[elainestouse]

At the Phoenix Foundation, MacGyver left Terry with the company doctor and began checking the databases for information on Terry's brother. But he found nothing, apparently there was no David Wightman and, by the time the doctor called Pete's office to say Terry was ready to be collected, Mac was completely confused.

"Miss Wightman's just getting dressed," Dr Freeman told him when he entered the outer office.

"How is she?" Mac asked quietly.

"Lucky apparently!" the doctor frowned at the irony, "Nothing broken, remarkably, but she has some severe contusions and a wrenched muscle in her left shoulder. I'll send you a copy of the medical report, presumably the police will want it." Mac shrugged uncomfortably. "She's been badly beaten, MacGyver, you know this is a matter for the police."

"I know. I'm working on it, Doc."

"Make sure you do Mac. Next time she might not be so lucky."

"There won't be a next time, believe me," MacGyver responded emphatically.

The doctor looked at him for a moment, saw the determination on his face and nodded, knowing he would take care of her, somehow. "Just be careful. These guys obviously meant business."

At that moment the door from the examination room opened and Terry entered timidly, nervous in the unfamiliar surroundings until she saw MacGyver. A shy smile brightened her bruised features, the pale colour of her face a stark contrast against the blackening shadows surrounding her left eye and cheekbone.

She thanked the doctor and went with MacGyver to Pete's office which was still empty, the Director of Operations' meeting apparently overrunning badly. Mac sat Terry down beside his chair at the computer. "I checked the databases for your brother, but no records of a David Wightman exist," he began awkwardly.

"Fleming. You need to check for David Alan Fleming." Terry looked at him. "Different fathers," was all she said in explanation, causing MacGyver to wonder what it was about Terry's background that stopped her from ever mentioning it. Then he nodded acceptance and punched the name into the computer, leaving it to run the search as he began to work on the details of the four men who had attacked Terry.

It was a slow process as she haltingly began to recall the events of the previous day with the encouragement and reassurance of MacGyver every step of the way. Eventually, he had a clear picture of the four men and of what they had put Terry through. Pete had returned a couple of times, but had gone away again, discreetly allowing them the time they needed. And for that MacGyver was grateful to his friend and boss.

When Terry went down the hall to use the rest room, Pete returned to his office.

"How's it going?"

MacGyver looked up from the screen, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He shrugged, frustrated and worried. Turning the monitor to an angle so that Pete could see the picture, Mac gestured towards it, "Dr David Fleming, Terry's brother. He's a scientist and for some reason he's wanted really badly by these four men." Mac tapped a couple of keys and the photofits that Terry had come up with displayed on the screen.

"They let themselves into Dr Fleming's house yesterday lunchtime, drugged the dog and took Terry by surprise. They shot at her as she tried to escape and then proceeded to beat her in an attempt to extract information on her brother's whereabouts, which she doesn't even have!" he explained angrily.

Pete squinted at the four faces, "Who are they?"

"Don't know yet," Mac sighed heavily, "Computer's doing a search for their identities now."

"You look tired, MacGyver," Pete frowned, "Maybe you should pass this over to the police?"

"No way, Pete!"

"Mac, you're too involved in this to protect her effectively and you have no idea what you're getting yourself into," Pete pointed out reasonably. "With everything else that's been going on lately are you sure you're up to it?"

"I have to be," Mac muttered stubbornly.

Before Pete could continue to argue, the computer began to beep. The search had found something. MacGyver turned his focus back to the screen to see what it had unearthed.

Pete watched him visibly pale as he read the details. "What is it?"

Mac finished reading and looked up in dismay at the implications the information held for Terry and her brother. He swallowed dryly, staring at Pete. Then he swivelled the screen round and flipped the writing to the special large size display aimed at Pete's failing eyesight, unable to verbalise the details or at least unwilling to put his stunned voice to them.

Pete leaned in close, reading slowly, "Hired guns, armed assault, assassination, terrorism. They're paid mercenaries!" he exclaimed, "Then who the hell are these guys working for?"

"Well," Mac finally found his voice, "According to this, they've all had affiliations with various white supremacist groups, the KGB, several factions of the Irish Republican Army, and the People's Republic of China."

