"It has a full bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower, a kitchen with all modern appliances, and a balcony here on this level- you can get there through the French doors at the other end of the living room- where you can have plants, outdoor furniture or whatever you like outside. Most of my tenants do like to extend their living space outside, particularly during the warmer months..."

The landlady let her voice trail off. It was obvious her prospective new tenant was not really all that interested in the balcony's decorating potential or in any other of the apartment's many features. His attention seemed more focused on something outside than on what she was saying.

"Mr. MacInnes?" she ventured. "Are you still interested in renting the apartment?"

"Hmm?" The man turned around, absently brushing away a lock of sandy-brown hair from his eyes. "Oh yes, madam, I'm quite interested in the apartment. I think it will be quite suitable for my needs whilst in the city."

Fancy British accent, like the ones she heard on TV.

"You'll be wanting first and last month's rent, I assume," he added as he pulled out a wallet. "I'll just pay you now and then come and sign the necessary paperwork later on today after I've finished making my other arrangements. I trust that's all right with you, madam?"

Loads of money, too. She wondered if she dared introduce him to her unmarried daughter once he got settled in.

Then she spied the photo tucked inside, of a handsome guy in a leather jacket with long golden hair. Probably his significant other, or something like that. Figures, with that accent.

"Of course," she replied with a sigh.


Once he was finally alone, Murdoc stepped out onto the balcony and returned to studying the view, paying particular attention to the other apartments across the street. Taking out his binoculars, he regarded with interest one particular apartment, where he knew a certain annoying troubleshooter lived with his niece.

"Yes," he murmured to himself, "I'm certain this arrangement will be more than satisfactory for my current needs."


"Oh Pete, what would you do without me?" Becky laughed as she handed over a stack of reports that she had finally finished typing for him. "Do you need anything else done?"

Several weeks had passed since her graduation; while the free time so far had been spent mostly relaxing and hanging out with friends, she still didn't mind helping out at the Foundation when needed.

"I don't think so right now, but-" The phone rang.

She waited patiently by Pete's desk during his one-sided conversation. Having spent the past four years around Mac's friends, she could clearly interpret most of their expressions; from the look on his face as he hung up she knew her uncle would be needed for something very important.

"Becky, could you please go fetch MacGyver for me? The Guatemalan police just got an anonymous tip about a drug cartel and a large shipment that's scheduled to leave the country soon. He's helped them before in stopping the cartel, and they sure could use him again now. Looks like he might be gone for a while this time, though."

"Well, it's not like it hasn't happened before. Last I heard he's down in the electronics lab; I'll go get him." Becky left the office, feeling a little sad. Even now she couldn't help worrying about Mac when he was called away on assignment, and never relaxed completely until he was back home, safe and sound.

"Okay, it looks like the circuit boards are working like they should, but something's gotta be done about those load tolerances," MacGyver said to the lab technician standing beside him, both examining a printout of test results. "Maybe add a couple more resistors somewhere."

"I'll get right on it," the tech replied. "Looks like you've got a visitor."

Mac turned around and there was Becky, quiet and patient as ever. "Hey. Didn't hear you come in. Time to go home already?"

"Pete just got a call for you. He needs you back upstairs right away for an important assignment."

"Then let's get outta here." He nodded a farewell to the others in the lab and together they headed back up to Pete's office.

There was a little frown between her eyes, which Becky had only when she was concerned about something. "You look worried. Think you'll be all right by yourself?"

"Yeah, Unc. I'll be fine. You know I'm more than used to taking care of myself whenever you're gone. But I'll miss you," she said softly as she hugged him.

"I'll miss you too," Mac murmured as he returned the hug.

Though he'd stopped doing most globetrotting assignments years ago for Becky's sake, there were times he still felt like he'd never been around enough for her, even though she understood just how important his work for Phoenix was to him. He really oughta ask Pete for something very special as part of the bonus for this latest assignment.

In fact, a week at a luxurious beach house somewhere up the coast sounded like just the ticket...


It had taken a few days, but finally the telescope, camera and remote listening machines had been set up to Murdoc's satisfaction, making sure everything that went on in the apartment across the street could be seen and heard.

Not that he needed anything else in his rented space, save for the equipment, a sleeping bag and some food and water. The activity across the street provided more than enough entertainment for the duration.

Peering through the telescope one evening, he spied MacGyver putting clothes and toiletries into a well-used, leather travel bag in what was obviously his bedroom and a petite young woman coming in and leaning against the foot of the bed.

Murdoc then trained a thin beam of red light through the window and activated the listening device hidden in the room. He nodded to himself as he listened in on their conversation.

Everything was going according to plan; all he had to do was wait until the perfect moment, when she was completely alone. Then his trap will be set, from which neither of them will be able to escape. All his dreams coming to fruition in one fell swoop. At last.

