Chapter 12:

Without waiting for Chuck to respond, he sprinted back to Face's room. "B.A." he whispered breathlessly. "Hannibal's gone."

"What you mean he's 'gone'?"

"Gone…as in see ya…adios…arrivederci…auf wiedersehen!"

"I know what gone means fool! But where'd he go?"

Murdock showed B.A. the note. "Damn!" he cursed, crumpling up the letter and tossing it aside in disgust. "It's a sad day when you are only the third craziest member of the A-team."

Murdock nodded sadly. "Let's go get Maggie to stay with Face. You and I are going on a Hannibal hunt."

Face opened his eyes as soon as the door closed behind Murdock and B.A. He heard them as they argued in hushed tones, but faked sleep in order to hear what was really going on and not some version they would later tell him.

Hannibal was gone. Murdock had said so. 'I knew he would leave me,' Face thought as his eyes welled up. He swiped at the tears refusing to allow their descent down his cheeks. There was a crumpled piece of paper on the bed next to his foot. By the time he managed to sit up and get the note he was covered in sweat. Hands quivering, he smoothed out the note and began to read:

Guys, I need a break. I'm not doing anybody any good by sticking around. I need some time to think. I'll call you in a few days. I'm sorry. Hannibal

Face was so focused on the note that he didn't hear Maggie enter the room. He read it over and over again, until she called his name and broke his trance.

"Face. Face, look at me, honey."

Face looked up wide-eyed and like a frightened child. "Why do they always leave me?" he asked in a small voice. "Hannibal's been a father to me. My real father didn't stick around, and now it's happening again."

"Oh Face, don't do that. He's not gone, he'll be back in no time, you'll see. Once he comes to his senses he'll come running and begging for forgiveness."

"No, he won't come back. The note says he'll call. I have enough experience with this. 'I'll arrange everything and then call.' And then they'll call that they found a younger child or changed their mind altogether or the woman suddenly got pregnant. It's always been the same." Face sounded defeated and was angrily wiping at the tears, not wanting the hurt to show. When he had a bit of a grip on his emotions he forced his expression to be neutral and continued. "Anyway, it took him long to change his mind. Hey and know what, this time at least I know why he's leaving me."

Maggie sat down on the bed beside him and took his hands in hers. "Face, don't think like that. None of this is your fault."

"He's right. Who wants to keep a burden around?"

"Young man, stop talking like this at once. You aren't a burden. If I remember well your new rules included not to move around, so lay back down and rest."

"That was Hannibal's rule."

"Made for you and I agree with him. You need rest, you need medicine and you need food." With a wink she added, "part of Hannibal's plans always works. Or let's say the end result is good, just his ways to achieve it are usually madness. It's time you allow your body to heal, now lay back and let me have a look at your foot."

'No need to be strong, with the team gone I can go to the next police station myself and get it over with. With nobody to bail me out of trouble I'm as good as caught.' For Maggie's sake he kept those thoughts to himself.

"Where are BA and Murdock?"

"Off looking for their AWOL commander. He took his car."

'They will follow him soon.'

"The rest did you good. The antibiotics have finally started working. Your foot looks better. If we clean it out two or three times that should do it. I'm going to get you some food and then you can rest some more while we wait for them."

"I'm not hungry."

"Remember rule number….was it three? You will eat and drink anything that's brought to you. Maybe we can let up a bit if the person bringing it is Murdock and it contains bacon chocolate chips and icing at the same time. I'll be back in a few, rest."

Maggie came back with a light soup. Face was able to drink about half of it and even managed to keep it down for now. Together they settled in for a long wait. She could tell Face was tired but he was doing his best not to fall asleep.

"Face, you need rest, close your eyes and sleep."

"You think they'll be back?"

"What do you mean?"

"BA and Murdock. Maybe….maybe Hannibal already convinced them…..I mean…I know they will stick with him…..and eventually be gone…..but…..it…..it would just…. it would be nice to have them around for a bit."

