"Jack!"

He turned, catching sight of the woman who had called his name and smiled.
Tugging Mac's jacket sleeve, he muttered, "Oh here's someone you've GOT to meet-Com'on,"

Puzzled, Mac followed as O'Neill swiftly crossed the parking lot and hugged
the woman.

She was older, and big-boned with snapping green eyes and cottony white hair that she had braided in a thick sleek rope down her back. When she stepped back from O'Neill's hug, Mac realized the woman was exceptionally tall too, nearly six feet herself, with broad shoulders and long legs. She turned her face to him, and he found a smile crossing his own face in response to her stunned expression.

"Oh my God will you LOOK at that bone structure-Sheesh, Jack-brought me a Christmas present early?" she teased, framing her hands and looking critically at MacGyver. He laughed.

"MacGyver-" he held out a hand. The woman pumped it happily.

"Lucy Lancaster, and damn I want to take your picture, MacGyver! Jack you elusive fox, you keep dodging me, but if you want to throw THIS hunk my way, I'm more than happy-"

O'Neill rocked back on his heels and grinned. "Oooh no-I keep telling you Luce-nobody's interested in seeing this bony-assed old warhorse through your lens, trust me. So how's the business these days?"
"Better than good, O'Neill. Help me get some of this gear inside and I'll show you the last set I did for Gretsky-"

Mac shot a curious look at O'Neill, who winked. "Lucy does some freelance portraiture for the NHL-" he explained, "-among other things."

They helped unload gear from the back of an SUV, bringing it into a large warehouse with a sign over it: Lancaster Photography. Inside, the studio proved to be a comfortable jumble of furniture, thick rugs and props. A small Vietnamese girl began to unpack the gear in swift efficient motions. When she saw O'Neill she blushed and giggled.

"Geez, Tu, calm down-" O'Neill grinned at her with amusement. He shot Mac a slightly embarrassed look, and Tu took it on herself to explain.

"Colonel Or'Neill, very handsome!" she giggled softly again, hiding her face in her hands for a moment before raising her eyes again, hopefully. "We photo you today?"

"No, Tu," he told her gruffly but kindly, "Not today. Colonel O'Neill bashful and butt-ugly-"

"No, no! Colonel Or'Neill-" frustrated with her poor English, Tu launched into rapid French, "Vous etes tres beau et reentries les photos merveilleuses! Lucy et moi avons pu vous inciter a fondre l'ojectif d'appareil-photo!"

Mac chuckled; Tu seemed pretty adamant that Jack O'Neil was Hot Stuff. Lucy, who'd been bringing out a light table laughed.

"We'll get him yet, Tu-there's always a free date on our calendar for Jack-so let's see, here's this year's official Upper Deck card shot for Wayne, and I have two nice candids he wanted after the official shoot-"

"Nice," Mac admitted, leaning over the table edge and touching the slide. Jack crossed his arms thoughtfully.

"Yeah, Luce-ya done good. Still ticked about not getting the wedding gig?"

"Heck no-Rose tells me you guys are considering doing the portrait thing for your first anniversary, so I'm patient."

"Boudoir?" Tu asked, perking up.

Lucy grinned while Jack pinkened and pretended to take great interest in the slide table.

"Well Rose would be up for it, considering what ELSE she's already done-" Lucy laughed, changing slides swiftly.

Mac sensed a joke and looked to O'Neill, who rolled his eyes. "Long story-Rose was a Playboy playmate about twenty five years ago-" he rumbled. Mac's eyebrows went up and Lucy nodded.

"One of my first jobs too-a dream to work with and so perky!" Lucy teased, just to see Jack scowl.

Tu giggled again, setting boxes of film in a neat stacks on the shelves outside the darkroom.

Mac hid his smile, but O'Neill sighed.

"That's one of the reasons Luce here is always after my hide-seems to think I share Rose's photogenic qualities."

"I don't think, I KNOW-" Lucy shook a finger at him. "Trust me, Jack, I've shot men older than you and had them scorching the lenses. Louis Three Feathers and Winton Daggi are both seniors and-here, hold on."

Lucy whipped out a proof book and slid a sheet onto the light table before Mac or O'Neill could object.

"Crap!" O'Neill didn't want to admit he was impressed; Mac had no trouble with it and whistled softly.

On the table, the eight by ten shots glowed.

Louis Three Feathers was bare-chested and barefoot in a pair of ancient Levi's, arms crossed over his pecs, biceps bulging. His waist-length hair was a glorious silver, matching his thick brows. Lucy had him standing in front of a Navaho blanket, and the pattern was a nice contrast to his muscled torso and rugged lean face.

"Louis is fifty seven, Jack," Lucy sounded smug.

The other shot was a long lean African-American man with white hair and a full mustache. He was dressed in nothing but a pair of striped silk boxers, and had a round of playing cards grasped in one hand as he leaned back in a wire backed chair. His devilish expression made it clear that no matter what the outcome of this round of strip poker, he was going to be the winner.

Mac laughed. "Geez, Gill would eat that up-she's just the sort to love the joke here-" he murmured good-naturedly.

Lucy nodded, beaming. "Louis did this for his wife, Alice-seems they met over a poker game back in nineteen fifty-two." She scooped the pictures up and replaced them in the proofs book before turning back to O'Neill.

"Honestly, Jack-the shots are good, and I can give you at least TWO other reasons you should seriously consider a shoot."

"I'm listening-" O'Neill muttered, thrusting his jaw out.

Lucy sighed. "Okay, first of all, how would you feel if Rose did this for you? "

Jack drew in a breath, well aware of Lucy's female clientele and their results. "I'd be blown away-" he admitted gruffly. "The woman is still a knockout and we both know, it Luce-it would be an incredible gift."

"Right- it's personal, a sort of a visual love letter for all time- so why not do the same for her? Despite how you might feel about your body, the truth is the woman loves you, scars and all-don't give up a chance to give her something of yourself."

"True. . ." came the reluctant agreement.

Lucy gave a serious nod. "You know me, Jack-Tu and I would go a thousand percent to do it right and make you happy. You know I'm good and that I can bring out aspects of you that are pretty damned terrific. It would satisfy the artist in me to do it," she sighed.

