Chapter II: Quarter after one

"It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.

I said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now."

MCG

"Hello?" a sleepy voice answered on third ring.

"I, uh, I was just wondering if I ever cross your mind," I stuttered to the phone," Because you cross my mind continuously. You practically live there."

"What is this? I swear if Jack is behind this, I'll kill him. Do you have any idea what time.., Kenzie?" MacGyver's voice was grumpy before he realized who I was.

"Yeah Mac, it's me. And it's quarter after one," I said, wondering who Jack was.

"My god, Kenzie Erin Byrd, is it really you? Where are you?" all sleepiness had vanished from Mac's voice.

"It's really me. This is stupid, I said to my friend that I wouldn't call but I called anyway. I'm at a little motel, three blocks from where you live."

"What? You're here? In a motel? Uh, stay there, I'll come and get you," Mac asked and before I had time to say anything he had ended the call and was coming to get me. And not long after that, he knocked behind the door.

"Birdie. What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Mac was wondering. And suddenly, all my emotions erupted.

"Oh Mac, I ran away," I sobbed against his shoulder," I ran away and when my dad finds me he'll kill me and then he'll kill you and Alicia will be in big trouble."

"Hey, hey, shhhh, calm down," he gently reassured me and stroke my hair, "Let me take you away from this place and you can tell everything tomorrow," he suggested.

"It is already tomorrow," I whimpered but agreed to his offer and he took me to his home.

"You live in a boat? Wait, of course you live in a boat," I was amazed when he opened his front door.

"It's a houseboat Birdie and yes, I live here," Mac answered, "And until further notice, you live here too," and he carried my two bags up to his bedroom thus announcing me that I could sleep in his bed.

When he came down I asked," Where are you gonna sleep," and he gestured towards his couch.

"Thanks. And I'm really sorry that I woke you up and all the other things too," I apologized.

"It's alright Kenzie. Just forget it. Now, can I get you anything? The kitchen is over there," Mac asked.

"No thank you, I don't want to bother you too much," I refused. He sighed.

"Kenzie, come here," he said, wrapping his arms around me," You're not bothering me but right now, you need some sleep, you're tired. So, why won't you go upstairs and we'll talk more in the morning. Now, are you sure you don't want anything?" he asked one more time.

"Uh, actually, do you have any tea?" I asked shyly, bit embarrassed. Mac smiled his gorgeous, wide smile. Oh how I loved that smile.

"That's my girl," he said, went to his kitchen and boiled some water. When the water was ready, he dug teabags from somewhere, poured the water to big mugs and put the teabags there too. I could smell the lovely scent of peppermint.

"You even remember my favorite tea," I whispered with tears in my eyes.

"How could I ever forget? You were always eating or drinking something that had peppermint in it. Your favorite candies were those red and white striped peppermint candies," Mac said.

"They still are. Thanks Mac," I said and sipped my tea.

"No problem. Now, get to bed," he said and nodded towards the stairs. I stood up, took my mug and climbed upstairs.