his hip looking a bit swollen and even hotter than the rest of his body, Jack couldn't find anything that indicated what had happened to his partner.

„Doc Ward is here now," his boss informed him.

„Hi Jack, what's Macs status?" The physician didn't waste any time.

„Jacob, am I glad that you're on duty tonight." Jack answered and relayed the events up to now. „It went south real fast and I still can't bring him round." This time the Delta wasn't able to keep the panic out of his voice.

„You're not alone Jack. How's his pulse?" The seasoned doctor tried to encourage the field agent.

„It's real fast Doc, wait a minute and I get you a number." Jacks finger rested over the blonds neck and cursed a short time later. „140 fuck that's way too high."

„It is Jack, you need to try to get his fever down. What kind of meds have you got in your kit?"

Jack rummaged around in the bag and cursed. „Just painkillers, damit!"

Doc Ward stayed calm. „That can't be helped now. Did you find a wound or something that gives us a clue?"

„Negative Jacob. I undressed him, the hip looks a bit swollen and is hot to the touch, but no injury visible."

The physician pointed out. „At least we can rule out sepsis. The only thing you can do, is to try to bring his fever down and keep him hydrated. He obviously has some kind of infection. Maybe he fell on his hip sometime and this is the result."

Jacks mouth went dry. „He did fall, a few days ago. But it was only a small wound, more of a scrape on his knee, not his hip. I cleaned and dressed it. Do you" Jack stopped and gulped „Do you think that is the cause for this? I mean it was only a graze."

„I can't say for sure, but it is possible that some bacteria entered the wound, they travelled into his hip and may have caused the infection, but that's only speculation. I make sure the chopper has a medic and antibiotics with him, when we get you out of there tomorrow. Don't panic Jack, you got this." The kind physician tried to cheer him up.

„Thanks Doc. Riley how's the weather report?" Jack tried not to show how desperate he was.

„Still the same Jack. You'll have to hang on for at least another ten hours. I let you know, if something changes." The hacker promised.

„Thanks honey. Matty you have to relocate exfil. I can't lose precious time by carrying Mac around here." The Delta ordered.

Matty answered. „I've already checked the topos. The helicopter should be able to land right in front of the cabin. I'm afraid, that's all we can do for you now. Keep our boy alive Jack."

„That's my job. Let me know if there are any news." Jack muted his coms. He grabbed a pot from the shelf and filled it with snow, it would be melted soon in the already warm room. After rumaging through the cabinet he found a kitchen towel and wet it in the cold water.

Mac was still out, when Jack sat down beside him on the bed. The Delta started to wipe his fevered brow and started mumbling. „I'm sorry Mac. This is all my fault for not taking better care of you."

A wave of guilt washed over Jack. Why had he wasted precious time to argue with Mac about stupid pictures on band-aids? That only gave these fucking bacterias time to spread in the blonds body and wrecking havoc on him now.

Please review!

AN: In case you wonder if an infection like this is possible. It happened to my nephew. It started suddenly and went real bad in a short time.