Jack glanced at Mac, who was looking serious. He turned to see Lucy setting a tripod up. "And the other reason?"

"You're a tough man, Jack O'Neill-you've never shirked a job, never backed away from a fight or a mission-and I don't think you're afraid of this either. You're going to let me take a look into your soul because it's a challenge. Can I capture the Jack O'Neill who wooed and won Rose? I know I can-and you're dying to see if I live up to the test."

Mac laughed softly. "She's got you pegged, Jack-and you know what? I'm sold already. Not that I'm any great shakes in the looks department per se, but this sure as hell would be a surprise for Gill-better than a new microwave or another sweater anyway."

Lucy beamed. "Oh MacGyver, you doll! What I could do with those cheekbones and those shoulders-Tu! What do you think?"

"Tu think Mistah Mac Gyver tres beaux!" she giggled. Mac blushed, ducking his head a bit and Jack gave a noisy sigh.

"Crap, if Tu thinks you're hot, then I better not leave you here by yourself. Aw what the hell-we can shitcan the whole thing if it turns out bad, right?"

Lucy high fived Tu and turned back to the men, a mock scowl on her face.

"Jack O'Neill, when we get done with you two, I defy you to shitcan anything except your preconceptions! Gentlemen, let's fill your dance cards, shall we? Tu baby, grab my appointment book!"

Jack turned off the engine and gave a harsh sigh. Mac stared at him.

"Last chance to bail and have a beer instead--" he offered, halfheartedly.

Mac shook his head. "I'm not backing out--but if YOU want to--"

"Don't start with me, Mac, you will NOT win. Okay--" Jack pursed his fine mouth.

"Let's do it--" so saying they climbed out of the truck and into the parking lot.

The weather was colder, and grey clouds scudded across the sky. Jack picked up the backpack and led the way to Lucy's studio, Mac following behind.

"Colonel Or,Neill!" Tu was so excited she bowed. With grave courtesy, she led him back to the inner sanctum of the warehouse.

Lucy surfaced from a darkroom looking flustered. She saw the two men coming in and did her best to portray a cool attitude. She cleared her throat, brushing her white hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ears.

"Well well, right on time Gentlemen, congratulations." She clapped her hands and rubbed them together. "So... are you both ready to get naked for your wives?"

"Naked? Who said anything about being naked?" Jack shot a glance at Mac who grinned a little.

"Well, maybe... I mean I'm not sure exactly." He cleared his throat. "Depends on how brave I feel."

Lucy walked over to them and took the backpack out of Jack's hands and gave it to her assistant.

"That's entirely up to you I won't force you guys to do anything you don't want to and I'm quite sure you know that." She looked around at the warehouse. "So, any ideas what you both want?"

Jack sighed, shoving his hands deep in his pockets. "I dunno Luce--YOU'RE the expert--what do we look like to you?"

"Like studs," she admitted with a grin. "Come on Jack--what gets Rose hot and bothered? Would she want to see you as George Washington? A football player? Little Boy Blue?"

"He needed the money--" Jack quipped, thinking.

Mac had wandered over to one of the sets and flopped on the cast iron bed. "I know what Gill likes--some of the time," Mac amended cheerfully. "But--"

"Or was that butt?" Luce chuckled. "I would guess she does. Let's look at the costume book. Tu, bring out the Male costume book, would you sweetie?"

Tu brought over a thick photo album and handed it to Mac. He took the book and set it down on the white comforter and began flipping through it. There was a variety of costumes of every kind, shape, size and color.

"Wow! Get over here Jack and check these out."

Jack sighed, wandering over to the bed and climbed into it, sitting down beside his lounging friend.

"Here let me see that."  He leaned over and looked at the color 8 X 10s.

"Cop...that'd be good, I think Rose would like that." Mac flipped the page, there were two men dressed as outlaws. "Cowboys!" They both said in unison and then glanced at each other.

Lucy laughed, nodding. "Okay, that's a start, anything else?" She walked over to the bed and stepped back, looking at both men.

"Jack, I see you dressed as a biker, spiked hair, black leather, big bike between your legs." She glanced at the blond man beside him. "Mac, you're definitely the black leather trench coat type."

Mac looked startled. "Me?"

"You, hot stuff. We'll start with those two outfits and see how it goes. Gentlemen, down to your briefs and onto the makeup chairs--Tu, I've got to finish the developer--do your magic."

Tu bowed. Jack slunk into the nearest dressing room and took his time stripping down. He could hear Mac in the other booth, just as reluctant.

"Or'Neill? MacGyber?" came Tu's impatient voice. Both of them emerged sheepishly. Tu, to her credit kept a serious face and set each man down in a chair.

"Or'Neill blessed with good skin, winter color--" she murmured, deftly highlighting his cheekbones. Jack scowled.

"I'm old--"

Tu glanced down at his body, very deliberately; he flushed.

Mac chuckled, but Tu turned to him and did the same thing.

"MacGyber summer--gold for tan," she pointed out. He shrugged.

Swiftly she managed to do both of their faces, accentuating their better features.

Lucy came back with two costumes and handed them out, smiling. "Okay, here we go--Jack, Tu will need to darken your beard, so let's go with Mac first--come this way, o plaything of your wife--what's her name, anyway?"

"Gillian." MacGyver took the black garment bag and followed Lucy over to one far side of the warehouse. She pulled back a sheet to reveal a wall of glass bricks. "Okay, I think this will do."

Mac unzipped the bag and was surprised to find a black trench coat and nothing else. "Is this all I'm getting?"

Lucy set up her tripod and was mounting a camera onto it; a small smile bloomed on her face. "Yeah, that's it."

The blond man swallowed hard. "Uhh...what do I do with it? I mean...you know."

Lucy threw her hands up. "You put it ON, Mac. I know you're nervous, but think about Gillian, okay? What would drive her nuts? I happen to know you're going to photograph well no matter what you wear, but this is a good start."

