A/N: Thank you for your reviews, guys.

Jack angrily stomped out of Ross's tent. The place was empty. Any bone breaking he had planned would have to be put on hold. When he thought of his former colleague turned nemesis trying to hurt a kid to get to him, it made his blood boil. Jack looked both ways and decided to head to the work out area. Maybe, he'd spot Ross or Johnson over there. If he didn't, he'd have another way to expel his anger.

The workout area was full of soldiers lifting weights, doing push ups and sit ups. But, no Ross or Johnson. Fine. Jack put himself through his usual workout, sweat dropped off his chin even as he felt a cold breeze blowing. It could get real cold in the Middle East at night. Mac was constantly on his mind. The delta set his weights down, dragged a towel across his face and headed back to the tent he shared with Mac.

Mac lay on his back on his bunk, book in his hand.

Jack considered the young EOD for a moment, "Mac?"

"Yeah," Mac answered, distractedly.

"You know it's my job to look out for you, right?" Jack asked, making sure his body was blocking the only way out.

"Yeah."

"You think of me as a friend, right?"

"Sure," Mac answered, mostly still distracted.

"Friends tell each other stuff, right?" Jack pressed.

"Yeah, you gonna tell me about your moms dessert table?" Mac tossed the book down and swung his stocking feet off the bed. "I want to hear about the pie contest at the fair you started to tell me about. How your dad kept getting into them and your mom would have to make more. How did she ever decide which pie to enter in the contest?"

Jack's look must have shown that he was taken slightly aback.

"It's Ok, you don't have don't want to finish the story..." Mac started to pick his book back up.

"No, I'll finish the story," Jack moved forward. "It just wasn't where I was headed."

Mac gave him a curious look and thought back to what Jack had been saying while he'd been reading and half-listening to the delta.

"I know we've only known each other a few months and all. I just want you to know that when I make a friend, I'm loyal to ya. I don't do anything half way. Your problems are my problems." Jack sat down on his bunk, he discreetly nudged Mac's boots behind his own legs, under his bunk, then dragged the towel down his face one more time and made sure his body was turned toward his young friend.

Jack saw the moment everything clicked for Mac and watched as a protest rose on his lips.

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Seriously? That's how this is gonna go?" Jack narrowed his eyes. "And sit your rear down, you ain't going anywhere."

"It's your job to keep me from getting killed, while I do my job of disarming bombs." Mac stood to his feet.

"Look, here, son —"

"I'm not your son!"

"Ok, calm down," now Jack stood to his feet, too. "I've been in the military a long time, bud. I know how things work. Sometimes, there's more than one bad guy."

"I can take care of myself."

"And I'm not saying you can't. But, doesn't it feel better to know you don't have to?" Jack looked his partner in the eye.

"Look, Jack. I can see what you're trying to do, but, you're leaving. Plain and simple. I'm gonna be on my own again, real soon. So, you're gonna have to let me handle my problems, my way."

NEXT MORNING

'Oh, no, I'm not.' Jack thought to himself as he leaned against the hummer. Dalton couldn't decide if it was a product of being the oldest of five, the fact that he'd trained and protect countless younger soldiers or the pure hate of bullies, but Angus was getting help whether he liked it or not.

"Sorry, I kept you waiting." Mac hustled up.

"No problem." Jack tried to catch Mac's eye with no luck as both climbed into the hummer and headed north. Jack finally finished the story about his mama's blue ribbon apple crisp pie as the pulled into the heart of a their newest search area. Jack called in there arrival and was given a four hour search window maximum. He gave Mac a pointed look.

"Shut up," Mac smirked. "I heard him. Four hours."

"Yeah, four hours." Jack smiled as he got out, lifting his rifle. "I can already hear you demanding more time. Come on. Lets get to work."

"Just remember to be careful, will ya? This is a dangerous area. This town has aid workers setting up schools and Al Queda doesn't like that." Mac folded his map.

FOUR HOURS LATER

"Come on, Jack." Mac huffed. "One more hour."

"Don't you whine at me," Jack tugged on the younger man's arm. "Orders are orders."

"But,-". Mac started.

"You are just gonna have to be happy with the two bombs you did find and deactivate." Jack ushered Mac toward the hummer. "Wait till our CO hears about the one at that all girl school. That's big news. Probably pin a medal on your chest."

"Hey," Mac yelped as Jack gave a particular hard shove. "Quit shoving. And it's not about medals, Jack."

"I know, I know. Keep moving. You said yourself, this town is clear."

"But, it'll only take an hour, maybe forty-five minutes to check one more time. Come on, one more sweep." Mac wheedled.

"Stow your stuff in the truck or I'll do it for you and I won't be as gentle." Jack gave Mac a hard stare.

"Fine. Fine. I'm doing it. Happy?" Mac sulked.

"Ecstatic."

Mac finished stowing his gear, plus the now harmless bomb materials and slammed the door of the hummer, glaring at Jack.

Jack raised his eyebrows but said nothing. They both settled in for the long drive back to base.

"Here, eat a protein bar," Jack flung one in his lap.

"Ugh. It's too hot to eat."

Jack tossed his canteen over.

"I do have my own, you know?"

"I figured it was empty. Why aren't you drinking it?" Jack asked.

"I guess, I wasn't thinking about it." Mac shrugged, reaching for his own canteen and handing Jack back his half empty one.

"I'm gonna need you to think about eating and drinking a little bit more, Bud." Jack shifted the big hummer into a higher gear as they headed out of the small town. "You're too skinny. When you get back stateside, come visit. My mom will take great pleasure in fattening you up."

"Maybe I will." Mac smiled.

A/N: One more chapter and this one's done.