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Mackey was having fun, listening to DeShawn drone on and on about how Evie and Trigger spent a night out getting drunk and bowling. But then the alarm went off, then they got back to their headquarters, and now she's staring at the folder her son's picture used to sit atop of.
"Macka?" JD's voice sounds so far away that it's like a ghost.
"Boss? What's going on?" DeShawn sounds worried, but still far enough away that it's not doing anything.
"Oh no, someone call Carter, now," JD again, his voice commanding action. "Macka, I need you to look at me and tell me what you know. I can see the cogs in your brain turning. Come on, talk to me, Partner."
She can't bring herself to speak as cool hands rest on her shoulder and cheek, but then he drags her face towards him, forcing their eyes to meet.
"My son. The kill list. Me," she speaks brokenly, unable to put everything together.
But JD's eyes shine with understanding, he knows who else to call now, and he knows what's coming. His arms slide down, wrapping her in a tight hug as she breaks down in his arms, and then one disappears.
"Mackey's son is in danger. We need to talk, right now," JD's voice is cold, ruthless in a way she's never heard.
But as she's left in a world of panic, she's grateful for it.
"Video call, now," JD is demanding, and Mackey sighs into the hug as she rests her head on his shoulder. "Evie set it up."
"With who?" asks Evie in confusion even as she goes over to the computer while Blue pouts.
"Rankin," JD spits the name as he stares at her while dropping his phone on Mackey's desk. His voice goes soft as he brushes his lips against her ear. "We're going to keep him safe, Macka, I promise. Trust me."
"With everything I have, JD," murmurs Mackey as she crumbles into his hold.
"Rankin on in three," calls Evie loudly as Blue rolls the big screen out for them.
She barely registers the conversation JD is having with Rankin, but she catches the pieces about getting a protection detail for her family, making sure they'll fit in. She also hears the part where she can go home, should go home, to be with them, but she can't go without one of her teammates.
JD stepped up immediately, despite it being obvious that DeShawn should be the one to go. But DeShawn and Evie agreed with the decision as soon as JD spoke, like they were not only expecting it, but fully enforcing that it was happening whether anyone else agreed or not.
She's pretty happy with the decision, even if it's a bit awkward.
She needs JD by her side for this.
For more reasons than one, even if she's not ready to face the ones that have to do with her pounding heart.