Mac pulled off his T-shirt and slid the coat on. It was wonderfully comfortable, and the familiar smell of leather relaxed him. He closed his eyes a moment, and thought. Gill. Ah yes, she'd definitely love the coat--

"Ummmm--" he looked up at Lucy, who looked back patiently.

"Yes?"

"You have to know I'm not a flasher by nature--"

"Oh an old lady can dream, can't she?"

It was the right thing to say, and the ice broke. Mac laughed. He turned around and kicked off his briefs, then pulled the trench coat closed before turning around again.

"Give me a direction--" he asked. Lucy nodded.

"I want hot Mac; give me fire, flames, heat!" She looked through the lens of her camera at the man standing before her. She sighed, shaking her head as she straightened up.

"This isn't heat, this is luke warm, I want smoldering."

MacGyver sighed, running his hands through his hair. He was really no good at this, there wasn't a sexy bone in his body as far as he was concerned despite the fact his wife told him otherwise. "You want fire and I have no idea how to give you fire."

Lucy stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest as she studied him. After several seconds a wicked smile came to her lips. "Tu, can I have a water bottle please?"

The Vietnamese woman gave her one and went back to help Jack with his costume. Lucy had the water bottle in her hands as she walked up to him.

Lucy let him take a drink, then leaned closer.

"God, Mac--Gillian is just there--" she pointed out of the sight of the camera.

"She hasn't seen you in weeks, Mac. Torture her; make sure she knows damned well that you intend to take care of her, okay?"

Mac grinned. He let part of the water he'd been drinking slosh over his chest, and concentrated on the spot Lucy pointed out. He never heard the whirring click of the camera as he licked his lips and lifted his jaw.

A flex of his arms brought the trench coat to a straining tightness, and only a single button kept it together--barely. Lucy growled happily.

"Oh shit--yes, Mac, I believe your wife is about to combust!"

He felt himself relax more and when Lucy stopped to check something he picked up the water bottle and poured a little in his hands and rubbed them together. He ran his fingers through his hair, wetting it slightly.

"How's this Lucy?"

Lucy peeked back through her camera and grinned. "Ooo I like it! Just add a little more water."

Mac nodded and did it again, wetting his hair down more as he folded his hands in front of him. "Okay, I think I'm ready." 

Jack watched with interest as Tu painted a tattoo on his bicep. "Not bad--not that I'm any expert--" he muttered.

Tu glanced over and swallowed hard. "I am. He very sexy," she admitted. Jack made a face.

"He very young." came the colonel's observation.

Tu shook her head and smiled up at him. "You sexy too--in my country, experience is MORE sexy--" she told Jack sweetly. He tried to snort, but Tu's expression pleased him more than he wanted to admit.

Instead he looked at the tattoo and smiled. "A rose for my Rose--looks better than I thought--maybe I ought to get one--"

Tu nodded, putting away the paints and running her thin fingers through his hair in a professional manner.

"She like--time for boots."

Jack climbed into the heavy motorcycle boots and stood up, looking in the mirror. He grinned.

He wore heavy motorcycle boots decorated with chains. Over that, he wore faded jeans with heavy leather chaps over them. His black Harley Davidson T-shirt showed off his muscled arms, and was topped with a fringed black leather vest. Low slung at his waist was a huge belt buckle; he wore his fingerless gloves and spiked leather bands on each wrist. Mirrored aviator sunglasses, a two-day beard and a bandana headband finished the outfit.

Lucy snapped the last pictures and straightened up. "Okay Mac, go back through the book and find something else that interests you or better yet think of something else you might want to try."

Mac nodded as he bent down and picked up his boxers and water bottle.

"Thanks Lucy, I'll have Tu give me a hand."

He walked away and Lucy picked up her tripod and went over towards the middle of her warehouse. There was a large bulky white thing covered by a white sheet, she pulled it off to reveal a Harley Davidson motorcycle. "Jack? Are you ready to roll Babe?"

Jack sauntered over, a look of genuine pleasure on his face. "Damn! A bike too--forget Rose, this one's MY fantasy!"

"Oh and if Rose was your motorcycle mama?"

Jack paused, a speculative gleam in his eye, and Lucy laughed. "YOU talk her into it--I'll be here if you do. Alright, Jack. Lean against the bike cross your arms and make that tattoo work for you--"

It was easier for Jack--he had scowling down to an art, and when Lucy told him to think of Rose panting and trembling, his expression grew fiercer.

"Geez, is it hot in here or is that just me?" Lucy muttered to herself as she finished up the role.

Jack shook his head; this dress up thing might not be too bad. He widened his stance and dropped his hands on his hips. Tu gave a squeak.

"Damn Jack--why not give me a damn complex!" came Mac's groan.

Jack flipped him the bird, and Lucy snapped the shot.

"Oh wonderful Jack, she just took a photo of you flipping me off." Mac has his t-shirt and boxers back on, his arms crossed over his chest. "What's the matter? Afraid my photos are going to come out better than yours?"

Lucy smiled; she'd seen clients like this compete before. There was no harm in it, just some great photos.

"You both can do whatever you feel comfortable with; naked or unnaked is completely up to you." She stopped snapping. "Okay Jack, new position."

Jack shifted, sitting side saddle on the bike; his hands folded in front of him as he took the glasses off his face and tucked them into his t-shirt. "So bite me Mac." He said as he glared at the camera.

Mac laughed. He pointed to something in the book and Tu nodded happily.

"Good! good! Or'Neill would NOT do--" she muttered loudly enough to be heard.

Jack shot them a glare. Lucy tired to look innocent. "New outfit, Jack--Mac, sweetie, go get dressed or undressed. Tu, I need a second roll of film."

As they took to the dressing rooms, Jack growled.

"What the hell is it that you would do that I WOULDN'T?"

"Don't get tense--not good for your blood pressure, old man--"

"Bite my hairy ass, MacGyver--" came the annoyed but laughing response.

"Hell no--I'll leave that to Rose, thank you--"

Mac opened the book and flipped it to the page. He walked over to his friend and handed him the book. "This one Jack."

