Rock and a Hard Place

Final Chapter

-TLH

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Days passed and Murdock still hadn't said a word. Wherever the team was, he would close the door or sit solemnly and stare into space. Face and BA were concerned, but they too were dealing with the shock in their own ways.

Face closed the phone and hollered for his two friends to come out into the living room.

"It's all set to have Hannibal's body buried out by the cemetery near the Fifth street Bridge. All arrangements have been made; we just have to meet them there at seven tomorrow morning."

Both men nodded in agreement.

That night neither of the men slept, because in the morning they were going to say a goodbye none of them were ready for.

-

The ceremony was bitter sweet. As the priest spoke, Face knelt down slowly and prayed, BA calmly folded his hands and Murdock stared intently at the casket. As the prayers ended, they began to slowly lower the casket into the ground, as few flowers were thrown.

Murdock suddenly leaped forward and tried to pull the cables to bring the casket back up. "Don't go Colonel…Don't go, come back!" he screamed and ran to push the man operating the cables to the ground. "Bring him back up!"

Face and BA grabbed Murdock as quickly as they could. "Murdock, calm down man, easy…"

BA motioned for the guy to bring the casket back up for a moment.

"I can't do it… I can't say goodbye…can't do it." Murdock was now on his knees, Face's hand under his shoulder. He began to weep and Face found himself on the ground next to his friend.

"You don't have to say goodbye now Captain."

Murdock looked up at the sound of the word Captain. "I can't."

"Then don't." Face said simply.

The two friends knelt on the ground for what seemed like hours. Suddenly the casket began to be lowered again and again Murdock pleaded, but this time BA did not stop it.

"Goodbye Hannibal." BA whispered to himself and saluted.

Face and Murdock saw their friend, stood up slowly and did the same. More tears fell and it began to rain as they watched their friend and leader lowered further into the ground below. Face placed his hand on the back of Murdock's neck, and pulled him into his shoulder for a tight hug, then softly nudged him in the direction of the car. "Time to go."

He motioned for BA to get Murdock to the car and stood behind for a moment. He picked up one more flower and let it fall below onto the casket. "Lord only knows how we are going to go on without you sir, but we will. That I promise you… Don't worry about Murdock; I'll take care of him." He nodded as if now understanding something he hadn't before and smiled. "Thank you for being my friend, I will make you proud…Goodbye Colonel."

BA sat on the inside of sliding door keeping Murdock from leaving the van. When Face approached, Murdock made an attempt to go back to the grave site but was held back by his friends. He wept and hollered. "He can't do this! He can't leave, he can't!"

Both men cried as they fought to hold their friend, the rain falling heavily now. Face stepped around and cradled Murdock's face in his hands, looking intently into his eyes.

"I promise, we will be alright."

Murdock's forehead fell on Face's shoulder as he cried. "Promise?"

Face smiled. "I promise."

And so that day, goodbyes were said, new promises were made, and Colonel Hannibal Smith was remembered.

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End.

Please review, it helps me, help you.

-TLH