AN:

So finally we've reached the last chapter. Thanks for joining me on the ride. Thanks for all the support. Thanks to the guest who reviewed and special thanks to MoonPaw, your review just made my day, but I don't think your praise is justified as I still have so much to learn concerning the English language and my writing skills. Nevertheless I can't stop smiling

Chapter 7

Riley sat on her couch, blinking. When had she came home? How had she gotten home? The hacker couldn't remember. She felt … empty … her hands were clutching her rig so hard, her knuckles were white. She tried to loosen her grip, but barely could move her fingers. Why were her hands cramping? It felt as if she had held onto her laptop for a long time. Mac and Jack! She needed to find them! No, they had found them … hadn't they? Yes, the tac teams had brought them back and they were at Macs house now. Riley closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Jack would be ok, and so would be Mac. She could let go and rest. She should shower, go to bed and sleep for at least 12 hours straight.

Riley couldn't move. She was frozen in terror as everything crashed down on her. All the worry, the panic of being too late, the terror about what her friends had to endure and all the dead ends that were crushing her hopes time after time. All the things she had shoved into the back of her mind were surfacing and attacking her with a vengeance. Her breathing got laboured. The feeling of being helpless was overwhelming and suffocating her. Everyone depended on her and her skills. The expectant glances from Matty and Bozer, waiting for her to find the lead. The endless days and nights filled with hope and disappointment, never ending rows of data. All of them useless, confusing a waste of her precious time. Of Jacks and Macs time, that was running out so quickly. She had felt it and it was pure terror. Another image appeared in her mind. Jack and Mac lying in the hospital beds, pale and drawn, in so much pain it was visible even in her sleep. Jack who had to endure surgery, more worry, waiting. Sounds of pain coming from her friends.

Jack was tempted to simply call Riley, but he didn't want to disturb her. She probably was sound asleep, so Jack would just sneak in and watch over her. The Delta took out his spare key and opened the door. The apartment was only dimly lit, but Jack immediately saw that something was seriously wrong. Normally Rileys place was neat and tidy. This … this was a mess. Clothes were strewn around, but what was more disturbing was the huge amount of empty coffee cups and countless empty cans of energy drinks, that were all over the room.

Jacks worry was skyrocketing and he began to walk in the direction of the bed room, when he noticed a small figure sitting on the couch in the darkest corner of the room. „Riley?" Jack called out, not to startle her, but the figure didn't acknowledge him. „Ri," the Delta said again and slowly turned up the light, so he could get a good look at his daughter. His eyes widened in shock.

Riley sat on the couch looking so small and vulnerable, Jacks heart constricted painfully at the sight. She was rocking back and forth and her eyes were empty. Her breathing was too fast and shallow. The hacker clearly hadn't registered Jacks presence. The Delta crouched before her and laid a hand on her knee. Still, no reaction. „Riley, sweetheart can you hear me? It's me, Jack. Come on honey, look at me." Jack spoke softly. Nothing.

„Ri, you're starting to scare me baby." Fear was choking Jack and his voice grew rough. He started rubbing one of Rileys arms with his good hand. And finally, there was a reaction. Riley turned her head and her confused eyes found Jacks concerned ones. Her eyes widened, when she recognized him. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her glance was fixated on Jack and she began to tremble. „Hey, easy sweetheart. It's gonna be ok. I'm alright, see. Talk to me, baby. How can I help you?" Jack gripped her hand and sqeezed hard, trying to break her trance.

The tremors became worse and soon Rileys whole body was shaking. Her breathing sped up once more and developed into shallow little gasps and Jack was nearing panic now, but freaking out wouldn't help Riley, so he fought back his fear. He cleared his throat and said in a calm voice. „Take a deep breath Ri, slow and easy. Come on you can do it. One easy breath, do it with me," he tried to coach her and performed a deep breath. It didn't reach the hacker, she was still staring at Jack, eyes wide, breathing laboured and shaking like a leaf. Jack gently cupped her face and tried to get through to her, but suddenly her eyes rolled back and she sagged forward into Jack. The Delta caught her and ignored the flare of white hot pain that shot through his arm and shoulder.

