CH 60

"When I first met him, he froze for a few seconds before he shook my hand. Then he kept avoiding me."

"He must have his reasons, give him time to adjust to his surroundings and a new crew. After all, he just returned from the Gulf and he must have seen something terrible over there and he's bottling it up. One day that bottle is going to blow and when it does we as a crew need to be there for him, a shoulder to lean on. He knows that if he wants to talk about it, I will listen. So in the meantime give him a chance to settle in."

"You're right June, I never thought of it that way."

"What's your impression of him?"

"Bird likes him."

Kate laughed, "How can you tell?"

"When she showed up to get her dinner, Jim and I were talking to him and when he smiled at her, she started blushing."

"She's too young for him."

"Talk about the pot meet kettle, aye?"

"Yes, I know."

"Well don't worry about Bird, she told Two Dads, Swain, and me that Dutchy can be her hero any day."

Kate laughed, "sounds like she and I might need to have a little talk."

"Don't worry about it, within a month it will be someone else like that corporal from the SAS."

"You wouldn't be trying to play matchmaker would you?"

"Now, would I do something like that?"

"Yes."

"Guess we shall see."

Kate stood up, "thanks for listening, MacGyver."

"Any time X."

Dutchy, who was still outside the door, hid when Kate walked out the door closing it behind her.

MacGyver looked at the door and then she heard footsteps stop outside the door. "Come in Dutchy," she said.

Opening the door, "how did you know?"

I recognized your walk and I saw your face reflected in the photo on the wall. So, you heard what the X and I talked about?"

"Yes."

"So, I was right wasn't I."

"No, you're wrong."

"So, the hurt you're experiencing, it's either to do with a woman or someone in command, like you and XO. You meant to protect her and something happened and you blame yourself. Don't worry you're not the first one it's happened to that I've seen. I helped a sailor out when I was over in Iraq. He blames himself for the death of a crewmate. The shrink they had on board was useless, but I talked to the guy, listened to him and gave him the best advice I could and it helped bring the walls down. When his contract was up for renewal he spoke to me about it and again I gave him the best advice that I could."

"Did it help him?"

"It did, he stayed on for another three years and he met his wife on one of the frigates he was transferred to when he signed the papers. They've been married for four years and have two children and another one on the way."

Dutchy looked down to the floor then back up to her.

"I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

He turned to leave when he saw Jim had just walked in, "Captain."

"Dutchy, call me Jim."

"Sorry Jim, I was…"

"Talking to June. I heard... it's ok mate."

"I'll leave you two to talk, night."

"Night Dutchy."

Dutchy turned and walked two steps as Jim walked into June's cabin closing the door. Dutchy stopped when he heard… Just as the door clicks shut.

"What did Dutchy say to you?"

"Dr Roth's lips are sealed, but Mrs Roth wants some love. Come here Captain and give me some love," she said giggling.

"Oh, I'll give you some love alright."

Dutchy walked away thinking about what MacGyver said. The next day Hammersley stops at Angel Island. Mike, Jim and the SAS went to shore with their gear. They used both RHIBs. They met with the head of security and he showed Jim where his men could set up. Mike spoke to the security officer about using a secure radio channel while Hammersley's close by.

When everything was in place Mike returned to Hammersley. Later that afternoon a boat appeared on radar.

"Sir, we've got a vessel approaching on radar heading to Angel Island'' MacGyver said.

"RO try calling the boat."

"Yes sir."

He tried and there was no response.

MacGyver picked up the handheld, "Charlie 8-2, Jim are you there?"

MacGyver waited, "Yes, June, are you bored?"

"Heads up, Jim, we've got a speed boat heading to the island, stand by."

"Copy that." She passed the radio to Mike and Kate called hands to boarding stations.

Luckily both RHIBs were already launched and tied to the back of the ship so it would be quicker for them to get off. The boarding teams walked quickly down the steps and into the RHIBS then they were off to chase down the speed boat. Mike was watching on the radar and EOD and he contacted Jim to let him know where the boat is heading so the men who are in that area can head to the spot.

When the boat was close to shore it turned around and headed back out to sea, heading straight toward Hammersley. As it approached the speed boat started shooting at them. From the RHIB, MacGyver lined up her gun, waited for the right moment, then she fired one bullet hitting the guy sending him overboard But the boat was still coming.

"Sir! Move Hammersley now!" MacGyver called in. "The speed boat is heading right at you! Do a full reverse, hard to starboard!" MacGyver yelled over the radio.

From the RHIB they watched as Hammersley did a reverse and turn maneuver sharply and the speed boat went flying past Hammersley missing it by just meters.

The RHIB that MacGyver was on went after it while the other one went to pick up the body of the man MacGyver had shot. MacGyver moved up to the front and used her gun once again and took out the engine causing it to start smoking and then stop.

"Sir, we've stopped the boat, approaching now."

"Good work MacGyver.

Once they were next to the boat, MacGyver and Two Dads boarded.