"They appear to work as a team," Pete noted grimly. "And not a very discerning one at that."

"Yeah, but which group are they working for now?" MacGyver wondered aloud.

"Do you think it's one of these?"

"I don't know Pete," Mac gestured frustratedly, "I mean, none of these exactly fit the bill, but since we don't have a clue what David was working on, we really can't tell which of this lot might have hired them!"

"Whichever group it is, it seems likely that the work Dr Fleming was doing is illegal," Pete surmised.

"David's never done anything illegal in his life," Terry's quiet voice sounded from the doorway where she had been studying the two men. It was clear from their interaction that they had a comfortable working relationship, despite the Director's evident disability. MacGyver appeared to trust the older man, enough to share all information with him and if Mac trusted Mr Thornton, then Terry knew she could also. Even so, she knew Pete Thornton was wrong this time.

Mac flushed guiltily, wondering how much of the conversation she had overheard. He got his answer when Terry continued to speak, walking into the room to be clearly heard, "David would not knowingly work for any of those groups. He detests everything they stand for! And with good reason!" She offered no expansion on that last statement, instead simply gazing at MacGyver, imploring him to believe her.

"Knowingly or not, Terry, the facts speak for themselves," MacGyver said gently. "Your brother has managed to get mixed up in something nasty and he's dragged you into it too."

"He didn't involve me on purpose," Terry railed defensively. Seeing Mac's frustrated shrug, she added insistently, "David couldn't have known what might happen, MacGyver. He wouldn't do anything to endanger me."

She touched his arm, stepping closer to look him in the eye. "David has looked after me since I was eleven," she said softly. "He wouldn't do anything to hurt me, I swear. If those men are what you say they are, then David must have been duped. And now he's in trouble. I have to find him Mac, please. You have to help me," Terry's eyes fixed on his as she pleaded with him.

"Of course I'll help," MacGyver took her hand reassuringly. "I'll do everything I can to find him, I promise."

Terry visibly sank in relief, her tension fading into hope at his words. Mac turned to Pete as if seeking his approval.

The Director of Operations nodded slowly, "I'll make a few phone calls, see what I can find out," he agreed. "Why don't you two take a break. Go and get something to eat downstairs."

Pete stared at Mac, a look that told him to try and find out everything he could about Terry's brother directly from her, before they were forced to start digging deeper. The less surprises the better, for Pete was worried about MacGyver's level of personal involvement.

Mac was not likely to be amenable to doing a check on Terry's background, but Pete would do it if he felt it necessary, especially if it would save his friend from making a big mistake. After all, what did they know about this woman or her brother?

"Thank you, Mr Thornton," Terry said quietly, her bruised face open and guileless.

Pete flushed guiltily, trying to remind himself that MacGyver's instincts about people were not usually wrong, although he had been taken in before. Mac was sometimes too trusting and ready to believe in the good of mankind. Well, Pete would look out for him as usual, whether it proved a necessary precaution or not.

