Chapter 3- Ellie and Murdock Talk

Face waltzed into the room, grim look covering his features.

"Well I asked around and apparently this Austin guy was a ghost. No one knows who he is. People remember seeing Callie with a guy they didn't recognize but that wasn't unusual. Guess that hasn't changed."

"The local street thugs aren't talking either; somebody's got these guys scared. Not hard to do though, ain't exactly the hood." B.A. looked worried none the less.

"It may not be the hood B.A. but the country folk don't take to well to outsiders. 'Redneck with a shotgun' ring any bells? If they're nervous so am I."

"Hey Bossman?"

"What is it Captain?"

"Well shouldn't someone stay with the girls? In case the bad guys come back? I mean they can handle themselves I know, but so could the boys." Murdock glanced worriedly between his partners; the reality of the situation was sinking in. These victims weren't just people who had randomly found them, these were the girls. They were scared and angry and losing hope. They had asked for the only help they thought they could get- The A-Team.

"You go ahead Captain, they'll feel safer with you." Hannibal patted his comrade on the back and watched as he hurried along the road. As he glanced over he could see the wheels in Face's head turning. Apparently he wasn't the only who noticed Murdock's look when he saw Ellie.

"Hey Hannibal, does Murdock-"

"Leave it Face."

"So he does!?"

B.A. was as confused as ever, which was fairly normal when it came to his favorite crazy person, but this was a bit much.

"Woah, woah, woah, man, did I miss something?"

"Murdocks got a thing for Ellie!"

"What, man you trippin! He's old enough to be her dad!"

"Would both of you shut up?! It's none of your business, besides Ellie likes him too."

"No I know you're trippin, there's no way."

"Oh please Hannibal, please tell me you're not going to make this happen?"

"All right I won't make it happen-"

"Thank God!"

"-I just won't prevent it either."

All of the sudden, B.A. started to chuckle, then laugh. At the confused glances he got he simply said "I thought if we were ever gonna have this conversation it would be about Face! Who would have thought crazy's got more game?!"

Back at the house, the tension was obvious. So obvious that Callie, Madam Seductress herself, was getting annoyed.

"Okay, that's it!" With a strong arm and the element of surprise she shoved Murdock and Ellie into the pantry.

"What the hell?! Callie let us out!"

"Not until you guys figure out your messed up chemistry! I swear with the all the sexual tension you guys are building up you could cure impotence!"

"Callie when I get out of here you are in for a world of hurt!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll see ya in a few hours, I'm heading out."

After a few more cursed and slams against the locked door, Ellie sank to the floor to hear Murdock say his first words during this whole incident.

"Well, this outa be interesting, a madman in a box with a pretty girl. Wonder why she thought this would work."

"She watches too much Doctor Who."

"Oh, well then. I have a pack of cards wanna play some poker?"

Ellie looked at him for moment then just shook her head and chuckled.

"Sure Murdock, I'll play. Only you would be looked up with a young, pretty girl, and want to play cards."

"I am a gentleman!" he cried out indignantly.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Callie eventually met up with the rest of the team (after some drink and some partying of course) and explained what she did. When hearing that Murdock had been left locked in a pantry with Ellie for almost 3 hours, the men were slightly concerned. As all party's rushed back to the cabin, the thoughts that ran through everyone's mind was definitely on how the relationship between the two looneys had changed or hadn't.

B.A.: Man I hope she ain't killed him yet. Why was she wearing those? They look like hookers.

Face: Wonder if he made a move, I would have. Man Callie has nice legs.

Hannibal: Bet they're playing poker. How is she running in those?

Callie: I swear, I hope they've gone at it cause I am tired of this shtako. Do they really expect me to run in heals?

"Guys!? Sorry I forgot!"

"About time you showed up!" Ellie looked down right pissed, "I have to pee so bad." As she ran to find relief the group turned to Murdock, cards in hand.

"Murdock?"

"Yes, Faceman?"

"Have you really been playing poker this whole time?"

"Of course not! We also playedWar, Texas Hold 'Em, and Blackjack."

Callie stared in disbelief, two consenting adults with an obvious attraction to each other locked in a pantry for hours had done….nothing.

"Did you guys talk or..you know..do anything about your relationship?"

"Nope"

"Of course not."