Getting Serious
It was almost midnight and Murdock practically sleep-walked out of the showers. What he had really wanted to do was just fall into his bunk, but even he couldn't stand his own stink after nearly eighteen hours on duty. He knew he should get some food, but he hadn't eaten in so long that he wasn't even hungry.
Meeting him part way back to the barracks, Face shoved a sandwich into one of his hands and tried to push a large cup of coffee into the other. Murdock shook his head and refused the cup.
"I can't drink anymore coffee." Just the thought of it made his stomach churn.
Face refused to take back the sandwich and held the coffee out temptingly.
"You gotta eat. And you might want this. Miss Downey is awaiting your presence."
Murdock groaned around a bite of the sandwich. "Aw shit, my date with Shy."
"You promised you'd come get her as soon as you got off, remember?"
Grunting in response, Murdock took another large bite of sandwich. Now that he had started eating, he realized just how hungry he was.
"Too bad you missed the show," Face said. "Viola actually convinced Shy to sing a song that she wrote. It was really good and it sure did get her noticed. There were a lot of guys hanging around her afterwards, but I managed to hold them off for you. You'll have to ask for a private performance."
Other guys hanging around Shy? Another groan escaped his lips. The thought made his blood start a slow boil, but it didn't change the facts. He swallowed.
"I'm a walking zombie, Faceman. I'm not even sure I could hold a coherent conversation."
"You can say 'coherent conversation.' You're already one up on most of the grunts around here." Face flashed him an encouraging smile. "You stood her up once already, Murdock, and she leaves in just a couple days. It's now or never."
"Where am I supposed to meet her?"
"You told her you'd come to her quarters. Geez, you really are out of it, aren't you?"
Murdock shoved the rest of the sandwich in his mouth and chewed a few times. Around the wad of partially-masticated meat and stale bread, he muttered, "Gimme the coffee."
mmm
Ten minutes later he was knocking on Shy's door. Viola opened it, wide-awake and grinning.
"'Bout time you showed up, flyboy. I'd have been awful upset with you if you stood her up." Vi looked over her shoulder. "Shy, get your ass outta bed. He finally showed."
Murdock wished he was half as awake as Vi.
"I'll just wait out here."
"Suit yourself."
He paced to keep himself alert. It was only a minute later that the door opened and Shy walked out. Thick honey-gold hair tousled, big blue eyes crinkled at the corners by the smile on her full lips, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He could just stare at her for the next couple hours and be happy.
"Glad you could make it," she teased.
"Sorry I'm so late. We ended up flying ash and trash all evening. We're running so short on pilots right now that they're putting guys behind the stick that don't even make good peter pilots..."
"It's alright, HM. I know you're busy." Concern was evident in her blue eyes. "You look all in. Are you sure you don't want to get some sleep?"
Even as tired as he was he found her searching gaze incredibly provocative. Moving closer to her, he reached out and took her hand in a caressing grip.
"I'm kinda strung out, but I want to spend some time with you. The schedule doesn't look like it's gonna let up any time soon, so this is it." He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "Let's take a walk down at the beach. We'll find a place to sit and relax."
Shy hesitated, but only for a moment. "Ok."
They walked toward the beach in silence, joined hands swinging between them. A breeze blew in off the bay, and he felt her shiver next to him. It was a clear night and the humidity was at an almost-comfortable level. It was hardly cold, but once you got used to the usual heat and humidity, a night like this felt cool. He shrugged out of his jacket and slipped it around her, keeping an arm wrapped firmly about her shoulders as they walked. He smiled when her arm slid around his waist.
Leading her to a place where kids had obviously been digging through the day, Murdock said, "This looks like a good spot."
He dropped in the slight depression and shimmied until he'd formed himself into the sand, then leaned his head back on the rounded pile there.
"Have to thank those kids – this is perfect." He held out a hand to Shy. "C'mon, the sand isn't wet. It's almost like sittin' in an easy chair at home."
She followed his example, eyes drifting shut as she lay back with a contented sigh.
"This is pretty comfy." Blue eyes opening slowly, Shy gasped when she looked up. "Wow, look at all those stars."
Murdock tore his eyes away from her to look up. "Yeah. Reminds me of home."
"I never saw a sky like that in Chicago."
"Too much ambient light from the city. Never can see the stars real well someplace like…" he yawned uncontrollably before finishing, "…like that."
He startled awake a few seconds later… or was it a few minutes? Perhaps this was a little too comfortable. If he'd kept walking at least he wouldn't fall asleep. Maybe if he talked.
"Actually, we picked a good night. There's a new moon and it's really clear. This is the best kind of night for star gazing."
"Mom and I used to go up on the roofs of the apartment buildings sometimes and she would tell me about the constellations. My favorite was the story of Cepheus and Cassiopeia. But I don't see any constellations I recognize, here."
"Can't see Cassiopeia down here. But there's Chiron, the wisest centaur."
"I don't remember Chiron."
Murdock shrugged. "Most folks call that constellation Saggitarius, Babylon's God of War. I guess that's more appropriate to the setting, but I always preferred thinking of it as Chiron."
"Seems strange to look at the sky and not see the big dipper. It's the one I could always find back home."
"Just like Heinlein's 'Stranger in a Strange Land,'" he murmured and met her eyes with a tired smile. He wasn't sure he was making much sense, but when she smiled back, he decided he didn't care.
He jerked awake again to find Shy leaning over him, a rueful smile on her face.
"You should go to bed, HM."
He grinned at her. "Only if you come with me."
"I am not that kind of girl, Captain Murdock." But the look on her face was amused, not insulted.
His smile softened. "I didn't think you were. C'mon, Shy, indulge me. Let me fall asleep next to a beautiful woman."
