Dating: MacGyver Style
Joanna took one last, cleansing breath of the warm, sweet, spring air before pulling open the heavy plate glass door and stepping into the hermetically sealed, multi-storied building that housed the Hernandez Law Firm. Her high heels clicked on the ceramic tile as she headed to the bank of elevators that would take her to the floor she and several other research assistants and paralegals occupied. Upon arriving at the office's outer lobby, Jo breezily greeted one of the many receptionists.
"Morning, Geena! Happy Friday!"
"My, aren't we in a good mood today," Geena, the middle-aged, African-American woman observed.
Jo quickly picked up the slightly sarcastic note in the woman's voice.
"Why shouldn't I be? The weather is finally warming up and there are only eight more hours until the weekend!"
"Well, I hate to rain on your parade, but I have something for you."
Geena reached behind her and grabbed a single, long-stemmed red rose and held it out to Joanna.
"That man of yours left this for you. You two have a fight or something?"
Joanna took the flower, her stomach doing a little flip at Mac's surprisingly sweet gesture as she pressed her nose deep into the silky petals and inhaled the intoxicating scent before frowning at the woman's comment.
"Why would you say that?"
"Honey, there's only one reason a man sends flowers for no reason. Now what happened?"
"Nothing," Joanna smiled reassuringly. "And who says he's 'my man'?"
"Girl, since the first day y'all walked in here the entire office knew you two were an item!"
Joanna's smile slowly faded. She and MacGyver had tried to keep their personal relationship, well, personal. Apparently, they hadn't succeeded. A bit deflated, she turned to head to her office.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Geena called. "Don't you want the card he left?"
Joanna turned back, reaching out to grab the card. "Thanks," she mumbled.
Making sure her office door was closed, Joanna settled herself in the comfortable chair behind her desk before reading the little note. And little it was:
Meet me at the rink after work.
Wear jeans.
Mac
Joanna's head dropped forward as she groaned. She had forgotten it was their first "date night". And apparently Mac's big plan was having her watch him practice his hockey skills. She leaned back in her chair with a sigh, absently tapping the corner of the notecard on the desktop as she recalled a conversation they had earlier in the week while cleaning up at Challengers for the night.
"So, I was reading this article," Mac began as he gathered cue sticks that had been left lying on the pool table, "and it said that busy couples need to make an extra effort to spend quality time together."
"Yeah, I heard that somewhere, too," Joanna replied as she straightened the cushions on the various sofas and chairs while picking candy wrappers up off the floor. "You know, we need to crack down on getting the kids to clean up after themselves," she said wearily.
"Then I took this quiz," MacGyver continued, oblivious to Jo's previous comment, "and the results said that we should make a point to go on a date once a week."
Joanna snapped to attention. "Wait a minute. You took a quiz?"
"Yeah," he shrugged.
"What kind of quiz?" her lips began to tug upward.
"The kind you find in magazines," he replied sheepishly.
Joanna couldn't believe her ears! She began glancing around until her gaze fell upon an old issue of Cosmopolitan lying dog-eared on an end table, then it was all she could do not to laugh out loud.
"You mean you took a relationship quiz in Cosmo," she clarified as she watched Mac's cheeks flush. She didn't think she'd ever seen him so uncomfortable before. This was kinda fun.
"Maybe…" he hedged, his back to her as he carefully racked the pool cues. "What can I say?" he countered, turning around. "It was a boring day!"
"So what, exactly, did this quiz determine for us?" she smirked as she dumped the trash she had collected and sank down onto a well-worn couch.
"Nothin'! Forget I said anything."
"Maybe I should take the quiz and see what results I get," Jo pretended to threaten.
"Oh all right! It said we should set aside one evening each week and go out and do something, just the two of us. And it has to be 'out', not in one of our homes or workplaces."
"So air hockey and pizza here at the club is out?"
"Yeah. Well, according to the quiz."
Jo's smirk faded and her voice became suspicious. "So, are you saying you really think we should do this?"
