A/N: So sorry it's taken me so long to update! Being an adult sucks. Too many things kept getting added to my to-do list and taking me away from writing. Pretty sure I was actually starting to go through withdrawals. Lol. Anyway, thank you to everyone who reviewed! This chapter is actually a little more BA-centric. Enjoy!
1969
Hannibal puffed on his cigar as he watched Peck approach the motor pool from across the way. Since proving his talent for conjuring supplies out of thin air for the last mission, BA's complaints about the lieutenant had lessened somewhat. He had even suggested to the CO in motor pool to see if Peck could get the supplies they'd been asking for for weeks. Hannibal chuckled as he remembered the look on the kid's face when he told him BA wanted to see him. If his eyebrows had gone up any further they would've been lost amongst his hair. Nevertheless, Peck had turned that surprise into nonchalance in a second, and left to find the sergeant.
Part of the colonel was happy that the two were starting to get along. But another part of him wondered if it was all an act. Not for BA of course, the man was honest to a fault. He always said what he meant, and didn't sugarcoat it. Peck, on the other hand, was a whole different story. While you would believe anything that came out of his mouth as truth, Hannibal had a feeling it was a lie more often than not.
The kid was good at what he did. He could get supplies faster than anyone else, including stuff no one else could get. Though Hannibal wasn't sure he wanted to know how Peck did it, plausible deniability and all that. Even out in the field, Peck was every bit as good as his records, however forged they might be, said. Despite the tongue-lashing the colonel had given him for changing positions during the mission, it had shown the kid's initiative and ability to improvise. Hannibal needed people on his team that knew how to improvise in tricky situations, and officers who knew how to take initiative when he wasn't around. In all honesty, Hannibal had wanted to tell him 'Good job.'
But that attitude of Peck's was going to be his downfall, and the colonel needed to get it in check before that happened. The kid was a cocky, insubordinate smartass. And while every one of those things could be said, in varying degrees, about every member of his team, including himself, Hannibal knew how far they'd take it, and they knew when they could and couldn't get away with it. Peck didn't fit into either of those categories. The colonel had no clue how far the lieutenant would or wouldn't go. Hannibal still hadn't figured the kid out, and didn't know what to expect from him. And Peck didn't seem to understand, or maybe just didn't care, where the line was.
The rest of the team kept each other in check for the most part. But from what Hannibal had seen, and what he'd heard from Ray, Peck was still fighting the whole 'being part of a team' concept. Whether that was on purpose or simply because he didn't understand it, Hannibal still wasn't sure.
All he could do was hope that the olive branch of sorts that BA was extending might help get the kid to lighten up a little. Peck had started out on the team with animosity between him and the sergeant. Maybe if those two could work out their differences, the kid would figure out they weren't his enemies. A colonel could hope at least.
0
"Hannibal said you were looking for me."
BA took a breath before pulling his head out from under the jeep's hood and turning around to face the young lieutenant. "Yeah."
After a moment and the sergeant still hadn't explained further, Peck shook his head in exasperation. "Well?"
The impatience in his tone had BA fighting his own patience, but he succeeded in pushing down his urge to snap back. Instead, he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket as he said, "Motor pool's been needin' this stuff for weeks. I told Captain Higgins you could get it."
Quirking an eyebrow was the only reaction Peck showed. But he took the piece of paper, scanning it quickly. He glanced back up at the sergeant, who was scowling. The lieutenant was learning that the burly man almost always wore a scowl, it was just a matter of figuring out which scowl meant what. This scowl looked like the 'I'm waiting' one.
"Well?" BA snapped impatiently.
Peck had to suppress his urge to smirk at being right. Instead, he nodded. "Yeah, I can get it. I'll have to go into Da Nang though, so it won't be till tomorrow."
"That quick?" BA couldn't stop the surprised response. He was impressed.
This time Peck did smirk. "You just gotta know who to ask," he replied smoothly.
BA nodded, schooling his features back into his normal scowl. "So when we leavin'?"
The lieutenant's brows raised in confusion. "'We'?" Peck repeated.
"Yeah, we, sucka," BA said firmly. Then challenged, "You don't think Hannibal's gonna let you go alone, do ya?" But when Peck opened his mouth, the sergeant waved a hand. "Ya know what, don't answer that."
0
"Hey man! Stop!" BA snapped as he pulled his fellow sergeant away from the crates he'd been kicking and punching.
When the other man stopped fighting, BA released his hold on him. The sergeant held up his hands in a placating manner. "Sorry BA. I'm just… having a bad day I guess."
BA sighed. "What's goin' on with you McKinney?"
McKinney gave a hollow chuckle. Shaking his head, he spoke in an almost half-crazed tone. "I fucked up, that's what. Apparently I missed something when I was tuning up Major Newton's jeep, and it died on him a klick away from camp."
"You lucky it wasn't further," BA commented seriously.
Nodding, McKinney agreed, "Yeah. But my ass is still in the sling." Shaking his head frustratedly, he snapped, "I don't know what happened! I checked that thing over twice!"
BA watched his friend pace for a few moments. Finally, he asked, "What's been goin' on with you man?"
The other sergeant's head snapped up. "What are you talking about?" He was trying to sound bewildered, but the panic in his eyes had also crept into his voice as well.
"You been distracted lately. On edge," BA explained. He was watching his friend closely, his 'concerned' scowl etched onto his face.
