Disclaimer: Don't own the A-team, not making any money from this either.
Notes: Right, now this story is going to be with Sister Mary explaining Face's past. This chapter is mostly just to explain things, and to tie a few things in. Please note, that there is a character, that I have previously used in the last chapter. There is a reason why I am using that person again, and you will find out why in due time.
Warning: this chapter may disturb sensitive readers, as this chapter does contain child abuse, reference to death.
Apology: Sorry for the long delay, had a few computer problems.
Thank you's:
Luna- thanks for the compliment, I thought it would be more interesting to do it that way, and it allows me to add in the bits that I left out. Hope you like this chapter.
Nash Carter- Thanks for the review, hope you like what I am going to do.
o o o
Chapter Six
o o o
"No, no it doesn't. But then again, you still haven't heard anything yet," Sister Mary explained.
"Templeton stayed with us for a year, but he still kept his distance. He never went out and made friends, he always liked to be on his own. But I could see past everything, I could see that he really wanted to make friends with everyone. He did try, but after a few months, families would adopt, and he would be all alone again," Sister Mary said sadly.
"Why wasn't Face adopted?" Murdock asked.
"Well, Head Sister Anne didn't think he would do well in a family. But she soon changed her mind. That year, Templeton became a member of the Johnson family. He had only been there for three months when..."
Sister Mary bit her lip, as she wiped away the un-fallen tears.
"Sorry, it's just that, he was so happy. He wrote me a letter, telling me how happy he was. He told me about how his new mom, Grace, cooked the best chocolate cookies he ever tasted, and how his new dad, Michael, was teaching him how to ride a bicycle, and how he loved his new sister, Kimberly. Templeton wrote with such love, it warmed my heart to hear how happy he was," Sister Mary spoke.
"Was?" Frankie asked.
"They were so happy, so very happy, till that night. From what police gathered, Michael came home drunk. He fought with his wife, anger turned into a rage, that's when they think Templeton came down, and tried to help his mom, but Michael shot his wife, killing her instantly," Sister Mary explained slowly.
BA just couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt as is someone was using a blunt knife to slowly cut his heart out.
Murdock paled as he heard the horrific tale, he never knew anything about this. He felt like he was hearing about a sad movie, not his best friends life. It just couldn't be true.
Frankie winced when he heard about the shooting, he just couldn't image being so young, to experience such violence.
Hannibal couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wasn't native in believing that Face had a good childhood. But what he was hearing, was truly heartbreaking. However, it still didn't explain, why Face ran from them. What caused him to run when he was hurt, when they were there.
Hannibal looked at Sister Mary, he could see that it was hard on her to tell them. He was just thankful that she was telling them. Now, he could finally know Face's past, hopefully it could explain Face's behaviour.
"Please, go on," Hannibal encouraged.
"The shot must have alerted the neighbours, they called the police, but they arrived minutes to late..."
o o o
Twenty four year earlier...
Lillian woke up with a start as she heard a car door being slammed shut. She squinted in the darkness, trying to see what time it was.
Eleven pm.
She sat up, and immediately switched on her bedside lamp on, which brightened up the bedroom.
"Charlie! CHARLES!" Lillian raised her voice as she nudged the sleeping form next to her.
"Let me sleep," Charles mumbled in his sleep.
"Something's wrong," Lillian insisted.
Charles groaned as he opened his eyes to see his wife's worried expression.
Lillian and Charles Webster, were happily married for forty years. They had just began their retirement this year. Charles had retired from being a manager for a local business, well, Lillian had retired from teaching, even though she loved it.
"What's wrong Lilly?" Charles asked.
"Someone slammed their car door!" Lillian said worriedly.
Charles groaned when he heard the answer.
"It must have been Michael, or one of the kids," Charles replied tiredly.
"It's not like Michael to do that, and at this time of night? I know that something's wrong!" Lillian explained.
"Go to sleep," Charles replied as he went back to sleep.
Lillian looked at her sleeping husband, and shook her head. What could possible happen? She knew Grace and Michael, ever since they moved in twenty years ago. She had been there when Kimberly was born, and she was there when Templeton became part of the family.
Thinking that she was just imagining things, Lillian switched off the light, lay back down, and began to drift off to sleep.
