Between Two Fires
A fic by: Megan Gallagher
I was curled in the corner of the temp. room of the Challenger's Center, sobbing. The thought had finally occurred to me. After nearly a whole numb month, it finally hit me. I had lost everything. My sister and I were alone in the world, and I no longer had control in my life. The tears I shed could have put out the fire... If only I had cried them then. My family... save my sister, Robyn, had died in the fire that night. Ironically enough, I lost my sister that night, too.
Truth be told, I shouldn't have even ended up here. The Challenger's Center, I mean... I was nearly 21, and though they would take you in no matter what, I felt out of place. But I had to do something with my sister, and I had no where else to go.
In the days after the fire, Robyn became quiet, secret, forlorn. I was known as a dreamer, but Robyn had lived in a blissfully innocent world of her own for almost 16 years. She was still naïve, still child-like... She needed someone to protect her, and somehow, in those first few days, I had already failed her in that.
In those first, hazy days, when the smoke had cleared from my mind, and flames still roared in my nightmares, I saw my sister changing. Her moods had gone from quiet, reserved, and upset, and I feared that she might be forgetting our parents, and slipping away into her fantasy dreams. She had always been the one to create some wild dream to replace any pain in her life...
He had come strolling into our life, almost immediately, it seemed. He was soft-spoken, sweet, caring. He had lost a daughter in much the same way we had lost our parents, and he had the scars to prove it, both emotionally, and physically... His name was Murdoc, and from the moment I met him, I knew he was a liar. But Robyn had succumbed to his charms, his saccharine- sweet lies, and ran to him as to the father she still should have had. I couldn't remove from her the last link to the world. It would destroy her utterly, and as my last living relative, I couldn't bear to hurt her again... so soon.
So there I was. Sobbing, frustrated, and at the complete end of my rope. I didn't know what to do anymore. I had no one to ask for advice, like I once had. In my heart I knew that taking Robyn away would destroy her, but to have to live, enduring Murdoc, his lies, and his affections... I couldn't do that. Not even for my sister.
When the door opened, I didn't even notice.
"Sorry... Wrong room..."
The first thing I saw was his hair. A mop of shaggy, blonde hair. Then worried brown eyes. No, chocolate- amber eyes, staring at my pitiful form curled tight as a frightened hedgehog on the bed.
"You ok..?"
"Of course." I sniffled, wiping tears from reddened eyes, and trying to gain some measure of dignity.
"You need someone to talk to?"
"No. I'm fine. Really." I lied pitifully.
"Alright then..." The stranger said, doubtfully. "Well, the name's MacGyver. I'm here all the time. If you ever want someone to talk to, you can always talk to me."
I sighed. "I'm Phoenyx. Phoenyx Jackson."
"Phoenyx..." He chuckled quietly.
"What?"
"Nothing. I, uh... I hope I see you around. Phoenyx."
He smiled, a funny, quirked, almost sideways smile, and ducked from the room, closing the door behind him. He had been everything Murdoc advertised himself to be, but modest, genuine. I felt the briefest of urges to call him back, but to say what? And as I sat alone in the corner, letting the tears flow back into my eyes, I wondered, Why couldn't he have been around when my sister needed someone?
Starstarstar
Hours later, I found myself back in the dismal little room of the Challenger's Center, after a long, lonely dinner. I had avoided Murdoc and my sister like a plague that day. Murdoc was the last thing I needed. He, along with my sister's insistence that he wanted to help us, and that I was imagining everything, and that I wanted her to sit around moping about our family when there was nothing to be done about them... All I could think about was getting away.
The knock came just as I was pushing away the thoughts of Robyn. The door opened.
"Phoenyx? You didn't join us for dinner. I thought we had plans. You're sister was very upset."
"I didn't feel up to coming." I growled shortly.
Murdoc gave an almost convincing look of disappointment. "You shouldn't do that to your sister, you know. You're the only one she has left. She needs you, Phoenyx. I can't help her alone." He approached the bed, sat down.
I moved away, doing my best to conceal revulsion. "I couldn't come. I just..." I trailed off. He had slung one arm across my shoulders. "I just... I couldn't. I didn't feel well. It would do her no good to see me unwell."
It was almost a relief when Murdoc stood to leave. But just as he went to turn away, he seemed to think better of himself, and turned back, lifting my chin with one hand.
"You know, if you need anything. Anything at all, I'll be right here." He smiled, but the cold emptiness of his eyes gave him away all too well.
"I'll be fine," I hissed, lifting my chin from his grasp. A flame flickered in his eyes for a moment, but was quickly concealed.
"As you wish..."
As he strode out the door, I allowed my shoulders to slump, angry tears welling in my eyes. Why, why did they have to leave me? Why did they have to leave me, thrusting me into his arms... his bed? A wave of nausea swept over me, the skin on the back of my neck creeping. God forbid I was ever abandoned completely. I lay down to sleep, now beyond the ability to care that he was still peering through the crack of my door.
