by Cindy Combs
"Then why don't you go back to sleep," Jim lightly ordered. "I'll put the jeep between that spruce and rock, so we'll have some cover."
"Then you can get some sleep," Blair told him. He turned on the night light to his watch. "It's almost midnight now. Sunrise should be around 5:30 or so. I'll keep watch and wake you up then."
"You need sleep, too, Sandburg."
"Why don't you wake me up around 2:30?" Sam suggested. "Then you can get in a couple hours before we take off again." Sam had observed how Blair had kept an eye on Jim. He knew it would be easier for both sentinel and guide if each had some sleep.
"Deal," Blair replied.
Jim put the jeep into gear, then carefully backed into the hiding hole. As he shifted into park and turned off the engine, Blair spared another glance at his brother and father. Sam had fallen asleep again, while Mac had slept through the entire exchange. Blair frowned. It was totally unlike Mac not to have at least been disturbed by the rough travel. His concern for his father was rising again.
"He'll be okay," Jim whispered, reading the expression on his friend's face.
"He just really scared me," Blair mumbled, still studying his father. "In his own quiet way, he's always been kind of larger than life, you know? He's seen and done so much, gotten out of trouble so often. But just a few hours ago he was so sick and incoherent ... so vulnerable... I was scared of losing him."
Jim laid a hand on his shoulder. "Mac's a survivor, Blair. He will hold on for as long as it takes."
"I know. I guess I just don't want to lose him yet." Blair then smiled. "Especially not until I find out who Maria is."
"Maria?"
Blair's smile turned mischievous. "One of the names he kept mumbling. Called out for Lisa, too, though I'm not sure if it was the Lisa we've met or someone else." Blair chuckled. "At one point, it sounded like he was arguing with someone named Nikki, so I'm looking forward to meeting her. I don't think I'll ask who Deborah is, though."
"Deborah?"
"Let's just say that one didn't sound like a good memory."
Jim lightly squeezed Blair's shoulder as he unfolded the map. After another glance back at his family, Blair turned his attention to the map he couldn't see in the dark. "Are we heading for Fortuity?"
"No, the sheriff is Madison's cousin, so even if he doesn't have us blocked off, it wouldn't help us much to stay in his district." Jim strained his aching eyes to see the faint dotted line representing the road they were on.
Blair pulled his key chain from his pack then softly warned, "Shield your eyes." He turned on the small penlight Jim had given him to replace his broken lantern.
Jim turned back to the map after a moment. "Thanks." He studied the map some more. "If our gas holds out, we could try for this town called Elk's Head."
"Do you think Madison would have anyone there?"
"Hard to tell. But at this point, it is the best shot we've got."
"I take it the cell phones are out of range?"
Jim frowned as he folded the map up again. "Well out of range."
"Bet Simon is going crazy about now."
Early Wednesday morning, Hotel room, Cheyenne, WY
Simon stared hard up at the ceiling, listening to the raucous snoring rising from Dalton's bed. How Jack himself could sleep through that noise was beyond him. He glanced across the room to Ms. Carpenter's bed. She was on her stomach, pillow over her head. Simon wondered if it was helping.
But Dalton's snoring wasn't the only problem. The ceiling fan had a scary rattle, the bed was harder than rocks and there was a neon sign flashing just outside the window. However, the biggest problem was that Simon was still worried about his friends. Surely Ellison and Sandburg were going to give him more gray hairs than even Daryl.
Rolling over again, Simon took a deep breath. He just prayed everyone was all right, that they would find them in the morning, and that he wouldn't kill the pilot before dawn by shoving a pillow down his throat.
Dawn Wednesday morning, Four wheel drive trail
Freedom is something we take for granted until it's taken away. After eight days of trying to break free of Madison and his men, I am still a little jumpy. It seems like there had been just one mishap after another as I become sicker and more fatigued. I keep waiting for the next piece of bad luck to drop on me. Yet I have to ditch that attitude and quick. More is at stake at this point with my sons along for the ride. I can't let my depression blind me to the options, nor let my fatigue and lethargy slow us down.
