Disclaimer: I don't own MacGyver.
A/N: I know that I have another WIP in this fandom, a "Not So Merry Christmas". I promise that I did not forget about it and I started writing the next chapter. But, this story wouldn't leave me alone, so I had to run with it. Enjoy!
Calamine Lotion + Oven Mitts-Chapter 1
"So, let me get this straight. You haven't seen Leanna in six weeks and you're going to take her to comic con?" Riley asks as she, Mac, and Bozer walk along the main hallway of the Phoenix Foundation.
"We're still getting to know each other. She had no idea about my movie thing, so I'm trying to impress her with my vast inner workings of the movie industry," Bozer explains with a huge smile.
"More like annoy the crap out of her with your useless movie trivial," Riley quips.
"Hey! I can only imagine what you would want to do on a date," Bozer replies.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Riley asks with a bit of aggravation in her voice.
"What the heck are you guys rambling on about?" Jack asks as he joins the trio.
"Bozer wants to take Leanna to comic con," Riley explains as she looks to an unusually quiet Mac. "Don't you guys think he can do something else with her? It's not like they get to see each other a lot."
Mac doesn't reply, but Bozer does. "Don't ask Jack that!"
"Why do you say that?!" Jack asks exasperated.
"Beeecause your idea of a good date night is taking your date out to the shooting range and then grabbing some wings," Bozer replies.
"So, what's wrong with that?" Jack asks.
Bozer huffs. "Nothing if you're going to head over to a frat party after."
"I hate to cut this short, but Matty is looking for us. It's only Monday and I don't want to get on her bad side this early in the week," Riley cuts in to stop the disagreement from escalating.
"Yeah. We better get going," Bozer says as they head to Matty's office.
The unusually quiet Mac has Jack a little concerned. He didn't offer any input on their "great date night" discussion. Jack expected a little ribbing from the blonde, even if it was at his own expense. But Mac was eerily silent throughout the conversation.
"You okay, Mac?"
"I'm fine," Mac answers quickly. Too quickly.
But, unfortunately before Jack can dig deeper, they've reached Matti's office. Jack's concern for his partner must take the backburner for now. Duty calls
"Well, look who has finally decided to join us," Matty says to Cage as the rest of the team walks into the office. "Now that's everyone is here. Let's get started."
Everyone's attention is turned towards the large screen. Mac's eyes might be looking straight ahead, but his hands are elsewhere. And they're not working on one of his famous paperclip creations. He's fiercely scratching a spot on his back.
"Meet Olga Petrova. A Russian spy who has had a change of heart after meeting her mark, Mark Samuels," Matty begins. "Samuels is head of Secura, a security firm that specializes in providing security for the CDC warehouses that house some rather nasty biological agents. Ebola. Small Pox just to name a few."
"Why the sudden change in heart?" Jack asks as Mac's scratching moves to the back of his neck.
"Petrova has fallen for Samuels," Matty says with a quirk of her eyebrow.
"Oh man, are you joking?!" Jack exclaims.
"Afraid not," Matty says as she brings up a photograph of a very pregnant Olga Petrova wrapped in the arms of a smitten looking Samuels.
"Give me a break!" Jack says.
"Do we know this is for real?" Riley asks.
"Yeah, are we sure this isn't some elaborate rouse of the Russians to get her into the country legally?" Bozer adds.
"Every US agency has vetted this. They all say the same thing. That Petrova legitimately wants to defect to the US," Cage confirms.
"I don't buy it," Jack says shaking his head.
"Well, you're not giving the orders around here," Matty says. "I am. And your order is to go to London to retrieve Petrova, who's in one of our safe houses, before the Russians figure out what she's up to. Are we clear?"
"You got it boss," Riley says.
"Crystal," Jack says.
"Got it," Bozer says.
Matty's attention turns to Mac who stops itching his back in mid scratch. "You're very quiet, MacGyver. You don't have anything to say about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Nothing. When do we leave?" Mac asks rubbing his forehead.
Matty shakes her head. "I don't like this."
"See! I told you this situation is fishy," Jack says.
"Not the mission, Jack." Matty replies and then takes a good look at Mac. "I don't like how quiet you are. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine," Mac says as he now feels everyone's eyes on him. Just great.
"You are awfully quiet," Riley says. "You didn't make one comment about Bozer taking Leanna to comic con."
"You do look tired," Cage says.
"And you didn't eat breakfast. And I made my famous blueberry pancakes," Bozer adds.
"Guys! I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine." As if to prove he's lying, a sudden vicious itch on his side is calling his attention.
"Add irritability to the list," Riley quips.
