An:

I am so grateful for all the great responses to this story. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Mac stood outside the ICU room and watched with horror as the medical personnel tried to bring Jacks vitals within a normal range again. They replaced the nasal canula with a mask and the doc shone a light into Jacks eyes. The blond was shocked about what he had just heard. Jack thinking Mac didn't want him around anymore? The Delta couldn't be more wrong. He needed to talk to his brother, to reassure him that the older man meant the world to him. Sadly Mac understood where that came from. He had felt bad about all the teasing and now learning that the coms were still open and Jack had overheard Sams snark comment … well it was no wonder Jack was questioning his position in the team.

Mac started shaking. The thought that Jack had passed out in the belief they didn't want him around broke his heart. He had to talk to Jack as soon as possible and clear up the situation. The blond glanced through the window in the door again. He couldn't see clearly and only then registered that tears were streaming down his face. Mac blinked and saw the doctor listening to Jacks heart now, while the nurse injected something in the Deltas IV. His partner was still unconscious and way too pale for Macs liking.

„What's wrong?" Rileys concerned voice startled Mac and he hastily turned away and brushed the tears from his face.

„Mac? Are you ok bro?" Bozer had laid a hand on Macs shoulder and was concerned by the tremors he felt running through his friends body.

„Mac! Give us a sitrep!" Mattys boss voice brought the blond out of his stupor. „Is everything ok?" She added in a gentler tone.

Mac snorted. „Ok? Nothing is ok! Jack thinks, we don't want him around anymore." Angrily Mac brushed the damn tears, that wouldn't want to stop, away. He hated that his friends saw him in such a sorry state, feelings raw and no control over his body. The blond walked a few steps to a nearby chair and literally fell in it. Riley crouched before Mac while Bozer tried to figure out what was going on inside the ICU room. Cage stood in the background silently.

Gently Riley rubbed Macs knee. „Tell me what's going on Mac," she encouraged him. Worry made her look older than she was. The blond looked up and Riley felt her own tears forming at the misery that was pouring out of Mac.

„The coms were open, when Cage made her crazy-uncle-comment," he turned his glance towards Samantha. „That's not an accusation, I should have stepped in right there and then, but I didn't and that obviously led Jack to belief, that I share your opinion." The blond shrugged. „Well and with all that teasing on the flight back … I understand why he came to that conclusion." Mac looked at Cage again. „Jack may not seem very sensitive at first sight, but his feelings are running deep. And I know he always questions himself and his decisions, he just doesn't show it. I hurt him, badly. He wouldn't be lying in there if it weren't for me." Mac ended with so much pain in his voice it was hard to bear.

Matty spoke up. „No Mac, you're wrong. This isn't on you. I don't know exactly what happened on the flight back, but this is not your fault. You didn't drive that car and you didn't force Jack to go into that bar and get buzzed."

„Are you saying it's his own fault Matty? I can't believe it! He was depressed and devastated that his family didn't want him anymore. Can you blame him for seeking relief in alcohol?" Mac was so upset his breath hitched and his hands were shaking.

Bozer reached out to Mac and laid an arm around his shoulders. „It's not Jacks fault Mac. Nobody thinks that. This" he motioned to the room where Jack was treated „is on all of us. We are so used to making fun of him, I think we crossed a line some time ago. I realize now, that he is the target of all the teasing most of the time. We weren't aware of the fact, except for Jack. And then Cage came in and it got worse for him. No offense Sam," Bozer added and Cage raised an eyebrow.

„Don't you think you're interpreting to much into the situation?" The Aussie wanted to know.

Mac opened his mouth, but Riley beat him to it. „No, not at all. We've been through so much together. Missions gone south, life threatening situations, some of us being kidnapped, fighting drug cartels and serial killer. That brought us together closer than most of the people related by blood will ever be. I think you still don't get it how our little family works." The hacker didn't care if she sounded harsh.

Cage held up her hands in surrender and stepped a bit back. She didn't seem offended by Rileys words … she seemed … neutral, almost indifferent. That was the moment, when Mac realized that Samantha would never fit into their team. It made him sad, because he liked her, but he wouldn't risk loosing Jack over her. He had to talk to Matty about it, but that was a topic for another day. The only thing that mattered now was Jack.

Suddenly the door to Jacks room opened and the doctor and the nurse stepped out. The physician shot Mac an accusing look and the blond felt like he deserved it. Matty was the first to ask. „How is he?"

„Well, his vitals weren't good at all, but we managed to stabilize him." He looked at Mac and said. „You have to understand, that upsetting him endangers his life in his current state. He lost too much blood and his body suffered a severe trauma. We gave him a light sedative that helps him to rest. He will sleep through the night. If there are no further complications, he can be transferred to the Phoenix tomorrow afternoon. But I don't want anybody in this room as long as I am responsible for him. Once he is at your facility Doctor Ward will decide about his visitors." The physician stated in a stern voice.

Once he was gone Riley whispered. „Wow I feel like five years old now." Matty nodded, a grim expression on her face. „I can't wait for Jack to be back at Phoenix Medical, where people are taking care of him, who understand how badly they need each other."

„No, the doc is right. Jack got upset because of me and passed out before I could convince him that he got it all wrong." Mac uttered brokenly. „I'm gonna stay outside his room, you go home. There's nothing you can do here."

