AN: Happy new year every one, here first chapter for 2021

CH 67

Dutchy was outside alone when Swain walked out and stood next to him. "Are you okay, mate?"

"Yeah, Just that I've been doing some thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing I want to talk about."

"MacGyver, she's gotten to you hasn't she."

"How did you know."

"You're not the first one, mate, she's good at her job and as you experienced today, she is a good listener. She's been through what you're going through, having experienced it herself, she understands."

"She couldn't possibly understand."

"You would be surprised. Let me tell you this. When I first met MacGyver she was amazing, but she was like you, closed off from others until she got to know them, then she slowly let others in.

One night she was on the boat deck doing exercises, wearing shorts and a short top. When I went to check on her, she seemed fine until I got closer. She turned around, and I was shocked."

"Why?"

"Scars, mate, she has scars on her legs, abdomen, her chest, shoulders, arms, all over. They were from different wounds that she had received. She's got one right here" he points to his chest. "It's from a bullet wound. It missed her heart by millimetres."

"You're joking."

"No, I'm not, she's been through hell and back, if you saw her scars you would see that. Most of those scars she got risking her life to save others whether it was during an FFV boarding or helping someone who is going through hell, she helps them in spite of her own pain."

"Does Jim know about what she's been through?"

"He does, and he loves her scars and all. Get to know her, she can be full of surprises."

"I'll think about it."

"Come inside and help me look after the crew, make sure they don't cause any problems."

"You think they will?"

"Yeah, they can get a rowdy at times."

"Let's go."

They went back inside and joined the Hammersley crew.

"Dutchy, are you okay, mate?" when Swain noticed where Duchy was looking. He was watching MacGyver, who was laughing as she and Kate talked to Ambassador Davis Wife.

"I had no idea that she was a hero." Noticing the medals displayed on MacGyver's uniform blouse.

"She's a war hero, the youngest in the history of RAN to receive a Star of Courage."

"How old was she"

"Eighteen when she received it, promoted to able seamen at nineteen, and then she received four more medals by the time she was twenty. She got all of them by risking her life for others."

"Like the SAS?"

"Yeah, come on," and Swain led them over to MacGyver.

"Where'd Jim disappear to?" Swain asked

" The head and to check in on his men."

Swain nodded.

"Is everything okay?" looking back and forth between the two men.

"You've shocked Dutchy," Swain tells her.

"Me? What's so shocking about me?"

"Your medals," Dutchy said. "They're impressive."

"Oh, that...Swain, what did you tell him?"

" I told him your history, and about being the youngest in RAN history to earn the Star of Courage."

"Oh, that."

"How did you get your Star? " Dutchy asked.

"I single-handedly took down five men. Two of them were about to shoot two crewmates when I took them out. It was the first time I killed someone."

"I had no idea."

"Now you know. Talking about it helps."

"Hey, everything okay?" Jim asked when he returned passing June a glass of non-alcoholic punch.

"Everything is fine. Dutchy was asking about my medals."

"Ahh."

"Everything okay in there?"

"Yep, everything's quiet."

"That's good."

"Excuse me, MacGyver?"

"Ambassador Davis."

"Can I have a word?"

"You can have more than one word with me, Sir."

He laughed at her joke as they went to talk in private.

"She's got a strange sense of humour," Dutchy said.

"That she has, mate," Swain agreed.

"Ambassador, how can I help you?"

"Commander Flynn, told me what you did while getting Caroline back, how you took down three men by yourself on that barge. How did you know she was there?"

"Well, Sir, it was the way the captain of the vessel was acting. I could tell that he was nervous by his body language, and my gut told me that he was hiding something. Swain and I went below deck, doing a search, and we found Caroline in one of the compartments. Unfortunately we were found out by one of the barge's crew, and ended up locked in the compartment with her. I managed to get us out, then went topside to grab what we needed from the RHIB to help were three more hostels there that I had to take down before I could get to the RHIB. Then I got the medic bag and returned to help Swain with Caroline."

"You are one amazing woman."

"Thank you, Sir."

"He also told me how you took out the man that was on the speedboat, as it was running towards Hammersley. And, how you not only disabled the boat but also the bomb that was on board as well."

"Yes, Sir, it's all in a day's work... well except for the bomb, don't come across that every day," she said with a chuckle.

"Sounds like you enjoy your job."

"I love it, Sir. There's one thing though that's more important than the Navy, and that is my husband."

"You're willing to give up your job because of your love for him?"

" One of the things I love about Jim is his honesty. We've talked about it, but he says it's my choice and that he knows that I will make the right choice. He has no problem with my staying with the Navy."

"You two work well together."

" We do," she said, smiling while glancing over at Jim.

Two men dressed as waiters approached, one with a tray of hor d'oeuvres and the other with wine glasses. MacGyver was watching them as they approached, something was off. Her gut was setting off alarm bells. She put her glass down just as the two men put the trays down, revealing that they had knives. MacGyver pushed the Ambassador out of harm's way. They had been sent to assassinate him.

The Ambassador yelled for security while he watched in awe as MacGyver fought both men. Jim and the others heard the Ambassador yelling, and ran over to help. MacGyver was fighting the two would-be assassins when a third one showed up. Jim went after him and attacked him. Everyone was watching in stunned silence as Jim and MacGyver fought the three men until they were knocked out.

Turning to June, "Are you okay?" Jim asked her.

"Well, now, my hair's a mess."

Jim laughed as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her.

When they pulled apart "Are you okay?" she asked him.

"I'm fine"

One of the assassins came to and pulled a gun. Seeing him, MacGyver pushes Jim away, and spots a knife on the floor. Doing a barrel roll she grabs the knife and throws it into the guy's chest in one smooth move. The would be assassin looked down at the knife in his chest; and then collapsed onto the floor. MacGyver is still on one knee with her hand still stretched out in front of her.

