Echoes of the Past

At the sound of the soft tapping on her door, Nikki Carpenter wiped the tears from her eyes. The case file she had been reading slid unnoticed to the floor as she stood up. "Just a minute," she called out checking her reflection in the hall mirror as she reached up, unlocked the dead bolt and opened the door.

"You okay Nikki?" MacGyver asked placing a light kiss on her cheek as he walked past her into the living room.

"I thought you were in Idaho."

"Jeez and here I thought you’d be glad to see me."

Nikki smiled at his playful pout, "I am," she said as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I’m just surprised that’s all. Was Idaho a wash out?"

"More or less. It wasn’t in my area of expertise."

Nikki laughed, "I thought everything was your area of expertise Mac."

"I’m better at some things than others," he answered as he captured her lips with his own.

Nikki broke the kiss after a long moment. "I see," she said a bit breathless. "Would you care to elaborate on that MacGyver?"

"Only of you feed me first, I’m famished."

"Well I wouldn’t want you to wear out too soon, come on." She took his hand and led him to the kitchen. "I think I can scare something up."

"Do you think this is a good idea Pete?"

Pete Thornton looked over at James Douglas, Chairman of the Board at the Phoenix Foundation. "Do I think what is a good idea?"

"Ms. Carpenter handling the security on this case," he thrust the case file at Pete. "After all Bastello was the chief suspect in the car bombing that killed her husband."

"Nikki is a professional, James. I gave her the chance to turn the assignment down, she refused."

"And you don’t find that disturbing?"

Pete flipped open the file and looked at the dark face of Enrique Bastello. "No I don’t. Nikki assured me that the incident involving her husband would not effect her handling of this."

Douglas watched his old friends face carefully, "I’m sure your Ms. Carpenter is excellent at her job, her record is spotless, her training impeccable. My concern here is her mental and emotional state."

"James, you have nothing to worry about. Nikki has long since dealt with the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death and moved on."

MacGyver rolled over and as his arm landed on the cool mattress, opened his eyes. He could see the glow of a light in the living room through the open bedroom door. Reaching for his jeans, he pulled them on and padded toward the door. "Nikki?"

She sat on the couch, wrapped in a satin robe with her dark head bent over an open case file on her lap. She looks beautiful, he thought, and I really missed her. "Nikki?"

She glanced up at him as he stood across the room. Clad in jeans even with his hair standing up in all directions he still looked gorgeous, she thought. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Only the fact you weren’t there woke me. Burning the midnight oil?"

"Yes, I guess so." She closed the file and put in on the coffee table, "Actually I couldn’t sleep."

Mac joined her on the couch and pulled her into his embrace, "Anything I can help you with?"

Nikki lay her head on his shoulder, "The case or the sleeplessness?"

"Both or either."

"Not really, the case is a routine security job, moving a witness. The sleeplessness is a chronic condition."

"Since when?"

"Since forever."

Mac wanted to ask her the reason for the sleeplessness, but he knew better than to cross that line. There were parts of her life that Nikki kept strictly off limits. He knew that most of them pertained to Joshua, to her family, but he never pushed her about either.

"Mac?"

"Hmm?"

"I’m glad you’re home."

Friday March 24th

Nikki rolled over and buried her head in the pillow. "Go way," she mumbled. The smell of fresh brewed coffee tickled her nostrils, along with Mac’s hair as he kissed his way across her shoulders.

"Rise and shine, sleeping beauty; I’ve got caffeine and sustenance for you, " he teased.

"God, what time is it?" she asked reluctantly pushing her hair out her eyes and reaching for the mug of coffee Mac held out to her.

"Seven fifteen. You said you had a nine o clock with Cavanaugh."

"When did I say that?"

"Last night," he grinned, "or maybe it was early this morning."

"I did?" She took a sip of the coffee, "This had better not be decaf."

"It’s not, I figured you’d need all the caffeine you could get this morning."

Nikki set the mug on the bedside table and reached for her robe. "I knew I kept you around for something," she teased as she walked to the bathroom.

"Want me to scrub your back?" Mac yelled as she turned on the shower.

"Not this morning big guy, I don’t want to be late for my meeting."