"NO!"
Lillian and Charles jumped when they heard a scream.
"What's going on?" Charles asked, as he battled to clear the fog from his brain.
"That was someone screaming," Lillian answered as she switched on the light.
Charles moved to get out of bed when they heard a gun shot.
Knowing that something was really going on, Lillian quickly picked up the phone on her bedside table and quickly called the police.
As she called, Charles walked to the window, moving the certain out of the way so that he could see where the fight was happening. Much to his dismay, the streets were quiet. That's when he noticed a light over at the Johnson's place, and knew that it was coming from them.
"Lilly, it's coming from the Johnson's place," Charles said seriously.
"You think someone is trying to rob them?" Lillian enquired.
"I don't know, but I think I better go over there," Charles said as he started to walk to the door.
"Charles?" Lillian asked worriedly.
"Stay here, I'll be back," Charles said softly.
Lillian nodded, she didn't like it, but she knew it was best.
Charles made sure that Lillian stayed put, before he walked down the stairs. He had just reached the main door when he heard another shot.
o0o0o0o
Just a few miles away, Officer Mike Brook sat in his patrol car with the new rookie, Henry Stead. Henry had just finished his studies, and tonight was his first night out.
"Mike, there's been reports of gunshots in Lakewood Drive, number 28," Samantha Jackson, the police force's local Dispatcher said.
"I'm on it," Mike said as he switched on the sirens, before starting the car.
"Whoa! my first shooting," Henry said excitedly.
Mike just shook his head as he began to drive. He never thought a shooting would be fun, especially since someone could be killed.
"Do you think it's for real?" Henry asked.
"Henry, no one jokes about shooting. This is for real," Mike said honestly.
"Oh," Henry replied nervously.
"Don't worry kid," Mike said as he saw Henry turn a shade bit greener.
Mike switched of the sirens, but left the lights as he parked one the side of the street.
"Take your gun, light, and radio, stay behind me, and if I tell you to do something, do it!" Mike ordered.
"Yes sir," Henry replied nervously.
"Ok, let's go," Mike said as he got out the car.
Charles had been waiting in his front lawn, waiting for the police to arrive first. He wasn't stupid, he knew that it would be dangerous, that's why he preferred to go in with a little back up.
"Who are you?" Mike asked as he shone his torch on Charles.
"I'm the neighbour, Charles Webster, I thought you might need some help. It's coming from the Johnson's house," Charles said as he pointed to the house.
"Stay here," Mike ordered as he and Henry made their way to the house.
Mike entered the house first, luck for him, the lights were on, making it easier for him to see if anyone is in the room. Only problem, this also allowed everyone to see him.
He quickly scanned the room, once he saw that no one was in, he headed in.
Henry walked in slowly after Mike, he scanned the area, just in case Mike never saw anything.
Henry jumped when they heard a shot being fired.
They quickly made their way to where they heard the shot, they had just entered the dinning room when they noticed a young girl laying in the doorway, beneath her, a pool of blood.
Mike could smell the scent of blood, and knew that there was a lot more in that room.
He walked up closer to where the motionless body lay, he peeped through and to his horror, he noticed and elderly woman laying at the end of the room, she too, lay on the ground, covered in blood. Mike immediately noticed her unseeing eyes and knew that she was dead.
Mike continued his scan, he saw a little boy lying on his stomach, in the centre of the room. He noticed a red patch forming on the boy's shoulder.
He turned his head, and saw an elderly man standing a few feet away from the boy. The man was a mess, his few strands of hair were sticking up, his shirt was half hanging out. His body was shaking, but what worried Mike was the gun, in the man's shaking hands.
"Sir, put the gun down," Mike ordered as he raised his gun, aiming it at the man.
Mike watched as the man raised his hand.
"SIR! PUT THE GUN DOWN!" Mike yelled.
Michael didn't look up, his focus remained on his family.
"I'm so sorry, I never meant to, I didn't know what I was doing..." Michael rushed.
"Sir, we can work this out, just lower your weapon," Mike ordered.
Mike watched in horror as Michael aimed the gun to this head.
"Forgive me," Michael said as he fired.
