Chapter Text
Mariah never thought that someday, she would be apart of a privately funded government force with a hacker, an ex-army bomb disposer, a wannabe actor, a woman who she really didn't know much about, a woman who used to be a CIA Director, and a charming ex-MI6 government man. It all started when Mariah accepted a call just before leaving on her flight to visit her friend Amy after being on deployment for a long time. Amy asked if she could housesit since she was going out with her fiancé before their wedding the next week. That was why Mariah was going home. She was going to be one of the bridesmaids. Mariah accepted the invitation and was on her way back to Los Angeles, where her friend called home. Since Mariah was away so often, she would just room with Amy and her fiancé when she was off. She couldn't see herself spending the money on an apartment she would barely live in. Plus her friend didn't mind. Late at night, after a long flight from her military base, Mariah arrived at her friend's house. After some catching up between the best friends, Amy and her fiancé headed out. Mariah was making some dinner in the microwave since her friend had a meal prepared ahead of Mariah's arrival, so her friend would feel at home. Mariah went into the dining room and ate her meal. At around 9 o'clock, she heard a knock at the door. She didn't know who it was since she didn't hear from Amy that they were almost home. Mariah grabbed her handgun she kept at the house, which even being a medic, she stilled was proficient in using it. She looked out the peephole of the door and unlocked the door. In the doorway, was a man, maybe 50's year-old, charming, and bleeding through his black military uniform. He said, "I'm sorry to bother you at such an hour, but I need help. I need help to sew up a knife wound." He said with a British accent. "Come on in." Mariah responded as she helped the man in the house and into the bathroom. Mariah grabbed her kit, which had a bit more than the typical first aid kit. "You're an army medic, aren't you?" The man asked. "Yes, I am. I actually just got back from a deployment. This is my friends place. By the way, I never got your name." Mariah had asked. "My names Russ, Russ Taylor. And you are?" Russ Taylor asked, obviously trying to flirt. "Mariah Ann Marshal, at your service Russ Taylor." Mariah said, flirting back. While she knew he was older than her by a lot, she thought he was handsome and charming. "Alright, your wound is sewed up. You'll have to share a room with me, as your stitches won't like the couch. Here are some meds to help with the pain." Mariah said, Russ thanked the kind beautiful stranger. She helped Russ to her room, which didn't have a lot, but it did have 2 beds, in case there were visitors. "You know, not a lot of people would've helped out a stranger with a knife wound. Why did you help me?" Russ asked, attempting to get out of his bloodied clothes. "Well, I wasn't going to let a charming guy as yourself bleed to death. Plus the hospitals are too public for the situation you're in." Mariah responded. Russ didn't say anything. Once she made sure Russ was settled in, she got herself ready and told Russ when her friends were returning. They said goodnight and went to bed. All night both Russ and Mariah couldn't stop thinking of each other. In the morning, Mariah saw that Russ wasn't there. On the bedside table, there was a note:
I'm sorry for leaving in the middle of the night. Duty calls. Here's my cell number, for if you would let me take you out on a date. Call it payment for helping me.
Russ Taylor
Mariah smiled. She's never thought of going on a date. Being in the military, she never felt she had time for a relationship with anyone. She put the note in her PJ pockets and went out to the dining room table for breakfast. "So before you freak out over the medical stuff in the trashcan, let me explain. So last night after you left, a handsome man knocked on the door and asked me for help sewing up a knife wound. I helped him. He left sometime in the night." Mariah said, worried her friend would freak out. "We know. We saw him leave. Isn't he like 20 years older than you Mariah." Amy responded. "What! No nothing like that happened! I..." Mariah said. "It's okay I'm not mad." "You aren't?" "No. Did he ask you out on a date?" Her friend asked, excited about the possibility of romance for her friend. "Actually he did. He left a note." Mariah responded embarrassed. "Well, then call him!" "Wait seriously?!" "Yes!" "Jeez alright, I'll call him once I'm done eating breakfast. Thank you by the way for breakfast." "You're welcome." Mariah finished her breakfast and decided to call Russ. Load and behold, he picked up fairly quickly. "This is Russ." Russ started. "Hi this is Mariah, we met last night." "Ah yes I do remember. Have you come to take me up on my offer?" Russ flirted. "Well, how could I refuse someone like you." Mariah responded, obviously enjoying the playfulness of Russ. "Sounds like a date. Meet me at 7 at the fancy restaurant on 28th street. I'm buying. Oh, and dress your best." "Wait..." Mariah responded before getting hung up on. She smiled as her friend walked to her room. "So I take it that was a good sign?" "Yes. He wants to meet at 7 at the place on 28th street." "Isn't that a long reservation wait time?" "I think so. Oh well, I'm sure he just knows the owner or something. I think I may need to borrow a dress from you. I got myself a hot date!" Mariah said, excitedly.