Starstarstar
Phoenyx woke the next morning, stretched, and crawled from her bed. Sleep had been riddled with nightmares. She was personally glad she hadn't woken next to Murdoc, as she had in many of her visions. She had woken screaming just hours before to nightmares of him laughing madly while sitting on the front steps of her burning house. He had grabbed her, pulling her in, keeping her from escaping. Her eyes had opened on the darkness beyond only when flames were licking at her feet.
She knew what she had to do. It was either suffer and try to carry on alone, or attempt to find a landline. Someone to keep her from slowly going mad, or worse, from damaging herself, her sister, or Murdoc.
She found MacGyver leaning against the front desk. He was grinning, speaking to the secretary. He looked out of place, so cheerful and perfect. She steadied her nerves and approached him. As his deep chocolate eyes fell on her face, she felt the slightest twinge of embarrassment for being so weak as to need help from a total stranger. But his smile broadened, and he approached, white sneakers squeaking quietly on the much- traversed tile floor.
"What can I do for ya?" He asked, cocking his head to one side.
"I need to talk to someone. You're the first one I could think of... the only one I could think of, actually." She ran her fingers embarrassedly through her messy reddish hair, looking at her feet.
"... Have you had breakfast yet?"
"No, but I'm supposed to be meeting my sister and... I'm supposed to have breakfast with my sister." She sighed. "I missed dinner with her last night, but... I don't think I can make myself go. It's not because I don't want to see her... Look, there's this guy, and he's been pretty nice to us... to her, she needs someone to take care of her... But he gives me a bad feeling, like he's not genuine. I'd like to avoid him as much as possible, but I can't ask my sister to just give up the life she's rebuilding. She already blames everything on me..."
"Why don't you trust him?"
"It's not like I think my sister's life is in danger, or anything... It's just that, well, he... creeps me out. He's always around, not doing anything in particular, but I think he's been... watching me." Her voice dropped to a whisper.
MacGyver took her by the arm, leading her off toward her room.
"This isn't the place to be discussing this. Especially if you think he's following you." He hissed quietly. His eyes softened, and he led her into her room, and shut the door. He peeked out the window, poked around the closet, and when he was finally satisfied she wasn't being listened to, he took a seat on the very end of the bed.
"What is it you do, Mr. MacGyver?" Phoenyx asked, watching his search.
"I work for an organization called the Phoenix Foundation." He said with a grin.
"Phoenix..." She smiled in understanding. "How ironic."
"It's a governmental think tank. We deal mostly with environmental issues, but every so often, we get to deal with classified stuff. That's when the fun begins."
"Somehow, I knew I could trust you."
MacGyver smiled.
"Well, I think we can talk now. I think your room's pretty much safe."
"He's always around. He's always watching me. He keeps telling me he can't help my sister on his own. He needs my help. I should be more around. I should be more supportive. I should spend more time with them. I should come talk to him. I should go to dinner with him so he can 'tell me what he needs me to do.' He's always lurking in some dark corner, as if waiting to jump out and... I don't want to think about it. And I keep having to tell myself that my sister is happy. He's been marvelous with her. He truly cares about helping her, somehow I know that. But he scares me. And then I have to tell myself that I shouldn't let my personal worries interfere with my sister and her wellbeing. I have to do what's best for her. Even if I feel I personally am in danger."
"You shouldn't have to feel that way. That's not the only solution. You know that, inside. You just can't seem to think of a better option."
"Why couldn't we have met you?"
A silence ensued.
"Maybe because all this stress will lead to some miraculous ending..." MacGyver said quietly. "By the way, who is this guy, anyway? Maybe I can talk to him... get his act together."
"Murdoc." Phoenyx said simply.
MacGyver's face blanched white. He laid a hand on her shoulder.
"What?"
"Now, I can't be certain this is the same guy, but I knew a Murdoc once, and he was a murderer..."
Starstarstar
"A... Murderer?" No. I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it. Murdoc, the man who had taken in my sister when no one else could? Sure he was creepy, but a murderer? He couldn't be. I refused to believe it. I looked back at MacGyver for confirmation. It was no joke.
"You really think my sister is... At breakfast with a murderer? I have to go get her!" I pulled away and strode to the door, before MacGyver pulled me back.
"No. He doesn't work that way. He's quiet, sneaky. He won't strike until he's sure no one is watching. You usually don't even notice him until he's already shot you..."
"How do you know about him?"
"I've killed him before... Seven times before, actually. He's unusual. Like a cockroach, impossible to kill." MacGyver looked at me, his eyes were duller, almost deeper brown. "He's come after me seven times. I've escaped barely seven times. If he knows I've been around you, he'll try to use you to get to me. You never saw me, and if he asks, you don't know a MacGyver."
