Horatio could feel the excitement coursing through his veins as they parked by the docks, the adrenaline pumping already, in preparation for anything that could happen. And anything could happen, with Hannibal and the A-Team about to do something. It irked him that he still wasn't sure what the plan really was, that he was only going along with it because it seemed like the only way. For a man who liked to be the one who came up with plans, it was difficult to simply go along with someone else's plan. Even more difficult when he wasn't sure what the plan was, or if it would even work. And that was enough to make sure the adrenaline was high, and would stay that way.

Calleigh and Frank exchanged weary looks. Every time, Calleigh thought, every time there's a potentially dangerous situation, it would always be Horatio at the centre of it. And, she considered disapprovingly, he always seemed to enjoy these situations. Even now, she could see the excitement sparkling in his eyes. A phrase that Face had mentioned, the short time that they had held him in custody, sprang unbidden into her mind. Hannibal's always on the jazz. Calleigh, her curiosity piqued, had asked what the jazz was and had smiled at the answer.

"The jazz, well, it's the love of action. Hannibal's always ready, always up for a fight. The jazz is simply the buzz you get from knowing you could die at any moment, from knowing that every moment could be your last." Face had smiled charmingly at both her and Valera before he added, "We're all addicted to the jazz, really. It's just Hannibal is always looking for the jazz, more than the rest of us. For Hannibal, the jazz is a way of life."

If that didn't describe Horatio, especially in moments like this, she didn't know what could. Of all of them, Horatio was the one who excelled in the tense moments. He was the one who could talk down a hostage-taker, who could be relied on to make that million-to-one shot. On the jazz, she thought fondly, and shook her head.

"So, we all know the plan, right?" Horatio asked, looking around at his friends. "You two stay out of sight, you got that?"

"We got it H." Frank looked more annoyed than usual. "I still think you're stupid for trusting these guys."

"No choice Frank. If we want the Noches out of Miami, we have to go with this. And besides," Horatio paused, and grinned cheekily, "we still might get a chance to arrest them, before the MPs find them. Yet another branch of the federal government annoyed."

Frank made a noise that could have meant anything. Calleigh checked her rifle again. "Are you sure you don't want one of us with you Horatio? What happens if it all goes wrong?"

"It won't," he reassured her. "And I need you two to stay out of sight, just in case. It will be fine," he said firmly, and such was his magnetism at moments like this, she believed him. Well, she believed him for long enough for him to disappear around the corner, out of sight. Sometimes, she considered, he was more like Face than Hannibal. He could make people believe the sky was pink if he wanted.

"Aw hell," Frank swore, "why do we always follow him? We should be telling Decker and the military, not helping the A-Team out."

Calleigh shrugged helplessly. "We're following Horatio because he'd only do this by himself if we didn't. Innocent or guilty, Horatio believes they are innocent, and that's enough for him to go out on a limb for Hannibal and the others. You know Horatio."

"Yeah, and one day those high morals of his are going to get him shot."

"Well, let's hope it's not today." Calleigh smiled and tried not to show the fear that had washed over her as Frank spoke. From the suddenly apologetic look on Frank's face, she wasn't sure she succeeded.

Horatio smiled to himself as he made his way towards Pier 25, aware that at least one person was watching him closely from the shadows. He smoothly drew his 9mm from the holster on his hip, and thumbed off the safety catch. It might the A-Team, but then again, Hannibal had expected Mala Noche to show up, and it never hurt to be cautious. Holding the gun low by his side, he continued walking towards the pier, catching sight of Murdoch hovering by a warehouse. The man waved to him, and gestured him over, but Horatio kept his gun drawn, just in case.

"Captain," he greeted him.

"Hey there," Murdoch said, but he seemed distracted. "Glad you could make it. It's gonna be one hell of a party."

"Exactly what is the plan?"

"Doesn't matter." Murdoch smiled brightly. "Hannibal's plans always work, but they never work right. It'll change half-way through, so no point in telling you the original."

That didn't sound promising, and Horatio wondered if he had made the right decision after all. Still, it was too late to back out now. He thought gratefully of Calleigh's insistence on back-up. At least, if it all went wrong, there was someone there to pick up the pieces. "Look, Murdoch, what is going on?"

BA appeared from out of the shadows, and Horatio marvelled that such a large man could move so silently. "Don't have no time for explaining now Caine, the Noches are comin'. Murdoch, get your crazy ass over to your position. Caine, just stay down, got it?" As quietly as he had arrived, BA disappeared again, but not before handing Murdoch an AK-47 and some spare clips. Horatio raised his eyes heavenward and decided he didn't see anything illegal.

"You heard the big man," Murdoch shrugged. "Now, all you got to do is stay down here, and try not to get shot."

Leaving Horatio slightly baffled, and increasingly worried, Murdoch ran over to another warehouse, taking cover behind some packing crates. Horatio, with a shake of his head, copied the action, and made sure that the boxes provided as much cover as possible, while not obstructing his line of sight. Looking up, he thought he could see Calleigh on top of a warehouse, the sunlight catching the telescopic sight on her rifle. Then a car swung into the area, closely followed by another car, and ten Mala Noche members jumped out, making thinking a luxury he didn't have time for.

The fire-fight started immediately, with the Noches opening fire on Horatio's position. He slid down behind the crates as far as possible, and waiting for an opportunity to return fire. When the barrage of bullets slowed, he managed to get off a few shots, and with some satisfaction knew that he had hit the petrol tank of one car as it exploded, sending four Noches scurrying for cover.

Hannibal and the others were also working on keeping them pinned down, but three more car loads of Noches turned up and the difference in numbers was beginning to tell. Another car exploded, but Horatio was out of ammunition and was now just trying to stay out of the way of any bullets. Hannibal, crouched low, ran over to him, firing off a few shots as he went. Horatio, with some degree of admiration, noticed the cigar was still firmly lodged in Hannibal's mouth, and as the mercenary leader reached him, Hannibal took a few unconcerned puffs of smoke before he spoke.

"Looks like it's all gone wrong Lieutenant. I'm sorry for dragging you into this." The sparkle in his eyes belied the words, and Horatio didn't believe him for a second. Hannibal Smith would only surrender and admit defeat once he was three days dead.

"So what are we going to do?"

"As General Grant once said, when you're outnumbered and outgunned, there's only one option left."

"And that is?"

"Surrender," Hannibal replied with a grin. Ignoring Horatio's suddenly open mouth, Hannibal pulled a square of white material from somewhere and waved it over the top of the crates. "Hey! Hey, you lot! OK, we give in!"

"Throw your guns down then!" With a smirk, Hannibal tossed his AK into the middle of the battleground, and then threw Horatio's 9mm in too. The rest of the A-Team followed Hannibal's lead and there was soon a pile of weapons between them and the Noches. "Now come out with your hands on your head!"

"Hannibal," Horatio said, catching the other man's arm before he could stand up. "Hannibal, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Serious for a second, Hannibal nodded. "Yep. This is all part of the plan, you'll see."

Calleigh watched in horror as Horatio and the others, hands clasped behind their heads, emerged from their scant cover and walked towards the Noches. There were simply too many of them for her to take out with her sniper rifle, and she was left with little choice but to watch as the Noches lined up their guns. He's really going to die this time, she thought despairingly.