Author's Note: This is the next section. Cassidy is a bit older and you see, what in my opinion, is going on with Murdock. The guys have already robbed the bank and escaped ans Murdock was committed. I don't own thr A-Team, as much as I wish I did.

February 1972

No, no, I'm not going to wait on hold again. I want to speak to Captain H.M. Murdock. I know he's been admitted, and I'm on his call list!" Cassidy sat on the stairs listening to her father on the phone. Her Uncle Murdock hadn't been to visit her since that Christmas over a year ago. Her father tried not to talk about it when she was around, but she knew something had happened. From what she understood, something had happened and her uncle was sick. That's why they put him in a hospital. What she didn't understand was why the hospital wouldn't let her or her father see him or call him. Casey was scared for her uncle and wanted him to get better. Her father had been taking more medication lately. In the last few months he had gone to see multiple doctors about headaches and fatigue. His job had let him go and the government was giving him some money for his service, but the house was in disrepair. Cassidy didn't go on school trips or take lunch to school, they never had anything but bare essentials in their fridge, and her father often made her the things she needed for school or play. The tough life had become her life, and she often dreamed of her Uncle Murdock flying in on his helicopter and taking away all their troubles and problems. Her father had begun speaking again, but it was softer, causing her to move down a step to hear. "They wouldn't let me or Casey visit and I've been trying to call you since I got your letter." A pause. "We can deffinately do that, let me write it down." More pause. "She's alright, misses you a lot. This will help. So we can call you on Saturdays, and senrdd you stuff. You'll send me the visiting hours." Silence. Long silence. "I know. I'm here if you want to talk about it." More silence. The silence was driving her nuts so she went down another step and it betrayed her position by making a groan. "Hold on one sec." Steven poked his head from the living room here the phone was, stretching the coord to see. "Cassidy, what are you doing down here, I told you to go upstairs and take a bath!" Cassidy looked from him towards the phone and back. "Is that my pilot? Is that Uncle Murdock? I want to talk to Uncle Murdock!" Her father sighed and resigned himself waving her down. "Cassidy, Uncle Murdock is sick, so he might sound a bit funny on the phone. Make sure you don't make him tired ok?" Cassidy nodded quickly and bolted down the rest of the stairs waiting patiently while her father got back on the phone. "Captain, I was over run by insurgents. Your co pilot demands to speak with you, or she's going to hostage me to the cannibals." Cassidy waited, a smile on her lips as Steven laughed at the response and handed her the phone. "Ma'am, Captain Murdock wants to speak to you as well."

Grabbing the phone, Cassidy quickly held it up to her ear. "Uncle Murdock! Daddy said you were sick, please don't be sick Uncle Murdock." (Oh, Casey Co Pilot, I'll be alright. It's not a physical type of sick sweety. How are you doin?) Cassidy tilted her head holding the phone still. "I'm ok. When do I get to see you?" (Well, I have to do what the doctor's say for right now, and it could take awhile. I'll be giving your daddy the visiting hours for where I am. And he can show you how to write. I'll write to you. Is that alright?) Cassidy nodded. "Yes Uncle Murdock." (Good, now, I need to finish talking to your daddy, and I don't have a lot of time, but you be a good girl, take care of your daddy and make sure he eats his vegetables.) Cassidy giggled and nodded "Ok Uncle Murdock. I miss you and I love you!" She didn't' hear anything back right away, but when she did, he sounded like he was having a hard time speaking. (I miss you too Cassidy) She turned the phone back over to her father and moved to sit on the sofa. She knew her father was getting important information. Uncle Murdock had said she could write to him. That meant she could draw him a picture. Walking over to her toy chest, she dug out the notebook and crayons she used to color with. Opening to a page that didn't have too many squiqqles on it, she began to make a get well card for him. She was intent on what she was doing, and suddenly saw her father holding out a green crayon for her drawing. "Your Uncle Murdock loves green sweety." Cassidy nodded and kept drawing, biting her bottom lip. "Daddy? Is Uncle Murdock really going to be ok?" Steven moved to sit cross legged next to her as she drew. "I don't know sweetheart. You know how daddy gets sick in the head, and has to see the doctor?" Cassidy nodded looking at him. "Well, Uncle Murdock is really sick in the head, and the doctor's need a lot of time to fix him. But I think if we stick by him, he will be just fine." She nodded and looked down at her drawing. Her whole world suddenly shifted and she was being picked up with a groan. "Oh my goodness, you are getting heavy! Come on, bathtime!" Cassidy wriggled dropping the crayon. "Nooooo!"