Mac tilted his head to the side before giving a definitive nod.
"Yeah. I mean, it can't hurt, right?"
"I just don't see the point," Joanna protested. "We see each other all the time and practically share a dog! What is one date a week gonna do?"
"According to the magazine, It's gonna get us away from the distractions of everyday life and break up our routine allowing us to continue to learn about and appreciate each other more."
"That's what the article said?" Joanna asked, eyebrow cocked.
"Um…more or less. So what do you say, should we give it a try?"
Jo wasn't sure what MacGyver's exact motivation behind this 'dating' idea was. She never pegged him as the sort to put any stock in, much less even take, a relationship quiz, and then bring it up as a topic for idle conversation.
"Fine. We'll give it a try," she capitulated. "Who's gonna plan the first date?"
MacGyver smiled for the first time during the entire conversation. He shoved his hand into his hip pocket and pulled out a quarter. "We'll flip a coin!"
XXXXX
After stopping home to change clothes and grab a bite to eat…she wasn't sure if food was in Mac's plan for tonight…she pulled her Cavalier into the ice rink's parking lot, alone except for an old pick-up and Mac's Nomad. This facility was on the edge of town and much smaller than the Pettit Center where the majority of skaters hung out. She walked into the lobby area, expecting MacGyver to be waiting for her, but he was nowhere to be found and she was greeted by silence instead, along with the scent of sweat and stale popcorn.
"You Ms. Fairfax?" a grizzled voice called from behind an opening set into the wall to her right.
"Yeah," Jo replied skeptically, cautiously approaching the elderly, gray-haired man.
"Mac said to give these to you."
The attendant hoisted a pair of white figure skates onto the narrow shelf between them along with another long-stemmed red rose with a white notecard. Joanna opened the card and read the brief statement:
Go to the home team's bench and put these on.
Mac
Terrific! Mac apparently expected her to skate with him. How had she never gotten around to telling him she never learned? She didn't even roller skate!
"Something wrong, Miss?"
"Uh, no…everything's fine," Joanna replied politely. "Looks like a slow night," she commented, trying to borrow time and somehow get gracefully out of this 'date'.
"Fridays are usually pretty packed, but when someone rents the place for the night I'll happily close it down and take the profit."
Her brain needed a moment to process this. Mac had paid to make sure they'd have the place all to themselves? More befuddled than before, she bade farewell to the older man and headed toward the ice. She was sitting on the bench, trying to tie her skates when she heard the distinct sound of blades cutting across the smooth surface before her. She looked up to find MacGyver, in jeans and a pullover sweater, gracefully gliding in her direction from the far end of the rink. He skidded to a stop in front of her.
"Hey!" he greeted her with a smile.
"Hey, yourself," she muttered, pulling awkwardly on the shoelaces.
"Here, let me help you with those."
Before she could protest, MacGyver was seated on the bench next to her. She had turned, allowing him to place her foot in his lap as he re-tied the laces properly. He patted her boot, indicating he was done, then quickly stood up, apparently anxious to get back on the ice, but Joanna remained seated.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.
"No," she lied. "I just thought you brought me here to watch you skate."
"That would make for a pretty dull date," Mac grimaced, unaware that he had voiced her own thoughts.
"Well…um…there's something you should know," she said quietly.
MacGyver sat back down, worry marring his finely chiseled features. "What is it?" he asked, his voice gruff with concern.
"I probably should have told you sooner…but…I can't skate." Joanna hung her head, not wanting to see the disappointment and possible frustration in Mac's eyes.
She heard him let out a pent up sigh and dared to sneak a peek at his face. He was smiling!
"Why do you think I brought you here?" he asked. "I know you can't skate, but I planned on starting to fix that tonight. Besides, with Pete down in Chicago, I have to break in a new goalie!"
"So you're idea of a good time is watching me fall and break my face?" Joanna shot back, her previous embarrassment replaced with the sass she reserved for those she loved most.
