Disclaimer: I do not own nor did I create any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own nor did I create any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates.
Nurse Katrina Jones is mine - a creation of my imagination
Spoiler Alert: None the piece/plot is all my creation.
Author's Notes/Summary: The team learns of Katrina's troubles.
They of course spring into action but they have to get Murdock loose first.
A Blast from the Past - Installment Three by: LAGC
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Part Seven: Katrina Spills It
Katrina looked into two sets of eyes. One pair chocolate brown, one pair mountain sky blue. Both filled with friendship, concern, and determination. After a second deep sigh she began her story.
"Okay I was attacked two days ago".
"Yep, sugar, we kinda figured that one out", Murdock interrupted. "We were looking for by who and why."
"How badly did this person hurt you? Have you seen a doctor?" added Face. His expression explaining how deeply his question was meant.
"Yes I have seen a doctor and I'm fine. Really. Just deep bruising nothing broken. It was just a beating." Kat answered. The guys were relieved by this news but still wanted more information.
"Who and Why?" repeated Murdock.
Katrina was clearly hesitant to tell them more. Face looked at her and reassured her,
"Look, Kat, you know what we do so you know two things. One, nothing you can say will shock us. And two, we are quite ready, willing, and able to help you."
The nurse looked at her two friends and finally made her decision, "Okay I'll tell you"
The men sat down on Murdock's bed as Kat began her tale.
"Yes I know the guy who did this to me. He's the hired goon of a creep from the neighborhood that my parents live in. Where I grew up actually. The goon's name is Wilson and he works for Harvey Keith. Keith is nothing but a loan shark extortionist. He pretty much controls the purse strings of the neighborhood. He has the local small businesses completely indebted to him and completely terrified of him.
Okay, now, how does this come back to me? Well my parents run a small little grocery store, but are ready to retire. They have someone to buy the shop who wants to turn it into a daycare center. They have managed never to borrow money from Keith, but they have been buying his 'insurance'. Keith doesn't want to lose their income so he's trying to force them to keep working or give him the shop. My beating this week was a warning to them that they had to do it Keith's way".
"Well this can't be allowed to go on, now can it," Face calmly stated.
"Hannibal and B. A. are never gonna stand for this." added Murdock.
"Do you guys really think you can do something to help my parents?" She asked hopefully.
The buddies looked at each other, grinned, and in stereo said, "Piece of cake".
Clearly Murdock had to put in some time at the VA. It would be too suspicious if Dr. Peckham removed him on the very day the patient was returned. Face made plans for Kat to meet the rest of the team at Joe's Roadside at 7:00 that night.
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Part Eight- Rallying the Team
From his 'vette Face called Hannibal and B. A. and told them to meet him at the Colonel's place. The men resisted at first because they were exhausted from the last mission, but when Face said that Kat needed help, they jumped right on board.
Once they were together Faceman told them about the beating and the bruising on Katrina. B. A. was so upset he shattered Hannibal's coffee table with a frustrated punch. When the Colonel gave him a reproachful eyeing B. A. promised to replace it. Face filled them in on all the details he knew. When it was time, they set off for the diner.
They were waiting outside as Kat drove up. They all walked in together after Hannibal scanned her bruising and B. A. growled. Once they had given their orders Hannibal got down to business.
"All right let's have the whole story. Face has shared what he knows but there are gaps. Such as why don't your parents sell Keith the shop? Why doesn't the sleaze want a daycare center there? After all a daycare center would be an easy mark because they'd be desperate to keep the kids safe".
"First off he doesn't want to buy it he wants them to give the shop to him. They need the money from the sale to fund their retirement. You can't build up an IRA when a leech like Keith is bleeding you. I truly have no real answer as to why he's so against a new business. Maybe he doesn't want the hassle of shaking down a new target," she responded.
"Could be. What do you think guys, shall we go rattle a few windows?" Hannibal asked.
Of course B. A. and Faceman agreed.
"So Nurse Jones, where do Mom and Dad live? They're about to get a visit from the A-team," Hannibal said as he put his unlit cigar in his grinning mouth. Clearly the Jazz was starting to simmer.
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Part Nine -Breaking Murdock Out, Again.
The new night nurse rushed to Murdock's room when the patient emergency alarm sounded. As she opened his door, she saw Mr. Murdock writhing and gasping on the floor. One of his art therapy pieces was shredded on the floor next to him. She ran quickly to his side and checked his pulse and breathing. Clearly he was in some sort of respiratory distress.
She leapt up and went into the hall. It was now crowded with other patients who had gathered to watch the confusion. A bit overwhelmed by the crowd, and flustered by the medical emergency she was quite relieved when she crashed into a doctor.
"Oh doctor thank goodness you're here! I need assistance with a patient. He's in what appears to be a respiratory distress. I'm so glad you responded to the alarm."
The dashing doctor rushed to Murdock. He checked his pulse and listened to his lungs and heart.
"Nurse, this looks like an allergic reaction. One quite sever. Was this man given any unusual food tonight?" the doctor asked.
"No, Doctor, just his usual Mac n Cheese warmed in the small oven, NOT, the microwave. Mr. Murdock has paranoia about microwaves."
"Well then what could be causing this allergic reaction?" shouted the doctor glancing around the room. "Nurse! What is that on the floor?"
"Oh, that's just one of Murdock's therapy paintings that he did last week," she answered dismissively.
"Well look again, Nurse, I can see, clear as day, the tongue marks on them." The doctor opened Murdock's mouth, "Just LOOK at this! His tongue is blue, green, and orange! This man was licking his paintings! That must be the source of the reaction. This is very dangerous. We have to get Mr. Murdock to an ER."
The nurse hesitated, looking back and forth between Murdock and the painting."Why on earth would he lick them?" she mumbled. Just then, Murdock gasped loudly and writhed like an eel on a hook.
"Now, NURSE",shouted the doctor. His blue eyes flashing angrily, "That question is pointless. If all of this patient's behaviors were rational, he wouldn't be a patient here! Would he? Go get an orderly with a gurney and an air mask. I have to get this man to the ER, STAT! Move move!" He hollered and rushed her. As she fled Murdock risked flashing Faceman a wink and a grin. Face waved him down.
The throng of curious gee hawkers clustered around Murdock's doorway, making it difficult for the rattled nurse to navigate the hallway. When she ran round the corner she plowed into an orderly. Clearly he was a child of the sixties who had never truly left the commune. "Hey Mama, what's your trauma?" he chanted.
"I have a patient in distress! Get that gurney and follow me. Fast!" she commanded.
"Okay okay, man you're shooting off bad vibes," the misplaced hippie warned.
The orderly and nurse wheeled the gurney into Murdock's room along with the oxygen kit she had grabbed as she ran back. The doctor and orderly lifted Murdock onto the gurney and engaged the safety railings and belt. She put the breathing mask on Murdock's face. Then the men wheeled him into the elevator. In all of the confusion and rush she never even asked for the doctor's name or signature.
The men heard the nurse call out, "Feel better Mr. Murdock" as the elevator doors closed. Murdock, Face,and Hannibal all shared a jazzed up grin. When the elevator opened in the ambulance bay, Dr Peck and Orderly Smith rushed their patient into the waiting ambulance and slammed the doors. The driver hit the gas and off they went. All three could hear B. A.'s laughter even over the siren. "Boy, hey man. Breaking out the fool two times in two weeks. That's got to be a record even for us."