He studied them both as Mac steered Terry towards the door. He really hoped he was being suspicious over nothing for all their sakes. With a sigh, Pete turned towards his desk to begin his inquiries.

~~~~~~~~~~

MacGyver led Terry down to the canteen and watched with amusement when she chose a bran muffin, two cartons of milk and some fruit to eat. Mac followed her down the line, his tray almost matching hers in every respect except for the choice of fruit, his red apple to her orange.

At the end of the line, she paused to ask, "Can we bag it? I'd like to go see Roadie, take him for a walk. I know I could use the fresh air."

"Yeah sure," Mac smiled, "I did go down and check on him while you were in with the doc. I left him with Chaz, the security guard. Roadie was busy making friends when I last saw him!" Mac paid for the food and led the way down the hall to the stairs.

Terry greeted Roadie like a long lost friend, then she took his leash and rapidly walked him up the ramp from the underground garage, into the open. She inhaled deeply of the fresh air, took in the surroundings and suggested a walk down to the shore.

They stopped at the sea defences and sat on a wooden bench, letting Roadie off his leash to play along the shoreline. They ate in silence, Terry picking at her bran muffin and feeding most of it to Roadie along with one carton of the milk. When the container was drained and the muffin finished, she dug in the brown bag for the orange, peeling it slowly and carefully, stripping it clean of pith before she finally pulled it apart and separated off a single segment to eat.

MacGyver regarded her carefully, trying to think of a subtle way to ask her for more information about a past she was obviously reluctant to discuss.

He swallowed the last bite of his muffin, started on the apple and screwed up the bag. "You know it might be helpful if you can tell us some more about David. Fill in the background a little. It could give us some clues as to what he might be working on and who for," he suggested, watching Terry carefully avoid his gaze. She studied the next segment of her orange, examining it and pulling off an odd piece of pith she had missed.

"There's not a lot to tell," Terry finally said in a distant voice, "David's father died when David was three years old. Our mother eventually remarried and had me. Then both my parents were killed in an accident. We had no other relatives, so David looked after me. He got a job to put himself through college and support us. When I was old enough, I went away to school back East and he moved out here to work. He helped to support me all the way through."

"The last few years I've been working abroad," Terry continued, her eyes focused on the fruit. "When my latest contract was coming to an end, I'd decided to look for a job back here because I missed David. Then he rang and asked me to housesit, so it all seemed to work out perfectly. I shortened my contract by a couple of weeks and came home." Terry sighed softly, still staring at the remainder of the orange in her hands, "Well as close to a home as I'm ever likely to have."

MacGyver nodded, empathising with her last comment completely. "Where was David working?"

Terry shrugged, "To be honest, I don't know. A couple of years ago he was at one of the big pharmaceutical companies out here, but then he got a better offer. He was real excited about it. He said, if it worked out, he would be helping a lot of people. But he told me he wasn't allowed to say who he was working for except that it was some sort of government funded project."

Mac raised a hopeful eyebrow. If David's job was government backed, then, with any luck, Pete could find out exactly who had been paying David for the last two years. Maybe that would provide some clues as to the nature of his current work.

Before he had a chance to ask anything else, Roadie came bounding back up from the shoreline and into Terry's arms. She didn't seem to mind the damp sandy paws all over her jeans as she hugged the dog and returned his kisses. Mac felt that odd pang of jealousy once more and found himself wondering whether Terry would ever greet him so openly and trustingly. She turned to him and for an instant Mac was afraid she had read his thoughts.

"We have to find him, MacGyver," she pleaded, "David's the only family we have left."

Mac found himself facing Terry's bruised green brown gaze alongside the brown eyes and damp black nose of Roadie. He shifted across the bench and wrapped an arm around them both, careful to avoid Terry's wrenched shoulder but unable to resist planting a kiss on her silky brown, sun streaked hair.

"We'll find him, I promise." He pulled back and looked her in the eye, "But you have to trust me."

She gazed at him openly, "I do trust you MacGyver."

Mac cocked his head to one side, "Sure?"

"I have to! You're the only person I know around here!" Terry smiled shyly and leaned in, giving him a kiss of gratitude on the cheek. She sat back slightly, staring at him for a moment, contemplating an entirely different motive as she slowly let go of Roadie. She moved a hand to Mac's face, gently touching his jaw as he watched, captured by her gaze.

MacGyver held his breath, wondering at the impropriety of attempting to kiss her, considering her vulnerable state. But when he looked into Terry's eyes he could see she was pondering something herself. So he waited, suppressing his eagerness, to see what move she would make.

Terry stroked his cheek contemplatively, endeavouring to decide whether it would be right to try to kiss him, or whether she would simply be using him as a crutch, a way to take her mind off her current situation. But truthfully she knew this was something she had been wanting to do since the moment she saw him. To taste his lips, to caress his face, to tangle her hands in that unruly blond hair that just cried out to have fingers running through it, to feel the strength of his body against hers.

She tilted her head towards him and brushed her full lips to his mouth in a delicate kiss, tentatively testing his response, relieved at his reaction when Mac kissed her back, his lips pressing against hers hungrily. Slowly his hands trailed through the silky strands of her hair to her neck, sensuously drifting down her spine, sending delicious vibrations through Terry's body.

Shifting closer, she relaxed into his embrace, eyes closing as her hands traced the line of his jaw and came to rest against his smooth neck, stroking the tendons as they moved. Terry let herself be lost to the passionate contact, releasing her thoughts momentarily from the troubles hanging over her. The electrifying kiss was everything she had been imagining for far too long as MacGyver responded breathtakingly, his mouth moving ardently as the intensity increased.

Terry's hands moved to the nape of his neck, toying with Mac's hair as she pressed her lips against his even harder. Her tongue tangled with his, tasting him. Her fingers massaged his muscular back, their bodies entwined until she could feel his heart beating in his chest, the pulsing sensation becoming the only thing that reminded them to breathe as they absorbed every single tiny detail of the spellbinding moment.

The breathless kiss was finally disturbed when Roadie came bounding up again and decided to join in the huddle, planting a sandy paw on each of them and barking happily. MacGyver and Terry drew apart, laughing and petting the ever friendly dog, burying hands in his furry muzzle as he panted at them, his tongue hanging out joyfully.

Mac's hand found Terry's and covered it. She turned her palm over, her fingers closing over his and squeezing in response. Her eyes moved back to him, holding his gaze and sharing a look that spoke volumes in hope and anticipation of what might happen between them, if only they had a chance to let it.

Finally, it was up to MacGyver to reluctantly break the spell, "We ought to be getting back. Pete might have come up with something by now."