"You are really a fool, Templeton Peck. No force on this earth could separate you four from each other. They would never leave you. Why would they be off chasing Hannibal if it was so easy to let go?"

"He's the commander. He can't be replaced."

"And you can?"

"Murdock's good at the cons too."

"You think you are nothing but a conman to them?" Maggie sadly shook her head. "I won't even get into that discussion with you. What's wrong with this team? Has everyone gone crazy? Close your eyes and sleep. I'm sure they'll be back by the time you wake up."

When exhaustion had won and he was fast asleep she crept out of the room to make a call. "How's it going?"

"We found his car, neatly parked beside yours in the park house. He can be anywhere, might even have left the town, there's a greyhound station and a train station just around the corner."

"Stop chasing him. There's no way you'll find him if he doesn't want you to. Come back, Face needs you two here."

"We'll be with you soon."

When Face woke up he felt oddly safe and there was something warm at his side. The scent told him it was BA. He opened his eyes and saw a tired and concerned looking BA smiling down at him from his position, propped up on an elbow.

"Hey there, how you doin' Faceman?"

"You are back," a small smile crept on his face as hope sparked, "Hannibal?"

"Sorry we couldn't find him. Hasn't called yet, either."

Face smile vanished again. "Hey man, we are here for you. Doesn't that count for anything?"

"For a lot, BA. I just wished everything was back to normal again."

"Me too, don't ya worry. It will be soon." 'As soon as Hannibal is released from the hospital after I pound his lights out first chance I get,' he mentally added. "In the mean time we can all use some R&R from his crazy plans…you not up to them anyway. Let me tell the fool you're up, supper is ready."

"Supper? How long did I sleep?"

"For over three hours. It's after ten."

"So Hannibal is really not coming back for the night."

"Stop worrying about him. We can only cure one fool at a time." BA picked up the radio to call Murdock who appeared moments later.

"Room service. Today's special for you sir. We have a 1918 orange juice here, a very fine year for orange juice, and our special, cooked just for you: Soup ala water with some chicken taste and a few noodles." In a normal voice he added "I wanted to add chocolate chips and pickles but Maggie wouldn't allow me."

"Fool, you'll make him sick from only talking 'bout it. Here, let me put some pillows behind you to get into a position to eat."

"Thanks guys but I'm really not hungry."

"That's good."

"What are you talkin' now fool. He has to eat."

"Yeah, but a hungry man would never get satisfied from this. Not without the chocolate chips and pickles. What's it going to be Face? You eating yourself or we have to feed you?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Okay" Murdock picked up the spoon. "Open the hangar, here comes the plane."

"Oh Murdock, give me that already, you won't leave me alone anyway."

"Good boy."

"I'm not Billy."

"Ah, eat already."

Face drunk some of the soup and the juice until Murdock allowed him to stop. He felt tired again.

"Go to sleep Face, things will look better in the morning. It's my shift to stay with you." Murdock plopped down on the bed beside Face. "Big guy, wake us when breakfast is ready. I want pancakes."

BA muttered "crazy fools" as he left the room and even Maggie smiled.

Later at night the phone rang and Maggie was first to pick it. "Yeah?"

"How is he?"

"How is he? How do you think he is?" Maggie reacted on instinct and slammed the phone down. She regretted it seconds later. John was a proud man and he would not take this too kindly. She hoped she had not complicated matters.

"Who was that?" BA had heard the phone and came into the hall.

"John."

"Bad conscience driving him to the phone. When's he coming back?"

"I don't know. He only said 'How is he?' and I shouted at him and slammed the phone down. I'm sorry, I reacted on instinct."

"Don't ya worry, suits him right to feel bad for a while. I'm sure he'll show up in the morning or at least call. He can't stay away for too long knowing Face is hurting."

"I hope you are right."

Morning came without another word from Hannibal.

