"Firstly, I'd like to say how great it is to see how many people Mac has in his corner, it'll be great for his recovery," Dr Vanessa Barnes said. "I've reviewed all the footage and recordings I can, not a fun morning I can guarantee, and I wanted to discuss what steps we should take going forward."

It was 2pm and the whole team along with Doctor Fray was sitting in the war room in a meeting with Mac's psychologist. Mac himself was currently ready some books in his room, hesitantly moving to the chair from the floor, a chair seemed more acceptable than a bed.

"You're the expert doc," Jack said, hoping this woman was going to be able to help.

"That is true, but I don't know Mac, I haven't even met him yet. The only things I know about him are the horrible things he's been subjected to. I'd like you guys to tell me a bit about him."

"Mac's Mac," Bozer said laughing, the others smiling at that.

"Obviously, that means something to all of you," Vanessa asked, smiling herself.

"He just mean's Mac's one of a kind, there's no one out there like him," Riley said. "The way his mind works, it's crazy, he's like a walking encyclopaedia, comes up with a solution for something with the most random things."

"Chewing gum and duct tape," Jack said, thinking back to their time in Afghanistan. Explaining after a confused look. "They were like his go to items when we were working together in the army."

"He was an EOD tech, is that right?"

"The best damn EOD tech you'll ever meet," Jack replied.

"I can see you're very proud," Vanessa said, knowing from what she'd been told that Jack thought of Mac like a son.

"I am."

"So, he's good with his hands then, good at fixing things, making things? He's smart. What else?"

"He's loyal and kind, would help anyone and everyone if he could," Matty spoke, watching everyone nod.

"What about his relationship with his father, when he was growing up?"

"It wasn't great," Bozer said, he was the best one to know.

"You've known Mac since you were kids?"

"Yeah, I've known Mac the longest, knew his dad too. Didn't see the guy a lot, we usually went to my house or the tree house we built, I only really went to Mac's house if I was meeting him there to go somewhere. His dad was strict, controlling, when we were little I didn't really think much about it, Mac always seemed ok. But when you grow up you notice things more, pick up on things people say. Mac doesn't talk about his father much, but what he does say, well let's just say if a stranger heard some of the things he said you'd think automatically his dad was abusive."

"He used to hit him?" Vanessa asked.

"Mac never came out and said he did, but there were times he had bruises that he couldn't explain, said he'd fallen over but looking back I think he was lying."

"You've never said this before Boze," Jack said.

"It's never really come up before, Mac doesn't wanna talk about it, so I never said anything."

"Ok, so not a great relationship then. In a way it makes this easier," Vanessa said, quickly explaining herself. "If you have a great relationship with a parent and then something happens and you get hurt by them badly, it's harder to deal with than if the relationship was strained in the beginning. If his father was in anyway abusive in his childhood, then the trauma he's received now while horrible is somewhat expected."

Jack supposed he understood, it wasn't like his daddy suddenly losing his marbles and attacking him, that would have been a difficult pill to swallow. "So, what now?"

"I need to observe Mac for a bit, I know that sounds creepy, but it'll help, how was he when you left?"

"Well he finally got up from the floor and sat in a chair, not sure if he'll still be there when I get back or not. He's convinced he's only here for a bit and that he'll be going back soon."

"What?" Riley exclaimed. Jack winced; he'd forgot he hadn't given them an update recently.

"Sorry Ri, I didn't mean to blurt that out. Basically, when Mac got back from his tests he asked when he was going home, saying that his father wouldn't want him gone for long cos it wasn't safe."

"I see," Vanessa said. "And what did you say?"

"Actually, I answered, told him the only thing I thought would keep him calm, soon." Dr Fray said.

"You told him he was going back home, to his father? Are you crazy!" Bozer cried.

"It's ok Mr Bozer, it was probably the best thing that could be said," Vanessa defended her colleague. "Mac is fragile, confused. Suddenly pulling the rug from under him and telling him he's never seeing his father again, never going back to the place he's started to call home, it wouldn't be good for him. We need to do that slowly."

Everyone sat back, realising that it was going to be a long road.

