A/N: This chapter very nearly didn't make it. I've been having some computer problems and just got my laptop back after a few days in the shop. While fixed, everything is gone, including Microsoft Office. Fortunately, the guy saved my personal files and this chapter was still (barely) accessible. I'm posting it now before anything else happens. All this being said, it may be awhile until I can get the next chapter up, considering I don't even have Word at the moment.
Anyways, back to the story. There's a line from 'Curtain Call' in here, so you can tag that episode. Otherwise, enjoy!
"This doesn't make any sense," Decker muttered, pacing back and forth. "What kind of enemies could a committed man have?" No answers had turned up in the hours following the disturbance in Murdock's room. They had found one guard unconscious outside in the courtyard, but so far there was no more sign of the black-clad intruder. Other than being a little shaken up, Murdock checked out fine and asked to return to his room, saying that he didn't want the mysterious figure to get Billy next. Or his comic books.
"Could it be the A-Team?" he wondered. It sounded ridiculous- if anything surely they would try to break their friend out, not kill him.
He recalled suddenly one of his conversations with the demented captain, after he almost had the wounded A-Team in his grasp. He'd been trying to get the man to confess that they would show up to try and break him out on occasion.
He had laughed. "Lies," he'd said. "All lies. You see, they are after me."
Maybe, he had this figured all wrong?
Decker grew more excited as his mind followed this line of reasoning. Maybe, back on that fateful mission in 'Nam, Murdock had seen something incriminating.. The only reason that he hadn't been killed off before was because he was declared clinically insane. But now, with himself and the military crawling about, the A-Team couldn't risk him saying something.
Yes, he thought, a smile forming on his face. This explained everything.
Besides, he now had a good reason to double his guard again. Take that, Richter.
"Calm down, Billy, quiet down, now! Yes, I'm home, I'm back and I'm okay," Murdock reassured as he walked into his room again. He'd spent the rest of the night in the infirmary under observation, and finally after begging and pleading they allowed him back into his room. He was not happy to see the same amount of MP's again- but at least they weren't searching his room anymore. He desperately needed some privacy.
Still, though. This had him worried. Something serious was going on, and it likely wouldn't stop.
He tried to think about that voice he heard. 'Damn…' Something must have gone wrong.
Murdock crept to his window. He examined around the inside, not sure what he was looking for. The break-in looked professionally done, so that couldn't have been the problem. He was about to turn when a glint of reflected sunlight caught his eye.
Pressing up against the screen, he peered down outside to the bushes beneath. Tucked in discreetly between the wall and a shrub was a syringe.
Quickly he turned to Billy. "Now what would you say if you were trying to bag somebody and dropped the means to do so?" He looked behind him, and quickly crossed to his door, casually keeping an eye on the MP's. The one before his door had his back to him.
Alright. He had Decker's men everywhere and an attempted kidnapping. Now was the time to blow this popsicle stand.
He's been able to bust out by himself before. The only difference was that this time there were MP's everywhere. As Hannibal would say, a challenge.
He checked back on the MP. He didn't seem familiar; must be new. A sergeant, huh? He tried to stop the evil giggle from escaping and only partially succeeded. This was gonna be good.
"Sergeant!" The MP jumped, startled at the stern voice behind him. He whirled around and did a double take. Had someone switched rooms on him? That didn't look like the T-shirt wearing, crazy-haired, wacky-grinned patient.
He found himself staring back at intense dark eyes and an immaculate uniform. His eyes grew to the size of golf balls as he took in everything from the hat, to the rank, to the medals and decorations on the pressed dress uniform.
"What is the meaning of this, Sergeant?" the captain asked quietly.
"S-sir?"
"Why am I in here? Why is this door locked? You had better answer me, Sergeant."
The MP stammered. "Sir, you don't remember anything about…?"
"About what, Sergeant?" he said sharply. "Is there something you would like to tell me?"
"Just… aren't you insane?"
He gulped as the captain froze, hardly moving, hardly breathing, but expression burning. When he spoke his voice was low and commanding. "Look into my eyes, Sergeant. Do I look insane to you?"
The MP hesitated, but carefully looked into those dark eyes. Shocked, he didn't see in wildness or blankness, but instead a deep intensity and concentrated drive. This man was serious. Deadly serious.
"N-no, sir," he answered.
The captain didn't drop his gaze. Very deliberately, he said "then let me out of here."