I nodded mutely. Wonderful. My life had taken so many turns since the fire... First I lost my parents, then my sister, then I gained a homicidal maniac who was bent on killing the one sane person I seemed to know. Worst of all, said homicidal maniac had turned whatever affection he could muster on me... How was I expected to do well by my sister, and save her from the one person she was opening up to?
"I think maybe I should be alone for awhile. I need to think."
He looked at me, almost sadly. I knew he wanted to help me, but face it, what could he do?
"I'll be around if you need me. Promise me you'll talk to me again. I'll do my best to help you and your sister..."
As he walked away, I looked sadly down the hall after him. I knew my only real chance for help was walking away down the hall, but I had to digest what he had told me. Murdoc, a murderer. Murdoc, the man who I had known was a liar, and yet... I had hoped so badly he would do my sister a world of good. But if he was who MacGyver said he was... I had to get her out of there. And fast.
Starstarstar
"Phoenyx, don't start this with me again!" My sister was giving me that look again. "I know you don't like him, but leave him alone! What's he done to you?"
"What has he done to me? Robyn, the man watches me while I sleep! I think I deserve to be a little worried about him!"
"If you're asleep, how do you know he watches you?"
"I know, Robyn. I know." I looked at her pleadingly.
"Just because he isn't DAD... he's not a creep! Jesus, Phoenyx, stop it! Just because you hate MEN so much!.."
"Robyn!" I couldn't believe her nerve.
"Fine! If you don't believe me, Fine. But when I go mysteriously missing, or end up dead in some park somewhere, I'M BLAMING YOU!"
"YOU CAN'T BLAME ME IF YOU'RE DEAD!"
I stormed from her room, tears stinging my eyes. I needed to find MacGyver. Make Robyn see reason. Of course, the first person I ran into had to be Murdoc.
"Phoenyx..." He stopped short, his eyes sweeping me, as if sizing me up.
I nodded quietly
"You missed breakfast again. We haven't seen you in days. Are you alright? Do you need someone to talk to?" His voice was as silky as a serpent's belly.
"I'm fine." I growled through gritted teeth.
"Please. You know I want to help you." He was lying through his teeth now, and I knew it.
"Come on you liar." I thought venomously "Just try something. Try something and give me the excuse to throw you to the police."
"You know I will always be there for you, Phoenyx. Whatever you need. Anything at all. Just ask. I aim to please you know..."
He was sickening me now. I had to get away from him. All the while he was slowly edging me back. Into a corner. I was slowly being trapped, and I knew it.
"I, uh... I have to go. I have something to do."
"Nonsense... I'm sure it can wait. May I speak to you? Alone?"
"Really, I'm actually kind of busy..."
His expression finalized the conversation.
"Right. I guess it can wait until later..." And with that, I followed him gloomily into an empty game room, and shut the door behind me, a cold feeling of dread crawling along my spine. A hand trailed lazily across my shoulders and came to rest, pulling me much too close for comfort.
"I'm getting worried about you, Phoenyx. You're never around. You seem so distant... Is there anything you want to tell me?"
"Nothing." I fought to remain calm.
"Good. I sincerely hope all is well with you. I care, Phoenyx. I know you don't think I do, but I do. I want the best for you and your sister. I only wish you would open up to me. I can't help your sister without you, and I can't help you if you won't let me in." His silk smooth voice was lulling me like a bobbing cobra. If only I could stay alert enough to prepare for the strike. I could literally feel all my senses shutting down. I HAD to stay alert.
"Your sister says you don't trust me..." He was barely whispering now.
"You don't need to be afraid to trust me. You can just open up. Let go..."
I could swear he was bobbing like a cobra now.
"Look at me. Trust me. I have nothing to hide." The whisper was almost singsong now. I was falling. I was failing and I knew it.
"I need you Phoenyx. I need you to trust me. I can't help you if you don't trust me..."
"I..."
He leaned closer to me, anticipating.
"I... can't..."
The look of hurt in his eyes was almost genuine. I almost felt badly for him. I knew it was part of the magic he had woven, but all the same. That little part of me, the part I had always denied I had, was begging me to give in. I knew what a snake he was, what a monster he was, yet something in his plea was genuine. And it scared me. Confused, I apologized quickly for having to leave.
"I'm sorry. I really have to go now. I'm very busy..."
As I rushed from the room, I glanced back. I could see his shoulders slump, but whether it was because he truly regretted not convincing me, or that he was just frustrated, I couldn't tell.
Starstarstar
"MacGyver!!" I caught him just as he was leaving. He turned to me, one eyebrow raised.
"I need to talk to you. Please!"
"Come with me."
I followed him out to a Jeep.
"Hop in!"
I climbed in cautiously. He donned a pair of sunglasses, started the engine, and drove off.
