Trial of the innocent
A/N: First of all, I do not owe any of the characters of the A-Team. This story is entirely fictional, but it is somewhat loosely based on the episode 'Trial by Fire' (season 5).
Intro: The A-team has been caught and they are locked up in a maximum secured stockade to await their trial. Stockwell will also play a part in this story, but there will be no Frankie Santana (didn't like the character). Murdock attends the trial and he will be accompanied by the love interests of his friends: Maggie Sullivan (Hannibal) and Zowie Stockwell (Face/OC) as well as B.A.'s mum.
Chapter 1
It was the first day of their big trial. The team was already dressed up in their military costume. Face was a nervous wreck. He had hardly slept that night. The lawyer he had managed to hire was not convinced off their innocence and that had him worried. He had also mentioned that the case against them was pretty strong and that they hardly stood a chance. He had advised for them to plead guilty to the charges of robbery and desertion. Hannibal was worried too, but tried not to show this to his men. He had to maintain his image of the strong leader.
"Are you doing okay, kid?" He asked his Lieutenant. "Did you at least get some sleep last night?"
"Yeah, fine," Face lied. "Slept like a baby."
"You ain't foolin' me, Faceman," B.A. answered. "You was tossin' and screamin' all night."
"I just somehow have a very bad feeling about this," Face admitted.
"We're not giving up without a fight, Face," Hannibal said patting Face's shoulder. "It's not over yet."
They were being escorted to the courthouse and seated. Face looked around at the people who showed up at their trial. He noticed Murdock enter the room and both men looked at one another. Murdock – despite being so-called insane – was by far Face's best friend and they didn't need words to express how they were feeling. Murdock immediately noticed the fear in his friend's eyes. He crossed his fingers as if to tell Face not to lose hope. Maggie Sullivan and Zowie Stockwell and B.A.'s mom also came walking into the court room and sat down beside Murdock. Zowie's eyes immediately found Face's blue ones. He tried to con her with his famous million dollar smile, but she saw right through it. She noticed straight away how tensed he actually was.
He absolutely didn't look his usual handsome self. His complexion was pale and he had dark rims underneath his beautiful, usually sparkling blue eyes. Zowie could tell that he had hardly slept. How she had wanted to pull him in her arms and hug him and assure him everything would be alright. But she couldn't! She made a heart sign with her hands and mouthed an 'I love you'. He smiled softly.
As their lawyer wanted to go over some stuff with them before the trail started, Face was forced to turn back around and face the rest of his unit. Zowie talked quietly to Murdock and Maggie. They all agreed that Face looked terrible and the trial was yet to start. It would become even harder for him. They agreed that something needed to be done. Zowie knew some people with a thorough knowledge of the law who could help them out. She snuck out of the court room to place a few calls and entered again right before the actual trial started.
"And?" Murdock asked. "Did you find your answers?"
"Sure did," she said smiling. "It should be no problem. As this is a court martial, we can ask for them to have some private time a day with a loved one or member of the family. They can't refuse that. So this means that Maggie can spend some time with Hannibal, Mrs. Baracus can spend some time with B.A. and I can get to spend time with Temp."
"That's good news," Murdock agreed. He knew they wouldn't allow him to spend time with his friends. "Facey could really use your support."
"I'll go and inform their lawyer about the good news," Zowie said.
She ran towards Mr. Conway and filled him in on what she had found out.
"Miss Stockwell, that's excellent thinking of you," he said. "It is in these men's best interest that they spend quality time alone with a family member or a loved one. I'll ask the judge for this favor straight away and he has to agree indeed."
"Thanks, Mr. Conway," Zowie stated. "Would it be okay if I hug Temp briefly?"
"Temp?" Mr. Conway asked not knowing who she referred too exactly.
"Lieutenant Templeton Peck," she said. "He is my boyfriend."
She looked at Face and smiled. He smiled back at her unsure of what was going on, but he knew his girlfriend was up to something.
"Sure. I don't see why not," he said. "I think he needs all the support he can get right now. Go ahead! You have my consent."
Zowie quickly moved over to Face. He turned around in his chair and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I love you, Zowie," he whispered in her ear. She noticed how his voice was trembling.
"I love you too, Temp," she answered him. "Don't ever lose your courage. Okay? Promise me. It's not over. We'll do our best to get you out of here."
"I'll do my best," he whispered.
"I have a surprise for you," she said. "You'll be happy! I'm sure! And you'll find out what it is very soon."
She softly pressed a loving kiss to his cheek and went back to her seat. The trial was now starting. Hannibal, B.A. and Face had to stand up as the judge and jury arrived. As soon as everyone was seated, Mr. Conway addressed the judge with Zowie's special favor.
"As this is a Court Martial and these men have not been able to live a normal life for years, we would request for them to be allowed to spend 3 hours a day with a family member in private. We have researched this request thoroughly and we believe it is in these men's best interest."
"Mr. Conway," the judge started. "I will have to sustain this request, but I do see a problem. Isn't Lieutenant Peck supposed to be an orphan? I don't think any family members were located up to now. But he also has the right to spend time with someone. I can't exclude him from this request."
"We already figured that one out, your Honor," Mr. Conway spoke. "Our sources have confirmed that they can also spend time with a loved one. Lieutenant Peck is indeed an orphan and we have no whereabouts about his family whatsoever, but what we do know is that he has a loved one. The same rule should apply to Colonel Smith as he has lost all connection to his family, but also has a loved one at the moment. Sergeant Baracus on the other hand has is mother."
"Alright Mr. Conway. That looks to be a suitable solution to the problem," the judge said. "You request will be sustained. As of today, these men will be allowed to spend time alone with either a family member or a loved one as stated."
He accepted the note with the names of the people involved written upon it and read them out loud. "Colonel John Hannibal Smith will be allowed to spend family time with Miss Maggie Sullivan. Lieutenant Templeton Arthur Peck will be allowed to spend family time with Miss Zowie Stockwell and Sergeant Bosco Barracus will be allowed to spend family time with Mrs. Baracus. The family time they're allowed to spend will be 3 hours on a daily basis and will be spent in a private room provided by the military with no guards present in the rooms."
"Some girl you've got there," Hannibal said to Face. "I wonder where she learned about this. We'll be forever in her debt."
"Yeah man. She's good," B.A. answered. "Never thought I could spend time with momma no more."
"Yeah. She's some girl for sure," Face answered happily. He was glad he would be spending at least a few hours a day with her. "I just wish I would have met her a little earlier."
Zowie, Maggie and Murdock cheered silently in their seats and glanced at Mrs. Baracus who was crying but also smiling at the same time. Murdock knew how close Scooter and his mom really were and that she was grateful for every minute she got to spend with him.