A/N: I hope I don't disappoint anyone with this story. It's less action and more "clearing the air" after the events of Mind Games. I can't watch that episode without being irritated at the way Face left or how he ended up back with the team. There may be a sequel though, depending on how things go. I've been a fan of the show since forever, :D, and have lots of stories in various stages of development but I've never published any of them until now so thank you, thank you, thank you for the kind reviews! It makes my day every time I see a new one! Now back to the story…

A little more than an hour later, BA and Murdock arrived at the condo and found Hannibal on the balcony, enjoying a cigar.

"Colonel, where's Face?" Murdock wanted to know immediately.

"They hit him with Ativan. He's sleeping it off." Hannibal waved his cigar towards the master bedroom. Murdock frowned and hurried off to check on his friend.

"We got dinner." BA said, putting several fast food bags down on the little table on the balcony. "They drugged Face? Man, he ain't gonna be happy when he wakes up."

"Serves him right, BA." Hannibal said, rifling through a bag and coming up with a fry. "And, he's going to be even less happy when he sees the plans for our next training session." Hannibal grinned.

BA's groan had Hannibal pointing his fry at him and asking, "Why didn't Murdock go to the ballet? It would have been a good distraction for him."

"Crazy man couldn't focus on nothin'. He didn't wanna go see no people dancing around in tights anyway, he's just trying to get under Face's skin."

"I know that, BA but…"

"Colonel!?" came Murdock's outraged cry from the bedroom. "Why is Face wearin' a strait jacket? What'd they do to him?"

"Murdock, shh! Let him sleep." Hannibal admonished.

Murdock came out of the bedroom, snatched the food off the table and moved it into the kitchen, setting it down forcefully. Hannibal grabbed the leather jacket off the back of the couch and he and BA shared a look before heading into the kitchen. Murdock was slamming plates and cups down onto the table.

"Hey Fool, stop makin' a racket! You gonna wake up Face."

"Let's all sit down and eat and I'll fill you in on what happened." Hannibal said, handing Murdock his jacket.

The pilot sighed, took his jacket and said, "Ok, but I'm not sharing my fries." He slipped the jacket on and then collapsed into the nearest chair.

"Fool." BA muttered.

While they ate, Hannibal recounted the story of Face's rescue from Bill and Curt. He left out the details of the drive out to Redondo, figuring he'd save that little training surprise so Face could hear it first. There was little chance BA would warn Face, but it would be top of Murdock's list as soon as Face was awake.

"How much Ativan did they give him?" Murdock asked, in between bites of burger.

"I don't know but the guy said it'd start to wear off by morning."

"He's gonna feel lousy when he wakes up." Murdock looked down at his plate. "This is all my fault."

"Captain!" Hannibal's tone of voice brokered no doubt the single word was an order. Murdock looked up almost instantly and sat up straighter in his chair.

"None of this is your fault. The CIA set this whole mess in motion and Face-"

"Colonel, Face was just tryin' to have a normal life." Murdock interrupted. "Like what he's always wanted but won't really admit, even though we all know it."

"Murdock, any one of us would have taken a chance on that pardon and I don't blame Face for that. The part that got him in trouble, the part that's exclusive to Face, is all his grandiose plans for fame and fortune before making sure that there wasn't anything devious behind the pardon. He doesn't look before he leaps."

BA put his milk glass down to agree with Hannibal. "It ain't right that Faceman just took off without thinkin' about it, Fool. He didn't stop and think 'bout who was gonna break you outta the nut house or who was gonna be around to pet your stupid, invisible dog. Who was gonna complain about Hannibal's plans that always has us goin' in the front door?" BA stopped to glare at Hannibal, who mocked a hurt look. "Or get us good hotel rooms?"

"BA, I don't blame Face for leavin'. I wish it had been a real pardon. He deserves that. You all deserve that." Murdock paused and got a mischievous gleam in his eye. "But ya know? It don't always hafta be Face. You could pet Billy anytime you want! I'll even point out where he is, so you don't miss when you pet him."

"You can't see him either, Fool! How you gonna show me where your invisible dog is?" BA growled, realizing he'd let Murdock bait him. "And that ain't the point!"

"I know, BA. Thanks though. We would've been ok without Face. Hunkman was an excellent scammer - "

BA snorted.

"- and he coulda gotten us anything we needed AND flown all the planes and helicoptAHRGH."

"BA, stop choking Murdock." Hannibal ordered calmly.

BA looked over at Hannibal and reluctantly loosened his grip on Murdock's throat.

Coughing slightly and sounding a little hoarse, Murdock swatted BA's hands away. "Man, what is your problem? You just got on a helicopter willingly, with no complaint whatsoever and now you try and kill me for saying the word? Make up your mind, will ya?"

"I did that for Face, Fool. And it ain't gonna happen again so don't be gettin' any ideas!"