Chapter Text
I think you had me at Mr. MacGyver
Chapter One - Disarming a bomb is easier than this
“You’re smiling so damn much man, you look like the Joker,” said Bozer as he and Mac made their way to the War room for their morning debrief. “It’s kinda creepy.”
Mac pushed his best friend away in jest. “You might wanna work on it before your hot date,” added Bozer, resuming his position by Mac’s side.
Mac laughed out loud as he stepped through the open door, Desi, Russ, and Matty already waiting. “Thanks for the pep talk, Boze, but I’ve got this.”
“Mmm-hmm…and that’s why it took y’all years to make a move.”
Honestly, Mac didn’t think he could make it through another day. He’d been trying to play it cool all week, but the closer it got to Saturday, the more excited and nervous he became.
“Ah yes, dear Angus,” greeted Russ enthusiastically. “I do believe you have a date tomorrow with the lovely Miss Davis.” Was there anyone who didn’t know, Mac thought, glaring at Bozer as he got comfortable in the chair closest to where Matty stood? Seriously?
Bozer just shrugged his shoulders in mock innocence before smiling from ear to ear.
“Might I suggest a haircut?” offered Russ, stepping forward and reaching out to touch Mac’s hair.
“Yeah, and don’t wear that checkered flannel you love so much,” added Desi to his left as she absently picked at her nail.
And just when he thought it couldn’t get any more awkward or embarrassing, Bozer’s voice joined the chorus of suggestions. “And flowers. She loves red….”
His eyes snapped from each of his friends one by one. “What the hell is happening here?!” he exclaimed, slapping away Russ’s unwanted and insistent attempts to touch his hair. “I’m perfectly capable of taking a woman on a date.”
Silence.
All three voices began at once, each offering their thoughts.
Mac sunk low into the brown leather chair as Bozer, Russ and Desi fired away.
“People,” commanded Matty’s voice, effectively silencing the room. “I’m sure blondie is more than capable of organizing his date with Riley,” she declared, looking at each one of the team before her eyes landed on Mac, the stern and chastising look in her eyes giving way to a softer, knowing glance. “Besides, I happen to know Riley is very much looking forward to what he has planned.”
Hearing this made Mac’s heartbeat that little bit faster, but now knowing that Riley was looking forward to their date as much as he was, made him feel significantly less nervous. He smiled his thanks to Matty.
“Yes, well,” spoke Russ, finally managing to ruffle Mac’s hair. “Be a good chap, and don’t stuff it up now.”
Mac just shook his head and grabbed a paper clip from the bowl perched on the edge of the round table. His thoughts began to wander to Riley as he began making god knows what.
It had been almost three months since they’d pulled him from that hyperbaric chamber, three months since Riley’s voice had brought him back as his body flatlined. He still hadn’t told her that. Why he wasn’t exactly sure, but seeing her as he came to, the fear, the relief, the desperation, he’d somehow known that she was barely holding it together like if he touched her, she’d crumble. At that moment, all he’d wanted to do was wrap her in his arms and tell her he knew. He was there. He was right there with her. In truth, he’d been right there with her for weeks now. They both couldn’t break through that door; he on one side, her on the other.
But time had given him the chance to reflect on everything, the choices he’d made, his career, his relationships both professionally and personally. And through it all, she was right there, consuming his every thought.
His mind flashes back to that night, the team gathered around the fire pit in celebration. He and Riley were officially Nanobot free. The beers flowed, laughter filling the air. From the moment they’d sat down, her between Matty and Russ, himself between Desi and Bozer, he couldn’t stop glancing at her across the flames that divided them. And it seemed her eyes kept seeking his in return. He’d wanted to touch her. No, he needed to touch her, to hold her hand. He needed her to feel grounded. Suddenly it was as if something shifted, and his eyes found hers again among the flames. Visions of Riley from the moment he’d met her until right now flashed before him in black and white before flooding in vivid color as if his head and his heart finally collided.
Yet only moments later, she’d suddenly cleared her throat, making her apologies and calling it a night, Matty offering to drive her home.
It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over him, the sudden awareness that everything he’d realized he’d ever wanted was, in fact, not his to have. Riley had closed that door, and somehow, her walking away right now felt like she was locking it.
“Hey Mac, you okay?” asked Desi as she shut the door behind Russ.
Forcing a small smile, he’d told her he was fine, just tired.
He knew she didn’t believe him, but he was grateful that, for once, she didn’t push it. Instead, she’d said she was going to take a shower and head to bed. Farewelling Bozer, who was wiping down the kitchen bench, Desi walked away.
Mac crept towards the kitchen and sat himself down on a stool as Bozer put the last of the beers in the fridge.
