Homecoming

MacGyver paced the airport's concourse much as an expectant father would pace the maternity ward, except that his son would be delivered by a commercial jetliner straight from Heathrow as opposed to a doctor in scrubs. He had been anxiously awaiting this day ever since Sam called to say he was coming home so why was he so nervous? Perhaps it was because, for the first time in two and a half years, Sam was coming home…to stay.

"Dad! Dad!" the dark-haired young man called, waving one arm in the air as he pushed his way through the crowd of people that had deplaned with him.

MacGyver easily detected his son's voice amidst the din of the other passengers and wasn't even concerned about the goofy grin he knew he wore. Before he knew it, he was locked in a tight embrace with his widely-smiling offspring as they heartily patted each other's back. After a few moments, Sam backed away and glanced around the open waiting area, a deep frown marring his handsome features.

"Where's Joanna?" he demanded. "Is she okay? You guys didn't break up, did you?!"

"Relax, Sam," Mac replied as he put a calming hand on Sam's shoulder. "She's still at work, but she promised to meet us for dinner."

"Sorry for overreacting," Sam apologized sheepishly. "I forget she's still at the law firm."

"No problem. What do you say we grab your luggage and get outta here?"

The two men made their way to baggage claim where they joined the group of travelers gathered around the carousel waiting for the conveyor belt to regurgitate their belongings. It didn't take long before an old, worn rucksack slid down the ramp and landed in front of Sam who quickly snatched it up.

"All right, let's go!" Sam said, turning to leave, but Mac grabbed his arm, keeping him in place.

"That's all you got?" MacGyver asked incredulously. "Over two years living abroad and all you come home with is that?"

Sam chuckled. "Dad, most of that time I was imbedded with troops who were constantly on the move, the rest of my time I spent in a furnished apartment traveling around Europe. I didn't need that much."

"And I thought I packed light," Mac muttered as they left the airport.

"So, tell me again what happened. You were kinda vague on the phone," Mac said as he maneuvered the Jeep through the city traffic. It was a warm day so the top was off and the breeze ruffled their hair.

"There's not much to tell," Sam shrugged, not looking at his dad. "My editor in London has a friend at the Tribune. He sent him some of my work and the guy was impressed. Offered me a job right away."

"I'm so proud of you Sam. And your mom would be, too." Mac praised. "All your hard work has finally paid off and now you're working for the Chicago Tribune."

Mac glanced at his son who stared out the windshield. His stomach did a little flip, but he blamed it on the day's excitement, not Sam's odd demeanor.

"So when do you start?" MacGyver asked, attempting to get more information.

"In a week or two. They're giving me time to get settled. I was kinda planning on crashing at your place for a while."

"That'll work," Mac grinned. "I'll take some time off from Challengers and we can go apartment hunting."

"Yeah, sure," Sam replied, not sounding nearly as excited as MacGyver expected him to.

XXXXX

"That boy's driving me nuts, Jo," Mac complained a few days later as they were closing up Challengers for the night.

"He's hardly a boy," Jo snickered.

"Well, he sure is acting like one," MacGyver groused. "We spent the last two days apartment hunting in Chicago and he found something wrong with every single one of them! Every. Single. One."

"This has to be a huge adjustment for him," Joanna tried to reason. "A new job, a new place to live, it can be as overwhelming as it is exciting."

"I guess you're right," Mac sighed.

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The following Saturday, Cynthia carefully returned her paint roller to the tray and stretched out her back. Joanna did the same.

"Looks good," the older woman commented as she looked around the final dorm room to be painted. "We should be able to finish it up this afternoon. How about we break for lunch?"

"Sounds like a plan," Jo agreed, stifling a yawn. Working at the firm and volunteering at Challengers was catching up with her. And starting next week the club was scheduled to be open twenty-four hours a day every day of the week. She'd have to make time to help out as much as possible until MacGyver and Cynthia could get more volunteers.

The two women plodded down the stairs only to find Sam waiting for them in the rec area.

"I'm sorry, dear, but your dad's not here," Cynthia told him. "He's at a City Council meeting. Every now and again they like to see the man behind the lease instead of me," she grinned.

"I know," he replied. "I was actually here to see Jo."

Joanna's eyes grew wide with surprise, but she turned and nodded to Cynthia who quietly slipped into her office.

"Hey Sam, what's up?" she asked, trying to sound upbeat even though the young man in front of her looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Wanna go grab a cheeseburger or something?"

"No," he answered softly, staring at his shoes. "I was wondering if we could talk. In private."

"Sure," she replied, her tone low and serious. Sam glanced at Cynthia's office and his brow furrowed. "Why don't we step out back and get some fresh air," Jo suggested.

