Woah, another chapter within a week? Something must be wrong with me!

Chapter 8 - Food for thought.


B.A was annoyed, that was an understatement.

His head was still aching from the shot of sedatives they'd given him earlier. And the improvised coup de grĂ¢ce he took during their unfortunate jet plane ride hadn't exactly improved things either. When Murdock's fainting spell proved to be a perfect way to distract him, Hannibal saw his chance to knock him out a second time. And to make matters worse, he wasn't even allowed to take revenge on the three of them, especially not the pilot! It wasn't fair.

After regaining consciousness in some shaggy motel room, the colonel gave him a short update about their new situation and explicitly told him to keep an eye on the pilot. When B.A opened his mouth to protest, Hannibal made it an order.

"And make sure you get some rest. We need you fit and ready for the task ahead, sergeant. Make that both of you." Hannibal said before leaving the room with Peck on his heels.

If possible, this hurt B.A's pride even more.

"Rest...?!," he grumbled under his breath while scowling at his leaving teammates.

"B.A Baracus don't need no rest! And what am I now? A babysitter?

He glowered around the room, his eyes immediately falling on his crazy friend who looked at him with innocent yet slightly apprehensive eyes while leaning against the wall with his hands hidden deep inside his jacket's pockets.

"Don't just hang around, fool!" B.A barked. "Sit down!"

Seeing Murdock open his mouth to speak, he quickly growled: "And there better be no jibba-jabba!".

To B.A's slight astonishment, this had an instant effect on the pilot. Murdock visibly zipped his lips and hurtled to the old kitchen table where he sat down without another word.

"Good," B.A grumbled as he angrily rubbed his throbbing temples. "I'm not in the mood for any foolery right now."

Satisfied to see the pilot sitting down at least, he turned around to give their new accommodation a quick inspection. It was something he did almost instinctively nowadays.
'Always get to know your surroundings before anything else'.
While opening and closing doors, He soon found out that they were renting two connected units, both equipped with a moldy bathroom, a small kitchenette, some outlived furniture, and two single beds per room. B.A nodded to himself. This wasn't too bad.
Although he knew that their current salary would've easily paid for a 5-star hotel, he didn't complain. He'd been in worse circumstances... Besides, this place was low-profile, and all the basic necessities were there, except for food... hmm...
B.A, who hadn't eaten anything since the jet plane suddenly felt his stomach growl. Notorious for his bad temper on an empty stomach, this didn't improve his mood by the least. A hopeful thought rose. Maybe he could pick up some grub somewhere. There must be a diner close by? But then he remembered that he had to stay put to babysit the fool. How was that crazy man doing anyway?

For the first time, B.A turned around to give the pilot an examining look. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but despite his bad mood, he felt a tinge of worry as he regarded Murdock's flushed cheeks and clammy complexion. Murdock happened to look back at him and sent him a goofy smile. But B.A noticed how it lacked its usual energy. Murdock's slightly drawn face spoke volumes, even though he was trying hard to look well. His eyes were a bit too bright, and that's what betrayed him.
If things could get any worse, this made B.A's mood hit rock bottom. By now, he started to feel an almost overwhelming urge to pound something into smithereens! Trying hard to keep his voice cool, he pointed at the pilot, then at one of the beds.

"Ya need to lay down and get some rest, okay? Hannibal's orders,"

Then, without waiting for a response, he grabbed his duffel bag and stomped into the adjoined room. Entering the space, he claimed one of the beds and pounded his frustration into the head pillow with his strong fists. Finally, he sat down with a deep sigh, allowing himself a minute to cool down while massaging his temples again.
He realized he'd been ordering Murdock around like a sheepdog barking at its flock, but he needed to blow off some steam before being able to take care of the crazy man. He was a mechanic for crying out loud. Not a nurse! Of course, he knew some basic first aid, but this was different. He just hoped Murdock had followed up on his orders...


Murdock sat sheepishly at the kitchen table, staring slightly slack-jawed at the door opening through which B.A had just left the room.
Wow! Had he just witnessed an incredible example of pure restraint from his big ol' friend Bosco' Bad Attitude' Baracus?
B.A's growling stomach hadn't gone unnoticed, and he'd seen his friend rub his temples a couple of times too many. No wonder he was so short-fused. B.A was not only angry, but he was also HANGRY, and apparently with a splitting headache as a cherry on top.
Murdock couldn't help feeling guilty about that though. Hannibal had to knock the sergeant out during the jet plane ride, and he didn't get the impression it went all that smooth. He wasn't surprised to see the sergeant pissed and disappointed with his teammates again.
For a moment, Murdock looked pensively at the wooden surface of the table, wondering if he could somehow make it up to the big guy.

"He hates you, you know," an irksome voice said close to his ear. "Didn't you see his eyes? They were vicious,"

Murdock shook his head and brushed his hand firmly over his shoulder as if he was trying to push something away, then he stood up from the table, and with a slight tremble in his legs, he hurried to the exit door. As he laid his hand on the door handle, he glanced around one more time to make sure B.A was still in the other room. If he were quick enough, the big man wouldn't even notice his absence. He would be back in a jiffy.


TBC