Mac poked his head in door, "You sure? I’ll even wash your hair."

Nikki popped her head out of the shower curtain, "Nice try, but no deal."

Mac leaned against the sink, "So why Cavanaugh?"

"What?"

"So why are you meeting with Casanova, I mean Cavanaugh?"

"Jealous Mac?" Nikki’s reached out of the shower for her towel.

Mac grinned and snatched the towel, "Come and get it."

"Give me the towel Mac!"

Reluctantly he dropped the towel in her hand, "And for the record I’m not jealous, just curious."

Wrapped in her towel Nikki, stepped out of the shower. "Charles Cavanaugh is the man to see when one needs to make travel arrangements." She ran a comb through her damp hair. "I have to go to DC."

Mac made a face, "When?"

Nikki smiled at him, "In a couple of days, want to join me?"

"Aww Nikki-"

"Really Mac, just what do you have against the capitol?"

"Nothing good ever came out of Washington DC."

"Gee thanks a lot," Nikki headed toward the bedroom, "you sure know how to make a girl feel special!" She threw her wet towel at him.

"Gosh darn it Nikki," Mac ducked as the towel just missed him, "I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking."

Nikki laughed, "God, you are so easy MacGyver! I know you didn’t mean it."

"I’ll amend my statement, you are the only good thing, make that great thing, beautiful thing, ever to come from DC," he said sliding his arms around her waist. "And may I add incredibly sexy."

"Mmm." Nikki leaned back into his embrace, "It’s a start MacGyver-"

"Helen!"

Pete Thornton’s secretary looked up at her boss, "Yes Peter?"

"Don’t call me Peter, Helen. Has MacGyver shown up yet?"

Glancing at her watch, she answered him, "It’s only eight Pete, MacGyver will be here at nine."

"How do you know? Did he call?"

"No, but Nikki has an nine o clock with Cavanaugh."

Pete starred at her, "And just what does Nikki’s schedule-"

Helen smiled at him, "Did you think you were the first person MacGyver would want to see?"

Pete returned her smile, "No I guess not. Let me know when he gets here."

"Dinner tonight?"

"Are you offering to cook?"

Mac laughed, "Are you?"

"Hey, I thought you liked my cooking."

"Nah, I was just trying to get you in- Ow Nikki that hurt," Mac rubbed his side, "darn you’re touchy today."

"I am not," she retorted, "want me to kiss it and make it all better?"

Before Mac could answer, the elevator slowed to a stop and the doors slid open. Stepping back to make room for several new passengers, he whispered, "Maybe later."

Nikki caught his hand and smiled up at him. "Count on it," she answered as the car stopped on the fifth floor. "I’ll see you later."

"Count on it." Mac kissed her quickly before she stepped off the elevator. He ignored the sly smiles around him as the car began its upward climb to the tenth floor and Pete’s domain.

"Right on time, I like a lady who can be punctual." Charles Cavanuagh smiled in what he thought was a charming manner at Nikki. Casanova Cavanaugh, as he was known around the Foundation, fancied himself ladies’ man. Nikki could have told him differently and in fact, she longed to, but her Grandmere’s lessons on manners stopped her from doing so. She merely smiled at the man and took a seat.

"Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea," he paused suggestively.

Don’t say it, Nikki thought, if he says it I’ll lose it. To her relief he didn’t say it, so she simply answered him, "No thank Mr. Cavanaugh."

"Charles, please." He sat on the edge of his desk, "What can I do for you Nikki?" He chortled, "May I call you Nikki?"

Nikki took and deep breath and chanted her grandmere’s mantra to herself. ‘Be a lady; always be a lady.’ She smiled at Cavanaugh, "Of course-Charles," she opened her briefcase, "I need two first class tickets to Washington DC; one round trip, the other one way. Here’s Pete’s-- Mr. Thornton’s, authorization and the other pertinent paperwork." She held out a sheaf of papers.

Charles took the papers and moved around to sit at his desk. Damn, he thought, I need to get on this woman’s good side, the thought galled him, but she had Thornton’s ear. He reached in his pocket and put on his glasses. "They say the eyes are the first to go," he joked.

