sequal to: Mac For Hire.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Macgyver. They belong

to Henry Winkler, Paramount and associates.

If you would like to borrow this story, please ask first, thanks! :)

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Title: AX TO GRIND

Chapter 1: In Remembrance of Me

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"I hate these things!"

"Here, let me help you." Nikki sighed and rolled her eyes. She tugged

at Macgyver's red silk necktie, straightening it. The light bouncing off her

dark waves, he hadn't realized that her hair had begun to curl around her

shoulders, setting off her creamy skin.

"Hey, you're letting your hair grow out again."

Her face flamed under his astute gaze. Stepping back, she eased her hand

off his chest. "Yes, and so are you," Nikki said, changing the subject.

She touched the blond wisps tickling his shoulder. "You don't look so

shabby yourself, all gussied up in a black suit. Who would have thought . . ."

"Don Juan," he offered hopefully.

"Don't flatter yourself Mac," she said with a roll of her eyes.

"We'd better get out there before Pete comes looking for us."

His hand splayed across the middle of her back, Mac escorted Nikki to the

banquet room.

***********************************

Shortly thereafter, Pete and Nikki coaxed Mac to come onstage after

giving their speeches. "Thank you for coming, but this is about the 10th

anniversary of the Phoenix Foundation, not me. I'm just a part of the

well-oiled machine I've come to think of as home. May we be around for

the next 10!" He held up the crystal goblet of sparkling red grape juice in

a toast.

"That was a great speech Mac!" Jack applauded as the Phoenix trio

descended the short stairway and sat down at the table.

Nikki smiled at Mac saucily. "Not bad for a man of few words."

"Thanks."

All of a sudden, Nikki let out a shriek amongst the noisy crowd. Across

from her, Mac jumped up, alert. "What is it? You okay?" he asked.

"Never been better," she grumbled at the spreading cranberry juice stain

blending in with her velvet dress. "Just let me go clean this up and I'll be

right back." Before leaving, Nikki leaned forward slightly and whispered to

Mac, "Relax and have some fun."

Pete turned to Mac in concern. "She's right, you can't keep blaming

yourself."

"But I do Pete, it was my fault. If only Deborah . . ."

"No ifs tonight Mac, let's focus on the present. Deborah is gone and

what she did to you won't happen again."

Mac sighed, "Whatever you say Pete."

**************************************

Impatiently, Nikki scrubbed at the stain just above her abdomen. "Why

don't people watch where they're going."

"Oh, but I did. I hit my intended target perfectly." Nikki gasped at the

vengeful face staring at her in the mirror. Painfully, her stomach began to

burn as the room started spinning.

"Mac," she whispered faintly as a pair of arms broke her fall.

"Something to remember me by," the voice hissed into her ear.