Title: If I'd only known….I promise I'll never let you down
Rating: K+
Characters: Hannibal, Murdock
Word Count: 5517
Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own the A-Team or respective characters
Dedication: JohnnyPenn, an author I have come to appreciate (as I have a lot of my L.J acquaintances)
B.A was doing 90kms down a foggy duel lane highway somewhere in Bailey County, Texas, late on a rainy Wednesday night in his prized van. He had been driving for the past six straight hours. Dozing in the passenger's seat was the boss man. Face had been the first to fall asleep and Murdock was still awake humming a tune that was driving B.A crazy. He had the radio on low and would much rather just be hearing 'Thunderstruck' because damn it was a great rock song.
"I'm warning you man"
B.A threatened in a hushed whisper and the humming had stopped for ten minutes or so and he had calmed down to the end of the rock ballad, and focussed all of his attention back on the road. Thunder roared and lightening crashed, it was a horrible night.
Murdock was bored but he wasn't tired, so soon enough he found himself humming the same tune, 'Sink the Bismarck' as it was the first tune that popped into his mind's eye. He couldn't hear the radio from his seat in the back anyway.
"Shut up man!" he said just louder than a whisper so he didn't wake his sleeping teammates, he felt the anger rising again and the calm dissipating. No Zen for Murdock.
"What'd I say?" Murdock asked innocently looking over to the mirror at B.A's reflection.
"You humming fool - knock it off right now!" he glared at the pilot in the mirror.
"I am?" he asked innocently though he had been doing it on purpose. At least he thought he had, really he didn't know what he did intentionally and what was spontaneous half the time, it all meshed together. Meh.
What could B.A possibly do to him in the confines of the van when he was safely behind him and Hannibal and Face were in the land of nod? He pulled his worn jacket closer around him, the heater was out and it was noticeably chilly.
"Yeah!" B.A said through clenched teeth as he looked at the road ahead, rain swamping the windscreen, lights on high beam and wipers on.
"Not like you gonna do anything about it big guy, you wouldn't wanna wake Hannibal" he had a huge goofy grin as he thought he was pretty safe from B.A's usual retaliation.
B.A frowned; he had just gone past the point of no return. Never assume you know what another person will and won't do. He should know better, but he was a few fries short of a happy meal this one.
"You so wrong sucker" B.A said still in a hushed tone as a car passed them and the headlights flooded the van for a moment and momentarily gaining all of his attention before the road ahead fell back to the foggy emptiness. Ahead he saw a sign that caused a smile to put any of Face's charmers to shame.
B.A put the blinker on and pulled off into a very convenient though middle of nowhere motel parking lot. Murdock felt very unsafe right now as B.A swiftly undid his seatbelt, turned the motor off and spun around to look him dead in the eyes. Murdock swallowed hard as he undid his own belt, B.A was pissed. He felt like he was the guy holding the red flag and B.A the bull.
Shit! This is bad. Very bad. Infinity bad….. I'm a dead man. I wonder if I'll see that light some say you see when you die?
"Calm d-down B.A…. don't want to wake Face and H-Hannibal do ya?" fear evident in his voice as he jumped over the middle seat into the back area, sweat sticking his bangs to his forehead. The movement of the seat caused Face to stir and he blinked up at B.A's aggressive posture, okay more aggressive than usual and became little worried. He couldn't see Murdock and had no idea who B.A was nixed at, it could possibly be him.
Hannibal had woken up by now and was fighting his way back to the land of the conscious trying to work out where they were and what was going on. He saw B.A climbing into the back and Murdock's unmanly whimper/shriek.
"B.A?" Face asked a little worried as B.A had climbed over into the middle of the van and cracked his knuckles, he noticed that B.A was not focused on him however and felt for Murdock. What has he done this time? B.A looks more nixed that usual.
"What is going on back there?" Hannibal barked as he turned around and met Face's shrug, the kid looked scared but B.A on the warpath had that effect. We need to have some team building activities I think; this is getting out of hand.
"There awake and you're dead meat sucker!" B.A growled with his usual loud tone as he gained on Murdock who was backed against the rear doors of the van. Brown eyes darting around wildly.