~~~~~~~~~~

This time they took Roadie upstairs with them and Terry offered to remain in the outer office to look after him, diplomatically allowing Mac to talk to Pete alone, trusting that he would tell her whatever he discovered later.

"Found anything yet, Pete?" Mac greeted, closing the door behind him.

"MacGyver, where's Terry?" Pete squinted behind him curiously.

"Just outside, looking after Roadie," Mac explained, adding in response to Pete's puzzled frown, "David's dog."

The older man nodded, pausing for a long uncomfortable moment. Mac could see his concern, "Come on Pete, spit it out. What's on your mind?"

The Director of Operations looked at MacGyver for a long pause and then sighed, "I'm sorry Mac, I just get the feeling that she's hiding something."

"I know, Pete," Mac shook his head frustratedly, "I think Terry is. She's hiding her past. Or from it. I can't tell which!" he shrugged helplessly.

"Let me do some digging, find out more about her, before.....," Pete trailed off, wanting to say 'before you get too involved with her'.

Mac looked at his friend, reading him like a book as always. "It's too late for that Pete. I'm already involved." He winced at how that sounded, but it was true. Against all his instincts and better judgment he was falling in love with a woman in trouble who was hiding something from him. "If Terry wants me to know, she'll tell me herself."

"And if she doesn't?" Pete asked gently.

"Then I'll know she doesn't completely trust me," Mac couldn't hide the look of hurt at that thought. "But truthfully Pete, I'm pretty sure her past has nothing to do with what's happened to David."

"Gut instinct?"

MacGyver nodded, wondering for the umpteenth time what was so bad about her past that Terry never even considered mentioning it, as though it was too dire to even contemplate.

Just then, there was a knock on the door and Helen came in carrying a brown folder. "The medical office sent this up for you," she told her boss.

Pete took the folder from his secretary, "Thanks, Helen."

"Are Terry and the dog okay out there?" Mac asked her discreetly.

Helen nodded and smiled, "They're both asleep on the couch!"

MacGyver followed her to the door and into the large outer office to see for himself. Sure enough, the pair were curled up together on the padded leather sofa, apparently feeling sufficiently safe and secure to sleep soundly in the comfortable environs of Phoenix headquarters.

"Give me a shout when she wakes up," Mac whispered to Helen. "Or if anything......," he trailed off awkwardly.

Helen nodded and placed a hand on his arm. "I'll call you if anything disturbs her," she told him, understanding his concerns.

Mac nodded and went back into Pete's office, closing the door behind him again. Pete looked up gravely when MacGyver slumped into the chair in front of his desk. "Apparently, Terry's not the only one who's hiding something," Pete said gently.

