Chapter Three: Waiting

MacGyver didn't question how Purdey knew where Gambit had left his car, merely following her blindly down the semblance of a trail through the woods.

He was leaning heavily against her as they at last reached it, and Purdey propped him up on the car as she opened the passenger door and leaned in to recline the seat. "All right…watch your head."

MacGyver moaned in relief as he laid back against the seat. The sound of the door made him wince slightly as Purdey shut it, and then she was getting in on the driver's side.

Long before Gambit's hour was up, she had started shifting impatiently, craning to look behind her up the road and drumming her fingers on the steering wheel.

MacGyver squinted one eye open. "He ushually come through?"

"Yes," Purdey admitted, twisting to look over her shoulder again.

"Then shtop worryin'; he'll be here."

"I have had to rescue him a few times," Purdey mused, "not that he'll admit it." She sighed, crossing her arms on the steering wheel and leaning her chin on them as she tapped her fingers restlessly. For the first time, MacGyver noticed the sparkle of a diamond there.

Exactly one minute after the hour was up, Purdey pushed the door open and swiveled to get out of the car, then paused and looked back.

"Waitin' for shomethin'?"

"You said you'd try to stop me," Purdey reminded him.

"Shaid I'd do my bes'; right now that's about nothin'."

Purdey got out, then looked back over her shoulder. "And you're not going to try to come with me?"

"Nope," MacGyver answered, not bothering to try opening his eyes. "I'm down for the count on this one; I'd just get in the way. 'Shides, you're a big girl; I'm shure you can take care of yourself."

Purdey flashed a quick smile, relieved to know he wouldn't try to follow her and force her to turn back and help him. "Be back in a flash," she promised. "Sit tight, and don't go anywhere."

MacGyver fluttered one hand in the barest semblance of a wave.

"Going somewhere, Purdey-girl?"

Purdey spun at Gambit's voice, guilt flooding her face. "I — was just changing seats."

Gambit smiled knowingly and leaned on the car roof. "Of course you were."

"Did you get the papers?" Purdey questioned, changing the subject.

"Right here," Gambit responded, flashing the sheaf before tucking it back into his coat. "I got MacGyver's box, too," he added, sliding into the driver's seat as Purdey got into the back.

"Let'sh have it," MacGyver requested, holding out a hand.

Gambit passed him the box, then started the car and pulled out onto the road.

MacGyver shifted slightly so his body blocked Gambit's view as he pressed the hidden catch on the box. "Oh, yeah," he murmured, squinting with just one eye so that he merely saw blurred, not double. It was obvious why the senator had felt this was so top secret that he had approached MacGyver directly instead of going through official channels. If the DXS even got wind of its existence, let alone that it had fallen into enemy hands… MacGyver shook his head and tucked the box into his pocket beside the book of matches. His orders were to bring it back if he could and destroy it if he couldn't; it would be convenient having it next to the means to do so.

Gambit glanced sideways at him. "What you were looking for?"

"Yeah; thanks." MacGyver didn't consider he had lied in allowing Gambit to assume he was on official DXS business; what the British agent was concerned with was whether he was working for the other side. He wondered fleetingly if Gambit had attempted to open the box, but as usual decided to trust the man.

"Gambit, do you have any idea where you're going?" Purdey questioned.

"Of course." Reaching across MacGyver, he opened the glove box and pulled out a map. "Hold that for me, mate."

"Long'sh ya don't exspect me to read it," MacGyver warned, unfolding the map.

Gambit glanced at it briefly as he drove. "There's a village about a hundred kilometers away; looks small enough they won't have word of our activities. We can get a room for the night, and maybe a doctor for MacGyver."

"Don' need a doctor; I'm fine," MacGyver insisted, his words slurring further as he drifted towards sleep.

Gambit raised an eyebrow, but didn't argue.

"Jush need to shleep," MacGyver mumbled, and then was out.

Purdey bit her lip. "Do you think it's all right to let him?"

"For a while," Gambit replied. "He seems to have a pretty hard head; he'll be all right."

Next chapter coming next week!

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 or Avengers alternate history, check my profile first to see if they're answered there. Thanks for your understanding! Barbie