Los Angeles May 19

Cassidy was sitting on a chair in the hallway of the Veteran's Administration, Mental Ward Building. She was with her father, who was also sitting, and they were waiting to see Murdock. In her hands was a picture of her uncle in an airplane. This was the first visit they were making to see him, and she was nervous. Glancing at her father, he smiled down at her. You would have thought they were going to church, what with her in a green light patterned dress, and her father in dress pants, a shirt and tie. "Daddy? What is Uncle Murdock going to look like?" Steven tilted his head and chuckled. "Oh sweety, Uncle Murdock will look like he did before. He is just going to be a bit tired and not really as happy as he was before. Remember we talked about this. Uncle Murdock has nightmares and day mares and needs time to figure out what's real. What do we do if he starts acting funny?" Cassidy looked down. "Go stand behind you." He nodded and took her hand as the nurse stepped into the waiting room. "Kellen?" Standing they both looked at her, a mixture of eager and nervous on their faces. The nurse smiled and motioned for them to follow. "I know you were checked at admittance for sharp implements. It's only a precaution. For the most part he's been very subdued and quiet. The outbursts are so infrequent that we felt it was ok for your daughter to come visit as well. He does suffer Post Traumatic Stress and Visual Delusions, but, he should be very happy to see you both." Cassidy walked with her father down the hallway towards a door to an outdoor courtyard. There were two orderlies in white uniforms walking around with a few people in plain cloths either walking, sitting at benches or under trees. Cassidy moved closer to Steven's leg as she gripped her picture and suddenly heard a rich baritone voice singing loudly. "I'll play my drum for you ba rum, bum bum bum!" Cassidy looked at her father and ran towards the voice. "Uncle Murdock!" Upon seeing him she tackled his legs in a hug, almost causing him to fall over. Steven hurried after her and stopped short watching what was going on. His friend was thinner, less sure of himself then he was last time they saw each other. It was as if he held a huge weight on his soul, and it transistioned to his eyes. Currently his entire posture was rigid and he was staring in confusion down at the little girl hugging his legs. His lips were mumbling and Steven barely heard him repeating "Not in a ditich. Not in a ditch. Not in a ditch." Moving quickly Steven grabbed Cassidy and pulled her from the pilot's legs and hugged her to himself. "Cassidy, you know better then to run off like that." Once the girl was removed Murdock staggered back a few steps and turned away, hands over his face to collect himself. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Steven." Murdock held a hand up to stop the orderlies who were starting to move towards them. Steven stepped forward a single hand out. "It's no problem my friend. Take your time."

Cassidy moved behind her father and peeked out from behind his legs waiting for her Uncle to collect himself. She was scared, because he didn't even acknowledge her. As suddenly as he had looked away, Murdock turned to look at them both and grinned. He was a mask and a shell of his former self. Cassidy didn't see it but Steven did. "Well I'm sorry bout that Casey girl. Can we try that again?" He had his arms out and she smiled running into his arms. He swung her around once in a swift circle and set her down with his arms wrapped protectively around her. "I missed you Casey!" Cassidy giggled and clung to him. "I missed you too Uncle Murdock. Are you feeling better?" Steven watched and breathed a sigh of relief as Murdock grabbed his hand and pulled him into a one armed hug. "Feels good to have family around don't it?" Cassidy giggled some more at the familiarity of it all and moved to show Murdock the picture. "Here, I drew this for you. It's you in a plane, not a helicopter." Murdock took the picture and smiled. "It's perfect! I can hang it on my wall and it will remind me of what I want to do when I get out." Steven looked at Cassidy and moved them all towards a bench where Cassidy immediately climbed into Murdock's lap. "Murdock, how are you doing here? Being treated alright?" Murdock nodded keeping his arms around the little girl. "It's taking a bit of getting used to, but the doc thinks theres progress bein made. I feel less nervous, but there's good days and bad. I don't know how often I will have good ones. Seems more and more that the bad ones take over you know what I mean muchacho?" Steven nodded and put a hand on Murdock's shoulder. "We are here for you. We'll always be here for you. Cassidy can write you or call, and I can visit as often as possible." Cassidy watched her father from Murdock's arms and looked like she didn't want to ever let go. He looked better then he had been. Maybe having Uncle Murdock around, even in a hospital would help them all out. She wasn't paying attention to the conversation. It wasn't aimed at her and she felt a slight rocking which made her smile. It seemed her Uncle was rocking back and forth and she was enjoying it, letting her head flop back and forth. "Hehehe Uncle Murdock, you're being funny." Murdock grinned down at her and looked to Steven. "Want to walk and talk? I been cooped up inside and I'd like to get some running out. Plus I can introduce Cassidy to my dog Billy." Steven stopped quick looking at Murdock. "Your dog?" Cassidy clapped excited "You have a dog here? This is a great hospital!" Murdock stood placing Cassidy on the ground and pointed. "Yeah, he's right over there. Here Billy! Come here boy!" She looked across the courtyard and waited excitedly to see his dog. She turns to look at him and saw him crouched down petting air. It was then that she realized what kind

