Part Three

The kids were all seated in the back row of the movie theater. After the movie

was over, Ronin stood and stretched his arms. \"That movie was great, guys, but

we better get back."

Grabbing his jacket, Todd looked at his brother. "Do we have to go home now? The

night's still young."

"Yes, we do," came back Ronin, slightly annoyed.

"Why?" retorted Todd.

"We need to go. It's late and I'm worried about Dad."

"Oh, come on, Ronin. Dad's fine. He's not alone. I wanna stay out more."

By now Ronin was losing his temper. "Well, you're not staying out. I'm the

oldest and we're going back to Uncle Face's home."

Todd glared at his brother. "Stop telling me what to do. You're not my boss,

Ronin."

"Well, someone has to tell you. You're such a baby. All you care about is

yourself."

"That's not true!"

"Well, that's not how I see it. I think we should go be with Dad."

"Why? I love Dad too, Ronin, but I think he would want us to have a good time. I

just don't want to go home yet."

Ronin stared at his younger brother. "Why?"

Todd looked at his brother. "I just wanna have... I don't know... I guess I just

need to do something fun since Mom died. I don't mean to sound selfish. I'm

sorry."

Ronin place his arm around Todd. "I think I understand Todd, but we really

should be heading back. It's late and you know how Dad worries."

Todd smile weakly at his brother. "Yeah, I know."

"Tell you what, you and me, Saturday night. We'll paint the town red."

"That'll be cool. I hope Dad'll say it'll be okay."

Ronin nodded his head.

Dani smiled, She was glad they work it out. "Hey, Ronin, you're gonna be

twenty-one tomorrow. I've got to wait four more years."

Ronin laughed a little. "Yeah, I know. Thanks for reminding me."

They all got into Ronin's car and headed to Face's house. When they arrived BA

was waiting on the porch. The kids got out of the car wondering what was going

on. Brandi approached BA.

"Hey, Uncle BA. When did you get here? Is Keene with you?"

By now Dani was standing by her sister. "Is everything okay? You look kind of.

worried."

BA waited for the boys before he spoke. "Come inside, we all need to talk.

Keene's inside."

They gave each other a look but followed BA inside. BA walked into the kitchen

where everyone was seated at the table. Ronin and Todd noticed that their father

look tired and upset. They both went to his side

"Dad? Are you alright?" Ronin asked with concern.

"Yeah, Dad, you don't look so good."

Murdock looked up and took in a deep breath. He took both his sons hands.

"Ronin, please sit down. There's something I need to tell you."

"Sure, Dad. Is everything alright?"

Murdock took a deep breath. He stared at his son and sighed. He could see so

much of Hannibal in him. The color of his eyes and that grin. Murdock always saw

Hannibal's on-the-jazz grin whenever Ronin smiled. His eyes would light up just

like Hannibal's had so long ago. He sighed and took another deep breath. "Ronin,

we always meant to tell you, but the time never seemed right." Again Murdock

took a deep breath as he watched his son. "We're not your real parents. You were

adopted."

There was a pause.

Ronin looked at Murdock for a long moment. The look made Murdock feel

uncomfortable. Ronin's eyes seem to darken but suddenly it was like there was a

wave of sunlight passing through them.

Then Ronin smiled, squeezing his Dad's hand. "I know, Dad. I've known for a long

time."

Murdock stared in disbelief, his hands started to shake and he felt tears in his

eyes. "How?" he asked in a whisper.

Ronin raise his hand to wipe the stray tear from his father's face. "How did I

know? Dad, we don't look alike. You, Mom and Todd all have dark hair; you and

Todd have dark eyes. I have blond hair

and blue eyes. There's no way you're my biological father. But I don't care. As

far as I'm concerned, you are my father. I know if Mom hadn't gotten sick, you

would have told me. I found this picture in an

old box in the closet. I cut it to fit my wallet. I believe he's my real

father."

Ronin took out the picture showing it to Murdock. Murdock looked at the picture

of Hannibal and smiled. "You're right, Ronin, this is your real father. He was

the most wonderful man I've ever met and I was proud to serve with him. His name

was Colonel John Smith, Hannibal to his friends, and he would have been so proud

of you."

Ronin hugged his father and whispered, "Thanks, Dad."

"Ronin, why didn't you say something?"

"I saw no reason to."

Murdock returned his son's hug. "I love you, Ronin."

"I know that and we love you too."

Murdock released him and turned to the others who had been quiet through all of

this. Murdock noticed a tear in Rita's eye. She wiped it away and smiled.

Murdock looked at Face nodding for him to take over. Face looked at the kids.

"Wait, there's more. Would the rest of you please sit down?"

Todd, Brandi, Dani and Keene all sat down and waited for Face to speak. "Now I

'm pretty sure you've all heard about The A-Team."

