Chapter 64: Guilt Trip

MacGyver grabbed his keys and hurried out the front door, trusting that Joanna was following in his wake. He was pretty sure he broke multiple traffic laws in his desire to get to Challengers. Jo stayed silent the entire trip, for which he was grateful. He hadn't stayed on the phone long enough to garner any details to satisfy any questions she may have. To be honest, he had plenty of questions himself and was not sure he was ready to discover the answers.

The streets surrounding the club were cordoned off by multiple emergency response vehicles. He pulled his Jeep to a screeching halt behind a police barricade and jumped out. From the corner of his eye he saw Jo do the same and before he knew it, her hand was in his, offering silent comfort. An officer assigned to keep the curious crowd at bay held up his hand, motioning for them to stop as they approached. Mac instinctively reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out his driver's license to show the cop.

"Name's MacGyver. I run the place."

The police officer glanced at the license and stepped aside. "You'll want to check in with the fire chief. He's over there."

Mac looked in the direction the officer had indicated and saw a firefighter in full turnout gear speaking into a walkie-talkie. With Jo's hand still in his, he wove his way around firetrucks and hoses until he stood beside the man who, feeling their presence, lowered his radio and looked at them questioningly.

"How did you get through?" he growled.

"Name's MacGyver. Someone called me."

The chief's face softened. "Ah, yes, Mr. MacGyver. That would've been me. I'm glad you got here so quickly."

"What happened? Was anyone hurt?" Mac demanded, turning toward the Challengers building for the first time since arriving. A small part of him relaxed when he saw that the structure had not been reduced to a pile of rubble, however, his breath hitched when he saw the far corner of the building crumbled and smoldering.

"To answer your questions, everyone got out safely," the chief reported. "Thankfully there were only a few volunteers and a couple members in the building. As for the cause of the explosion, it appears to be the hot water heater. A full investigation tomorrow morning will fill in the details. Tell me, were you aware of any existing problems?"

MacGyver felt the blood drain from his face. "This morning I was informed there was an issue. It looked like a bad thermocouple so I replaced it."

"Why didn't you call in a professional to do it?"

"It's an easy thing to replace and cheaper if you do it yourself," Mac shrugged. Pinned by the fire chief's eyes he couldn't help but ask, "Do you think that was the cause?"

The older man quickly shook his head. "Highly unlikely. But like I said, we'll know more once daylight comes and we can do a thorough examination of the area."

"Do you need anything more from me tonight?" MacGyver asked, his adrenaline rush disappearing and leaving him drained.

"No. I have your number if I need you."

"Thanks. I'll be back in the morning."

It was after midnight by the time Mac and Joanna arrived back at the duplex. They both entered his living room.

"It's late. Why don't you try and get some sleep," MacGyver suggested.

"Like that's gonna happen," Jo snorted. "Think you'll be able to rest?"

"Naw, I was gonna watch a movie," he confessed and found Joanna already browsing through his video tape collection.

"How about this one?" she asked.

"It's as good as any," he sighed, not even looking at the title.

He sat on the couch as Jo inserted the cassette into the VCR, turned on the TV and grabbed the remote. She then plopped down beside him without asking to stay nor being asked and that meant more to him than anyone could imagine. MacGyver reached over and put his arm around her shoulders and without hesitation she snuggled close to his side and rested her head on his shoulder. He inhaled the tropical scent of her coconut shampoo and for the first time since that fateful phone call felt a sense of peace.

Hours later, the first beams of sunlight warmed Mac's cheek, stirring him awake. At some point they had both fallen asleep, despite their predictions to the contrary, and Joanna's head now rested on his chest while his own head was supported by the back cushions of the couch. Not wanting to face the day ahead, yet knowing he must, he gently roused his still-sleeping fiancé. After quick showers and changes of clothes, they headed back to Challengers to discover the extent of the damage the dark night had shrouded.

For the second time in less than twelve hours, MacGyver pulled his Jeep up to the club. He had to park on the street as an eight-foot high chain link fence had already been erected around the scene, including the parking lot, to preserve evidence and discourage looters. As it was, a small group of curious onlookers stood peering through the fence. Mac immediately recognized Geena, Rosie and Raul, and other teen club members as well as strangers surveying the damaged building and chatting quietly amongst themselves. As he and Joanna stepped out of the vehicle, they were immediately approached by a fire official MacGyver assumed was in charge of the investigation.

After exchanging brief introductions Mac asked, "Have you found the cause of the explosion?"

The man glanced at the clipboard and nodded. "It was the hot water heater as we suspected last night," he confirmed.

"But how?" Jo asked.

"The unit was very old and in poor condition. Sediment buildup in the tank from over the years caused it to deteriorate and ultimately burst," the investigator explained. "Weren't you aware of this when you bought the building? It really should have been replaced quite some time ago."

MacGyver jammed his fingers through his already disheveled hair and blew out a breath. "To be honest, it never crossed my mind. I assumed the seller had taken care of all that. I guess I should've had everything checked out myself."

