Chapter Ten
He nearly dropped the pizza box, trying to get the door handle to turn. Gina caught it before it completely slid out of his grasp, with only slight juggling of the bags she carried. Sal-given his choice-would have sent enough food to feed the team for a month. As it was, the bags and box they carried would take care of the guys for the next day or two. Murdock let Gina finish opening the door, and they got themselves through it and into the entryway without further damage to their bundles. Face was wedged in one section of the L-shaped couch, his injured side against the back of it. A blanket was wrapped around him, effectively immobilizing him on the couch. He still looked pale and exhausted, and the trip back to Langley probably hadn't helped him any. Murdock sent a few evil thoughts toward Stockwell for moving Face too soon. Still, it was good to see him up. Hannibal was seated on the other section of the couch with Frankie standing behind him, and BA stood near the corner created by the two sections. Their entrance had been noted by Face, and the others turned to see what had caught his attention. "Hey," said Frankie, by way of greeting. "Gina and I thought we'd bring you all a little something from the restaurant," Murdock announced, resting the pizza box on the couch between BA and Frankie. His attention turned Face, subtlely checking him over. "How're ya doing, pal?" he smiled. "Great," Face responded, eyes on Gina, checking her out, "great." Gina set the bags she carried down next to the pizza. She glanced at Murdock, then leaned forward, smiling at Face. "We've never really met," she said, "but Murdock's told me all about you." For once, Face's wit seemed to desert him. Enjoying the sight of the silent lieutenant, Hannibal turned his attention to Gina and asked, "How's your father doing?" He glanced over at Murdock, unusually silent, who was watching Face. Murdock looked back at the colonel. His smile turned slightly ironic, and Hannibal nodded in acknowledgment. They had business to finish later, and the pilot wasn't one to let it be. "He's great," Gina answered, oblivious to the exchange behind her, "He's in seventh heaven. After the news reports about him single-handedly saving Liebster's life, the place is booming." "And listen to this," Murdock added, "I think I saw Stockwell's name on the register for tonight." He grinned, glanced back at Face, and slowly lifted the lid of the box. "Hey," he said, inviting attention toward the pizza inside. "Hey, look at this," Frankie crowed. "Oh, great,"said Face, neutrally, "Pizza." The topping formed a message. "'Get well, Face'," read BA. He leaned forward, sniffing. "Hmmm. Smells good." Inspecting the pizza, he noted the ingredient used to write the words, and straightened indignantly. "Anchovies!" he yelled, glaring at Murdock. "Face likes anchovies," Murdock offered, innocently. Face nodded, and started to respond, but was interrupted by a howl from BA. "NOBODY LIKES ANCHOVIES!" "I like anchovies," Murdock challenged. He wasn't going to let BA intimidate him over a pizza, even if it was the second time he'd put one with anchovies in front of the mudsucker this month. He glared back at BA. Nervously, Gina stepped back from between them. Seconds slowed as they stared at each other, neither giving in. Then BA reached forward and grabbed the box. He yanked it from Murdock's hands, eliciting a yelp from the pilot. Heading for the nearest open window, he hurled it through, then turned back to the team with a satisfied look on his face.
FINI
Author's note -Apologies to Bill Nuss for the liberties taken with his screenplay, but it wrapped up the story nicely.