It was a photo of a fancy black tuxedo, complete with crispy white starched shirt, cummerbund and bow tie. Jack narrowed his eyes as he glanced up at his friend.

"You've got to be kidding."

MacGyver shook his head. "Nope, I'm not."

Jack scowled. "Jesus, I'd look like some sort of Opera-lovin,--"

"--You DO love Opera Jack--"

"--fruit!" he finished around Mac's interruption. The other man was grinning the

'I dare you ' smile that got under his skin. Jack set his jaw out. Mac waiting.

Finally, Jack slammed a hand on the photo. "Prom night, huh? I could give Rose a hell of a Prom--"

Laughing, Mac disappeared in the direction of his dressing booth while Tu looked at Jack and waited, smiling. "Gimme the tux--" he hissed.

Tu raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Tres savoir!" she admitted.

Lucy was shifting the sets and humming to herself. "We need music!" she announced.

The silence of the warehouse was suddenly broken by the heavy guitar and drum beats of classic rock. While Jack got into his costume, MacGyver stood in the dressing area with his arms spread out and his eyes closed. Tu and Lucy both with air brushing equipment began to walk around him, giving the blond man a light coat of gold paint.

"Now I know what an Oscar statue feels like."

Lucy stopped spraying. "Don't move and don't talk. I want the coating to be even."

Tu was done with her half of the now gold painted man and disappeared to get the rest of his costume and the set ready.

"And you're sure I'm not going to suffocate with this stuff?"

Jack tugged at the jacket and observed the new set with a grin--night time balcony. He took in a deep breath and struggled once more with the bow tie. Tu scooted over and reached up.

"No tie. Loose--" she directed with a wink.

Jack glanced over at Lucy, who nodded. "After the prom, big guy--you've got her here, she's a little tired, maybe with some wine--and you're planning a very naughty evening, Jack. Think about THAT while I get golden boy set up--"

Jack grinned to himself and paced on the set while he listened to the music and Mac's grumbling next door.

Lucy popped back and eyed him critically. She came over and mussed his hair. Jack glared at her. She made a face back and tugged his bow tie until it dangled around his neck. He scowled. She undid the first three buttons of his starched shirt. He sighed.

"Not done yet--"

Deftly, before he had a chance to move, Lucy yanked his fly down, long hands skimming his hips and tugging the dress pants down.

Jack goggled. Lucy laughed up into his face and stepped back.

"Ohhhh she's going to eat you up, Jack--concentrate on THAT!"

"Tu! I'm supposed to be a Pharaoh here not the Egyptian version of a street walker!"

The Vietnamese woman was applying heavy black eyeliner, outlining his eyes. She ignored his complaining as she put a light blue eye shadow on his lids. She gave his lips a light glossing and picked up a gold and blue striped Egyptian crown and fit it in top of MacGyver's head.

It was heavy and totally enveloped his head, not one blond hair was visible.

"There finished...you come get costume now."

Mac got out of the chair and followed Tu over to the wardrobe where she presented him with a shiny gold towel sized piece of material.

"This is my costume?" MacGyver eyed it suspiciously as he took it from her.

"How do I do this?"

Tu smiled, her face blushing as she took the material off the hanger and began wrapping it around his waist. She tucked it over and around until the last of it was tied off in the front.

The gold man's eyes grew wide. "Okay...never mind."

The last bit of the costume was a pair of gold sandals that were wrapped around his shins. He watched Tu tie them and sighed.

"God I hope Gill appreciates all this."

Tu stood up and sighed. "There, finished. He finished Lucy!" She called over to her boss.

Lucy glanced over and nodded at her assistant. "Lovely! Turn the lights off so he doesn't melt, and get him a drink while I continue to visually rape Jack here--"

"Luce!" came the protest. She grinned and lifted the camera, circling him with a stalking stride.

"Gotta call them as I see them, Jack--art can be hideously honest at times. My Goodness, you blush charmingly, Colonel--"

Jack turned to glare at her, but she whispered in a softer voice, one that Mac wouldn't overhear.

"You look wonderful, Jack--the color's good, I love the way we can see part of your chest, and Lord knows if you weren't a happily married man I'd probably make a serious pass at you right now--God, you just RADIATE sex, dear--Rose is going to be weak-kneed seeing this--"

Jack dropped a hand along his thigh and grinned dangerously.

Lucy swallowed hard. "Jesus, Jack--"

Mac was standing just around the corner, carefully sipping a bottle of water as he watched the shoot. He nodded; he had to admit his friend looked great. He grinned wickedly as he cleared this throat and wolf whistled.

"Hubba hubba Jack!"

Jack turned around and glared at him. "Don't get all hot now Mac, you'll melt into one big gold puddle."

MacGyver came out from around the corner. "Don't flatter yourself...You're not my type."

Lucy walked around Jack one more time, snapping away with her camera. "Don't distract him Mac; the pictures are coming out great."

Jack raised his head a little. "You heard her, beat it Apophis."

Mac snorted, and headed back to his own set, settling on the throne with dignity. He frowned.

"Um--this skirt thingie is kinda--short. You can't see my--"

Tu nodded happily. "Make you a God!" she pointed out.

Mac blushed, the pink shining under the gold. Lucy strode over, fanning herself.

"Oh my! This is a hell of a shoot, gentlemen! Jack, you need to change before I combust--Mac, let's see--oh my!"

He tried to cross his legs and couldn't.

Lucy's green eyes twinkled. "No wonder the Cobra was the sign of the Pharaoh!"

"Lucy!"

"Sorry, Mac, that sort of slipped out--okay, look imposing and regal. Think of Gill kneeling before you--"

"Umm--"

"Okay, dangerous thought--umm- think of her willing to do what ever you want--"

"Jesus!"

"Hmmmm---Mac, maybe you ought to think about something less--"

"I think I better do this standing up or another way before I show way more than I want with this photo." He shifted on the throne, his long legs dangling over the side. Tu gave him a pair of gold scepters and he leaned back a little in a lazy repose, giving the camera the most dignified look he could.

"How's this?"

Lucy peered through her lens. "That'll work, the lazy Pharaoh."

