[Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for the Box Set.]

Chapter 1: The calm before the storm

[Timeline: May 1986 – somewhere in the Los Angeles underground.]

General Fulbright getting killed and Murdock taking a bullet in the shoulder, hadn't been part of the plan. Having just rescued Fulbright from the Vietnamese Guard, he was shot in the back by the evil Colonel Sieu just as they reached the helicopter. He had died from his injury before Murdock had become airborne. On their departure, Hannibal had aimed his rifle at some oil drums, blowing them sky high. With a bit of luck, he had thought to himself, grimly, Sieu would also have gone up with them. It had created the diversion they needed to escape.

Despite his injury, the wounded captain had valiantly managed to fly them back to the Vietnam jungle, where they had left the plane to get back home. As they flew over the ocean, they had all made the decision to give the General a burial at sea.

There wouldn't be time to bury him in the jungle and they didn't want the Vietnamese Guard to get hold of him. And they couldn't bring his body back to America as it would have put them nicely in the frame for his murder. Plus they would have had one hell of a job explaining to the authorities about his mixed-raced daughter, Tia, whom he had fathered with her Vietnamese mother, Chin-Tu, twenty years ago.

The pilot flew down to a safe distance and they held their heads in respect as they watched the General's body disappear over the edge of the helicopter. He would have preferred it this way. He wouldn't want his impeccable war record to be blemished by the current events, which would have made him a war criminal in the United States. As far as they knew he had no immediate family who would miss him as he had dedicated himself to the army.

No doubt there would be awkward questions asked about his disappearance, but without any substantial evidence, it would be pretty hard to implement the A-Team. Perhaps one day the truth would emerge. But for now – and also for the safety of his daughter – this was the only way around the situation.

After the water burial had taken place, Murdock continued with the journey. He landed the helicopter in a clearing, a few klicks from where they had left the plane. Hannibal had checked his wound. Luckily, the bullet had gone straight through his right shoulder. Hannibal had raided the first aid kit, cleaning and padding up the injury as much as he could. He applied a dressing and then they started their trek back through the jungle to where they had left the plane.

It had taken well over a day for Murdock to fly back to LA. After landing the plane in an abandoned airfield, they took refuge in the beach house Face had scammed. Hannibal had contacted Dr Richter, asking for extended leave for Murdock, so they could fix him up and give him some time for recovery before going back to the VA. At first, Murdock had been pale and lethargic, really only going through the motions. But after a few days he was up on his feet and appeared to be back to his old self again – almost!

With things getting back to normal, the team decided that a night out was in order. Face had taken Tia on a spending spree and she wanted to go out and celebrate the beginning of her new life. The decision was made to go get something to eat.

Face and Tia returned to the Vette and the others made their way to the van. BA headed towards the driver's seat, but Murdock stopped Hannibal from getting into the passenger seat by asking him a question. It was then that Hannibal noticed a change in the Captain. His words had worried him, as had the perturbed look on his face.

"Before we went back, did you think about it?"

The chilling words had sent a shiver down Hannibal's spine.

"I remembered it," he had replied, solemnly. "But I didn't think about it."

Murdock had half-nodded in acknowledgement, but Hannibal had seen the fretful, preoccupied look shrouding his eyes. At the restaurant, the pilot remained very quiet and kept rubbing his forehead, as if being plagued by unpleasant thoughts.

Eventually, Murdock made his excuses to leave the restaurant early, explaining that he would get a taxi back to the beach house. However, Hannibal had insisted on driving him back in the Vette, allowing Face, Tia and BA to stay at the restaurant. They could return in the van with BA later.

On returning to the house, Murdock had gone straight to his bedroom to lie down. Hannibal sat with him for a few minutes, making sure he was okay. The pilot looked relatively calm but tired. He persuaded Hannibal that he would be alright, so Hannibal decided to let him have some time on his own to rest.

Before leaving the room, he switched the TV on to the all-night cartoon channel. It was something he remembered Face always used to do, so that if Murdock woke up and he was on his own, there would be something going on in the background to distract him from any bad nightmares.

He then made his way to the living room, switched on the light and slumped into the armchair. He was worried not only about his Captain, but also about what they were going to do with Tia. She was now a war criminal not only in her own country, but also in America. He had reluctantly agreed that she could stay with them for the time being.

Face had done a good job on her fake ID papers and passport. Her only hope for the future would be if she was with folk of her own kind. Hannibal immediately thought of Sam Yeng. Despite the north/south divide, he was sure his friend would give her refuge, just as he had given refuge to 4 American soldiers back in Saigon. He might even give her a job in his restaurant, The Golden Pagoda. They could set her up in her own little apartment and he could keep an eye on her.

As the last of the daylight began to fade, Hannibal felt his drowsy eyelids closing shut. A few seconds later, he was snoring softly in his sleep.