As the kitchen filled with a heavy silence, Mac felt like he was drifting, and he had no idea how to anchor himself.
“Are you ever going to tell her?” came Bozer’s voice breaking the silence as he dried his hands on the small towel.
Mac couldn’t think straight. “Tell who what?”
Bozer threw down the towel, spinning to face him. “Seriously, Mac, are you blind or just stupid?”
Taken aback, Mac’s eyes snapped to those of his childhood best friend. He didn’t know what to say.
“She’s right there, man!” added Bozer, frustration lacing his words. “She’s always been right there, and it’s damn obvious to anyone who pays enough attention that it’s not one-sided.”
Riley.
“Ah, I see. Just stupid then,” said Bozer shaking his head, no doubt seeing the understanding written all over Mac’s face.
“It’s not…I didn’t know-”
“Oh hell no,” exclaimed Bozer, cutting him off. “You knew. That moment in the kitchen, the one you told me about but then brushed off. You felt it just as much as she did, but then she had to endure a front-row seat to you and Desi. Again.”
Mac’s heart twisted with guilt, and his head hung low.
“She tried to tell you. Hell Mac, she’s been trying to tell you for years!” Bozer exclaimed.
Mac’s head snapped up. That couldn’t be right.
He shook his head. “Riley said Germany, that’s when she-”
Bozer’s arms flew up in the air. “You two are as bad as each other! Both blind and damn stupid!”
The kitchen fills with silence again, both men staring at each other.
Finally, Bozer sighs before speaking calmly. “Tonight, you realized, didn’t you. Nobody else noticed, but I did,” he said, pointing to himself. “The way you couldn’t stop looking at her, and she couldn’t stop looking at you.” He shook his head. “What are you doin’ with Desi, man? You’re in love with Riley. You always have been, and I think deep down you’ve known for a long time.”
Mac took a steadying breath and ran his hands through his hair, eyes closed.
“Why haven’t you ever told her?”
It seemed to take forever for Mac to find his voice, to tell his truth.
“Because I couldn’t bear to lose her if she didn’t want me back…I couldn’t lose her even if it meant I couldn’t have her…” he all but whispered, his heart in his mouth, head shaking.
Silence.
“Well, the funny thing about that,” started Bozer as he grabbed his keys and phone from the bench. “Is that’s the same thing she said about you.”
Mac sat stock still as Bozer had moved towards the door, pulling it open.
“You’ve always been her first choice Mac, but you can’t expect her to hold on forever,” he said just as Desi called out for Mac. “Make up your mind, man.”
And with that, he had left.
Desi walked out of the bedroom and made her way cautiously toward him. Bozer was right. He needed to make up his mind. He owed it to Desi just as much as he owed it to himself and Riley.
“Des, we need to talk,” he said softly.
She nodded, and he’d seen the unspoken realization flash across her eyes.
“You love her, don’t you,” she whispered.
One hand wrapped around the fist of the other, he rested his chin in on his hands.
His silence was all the answer she’d needed.
“I’m gonna need a drink for this,” she muttered, walking to the fridge.
After a long night of talking and a few more beers, they’d both acknowledged that they were merely using each other to fill a void. For Desi, it was Evan, and for him, it was Riley. Friendship was where their strength lay; they were far too chaotic as anything more.
He’d helped her move back to her apartment the following day, no ill feelings, no awkwardness. They’d even had dinner afterward and shared stories and laughs as friends, which now that he thinks about it is pretty ironic considering how much trouble they’d had trying to have dinner together as a couple.
He’d finally started the mandated counseling sessions Matty had ordered months, if not a year ago following the fallout of Codex, and he was brave enough to admit that they were helping. Just another example of how listening to Matilda Webber was the right thing to do.
His professional relationships had never been better, especially with Russ, and his friendships were stronger than ever before; spending more time with Bozer had been awesome. It was just like old times. Having set downtime helped too. Ever since Russ and Matty had severed all ties to the US Government, being an independent entity had meant being able to choose missions, which came with the perk of having weekends off.
He honestly felt like he was living again. There was some semblance of balance in his life.
Through everything, Riley still consumed his every thought. He had even started dreaming about her. Even so, he didn’t want to rush into anything. She was far too important to go in guns blazing straight out of being with someone else. He wanted her to know that she wasn’t a rebound. He’d thought things would be awkward between them, given that he was pretty confident she’d somehow felt the same emotions he had that night across the fire, but no. Riley Davis was an amazing woman, and she’d made it clear two days later when she’d turned up on his doorstep that no matter what had happened, they’d always have each other’s backs.
The days since had been the same as they ever were with Riley; easy, relaxed, and fun. The only differences now were the little subtle glances they’d knowingly give each other, the coy smiles. He honestly felt like a love-struck teenager.
