Epilogue - Nobody's Fool

The nighttime darkness encompassed them, yet the lustrous stars overhead went unnoticed. Normally, her eyes would be turned upwards on a clear night like this, but instead they were fixed to the ground they walked on. It was a slow, relaxed pace; a symphony of crickets and other insects tweeting about.

"So," her voice was quiet; subdued. "I'd say her first test flight was a success."

"I never doubted her for a second." His arm, still resting on her shoulders, pulled her closer. "I told you she was a tough bird."

"You were right all along. I just hope I never have to see her all torn up like that again." Teasingly, she added, "Guess I'll have to keep an eye on you, Tiger."

When he didn't respond, her curious glance shot his way and saw his brow wrinkled in a troubled frown. "I was kidding, you know. What's wrong?"

"Mm, I'm just trying to figure something out."

"Oh no, not this again." She pursed her lips at his perturbed tone. "I thought I already explained things, Stockwell was going to-"

"No, not that you came after us," he interrupted. "Matter of fact, I'm just going to have to accept that," he emphasized, referring to the earlier adventure, "and blame it on your genetics, Ace Junior."

She snickered. "What is it then?"

"I'm just trying to figure out how they could let you walk away so easily with talent like that."

"They - you mean the Air Force?" She reached into her pockets and hesitated. "You really want to know?" When she turned to him, the look on his face indicated he indeed wanted an answer - and that he was waiting.

"It was... mental," she began, embarrassed as she recalled the memory. "The day I found out my Dad died, I told my CO that I just couldn't do it anymore. The 'Ace' died with him." Her voice shook, adding, "and honestly, up until today, I really thought it really had."

He stared in astonishment, then they began walking in stride once again.

"Besides, you're the real Ace," she told him confidently. "The way you pulled us outta that roll so easily..." she trailed off and breathed a sigh of relief. "You know, you can't toss the clients around with crazy moves like that. They tend to get mad at ya."

"Do they?" He chuckled, then smiled knowingly. "And how would you know that?"

She sheepishly shrugged in reply, then came to a stop as they stood before the chopper once again.

Murdock cleared his throat then sported a British accent as he opened the cockpit door. "Your chariot awaits, madam."

"Hold up, guys!"

They turned around, surprised to hear another voice.

"Was that Hannibal?" she asked.

"I think so." He squinted in the darkness and saw a figure running to catch up with them. As soon as he saw it was indeed Hannibal, he became concerned that he had rushed all the way out here. "What's wrong, Colonel?" he yelled.

"Nothing," Hannibal called out as he approached, trying to catch his breath. "Nothing's wrong. It's just... before you leave, I wanted to... to tell A.J. something."

She looked at him with morbid curiosity, wondering what was so important that he had chased them down. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully and adding to the anticipation, he reached into his inner pocket for a cigar. Puffing away as he lit it, he finally drew a long inhale.

"I just wanted to say that your old man would be proud of you, Lieutenant." The smoke blew from his lips as he finished the sentence. "Real proud."

She frowned in confusion. That was it? After staring into his eyes for a moment, she sensed his recognition.

"You knew him, didn't you?" When he nodded, she ventured further. "From Korea?"

Hannibal took a moment to ponder, his thoughts back in time, then answered, "Your dad was in command of the air support troops that would pull us out when things got hot." He seemed to be reliving each detail as he continued. "Well, one night, it got a little too hot. We were backed into a corner with no way out. The rescue squadron that was supposed to intercept with us bailed, and only one stayed behind. Turns out he had been ordered to cut and run with the others, but he didn't. He stayed and protected us; even set down right in the middle of the heavy action to shield us from the fire."

She hung onto every word as his story slowly sank in; not just into her memory, but deep into her soul as well.

"His heroism saved a lot of us that day, including me." Hannibal continued, his eyes still fixed on her. "I was hit that night and had to be evac-ed, so I never got the chance to see him again to thank him. But I've carried that appreciation of his bravery with me to this very day." Exhaling slowly, the wisp of blue smoke lingered in the air as he removed a black glove and held out his bare hand.

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

She looked at hand, then back at him, eyes brimming not only with tears, but confidence. "No," she told him, ignoring his hand and fiercely hugging him instead. "Thank you, Hannibal... for everything you do." She pulled away, then entered the cockpit without another word, leaving Hannibal and Murdock standing before one another.

"Colonel."

"Captain."

The familiar hug between them had been perfected over the years.

"You better take care of her. Make sure she gets home safe."

"I will, don't you worry none about that."

"See you soon, then." Hannibal backed away and began the trek back to the house, as Murdock entered the cockpit.

"Ready?" He glanced her way, noticing she was wiping the last of her tears away.

"Yeah." Her voice wavered slightly, and she composed herself quickly. "All that time, I had no idea. Do you think everything that's happened here, well, do you think it's all just a coincidence?"

His confident jaw squared, and he gave a brief shake of the head. "Hannibal doesn't believe in coincidence."

She pulled the headset over her ears, keyed the engine, then looked his way. "Do you?"

All he could give was a radiant smile in return as he pulled his own headset to his ears. The blades overhead began to spin and with the start-up sequence now complete, her playful glare shot his way.

"So, Tiger." Their eyes met. "What's wrong with my genetics, huh? Shooting down the idea of kids already?"

A wide-eyed look of panic crossed his face, as her quick pull of the collective shot them in an ascent towards the starlit heavens above.

Back down on the earth below, Hannibal watched the chopper pull a speedy flyover over the house, then turn east, fading away until it was just another blinking light against the stars.

As he walked back into the house, a smile appeared, knowing they'd just taken off safe and sound...

...to begin their own adventure.

To a person in love, the value of the individual is intuitively known. Love needs no logic for its mission. ~Charles Lindbergh

*** FINI ***