Mac laughed. "Trust me, breaking your face is not in my plans. Besides, you're not gonna fall."
"Oh really?!"
"Of course not, I won't let you." He gave her a quick wink before reaching out to take her hand.
Even though she was still seated, Jo grabbed MacGyver's hand and hung on tight as if it were her lifeline. Skeptically, she looked down at her skate-clad feet.
"These blades are awful narrow. How am I supposed to balance on them?"
Keenly aware of her uncertainty, Mac moved to stand directly in front of her and took her other hand.
"Okay, now just stand up like normal," he instructed.
She swallowed hard as she levered herself off the bench, holding his hands tighter than necessary. Before she knew it, she was standing tall. Actually, very tall. About three inches taller than usual. It felt kinda funny, but at least she hadn't teetered over onto the floor as she had expected to.
"All right!" Mac exclaimed triumphantly. "Now let's get you on the ice!"
Joanna looked at him with narrowed eyes. "You are so gonna pay for this, Angus!" she promised as he helped her totter over to the opening where, heaven forbid, her feet would meet ice. Slippery ice. Hard ice. Oh yeah, payback was gonna be fun!
MacGyver stepped onto the ice first as easily as if he were stepping off a curb, letting go of her hands at the same time.
"Okay, your turn," he told her.
She felt her pulse ratchet up as her fight-or-flight instinct kicked in. Flight. Yes, that sounded like a good idea. Just run away. But she probably wouldn't get very far with her feet still strapped into these deathtraps.
"Put your left hand on top of the barrier," MacGyver instructed, breaking into her thoughts, "and step sideways onto the ice with your right foot so your blade is parallel with the boards."
As Joanna attempted to do as he said, her right foot slipped and she quickly grabbed the barrier with both arms, unaware that with her sudden movement her left foot had also come onto the ice. Mac was immediately beside her with his arm firmly around her waist.
"It's okay," he crooned. "You're okay."
"Easy for you to say!" she complained breathlessly.
After a few moments, she began to take deep, calming breaths as Mac pried her right arm away from the top of the padded barrier.
"Hold onto me with your right hand, but keep your left hand on the rail and remember to keep your skates parallel to the boards," he directed.
Joanna held tightly to his hand and experienced a fraction of relief as she also felt his other hand on the small of her back for extra support.
"You got your balance?" he asked and she slowly nodded. "Good. Now we're gonna do what's called 'penguin steps'. Just lift up your right foot a little bit and put in down, then do the same with the left. Kinda like you're marching only with very small steps."
Jo had absolutely no confidence in this process, but she did trust Mac so she decided to make an honest effort. Squeezing his hand as well as the top of the barrier for all she was worth, she picked up her right foot ever so slightly and quickly put it back down. To her surprise, she remained upright and she felt a surge of confidence. She did the same thing with her left foot and when that step was also successful she was beginning to think she might be able to do this after all.
After penguin-stepping half-way around the rink, MacGyver made her stop. She looked at him with questioning eyes.
"It's time to get rid of one of your support systems," he declared with a slight grin. "You need to let go of either me or the rail."
Her traitorous body yearned to remain in Mac's arms, but her practical mind much preferred the solidness of the railing. As MacGyver eased away, she continued marching in her private little ice parade. Before she knew it, they were back where they began.
"Great job!" Mac exclaimed, spontaneously planting a kiss on her forehead. "Now for the next step!"
"Huh?" Jo paled. "I thought that was it!"
MacGyver shook his head. "Now that you've gained some confidence and experienced the feel of the ice, it's time to start letting those little steps turn into glides."
"Oh goody," came her sarcastic reply.
"And this time you hold onto me," he directed.
"Why?" she asked suspiciously.
"Because I'm the instructor," he grinned slyly before turning serious and gently reaching for her.
