Murdock never stopped to think how hard it would prove to be to get two fishing poles, a tackle box, two sodas, and Face down to the water's edge safely.
"I didn't think this through Faceman. My hands are full and there is a pretty good sized hill that we have to have to go down, so grab on to the back of my jacket. Stay close behind me so you will fall into me if you trip. Do you think you can do that or would you prefer I bring the stuff down first and then come back for you?"
Face did not hesitate in his response. "I've got to start learning to deal with this sometime, Murdock. So, let's go"
With both hands full of fishing gear, Murdock felt Face's hands get a firm hold to the back of his jacket. He looked down at the pond below them and thought once more that this may not be a good idea. *I should just go get one of the guys to help us*. But,
he knew Face needed this, so he began to walk slowly down the steep incline.
"Here we go, Face. Don't let go of me and stay up against my back." The words were not necessary, as he could feel Face's body pressed close against his and could feel the pull of long fingers tangled into the soft leather of his jacket.
The Captain carefully watched where he was stepping for hidden obstacles.
Face was scared. He knew he was probably choking his best friend with the hold he had on the jacket. But, he couldn't help it. The sensation of going downhill, towards water, and not being able to see where that water was or if there was anything to trip over,
terrified him. He wasn't going to let go, Murdock didn't have to worry about that. Behind the fear though, was raw determination.
It wasn't much, he knew how ridiculous he probably looked, holding on for dear life. He knew he wasn't anywhere near doing it by himself, but this was a start, at least Murdock wasn't leading him down by the hand.
"We're almost there, Muchacho. Get ready to stop when I say the word!"
"Okay, I'm ready"
"Alright...Right now!"
Murdock had dropped everything from his hands before they got clear to the bottom, just in case. So, his hands were free, and it's a good thing they were.
He braced himself as he felt the hard impact of Face crashing against his back, at the same time, he instinctively reached behind with both hands and secured his friend as best as he could. They went a few feet like this before coming to a stop, a safe distance from the water.
"We made it Muchacho! The landing was a little rough, but here we are, and we didn't even get our feet wet!"
"Thanks Murdock. I don't even care if I catch any fish now!". The sense of pride that was evident in the Lieutenant's voice and the smile that lit up his face made Murdock glad that his hands were full and couldn't lead Face down the way he had planned. He grinned and gave Face a pat on the back.
"Oh, but we're going to catch some fish, buddy. They are jumping like crazy. I hear them calling our names."
Face grinned at this. "Well then, get me a pole and point me toward the water. I'll catch supper."
Minutes later Murdock had Face's line baited and ready. He walked over to where Face was setting on a stump and took his elbow.
"Alright Faceman, time to earn your keep."
Murdock placed Face what he felt was a safe distance from the water, decided to throw it out the first time, and then placed the rod in his younger friend's hands. "There you go."
He then baited his own rod and stood a bit away from Face to fish in a different spot, but keeping a close eye on him.
He saw when Face begin to try to try to bring his line in, saw him tug and saw that something was restricting it from moving. Murdock then noticed that his friend's line had gone under a tree and that is was probably snagged in underbrush. He was on his way over to help when Face tugged again, harder this time. This time the force pulled him forward, he stumbled.
Murdock was close, but could not reach him in time, his hand went out and he could barely feel the cotton t-shirt Face was wearing.
In what seemed like slow motion, his best friend went head first into the pond, falling from the small landing.
The water wasn't deep and Murdock was in the water seconds behind Face, securing him around the chest. Face was struggling, scared and unable to see to find his way out, he just continued to panic as Murdock held and tried to reassure him. Finally, he calmed down enough so that he heard his friend's voice through the wave of panic.
"Listen to me, Face! I got you, I got you. Just calm down"
He could feel Face's body relax a little. "There ya go, you with me now?"
Face nodded against his shoulder..."Sorry Murdock, I'm okay now. I just didn't know which way to go and I couldn't think straight, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fight you."
"It's okay, Faceman, I understand. But you wanna know something kind of funny?"
"What?"
"I'm standing up right now. The water isn't more than 4 feet deep. I've got you and I won't let you go because there could be deeper holes,
but just stand up, Face"
Face cautiously did as he was told, again grabbing a handful of the familiar old leather jacket as he allowed himself to drop down into the water that he could not see. He felt himself redden as his feet hit bottom, his chest and head free of the water which so terrified him moment earlier.
Murdock felt the grip loosen on his now soaked jacket, and grinned as he watched his friend's face change color.
He didn't let go of Face's arm as he spoke. "It's alright, Face. I'm sure I'd have done the same thing. But, it's still funny"
He watched his friend's Face and was glad to see the grin that slowly broke out and then joined in as Face began to laugh in earnest.
"Now we have to figure out how to get you out of here" Murdock spoke when the laughter had died down.
"The bank is a decent distance from the water. I'm going to have to pick you up, feel for the land and see if you can drag yourself to the bank. Then stay there and I'll come right behind you. Okay?"
"Got it, Murdock"
"Don't move because I don't want to do this again. You hurt me the first time. It's a good thing I didn't want children.". The voice was lighthearted and teasing, and Murdock grinned as he heard Face laugh again.
He then put his hands around his friend's waist and lifted him as high as he could up to the bank. The lanky Captain could feel some of the weight go as Face felt solid ground and began to pull himself up.
He then climbed as quickly as he could up behind him, suddenly worrying about the drenching his still somewhat weak and sick friend had taken. Choosing to leave the gear behind he and Face began the walk, uphill this time. He started out leading Face by the arm, but soon felt him slowing beside him, and put his arm around his waist to lend support.
By the time they reached the cabin, Face was leaning heavily against him. He could see his best friend becoming more and more pale, and could hear him start to wheeze with each breath. Face shivered against him. When they first began the walk down Murdock told Face how he knew he was going to get the third degree when they got back to the Cabin. "Hannibal is going to kill me, Faceman.".
Face only chuckled and told him not to worry, that he was a grown man and was capable of making his own decision and had decided he wanted to hang out with his friend. "You didn't do anything, Murdock, and I am okay."
At first, Murdock agreed with this. Though, the regret of meeting the Colonel's disappoval and lecture, he wasn't really worried. Now, though, as Face's body shivered against his own, the thought of Hannibal's lectures left him completely as panic slowly began to sink in.
He gripped Face tighter and hurried his pace, almost carrying the smaller man.
"We're halfway there, Face. Do you think you can make it? I can carry you, Muchacho. We need to hurry, you're wet and cold. You can't afford to get sick. I shouldn't have done this." His voice was heavy with worry.
"I'm okay, Murdock. We'll get there and I'll warm up and I'll be fine. I'm just tired and cold, but I'm alright. You didn't make me do anything, I wanted to be there and I had a great time.".
This did not settle the Captain's nerves. He heard the wheezing between words, felt the increasing shivers under his hands.
The wind was blowing and the chilly air of evening was starting to set in. He stopped, and turned Face towards him.
"I don't like this, Face. I outrank you and I'm going to pick you up and get us to the cabin. I don't have time to argue or struggle with you, so please just let me do it without a fight."
Face just nodded as Murdock put his hands under Face's back and knees and easily lifted his friend, noticing just how light he had gotten since the illness had struck.
He practically ran the rest of the way to the cabin, kicking the half open door open and barging inside.
