XVII
It was late when they returned.
Late and dark and they were turning to a place that was familiar but so cold to them all.
They'd spent a few hours with Frankie and when Face realised they'd all had enough, he'd requested the car that had taken them to the hospital took them all home.
He never knew it could sound like such a dirty word. Home.
It should have conjured up images of families and happiness and all he could see was bodies and a look in his Colonel's eyes he'd never be able to forget.
Murdock practically threw his body onto the couch and Face knew that was where he'd sleep tonight, if he managed to get any rest.
He felt obliged to offer Murdock a room, after all there were two rooms vacant but when the two usual occupants were both in hospital he knew there was no way Murdock would ever accept.
Face grabbed a spare blanket and threw it over the back of the couch, there if Murdock wanted it.
BA was already making his way to his room, not a word spoken between any of them.
Face watched as BA disappeared into one room and he glanced down at Murdock.
He made his way down to his own room, certain none of them would be sleeping tonight.
BA was awoken by the sound of running water.
It took him a few moments to realise it was someone in the shower.
And then he remembered. Everything that happened the day before.
It jolted him awake like no shower ever could.
He didn't feel well rested, knew he'd spend a lot of the night thinking and probably only had a couple of hours sleep all night.
He got out of bed and dressed quickly.
Making his way to the kitchen, he saw Murdock sat in front on the television. The pilot looked round to see who was in the room but made no other gesture to acknowledge the man. BA didn't respond either, just kept going through to the kitchen.
The water from the bathroom soon shut off and Face stepped out, a towel wrapped around his waist.
He made his way back to his bedroom.
BA made coffee for Murdock and Face and brought himself a glass of milk in.
He and Murdock sat in silence both of them watching the television.
Murdock took the coffee that BA had left for him and drank a few mouthful's before putting the cup down.
"How do you think Hannibal got on, you know, first night and all?" Murdock asked, looking across to the large man.
BA hadn't really expected to talk about it yet. He knew the pilot would eventually, just not this soon. "I dunno. I don't think he'd have known much of anything last night."
Murdock looked away again. "I guess."
The door to Face's room opened and he came out, not fully dressed and toweling his damp hair, trying to dry it as much as possible.
He'd wanted to greet the others. Just say 'morning' to them but it seemed like he was trying to make things alright when they clearly weren't.
He was about to join the others when the door opened and Carla entered.
Whatever she had to say, Face was certain it wouldn't be good.
Murdock thought the hospital was strange.
From what he could tell it was some sort of private hospital but not an ordinary one. Maybe Stockwell had his own hospital for his operatives that went mad or were seriously injured. There were bound to be plenty of both.
There weren't many people around. Hardly any doctors or nurses walked around.
Murdock tried to recall whether Hannibal's side was the same, but he hadn't paid much attention to the surroundings yesterday, he was too busy watching Hannibal himself.
When they'd arrived with Carla, she'd gone on into Stockwell's room and the rest of them had been left in a room adjacent to it.
They'd been left alone for sometime and all they'd been told was that they were here 'regarding their future'.
Whatever that meant.
Eventually, Carla came out again. "Peck, the General would like to speak to you."
Face looked a little surprised by this and looked at the others.
It was clear to Murdock, and he suspected to BA too, that Stockwell would now treat Face as the leader of the team and that's how it should be.
Face reluctantly got up and made his way towards the room. As he fully entered the room, Carla closed the door behind him, shutting herself out with BA and Murdock.
General Stockwell was resting on the bed, fully dressed which surprised Face somewhat.
He looked healthy enough but there was obviously a lot of weakness still in the man or he'd not be here still.
"lieutenant." Stockwell said, as a greeting. "Carla informs me you've all decided to stay on as my operatives, which is a excellent choice by you."
"It was a decision we all made." Face corrected carefully.
"That won't be an option in the future."
"What do you mean by that?" Face asked concerned.
"Just that you won't always have the luxury of time. You'll have to make split second decisions."
"Right." Face said. He knew that. "While we're on the subject there's a couple of things we need to get straight. You know, we need a few adjustments before we settle in too much."
"What proposals do you have, Lieutenant?"
"Murdock's in. I mean properly, not separated from us, with us all the time." It had always bugged Face that Murdock hadn't been able to see the team as much as he liked. But with recent events, there was no way he was going to allow him to go off alone.
"I expected you to make such a request and given the circumstances I am willing to grant you that request."
Face was certain under different circumstances he'd have quite a lot to say to Stockwell about that comment, but he let it go. "Well, the only other thing that I want from you is that whatever happens you continue to take care of Hannibal's medical needs. Whether we get our pardons or we die trying working for you, you keep him safe."
"I have no qualms about that either, Lieutenant." Stockwell said. "I just have one request to make of you."
Face had been waiting for this. Something more he wanted for them. "Go on." Face said.
"Lead your men."
"What?" Face asked confused.
"Don't think that you can keep things as they are, the shadow of Smith is cast over you all. You have to be decisive and lead them. They trust and respect you, but fail them and they'll doubt you. Be what your Colonel couldn't be."
Face wasn't sure what to say. He'd expected a trap, not advise. "I won't ever let them down."
"It starts now. You have to get them back. Whatever it takes, you have two weeks before I expect you back ready for your first mission."
"Two weeks? Well, where can we go?"
"Where ever it's best for your team. Go now." Stockwell said.
Face left the room, stunned.
They had two weeks to re-group.
His challenge started now.
He hoped he wouldn't disappoint.