AN:

And I'm back with another story. What can I say, still no medic, still no native English speaker. So I say sorry in advance for all the mistakes I've made.

Chapter 1

„Open up!"

„This is, achoo, disgusting and it doesn't help any…achoo…way."

„This is an old Dalton family recipe. Trust me honey, you'll feel as good as new in a few days."

„In a few days! You got another idea coming, if you think I'd put up with you and this disgusting stuff for …"

Rileys protest was cut short by a thermometer, that Jack shoved into her mouth. After about five minutes Jack finally took it out and frowned. „102,5 that's not good Ri."

„It's just a cold Jack. I'm fine." Jack rolled his eyes and answered. „You're spending too much time with Mac."

Riley looked at the thermometer and complained. „Where did you find that ancient thing anyway? I've got a digital one that gets you a reading in three seconds."

Jack laughed. „Do you honestly think I would trust you with a digital thermometer? You'd hack it the moment I'd turn away. No way young lady."

Riley pouted and shivered. Jack grabbed another blanket and spread it over her. „You are overreacting Jack. It's really just a head cold and a little coughing."

„Yeah, that's why you passed out in the war room this morning." Jack commented dryly.

„I didn't pass out, I just got a little dizzy is all." Riley objected.

Although she had to admit, she felt like crap, that was also the reason she didn't complain when Jack took her home to her apartment after Medical confirmed that it was indeed a cold. But the Delta was in full mother hen mode by now. The coffee table was full with meds, tissue boxes, juice and everything else Jack thought she should have within easy reach. Not that he'd leave her alone. Riley seldom got sick, but like Mac she tried to hide it as long as possible.

Jack stood up and walked into the kitchen. „I'll make you some soup, something easy on the stomach." He couldn't help himself but worry about his surrogate daughter. The Delta was shocked when Riley started to sway in the war room and he suddenly had his arm full of the girl, who wasn't really with it then. Jack immediately took her to Medical, where Doc Ward diagnosed a cold and told her to gome and rest for a few days. Matty didn't object when Jack asked her to stay with Riley until she felt better. The director wanted her computer genius to recover properly and she knew Jack wouldn't be much use anyway if he was worrying about his girl while at work. So this was the best solution for everybody. Mac and Bozer were busy in the lab improving the protective gear of the tac teams.

Jack watched Riley closely while he was preparing the soup. Another coughing fit had her gasping for air and Jack sat down beside her and rubbed her back in soothing circles. He felt guilty for not noticing sooner that Riley was sick. Maybe it wouldn't have gotten this worse. The coughing eased and the hacker gratefully accepted the glas of water Jack handed her. „Thanks Jack. That was a bad one. I hate being sick."

„I bet. What about a movie to distract you, you choose." Jack offered. Riley smiled and snuggled into his side, while selecting a film.

The next two days were spent with arguing about meds and eating, but they were also filled with long conversations and platonic cuddling on the couch. They were sitting on the couch once again and the last scenes of RED were playing when Riley said. „You know, being sick isn't all that bad, apart from your mother henning."

„Huh?" Jack was confused. He pulled the blanket higher, when he noticed Riley was shivering.

„I mean, being sick sucks, but I really enjoyed the days with you alone. Don't get me wrong, I love Mac, Bozer and Matty, but spending time with you is great. It reminds me of the time, when Mum was working and you looked after me. " Riley admitted.

Jack was overwhelmed by this compliment. „Wow, thanks. Honestly I didn't expect that Ri. I often feel like the crazy old man who is tagging along you whippersnappers."

Riley shook her head vehemently. „No, don't say this Jack. We might tease you a lot about your age, but no one of us thinks you're old or crazy. You're a funny guy and a great friend."

„Yes, more of that please!" Jack grinned and Riley punched him in the side. „I think the meds are affecting me more than I thought. My brain to mouth filter is obviously gone. I'm never gonna hear the end of this." She sighed and Jack pulled her into his side again.