"Why the hell are you itching?" Matty asks as Mac scratches the nape of his neck roughly.
Concerned, Jack moves towards his partner and stretches out a hand to touch his forehead. His hand is met with warm, clammy skin. "And I think you have a fever," Jack says worried. What's more alarming than the actual fever is that Mac didn't move out of Jack's reach. His usual catlike reflexes are definitely slowed. That's not good.
"MacGyver, go to medical to get checked out." Matty orders.
"Guys, I appreciate your concern. But, I'm telling you. I'm fine," Mac tries.
Matty walks closer to the blonde. "This is not a request."
The determined look on his boss' face and the concerned ones of his teammates leave no room for debate. "Fine, I'm going now. Don't leave until I'm cleared from medical."
Matty mods her head. "If Medical clears you, we'll wait for you."
Knowing the discussion was over, Mac reluctantly makes his way towards medical.
XXXXX
"So, what's the verdict, doc?" Mac asks Dr. Kelligan, the Phoenix Foundation's head physician, after his examination. "Am I going to live?" Mac jokes.
The doctor gives the blonde a small smile. "You'll be fine in a few days. Two weeks at most."
"What?" Mac exclaims. "Two weeks?"
"Have you ever had the chicken pox?" Dr. Kelligan asks. "Or did you get the vaccine when you were younger?"
Mac frowns. "I could have sworn I had them when I was a little kid."
"I don't think you did, MacGyver. Because my friend, you have them now."
"Are you joking?" MacGyver says as he rubs his head. The dull headache he woke up with this morning has only gotten worse as the day has gone by.
"I'm afraid so," Dr. Kelligan says.
"Just great." Mac sighs. "Jack and the others are going to have a field day with this one. Chicken Pox. I thought only kids get Chicken Pox."
"And you," Dr. Kelligan adds.
"Let the jokes begin," Mac says as he lays back down on the exam table.
XXXXX
"Okay, so change in plans," Matty says to the Riley, Jack, Bozer, and Cage. "I just got off the phone with Dr. Kelligan down in medical. Mac's grounded."
"What's wrong" Jack asks concerned.
Matty holds her hands up. "Mac has the Chicken Pox."
"The Chicken Pox?! Are you joking?" Bozer adds.
"Afraid not. Our young blonde, baby-Einstein is currently scratching himself raw down in med bay with a fever of 102.3," Matty confirms.
"I thought only kids get them," Riley says.
"And Mac apparently," Bozer adds.
"Oh, this is going to be great. I can't wait to harass the kid about catching a kid's disease," Jack says way too gleefully.
"Well, your happiness at your partner's expense is going to have to wait for a bit. We still have a mission. I need you and Cage to go to London to retrieve Petrova. Wheels are up in 30. Riley is going to stay here for logistics," Matty explains.
"And what about me?" Bozer asks.
"You are going to get your roommate from medical and take him home where you are going to sit on him to make sure that he does nothing stupid while he recuperates," Matty says.
Bozer's eyes get saucer big. "No! You can't do that to me. Riley is going to need me here."
"Um, no I won't. I can do this blindfolded," Riley says shaking her head.
Bozer turns towards Jack. "Take me with you!"
"Am I missing something?" Cage asks confused. "Why is Bozer so desperate to do anything but watch Mac?"
Jack chuckles. "Cage, we got the easy job here. Russian spies. Biological agents. That's nothing compared to what Bozer is about to endure. You haven't had the pleasure of watching over a sick Mac, no Bueno."
"No bueno is right," Bozer says. "The last time he was sick and running a crazy ass fever, he somehow connected the television to the microwave. I nearly messed myself when the Walking Dead started blasting at two in the morning when I went to heat up a Hot Pocket."
An incoming call is coming in from medical. "Well, Bozer. You better get ready because I bet $20 bucks that is Doc begging you to get down there to get Mac off her hands," Jack says laughing.
"Laugh it up, Jack. Don't forget about my little friend named, Karma. And she does like to be a bitch."
"Good luck, Bozer." Jack says as he walks by the younger man on his way out. "You're going to need it."
"Hi, Doc." Matty answers the call. "What can I do for you?"
An exasperated Dr. Kelligan replies, "I thought you said someone was coming down here to get MacGyver. He's trying to do something to my MRI machine.."
Jack lets out a loud laugh as Bozer lets out a whimper.
"Wait up, Jack. I'm coming," Cage calls as she quickly makes her exit behind the former Delta.
"Cage! Jack! Come back," Bozer yells after the retreating pair.
I hope you guys liked it! I have it in my head that Mac would be the worst patient ever. The way his mind is always going, I bet he will not know how to just let his body rest.
