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Mac peered into the darkness and listened carefully. He heard yells and shouts so the agent prepared himself for a fight. Suddenly the voices died down and Mac choose this moment to escape and ran towards the main door. He was just about to congratulate on his win when the warehouse flooded with light. Mac stumbled and blinked rapidly trying to adjust at the sudden brightness

"Hey You! Stop!"

Mac cursed and ducked behind few old boxes. He made a dive at the front door, avoiding the rain of bullets on him. The boy ran out of luck when a bullet grazed his shoulder and went passed him. Mac pursed his lips, hand going to his now bleeding shoulder but he didn't stop and blindly ran into the dark forest.

Mac hid himself behind a large tree and cradled his arm. He could still hear distinct footsteps on the dried leaves which told him the bad guys weren't far away. He held his hand over his mouth to stop giving away his harsh and loud breaths. It took few more minutes before finally the chaos died down. Mac let out a sigh of relief and pushed himself up. Now he could go back to the cave where he and Jack had decided to meet with the boys

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"Where's Mac?" asked Sam to his brother. Jack had set up a small fire in the cave where they had kept their backpacks. Chris was playing with a stick drawing patterns on the ground while Sam was being restless. The small boy saw Jack pace around the cave, eyes darting again and again at the entrance.

"I don't know Sam"

"Is he in trouble?"

"I don't know Sammy"

"Maybe we should go rescue him" suggested Mac and Jack nearly laughed at the comment. Chris looked up at his younger brother "You'll stay close to me okay. We just got rescued. You don't want to get snatched again do you?"

Sam had a pout on his face "I'll not get snatched. Even if I did...Mac will find me" Jack raised his eyebrows at the exchanged words between the two boys "Mac will find you? He's not even here!" he muttered

Sam stuck his tongue out at Chris's head and Jack laughed this time "He pulled out his tongue at me didn't he?" Chris said and he didn't even have to look up to see Sam do it

"Yes he did"

"You're such a teller tale!" Sam glared at Jack with his small eyes. Jack rolled his eyes and took a deep breath "Please make it back safe kid" he said mentally for fiftieth time

"You're worried about him aren't you?" Chris walked towards Jack and asked. He got a nod from the older man "He's my partner and my responsibly. It's my job to worry"

Chris looked at Sam who was now busy drawing on the ground with his fingers "I can understand. I worry about Sam too" Jack smiled fondly at the boy "Big brother job is tough huh?"

"You've no idea. They sure try your patience sometimes" answered Chris while wiping the dirt from his shirt. Jack grinned at the boy's words. He sure was much matured than his age. Guess that what does when you have someone younger to look after. He felt a tiny pang of jealousy. Atleast you have your brother with you. What about Mac? Where is he?

As if on cue Jack heard a noise. He hushed the two boys, placing a finger on his lips. The older man carefully and cautiously walked towards the entrance. Jack pulled out his gun and Sam's eyes widened "He has a gun!" Chris clamped his hand on his brother's mouth

Jack neared the entrance and peeked outside "Mac?" he whispered hoping his guess was right. Few seconds later he got a reply "Missed me?" Mac came into his view and Jack smiled broadly "You made it"

"You had a doubt?" Mac walked in and Sam jumped from his place "Mac! Mac! You came! Yay!" he ran and threw himself on Mac's long legs "I know bad guys wouldn't get ya" The young agent smiled and ruffled his hair "You're right buddy. Not even a scratch"

Jack was surprised when he saw the reunion. Sam had quickly become fond of Mac. He then heard a small gasp from Sam's side "Is that blood? Did you get an owie?"

Jack was instantly on alert. Blood. Gunshots. Oh God. Was Mac shot? He quickened his steps and turned his partner around so he could take a good look "Are you hurt Mac?" his eyes went wide seeing the amount of blood

"I'm fine Jack. It's just a scratch"

"Off!" Jack ordered pointing at Mac's jacket. The younger did what he was told and slowly removed his jacket. Jack's heart raced to no limits when he saw a wide bloody gash "What the hell! This is not a scratch kid. You've been shot!"