Face woke to find B.A. sprawled out on the floor and snoring softly.

There was still no sign of Hannibal.

He looked up at the ceiling and listened to the voices in his head. 'Just get used to the idea…he isn't coming back. This whole thing is your fault. If it weren't for you and your issues, Hannibal would still be here. It isn't fair for the others to pay the price for your problems.'

He turned his attention to the window and looked at the bright blue sky that stood out in stark comparison to his grey mood. That's when he made a decision. As soon as he got the chance, he was going to take off and allow them to get back to their normal lives. He almost laughed at the thought. Normal…nothing about their lives were normal…but at least they would be free of his baggage.

The rustling of chains brought him back to the moment. "Mornin', Faceman."

"At least you didn't put a 'good' before that," Face moped.

"C'mon, man. I don't wanna hear you talkin' down anymore."

"I'm sorry, you're right." He forced a smile. "Where's Murdock?"

"The fool and Maggie went into town to get some groceries. He stayed with you overnight. We tried to wake you for breakfast, but you was too out of it. Can I get you anything?"

"Um…I kinda…hafta…you know…go," Face squirmed feeling uncomfortable asking for B.A.'s help.

B.A. supported Face's weight and they inched their way down the hall and towards the bathroom. Face kept his bad foot off the floor and used the larger man as a crutch. B.A. allowed him privacy as he did his business and then they began the trip back. Half-way to their destination, Face stopped and leaned heavily against B.A.

B.A. adjusted his position so he had a firmer grip. "You okay, man?"

"Yeah," Face panted. "Just need a minute."

After a moment, they started up again, but it wasn't long before Face let up again. "Dizzy," he muttered before slumping forward. B.A. caught him and helped ease him down to a sitting position on the floor resting with his back against the wall."

"Just sit here a minute. I'm gonna run down and get you some juice. It's been a long time since you ate anythin' and your sugar probably dropped too low. Okay?"

Face nodded which made him feel even more woozy. He briefly considered trying to get up and make a run for it; nobody was watching him and it would have been the perfect opportunity to slip out. But between his injured foot and the lightheadedness, he doubted he would make it two steps before keeling over.

After drinking some orange juice and sitting still for almost ten minutes Face was feeling a little better, but B.A. still insisted on carrying him back to the room. He started to object until his foot brushed against the floor lightly and the shooting pain up his leg served to shut his mouth.

B.A. saw his friend wince and go pale as he lifted him into his arms. He wasted no time getting him back into bed. "How's it feeling today?" he asked pointing toward Face's foot.

"Only hurts when I move it," Face grimaced.

"Here…try this." B.A. reached for the pillow on the floor that he slept on. As delicately as he could, he lifted Face's leg and slid the pillow under. "Not sure if this will help, but they always sayin' to 'elevate your legs' in them doctor shows."

Face was taken aback by B.A.'s thoughtfulness. "Why?"

"I dunno," he shrugged. "I think it's supposed to stop the swelling or somethin' like that."

"No, I mean, why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because my mama always told me that family takes care of each other," B.A. explained.

"But…" Face started before being intercepted.

"But, nothin'. You're my lil' brother. My very white and usually over-dressed brother, but still my brother."

B.A. made it seem so simple…so easy.

"Family sticks together, Faceman. In good times and bad."

Face smiled at the sergeant . He wanted to believe him so badly…after all B.A. wasn't one to say things he didn't mean. But if what he was saying about family sticking together was true, where were his parents? And where was Hannibal?

B.A. placed a blanket on top of Face and said, "try and get some more sleep before Maggie comes back and starts pokin' at your foot again."

Face groaned. "Is it that time already?"

"Yup…'fraid so. And this time I ain't goin' anywhere, so don't even think about it."

Face closed his eyes. "Thanks, B.A."

"That's what family is for, man," B.A. ran his hand through his Mohawk and thought, 'I just hope the colonel realizes that sooner rather than later.'