„Riley!" He cried out and managed to lay her back on the couch. He tapped her face and begged her to wake up. „Come on baby, open your eyes." Rileys skin felt cold and clammy. He ṕulled out his phone and speed dialed his boss. „Matty, you need to send an ambulance to Rileys apartment. There is something seriously wrong with her, she was in a kind of shock and then she collapsed. Hurry Matty, please hurry." He hung up and grabbed a few pillows to elevate Rileys legs. Then he pulled out a blanket under a pile of clothes and covered her with it. Jack ran into the bathroom and grabbed a towel, which he soaked in cold water. He wrung it out and hurried back to his girl. With gentle movements he wiped the pale face of Riley. „I'm so sorry honey for putting you through all of this. Please wake up Riley. It's gonna be ok. You're gonna be fine, we're all gonna be fine. Open your eyes baby, please." All his begging, all his urging and pleading was useless, because Riley didn't wake up. By the time the paramedics from Phoenix arrived, Jack was a shivering mess himself. He stuttered out what had happened and moved out of the way to let the medics work.

Jack stood in the background watching with horror as the paramedics took care of his girl. He had to look away when they shoved a needle into her arm to start an IV. Riley still hadn't woken up and Jack realized, that he had never seen her unconscious before. The sight scared him shitless. All kind of worst case scenarios were popping up in his mind and he had to fight to keep his shit together. Soon the medics moved Riley onto a stretcher and took her out to the ambulance. Jack sat down beside the gurney and took her limp hand. He mumbled all kinds of nonsense and was startled when they had reached the Phoenix building.

Doc Ward greeted them and the paramedics rattled out Rileys vitals and medical gibberish while they were pushing her into the exam room. Jack stood outside frozen. He felt disconnected. He knew he should call Bozer, but his body didn't obey his brain commands. What had happened to his girl? This couldn't be real, could it? Jack shook his head, his vision getting blurry with tears. His body felt heavy, he really needed to sit down. There were a few chairs down the hallway, but for Jack they were to far away. He sank back and leaned against the wall. His knees must have given out, because when he blinked he was on the floor. There was a hand on his face and somebody was talking to him. Jack pushed through the fog that was clouding his mind. He forced his head up and saw Matty speaking to him and a nurse approaching with a wheelchair. He blinked again, his vision cleared up and so did his hearing and he was able to make out the words.

„with me Jack? Talk to me big guy! Can you hear me?" Jack nodded. „Hear you," he managed, but even talking seemed to much of an effort. Pain was shooting from his shoulder to his fingertips and he felt nausea rising. He gulped.

„Easy Jack, try to take a deep breath. Close your eyes for a moment until the sensation passes." The nurse coached him. Jack obeyed and after some time, he felt a bit better. He opened his eyes and moved to stand up.

„Whoa, slow down Jack. We don't want to pick you up from the floor." Matty stopped him with a hand on his chest.

„I'm ok, Matty. Let me get up, I need to check on Riley," Jack was back in the present. With help from the nurse and his boss he got up. He was swaying and grateful when the nurse pushed him gently into the wheelchair. Doing a faceplant with a messed up arm wasn't on his bucket list. His shoulder hurt like hell and only now he registered that his sling was missing. He must have shed it, when he took care of Riley. Carefully he moved the hurting limb with his good arm so it rested in his lap.

„How's Riley?" Jack asked and tried to push the wheelchair into the direction of the exam room. But with one arm, that didn't really work.

Matty answered his question. „They took her to get xrays and a scan. And you're getting checked out too."

The nurse pushed him into another room and the Delta asked puzzled. „When did they take her away? I didn't see it."

„Well you wasn't really with it for some time. To be honest both of you gave me a pretty good scare." It was unusual for Matty to admit something like that and it told Jack how shaken his boss was.

„Sorry Mathilda." The Delta didn't know what else to say. A doctor had entered the room and began to check him over. Jack didn't pay any attention to him. His thoughts were with Riley.

„Can you tell me what happened Jack?" Matty asked gently, not wanting to upset Jack further, but needing to know.

„Bozer told me that Riley run herself into the ground, while we were captured and when he mentioned her collapse I got worried, because she wasn't really herself yesterday too. I went over to her apartment and it …I don't even know how to describe it … the whole place was a mess, clothes everywhere, coffee cups and empty energy drinks strewn around …" Jack broke off and wiped away some tears.

