Chapter Four: Sauna

“You know, in Ancient Greece, the Olympians used to compete in the nude—” Pete was enjoying this way too much, MacGyver thought. “—to encourage an, um… ‘aesthetic appreciation’ of the male body.”

“But Pete—”

“Sauna is a custom in Finland—one that they take very seriously, I might add. Everyone does it.”

“Well, I don’t appreciate having to wander around in public wearing nothing but my aesthetics,” MacGyver growled, “even if everyone is doing it.”

“Not ‘in public’—at the Sauna Bar. The address is on the card. And it’s only this once, Mac.” Pete managed to school the smirk off of his face; he could see that his friend MacGyver was very disconcerted. “It’s unlikely that he’ll approach you this soon. So just go and enjoy the steam and relax. It is a wonderful experience.”

MacGyver took the towel and card from Pete. “I’ve been in a sauna before, you know.”

“Of course,” Pete tapped his forehead as if to dislodge a thought, “a lot of Finnish and Swedish people settled in the Minnesota area—I knew that. Well, then—you’ll know just what to do. Though a real Finnish sauna is a lot different than what we have back in the States… for one thing, it is a lot hotter! And then there’s a whole system of etiquette that should be followed, unwritten rules to remember. Don’t discuss politics or any weighty subjects while in the steam room. And avoid using honorifics when greeting people. And you have to come out and cool down several times—don’t wear a bathing suit into the steam, either. Swimming pools that use water treatments containing chlorine—”

“The chlorine can become a vapor harmful to breathe—I know, Pete.” Mac ran his fingers through his hair. “Are you going to tell me how to sweat, too?” he grumbled. “Maybe you want to come along and hold my hand?”

Pete snorted and turned toward the door, saying, “Ah. No thanks. I wouldn’t be caught dead in running around naked in a place like that…”

“You— turkey!” MacGyver spun the towel into a limp rope at popped it toward Pete’s retreating backside, making the older man dance aside with a chuckle.

Pete laughed and continued toward the door, backing up to avoid tempting MacGyver with a target. “Seriously, I would love to join you, Mac—but we can’t be seen together or it might ruin your cover story. Anyway, I’ve got to be on a plane to Geneva tonight.”

MacGyver’s expression changed; annoyance gave way to surprise. “The peace talks? They are going on as scheduled despite the threats from Black Dove?”

“Yes. Ambassador Howell said that he finds the calls and letters disturbing, but that he won’t back down because of a few vague threats. He says that the talks can't be canceled because of a lot of hot air.”

“He doesn’t know that Black Dove isn’t bluffing.” Mac was incredulous. “Hasn’t he been briefed on what happened in North Africa?”

“He’s been briefed, Mac. He’s just not willing to allow himself to believe it is real or that it will happen to him.”

“He ought to listen to you,” Mac snorted angrily. “The entire delegation would have been wiped out if you hadn’t managed to persuade them to change their venue at the last moment!”

Pete gave MacGyver a look. “And you nearly got yourself cooked in that trap, trying to disarm the bomb.” He shook his head. “It was so unnecessary…the building was vacant!”

“I couldn't be certain of that--it hadn’t been cleared--there wasn’t time! And I told you, Pete, if I could have disarmed it, there would have been clues about the person who made it. Bombs like that are very complex… and the people who make them--"

"-- are consistent, Mac, yes, I know all that--"

"They use the same materials and often leave signatures…”

“That’s not your job anymore, Mac!” Pete cut his friend off sharply. “Didn't you have enough of that kind of excitement in Vietnam?”

MacGyver looked away. Pete sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Mac, just do me a favour, okay? Go to the meetings and look harmless and trustworthy. Try to win yourself a race or two. And until Demolitions is an official Olympic Event, don’t try to disarm any bombs… for my sake.”

MacGyver didn’t see how he could honestly make such a promise, so he let the subject drop. “I’ll do my job.”

“And so will I. My job is to get Ambassador Howell to listen to the facts. ‘Cause I’m like you… I don’t think this is a bluff.”

~~~tbc

wonderful read.

Love it, Lothi! For a moment there I forgot that Black Dove wasn't actually a real group . . . they're the baddies from Easy Target, right?

Yes, indeed. The Black Dove Liberation Army was the organization in 'Easy Target' that gave Mac and Pete so much trouble.

It made sense that a group who would try to disrupt the Geneva conference would call themselves 'Black Dove'--the antithesis of the white dove of peace. So I borrowed the name.

I promise I'll put it back when I'm done!

Awww, love the wonderful interaction between Pete and Mac. The love they have for each other and how they worry. Good ol' stern father Pete is nice as well

Yeah, I love scenes like this! Thanks!