(thank you to Anita for her suggestion for a title)

The sun shon brightly, reflecting off the water making the two men fishing on the bank of the small lake feeling lazy and sleepy. Happy in the companionable silence they relaxed on the grassy bank enjoying the sunshine and unseasonal weather.
Their lines tugged gently in the water, but in their lazy moods they watched the lines tug for a few moments before they moved at the same time, laughing they pulled their catches out and layed them in the sun, a small pile of fish already gathered at their sides.

Yawning the two men looked at each other then at their catch, "well I guess we should get going" they said in unison then they burst out laughing, friends since childhood, they knew each other so well.

"There they are!" a voice yelled out behind them, a band of ragged men rushed towards them, brandishing clubs and knives, the blades glinted in the sun light.
They looked at each other, and then turned to face their most recent attackers "Whoa, slow down, what do you want?"

"Where is he?" one of the pack yelled, "we know you two are friends of his so where is he?" another yelled
"slow down, who are you talking about?" the taller man asked, holding his hands in front of him, in a gesture of friendship.
"That thief, Autolycus he is your friend Hercules, now where is he?"

"Autolycus?" the two men spoke again at the same time, looking at each other, a shudder of worry hit the pair as they thought of what Autolycus had done this time.
One of the oncoming gang of men rushed at Hercules, swinging his club widly, he brushed him aside easily, glancing over to his partner he gave a ruefull grin "watch your back Iolaus!" he muttered realising that there was not much chance of avoiding the fight.
"Autolycus" Iolus muttered under his breath, "he's done it again!"
They stood back to back, watching the attackers come..."listen guys we don't have to do this!" Hercules said, trying to avoid another fruitless confrontation.
"Tell us where he is Hercules, that's all we want to know!" another yelled as he lunged with a knife, Hercules deflected the blade and shoved him away, suddenly four of them attacked him at once, piling on top of him trying to wear Hercules down, with a roar he stood up and shook them off, Iolaus winded from a blow to his stomach, got up slowly, and growled in anger, this was all that dumb thief's fault. He ducked an oncoming blow and landed one of his own on the man's shoulder making him stumble. Breathing hard Iolaus went in to help Hercules, knowing it was more for himself than to actually help his friend, when he felt a burning pain in his side, looking down he found his side covered in blood, his step faulted, the pain a burning sensation filled him, he could taste blood in his mouth, "Herc!" he whispered as he fell to his knees, struggling to stay concious. The bloody blade hung from the man who had attacked Iolaus, fretting he watched as the smaller man dropped to his knees, he didn't mean to try and kill him, just to cut him a little, now the man he stabbed lay at his feet his life slowly ebbing away. Terrified he dropped the knife, turned and ran away, the sight of the blood still in front of his eyes.

Distracted Hercules, fought the men off, trying to reach the fallen Iolaus one of the gang took advantage of Hercules' distraction and hit him hard from behind stunning him slightly, now his anger stirred, Hercules swung and quickly despatched them, finally as he sent the final one flying was he able to get to his friend's side.
Iolaus, pale and hardly breathing tried desperately to keep his friend's face in focus, hanging onto his dwindling life forces not willing to give in yet.
Ashen faced Hercules gathered his friend into his arms and effortlessly carried him to shelter in the trees, away from the sun and anymore threat from the men who attacked them. He needed to try and stop the bleeding before he could carry him much further.

A movement in the bushes caught his eye, as he pressed his shirt against the wound in Iolaus' side, trying to stop the blood flow. A dark head appeared in view, angerily he looked up and glared at the intruder, "This is your fault Autolycus!" he ground out, worry and anger echoed in his voice.
"Herc.....what can I say........I came too late to help...is the little guy....is he gonna be alright?" Autolycus paled visibly at the sight of the blood, seeping through the cloth. Iolaus' wheezed painfully, his breaths slowing, he mustered his strength and tried to glare at the King of Thieves, "I am going to come back and haunt you!" he ground out, as his eyes fluttered shut.
"Herc.....I.......!" he stuttered trying to find something to say to ease the big guy's grief, but he floundered and for once was lost for words.
Hercules stared at him, his eyes shadowed with grief and frustration, "what did you do Autolycus, what did you steal this time?"
"Nothing Herc, I swear...." he stumbled over the perfect excuse the look on Hercules' face stopped the words from coming, "it was beautiful I got in and..... I got some jewels and this.....!" Autolycus pulled a strangely shaped stone with a copper base from a pouch on his belt.
"The Cronus Stone??? Are you mad?" Hercules spat out his anger getting the better of him, when Iolaus stirred feverishly in his arms, "we have to get him to some shelter and then I am going to help you give it back!" "Can't we talk about this Hercules......I mean it was so sweet......." "Just help me Autolycus, don't say another word.......just help me now!" the anger was gone from his voice, replaced with a weary resignation.