Usually, it's me taking care of others in dangerous situations. It feels weird having someone else taking care of me for a change. Yet my sons and Ellison are doing just that. Guess I need to get use to having family to depend on.
MacGyver wandered back from the bushes. He shoved his hands into the pockets of the jacket Ellison had lent him. While the temperature was probably around 55F, he still felt chilled. Glancing at the pinking horizon, he realized the sun would soon turn the area back into an oven. The question was how far they and the jeep would have to go in the heat.
Jim silently handed Mac a canteen as he joined the sentinel by the jeep. Mac took a deep drink, then handed it back. The sentinel was gazing past the dirt track, eyes distant and head slightly tilted. "What do you hear?" Mac asked softly, trying not to startle him.
"They've discovered the bike and where we hid the jeep. Now they're checking around the jeep trail. Shouldn't be too long before they figure out where we went."
"How's the gas holding up?"
"It'll be tight," Jim admitted. "How are you holding up?"
"I'll live."
Sam walked up to them, dusting off his jeans. "Is the plan still to reach Elk's Head?"
"Yep," Jim replied. "How's the surprise coming?"
"All set," Blair grinned as he walked up. "Ready to roll?"
"Let's go."
Two hours later, same location
Three of Madison's trucks and two of the sheriff's broncos were storming down the trail as fast as they dared. None could believe that they hadn't found the city slickers over the side or wrapped around a rock by now. The back country roads weren't meant to be driven at night by people not familiar with them.
The first bronco was zipping around a curve only to find themselves face to face with a huge log rammed between rocks on either side of the trail. Slamming on the brakes, there still wasn't enough traction on the loose rock to allow them to stop. The bronco plowed into the log. The truck behind them didn't have any better traction and no where to turn to avoid a collision. They hit the bronco.
The sheriff stepped out of his bronco, and slammed his hat into the road with disgust. It was going to take them all day to clear out that jam, and there was no quick way around. They were stuck. Now he was going to have to depend on Duffy.
Further down in the foothills
~chunga~ ~chunga~ ~gasp~
All four men stared out the windshield as the Cherokee coasted to a halt. Blair took a deep breath and stated, "Guess that's that."
Beside him in the passenger's side, Jim hit the dashboard with his fist before leaning back in the seat and taking a deep breath. Eyes closed, he softly asked, "How much further do we have to go?"
Sam, pouring over the map behind him, replied, "I'm guessing about four miles."
Blair leaned forward, checking out the clear blue sky above. While still early morning, the fierce sun was swiftly heating up the dry land. It was going to be quite a hike for everyone, especially Mac. "I hope you guys brought extra hats."
"And water," Mac added, doing his own calculations. "If we get started now, we can still make Elk's Head well before noon."
If Mac's strength holds out. He still looked too pale and fatigued for Jim's liking. Then Jim glanced around at the rocks and boulders. MacGyver would only bake if they left him with the jeep and perhaps get picked up by the sheriff and Madison again. That was the last thing Jim wanted to happen. "Okay, let's push the jeep behind those boulders and get moving."
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Half an hour later, Jim raised his hand, halting his friends behind him. "I hear some vehicles approaching."
"Friendly?" Sam asked hopefully.
"Can't tell."
Blair glanced around the ravine around them. "Not a whole lot of places to hide, so I hope they're friendly."
Not with the way my luck's been running. MacGyver glanced around, swiftly thinking through a few different scenarios in his head. Then he saw Jim turning to their right, puzzled. Before he could ask the sentinel what was wrong, two Chandler county sheriff vehicles appeared over the hill.
"At least they're not Fortuity county," Sam commented.
The vehicles pulled up in front of them. A round deputy stepped out of the first bronco. As Jim walked up to meet him, four other men got out.
This doesn't look good. "Hello," Jim greeted him. "Our jeep ran out of gas up the trail. Would you be able to give us a lift to the nearest phone?"
The deputy stopped to study him. "Run out of gas? Sounds like something a city slicker would do." Jim bit back on his temper, not wanting to offend a possible way out of their current predicament. "Or some criminals running from arson charges." The other deputies behind him pulled out their weapons.
