I don't own the anything A-Team related or any other known characters that may be referred to during my story. O/C are mine.
After a debriefing on their latest mission the guys were sent out to find their new quarters. As luck would have it Face and Murdock were assigned to the same building of officer barracks. Standing outside of the door, Murdock read the rules that were listed on a sign and started to shake his head.
"I can't stay here Facey! It says 'NO PETS' what am I going to do with Billy?" Murdock exclaimed.
Face pondered the situation, knowing that Murdock would be heartbroken if Face told him that he would have to get rid of the dog, or as BA often told him, that the dog wasn't real. The pilot brushed it off coming from BA but Face knew that it would have a different affect if he dismissed the dog too.
Face turned to Murdock and took hold of both of the older man's shoulders and looked him square in the eyes, "If you look the part, you can play the part." Face told him.
Murdock tipped his head and blinked at the con-man. Face explained his impromptu plan to the bewildered Captain "If you don't look at him or speak to him and just let him follow along with us, no one will question you having a dog. They may wonder why one is following you but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it, ok buddy?" Face said with a smile as he patted the pilot on the shoulder.
"Yeah! I can do that. Just as Face said, Billy, just follow along!" Murdock turned and headed for the door as Face trailed the pilot and his invisible companion.
The boys successfully managed to sneak Billy past the front desk and up to Murdock's room. He took a few minutes to unload his belongings, but since Murdock traveled light it didn't take long until he was unpacked. The pilot decided he would go find Face and see if he wanted to meet up with BA and Hannibal for a beer and something to eat; it had been a long day.
Face called Hannibal's cell to see what the plan was, however much to Face's surprise his CO had already signed out a jeep and picked up BA. The two were already en route to pick them up when Face called. Hannibal had suggested a small bar and grill just off base that he had been to on a previous visit to Fort Bragg, and that sounded just fine to the other three men. After checking out at the guard house they were on their way.
The bar was a bit dark, lit by dim frosted lights and neon signs. There were a few pool tables and big solid wood tables and chairs throughout the rest of the bar. The team settled around a vacant table and ordered a round of beer before looking over the menu. The beer was flowing and as the food arrived at the table the jokes about the new kinds of trouble they were going to find state-side had officially started.
After dinner and a few more rounds they were just shooting the breeze and chatting like they had done so many times before. The team was starting to get a little loud but not unruly when Face piped up "Damn Murdock, is that still your first beer?"
"Yeah, but someone's got to drive that jeep back to base and get all you party animals home. Besides I'm not supposed to drink much with my meds so I'll be the DD tonight. My treat." Murdock said with a smile.
Face blinked warily "Thanks buddy! A toast to Murdock, our dedicated driver!"
"Here! Here!" said BA and Hannibal as they joined the toast, roaring with laughter.
The captain chuckled "Just remember all you guys are bigger than me so I will drive ya'll home but I am not carrying any of you."
Just then a chair slid in between Hannibal and Face and a young man sat down, turning to Hannibal as if he knew him. The kid had platinum blonde hair with cold grey eyes. He was average height with a slim muscular build, and was sporting a slight tan. As he started to speak the shock that he had just joined them with out as much as a "hello" circled the group, and even Hannibal looked amazed by the brashness this kid was exhibiting.
"Colonel Smith, my name's Douglas Carter, Lieutenant Douglas Carter. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I've read a lot about you and your unit, and I am honoured to meet you and your team." He offered his hand to the perplexed Colonel.
The members of Hannibal's team looked around at each other trying to read what each other was thinking and at the same time figure out where this was going. Meanwhile Hannibal shook the out-stretched hand and the newcomer continued, "Sergeant Baracus, I hear you're an amazing mechanic and an even better combat driver. And Captain Murdock, you were one hell of a pilot…"
Murdock sat up straight in his chair ready for a fight. Before he could say anything Face was on his feet and cutting into Carter, "What the hell do you mean 'was'? He is the best damn pilot in the Army and probably the entire Joint Service!" Face shouted at the outsider.
"Is that before he crashed his chopper and became a P.O.W., or after he took a hiatus in a mental institution in Mexico?" chided Carter through a snake-like smile.
Face was ready to swing - and Murdock was more then willing to let him. Not wanting Face to get in trouble for saving his bruised pride the captain grabbed him around the mid-section and started to walk him to the door "C'mon Facey. Ya know sticks an' stones may break my bones." Then he called out over his shoulder, "But names can never hurt me!".
Face, always needing to put in the last word slurred to Murdock, "That's Bullshit! How can you put up with crap like that?".
BA was bringing up the rear as Hannibal settled the bill, no doubt planning to tear a strip off of the arrogant lieutenant for his statements regarding his pilot. After only a few minutes Hannibal joined them at the jeep where Murdock was in the driver's seat and Face and BA had climbed into the back. BA only grumbled once that Murdock was going to be driving him home and Murdock resisted the urge to suggest that they could try a few barrel rolls, figuring they already had had enough drama for tonight.
After Murdock cleared the guard house he dropped BA off at his quarters they headed for Hannibal's house. How the Boss-Man had managed to procure a house when it was just him living there alone Murdock didn't know, but he had seen weirder things happen on base, so he didn't question it.
He noticed Hannibal look behind them and laugh, "Face is out cold! Are you sure you're not carrying people home tonight, Captain?" joked Hannibal, waiting for a comeback from the pilot. After no answer Hannibal looked at Murdock and wondered what was going on in his head. The man was unusually quiet and focused. Hannibal sensed there was more to it then not being familiar with the base.
When the captain parked the jeep in front of his house Hannibal took the opportunity to find his answer.
"Murdock, you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. But man! That kid just pissed me off tonight, Boss. What do you think he was up to?" Murdock asked.
"I dunno Kid, but something tells me we haven't seen the end of Lieutenant Douglas Carter."
"That's too bad – I don't really care to see him again." Murdock added with a hint of a pout.
"Have a good night Captain and just forget what that jerk said. You are one hell of an Officer, a damn good friend and an even better pilot." exclaimed Hannibal as he got out of the jeep and staggered a little up to the door.
"Thanks, Colonel." he whispered to himself as he drove off with Face fast asleep in the back of the jeep.