CHAPTER ONE

She was flanked on either side by Jerome's guards. They walked her from the car to the airstrip.

They were halfway between the car and the plane when the fire fight started. Bullets zipped past her into the dirt and she was shoved face down by the bigger of the two men.

She saw them open fire on their seemingly invisible assailants. Katherine Anderson's eyes scanned the airfield trying to spot the people who were shooting at them.

There, she saw one standing on the roof of the low building at the end of the field. Suddenly, one of the guards let out a low grunt as he was sent flying.

Katie rolled out of the way and got to her feet in time to see a large black man in an abundance of jewellery pound the guard's face. The other guard was unconscious.

She found herself being grabbed round the waist and hauled towards the plane. Bullets pounded at their heels and Katie felt the guard being dragged off her. As he was sent flying the large black man turned to her.

'Hey little mama.' He said.

A grin spread across her face. 'Hey BA.' Then the grin abruptly vanished. 'What are you doing?'

BA just grabbed her arm and hauled her towards the building and safety.

'Wait!' Katie yelled but BA shook his head.

'No time mama.'

'No BA, you don't understand!' He was still pulling her towards the building, paying no attention to what she was saying. One quick glance upward and she realised who the man on the rooftop was. 'Face.' She murmured. Another glance and she'd located Hannibal hidden behind some packing boxes.

Her eyes scanned the airfield looking for the fourth man who she knew had to be here somewhere.

BA pulled her into the small shack that served as an office. He shut the door and Katie yanked her arm from his grip. Face landed on the floor before her, coming through the skylight in the roof. Hannibal walked in through the door.

'Hey kid, good to see you. BA, go put those guys somewhere where they can't get out for a while.'

'Hang on a minute.' Katie interrupted and all three turned to look at her. 'What the hell do you think you're doing?'

Hannibal looked at her an expression of something very close to annoyance on his face. 'Excuse me?'

'That's not a very nice thing to say to someone who's just rescued you.' Face told her.

'I don't need rescuing.' Katie said looking round. 'Ok, where is he? I know he's here.'

There was a crackle of static behind her. 'Colonel.' A voice said and Hannibal pulled his radio from his belt.

'Go ahead Murdock.'

'I've got these guys tied up here on the plane. How is she?'

Katie stalked from the office anger written across her features. 'She's on her way to you.' Hannibal told him. 'I thought you said she was in trouble.'

'What?' Murdock asked. 'She is.' Then there was a grunt and a sharp buzz of static, instantly the three men ran from the building.

As they headed to the plane, Katie came out of it, dropping from the doorway and cradling her hand.

'What happened?' BA asked worriedly.

'She hit me is what happened.' Murdock said, his tall frame filling the doorway to the aircraft. He stepped down onto the tarmac rubbing his jaw.

'What?' BA was confused, amazed and biting back a laugh all at once. 'This little mama hit you?' A grin spread across his face showing white teeth, stark against his dark skin.

'Yeah.' Murdock's eyes blazed. 'She did.'

'I did.' Katie confirmed, rubbing at her hand.

'Why?' Face asked intrigued, Hannibal also looked interested.

'Because he should just leave me alone instead of jumping in here, shooting up the place and hitting the wrong people.' Katie said before Murdock could get a word out. 'Those guys were protecting me not to trying to hurt me.'

Murdock laughed long and hard. He reached inside the plane and produced a backpack. Opening it he took out several bags of white powder. 'And this is sugar.' There was a sarcastic edge to his voice.

Katie reached out numbly and touched the packets. 'Well.maybe...'

Murdock gave a snort of disgust and opened a bag. He rubbed the powder between his fingers and dabbed the tip of his tongue with his fingertips. 'Sugar that tastes very much like cocaine sweetheart.'

'Give me that.' Katie demanded grabbing the bag and tasting some of it herself. Her eyes widened. 'No, no way.'

Face ran a hand through his hair and started to talk. 'Jerome Martinez was formerly Jerome McDonald. Born 15 April 1951. Black hair, blue eyes. Born to a Mexican mother, Rosa and American father, Jerome Senior. When his father was imprisoned for drug smuggling Jerome changed his name to Martinez, his mother's maiden name. He served in Vietnam for 1 year at the age of 19, back in America he was put on trial for the possession of illegal substances but was never convicted. Currently engaged to one Katherine Anderson.' Face raised an eyebrow. 'Did I miss anything?'