Hercules watched as Iolaus tossed with fever in the bed, frustrated with being unable to help him, he knew his friend was in good hands with the healer, mumbling to himself he grabbed Autolycus by the arm and dragged him outside, determined to set Autolycus right. "Herc I was thinking......this stone it can help, if the legends are right then maybe we can help the runt......I mean Iolaus!" he spoke quickly his eyes glinting with the making of a plan.
As he started to activate the stone, Hercules lunged at him grabbing the gem away from Autolycus. "what do you think....?" he started to say as he was engulfed with a swirling light........blurring out everything, dizzy he sank to his knees fighting to stay aware of what was around him.
What seemed like an eternity the swirling light stopped, but his head thumped with a blinding headache, slowly he opened his eyes, letting his eyes focus, and take in his surroundings.

END PART ONE

PART TWO......

The music played softly on the tape deck, and the wind blew through the open windows of the black jeep, making him feel even better. The weather was crisp and slightly colder, the first snows of winter lay across the mountains and tree tops, it felt so good, finally he was able to relax and enjoy some time for himself. The first time in a long time he had a chance to get away and do some hiking.
A flash of bright light in front of his jeep, made him swerve and curse as he fought to regain control. Finally he slid to a stop just short of hitting a tree, the tyres of the vehicle spun in the mud, muttering under his breath he got out and inspected the tyre, it was stuck tight in the sticky mud.
A groan from the road made him spin around with a fright, he had no idea that there was anyone on the road. This little expedition was going from bad to worse. Grabbing the first aide kit from behind the seats and ran back to the road. He found a man, lying face down, he was tall and well built, wearing nothing but a strange pair of what looked like leather pants. His fair hair hung down covering the side of his face, he was covered in dirt and grass, as if he had rolled down the slope. In his large hand he clutched a strange looking stone.
Gently he rolled the unconcious man over, checking for any major injuries, another moan came as the stranger started to stir. Hercules tried to open his eyes and focus on his surroundings....a blinding headache made him wince, a stranger bent over him, confused he brushed a hand aside and tried to sit up, dizziness took over and he held his throbbing head in his hands. He could remember getting the cronus stone from Autolycus and the light surrounding him, and then tumbling down a mountain, a strange thing coming towards him and now he was face to face with a stranger dressed in funny clothes and speaking in a foreign language to him, but as he listened he slowly started to understand what was being said which confused him even more.
Hercules tried once again to stand, his surroundings were so strange, the trees and the mountains did not belong to where he came from, the strange substance he stood on was hard and ungiving under his soft soled boots.
"Where am I?" he ground out hoarsly, settling his gaze on the stranger in front of him.
"You seemed to fall from......somewhere...I nearly ran you over..!" the stranger offered his hand "the name is MacGyver......you're....?"
"Uh...Hercules.....what did you say your name was.....Mac..?" Hercules asked his confusion mounting, strange place, strange people, this was not Greece he was sure of that.
"MacGyver......look...uh Hercules is it?...you're hurt.....let me get the jeep outa the mud and I will get you to the hospital, there's a town not far away from here!"