"Arson?!?!" Blair blurted out, eyes wide. He waved his arms around them. "What's there to burn up?" Mac and Sam put on their most innocent faces, trying not to think of the fireworks from the previous night.
"That's for the sheriff of Fortuity to prove. Right now it's my duty to turn you over to his authority."
Damn. Mac swiftly made and discarded ideas as he judged the men, the guns and what precious little they had to work with.
"You're not taking them anywhere, Duffy. You're on Indian land and MY jurisdiction." Everyone but Jim turned in surprise to the right to see ten Native American men in Reservation police uniforms covering the Chandler sheriff's men.
"Nighthawk, these are dangerous criminals."
"Not according to my information," the leader with a lieutenant's insignia explained. He studied the four hikers, then turned to Jim. "Detective Ellison, I presume?"
Jim smiled, picking up on the slight resemblance between the lieutenant and the young deputy that had helped them yesterday. Apparently, Fortuity had at least one honest cop with a few connections of his own. "That's right."
Duffy threw his arms up in frustration. "Nighthawk, you don't know what you're dealing with here!"
The Lieutenant turned to the deputy in disgust. "Duffy, does Sheriff Mike know you're working for Winston Madison? I know he likes that man about as much as I do, and that's not saying a whole lot."
Duffy turned pale, realizing just how good Nighthawk's information was.
Nighthawk turned back to Jim. "I take it you found what you were looking for?"
"Yes, but one of our people will need medical attention soon."
"You have help on the way."
Jim smiled in relief. He had been hoping the in-coming helicopter he could hear was friendly. He quickly turned down his hearing.
They met the chopper as it landed a quarter mile down the trail where the land leveled out. First Simon Banks stepped out of the back section, quickly followed by Toby Nighthawk and an attractive brunette Jim hadn't seen before.
However, MacGyver obviously had. "Nikki?" he gasped in astonishment, eyes wide. He greeted her with a hug. "What on earth are you doing here?"
"Pulling you out of trouble again, MacGyver," she replied with a wide grin as she gently slapped his shoulder with affection.
"Again? Seems to me like I was always pulling you out of trouble…"
A couple of feet away, Blair and Sam studied the Nikki they had heard about. "Man, how does Mac FIND all these gorgeous women?" Blair asked, thinking of Penny Parker and young Lisa.
Sam paused a moment in thought. "Actually, I think they find him."
Blair shook his head in admiration. "Man, why couldn't I have inherited THAT gene?"
Behind him, Jim chuckled. "How would you know if you did or not, Sandburg? You're too busy chasing THEM to give them time to chase YOU." He affectionately cuffed his friend on the head.
"Amen to THAT," Simon agreed as he walked over. "Between women trouble and just plain trouble, I don't know why we put up with you, Sandburg."
"Because I'm cute?" Blair suggested with a grin.
Simon and Jim looked at each other. "Did he say, cute?" Simon asked.
"Nah, he must have said something else, sir. That one certainly doesn't apply," Jim returned deadpan.
"Hey!" Blair protested as Sam smirked.
"Hello!" Dalton shouted over to them from the chopper. "Do you guys want a ride back to cooler parts or not?"
"Did you check the oil this time?" Sam asked as they approached the helicopter, eyeing the machine doubtfully.
"This isn't El Salvador, kid," Jack replied with a reminiscent smile.
"El Salvador?" Mac turned away from his conversation with Nikki to stare at his friend and son.
Both Jack and Sam hid behind blank expressions. "Did you say El Salvador, kid?"
"I didn't say anything about El Salvador."
"What happened in El Salvador?" Mac sternly questioned.
"Oh man, will you look at the time." Jack immediately tapped his watch. "We need to get cracking!" Jack quickly jumped into the pilot's seat and shoved his headset on.
"What happened, Sam?" Mac continued as Sam nonchalantly climbed into the passenger section. He knew all too well what could happen with Jack Dalton in Central American countries.
"Hey, I didn't say anything about El Salvador."
Jim, Blair and Simon smirked as they climbed in behind Sam. This was going to be an interesting flight.