And that’s how he found himself here, good-heartedly tormented by their friends over an impending date he’d only worked up the courage to ask for five days ago.
He chuckled to himself, remembering how much of an almost disaster that was.
Hey Riles, got any plans on Saturday?
Mac paced back and forth in the kitchen before moving to sit on the couch, legs bouncing as he stared at his phone on the table.
He checked the clock.
How had it only been two minutes?
His hands moved like a viper at the sound of the ding, alerting him to a message.
Besides catching up on all the washing I’ll undoubtedly not do this week, no plans. You?
Mac laughed out loud a little. Washing had not been her favorite household chore, especially during quarantine.
Well, I was kind of hoping you might like to come with me to the Space Center and check out the new exhibits. As a date.
He pressed send.
Mac could feel his heart thumping in his chest.
“Oh my god, disarming a bomb is easier than this,” he said out aloud, hands running through his hair again and flopping down on the couch, eyes to the roof.
DING!
Like a date, date?
He couldn’t stop smiling.
Yeah Riles, like a date, date x
I don’t usually kiss on the first date Mac
Panic had suddenly filled him. Oh god, that’s-
And then, before he knew it, he had pressed her number on speed dial, and the words tumbled out of his mouth as soon as she’d picked up.
“Riles, I didn’t mean that I-”
“So, you don’t want to kiss me,” she asked, quietly interrupting him.
Oh god, this is going from bad to worse! He screamed internally.
“God no, Riles, I mean YES! I do want to kiss you. I just…” he stumbled before he heard her laughter on the other end of the phone. “You set me up,” he huffed out in a laugh.
“I’m sorry,” she replied, still giggling. “Easy target.”
“You’re so not sorry, and you’re giggling. Since when does Riley Davis giggle?” he teased in return.
The giggling stopped.
“I don’t giggle.”
Mac leaned back into the couch, grin from ear to ear. “Yes, you do.”
“You have had one too many knocks to the head. I don’t do giggling,” she retorted seriously, but Mac could hear the humor beneath the surface.
“Okay, no giggling,” he laughed.
There was a brief moment of silence, and he could hear music in the background. That didn’t surprise Mac, he knew she loved music, but it’s her song choice that had him curious.
“What are you listening to?”
“Oh um, radio,” she answered very unconvincingly.
Mac strained to hear. And then he was laughing. Full body laughing.
“Are you listening to Jump for my love?”
He laughed even harder when he heard her fumble to turn it off.
“Never took you for an 80’s girl Riles.”
He could practically see her red cheeks from where he sat on his couch, a mere 10-minute drive from her house but what felt like a lot further.
“I thought you wanted to take me on a date, Angus?” she asked, seriously emphasizing his name, and it sobered him a little along with doing other things.
He’d store that away for a later date.
“I do. I want to take you out on a date, Riles,” he said eagerly before composing himself. “I really want to, if you’ll let me?”
He waited seconds for her to respond, but it felt like hours.
“What time do I need to be ready?”
He was grinning like a schoolboy. Why the hell had he waited so long to do this?
“I’ll pick you up at 10 am; we can grab lunch afterward,” he said, but it was more a question. He wanted Riley to set the pace.
“I’d like that.”
Slipping from his memories, Mac smiled at the paper clip in his fingers, which he’d absent-mindedly turned into a pineapple.
“Parker, good perfect timing,” said Matty, acknowledging the engineer as she stepped over the threshold to the war room. “I need you to trace this number that keeps calling my cell. Now.”
Mac spun the paper clip pineapple in his fingers, his eyes glancing towards the door, waiting for Riley to step through.
“Of course. Whenever you’re ready, Ma’am,” replied Parker.
“Hello?” answered Matty as she placed the call on speaker, her voice firm and commanding.
It still amazed Mac how intimidating the woman could be from across the world on a phone call, let alone face to face.
“Ah, is this Matilda Webber?” asked the female caller.
“Yes. Who is this?”
All conversations in the room had ceased as they listened in.
There was some hesitation from the caller before she responded. “Ah, my name is Sarah, our um…teacher told us that if she ever didn’t show up without letting us know, then we had to ring this number and ask for Matilda Webber,” she explained.
Everyone exchanged confused glances, nobody knowing what to make of the call.
Matty glanced at Parker, who shook her head, no doubt meaning she’d yet to trace the call.
“Okay, Sarah, was it? I’m not sure why you were told -”
“She made it very clear that we needed to call you if she ever didn’t show up,” interrupted the woman, repeating her words from a moment ago, her voice no longer unsure.
Matty lifted her hands, exasperated. “Who is she?”
Silence.
“Artemis37.”
To be continued.