Hannibal and Murdock walked over to Faceman's bed as he looked up at them with a small smile. "Hows your head feel?" Hannibal asked him.
"My head hurts, I cant believe I have a bald spot. Do you know how long it will take to grow back? And not to mention the ugly scar I'll have for the rest of my life. The lady's will take one look and be grossed out. It's over for me." Face said reaching a shaky hand up rubbing at the gauze wrap on the back of his head.
Murdock hated the words that just left his friends lips, not knowing when it will be over. "Chicks dig scars Facey. You'll be fine."
Hannibal looked down at the younger man, the doctor assured him that he had the conversation with 'Timmy' about his illness. "They said you can leave tomorrow morning." He patted Face on his leg.
"I was thinking Faceman, how about after we get out of here and if your up to it….we could go to the beach or something?" Murdock said slowly.
"I don't know, I mean look at my face. I am black, blue and green. I can't chew. Can't be seen like this."He rubbed his chin gingerly. It hurt, and he thought his teeth were probably going to fall out. They sure felt like they were going to. He looked at BA who was quietly looking at the window. "What is it BA?"
"Ah it's nothing Face. I was thinking we should go on vacation somewhere. We earned it."
"Well, I think I could scam us up a place. For how long?"
"Couple of weeks maybe."
Face looked at Hannibal. "Can we address the elephant in the room. I know why you all suddenly want to go have fun and try to forget, I know what I'm facing. I'm ok with it. Had to happen sometime. We can all have a vacation, but you don't have to babysit me."
Murdock looked down at him his eyes wide. "Ok with it?" He asked a little anger in his voice. "How can you be ok with it Face! We're not." He said waving his hand around the room.
"I can't change it so I have to face it head on it like we've done with everything else. Who knows maybe the doctor is wrong and I can live a full life." Face said giving his friend a hopeful smile. "Can we try not to dwell on it? Please?" Face told them, his own sadness in his heart. He didn't want to die. What the others didn't know was that when the doctor broke it all down to him he ended up in tears after the doctor left. He felt cheated. There was so much in life he wanted to do, needed to do. Clear his name was on the top of his list. Meeting a pretty girl, maybe having children sometime way down the road. He even had time to think about how his death would effect his team, especially Murdock. He was worried it would leave him even more well..off.
Murdock looked down at Face hurt in his eyes. "But I can't stop thinkin about it. I don't know how to help."
B.A. who had been standing so quiet with his back to them all suddenly turned around. "What ever you want to do Faceman or whatever you need we will do it." His voice sounded gruff like he had been either crying or holding a good cry back.
Face could see the darker circles and puffiness under his eyes. "Aw, thanks B.A. means allot."
"I'm ganna go take Billy for a walk. Be back real soon. Don't go anywhere Facey." Murdock said trying his best smile as he exited the room.
B.A nodded heading to the door also. "I'm ganna get us all some milk." B.A. said nodding to Hannibal.
Face looked at Hannibal. "Well Colonel it's just you and me. You got anything to say?"
"Well kid, you know if I could take your place I would. I'm not giving up. We've beat worst odds before. I'm here for you kid, for whatever you need. You are my son." Hannibal told him, his heart speaking.
"You've been good to me Colonel, from the first time we met. I never had a dad, so I imagine you are the closest thing I will ever have. Don't mean to leave all this on your shoulders. Keep it simple, don't want any fuss."
Hannibal put his hand on Face's arm and squeezed. "I think I need a drink, I bet you do too. Lets get out of here. I got a few calls to make too." He wasn't good with the mushy stuff. Or saying goodbye. Wouldn't say it to Templeton.
"I can't, I have to wait till tomorrow. But you can, and take a shower will you." He said giggling a bit. "You sorta smell. Giving me a headache. And I want to get some rest, Getting really tired."
"Thanks." Hannibal grabbed his cigar from his coat pocket placing it in his mouth. "You ganna be alright kid?"
Before Face could shake his head B.A. came though the door with a tray holding cups and stuff.
"I got you some chocolate pudding Face!" B.A. said cheerfully placing the tray on Face's lap. "I know its kinda crap but theses suckers cant make anythin good. Whats da matter?" He asked seeing the strange look Face was giving him.
"It was nice of you to get all this B.A. but I was going to relax and go to bed. Tomorrow can't come fast enough. Tired of being in this bed." Face said looking down at the tray in his lap. Since he could go at any time, or at least that's what the mean doctor told him he was not going to eat crappy food.
"Dats alright Faceman, I'll put it where it belongs." B.A. said picking the tray up and dumping the stuff in the biohazard bin while his face scrunched up in disgust. The pudding and cups now lay on top of dark dried up bloody rags. He was sure it was Face's blood causing his heart strings to tug making his skin crawl. His mind thinking about the fact that they came in to fix something that was so huge that now seemed so small compared to what they were leaving with.
How was he going to cope walking around with someone he was so close to. Someone who he had been through so much with and also had good times would some time soon be gone just like that. No more missions, no more arguments or laughs with his god sent brother. His family was going to miss a big part, even his mother is going to cry when he gets around to letting her know what was going on. But how would he tell her? He hated the thought of breaking his old mamas' heart, broke his own heart. He was a mamas' boy and would always do anything to keep her heart safe and broken free as much as he could.
He blinked as the lid fell close blocking the view he was so fixated on. He looked over to Hannibal who was saying goodnight to Face. He could see how tired the colonel was but beyond that he could see the worry and hurt. They were all hurting inside but Hannibal had a way of hiding that kind of stuff. B.A. knew it was because he thought because he was the leader that he had to stay strong for his team, be the rock they needed. But what he and Murdock would need at the end was a warm shoulder and heart.