'Looks like Jerome Junior decided to carry on Daddy's old job.' Hannibal remarked.

'No!' Katie exclaimed. 'You've got it wrong; Jerome is not a drug smuggler.'

Murdock gave a frustrated groan.

'Mama.' BA began hoping to get through to her but Murdock interrupted him.

'There was one thing you missed Face.'

'Oh?' Face asked surprised and not liking the look in his friend's eyes. 'I did?'

'Yeah. You forgot Wife Beater or should that be Fiancée Beater?'

Katie slapped him across the cheek. Murdock raised his eyes calmly and looked at her. 'I'm sorry Muchacha.'

'You're wrong, you're all wrong.' She turned and walked away. Hannibal sighed and BA shook his head.

'How can we help her if she don't want to be helped?'

'Murdock you've got no proof that he hits her.' Hannibal said.

Murdock shook his head in reply. 'He beats her.' He answered adamantly. 'I've seen guys just like this creep at the VA and I'm telling you he hits her!'

'But you can't be sure Murdock.' Face said. 'We can't make her come home. We don't have proof for any of this.'

'Since when did that stop us Face?' Murdock asked looking thoughtful. 'You want proof? I'll get you proof.' He walked off after Katie.

'Fool's goin' about this the wrong way.' BA said, watching him walk away.

Murdock approached Katie, easily catching up with her. He grabbed her arm and started yanking her back towards the plane.

'Hey!' Katie cried, trying to get free of him. 'Let go of me!'

Murdock ignored her, pulled her over to the plane, turned her around and tugged her shirt up. Ugly purple bruises covered her lower back. All four men were stunned into silence even Murdock who hadn't been expecting anything as bad as this.

He swallowed hard and touched the bruises, Katie immediately flinched and he was instantly sorry. He let go of her shirt and turned her to face gently. One look at her face and he pulled her close.

'You're coming home.' He told her leaving no room for argument. 'No buts, no ifs, you're coming with us.'

She pulled away. 'I can't.'

BA turned away and punched a clenched fist into the palm of his hand. 'Gonna get that sucker!'

'BA.' Hannibal said in a low voice. BA carried on pacing and muttering revenge. 'Sergeant!' Hannibal said, this time with a clear note of authority in his tone. BA stopped pacing and relaxed a little.

Murdock took Katie by her upper arms. 'Yes, you can.'

She shook her head. 'He'll kill me.'

'He can't kill you if he can't find you.' Hannibal put in lighting a cigar. Katie turned wide eyes on him.

'He'll find me; I know he will. He's got contacts everywhere; LA is the first place he'll look!'

'Face?' Murdock asked pleadingly, hoping his friend would come up with something.

'We can find somewhere where you'll be safe.' Face told her reassuringly.

BA's head came up, an idea occurring to him. 'He wouldn't look for her in Chicago.' He said. 'She could stay with my momma.'

Hannibal nodded appreciatively, the idea sounded workable.

'Yeah!' Murdock enthused. 'Mrs B'd love to have you.'

'But my mom? What about her?'

'You leave that to us.' Hannibal said. 'Jerome won't be getting anywhere near her. We're going to nail this slimeball.'

'Yeah!' BA nodded and smacked his palm with his fist again. 'Gonna make him pay.'

Murdock took Katie's left hand and removed her engagement ring. 'You won't be needing this anymore.'

Face's eyes eagerly followed the large diamond. Murdock saw the look and smiled a little. 'Sorry Facey; not this one. We're gonna leave this right here.' He placed the ring on the floor where Jerome would be sure to see it. 'It's a little message for Jerome.'

*** Murdock brought their plane round onto the runway and hopped out. 'All ready to go.' He said.

Hannibal nodded and turned back to BA who glowered. 'I ain't flyin'!'

'Well I hope you're a good swimmer then big guy. Better give Faceman your gold, can't swim with all that on.' Murdock said keeping BA's attention diverted towards him.

BA's lip curled in anger and before he could say another word Face had injected him with Sodium Penethol. BA pitched forwards into Murdock's arms. The pilot grunted as BA's weight landed on him.

