Thanks for all the reviews. This is the last chapter and i'm so glad you guys liked it.
Jack walked in through the door first and saw Mac lying on a bed with the blankets up to his neck and his right hand stabbed with an IV needle. There was a thick tube in his throat that kept his mouth parted like he was stuck in the middle of a yawn. His eyes were shut and his hair balancing on his forehead.
Jack walked in and grabbed a chair setting it next to Mac's bed and he quietly sat there not saying a word.
Behind him came Riley, Bozer and Thorton all noticing how much Mac's condition was affecting Jack, because Jack was never this quiet for this long. Riley stood at the end of the bed at Mac's feet and Bozer had set a chair on the other side of Mac's bed; opposite to Jack.
The room was completely silent other than the beeping of the machines the four stayed there not saying a word to one another. Thorton broke the silence when she got a call and had to leave, telling them to keep her updated as she walked out.
It had been more than three hours since they entered Mac's room and both Bozer and Riley had fallen asleep. "Come on Mac" Jack whispered "you can't do this to me" he pleaded grabbing onto Mac's hand and resting his head on the side of the bed.
Around midnight Mac was disturbed by a constant beeping sound. He thought back to what was happening and why although he could hear noises he couldn't feel anything or open his eyes.
He tried so hard to but his eyelids were just so heavy, then suddenly out of nowhere he had a flash back of Jack pulling him out of a van and then there was Riley above him with a needle - a really big one. He remembered Bozer telling him he was here to talk to him if he wanted and and a man; there was a man in an alley and an explosion.
What the hell was going on? All these thoughts had his head spinning and made that small headache into a migraine. Mac let out an involuntary groan.
Jack was re-living the last few days over and over again, seeing how he could have saved Mac from all this struggle. Mac had always had a hard life, right from the beginning and Jack was meant to one thing; protect him and now he might have brain damage.
Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted when he heard a groan; he would have assumed it was Bozer or Riley until he felt a twitch in the arm he was lying over.
Jack sat up straight as he quickly as he could and wiped the sleep out of his eyes. He looked at the still figure on the bed and moved closer "Mac? Mac you hear me?" Jack asked hopefully.
He saw Mac's eyes flicker once or twice and could tell he was struggling to wake up. But he had hope, he had to.
"MAC!" Jack said a little louder and shook Mac ever so slightly on his shoulder.
Mac was ready to go back to unconsciousness it was so much more peaceful without this stupid beeping in his ear.
He couldn't for the life of him put to together where he was, and as you would imagine he was really good at puzzles.
Suddenly he heard his name, it was like a whisper and sounded so far away, and however crazy this might sound but he could have sworn it sounded like Jack.
For Jack he would wake up. Jack would have the answers he'd have his back like he always did.
He tried to open his eyes again but couldn't open them for longer than a flicker; which enough energy out of him and he could feel himself getting closer to nothingness again. Maybe he was going crazy. Maybe he was dead - and here comes that migraine again.
"MAC" the loud shout echoed and he knew for sure it was Jack. "JACK" he tried shouting back but he couldn't get his voice out.
Something was wrong he could he feel it, why was Jack shouting his name was he okay. What if Jack was hurt and he sat here thinking about going back, he couldnt leave Jack.
Riley and Bozer jumped out their seats after Jack shouted Mac's name and Mac groaned again.
"Boze why don't you get the nurse" Riley said moving towards Mac's side.
Mac was waking up now Jack could feel it and on cue Mac's blue eyes opened wide looking right at him. Jack laughed in excitement before he saw Mac realise there was a tube in his mouth and he panicked.
Mac gasped and brought his and up to the pipe trying to pull it out "whoa kid, calm down" Jack said grabbing his hand. Mac looked right at him before the doctor and nurse walked in ushering them out the room.
Ten minutes had passed when Riley, Bozer and Jack saw the doctor come out, he shut the door behind him and stared at the three "He's fine-" before he could finish he got sighs of relief and smile
"He got lucky his brain damage wasn't severe and he no longer needs the ventilator, but his throat will be dry it would probably hurt to talk. We are going to keep the pipe removing the excess blood attached to his stomach for a while and i'll remove it by tomorrow morning"
"What'd you mean wasn't severe" Jack said picking up on every word the doctor said
"He's got some amnesia, but that's to be expected, it will wear off. He still has a mild fever and so were going to keep him here a few days longer. If you need anything feel free to have a nurse page me" The doctor said before leaving
"wait doc" Riley said causing everyone to look at her "there was a kid who was brought in with him, his name was Jake"
"ahh Jake, yes fortunately the bullet didn't hit anything vital and you can find out his room at reception" the doc said walking away.
"Isn't Jake the guy that poisoned Mac?" Bozer asked more accusingly than he meant.
"He had no choice Bozer" Riley said walking into the room without another word Jack looked at Bozer "bet you lost a digit" "awh shut up man" Bozer replied with a smile and followed Riley.
"MAC!" Riley shouted running towards him with her arms open. She suddenly stopped halfway there "I won't break you will I?" she asked concerned.
Mac just looked at them all confused "who are you?"
