Once Bitten Twice Shy: Part 6
"So his leg buckled and he tumbled down the stairs on his backside. That's how he ended up with a broken coccyx." Matty explains to Oversight.
Oversight sighs, "Well, these things happen, I suppose. How long will Agent Black be laid up?"
"I'm glad to hear you say that. In fact, it was Agent MacGyver it happened to, not Agent Black. It'll take a few weeks to heal." Matty corrects.
"What!? That careless little shit. Of course, he'd…" Jim begins.
"… You understood when you thought it was a different agent." Matty inserts.
"Because it was understandable then. Agent Black took a through-and-through bullet to the calf in Germany. It's completely logically that his leg would be weak and give out." Jim defends.
"Agent MacGyver also sustained a calf injury and overworked it afterward trying to get his team to safety. Help me understand, a gun shot wound is an acceptable reason for leg weakness, but a snake bite is not?" Matty questions.
"I… I'm not happy that you intentionally mislead me regarding the identity of the injured agent." Jim diverts.
"I didn't correct your assumption early on because I wanted to prove a point. You are bias when it comes to your son. He should be treated like any other operative." Matty explains.
"I don't give him special treatment." Jim declares.
"Yeah you do, just not in the form of favoritism. You are overly critical of him. You hold him to a different set of standards, and for the most part he rises to them. I'm just suggesting that you cut him some slack now and then. Pushing him like you do could cause him to burn out or worse get himself killed. Hell, what he endured in Africa, would have done in a lesser agent. He's human, no different than you or I." Matty insists.
Jim narrows his eyes, not appreciating Matty's new attitude, "Yes, I push him harder than other agents because he CAN handle it. He's capable of more so I ask more. I'm helping him reach his full potential."
Matty sighs, "I understand adjusting the bar to each agents ability. All I'm suggesting is that you take some time and think about whether all your expectations are reasonable."
"I have another meeting to get to. I trust you'll keep me updated on Angus' condition." Jim deflects.
"Of course." Matty confirms deflated.
"Good." Jim leaves her standing in his office.
Matty is tempted to take a peek at his calendar to see if he actually had another meeting to get to, but decides against it and instead heads to medical.
"Alright, who's ready for another hall walk? The sooner you build up your strength, the sooner you can get released." Nurse Camilla reminds.
"Well I'm all for that!" Bozer exclaims.
"Yeah, let's do it." Riley agrees.
"Anything that'll get me outta here." Jack states jokingly.
"Might as well get this over with." Mac groans, feeling more pain and discomfort today.
Nurse Camilla pushes him back down in bed, "You get a pass today. I'll send someone back in with some ibuprofen. Take it this time."
"I told him he'd regret letting the pain get ahead of him." Jack inserts.
Mac shoots him a glare, "Take a hike Jack."
"I think a hike might be a bit much, but I can hall walk circles around these millennials." Jack bates passing Riley and Bozer as he heads out the door.
"Oh it's on, old man." Riley challenges following Jack.
"Yeah, let's see what you've got." Bozer agrees trailing behind.
"Well, I better make sure they don't push themselves to the point of collapse." Nurse Camilla shakes her head as she leaves.
A few minutes later, a nurse arrives with the promised ibuprofen which Mac gratefully accepts. Matty enters as the nurse exits.
"Hey Mac. How you feeling today?" Matty greets.
"I'm okay." Mac replies.
"Well I happen to know that the nurses don't give passes on PT to patients who are actually okay. So how about you try again?" Matty suggests.
"I'm feeling a bit rough today, just a lot of pain and discomfort. Honestly, I will be okay." Mac assures.
"Now that I believe. Actually, I'm glad to have this time alone with you. There's been something I've wanted to say to you since before you left for Africa." Matty pauses to gather her thoughts, "Jack and Bozer explained what happened after you returned for Colorado. Mac, I'm sorry. I should have allowed you to explain. What's worse, I made that same mistake again when you were in Africa and you tried to tell me why you were concerned about scaling that cliff. I was worried about losing the satellite feed and wanted to get the plan hashed out, but that's a reason and not an excuse…"
"…It's okay." Mac inserts.