"B.A! Murdock! Stop it right now!" Hannibal said as he slide open the side door and Face jumped at the opportunity and bailed out into the storm ravaged night. The rain had ceased for now and he looked up at the dark clouds that threatened to continue any minute.
Murdock was in flight mode, he was more a lover than a fighter at the best of times. He'd jump in on a bar fight or back up his team mates no worries but he'd rather not be the one starting said fights unless bullied relentlessly, or if anyone insulted Amy Allen, Cookie Monster or one his many unique personalities. His min wasn't helping the situation at hand.
You provoked him, you always provoke them. You should be hurt, you're a bad person. He shook his head trying to clear that awful voice, like changing a radio station because you can't stand the song that's playing.
"Help!" he howled, B.A was right in front of him and he had nowhere left to run. Don't hurt me, please don't, please. At least this voice wasn't blaming him.
It brought back memories of the V.A when he would have episodes and the night staff would hit him until he stopped yelling out at ghosts or shadows. Sometimes they gave him extra ECT sessions that never made his records, one doctor broke two of his ribs because he kicked him too hard and it got written up as a fight with another patient. He would never go back; they must be out of their heads if they thought he would ever voluntarily go back to that hell hole.
He couldn't trust as openly as he did before he ended up there, always thought people had ulterior motives, but he was beginning to show more of himself around Hannibal and sometimes Face. He saw Facey as a friend and Hannibal was like the father he'd never had growing up and B.A was like the bigger, older, uglier brother that was cool sometimes and not at others, like now.
"B.A!" Hannibal warned as he climbed into the middle of the van.
"Damn fool been humming all night, driving me crazy Hannibal" B.A said and he hovered over Murdock, glaring as menacingly as he could.
Murdock dropped his head and waited for the first blow and the shocking pain that always came with it. In his mind he wasn't in the van anymore, he was back at the V.A. He was alone and he was going to be hurt, again. He wouldn't whimper, that always made them strike even harder.
Hannibal was intuitive and picked up on the change in Murdock's behaviour straight up. It was a little over the top even for him as he would normally be throwing taunts at B.A, not egging him on presa but not giving in without a loud ruckus.
"Murdock? B.A hold up a minute…." Hannibal questioned not surprised by the situation at hand but not impressed either. Why can't you boys play nice?
B.A held his glare but didn't strike the hunched pilot either, he wanted to though.
"Hey Hannibal, look!" Face said from outside the van and Hannibal turned to see what had drawn his 2IC's attention from the impending fight inside the van. B.A turned back to look at whatever Face thought was so urgent too.
Funny, but Hannibal hadn't noticed they were in the parking lot of a motel when he had got out of the van. Not 5 stars but anything was better than WW III inside a van and he sighed before turning back to the raging gold clad bull.
"B.A, you know he can't help it and he is sorry aren't you son?" he said looking sternly at Murdock who had his arms up still as if he expected B.A to lash out at him ant any second. His eyes were wider than Hannibal thought they should be and he was shaking, only slightly but he noticed it and it worried him. So much about Murdock and his unique mannerisms didn't but that did.
"Yes, I am! Really super sorry big guy with a cherry on top and sprinkles and –" he started to run his words and cast his eyes back down at his feet, his arms still in place.
"Damn fool, shut up!" B.A growled as he moved away from the mad pilot. That's all he wanted in the first place, the fool to shut up.
Murdock flinched at B.A's snap and lifted his head up slightly, watched B.A move back but he didn't make any effort to move from his position against the door; he lowered his arms slightly watching all three watching him to some degree. Hannibal the most, Face just glancing at him and then back to B.A and Hannibal and B.A not looking back once he was outside the van. His mind came back to the present, in the team's van, Hannibal was here.
Disaster averted. Muscles you can unfreeze now. For God's sake be more careful damn it! Hannibal won't be here one day and then what?
B.A getting out came and stood by Face. Hannibal turned his back on the hunched up pilot and consulted the yawning conman and still agitated mechanic come driver. Light rain staring to fall again, he put his hands in the pockets of his cream trench coat.
"I think we should stay here for the night. It's obvious we could all use a break and the weather is lousy" Especially you and him from each other.
A cattle truck passed by on the highway making a loud rumble as it changed gears, the noise a change from the storm.
