"Mum, just over two and a half years ago, I hired the A-Team to find Dan Massey. Remember Dan?" her parents nodded, Dan had been Amy's mentor when she had first started writing for the L.A. Courier. "They were good, very good. I weaselled my way into going with them and somehow I never really left. They put up with me, I was the information broker and occasional team member." She felt Hannibal's eyes on her.
A voice in the corridor caught their attention.
"Where IS everyone?" Face walked into the kitchen rubbing his hair dry with a hand towel. Five pairs of eyes turned to look at him. He sought out one pair and read their appeal for support. Face moved around the room to stand behind Amy, placing a hand on her shoulder, absently rubbing the back of her neck. She looked up at him and smiled softly.
B.A.'s eyes widened at the touch, but he said nothing. Face's reactions last night began to make sense for B.A. He glanced over to Hannibal, who nodded, reading the unspoken question. B.A. smiled. So Face had done it. He'd told Amy how he felt and it looked like she felt the same way. B.A. had always thought something was up between them; they were too compatible not to get together.
He'd never said anything, preferring to leave it to them, but when she had left the country he thought Face had lost his chance. It seemed that he had been wrong.
Face was watching B.A., and smiled in relief when he saw the acceptance in his friend's body language. They at least had his support then. Face glanced at Hannibal, and grinned when he caught the slight nod that Hannibal gave. Two out of three then. That left Murdock, and he could see no problem there, Murdock loved Amy almost as much as he did, she and Murdock had always had a close friendship.
So the A-Team could accept a relationship between Amy and himself. But what about her parents? What would they think of them? And would they accept her being an A-Team member? He drew his attention back to the present and dragged a chair from the lounge to the kitchen. He automatically placed it next to Amy and sat down. Hannibal was talking.
Chapter 15"Amy, there's more to it than that. Yes, you wormed your way into your first mission," he grinned when he saw Amy's indignant expression, "but since that you've become a valued member of our Team. Valued by some of us a lot more than the rest of us," he said, with a glance at a blushing Face. Hannibal laughed, boy had his Lieutenant got it bad! Hannibal continued," You're a quick learner and prepared to practice. You've worked hard and we're pleased to have you on board. Even if you did slope off to foreign climes."
Amy looked at Hannibal. This was the most praise he had ever afforded her. She knew she was a member of the Team, but she had never really known of her value. Her face glowed with pride, an expression that neither parent missed. They had also caught the emotions that passed between her and Face, both seeing the power of those emotions and knowing their daughter, they knew that she was in love. Daniel turned to Amy.
"So you're part of the A-Team. "
"Well I was, before Jakarta. Now,", she tailed off before Hannibal interrupted, glancing from a nodding B.A. to an obviously accepting Face,
" You still are, Amy. I would have thought that much was obvious. You're still a valued member, like I said before. Besides," he glanced at Face, a mischievous glint in his bright blue eyes, "I think I'd be lynched (pardon the pun), if I said no!"
Christine turned to her husband and a long look passed between them. Amy had always been a spirited girl, with a strong sense of what was right. From what they had heard about the A-Team, they believed she'd fit right in. There was only one problem. Daniel was the first to voice it.
"I can see that our daughter is obviously deeply involved with you all, but" he held up a hand to silence the incoming protest that he could see Amy was about to make, "but you are wanted men. How do we know Amy will be safe with you? How do we know that she won't join you as a criminal in the eyes of the law?"
"You don't" said Hannibal. "In fact, the Army were already becoming a little suspicious, but then you took off for Jakarta." He said, smiling at Amy. "But we look out for each other. We've been doing this for more years than I care to remember, and none of us have ever had any real injuries or ever been caught. We are innocent of the charges that the Army have brought against us. Totally innocent and we WILL prove that, eventually. But until then, we do our best to stay out of the way of the M.P.'s. "
Christine's eyes widened at this, something that Hannibal couldn't fail to miss." "Christine, listen. We love Amy, some of us more than others. " Face reached out and held Amy's hand. "As I said, we look out for each other and protect each other. We're good together. The four of us have perfected our skills over the years, and Amy is a fast learner. " he stopped and looked over to Amy.