"No, Mac. It's really not okay," Matty chuckles to herself, " I'm beginning to question whether you understand the meaning of okay. Anyway, I feel absolutely terrible for how I treated you and that I didn't ask how you were doing when I asked you about the rest of the team during that Sat call. I have to admit it stung when I heard you tell Doc Pierce that I only cared that my orders were carried out," She raises her hand to silence Mac's protest before it starts, "It stung because you truly believed those words when you said them. You don't need to deny it on my account. I appreciate honesty even when it's hard to hear. I understand why you feel that way and I can't apologize enough for giving you that impression. I'm so sorry that I didn't listen and that you went through additional pain because of it. Mac, I promise you that I do care about the health and safety of all my agents, and I'm going to do a better job of showing you that. So, what do you say we start fresh?"
"Sounds good." Mac confirms.
Camilla and a couple of other nurses wheel Jack, Riley, and Bozer back in the room.
"Well, who won?" Mac asks as the nurses assist his friends back in bed.
"Won?" Matty questions.
"They decided to make their PT into a race and they all lost." Camilla quips shaking her head as the other two nurses leave.
"Really, how's that?" Matty inquires.
"It's all Jack's fault." Riley grumbles.
"Hey, I can't help that the floor was slick. I slipped, but I was winning before that." Jack defends.
"But we were right on your tail and didn't have anytime to react." Bozer adds.
"I know, I was at the bottom of the pile up remember?" Jack retorts.
"So you and Riley fell on top of Jack?" Matty asks Bozer who nods his confirmation.
"It's a wonder Jack didn't break his tailbone." Camilla interjects as she leaves.
Bozer and Riley chuckle at the thought.
"That wouldn't have happened; it wasn't physically possible. Come on Mac, explain to them why that couldn't have happened." Jack insists.
"Jack, I think they already know you're a hard ass." Mac smirks as the room, sans Jack, erupts into laughter.
"Hardy har har." Jack sneers, but soon finds himself chuckling while shaking his head and adds, "I think you meant bad ass."
"Or perhaps, jackass?" Matty inserts.
After the laughter dies down, Matty states, "Since you're all alert and in good spirits. Why don't we officially debrief your last mission?"
"Sure. Long story short, Africa bites." Jack remarks.
"You had to start with the puns, didn't you Mac?" Riley grouses as the rest of the group groans.
MacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMacMac
A week later found the four teammates dressed and ready to go home. Mac had officially been released five days ago, but he had remained in the hospital with his team.
"I think you all will be back to baseline in a couple more weeks. Remember to continue the PT, but don't push it too hard or you'll just set your recover back," Doc Pierce pauses to give Mac and Jack stern looks, "I'll expect to see each of you back in two weeks. Jack, Riley, and Bozer will need spinal taps and Mac will get x-rays. If your tests look good at that time, I'll clear you for field work. I want you each to take the rest of the week off, but you can return to light duty around the foundation next week."
"Do any of you need a ride home?" Matty inquires.
"Nah, I'm feeling pretty good. I can give these millennials a lift if need be," Jack answers.
"Uh, Doc cleared all of us to drive, not just you." Bozer inserts, "Besides I'm good too."
"Well, I'll need a ride since my car isn't here. I rode in with Jack before we were sent to Africa." Riley reminds.
"Don't worry baby girl, I gotcha." Jack winks.
"What about you Mac?" Matty asks.
"Huh?" Mac turns from where he'd been staring at something out the window.
"Are you good?" Jack rephrases.
"Am I good with what?" Mac asks distractedly as he turns to pierce back out the window.
"Well, the question was are you okay to drive yourself home, but your behavior indicates that's probably a bad idea." Matty repeats as she approaches the window to discern what is captivating Mac's focus.
