Jack paced the waiting room. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. He turned disappointed to see the wrong door to the waiting room opened. Cage walked in looking tired and pale. Bozer chuckled.

"Short vacation." Cage shrugged.

"Going home isn't all it's cracked up to be." The Aussie replied. She glanced at Jack worried.

"Anything?" Riley spoke before Jack could open his mouth.

"They're getting him settled in a room. Dr. Sexy should be in any minute." Cage raised an eyebrow.

"Dr. Sexy." Riley smiled. Bozer rolled his eyes. Jack scowled stepping away from the conversation. He'd seen too much tonight to get into office gossip.

"Dr. Lazlo Grant," Bozer explained.

"I take it he's dreamy?" Cage asked amused. Jack whirled as the door to medical opened. Jack supposed he could understand why most of the women that met him swooned. The man was tall and slim, had deep brown eyes and square jaw. Other than the scruff that always seemed to shadow his chin, he could easily walk a runway or double for Superman. It didn't hurt matters he was one of the best surgeons in the world and made more per operation than Phoenix took in for an entire year. Jack was surprised he would dirty his hands in a little medical unit like this one, but he'd seen the man's discomfort around Matty. Jack figured she had some dirt on him.

"Well?" Jack growled. Dr. Grant narrowed his eyes. He had the arrogance of most good surgeons who knew how good they were. Grant didn't like Jack. Jack had nothing against the doc he just wanted to shatter that perfect square jaw. The Delta didn't know why, but the man's presence always felt like he had something on his shoe he couldn't scrape off.

"Surgery went well. Mac's…" Dr. Grant looked along his nose at Jack and automatically simplified his answer. Jack's eyes narrowed, and his hands balled into fists. He knew he wouldn't understand the medicalese, but there was no need to be a dick about it. Grant cleared his throat, "He required a total knee replacement. The ends of his fibula and femur were shattered. Surgery went well. I expect he'll wake up in a few hour…" A loud crash sounded through the doors to the unit.

"Are you sure about that?" Jack snarled as he turned to sprint down the hall. He was almost in Mac's room when he heard his partner scream,

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Jack skidded to a stop his heart pounded.

"Oh God, no." He whispered. The others caught up with him. He held out his arms. They heard a roar then a series of crashes followed by alarms sounding. Jack's mouth was dry. The familiar sound of objects sailing across the room accompanied by a female yell of pain and the slap of hand on flesh.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Mac's voice was distorted by terror, pain, rage and something else Jack had only heard once and had hoped he would never hear again.

"You need to stay out here." He told the others. His voice had taken the command voice of a cold Delta. Bozer and Riley nodded deferring to Jack's knowledge of all things MacGyver.

"Jack, I don't…" Cage began.

"I don't think you understand…" Grant chimed in pushing past Jack. Jack moved fast as a striking cobra. Grant found himself on his knees his arm pulled up behind his back.

"No, you don't understand. Stay. Out." The others stared at him in shock.

"Mac, look…" Sally said softly.

"Damnit," Jack muttered. He slowly opened the door. Sally stood out of reach of Mac blood trickling down her chin. Her eyes were wide, and Jack saw fear in them. Jack shot her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. Mac stood by the bed in a hospital gown. His wild searched for threat and escape. He stood swaying, leaning against the bed. Blood streamed down his arm from where he'd pulled out IVs.

Jack had seen Mac pale before, but never this pale. The kid's chest was heaving. Jack could tell that he wasn't quite awake yet and winced knowing precisely into which hellhole his brain had dragged him. On Mac's right leg was a metal brace that had a joint that allowed for movement while keeping pressure off his healing bones.

"Sally," Jack said in a soft, calm voice. Mac jerked around and skittered back. He bent and yanked the headboard off the bed holding it in front of him partly as a shield and partly as a weapon. Jack did not doubt that if he moved too fast, Mac would attack him with all the strength he had left.

"Jack, what's going on?" Sally whispered. Both kept their eyes on the distraught blonde. Jack almost tripped over an IV pole with a smashed pump. He slowly stepped over it holding his hands up where Mac could see them.

"Sally, move slow and easy to the door."

"Jack…"

"Sally, I know you love Mac, but this isn't something you can help with, not yet anyway, ok. Close the door after you and cut the power to the room, so the alarms go off. I need you to call TAC."

"TAC?"

"Sally, I can't have anyone come in here until I let them in."

"Ok." Sally slowly did as Jack asked. Jack didn't move until the lights in the room went out, and the shriek of the monitors went silent. Mac backed up almost collapsing as he tried to put weight on his braced leg.

"Mac, he's not here," Jack said softly. He tried a step forward. Mac scurried back until he hit the wall. His breathing tripled in rate. Mac leaned forward. Jack swallowed and paused. He heard the clump of boots outside and winced. He hadn't told Sally that he wanted a silent approach. Mac screamed and lashed out with the headboard. The TV in the corner of the room shattered into pieces.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Mac's voice was weak but still held a dangerous level of fear and despair that broke Jack's heart.

