Chapter 12 Pt1

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Aria awoke the following morning, embarking on her inaugural mission with a sense of anticipation. Placing her hand tenderly on her growing belly, she marveled at the sight of her baby moving within. Overwhelmed with disbelief, Aria eagerly awaited the moment when Mac would feel their child's presence.

Aware of the potential discomfort that lay ahead, Aria decided to alleviate any pain by taking painkillers. As Mac emerged from the bedroom, Aria greeted him with a smile. Guiding his hand toward her belly, Mac's eyes widened in astonishment. "That's our baby," Aria whispered, her voice filled with awe.

"Are you ready for your first day?" Mac asked, to which Aria responded with sheer happiness. "Well then, let's not keep them waiting. We wouldn't want to be late," Mac remarked. Teasingly, Aria wondered aloud what their boss, Thornton, would do if she made a mistake. Mac chuckled and replied, "Let's not give her the chance. Come on, let's go."

Leaving their home behind, Mac and Aria made their way to the Phoenix Foundation. Sensing Aria's nerves, Mac asked if she was ready. Aria expressed her concerns about potential mishaps, fearing she might fail. Tenderly, Mac lifted her chin and assured her, "I won't let anything happen to you or our baby."

Seeking comfort, Aria settled onto Mac's lap, finding solace in his words. "I won't let anything happen to you or our baby," he repeated. "And if you make a mistake, we'll find a way to make it right." Aria nodded in agreement, and their lips met in a passionate kiss. Lost in the moment, their intimate exchange was abruptly interrupted by a text message from Jack, reminding them of their impending arrival.

Mac chuckled at the timing, and Aria playfully questioned Jack's interruption. "So much for being uninterrupted," Mac mused as they resumed their journey to the Phoenix Foundation. Mac grinned mischievously and gently placed his finger on Aria's lips. causing her to become bewildered. "We'll discuss this later," Mac whispers, his belly fluttering with anticipation. Aria nods in agreement. "Let's go, Mama," Mac says, planting a tender kiss on Aria's pregnant belly. Aria rises from Mac's lap, and they both exit the car.

Stepping out into the world, Mac and Aria make their way into the Phoenix Foundation. As they enter the room, they are greeted by Thornton. "Hello, Miss Aria," Thornton warmly greets. Aria returns the greeting, saying, "Hello, Miss Thornton." Thornton then inquires about the well-being of the baby, to which Aria joyfully responds, "Awesome!" Mac's smile lingers, the butterflies in his belly still fluttering from earlier.

Thornton turns her attention to Aria and asks if she is ready to work. Aria confidently replies, "Yes, Mama." Jack, Riley, and Bozer flash approving smiles. Thornton proceeds to explain the mission: a murder has occurred in a game room, with the victim being a 45-year-old man named Everett Lee.

The team is going undercover to uncover the truth. Mac's undercover name is Bruce Spain, while Aria's is Xara Reece.

Thornton mentions that a waiter will provide them with drinks. Jack will assume the identity of Edward Smith, a card player, while Riley will be Amelia December, a watcher. Thornton emphasizes that they will all be wired for communication. Bozer, taking on the role of Dustin War, a card player, expresses his approval. Thornton reminds them to find the killer and advises Aria to inform Mac if she feels unwell.

Aria assures Thornton, "Yes, Mama," and asks if everyone is ready to catch a killer. Thornton specifically asks Aria if she is prepared for the task. Aria confidently replies, "Yes, Mama." Thornton concludes, "Alright then, let's do this. And remember, be smart and don't do anything foolish." Aria affirms, "You got it."
House

Aria double-checks her belongings, then gracefully steps out of her sleek car, ensuring it is securely locked

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Aria double-checks her belongings, then gracefully steps out of her sleek car, ensuring it is securely locked. Approaching the vigilant security guard, she confidently reveals her name before venturing inside to join the rest of the ingenious MacGyver team. Through the intricate wiring, Thornton's voice resonates, inquiring if Ari can hear her. Aria responds with unwavering clarity, assuring her comrades that all is well.

With a strategic mindset, Thornton urges her team to maintain their composure and blend in seamlessly while remaining vigilant for any peculiar occurrences. She specifically instructs Mac to keep a watchful eye on Ari, a responsibility he readily accepts.