"It happens to the best of us, sir," the man assured him.

"What's the extent of the damage?" Mac asked.

"As you can see, the south end of the building where the explosion occurred is the worst. However, there's smoke and water damage throughout to varying degrees."

MacGyver was glad to see the little-used part of the structure had taken the brunt of the blast, but he was anxious to get a look at the offices and recreation area.

"Can we go in and look around? See if we can salvage anything?" he asked.

"We haven't been able to ascertain the structural integrity of the entire building yet so I would advise against it."

"I understand," Mac replied. "I guess I'd better head home and make some phone calls." He dreaded informing Phoenix and other funders of the accident almost as much as the forms and red tape he was sure to encounter with the insurance company.

On their way back to the Jeep, MacGyver and Joanna were intercepted by friends and strangers alike, offering comforting hugs and uplifting platitudes which the pair gratefully accepted, but it was one of the teens who caused a lump to form in Mac's throat.

"What's gonna happen to us now?" Raul asked, his big dark eyes wide with anxiety.

"Don't worry, we'll get it fixed up good as new," Mac assured him, inwardly relieved the damage wasn't as bad as he expected the night before.

"But I mean until then," the boy explained.

MacGyver's heart sunk. The rebuild would take awhile, but these kids needed the support of the club immediately, especially since the start of school was still a month away. "I don't know, buddy. But we'll figure something out," he promised the teen.

As Mac headed back toward the Jeep, he saw Joanna already standing by the passenger side, cell phone in hand and smiling widely.

"I've got some good news," she announced.

"I could use some," he mumbled.

"Mrs. Varga called. She heard about the accident and offered Challengers the use of the high school gym and cafeteria. She also said there's some painting and cleaning to get done and thought maybe our kids would be willing to help out. But we can only stay until school starts. There's no way Challengers will be fixed by then," she frowned.

"Hey, let's take it one step at a time," he encouraged. "Let me go home and call a fire restoration company so when the building is safe to enter we can salvage whatever we can and take it over to the high school. In the meantime, why don't you round up some volunteers and let everyone know about our new temporary location?"

"I'm on it!" Jo said, and turned back to the lingering crowd.

Later that afternoon, after making the dreaded but necessary phone calls, MacGyver drove over to the high school. As he passed by Challengers, he saw large cardboard signs hanging on the fence with writing in crayon, marker, and even spray paint directing everyone to Lincoln High. When he arrived, several teens were already taking advantage of the outdoor basketball court and other areas. As he entered the gymnasium, he spotted Joanna with a group of other adults including Rosie and Mrs. Varga surveying and pointing to various spots around the cavernous room. He headed toward them, but his progress was halted when a familiar male voice called his name.

Mac turned to find Lee Vang, Attorney at Law, approaching. The two men hadn't seen each other since several new club members had gotten sick due to lead paint in their old houses in the barrio. MacGyver was grateful that his former co-worker and friend had agreed to provide pro bono services for families of Challengers members who couldn't otherwise afford quality legal representation.

"Hey, what's up? Come to help us move?" MacGyver asked by way of greeting.

"Is there someplace we can speak privately?" Vang asked, the tone of his voice all business.

"Yeah, sure," Mac said, unease gripping him as he led the way to the small coach's office on the far end of the gym.

Closing the door behind him, Lee reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a legal sized plain white envelope.

"I thought this would be better coming from a friend," the lawyer said, extending it toward MacGyver.

Mac hesitantly took the envelope, carefully opened it, and gingerly unfolded the paper before devouring the words that sent a chill up his spine even as sweat beaded on his forehead.

"I'm being sued?" he asked in little more than a whisper.

Lee nodded apologetically. "Early this morning a group of parents whose kids go to Challengers came to me."

"It says here they're accusing me of neglect and child endangerment." MacGyver's voice gained strength as he confronted his friend. "This is ridiculous! How can they do this?!"

"I'm afraid I can't say much," Lee said, not meeting Mac's eyes. "I suggest you contact your attorney."

"But you're my attorney!" MacGyver all but shouted.

Lee sighed. "They came to me first. And I did promise you I'd represent members of Challengers."

"Yeah," Mac blew out a frustrated breath.

"Hang in there. You'll get through this," Lee assured him before leaving the small room.

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Joanna's gaze caught Lee Vang as he left the building, but it was MacGyver, who stood in the doorway to the coach's office, that made her catch her breath. She had noticed his earlier arrival and he had seemed fine, but now his jaw was clenched, his hands fisted at his side, and his eyes haunted. She hurried across the gym to join him.

"Mac, what's wrong? What was Lee doing here?" she asked.

"I gotta get outta here," MacGyver replied in a raspy voice. He took Jo by the shoulders and set her aside as he quickly made his exit, leaving his fiancé to stare after him filled with wonder and concern.

Feeling as if she'd just been sucker punched, Joanna turned back to the room full of people to find Geena hurrying towards her.