McKinney sighed heavily, looking down. "I know BA. It's just… things at home. I know I'm not supposed to let it get to me, but it does!" He looked back up at the big man. "Remember how I told you I didn't have any money to send home?" BA nodded. "Well, now my wife's having to go out and get a job to pay the bills. Her parents are coming to stay with her till my tour's over to help out with the kids while she works." He shook his head and kicked the dirt. "It just sucks!"
BA didn't know what to say. He laid a hand on the other man's shoulders and told him, "It'll all work out man, just hang in there."
The other sergeant managed a small smile. "Thanks BA."
"Anytime man."
But the look in McKinney's eyes changed suddenly as he looked past BA. "What's he doing here?"
BA couldn't tell what was in that tone, but he turned and saw Peck approaching the motor pool. Sighing, he looked back at McKinney. "He's gonna get us the supplies we been needin'."
Scoffing, McKinney turned to walk away, but before he did, said in a dead serious tone, "Just be careful BA. That slimeball will cheat you out of everything."
0
"Ok, what'd I do this time?" Peck finally snapped.
They were on their way back from Da Nang, and the entire trip BA's surly attitude had been in fine form. It was confusing the lieutenant. Sure, had this been a few days ago, or a trip ordered by the colonel, it would make sense. But the big sergeant had asked Peck to do this, and had seemed almost friendly about it, or as close to it as the scowling man came.
"What happened with you and McKinney?" BA was blunt, and to the point. Hannibal had told him if he wanted to know, he should ask Peck. And after seeing McKinney that morning, BA needed to know.
Caught off guard by the question, Peck considered his response carefully. "What do you mean?" His tone was calm, casual almost, but not flippant. He wasn't trying to piss the man off.
BA shot him a glare. "You cheated him outta all his money, and now his family gotta pick up the slack since he can't send 'em what they need." The sergeant's voice was hard and accusing.
Peck rolled his eyes. The deepening of BA's scowl told him that probably wasn't the smartest move, but the lieutenant didn't care. Shaking his head, he retorted harshly, "Look, I haven't done any business with, or even spoken to, Sergeant McKinney since before you decided to pick a fight with me and Hannibal pulled me out of the brig. And we've all gotten paid since then. So maybe you oughtta consider the fact that I might not be the reason your friend is out of money."
Seeing the intensity in Peck's eyes made BA pause for a moment. Though keeping his attention on the road, he couldn't help but glance at the lieutenant, who was now purposefully staring out at the jungle. It had the sergeant thinking. There was at least some truth to what Peck said. There had been a payday since their fight.
0
BA was unloading the supplies out of the jeep. Peck had conveniently remembered he was supposed to meet Combs and Reyes when he got back. Though the sergeant suspected it was more to get away from him, especially after their conversation on the way back.
He paused when he caught sight of McKinney talking to another man, a sergeant, that he didn't recognize. The two shook hands. The other man walked away, toward the hangars, and McKinney headed in BA's direction.
"See you got the stuff," McKinney commented when he reached the big man.
Though he didn't miss the strain in the other sergeant's voice, BA simply nodded. "Yeah."
McKinney nodded as well. "Good."
"Everything ok?" BA asked, jerking his head toward where the other man had been.
"Oh, yeah," the other sergeant agreed. "He's loaning me some money to send back to Linda."
BA nodded, but before he could say anything, McKinney spoke again.
"Listen, BA, I gotta go. I'll see ya around."
"See ya 'round." The sergeant watched him go, yet again wondering what was really going on.
He went to go unload the next box when he heard someone muttering, "Arrogant bastard. And they call me crazy."
Looking over, BA saw Murdock approaching. The pilot smiled widely when he saw the burly sergeant.
"Hey Kimosabe!" he greeted, bouncing over.
But BA ignored him. "Who was you talkin' 'bout?"
The captain rolled his eyes, and lit up a cigarette. "Sergeant Powell." He spat the name in disgust. "Guy thinks he's hot shit, but he's just a bastard."
BA furrowed his brow. "Ain't that the guy Peck got into it with?"
Murdock nodded. "Doesn't like me either after we stopped him from beating the kid senseless."
Huffing, BA muttered, "Maybe you shoulda let 'im."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Murdock retorted. Then smirking, added, "I thought you were starting to warm up to our new friend?"
Rolling his eyes and huffing again, BA shot back, "He still a punk."
Grinning, the pilot shrugged. "Maybe. But that don't mean Powell ain't a bastard. And if that guy's hangin' around him, you oughtta keep an eye on him."
BA looked to see who Murdock had pointed at, and saw McKinney. Turning back to the captain, BA could tell he knew something he wasn't saying. "Why?"
But Murdock didn't seemed inclined to spill. He just shrugged. "Just call it a hunch."
The sergeant wasn't about to accept that dismissal though. Grabbing the pilot's collar, BA growled, "Listen crazy man, I don't like guessin' games. So you better start talkin'. And talk straight."
Murdock saw the seriousness, and exasperation, in the big man's eyes. Obviously, BA knew something, and he wasn't going to rest until he got the full story. Unfortunately, the pilot didn't know the whole story. "All I know is what I heard, that's it!" he tried to reason, throwing his hands up in a gesture of cluelessness.
"And?" BA accentuated the growl with a slight shove.
Knowing he was going to have to tell the sergeant what Wilson had told him, and knowing what BA's reaction would be, Murdock let out a long, heavy sigh.
A/N: Hope you all liked that chapter! No guarantees on when the next chapter will be up, but hopefully it'll be within the next week or two. As always reviews are greatly appreciated!