Mac couldn't help but start to laugh. "That doesn't want his asp on display."

Tu gave him a quick bow and a brushing with gold glitter. He winked at her.

Lucy snapped some photos. "All right, ruler of the known world. Think of choosing a queen--some regal defiant redhead--"

"How'd you know my wife's a redhead?" Mac asked curiously.

Lucy fumbled with her camera. "Ah, a guess--you seem the type for a feisty wife," she recovered smoothly. Mac pointed one of the scepters at her haughtily.

"Royal paparazzi! Shoot!"

She did, grinning as the Bangle's Walk like an Egyptian played.

Mac stood and crossed the batons, turning his head to the side for a magnificent profile.

Lucy sighed. "You've got such wonderful lines, Mac--I'd love you in damn near anything."

"Well this is only my second costume." He lifted his chin, his hands going on his hips. "Exactly what did you have in mind?"

Lucy changed her angle, shooting him not only from the side but walking around him to shoot the front. "Well you've got the body for it, just how daring can I be?"

Mac stood perfectly still as she snapped away. "Uh.. well... depends on your

definition of daring."

Jack strode over, a serious expression on his face. "Are you propositioning this man? I may have to arrest you--"

Mac laughed. Jack in uniform was expected. Jack in the tight fit of a motorcycle cop was not--He peeked over his sunglasses and frowned.

Lucy threw her hands up and sighed. "Lord, just when I think it can't get any more difficult--"

Jack grinned cheekily. "Okay, Okay--so I feel better in uniforms--"

Tu sidled up. "Or,Neill feel good out, too--" she offered, making him blush.

Lucy snorted and shot Mac a glance. "Nude, Mr. MacGyver--El Buffo on that bed over there--you're in or you're out--your choice. Jack, let's go play Speed Trap. I would DIE to see Rose's expression for THIS one!"

Jack strode back to his set while Mac inched his way off the throne, mind in a whirl.

Nude?

Well for Gill, yeah, but here? With two other women around? He swallowed hard.

"Babe, the things I even CONSIDER for you--" he whispered.

Lucy looked around the warehouse trying to decide the best way and area to do the shoot. She spotted the plain brick wall on the other side of the room.

"Come on Officer O'Neill."

The three of them went over to that wall and while Tu set up the tripod and the lighting Lucy looked the officer over.

"Hmmm let's see here." She took Jack by the hand and moved him in front of the wall. "Okay, one leg drawn up, put that big black booted foot against it please, your right leg."

Jack did as she asked, creasing his brow at the way she was studying him.

"What? What's with the serious look here? Do I have a lobster crawling out of

my nose?"

Lucy laughed lightly shaking her head. "No Jack I'm just trying to capture you at your best." She looked him up and down, her green eyes finally falling on his light blue shirt. "Okay Jack, these buttons have got to come open."

She quickly unbuttoned them all the way, pulling the shirt out of the waistband of his black pants. A large grin bloomed on her face as she studied the open shirt, just a hint of Jack's chest visible through it.

"Perfect! Now tilt your head down and look at me through the top of your shades."

Jack widened his stance and glared at Lucy. She blushed, and Jack took pride in that, letting the tip of his tongue wet his lower lip.

"Shit!" Lucy sighed. "Okay, Jack, you're having TOO much fun with this now--don't give me a heart condition, okay?"

He laughed. "Dunno Luce--not that I want to give up my day job or anything--"

"Ego maniac--lord--Jack O'Neill did you stuff socks in your fly?"

"No Ma'am--all me."

"Oh shit!"

Mac managed to get most of the gold paint off, and wiped down with the towels, working them behind his ears and around the corners of his eyes.

Tu gave him some lotion and a smile. "You brave--paint not fun, but photo good!" she encouraged.

Mac gave her a weak smile. "I hope Gill likes it--"

"She will--"

Mac looked across the warehouse to where Jack was driving Lucy crazy.

"Well, looks like Jack is trying to make your boss be the next person to use that shower." He finished getting all the makeup off and sighed as he sat down in the makeup chair. "Lucy wants me to do my next photo totally naked Tu. I don't know if I can."

Tu looked at him a moment. "You be fine--lovely bones--tres jolie."

"Yeah but its only one bone that has me worried." He felt his face flush. "Being naked in front of your wife is one thing, around two other women and a good friend is something else."

Tu shrugged. "I have husband. Lucy see many--ah, bone. Not new, not embarrassing. We help you."

The blond man wiped his hand down his face. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to do this, I must really love that woman." He turned and looked at the Lucy's assistant. "Help me how?"

"Yes," Tu smiled. "She look at photo and see much--memory. First time. future--all in photo. We make it say all that."

MacGyver took a deep breath and let it out slowly, he felt better but there was a still a small knot in the pit of his stomach. "All right, tell your Boss its a go."

Jack turned around and looked over his shoulder. Lucy frowned.

"This isn't Chippendales. Jack--" she tried to tease. "I'm not going to shove a dollar in your pants--hell, there wouldn't be room!"

"Oh Luce--" Jack grinned again, dimples deep; She took a final snap and sighed.

"Okay, go get out of that, and let me catch my breath, okay?"

Mac got out of the chair and walked over to where the photographer was cooling down. "Having fun?"

Lucy grinned. "Actually yes, the two of you have got my blood pressure on the rise, along with my temperature."

"Uhh...about the naked photo thing, you mean TOTALLY birthday suit?"

Lucy shot him a patient look. "Mac, I am old enough to be your mother, and I've seen more naked men than I can remember. I'm not interested in you sexually, I'm interested in making you the most wonderful gift I can for Gill--think of me as part of the camera, okay? Yes, nude."

Mac bit his lip.

Lucy gave him a patient smile and gestured towards the bed. "Jack's going to be busy, so don't even think about him, okay?"

Mac slid into the bed and shut his eyes tightly. He was thinking about his wife and her reaction to the photo. He had teased Jack about having the guts to do something daring and now here he was with his neck on the chopping block. He opened his eyes and sighed.

"Come on, we can do this." Quickly before he could change his mind again he slipped his blue boxers off and tossed them over the side of the bed.