"Where's that man o' yours goin'?" she demanded. "I thought he was gonna help us get set up. We could use some muscle around here!"

"I don't know," Jo replied, shaking her head. "I think something happened between him and Lee, but he left without saying anything."

"What's that?" Geena asked, looking over Joanna's shoulder and indicating a white envelope and folded letter laying on an otherwise empty desk in the office behind them.

"I don't know," the younger woman shrugged. "I've haven't been in there yet."

"Well, then it's high time we did some explorin'!" Geena bustled around Jo and into the small office, her sight laser-focused on the sheet of paper.

"I'm not sure we should be doing this," Joanna protested as her friend took the letter and smoothed it out. "If Mac wanted us to know what's going on he would have told us."

"And does MacGyver always tell you when something's bothering him?" Geena asked, her hands planted firmly on her hips.

Joanna shook her head, recalling a conversation she had had with Connie Thornton a few years ago. Connie had explained to a then-confused Jo how MacGyver tended to withdraw when he was deeply hurt and encouraged her to always be there for him.

"Give me that," Joanna instructed, practically ripping the paper from Geena's hands. She could feel the blood leave her face as she read the incriminating words.

"I have to go find Mac," she proclaimed as she turned and headed out to the parking lot.

"What does it say?!" Geena called anxiously to Jo's retreating back. When she didn't receive a reply she sighed. "Those two totally deserve each other!"

Joanna drove straight home. "Might as well start with the obvious," she muttered to herself, and was relieved to find MacGyver's Jeep parked in his driveway. She swung her car to a stop behind it and hurried to the front door. She was dismayed to find that it was locked. Ringing the doorbell with one hand and pounding on the glass with the other she called his name. Nothing.

With seeds of concern now beginning to take root, she hurried to her own entrance, fumbling with the key in the process, before entering her side of the duplex. She headed straight to the doors connecting their apartments. His was closed and also locked. He was shutting her out.

"Angus MacGyver! Open the door this minute!" she yelled, both fists banging the wooden plank standing between them as her myriad emotions threatened to tumble out of control.

No response.

Her throat tightened and tears began to form. I will not cry, she promised herself. She just had to try a different tactic.

"I know you're in there," she called.

Still nothing.

Jo sighed. She hadn't wanted to do it this way, but she saw no other choice. In a firm, controlled, and hopefully sympathetic voice, she spoke through the door. "I know about the lawsuit."

She held her breath and waited, willing Mac to come to her. To talk with her. To share his pain with her. Minutes ticked by. She was about to give up, or at least retreat to fight another day when the soft click of the lock being turned caused her heart to soar. He was going to let her in.

"How did you find out?" he asked wearily, leaning against the door frame as if it was the only thing keeping him standing. He looked weak and gaunt. If Joanna hadn't known better, she would have thought he had been lost in the wilderness for weeks instead of barricaded in his apartment for less than an hour.

"You left the letter in the coach's office," she offered.

"And you just waltzed in there and read it, huh?!" he snapped accusingly.

"I didn't want to," she began, fighting the urge to blame it all on Geena. "I was worried and wanted to know what happened."

She stood firm as MacGyver scrubbed his face with both his hands, the action bringing some color back to his cheeks. "You might as well come in," he surrendered, turning sideways to allow her to enter.

Mac sat on the couch leaning forward, his elbows on his thighs and hands laced together loosely as he stared at a half empty glass of orange juice on the coffee table. Joanna sat beside him, ramrod straight, staring at the wall in front of her knowing she would need to be the one to break the silence.

"You haven't done anything wrong. You know that, right?" She allowed her eyes to shift sideways but MacGyver never moved. "They said the explosion was an accident. It wasn't your fault. You didn't 'neglect' or 'endanger' anyone."

"That's just it!" MacGyver exclaimed, shooting to his feet and turning to her. "I am guilty of neglect! I shoulda had that entire building checked and rechecked before I let anybody else in. If I'd been setting up a place for Phoenix I would have, but I was too anxious to get Challengers up and running. Too anxious to get kids off the street and someplace safe." Here he snorted. "Safe. It was pure luck that nobody got hurt or even killed. I made a mistake. A big one." Drained of his remaining adrenaline, MacGyver collapsed on the couch jamming his fingers through his way-too-long hair.

"Believing that everything was okay when you bought the building doesn't make you guilty," Joanna said softly. "Even the fire inspector said that these things happen." When Mac nodded in apparent agreement she continued, "Have you talked with a lawyer yet?"

Just then MacGyver's cell phone rang. Only a handful of people had that number. He glanced at the caller ID and recognized the Chicago area code. "No, but I have a hunch I'm about to."

The following morning, MacGyver, Joanna, and an attorney from Phoenix's Chicago field office huddled around Mac's small kitchen table going over every aspect of the case of which there was surprisingly little.

"So basically what you're saying," she summarized, "is that Vang will encourage his clients to drop, or at least settle, the case since there's no clear evidence Mac is guilty of any wrongdoing."

"Essentially, yes," the lawyer confirmed.