"Mac that's not funny" Jack said with a smile sitting down on his side of Mac
"I was told my name was Angus; not that I like it, but maybe you're in the wrong room" Mac said
"Come on Mac. Phoenix, the paperclips, I'm the hacker and Jack's your muscle" Riley said without a breath
"I'm sorry I think you should leave" Mac replied.
Jack grew worried as well and he stood up "Bozer get the nurse" he said turning around to see Bozer sitting in a chair with a massive smile on his face.
"Why you smiling" Riley said.
Then Mac started laughing "MAC!" Riley shouted "Mac you son of a bitch" Jack said laughing and sitting down.
"Riley you won't break me" Mac said putting his hand out for a hug he ignored before. After she hugged him she sat down and turned to Bozer "How'd you know?"
"When we was in school Mac had broke his arm building some kind of rocket thing-"
"It wasn't a rocket it was a-"
"shhh Mac" Jack said stopping Mac's science lecture and letting Bozer carry on
"I went to the hospital after school and he pulled the same thing on me. I ran out crying and he had to call my house to tell my mum the truth."
Bozer finished shaking his head. Riley and Jack burst out laughing and so did Mac until his insides began hurting again and the headache still hadn't gone "you okay?" Jack asked "just sore" Mac replied.
"So what's the last thing you remember" Riley asked
"Well I've only got bits and pieces. I remember an explosion, and a man in an alley and you Riles with a massive needle" he said looking at her and Jack began the story on everything...
"...and she saved you man" he finished Mac looked over at Riley "thanks" He said genuinely.
He turned back to Jack "what happened to Jake and the kid"
"who cares" Bozer said
"he didn't have a choice Boze" Mac argued getting a massive grin from Riley.
"well we found his sister Rachel and he's still in the hospital" Jack replied "Ruby" Mac and Riley said together.
"So do we know who called Miller?" Mac said and everyone put their heads down
"Mac I think you should rest tonight we can catch you up on it tomorrow" Riley said avoiding the question
"Jack?" Mac said looking into Jack's eyes.
Jack looked at Riley and Bozer and they got the hint "Alright were gonna call it a night. Im glad you're oay Mac" Riley said hugging him once more before leaving
"Bro don't ever scare me like that again you hear me" Bozer said hugging Mac and leaving behind Riley.
They sat there in silence for about two minutes before Mac said "it was Nikki wasn't it" Mac said fidgeting with his fingers.
Jack looked up and nodded "How'd you know" Jack realised that was a stupid question because Mac practically knew everything
"well i figure you wouldn't want me to know cause it would hurt me and the one person who just keeps hurting me is Nikki" Mac said silently "and well..."
Mac stopped looking back down and fidgeting with the tape round his IV. "Well?" Jack asked staring at Mac "I may have been looking into her again and i think i found something important and that's why she sent a hit on me" Mac mumbled but loud enough for Jack to hear.
Jack stood up anger taking over him. He turned around and kicked his chair making it fly across the room. Mac flinched looking up from his hand and stared at Jack, a nurse walked in and saw the chair and looked at Jack "everything okay here?"
"We're fine thanks" Jack answered and the nurse looked at them for a second longer before closing the door as she left.
"I'm sorry" Mac said after the nurse left and Jack turned around and looked at him
"You're sorry? Is that it Mac? I thought i lost you!" Jack shouted
"Yeah well you didn't" Mac answered as if talking back to his parents when he's in trouble.
"That's not the point Mac and you know it" Jack said in a more calming tone
"Why does it matter now anyways, I'm fine" Mac countered
"It matters to me" Mac saw the look Jack was giving and he sat up more and looked at him "Jack what's wrong"
Jack just started laughing "you're the one in the hospital, I'm fine. You make it so hard to be mad at you with that ginormous heart of yours"
Mac just looked at him "don't try that Jack, I can tell when somethings off about you"
Jack grabbed Bozer's chair and sat down "I just I feel guilty. I know you think this is none of my fault but I mean i didn't even know you were poisoned until it was too late!" Jack sighed, it was his turn to look down now
"I don't think it, I know it. I know that it's not your fault Jack. There was no way in hell you would have been able to do anything about this. I didn't even know i was poisoned" Mac replied
"I'm meant to protect you brother. And I'm failing" Jack said looking up into Mac's eyes.
"Look, Jack, you've had my back for longer than I can remember. This, this is not your fault okay." Mac said putting his hand on Jack's hand.
"Well I'm not gonna say I love you" Jack said with a grin "I know you won't Jack" Mac smiled back.
"So how much was she paying for me?" the question took Jack off guard and he looked at Mac surprised "Million bucks" he replied after a second "Bit overpriced if you ask me" Jack said trying to lighten up the mood as best he could.
Mac just grinned "We'll get her Mac, don't worry" Jack said putting a hand on Mac's shoulder.
Mac shrugged and Jack carried on changing the topic "So you hungry, I can have take out broughtit to the hospital" Jack offered
"I wouldn't mind Chinese" Mac answered with a smile
"Never again Mac, never again" Jack laughed.