Saturday morning, Sam's cabin near Cascade, WA
Nikki stepped out of Ellison's old Ford truck and gazed about the wooded area. "This is nice," she told Jim as he pulled down the tailgate. "Much cooler than the city."
"Yeah, it is nice. Sam gave Blair a set of keys, so occasionally I've come up with him to keep an eye on the place and to see if I can take a few fish home."
As they approached the cabin, Jim spied Mac asleep on the deck. Figuring Mac still needed the rest, Jim guided Nikki to the side door.
"Hey Jim, Nikki! How was the drive up?" Blair greeted them as he closed his laptop sitting on the coffee table.
"Wonderful," Nikki replied. She looked around the interior. "This is really cozy, Sam," she told the owner as Sam walked in from the kitchen.
"Thanks."
Nikki's face turned serious. "How's Mac doing?"
"Well," Sam began thoughtfully, "Lisa visited yesterday before she flew back to L.A. and that perked him up some."
"But?" Nikki prodded as Sam paused.
"But he's still pretty worn out and the medicine is making him nauseous," Blair reported, glancing out the doors leading to the deck. "He's been sleeping out there since he poked at breakfast this morning."
"We've been trying to get him to eat, but it hasn't been easy," Sam added.
Nikki's brown eyes took on a challenged gleam as she listened to their reports. "Guess it's a good thing I'm here to whip him back into shape." She walked over to the doors.
Jim relaxed slightly when he realized she was opening them as quietly as she could so not to disturb Mac. Perhaps Nikki was the right person. He turned his attention to Sam and Blair. "Let's go get the supplies."
Mac heard the steps tiptoe across the deck. Eyes still closed, Mac groggily announced, "I'm awake, Blair."
"You sure don't sound like it, MacGyver."
Mac's eyes blinked open at the unexpected feminine voice. He sat up to smirk sleepily at his friend. "You sure don't sound like Blair, either."
Nikki chuckled as she sat in the deck chair next to his lounge. "You realize you still have those two worried, don't you?"
Mac ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I know. I keep telling them I'll be fine, but they won't listen."
"Maybe if you'd actually eat, they
'd believe you," Nikki pointed out.
"Maybe," Mac shrugged. He shot Nikki a smile. "Besides, I figure this is payback for all the times those two have had ME worried out of my mind."
"Oh, come on MacGyver. They both strike me as pretty decent, level-headed young men. Surely you haven't known them long enough to have worried THAT much."
"You'd be surprised." Mac rubbed his face, trying to fully wake up. "Did you bring me some work?"
Nikki rolled her eyes. "I don't think you could stay awake long enough yet." Her face turned serious. "I guess you've heard?"
"That you're my new boss? Yep, Blair mentioned it."
"Is that going to be a problem?"
"No." Mac paused as a teasing gleam entered his sleepy eyes. "As long as you don't expect me to go along with ALL your well-ordered plans."
Nikki chuckled. "You've never listened to me anyway, so why would I expect it now? Though if you could shoot for 90% of them, I'd appreciate it."
"How about sixty?"
Nikki's voice got sterner. "You can do better than that."
"Seventy-five?" Nikki rolled her eyes again, smiling. Then Mac turned serious. "I always did listen to you, you know. I just didn't often agree."
"I know." They shared a smile full of memories and future promise. Then Nikki stood up. "Can I get you something?"
"No, I'd better wander back inside myself." Mac stood up and stretched.
Nikki couldn't help but noticed that even for a man of his age who had been so sick, he still looked pretty darn good. This work relationship was going to be a challenge.
"Hi Mac," Jim greeted as he sat a box down on the kitchen table. Mac gave him a wave as he wandered to the fridge.
"Where'd Nikki go?" Blair asked as he and Sam walked through the door carrying sacks.
"She needed to find the bathroom." Mac smiled as he poured juice into a glass. "I think she was very glad she didn't have to go outside." Everyone chuckled.
Reaching into the box he'd carried, Jim pulled out a stack of mail held together in a rubber band. "I have some stuff for you guys." He laid a couple of postcards and a large, bulging Fed Ex in Sam's hands before pulling out Blair's small pile of envelopes.