"What do we do in the meantime?" she asked.

"Wait. Hopefully they'll drop the suit. If they don't, just settle for whatever they're asking."

"I'm not gonna agree to a settlement," MacGyver stated firmly.

"Why not?" the lawyer asked, clearly surprised by this response.

"If I agree to settle, it'll look like I'm guilty."

"Mr. MacGyver, as I explained earlier, this is not a criminal case questioning your guilt or innocence. Rather, it's a civil suit regarding moral culpability. Our goal is to put it to rest as quickly and quietly as possible."

Joanna watched Mac's face morph into an expression she had never seen before, and she jumped in her chair as he simultaneously stood and slapped the palms of his hand on the table.

"That may be your goal, but it's not mine!" he growled at the lawyer.

"Now, Mac…" the older man began in a placating voice before MacGyver cut him off.

"I get that you're here because Phoenix doesn't want a black mark on their record, but it's my reputation that's on the line! I won't admit to something I didn't do!"

"And what do you think will happen to your reputation if this goes to court?" the lawyer countered.

Joanna could practically see Mac's bravado dissipate as he digested the possible consequences.

"I'll take your silence as acquiescence to allow me to do my job," the lawyer stated as he closed his briefcase, got up and headed out the door. "I'll be in touch."

Silence hung in the room like a heavy fog. MacGyver's gaze held Jo's, filled with questions she didn't know how to answer.

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The days that followed saw Joanna spending most of her waking hours striving to get the temporary Challengers location up and running. At first, she and MacGyver worked side-by-side with numerous teen members, but as time passed, the number of members coming each day dwindled. Mac appeared less frequently as well. She tried to rationalize the situation, but in her heart she knew the truth. The kids had been warned away from MacGyver and he knew it so he was lying low in hopes that they would return if he wasn't around. She knew how much Challengers meant to Mac and it hurt her heart to realize the extent of the sacrifice he was willing to make to keep the club going.

After a particularly busy day, Jo climbed into bed, eager for sweet slumber to carry her away. Unfortunately, all the unsettling thoughts that constantly occupied her mind suddenly demanded immediate attention. Staring at the ceiling as rain pounded on the roof and thunder rumbled in the distance, she worried about MacGyver. He was withdrawing more and more. While she sympathized with him, she wondered how long she should allow it. At what point should she follow Connie's advice and insert herself in his ruminating?

The answer came with a scratching sound on her patio door. At first she wasn't even sure if she heard it, but soon it was accompanied with a high-pitched whine. Tossing back the covers she slipped out of bed and hurried down the winding staircase to find a forlorn, rain-soaked Frog on the other side of the glass door. She gasped and fumbled to unlock and slide back the door to let the poor dog inside. She told him to 'stay', which he didn't, as she ran to the kitchen and grabbed some old dish towels to dry him off with. As she vigorously rubbed down the pooch her anger with MacGyver grew. She could accept him shutting her out, but leaving his dog out in a rainstorm while he indulged in his own pity party was unconscionable! Once Frog was only slightly damp, she strode to the closed door connecting their apartments and knocked…loudly. She huffed and bit back a nasty word when there was no response. She tried turning the doorknob and was relieved to find it unlocked. She pushed it open and barged into his half of the house with the bulldog at her heels. However, the sight that greeted her brought her to an abrupt halt. MacGyver sat on his couch, his back to her, playing a soft, heart wrenching tune on his guitar. The haunting melody was both sad and beautiful. It was the sound of Mac's soul and it almost brought her to tears.

"That was beautiful," she whispered huskily when the final note faded away.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, not even turning around to look at her.

His blunt question reminded her of the reason for her visit as well as her anger with him.

"You left your dog out in the rain," she replied coldly, making her way to the couch so she could see his face. Prepared to ream him out for not taking better care of Frog, one look at him and every ounce of indignation melted away. His eyes were empty, his expression neutral. Hopelessness personified.

"Oh, Mac," she murmured as she settled next to him on the sofa wanting to embrace him but fearing he would rebuff her.

Ever so slowly he turned his head and locked gazes with her. When he finally spoke, his voice was raspy. "What am I gonna do, Jo?"

Unable to resist touching him any longer, she cupped his cheek in her hand and pressed her forehead to his.

"If the lawsuit isn't dropped, I'll have to decide if I want to settle or if I want to fight it. Either way, no one will want their kids around me anymore," he said. It was the wee hours of the morning and they were sitting at his kitchen table sipping hot cocoa. Frog was snoring underneath the coffee table.

Joanna didn't know if it was due to exhaustion or desperation, but suddenly the answer became clear to her. "You need to get outta here," she said firmly.

"I know," Mac agreed. "I can't hide in the house forever."

"That's not what I mean," she said, shaking her head. "You need to get out of the city. Go somewhere to clear your head and get a new perspective on this. You know none of this is your fault…you've done nothing wrong…yet you act like you're on your way to the electric chair."

