Chapter 2

After dinner Hannibal and BA got ready to go. They were all excited about the game and to busy with themselves to notice Face's hurt expression.

"We'll be back late Face, don't stay up." With that they were gone.

'Last night without Murdock, he'll be here tomorrow and keep you company, you can do it.' But all self motivation didn't help. Face watched some TV and then lay in bed tossing and turning. Anytime he closed his eyes unwanted memories started flooding in and he just couldn't sleep. Just shy of three hours later he gave up and decided to find a bar in town and some company to talk to.

It took a while to find a decent spot and a while longer to find a girl to spend the evening with. They sat together, drunk, talked, danced and time went by like nothing. Face felt good, the first time in a long time, being in the company of a woman. That soon changed as just after two in the morning the bar tender finally had enough and wanted to go home. The woman made unmistakable invitations to go find a hotel room for the night and Face suddenly saw Sue sitting there trying to seduce him. He jumped up, pushed her from her chair and ran out the door and into the dark alleys with lightening speed.

"What was that? Ah, and I thought I had found a nice one for a change, instead I get a nutcase that leaves me to pay the bill."

"Here, let me help you up. Come have a drink with me, on the house. I for one need one now, that was scary to watch."

"Not much better to live it, believe me."

Face finally stopped after having run at top speed for more than twenty minutes, his heart trying to get out of his chest. 'Calm down, it wasn't Sue, Sue is locked up tight, she can't hurt you no more, get a grip Peck.'

It took another thirty minutes and a calming walk through a park before he had calmed down enough to make his way home. He was exhausted and though the adrenalin had sobered him, still a bit tipsy from the drinks he had. He walked back and was glad to finally see the house in front of him. It was getting close to four in the morning and he wanted nothing more than to get off of his feet.

His wish was granted sooner than he had thought when out of nothing one extremely pissed BA had him by the front of his shirt, lifted him in the air and crashed him into the wall of the house.

"Where have you been sucker? Can't you stay put for a night without going to get laid? We've been sitting around here for over four hours waiting for you but instead of staying home you had to lock us out and go find a girl."

B.A. pushed Face against the wall again…and harder. His head hit the wall with a resounding thud.

"Let him go, B.A." Hannibal pulled the sergeant back.

B.A. did as told and released his grip on Face's shirt causing the dazed man to slide down to the ground.

"He need to be taught a lesson, man. All he care 'bout is himself."

Hannibal sighed. "I know, B.A., but killing him isn't an option."

It took all of Face's strength to lift his heavy head so he could look at the duo towering above him. What he saw wasn't good; they were looking at him with disgust and anger written all over their faces. And since he was seeing in triplicate, there were many faces to view.

"I thought I told you to get some rest, lieutenant."

Face struggled to hear Hannibal above the ringing in his ears. "I…um...I," Face slurred, his tongue feeling think in his mouth.

"What's the matter, Faceman. You have plenty of words for them women you always sweet-talkin'," B.A. grumbled.

Face's head was spinning and he could feel himself losing control both physically and mentally. "You don't…don't under…understand."

"Then explain it to us."

Had Face been in his right mind the words would never have made it past his lips. "Alone…you left me alone. Scared."

Hannibal and B.A. looked at each other in confusion, but didn't have to wait long for their now near delirious Face to continue. "Nightmares…won't stop. Can't sleep…not out partying…so tired…so tired."

Face's head lolled to the side and his eyes began to drop, but he still kept talking. "Bad things…bad things happened…can't forget…just want to forget. Scared."

By this time Hannibal and B.A. had forgotten their anger and both knelt down in front of their friend. Face said again that he was scared and, witnessing the scene before them, they were getting to that point as well. The memories of earlier on, or what he thought to remember, gave him a bit of energy back. His hands shot forward to grab one of Hannibal's and one of BA's arms while his eyes looked around frantically.

"She's here, we gotta run, please, please don't leave me alone again, protect me, don't let her get me, please."

"Shush Face, calm down, who is here?"

"Sue, Sue came to get me, she said she'll be back and now she is."

"Calm down, Face, where did you see her? Did you leave the house because of her?"

"No, no, my fault…all my fault…you left me alone…nightmares…wanted to escape bad memories…went to town for company and…and…Sue…she was there…she tried…tried…oh god, please help me, don't leave me alone again."

"Where did you go Face? Did she follow you?"

"No…no I run…I …I don't know what happened…I ran…and now I'm here, please…so scared."

A cold shiver run down Hannibal's back and he looked over his shoulder. BA too was feeling uneasy.

"Let's get you inside and then you calm down, okay?"

"No, no, we gotta get away from here, she'll come for me again, please don't let her get me again, please."

"Calm down Face. We're safe here, we won't let anyone get near you. Come here." Hannibal pulled Face forward and closer to himself. He reached into his pocket and fished out the key for the house.

"Let go of BA so he can open the door, will you?"

Face looked up at Hannibal but didn't release his grip on BA.

"Come on man, just let me go and unlock the door and then I'll come get you and Hannibal."

"No, you can't leave the door open, she'll slip in and then….oh god, no, please, I can't go through that again."

"Okay, let's all move to the door, unlock it, get inside and lock it again. Is that okay?"

"You…you got your guns ready?"

"Yes, we're all armed up to our teeth, now let's go." Hannibal pulled Face up with him and whispered to BA, "make it fast, we're looking suspicious."

It turned out that Face wasn't able to walk, the fear left him shaking and unable to keep his knees strait. They half carried half dragged him inside. It would have been easy for BA to carry him but he wouldn't let go off any of them which made the whole task a bit more difficult. Once inside Face made sure BA checked every room. Only when he was sure Sue was not in the house did he calm some with the result that all energy left him and he passed out in Hannibal's arms.

"Help me get him to the bed."

"I thought that nutcase was locked up for good."

"Me too."

"You think she escaped?"

"Not sure. Not sure what I should hope for either. That she did and Face is in real danger again or that she didn't. That would mean Face snapped. It doesn't make sense, even if she escaped how would she know where we are, we're at holidays after all."

"Seeing him like this was scary by all means."

"That it was. I'll call Tawnia 6 o'clock LA time sharp and have her find out whether Sue is still where she belongs. Maybe we can inform Murdock to stay put and do some research, what do you think?"

"Sound good, colonel. The last thing crazy man need to see is Face actin' crazy too."

Hannibal nodded in agreement. "Get some rest, B.A. I'll sit with Face"