The next morning both their phones beeped at the same time. „Must be work," Jack said and read the message. It was indeed from Matty ordering her back to Phoenix.

„I just hope, she doesn' t send you out into the field right away. You're not fully recovered." Jack stated.

Riley rolled her eyes and said. „I feel good Jack. I'm up to it. Stop your worrying."

„Nope, not gonna happen sweetheart."

Riley was met with hugs from Bozer and Mac when they entered the war room. Matty walked in and studied the hacker for a moment, before she asked. „Are you ok Riley?"

Riley smiled. „As good as new boss." She ignored the annoyed snort of Jack. Matty nodded and turned to the big screen, where several files popped up.

„A new group of mercenaries appeared on the international level. They are an increasing threat, as they were involved in a coup in an insular state in Europe last month as well as in several acts of terrorism in the Middle East. We have intel, that they have a training camp in the US. Our job is to infiltrate the group and take them out for good. They call themselves Ares. Their leader is a guy named Gregory Hunter."

„Ares is the Greek God of war." Mac provided and Jack asked. „So, how do we go about it?"

Matty pulled up two files with Macs and Jacks faces. „You two are joining them. We have waterproof cover stories for you. As they are in need of good soldiers, we use part of your army career. Jack you are Matt Wilkins a sniper and Mac is Kevin Campbell EOD tech, both dishonorable discharged. Jack you punched your superior and Mac disobeyed orders and blew up an enemy camp which resulted in civillian casualties. Their compound is assumed to be in Oregon, but we have no location. What we have is the name of one of the members of Ares Sam Walters, who is a scout for them. He is currently hanging out at a shooting range just outside of LA. Jack is going out to the range and impress him with his skills. Don't approach him, let him come to you. Mac you are hanging out there too, but not every day. Let's see if he rises to the bait and we go from there. Riley find out as much as you can, before Mac and Jack go in there. Bozer you can continue your project in the lab."

So the next day found Mac and Jack at the shooting range. Packed with several guns and rifles Jack grinned as if it was Christmas. The compound was a big one, well equipped with a lot of opportunities for target practise. Jack spent the morning training especially with the long range rifle, because he knew that would probably draw the attention of their target to him. Mac was sitting at a small table tinkering with some pyrotechnic as this was his cover.

Jack came over and plopped into the seat beside Mac and grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler. They had noticed Walters arriving mid morning. He was getting off some shots here and there, but they noticed that he mostly was observing the shooters around the camp.

„Seems our intel about him being the scout was right." Jack stated quietly.

„Yeah, and he has already cast an eye on you." Mac informed him.

„No wonder, there aren't many pros around." Jack stood up again. „Well, I'm gonna give him something to dream about tonight and then we're heading back. Would only be suspicious if we hang around here all day." Jack went back to the range and got off a few impressive shots, then he packed up and they headed home.

This was the pattern for the next few days. Mac joined Jack from time to time, but Walters hadn't made a move yet. They were sitting at their little table again, having a beer after Jacks shooting session.

„You know, I really like firing guns, but I'm getting a little impatient here hoss." Jack was frustrated.

„Yeah, me too. Riley sent me a text. Our army records were checked out, I think it's not gonna be much longer until he makes a move."

„Seems you're right there Kevin, he's comin' over," Jack whispered.

„Mind if I sit down with you guys?" Walters asked.

Jack shook his head and offered. „No not at all. Want a beer?" The other nodded and Jack handed him one.

„You're a pretty good shot." He said to Jack, who only shrugged. „Yeah, but there's not much use for my skills since the army kicked me out. I still love shooting so I'm coming out here. What about you?"

„Just trying to stay in shape, when you know what I mean. I didn't see you getting some shots off." Walters said to Mac.

„Well, I'm not that fond of guns. I'm a pyrotechnic, but there's not a lot of work at the moment so I'm hanging out with Matt from time to time.

