III
Face gently touched Jessica's cheek with his hand, her skin soft under his fingertips.
"This is real nice, Temp." she said.
"It really is. I'm sorry you didn't get to meet Murdock but er, I'm sure we'll get together another time."
"Yeah, I was a little disappointed, but this is still nice. Just us. And besides, I wouldn't have felt right inviting you back to my place with your friend and his date sat there."
"Ah, your place?" Face asked, clearly a little taken back.
"Too soon?" She asked, a sly smile on her face.
Face laughed gently, nervously. "No. It'll be ... really good."
"It'll be better than that, baby." She replied.
Face smiled. Maybe the night wouldn't be so bad after all.
Frankie left Hannibal and BA in the lounge as he went to make his daily phone call to his father. At least, it was daily when they weren't on missions.
With the younger man gone, BA made his way to where Hannibal watched the TV with little interest.
Hannibal looked at BA as the black man sat near him, apparently waiting for something.
"You OK, BA?" Hannibal asked, when nothing was forthcoming.
"What's up with Faceman?" he asked simply.
"I dunno." Hannibal answered.
"What about the fool?" BA continued.
A shrug was all he received for that answer.
"Hannibal, you need to get 'em sorted. It ain't gonna be no good if we gotta work a mission with those two how they are."
"I know, it's not as easy as that, BA."
"You can make it that easy, Hannibal. I know Face is hurtin', but he'll listen to you if you tell him the right way. And Murdock don't wanna be feelin' guilty no more. Jus' talk to 'em, before they drive all of us crazy."
With that said, BA stood up and walked away.