The others exchanged worried glances, but nobody dared to talk Mac out of his decision. Riley and Bozer gave Mac a quick hug and left with Matty and Cage. Mac was alone in the hall. It was getting late and the usual bustle of a hospital decreased. The blond stood frozen outside Jacks room and watched his partner sleeping. It tore at his heart, that he didn't have the chance to clear things up with Jack. The worst thing was, in hindsight he could perfectly understand why Jack came to his conclusion. Mac often retreated into his mind, when he was questioning himself or his decisions. Every word one of his teammates uttered, every action one of them took, it all gained weight especially the negative things. It was easy to get lost in the darkness that came with it. Maybe it was because of all the bad things they had seen and done. You couldn't shake all of that off and not be affected.

Mac started pacing the floor. It grated on his nerves not to be able to do anything for his partner. To be so near Jack and though so far away was really hard on the blond. As the night went on Mac found he couldn't even sit down. Too lose sight of his brother stressed the blond out even more, so he stood frozen on the spot before the window. At least he could observe Jacks vitals, which were thankfully pretty stable. The Delta had started to move around a bit, rolling his head from side to side with a pained expression on his face. He couldn't be in pain, because a nurse had been in shortly and gave him another dose of drugs. Mac closed his eyes as the realization hit him. Jack had a nightmare and Mac had no way to help him. The blond watched for a moment longer and made up his mind. He knew he wasn't allowed in there, but his partner needed him and he would rather have a doctor being pissed at him as watching Jack struggle through a nightmare.

Determined he entered the room and stepped towards his friend. Mac laid his hand on Jacks shoulder lightly and began to mumble. „Easy big guy, you're having a nightmare. It's ok, you're safe. Calm down brother." It was almost a mantra, the words spoken so often they became second nature. Their nightmares usually a mix of bad memories, near misses and what-if-scenarios come true. Jack was mumbling, his words almost incoherent, only an occasional NO or DON'T spoken clear enough to be understood. Mac continued his ministrations, stroking the uninjured side of Jacks face and uttering soothing words. After a while Jack calmed down again and slipped into a restful sleep again. Mac breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave the room before he got caught. He froze, when he saw the nurse standing at the open door watching him.

„I … I'm sorry … he had a nightmare … I know I shouldn't be here…" Mac stumbled over the words.

„It's ok. My husband is a veteran. He still suffers from flashbacks and I know how badly he needs someone to pull him out of his dreams. You've done it not for the first time, I guess?" She asked softly.

„No, but more often it is Jack who's bringing me back from a nightmare." Mac admitted. „You have to understand, he's my best friend and the reason he got so upset is just a big misunderstanding, but he passed out before I could really talk to him." The blond explained and the nurse nodded compassionately. „You can stay with him for a while, but if he shows signs of waking up I have to ask you to leave the room, ok? We don't want a repititon of that episode, do we?"

„No, definitely not. You let me stay, really? But I don't want you to get into trouble because of me." Mac didn't want to take advantage of the friendly nurse.

„The doctor is sleeping in the stand by room. We should be save for a few hours. And by the looks of you, you need to sit down badly. Spares me a busy time, if I don't have to take care of a collapsed visitor." She winked and turned to leave the room.

„Thank you so much nurse …." „Angela," she provided and smiled. „Your welcome …"

„MacGyver, just call me Mac." The blond answered. „Try to get some rest Mac."

Mac sat down beside Jacks bed and immediately reached out for his partners hand. Mac was bone-tired, but he didn't dare to sleep in case Jack woke up. Some of the tension left his body now that he was near his partner. He was determined to make things up to Jack. „It's gonna be ok, we're gonna be ok, I promise," he whispered, the words almost drowned out by the background noise of the room.

The sun was just rising when Angela walked in to check on Jack. She controlled every line, changed IVs, looked at the monitors and checked his wounds. „He's doing fine," she answered before Mac could ask. When she lifted Jacks legs and looked at his heels Mac asked confused. „What are you looking for?"

„I'm just making sure, he doesn't suffer from bedsores. Some patients are getting them pretty quick, but he's fine. Nothing to worry about." Angela reassured Mac.

A sad expression appeared on her face. „I'm sorry, but you have to leave the room now Mac. The doc is making his round soon."

Mac shot her a tired smile. „Thanks for letting me stay Angela. You didn't have to do that." The blond was stunned that somebody who didn't know them could be so kind and selfless. She was probably risking her job, by allowing him to spend the night at Jacks side.

„I think it was the best for both of you. You should go home and get some rest. He'll be moved this afternoon, maybe the doctors at your facility are a bit more compassionate than ours. You'll be no good to him if you collapse." She said with a kind voice.

Mac was amazed by her friendly attitude. „You're incredible. If you are ever looking for a job, I'm sure Phoenix Medical could use somebody like you."

Angela laughed. „Be careful, you haven't seen my Do-as-I-say-or-there-will-be-consequences-face yet."

„I'm not the best patient myself, and I'm sure who gets that look deserves it. I've never seen a nurse so gentle with him. He's a real strong, tough guy and … I don't know … it seems the nurses at our facility always baby me, while towards Jack their attitude is more casual. I mean we have great nurses, don't get me wrong, but I've never seen such kindness in them." Mac stated seriously.

Angela blushed. „Oh, wow … that's really nice of you. Maybe I give your offer some thought." She picked up the empty IV bag and left.

Please review! What do you think about Angela, should we hire her?