Chapter One: A Favor Between Friends

Summer 1988

"I got a call from my sister today," Celia Witowski said hesitantly as she and her husband lingered at the supper table after the kids had run out for another hour's play before the sun went down.

"Was something wrong?" Dave questioned.

"N-no. She wants me to go along on a trip with her and our mother."

"You should," Dave said instantly. "I can manage with the kids for a few days."

"But they've already set the date; it's the week you're taking your business trip." She sighed. "I'll call and tell Christine I can't go."

Dave put a hand over hers on the table. "You really want to, don't you?"

Celia nodded miserably.

"Then you will," Dave promised instantly. "All we have to do is find someone to stay with the kids."

"How, Dave?" Celia asked almost tearfully. "After the last time we can't even get a babysitter for an hour; how are we going to find someone to stay with them for a week?"

"We will," Dave insisted, his determination increased now that he saw how much it meant to her. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "I know! MacGyver!"

"Who?"

"An old college friend; I ran into him at the office the other day."

"Being friends with someone ten years ago is pretty weak grounds for asking favors now," Celia said doubtfully.

"Not with MacGyver," Dave assured her. "And he likes kids; he's great with them. If we passed a park with a pickup game going on, he could never resist joining in for a minute, or stopping to push a child who needed help on the swings."

Celia bit her lip. "I don't know… What if he changes his mind halfway through like that one girl did? They were all right on their own for half an hour, but if he abandoned them after the first day…"

"MacGyver'd never," Dave declared. "Once he says he'll do something, he follows through, no matter what it costs him."

Celia sighed again. "All right, but even if he's willing, what makes you think he'd even be available on such short notice?"

Dave shrugged. "I'm not real clear on what he does, but I didn't get the idea it was a typical nine-to-five job. Anyway, it can't hurt to ask."

oOo

MacGyver pushed open the door to his houseboat and tossed his bag in the corner just as the phone started ringing. He sighed and considered letting the answering machine get it, then shook his head and picked up the receiver on the third ring. "Hello?"

"Hello, MacGyver?"

"Yeah."

"This is Dave Witowski."

"Oh, sure; hey, Dave. How's the family?"

"That's kind of why I was calling…how busy are you next week?"

"I was plannin' on some fishin'," MacGyver said cautiously. "Wanna come?"

"Wish I could. Look, I know it's a lot to ask, especially when we've been out of touch for so long, but I kind of have a big favor to ask…"

He'd known from the instant the phone rang, MacGyver realized; why did anyone call except to ask him to do something for them? "Go ahead."

"I have a business trip next week, and my wife just found out she has to be away, too. We can't get anyone to watch the kids on such short notice; any chance you could drive up and stay?"

The apprehension in MacGyver's features softened into a smile; compared with his last several assignments, babysitting sounded like nearly as much of a vacation as fishing. "Sure thing."

"I'll pay you, of course."

"Nah; I wouldn't take money for a favor between friends. It'll be fun."

"Well…" Dave let his thought remain unspoken, instead going on to give MacGyver the details of timing.

"Celia leaves after I do," he concluded; "would it be too much to ask for you to give her a ride to the airport so we won't have to leave the station wagon in parking?"

"Not at all," MacGyver assured him.

"Then I'll see you when I get back at the end of the week."

"I'll be there," MacGyver promised, then added under his breath, "…unless the Air Force loses one of their planes before Sunday."

Dave chuckled politely at what he took to be an attempt at humor. "Thanks, Mac; you're a lifesaver."

Neither knew how true his words would turn out to be.

Next chapter coming next week!

I proofread all my stories at least once before posting, but if you see any mistakes I might have missed, please let me know!

Please note that I have only minimal internet access, and may not have time to respond to all reviews/messages. (But they are much appreciated, even if you're reading this story long after I originally post it!) If you have questions regarding my MacGyver alternate history, check my profile first to see if they're answered there. Thanks for your understanding! Barbie