Tu smiled to herself.

Lucy nodded. "Keep Jack busy--I WON'T have him tease or intimidate Mac out of this--" Tu nodded.

Lucy strode over, whistling softly to herself and fiddled with the camera.  

"Mood lighting--" she lit a few candles and smiled at Mac.

"You have wonderful collarbones, and a nice chest," she observed. "I bet those are among the features your wife likes best--"

"Ummmm--- he replied, a blush creeping over his face.

Lucy nodded. "What are HER best features? If she was the one on this bed, what would YOU want highlighted and shown?"

Mac's eyes opened wide. Lucy nodded.

"Her legs...her face..." A smile broke out on his lips as he tucked his arms under his head. "She has the most beautiful face. Those big brown eyes, that button nose, the softest lips in the world and a smile that sweet enough to melt my heart and my pants."

Mac wasn't really paying attention to the fact Lucy was snapping away with her camera.  She nudged him, and he rolled away from her, still talking.

"And this way she has of laughing--it just makes me feel like I'm the king of the world---hey!"

"Sorry Mac--I've been dying to snap that ass since you sashayed in here with it--trust me, Gill will be looking at this and hunting for her maple syrup--" Lucy teased.

Mac looked over his shoulder and amazingly, he relaxed, laughing as well. "That was the most perverted thing an older woman's ever said to me--"

"Mac, lift your chin--"

He did, and Lucy smiled.

"Fabulous--roll back this way--" she yanked the coverlet with one hand, exposing the better part of his torso to the candlelight. He clutched enough fabric to cover his groin, but Lucy merely shook her head.

"Gill is NOT interested in the bedspread, Mac--better give in to the redhead on this--"

He sighed and coyly tugged it further down, exposing nearly all of his pubic fur.

"Bravo! Nicely done, MacGyver!" She snapped three more shots. "Roll around you big gorgeous man--"

"Be a panther, a tiger a teddy bear--"

"Ummm--okay--" he agreed, amused at her enthusiasm.

Mac's dark eyes focused on the camera that was close to him, the look in his dark eyes a heady mixture of danger and seduction. He was gazing at Gillian, picturing her standing in the doorway of their bedroom and seeing him all ready for her to come to bed.

The look of lust and love brimming in her eyes as she walked into the room and joined him on the bed.

Lucy was busy snapping away, focusing her camera on his body, trying to capture it in the best possible way she could. She sighed,

"I'm passing up a bloody fortune, Mac, a bloody FORTUNE!"

He gazed up at her through his lowered lashes and was tickled to see her swallow hard.

"Flirt!" she accused before turning away, leaving him grinning.

Jack was trying to peer around Tu, who was getting underfoot.

"No look--respect privacy!" she chided in her slightly singsong voice.

Jack arched an eyebrow at her. "What the hell would he have that I haven't seen before?"

Tu merely shook her finger at him and hissed, "Finish dressing in costume or, or--"

"Or you'll what? Mascara me to death?"

"I tempted, Or'Neill!"

He turned back to the gladiator costume and rolled his eyes. "Friggin' leather skirt--no wonder the Empire fell!" he complained.

The last of the photos was taken and Mac sighed in relief when he was allowed to crawl out of the bed and into his boxers. Now that it was over he felt his face blush bright red, still finding it hard to believe he had done that.

"Well, if that photo doesn't make my wife keel over or throw me down on our bed, I don't know what will."

He came out from the bedroom set and raised an eyebrow at his friend. "You are Spartacus Jack?"

Jack looked down at himself and winced. "I guess--damn! This thing is SHORT!"

"The skirt or the--"

"Shut up or we'll find out if this sword has an edge, Mac--" came the warning,

MacGyver grinned and stepped around Jack as he headed for the dressing room, Tu handed him water and patted his shoulder.

"You have sweet heart to give so much to wife. She lucky," came the praise.

Mac flushed.

Jack swung the sword experimentally, nearly hitting Lucy,

"Whoa! No beheading the photographer--goodness your legs are pale--"

"Yeah--Tu powdered them up, but no getting around my white boy look--" he sighed. Lucy patted his cheek.

"Trust me, Jack--Rose has her sights set a bit higher--let's loose the breastplate, shall we? That's for guys with no chest to speak of, and we haven't really seen yours yet--"

"Hey!" Jack protested as she undid the straps and yanked it off. She shook her head happily.

"Oooooh yes--the scars even go with the look, Jack--you're definitely hot hero material, darling!"

Jack gave a startled look. "Yah think?"

Mac was looking around the dressing area for the jeans he had come in with. They were a brand new pair of black ones that he wanted to use for the shoot. He finally found them in a neat folded up pile along with the rest of his clothes and stepped out of his boxers and into the jeans. He was going to give both Lucy and her camera a surprise.

There was a wide variety of dress shirts and Mac grabbed a white one with long sleeves and slipped it on, not bothering to button it up. He came back out from the dressing area in his open shirt and bare feet and went over to where everyone else was.

Mac stomped loudly and pressed a closed fist to his chest as he looked at Jack in his full gladiator gear, not the wisest thing to do, teasing a man with a sword.

"All hail Caesar!"

Jack shot him a glance and tried not to sigh as Lucy circled him.

"Love that chest, Jack--you really shouldn't hide it!  I don't know how Rose lets you get away with it.--come one, rest the sword across those lovely shoulders--give me one of those Fuck me scowls--lovely!"

Jack rolled his head from side to side. "Mac, what's the time?"

"Wow, we've been here almost three hours!"

"Okay, the game went into overtime--think they'll buy that?"

"I hope so--"

Tu was tugging Mac's sleeve. "Cowboy?" she asked softly.

MacGyver shook his head. "No, this one and then Spartacus and I will do the cowboy." He turned and looked at Jack. "That is if Marc Antony over there doesn't quit breaking Lucy's lenses with that mug of his."

Tu nodded. "I choose spot for you to pose." She and the blond man stood beside Lucy.

"Jack isn't the only one with scars Lucy; I hope you got good touch up equipment."

