AN:

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Chapter 3

Ri,

things are pretty crazy righ now. A lotta stuff happning. I hate it you made me make that promise about bein honest, ya know I never break a promise. Ok, here we go. Got a bit banged up on latest mission got a bit banged up. Nothin bad jus a few cuts n bruises and got my chickens scattered a bit. Don't freak out honey, just a few weeks a ligh duty and I'm good as new.

Lov

Jack

Riley felt sick. Jack was hurt and she was well aware, that he had suffered more than only cuts and bruises along with a head injury. She read the letter again and it was telling. There were a lot of mistakes and the words were shaky, running over and under the lines on the paper. Jack had obviously been dizzy when he wrote it and had difficulties to put the words together in a correct sentence. In addition to that there was a dark stain that looked suspiciously like dried blood. Riley had to know. She pulled out her laptop and started searching. There had been an attack at a convoy last week. Several humvees had been hit by RPGs and resulting one fatality. The hacker closed her eyes and sent a short thank you up to the big man that Jack was still alive. She tried to find out more, but there was only a notice that several soldiers had been injured in the incident. Determined she grabbed pen and paper and began to write.

Dear Jack,

you've obviously forgotten that you promised me not to bullshit me either. I want a detailed report of your injuries. You were in that convoy, that was hit by RPGs, right? Oh Jack, I'm so scared that, you know … fuck, I can't even write it down much less say it out loud. Just … be careful, ok? You've been gone for eight months now and I miss you more with each passing day. I thought it would be getting easier, but it's not. I don't have any news on Mac, other that the signal of his phone is still coming from the same village. I'm not even sure I want to hear from him. He's the reason you joined the Army again. You said you needed a job and couldn't get a decent one in LA thanks to Oversight, but that's not the main reason, isn't it? I could tell you blamed yourself for Mac suffering so much hurt because of his old man. It's not your fault Jack, Mac would have found out sooner or later. You saw signing up as a punishment you deserved, didn't you? I just hope, no I pray you didn't have a death wish and thought the Taliban would take care of it for you. Please Jack, be careful and come back to me. I love you so much.

Ri

The hacker looked at the calender over her desk. Eight months down, four to go. Twelve long weeks were so much could go wrong in the blink of an eye. The helplessness of being dammed to watch from such a long distance and not be able to do anything was getting to her more and more. Riley had become short tempered and Matty had sat her down a few days later and talked with her.

„What is it Riley? You're so angry all the time, I don't understand it. You're doing a great job here. What is eating at you?" Matty prodded.

The hacker looked away and remained silent.

„It's Jack, isn't it? I know he got hurt shortly, but it wasn't life threatening. He's going to be ok." The director tried to placate her.

Surprised Riley wondered. „How do you know about it?"

Matty raised a brow. „I keep tabs on him. Whenever his name appears in a medical facility or an incident report I'm alerted. What? Did you think I don't care about him? He's my friend too, and even if I couldn't talk him out of going back to the sandbox, at least I can keep an eye on him." She sounded offended.

„I'm sorry Matty. We never really talked about it all. Everything just fell apart. I was so happy here after Jack got me out of prison. Finally I was able to put my skills to a good use. I was unsure, when you took over, but we found a great rythm soon. I should have known it wouldn't last. You know how this business almost makes it impossible to make a relationship work. Simply too many lies. But it didn't matter, because I had Jack, Mac, Bozer and you. Mac ran away and Jack left. Bozer and I have given up on sitting at the firepit, it's just too depressing. You didn't show up either. To be honest I haven't felt so alone since I was in prison. And when I got Jacks letter, that he was hurt it was too much. For eight months I was able to convince myself, that everything would be fine, that Jack would come back unharmed. I'm not so sure about it anymore. You've seen the reports Matty. It's all going fubar over there." Riley poured out her heart. She hadn't realized, she started crying at one point until Matty pulled her in her arms.

„I hate to admit it Riley, but you summed it up correctly. It sucks, that we can't do anything about the situation other than to wait and hope for the best. But I can tell you one thing, Jack Dalton is not an easy man to kill and he has a reason to come back. You."