"You want me to run away?" he asked, his face more animated than it had been in days. "The last time you told me to leave you got mad because I did and we almost broke up for good!"

Jo sighed, "That was different."

"How?!"

"That was about us! I was scared and irrational. If you would've stayed I like to think we could've worked through everything a lot quicker and saved each other a lot of heartache. But this is different. This is about you. You need time and space to come to terms with what's happening."

"You're right," Mac agreed. "Once I figure out where I'm headed I'll let you know and-"

Joanna's head-shaking stopped him mid-sentence. "I don't need to know. Just go where you need to go and do what you need to do."

Mac reached across the table to grab Jo's hand and give it a squeeze. "Thank you."

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MacGyver's rented SUV bumped along the unpaved road that he had last driven down eleven years ago. Unlike the main highway, where trees had been cut down and hillsides leveled to allow for the growth of high-end resorts, this part of the landscape surprisingly remained the same, and for that he was most thankful. When Joanna had told him to go somewhere to get his head together, he knew there was only one place where that could happen. He couldn't help but smile when a dilapidated building proclaiming itself to be a general store came into view. Having packed in a hurry, he would need some supplies to get him through the next few days, or however long he ended up staying. He parked the truck and as he opened the front door a small brass bell tinkled signaling his arrival.

"Hi there!" a young man behind the worn, wooden counter greeted him. "How can I help you today?"

Mac jammed his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and ambled forward. "I don't suppose Ellard is around."

The young man frowned. "I'm sorry, sir, but Uncle Ellard is no longer with us."

MacGyver's gut twisted. Ellard had been elderly the last time Mac saw him. How foolish to think the man was still alive after all these years.

"I'm sorry to hear that," he replied.

"Don't be," the man smiled. "He says the heat is doing wonders for his rheumatism."

"Excuse me?!"

The young man looked puzzled before realization dawned.

"Oh, I did it again! I made it sound like Uncle Ellard died when all he did was retire to Florida."

Mac let out a sigh of relief, glad the old man was still on this earth. But something else confused him. "I didn't realize Ellard had any family. At least not around here."

"He's not really my uncle," the young man chuckled. "A few years back I was down on my luck and he took me in. Gave me a job. He didn't like me callin' him 'mister' all the time. By the way, my name's Dylan."

"I'm MacGyver."

"No way!" Dylan exclaimed. "Not the MacGyver! I can't believe it! People still talk about the way that crazy dude burned down your friend's cabin and tried to kill you and that lady friend of yours up on the Widowmaker."

"Yeah, well, I'm hoping this trip will be a lot less eventful," Mac informed him, looking around the shop in an effort to change the subject. "Ya got some camping gear for sale?"

"You bet! I'll show you what we have."

Thirty minutes later Mac was once again bumping down the rutted road, this time with the back of his vehicle loaded down with a sleeping bag, lantern, a box of food, and other basic necessities. He guided the SUV into a clearing not far from the remnants of Pete's cabin and killed the engine. "Welcome home," he muttered to himself.

It didn't take long for MacGyver to set up his campsite since he planned to live off the land as much as possible. His stomach growled and it occurred to him he hadn't eaten since landing at LAX. He looked at his watch. Although there were technically still a few hours of daylight left, the tall trees with full foliage blocked much of the sunlight. Tomorrow he would take a long hike and gather any edible berries he could find and then try his luck at fishing, but for tonight he would build a campfire and heat up a can of beans he had bought at Ellard's.

Having eaten his fill and dousing the fire, Mac crawled into his sleeping bag. Lying on his back under a canopy of stars, the reason behind this excursion hit him full force. He needed to decide what he would do if Lee Vang couldn't get his clients to drop the lawsuit against him. But he wouldn't dwell on that now. In the morning, after a good night's sleep, he would consider his options with a clear head.

Early the next day, MacGyver awoke to the sound of birds singing in the trees and squirrels scuttering through the underbrush. After eating a granola bar for breakfast, he swung his backpack over his shoulder and headed off into the woods. He looked forward to a good long hike to help him bring his life back into focus. Several hours later he returned to the campsite and pulled a container full of wild berries from his pack. He popped a few in his mouth as he assembled his fishing pole and headed to the lake. Unfortunately, the fish seemed determined to spurn his bait. Even the shiny gum wrapper glittering in the sun couldn't tempt them. He trudged back to camp and made a dinner consisting of berries and a can of stew heated over the campfire.

As the sun set and crickets began to sing, Mac breathed in the clean, fresh air while savoring the solitude of the woods. Leaning his back against a nearby tree while stretching his legs out in front of him, he watched the flames from the fire dance and flare. His thoughts turned to Joanna as they had several times since leaving. His absence had put a larger burden on her to deal with everything regarding Challengers. He then recalled the conversation with his lawyer and the reason he was here. He needed to decide what to do if Vang didn't drop the suit. He had been involved with Challengers in a variety of ways even before he met Pete and signed on with the DXS. He couldn't let a small group of well-intentioned but misguided parents sully his reputation with the club. If he had to, he would go to court and plead his case. He would fight for his club, his kids, and his name.

