Happy Thanksgiving Grandpa Mac
It was the Friday before Thanksgiving break and the entire school seemed to buzz with the anticipation of an entire week off. The students vacated the premises immediately after the final bell and their teachers weren't far behind. The new faculty had raised Challengers Academy to a higher level, but it came at a cost. Everyone deserved a week of rest and relaxation. MacGyver and Joanna took advantage of the empty building to play a few rounds of air hockey in the recreation room. The game had not fit in Mac's new place, or the 'houseboat' as he referred to it, so he had graciously donated it to the school. Jo had just scored her second straight goal with MacGyver not even attempting to reject the puck. She stepped back from the table and crossed her arms in front of her.
"Earth to MacGyver," she called.
"Huh?" he asked as if just coming out of a trance.
"I just scored twice on you," Jo announced. "Your head's obviously not in the game, so where is it?"
"Sorry," he apologized, moving to lean against the side of the table. "I just talked to Sam this afternoon. His plane gets in Sunday morning. I offered to pick him up at the airport, but he said he already rented a car. Apparently this has something to do with the 'surprise' he has for me." MacGyver frowned.
"Maybe it's a really big souvenir," she quipped, earning an irritated look from her hockey partner.
"Hey, you're really upset," Joanna observed, turning serious with concern. "You aren't worried, are you?"
MacGyver raked his fingers through is hair. "I'm not worried," he sighed. "It's just…well, it's been awhile. Almost a year. A lot can happen in a year. I'm proof of that."
"Does Sam know everything's that happened?"
"Yeah, I told him. I just have this feeling…"
By now Joanna was standing next to him, absently rubbing his back in what she hoped was a soothing gesture.
"What are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?" she asked, trying to change the subject.
"We're invited to the Thornton's."
"That should be nice. Evelyn told me Connie's a great cook."
Mac simply nodded.
"I'm sure you're concerned about nothing, but let me know if there's anything I can do," she offered.
MacGyver turned towards her, his eyes brightening in a way that made her suddenly regret her words.
"Would you be there when he comes?"
"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" she asked. "You'll want time to talk and catch up."
"Please?" he asked uncertainly.
Joann couldn't recall ever seeing MacGyver this uncomfortable.
"What time did you say his plane gets in?" she hedged.
"If his flight is on time, traffic is light, and I'm worrying for nothing, you'll make it home in plenty of time to see the Packer game," he laughed, tapping her on the tip of her nose which made her scowl.
"Okay, what time do you want me there?" she sighed in resignation.
"How about nine?"
"Fine. See you then."
Mac reached out and grabbed her hand as she started to walk away.
"I really appreciate this, Jo."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Where have you been?" MacGyver snapped as he opened his front door to let Joanna in.
She glanced at her watch. "It's nine o'clock on the dot. Will you relax?!"
"I'm sorry," Mac apologized, rubbing his hand over his forehead. "Sam just called and he's on his way."
Joanna stowed her coat and purse their usually spot and looked around the apartment. When she had first visited, she felt uncomfortable being surrounded by all of MacGyver's belongings instead of the rented furnishings in his old place. Everywhere she looked it felt as if she was looking at a part of him. And in a way she was. He seemed to have sensed this and had gone out of his way to make her feel at ease. Now she felt as if this was her second home.
"I see you cleaned up," she observed.
"You make it sound like I'm a slob," Mac complained.
"I wouldn't call you a slob, exactly—"
A knock at the door interrupted her. She saw MacGyver glance down at his collarless shirt and jeans. She rolled her eyes. This was his son! Granted, they hadn't seen each other for almost a year but still…
Mac opened the door to reveal a young man a few inches shorter than him with neatly cut dark brown hair and slim physique. Joanna stayed silent as they embraced and patted each other on the back.
"You got a haircut," MacGyver said as he stood back to take in his son.
"And you didn't!" Sam laughed.
Mac pulled a face. "There's someone I'd like you to meet," he told Sam as he turned toward Jo. "This is Joanna Fairfax, my friend from Challengers."
Sam displayed a dazzling smile as he reached out to shake her hand.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. My dad has told me so much about you I feel like already know you."
'"Oh really?" Joanna playfully cocked an eyebrow at Mac. "It's good to meet you, too, Sam," she continued. "And please call me 'Jo'."
"There's, um, someone I'd like you to meet too," Sam announced, turning back to his father and making his way to the door, gesturing for someone to come in.