"Who hasn't heard of them?" replied Dani, "I mean they were famous."

Face looked at his daughter. "Dani, we are..."

Before Face could finish, his other daughter, Brandi, spoke up. "Dad, we know

you guys are the A-Team."

It was now Face's turn to be stunned. "How do you know that?" he demanded.

Keene looked at them. "You guys are famous. Like Brandi said, we've known for a

long time."

Murdock looked at them. "How did you find out? We never told you."

Todd looked at Ronin. Ronin took a deep breath. "We were having one of our

meetings up in the attic and we found this old trunk. It was full of stuff about

you guys."

Brandi suddenly took over. "I admit, I was really upset and mad because you kept

it from us."

"Yeah, she was, but we figure you had a reason for not telling us," said Dani.

Until you felt the time was right," finished Keene.

The adults stared at each other. "Well, that was easy," replied Murdock. "Ronin,

there is more though."

"What's that, Dad?"

"When you turn twenty-one tomorrow, our house will belong to you."

Ronin looked surprised. "I don't understand."

"Your mom signed the house over to you."

"Why?"

"I'm not really sure. I guess she figured if you owned it, Robbins wouldn't be

unable to get it."

"Dad, how can that stop him from taking it?"

"I don't know, Ronin. But the man that was here last week is your uncle. His

sister is your natural birth mother. Her name was Christina."

Ronin suddenly stood up, soaking in what he was being told. "My uncle is Vincent

Robbins?"

"Yes."

"Man, this is strange."

"You can say that again," replied Todd.

"Dad, you won't lose your home. I promise once this is settled, I will sign it

back over to you."

Murdock smiled. "I know, son, and thank you."

"Is it okay if we go outside and talk for a bit?" asked Ronin.

"It's okay with me, if Face, Rita and BA don't mind."

"No, you kids go ahead. Just be careful," replied Face

Dani hugged her dad. "We will you, old worry wart."

The strange man sat in his car as he watched the kids leave the house. His boss,

Robbins, wanted Murdock out of the way. He believed he could easily get the

house, if Murdock was out of the way. He had been told to follow Murdock till he

got his chance to make his move and it looked like he was going to get it. The

strange man carefully put his rifle together and waited.

Once their children were outside, Murdock headed for Face's den to be alone.

The man saw Murdock leave and follow him to see where he went Once he saw

where.he climbed up a nearby tree and positioned himself. He got his gun ready

and aimed it at his target

Once he was in the den , Murdock, took out his picture of Kelly and stared at it

for a long time. "Hey, Kelly, I miss you so much. I feel like I'm losing my

mind. I don't know what to do. I wish you were here to tell me what to do. You

were always good at this sort of thing. If only you were here!"

Walking in, Face placed his hand on Murdock's shoulder. "She's here, Murdock.

She's watching over you."

"I know. But I miss her so much."

"We all miss her, Murdock."

Murdock shook his head. "I'm sorry, Face, I'll be okay."

"There's nothing wrong with being sad, Murdock. It's okay to be unhappy."

"Yeah, Murdock, I miss Mandy, too."

Murdock and Face turned to find BA in the doorway Murdock walked up to him.

"Mandy was a fool to leave such a wonderful man."

"Thanks. Face, Rita wants us to check on the kids."

Face nodded turning back to Murdock "Will you be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks."

BA and Face nodded, leaving Murdock to his thoughts. Suddenly a shot rang out

and Murdock stood there for a moment, then fell to the floor in a heap. BA and

Face hurried back into the room. BA bent down to check on him. Murdock's head

was bleeding but not badly. BA sighed in relief; the bullet had only grazed his

friend. Picking him up gently, he carried him out of the room. Face seeing that

BA was looking after Murdock hurried and turn out the lights so whoever shot

Murdock wouldn't get another chance

Hearing the shot, the children ran into the house. Todd and Ronin stopped in

their tracks as they saw BA carrying their father over to the couch. They both

hurried over to him.

"What happened ?" demanded Todd.

BA didn't answer him, just gently laid Murdock on the couch, then looked at

Face. "Face man, we got trouble." BA looked up at Rita. "Please call an

ambulance."

Rita nodded her head. Soon she came back in. "They're on the way . Tem we should

called the polices."

BA looked up at her. "No police . We take care of our own."

Rita stare at Face. ."Templeton Peck ! Someone is out there . We have to called

the police!"

Face place his hand on her shoulder. "We're handed it . We always have."

"I think you both are crazy. I'm calling the polices."

"Please Rita . I don't want the police involved."

"Why?"

"It brings back old feeling and not good ones."

"I'll go see if the ambulance is coming yet."

Todd looked at his father and saw the blood on Murdock's head.

"Oh, God! Dad has been shot!" he said in a broken voice.

