Lie or Else (MacGyver Fanfic)

That's What Partners Are For

Hope you enjoy!!

"Commander Easton, I suggest moving this to medical. It looks like MacGyver is hurting more from whatever happened," Jack said, trying to help his friend with the pain.

"Nope, we have medical right here," the commander said, pulling out many first-aid kits from his vehicle, "Take your shirt off, MacGyver."

When MacGyver hesitated, Commander Easton made a serious look, which made the Delta Force repeat the same gesture.

The EOD tech glanced back at Carter. He was giving him the death look. It was the one that said, 'I will hurt you more if you tell them that I did that, whatever it was'. So, he just wouldn't tell them about Carter. He took off his shirt, eliciting gasps from Jack and Commander Easton.

On Mac's side, there were blue and purple bruises all over. There were even scars from a blade. How did that happen? It felt as bad as it looked, which was pretty bad, considering the faces of the people he saw every day.

It was probably when I was unconscious. I always wondered what Carter did before I woke up in my bed, Mac thought, That makes me feel sick.

"MacGyver, who is doing this to you? I want to know this minute. Either you are a clumsy EOD tech or someone has been beating you up. I vote for the latter. Even you admitted that someone was doing this," Commander Easton said, moving his fingers along Mac's ribs to see the extent of the injury, "MacGyver, you have a cracked rib. Tell Me. Now."

Mac avoided eye contact until Jack spoke, "Kid, now. I have taken you on many missions before the "incident" with your head. I want to know if someone if jeopardizing my partner's safety!" Jack raised his voice more towards the end, "Carter, tell me. Who did this to him?"

"I don't know their name," Mac said, absolutely lying in front of his superior. He was definitely going to have a punishment, alright. Jack looked back at him.

"I'm calling security. I can't have a lying EOD tech. And you, Carter. I am surprised that my best agents are telling me something that isn't even true," the commander said, not bluffing one bit.

And, the EOD tech and Carter knew that. When Commander Easton said that he was going to, or was on the radio to get security, they didn't even flinch. So, Jack was the only one who was surprised.

"Kid, you have got to tell me now. You have a way out of this. You just have to tell me a name, or agree to match a face, or faces. Please," Jack begged his partner.

Mac was hurting still, "I am not going to tell anyone. I will get sent home if it comes down to it. I'm sorry, Jack. Besides, I am the slowest EOD tech ever, right?"

Mac smiled at the last part. He was going to risk his career to not get someone in trouble. This was horrible. Jack could, no, would not let that happen. He stepped in front of Mac, trying to make eye contact, but it didn't work.

Mac had a plan. Mac looked at Jack, having full eye contact. Then, he looked at Carter with his eyes, not moving anything else, looking like an eye roll from Carter's view. But, when Jack started to look away, Mac looked back with a solid gaze.

Jack knew what his partner meant. That's what partners are for, right? But, did Commander Easton see? He looked at the commander who gave him a nod. He saw.

"Fine, then there is nothing I can do about it. But, I will still be very sad about getting a new partner, brother, to watch my back. Because that is what partners are for, they are brothers. Agree with me?"

Mac knew what he was saying and nodded. He was so glad that Jack was the one watching his back. He was gentle but firm with everything dealing with Mac. Right now, Jack just had to find proof to help his brother.

Commander Easton waited for medical to get there so they could give Mac the stuff he needs before putting the bandages on. Not long after, medical and the security team came to where they were.

"Men, please take James Carter down to the security tents and make sure he stays there. Medical, Angus MacGyver needs to be thoroughly checked over, then Jack Dalton and I will talk to him once his pain dies down,"

The two groups nodded and quickly did what they were told. Before Mac was put into a vehicle to go down to medical, Commander Easton gave him a wink. He tried to give a small smile, but he was starting to lay down, so it was hard.

1 Week Later

Mac woke up with a pounding headache. The doctor came in and told him everything that had happened. The ribs were worse than they thought and there were pieces floating around, causing major bleeding. They had to do surgery, and it was fine after.

About 5 minutes after the doctor had left, Jack and Commander Easton came in. They were exactly like they were a week ago, apparently, except more sympathy showed in Jack's eyes.

"Are you okay, kid?" Jack said, taking in his partner's condition.

Mac nodded and Commander Easton went straight to business, "Are you ready to tell us now? No one is in this tent, per my orders. I understand why you didn't tell us back there a week ago. So, is this it? Will you just tell us everything that has happened?" Commander Easton said, giving a hopeful look on his face, like Jack.

The EOD tech sat up as much as he could without his ribs hurting, "Yes, I will tell you everything. Just, Jack, go easy on me. It looks worse than it is," Mac lied.

Jack nodded so Mac started to speak, "The person that did this to me is James Carter,"

The commander was shocked, "How long has this been going on? Please don't lie to me. I really don't want that,"

"Don't worry. I have no reason to lie now if Jack is watching my back," Jack nodded, so Mac continued, "This has been going on two weeks now. It started when I accidentally messed up on patrol, he landed some blows to my ribs. Then, Jack and I went running, he saw it from that. In the village, Carter knocked me out. He jammed the door. When I woke up, he told me to not tell. In the week in the hospital because of the head injury, he stole my medicine and he sort of hurt me a little more, this time with knife incisions. We walked out of the tent a week ago after Jack had left, Carter thought I had told you because of the way you looked at him. That resulted in last week. But, we need evidence to nail him. Any questions?"

Jack looked like he was about to explode, "I am going to take a walk, so Commander Easton can do all of the questions. Feel better, man."

As soon as Jack got outside, he heard him getting sick. Then, he heard a gunshot: Jack came in with a graze on his lower leg.

"Oh, MacGyver! You did know the consequences of telling them, right?" Mac heard Carter's voice through the zipped tent, "But, this time, you can't even try to run!"

Carter ripped open the zipper of the tent and came inside, resulting in Jack and Commander Easton on their knees, "Payback, Mac."