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. Any familiar catch phrases also belong to the Cannell team.

Abels 1,2,3,4 etc is Cannell's method for referring to the body guard agents Stockwell would assign to watch the A-team and enforce his control.

Possibly References characters and/or plot lines from

"Pure Dee Poison" Season 2 Episode 16 - Reverend and Stephanie Taylor

Season 2 Episodes 14-22, Season 3 Episodes 1-2 - Tawnia Baker Lefcourt

Season 3 Episode 2 "A Bend in the River" - Brian Lefcourt.

Season 3 Episode 21 "Bounty"- Dr. Kelly Stevens

All aforementioned characters and plot lines belonging to Stephen J. Cannell and associates.

Chapter Spoiler Alert: None required.

Chapter Author's Notes: Sorry the delay in updating, life can interfere with creativity.

Chapter Summary: Time for the Team to roll out, but not until someone makes a promise.

Chronicles of a Colonel: by LAGC

Chapter Ten - The Call Comes

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"Good Morning Grandma and Papa!" Rachel greeted us as she walked into the kitchen and gave us each a kiss.

"Good Morning Sweetie. Did you sleep well?" Maggie asked.

"Yes I did, Gran. But I did have a lot of dreams, I think my brain was trying to assemble all the stories Papa told me."

Maggie and I exchanged a nervous look.

"Oh no! Don't even think it. You have to tell me the rest. We are almost at the climax." Rachel declared locking onto me with a determined stare, so much like her dad's.

"Ok, ok, Madam Journalist. You'll get your full exclusive." I surrendered.

"Rachel, if you set the table I'll dish out breakfast. The sooner you two eat, the sooner Hannibal can finish this epic." said Maggie.

"There's a plan, Gran." Rachel replied.

The phone rang. I reached back grabbed and answered it. I turned the receiver away from my mouth and said, "It's your other uncle."

"Tell him I said Hi! He's coming Sunday right?" chirped Rachel.

I relayed her message and received the sort after information.

"He says of course he's coming with your aunt and your cousins." I shared.

Rachel nodded happily, and Maggie declared,"Good. It's been too long since we were all under this roof together."

I chuckled at her grandmother timekeeping. It had only been about three weeks. We had all gathered here then to celebrate her birthday. The voice on the phone broke me from my thoughts.

"Rachel? Oh, she's here interviewing me for her Senior Project. Yep, I'm telling her about leaving Langley... Today I'm telling her about D.C."

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It took about a week, but the call from Brian finally came.

Reverend Taylor arrived early in the morning with a worried looking Stephanie in tow. They told us that Brian and Tawnia had calked to notify us that all their ducks in a row and it was time for the A-team to arrive. Taylor gave us directions to the D.C. safe house the Lefcourts had established for us. They had also issued a sharp warning that Stockwell's tentacles were entwined throughout the city and to be on our highest guard.

Since we had already prepped our personal bags, loading up the van took only a few minutes. Once again we were forced to burn time and wait until nightfall. Stephanie insisted on cooking us a "Good Luck" dinner so we knew how to fill our evening hours. We just had to keep busy for the afternoon. I had expected some antics from Murdock but he was uncharacteristically calm. Face and BA checked and rechecked the maps and their route. I busied myself cleaning my side arm.

For lunch we grilled up hotdogs and burgers. Murdock said it was a 'right proper American meal for men about to fully rejoin American society'. We all raised our milks and coffees in a toast to that. After we ate, BA checked to make sure that the black gaffers tape was still sticking to the van. He found a few loose spots so he and Murdock set to repairing the van's disguise. Face joined me at the table as he began to clean his gun.

"You and BA satisfied with our route into D.C.?" I asked.

"Yes, Colonel, we have our main route and several other back up routes memorized." Face reported.

"Good." I responded.

"Hannibal? Do you have an extraction plan, ya know, just in case this hits the gutter?"

"I'm working on it, Lieutenant." I answered eying my second in command carefully.

"Not putting much stock in Brian and Tawnia, Face?"

"It's not them, Colonel. I know they are doing all they can. It's just, well, our track record with military justice doesn't place the odds in our favor." explained Face.

"I understand your wariness, Kid. But like you said, lets try one more marathon." I said trying to encourage him, but I completely understood his hesitation to hope.

"Don't get me wrong, Hannibal, I'm one hundred percent into this scheme but I'm not making any plans beyond it yet." he answered with a shrug.

What could I say to that? So I kept quiet and just gave him a reassuring shoulder squeeze. As I did so I noticed Taylor and Stephanie drive into our campsite. BA and Murdock greeted them and assisted in carrying in the feast that Steph had prepared.

"Hello,Reverend." Face greeted warmly, all lingering traces of doubt gone from hIs voice. Afterall, a good con-man never shows uncertainty. As he spoke, Face took the platter on the top of the pile that Murdock was precariously carrying.

"Whoa, Stephanie! You do know it's not Thanksgiving yet?" Face teased appreciatively.

"Yes, Face. But none the less, this is an important day." she chuckled back then added, "I want to be sure to send you all off with full stomachs."

The table was set in lightening speed time. We all sat down. Reverend Taylor lead us in a prayer of thanks as well as a blessing for protection and justice. After a hearty round of Amens, the food was passed around. Face hadn't been far off with his Thanksgiving pun. Stephanie had cooked a turkey with all the fixings and a chocolate cake for dessert. It was a wonderful meal.

Face and Murdock took to clean up detail. I sat with Taylor just outside the cabin. We kept subtle eyes and ears on BA and Stephanie who had gone to the Taylor's vehicle to put away some of the dishes. They lingered by the passenger door. Even though they spoke quietly, we caught most of the discussion.

"Thank you for dinner, Stephanie. Your the only lady who's cooking can rival my Momma's", he said bashfully.

"Why thank-you BA. That's a lovely compliment" Stephanie replied smiling brightly.

"You've been so generous to us. I don't know how to repay you." my Sergeant continued.

"Tell you what. You can take me out to dinner in some really nice restaurant." she answered.

"I'd like to do that, but, well I can't promise I'll be able to." BA said looking at her with worried eyes.

Stephanie placed her hand on his broad arm, looked him directly in those eyes and said, "You go to DC. You be extra careful and stay safe. Get your exoneration. Then come back and take me to dinner."

"I don't want to make no promises to you that I can't guarantee, Stephanie."

"BA, you have to have faith. I just know this is going to work."

"Ok I'll promise you this. If, I become exonerated. If, I can lead a life that doesn't involve me looking over my shoulder all the time. I will come back and take you to dinner."

"I've been wanting to hear you say that since you guys cleaned up Arcadia." she replied.

"I've been wanting to say them since then too." BA admitted quietly.

Stephanie bounced up and gave my not so burly Sergeant a joyful hug and quick kiss.

Reverend Taylor and I exchanged fatherly looks of satisfaction. I stood up then and called out to my team, "OK men, time to move out"

Thanks, hand shakes, hugs, and good wishes were exchanged. All too swiftly we were aboard the van and driving toward D.C. And what I prayed would be a free future for my boys.