Face stepped out of his corvette and carefully shut the door. He slowly walked toward the large gray building that housed the VA Hospital. He had gotten a call earlier from the Doctor telling him that Murdock had had another relapse. Face sighed as he climbed the front steps. Ever since BA had died, Murdock had been slipping in and out of depression. Then, a couple of months earlier he had gotten an bad cold and after Face had taken him to the hospital, they had discovered several self-inflicted wounds on Murdock's arms and chest. Murdock had refused to talk about it and he had been readmitted to the VA Mental Hospital for treatment. Now, for the eighth time, Murdock was back in the main hospital. This time it was for pneumonia.
Face sighed again. He and Murdock were both getting old. His daily struggle with arthritis had been telling him that for years. Face chuckled softly. But, Murdock. Face shook his head. It had been nearly twenty-five years since the Team had been pardoned. Hannibal had died just a few years afterwards. And then BA had died two years before trying to protect a kid in a street fight turned gun fight. Murdock had been normal, for him, before BA's death...Face shook his head.
At the front desk he asked for the Captain's room number. When he reached the room he opened the door and quietly stepped inside. Standing at the foot of the bed, Face watched Murdock as he slept. The oxygen made a soft hissing noise as Murdock's chest rose and fell. Face was shocked at Murdock's appearance. Even though he had just seen Murdock a couple of days before, now he looked different. He looked old. Worn out, tired, and sick. He had lost some weight too. Face took a deep breath and sat down in the chair placed by the side of the bed.
"Facey."
Face jumped when he heard Murdock say his name. "Hey, buddy! How ya doing?" Face couldn't mask the worry in his voice. "Doctor said you had another relapse."
"Docs always worry 'bout nothin'." Murdock tried to pout but winced instead as he pushed himself up higher in the bed. "We're doing great, aren't we Billy? Doc don't need to worry bout us. We'll be fine and dandy in no time flat!" Murdock said cheerfully as he motioned to where Billy was supposedly laying.
Face started at the name of Murdock's imaginary dog. Murdock hadn't mentioned Billy since BA's death. "Billy? What is Billy doing here?" Face asked. "Murdock, you know how the hospital staff feels about animals being in the rooms. Now how'd you get him in this time? And,,,,,," Face's voice trailed off.
Murdock's eyes clouded for a moment as he reached down to the foot of his where Billy was. "Billy came back. He,,,,,,,,, says it's,,, it's time to go." Murdock cautiously watched Face's reaction out of the corner of his eye. He might be crazy, but he knew that Face wasn't ready to hear what he needed to say.
Face appeared to have not heard what Murdock was implying. "Ah! Well, hey, Billy! You know, Murdock, Billy's right. It is time to leave. As soon as you're well, we're going on that fishing trip we've always planned. I know of some great places. And as soon as you can travel, you pick the spot,,,,"
"Face. I'm dying. There won't be a trip." Murdock softly interrupted. "It's over," he said sadly.
Face quickly stood up walked over to the window. He took a deep breath as he tried to process Murdock's meaning. "Murdock,,,,, no,,,,,,,"
Murdock tried to prop himself up on one arm. "Face. Listen to me." He said harshly. "It's over. Hannibal's gone. BA's gone. The Team is gone. The jazz went out when Hannibal died. Now, I'm dying. You will too." Murdock stared off into space as he spoke softly. "We're the last. The only ones left who remember. When we're gone, it's over." He paused and watched Face for a moment. He could see his best friend was struggling with what had been said. "Face." Murdock finally spoke again. "Face, please. Promise me something," He asked.
Face could hear the pleading and pain in Murdock's voice. He could sense that this was hurting Murdock even more than it was hurting him. "Murdock," Face slowly turned from the window to face his teammate. "Murdock,,,,."
"Face, promise. Please. Promise." Murdock pleaded.
Face walked over to the bed and placed his hand on Murdock's shoulder. "Alright, Murdock. What do you want?" Face asked, swallowing the emotions he felt inside.
"Promise me. Don't ever forget. Don't let the jazz die with you. Please." Murdock sank back into the pillows, exhausted.
Face squeezed Murdock's shoulder before he answered. "I promise, Murdock. I promise." Tears threatened to fall as Face slowly lifted his hand from Murdock's shoulder. "Good bye, Murdock." Face said, wiping his eyes before continuing "Thanks, buddy. You were always there for me. You always cared."Face prepared to leave.
"Facey?"
Face turned and looked at his friend lying on the bed. Murdock's eyes were filled with pain. Face swallowed hard.
"Take care of Billy for me, will ya, Facey? You know how lonely he gets when I leave. Please? He won't cause any trouble. I promise."
Face took a deep breath and then walked back over to Murdock's bed. "Sure, Murdock. I'll take care of Billy for you." Face reached down and hugged Murdock and Murdock held him tightly.
"Goodbye, Face, goodbye."
Face let go of Murdock and left the room.
The next morning Face record a call from the hospital. Before the nurse even spoke, Face knew what she was calling about. She informed him that the Captain had died peacefully in his sleep. And that there was nothing the doctor could have done. After she had gone through normal procedures and had offered her sympathy, Face numbly hung up the phone. It was over. Murdock was gone. Last night had been their final goodbye. Murdock had known; he had seen. Never again would the lanky Captain bust though the door jabbering on about his invisible dog or The Golfball Liberation Movement. Murdock would no longer be there to tag along on scams, to tease him as Face got the girl's number along with the supplies. BA was gone. Hannibal was gone. Murdock,,,,,,, Face sank to the floor, sobs wracking his body. He was the only one left. The only one who remembered.