At Nikki’s slight smile, he turned his attention to the paperwork in front of him. Most women responded to his charm easily, but not Ms. Carpenter. Talk about cool, he mused, ice water must run through those veins, Sure he’d heard the rumors about her, he didn’t believe the one about her and Matt Weber, but then he couldn’t exactly see her and MacGyver as a couple either. Office gossip claimed they were hot and heavy, she didn’t seem the type, but Sally in R&D swore she had caught them necking in the elevator.

"Everything seems in order. I’ll have them to you this afternoon."

Nikki stood up and offered her hand, "Thank you, Charles."

He smiled at her and walked her to the door, "Have a nice trip, Mrs. Jones." Leaning against the doorjamb, he watched her walk down the hallway. If the rumors were true, he really envied MacGyver. Hell, figures Thornton’s golden boy would get the girl, he thought.

"Sorry about Idaho Pete."

"Don’t worry about it, the local Mothers for a Safe Environment blew the situation way out of control. I’m sure Cleve and Howard can handle it. I’ve got a couple of other things that may interest you."

Mac leaned back in his chair, "Only if they don’t need my immediate attention. I’d like to spend the next couple of days at home and I don’t want to be gone long either."

Pete looked up at Mac in surprise, "What?"

"I want to spend some time at home, no big deal."

"Sure, okay, no big deal." Pete smothered a grin; so the rumors were true, MacGyver was getting serious.

"Wipe the grin off your face Pete."

"Grin? What grin?"

Mac shook his head at his old friend, "That grin Pete. Yeah, so I want to spend a few days at home, it doesn’t mean I’m ready to walk down the aisle or anything."

"Who said anything about walking down the aisle, except you." Pete leaned forward, "You’re serious about her aren’t you?"

"I guess so-"

"You guess so? MacGyver, Nikki is not the kind of woman a man trifles with."

"Trifles? Jeez, Pete you are starting to sound like Harry."

"Listen to him Mac, you and Nikki are good together."

Mac began to pace, "Yeah, I guess so." He picked up Pete’s putter and swung idly back and forth. "But there are so many, I don’t know, issues here."

"Issues? What the hell are you talking about-issues? Either you love her or you don’t."

"It’s not that easy Pete; not for me and Nikki. I haven’t felt like this about anyone in years. I’m not sure she’s dealt with the baggage she carries about her husband’s murder. Damn it Pete,

it-"

"Scares you," Pete finished his sentence. "I know, but if you want my advice, it’s time for letting go of the past. Listen to me Mac, you don’t want to end up like me."

As Nikki walked down the hallway toward her office, she glanced at her watch, only ten o clock. It was going to be an incredibly long day, she thought, with a whole lot of nothing to do. Maybe she’d take off early and go shopping; buy a new dress to wow Mac with. The thought made her laugh, get a grip woman, and MacGyver never notices what you’re wearing. She was still chuckling as she walked into her office.

"Morning Miss Carpenter."

"Nikki," she smiled at her secretary, "how many times do I have to tell you to call me Nikki, Kate?"

"Sorry, Miss-Nikki." Kate smiled back at her. Miss Carpenter intimidated her; she never meant to, she just did, Kate thought.

"Any messages Kate?"

Kate handed Nikki several slips of pink paper. "Mr. Thornton called at eight fifteen, eight forty five and nine ten. Helen called at eight ten, eight forty and nine." She grinned up at Nikki, "Do they always do that?"

Nikki nodded her head, "I always wondered why Pete had a secretary. What’s on the schedule for today?"

"A whole lot of nothing. You have an eleven forty five briefing with the FBI and nothing after that."

"Great. Kate, take the day off with my blessing. Enjoy your weekend."

"Miss-Nikki?"

"Go see a movie, go shopping-whatever. Bye."

"Thanks." Kate moved quickly gathering up her purse and jacket. "See you on Monday."