She had to admit that MacGyver was a whole lot better than the railing. He was soft and warm and smelled like- Suddenly her foot slid too far forward, causing her to lose her balance. She prepared herself to hit the ice, but instead felt two strong arms tighten around her and place her solidly back on her feet.
"I promised I wouldn't let you fall," Mac whispered in her ear, causing a warm tingle to snake down her spine.
After taking a moment to regain her composure, Joanna resumed her steps which were slowly turning into glides. With Mac by her side, she took one more turn around the rink. She was prepared to do another when MacGyver suggested they quit.
"You may feel okay now," he informed her, "But in the morning you'll feel muscles you didn't know you had. Besides, I'm starving! What do you say we go to the pizza place next door?"
"Sounds good to me," Jo agreed just as her stomach rumbled its assent.
Together they divested themselves of their skates and walked the short distance to the restaurant. The place was packed on a Friday evening, but after Mac whispered into the hostess's ear they were immediately led to a small table in a dimly lit corner. Joanna cocked an eyebrow in question.
"It is a date, after all," MacGyver shrugged.
The next hour passed way too quickly as the couple talked and laughed and devoured the pizza that had been place between them. All too soon the dessert dishes were cleared away and it was time to go. Hand in hand, they slowly walked back to the ice rink's parking lot where they had left their cars. Joanna suddenly wished they had driven together so she could spend a few extra minutes in Mac's company, but instead, she dug out her key and unlocked the driver's side door of her coupe. With a wistful sigh she turned to MacGyver who still stood next to her.
"I wish this evening didn't have to end," she murmured.
"I take it you had a good time?"
"Anytime I'm with you it's good," she replied candidly.
"But you have to admit that tonight felt extra special, didn't it?" he asked softly, his head dipping closer to hers.
"Maybe there's something to this dating thing after all," she conceded, raising her face to his, their lips nearly touching.
The world became silent and time stood still as Mac captured her mouth with his. Jo felt his hands tighten on her hips and hold her closer as she reached up and clasped her arms around his neck, allowing her fingers to play with the hair at his nape which caused him to moan and gave her a surprising sense of satisfaction. The kiss was soft and tender at first, then slowly became passionate and probing, asking and reassuring, though never demanding. Eventually they broke the kiss, but they didn't step away from each other. MacGyver gazed into her eyes until she thought he could read her soul and then he smiled.
"What?" she asked, backing away slightly but not breaking contact.
"I have a confession to make," he stated, his voice low and husky.
Jo cocked her head but remained silent.
"I didn't take any stupid magazine quiz that told us to date. I just used that as a cover story in case things didn't work out," he informed her.
"Than what was tonight all about?"
"You. Me. Us. Ever since I came back from L.A. I feel like you back away from me at times. And I need you to know…I needed to show you…"
"I'm not backing away from you, Mac," she interrupted. "It's just that sometimes…the way you look at me…it scares me."
MacGyver shook his head. "I don't understand."
"No one's ever looked at me the way you do, and I'm afraid that eventually I'm going to end up disappointing you."
"Hey," he said firmly, cupping her face in his hands. "Don't ever say that. There is no way you could ever disappoint me. And for the record, I look at you the way I do because I've never felt this way about any other woman and you're right, it is scary 'cause I don't wanna mess this up. Not with you."
Jo laughed at the same time her eyes welled with tears. "We make a fine pair, don't we?" she teased.
Mac rested his forehead against hers. "I think we make a great pair, and I'd like to keep it that way if you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all," she replied, tears of myriad emotions now flowing freely down her cheeks.
"But I know," Mac continued, using his thumbs to wipe away her tears, "that it's gonna take some work. I see now that none of my other relationships worked out because it never occurred to me to work at them. To fight for them. So I'm warning you now. I'm gonna fight for this. For you. Are you willing to do the same?"
Joanna gave him a watery smile. "Even if it means putting on ice skates and breaking every bone in my body."
"Let's hope it never comes to that," MacGyver laughed, as he wrapped his arms around her in a hug that left no doubt he would never let her go.