MacGyver looked at him and then down at the file now open on his desk. Even upside down the colour photographs were clear and shocking.

"Mac, why didn't you tell me how badly she was beaten?" Pete asked accusingly, "You know this is a matter for the police."

"They told Terry that if she involved the police they'd kill her and her brother," MacGyver said quietly. He gestured towards the photos, swallowing hard, "I take that threat seriously. Wouldn't you?"

Pete looked at the pictures again and reread the large print copy of the doctor's report, listing the injuries inflicted on the young woman. These people meant business that much was clear. "Are you certain you can protect her alone, MacGyver?" he asked.

"They don't know about me," Mac explained logically. "Terry should be safe at my houseboat as long as necessary, especially if we avoid going back to her place in case anyone's watching it."

"And what if someone saw you leave this morning?" Pete pointed out reasonably.

"No, I was careful," Mac gestured defensively, "It was early. There wasn't anyone around. Besides they have no real reason to watch the place."

"Not unless they suspect David Fleming might return home," Pete suggested.

Mac frowned thoughtfully, checking his memory again to be sure they had definitely not been seen or followed in the last few hours, but he was positive they were in the clear. In the end he shook his head, then took a deep breath and told Pete the few details Terry had given him about David's background.

"So did you find out anything?" Mac finally asked.

Pete sat back in his leather chair, "Well Dr Fleming was definitely being paid by the government for the last two years, so Terry was right there. But so far I haven't been able to determine which agency. I've got some calls into the DXS that I'm waiting on replies to at the moment."

"You suspect he's working for the DXS?" Mac asked in surprise.

"Well they're the only agency I know who would be that secretive over any scientist working for them," Pete admitted logically.

Mac nodded, considering the possibility, "Doesn't explain the four mercenaries though."

Pete shrugged, "One thing at a time Mac. If we can get confirmation on who David was working for and what he was doing, maybe then we can figure out where those four thugs come in," Pete paused, listening to Mac stifle a tired yawn. "Why don't you go on home?" he suggested, "There's nothing you can do here at the moment and you both need to rest." MacGyver was about to protest when Pete added, "Mac, you'll be no use in helping Terry if you're exhausted."

Mac nodded reluctantly. "Sure you're okay with this?" he asked as he rose from his chair, guilty at leaving Pete to do the scut work.

"Yes! Now will you just go home and get some sleep! And MacGyver?" Mac turned back to regard him. "Be careful!"

"Always, Pete!" MacGyver smiled thinly and left the room.

In the outer office, he leaned down to wake Terry, almost reluctant to disturb her peaceful sleep. She blinked open her eyes and gazed at him in confusion trying to recall where she was.

"Time to go," Mac whispered and held out his hand to her. Terry nodded, patting Roadie awake and uncurling her long legs to rise from the couch, wincing as her aches and pulled shoulder complained stiffly at the movement. Taking MacGyver's hand, she and Roadie followed him out of the building.

Terry didn't speak until MacGyver steered his vehicle out of the dimly lit underground parking garage and onto the street. Then she slowly let out a breath and released her overly tight grip on Roadie. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"Well the way I see it we only have one choice - my houseboat," MacGyver explained. "We could put you up in a hotel, but it wouldn't be difficult for anyone to trace a young woman and a dog booked into a hotel together! So if you don't mind.....," he trailed off.

Terry glanced at him, "No I don't mind, but I don't want to put you to any trouble."

"Well, as you probably recall, I sleep on the couch a lot! So you may as well get some use out of the bed for a few days until we track down your brother and clear up this mess," MacGyver said, putting a hopeful slant on things for her sake.

From Mac's point of view she would be a welcome houseguest, but he wasn't sure how long he could withstand sleeping under the same roof without getting any improper ideas. Still, he would just have to exercise extreme willpower all the time she was there. His job was to protect her and he would certainly never forgive himself if he failed in that task because he allowed himself to be distracted by baser instincts.

"What am I going to do for clothing and stuff?" Terry's question broke into his thoughts.

