Chapter Two: Backtracking

MacGyver wasn't overly bothered by Lucie's apparent selfishness in being more concerned about rescuing her teddy than the other girls. She was too young to care especially about people she didn't know, or to appreciate the danger they were in. But he knew only too well what might happen to them, and could only hope he would be in time to get them out safely.

Lucie watched earnestly out the window as MacGyver forced himself to drive slowly, reflecting that a four-year-old couldn't possibly have come very far.

"That's it!" Lucie exclaimed suddenly.

MacGyver glanced over at her as he let the Rover roll to a stop. "Ya sure?"

She nodded emphatically. "That's the funny rock I tripped on an' bumped my arm. See?" She bent her elbow, showing him the darkening bruise.

"Ouch. All right, you stay here." He jumped out and ran to half climb, half vault over the guardrail, then dropped to the ground and wormed his way to peer over the edge of the embankment.

Lucie had been right. In a clearing below, he saw a dirty white building with several men walking around in front and a blue van parked on a gravel access road. "Yeah," he murmured. That meant the girls were probably still inside, at least.

Pulling himself to his feet away from the edge, MacGyver turned to see Lucie standing on the near side of the guardrail. "I thought I told ya to stay put," he scolded mildly.

"I didn't want to be by myself!" she exclaimed, running to wrap herself around his leg.

MacGyver sighed, resting a hand on her shoulder. He wasn't comfortable with the idea of leaving her alone, but he knew there was no way he could not go in after those girls, and it would be far more dangerous to take her with him.

Lifting her over the guardrail, he stepped after her and squatted in front of her. "Lucie, sweetheart, I know it's hard, but you're going to have to stay here while I go down there. Can you be a big girl and do that for me?"

Lucie nodded solemnly, but tears sparkled in her eyes.

"You'll be okay, and I'll be back with the girls as soon as I can," MacGyver tried to assure her.

"An' my teddy," she reminded him in a small voice.

"Yes…" MacGyver murmured, an expression in his eyes that anyone who knew him would have recognized as an idea forming. Digging in a pocket, he produced a hank of string and stared at it for a moment. Then he shrugged out of his jacket and gathered a handful of the soft, well-worn leather, tying it off with the string.

"What are you doing?" Lucie asked, leaning on his leg. *

MacGyver grinned sideways at her. "You'll see," he promised, tying off another handful like the first and then wrapping a piece of string around a bigger section.

As he doubled one of the sleeves back on itself, Lucie suddenly saw what he was making. "It's a bear!" she exclaimed in wonder. "Mr Mac, you made a bear!"

"That's right," MacGyver agreed, tying off the second paw and wiggling it at her as she giggled with delight.

"Now, I know it's not your teddy," he said gently as he tucked it into her eager arms. "But it's somethin' to hold on to and keep ya company while I'm gone."

"And you'll bring mine back?"

"I'll try, baby, but I have to get those girls first or the men might do something bad to them. Will you be all right if we have to come back for it?"

"Okay," Lucie agreed quietly, hugging the makeshift bear tightly.

MacGyver tussled her hair. "That's a brave girl. Come on." Taking her back to the car, he sat her on the back seat and crouched in front of her. "Now, Lucie, I need you to listen carefully and do exactly what I say. If anyone except me or those girls comes up the hill, you need to lock yourself in and hide until I come. Can you do that?"

She nodded solemnly. "But what if — you don't come?"

"I'll be here," MacGyver promised. "You can count on that, baby. Gonna be all right while I'm gone?"

Lucie nodded. "Uh-huh."

"All right, then. I'll be back as soon as I can."

MacGyver glanced back once to wave at the little figure clutching her bear and wished again that he had an option other than leaving her.

Next chapter coming next week!

* Illustration for this scene can be found at www . deviantart . com [slash] femalechauvinist [slash] art [slash] MacGyver-s-Bear-864237766

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