A pretty young girl about Sam's age and Joanna's height stood on the threshold holding a baby carrier, her long auburn hair blowing in the autumn breeze. Joanna sucked in a breath and looked at MacGyver who stood tall and stiff as a board, his face expressionless.
"Dad, Jo, this is Julie Conner. And this," he glanced toward the carrier where a blue-eyed, blond-haired baby boy not more than a few months old peeked out from a fleece blanket, "is Joshua. Your grandson."
"It's nice to meet you, Julie," MacGyver smiled without offering to shake her hand. Turning to Sam he growled, "We need to talk. Now!"
As if on cue, Joshua began to wail.
"I'm afraid he needs changed," Julie said apologetically.
"C'mon, I'll show you upstairs," Jo responded. As she climbed the steps she caught MacGyver's gaze which held myriad emotions. She was definitely not going to get out of here in time for the Packer game.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Dad, just give me a chance to explain," Sam implored.
"Oh, you're gonna explain, all right," MacGyver grabbed his son's arm and steered him toward the couch. "Start from the beginning and don't leave out a thing," Mac commanded.
Sam leaned back on the couch and sighed as he began his story.
"I met Julie when I was in New York for a mandatory training before flying out. She's a print journalist and had just been assigned to a U.S. base in Germany. We hit it off and went out a few times. We got...friendly."
"Friendly," Mac repeated, staring at his son.
"Very friendly?" Sam stared back.
"I get it. Go on."
"We were only together once, but three months later I got a letter from her saying she was pregnant. She said it was mine."
"But you hardly knew her! How can you be sure?"
"I introduce you to your grandson and that's the first question you ask?"
"But you admit you were only with her once."
"Once is all it takes, Dad!"
"I know that, Sam," Mac shot back as Joshua wailed his protest from upstairs. Both men lowered their voices.
"Anyway," Sam continued, "We stayed in touch and I arranged to get leave so I could be there for the birth."
"That's why you postponed your leave this past spring," MacGyver stated.
Sam nodded. "The baby came early so I missed it anyway, but I got to Germany as fast as I could. Julie and I have both been on leave since then."
Mac scrubbed his face with his hand. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?" he asked wearily.
"I kept meaning to, but it wasn't something I wanted to say in a letter. I wanted to tell you face-to-face."
"Well it looks like you got your wish," MacGyver sneered.
"Dad, I'm sorry…"
"It's a little late for that, don't you think?"
There was a sound by the stairs and both men turned. Joanna stood there with Julie hovering by her side, baby carrier hanging on her arm.
"Joshua's fussy and tired from the trip," Jo proclaimed. "Julie wants to go check into the motel and get him settled." Sam nodded his consent.
"This isn't over, Sam," Mac declared. "We still have a lot to talk about."
Polite good-byes were hastily exchanged and Joanna went to gather her things as MacGyver plopped down on the couch.
"What are you doing?" he asked, catching her off guard.
"Going home," she stated. "I figured you'd want to be alone."
"I do. It's just…don't leave," he requested, his voice so raw and vulnerable Joanna had no choice but to stay. She sat down next to him as he grabbed the remote and turned on the football game.
They watched the game together in silence until Mac grabbed his jacket and went out on the back deck during the second quarter. At half time, Joanna grabbed her coat and joined him.
"I owe you an apology," she began.
Mac gave her a questioning look.
"From now on, when you say something doesn't feel right, I'll believe you," she smiled, hoping he would do the same. Instead, he simply returned his gaze to his backyard.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The following morning, Sam tapped lightly on his father's door before letting himself in.
"Have a seat." MacGyver pointed the spatula he was holding at a stool behind the breakfast bar. "I'm making pancakes. Want some?"
"No thanks," Sam declined. "When you called and asked me to come over I thought…well, I wasn't expecting you to be in a very good mood."
Mac turned off the griddle and faced Sam. "You took me by surprise yesterday, and I lashed out. I was hoping we could talk, privately."
"No problem. Joshua had a rough night so he and Julie are sleeping in."
"He's okay, isn't he?" MacGyver asked.
"Yeah, just jet lag and new surroundings. I'm used to it, but they're not."
"Look Sam, I've been doing a lot of thinking and have some questions for you." MacGyver now took a seat on the stool next to his son.
"I kind of expected that," Sam replied. "Go ahead, ask whatever you want."
