Murdock was having the best night he had had in months. The team had just finished a mission and were back home in LA. They were sitting at an old bar downtown where they were welcome by the owner who they had helped the year before. He held a beer in his hand as he watched his friends from across the room. He loved nights like this that were so few and far between. Nights where it felt like it had before they had become wanted criminals 2 years ago. Like they were just having fun after an official mission and were being treated to drinks by their CO.

Murdock smiled as BA pushed Face out of his chair with a smile on his face while Hannibal chuckled behind his cigar. He brought the beer to his lips but set it down without drinking. He really loved nights like this but they brought up so many memories. He sometimes had to get some fresh air, like now.

Murdock walked out front of the bar and leaned against the front window. He looked around and smirked. The neighborhood was not the best but it had gotten better since they had started to work the area. Still, the street was very empty this time of night. That's why a small noise got his attention.

It was just a small noise, but it was familiar. It was the sound of a quiet sob. He had heard that sound so many times over the years. He followed the sound and waited for another. He barely heard the next one but followed it into the alley behind the bar. It was coming from behind the dumpster.

"Hello, is anyone there?" Murdock asked, slipping his hand under his jacket and reaching for the gun tucked into his pants just in case. There was the sound of garbage moving, like someone being startled. Then the sobbing cut off, "I know someone is back there. I just wanted to make sure you were alright, I heard crying." he slowly looked around the dumpster and let his hand move away from his gun

Sitting in an empty box was a small girl, no older then 7. He could only make out a few things in the dim lighting. Her clothes hung off her like they were a few sizes to big, like she was drowning in them. Her hair was long, tangled, and to dirty to tell the real color. Her skin was pale but hidden under dirt and what looked like bruises and blood as well. Her wide green eyes stared up at him in fear, tears forming streaks in the dirt on her face. At seeing him she had tried to press herself farther into the box.

Murdock got to his knees and held up his hands to show her they were empty, "Hey there sweetie, are you hurt?" she didn't answer and her tears increased, "Hey hey hey, it's alright, I'm not gonna hurt you. I just wanna know if your hurt." he reached into his jacket pocket and dug around until he found what he had been looking for. He pulled out 2 suckers, one red and one green, and held them out to the girl, "Hey, you like candy?" the girl looked up and stared at him, "It's alright, take whichever one you want."

Quick as a flash the girl's hand reached out and snatched the red one. She quickly opened it and started to suck on it. She still looked at him with fear but wasn't so pressed to the wall anymore. Murdock just smiled at her, "There now, you like that." he put the other sucker back in his pocket, "See, I'm a nice guy, just wanna help you." he sat down before her, legs crossed, hands on his knees and in full view, "So, wanna talk to me now?" The girl just narrowed her eyes slightly. Murdock sighed, "Alright, well, how about I just ask you yes or no questions. You can just nod or shake your head, don't even have to talk to me. How does that sound?" the girl stared at him some more and when he was about to give up she nodded slowly, "Good, now we're getting somewhere."

Murdock looked at her in her scared green eyes and asked, "So, are you hurt? Cause you got some blood on you there." the girl paused and looked down as she nodded slowly, "Alright. Would you let me help you?" she looked up at him again, questions filling her eyes, "You wouldn't have to stick around if you didn't want to or anything. I just want to make sure your alright. And you look hungry to. Have you eaten today?" the girl shook her head no, "Well, how about we trade. I'll give you a nice warm meal, but in return you have to let me fix you up. Do we have a deal?"

The girl was very quiet, the only noises coming from her sucking on the candy in her mouth. She seemed to be thinking very hard about what he had just said. Then, so quietly he almost missed it, and in a voice that sounded like the tinkle of little bells, she said hesitantly, "Alright."

Murdock just smiled and slowly reached out his hand, "Alright, just give me your hand. I live just down the block." when the girl didn't move to take his hand something occurred to him, "Can you walk?" the girl started to cry silently as she shook her head, "Oh sweet pea, why didn't you tell me? Would it be alright if I carried you then?" she nodded hesitantly, "Alright, I'll go real slow."

Murdock slowly picked up the little girl, she felt so light. She curled up into his chest, absorbing his body heat in the chilly night air. When he picked her up he noticed that she had no shoes or socks. Her left ankle looked swollen. As he walked out of the dark alley and into the light he got a better look at her. She appeared to have red hair under all the filth it was covered in. he could also see a shallow cut on top of her head, where the blood on her face had come from. The bottoms of her feet were also covered in small cuts. And he had been right before, her face had a large bruise forming on her right cheek. He could see she was wearing what looked like pants that were to long for her that she had rolled up. Her shirt was hanging off of her like a dress and was covered in stuff Murdock didn't even want to think about.