'You get heavier everytime dontcha big guy.' He handed him over to Hannibal who took BA's top half while Face grabbed his legs and together they managed to get him on the plane

*** Murdock walked over to the car where Kate was pulling out her bags. 'Here let me get those.' He took the bags from her and as he did so he noticed that she was still cradling her right hand.

Frowning he put down the bags and took her hand, she gasped from the pain even though he'd been gentle.

'Aw jeez Katie I think you might have broken it.'

She managed a smile. 'Never knew your jaw was so tough.'

Murdock sighed. 'Not much I can do for ya kid, not till we get you to Chicago. I'll take a look in the First Aid box on-board; see if I can't strap it up.'

Katie nodded. 'Sure thing. How's your jaw?'

He grinned and then winced from the effort. 'Sore, you hit too good.' He picked the bags up before she could reply to that. 'Billy'll be glad to see you, he's been pining for you, hasn't been happy since the day you left. He keeps whining and he's off his food too.'

Katie glanced at him. 'For a whole year?'

Murdock nodded. 'Yep, cries at night, keeps on sniffing at that chewy dog toy you gave him. He won't play with anything else not even his ball.'

Katie couldn't help herself she laughed. Murdock, although pleased by the sound, kept his face straight. 'It's not funny, he really did miss you.' As he loaded the bags into the hold he whispered, 'He wasn't the only one.'

Shutting the hold he turned back to her with something akin to a grin. 'Let's fly.'

*** Face watched them carefully. 'You sure this is a good idea?' He asked Hannibal.

'Of course.' Hannibal said. 'She'll be safe and we can get Karen to a safe house. Then we can go after Jerome ourselves without worrying about her. Murdock will be much happier too.'

'Ok.' Face said strapping BA in. 'But I've got a bad feeling about this.'

Murdock got in then with Katie following close behind. 'Sit there.' He told her before then he turned to the guys. 'We'll take off in a minute guys but Little Miss Martial Arts here has hurt her hand. I have to strap it up before we go.'

'I can do that.' Face said with a touch too much eagerness in his voice.

Murdock chuckled wisely, he'd been around Face long enough to know that look and that glint in his eye. 'Nice try Faceman.'

Katie smiled at Face. 'I don't mind, Face can take a look at me if he wants.'

Face beamed and started to get up. 'See she wants me to do it.' Hannibal pulled him back into his seat.

'Sit Lieutenant.' There was a trace of wryness in his voice. Face reluctantly sat. Murdock came back with some bandages.

'Hurry up Murdock; I don't want BA waking up mid-flight.' Hannibal looked over at the sleeping sergeant wondering how much longer they were going to enjoy the quiet.

Murdock nodded and got to work. 'This is probably gonna hurt a bit Muchacha but there nothing I can do about that.' Carefully he bandaged her hand trying not to move it as much as possible. He admired his handiwork and nodded happily. 'All done.'

'Can we go now?' Face asked impatiently, his voice held the threat of a whine it.

Murdock raised an eyebrow. 'Well if you think you can get us there any faster, be my guest.'

Face sat back. 'You got a point there.'

'That's right.' Murdock said. 'Because you don't know how to fly this plane do you Face? No Murdock. But I do don't I Face? Yes Murdock.' Still talking and answering himself Murdock went into the cockpit.

Katie blinked. 'Nice to see that some things just don't change.'

Face smiled. 'Oh yeah, he's still crazy as ever.'

The door to the cockpit opened. 'You gonna sit there all day?' Murdock demanded. 'Get yourself up here and help me fly.'

Katie stood up and followed him. 'You don't need any help and besides even if you did I have an injured hand, what use am I gonna be?' She sat down in the co-pilot's chair and felt a rush of memories. She hadn't been in a plane in a long time.

Murdock seated himself. 'Then watch me and learn something for a change.'

Katie glanced at him. 'You know, people have the wrong idea about you. They think that you're so nice and laidback, crazy but nice. They should have you for a teacher.'

Murdock smiled his crazy smile and started to taxi the plane down the runway. He leaned over and helped her strap herself in. 'Just because I want you to do well.'

'You were practically mean.' She pouted.

'I was not!' He protested. 'You just needed firm instruction.'

'So what's with the 'watch me and learn something for a change' attitude all about then?'

The plane started to pick up speed.

'I thought I could start teaching you again.'

'I'm not so sure that I want to fly anymore.'