The man grinned and reached out his hand. „I'm Sam Walters."

„Matt Wilkins and that's my buddy Kevin Campbell. Don't mess with him, or he'll blow you to hell and back," Jack introduced them with a grin.

„Oh no thanks. I still get the heebie-jeebies when I think about explosions. Got blown up in Iraq while I was in the army, almost cost me an arm." Walters explained and they were soon into a deep conversation over their army days. After a while Walters asked. „So, what are you guys doing now?"

„Not much work for a pyrotechnic with my record. Just finished a job, some stage explosions for a rock band." Mac-Kevin shrugged.

Jack-Matt complained. „Hey at least you can blow something up bud. I had to play babysitter for a snot nosed Hollywood kid, that was disgusting. I'm bored out of my mind."

„Well maybe I can make you an offer since you're both not doing so well concerning your jobs." Walters finally came to the case.

Jack leaned forward. „I'm open for anything, but I'm not playing guard dog or bodyguard for some VIP."

„Don't worry Matt. It's way more interesting what I have to offer." Walters said with a grin.

„The problem is Matty, that we don't know where their hideout is. We're supposed to meet Walters tomorrow morning, but he said we'd be brought to the compound in a closed van. They are very careful. He also mentioned their computer system was high end." Mac explained when the team was gathered in the war room later that day.

„They'll search us for sure, so no coms and they'll take our phones. We need to find a way to contact you and keep you updated." Jack remarked. „I think we should try to put a tracker in the van, before they have the chance to scan us for devices."

Matty nodded. „That's a good idea. Riley what did you find out about Ares?"

„They are proposing their services on the dark net. But I haven't been able to get access to their system. It's a closed one, we have to approach them directly. I've thought about it. I wrote a code which is hidden in a song, so I put it on a USB flash drive along with your favourite songs, they won't expect something like that. You only need to connect it to one of their computers and I'm in."

„That's my girl!" Jack praised her and Mac nodded in agreement. „Great job Riley."

Riley smiled, but then she sobered up. „But I have no idea, how you can contact us."

„They're probably using sat phones, we just have to steal one and then we can call you. If you don't hear something from us withing 48 hours, come and get us." Mac suggested.

„You need to find out their next assignment and all their connections to take down their entire organization." Matty outlined their plan.

They spent their last evening together at Macs place, enjoying beer and pizza out on the deck. When it was time to say goodbye to her friends Riley hugged Jack a little longer and said. „Take care, big guy. I have a bad feeling about this." The hacker couldn't keep her concern out of her voice.

„Don't worry honey. With you as our back up, we'll be just fine. What do you think about going on a little road trip when I'm back? Just the two of us."

„If it isn't Vegas I'm all in," Riley smiled and kissed Jack on the cheek as a goodbye.

Walters picked Mac and Jack up the next morning at their meeting point. Their suspicion was valid, because as soon as Walters left the van he and the driver started to search Mac and Jack thoroughly. They scanned all their stuff, but all they found was Jacks flash drive, because Mac was able to put the tracker under the fender while fastening his shoe laces.

Jack grinned. „You don't expect me to go who knows where without Metallica and Willie Nelson? Believe me, you don't want to hear me sing on the ride."

The driver connected the USB drive to the radio and soon the sound of Enter Sandman filled the air. „It's ok. Just music," the driver confirmed.

They were sitting in the back of the van, no windows, so they couldn't see where they were going. They drove for 16 hours until they reached their destination. They chatted with Walters, who was very reluctant with information. He only confirmed that they were mercs. Mac and Jack were supposed to help with the training of the new recruits, because of their experience. Mac was supposed to build some bombs when needed. Walters didn't reveal any information about future jobs. They needed to earn their trust first.

Jack had to admit he shared Rileys uneasy feeling about their assignment. There were to many unknown factors, they were walking into this compound practically blind and deaf and that didn't sit well with the Delta. A shared look with Mac told him that his partner had the same concerns.

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