Matty stroke his arm and said in a soothing voice. „It's ok Jack. Take your time."

Jack nodded and swallowed. „I didn't see her at first, because the room was pretty dark. Riley sat on the couch, but she wasn't responsive. She was rocking and staring into the darkness. I tried to get her attention, but she didn't even register I was there for some time." Jack closed his eyes, these images were going to hunt him in his nightmares for a long time to come.

„Finally she got aware of my presence, she opened her mouth but she couldn't talk. It was horrible. Then she suddenly went limp and I … I couldn't wake her up." Jack hung his head as more tears were coming and he didn't have the strength to wipe them away.

The doctor turned to Matty. „He's exhausted, but his injuries are not worse. He needs rest and some pain meds." He handed Matty a bottle of pills and she confirmed. „I'll make sure he takes them." The physician silently left the room after fitting Jack out with a new sling.

Matty gave Jack time to get hold of his raw emotions. She handed him a tissue box after a while and the Delta wiped his nose and looked at his boss. Matty placed a pill in his hand and held out a glas of water. Jack didn't want to take the drugs, but he was too worn out to fight with the woman and so he swallowed it and chased it down with a gulp of water.

„I knew something was off with her, but I thought she was just tired. I should have known better." Jack chastised himself.

„No Jack, that's on me. After her collapse, I forced her to go home for a few hours every day and I thought I had it covered. Obviously she fooled me. I knew she wasn't doing well, but I assumed it was because she was so concerned about you. Well, as it turns out it wasn't only worry. I'm sorry Jack, I should have taken better care of her."

Jack sighed. „It's not your fault Matty. Riley is damn good at hiding her emotions. She has so many layers, she only lets people see what she wants them to see. It took me years to discover the real Riley. I'm still not sure I figured her out completely." He stood up and leaned on the exam table to steady himself.

„You can go and see her, but you take the wheelchair. I can't keep you from falling and I have no desire to get buried under a mountain of Texan flesh." Matty smirked and Jack shot her a small smile. He sat down in the wheelchair and Matty pushed him into the room where Riley was settled.

Doc Ward was there adjusting her IV drip.

„How is she doc?" Jack asked instead of a greeting. The physician didn't mind, he knew this team for years now and appreciated how they cared for each other, despite the fact that is wasn't making his job any easier.

„Riley is malnourished and totally exhausted. She wasn't completely recovered from her cold and not eating, sleeping and running on coffee and energy drinks didn't do her any favours. She's gonna be ok Jack. She needs a lot of rest and food, but she'll be alright." Doc Ward explained.

Jack got almost dizzy with relief. „I was so afraid she had a stroke or something, when she couldn't talk to me."

The pysician calmed him. „We checked her out thoroughly. No indications for neurological issues. Her body had reached his limit and was shutting down. She's lucky you were there."

Matty sqeezed his shoulder. „She's tough Jack. She's gonna be ok. I'm gonna let you alone with her now."

The director left with the doctor. Jack took out his phone and called Bozer. After that the Delta moved over to the chair beside the bed. The wheelchair would have been more comfortable, but he didn't want Riley to see him in it and get worried. Jack took her small hand and leaned back. Soon his eyes were dropping, as the pain meds kicked in and his body relaxed.

Jack didn't know how much time had passed, but Rileys hand was twitching in his and the Delta was instantly alert. Her eyes were still closed, but she moved her head from side to side. Jack tried to soothe her. „Sh, sweetheart you're ok, I'm here, just go back to sleep baby."

Rileys eyes opened and she blinked and stared at her friend for a long minute. Jacks anxiety grew and he was about to push the call button, when Riley finally spoke. „What happened?"

Jack took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts for a moment. „I came over to your place to check on you and … it was … I don't know … you were not doing good honey. You didn't know I was there, you were in a kind of shock and then passed out." Jack blinked the tears away, not wanting to fall apart in front of his girl. She needed his strength right now.