MacGyver sighed, not knowing where to begin.
"What if Joshua isn't really yours. What if his real father is out there somewhere?"
Sam shook his head. "Julie said he's mine and I believe her."
"But what if there's a chance he's not?"
"Then he needs a father anyway. Besides, you believed me when I said you were my father based only on an old picture in a locket."
"It wasn't just the picture, Sam," MacGyver began to explain, his voice gaining urgency. "Your mom and I were together for a while. We knew each other well. Maybe too well. There's no way she would have deceived me like that."
"If you two were so close, how come she never told you about me?!"
"I don't know," MacGyver shot back, "but I'm sure she had her reasons! Besides, this isn't about me and your mother, it's about you and Julie!" Mac took a deep breath, struggling to regain his composure. "Alright, so you've agreed to raise Joshua. Now what? Are you going to get married? Where are you going to live? How are you going to support a family?"
"Would you stop with the third degree?!" Sam shouted.
"Look," Mac said calmly, trying to diffuse the situation. "You're making a big commitment here. There are things you need to consider."
"At least I'm making a commitment. Something you never had the guts to do!"
Sam's words hit MacGyver like a smack in the face and it hurt. Mainly because it was true.
"If I had known about you, I would have committed! I would have married your mom and settled down instead of dragging you across the world from one assignment to the next. But your mother never gave me that choice!"
"Then you'll be happy to know that Julie and I have agreed to make sure Joshua has a stable, loving home to grow up in. The day after Thanksgiving we're driving down to St. Louis. Julie has family there and her folks have agreed to raise Joshua until we figure out what we want to do."
"What?!" MacGyver bellowed.
"That is unless you want him," Sam sneered.
"A child deserves a mother and a father. Not some stand-ins to raise him until his parents decide what they want to be when they grow up!"
"Look, dad, I didn't ask for this. I'm trying to do what's best for everyone, including Joshua. Can't you cut me some slack? You said you'd always be there for me, but apparently you lied!"
"I didn't—"
"Forget it, Okay. We'll pack up and leave tonight."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Joanna was on her hands and knees scrubbing her bathroom floor when the phone rang. She groaned. Her parents had gone shopping and she was taking advantage of time alone to conquer household chores she had let go too long. She sat back on her heels, waiting for the machine to pick.
"Joanna, this is Pete Thornton. If you're there, please pick up."
Jo scrambled to her feet, the concern in Pete's voice scaring her.
"I'm here," she said breathlessly. "What's wrong? Is everything okay?"
Pete chuckled, "Do you always ask that first thing?"
"Yeah. Ever since MacGyver came into my life."
"I know the feeling," Pete commiserated. "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure anything is wrong. Mac called Connie and told her they couldn't make it for Thanksgiving. I tried to tell her he probably just wanted to spend the day alone with Sam."
"Have you tried calling MacGyver?"
"Yes," Pete sighed. "He's not answering his phone. I thought you might have some insight."
"Maybe him and Sam are out for the day," she suggested.
"You're probably right," Pete agreed. "Sorry to bother you. Have a happy Thanksgiving."
"Thanks, you too," Joanna smiled and hung up.
Drat! Was MacGyver pouting again? Joanna knew it wasn't any of her business, yet…
"MacGyver!" she yelled as she knocked on his front door. "I'm coming in!" The man really needed to learn to lock his doors.
Joanna found Mac lying on his couch, staring up at the ceiling. She walked to where he could see her and planted her hands on her hips.
"OK, spill it," she commanded.
He swung his legs off the couch giving her room to sit, but she remained standing. He scrubbed his face with his hands and launched into his argument with Sam earlier that day.
"So what are you going to do about it?" she asked, looking down at him.
"I don't know what I can do," he replied, looking up at her with piercing, unsettled eyes.
Jo finally relented and sat down next to him taking a gentler approach.
"You could apologize."
"For what?!" Now it was MacGyver's turn to stand over her.
"Oh, I don't know. How about for overreacting and being a jerk?"
"I tried that. It didn't work." He dropped down next to her.
"You need to work this out with Sam before they leave."
Mac sighed, "I doubt he feels much like talking to me right about now."
"Do you mind if I take a shot?" Jo asked.
MacGyver looked at her, surprise registering on his face. "You shouldn't have to clean up the mess I made."
"Cleaning was on my agenda for this week anyway. Where's the phone number to the motel?"