Tu smiled shyly, and touched his arm again. "Scars signs of valiant life--"

He watched her walk away, and smiled to himself.

Jack stepped over, sighing. "Man, I never knew taking a few damn pictures was so hard!"

"Try the gold paint sometime--" Mac winced. "I'm going to have a hell of a time explaining the traces to Gill--and she's SURE to find them--"

They grinned at each other, and Jack nodded. "Worth it--God help me if Carter or any of the others ever sees them but just thinking about Rose--"

Mac nodded. They headed for the dressing room, Jack leading the way.

Lucy drew in a deep breath and looked over the sets, a sense of deep satisfaction crossing her face.

"Tu! Last call!" she hollered.

"Okay Lucy, how about I make this really nice and simple?"

MacGyver was standing in the center of the room on a small oriental rug. "Save all the theatrics for the duo cowboy thing."

Lucy loaded her camera and got it ready to shoot. "Okay, what do you have in mind?"

Mac opened his shirt and slid it halfway down his arms trapping it at his elbows, holding onto the shirt at his waist. He sunk down to his knees, closing his eyes and tilting his head back a little.

Lucy smiled. "Tilt your head up higher--let's expose that amazing throat of yours--oh yes! Can you drop one shoulder and look up at me? Beautiful!"

Murmuring praise, Lucy had him play peek a boo with the collar, and stretch back enough to let the whole of his chest show. She laughed when he looked down.

"Hey Mac--I'll give you ten bucks to toy with your fly--" she taunted. He shot her a lazy smile and let his hand slide over it. She snapped away.

"Ten, huh? What would get me a Twenty?"

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her camera up. "Twenty for opening the snap."

MacGyver grinned widely. "What will get me fifty?"

The photographer started to laugh. "Well, I'll let you decide that."

"Okay, how's this?" Mac opened the button on his jeans and pulled the zipper

down; he opened the ends of his fly a little wider.

Lucy's shoulders quivered, but it wasn't with laughter.

"MacGyver, you are provoking as HELL--" she grumbled. "I'm in my sixties and you're distracting me!"

"Sorry--" he didn't sound the least bit sorry, and she finally did laugh from behind the lens.

"Alright, Seduction King, your wife has her hands full, figuratively and literally here--what a time to go commando, dear--"

Mac drew in a breath and realized he was actually pleased--he might not have the world's greatest body, but it was a good one, and judging by Lucy's response, it would definitely please Gill. He smiled.

He stood up again, and stretched up. The jeans did NOT, and more of his lean torso showed. Lucy snapped away.

"God between the two of them...I think I need a cold shower now." Lucy grumbled to herself as she put the lens cap back on. "Okay Mac, its time to get Westernized."

He took off the shirt and gave Lucy a salute. "Okay Lucy, which am I Butch or Sundance?"

"Sundance." She picked up her camera and tripod and headed for another room of the warehouse. "Jack? How ya doing Babe?"

Jack emerged in a striped shirt and suspenders, grinning. It looked good on him and he knew it; he cocked his head happily.

"Paul Newman eat your heart out--" he crowed. Lucy managed a grin and ushered him out to the set.

He glanced around, stretched out his legs and crossed them, relaxed and oddly pleased.

Lucy shot him an affectionate smile, wishing she could tell him about Rose's shoot, but knowing she couldn't.

Mac eventually sauntered out, grinning. "Think I should go for the mustache or not?" he asked cheerily.

Lucy was setting up the camera and she wrinkled her nose a little. "Well....the thin one, I don't like the caterpillar under your nose mustache."

MacGyver nodded and emerged with a thin mustache and a white cowboy hat.

"Hey Butch...forgot your hat." He handed it to Jack as he adjusted the black hat on his head and stood behind him.

Jack nodded, taking it and setting it on his head. Lucy put her hands on her hips and watched him look up at her.

Mac sauntered over and dropped into the other chair, mirroring Jack's laid back posture.

"Bookends, aren't you?" she smiled as she snapped the photo.

10:28 PM

In the living room, Rose concentrated. She wore her silk nightgown, thighs wrapped lovingly around her cello, bow sliding in a slow stroke across the

strings.

Out in the kitchen, Jack looked up from the sandwich he was making. Moving softly, he walked through the doorway and peered into the living room.

Jack was fascinated as always by the look of total intensity on Rose's face; the flick of her pink tongue tip on her bottom lip turned up the heat in his groin mercilessly.

The deep vibration of the note shivered through the air, tickling his skin as it swirled through the room.

Completely unaware of Jack behind her now, Rose refingered the bridge, shifting a little, her nightgown riding up enough to reveal sleek thigh as she gripped the rosewood instrument more tightly.

Without a sound, Jack studied her, his eyes fixed on the exposed nape of her neck as she bent over the strings again. Her hair nearly matched the deep rich auburn of the cello, and he breathed in her soft scent.

Suddenly the sandwich seemed very unimportant. He took a step closer, nearly touching her back with his chest. Rose drew the bow across the strings again, sawing a glissando of notes in a seductive glide, making the instrument purr.

"Si Amelie, canta per me," she coaxed gently, fingers dancing over the bridge.

Jack shivered.

It never failed to move him, this hidden mysterious world Rose lived in, this music. An educated man in his own right, Jack appreciated most tunes, and had a secret passion of his own for certain classical pieces, quietly exulting in the logical order of the notes. But Rose moved in music the way Daniel moved in languages, or Carter in science, with a surety and confidence and innate LOVE of the medium that permeated her soul.


Her focus, Rose's total and rapt concentration never failed to stir Jack's heart.
He sighed; the sound made Rose jump and look over her shoulder at him with a slightly reproachful expression. He smiled at her and indulged in a small kiss on her upturned nose.

"Sorry-you got to me."

"I wish I could get to ME. Amelie is NOT cooperating."

Amelie was the name of the cello. Jack remembered laughing when Rose had told him that, but her sincere affection for the ancient ¾ cello was pervasive, and even Jack now thought of the instrument as a fussy old Italian spinster. He glanced at the stand and sheet music.

"C minor-the depressing one," he observed softly.

Rose shrugged, the neck of the cello sliding against her shoulder when she did so.

