[Disclaimer: The A-Team is still the red-hot property of Stephen J Cannell (RIP)]]
Chapter 1: The Boys are back in Town!
[Timeline: June 1988]
Five months had passed since Colonel John Smith, Lieutenant Templeton Peck and Sargent BA Baracus had cleared their names and received their Presidential Pardons – along with a very generous compensation package.
Captain H M Murdock had also been cleared of all charges for aiding and abetting the notorious A-Team both whilst they were on the run as fugitives and in helping them escape during their 1986 trial.
The team had shared their compensation money with the pilot, because after all, he had unofficially been the fourth member of the team, or as Hannibal so eloquently put it, their secret weapon!
They had all gone their respective ways to follow their dreams as free men. Murdock, of course, continued to live with Kami in Angelino Heights. He had made a steady recovery from the horrific, physical and mental injuries that had been inflicted upon him during his last mission under General Stockwell's reign. He had become very competent in the restaurant business and had continued his role in helping out Kami's friend, Teresa Lombardi, in her Italian restaurant. He could turn his hand to almost anything – cooking, washing-up, waitering – all of which were carried out with his usual gusto and love for life.
Face was engaged to Rina Turin and they lived with her son Eric in a neighbouring suburb. Always being the one with a flair for a good business opportunity, he had bought his own premises and ran a very successful property development agency. He had become very skilful in finding the best locations for new developments and assisted in the renovation of leased properties - making a substantial profit on any particular project! His greatest achievement, however, came in the form of being a caring and loving partner to Rina and a devoted step-dad to Eric.
BA lived a couple of blocks away from Face. With the Lieutenant's help he had found himself a nice little apartment. He became involved in the local Youth & Kids Academy, working as a military trainer. The Academy was designed to increase confidence, leadership skills, teamwork, discipline and self-defence amongst young teenagers. Having managed to curb his fear of flying somewhat, he made regular trips to visit his mama in Chicago. Rumour also had it that he had found himself a young lady friend!
Hannibal had relocated to Bad Rock, California, so he could be with Maggie Sullivan. Most surprisingly, he had stayed on General Stockwell's payroll. Being of an outstanding military background and through the General's many connections, he became a strategy adviser to private military corporations and defence contractors. Not one to be sitting on his laurels, in his spare time he also gave lectures at Military Academies and trainings schools across America.
And now today, after being apart for five months, the team were taking time out from their busy schedules to reunite with Murdock and Kami. Kami was on summer vacation from school, where she taught as a teacher, so it was the perfect time for everyone to catch up.
Hannibal was already staying with BA, as Maggie was attending a medical convention. Their plan was to pick up Face and head over to Angelino Heights for a few weeks. Rina and Eric were holidaying with her parents, leaving Face with some free time on his hands before they returned. The girls would then come and join them later on.
Murdock awoke that morning and was very excited about the pending reunion. Kami couldn't help smiling to herself at the pilot's obvious delight at seeing his friends again. She could hear him singing in the shower, enthusiastically belting out a rendition of "The Boys are back in Town!" She crept into the bathroom to find him playing Air Guitar on his wooden, long-handled bathroom loofah, with just a bath towel round his waist to hide his modesty!
Guess who just got back today? [he sang]
Them wild-eyed boys that had been away
Haven't changed, haven't much to say
But man, I still think them cats are crazy
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
Friday night they'll be dressed to kill
Down at Dino's bar and grill
The drink will flow and blood will spill
And if the boys want to fight, you'd better let them.
The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town
He suddenly stopped when he sensed he was being watched. He turned round and saw Kami standing in the doorway, her eyebrows raised in amusement.
"Reminiscing about the good old days, Fly Boy?" she asked, frowning in mock disapproval."
"Jeez, kimosabi!" he exclaimed loudly. "Wotcha doing creeping up on me like that!"
"Just admiring the view," she replied, throwing him an approving glance.
"There's an even better view from over here," he quipped back, winking suggestively at her.
Kami threw her head back and laughed. "Why Captain, I do believe you're leading me astray!" she tutted.
However, she padded across the floor towards him and gently caressed the last few fading scars that still adorned his upper body.
"Actually, you've got a very nice singing voice," she commented, as she put her arms around him in a loving embrace.
Her touch sent shockwaves tingling down Murdock's spine. The anticipation of that first kiss always made his tummy flip over. It was the start of a great rollercoaster ride of desire and passion that would finally end in a complete feeling of fulfilment and contentment.
"Love you, HM," she whispered softly, as she became lost in the pools of his captivating brown eyes.
"Now, that's music to my ears," he purred back, before they finally succumbed to their sweet journey into paradise.