"Ah, but, but, sir, I-"
"What was that, Sergeant?" the captain interrupted heatedly.
"Nothing, sir! Just a moment, sir…" He fumbled with the keys, given so that in case of another break-in they could rush to the patient's aid. The door opened and the captain stepped out, walking with a full military bearing.
"Sergeant, I need the names of the men who put in there," he ordered calmly, hands clasped firmly behind his back. "So that this matter can get sorted out once and for all."
"That, I don't know about that, but, I guess you could talk to Colonel Decker."
"Decker, eh? So be it. I want you to stay here, Sergeant, in case any other pour souls get locked in that room. See to it that they don't."
The MP snapped a salute. "Yes, sir!"
Murdock returned the salute, and swiftly strolled away down the hall.
Outside, the MP's watching the ground stood bored by their respective posts. They watched families and ordinary people meander in and out of the hospital. A fully dressed captain even marched out and walked down the street to the bus stop.
"Sure see a lot of brass around here since Decker set up watch," one remarked.
"Yup. Sure do."
"Now remember, the key to great teeth is that you brush gently, but firmly," Face said smoothly, demonstrating with a toothpick held out in front of him.
The blond sitting next to him watched the toothpick turn little circles utterly mesmerized. "I see," she breathed heavily.
"Yes," Face flashed a smile her way, the light glinting off his own pearly whites. "This is really all it takes to ensure healthy teeth, and so many people don't realize it. Brushing every day like this would save them so much trouble when they come and see me."
"I'd come and see you any day," the blond whispered breathlessly.
Face looked at her, and set down the toothpick, instead reaching for another speared olive. "I know, Celeste-"
"Celestia," she corrected, staring dreamily into his eyes.
"Celestia," he amended. "I know you would visit me whenever you could, and that's what makes you special. There aren't many people out there who would willingly visit the dentist."
"I believe you're a dentist," she whispered in that same breathy voice. She pressed up against him and slowly ate the olive off from the toothpick he was holding.
Face made a strangled noise in the back of his throat and quickly cleared it to cover up the sound. "Oh… yes," he agreed, and they slowly moved in to kiss.
RIIIIIING! RIIIIIIING!
Face fell back against the sofa, a look of annoyance and despair crossing his face. "Aww… who could that be?"
He got up and walked over to the phone. "Dr. Clarke speaking."
"Faceman!" came an exuberant voice. "Can you come pick me up?"
"Murdock, you know I can't do that, not with-" he glanced back at Celestia and lowered his voice. "Not with Decker snooping around."
"Oh, but I'm not at the hospital, Facey," came the puppy-dog reply. "I skipped outta there almost a half hour ago."
"You broke out of-!" Face caught himself and pressed his hand to his forehead. "Murdock, where are you?"
"Standin' somewhere on 14th street, I think. There's a cute little doggy being walked by some lady in front of me."
"That's not exactly helpful," Face muttered. "Look, 14th street? I think B.A.'s apartment is just over on 15th, it's above a florist's shop called Miranda's Flowers. 2B, I believe's the number. I'll try to meet you there."
"Thanks, Face!" chirped Murdock. The line clicked off and Face set the phone down, turning back to where Celestia waited for him on the couch.
"Who was that, sweetie?" she asked faintly.
"Oh, just a friend of mine who got a little lost; he's not in LA too often," Face covered easily. "Yeah, he got a little turned around so I directed him over to another friend's apartment and I'll meet him there, so, I'm afraid this means I'll have to be on my way."
"Oh, but surely you could stay… for just another ten minutes?" Celestia beckoned to him.
Face glanced between the door and the sofa. "Oh, what the hell, it's just ten minutes," he decided, crossing back over to her.
B.A. grabbed another milk carton from the fridge and poured himself another glass. Behind him, the L.A. Rams were playing against the Dallas Cowboys on the TV screen. It was a pretty exciting game so far. Aside from the blaring TV set, the apartment was filled with what B.A. absolutely loved: peace and quiet. There were no sounds of machine guns firing, explosions ringing, or crazy fools jibber-jabbering.
There was a knock on his door. B.A. set down his glass of milk and walked over, opening it.
Underneath a captain's hat and pressed uniform, Murdock grinned a huge smile at him, holding a bouquet of lilacs.
"Hiya, Big Guy!"
B.A. shut the door and decided it was time to throw out that carton of milk.