B.A. sat in the ambulance waiting and watching from outside the gate for the helicopter Murdock was 'borrowing' to get off the ground. It was almost comical to watch the lanky pilot serpentine his way around the choppers, ducking and weaving to avoid being spotted.

"The dude almost looks like Robin,' he chuckled to himself.

Vaulting into his helicopter of choice, Murdock threw B.A. a thumbs-up sign before starting up the bird.

Caught up in the moment, B.A. returned with a raised thumb of his own. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks.

"Damn…I hope the fool didn't see that."

If he did, the sergeant knew he would never live it down.

Once Hannibal was turned around and headed once more toward the van he wondered what he would say to Murdock and B.A. when he got there. Given what he knew about Face's injuries, he figured that Face was probably going to be in the hospital for at least the remainder of the day and probably wouldn't be released until the next morning at the earliest.

As he pulled up behind the black vehicle he was relieved that they weren't on a busy road. But to play it safe he decided not to stop, but to go around the van and park the car in a spot that would be covered by ample foliage. Two vehicles were sure to draw more attention than one.

Hannibal took a deep breath and reached for a cigar out of his pocket needing something to hold onto. He was surprised to note that his hand shook slightly; that wasn't supposed to happen when in front of his men.

He slowly walked toward the GMC, hoping for the best, but steeling himself for the worst. What he wasn't prepared for was the empty van that met him.

"This is Howling Mad calling looking out for one with a Bad Attitude."

B.A. rolled his eyes before picking up the receiver.

"Do you read me Bad Attitude."

"I'm here, crazy fool."

"I'm going to heads toward the hospital and start from there."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll retrace our steps and then move towards the beach house."

"Thomas that."

"Thomas?"

"Yeah…Roger is a bit overused, don't ya think?"

B.A. answered with an irritated grunt.

"Oh, and big buy…I saw that raised thumb in my direction."

"If you don't get off this radio and start lookin' I'm gonna be raisin' a different finger in your direction."

"Howling Mad…over and out."

Hannibal walked away from the van and towards the greenery behind it. His trouble radar was going into overdrive as was his heart rate.

His eyes darted back and forth scanning for any signs of his men, but it wasn't until he looked downward that he saw it: two bare feet sticking out from behind a bush.

His racing heart seemed to stop beating all together as he stepped around and saw the body that those feet belonged to.

"Face!" he gasped. His lieutenant's head was lolled to the side and he was deathly pale and eerily still.

Hannibal knelt down and reached his still trembling hand out to feel for a pulse…

…Face's eyes fluttered open and he saw Hannibal reaching out for his neck.

TBC…