You, MacGyver, will soon get the fate you so richly deserve. And so will I.


"So, got any plans for the summer yet?" MacGyver asked Becky as he packed.

"Well, now that I no longer have a boyfriend I'd thought you and I would be able to spend some time together. I was even hoping we could go up the coast for a week, stay somewhere really nice."

He hid a smile, recalling the arrangement he made with Pete earlier. Great minds think alike, huh?

She picked up one of his T-shirts, unfolded it and held it up against her; the garment almost covered her knees.

"Even after your growth spurt my stuff still looks pretty big on you," he noted dryly, taking the T-shirt from her hands to refold it, then placing it in the bag.

"Not funny," she grumbled. "Just because I haven't even reached five feet. Maybe you need to start shrinking, just to be fair."

He grinned. "Face it, Beck, you may not be my little girl anymore but you'll always be petite, just like your mom. And that difference between us, as Harry might say, is the long and the short of it."

Becky groaned at the unintended pun. "That's awful, Unc. Really."

"Sorry. But to get back to what you were saying before?"

"Oh, right. So later I'll probably call Katie and the others and get the band together so we can practice. Hopefully we can get a few more performances in this summer before we all go our separate ways. Otherwise I guess it's just finding a temp job and getting ready for college. I don't know if anyone else has heard from the schools they applied to yet; I'm probably the only one in the group who's heard from UCLA."

"That reminds me. Pete told me earlier today he's put the paperwork in motion to get you that full scholarship, for the children of Phoenix employees.

"Even though you were only my legal guardian, and not really a parent?"

"Yeah. He's sure you're still eligible to apply. We won't hear from the selection committee for at least a few weeks, but you'll probably be approved, thanks to your good grades and volunteer work. And depending on your major, you might even be able to get an internship at Phoenix someday."

"That sounds great. I guess it really pays to have connections. So that means we might someday be assigned to the same mission?"

"Don't see why not." For some reason he actually found the prospect appealing; Pete and the others always said they made a good team.

"Of course, it may not be wise after all," she added with a rueful grin. "I know I can't make something out of nothing like you can. For all we know I'd probably freeze or panic during a dangerous situation, and ruin the entire operation."

"Oh, I wouldn't know about that. You've been a big help several times when I needed it." He smiled fondly to himself, remembering the escapades they had shared together over the years. "You just have to have a little faith in yourself, more knowledge about stuff, and a bit more courage. Remember the Tarantino trial, a couple years back? Just like then you'll do all right when the time comes. Trust me on that."

She turned to him in surprise. "You really think so? I didn't know you really had that much faith in me. I'm amazed."

He zipped up the travel bag, then turned and gave her a warm hug. "Yeah I do," he said softly. "Always have, and always will. Now, since I've got an early plane to catch, I'd better get some sleep. If all goes well, I'll be home as soon as possible and we can take that trip up the coast. Okay?"

"Okay. Don't forget you owe me a good deal of quality time when you get back, you hear? I'll even talk to Pete and make sure he fits it in your busy schedule. I'm his favorite assistant, after all, he'll do whatever I ask."

"Don't doubt that for a second." He joined in her laughter, then obligingly bent down as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek.

"Night, Unc. Be careful. Love you."

"Aren't I always?" He smiled and returned the kiss. "Love you too, Beck. See you when I get back." The door closed behind her.

It was a good feeling, he thought as he prepared for bed, to know that Becky was always here whenever he returned home after a tough assignment. Already he was looking forward to her customary warm smile, affectionate embrace and tender loving care when he needed it most, keeping the post-mission nightmares away.

For crying out loud! Still home- not even out of the country yet- and already missing her. Was that weird or what?

How ironic. Four years ago he didn't think he needed anyone else in his life, and now he couldn't imagine a day without her.

Then Mac became aware of something else.

His work at the Phoenix Foundation- along with all the other various other adventures and mysteries he tended to get involved in- was his way of making the world a better place.

But Becky was the reason why.

The realization brought a smile to his face as he drifted off to sleep.


After MacGyver's room went dark, Murdoc turned his attention towards young Rebecca as she entered her own room and prepared for bed herself. He thoughtfully studied her before she closed the window curtains and made a few minor adjustments to his master plan.

Her former boyfriend Benjamin, as it turned out, had been quite willing to provide information on her in exchange for money, just so he could buy his newest paramour some shiny trinket or such. Ah, the vagaries of youthful love.

Murdoc shook his head abruptly to chase away a rather irritating notion. However, it continued to annoy him. There was something about her- the niece of his chief nemesis, of all people- that tugged at a set of memories and emotions he'd thought were long since buried and forgotten.

Involuntarily a single word- a name- escaped his lips.

"Ashton."