"Mac, it's Jack, remember? You made it out. You aren't in Farah, Kilov isn't here. It's just you and me, buddy." Mac's eyes darted around the room but seemed to rest on Jack longer. Jack hoped that was a good sign. His breathing was a broken rasp, "Look, kiddo. You're in America, at Phoenix medical…"

"Why?" Mac demanded edging away. His voice was full of a cold distrust Jack had hoped never to hear again.

"Look at your knee; you hurt it last night…" Mac glanced at his leg and fell back against the wall. Jack wondered how much longer adrenalin would keep the kid standing. Jack backed away, "Look, there's windows, sunlight. You aren't in a cave, your safe...He's not here." Jack stepped back so Mac could step closer to the window. Mac inched closer to the window until he could look out and see the trees and green hills of the building's grounds. Mac stepped into the sunlight and dropped the headboard falling forward. He leaned against the side of the window eyes closed shaking. It took all of Jack's control not to step forward.

"See, you're safe. Farar was a long time ago, kiddo. It's over, Kilov isn't here. You're safe, I promise." Mac looked at Jack through his bangs blinking and hurting. Jack could see he was waking up from the sedation. Mac always had weird reactions to meds after last night something must have brought up the worst experience of Mac's life. Jack grimaced. Mac had never talked about it even to Jack. It had almost driven Mac insane, Jack never pressed. He'd hoped it'd never swim to the surface again. Damnit. Mac shook his head and started taking deeper breaths. He blinked and took in the room. He stared at Jack a long minute.

"Jack, is it really you?" Mac asked in a hoarse whisper.

"Yeah, buddy. You're safe, I promise." Mac slid down the wall and held his middle as he landed on his hip. Mac groaned. Jack took a step forward. Mac flinched and slipped back. Jack crouched slowly. Mac's eyes raked over the older man looking for any sign of threat.

"He...He's really gone…" Mac's voice fell to a constricted whisper.

"Yeah, he was buried in the cave, remember." Mac crossed his arms over his chest and curled forward his eyes closed.

"W...we...we're at Phoenix...in LA…" Mac murmured.

"Yep." Jack heard voices at the door and swore under his breath. Matty. Mac's head snapped up, and he stared at Jack with a combination of panic and betrayal. Shit, "That's Matty...you remember? Riley, Cage, Bozer…" Mac's eyes opened more at Bozer's name.

"I...i...is he…"

"He's fine, Mac. Kilov drugged you, he lied remember?" Mac closed his eyes and rubbed the heel of his hand across his forehead.

"Jack?"

"Yeah, kiddo?"

"I need out." Mac looked at him his eyes wide and desperate.

"Ok, brother, just relax a minute, ok? I'm going to get a wheelchair." Jack waited until Mac nodded then slowly moved back until he reached the door. He slid out and leaned against it taking a deep breath. A chorus of voices surrounded him. Jack held up his hand.

"Jack, what the hell is going on?" Matty demanded her face red with anger, "I hear TAC called here and came down to see what is happening only to find out they won't let me in the room. What…"

"Matty, please…" Jack started.

"Don't please me, Dalton…"

"Matty! Stand down!" Jack snapped in a commanding tone that allowed no argument. Matty snapped her head back as if Jack had slapped her. She narrowed her eyes and nodded.

"What do you need?" She asked her voice soft. Jack nodded his gratitude.

"I need a wheelchair and everyone to clear a path out to the Shelby."

"What…"

"Out of the question!"

"QUIET!" Matty bellowed. Everyone's voice stopped in midbreath, "What then?"

"I'm gonna take him to the beach until he settles down, then home. I'll call when we have everything settled there. In the meantime, we have to figure out what about this attack triggered him." Jack said. Matty nodded.

"Ok, we'll take care of it, you focus on Mac."

"Matty…" Jack stopped unable to put into words his appreciation. She offered him a warm smile.

"Take care of your partner." Jack nodded. Sally wheeled up a wheelchair. She looked at Jack worried. He put a hand on her shoulder.

"He's gonna be fine, Sally. He just needs some time to catch his bearings again." She nodded. Jack slowly opened the door and eased in the wheelchair.

"Mac, it's just me." He said gently. He looked back to see everyone walk down the hall. Jack smiled at Jenkins shoving Dr. Sexy ahead of him as the man blustered about doctor's privilege.

Mac sat in the pool of sunlight his head back and eyes closed as if he were showering clean in the bright, warm rays. He looked at Jack. The blond was calmer probably from the remaining sedation still in his system. Jack pushed the wheelchair as close as Mac would allow then put on the brakes. Jack backed off gritting his teeth. Mac crawled forward his braced knee dragging behind him. He shook as he lifted himself into the chair. Mac's head flopped forward.

"Are you ready to go?" Mac rubbed his left shoulder and nodded at Jack. Jack didn't move. Mac grunted bending to unbrake the chair then wheel it using his hands. Jack shoved aside debris and equipment then held the door open. Jack let out a long breath relieved. Matty was true to her word. The hall was deserted. Mac crept out studying the corridor a long minute before tentatively easing out. Moving slowly, Mac examined every inch of his environment as he wheeled forward. The kid relaxed more when Mac was outside in the sun. He sighed and leaned his head back.