"What is a jeep? what is a hospital?.......you are talking strange things to me...where in Tartarus am I?" Hercules could feel anger taking over from his confusion, he grabbed MacGyver's shirt front pulled him closer "where am I?" he ground out again.
"You're safe, these are a part of the Rockies, listen to me you are hurt you need to see a Doctor!" MacGyver spoke quietly and patiently, trying to ease the other man's panic.
He untangled himself from Hercules' grip and went back to the jeep, frowning, he went to find something in the back of the jeep to try and winch it free.
Hercules followed, holding his head he stared at the strange machine trapped in the mud and snow. "What is that?" he asked not to sure if he should go near it.
"This is a jeep....which is currently stuck!" MacGyver replied a little distracted. Hercules stepped closer to inspect the contraption. Slowly he reached out and touched it, it was cool and hard to the touch and very smooth in parts, then he touched another part that seemed to be made of some strange cloth.
"What do you do with it?" his curiosity peaked now, he stepped up and peered inside of it.
"You drive it...it's transport.....which will get us no where if we don't get it out of the mud!" MacGyver snapped back as he pulled the rope from the back of the vehicle.
Hercules stood next to him and stared at the strange wheel, then he put his hand under the body of the jeep and heaved, easily he pulled it loose and dragged it up to harder ground. MacGyver stood dumbfounded, the man was injured, vague and very confused, yet he easily lifted the jeep out as if it was made of air. He certainly lived up to his namesake's reputation. "Thanks I think...you sure are strong!" he added under his breath,"hop in!"
Hercules looked at him dubiously then at the thing he called a jeep. "I......this is very strange to me!" he muttered as he sat down in the car, his long legs cramped in front of him. MacGyver stared in amazement for a moment then bent to readjust the seat.
"You are tall aren't you!" he muttered as he pulled the door flap down and went around to the drivers side.
"Where are the horses to pull this?" Hercules looked very uncomfortable and nervous.
"This is driven by an engine, no horses needed..live ones anyway!" MacGyver started the motor with the keys and looked at his strange companion,"you're gonna need something warmer to wear than what you have on!" he observed as he pulled away, down the mountain rode towards the nearest town. Hercules gripped the seat and lost all colour in his face. This was too much for him to understand, they were travelling in a horseless wagon with strange seats and coverings. The man MacGyver beside him was dressed and spoke in a strange way that disturbed him, if he ever got hold of Autolycus again... He sucked in his breath as they entered the town, the people were in all sorts of different clothes and transport machines like this one, but they looked so different to the one he was in. They pulled up in front of a building of some sort. MacGyver turned at looked at Hercules, he took in the frightened look in his eyes and the way he clutched the seat, ripping holes with his fingers, he also took in the fact he was completely shirtless which would be hard to explain at the best of times, let alone in the chill of winter.
"Listen you had better wait here, in the jeep, I'll go get some clothes and stuff for you....you wouldn't have some money on you I suppose?"
"What is money?" Hercules asked swallowing the rising taste of bile in his throat.
"what is.....money..you know coins, notes.....what you use to pay for things!" MacGyver was stunned, he seemed so intelligent but there was something about this man who called himself after a Greek legend.