"Yeah, my eyes are getting drowsy man" B.A admitted. It's been a while since we've had such a close shave with Lynch. Maybe I was a bit hard on the fool. Weather seems to be setting in too.
"I'll go get the rooms then" Face volunteered as he headed in the direction of the office, carefully avoiding the biggest puddles. Anything to get away from the tension between Murdock and B.A. This place looks like it belongs in Psycho, only missing that house…
He changed his opinion when walking through the door to reception and thankfully out of the cold rain, a brunette in her early twenties with a low cut purple sweater greeted him. He chatted her up as he booked the rooms, then he hit as snag as she checked what rooms were available; she was single and interested in him but the news he had to present to the guys may mean another fight. Damn, she was so pretty too. And a soft bed beats the van any day. Oh well, as Ned Kelley said 'such is life'.
B.A went to get his bag from the back but Hannibal put a hand on his arm and he stopped to look back at him, it must be important as Hannibal knows B.A is not a touchy-feely kind of man by any means.
"Tell me what happened between you and Murdock?" Hannibal asked in a calm voice. Rain drops collecting in his silver hair and running down his back.
"Crazy fool wouldn't stop humming – then he said I wouldn't do nothing and I lost my temper boss" he shrugged. I did come down hard on him but I asked him to knock it off and I warned him. He'll be back to bugging hell out of me come morning anyhow.
A pause and the rain began to intensify.
"That's all?" he pressed as he leaned on the side of the van, hands back in his pockets.
"Yep" B.A said as he walked to the driver's door and took the keys from where they still rested in the ignition and locked the passenger's door from the inside before he got out and locked the drivers.
Thunder echoed in the distance.
"Bad news I'm afraid" Face said as he came to stand by Hannibal, wondering why they were standing out in the rain.
"No room at the inn?" Hannibal joked; sometime you just have to use humour. Maybe it was too good to be true...
"Spill!" B.A added coming to be next to Face and Hannibal. He was not in the mood for jokes or games of any kind from anyone.
If it's gonna hit the fan like I think it will Face's inner voice said be ready to run like hell for shelter…maybe with the receptionist…
"I was able to get us rooms… but only….. one is twin share" Face quickly threw Hannibal two room keys and high tailed it to the motel rooms with the other key before he ended up having to share. He would get a change of clothes later as he knew where B.A's spare key was kept.
Hannibal who'd been unprepared for Face's actions had caught one key and was getting the other from the gravel. Maybe I'm getting to old for this shit he though as he heard his knee's crack.
"That's Kid!" he yelled after him, rolling his eyes as he saw Face rush into one of the rooms.
"I ain't sharing with crazy Hannibal!" B.A got out before Hannibal could say what he was thinking. No god dammed way!
Murdock was still hunched with his back pressed into the back door, he had stopped shaking and wasn't sweating as much as he planted himself firmly in the present again. His heart beat had slowed to a normal pace.
Hey, I can hear you! Sometimes you talk about me like I'm not here, I hate that! Why do people do that to me?
"Good because I thought it was a bad idea anyway" Hannibal handed B.A one of the two room keys, the one with an 'S' that he surmised meant single.
"Thanks man" he nodded at Hannibal.
B.A growled at the still stationary Captain as he pulled his bag from the van and made tracks to the motel room and out of the rain. Hannibal pulled his duffle bag to the sliding door then he looked over at Murdock.
This should prove….interesting. I usually stock you with Face or B.A don't I? Why is that I wonder…
"Come on son, you're with me" he smiled at him despite the how soaked he felt.
"Rather stay here" Murdock mumbled whilst he eyed his wearing out Taylor's.
Hannibal sighed, he was getting soaked and it was cold out.
"Murdock, grab your bag and come on" I want to get some sleep before we leave after day break. He was a little louder this time.
"No Hannibal" he shook his head. I don't want to.
"Murdock, its late and its cold come on" His tone was more direct. I'll order you so help me kid.
"I can't! Just go away" he pulled his cap down to hide more of his face as he slide down the door and bent his knees out in front of him, they had began to protest.
Oh well.
"I won't do that" he climbed into the van and slide the door shut to keep the menacing rain out and to keep what was said inside and private.
"Tell me what's wrong" he knelt on the middle seat looking into the back. Damn knees.