"I'm gonna go get the car, ok?" Mac nodded. Jack jogged across the lot and in seconds pulled up in front of Mac. Jack had put the roof down and opened the door, not getting out of the car. Jack forced himself to look away as Mac huffed awkwardly settling into the passenger's seat. Mac shoved away the wheelchair and slammed the door shut. He let out a long breath and leaned back his eyes closed. Jack smiled as he left Phoenix driving at mortal speed for the beach.

Jack parked as close to the sandy beach as he could. The noise of the ocean was a soothing background noise to the shouts and murmurs of conversation. Jack leaned back feeling himself relax as he watched surfers and swimmers duck in and out of the water. He glanced at Mac who again had his head tilted back basking in the sun. Jack winced seeing how pale really was. Splotches of blue, purple and reds seemed to spill into his white waxy skin from black fingerprints. Jack looked away. The kid should be in the hospital, but Jack knew it would be awhile before he was comfortable being touched again.

"One of these days you're gonna have to talk about it, brother," Jack said softly. Mac didn't turn to face him, but Jack could see his Adam's apple bob. Jack didn't press he let out a deep breath, "Do you know what brought all this back?" The silence between them stretched long enough Jack wasn't expecting an answer.

"I think I saw him." Mac's voice was so quiet Jack barely heard it over the beach. Jack whipped off his shades and turned to face Mac. Mac flinched at the quick movement. Jack gritted his teeth and fought to keep his hand on his lap.

"That's impossible; he's dead." Mac swallowed and slowly turned to meet Jack's eyes. His eyes were watery and pleaded for something Jack didn't have to give.

"We never saw the body." Mac barely managed. Jack took a deep breath and rubbed his closed eyes.

"Mac, we never saw the body because there wasn't enough left to identify. There is absolutely no way Kilov survived, trust me." Mac's lip quivered, and he turned away. Jack leaned forward resting his forehead against the steering wheel. And there it was, the crux of the problem. Mac had been out of his mind when Jack's team was finally able to rescue him. He'd been drugged, beaten, tortured and…Jack felt bile burn the back of his throat. Mac had never said, but Jack had seen the bleeding and bruises on his naked body. It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened. The sick bastard responsible had been Yakov Kilov, a former Colonel in the KGB who had remained in Afghanistan after being disgraced for the savagery he rained down on the villages his troops passed through. Kilov was hunted by every civilized country, and even a few brutal dictatorships wanted him dead.

Rumors of him being alive had haunted him and Mac off and on over the years. No matter what Jack said, Mac would never believe it until he saw Kilov's corpse for himself. Jack squinted out at the far blue horizon watching some gauzy clouds drift across the darker line of the ocean. If he had known how much it would have helped his partner he would have saved the man's body or the scraps that remained. There might have been at least a part of the man's face. Jack sighed and glanced at Mac. Even if the cave hadn't caved in around them smearing Kilov under thousands of pounds of debris, even if he handed Mac the bastard's head on a plate, Jack wasn't sure Mac would trust it and let it go. He pushed this one so deep it was a ball of magma waiting for release.

Kilov had become the boogy man in Mac's sub-conscious. Jack rubbed his forehead. He knew a lot of what was in there and this hurt far deeper than any of that. Mac's brain only fed the fear making Kilov an oppressive harsh shadow. Jack knew if the kid would open up, dump out the shit it would take time but would heal, but Mac resisted that as much as he had Kilov. Jack frowned. Something had dredged this up, and Jack knew it couldn't be just some random attack in a parking lot.

"Tell me about last night. What happened?" Mac told him about Evalina and the fight. Jack nodded and frowned.

"Where in all that did you think you saw Kilov?" Mac flinched at the name. Mac looked at him. His brow furrowed; the kid was in agony.

"I don't know...I just know I..I...I saw...him...lean over me...and…" Mac closed his eyes and suddenly lurched forward.

"Shit!" Jack grabbed a fast food paper bag and held it in front of Mac's chin as the kid puked. Mac automatically reached out and grabbed Jack's forearm as his gut painfully spasmed. Jack put his hand on Mac's shoulder not liking the shaking or heat he felt through the hospital gown. With a final cry of pain, Mac finished and pulled away. Jack handed Mac a clean napkin then got out and threw the bag away. When he got back in, Mac leaned back half conscious. Jack slowly reached out and touched the kid's hand. Instead of the jerk away he expected, Mac reached out and clung to his sleeve. Jack could see Mac's body start to shudder. Jack slowly scooted closer. Mac's face caved in, and he leaned over latching onto Jack sobbing into the older man's shoulder. Jack let out a breath he'd been holding and felt his body relax for the first time since Mac had called him. If the kid could let Jack in this much, maybe they could finally slay this particular demon.

"Shhh, easy brother. I got ya, I promise." He said over and over tucking the blond's head under his chin, "I gotcha, I promise."