Title: I Need You As Much As You Need Me
Author Notes: This is my first A-Team fanfiction, but I always enjoy stories about families, or what I feel a character needs. I welcome any and all feedback because I'm not sure I'll get the characters or dates right . Original characters get their own descriptions, but if you've seen the show then you can use your imagination. I don't own the A –Team, although I'd love me some Howlin' Mad -_^ First Chapter is the ground work and some background.
Synopsis: A little girl who needs someone to take care of her grows up, and a crazy man who needs someone to care about him finds solace. Starts during Vietnam State side, with some background and goes into the series.
Los Angeles December 1970
H.M. Murdoch sat loosening his tie and relaxed in a wood framed cushioned arm chair. He was wearing his dress uniform, however the jacket was hanging off over a partition from the living room wall into the kitchen. Murdock's Captain's hat was pushed back on his head and almost falling off to show how tired he was, or how much he didn't care. The chair was in a wood floored living room, with green painted walls, wooden furniture and a large brown carpet covering most of the room. Steven Kellen, a similarly lanky man wearing a flannel shirt and jeans sat in a similar chair next to him. He was in his late 20's, almost his 30's with light brown hair and worn hazel eyes that had crinkles around the edges with a child like humor to them. The man passed a cold glass bottle to the pilot as they both watched a 5 year old girl play with a plastic tea set on the rug. A gentle tune of Christmas Carols, and the rainbow glow of the lights from a Christmas tree played on her tea party. She was thin, with plain straight brown hair, large brown eyes and pale skin. Definitely a child who could blend in and not stand out.
Steven spoke softly to not break the calm. "H.M., I wanted to thank you for coming out with it being Christmas Eve and all. I know you don't get a lot of leave time." Murdock smiled as he took a drink watching the little girl play with the gift he had braught. He was of the opinion that every child should be able to open one present on Christmas Eve and he admitted his delight that Cassidy Kellen had chose his. "It's no problem man. I was missin yer ugly mug in country and you did say I could come by any time. Besides, I had to see my Casey Co-Pilot." Hearing her name the little girl looked up and grinned, quickly getting up and bringing a tea cup and saucer. "Uncle Muwdock, dis one is yaws." Setting the Coke bottle aside, Murdock took the teacup and saucer carefully. "Thank you Casey girl." Returning to the tea set, she began making another cup of imaginary tea. Steven chuckled and shook his head. "And you wonder why she calls you her pilot. I really do mean it. Thank you. Ever since I got Sectioned 8 back home, it's been hard to keep in touch and just seeing you means a lot." Murdock now had the plastic teacup in one hand and the soda in the other. "Aw shucks man. This war gonna be over and done soon and you, me and all the other pilots and gunners can get together for a big ole party. I'll even get my new team mates to come. You'd love em." Casey carefully handed her daddy a similar plastic tea cup and received a kiss on the forehead before going back to her new tea set. "The famous A-Team, Alpha Rank Special Forces. How did you get tangled into that, man? I remember shooting out your side door and you grumbling that the only team you can trust is the one who's watching your six." Murdock nodded. "I know, but this is different. These guys are, like me! They don't care about regulations and rules, but will get the job done that needs to be done. And they specialize in the ridiculous, which you know is my thing." Steve took a deep breath, eyes on Casey. "I would be lieing, if I said I didn't miss it. But when Rebecca died, and with the Med crash. I couldn't. There was no one else to take care of Cassidy and I couldn't look at another medical chopper from a gun sight." Murdock had set down the bottle and put a strong hand on Steven's arm. "Hey. No one will ever blame you for that. It was hard to see, let alone be in the middle of. And if I had someone like Cassidy, I wouldn't want her to be alone either. At ease Brother, at ease. It's Christmas." His conversation was interrupted by a small child climbing into his lap, her right thumb in her mouth, her left clinging to the tea pot. "Uncle Muwdock? You going to be hewe tomowwow? You still in you unifowm." Casey looked at the man she knew to be her dad's best friend. He was like family, because she had no other uncles or aunts. Her grandmother was dead and she knew her mommy was in heaven. That left her daddy and his best friend as her only family. This meant she loved seeing her uncle any chance she could see him.
Murdock wrapped his arms around her to keep her on his lap as his tea cup appeared right in front of her. "Well of course Casey girl. I have to swap out pilots for Santa when he gets here. When I'm done my turn flying him, I'll change into my pajamas and I'll be here all day. Sound good?" Casey nodded putting her thumb back in her mouth and rested her head on his chest, eyes on the Christmas tree. Steven Kellen smiled as he watched the two. He was lucky to have such a close friend, especially one that got along with his daughter. Murdock had agreed to be Godfather for Cassidy when she was born, but she only got to see him 2-3 times a year since. When they both went over seas, Steven's wife Rebecca had practically raised Cassidy in his absence. When she died, Murdock had come to the funeral, and since then had been one of very few men who came to see him. Steven wished he could go back. He wanted to help his comrades and be part of their fight, but with Murdock's transfer of orders and the government issuing recalls of troops, he was honorably discharged and told to stay home. Now watching his daughter and brother in arms, he was silently glad for moments like these. He had a feeling despite the decleration of the war ended, it was going to get worse. Steve knew that Murdock no longer really needed a gunner on his Huey, and he knew that Cassidy needed to be raised with family. The little things started taking up his thoughts as Murdock started singing along with the tune of "Little Drummer Boy". Cassidy fell asleep in his lap, the teapot clinging in her hand.