"You can't help" Murdock mumbled. I am what I am – nothing can change what I've seen, what I've done, what's been done to me…..So many times….
"Try me son" his voice was still calm and his concern was evident. He wanted to hug his son and draw his pain, but he didn't know what it was and he didn't want to further upset his special boy. They were all special in their own ways but Murdock was the most unique, he felt privileged to be one of this man's friends, although he knew they all saw him as a father figure of sorts.
A silence filled the van as Murdock thought and Hannibal waited patiently, Murdock still looked down and his hands played with his once white laces.
"No, you really can't help Hannibal" he shook his head rapidly. I'm a basket case. God damn it, he's your boss, don't cry.
"I can try…..if you let me" his voice wasn't that ordering tone of Colonel John Hannibal Smith he used when Face was being Face with some young thing at a really bad time. It was softer, that of the 'Hannibal' father figure, the one he usually reserved when Amy was around. I'm glad she's not here to see this.
Murdock just sighed; Hannibal was not one to back down lightly. He would stay all night if he had too and he didn't think he could keep up his mask that long. Might as well go with a half truth; tell enough to get him off your back but nothing more.
"When B.A was coming at me – I know he wouldn't actually hurt me….would he?" he looked to Hannibal head tilted slightly to the left as he wanted reassurance. The look in his eyes could melt the coldest of hearts; it was sad, lost and very emotional.
"No son, he wouldn't hurt you. None of us would" What is this all about? We went over this again when we sprung you last the time….months ago. What's running through that wondrous mind of yours?
Murdock had his cap in his calloused hands twisting it and was looking up at Hannibal now but he didn't meet his eyes, looked past him but not directly at him. Would he believe the full truth? You can out run him anyway, rain or no rain. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"I had a flashback to when….see the night staff at the V.A would… they hurt me.…so many times….." his voice broke and Hannibal felt a tug on his heart as Murdock bared his soul. No jokes, no funny voices or sock puppets, just raw emotions.
"….whenever I woke up screaming from a nightmare….but they were so vivid….graphic….the sounds... and I…..I…was frightened…." he was fighting the tears that threatened to fall. Christ it's all coming back….the pain….cruelty...malice…the inhumanity…
"…I was scared and they'd….they'd hit me…..kick me….yell at me…..shock me..." as the memories came to the surface he couldn't help the shakes that racked his lanky body and the few tears that fell from his brown eyes. His hands wrapped around his knees, puling as tightly as they could.
"…one time I remember a belt….my back….father used to…." He reached a hand back and rubbed his lower back as he recalled that severe beating in his mind's eye. He was crying freely now, he could help it, the memories hurt so much. Though you could see the trail of tears down his cheeks and the odd sniffle he was almost too silent.
Hannibal stayed quiet for a moment just watching him, waiting to see if he would add anything else. He was disappointed that his son had not informed him sooner and then he would never have made him go back after the first few missions. If I'd only known….No wonder you…..We made you go back…I wanted you to go back….to be safe from Decker or Lynch….Oh my god!
Around them the rain continued falling, running down the windscreen, echoing off the van's roof.
"A part of you thought B.A would hurt you like they did?" Hannibal asked softly as he knew Murdock had been hurt but he thought most of it was psychological. He had seen him have many episodes and he could be loud, random and weird but very few were violent. Murdock was a gentle man, that's why he didn't hesitate to leave Amy alone with him when they first met her. He blinked rapidly to stop the tears he felt in the corners of his eyes.
"I don't….something like that.…yeah" he sniffled and swiped away the tears from his eyes.
"Come here" Hannibal said gently. How could they hurt you? They were supposed to help you, take care of you and that brilliant and unique mind if yours. Doctor's are supposed to treat wounds not inflict them. As long as you are on this team I promise to never let them get you back.
"S'Okay Hannibal, I'll be fine" Murdock replied with a small smile as he reached for his bag and Hannibal nodded in understanding. Murdock was not overly affectionate at the best of times, he'd swipe, wack or play but he was hesitant of any overly physical touches. At least now he had insight into why. It must be very hard to trust us when the people who were supposed to care for you abused that trust before.
