Chapter 7: Who Says?

When Murdock put the phone down, Jeff was at his elbow, "The General said there's been a change of plans - you need to refile the flight plan, for LA."

Murdock looked at Jeff disbelievingly, "You must be mistaken - we're supposed to be headed back to Langley."

 "The General needs to make another stop in LA first, that's why he wants you to refile . . ." he let the sentence trail off, stepping back involuntarily from the fury he saw in Murdock's face.

Murdock brushed by him, "We'll see about that."

In the jet, Stockwell was reviewing some materials at his desk when Murdock stormed in, "What's this about a new flight plan?"

The General was unperturbed, "We'll be going to LA - I have an early meeting there, then we'll head back to Langley in the afternoon."

Murdock shook his head, "Nancy's ultrasound is right after lunch - if we go to LA, I won't make it back in time for the appointment."

"And this impacts me, how?"

"You do remember Nancy, right?" He asked caustically, "You know, your niece, my wife - I promised her I'd be home.  You said we'd be back in Langley by Wednesday morning."

"I said we should be back, not we would be back," Stockwell said matter-of-factly, "Plans have changed and we have an important meeting in LA.  You'll make it home for the next ultrasound."

Murdock crossed his arms and glared down at his Uncle-in-law, "I refuse to fly this jet to LA," he said flatly.

Stockwell stood and placed both hands flat on his desk, looking at Murdock sternly, "If you wish to continue in my employ," he said threateningly, "you will fly this jet to LA."

The two men glared at each other for a full minute in a silent battle of wills before Murdock finally said, "Fine, have it your way," through clenched teeth.  He turned and walked out, leaving the General looking after him smugly.

Fifteen minutes later, Murdock's voice came over the jet intercom, "Please take your seats and prepare for takeoff."  Stockwell nodded in satisfaction, and bent back to his work.

An hour later, Murdock was sitting back in the pilot's seat, relaxing and listening to music, when Jeff came up to the cockpit and dropped into the copilot's seat, automatically checking instruments.

He looked at the pilot quizzically, "This heading is off, Murdock," he said uncertainly, "We seem to be headed northeast - shouldn't we be headed northwest?"

Murdock was whistling a song.  He sat forward, an earnest expression on his face as he, too checked the instruments, "Yep, definitely headed northeast - you are absolutely right," he sat back and resumed his whistling.

Jeff looked at him, obviously not sure what to make of the situation, "Shouldn't we adjust course, and check our position."

"I know where we are," Murdock said calmly, "We should be passing over the lovely state of Alabama right about now."

"Alabama," Jeff exclaimed, "Murdock, that's the wrong way!"

He shook his head, "Not for goin' home it's not."

"Shit," Jeff said in realization, "You know the General is going to kill you, don't you?"

"Ya think?" Murdock asked, his expression serious, "When we talked earlier, he told me, and I quote, 'If you want to remain in my employ, you will fly this jet to LA'," he sounded eerily like Stockwell.

"That's what I mean, Murdock," Jeff was beginning to think maybe the pilot was nuts.

Murdock sat forward, looking like a professor trying to correct an errant student, "Ahhh, but you make the same erroneous assumption that the General made."

Jeff raised an eyebrow, "And that would be . . ."

Murdock shrugged, "That I want to stay in his employ. That is not, nor has it ever been my goal, ergo it does not matter whether I fly this jet to LA, or to Langley. I personally want to go to Langley, and since I'm flyin' that's where we're goin'."

"So we are seriously going to Langley?" Jeff asked incredulously.

"Isn't that what we just discussed in some detail," Murdock asked impatiently.

Jeff started to get up, and Murdock stopped him with a hand on his arm, "Let it go, Jeff - the General will find out soon enough where we're going.  And I'm not turning around."

Jeff had never seen the pilot look so serious, or determined.  He stopped, "OK, but I don't know how I'm going to explain this to him."

Murdock smiled, "Temporary insanity?" He offered, then shrugged, sitting back, "Don't worry, Stockwell's gonna be so busy being ticked at me, he probably won't have anything left over for you!"

Jeff sat back down, nodding in agreement.  There was no doubt that the General was going to be furious with Murdock. He wasn't used to being defied.  Jeff couldn't believe the pilot was sitting there so calmly.  He had to know what was coming when they landed in Langley.  It was not going to be pleasant.

"Hey, Murdock you made it home!" Doc's voice came over the headset an hour and a half later, "you're clear to land."

"Copy," Murdock said, "Thanks, Doc."