Hello sweetheart,

being on light duty sucks. I'm shuffling papers for a couple hours each day, but then I'm dammed to rest. Fucking concussion. Laying on my bench, while my comrades are out taking on the enemy feels like punishment. God I hate it, it's so boring. I remember Mac was always tinkering with one thing or another when he was on light duty. I have a lot of time to think and I realized one thing. In a way I wasn't better than his old man. I pulled his strings in a smiliar way. It was me who talked Mac into taking the job offer from DXS. I was the one who introduced him to Nicky and set up a date for them. I urged him to start searching for his dad. Later when he was ready to throw in the towel, I told him not to give up and broke into Mattys house to find a clue. I always told him to eat, drink and rest. I ordered him around, steered him and made decisions for him. No wonder he couldn't take it anymore, I'm not better than James. Well, now it's too late. I messed up big time. I just hope he has found some peace and a friend, who gives him the space he needs to make his own decisions. Take care of you baby.

Love

Jack

„You are an idiot Jack. Just come back soon, so that I can set you right about that." Riley muttered and added the letter to the pile she always carried with her in her backpack. She grabbed some paper and a pen and began to write immediately. That's what she always did. This way it felt more like a conversation she had with the Delta.

Dear Jack,

I believe you hit your head harder than I thought. What's this nonsense about you being as bad as James? Where does this bullshit come from? I think it's time I set you straight. You're mixing up two things Jack. Control and support. James always controlled Macs life, making decisions without his son even knowing about. He manipulated Mac and was always the one in control. You on the other hand were the only one Mac could rely on. You've always had his back and stood up for him. Backing up his plans and trusting him enough not to question him. When something went wrong you were always there for him, never judging just supporting. So, I don't know where you got that stupid idea, but forget it. That's simply not true. True is that you have been more of a father to Mac, than James could ever hope to be. And that doesn't only go for Mac. I would be proud and happy to be able to call you my dad, but since I'm too old to be adopted we're gonna pretend that you are.

Love you

Riley

Her phone dinged just as she closed the envelope and she saw that Matty had ordered her to the war room. Bozer and Matty were already there and the expression on her boss face made her blood run cold. Slowly the hacker sank onto one of the chairs.

„It's Jack, isn't it?" She whispered brokenly.

Mattys eyes widened and she was quick to respond. „No, no it isn't Jack. It's James. Oversight died in a car accident last night. His car was hit by a truck, whose driver fell asleep. James was killed instantly."

Silence settled over the room like a heavy blanket. Finally Bozer started to speak.

„Uh, that's … I don't even know what to think. I'm sorry, I'm shocked. Has Mac been informed?" Bozer asked.

Matty nodded with a sad expression. „I talked to him a couple hours ago. He'll be here in the afternoon. I'll be taking over James responsibilities until the government decides how to proceed. Riley, do you want me to inform Jack?"

The hacker thought for a moment and shook her head, when she came to a decision. „No, the situation over there is dangerous enough. I don't want him to be distracted, it could easily kill him and his tour isn't up for four months anyway." She didn't add that Jack still hadn't come to terms with Macs leaving and that James death would probably mess him up further.

Matty gave her a long look of understanding. She knew Jack too well and could guess what Riley was holding back.

Bozer stood up. „Is there anything we can do?"

The director shrugged. „We have to wait until Mac is here. It's his job to organize the funeral and make decisions, but we'll help him where we can."

Wilt agreed. „Of course. It's gonna be a heavy blow. They didn't part on good terms. We need to be there for him. I just hope he lets us."

„Oh God! He'll be devastated when he learns that Jack has signed up again." Riley suddenly realized.

„Damn I thought he knows about that." Bozer cursed.

Riley shrugged. „No, he didn't answer my emails either and when Jack went to Afghanistan he made me promise not to tell him."

Matty sighed. „We have a lot to deal with then."

„Yeah and the person who is best in dealing with a depressed Mac is thousands miles away." Riley muttered.