He realized that if he was gonna fix her up, even just for the night, he needed to get her some new clothes. He would call Face once he got back to his apartment. He could guess the girl's sizes.

When they got to his building he went inside. It wasn't the Ritz but it was good enough for him. He went up the stairs to the third floor into 3B. The team all lived on the same floor. The neighbors didn't really care who they were because they had helped save the building from men trying to steal it for some stupid building project. In fact, they had helped everyone within two blocks from the same thing, including the bar they had been drinking at.

He opened the door to his apartment with one hand. It was a modest 2 bedroom with one bathroom, a living room area, and a small kitchen. The kitchen was always kept fully stocked so he could cook whenever he wanted. He set the girl down on the couch in his living room and kneeled down in front of her. She was holding the stick the sucker had been on.

"Do you want another one?" she nodded. He reached into his jacket and held out the green one, "I know it's not red but I can get more later alright." she nodded and took it, "Now, I have to make a phone call real quick, let my friends know where I am. Then we can get you cleaned up and fed. My friend, Face, is gonna bring you some clothes that fit you alright?" she nodded as she put the sucker into her mouth, "I'll be in the other room. If you need me for anything just yell. Now don't go anywhere."

Murdock went into the kitchen and pulled out his cell phone. He called Face's number and waited as it rang.

"Peck here."

"Face, it's Murdock."

"Murdock, man, where did you go?"

"I went outside to get some air. I found something out in the alley."

"What?"

"A little girl. Face, you should see her. She's all dirty and beat up. Her clothes don't fit and she doesn't have any shoes. I need you to go out and get her some clothes. Get a few outfits cause she's gonna be here until her ankles healed up."

"Whoa, wait, you found a little girl. Is she alright? What's wrong with her ankle?"

"It's twisted I think, haven't checked it out yet. Just tell me if you can get it to me and how soon."

There was a pause and then Face said, "The shop down the street is still open for another hour, I can get it to you in about 30 minutes. What's her name Murdock?"

"I'll tell you as soon as she tells me. Tell the guys what's going on and when you come over be quiet so you don't scare her." Murdock hung up after giving Face what he hoped were the girls sizes and returned to his living room. The girl hadn't moved

"Alright sweet pea. Let's get you cleaned up." he picked her up and carried her into the bathroom, "Now, I need to clean you up alright." her eyes showed a bit of panic and she started to wiggle, "Hey hey, it's alright. I promise, I'm not gonna hurt you. I just need to make sure you aren't hurt anywhere I can't see. I promise, I'll go real slow and gentle alright?" the girl nodded and took a few deep breathes

Murdock slowly stripped the small girl before him while the tub filled up with warm water. First he washed her hair, making sure to be careful of the cut on her head. Then he used a wash cloth to clean her face and ears with. Then he handed the washcloth to her, "Now, you clean the rest of yourself."

Once she was clean he could see all the damage. Along with the cut, cheek bruise, and twisted ankle she had a few other bruises. She had one on her left side and one on her right outer thigh. Murdock didn't ask her any questions, knowing she wouldn't want to answer them right now. He helped her out of the tub, draining the now dirty water. He then helped her dry off, drying her long red hair with a blow dryer and then combing it out. It went down to the small of her back and curled slightly. He wrapped her in his bathrobe, cocooning her inside of it, "There now, don't you feel better." she smiled slightly, a beautiful sight, and nodded, "Now, we just have to wait for my friend to get here with your new clothes. But before he gets here let's get you patched up. Then we can get you something to eat."

He carried her out into the living room and pulled out the first aid kit. Him being part of the A-Team it was quit an extensive kit. He started with the bottoms of her feet. He held up a cotton ball covered in disinfectant, "Now, this is gonna hurt a little but I need to do it to help you. Are you ready?" she nodded, "Alright, here we go." he dabbed the bottoms of her feet and she hissed slightly, tears forming in her eyes but not falling, "Oh I know sweet pea I know." he blew on the bottoms of her feet to ease the pain, "Your doing great." then he wrapped her feet in clean bandages, "See, was that so bad?" she shook her head, smiling slightly at him. He returned the smile, "Now, let's take care of that ankle. I'm afraid you won't be able to walk around on your own for a few days. But your welcome to stay with me as long as you want. Are you alright with that?"

The girl looked down at his smiling face and nodded, "Yes, I like you." she said quietly

Murdock's smile doubled in size, "Well I like you to sweet pea." he started to wrap her ankle tightly, "Hey, you wanna tell me your name? You can call me Murdock."

She smiled and relaxed a little more, "My name is Lilly."