Murdock jumped out of the van leaving his sorrow for another day and Hannibal followed before he pulled the door shut with a scrap and a click. The thunder crackled and a drizzle of rain still fell, adding to the puddles in the car park.
"I'm here if you do want to talk. Anytime." Hannibal said as he opened the door to their room.
"I know that, thanks" Murdock said in a flat tone. Like he flicked a switch inside his energy changed back to that of an excited 10 year old. Just like that.
"Bags the first shower!" Murdock said as he ran into the bathroom and locked the door without waiting for a response.
Hannibal sighed and put his bag at the foot of one of the single beds and hung his damp coat over the coffee table to dry out. Then he laid back on the bed, feeling the softness compared to the seats of the van. It felt great on his slightly aching back. Murdock is a lot like an onion; some people like them and some don't. They have layers and they make you cry. He thought as the sound of a running shower came from the bathroom followed by out of tune singing.
I wish I knew the full story about his V.A experiences but I guess if he wants to tell me he will, if I push he will seal himself off and reveal nothing, bottle it all up and let it eat him from the inside out. I have seen that happen too many times.
Murdock's distinctive singing of the WWII tune 'Sink the Bismarck' could be heard over the running shower and Hannibal felt a smile cross his face, Murdock was a man that choose be live life as a child to avoid a repeat of the horrors be had seen during his life. As long as he was on his team Hannibal vowed to look after him and his brothers as though they were his own kin, to appoint they were a family unit. Spending so much of their lives together had made them really close, closer than some typical families. They had to be, on the run you have to be careful who you trust.
A rap on the door distracted Hannibal from his train of thought; opening it he saw a freshly showered Face wrapped up in a long dressing gown. He had a confused look of his face.
"What can I do for you?" he asked his youngest as he leaned on the dark green door frame.
"Is he okay?" Face hitched a thumb towards the bathroom. He reacted differently than I have ever seen him before, B.A is a scary guy but he was really terrified.
Of course you'd notice, aside from me you are the most observant of us all. He walked out into the foggy night clicking the door shut behind him, key in his left pants pocket.
"I wish I knew…I think he will be" Hannibal took out a cigar and felt in his other pocket for his matches.
"He was shaking wasn't he?" Face asked in a low tone. Rubbing his hands to warm them from the cold. He blew on them and continued to rub them.
"Yeah, he had a flashback to the V.A…I can't tell you what happened but…." He found them and lit it. I won't abuse his trust…how can I?
"That's okay. I don't think I want to know…I mean it's not that I don't care but…" he faltered for the right way to end that statement. He ran a hand through his hair damp as he pondered.
First time for everything Hannibal mused. You two have bonded and, it's nice to see you have someone closer to your age to talk to I guess. B.A isn't into the same things as you and I am older…too old sometimes I think.
"I think you care so much that you'd rather Murdock tell you himself if he wants to?" Hannibal said around his cigar. Smoke rising and meeting the fog.
"Yes" Face replied with a smile. Sometimes I think you know us better than we know ourselves Hannibal.
"Get some sleep Face, we leave after dawn" Hannibal smiled around his cigar patted him on the shoulder.
"All right, night" He smiled and turned for his room, clutching the long white robe closer to his body.
"Next time just hand me the keys? Night" Sweet dreams kid. He heard a laugh and watched Face enter his motel room.
Hannibal smoked the rest of his cigar listening to the sounds of the dying storm, before he went back into the relatively warmer motel room. Murdock was on the single bed closest to the other side of the small room, lying on his back with his feet where his head should be and vice versa. Wearing the cookie monster winter pyjamas Face got for his birthday last month and matching bed socks. His damp shoes, well worn jacket and faithful cap atop his bag at the foot of the bed.
"Heard what you said to Faceman" he didn't look over at Hannibal as he spoke; kept focused on a stain on the ceiling. Squinting up at it like he was examining it as one would a piece of fine art.
"It's not nice to eavesdrop Murdock" Though I guess I understand why. He took of his shoes and left them at the foot of his bed as he hunted for his toothbrush and Pyjama's in his army issue duffle bag.
Murdock moved to his side, now looking over at him.
"I know …Thank you Hannibal"
"For what?" Hannibal asked pulling out his Pyjama's with a tug. Then his eye's rested on Murdock. Those Pyjamas are so very you…Nice one Face.