Mac stared out of the airplane window without seeing anything. It seemed like all his senses had dulled since he got the phone call from Matty. His father was dead. Fullstop. Four short words that held a whole world of emotions. Mac mostly felt confused. That was wrong, wasn't it? He should be sad, devastated even crying. That's what people did. Mac was sad, that was true, but not as sad as he had been when he lost his mum or Pena. And immediately he felt bad about not feeling bad enough. Confusing. Jack would know how to untangle the mess of emotions running through his head. Jack would make it better, be a column of strength he could lean on. But that would have been the fact eight months ago. Was there anything left at all from their friendship? Just a little bit affection Mac could use to try to build up trust and love again? The blond doubted it, once more realizing he had acted like an asshole. Not responding to a single message. Jack and his friends had deserved better. One line of I'm fine, don't worry I just need some time would have been enough. But Mac hadn't done it and now it was too late. He just hoped they wouldn't hate him for the rest of his days.

The team had decided to meet Mac at his house. Matty had sent a driver who picked him up and brought him home. Bozer was busy in the kitchen preparing food that probably nobody wanted to eat. This was Bozers way to deal with the pressure and they didn't call him out on that. Finally they heard the door open and Mac came into the living room. For a few seconds they all seemed frozen until Bozer stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug. „I'm so sorry bro."

Mac accepted it with a short nod and Wilt turned away to make place for Riley to take the place in Macs arms. „I can't imagine, what you're going through right now Mac. I'm glad you're home, but I wished it would have been under other circumstances."

„Thanks Ri," Mac mumbled choked up by emotion. He knelt down to embrace Matty, who had tears in her eyes. It was a known fact that Matty had liked James a lot, despite his ability to make her furious on a regular basis.

„Hey Mac, whatever you need me to do, just name it, ok?" Matty mumbled into his shoulder and Mac gave her a squeeze and nodded once again. He couldn't believe how welcoming his friends were despite his harsh departure. But obviously not all of them were so forgiving. He couldn't spot Jack anywhere. The alarm bells had gone off, when there was an unfamiliar Phoenix agent picking him up at the airport instead of his former partner. The hope to meet Jack at his place had been diminished the moment he had walked into his house. And if he was honest to himself, it had been naive to think he could treat Jack like shit for eight months and then expect to be welcomed with a Good to have you back hoss. Nevertheless Mac couldn't stop himself from asking. „Where's Jack?" There was that tiny bit of hope, that the Delta was simply on a mission and therefore unable to meet him here.

At first nobody met his eyes and Mac felt the hairs on his neck rise. Riley took a deep breath and started. „Why don't we all sit down and I explain it to you." Oh no, that sounded not good, not good at all. Mac slowly took a seat on the couch, but his body was tense and refused to melt into the familiar piece of furniture.

Riley wrung his hands and was searching for words. „Mac this is probably not easy to hear, but Jack doesn't work for the Phoenix anymore."

It was a bit of a shock, but not that much of a surprise for the blond to hear that. „Ok, so he quit. Jack's always talked about working in the private sector. Is that why he's not here?"

Riley looked pained and shot a pleading glance to Matty who took over. „Jack hasn't quit. He was fired after beating up your dad. I know, this is tough to hear, especially now that he's dead, but that is what happened." The director said evenly.

Mac gasped. „What? But why?"

Matty didn't want to pour fuel into the fire. To hear the exact reason would only hurt Mac even more right now. So she settled for a neutral explanation. „There was a disagreement about work between the two and Jack lost it."

Mac wasn't satisfied with that, but decided to let it go for now. „So, where is he? Flying solo or working for a company?"

Riley couldn't take it anymore and blurted out. „He's in Afghanistan."

Macs eyes went wide. „No way, don't tell me he went back to the CIA." Disgust clear in his voice. They had made too many bad experiences with the agency.

Riley started to cry. All the pent up emotion from the last eight months getting the better of her. „Jack has signed up for another tour with the Army. He's gone for eight months now." She uttered brokenly.

Mac stood up and backed up like his body tried to distance itself from the horrible news. The room tilted sideways and someone pulled on his arm, but gravity was stronger than his bodys will to remain upright. It all happened so quickly. Bozer had jumped up and tried to prevent Macs fall, but only managed to grab his arm and slow it down.

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