She looked around. "Beautiful woman? Where?"
"While I appreciate that you ain't no Cassiopeia, I know you know who I'm talking about."
She pointed a finger at herself and gave him a doubtful look. Taking her arm, he pulled her down to his chest.
"Yeah, you. C'mere."
He buried his face in her mop of hair. The already-familiar scent of her lavender shampoo lulled him into a dream where he lay in a field of lavender with Shy by his side.
mmm
Sheila slipped her arm around his waist and settled against him, her head resting on his chest. His breathing quickly deepened and she sighed. Obviously, she wasn't getting anywhere on her investigation tonight. He was asleep on his feet before they even got to the beach. He barely found time to sleep; how in the hell could he be running drugs?
Her thoughts began to wander as she listened to the slow thudding of his heart. Everything she had seen of HM Murdock led her to believe he was a nice guy and nice guys were not smugglers.
She knew that was a snap judgment, but the impetuous part of her was hoping that it was correct. It was the pesky, logical part that kept dragging her back to reality. Quinn and Stockwell were never going to accept the 'he's a nice guy' argument as proof that Murdock wasn't involved in drug running or gun smuggling.
Like it or not, she had to complete her investigation. The thought brought her full circle. She wasn't getting anywhere with the investigation now – not with him asleep on the beach. And beside, she was so comfortable and warm. Nestling down into his jacket, she let her eyes drifted shut as the scent of leather and HM Murdock surrounded her.
mmm
Murdock opened his eyes and looked up at the purple sky in confusion. There was a pleasant weight on his arm and chest, and he let his eyes drift closed again. Until the voice that had roused him repeated his name, much closer this time.
"Murdock, get up. The colonel is pissed that you weren't in your bunk."
A familiar face swam in his sleep-blurred vision.
"What time is it?" he murmured.
It was Face. "Oh-five-hundred. You were supposed to be at the field half an hour ago. Hey Sheila."
Sitting up, Shy flashed Face an absent hello before looking down at him. "I'm sorry, HM. I must have fallen asleep, too."
"Nothin' to be sorry about, sugar." Ignoring Face, Murdock stared at her, imprinting her image in his brain so he could carry it with him the rest of the day. He thought about how nice it had been to sleep with his arms wrapped around her. Yes, that was an experience worth repeating… again and again.
"Murdock, you gotta move."
He heaved a sigh and rolled himself to his feet, then held out a hand to Shy. She took it and he pulled her up and into his arms.
"Thanks, Shy. I'll see ya later." Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head.
"C'mon, Murdock, we have to go," Face urged.
Wishing like hell he hadn't slept through his time with her, he released her reluctantly. But he knew he was just delaying the inevitable and finally turned away resolutely.
She stopped him with a hand on his arm. "HM, don't forget your coat."
His leather jacket hung from her hand. Taking it, he wrapped it back around her. He tugged it snugly around her shoulders, letting his thumb trail lightly along her jaw as he pulled his hands back.
"You keep it until I see you later." He leaned down and brushed her cheek with his lips before turning to stride after Face.
m
The warmth of the chaste kiss surprised her as it radiated out, enveloping her whole body in a soft glow as she watched the pilot walk away. She physically shook herself. While she couldn't deny the attraction she felt, he was her target. Unfortunately, even reminding herself of that didn't seem to change her involuntary reaction to him.
mmm
Back at the barracks, Murdock changed into his flight suit. He was just pulling on his boots when Hannibal came slamming through the door, his expression stormy. Grinding his teeth at the sight of his obviously-pissed CO, Murdock managed to stop himself from making a pre-emptive strike. He knew the lack of sleep was making him unusually touchy and he didn't want to go there. Yet.
"Where the hell have you been, Captain? We were supposed to be in the air by now."
Murdock finished tying his boot and tucked in the laces with deliberate slowness, trying to get his own temper under control. When he stood up, he managed a nonchalant, if stiff shrug.
"Fell asleep down at the beach."
Hannibal looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel and Murdock couldn't help but smirk. As impossible as it seemed, Hannibal's face turned an even deeper shade of purple. That was Murdock's first hint that he was pushing his luck. He was surprised to find that at this point in time he didn't really care. A snort escaped him at the realization.
"You find this amusing, Captain?"
"It's fucking hilarious. If you're gonna ream me, Colonel, have at it. If not, I'll go get the bird ready."
Hannibal's jaw worked for several seconds before he jabbed a finger into Murdock's chest. "When we get back, you and I are going to have a talk, Captain."
"Gee, I can't wait."
Murdock brushed roughly past Hannibal and strode out the door without a backward glance.
m
Face stared after his best friend in shock.
"Lieutenant." The rage in Hannibal's voice was barely controlled.
"Yes, sir."
When Hannibal turned to look at him, his blue eyes seemed icier than usual shining out of a face that was crimson with anger.
"You let your friend know that he better have a damn good explanation for what just happened here."
Face stared at Hannibal for a moment before his own gaze darkened. Sometimes Hannibal could be a real prick.
"In Murdock's defense, that was like the first straight four hours of sleep he's had in about twenty-four hours. And I know his last few weeks have been like that. I think the schedule is making him pissy."
"No goddam excuse. Besides, Murdock's duty roster hasn't been that full..."
"Not for you, maybe." Face crossed his arms. "If you cared to check, I think you'd find that Vickers has him running ash and trash when he's not humping for you or sleeping... and lately sleep seems to be optional."
"Vickers –"
"Yeah, you know, Murdock's official CO?" Face knew that would hit a nerve. "You and Vickers are gonna burn him out. And you and I both know Murdock burns a little too bright as it is."