Once seated side-by-side on the small stoop, Sam continued to avoid Jo's eyes and she waited patiently for him to begin the conversation even though worry gnawed at her. She had never seen the young man so quiet and dejected. He was like a stranger to her.

"Sam?" she prompted gently after several minutes of awkward silence. "What did you want to talk about?"

He threw a quick glance her way and she saw unshed tears welling in his eyes. "It's gonna sound really stupid. Maybe I shouldn't have come here."

"Well, you're here now and I doubt anything you have to say is gonna sound stupid."

His eyes still locked on the concrete beneath them he mumbled, "I miss my mom."

He then turned his head so he was looking Joanna straight in the eye. "I mean, I really miss her! How stupid is that?!"

Tears streamed down his cheeks as Jo put an arm around his shoulders to comfort him.

"It's not stupid at all," she assured him softly.

"How can you say that?!" His grief suddenly morphing into anger. "She's been gone fifteen years! I shouldn't miss her like this!"

Jo's voice was gentle but firm. "Sam, you watched your mother get murdered. That isn't something you forget and it certainly isn't something that stops hurting. Have you talked to your dad about this?"

Sam shook his head. "I can't. That's why I came to you."

Joanna's heartbeat hitched at the blind trust he had in her. "Why can't you talk to Mac?"

"He won't understand. He had forgotten all about her until I showed up!"

Jo was treading in deep water and she knew it. "I don't think you give him enough credit. You need to talk to him, otherwise this will always come between you."

"There's more," he mumbled.

"There's no job at the Tribune, is there?"

"How did you know?!"

Joanna shrugged. "Call it 'women's intuition' if you want. It's just that the Sam Malloy I know would be in seventh heaven and chomping at the bit to start his new job even if it meant living in a bus station. From what your dad is telling me, you're doing everything in your power to avoid moving to Chicago."

"You're not wrong," Sam smiled through his now-subsiding tears.

"And you know you have to talk to your dad about all of this."

"I know."

XXXXX

The following afternoon, Joanna parked her car in front of MacGyver's townhouse. She had come on the pretense that he needed to sign some documents so Cynthia could get them in the mail first thing the next day, but really she wanted to know if he and Sam had talked yet. The driveway was empty, but one of them could still be home. Approaching the front door, she raised her fist to knock before recalling how Mac had chided her formality. She tested the doorknob and, finding it unlocked, let herself in.

"Mac? Sam?" she called, but got no response. It wasn't like Mac to leave his doors unlocked. Perhaps Sam had been the last one to leave and forgot. Looking around the large living area she sighed. Clothes, towels and other miscellaneous items lay strewn across the floor and furniture. She placed the envelope containing the documents on the kitchen counter before stooping to collect the pieces of clothing she recognized as belonging to MacGyver. She knew he wasn't a neat freak, but he also wasn't a slob. His son was definitely having a bad influence on him!

Arms full, she carefully made her way upstairs where she tossed the pile of laundry on the bed. When she looked up from the heap it was to find MacGyver standing in the bathroom doorway, drying his unruly hair with one white towel while another was wrapped around his waist, his skin still glistening with moisture. She let out an instinctive squeak and quickly turned her back to him.

"Hey there! I didn't hear you come in. I was in the shower," he addressed her nonchalantly.

"Obviously," she muttered shyly as she felt him draw closer.

"I didn't startle you, did I?" he asked, taking hold of her upper arm and coaxing her to swivel toward him.

"No! I just wasn't expecting…um…" she blushed furiously and couldn't find the words to finish her sentence. Shoot, she couldn't find any words at all as she stared at his broad shoulders, sturdy abs, and the little cluster of dark curly hair in the center of his chest. She was pretty certain she would need to go to confession if she didn't rein in her thoughts quickly. Unfortunately, Mac didn't seem inclined to assist her with that as he took her hands and placed them on his bare shoulders before looping his arms around her waist.

"With Sam in the bathroom at all hours, I have to catch a shower whenever I can," he offered, grinning mischievously.

"I…I can see that," Jo stammered, feeling like a naïve teenager and wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

"I didn't embarrass you, did I?" he asked, his smile fading.

"Of course not!" Jo shot back, summoning all the bravado she had even as the heat from his skin seared the palms of her hands, but she was unable to pull them away. She was suddenly aware of the back of his forefinger gently caressing her cheek.

"You know that feeling you have right now?" he asked huskily. "That's the feeling I get every time I see you in one of my hockey jerseys, or sleeping on my couch, or doing practically anything or nothing at all."

"Really?" she asked breathlessly.

"Really," he confirmed. "And it's not a bad thing. But right now I think I should get dressed."

He leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on the tip of her nose, breaking the spell she had been under. He released her from his grasp and she reclaimed her hands.