Jeff looked at him apprehensively, "So how long do you think it'll take for him to notice we're not in LA?"

Murdock flipped on the intercom, "Prepare for landing," flipping the com back off, he answered, "not long."

They landed without incident and taxied to their assigned space. They were just starting the post-flight check when the General stepped into the cockpit, "What in the hell are we doing in Langley?" He enunciated each word, sounding quite calm, which was probably more disturbing than if he'd come in ranting.

Jeff turned to Murdock, who looked up from the checklist, "I told you I wasn't flying to LA," he said matter-of-factly, then turned his attention back to the checklist.

Stockwell looked at Murdock in disbelief, then turned to Jeff and asked accusingly, "What did you think you were doing, letting him fly to Langley?"

Jeff opened his mouth to reply, but Murdock interrupted him, "I told him you changed your mind," he lied easily, "Your gripe is with me."

The General was showing definite signs of loosing his temper, "In my office, Captain."

Murdock glanced back at him, and said casually, "In a few minutes, we just need to finish up the post-flight check."

Stockwell snapped, "You are finished, Captain - in my office now!" He turned and exited the cockpit.

Murdock looked at Jeff with a tight smile, and handed him the clipboard, "Guess that means you get to finish up - wish me luck."

Jeff grimaced, "You're gonna need more than luck, Murdock. He's livid."

Murdock nodded, "Yep, he is," he agreed.  He stood up and squared his shoulders, then looked at Jeff with a cocky grin, "Think he'll fire me?"

Jeff shook his head in wonder as Murdock ducked out after the General.

Stockwell was pacing the width of the jet when Murdock walked in with his hands shoved in his pockets, "What is it, General," he asked innocently, "I've got a lot of paperwork to wrap up before I head home."

Stockwell stopped and looked at Murdock sharply, "This is not a joke, Captain," his voice was low and menacing.

Murdock took his hands out of his pockets and crossed his arms, "No, General, it isn't a joke.  I told you I wasn't flying to LA, and I didn't.  If you want to go to LA, get yourself another pilot. I quit."

Stockwell took a deep breath, obviously trying to get a reign on his temper before replying, "You have a contract, you can't quit," he said through clenched teeth, "I expect you to follow orders."

"Or what?" Murdock asked, sarcastically, throwing his arms out, "Are you gonna fire me? Please do. I could use one less Stockwell in my life!"

The General was caught off guard.  He stood quietly considering the situation, "Captain, I know that I can be demanding . . ." he started slowly and calmly.

Murdock grunted, "Just a little . . ."

Stockwell looked at him sharply, and he subsided into a sullen silence, "I know that I can be demanding, but I work in very delicate political circles, and it is extremely important that I keep my commitments. I thought you were coming to understand that over the past month.  Your actions this morning have put a very protracted negotiation in jeopardy."

Murdock shook his head, rolling his eyes up at the ceiling with a humorless laugh, "You really don't get it, do you?" he asked incredulously, "I have an incredibly important personal commitment, to your niece. A commitment that two and a half years ago you didn't trust me to keep.  Now you're the one making it impossible for me to honor it!"

Stockwell's eyes flashed, "Let's talk about commitment for a moment, Captain," he said angrily, "Our history together has been wrought with broken commitments, this being the latest in a long line of betrayal on your part. I had no reason to believe that you would behave any differently towards Nancy."

Murdock turned away, "I cannot believe this," he said, shaking his head, "Fifteen years ago I made a mistake - I'm sorry.  I fail to see how that constitutes some sort of pathological history of betrayal."

"And what did you do today?" the General asked evenly.

Murdock looked at him intently, "Today, I took you up on an offer - if I didn't fly to LA, I didn't remain in your employ.  Simple as that."

Stockwell was taken aback, "You knew what I meant when I said that."

"Oh, I knew alright," Murdock said angrily, "It was an intimidation tactic - you've always been real good at those.  Well, General, it's not gonna work with me.  Your threats are empty.  You wanna fire me, go ahead.  But I am not going to LA today."  With that, he turned and left the jet.

Murdock let himself into the house quietly, checking the clock on the microwave - 6am - he'd talked to Doc longer than he'd thought. He noticed the light in the living room was on and went in to see who was up. He found Nancy propped up in a corner of the couch sound asleep and smiled. He turned the light off, took her headphones off, and pulled an afghan over her, kissing her forehead before heading back into the kitchen to start some breakfast.

Nancy woke up, sat up and stretched.  Then she smelled bacon and knew her husband had made it home.  She jumped up and hurried into the kitchen.  Murdock was standing at the stove, and turned when she came in, "Hey, Short Cake," he said with a broad grin.