A few hours of shopping and getting ready later
At around 6, Mariah got in her friend's car and drove to the restaurant. When she arrived around 7 like promised, the owner of the restaurant himself greeted Mariah and escorted her to her seat. Russ stood up, looking dashing in his black tux. He pulled out Mariah's seat and she sat down. He made sure she was comfortable, and then sat down himself. "Might I say, you look absolutely stunning, my dear." Russ said, obviously smitten by his dates change from pjs to an emerald dress. "You don't so bad yourself there mister." Mariah said. Just then the waitress came over and asked what they wanted for drinks. Russ ordered good wine for the table and 2 glasses. The waitress left and Russ and Mariah continued their conversation. "So, what do you do that caused you to get a knife wound. I could tell that was no pocket knife wound from a mugging. It was a military knife, wasn't it." Mariah said, rather forward. "I'm impressed. Because of that, I'll tell you what it is I do. But you can't tell anyone." Russ said. Mariah agreed and Russ leaned toward her and whispered. "I run a company called Spearhead Operations. I use to work for MI6, but that was a while ago." Mariah pulled back. She was actually impressed. "So you're a scoundrel then." Mariah said, liking what was in front of her. "I suppose you can say that." Russ responded. Soon the waitress came back with the wine, and 2 glasses. She took their food order and left. "How did you get us a table on such short notice? It takes a week minimum to get a reservation here." Mariah questioned. "Well, I know the owner. And I wanted the best for my date." Russ said, smiling. "I must say I'm enjoying myself. Being in the Army, it's hard to find time for a relationship. It seems you've been there." Mariah said. "Yes, I have. Maybe we could give it a shot?" Russ said cautiously. "Give what a shot?" Mariah asked, cautiously. "A relationship." Russ said, nervously. He knew he was probably going to fast. "You know what. I think I will like to give it a shot Russ Taylor." Mariah said, positively and excitedly. She's never really been one for romance, but she was glad to have met Russ. Someone who gets the military life, and it doesn't hurt that he's handsome. The waitress came back with their food. The night went pretty well. They talked, drank, laughed, flirted, and ate. At the end of the night, Russ walked Mariah to her car. "You know, I'm working on something, and if we are going to be boyfriend and girlfriend, I'd like you in on it, Mariah." Russ said. "What's that?" Mariah responded. "Meet me at the breakfast place by the old lab building that was shut down around 9, then I'll tell you. What I have in mind can't be explained, only shown." "Sounds like a date, Mr. Taylor." Mariah said, sarcastically. "I suppose it is. I'll see you tomorrow then." "See you tomorrow." Mariah drove off, and Russ went back to his place. Mariah arrived home, and her best friend was still awake on the couch. "Well! How did it go?" Amy asked excitedly. "It went super well. We talked, dined, and he asked me to be his girlfriend!" Mariah said, enthusiastically. "That's awesome Mariah! Why isn't he here?" Her friend asked. "He went back to his place. He walked me to my car and we drove off separately." "Alright then." Amy replied, kinda sad. "But he did ask me out for breakfast." Mariah added, hoping to add positivity to the mood. "That's awesome! I'm happy for you. You finally found a guy." Her friend responded, happy for her friend. They wished each other goodnight then it was off to bed.