Meanwhile, Ari gracefully navigates the bustling crowd, observing the lively interactions among her colleagues, including Riley. Skillfully delivering the beverages, she repeats the process diligently, only to stumble upon an unexpected encounter. Apologizing gracefully, Ari bends down to retrieve the fallen glass, inadvertently injuring her delicate hand. In a moment of pain and panic, she hastily flees the game room. Seeking solace in the sanctuary of the bathroom.

Mac swiftly communicates the distressing situation to Thornton, sharing his observation of Ari's sudden departure. Concerned for her well-being, Thornton anxiously queries Mac about Ari's condition. Determined to uncover the truth, Mac vows to investigate further, assuring Thornton that he will keep her informed.

Finally reaching the bathroom, Mac enters to find Ari, his voice filled with genuine care as he addresses her. Ari meets his gaze, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pain and relief. She confides in Mac, admitting that she has injured her hand, causing her considerable discomfort. Eager to provide support, Ari reaches out to Thornton through her communication device, assuring her that she is alright, despite the unfortunate accident. She recounts the incident, explaining how she clumsily collided with someone, resulting in the shattered glass and her wounded hand.

"Alright, we need to find something to mend this," Mac exclaims, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any objects that could serve as a makeshift bandage. After a moment, he discovered something suitable and skillfully wrapped it around Aria's injured hand. "There, all better," Mac declared with a sense of accomplishment. Aria and Mac made their way back to the game room, resuming their activities.

Several hours passed, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Suddenly, an emergency alert pierced the air, causing them all to spring into action. The lights flicker, and darkness engulfed the room, instilling fear in Aria, who begins to panic. Just as quickly as it vanished, the light returned, but the CEO was nowhere to be found. "The CEO is missing!" someone announced, their voice filled with urgency. Then, darkness once again descended upon them.

"Where's Aria?" Mac called out, his voice laced with concern. "Aria!" he shouted, his worry evident. "I'm over here," Aria responded, her voice trembling. Bozer informed Mac that she appeared frightened.

Determined, Mac assured Bozer that he would take care of Aria and joined the rest of the group. Approaching Aria, Mac gently addressed her, "Hey, are you okay?" Aria gazed into Mac's eyes, her expression filled with relief. Without hesitation, she embraced him tightly. "I thought I lost you," Aria confessed, her voice tinged with sadness as she clung to Mac.

Confused, Mac questioned Aria, "What are you talking about? I was just doing what I needed to do. The lights went out, and then they came back on. I heard about the CEO going missing, and I ran because I was scared and couldn't breathe. It all happened so quickly, and my immediate fear was never seeing you again," Aria explained, facing Mac.

"But that didn't happen. You're safe," Mac reassured her, his hand gently caressing her face. Overwhelmed with emotion, Aria leaned in and kissed Mac passionately. After their lips parted, Mac gazed at Aria intently. "Are you okay now?" he asked, his concern evident.

"Yeah," Aria responded, still shaken. Mac offered his support, "Can you stand up?" Aria nods, and with Mac's assistance, she rises to her feet.

"Rise, fair Aria," Mac inquires, extending a helping hand. "Indeed," Aria replies, as Mac's supportive grasp lifts her up gracefully.

With arms intertwined, Mac and Aria venture back to their comrades. "Is she unharmed?" Jack asks, concern etched on his face. "Aye, though still shaken," Mac assures, his voice steady. "Very well, we shall retreat to a lodging to discuss this ordeal," Jack declares.

"Come, dear Aria," Mac beckons, leading her away from the gaming realm, their steps echoing in unison.

Finally, Mac and the valiant crew reach their sanctuary, a hotel haven. "Are all souls unscathed?" Thornton inquires, her eyes scanning the weary faces. "Indeed," Riley confirms, relief evident in their voice. "And what of Aria and her precious child?" Thornton probes. "Fear not, for they are unharmed," Mac assures. A glimmer of gratitude in their eyes. "Excellent, let us now analyze the captured moments and unravel this enigma," Riley suggests, skillfully infiltrating the game room's system to retrieve the coveted footage.

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