„Um, sorry," Riley looked down ashamed. Jack reached out with his good hand and lifted her chin. Her eyes were full of tears. „Hey, don't cry sweetheart. The doc says you're gonna be ok. You need to eat and sleep a lot to get back on your feet, but you'll be alright in no time. I promise, I'll make sure of it. But you have to make me a promise too. You need to take care of yourself, when I'm not around. I know you're good at fooling the others, but please don't do this again. Nobody wants to see you go down hard, because you neglected your bodys demands of food an rest. We all need you Ri, but we need you whole and healthy. You mustn't kill yourself because one of us is missing. You don't have to shoulder to responsibility alone. This is a team. I know you are the one, who's the greatest asset with your skills, beside Mac, but the others are willing to help too. Ask for support and there is no shame in needing to rest in order to keep going again. Nobody can run on energy drinks and coffee. Will you promise me to not do this again? Please baby, I can't loose you. Promise?"

Jacks pleading and his wrecked appearance tore at Riley heart. The Delta was pale and hurting, deep lines of worry lining his face. Riley would have promised him anything right now. She never broke a promise and Jacks speech made her understand, that he was right. Maybe she would have found the clue sooner if she had slept more and would have been more efficient working on the data.

„I promise Jack. I can see it now, that it didn't do any good, but I couldn't help myself. I felt guilty going to sleep or eating, when I didn't know if you had anything to eat or sleep on." Riley admitted.

„I know, what you mean honey. I've been there myself. It's the hardest thing to keep a cool head, eat or sleep when the only thing you want to do is run out there and get your loved one back. But sometimes it's the only choice as hard as it is." Jack said compassionate.

Riley shot him a smile. „I'm glad, you're both gonna be ok." She yawned.

Jack returned the smile. He rose and kissed her on the forehead. „The three of us are gonna be ok baby," he corrected her and added with a stern voice accompanied by a wink. „Now be a good kid and go back to sleep."

Riley grinned. „Good night … Dad."

„Brat!"

„Old man!"

Jack chuckled and settled back into his chair. Soon both were sound asleep.

„Ow, you hit me again with that damn crutch," Bozers whining woke Jack. The sun was already up and a look at Riley showed him she was still sleeping. The Delta turned around in his chair and saw Mac maneuvering his way into the room, followed by Bozer.

„How is she Jack? Is she ok?" Macs eyes were huge with fear, when he took in Rileys pale face.

„Doc Ward says she's totally exhausted and malnourished, but she's gonna be ok." Jack repeated the report he got from the doc.

„Thank god!" Mac breathed and shoved Bozers hands away angrily, while sitting down in the other chair.

Jack raised his brow and Bozer explained. „He's pissed, because I didn't wake him up and took him here last night."

„Hey Mac, I know you feel bad about it, but you couldn't have done anything to help her. Riley wasn't alone and you need the rest to get back on your feet." Jack tried to reason with his partner.

„Look who's talking, you've got a concussion too and judging by the lines of pain on your face it's time you take your meds." Mac shot back aggressively.

Jack didn't take offense at his partners hostile behaviour, because he knew where it was coming from. „I'm feeling guilty too, you know. If we had managed to get out of the compound in time, she wouldn't be lying here. But there's nothing we can do about it now hoss. What we can do is help her get back on her feet. We have to make sure that mustn't happen ever again. I've already talked to her about it, but you know how stubborn she is." Jack said softly and all the fight went out of Mac, when he realized it must have been even harder on his partner. The bond Jack and Riley shared was as strong as one between a father and his daughter could be. It didn't matter they weren't related by blood. Witnessing the collapse of his girl must have shaken Jack to the core.

„I'm sorry Jack. You're right." Mac simply said and Jack shot him a tired smile.

„You're such a bunch of softies," came a weak voice from the bed.

„Hey sweetheart, how do you feel?" Jack asked with a smile, but couldn't hide his concern.

„Tired, but better." Riley answered honestly. „I'm sorry for scaring all of you." She apologized.

„Sorry? Is that all you can say? I told you, I didn't want to see you here for at least a week and you're back after a few hours. That's disobeying orders Riley." Matty said from the doorway.

Riley grinned. „I'm sorry boss, but I didn't came voluntarily. I was brought here, so it doesn't count."

Matty opened her mouth and closed it. Bozer took the opportunity and piped up. „It looks like I've got one more patient to take care of. I think we should talk about a raise, boss."

„I should fire the whole bunch of you lunatics. I think my life would be a lot easier then, if I hadn't to deal with a whole kindergarten every day." Matty grumbled but couldn't contain her smile.

„Easier maybe, but not as exciting." Jack drawled and the room errupted in laughter.

The End