Murdock finished with her ankle, "That's a pretty name, Lilly. I like it." she smiled a little bigger, "I'm sorry about what I gotta do next Lilly but I promise to make it up to you." he held up another cotton ball, "I gotta use the same stuff I used on your feet on your head. It's gonna hurt a little more but I promise that after I fix it up we'll get you something to eat."

Lilly's face became firm and her lips thinned, "Alright, I'm ready."

Murdock smiled at the sound of her voice, "That's a brave girl." he cleaned the cut on her forehead and wiped the tears from her face when he was done. He bandaged it and smiled at her, picking her up into his arms, "I'm proud of you Lilly, you did really well. Now, you get to eat."

He set her down at his small kitchen table. It was up against the far wall, right underneath a small window. It was made to seat two people. He asked, "So, what do you want to eat? I can make you a burger, some macaroni and cheese, a sandwich, bacon and eggs, name it Lilly."

Lilly got a look of concentration on her small face, "Um, can I have grilled cheese and tomato soup, Murdock?"

Murdock beamed at hearing that sweet little voice say his name, "Of course Lilly. One grilled cheese and tomato soup coming right up."

But before he could get started there was a knock on the door. Murdock saw Lilly stiffen in her seat and he kneeled down in front of her, "Hey, it's alright, it's just my friend. He's really nice and he has your new clothes. Do you wanna come meet him? I promise, you'll like him."

Lilly nodded and let Murdock lift her into his arms again. They went to the door and opened it. Face stood there with two bags in each hand from the small clothing store down the street. Face's eyes widened at seeing the redheaded bundle in his friends arms. He smiled softly after seeing the slightly scared look on the girl's face, "Hey there, I got your new clothes."

Murdock stepped back, "Well, what are you waiting for man. Get in here so we can see what you got her. I wanna see if I got the sizes right."

Face stepped inside and followed Murdock into the kitchen where he started to cook, "I'm sure you got them right. You always know peoples sizes, it's weird."

"Whatever Faceman." Murdock said as he started cooking

Face opened the bags to show Lilly what was inside each one, "Now these should fit just fine. I'm more worried about the pants I bought. I wasn't sure if you liked skirts or pants so I bought both. I also got you some nice shoes and a new jacket. And finally I got you some new shirts. Why don't you and Murdock go get you dressed and I'll watch the food."

Lilly nodded and smiled, "Thank you." she said quietly

"Well, what are friends for after all." Face smiled back at her, "My name is Templeton Peck by the way. But you can call me Face."

"I'm Lilly." Lilly said as Murdock picked her up and Face picked up the bags.

They went back to the spare bedroom which was sparsely decorated. It had no specific theme or any real decoration. It was a nice little room with a bed, a side table, a lamp, a digital clock, and a small chest of drawers with a mirror over it as well as a small closet. Face put down the bags and left the room to watch the food while it cooked.

Murdock set Lilly down at the end of the bed and laid out all the clothes. Then he helped her put on some underwear. He told her that she couldn't wear the socks or shoes until her feet and ankle were healed, "Alright Lilly, pick out what you want to wear."

Lilly looked at the clothes on the bed and pointed at a pair of plain blue jeans, a pink t-shirt with a rose on it, and a pale yellow hooded jacket. Murdock helped her get the pants on since she couldn't stand and watched her put on the shirt and jacket. He folded up the rest of the clothes and put them in the empty chest of drawers.

He turned back and smiled, "Now, while you stay here this can be your room. Would that be alright with you."

Lilly nodded, her smile growing slightly, green eyes shining with joy. They both heard Face yell from the kitchen so Murdock picked Lilly up and they went back. When Lilly took her first bite she smiled so wide her face looked split in half. Then small tears started to fall down her face. Murdock and Face were next to her in an instant asking her what was wrong. She just smiled tearfully at them and swallowed her food before saying, "No one has ever been so nice to me before. Thank you Murdock. Thank you Face."

They both reached out and hugged her lightly, so as not to touch her bruises. She finished her food and then Murdock took her straight to bed. Murdock changed her into the pajamas Face had bought. They had little flowers on them. He gave her a bell saying, "If you need me, day or night, just ring that bell. Just ring it when you wake up in the morning an I'll come and get you alright?"

Lilly nodded and snuggled into the bed, falling asleep almost instantly, a smile on her small face.

Murdock went out to his living room and sat next to Face on the couch. They stared at the bookshelf in the dark, looking at all the different books and pictures on the shelves. After a few silent moments Murdock sighed, "Face, we have a big problem."

Face sighed as well, "Yeah. What are we gonna do. Can't just let her go back to the streets. It wouldn't be right."

"Yeah, but you know what might happen. The life we lead, she could get hurt. But I can't think of a single person I would trust her with. What are we gonna do Faceman?"

"I guess we'll just have to see what happens."

And they sat there together in the dark.