In no time, Joanna had made arrangements for the two couples and the baby to meet at a casual restaurant for a late lunch. MacGyver and Jo got there first and she quickly requested a booth, insisting that Mac go in first, that way she could block any attempt he made to bail. Sam and Julie arrived shortly, Sam going in the booth first so Julie could take the baby out quickly if needed. She placed the infant carrier between them.
For the first several minutes, everyone studied their menu intently. After giving the server their orders, they fell into stilted small talk and awkward silences. Everyone was grateful when the meal was served and mouths could be filled with food instead of words. Several times Joshua became fussy and Sam was quick to calm him, but Julie always took over. When the child could no longer be easily comforted, Julie excused herself and Joanna followed in order to give Sam and Mac some time alone, hoping they would mind their manners in a public environment.
"Does he need changed?" Jo asked once they reached the restroom.
Julie lifted the small bundle into her arms. "No, I think he just needs a nap. His internal clock takes a while to adjust."
"'Joshua' is a nice name," Joanna commented. "What made you and Sam choose it?"
Julie cast Jo a suspicious glance before answering. "I named him after his…grandfather," she hesitated slightly.
"Oh," Joanna nodded. "He has such lovely blue eyes. Do they run in your family?"
"Why don't you just ask what you really want to know?!" Julie turned on her. The shy, quiet young lady façade gone.
"Fine," Jo squared her shoulders. "Is Sam Joshua's biological father?"
"Sam warned me you'd ask that," Julie spat. "Why can't you and MacGyver just accept the fact that Sam has a son?"
Julie stormed back to their table. "C'mon Sam, let's get outta here," she demanded.
Sam shot MacGyver a bewildered glance before following Julie out of the restaurant.
Mac looked at Jo as she resumed her seat next to him. "Sam and I were just starting to talk things out. What happened?"
"I don't think Sam is Joshua's real father."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
MacGyver stared incredulously at Joanna as she intently studied the dessert menu. He could feel her leg against his jeans as it bounced up and down, a sign that she was upset.
"What?!" Mac exclaimed.
"You heard me," she replied, head still buried in the menu.
MacGyver reached out and removed the laminated folder from her hands.
"Sam and I were talking. Really talking. He's convinced that the baby is really his. What makes you think he's not?"
Joanna turned to him. "Didn't you notice how Julie was always swooping in to comfort Joshua, even when Sam was trying? And she's always the one carrying him."
Mac tipped his head in thought. "Maybe she's just an overprotective mother."
"Why would she feel the need to protect him from his own father?" Jo asked. "And when we were in the ladies room, I commented on the baby's name and she said they named him after his grandfather."
"So what's the big deal about that?"
"It was the way she said it. She hesitated, like she almost said he was named after someone else but then caught herself."
"You think he's named after his real father?"
Joanna nodded vigorously.
"Don't you think that's kind of a stretch?" Even though MacGyver had doubts about Joshua's biological father, this certainly wasn't hard evidence.
"But that's not all," Joanna continued. "What about his coloring?"
Mac sighed. "Hair and eye coloring can change as a child gets older."
"I know that!" Joanna rolled her eyes at him. "But when I asked if blue eyes run in her family she completely turned on me and got all upset for insinuating Sam isn't his dad."
"So that's why she insisted they leave in such a hurry."
"Afraid so," Jo answered. "You're the ex-spy science guy, how can we prove whether or not Sam is Joshua's father?"
"The fastest and easiest way is a blood test. But it's not fool-proof and we'd need their permission."
"That's what I thought," Joanna crossed her arms and slouched down in the booth. "And they're not likely to allow it."
"Look, I convinced Sam to stay the night. Tomorrow morning I'll go and talk with them. If Julie protests too much we'll know something's not right."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Just give me some time to pack the rest of our things and then we can hit the road," Julie instructed as she, Sam, and Joshua entered their motel room.
"Wait a minute," Sam said as he grabbed her gently by the arm. "I told my dad we wouldn't leave until morning. It'd give us a little extra time to—"
"What? Work things out? It's crystal clear what your dad thinks of us and now he's got his girlfriend on his side too! Let's just forget we were ever here and spend Thanksgiving with my family."
"We'll spend the holiday in St. Louis," Sam promised, "but give me a chance to make things right with my dad before we leave. I at least owe him that much."
"You owe him nothing!" Julie turned and headed into the bathroom, closing the door with a loud bang.
