Chapter 1
"Are you ok?" MacGyver asked.
Melody saw the pipe in his hand. She tried to get up but her legs wouldn't hold her. MacGyver realized he was still holding the pipe and tossed it aside.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said softly. "I knocked those guys out, but soon they're going to wake up, so we need to get out of here." He held out his hand to help her up.
Melody thought he seemed sincere so she took his hand. He pulled her up, but she couldn't stand. She felt so weak, drained.
"Will you let me carry you?" MacGyver asked.
Melody couldn't find her voice so she just nodded. MacGyver picked her up and walked quietly passed the two guys and sit her in his jeep. He ran over and grabbed his groceries and put them in the back. He pulled out of the parking lot.
"Wh...where are we going?" Melody asked quietly.
"I'm taking you to the hospital," Mac answered.
"But...no!" She said forcefully. "I can't go to the hospital!"
"Why not?"
"I don't have any money, and besides I'm fine."
MacGyver glanced over at her skeptically.
"Really," Melody continued. "Thank you for everything, but I'm fine."
"The police then..."
"No! They'd...no." They wouldn't care about a homeless person.
"Well, ok. But let me take you home. Where do you live?"
"I...uh," She stuttered. She couldn't think of what to say.
"Do you have a home?"
"Uh...no" she admitted softly.
"Well then, let me offer you a warm meal, shower, and a goodnight's sleep at my place. It's not far from here. And if you want to leave tomorrow instead of getting help, you can."
MacGyver couldn't believe a girl her age was homeless. He had to help her in some way, even if it was just for the night. Melody wasn't sure what to say. She wanted to say yes, but she knew nothing of this man. He could be worse then the two in the alley. She looked closely at him.
"You don't trust me." He said. "I understand. After all that in the alley, I wouldn't trust me either."
He glanced at her again.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm MacGyver. I live in a houseboat and work for the Phoenix Foundation. See, now I'm not a stranger anymore."
Melody couldn't help but smile a little. She would take a chance.
"I'm Melody."
"Nice to meet you, Melody" He held out his hand to her.
Melody took it loosely and shook his hand. "You too."
"So what's the verdict? Are you taking me up on my offer?"
"Do you often take strange women to your house, Mr. MacGyver?"
"It's just MacGyver and no I don't, but I can't resist helping a lady in distress"
"Okay, I'll stay tonight, but I'm leaving first thing in the morning."
"Deal."
MacGyver pulled up at his houseboat and led her in. He turned on the light and closed the door.
"I know it's a bit messy, but it's home" MacGyver said as he put his groceries on the counter.
"It's wonderful" Melody said in awe. She hadn't been in a house since her own.
"Upstairs to your right is the bathroom if you want to take a shower while I fix dinner. I'll get some clothes you can change into."
"Okay."
She went upstairs with him and stepped into the bathroom. She didn't remember bathrooms being so bright.
"Here are some clothes and a towel."
MacGyver came in behind her and sit the things on a hamper.
"There's soap and shampoo in the shower. Need anything else?" He asked.
"No. Thank you."
As soon as MacGyver left Melody closed and locked the door. He understood why she was scared. He wondered how long she had been on the streets.
Melody undressed and turned on the shower. When she got in, it felt heavenly. It had been so long. She washed away the dirt, memories, and pain. She started to cry. This man was so generous. Even her own parents wouldn't let her in, but this man did. Those two horrible men...she didn't what to think about what horrible things happened and could have happened. She washed her hair five times. Her long black hair had huge knots in it and was so greasy it was in strings. After she got out she found a hair brush and brushed out all the tangles. She dried off and put on the T-shirt and jeans he had laid out for her. She didn't wear her underwear or bra because she didn't want those grimy clothes on her now clean body. She piled the clothes in the corner and looked in the mirror. She didn't recognize the person looking at her. She was thin and had dark circles under her eyes. It was painful to look so she stopped. She headed out the door and downstairs.
MacGyver was down with the spaghetti and had a bowl of it waiting for Melody. He was worried about her. It was taking her a long time. Then again, she had a lot of grim to get off. He finally heard the shower being turned off. After awhile he saw Melody come down the stairs. She looked worlds better. He pictured her healthier looking and bet she was beautiful.
"Hey. Did you have a good shower?" he asked her.
"Yes, thank you. I feel like I've lost my weight in dirt."