Sam ran to his brother and huddled closer to him, feeling scared of the older agent who's dark eyes was flashing in anger. Mac saw this and whispered to his friend "Calm down Jack. You're scaring the boys"

"I'm scaring?" Jack hissed back "Mac this is serious wound which is still bleeding. Geez kid...I told you to come back in one piece. I'm calling Matty to send the chopper immediately" Mac stopped his friend "No Jack. Those men are still out there. We've to lay low for the night"

"Are you crazy? Kid this wound could get infected by morning" Jack argued back but Mac was adamant about his decision "This isn't the first time I've got hurt. Please Jack...think about the kids. We cannot put them in danger"

"Mac.."

"I'm fine. I promise but there's just a tiny problem?" said Mac apologetically. Jack started checking for other injuries "Are you hurt somewhere else? Don't lie to me" his friend swatted his hand away "I just lost my cell on the way"

Jack sighed in relief "You scared me bud. But that's okay. I got mine. We will call first thing in the morning" he then walked towards his backpack and mentally thanked Bozer for forcing him to take the first aid box with him. Jack took some white quaze and antiseptic lotion. He checked the other items which were some bandages and a strip of painkiller tablets. This should do until Matty sends a chopper by morning, thought Jack and ran to attend his friend

"Hey. It's okay kids. Nothing to worry about" Mac assured the two boys. Chris nodded but Sam had a cute scowl on his face "Your partner is rude. He shouts at you"

Mac looked at Jack "Nah...he's just worried about me" Sam shook his head and leaned in to whisper in Mac's ears "He's a jerk" Chris elbowed his brother "Hey watch your mouth. Now you owe a nickle to the swearing jar just like mom said"

Sam crossed his arms and shook his head "Mom is not here" Chris matched his glare "Oh yeah. I'm your elder brother so I get to make rules"

Mac watched with amused expression how the two boys bickered for a while as Jack bandaged his shoulder. He then gave painkillers to Mac and offered water to the boys "When are we going home?" asked Chris

"Tomorrow morning. I promise" said Mac and asked them to sleep. Not a minute later he saw the kids fall into deep sleep with Chris wrapping an arm around Sam protectively. Jack and Mac took turns in keeping watch whole night. Though Mac had taken painkillers he shoulder would occasionally spam with pain. He didn't tell Jack about it knowing the older man would just freak out even more. It was matter of one night. Tomorrow morning everyone will be going back home

NEXT MORNING

"Oh shit! What the hell kid! Why did you take my phone!?" Jack's loud voice woke Mac from his uneasy sleep. He hissed when his shoulder was jostled as he tried to sit up "What's going on?"

Jack glared at Sam and saw Chris waking up beside him "Sammy? Are you okay? Why are you crying?" he pulled Sam close to him who cried hysterically as he hid himself in his older brother's arms "Why are you yelling at him?" asked Chris

Jack huffed out an angry breath "Sam just used up all my phone battery! He was playing games in my cell. How are we suppose to call for help!" Mac got up from the ground and felt dizzy. He blinked twice and shook his head "How did he get hold of your cell?"

"I...ah...I might've fallen asleep on my watch. But hey.. .that kid had no right to take my cell" Jack pointed at Sam. Chris glared at him and hugged his brother tightly

"You've games in your cell?"

"Not the issue right now!"

"Let me get this straight. I lost my phone and you have no battery so this leaves us no way to contact Matty" Mac raised his voice and winced. He clutched his shoulder when a sharp pain shot through his arm. Mac heard Sam cry harder so he walked to the boy "Sam stop crying. Everything is going to alright. I'm sorry for yelling"

"I was getting...bored...I'm sorry" Sam hicupped and Chris hushed him "It's okay Sammy. Don't cry baby brother"

Jack felt panic rise in him. The whole situation did an about turn in one night. Right now they were suppose to be waiting for the chopper to take them back home but now he was literally stranded in the middle of the jungle with no food no water two young boys and his injured friend. No matter how hard Mac tried to hide, Jack saw him wince at every step, he saw him feel dizzy and clutch his arm when in pain. He knew very soon the infection was going to set in and he had nothing but a couple of painkillers with him.

All Jack could think was 'How am I going to take care of three kids'

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