Sam sighed. Julie's emotions had been all over the board these past couple of months. He had chalked it up to hormones and just having a baby, but maybe there was something more to it. He could admit, at least to himself, that he really didn't know her well at all, and the more he saw of her, the less there was to like. But she was the mother of his child and he was determined to do right by her and Joshua.
There was a knock on the motel door Tuesday morning. Sam opened it to find MacGyver standing casually on the other side.
"Hope I didn't wake you," his dad said.
"No, Joshua took care of that a couple hours ago," Sam replied with a wry grin. "Come on in."
Sam stood back to allow MacGyver to enter the small room just as Julie emerged from the bathroom.
"What's he doing here?" she hissed at Sam, refusing to look at Mac.
"I wanted to talk to the both of you about something," MacGyver volunteered before his son could respond. "Maybe we should all sit down, first," Mac suggested, glancing at the two double beds.
Sam plopped down on the foot of the bed while Julie stiffly lowered herself next to him
"What's up, Dad?"
"There seems to be a whole lotta accusations and misunderstandings surrounding Joshua. I was wondering, hoping actually, that you would be willing to take a blood test to prove paternity."
"Sure," Sam agreed readily. "I know he's mine, and I'll do whatever it takes to prove that. And even if he's not mine, I still plan on being his dad. It won't change anything."
"Sam, you can't!" Julie cried, suddenly clinging to his arm.
"Look, Jules," Sam offered calmly. "We have nothing to hide, right? So where's the harm if it'll make everyone happy?"
Sam felt Julie suddenly release his arm.
"Fine," she replied icily. "Do what you have to do. I have to feed the baby now."
"Actually, I was hoping we could all go out for breakfast. As a family," MacGyver said.
"C'mon, Jules, what do you say?"
"I thought we were leaving this morning. And stop calling me 'Jules'! You know I hate that!" she snapped.
Sam's heart sank. His precious little family was fracturing right in front of him and he felt helpless.
"Then just how about us guys," Mac suggested, slapping Sam on the back.
"We won't be long," Sam promised Julie before heading out the door with his father.
The two men walked to a small diner next to the motel and commandeered a booth. Sitting across from MacGyver, Sam sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck to relieve the tension that had settled there.
"I'm sorry about Julie, Dad." Sam apologized. "I don't know what's gotten into her."
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you agreed to the paternity test. I'll go ahead and make the arrangements."
"It's not going to change anything." Sam's resolve strengthened.
"But at least we'll know the truth. That's something everyone deserves."
Father and son ordered light meals and chatted amicably as they had done before Sam had left on his assignment almost a year ago. As they were walking back to the motel Sam suddenly froze.
"What is it?" MacGyver asked, his own senses going on high alert.
"Our car. It's gone!"
"Now don't panic. Maybe Julie just had to run an errand."
Sam saw a maid pushing her cart outside their room.
"Excuse me, ma'am," Sam called. "Did you happen to see the woman from that room?"
"Sure did," the woman replied. "She packed up the car and her kid and went squealing outta here like the devil himself was on her tail."
Sam thanked the maid and quickly entered the room, MacGyver close behind. There was a hastily scrawled note on the dresser. Sam didn't want to read it but he knew he had to, even though Julie's actions had spoken louder than any words.
Sam,
I guess you have your answer now. Joshua isn't yours. I'm sorry for using you, but believe me when I say I had my reasons. Please don't try and find us. There's been enough trouble already.
Julie
Sam crumpled the note and tossed it in the trash before turning to MacGyver.
"Seems you were right. Joshua's not mine. They're gone," he said flatly.
Mac put a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.
"Why don't you pack up and come to my place," he suggested quietly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It had been almost twelve hours since Sam dumped his duffle and satchel in MacGyver's doorway and lay down on the couch to stare at the ceiling and MacGyver was going crazy. How could Sam just lie there? He hadn't eaten or even spoken, and Mac doubted very much he had slept. Every couple hours Mac had encouraged him to do or say something, anything. But all that earned him was more silence. He had never seen anyone close themselves off to the world so completely. Had he been like this when Mike had died? Or when he learned of Pete's retirement? It was a scary thought. Thankfully he had friends who refused to give up on him, just as he refused to give up on Sam, but he needed help. He automatically picked up the phone and dialed the now-familiar number.
"Hello?" Joanna answered.
"Not screening your calls?" Mac tried to tease.