Nikki waved as the girl disappeared through the door. She walked into her office and dropped into a chair. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes. Was Pete right, should I have declined this assignment? Bastello had been the only suspect in the car bombing. According to the FBI agent who had investigated, he had been in the District at the time, had been seen talking to Angelo Desalva only days before. He had been convinced that Bastello was their man, but there had been no evidence. Nikki could still see the Agent’s eyes when he told her the case had been declared inactive. Idly she wondered what had ever happened to Agent Walter Skinner.

"Nikki?"

She jumped at the sound of Charles Cavanaugh’s voice. How long had he been standing there? "Sorry, your girl isn’t at her desk." He had a manila envelope in his hands.

"Kate is off today." Nikki tried to hide her annoyance, "Are those the tickets? That was quick."

Charles smiled at her, almost preening. "Thought I’d bring them down personally Nikki," he moved to stand beside her, "and maybe convince you to join me for lunch?" He placed his hand familiarly on her arm, crowding her. "I thought we could try this little cafe down by the waterfront."

"She’s busy."

Cavanaugh stepped away from Nikki’s side and tried not to tremble as he held out his hand to MacGyver. "Nice to see you again MacGyver." Damn, he thought, he looks like he’s ready to murder me, guess the rumor mill is right on this one.

Mac grasped the man’s hand tightly, "Nice to see you Chuck. Don’t be a stranger around here."

"Sure. Well, gotta go." Charles pulled his hand out of MacGyver’s painful grip and fled out the door.

Mac reached back and swung the door shut. "Sorry, don’t know my own strength," he muttered. He turned his attention back to Nikki trying to gauge her reaction to the scene that just transpired. He gave her a grin, "So what are you doing for lunch?"

Nikki looked at his little boy smile. "Mac, Mac, you were a bad boy," she teased. "I hope you didn’t hurt poor Chuckie, even if he is a creep."

"So you’re not mad at me Huh?" Mac crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Even if I did act like a Neanderthal?"

"Nah, just don’t make a habit of it."

"Aww, can’t I even throw you over my shoulder once or twice?"

"We’ll see." She wiggled out of his embrace and walked around to sit at her desk. "So was Pete upset?"

"Nope. He figures the local mama’s just over reacted."

"So where are you off to next?" Nikki was surprised to realize that she was hoping Mac would be home for the weekend. I really missed him, she thought.

"Alaska, but not until next week. So milady, are your free for lunch?"

Nikki shook her head, disappointed, "I’ve got an eleven forty five I can’t cancel, but I’m free after that. In fact I was thinking about taking the afternoon off."

"Sounds good, meet me at the houseboat at one thirty." Mac leaned across the desk and kissed her, "Dress casual."

"Why?"

"It’s a surprise. Just be there."

"You and the witness will travel as Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Jones. Please limit contact to the airline employees only. We will be supplying you with headsets. Keep them on as often as possible to discourage contact from the other passengers. Mr. Jones will be in a wheelchair. As you board, you will board first. A lap robe will cover his leg shackles. They are not to be removed. Agent Packard will be sitting in the seat directly ahead of you; Agent March will be in seat across the aisle. Any questions Ms. Carpenter?"

Nikki looked over at the young agent who had rattled off the laundry list of do’s and don’ts. "What if Mr. Jones needs to relieve himself?" Nikki couldn’t believe she said that, however she was pleased to see the agent’s cheeks color and the smiles on the other faces seated at the table.

"Mr. Jones will have a, well, you know, an Um-"

"Foley catheter and leg bag, Miss Carpenter. It will not be necessary for him to leave his seat."

Nikki smiled at the woman who had answered her question. "And in case of emergency, who has the keys to the leg shackles?"

"I do."

"And you are?"

"I’m sorry, have we met?’ Nikki furrowed her brow.

"Not actually, but we were in the same tactical class at Quantico." Alice smiled, "Professor Riley’s class. The zoo."

"Oh yes, I remember Professor Riley, but I’m afraid I don’t remember you." Nikki returned her smile, "Nice to meet you Alice."

The agent, who had been running the meeting frowned and flipped through his files, "It says nothing her about Miss Carpenter being in the Bureau. Why wasn’t I informed?"

"Because I never was with the Bureau." Nikki was beginning to really dislike this guy.

"Maybe she was a Marine." The other agent at the table joked flashing a winning smile toward Nikki and Alice.