Both of them studied the music again.

"Still haven't got it down. The happy ones are easy, Jack-it's the minors that drive me crazy," Rose confessed. Jack's hands were sliding up her smooth shoulders, caressing the skin under the straps of her nightgown. She gave a pleasurable sigh.

"Oooohh," The bow made a little hop over the strings and Amelie moaned a low bass note.

"Tense. You're too tense, doll. Like an athlete, a musician needs to relax and go with the flow-" he murmured, letting his fingers caress away the knots in her muscles.

Rose groaned happily as he took a long minute to continue his massage. "Oh Jack, that's soooooooo goooooood-" she sighed.

He smiled to himself, letting his fingers slide forward down to her collarbones, tips dancing over the slope of her breasts. "Oh yeah, I'm thinking the same thing-" he teased.

Rose watched as he glided his hand further down to just touch a hard nipple.

"Okay, that's a bit MORE than I was expecting-"

"I remember the first time you said that to me-" Jack smirked.

Against her will, Rose laughed softly. She gently shifted the cello, resting it in the instrument stand while Jack continued to let his hands roam over her shoulders and spine. She gave herself over to his touch, drinking in the long tender rubdown. Jack grew bolder, bending forward to cup her chest under the thin silk, toying brazenly with her nipples.

"Jack . . . " she let her head loll back against his shoulder. He pressed up against her back, adding a friendly tongue swipe to her ear.

Rose giggled. "No tasting the musician!"

"Can't help myself," he whispered, "You have a terrific flavor you know."

Jack ran his teeth down the side of her throat, his erection rubbing with aggressive friendliness along her spine. Rose climbed off the stool and came around it to wrap her arms around him, pressing her mouth to the center of Jack's chest, bare and warm.

The sleek sensation of skin almost on skin between them was incredible.

Jack's hands cupped her nightie-covered ass and pulled her close as he ground himself against her pubic bone.

"Geez you rock my world, woman," he grunted.

Rose laughed a little at that, her mouth finding a new sensitive spot as she sucked the hollow of his collarbone. She felt his nipple pebble up and turned her attention to one, nibbling it.

"Ahhhh-" Jack purred helplessly, "More-"

"I guess," Rose smiled, licking her way down his pec, "If I can't . . . get Amelie to sing . . .Mmmmmmm, for me, maybe . . .I can get YOU . . ."

"Oh yeah, yeah-keep doing THAT and I'll be singing alright-" Jack tried not to squirm as her mouth made slow headway down his stomach and into the ticklish tender skin around his hips.

Rose knelt, tugging his sweatpants down and pressing her tongue along the trail of dark fur just under his navel. Jack looked down at Rose's rapt, upturned face and was suddenly struck by the familiarity of her expression. The same passion she held for music was now concentrated on- on him.

His body. She WAS playing him.

Jack groaned. Rose slid her warm hands around his turgid cock, caressing it with loving strokes.

"Canto, Mi amor-" she teased, licking her lips.

Jack felt himself swell harder under her fingers, the steel velvet of his cock throbbing. It never ceased to amaze him that the sight of his beautiful talented Rose on her knees flipped every damn erotic switch in his body. The wash of pleasure rolled down the front of his body straight through his aching prick as she leaned closer, breathing on it.

"Oh shit . . ." Jack sighed watching her, his body shuddering.

Rose let her tongue slide out, and flicked it against the warm underside of his cock.

"Words are a start, but before I'm done, you'll BEG, Jack. I want you to SING for me, you lovely beast---"

Rose taunted him before pressing the lightest kiss on the bobbing tip of his cock, her hands stroking his thighs.

Instinctively Jack widened his stance, trying not to sway as he gave in to his own carnality. His hands reached for her hair, stroking it, eagerly raking through it as Rose tightened her lips. She softly pressed them together and took in the tiniest bit, the very tip of his cock, letting her tongue lap over it warmly.

Jack felt his knees buckle. He'd often fantasized about Rose and what her lips could do, but nothing he'd ever conjured up could ever match the silky heated reality of her wicked mouth. Jack craved her blatant lasciviousness; he pushed eagerly against her tongue and the sight of her lipstick smeared along his shaft made him groan.

"Ah God . . . Rose, you're going to make me blow . . ." he hissed, helpless against the growing tension as she wetly pumped her mouth on his rigid cock.

Rose pulled back and flashed a smile up at him, her lips slick.

"Oh not YET . . ." came her confident whisper.

With delicacy, she nuzzled his balls, lightly licking them as Jack shifted his hips in helpless response. Rose enthralled him by doing things that he'd dreamt of, shamefully longed for.

Things that Sara would never have considered for a second.

Jack drew in a deep breath and gently pulled her hair, urging her teasing mouth back to his cock.

"More, suck me MORE," he insisted in a strained voice.

Rose turned her head to lightly nip his thighs. Jack couldn't stop another moan from escaping. "Pushy now, Jack? Need it?"

"Yeah---" he confessed weakly ass Rose nibbled her way down his shaft again.

She purred, curling her hands around his strong ass, raking her nails against his skin, driving him forward as she took him in deeply.

Jack's head lolled forward and he rocked in a sensual rhythm, caught up in the long slow strokes of her loving mouth.

Rose sucked, hard, and Jack lost whatever vestige of control he though he'd had.

With a deep bellow of delight, he thrust forward, coming hard in spurts on the back of her tongue, spine arching, toes curling, a long slow shiver rattling through his big frame. She wrapped her arms around his hips, bracing him for a moment, and then let his cock slip from her mouth to smile up at him.

"Oh yeah . . . ."

"Christ! Molto forte, baby . . ."

Jack sighed almost helplessly, his coffee-colored gaze locked on hers. He pulled her to her feet and into his arms, wrapping her up in his hug, pressing his heartbeat into hers and they stood there for a long long time.

"I love you, Rose-" came his fierce whisper, "Now and forever. You need to know that-"

"Yes," she murmured into his skin, "I know that."

END.

By Jackie Clouse dreamwvr73@earthlink.net  & Cincoflex@aol.com