"Bloody hell!" Two Dads exclaimed when he saw blocks of semtex.

"Hammersley was the target or another patrol boat. The boat is loaded with Semtex," she radioed in. "Let's see what we've got in here," she said as she checked the case over then opened it.

"Sir, MacGyver here, we've got a bomb on board and two RPGs."

"Is the bomb active?"

"It would be if this boat hit something like Hammersley, Sir. I'm going to dismantle the bomb, Sir. Can you let Jim know?"

"Of course, be careful."

"I will." Then she looked over the bomb to determine the best way to proceed and then goes about dismantling it. Once it was in pieces, they towed the speed boat to shore where Jim and a couple of his men were waiting for them.

"Mike told me about what happened, good shooting."

"Thanks, Jim, here's the speed boat and as you can see what I did to the bomb."

He looked in the boat, "You amaze me all the time."

"So do you, now what would you like for us to do?"

"Take the RPG and Semtex to Hammersley."

"Ok." Loading the Semtex and the two RPG onto the RHIBS they said goodbye and returned to Hammersley.

Mike was waiting at the back of the boat when the boarding team walked up onto the boat deck carrying the weapons.

"Well done MacGyver."

"Thanks, Sir. The big question is how the hell did that guy know that the Navy was going to be here, Sir?"

"That is the question of the day. Thanks to you telling me to full reverse to starboard, you helped save Hammersley from being blown out of the water."

"If I hadn't we wouldn't be standing here right now."

"All too true."

"I'll go, get cleaned up and get dinner on. I was thinking hot plate tonight, if that is ok with you, Sir?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Great and I'll add onions as well," she said smiling as she walked towards the hatch.

Later that night the crew had been invited to a party at the Ambassadors residence. Everyone showed up in their dress whites. The ambassador and his wife went over them as they arrived and Mike did the introductions. Then Mike was looking around curiously.

"Is everything alright Commander?" the Ambassador asked.

"I've got a crew member missing."

"Sir, I believe that she went outside." Bird said

"Excuse me, Ambassador," Mike said as he walked back outside. The Ambassador followed along.

"Commander, why are you worried about your missing sailor? I'm sure he is ok." Just then Mike stopped with the Ambassador next to him and saw what was going on in front of them.

"Is that your missing crew member? And who is that with her?"

Then he realizes that the sailor is a woman. They watch the couple hug and kiss until they pull apart.

"MacGyver and Jim."

They turn to see Mike there with a man in a suit. Walking over to Mike and the Ambassador, "sorry, Sir, I saw Jim and we wanted a minute alone before going inside."

"I understand. Ambassador Davis, this is Petty Officer June Roth, MacGyver as she is known on the ship, and her husband SAS Captain Jim Roth. He's head of army security while you here, Sir"

"It's an honour to meet you, Sir," MacGyversaid as she shook his hand.

"And you as well. MacGyver... by any chance did you get your nickname from the TV show called MacGyver?" Macgyver smiled

"I loved watching it when I was in high school. Don't tell me, you did things using duct tape and a knife."

"Swiss Army pocket knife and a paperclip, yes, Sir."

"She's good at building things too," Jim added.

"Like what?"

"A timer for a bomb by using string, duct tape, a bag, sling from the first aid box, canteen of water and grenades"

"You will have to tell me how you did that."

"My pleasure, Sir."

"Did it work?"

"Yes, Sir."

Returning inside, MacGyver tells the Ambassador about what she did and what was blown up. Jim and Mike are watching as MacGyver talks to the Ambassador when Kate joins them.

"Everything alright?"

"Fine, MacGyver's telling the Ambassador about blowing up those crates with a 'MacGyver' timer."

"Ah."

"Where's the crew?"

"They're around somewhere."

They heard the Ambassador laughing as he and MacGyver walked over to Mike, Kate, and Jim.

"Captain your wife is an amazing and talented woman."

"That she is sir. June what did you tell the Ambassador that made him laugh?"

"When Kim lost her dress before the wedding."

"Oh, that."

"You were there Captain?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Jim was the best man, Ambassador."

"Ahh... What did you think about what your wife did?" he asked.

"I was pretty shocked but I knew that she could be full of surprises."

"That sounds like it alright. Well, I hope you all enjoy your evening."

"I'm sure we will, Ambassador," Kate said.

The Ambassador went to mingle with the rest of his guests.

"I need a drink," MacGyver said.

"I'll come with you," Jim said as they walked over to get a drink and then joined the crew.

"Bird."

She turned around, "Oh, sorry MacGyver. Ah… I was... just checking out Dutchy."

"You know the rules."

"Yes, I Know, the no relationship rules between shipmates, but there are no rules saying that you can't check him out."

Jim grinned while MacGyver laughed. "No, there are no rules about that. Bird, you need to find someone your own age," Jim advised.

"I know, Sir, but I can look and not touch."

"She's got you there Jim."

"Yup got me."