BA looked up at Todd. "It will be okay, Todd. It's just a graze but we've sent

for an ambulance."

Todd looked at BA, then down at his father. "I wanna go with them."

Face nodded. "I think we all better go."

BA nodded. "Yeah, I agree."

Face turned to his wife. "Rita, BA, and I are going to check the perimeter. You

wait for the ambulance and go with them to the hospital. We'll join you as soon

as we find out who shot Murdock."

Ronin stared at his father. Then looks up at Face and BA. "Please, I want to

come with you."

Face turned to him. "Ronin, please go with them to the hospital. You're not

experienced enough to help."

"Uncle Face, I've got to come. Someone shot my dad. I just can't stay here. I'm

not a child," Ronin retorted.

Face placed his hand on Ronin shoulder. "I know you want to help, Ronin, and you

can, by going to the hospital. Your dad lost his wife. I don't think he could

stand it if anything happened to you, too."

Ronin reluctantly sat down beside Todd. "Just be careful."

"We will replied Face as he headed for his office where he kept his guns under

lock and key. Unlocking it he took out his gun and gave one to BA.

"Okay, BA, let's go."

"I'm right in front of you, Face," replied BA as he headed out the door.

Face followed behind, only stopping long enough to address his wife. "Rita,

please keep an eye on Murdock and the children."

Rita nodded, looking at the gun she had hoped would never have to be used again,

but she was glad Face always kept them clean.

"I will, Tem, and like Ronin said, be careful," she replied.

Face gave his wife a kiss,catching up with BA. He handed him a walkie-talkie.

"We may need them."

The ambulance soon arrived. The paramedics knocked on the door. Rita stood up

and turned to the children. "Stay here, I'll go let them in."

Ronin stood up. "Aunt Rita, please make sure it is them and not the person who

shot Dad."

"I will, Ronin." Rita walked over to the door,peeked thought the peep hole and

saw that it was the paramedics . She opened the door and took them to Murdock.

They looked Murdock over and placed him on the gurney then, called in to the

hospital. Once that was done, they placed him into the ambulance. One of the

paramedic turned to Rita. "We're taking to the Good Angel Hospital."

"Thank you. May his sons go with you?"

The paramedic nodded. "One can ride up front with my partner, the other with

me."

Rita nodded. Once outside, Ronin climbed inside with his father as Todd got in

front. Rita and her daughters and Keene got into her car and followed.

Face gave a heay sigh as he and BA move around the yard. This was something

they had not done in a long time. Suddenly Face spotted the guy. He was racing

towards his car. Face whipped out his communication. "BA, he's heading your

way."

"I see him." BA raced towards the man but before he could catch him, the man had

gotten to his car and sped away. BA slammed his fist against a nearby tree.

Face caught up with him just in time to see the car speed away.

"Damn it."

BA looked sadly at Face. "I'm sorry, man."

Face shook his head. "Not your fault. We better get back to the house."

BA nodded The phone rang as they got inside Face answered it. After hanging up,

he turned to BA.

"Murdock's at Good Angel Hospital. Rita said that the doctor told her Murdock

will be okay. He may have a headache but he doesn't have a concussion."

"That's good, man."

"Yeah. Rita's going bring Ronin and Todd back here for the night."

"Yeah, good idea. Do you want me and Keene to stay for the night?"

"Yeah, maybe you should so we can get an early start in the morning."

"You mean to pay Robbins a visit?"

"You bet I do."

Soon the others were back. They got out cab and all went into the house. Face

walked over to Murdock's sons and Keene.

"You all will be spending the night here."

Ronin look at Face. "Why?"

"I think it's for the best." Face then turned to Keene. "You and your father

are staying here, too."

Keene only nodded. Todd said nothing ,just, looked at his brother, as did the

twins and Keene.

Ronin glanced at his friends, each giving him an understanding look. They knew

that they would talk about this later, Ronin giving the others a signal that

they would meet later at their secret place, when the time was right.

Ronin turned to Face. "I'm sorry about earlier. You're right, it is best we stay

here. We're kind of tired; could Brandi show us to our rooms ?"

Rita nodded. Brandi took them to the room Todd would sleep in. Then she and

Ronin went to the room where he would sleep. Ronin gently grabbed her arm. She

looked at him. "Ronin?"

"Tell your sister we'll meet at the old tree house tomorrow. I'll tell Todd and

Keene."

"Ok, Ronin, but why there? We haven't used that tree house in years."

"We have to talk about a way to help my dad and it's the last place they'll look

for us."

Brandi stood there for a moment. "Why must we do this behind their backs?"

Ronin sighed. "Because they'll never agree with what I have planned. Good night,

Brandi."

Brandi closed her door and leaned against it. "I'm not sure if I do either,

Ronin Murdock."