"There is no record of Miss Carpenter having a military service record."

"Does it give her shoe size?" Alice March’s smiled took the sting out of her words, "Don’t fuss so Agent Roberts, Nikki isn’t the one you need to have a dossier on."

"Just trying to be efficient Agent March."

Nikki stood up, "I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a one thirty appointment, so if we are finished here I’ll be going."

Agents’ March and Roberts both nodded, "Then I’ll see you on Tuesday." Nikki picked up her briefcase and left the conference room.

"Do you think she can handle this?"

Alice March looked at her partner in surprise, "What are you talking about?"

Thomas Packard tapped the file in front of him, "Our Mr. Jones was the only suspect in a car bombing that made our Mrs. Jones a very young widow."

Mac watched as Nikki’s car slowed to a stop and she climbed out wearing a pair of faded jeans and a Georgetown sweatshirt. She looked good in jeans, he thought, as good as she looked in her designer suits.

Nikki walked down the ramp toward the houseboat. I wonder what MacGyver has cooked up this time. Casual, he’d said, so no fancy dinner out, not that Nikki had expected that, Mac didn’t like to dress up, even if he looked fabulous in a tuxedo. She stopped at the front door trying to decide if she should knock or not. That question was answered when the door swung open and Mac stood there with a picnic basket tucked under his arm.

"Ready?"

"As ready as I’ll ever be." Nikki glanced at the basket, "Where are we going?"

"It’s a surprise." Mac took her arm and led her over to the jeep. "Hop in."

Nikki leaned against the window watching Mac’s profile as they drove out of the city. Mac was concentrating on the city traffic; even midday on a Friday the traffic was heavy. Nikki wondered again where they were going, but she knew better than to ask; it was a surprise. So she looked out the window as they city gave way to the suburbs and the suburbs to the rolling foothills.

Mac relaxed as they left the city traffic behind. He glanced over at Nikki who was watching the scenery slip by. He reached over and covered her hand with his, "You’re awfully quiet."

Nikki looked over at him, "Just trying to guess where you’re taking me. All I can tell is it’s someplace north."

"Are you sure we are going north?"

Nikki glanced back out the window, "Well, yes I am, I think."

Mac laughed, "Please don’t ever go into the woods without a compass. Yes, we are going north. Right now, northeast."

Nikki glanced up the road, "So are you going to tell me where we are going?"

"I don’t know, I could make you guess."

"And if I don’t guess correctly?"

"Then you pay a penalty."

Nikki grinned at him, "This could be fun."

"I certainly hope so."

"Okay, we are heading north out of Glendora. You know this really isn’t fair, I don’t know this area very well." Nikki watched the billboards flash by, "Are we going to Mount Baldy?"

"A smack on the face. Give me a break MacGyver, don’t I get at least three tries?"

"I love it when you get mean, okay, three tries."

She watched the scenery for a few more minutes, "I know! Crystal Lake?"

Mac just shook his head and smiled. Nikki looked over at him and noticed a map wedged next to the seat. Slowly she reached out for it, but Mac was faster than she was.

"Uh uh, no cheating."

"Come on Mac, at least give me a hint."

"It had the word San in it."

"Gee, thanks, every other building, city and park in Southern California has the word San in it." She stuck her tongue out at him, I just can’t believe I’m acting like this, she thought, when I’m around Mac I act more like a child then I was when I was a child.

"Don’t tease me like that woman or we’ll never make our destination."

"Well, then Mr. Improvisation, I hope it’s not very far because I’m famished," Nikki leaned over and ran her finger along his jaw, "just starving."

"Nikki, I’m trying to drive." Mac tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

She smiled and leaned back in her seat, "Are you sure you won’t tell me where we’re going?"

"One more guess."

"Okay, San Gabriel Wilderness?"

"Nope. Now I get to choose a penalty, Hmm, so many choices." Mac tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "Oh look here we are." He slowed as they approached a turn off.

Nikki looked at the sign as they drove toward the gates, "San Dimas?" She looked at Mac, "Isn’t this place closed to the public?"

"Yep, but I got permission to be here." He stopped at the ranger station, "I’ll be right back."