Falling asleep while leaning against a tree is probably one of the most uncomfortable things a human being can do, MacGyver mused as he awoke the following morning with a stiff neck and back ache. He bit back a groan as he got to his feet and attempted to stretch out his protesting muscles. He considered the decision he had made just before dozing off and, in the light of a new day, concluded it was the correct choice. He had not been negligent in any way, and he wouldn't allow people to think he was. He needed the community to trust him again and that could only happen by speaking up and making sure people knew the truth. His mind made up, he munched on a granola bar as he started to collect his things and head home. He had just closed the back of the SUV when he thought he heard a high-pitched voice calling for help. He stood still and waited. It came again.

"Help! Is anyone there? Please help me!" a frantic female voice called from the woods. Before Mac could answer, a petite, frightened-looking woman stumbled into the clearing. Appearing to be in her early thirties, her red hair was mussed and tangled with leaves while her knit top was ripped and her jeans were dirty with dust and other forest debris.

MacGyver hurried forward to catch her as she tumbled forward.

"It's okay. I got ya," he assured her. "Just calm down and tell me what's happening."

The woman looked up at him and gulped in a few breaths before speaking. "My son and my husband…I'm afraid…something's…happened…to them."

"Alright, I'll help, but you gotta settle down," Mac said as he guided her to the SUV and helped her into the passenger seat so she could catch her breath. He reached into the backseat and grabbed a blanket to wrap around her shoulders in case she went into shock. After several moments the woman regained at least some of her composure and looked up at MacGyver. "Now can you tell me what's going on?" he asked.

The woman nodded, a few leaves falling from her hair. "My husband and son went to climb the Widowmaker, but they haven't come back to camp." Her voice cracked on the last few words.

"Okay, just try to stay calm," Mac instructed her. "What's your name?"

"Julie. My husband is Tom and our boy is Timmy. He's only twelve!"

A twelve-year-old attempting to climb the Widowmaker was insane! "Isn't your son a little young for such an…um…adventure?" MacGyver asked, trying to keep his tone calm and refrain from judgment.

Julie shook her head. "Tom is an expert climber. He had Timmy climbing things before he learned to walk."

"What about you? Do you climb?"

Julie's eyes went wide. "Are you kidding?! I'm scared to death of heights. I can't even use a stepladder!"

"I can understand that," Mac muttered under his breath. "When did Tom and Timmy leave camp?"

"Day before yesterday. They were going to drive down and camp on the canyon floor and then get an early start climbing. They should've been back by now! I don't know what to do! I don't have a car, I can't get a cell signal, and you're the only person I've seen since we got here. I just don't know what to do!" she repeated before dissolving into tears.

MacGyver pulled in a deep breath as he considered his options. Truth was, he really didn't have any except for the most basic. "Buckle up," he instructed Julie as he rounded the vehicle and slid behind the wheel.

"Where are we going?" she hiccupped.

"To find their campsite."

"Then what?"

"Depends on what we find there." Mac was an optimist, but also a realist. Too many things could go wrong out here, even for the most experienced outdoorsman.

The SUV made its painstaking way along a narrow dirt access road until MacGyver pulled up behind a vacant pick-up truck. He heard Julie's quick intake of breath.

"Is that your husband's?"

She swallowed hard and nodded. "What's it doing here?"

"Looks like the path gets too dense. They probably had to walk in from here just like we're gonna do," Mac explained.

As Julie climbed out of the SUV, MacGyver examined the truck. He couldn't find any sign of damage. The bed was empty and the only possible useful items he found in the cab was a pair of cheap binoculars most likely belonging to Timmy and a coil of rope they must have decided they didn't need.

"Did you find anything?" Julie asked from behind him.

"Just these," He turned and showed her the field glasses.

"They're my son's," she said with a small smile. "Tom has these really expensive ones that he doesn't allow Timmy to use yet."

"Hang on to those and let's head down to the canyon floor," Mac instructed.

MacGyver went first, clearing away twigs and branches the best he could so Julie would have an easier time with the trek. It wasn't long before the forest gave way to the wide open expanse of flat, sandy-colored land that was Widow's Canyon.

"It's huge!" Julie exclaimed in awe. "How are we ever going to find them?"

"This is one of only a few access paths to the area," Mac told her. "Most climbers start from a spot nearby."

"You've been here before," she stated rather than asked, her voice softer now.

"Yeah. I've been here," he replied flatly.

MacGyver pushed away the memories as he raised the binoculars to his eyes and scanned the canyon floor for any sign of a campsite. "There's something over there," he said, pointing to his right. "Let's check it out."

While the hike through the woods had not been easy, walking across the flat surface of the canyon had its own drawbacks like no shade from the relentless sun. What had Mac been thinking coming out here with no gear or supplies. Not even a canteen. The truth was, he hadn't been thinking. He had been reacting, and it had actually felt good. But now he had to figure out how to deal with this new predicament.