Murdock raised one eyebrow. 'That so?' The plane moved faster and as they took off Murdock howled, after a moment's hesitation, Katie joined in.

*** Face groaned. 'Oh no, he's got her howling now too.'

Hannibal chuckled. 'Wouldn't you be worried if he didn't howl on take off?'

Face sighed. 'I guess I would but that's because I'm used to it.'

'Face be honest, flying just isn't the same if Murdock doesn't howl on take off.'

The conman nodded. 'But does Katie really have to do it too? It only encourages him further.'

A smirk touched the colonel's lips. 'Thinking of taking her flying sometime were you?'

Face smiled his widest grin. 'Possibly.'

*** Murdock took a deep, contented breath and looked over at Katie. 'Don't tell me that you don't feel a rush every time that happens.'

'You need to get out more.' She replied and then gave a non-committal shrug. 'Maybe.'

'I knew it!' Murdock was triumphant. 'You still want to learn to fly.'

'I didn't say that.'

'You didn't have to; I can recognise the flying jazz when I see it. You want to fly it's in your eyes.'

Katie's cheeks coloured. 'Ok so I do.'

'Excellent, when this mess is done with I'll start teaching you again and then I'll teach your kids and they can teach their kids and the legend of HM Murdock, Captain will be kept alive forever!'

Katie couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. 'Oh you won't be forgotten in a hurry, don't you worry. But.uh.my kids? Jumping the gun a bit aren't you? I might not have any.'

'Oh you will.' Murdock said quietly. Then he smiled again. 'And I can tell them how their mother was my best student.'

Katie's eyes went wide. 'I'm your best student? Me?' Then reality hit her. 'Murdock! I'm your only student!'

'And you're still the best.'

'Well what about your kids? They'll be better than I could ever be.'

Murdock suddenly went very quiet.he kept his eyes fixed on the blue sky outside. 'Katie.it's.it's not likely that I'm going to have kids, not now.'

'Oh.' She said softly and looked out the window. Somehow it had never occurred to her that he wouldn't be a father but thinking it over he was right, how could he hope to have a family locked up in the VA. He could barely have a steady relationship let alone kids.

Murdock pressed a button and then unbuckled his belt before standing up. 'Take over would you Chica.'

'What?'

'I gotta use the bathroom.'

'But Murdock.I don't remember what to do!'

'Sure ya do. I really gotta go.'

'I've got an injured hand.it could be broken!'

Murdock only patted her shoulder reassuringly, seemingly deaf to her protests. 'You'll be fine.' He left the cockpit and Katie sat at the controls in a terrified panic.

'Oh god, what the hell do I do?' She took a deep breath and grabbed the controls with her good hand. 'No way can I do this one-handed.' Her attention was drawn to a flashing green light, she leaned in closer and then she growled. 'Son of a.he put the autopilot on! I'll kill him!'

*** Face looked up as Murdock exited the cockpit. 'Uhhh Murdock.who's flying?'

'Katie.'

'She has an injured hand.' Hannibal said wondering what his captain was up to now.

'Yeah I know.' Murdock told him. 'S'why I put the autopilot on.'

'Ahhh.' Face said and then something occurred to him. 'Does Katie know that?'

'Nope.' Murdock said and went into the bathroom.

No sooner had he closed the door then Katie stormed into the cabin in a whirlwind of fury. She strode to the bathroom and hammered on the door. 'HM!' She yelled.

'She's really angry.' Face remarked nonchalantly. He knew that Katie only ever called Murdock HM when she was furious with him.

Hannibal nodded and then caught sight of the lieutenant's face. 'Face!' He exclaimed in exasperated amusement.

'What? So I find anger somewhat.attractive in a woman.' Hannibal shook his head in mock disgust; fortunately, Katie had not heard that remark. The colonel hoped that Katie would keep the noise down.the last thing he wanted was for BA to wake up.

Murdock opened the door and stepped into the cabin. 'Yes? I'm done now. Be more patient. You're doing a great job of flying by the way, told you you'd remember it all.'

'You scared me half to death! I'm gonna kill you!'

'I don't think you'll have to.' Hannibal remarked as BA gave a groan.

'Uh oh.' Katie said stepping closer to Murdock.

'Katie protect me!' Murdock grabbed her.

'What?'

'I'm the pilot he'll kill me first!'