Mac shakes his head and turns back to the group as Matty catches a glimpse of Oversight entering an adjacent building, "Sorry, I thought I saw someone that… Never mind. Yes, I'm okay to drive."
Jack heads to the window concerned about Mac's odd behavior, "Saw someone that what Mac? Did you see a threat, suspicious behavior, what?"
Jack looks out but doesn't see anything off.
"Whoah Jack, it's okay. Don't go all Delta force on me. It's nothing like that. I just thought someone looked familiar, but I was mistaken. That's all." Mac assures.
"Alright, we'll that doesn't explain why you're being all weird." Jack hedges.
"He just reminded me of someone else. It took me back… Um… I don't really want to discuss it further. Can we just drop it?" Mac huffs.
"Of course we can Blondie. We've all had those moments." Matty deflects.
"Don't worry man, I'll be sure to follow him home." Bozer whispers to Jack and they fist bump.
Mac shakes his head and addresses Riley while gesturing at Jack and Bozer, "Like I don't know what that's about."
"They're just looking out for you Mac. The way you did for all of us." Riley advises.
"But…"Mac tries.
"…Okay, so it's not the same, but it is harmless. It's not like following you home is out of Bozer's way. Why not just let them have it." Riley encourages.
Mac smirks, "You're right. I should just let them have it."
"Mac, what do you mean by that?" Riley hedges.
"Just that I'm going to let Bozer follow me home." Mac answers innocently.
"Uh huh, go easy on him. Bozer and Jack may be overprotective at times, but it's only because they care."Riley reminds.
Nurse Camilla enters, "Well, everything is in order. I brought you all copies of your discharge paperwork. I'm sure that I already know the answer to this, but do any of you need a wheel chair escort to your vehicles?"
As expected, each denied the wheel chair ride and soon they were walking together to the Phoenix parking garage.
As Mac sets the buttock cushion in the driver seat, Jack snaps a photo and comments, "Just a little insurance for next time you decide to tease me about my inflatable butt pillow on a stakeout."
"You know what, I probably don't even need this anymore," Mac declares tossing the cushion in the back seat of his Jeep.
Bozer gives Jack an annoyed glare, "Come on Mac, don't listen to him. You have an injury that necessitates the use of that cushion."
Riley retrieves the cushion offering it to Mac, but Mac shakes his head and declares, "Not gonna happen."
"Mac just use the damn pillow. I'm sorry. Look, I'm deleting the photo. Okay?" Jack pleads.
"Thanks, but I'll be fine. My jeep sets pretty high up off the ground." Mac holds firm.
"At least put the cushion in the passenger seat where you can get to it easily if you change you're mind." Riley suggests.
"Fine." Mac agrees snatching back the pillow and tossing it in the Jeep.
"Look, I'm going to follow you home just to be sure you're okay. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't take the scenic route. I overheard your comment to Riley about 'letting us have it.' You know how I hate those winding hilly roads. We're just concerned about you. Promise me you'll stick to the main roads, please?" Bozer requests with his best pleading look.
Mac sighs, "Yeah okay, I'll stick to the main roads, but it really isn't necessary to follow me home. I'll be…"
"…It's on my way dude, just let it go." Bozer interrupts.
The gang departs and Mac realizes before he's even out of the garage that he's going to need the damn cushion after all. The first speed bump set off all kinds of agony. He quickly positioned the cushion beneath him while letting a vehicle back out of their space. The next speed bump is better but still extremely uncomfortable. He quickly realizes he can feel every bump and pothole in the road and the drive home will suck, especially since it's been a full day since he's taken anything for pain.
Jack walks in the door of his place after taking Riley home and ensuring that she had everything she needed. He glances at his cell phone and notes that Mac and Bozer should be arriving home about now. He decides to give them 15 minutes to get settled before calling to check in. Meanwhile, a trail of unhappy motorists are cursing and honking at the jackass driving at a snail's pace and holding up traffic. There are two lanes heading west, but several vehicles are stuck behind the slow poke unable to change lanes as other vehicles wiz past.