Hercules stared at him for a moment, then he rubbed his hands down his legs nervously,"you mean dinars?.....no I don't have any...money....I would like to stay here though..thank you!" he hated feeling so out of control and unsure of anything but until he could work out what had happened he had to resign himself to relying on the man called MacGyver.
MacGyver took another quick look at him and sighed, "I will be right back!" he was stuck with the big stranger for now.
Hercules stared around him in amazement, then down at the stone resting on his knee. Thoughts of Iolaus ran through his mind, worry creeped in taking over from the uncharacteristic feeling of panic. How could he help Iolaus when he didn't even know or understand what had happened to him.

MacGyver came back with some packages and bags of food. He threw them in the back and climbed in behind the wheel and grinned at Hercules. "well it looks like we are stuck with each other for a little while till we work out what is going on with you, I got enough food and some warm clothes for you....hope they fit!"
Hercules shot a sideways glance at MacGyver but didn't say anything, he swallowed again and sat back bracing himself for another ride in the horseless wagon.
They finally reached the cabin, MacGyver had rented for his vacation tired and relieved he could finally get out of the cramped seat, Hercules could hardly for them to stop moving before he was out. He stretched and clutched the stone tight, it was a link home, the only link.
MacGyver grabbed the bags and tossed a couple at Hercules then he led the way inside the cabin. It was light and airy, complete with modern conveniences but with a rustic look, nothing looked out of place. Hercules dropped the bundles he was carrying, and stared around in amazement. The cabin looked similar to those he knew at home, but inside was, he could hardly believe what he saw. He nearly dropped the stone when MacGyver flicked something on the wall and caused light like the sun to shine inside. MacGyver put the groceries away and turned to face Hercules, "the bathroom is through that door over there!" he pointed to a door to the left, as he put things away. "Ah....what's a bathroom?" Hercules asked backing away, "and how did you make the light come inside like that?"
MacGyver stared in disbelief, this day was certainly not working out the way he had planned and hoped. "Electricity......I flick the switch on and the electric power makes the light to come on!"
"What is....elec......electricity?" Hercules asked his eyes fixed firmly on the sunlight that was inside.
"electricity is a power source that we use to light lights, use machinery everything really..now the bathroom is where we wash, shower...go to the toilet.....!" MacGyver tried to keep his patience in check until he could work out what was going on.
"what is a toilet?" Hercules asked his curiosity getting the better of him MacGyver stared in total disbelief this was starting to get ridiculous, but the look on Hercules' face stopped him from retorting and with a shrug he led the way to the bathroom. "This is where we wash.." MacGyver pointed to the basin and shower, pausing for a moment he turned a tap on to show how they worked. Hercules held his hand under the warm water in shock, warm water coming from a pipe inside, this was pretty good.
"This is the toilet........it is where......you...ah....relieve yourself" he finally finished up "when you are finished you flush it with this!" he pressed the button flushing the toilet, Hercules stepped forward and looked thoughtfully at it for a moment then he reached forward and pressed the button, fascinated he watched it working, a child like smile spread across his face.
"listen do you want to freshen up in here, I'll get some food and then we will talk!" MacGvyer spoke as he put some fresh clothes on the stool and left closing the door behind him.
Hercules looked around the bathroom, a little unsure of what to do, slowly he went over to the shower and turned the taps, laughing in surprise as the water gushed out, spraying him with warm water, quickly he slipped out of his pants and stepped into the stream of warm water. It felt so good to be rid of the dirt and grime, the water feeling so good warming his aching back and neck, he wondered how he could bring this home with him.
MacGyver busied himself in the kitchen, he could hear the water running still in the bathroom, and then the toilet flushing a couple of times, he grinned and put some sandwiches together, the big guy was like an overgrown kid, wonder where he escaped from, the thought kept creeping through his mind.
Hercules, still a little damp but dressed warmly in a thick sweater and flannel shirt, but with his own leather pants back on, the clothes felt good to wear, blocking out the chills. He had pulled his soft boots back on and smiled at MacGyver, now he was feeling more like himself.
He sat down at the table opposite MacGyver and stared a little worried at the food on the plate before him.
"These feel good to wear...what is that?" he poked at the sandwich and sniffed at the steamy mug of thick soup in front of him.
"we call it a sandwich, full of salad and that is vegetable soup, it is good if I may say so myself......now wanna tell me where you come from?"

END OF PART TWO
PART THREE......

Hercules sat and stared at the fire for a moment not too sure of where to start or how much to tell MacGyver. His eyes misted over at the thought of Iolaus, lying helpless, he didn't even know if he was still alive or not. Clearing his throat he glanced at MacGyver and fidgeted with his gauntlets. "I am not sure how it works or what happened, one minute I am fighting with my best friend at my side, then he was hurt badly, I tried to help him but Autolycus arrived, he was the cause of the fight we found ourselves in.....he had the cronus stone...he had just stolen it along with some other jewels.....anyway I grabbed it off him and somehow it was started and then I felt myself falling down a slope and landing in front of you........" Hercules took a breath and chanced a sideways glance at MacGyver,"I come from another place, so different from here so....I have never seen anything like electricity or a jeep is it? .... I travel alot, sometimes with Iolaus the friend that got hurt or on my own.......I try and help people when I can.....save them from the Gods when I can....why are you looking at me like that?" Hercules felt self conscious under the other man's gaze.
"What you are talking about....Hercules lived thousands of years ago, if he existed....he was a Greek myth.......you can't be....!" MacGyver shook his head in disbelief.
"I am no myth.....MacGyver where am I? How can I be here and not where.. I know the stone is supposed to bend time a little, but this is too...." Hercules rubbed his hands together....he was the strongest man alive but he felt so hopeless.
MacGyver looked at Hercules, for once at a loss for words.....what he was saying was too fantastic to believe, he was a scientist and he was sure there would be a very logical and scientific explanation to all of this.