Henry wanted to be sick when he saw Michael's head being blown off. Mike just shook his head. It always hurt when they took their own lives, but he had to block his emotions. He still had a job to do.
"Call for an ambulance," Mike ordered Henry.
"Yes sir," Henry answered as he switched on his radio.
Mike scanned the room again, he headed to the woman first. He knelt down by her body, and gently felt for a pulse, even though he knew that she was dead, he just needed to make sure.
"She's dead," Mike told Henry.
Mike closed his eyes as he stood up, and made his way to the boy.
"He's alive!" Mike said in surprise when he saw two blue eyes staring at him.
Henry looked up in shock as he heard what Mike had said.
"We need an ambulance NOW!" Henry yelled into the radio.
"Check the girl!" Mike ordered as he knelt down to where the boy lay.
Henry nodded and quickly knelt down to check for a pulse.
"She's alive sir, but she's in a bad way," Henry yelled.
"Put pressure on the wound!" Mike yelled back.
Mike quickly looked up as he saw Henry applying pressure. With a sign of relief he looked down at the boy next to him.
He quickly took of his shirt, using that to stop the blood.
"Hold in there kid, just hold on," Mike begged Templeton.
Templeton didn't know what was happening, all He remembered was the look at the one policeman's face, he could see the terror in his eyes. That was the last thing he saw, before darkness claimed him.
"Kid, wake up!" Mike pleaded as he noticed that Templeton lost unconsciousness.
"How long till the medics come?" Mike asked Henry.
"They should be here any second, sir," Henry replied.
"I hope so, I really do," Mike said under his breath.
o o o
Back at the Orphanage, present time...
"The shot must have scared Kimberly, because she came to the room where they were. Michael must have been surprised, because he shot her. Templeton tried to get to her, but Michael shot him in the back, before turning the gun on himself," Sister Mary said softly.
Hannibal, Murdock, BA and Frankie just sat there in totally shock. None of them could believe what they were hearing.
"Officer Mike Brook, yes, he was the same officer that found Templeton. He and Officer Henry Stead stayed there for three minutes before the medics came and took the children off. Once that was done, they waited for another van to come, for the parent's bodies," Sister Mary carried on.
"What...what happened to Kimberly?" Murdock asked.
"Well, they sent to the hospital, I don't know what happened to Kimberly, but, Templeton, as you know, survived. He spent two months in hospital," Sister Mary said honestly.
"Two months?" Frankie asked in confusion.
"Yes, you see, there was some damage to Templeton. The bullet hit him in the shoulder, I do not know all the facts, but all I know, that it was very bad. It also didn't help that Templeton got an infection. We nearly lost him six times. But he had someone with him the whole time..."
o o o
Twenty four year earlier...
Mercy Hospital, ICU, room 234
Thirty year old Sister Mary walked into the room. It was a small room, with only one bed, which was surrounded by machines.She walked closer and saw the tiny figure which lay motionless on the bed.
"Oh, Templeton, what am I going to do with you?" She asked softly.
Receiving no response, she sat down on the uncomfortable hospital chair. She picked up the lifeless small hand, carefully placing it in hers.
"Fight, Templeton, please, fight," She begged.
Her only response was the machine's hums which filled the small room.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone would be here,"
Sister Mary looked up to see a man in his forties, he had short brown hair, which was slowly turning grey. He had old, tried green eyes. He medium height, slightly overweight, but that was hidden under his dark blue t-shirt, which suited his black pants and shoes. She had never seen him before, but she had a feeling who he could be.
"Your officer Brook aren't you?" She asked politely
"Yes ma'am," Mike answered
"You saved Templeton, I thank you,"
"Just doing my job ma'am, anyway, I think I remember him," Mike said honestly.
Sister Mary looked up in surprise.
"You are the one that found Templeton a year ago?" She asked in surprise.
"Yip, I knew that I recognised the little one. It's just a shame to see what has happened,"
They fell silent as they listened to the machines work.
"What's going to happen to him?" Mike asked as he broke the silence.
"Once he's ok, he will go back to the Orphanage, and when the Head Sister sees it fit, he will be placed in a new family,"
"I hope that the next one will be better," Mike said softly
"Same here," She hoped.
"I can't believe how anyone would want to hurt such a cute little kid like him," Mike said in confusion.