Nikki got out of the jeep and stretched her legs, trying to remember what she knew about the San Dimas Experimental Forest. She had seen a newsletter and some articles on the project at the houseboat. It was a joint project with the Forestry Service and had been closed to the public for nearly fifty years.

"Ready? We’re driving up to Tanbark Flats. That’s where they house the visiting researchers. The buildings were built in the thirties. I’ve stayed up here once or twice on Foundation business, that’s why I was able to get us in for a few hours today."

Nikki looked around as the jeep crawled down the access road, "It’s beautiful, I’ve read a little about the project, but I didn’t realize the Foundation was involved in it."

Nikki leaned back against the fallen tree trunk and watched as Mac skipped stones along the calm surface of the small lake. It had been a magical afternoon, she wished she could bottle the time they’d spent up here. She and Mac rarely had an entire afternoon without interruption. They both had hectic schedules; Foundation business often kept them apart for days at a time, maybe once she was officially in the legal department things would slow down. She was looking forward to joining legal. Even though she had the degree and passed the bar, she had never actually practiced law. She’d never gotten the chance. I guess Danny was right, moving to LA would give me a chance to do all the things I never could in DC.

As Mac started up the hill toward Nikki, he noted that she had that familiar, far away look on her face. He wondered what she was thinking about. Dropping beside her he asked, "What are you thinking."

"I’m thinking how peaceful it is here and how nice it is to be spending time with you without the phone ringing, even I could get used to this."

"Me too, I know this isn’t your favorite way to spend time. Thanks for indulging me."

"I’m learning to appreciate the out of doors. I’ll never be a nature girl, but I can see why you like it. Just remember you owe me one night on the town."

"I promise, one night on the town, dinner, dancing and even a suit. Come here, time to pay your penalty."

Nikki woke to the ringing of the telephone and sun streaming through the skylight. She shut her eyes and tried to ignore the shrill ringing for the phone. Why did Mac have to have the skylight right above the bed, she thought, and why didn’t we turn on the damn machine. She felt Mac shift beside her, "Let it ring," she whispered as she reached over and smoothed his sleep-ruffled hair.

Nikki stood and watched as the day sailors returned to port, the sun had dipped below the horizon and twilight was deepening into night. She knew she should be heading home, but she was loath to let the day end. Tilting her head back she watched at the first stars twinkled into existence. Closing her eyes she whispered a half forgotten rhyme, "Starlight, star bright I wish I may I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight."

Mac stood in the doorway and watched as Nikki made her wish. It had been a perfect day, waking up early, staying in bed late. The rest of the day had been spent walking along the water's edge, watching sailboats and seagulls and just being together. "I hope all your wishes come true."

Nikki looked up as Mac joined her at the railing, "How’s Harry?"

"Fine, he sends his love. You’ve really gotten to the old guy, hope you don’t mind if he joins us for dinner tomorrow."

Nikki smiled at him, "Of course not, I love spending time with Harry. Besides he promised to teach me to play checkers."

"Should I be jealous?" Mac draped an arm over her shoulder.

"Think he’d have me?" she laughed.

"Ha, Ha. Very funny."

They stood together and watched as the moon rose over the water. Nikki felt a contentment wash over her as the moonlight rippled across the waves. She hadn’t felt like this in so many years, happy, peaceful and loved. "Thank you," she said.

Mac wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his face in her hair; she smelled of seawater and salt air. "For what?"

"For the yesterday, for today. I don’t want the weekend to be over."

"It’s not over yet, we’ve still got tonight and all day tomorrow. No phones, no business. I’ll even put on a suit and take you dancing tonight."

"Mmm, tempting," Nikki said as she turned and put her arms around his neck, "some other night. I just want to stay home and watch the stars with you."

Nikki snapped the folder on her desk shut and dropped it in the out basket. Finally, she thought, the paperwork is done. Shutting her briefcase she picked it up and headed out the door. "Kate," she said as she approached her secretary’s desk, "make sure these reports get to Legal by Tuesday. I should be back sometime late Wednesday. Right now I’m going home to pack."

