Camping With Daddy

Part One: Banjoes & Blankets

Saturday

"More, Dave?" MacGyver questioned, the spoon poised above the lasagna dish.

"Yes, please," Dave replied, passing his plate down. "I'd forgotten how well you know your way around a kitchen, Mac; you're gonna have the kids spoiled."

MacGyver shrugged depreciatingly. "My mother was a great cook; guess I picked it up from her. An' cookin's just science, anyway; you know how things react together, you can make just about anythin'."

"He made us ice cream!" Dylan chimed in.

"Can we make Daddy ice cream, Mr Mac?"

"Don't think there'll be time, if ya want to go camping."

"Yeah…I remember those camp meals you used to make out of nothing…" Dave reflected. He turned toward the kids. "If you're ever lost in the woods, MacGyver's the person to be with. By evening he'll have you sheltered and fed, and by the next day he'll have found the way out."

MacGyver's grin was half embarrassed. "Aw… It might take me two days," he added in mock seriousness.

"You're too modest, Mac," Dave teased.

"Finish eating, Daddy; we wanna go camping!" Dylan urged.

"Hey, give him some peace," MacGyver protested. "You kids could clear your plates, if you're finished."

"Let's start washing so we'll be done when Daddy's ready!" Cindy suggested.

Dave raised an eyebrow. "You got them to wash dishes, Mac?"

MacGyver leaned back lazily. "Yup."

Dave shook his head. "You're a wonder, Mac."

"Hey, you still have your banjo?" MacGyver questioned.

"Sure…somewhere…but I haven't played since I was married."

"It's like riding a bicycle," MacGyver promised; "you never forget."

"Easy for you to say; you never forget anything anyway!" Dave teased.

MacGyver grinned and half shrugged.

"Anyway, after ten years it must be hopelessly out of tune, and while I think I can find the banjo, I haven't the slightest idea where my pitch pipe is."

"I'll tune it for ya," MacGyver offered.

Dave stared at him in dawning remembrance. "That's right; you never needed a pitch pipe, did you?"

"Nope. C'mon, Dave; the kids loved my guitar, an' they'll be even more thrilled if you play for them, too."

Dave sighed. "All right," he gave in. "If you can get it in tune, I'll give it a try. Might be kind of fun, at that."

"Just like old times," MacGyver promised.

"I wonder if my sleeping bag's still up in the attic," Dave mused as he and MacGyver carried their plates into the kitchen where the kids were making surprising headway in washing the dishes.

Overhearing, Cindy and Derrick looked at each other. "Um…it was, Daddy. But we kind of…used it."

"I don't even want to know what for," Dave groaned.

"It's okay; it was centigrade anyway," Dylan remarked cheerfully.

Dave blinked. "Centigrade?" he asked blankly.

MacGyver chuckled. "Think he means disintegrating."

"Yeah, 'sintegrated," Dylan agreed.

"Doesn't matter," MacGyver dismissed. "We'll bring a coupla blankets; you can roll up in them, Dave, or I'll take them an' you can borrow my sleeping bag."

"The dishes are done; let's go!" Cindy cried, throwing down the washcloth.

"Whoa! Someone still has to get the blankets, and your father has to find his banjo and get changed."

"Changed?"

MacGyver raised an eyebrow. "You weren't seriously thinking of camping in that?"

Dave glanced down at his clothes. "Hadn't thought about it," he admitted.

MacGyver sighed. "I can see it's been way too long since anyone got ya out from behind your desk. You need old shoes and clothes you don't mind getting' a little dirty…an' do me a favor an' lose the necktie." He tugged at his collar as if just the thought made him feel the constriction of a tie. "Don't mind my stuff in the bedroom," he added.

"Right. Be back in five minutes."

By the time he returned, dressed slightly more casually and carrying a dusty and cobwebbed banjo case, MacGyver and the kids had the rest of their gear ready.

"All set? Then let's go!"

Part Two coming next week! (as long as the library doesn't shut down again…)

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