"Here's your spaghetti." He handed her her bowl.
Melody breathed in the aroma. Her stomach growled at the anticipation. She took a bite and it was marvelous. She ate faster and faster.
"Slow down there." MacGyver said. "Eating like that will mess up your stomach. Don't worry, it's all yours and there's more. I've already eaten mine."
"Sorry." She said swallowing.
She wiped her mouth with a real paper towel. No more using her shirt. She felt overwhelmed.
"This is all so wonderful."
MacGyver smiled. It felt good to do something nice for someone, but this particularly pleased him. She seemed like a nice girl who had just had a rough life.
"So, Melody, how old are you?"
"I'm not sure. What year is this?"
MacGyver smiled sweetly. "2004."
"Wow. I guess I'm..." she figured it out in her head, "23."
"You look younger than that."
"Well, I first got on the streets when I was seventeen, right before my birthday, right after graduation. And that was 1999."
"You have a good memory."
"That's something you don't forget." she said quietly and sadly.
MacGyver decided to change the subject. "You want more spaghetti?"
"Not right now. I feel like I'm going to burst." Melody said finishing what was in her bowl.
"Well, we should get to bed. It's getting late. I have an extra toothbrush upstairs that you can use before you go to sleep."
"Okay." Melody followed him upstairs. "Will I sleep on the couch?"
"Of course not. This will be the first time in a long time that you sleep in a real bed."
Melody smiled, anticipating the feeling. They brushed their teeth. MacGyver showed her his bed.
"I just happened to have changed the sheets this morning, so it's all ready for you." MacGyver smiled.
"But where will you sleep?" Melody asked.
"Downstairs on the couch. Don't worry, it's pretty comfy once you get used to it."
"I can't kick you out of your own bed. Not after how nice you've been to me."
"You can and you will. No arguments."
Melody smiled and nodded.
"I'll fix breakfast for us in the morning." MacGyver said. "See you tomorrow."
MacGyver started heading for the door.
"MacGyver?" Melody called.
"Yes?" he turned around.
"Thank you."
He smiled. "No problem." He left and closed the door.
He noticed it was a little after one when he went to bed on the couch. He didn't want Melody to leave the next day. She needed help and she wouldn't find it out on the streets. However, he couldn't keep her at his house against her will, so he'd have to let her make up her own mind.
Around three in the morning, MacGyver awoke to a scream. He sat straight up and ran up the stairs to his room. He opened the door and saw Melody lying in bed asleep. Puzzled he stepped closer. He saw her face and realized she was having a nightmare. He called her name. She opened her eyes, sat up, and jumped back.
"It's me MacGyver. You're safe. It's ok." MacGyver said calmly.
Melody looked at him and when she realized where she was and what had happened, she broke into tears. MacGyver sat on the edge of the bed. He gently put his arms around her. She let him and bawled into his shirt. He held her until she had calmed down. She sat up straight.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry." she said sniffling.
MacGyver handed her a handkerchief.
"You don't need to be sorry. I was surprised you hadn't cried before. You've had a rough night."
"Thank you for being so understanding. You're so sweet." She started crying again. "I don't deserve this."
"And why not?" he asked. "You've done nothing wrong."
"But I'm just a bum. A homeless, hopeless, bum."
"Shh..." He said holding her again. "That's nonsense. You've had a tough life, but that's not your fault. You're a sweet girl who's just going through a rough time."
Melody cried harder. The angels must be watching over her tonight. He had to be heaven sent. She calmed down but didn't push away. She liked being held. She felt secure and safe. MacGyver continued to hold her as long as she would let him. Sometimes a person just needed to be held.
A few minutes later she pulled back.
"Thank you." she whispered.
"Can you get back to sleep?" he asked gently.
"I don't know if I want to." She shivered.
"Do you want me to sit with you until you get to sleep? My Grandfather used to that for me when I was little and had a nightmare."
"That would be nice." She smiled. "Thank you."
She got comfortable under the covers and tried to relax under the blankets.
"It feels weird with you just watching me."
"You know, I always felt that way too." he laughed. "How about I lie next to you on top of the covers? That way I won't be staring at you, but you won't be alone."
Melody pondered it.
"Okay."
She scooted over and let MacGyver lie down.
"Thank you, MacGyver."
"You're welcome. Goodnight"