"Could you hand me a pair of boxers?" he asked, indicating the bureau behind her. "Second drawer from the top."

With still slightly unsteady hands she opened the drawer and extracted a pair of cream colored undershorts. She held them at arm's length between her thumb and forefinger like a three-day-old fish and wrinkled her nose.

"What's wrong?" he chuckled.

"I don't know. They're just so plain. I guess I was expecting something with more pizazz."

"What kind of 'pizazz'?" he asked warily.

"Oh, I don't know," she responded, her playfulness returning. "Something more colorful, maybe with little hockey sticks or cowboy hats on them."

"Well, if this is going to be an issue for you I could go shopping later," he suggested.

"Just get yourself dressed," Jo ordered as she wadded up his boring boxers and tossed them smack in his face. "I'll be waiting downstairs."

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Ten minutes later, after pulling on a pair of khakis and a collarless, turquois shirt, MacGyver headed down to the kitchen to find Joanna sitting patiently at the cluttered breakfast bar.

"So, what brings you by?" he asked.

"Cynthia needs you to sign some papers," she responded, waving absently at the large brown envelope next to her elbow.

Mac raised his eyebrows so they were almost touching his bangs. "It couldn't wait until tomorrow morning?"

"Well…actually…I was kinda wondering if Sam had a chance to talk to you," Jo hedged.

Mac sighed and sat down on the stool next to Jo's. "Yeah, we talked. A lot."

"And…?"

"Kate's been a part of my past for so long, it never occurred to me that she was still a part of Sam's present." Mac scrubbed his face with his hands before continuing. "Sam was on assignment in Saudi Arabia. There was a military skirmish in the village where he was staying. He saw a mother get shot in front of her children. It kinda brought everything back for him, ya know?"

Jo nodded her understanding but remained silent.

"As soon as he got back to London he put in his notice, finished up his assignments, and arranged to come home. His editor over there does have a friend at the Tribune and Sam's gonna look him up when he's ready."

"I just don't get why Sam thought you wouldn't understand."

Mac shrugged. "He said he was afraid I'd be ashamed of him wanting to come home and settle down. He knows that at his age I was still hungry to see and do whatever I could and he felt like he should follow in my footsteps. The funny thing is, a part of me has always wondered what my life would have been like if I had come home, or at least found a place to put down roots, sooner."

"Did you tell Sam that?"

"Yeah."

"So things are okay between you two?"

Mac smiled. "I'd say better than okay, and I have you to thank for that."

"Me? I didn't do anything."

"You were there for my son when he felt he couldn't come to me. I'd say that's everything."

XXXXX

A few days later, MacGyver was in the middle of reclaiming his living room from his son's dubious housekeeping skills when Sam came bounding through the front door, cell phone in hand.

"Dad! Guess what?!"

"You finally got a date with that cute checker from the supermarket!" Mac teased.

"C'mon, Dad, I'm serious!"

"Alright, what's the big news?"

"I just got done talking with my editor's friend at the Tribune and he wants to bring me on board!"

"Sam, that's great!" Mac exclaimed as they exchanged high fives and a brief hug before Sam became unusually somber.

"There's only one problem," he said flatly.

"What's that?"

"I'll have to work as a stringer until a full-time position opens up."

"So? You've done that before," Mac pointed out encouragingly, still excited about his son's news.

"Yeah, but you know what that means. I'll be covering stories that don't warrant a big name reporter and I'll have to free-lance whenever I can. But more importantly, I won't be receiving a regular paycheck, and you saw how much apartments cost in Chicago. Especially something close to the Tribune," Sam sighed and dropped down on the couch.

"Well, you have some money saved up, right? There's gotta be a way," MacGyver pressed.

"You can't build me an apartment out of duct tape and paperclips, Dad," Sam said dejectedly.

"That's not what I meant," Mac scowled. "I meant we need to think of other options."

"You mean like commuting?" Sam offered.

"Yeah, that could work. You could use my Jeep."

"Have you seen the price of gas lately?" Sam asked. "I'd burn through my savings in no time!"

"You got a point," Mac agreed.

"Too bad you don't live in Chicago, Dad. Then I could just keep bunking with you!" Sam chuckled.

"Of course!" Mac exclaimed, slapping his forehead with the palm of his hand. "Why didn't I think of this sooner?! You could stay with the Thornton's!"

"But I hardly know them," Sam grimaced. "Don't ya think it'd be kinda awkward?"

"Nah!" Mac replied excitedly. "You and Pete will get along great, and I know Connie will love to have someone else in the house to dote on. You want me to call 'em?"

Sam shrugged. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot."

