Sorry for the delay guys, but here is Chapter 2!
Thanks to babydake93 and Sweet A.K for reviewing! I hope to get more this time around, they let me know that people actually like the story! :)
Also thanks again to Mlle Buckles for being an amazing beta! :)
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing that you recognize
A few days had passed since Michelle met Mr. "Howlin' Mad" Murdock, and she could not shake the fact that she felt he knew something. After all, it was a Veteran's Hospital, albeit a psychiatric ward. Could this man have known her father? Michelle knew the chances were slim, but she also knew there was a chance. How else would he have known that her father was a military man? She tried talking to Nadia about it, but Nadia did not understand. How could she? Nadia had known her father her entire life, so there was no possible way that she could understand the hole that had been gaping there in Michelle's being. After about the millionth time of Michelle asking Nadia if she thought Murdock really knew her dad, Nadia sighed loudly and said exasperatedly, "If you are so damn curious, why don't you go back and ask him yourself?"
Michelle paused. Why didn't she just ask him herself? Because he's crazy, that's why! But then again, crazy or not, this was the first time that there was even a possibility that somebody knew her father. "Fine," stated Michelle, "Let's go." With that, she grabbed her bag and sped through the door.
"I didn't mean NOW!" called Nadia after her. When there was no response, Nadia sighed and followed her.
This journey to the V.A. was as silent as the first one, but that was because Michelle was filled with too much nervous anticipation to speak. She felt that if she tried saying anything, the tension in the air would prevent the words from ever reaching Nadia's ears. When they got there and approached the 'Welcome Desk', the nurse patiently asked, "And who will you be seeing today?" She spoke without even looking from her computer. It was obvious that this was what she did all day and the pair had to deal with it because neither called ahead this time. Normally when they saw Benjamin, they were able to bypass this formerly unseen nuisance. "Hmmm?" inquired the nurse, still looking at her screen.
Nadia pointed to the nurse, making it obvious that this was Michelle's battle and Nadia wasn't going to fight it. Michelle rolled her eyes, although she knew that if she didn't do all of this on her own she would regret it. She proceeded to step forward and stuttered, "M-M-Murdock."
With that, the nurse's eyes made contact with hers for the first time, "What did you just say?" she asked skeptically. "H.M. Murdock," repeated Michelle, this time more sure of herself.
"Oh," replied the nurse slowly, "That's what I thought you said. Well are you aware that Mr. Murdock is one of our more..." the nurse paused to think of the word, "colorful patients? He rarely gets visitors, and it is surprising when he does, if you get my meaning."
"I don't care, I need to see him," stated Michelle firmly, while trying to now ignore the doubts that were buzzing around her ears.
The nurse raised her eyebrows incredulously and said, "Alright, fine. Whatever you say." Michelle nodded and walked past her and made a beeline to where she saw Murdock the first time. He was in the same spot, sitting at a table with two open seats. His back was to them, but as soon as they approached, he spun around and said, "I have been expecting you," in a false accent while petting the air over his lap. Michelle froze. How could he have been expecting them? Seeing her anticipation, Murdock laughed and used his normal southern drawl again. "I heard you speakin' to the nurse. Take a seat!" Michelle sighed and stepped over to them, with Nadia in tow. As they were sitting down, Murdock lifted the air on his lap and set it on the floor, saying, "Okay Billy, go play now. And don't get into too much trouble."
Michelle shut her eyes for a second and sighed again. She folded her hands on the table and said "So." Murdock looked up at her and grinned. "So," he echoed as he leaned back in his chair, "What would you like to know."
"Well," began Michelle slowly, "How'd you know my father was in the military?"
Murdock leaned in and got suddenly serious. "That thing you said, about plans, is a quote that is often used by a friend of mine. And in my experience, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Michelle breathed deeply. So this crazy man not only knew her father, but he was friends with him? Words couldn't even express the way she was feeling right now. "So what's his name?" she asked softly.
Murdock leaned back again and grinned, clearly enjoying his little game. "Why's a name so important? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and all that jazz, eh?"
Michelle slammed her hands on the table as she got up and walked away. She could feel tears threatening to pour from her face. She should have known that this trip to the crazy hospital would be fruitless. Suddenly, she felt arms spinning her around. For a split second she thought it was Nadia, but then she realized Nadia was not this strong enough. When she stopped, she found that she was locked in eye contact with Murdock once again, his green eyes staring intently into her brown ones. He was once again extremely serious, while Michelle was rooted to the spot. "Hannibal Smith," he muttered in a low voice, "If I know your daddy, then he'd be Hannibal Smith."
Before she could respond, Murdock let go of her shoulders and walked back towards the table and Nadia was at her side, dragging her in the direction of the car before she could pester Murdock with any more questions. Michelle sighed, knowing Nadia was right. She didn't have to say it, but Michelle knew that Nadia was wary of Murdock, and rightfully so. They had to check his references. And what better reference than Ms. Bijou herself.