"People are capable of many things, good, as well as evil," She answered.
Sister Mary watched as Mike still stood in the door way. She smiled and motioned him to come in.
"There's a chair for you. I'm sure Templeton won't mind," She joked.
o o o
Back at the Orphanage, present time...
"So I take it, once Templeton got better, he was sent to the Orphanage?" Frankie asked.
"It wasn't that simple,"
o o o
Twenty four year earlier...
Mercy Hospital, ICU, room 234
He could hear a beeping in the distance, but he didn't have the energy to open his eyes. He wondered if it was Kimberly trying to wake him up? But it couldn't be, she would always pour a glass filled with ice cold water on him.
Curiosity filled him as he began to open his eyes. His eyes fluttered open, and was greeted by a bright light. He squinted at the white ceiling. Then suddenly felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
"Kim? mom?" Templeton croaked.
He tried to get up, but at the slight movement he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder.
"Agh!" Templeton cried as he fell back down.
He looked around the room, and immediately knew that he was in the hospital.
For a few seconds, he thought the Johnson family was just a dream, and that Jake and Maria didn't leave him.
He looked around the room, and saw that he there was a machine next to him. That was the thing that was making the beeping noises.
He frowned. The last time he woke up in the hospital he just had a drip, now he had a drip, a machine, and funny tubes on his chest.
He looked down to see that there were a few tubes and wires all over him.
It just didn't make sense.
"Hey there kid," Mike said as he pushed the certain way, revealing Templeton.
Templeton frowned when he looked up to see Mike.
"Who are you?" Templeton croaked.
Mike winced when he heard the scratchy voice.
"Your throat is a bit sore, have some water, it will help," Mike explained as he helped Templeton to drink some water.
"I'm Mike, I am the police officer that found you," Mike explained.
All blood drained from Templeton's face as he remembered everything. He remembered going to the Orphanage, then to the Johnson family. He was happy there, but that night....
He gasped as he remembered watching his family die.
He looked at Mike with tear-filled eyes.
Mike looked at the little boy, Templeton was so pale, his blond hair came up to his neck, but his eyes, his eyes reflected the sadness in his heart.
"He killed them, didn't he," Templeton asked barely above a whisper.
Mike opened his mouth, only to close it again. He tried to speak again, but he just couldn't say the words.
Templeton saw Mike trying to speak, but he already knew the answer. He was alive, they weren't.
A tear ran down his face, but he didn't care.
Mike watched the tear run down the pale face. He watched as the little boy closed his eyes, and turned his face away from view.
"I'm so sorry Templeton, I'm so sorry," Mike sad sadly.
He looked at the little boy with a heavy heart, he had seen many heartbreaking sites, but this one, was the hardest.
o0o0o
Weeks went by and Templeton slowly began to build a wall around his heart. He didn't want anyone to get close to him again. He just couldn't handle it. He wouldn't let that happen.
He didn't speak to anyone, he didn't smile. He just ate if there was food in front of him, and slept.
Mike walked into the room and noticed that Templeton was sleeping again. He had spent all his free time here, he didn't know why he did, but there was just something that kept bringing him back.
"Temp, buddy, come on. I know your awake, and I know you don't want to go back. But you have to, you have some very worried people here, Sister Mary, me," Mike begged.
Templeton didn't move, he didn't reply.
"Look kid, I have to go to work, but I'll be back," Mike said sadly.
Templeton heard Mike's footsteps become quieter as he opened his eyes. He looked around at the empty room. He just closed his eyes, and wished that he could just sleep forever.
o0o0o0o0o
The next morning, Templeton woke up to see that Mike was standing right above him.
"Morning kid,"
Templeton didn't say a word. He just closed his eyes.
"The doc says you are good to go, The nuns should be here any minute to pick you up. Do you want me to help you get changed?" Mike asked.
Templeton didn't speak, he just simply sat up.
Mike signed, and helped Templeton with his top.
"Do you think you could handle the rest?" Mike asked.
Templeton nodded his head.
Mike didn't know if he wanted to shout for joy, or cry for sadness. The little nod, was the first real response since Templeton remembered what happened.