She ran into his arms, "It is so good to see you," she said eagerly.  She looked up, taking in the weariness in his eyes, "Did you get any sleep last night?" her voice reflected concern.

He leaned down and kissed her, then turned back to the bacon, one arm still around her shoulders, "A little . . . Though we flew most of the night. I wouldn't have missed the ultrasound for anything." He said solemnly, flipping the bacon, "Besides, it looks like I'll be home for a while . . ."

Nancy looked up at him happily, "Did Uncle finally find another pilot?"

Murdock grimaced, "Not exactly . . ." he admitted, and gave a summary of the events since he'd talked to her last night. 

Carl came in part way through the story, and nearly doubled over when he heard his son-in-law had brought his brother-in-law to Langley instead of LA, "I would have given anything to be a fly on the wall!"

Murdock had finished the bacon and eggs while he was talking and brought them to the table, "Well, needless to say, I don't think the General is very happy with me right now," he said ruefully, then shrugged, "But then I guess the feeling is mutual."

Nancy sat at the kitchen table, and started filling her plate, "He'll get over it, he always does," she said certainly, "I remember when I quit Law School, I thought he'd never speak to me again.  It was even worse after the FBI Academy . . ."

Murdock sighed, "I don't think that you can gauge how your Uncle will react to me, by how he's reacted to you in the past . . . he likes you a whole lot more than he likes me!"

Nancy shook her head, "Uncle likes you, he just feels the need to exert control."

Murdock looked uncomfortable, "Short Cake, I know you'd like to think that everything is going to be peachy between your Uncle and me - I just don't think that's ever gonna be the case.  He doesn't like me."

"Sure he does . . ." Nancy asserted.

Carl broke in, "HM has a point, sweetheart," he said, "though I don't really think it has anything to do with liking or disliking him.  Hunt has a hard time dealing with men coming into his limited family unit and upsetting the balance of power."

Murdock was nodding intently, "I agree, and he's never gonna forgive me for marrying you."

Carl laughed, "You can bet on that.  Hell, Ruby's been dead for over 20 years, and Hunt still holds a grudge against me for marrying her.  You're doomed, son!"

Murdock was still nodding in agreement when he glanced at Nancy and saw the look of dismay on her face, "Short Cake . . .?"

Nancy looked at him, "Based on what you're saying, I'm going to live in the midst of a battle field for the rest of my life.  Do you at least think Uncle will mellow with age?" she asked hopefully.

Carl and Murdock answered in unison, "No."  Carl laughed and added, "I fear, if anything, he'll just get more cantankerous as he ages.  And unfortunately, Stockwell men are notoriously long-lived.  You've got a least another 20 years of his meddling."

Nancy grimaced, "Thanks for cheering me up, Dad."

Her father smiled and patted her hand, "You'll live, sweetheart," he said encouragingly, "what do you think all these years of conditioning have been for?  You've had plenty of practice at dealing with your Uncle - now you'll have to teach the next generation."

"Enough of that subject, it's depressing me," Nancy said. Turning to Murdock she asked teasingly, "So what is my unemployed husband going to do with all his free time?"

Murdock shrugged, "I stopped and talked to a rather sleepy Doc this morning, told him I'd be by to talk to him after I stopped by home."

Nancy looked at him through narrowed eyes, "Tell me the truth, have you had any sleep at all?" she asked.

"Well, I couldn't sleep after my what happened," Murdock admitted, "I'm really not tired anyways.  I'll get to bed early tonight and catch up on my sleep."

Nancy sighed, "You could get some rest this morning . . ."

"No, I'm gonna go see Doc.  Why don't you come with me?" He suggested.

Nancy considered the offer.  She wanted to finish looking through the LaSalle files, but she really wanted to spend some time with her husband, "OK, I'll give Riley a call and tell him I won't be in the office this morning.  When do you want to go?"

"An hour or so," he said, "I thought I'd make a couple phone calls and get a shower before I head out.  I should really give Hannibal a heads up.  The General'll probably be bending his ear about our little confrontation this morning."

Carl stood, "Well, I've got to get headed out, myself - I've got an early appointment with the first realtor," he put his dishes in the sink, "When is the ultrasound?"

"It's scheduled for 1:30," Nancy said, "I thought maybe we'd head to the hospital right after lunch, say around 12:30 and stop and see Amy and Jonny before my appointment."

"Sounds like a plan," Carl said, "I'll see you back here around 11:30," he took the keys for Nancy's bug and headed out the door.