'Murdock you're nearly 6 inches taller than me and you have full use of both hands!'

BA stirred and groaned again.

'Face!' Hannibal said his tone laced with urgency. 'Time for a nighty night.'

'Yeah.just one problem. That was the last of the Sodium Penethol.'

'What?'

'Well I'm sorry Hannibal but I had to use some on those bodyguards and twice on BA, I thought we'd be ok until Chicago. That stuff is hard to get on such short notice.I couldn't get so much this time.'

'Then come up with something quickly Lieutenant!'

'Murdock.land the plane!' Katie said desperately. The last thing she wanted was an angry BA on the warpath.

'Oh I would darlin', I really would but we're right over water and this thing ain't exactly built for water skiing!'

'Then what are we going to do?'

'Well.' Murdock paused, thinking. 'You and I will go back in here.' He edged towards the cockpit. 'And leave these two to deal with him.'

Katie nodded. 'Sounds fair.' They both dived for the cockpit and slammed the door shut. From the other side there was a shout.

'I'M ON A PLANE!'

'BA's awake.' Katie stated for want of something to say even though it was blatantly obvious.

Murdock took the plane off autopilot and started flying again. 'Land! I need land!'

Katie's eyes suddenly lit up and she reached for the small bag she'd brought on board with her.

'What you got there?' Murdock asked as she pulled a bottle from it.

'Medicine for insomnia. He'll be out like a light.'

'Quick!' Murdock ordered. 'Go! Go!'

Katie went, BA was yelling and struggling. Hannibal and Face were trying to hold him down but without much success.

'Hannibal!'

Hannibal turned and Katie handed him the bottle, one look at the label and he was unscrewing the cap.

She retreated as quickly as she could. Quiet soon reigned once more throughout the plane.

'Guess it worked.' She said to Murdock. 'It is ok to give him that right, I mean he's had two shots of Sodium Penethol as well.'

'Sure.' Murdock said waving a hand. 'I have that and Sodium Penethol all the time at the VA.'

Katie glanced at him. 'Right, now I'm reassured.' She said dryly.

Murdock pretended to ignore this. 'Still having the dreams then.'

Katie was quiet for a moment wondering how to respond to that. 'Sometimes.'

'Me too.' He said surprising her. He saw her reaction and smiled. 'What you think I don't get them?' He gave a low laugh. 'I've seen worse things than hopefully you ever will.'

'How did you find me?' She asked finally. She'd wanted to ask that for a while but hadn't been able to find the courage to bring up the subject.

'I'll always find you.' Then as if it were an afterthought, he added. 'You're not that good at hiding.'

She sighed. 'Let's hope that Jerome doesn't agree with you.'

Murdock nodded grimly. 'Oh he won't. He's not going to find you, no way no how. But we will find him and when we do he's gonna be very, very, very sorry he ever laid a hand on you Muchacha.'

Katie looked at him. 'Why do you call me Muchacha now? You used to call me Muchacho.'

Murdock laughed. 'Guess you don't remember that, no I don't suppose you would, you were only a tiny Katie back then.' He grinned. 'It was in the early days when I came back with your dad. You must have been about 3 or 4. You heard me call your dad Muchacho and you were fascinated by the word. You went around calling everyone and everything that. So, I decided to call you that, kind of a nickname. Muchacho's the male form and Muchacha's the female form. It was just my way of teasing you at first and then it ended up as a pet name. '

'So why don't you call me that now?'

He shrugged. 'You've grown up a hell of a lot since then. No-one could mistake you for anything but a woman now.' He looked out at the window fixedly. 'Just doesn't seem right to be calling you Muchacho these days.'

'Oh.' She was subdued, remembering. 'Tell me more.about me when I was little.'

Murdock grinned. 'You were adamant you were going to marry Face.'

'What!'

His grin widened. 'It's true.you had the biggest crush on him.'

'No way.' Her lips twisted into a grimace.

'Yes way.' He sniffed and wiped away an imaginary tear. 'I got shoved down to second place after you met him.'

'Aww.Murdock, you'll always be my number one.'

'You know what, if I wasn't flying, I'd hug you.'

She smiled and then looked at him seriously. 'Thank you.for everything.'

'It's ok.' He whispered. 'Katie.if, if you want to talk, I'm here ok. Whatever it is, I'll listen.'

She nodded. 'I know.'