Partner for a Reason

Chapter 2

Jack was feeling better by the time they reached Phoenix. He wanted to go straight to the war room, but Tyler pushed him into Medical first. Although Jack was the boss of the TAC teams, in the medical department he was over ruled by Tyler. Grudgingly he obeyed and sat down on a examination table. Tyler positioned himself strategically beside the door. Jack raised an eyebrow and immediately regretted the motion.

„Just to make sure, you don't disappear before the doc could get a look at you. Since Mac is not around this week, somebody needs to make sure you don't scram Delta sissy."

„I'll get you for this Ty," Jack threatened, although his next bout of puking somehow belied his words. Tylers expression softened at Jacks misery. „We were lucky Jack, this could have cost us a few men easily."

The Delta agreed. „I know and I'll make sure Oversight and Matty will be aware of the fact too. It's ok Ty, go and let Oversight know what happened and then go home to your family. I'll be good."

„You sure boss?" Tyler had to admit he would love to go home to his pregnant wife rather sooner than later.

„Yeah, give Alice a kiss from me," he grinned. Tyler just shook his head and was about to leave when Riley stormed into the room. „How is he Ty?" She asked, the worried lines in her face making her look older than she was.

„Hey Ri, I'm here. Why don't you ask me?" Jack complained.

Riley turned to Jack. „Because I want an honest answer big guy. You were out a few minutes, not a good sign and I heard you were shot." She observed the nasty gash on his head with a wince. „Looks painful."

„I bet it is. He's got at least a concussion, but I think his hard head is not broken. He trew up and has trouble focussing, but you know him. Way to stubborn to admit it. The bullet just grazed him, won't even require stitches." Tyler gave her a short sitrep.

„I'm good, I just need to sleep it off and I'll be fine." He had to close his eyes, because suddenly the room started to spin again.

Riley rubbed his arm. „Hey you don't need to pretend with me. Just let the doc do his work ok. Try to be not difficult." The hacker spoke with a soft voice heavy with concern and Jack didn't want to add to her worries.

„I will, I promise. Go home and get some sleep honey, it's been a long day. You did good, I'm proud of you." Jack pulled her into a quick hug.

„Get some rest big guy. See you tomorrow." Riley gave him a kiss on his cheek, a rare sign of affection, but it spoke volumes how worried she was about her surrogate father. Together with Tyler she left Medical.

An hour, a CT scan and ten stitches in his head later Jack slowly made his way to the war room, where James MacGyver was waiting for him for debrief. Doc Ward had suggested that Jack should stay in Medical for oberservation overnight, but the Delta had refused. He just wanted to get this over with and hit his pillow at home. Jack had received a message from Mac, that he was at some nerdy AI conference for a few days. Well at least James hadn't sent his son on a solo mission. He texted Mac, that he was already back and everything was fine and he would call him later. With a sigh he entered the war room and prepared himself for facing his boss.

„Oh Jack, how are you? I just received the report from Doc Ward. No skull fracture, just a concussion and a graze on the arm."