They were on mission in Canada, when Murdock noticed for the first time that there was something wrong with Face. He couldn't keep up with the rest, he couldn't cath a breath and was pale like a ghost. When he suddenly fainted in the van just after they moved their way back to the States and pilot couldn't revived him to, Hannibal decided that they have to take him to the nearest hospital in Toronto.

'Myocardial infarction? At this age? It's impossible' B.A. said

'Who knows...Well, our lifestyle is stressful, we also don't feed healthy...' colonel sighed worried, picked up a cigar he wanted to burn, hesitated and after gazing at it few seconds he put it back into the pocket like he never did before.

Three men were waiting for tests results When finally doctor came out of his office everybody got up.

'What's with him?' colonel said.

Doctor looked at them and asked: 'Someone of you is from a family?'

'I'm a brother' Murdock lied easily and took a step forward.

'Please come in' said medic and gestured for the captain inside.

When both of them took a seat doctor took off his glasses, rubbed them on apron and sighed.

'Your brother's condition is serious. We suspected pre-infarct condition, but more detailes tests have shown infrequent and dangerous heart defect. Quick surgery is needed. Without it patient won't survive.'

'What are the chances of success'? pilot asked in a weak voice.

'Unfortunately, 25% to 30%,' said the doctor putting the glasses back. 'Mr. Peck has already signed consent for the procedure. '

The captain left the room dizzied. In the corridor there was no B.A. nor Hannibal. Apparently they went to discuss with someone the issue of financing Faceman's treatment. Murdock decided to go into the room, wherein lieutenant was lying. Medic told him, that Peck was already conscious.

Captain walked a few steps and stopped. He did not know what to say to a friend. Pretend that nothing serious is happening and playing the fool as usual? Assure him that everything will be fine?

Or maybe... Say goodbye? No, Murdock couldn't bear this thought. He sat on the nearest chair and buried his face in his hands.

In the same time Face was lying motionless, staring at ceiling and thinking about his life. Basically – he was summarizing it. He had plenty of luck to got away unscathed from hell of Vietnam war and didn't expect that this time he succeeds after all. Was recalling his childhood in an orphanage, Leslie, luckless bank robbery in Hanoi and finally his years as soldier of fortune. Will Hannibal decide to replace him with someone else? Where could he find trusted man? A blessing in disguise was that happened outside the States, so there was no danger of being caught by Decker.

He was thinking also about his women...Now regreting that he treated them so objective, but it was too late to regret.

Suddenly he felt strong pain in his chest. Devices to which he was connected started beeping.

Captain saw nurses and medics running to lieutenant's room. He jumped to his feet. Before got on toward doors, bed with Faceman on it was already outside room and medics hurriedly led him to the operating room.

'Face!' - yelled captain and ran up to friend

'Patient lost consciousness again. Please, don't disturb' said either of nurses, cathing Murdock gently by the elbow and pulling aside. After several seconds over the entrance to the operating room lit red light. Captain was staring at it, when he heard Hannibal's voice behind him.

'What happened?!'

'I don't know, colonel. They just took him and told me nothing...But before doc informed me that Face has serious heart defect...' Said pilot, his voice trembling.

They were waiting in the corridor for four hours for end of surgery. Meanwhile night fell in Toronto. Both captain and sergent were praing quietly and altough Hannibal never was a religious man, he joined them. Finaly doctor left operating room and before anyone pursued say anything, he intimated to them:

'Surgery was successful, but it's too soon to say that patient is already safe. Next 12 hours will be determinative.'

Guys were confused. They didn't know, if they should be happy that their friend was still alive or dissapointed, that they have to wait another half of a day and maybe things will go wrong way.

'Sitting here longer won't change anything. Let's go to the hotel and sleep a little' said B.A.

'I'll stay' said Murdock.

'Hey man, Faceman wouldn't be glad to see you exhausted like this because of him' sergeant replied.

'He's right, captain' said Hannibal and put his hand on pilot's arm like he used to. 'Come with us. You can't help. Lieutenant is in good hands. He'd like to see you in good shape.'

'Maybe you're right...But I want be near when he'll wake up!'

'Probably the doctors would not allow us to sit with him in the room. He's in intensive care unit.' argued colonel

It was evident that Murdock beats with his thoughts. In the end, he bowed his head and whispered:

'OK.'

Murdock slept only two hours and during this he had nightmares. When he woke up started to recalling all those crazy scams Face did to wriggle him out of VA. Pilot was angry at himself that he was thinking about lieutenant like he was already gone.

He went out of hotel soon after sunrise.

B.A. and Hannibal joined him few hours later, when he just left doctor's office.

'How is he?' asked Smith

'Conscious. It seems like he's gonna be ok. Doc said that they'll keep Facey for a week in hospital.' captain replied and suddenly put his baseball cap lower on his eyes and bowed head. 'Go see him, I'll come in a minute'.

Two man entered room.

'You lucky devil!' said Hannibal and grinned.

'If ya scared us like this once more, I'll kick ya ass, you got my word! Remember!' shouted B.A with frown, but in a second his face was also brightened by smile.

'I'm happy to see you too, B.A. Where is Murdock?' asked Peck weakly

'He needs to take a while. Actually, he's crying.' coloned explained

'What? Why?' said Face

'Guess, kid. With happiness'.

~ THE END ~