"Okay, Mi-Nikki," Kate smiled, "have a nice trip."

"The best part of this trip will be getting back home. See you two days Kate."

Pulling on her coat Nikki walked toward the elevator. As she waited for the car to reach her she tried to compose her thoughts, she hadn’t been back to the District since she’d left in the aftermath of Joshua’s death and she’d barely spoken to her father since Danny’s death. Danny had been right here was nothing left for her in the district. Her life was here in Los Angeles, at the Foundation, with Mac. A soft smile curved her lips as the elevator doors slide open and she stepped inside. Big brother, did you ever think I would fall in love with your best friend? She leaned forward and pushed the button for the parking garage.

"How are you today Nikki, looking forward to your trip?"

Nikki groaned silently as she looked over and saw Charles Cavanaugh leaning against the wall. Great, she thought, eight floors of him oozing charm. Please God let someone else get on this elevator. "Good morning Charles. How are you?" Polite, Nikki, yet professional as always, Grandmere would be proud.

"You look lovely today, that color becomes you." He took a step closer, "And you’re positively glowing, got a bit to much sun." He reached out and touched her nose, sliding his finger across her cheekbone.

Nikki took a step back and pushed his hand away, "Please, Mr. Cavanaugh!" She put as much distance between them as she could, "I have tried my best to be polite, but if you so much as take one step forward-."

"Give it a rest lady, I know all about you. First with Weber, now MacGyver, who’s next Thornton? Planning on sleeping your way to the tenth floor?"

Nikki reached out and slapped him across the face, "How dare you! If you repeat that filth or come within five feet of me, I will file a harassment suit the likes of which you have never seen. Do you understand me?" Without waiting for his answer she whirled and stepped off the elevator, which had come to stop midway through her tirade. Several employees and visitors stood in stunned silence there gazes traveling between her retreating back and the man standing inside the car holding his cheek and swearing revenge.

Nikki had just snapped the lock on her suitcase when she heard the front open, "Mac is that you?" She picked up the suitcase and walked into the living room. MacGyver stood there holding a case file in his hands. "God, Mac, you scared me to death. Why didn’t you answer me? Mac?"

"Why didn’t you tell me the witness you’re helping to transport was the only suspect in your husband’s death?"

"Excuse me?" Nikki knew that he was angry from the tone of his voice, calm and quiet, dangerously so. How the hell had he found out about Bastello? She and Pete were the only one’s who knew the identity of Mr. Jones. And Charles Cavanaugh. Damn.

"Why didn’t you tell me that you were escorting the man the FBI suspected of blowing your husband to bits to Washington DC where he can testify against his former employers and live out the rest of his miserable life in relative peace? Is that clearer?"

Nikki blinked once as if he’d struck her, "It isn’t important."

"It isn’t important, surely a glib lawyer can come up with a better answer than that."

"How did you find out?"

"That’s a question, not an answer, but I’ll tell you anyway. Your dear chum, Chuckie told me. Apparently he doesn’t handle rejection well and figured this was a good way to exact revenge on you."

"I see" Nikki lifted her gaze to his face, "and you can right over here to what, accuse me of lying to you, keeping something from you? I don’t need to remind you that certain cases we work are considered classified. I couldn’t tell you."

"I am well aware of the classified nature of this assignment. I can’t believe that Pete gave it to you, much less that you accepted it. Just what the hell are you thinking?"

"I’m thinking that it’s my job, it’s what I do."

"No! It’s not. You’re an attorney Nikki, that’s your job. You don’t escort Federal witnesses, that’s what Federal agents do, that’s their job. You either defend the innocent or prosecute the guilty, that’s what lawyers do."

Nikki suppressed the urge to laugh at Mac’s idealism, after all that was one of the things she loved about him. However, right now he was showing one the attributes that she liked the least, stubborn self-righteousness.

"So naturally you volunteered."

"Cut the sarcasm Mac, you don’t do it very well. No, I did not volunteer; it was given to me by rotation. Standard operating procedure."

"Are you saying Pete insisted that you take this assignment?"

For a minute, she was tempted to lay the blame on Pete’s shoulders but didn’t. "No, he gave me the chance to declined. It was my decision to take the assignment."