"We'll have to make do for tonight. We can stop at a drug store and get a toothbrush, then you'll have to raid my closet for a spare shirt or something," Mac decided. "If you make a list of what you need and where it is, maybe we can get an agent from Phoenix to go to your place tomorrow and collect it. We can always get them to deliver the stuff to us via courier package, that way no one can follow it."

Terry nodded, already making a mental list of things she might need and items she could get at the drug store on the way to MacGyver's houseboat. She yawned tiredly and checked her watch. It was barely four in the afternoon, yet she felt exhausted and her shoulder was aching fiercely, but at least it made the duller pain from her various bruises pale into insignificance. She would have to take one of the painkillers the doctor had given her when they reached the houseboat, no matter how much she detested those things.

~~~~~~~~~~

By the time MacGyver had given Terry the grand tour, she was yawning her head off. "I think the first order of business for you is to sleep!" He grinned at her, his smile fading when he saw the flicker of fear cross her eyes. "You'll be safe, I'll be right downstairs," he assured her, walking to his chest of drawers and rummaging until he found his LA Kings hockey shirt. "Here, you can sleep in this if you like," he offered, handing her the oversize shirt. "Anything else you need?"

"Glass of water?" Terry said quietly, pulling the pack of pain capsules from her jeans pocket.

"Shoulder?" Terry nodded slightly in response and MacGyver suppressed the natural urge to wince, instead adding, "No problem. You get to bed and I'll bring it up."

He turned to the stairs and Roadie moved to follow him down. "No boy!" He bent down to stroke the dog, "You stay here and watch over Terry, okay?" The dog barked once and sat down. Mac raised an eyebrow in surprise and smiled quizzically at Terry who shrugged lopsidedly. She had never understood it either, Roadie seemed more human than dog sometimes and she loved him dearly for it.

Mac took his time downstairs to allow Terry enough leeway to clean her teeth, get undressed and into bed, then he went back up with the glass of water. She was sitting wrapped up snugly under the covers and Roadie had jumped up to join her. Terry settled for a single painkiller instead of the two the doctor had instructed her to take. Just enough to dull the pain long enough for her to fall asleep, that would be fine she decided.

MacGyver perched on the end of the bed and watched her, wishing he knew what was going through her mind. She looked haunted and he didn't know whether she was afraid of what was going to happen or of what had already happened. "You okay?" he asked eventually as she put the water glass down onto the nightstand.

"I'm fine Mac, honest," she said insistently, forcing a smile, "I'm just tired and I ache, that's all. Stop worrying about me." She patted his hand reassuringly. "You don't look much better yourself, you know! Well, apart from the fact that you haven't got a black eye!" She smiled genuinely then, "You need to get some rest too, MacGyver."

"Yeah, I know. I'm just going to check in with Pete, then I'll catch a nap on the sofa," he conceded truthfully. "Sleep well. If you need anything, just shout." He leaned over and kissed her forehead chastely, then stood up out of reach before temptation led him astray. MacGyver waited by the stairs until she laid down and settled, then he turned and left before he could change his mind.

Terry watched him go, wondering what would have happened if she'd had the energy to act on her instincts to pull him close and engage his lips in breathless kisses. Then her eyelids grew too heavy to ponder any longer and she drifted off to sleep, hoping for pleasant dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was a familiar scream that emerged soundlessly from her lips. A vivid scene that resurfaced in times of severe duress as if she needed the added stress that returned with it. Terry's sleeping fingers gripped the blanket even tighter, as somewhere in the depths of her mind the hand she was holding slowly lost the battle for life, fading limply and dying as she watched.

"Mommy!" she screamed again helplessly, unable to do any more to save her. The hand dropped away as Terry sat bolt upright with a start, the silent anguished cry still echoing in her imagination.

She gasped for breath, coughing painfully as she felt the bruise between her shoulder blades make itself known. Roadie stirred beside her and she leaned over him, burying her face in his muzzle shakily, the vivid memories slowly fading back into the darkest recesses of her mind.

Eventually Terry got her ragged breathing under control and sat up to study her surroundings in the bright moonlight beaming through the wide window of the houseboat loft. She shivered, feeling the walls and sloping ceiling closing in too tight for comfort.