The next morning
Mariah woke up and changed out of her pajamas. She got ready and got a taxi to the breakfast place. She walked in, and Russ was there. They kissed and sat down and ordered. Then they started talking. "So, are you going to give me any hints on this plan of yours?" Mariah asked, getting straight to the point. "Basically, I want to start a privately funded government group. I know being a military girl, you probably aren't a fan of that." Russ said, nervous about how his girlfriend would respond. "Actually I like the idea. You don't know how many times, on the field when I wish I could've done without the red tape. But what do you need me for? I'm just a medic." Mariah replied, unsure. "The other day, I was impressed with your willingness to help. If I am going to put together a team, I'll need a medic." Russ stated. Just then, their food came. Russ once again paid the bill, much to the argument of Mariah, who at least wanted to pay for her meal. They got into Russ's car and went to the Phoenix building. Mariah knew a lot of her fellow servicemen and women were upset with the Phoenix shutting down. They walked in and Russ went into more detail of his plan. "I want to bring in some of the best of the Phoenix Foundation and put it under private government money. I have the files of the other people I'm looking for." Russ said, like a kid in a candy store. "Alright, you have Wilt Bozer, a burger flipper turned movie star, Riley Davis, a hacker, Desi, a martial artist, and Matilda Webber, you have her!" Mariah looked at the last file. "And last but not least, Angus MacGyver? Ex-army bomb tech, DXS Agent, specializes in improvising using random objects? Alright, I gotta say your list is impressive." Mariah complimented. "When do we begin?" She asked. "Well, because of the shutdown, they weren't able to get government jobs, so they went to normal jobs. I'm mainly trying to figure out how to convince Angus to join. If he joins, the rest will follow." Russ said, inching his way towards Mariah. "So, how do we find MacGyver?" Mariah asked. "I have some pretty high powered friends, so I'll ask them." "When will that be?" "Depends. How long do you want to wait?" "Not long." "Exactly my type." And with that was a long and steamy make-out session in the war room. Once they were done, Russ wanted to treat his girlfriend to a nice, home-cooked meal, so he offered to take her back to his place. Mariah accepted and they left. Mariah couldn't contain her excitement! She had a new job and a new boyfriend. While he was a bit rough, he also was a charmer. Most importantly, he made her feel good. He treated her like a queen. After a nice meal and wine, Russ broke up the storytelling and laughter and asked the second biggest question in a relationship. "How do you feel about possibly moving in with me? I have a room. Or you could sleep with me if you'd like. I'm probably moving fast again, but I just can't help it. I love you, Mariah. So, do you want to move in together?" Russ said, more nervous than ever. Mariah could tell he was nervous. She was shocked as well. Here, a guy who 2 days ago, showed up on her friend's doorstep, bleeding, and now he wants her to move in with him. "You know what, a lot of my military friends move fast, but it never works out really. I'm willing to take that chance with you, baby." Mariah said, also nervous. Russ sighed in relief. "I'm glad we feel the same." "Me too." Mariah said she was going to call Amy to see if she can gather her things. Russ said okay and she left. This was going to be an interesting phone call. "Hey, can you do something for me?" Mariah called. "What is it?" "Alright don't laugh at me or freak out, so you know the guy who asked me out on a date?" "Yeah?" "Well, I'm going to be moving in with him!" "Wow! I mean, I'm happy for you Mariah, but isn't a little soon to be moving in with him?" "Maybe, but I know it's what I want to do." "Alright. It's your choice. I'm glad you're happy. Just come by in about 3 hours. Love you!" "Thanks! Love you too!" With that, they hung up. Mariah went into the kitchen, where Russ was cleaning the dishes. "Well, I've got 3 hours until I need to pick up my stuff." "Alright, I'll take you then." "You don't have to do the dishes babe, I'll do then" "It's okay I've got them dear." "You cooked, I'll clean." "It's fine dear, I'm just about done." "Alright if you insist." A few minutes passed, and Russ finished the dishes, while Mariah cleaned up a bit around the house. "So, we have 3 hours until we need to get your stuff, so what do you want to do?" Russ asked a little damp from doing the dishes. "I can think of a couple of things if you're down." Mariah responded, obviously hinting at the thing. "Oh really. What's that?" Russ asked, moving closer to Mariah. "This." Mariah said. Then she kissed Russ and pushed him on the couch nearby. They kissed again. "I like this idea!" Russ said, obviously enjoying himself. Then Mariah unbuttoned Russ's shirt, and Russ unbuttoned Mariah's shirt. Then off came the pants, and we'll let's just say you can fill in the blanks. After they were done, they cleaned up and left to pick up Mariahs stuff. Mariah walked in and grabbed her stuff. Her friends helped her load it in. Then Amy took her aside. "So, did you two?" And she made a suggestive face. "Maybe." "Hey, I'm not judging. Good for you girl." "Thanks" "You're welcome." "All right I'll see you soon" "bye!" Mariah got back in the car, shared a quick kiss with Russ, and off they went. Mariah looked out the window. She was excited about where this romance would take her. Russ was also excited. He always pictured himself as a bachelor. That is until he met this woman. In a moment she could've run away, she ran towards him and helped him. And she was pretty, sexy, smart, and quite beautiful. He didn't care about the age difference between them. They loved each other.