"Whaddya need?"
"Murdoc. You're right. He is dangerous. I need you to help me save my sister."
MacGyver scratched his head.
"I dunno what I can do, but I'm more than happy to try."
"Thank you so much..." I sat in silence for awhile, watching him drive. I wasn't sure I could put into words what needed to be said. Two days ago, he was practically a perfect stranger. Now, suddenly, he was a friend. Not only a friend, but someone I could turn to in a time of need. Now I understood what my sister saw in Murdoc... If only he had been as honest as MacGyver... I watched him drive, his hair messed in the breeze off the ocean. We were driving up the Californian coast now. It had just occurred to me I had no idea where he was taking me.
"Uhh, where are we going?" I finally asked.
"Somewhere..." Was his only reply. He grinned mysteriously and accelerated, sending me gasping for breath in the sharp wind.
Before I knew it, we were parked along what was decidedly the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the world.
"I just wanted to take you someplace to reassure you." Mac smiled. "No matter how dark things are, remember, what you see then is only a small part of life. Places like this? They make our world so much brighter. If you ever find yourself in a situation so dark you don't think you can find your way out, think of places like these, and they will light your way."
I found myself speechless. I couldn't fathom what had possessed him to bring me here, but the place and the time were right. I had come to a time when I needed what he had said more than I would ever know, and knew that times could only grow darker. As long as my sister's mind was so poisoned by Murdoc's lies... As long as I had to fight, both for myself and my sister, I knew I would need those words. And it comforted me. Knowing that someone in this world really cared about me, and that those feelings hadn't died with my family in our house, comforted me, gave me hope. Maybe all was not lost. Maybe we could overcome Murdoc and feel safe again. And maybe I could win back my sister's love and trust again.
Starstarstar
I had made a point to see MacGyver more and more often as the week progressed. He had touched me so deeply with such a simple gesture that I couldn't seem to shake him from my mind. I no longer simply ran to him to help when I needed it, but began to truly spend time with him. I gradually came to realize that, in some small way, I was gaining my life back. We spent most of our time just sitting, somewhere, be it his houseboat, or in the middle of some woods somewhere, talking about life. And somehow, I began to feel like a normal girl my age should.
But Murdoc had not gone away, and the time between my visits with MacGyver was just as full of worry as it had always been. Murdoc was beginning to catch on to my frequent absence. He knew I had made friends outside his sphere of control, and was beginning to linger in my presence. He was watching me now, and that meant seeing Mac was all the more difficult.
I found myself wondering just what went on inside the head of a person like Murdoc. If he was supposed to be so cold and heartless, why would he even consider spending so much time with my sister? He was acting more like a bleeding- heart than a murderer. And I began to wonder if what had lingered at the back of my mind for so long was true. What I had mistaken for some creepy obsession, somewhere, in the pit of his black heart, could possibly be...
Affection?
I didn't want to admit that possibility, because I knew, since the day in the game-room, that I was weak, and that all he had to do was start hissing in that snake- tongue of his, and I was as entranced as a rabbit in front of a cobra. He could talk me into anything, convince me of anything, and I was all but powerless to stop it. It had been a close call that day. I didn't want to get any closer. But if he was driven by pure lust, eventually, I would be backed into a corner, unable to refuse. And then what would become of my sister and I?
Starstarstar
Murdoc was sitting, head in his hands, in the corner of his rented apartment. Since MacGyver had lived, all luxury had evaporated in his life. It wasn't as if he didn't still have everything he ever could want, but until MacGyver was dead, there would be no returning to the country home in Britain.
Thinking about it, he realized, as he often did, that he was not completely satisfied with his life. He had gotten almost everything he ever wanted, when it all boiled down at the end of the day. But there was one thing he had never had. Phoenyx.
From the moment he saw her, standing on the street, holding her sister so close, fire blazing away, lighting up her face with an almost angelic glow, considering the hellish flames surrounding her, he had wanted her. Needed to see her again. If ever he had wished for something so good and pure in his life, it had been her.
For a lifetime he had justified hate, justified death, justified everything he had done, but he could not justify what went through his mind every time she entered a room. She was the opposite of everything he stood for. She would be the one to raise up even the smallest and weakest of men, whereas he would raze them down, clearing the path for only the strongest to survive. He being the strongest of them all... That is until he saw her on the street that night.
He had suffered only one weakness before in his life. He had fallen desperately for Penny Parker, and she had all but spat in his face. To be rejected by one so... expendable... He thought he had secured all the barriers in his mind. He didn't think it possible to be brought to his knees so quickly again. For a man who had never known love, or even kindness, he could not understand this sudden new weakness.
He would have Phoenyx. MacGyver wasn't involved this time. He couldn't turn her head. This time he would be successful. The girl was already beginning to see sense... At least, what he would call sense.
"I will have you, my love..."