"I need everyone on board with this, if you can't handle it you need to say now. We'll have to find the best way of him seeing you all again, it can't be too much, from what I hear he hasn't even excepted Jack yet."

"It's like somehow he doesn't know it's me, like I'm just some guy who's looking after him."

"He was told over and over that you didn't want him anymore, who knows what else was said to him that we don't know about. He's probably convinced himself that none of you want him around, maybe even that you're all pleased he's gone. He hasn't seen you in so long and I'm sure his father kept him from talking about you. It'll take some time, but eventually he'll except you all back again. Right let's go and see how he is."

They all parted ways, Jack leading the way with the two doctors back to Mac's room. Dr Barnes was going to slip into the room and sit herself away from everything to observe, hopefully Mac wouldn't even acknowledge her. Then Jack would come in followed by Dr Fray.

Mac had been reading the books that he'd been given, pleased to be able to do something, he thought he'd read them before, but he wasn't sure. He was starting to get hungry and was sure it had been a while since breakfast, maybe he wasn't allowed lunch today. It was fine, his father had him miss meals sometimes, he was used to it.

He was thirsty too, the bottle of water he'd been given this morning was finished, it was strange because the doctor had said he had to keep hydrated. He couldn't do that without anyone giving him water. The door opened and someone walked in, it was a woman, maybe she was here to bring him something.

Vanessa smiled at Mac as she walked in, he'd look up as soon as the door opened, she didn't speak just walked to the corner opposite him and sat down, there was a folding chair propped there, she took out her note book, praying that Mac went back to what he was doing.

Mac wondered what the woman was doing, she hadn't said anything, just sat in the corner, writing on a notepad, maybe she was here to watch him, perhaps he'd done something wrong, he had been sitting in the chair for a while. He got up, leaving the books and going back to his corner. He'd sit there quietly and maybe she'd go away.

Jack walked in and noticed immediately that Mac wasn't on the chair, he looked to Vanessa, seeing she'd got herself settled. She nodded to the other corner, of course that's where Mac was. Dr Fray followed him in.

"Did you like the books kiddo?" Jack asked, noticing that they were both sitting on the chair.

"Yes, thank you."

"You can keep them, I don't need them back," Jack replied, putting them on the floor beside Mac.

Mac stayed quiet, the only sound his stomach protesting that it was hungry, he put his hand on it, putting his head down.

Jack laughed. "Hungry huh, you didn't eat that long ago."

"I'm sorry, I don't need anything," Mac replied, his head still down, the man probably thought he'd done it on purpose.

"It's ok buddy, if you're hungry you can have something, right doc."

"Of course, maybe just a snack, dinner will be here in a few hours."

Mac needed them to know he wasn't being needy; they might be angry that he couldn't miss a meal. "I can wait, I'm not that hungry, breakfast wasn't that long ago."

"Breakfast?" Jack asked. "What about lunch?"

Mac was confused, were they testing him. "I didn't have lunch, but that's ok, I can miss meals, I'll wait until dinner."

"Lunch was being served when we left," Jack said, looking over at the doc.

"Mac, did someone come in and bring you any lunch?" Dr Fray asked. "Don't worry you're not in trouble, we think it might be a mistake."

Mac shook his head, wondering if they'd forgot about him.

"What about something to drink?"

"Just the bottle this morning. It's ok, I'm not thirsty," Mac said, he was fiddling with the pocket on the hoody he was wearing, he liked wearing it, it was soft, and it made him feel safe.

"I'll be back in a minute," Dr Fray said, not looking happy.

Jack looked at Vanessa who looked concerned, then sat on the chair. "Mac, can you look at me?"

Mac did as he was told, chewing on his lip.

"I want you to listen ok. While you're here, there'll be no missing meals. If you're hungry or you need a drink, you're allowed to have something. I don't want you to feel like you have to be afraid to ask, ok."

Mac just nodded, looking down again. He didn't even look up when the door opened.