Mike smiled as he left the room, as soon as he walked out the door, he bumped into Sister Mary and Head Sister, Sister Anne.
"Sister Mary, Sister Anne," Mike greeted.
"How is he?" Head Sister Anne asked.
"Physically, he's fine, mentally, I don't know. He's been through a lot," Mike said sadly.
Head Sister Anne nodded in agreement.
"Are you alright?" Sister Mary asked.
"Yeah, it's just hard sometimes to see him like that," Mike said.
Head Sister Anne left the two to go to Templeton. She opened the door and saw Templeton dressed in black tracksuit pants, with a white t-shirt that hung loosely around the thin frame.
His head was bowed, forcing a few strands of hair to cover his face.
"Good Morning, Templeton, are you ready to come home?" Sister Anne asked.
Templeton just nodded. He carefully got off the big bed, and walked up to Sister Anne.
She held out her hand, and Templeton didn't accept it.
"Give me your hand, Templeton," Sister Anne ordered.
Reluctantly, Templeton raised his hand, and placed it into Sister Anne's grasp.
"Good boy, now come on," Sister Anne said as she began to walk, dragging Templeton along with her.
Sister Mary's heart broke when she saw the little boy. The once proud, funny, kid, who still found joy in life, was gone.
The boy before her, was just an empty shell.
Sister Mary watched as Head Sister Anne walked passed, dragging little Templeton behind her. She turned to Mike.
"I'll make sure that the paper work will go through quickly," She said.
"Sister, please, take care of him in the meantime," Mike pleaded with her.
Sister Mary smiled and nodded her head, before heading out.
Sister Mary walked quickly, trying to catch up with Head Sister Anne and Templeton.
"Sister Anne," Sister Mary called after Anne.
Sister Anne stopped and waited for Sister Mary to catch up.
"At least we have Templeton back at the Orphanage," Sister Mary said as she caught up to them.
Sister Anne didn't say anything, she just started to walk again.
They walked a short distance when they stopped at their car. It wasn't much, it was old, but it still got them from Point A to Point B.
Sister Mary got into the driver's side, while Sister Anne sat in the passenger side which left Templeton in the back. She quickly put on her safety belt before starting the car, which roared to life. She kept on glancing at Templeton with help from the mirror.
The safety belt was too large, so he only had the bottom part which kept him to the seat. He kept his gaze on the floor.
"Sister Mary, I wouldn't get attached," Sister Anne spoke.
Sister Mary frowned as she kept her eyes on the road.
"What do you mean, Sister Anne?" Mary asked.
Sister Anne didn't respond and that scared Mary. She didn't know why, but she had a bad feeling. She just prayed that no more harm would land on the child.
The rest of the trip was in silence as Mary drove into the drive way. She parked at the entrance of the Home, so that Sister Anne and Templeton could get out.
She watched Sister Anne take Templeton's hand, forcing him inside. She just shook her head sadly, and drove off.
Once the car was parked, she headed straight to where Templeton should be.
It was a Saturday, and she knew that parents would be arriving soon, but she desperately wanted to see Templeton, to make sure that everything would work out. She had known the little terrorist, and she missed him when he was with the Johnson. She missed the innocents looks and the jokes. Not to mention the pranks that he would get up to.
Something that Sister Anne had said, frightened her. She just couldn't help the bad feeling she had.
She quickly made her way through the hall but was stopped when another nun came into the hall.
"Ah, Sister Mary, please, I need your help," Sister May begged.
Sister Mary looked at the pleading nun, then to the open doors which would lead to Templeton. She felt torn, not knowing where to go.
She looked back at Sister May, with a sign, she made her decision.
"What can I do, May?" Mary asked.
o o o
Back at the Orphanage, present time...
"I knew that something was wrong. I knew I should have gone after Templeton, but I didn't. My stupid mistake nearly cost Templeton his life!" Sister Mary said angrily.
"What do you mean?" Hannibal asked.
"Head sister Anne thought it would reflect badly on her that the family she placed him in turned out so horribly. So she thought it would be best to get rib of her problem. I was away from them for ten minutes. As soon as I was finished helping, I went looking for Templeton, only to find out that he was gone," Sister Mary explained.
"Gone? what do you mean gone?" BA growled.
o o o
To be continued....