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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Chapter 7: Turning Up the Heat

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Without warning, the numerous spotlights suddenly clicked

off, leaving the stricken duo enveloped in darkness.

"Mac, what are we going to do?" Nikki hissed.

Following the sound of her voice, Mac hopped over to

Nikki. "First, can you take my blindfold off?"

"I think so," she replied, struggling to untie it one-handed.

"Got it!" Nikki cried as he pulled free. "Now what do I need

to do?"

"Not you, me. I have a bomb to defuse."

"But, you heard Deborah, there's no way to . . ."

"Where there's a will, there's a way." He hopped over to

the ladder and took tiny steps down the rungs to the next

lowest level of the catwalk. Mac stretched out his hands

behind him, the low flame licking at the ropes. All at once,

the fire soared higher, singeing his skin.

"Mac!" Nikki screeched.

"Yeowch!" He jerked his hands away.

"Mac, you okay?" she asked, leaning over as far as she

dared.

"Yeah, just peachy," he grumbled. "You alright? Why'd

you yell?"

Sheepishly, she replied, "To let you know Murdoc was

turning up the heat."

Feeling the rope slacken slightly against his skin, Mac

smiled grimly. "Actually, that's kind of what I was hoping for."

Concentrating on the frayed rope about his wrists, he tried

pulling a hand free, but to no avail. Grunting in frustration,

he began making his way back up the ladder.

Abruptly, Nikki's feet slid against the glass, causing her to

pitch forward. Gasping, she risked a glance below her.

"Mac!" she yelped as the flames rose higher. "The glass,

it's sliding apart!"

"I'm coming! Move your weight to one side of the glass."

Nikki's voice trembled, "I, I can't. Deborah hand-cuffed

me to the railing."

Mac's head peeked over the ladder. Hastily, he

scrabbled, crab-like, to the glass partition. He ducked under

Nikki's legs, and placing his wrists against the glass, began

sawing frantically at the ropes. Feeling a sharp sting

against his wrist, Mac knew he had hit pay dirt. Grimacing,

he felt the sticky blood seep out of the fresh wound.

"Mac, you had better not be looking up my dress," Nikki

laughed shakily. Mac wanted to chuckle, but instead opened

one eye as he felt liquid salt streak his face.

"Hey, don't cry. We are going to make it out of here Nikki,

I promise. Okay?"

"Got it!" he cried triumphantly, snapping the last warn

thread of rope. Mac hastily untied the ropes binding his legs

and inquired, "Nikki, do you have a bobby pin?"

"Bobby pin? Yes, I do! I have a few holding back my

bangs. He reached for one, when a gunshot filled the air.

Putting an arm around Nikki, Mac tried to shield her as

best he could. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just hurry!" she urged as he plucked the pin from her

hair. Jabbing the pin into the lock, the cuffs clicked.

Unfortunately, so did the glass as it slid again, leaving quite a

big gap. Mac slipped and plunged over the side, feeling

nothing between him and the fire but air!