Face had a rough time coming out of the anesthesia. He woke in the recovery room unsure of where he was or what had happened. He wondered where the rest of the team was and if they were okay. Needing to get some answers he attempted to get up.

"Sir, calm down...you must stay still," a voice that belonged to a blurry figure said.

But that only agitated Face more. "Hannibal?" he questioned while pushing against the two arms that were now attempting to hold him down.

"Sir...you're in the recovery room...you just had surgery."

"Hannibal…Murdock...B.A. …need find them."

Still pumped full of pain medication he was feeling no pain, but was delirious and uncomprehending. The nurse was shouting out for help now, as Face was starting to get the upper hand and was nearly in a seated position.

There were more voices and more hands and Face began to panic. "Get away from me...lemme go." He began to thrash against the restraint while jostling his injured arm in the process.

"Somebody go get Colonel Smith...now!" the doctor ordered.

Hannibal, Murdock and B.A. remained in Face's hospital room after they had come to take him to the operating room. Before they had a chance to apologize the drugs had him too far gone and they were left to ponder the weight of their actions.

"Way to kick a man when he's down," Hannibal said angrily.

"Some friends we are," B.A. muttered.

But it was Murdock who summed it up best. "Face can take a joke and laugh at himself...but there's nothing funny about having a wound and your friends rubbing salt in it before it has a chance to start healing."

The procedure took longer than was expected and when the surgeon came to see them over four hours later he explained that the breaks were more complicated than the x-rays had shown. He said that it would take some time for him to regain consciousness and that they should probably go home, get some rest, and return in the morning.

Though they didn't want to, Hannibal persuaded the others to take off, promising to call if there was any change. He was just about to doze off in his chair a couple of hours later when an anxious nurse hustled inside the room to get him.

The site of Face struggling and calling out his name brought rare tears to his eyes.

"Hannibal...where are you?...help me."

"Face...I'm right here," he said hustling over to the bedside.

"You...you okay? Murdock? B.A.?" Face's eyes were wild and unfocused.

"Everybody is just fine, son."

Seeing that the detective was calming down, the nurses and doctors slowly began to back off and allow Hannibal to take over completely.

"Hannibal? What...what happened?"

The colonel settled for keeping it simple. "You're in the hospital. You had a little accident and hurt your arm...but the doc patched you up."

He was becoming aware of all the work done on his arm as the effects of the drugs were starting to dissipate. "S'why it hurts, huh?"

Face reached out with his good arm and Hannibal took hold of the quivering hand. "Yeah...but you're gonna be just fine...just hang in there."

"Why can't I remember?"

Hannibal swallowed hard knowing that when his friend did remember he wouldn't be so anxious to have him around. "Don't force it...you had a concussion too."

"Don't feel so good," he moaned right before his eyes rolled back into his head.

Hannibal kept hold of the limp hand and hung his head. "Oh, kid...I'm sorry."

The next time Face woke he was alone.

As he looked down at his bandaged arm the memories hit him all at once and hard. He remembered falling…and pain…lots of pain.

He also remembered the team…and when he told them the truth. Well, actually, all he really remembered clearly was them laughing at him. Not that he could really blame them; the whole situation was quite silly. But his injury was no laughing matter. He knew with time would be able to laugh about it too, but right now it was all too raw and the hurt too fresh.

Face was distracted from his thoughts by a tall attractive woman with long blonde hair. "Hi…I'll be the nurse taking care of you. My name is Barbara. But most people call me…,"

"Don't say it," Face begged.

"Barbie," she concluded.

Letting out a long exasperated sigh, Face finally smiled. "Hi Barbie…I have a bone to pick with you."

The nurse's quizzical look was interrupted by the sound of gunfire and a piercing scream.

TBC…