They reached the rudimentary campsite only to find the remains of a small fire and a couple of empty sleeping bags. Nothing seemed tampered with or out of place.

"They must have started climbing," MacGyver said.

"But something happened that they didn't make it back." Though tired and frightened, Julie's voice had a strength that surprised him. "How do we find them now?"

"Good question," Mac murmured, staring up at the rock face that was the Widowmaker. Once again he raised the binoculars and began scanning for any signs of climbers. Suddenly, his breath caught.

"What color clothes were they wearing?" he asked.

"Tom always wears blue and Timmy orange. Do you see them?!"

"Yeah, I do." What Mac saw was a mass of orange huddled over a length of blue on a high-up outcropping. The same outcropping where he had told Mike he couldn't be more than friends with her. The same outcropping he had been standing on when Mike's harness gave way and she plummeted to her death. Shaking his head to clear away the painful memories he returned his focus to Julie. "It looks like Timmy is okay, but Tom may be hurt."

"Timmy!" Julie called, cupping her hands around her mouth as a make-shift megaphone. "Timmy! Mommy's here! Are you and Daddy okay?"

"They can't hear you," Mac told her. With the naked eye, the ledge they were on was little more than a small bump in the otherwise massive mountain. Their bodies even smaller.

Julie whipped her cell phone out of the back pocket of her jeans. "Still no signal!" she cried as tears of fear and frustration slid down her cheeks.

"It's okay. I got a plan," MacGyver said. Yeah, he had a plan. A plan he hated but one that would have to work.

"You're not going to climb up after them are you?" Julie asked in disbelief. "You don't have gear."

"No, I'm not goin' up. I'll rappel down. C'mon, let's get back to the truck."

Upon returning to the two vehicles, Mac grabbed the rope from the pick-up truck and tossed it in the backseat of his SUV. Julie climbed into the passenger seat as MacGyver slid behind the wheel and cranked the ignition. Spinning the wheels as he performed a tight turn, he headed back down the path and stopped when he reached his campsite.

"What are you doing? I thought you were going to rescue my family?" Julie asked in near panic.

"I am. But we'll need help," he explained, crawling out of the vehicle and retrieving the rope. "There's a store a few miles down the road."

Julie nodded vigorously. "I remember. We stopped there to pick up some supplies."

"Take the SUV and go there. They have a phone you can use to call for help. Stay there until reinforcements arrive and then lead them back here," Mac instructed.

Despite her concern for her family, Julie hesitated. "Have you ever climbed the Widowmaker before?"

"Yeah, I have," he said. She didn't need to know that his first attempt ended with him being paralyzed with grief and fear and having a rescue chopper pluck him from the same ledge her husband and son were now on, nor did she need to know the second, more successful time, was the result of being chased by a crazed hitman set on revenge.

MacGyver watched as Julie drove out of sight before shouldering the coiled rope and heading back into the woods to make his way to the top of the Widowmaker.

The sun was high in the sky by the time Mac stood looking down at the canyon floor. He quickly ascertained the spot where he would need to climb down from in order to reach the two stranded climbers. He quickly secured one end of the rope he had brought to a solitary tree growing out of the rock. He then fashioned a make-shift harness and stepped into it, testing to make sure it would hold his weight. With heart pounding and hands sweating, he gingerly approached the edge of the mountain, turned his back to the steep drop-off, and let himself fall back. Long-dormant muscle memory awakened as Mac's feet made contact with the rock face. He pushed off and swung out and downwards. A quick glance showed the father and son in sight but further to the left than MacGyver had anticipated. He smoothly adjusted his descent and let out a sigh of relief when he came to stand on the ledge next to the boy.

The youngster's head snapped up. "Who are you?" he asked in a shaky voice.

"Name's MacGyver, but you can call me 'Mac'."

"I'm Timmy and that's my dad," the boy said, pointing to the prone figure dressed in blue. "Is…is he…dead?" the young boy asked quietly, a lone tear trickling down his cheek.

Mac's heart clenched. "Why don't you tell me what happened?" he asked, trying to distract the boy.

While Timmy told MacGyver how his father had lost his handhold causing him to fall and hit his head on the ledge as he landed, Mac knelt next to the unconscious man and did a rudimentary physical exam. He was relieved to find a steady, if somewhat faint, pulse. A bloody gash on the side of Tom's head told Mac he probably had a concussion and possible damaged ribs given such a hard landing. Since it was impossible to tell if there were any internal injuries, MacGyver turned his attention to the man's extremities. One of his arms was extremely swollen and most likely broken. Mac guessed he had used it to try and break his fall and longed to find a way to splint it, but movement on the narrow ledge was too dangerous. Thankfully his other arm and both legs appeared to be unharmed.

"I think you're dad's gonna be alright," MacGyver told Timmy.

"Why isn't he waking up?" the boy asked, eyes shimmering with more tears.

"He has some injuries and his body needs to rest," Mac explained. "I sent your mom to get help. We'll have you outta here in no time."