In school, kids with imaginary friends were picked on, and adults with imaginary friends were called crazy. Her Uncle Murdock was crazy, and that's why he was in the hospital. Steven quickly moved her behind him as the orderlies started over again. Murdock must have noticed something was wrong because he looked up, completely oblivious to what could be wrong. "Steve? Casey girl? Somethin wrong?" Cassidy looked up at her dad and went to go give Murdock a hug but her father held her back. "No Casey. Not right now." Murdock frowned standing up. "What's goin on? Why you actin that way? Hey! Let go!" The orderlies had come up beside him and gently grabbed his arms. "Mr. Murdock, it's time to go back inside." A very sad look crossed Murdock's face and he nodded, a last whistful look to Steven and Cassidy. She felt like her heart was going to break and she tried again to run to him. "Uncle Murdock! I love you! Feel better!" Her cries went unresponded to as the orderlies led him away, his head down and posture defeated. Steven crouched down and hugged Cassidy tight. "Cassidy. I think it will be better if you not visit your Uncle Murdock again, until you are older and understand what is going on." She looked at him as tears welled up on her face. "Why is Uncle Murdock crazy? He wasn't crazy before." Steven sighed and took her hand and began walking her out of the courtyard to turn in their visitor badges. "I can't go into details, but I will try to explain it when you are older." With a final look behind her she caught Murdock's eyes as he was being led back inside. Brown innocent child eyes locked on broken and sad brown ones. He mouthed and she couldn't stop the tears as she caught the words "I love you too." before he disappeared inside.

December 1972

"Cassidy sat at the dinning room table cutting out paper snowflakes. She was listening to the radio playing Christmas music and bobbing her head while Steven was asleep on the couch trying to get some sleep in before their visit to the VA. Since the visit that went badly, Cassidy had gone to visit her Uncle Murdock only twice. Her father had done more visiting and said she could spend Christmas Eve at the VA with him. The nurses were in the know about the Kellens, and offered to help keep an eye on the 7 year old while Steven set up Christmas. Cassidy had decided to make a bunch of snowflakes for her Uncle Murdock since there wasn't any snow in Los Angeles. An alarm went off and Cassidy cheered scooping up the handmade snowflakes and stuffed them in a bag. "Daddy! Daddy! It's time to go see Uncle Murdock!" Steven groaned a bit and sat up blinking painfully at the excited little girl standing next to him. His head was killing him so he fumbled for the bottle of pain killer and took some before sliding on his jacket. "Alright you little monkey, I'm coming. Get the presents." She squeeled and ran to the small tree in the living room and grabbed the two simple wrapped boxes for Murdock. She slid her snowflakes into a paper bag with the presents and met up with her father at the front door. "I'm ready!" Steven opened the door for her and Cassidy ran out to the beat up Chevy truck that her father ocassionally borrowed from work. Climbing into the passenger seat, she began situating the bag at her feet as her father started the car and began to drive through the afternoon streets towards the VA.

Murdock paced in his room in anticipation. It was Christmas Eve, and the nurses had promised to help him watch his neice, Cassidy, while her father took care of Christmas at the house. Steven's headaches were getting worse, and Murdock knew he was taking strong pain killers for them and it made him oversleep. Murdock was hoping this wasn't one of those days. He heard a young girl singing Deck the Halls and grinned as her voice faded in the directtion of the visiting room. Waiting for a nurse he grabbed the two presents that he had baught while out with his shrink. The nurse laughed before trying to make a scolding tone. "Mr. Murdock! This is highly inappropriate!" "I know darlin, but she's here!" Murdock swung her around before grabbing his jacket and hat and skipped ahead of her to the visiting room. They had a fake tree in the corner and littlw handmade Christmas decorations on the tables. a few other families were visiting their loved ones, but Murdock saw who he was looking for.