Unable to bear it any longer, she threw off the bed covers and swung her legs to the floor, standing stiffly, and gently flexing her shoulder to test it. It certainly didn't hurt anywhere near as bad as before, hardly at all in fact. Either the sleep or the painkiller was helping, whichever, she was grateful for its effects.

Roadie moved towards the edge of the bed and Terry turned to stop him, not wishing to wake MacGyver. "Roadie stay there," she whispered. He looked at her for a moment, his head tilted to one side, then he sat back down and watched as she softly padded down the wooden spiral staircase in her bare feet.

The big downstairs room was bathed in moonlight, shining through the French doors that looked out onto the water. Terry could see the restful figure stretched out on the couch and she could hear Mac's soft steady breathing. She walked over to the window, staring out at the moon's reflection glistening on the dark waters of the bay. She shuddered again, images of recent events and memories long past mixing incessantly in the forefront of her mind.

With a quiet sigh, Terry turned to regard the sleeping man, attempting to distract her troubled mind with illicit thoughts. She remembered the first time she had seen him lying there and the feelings it had stirred within her. Now she watched MacGyver resting soundly, studied the fine features of his face that looked so boyish when he was asleep, so kind and generous, yet somehow vulnerable.

Terry knew she was falling in love with him, she had known from the first moment she saw him, and she thought he felt the same way. But she also knew that MacGyver was far too much of a gentleman to take advantage of what he perceived was her susceptible state at present. As far as he was concerned he now had a job to do and would remain professional about it. Well, that didn't stop Terry from getting personal and, if that's what it would take, so be it. She would just have to assume control of the situation and make the next move herself. The time had come to stop being shy about what she truly wanted.

With new resolve to concentrate her thoughts on, she stepped towards the couch and carefully climbed over the arm, gently sliding her body into the gap between the back of the deep sofa and Mac's sleeping form. As she wrapped her arm around his chest he stirred awake and she felt him tense, ready for attack.

"It's okay, it's only me," she whispered, feeling him relax against her.

MacGyver turned towards Terry's voice, blinking his eyes open to gaze at her. "You're trembling," he said softly, feeling the quivering of her body against his chest.

"I'm cold," she lied, still trying to suppress the harrowing memories floating freely in her mind.

Mac lifted the blanket covering him and surrounded her with it, wrapping her tightly and pulling her into his warm embrace. His hands rubbed her lower back, stroking until she finally began to relax, her tremors subsiding as the nightmare let go its hold over her.

Terry absorbed the comfort in the circle of his arms, a playful smile curling the corners of her mouth as she let her hand drift down to his waist and find its way beneath his sweatshirt. Pushing higher to rest on his chest, her fingers stroked and tangled in the smattering of hair she found there.

MacGyver gave her a look of surprise, then, before he could react, she tilted her head towards him and placed her lips on his in the softest of kisses. Nuzzling closer, Terry pressed her body against him, stealing his warmth and appreciating the contact. She drew back from his lips and gazed at him, measuring his reaction by the look in his eyes, a liquid brown stare filled with desire and suppressed longing.

His lips made a silent "Wow" and Terry leaned into him again, her mouth finding his once more, moving ardently, sinking into his embrace as Mac gave into her, passions rising. Their jaws moved in time, her fingers splayed on his chest, her other hand stroked his cheek. MacGyver's embrace tightened around her, his strong arms pulling her closer, holding her so gently, mindful of her injuries.

Finally their lips parted breathlessly and he gazed at her bruised face in the moonlight, struggling in vain to suppress feelings of love and a desperate need to protect, which mixed with guilt that he had not been there to save her from harm.

Terry held his gaze and Mac felt himself drowning in her beautiful stare, unable to withstand its power over him. She blinked guilelessly and he leaned towards her, placing a whisper soft kiss on her bruised cheekbone. His hand moved to the nape of her neck, tangling in the soft strands of hair that fell to her shoulders and he gently pulled her in, kissing her bruised eyelid and cheek, working his way back down her jaw until she turned her head to meet his lips once more.

[MacNymph]

Oh OH! Hey NOW! Saucy!

HEY! Stop covering my eyes... I'm a grown up. Mostly.