The sun was beginning its descent when the unmistakable sound of the rescue chopper shattered the stillness that had encompassed the canyon. As the helicopter swooped closer and began to hover, MacGyver recognized Julie in the back passenger seat. "Hi Mom!" Timmy called at the top of his lungs, waving until Mac thought his arm might fall off. Julie waved back and Mac gave her a thumbs-up signal to let her know her husband had survived. Two members of the Search and Rescue team repelled down, hanging in the air a few feet from the ledge. MacGyver relayed information about Tom's condition before helping the two rescuers secure him in a stokes basket, mindful of his possible broken arm.

As a winch on the chopper lifted Tom and one of the rescue team members into the air, Mac hollered to the remaining rescuer who still hovered nearby. "There gonna be enough room for us up there?"

"That's a negative," the man replied. "We can come back but it'll be dark by then."

MacGyver sighed, knowing that a nighttime rescue would be very dangerous. Their only other option would be to climb to the top.

"I want to be with my mom and dad," Timmy whimpered beside him.

"Do you think you could manage to climb up with me?" Mac asked.

Timmy hesitated before nodding.

"Looks like we're gonna climb," MacGyver told his would-be rescuer. "Can someone meet us at the top?"

"Sure thing," the man confirmed, and offered a salute before being hoisted aboard the chopper. Mac and Timmy watched until the bird disappeared from view.

"You ready?" MacGyver asked the boy.

"Yep. Let's do this," Timmy replied.

Mac shook his head slightly, admiring the fearlessness of youth, before gathering the gear that remained on the ledge and starting the long, slow trek upward.

As Timmy made his way carefully up the rock face, MacGyver had to admit the kid had some serious climbing skills. Mac's own confidence was boosted by the extra rope, carabiners, and belay device Tom had left behind. Their progress was slow but steady. MacGyver's focus narrowed to finding appropriate hand and foot holds while making sure Timmy was safe at all times.

By the time they levered themselves atop the Widowmaker, dusk had fallen on the canyon below. As promised, a state trooper in his cruiser was there to meet them. After loading the climbing gear into the trunk, MacGyver climbed into the passenger seat with Timmy crawling in behind him.

"Any word on the climber that was rescued?" Mac asked the trooper.

"Last report he was in surgery but is expected to be okay."

"Hear that Timmy?" MacGyver asked, turning around as far as his seatbelt would allow. "Sounds like your dad's gonna be okay."

Timmy smiled just before leaning his head against the window and dozing off.

The state trooper stopped to drop Mac off at Ellard's where Julie had left his SUV before heading to the hospital to reunite Timmy with his folks. Not feeling up to the long drive to LAX, MacGyver decided to spend the night at a roadside motel. After his adventure, he thought he'd be asleep before he hit the bed, but instead he found adrenaline coursing through his body giving him a feeling he hadn't experienced in years…not since leaving the Phoenix Foundation. Not bothering to remove the bedspread, Mac laid down on his back and stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts running wild. It had been an exhilarating day, and while he didn't relish meeting up with the Widowmaker again anytime soon, he had to admit he missed the excitement and uncertainty that came with such an experience.

Without his permission, thoughts of his final goodbye to Pete when he and Sam left L.A. six years ago came flooding back. He recalled telling Pete that his leaving had been inevitable given his wanderlust nature. Now, as he was preparing to fly back to Milwaukee, rebuild Challengers, and marry Joanna, he couldn't help but wonder if he was truly capable of denying his true nature which invariably led him from what most considered a stable life. If he had wanted stability, he could have returned to Los Angeles after his assignment in Milwaukee was done and been a desk jockey until he cleared concussion protocol. For that matter, he could have stayed in Los Angeles after first meeting Sam and gotten to know his son in a more conventional manner, remaining with Phoenix and being there to support Pete as he struggled with his vision loss. But a primal instinct had prompted Mac to take a risk, go somewhere else, do something new. Just twenty-four hours earlier he had been convinced he needed to go home and fight to clear his name and resume his position at Challengers with Jo by his side. But now he couldn't help but question that decision. Would fighting a class action suit, studying spreadsheets of various business data, and doing whatever else was required to keep Challengers running really what he wanted…needed…to do? Hadn't he already become the desk jockey he despised? Was Challengers the challenge he needed? Or was there something more somewhere else? The lure and appeal of the unknown began to bubble in his chest. But what about Joanna? He loved her with every part of his being. Of that he was sure. But was it enough? As much as she needed roots, he needed wings. Would it be cruel to both of them to go through with a marriage that may be doomed to fail because of his inability to stay in one place forever? He had come here for clarity only to have a freak incident further confuse him.

Knowing he wouldn't get any sleep, he got up from the bed, grabbed the keys to his rental and drove down the long, dark road that would lead to his future…whatever that may be.

A/N: I PROMISE there is more to come! I have written the first paragraph to the next chapter and hope to get it done in a more timely manner! I also have the chapter after that coming into focus so never fear, Mac and his adventures will continue!