"For not sayin….You could have and….I….you know" he shrugged as best one can when leaning on one shoulder.
"It wasn't my place, son" He took his night clothes and toothbrush to the bathroom and paused at the door.
"Did you really think I would?" he asked as he turned back to Murdock. A pang of hurt went through him.
"You could have and you didn't…..that means a lot...I don't trust easy and…uh...yeah" he sat up on the edge of his bed and crossed his legs.
"We are family. A rather unique one granted but…" he yawned. Maybe we should get him some fuzzy slippers to go with the pj's?
"That's the truth!" Murdock said and he laughed heartedly which made Hannibal smile.
"Get some sleep Murdock…we all need it" Hannibal said as he turned on the bathroom light.
"K' night" Murdock said as he pulled up the covers and got into his bed, snuggling his head on to a very soft pillow. He resisted the urge to ask for a bedtime story.
"Night son" Hannibal replied as he shut the bathroom door.
When Hannibal emerged from the bathroom in his pale blue pyjamas with clean teeth the room was dark but for the green glow on the motel's neon sign filtering through a small gap in the navy curtains. He padded softly to his bed, dumped his worn clothes into his bag and pulled down the thick covers.
"Hannibal?" came a soft whisper in the darkness.
"Yes Murdock?" he replied in a similar whisper as his head found a very enticing pillow.
"….doesn't matter…." Stupid idea anyway.
"Murdock?" Hannibal called back softly into the dark room.
A sigh came from the other single bed. Murdock swallowed.
"Can… I….. sleep with you tonight?" Maybe I could have worded that better…
"Did you have another flashback?" Hannibal asked as he turned his lamp on and its light filled the room. He looked over to Murdock once his eyes adjusted to the change and he could see that he was sitting with his back against the headboard and his long legs drawn up under the covers.
Murdock nodded and sniffled as his eyes acclimatised to the change.
"I was trying to go to sleep ya know….but my mind kept….I was back there..…and it wouldn't let me.…. I….." he shook his head like he was trying to clear it. Hannibal could see the glistening trail down his cheeks; he had been or was crying. He had learned long ago that Murdock had this sad ability to cry silently and alone, perhaps this stemmed from his experiences in the V.A?
"Yes...might be a t bit squishy though" The last time I did this was with Face…his feet were like ice cubes and we had a double bed.
Hannibal pulled back the covers on his bed and patted it as he moved to the left side, as far as he could anyway. Murdock all but fell as he was tangled in his bedding; in his rush to get out of his bed and flew in next to Hannibal and put his head on the right half on his pillow but was facing away from him. He had his knees up and thus took up three quarters of Hannibal's former bed.
It's a good thing he's so lanky or I doubt we'd both fit in this single bed. Be more companionable if this was a double…The more I learn about your past son, the more I can see why you fade in and out of reality….Your life has not been so great has it?
Hannibal pulled the covers up to their shoulders and brought up his left hand to run through Murdock's apple scented hair. Murdock sighed and relaxed his body at the affectionate touch of his father figure, the one man who believed in him and his ability as a talented pilot and lovable man no matter what he thought of himself. He felt more tears fall from his tired eyes.
"I know you're crying, it's okay" Hannibal said from behind him.
"How did you? I only just…?" he hadn't made any sounds, how did he know?
"Because I would be doing the same thing" Or rather Face would be, as you two are very alike in some ways.
"Really?" Surprise evident in his quiet tone.
Hannibal chuckled.
"Contraire to the myths I have emotions too" Hannibal said as he moved to hug Murdock as best he could.
Murdock rolled be face to face with Hannibal and smiled; despite all of his demons, mannerisms and split personality's galore someone still cared about him. This man, Hannibal, still respected him despite everything he was.
"I don't know about you..." Hannibal said "...but I could use some sleep?" Unless there is more you want to talk about, it doesn't happen enough with you. His eyes locked with Murdock's.
"mmm" Murdock replied as his heavy eyelids closed again, this time he didn't open them. Feeling the warmth of someone he looked up to so close and strong arms holding him he fought past the fringes of his mind and let sleep wash over him.
"Sleep well son" Hannibal said softly as Murdock's breathing evened out and his followed close behind.
-Fini-