"Apparently the staff were under the impression this room was off limits, so no one thought they had to bring Mac anything," Dr Fray told Jack, walking over to where Mac was. "Here you go Mac, some water and an orange juice, you'll have to wait for dinner for a proper meal, but I bought you some chips and an apple. I'm sorry that you missed lunch, it won't happen again."

"Thank you, sorry to be a bother," Mac said, drinking the orange juice and taking the food as if he thought it'd be taken away.

"You're not, it's not your fault that my staff got their wires crossed. I'll come back later, make sure you get your dinner." He walked over to Jack. "I've let everyone know the situation, I think I was a genuine mistake, I'm just glad we found out."

Jack nodded, hoping it didn't happen again, he wished he had made sure Mac was eating before he went for the meeting, then this wouldn't have happened. He watched Mac eating, the kid wedged into the corner like he wanted to be far away from everything, he kept seeing him play with the hoody and he smiled, it was his and Mac had always liked it.

A few hours later and Mac was reading again, with a bit of encouragement from Jack, when the doc walked in with dinner.

"Dinnertime buddy, why don't we sit on the bed and eat it," Jack said, Vanessa had mentioned that if they kept asking, he should eventually agree.

Mac looked up, watching the man get on the bed sitting with his legs crossed, he didn't know what to do, this strange Jack lookalike was so nice, and he really wanted him off the floor. But his father's words were in his head, telling him he didn't deserve to sleep in a bed. He supposed he would be sitting and not sleeping, maybe that would be ok. He got up stepping closer, he was shaking, and he didn't know if he could do it.

Jack tried not to look at Mac, thinking one wrong move or word could stop him in his tracks, he watched him approach the bed out of the corner of his eye. He smiled slightly when Mac got to the bed and touched it, Mac smiled shyly and then looked straight down again, Jack so badly wanted to lift his chin up.

Slowly Mac sat on the bed, sitting legs crossed as well, taking his dinner from the doctor. He waited out of habit for some to tell him to eat.

"Eat it while it's hot kiddo."

So, Mac did, staying on the bed the whole way through, Jack could feel the bed shaking from how Mac's body was vibrating, but he didn't want to speak. As soon as the meal was finished Mac put the tray on the bed beside him getting straight up and wedging himself back in the corner.

Jack sighed, but it was a start, next would be getting him to lay down.

When Mac was asleep, Vanessa motioned for Jack to join her outside, wanting to discuss what she'd witnessed.

"Well done for getting him to sit on the bed, I could tell it was a big moment."

"It was, his whole body was shaking, I was worried he wouldn't be able to eat."

"I'm concerned about a couple of things," Vanessa said.

"Only a couple?"

"The whole issue around meals, the way he was fine about missing them, adamant he wasn't hungry when that was clearly a lie. But also, not eating until he's given permission, that worries me."

"We knew he'd been missing some meals, but I don't know how often it happens. As for the permission, I've just been doing it cos I don't want him not to eat."

"We need to get that sorted first I think, otherwise someone needs to always be near him when it's mealtime, that can't always be the case."

Jack nodded, he agreed.

"His confidence is non-existent; from just this evening I can tell he's on edge most of the time and that's not good for his body or his mind. I also don't think I've worked with someone this silent before, that could be a challenge. Was Mac a very chatty person before?"

"He was happiest when he was by himself, working on a project, he was always chatty when he got excited about something, loved talking about his experiments or something he'd learnt. But if ya got him in a room with a load of personalities like me or Boze he'd be as quiet as a mouse."

"Ok, I think it's best I observe some more tomorrow and then I'll talk to him later in the day, I need to think about my approach a little more. Goodnight Jack."

"Night doc, I'll see you tomorrow."

Jack headed back in the room, using the bathroom and then getting in the bed, if Mac wasn't going to use it that night Jack might as well, couldn't sleep in a chair for too long, his back couldn't take it. He soon drifted off to sleep, praying that the next day was better for his kid, he hated to see him so vulnerable and not be able to do anything to help. Usually if Mac were sick or hurt, Jack would pull him close and run his fingers through his hair, it usually calmed him instantly. He knew that wouldn't be happening for a bit but hoped he could inch his way closer to Mac, and he'd let him give him some comfort sooner rather than later.