Everyone looked shocked as she stood up and dusted herself down.

"What?" she says getting to her feet.

"June, why did you push me out of the way?" Jim asks her.

"He was going to shoot you, Jim."

Stepping forward, he pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you, June, you saved my life, again," he pulled back so he could cup her face.

"Your life is worth saving."

"And so is yours," he gave her a quick kiss.

The Ambassador's security team, along with some of Jim's men, arrived. They took the two men into custody and removed the body of the third one. Then they cleaned up the mess as everyone else returned to the party.

"MacGyver, Captain Roth, thank you for saving my life."

"Your welcome, Ambassador," Jim said.

"How did they get onto the island and past security?" the Ambassador asked.

"There must have been a second speedboat that dropped them off while we were being distracted by the fast approaching boat that had the bomb and the RPG," MacGyver replied.

"Speedboats?"

"Yes, it was heading to the island then it turned around about fifty meters from shore and headed for Hammersley. I thought that the guy must have changed his plans when he saw Jim men. But they changed targets. Hammersley was his new target."

"The question is, was Hammersley the target in the first place.?"

"No," MacGyver said, "his target was this place."

"and the RPG?"

"There are two buildings on this island. The bomb was for one and the other they were going to use the RPG."

"She's right," Jim said.

"Well, thank you for saving many lives, both of you," the ambassador said before returning to the party.

"Will you be okay for a bit?" Jim asks her.

"Yeah, I will be." He gives her a kiss then walks away.

MacGyver walked out onto the balcony and looked over at the ocean. Dutchy followed her out carrying two drinks then passing her one.

"Thanks."

"Interesting night."

"Yeah, it has been."

"That throw you did with the knife..."

"Najia, I did a year in an exchange student program. I was in Japan, where I stayed with a Ninja Master and his family. He showed me the Ninja ways after seeing what I was capable of doing. Even though it takes years, I did the training in months. When I returned to Australia, I kept up with my training with an old friend of the master who lives in Australia. In no time, I became a pro."

"Does the master know you're in the Navy?"

"He passed away three years after my return."

"Sorry to hear that."

"It's okay."

"So, you're a lethal weapon then," he chuckled and she laughs.

"Sometimes, I can be."

They were talking for a few minutes when Kate walked out and joined them. Then Jim returned.

"Jim, what's wrong?" MacGyver asked him.

"The other two men, they're dead."

"What? What happened?"

"Apparently they swallowed something and died seconds later."

"Arsenic poison. It's fast-acting. They must have killed themselves so that they couldn't talk and, because their mission failed," MacGyver said.

"You could be right, now we'll never know who wanted the Ambassador dead," Jim said.

Hours later, the Ambassador and his wife are on the front porch watching Jim and MacGyver. They were in each other's arms kissing on the dock as they were waiting for the return of the RHIB that had been bringing the crew members to Hammersley.

"They are lucky," Ambassador Davis' wife said.

"Yes, they are. Macgyver is a true hero. Captain Roth is fortunate to be alive tonight."

"And so are you."

" That's true. I'll be calling Fleet Command in the morning about their actions tonight."

"Come on, let us return back to the party."

The RHIB returned, and after kissing her one last time, Jim helped MacGyver get in, then he watches as the RHIB returns to Hammersley. Once the RHIB was out of sight, he went to check on his men before getting some sleep.

The next morning Hammersley left to continue their patrol returning to the island a few days later to pick up the SAS team and return to Cairns. Back in Cairns the SAS team said goodbye and returned to base. Jim and MacGyver kiss goodbye before he gets into the truck and drives away. MacGyver waved and returned to the ship.

Mike donned his whites and went to NAVCOM per routine to give his report to Maxine. Report finished, they discussed other business.

"I received a call from Fleet Command regarding one of your crew members."

"Who?"

"Petty Officer Roth."

"MacGyver?" Mike said, surprised.

"Yes, Ambassador Davis called them regarding what she did at his party."

"What did Fleet Command have to say?"

"The ambassador wanted to see her get a medal for her actions. But, as the incident was classified, she won't be able to receive a commendation and Star of Gallantry for her act of heroism. There will, of course, notation added to her official jacket."

"I'm sure she'll understand, Maxine."

"I'm sure she will. The Ambassador was quite impressed with how she took out the two hostiles by herself while Captain Roth took out the third. And then when she pushed the captain out of harm's way killing the third guy with a rolling knife throw. Well, that was just impressive."

"She's a very good sailor, Maxine. I was there, I saw the whole crew was stunned as well as they watched what was happening."

" I read your report. Now that you're back, you can start your shore posting today."

"All due respect Maxine, I'm taking a couple days off so I can get some things sorted. I've got some personal things that need taking care of. Okay?"

"Alright. I'm giving the crew three days shore leave."

"Good, they need it. I'll inform my XO. See you in two days."

"Okay, Mike."

As he approached Hammersley, Mike saw MacGyver walking off with her seabag.

"Shore leave?" he asked.

She stopped and saluted. " Yes, Sir, I can't wait to get home and do some shopping," she said, smiling.

"MacGyver, I've just come from NAVCOM. Because the mission with the Ambassador is classified..."

"I understand sir, it's not the first time."

"You would have received the star of Gallantry for your act of heroism."

"I understand, Sir."

"There will be a commendation added to your jacket. Go home, enjoy your shore leave."

"Thanks, Sir, and you as well."

"I'm looking forward to it." Saluting each other MacGyver walked towards the guardhouse while Mike walked onto Hammersley.