"I should have known you'd find another way to 'let me have it.'" Bozer mumbles every bit as aggravated as his fellow commuters.
Bozer picks up his phone to request Mac knock it off when the incoming call from Jack rings in, "Hey Jack."
"Hey Bozer. Just checking in. You all make it home alright?" Jack asks.
"Working on it. At this rate, we may get there in a few hours." Bozer huffs.
"Oh wow, LA traffic does suck. Is it a wreck?" Jack commiserates.
"No, it's a Mac. Seems instead of taking the scenic route he's decided to cruise along at 5-10 miles per hour. I swear he's making my 80 year old grandma look like a speed demon!" Bozer grouses.
Jack laughs, "Leave it to Mac! You know, if you want to get home before dark you should probably just pass him. I'm sure he'll be right behind you, having proved his point."
"Oh damn, he just got pulled over. I guess I have no choice but to pass." Bozer informs.
"Man, impeding traffic during rush hour. He's probably not going to be able to MacGyver his way out of that ticket." Jack offers.
"Serves him right for being such a smart-ass. I'll give you a call back with the scoop once he's back home. I'm sure he'll speed it along after his chat with the po-po." Bozer advises.
"Sure thing, man. Catcha later." Jack disconnects the call shaking his head at Mac's antics.
Mac rolls down his window as the Office approaches, "Sir, do you know there is a minimum speed of 30 miles per hour on this roadway?"
"No sir," Mac replies, his face is flushed with pain and wet with the involuntary tears from the toll the drive is taking on him.
Noticing this the officer asks, "Are you okay, son?"
"No sir," Mac goes on to explain the Coccyx injury and that he's just heading home from the hospital and once there he promises to stay off the road for some time.
The officer smiles sympathetically and explains that he similarly injured himself playing college football years ago. He explains if Mac twists slightly to either side, it'll take the pressure off a bit and offers to drive Mac home and have his partner follow in the squad car. Realizing that he's spent and it's unfair to the other motorists to continue on himself, Mac graciously accepts the offer. The officer does elect to take the scenic route so he can drive at a slower speed to avoid causing the young man further pain.
An hour later, Bozer's on the phone with Jack, "I don't know man. He should be home by now. I'm going to head back out and look for him. Wait, I hear a car coming up the driveway."
"Is it him?" Jack asks worriedly.
"Yes, and he has a police escort. I'll call you back." Bozer hangs up the phone before Jack can respond.
Bozer rushes out the door, "Mac, you had me worried sick man," taking a good look at Mac he adds, "You okay?"
"He will be. He just needs to take something for pain and lay down for a while. Those tailbone injuries suck." The office advises.
"The drive home was rougher than I anticipated," Mac give Bozer a rueful smile before addressing the officer, "Thanks again for the lift."
"No problem. Hope you get to feeling better son." The office tips his hat and joins his partner where they get in the squad car and leave.
"Man, why didn't you pull over, call me, or something? I'm sorry. I thought you we're just making good on your promise to 'let me have it' so to speak," Bozer grabs Mac stuff and steers him straight to his bedroom, "I'll be right back with some Motrin."
"Thanks. I should have, but I… I guess I was just being stubborn." Mac concedes taking the offered pain meds.
"Well, don't let it happen again. Get some rest. I need to call Jack back. He's probably pacing with his phone in hand. I sort of hung up on him when you arrived with the police escort. He must be dying to know the story there," Bozer advises.
Mac groans but is too tired to give anymore of a response. He's asleep before Bozer is even completely out of the room.
AN: Sorry for the long wait between chapters. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was a whirlwind. Hopefully things will settle down now and I can write more regularly. Don't worry, this story still has more whump, angst, and comfort ahead.