"Telemarketers don't call this late," she explained. "What's wrong? Did you talk with Sam today?"
"Yeah. It's kind of a long story." MacGyver went on to tell Joanna about how Julie had taken Joshua and about the note she left for Sam and his son's subsequent behavior.
"Can you come over and help me?" he pleaded. Something he wasn't used to doing since he was generally the one riding to the rescue.
"Honestly, Mac, I don't know how I could help."
"But you helped me."
"All I did was be there for you. And that's all you can do for Sam. Be there when he's ready to do whatever he needs to do and don't let him push you away no matter how hard he tries."
"That's what I'm trying to do," MacGyver sighed, reluctant to end the call. Just the sound of Jo's voice centered him.
"Give it time and don't rush him," Joanna instructed. "And if you need me tomorrow, give me a call," she capitulated.
Early Wednesday morning MacGyver awoke to strange sounds coming from his kitchen. He bolted upright, preparing to take on an intruder before remembering that Sam had spent the night downstairs and was probably, hopefully, making something to eat. Not wanting to ruin any progress his son may have made, Mac took his time showering and dressing for the day before heading to the kitchen himself. Reaching the bottom step he looked around to find Sam now seated in a chair staring at a blank TV and eating a banana. Mac grabbed an apple and joined him.
"You're gonna have to talk about it some time, you know," MacGyver told his son gently.
"I just can't believe it," Sam responded. "Why would she do something like that?"
Mac shrugged. "I don't know, Sam. She said she had her reasons so I guess you just have to trust her."
"Trust her!" Sam spat. "She let me believe she had my baby! That I was a dad! How am I supposed to trust her?!"
MacGyver raked his hand through his hair. The pain in Sam's eyes stabbed his own heart. He longed to take the pain away, but how?
"What can I do to help you through this?" he asked Sam.
The young man shrugged. "It probably sounds terrible, but I really don't care what happens with Julie. I hardly knew her and now wish I had never met her. But it's the baby. I need to know that Joshua's okay."
"Do you think she really has family in St. Louis?"
"Yeah, I guess. I don't know."
"I still have some connections at Phoenix. How about I have them do a little digging and see what we can find?" Mac offered.
Sam nodded silently before putting his feet up on the coffee table and reclining back in the chair to continue his study of the ceiling.
MacGyver contacted an intelligence agent at the Foundation whom he had worked with before. The agent wasn't excited about being given a new project the day before Thanksgiving, but the information Mac wanted was simple enough so he promised to get on it and call back when he had something.
Hours later MacGyver was tinkering with a new science demonstration he planned to use at Challengers the following week when a knock on his door startled him. He looked up to see Joanna standing on the other side of the glass. He motioned for her to enter.
She stood beside him, observing Sam.
"I can't believe it! There are two of you!"
"Do I really get that bad?" MacGyver winced at the thought.
The look on Joanna's face told him he did.
"Not that I mind, but what brings you here?" he asked.
"You never called and I've been wondering how things are going."
Before MacGyver could respond his phone rang. It was the Phoenix agent he had contacted earlier. On a small pad of paper he quickly wrote down the information he received, thanked the agent and hung up. Two pairs of expectant eyes watched him.
"That was my friend from Phoenix. Seems Julie was telling some truth, at least. Her parents are Joshua and Mary Conner. They currently reside in an upscale suburb of St. Louis."
Sam's shoulders dropped a bit in relief.
"There's more," Mac said, pain for Sam in his eyes.
"Go on," Sam prompted huskily.
"My friend dug up Joshua's birth certificate. The father's name is listed as 'unknown'."
Sam sighed, pushed himself out of the soft chair and stood looking out the patio doors.
"So that's it," he said with resignation.
"Not quite," MacGyver cleared his throat. "My friend got a phone number for her parents if…"
Uneasy silence hung in the air.
"I know all I need to know," Sam stated several minutes later. "I'm gonna need a place to crash for a while until I get reassigned."
"You can stay here as long as you need to," MacGyver assured him.
"Thanks Dad, I was hoping you'd say that," Sam smiled slightly and for the first time since the weekend MacGyver felt that everything might work out after all.
"And for what it's worth, I'm sorry about Joshua. I know you really believed you were his dad."
Sam shrugged, unshed tears glistening in his eyes. MacGyver's heart broke and he wrapped his son in a strong embrace which was heartily returned.