With an excited wave, Cassidy bounced in her seat and waited for Steven and Murdock to hug each other like long lost friends before he threw open his arms. "Casey Co-Pilot!" She giggled and ran to him, tackling him in a hug. Murdock lifted her up and spun her in a circle before ending with him holding her protectively. "Merry Christmas Uncle Murdock! Daddy says I get to atay with you all day!" Murdock feigned surprise. "Really? That means we can ha be our own Christmas party here!" Steven smiled weakly watching them both. It akways seems like you are doing us a solid turn around the holidays Murdock. Thanks for this." Murdock still held Cassidy and was swinging her back and forth as she waved to her dad. "Bye Daddy! See you later!" With a pause long enough for Murdock to hand Steven an envelope and smile. "Merry Christmas Steve. See you later!" Steven looked ready to argue but Murdock had already started swinging Cassidy around like an airplane lifting and dropping her like an airplane as she giggled. A shake of his head and a nod to the nurses and Steven went to go shop and wrap Cassidy's Christmas.

Murdock sat on one of the large cushioned chairs in the visiting room with a sleeping Cassidy in his lap. She was clutching the Raggity Anne doll he had gotten her and the nurses had since cleared the empty hot chocolate cups and plates from their dinner. Steven was suppose to pick Cassidy up a href="x-apple-data-detectors:/1"at 7pm/a, and it was almost a href="x-apple-data-detectors:/2"9pm/a now. All calls to the house failed to get a response, and one orderly had even offered to check for the truck and call in case Steven had fallen asleep, sincw their house was on his way home. But so far there hadn't been any response from either of them. Murdock was starting to get worried, and it didnt help that he was going to need his next dose of medication soon. This one would out him to sleep and then he wasn't sure what to do about Cassidy. He wasn't going to trust her with anyone right now, even if it meant skipping his medication and staying up all night or risking the nightmares from a natural sleep.

The nurse suddenly came in and set a hand on Murdock's shoulder. "Mr. Murdock, theres a State Trooper here to speak to you. I cannsit here with her." He frowned and nodded a thank you slowly sliding Cassidy into the chair. He hurried from the visitor room to see a State Trooper with a notepad and oen, his hat on and he nodded to Murdock. "H.M. Murdock?" He nodded casually in confirmation. The State Trooper continued. "I'm here because you are listed as Steven Kellen's emergency contact. He had an accident and was rushed to County General. We are looking for his daughter Cassidy and to make sure she is with someone safe." Murdock's eyes widened and he looked towards the visiting room. "She's here with me and has been most of the dayThe nurses have been helping me keep an eye on her. How did it happen? When?"

The State Trooper was writing on a notepad. It hapoened about 2 hours ago, he was probably on his way here. We think he might have blacked out behind the wheel and it went into a ditch. They want tp keep him for observation and will release him in the morning. I am following up on his daughter at hIs request." Murdock frowned at the officer. "I would live to keep her overnight, but that's up to the night nurses if they are willing to help with it." The Trooper nodded and handed Murdock a business card. "I will go talk to them, because this is probably the best place for her right now." Murdock nodded his agreement and walked back into the visitor room. The nurse had found an afghan and covered her with it as Murdock explained what happened. The nurse was sympathetic and the other night nurse came in to say they were going to set up a cot for Cassidy and Murdock insisted on sleeping in the visitor room on one of the chairs. As they set up the bed, Murdock helped tuck her in and realized the hallucinations and voices had stopped. Sitting on the chair he watched her sleep and thought about what fun they had that day and what news he would have to give her in morning. He hoped they didnt keep Steven too long as it was Christmas and he wanted Cassidy to spend the day with her daddy. It was odd though, as he slowly drifted to sleep, he was only thinking of tomorrow. No flashbacks, no weird voices or images. Just calm peaceful thoughts.

Christmas morning braught brught light to Murdock's face. He blinked awake to find a small warm lump curled up in his lap. Cassidy was still asleep, curled up and had dragged the afghan with her to cover them both. Murdock smiled and looked around afraid to move and wake her. The night nurses had put out two plates of pastries and juice for them for when they woke up. there was also a few small presents for Cassidy that they must have gotten from down the street at the 24 hour pharmacy, because they were simple paper wrapped. Gently wrapping his arms around her, Murdock smiled at the peaceful moment which was surreal to him lately. Cassidy yawned and blinked awake, hrr big brown eyes looking into his before she grinned. "I stayed here with you?" Murdock nodded and pointed at the presents. "Looks like you got some more presents to open as well." She squeeled happily and ran to the pile of presents, which scored her some doll cloths and a bag of peppermint sticks. As Murdock got her to sit down, she grabbed the bag with the presents from her and Steven. "Daddy isn't here. We got you presents." Murdock was about to say something when the day shift nurse let Steven in. He had a bandage on his forehead and looked tired. Cassidy ran over tackling him in a hug. "Daddy! We had lots of fun! And you got here in time for presents!" Steven hugged her back as he mouthed 'Thank you' to Murdock. With a smile, they all celebrated the Christmas holiday together, both thankful of their blessings and each other./p