"Putting your self right back in the line of fire. Damn it Nikki, it’s dangerous and I don’t want you going."

"Mac, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and besides there will be two FBI agents on the flight."

"So why do you have to go? If there will be two agents there they don’t need you to risk your life."

"Yes they do. The only way that Mr. Jones will make it through is with an acceptable cover. I am not a federal agent, there is little or no chance that in the event that one of the families is aware that the witness is being transported, I can be identified."

"Spare me the lawyer crap. Can’t be identified? Damn it Nikki, there was a contract out on you!"

"We don’t have any proof of that."

Mac starred at her in disbelief, "Proof? For god’s sake, they blew your car up Nikki! What more proof do you need? Mr. Jones blew your car up with your husband in it!"

Nikki looked at him and tried not to let her voice shake, "I am very aware of what happened to my husband Mac, and that is why I have to do this. I need to deal with Joshua’s death before I can go on with my life. Please try to understand."

"I can’t. Nikki if you go to Washington DC I won’t be waiting when you get back."

"Right now I’m not sure I want you waiting when I get back MacGyver."

"Then you’re going?" At Nikki’s nod Mac walked over to the door, "Good bye Nikki."

Nikki stood in the middle of her living room listening to the echo of the slamming door.

"Your flight leaves Dulles tomorrow at eleven am, per your request the flight was booked in your maiden name."

Nikki reached across the table and picked up the ticket; as she read the name typed there, she closed her eyes. I guess I’ve finally moved on. Good-bye Josh.

"Are you okay with this?"

Nikki opened her eyes and looked at her companion, "Yes Lee, I’m okay."

"Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?"

"Yes I am. I’ve already faxed my resignation to Pete," Nikki reached into her purse, "here are the keys to my apartment and my car. Have the furniture and furnishings stored."

"What about your clothing?"

"Have it shipped to me, make sure it can’t be traced. Sell the car, give it away or keep it for Philip and Jamie, whatever, I don’t want it."

Amanda King reached over and took her friend’s hand, "Nikki, I don’t mean to pry or give unsolicited advice, but don’t you think you should wait until you have a chance to speak to the-"

"No I don’t." Nikki realized she had snapped at her friend, "I’m sorry Amanda, I know you have my best interests at heart, but he made it clear just where he stood. It’s been six weeks and my phone calls go unreturned, the telegrams returned unopened."

"He could be out of town."

"I’m sure he is, but he usually checks his messages. I’m not giving up Amanda, I’m only putting some distance between us."

"If you’re certain this is the right thing to do I’ll support you one hundred percent."

Impulsively Nikki reached over and hugged her friend, "Thank you Amanda."

Several thousand miles away, Pete Thornton’s heart broke for his young friend. "Have you checked with her family? Maybe she’s staying with them."

"I spoke to both her father and her aunt. They said they didn’t even know she was in town. Her cousin did agree to meet me, but she was less interested in her missing cousin than nature of my relationship with Nikki."

"What about her friends?"

"So did you?" Pete tried to keep the exasperation out of his voice.

"No. She’s out of town on business. Her kid said Nikki had been here, but that she left a couple of weeks ago."

"Did the kid know where she went?"

"Nope, said he’d have his mom call me. I’ve hit a dead end here Pete." Mac leaned his head against the side of the booth. Damn it Nikki, he thought, where are you?

"Do you want me to call in some favors at the DXS?"

"No." Mac straightened up, "No, Pete don’t."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah Pete, I’m sure. I don’t think she wants to be found, at least by me."

"Are you okay with that?"

"No Pete I’m not." Mac starred out at the crowded DC streets, "I’m not okay with that. I’m heading home, my flight gets in at seven."

"I’ll be there Mac."

Mac stepped out of the phone booth and dodged a group of giggling school kids. He looked up at the DC skyline and the monuments in the distance. "God, I hate this town," he muttered.

Nikki picked up the cable and read its contents carefully.

INQUIRIES MADE STOP FOUND NOTHING STOP PLEASE ADVISE STOP

LEE

"No Emily, I’m not, I may never be all right again."