"Can I see this stone of yours?" he asked taking hold of it he looked at it closely, there didn't seem to be anything really strange about it except for the base, it was made of some substance that he had never seen before.
Hercules watched in fascination as MacGyver inspected the cronus stone. He used a funny looking object that had what looked like a knife blade attached to it, scraping the edge around the spot where it had been broken.
A sudden roar of engines made both men jump. Going to the window MacGyver could make out some headlights of motor bikes in the distance coming towards the cabin.
"Strange, there shouldn't be anyone else around here, that's why I picked this place..." he mused outloud.
Hercules watched him intently, a feeling of dread came upon him, even in this strange land, trouble seemed to find him. MacGyver shook his head and went outside, in the approaching night light he could make out the shapes of trail bikes and their riders. He could make out at least four maybe five of them, hopefully they were only travelling past here and did not stop, he really did not feel like explaining what trail bikes were to Hercules. He still had trouble believing what Hercules had told him. It sounded too fantastic to be true, and that is what puzzled him, who would make up such a story.
Hercules stood and stared at MacGyver and the things that shon light and made all of that noise, he hated feeling so out of it and helpless, but this place, this time was so unusual and different he yearned to go back to where he knew and understood.
"They should be moving on past us...uh......Hercules......so let's settle in for the night..we should be able to work something out in the morning!" MacGyver brushed past Hercules and went to stand by the fire, staring into the flames for a moment, "we have to work out something to get you back to wherever you come from......this is so weird, sorry but I have never really met a Greek legend before!" MacGyver smiled ruefully and scratched his head. "Your bed is up the stairs there on the right.....got everything you need?"
"yes thank you....MacGyver I am.......thank you for all of your help!" he said as he slowly made his way up the stairs, he turned and looked as if he was going to say something but then he turned away and kept walking up to the bedroom.
He sat down on the bed, and glanced around the room, this was getting to much for him, worry over Iolaus' wound and what was going to happen to him. Hercules touched the lamp next to the bed tentatively, unsure of touching it would be good for him, he lay back onto the bed and settled down onto the soft pillows.. at least the beds were comfortable in this time. He lay there listening for any familiar sounds and wanting to fall asleep and to wake up from this dream. It had to be a dream, this was to much to be really happening.
The roar of the machines came closer, he went over to the window and stared out, trying to see exactly what was making the noise. He could make out the shapes of men and their strange contraptions, no one seemed to walk in this time.
A loud crash made him jump, running down the stairs Hercules ran straight into MacGyver as he also rushed out to see what had caused the crash. The roar of the motor bikes became louder as the cabin was circled, a rock came hurtling through a window, shattered glass sprayed everywhere MacGyver grabbed Hercules and ducked behind the couch, as another window was smashed.
The sound of splintering wood made them spin around as a rider and motor bike came crashing through the front door. At the same time others came bursting through the rear door and windows. MacGyver and Hercules looked at each other, then Hercules jumped up, fighting seemed to follow him no matter where he was. Bracing himself he swung a fist and caught the rider across the chest, making him fly backwards off the bike, then he reached behind and grabbed the two that were starting to attack him from behind, he flung them out of the broken door then he rounded on another and picked him up by the shirt front effortlessly he tossed him after the others, hardly panting he looked around then offered a hand up to MacGyver who stared at him stunned.
A movement behind them made MacGyver stop and stare, turning around Hercules faced a long haired man, dressed in dirty black leather, and a ring through his nose, he held what looked like a weapon in his fist, MacGyver grabbed Hercules' arm and pulled him back "ah Herc......don't that is a gun...even with your..ah..obvious strength.....you won't win" he raised his hands and stared at the gun weilding intruder. "Look we don't need any trouble here..just tell us what you want!"
"What I want is for you to call off the Incredible Hulk here and settle down......we just need somewhere to lay low for a few days.......and guess what guys this is looking pretty good from here!"
MacGyver kept his grip on Hercules' arm a moment longer until he was sure that the big guy was not going to try anything.
Suddenly a pair of rough hands grabbed him from behind and pulled his arms behind him, he could feel the toughness of the fibres of a thick rope being tied around his wrists, cutting into his flesh as it tightened. Then he was pushed down onto the sofa, Hercules was being tied in a similar fashion. They were placed side by side, as their ankles were also bound.
MacGyver stole a sideways glance at his big new friend, he was so quiet and subdued, he wondered if Hercules was really aware of what was happening to them. Hercules watched their attackers with a controlled stare, he knew the ropes would not hold him for long but what MacGyver had said about the weapon called a gun worried him. It was unlike anything he had come across in his own time, and that worried him........it was small and menacing and he felt very dangerous, so he sat there and studied them, looking for a weakness he could use without having to fight and risk them using the gun.

end part 3.......

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