Epilogue - Sweet Freedom


"Shine, sweet freedom, shine your light on me. You are the magic, you're right where I wanna be.
Oh, sweet freedom, carry me along, we'll keep the spirit alive on and on..."

~ Michael McDonald (1987)


"Welcome to your deeeluxe tour featuring the 'Wild and Crazy Aces' – yes, that's plural folks! This is your Captain 'numero uno' speaking, telling you to sit back and strap-in folks because in just a few moments you'll be soaring into the heights of volition where you'll be seeing some of D.C.'s finest, and -"

"Save it for the real tourists, Murdock!" Face yelled towards the cockpit, and the sound of Amy's gentle laughter followed. As she settled in the seat beside him, he told her, "I can't believe people actually pay him to do this now. You, uh - you sure you want to go up there?"

Amy clicked her restraint harness and nodded. "Sure, why not? I'm all for a little nostalgia now and again." After a second thought, and a quick flashback from years ago, she double-checked the straps just to make sure they were extra tight.

"Why not?" Face's voice rose to keep above the ever increasing sound of the engine as the slow whirl of the blades above began. "I'll tell you why not - because the last time I was in this thing, I, uh -" he eyed the chopper's floor. "Never mind, you don't want to know, just trust me..."

"I don't see what you're so worried about." Amy leaned over, just enough to catch a glimpse of A.J. in the cockpit, flipping switches in tandem with Murdock. "She seems normal enough to me."

Face considered the idea for a brief moment, then A.J.'s voice carried over the intercom. "We're at full power and engaging warp engines in three... two... one..."

"Normal, huh? Not even close!" Face rolled his eyes as Murdock's drawn out howl now flooded their ears as they swiftly lifted into flight, and instinctively grabbed for Amy's hand when he felt his stomach drop.

Amy looked down at their hands in surprise, then teased, "Hey, I thought B.A. was the one afraid of flying!"

"Yeah, well, this past year has been a little, uh, rough," Face sheepishly admitted.

"I know. Murdock filled me in about Dickenson... and what happened at the restaurant."

"Oh, did he?" Face glared at the cockpit. "What a blabbermouth. Remind me to thank him later."

"You're welcome, Face!"

He pointed his finger at Murdock. "Hard to believe he's certifiably sane now, isn't it? You know two can play this game, Murdock!"

"Guys, you're missing the view!" A.J. told them, "Due west, check it out!"

Amy leaned over Face so she could peer out of the opposite window. "Oh, wow. That is absolutely stunning!" She drew in a deep breath in awe, seeing the lit-up White House far off in the distance. "I could remember this moment forever."

Face, enthralled that Amy was now leaning over him, couldn't help but mutter, "You know, I was thinking the exact the same thing."

She looked up at him and blushed at his intent gaze, realizing exactly what he'd meant by that line. "Temp, I... I -"

A.J. interrupted, having no idea what was going on behind them, "I still can't help but wonder what it would look like down there if Dickenson had succeeded last year."

Amy's gaze never left Face's as she answered, "You know, A.J., I've learned it's best not to think what-if's. You gotta think about what's actually happening right now, in this moment..."

Face grinned, quite broadly, knowing he'd told Amy the exact same thing all those years ago when she'd left for Jakarta, just before they'd... "Yeah, kid - you'll drive yourself crazy with that kinda talk." He suddenly leaned in to meet her lips and any doubts about this moment finally faded away as she melted in his arms.


"Thanks for the lift, guys." Face poked his head in the cockpit, then winked at both of them. "I think I'll take it from here. I'll call and let you guys know how it goes."

"Enjoy your first night of freedom, Faceman!" Murdock playfully saluted him.

Face saluted back... seriously, then smiled. "Will do. Goodnight guys." He ducked out of the cockpit so Amy could take her leave as well.

"Thanks again for you help today, Amy." Murdock winked, then motioned for a hug, which she quickly leaned into.

"What are friends for? Glad everything worked out." Amy shared a knowing smile with him. "And you're still crazy, Murdock... just a different kind of crazy now."

"Aw, thanks. Love you too, Chiquita banana!" Murdock chuckled as Amy turned to the co-pilot seat and excitedly embraced A.J. next.

"I'm glad to have met you, A.J. - and I know you've gotta be crazy too, for what you guys pulled off today!"

"You may be right," she smiled. "I'm so glad I had the chance to meet you, Amy. Oh, and thanks for printing that story about my Dad in your special edition. It was beautiful."

"I was inspired by your speech," Amy smiled warmly. "And you're welcome. Call anytime you need something, okay? Murdock has my number. And hey, guys - congrats on the baby, Face spilled the beans!" she winked just before ducking out of the bird.

"Face! Now who's the blabbermouth?"

Murdock winced as A.J. yelled in his headset, then suddenly burst into laughter as she looked at him with exasperation. "You know... call me crazy, but I really think this bird has some real magic in 'er." He pointed at Amy and Face and they watched them walk back to the Langley house, arm in arm.

"Well, it brought us together, maybe it'll do the same for them."

Murdock looked over at the picture wedged in the corner of his windshield and smiled at his father.-in-law. "Hey, I just thought of something - did you ever pick a name for this bird?"

"Mmm, not yet... still waiting for the right one to come to mind."

"Ace, you gotta have a name for this bird. It's tradition! Besides, it's been over six months since she was re-commissioned, so she's long overdue for one. Hey, how about Mr. Howlin' Mad's Wild Ride?"

The faint sound of dual chuckling echoed over their headsets. With Murdock at the helm, she looked through the transparent floor of the cockpit to see them rising away from the well-it compound below, then it was gone in a flash as they banked east and headed for home.

"Hey, how does 'The Spirit of Langley' sound?"

"Hmm." Murdock took his eyes off the sky long enough to briefly glance her way. "I like that. That's real good. 'The Spirit of Langley'. Hey, I think she likes it too - listen to her purring like a kitten." Then his eyes suddenly narrowed into nothing short of a mischievous glint.

"So, you got to name the bird - that means I get to name the kid, right? Because if it's a boy, I was thinking, John Templeton Bosco Murdock, or Ace the third if it's a girl. Whaddaya think, Ace...? Ace?!"


***FINI***


Hey, thanks for joining in this insanity-inanity. From a longtime fan and friend of the show, here's to happy endings after all.
This one's dedicated to the untapped, raw and emotional nostalgia of the 1980's.
There was never a time more adventurous and pure...