MacGyver grabbed his cordless phone, dialed the number he knew by heart, and paced as he waited for someone to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Pete! It's me!"

"Who's 'me'?" the older man asked gruffly.

"Pete, it's me! MacGyver!"

"I'm sorry. You must have the wrong number. The MacGyver I know waits until the middle of the night when I'm fast asleep to call and then he has the nerve to ask me for a favor. I don't suppose you're gonna ask me for a favor, are ya?"

Mac closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "C'mon Pete, those were emergencies."

"I know, Mac! Lighten up! I was just teasing you!"

"Oh? Well very funny."

"I thought so! What's up?"

"Well, I sorta have a—"

"I knew it! You have a favor to ask!"

"It's not so much a favor as a proposal," Mac replied diplomatically.

"Oh really? And what, exactly, is this proposal?"

"Sam landed a job at the Tribune and needs a place to stay until he saves enough for an apartment. I thought he could stay in your guest room in the meantime."

"Gee, I don't know Mac…"

"Aw, c'mon Pete! It'll be great! Sam's a great kid! He's even housebroken!"

Pete chuckled. "Well…I'll have to talk to Connie. Can I call you back?"

"Sure thing. We'll be waiting. Thanks, Pete!"

XXXXX

Late Saturday morning MacGyver turned his Jeep into the Thornton's driveway. Connie threw open the front door and came to greet them before he could turn off the ignition.

"It's so good to see you!" she exclaimed, enveloping Mac in a surprisingly strong hug as he stepped from the car.

Sam jumped out and grabbed his luggage, such as it was, from the back seat before he, too, was accosted by Pete's wife.

"Looks like she's glad to see me," Sam commented as the followed the woman into the house.

"And Pete will be, too," MacGyver assured his son. "He pretends to be tough, but really he's just a big old teddy bear."

"Hey, who're you calling 'old'?" Pete complained from his chair in the living room.

"It's good to see you, too!" Mac greeted his friend with a firm handshake before Sam did the same.

"I really appreciate you letting me stay here, Mr. Thornton."

"It's our pleasure, and please call me 'Pete'."

"And I'm 'Connie'," the petite woman instructed as she carried a tray of glasses filled with lemonade into the room just as Mac and Sam settled themselves on the couch. "It's such a pity Joanna couldn't come with you."

"She wanted to, but this is the first weekend Challengers Club is open for the summer and someone had to stay and help out Cynthia," Mac informed her before taking a sip of his tart drink.

"Well, now that Sam is living here perhaps you and she will visit more often," Connie said hopefully. "She's such a sweet girl. You know, MacGyver, you should really think about—"

"Connie! Leave Mac alone," Pete scolded. "He doesn't need you poking your nose into his love life!"

Time passed quickly as the small group caught up on everyone's activities and the success of Challengers. Once Connie had settled Sam into the guest room to her satisfaction she served a light lunch. Conversation continued well into the afternoon as Sam regaled his new friends with stories of his adventures in the Middle East and Europe.

"Sounds like a chip off the old block!" Pete observed with a smile.

"Yeah, he sure is," Mac agreed before looking down at his watch with a frown. "Pete, what time does that used car lot you told me about close?"

"Being a Saturday, they close at four."

Mac looked to Sam. "If you want to check it out we should get going," he advised.

"Sounds good to me," Sam replied.

An hour and some haggling later, Sam was the proud owner of a twenty-year-old faded yellow Volkswagen Beetle.

"What's with the frown, Dad?" he asked, as he examined his 'new' car.

"I was hoping you'd get something a little newer and more reliable," Mac shrugged.

"Newer? This is a classic!"

"No Sam. The Nomad's a classic. This one's just old!"

"Aw, c'mon Dad! I can handle any mechanical problems that might come up," Sam gushed. "Besides, it's all I can afford, and it only has to get me to the train station and back."

MacGyver reluctantly agreed and the two men headed back to the Thornton's in their respective vehicles. After admiring Sam's new acquisition, Connie insisted Mac stay for supper before driving home. He had just taken his last bite of pie when Sam stood up and whisked his plate away.

"Hey! You never clear the table at home!"

"True. But I'm your son so I don't have to make a good impression on you!"

Everyone laughed and soon it was time for Mac to take his leave. He shook Pete's hand and hugged Connie before they disappeared, giving him and Sam some privacy for their good-bye's.

"So, what do you think?" Mac asked.

Sam smiled. "I think I'm gonna like it here," he confirmed. "Pete and Connie seem pretty cool. Thanks for setting this up."

"Hey, that's what dads are for!"

After an exchange of hugs and hearty pats on the back, Mac headed to his Jeep. He looked back and watched through the large bay window as Sam locked the door and walked down the hall to his room. Finally, his son was home.