A/N: Special thanks to Dlwells, I so appreciate all your help.

M

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Over the next few days Mac continued to battle the fever and infection. Jack only leaving his side for brief moments.

"You look awful, dude." Mac muttered around the oxygen mask as he twisted the strap on his arm sling.

"Aw, kid. Flattery will get you nowhere." Jack rested on a chair next to Mac's bed with his feet up.

"You stink, too." Mac added, weakly trying to nudge Jack's feet off his bed.

"That's nice." Jack flipped through a magazine without looking up.

"Go take a shower," Mac growled.

"No, thank you." Jack remained unconcerned, head in his magazine.

"Don't you have work to do?" Mac persisted, clearly trying to get rid of the older man.

"I'm doing it." Jack answered.

"I'm not going anywhere," Mac glowered.

"Mmmmmm-hhhhmmmmm."

"Jack, I said I'm not going anywhere." Mac raised his voice.

"That's right, you're not." Jack let his boots fall off Mac's bed and thud to the floor. He tossed the magazine on a nearby table. "I've made sure of that."

"I only wanted some privacy," Mac whined, rattling the handcuff that went from his wrist to the bed rail.

"I only want you to get better," Jack stood to his full six foot height and folded his muscular arms over his chest. It was clear he was trying to control his anger. "Maybe you should put some effort into that instead of being a brat."

"You need to quit worrying. I was looking for the bathroom," Mac sulked.

"In our tent?" Jack raised an eyebrow.

"So, maybe, I'm still a little sick." Mac shrugged, rattling the cuff again. Jack reached for the younger man's forehead.

"You're still rocking a fever, dude." Jack informed him.

"People have fevers all the time." Mac countered. "It doesn't always equal a hospital stay and I've been here forever."

"Four days is not forever." Jack came to sit on the edge of Mac's bed.

"That doctor's a quack. I can rest in my own bed. I don't need to be here." Mac had lifted the oxygen off his mouth so he could be heard better.

Jack shot him a warning glare. "No sir and you're not getting rid of me, either. I'm gone long enough to go brush my teeth and you take off."

Mac let the mask hover over his mouth, but didn't let it drop completely. "This sucks."

"I know, bud." Jack took the mask and put it back down where it belonged. The kid was feeling much better, but his fever persisted and his oxygen levels remained at an unsatisfactory level. The IV line had been removed and Mac was on oral medication.

"I don't think you do, Jack." Mac sat up and Jack moved the pillows around to support the younger man.

"You gearing up for a fight? You'll lose, man." Jack stood.

"I don't want to fight you. Just get me out of here." Mac begged.

"I can't do that. Your fever..."

"Is at a much more manageable level. I'll take the meds, I promise." Mac tried earnestly.

Jack was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to be in his own semi private quarters, too.

"No promises, I'll go talk to the doc. He was supposed to be by here sometime soon, anyway." Jack turned toward the door.

"Don't mention my exercise this morning."

"Dude, I'm pretty sure half the base saw me carrying you back here."

"No, they didn't. I didn't see anyone."

"You were hanging upside down, over my shoulder."

"You're such a jerk. I could've walked."

"I'm hoping that your ride back to bed will be humiliating enough that you won't risk a repeat. Now, don't go anywhere."

"Jerk!" Mac yelled after him and yanked on the handcuff. Mac was sure that Jack had meant his parting comment as an arrogant joke, considering the younger man was handcuffed to the bed, thanks to Jack. Jack returned quickly with the doc and he began his examination, making no comment about the handcuff.

"What's the verdict? He need to stay?" Jack asked.

The doc nodded his head and the speech Mac had planned to gain his freedom fled from him.

"No." Mac cried.

"Yes," the doc reiterated. "But, you are doing better. The fever is down and we can swap this oxygen mask for a nasal cannula. I'll have the nurse bring your next round of meds and get you the cannula."

"But," Mac started, trying to remember his well thought out speech. "Doc, I'm going crazy in here. I just want to rest in my own bed. I won't overdo it, I promise."

"Maaaac," Jack started.

"No, Jack." Mac made a swiping motion with his hand. "You gotta let me out. Doctor, I will rest and take my meds. I'll come back as often as you like, just please let me rest in my own bed."

Mac watched the doctor face and saw no indication of the situation going his way. "The Sergeant has been with me nonstop. He hasn't rested, at all."

"Now, hold on a minute," Jack pointed his finger at Mac and took a deep breath, like he was gearing up for a long winded rant.

"Is that right?" The doctor took a long look at Dalton and Jack noted the smug look on Mac's face.

"I'm fine, Doc." Jack said.

"You do look tired," Doc eyed the Delta.

"Don't you worry about me," Jack shot the kid a dirty look. "He's your patient."

"Do you believe that Specialist Macgyver will rest better in your quarters?" The doctor asked.

"If he needs to be here, than that's where he'll be." Jack answered.

"Jack!"

"Mac! I'm not gonna take a risk on your health! Stop acting like a child and do what you're told!" Jack and Mac both looked irate and the doctor held up both hands.

"Gentlemen! Tempers are running a little hot in here. Sergeant, why don't you go take a nap..."

"What? No! The kid will escape again." Jack dragged a hand over his hair.

"I'm sure he won't." Doc smiled and nodded at Mac's handcuffed wrist.

Mac let a small smirk onto his face.

"I've seen him get out them before." Jack muttered.

Mac's smile fell.

"No he won't, because if he does I won't be releasing him tonight to sleep in his own bed." The doctor held up a hand to silence them both. "Sergeant, you will no doubt stay up all night watching him, if I've read the situation correctly. Go get some sleep now to prepare yourself for that mission. Specialist, you had better not spend your time trying to escape your guardian. He's looking out for you. You don't know how lucky you are."

With that the doctor left, leaving them both with mouths hanging open. They looked at each other, then looked at where the doc had exited.

"Well, I recon he's giving you a chance," Jack dragged his eyes back to the younger man, a disgusted look on his face.

"I'm sure he wouldn't do it unless it was safe." Mac offered. "I'm feeling a lot better. I won't take off on you. I'll eat whatever you want me to. I gotta get out of here, Jack."

"I'm gonna hold you to your word, bud." Jack said.

"I promise, Jack he was wrong about not knowing how lucky I am. I know. You are the only unchanging force in my life. You always look out for me. You never leave me."