"Mum, Dad, " she began and stopped. Face squeezed her hand in support. "I'm sorry for not telling you about all of this before. I couldn't. Not because I didn't want to, it's just that I wanted to keep you out of it. I'm proud to be part of the A-Team, don't doubt that, but I wanted to keep you out of it in case the Army caught up with you. I had a great time in Jakarta, but I missed these guys and to be honest, I missed the missions. I'm part of the A-Team. We help people, we right wrongs," she paused, "we sound like cartoon characters!" Everyone laughed, and she finished, "we make a difference and I'm proud of that. Plus, "she held on tightly to Face, "plus I get to be around Face. Which brings me to the other thing."
"Oh, you needn't worry about that one sweetheart," said her mother. "That one's pretty obvious. I just hope you'll be happy together."
"And you, " Daniel turned to Face, "do you love my daughter? Really love her, I mean? As in protect and cherish, look out for and adore? Can you promise us that you'll never hurt her and that you'll always be there for her?"
Chapter 16Face looked slightly shocked at this outburst, but never let go of Amy's hand. He looked round the table at Hannibal. B.A, Christine and a trembling Amy, finally coming back to meet Daniel's eyes.
"Yes, yes I do. " he said, quietly but with great certainty. He felt Amy breathe again, and wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close. He looked at her, a look that spoke volumes, a look of love and adoration. He saw his look mirrored in a gaze of her own, a gaze so full of love that he smiled and kissed her softly. It was a kiss of ownership, a kiss of relinquishment, they had given their hearts to one another in front of their families. Watching this interchange, Daniel and Christine exchanged another long look of their own and a decision was formed within that look. Daniel turned to Hannibal.
"So," he paused, the atmosphere in the room vibrant and tense. "So" he continued, "How is the A-Team going to stop Mr. Antonelli then? Amy, any ideas?"
Amy stood up and went over and hugged her parents.
"Thank-you Dad, Mum. We won't let you down, will we guys?" she turned to her fellow Team members. Face also stood, going over to shake Daniel's hand. Christine stood and hugged Face, while Amy watched and then turned to Hannibal.
"So, what's the plan then Colonel?"
Chapter 17Face tugged at his collar, flattering the young nurse who stood at the Reception desk at the V.A. hospital.
"You really have the most beautiful eyes, my dear. In fact, if I didn't have to whisk Mr.,ah, " he paused and consulted his chart, "Mr. Murdock away for these silly tests, then you and I could spend some quality time together" he finished leaning over the desk and looking deeply into the nurse's eyes. A soft snort of laughter caused him to glance sideways at Amy, who rolled her eyes in disbelief. He was good, this love of hers. He could make anyone believe anything. Face looked at her and smiled.
"Yes of course, Nurse Smogg. I understand, we must get going." His shoulders shook slightly with laughter as he registered Amy's recognition of the name he'd given her. He turned to the young nurse.
"So? Mr. Murdock?"
They followed the nurse down the corridor, Face wincing in mock agony as Amy thumped him and mouthed 'Smogg???'. His shoulders shook with silent laughter and he captured Amy's hand in his, squeezing it softly, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. As they reached Murdock's room, they composed themselves and resorted to the charade that they had set up.
"Ah, this is it then? Mr. Murdock's room?"
The nurse nodded.
"Thank-you then, Nurse. We can take it from here,". They watched as she returned to the Reception desk.
"Smogg? Smogg?!" Amy asked, as they went into Murdock's room. Murdock was watching T.V., singing along with one of the ads. Except that the T.V. wasn't switched on.
"Murdock? Look what I've brought you!" said Face earning himself another thump.
"Hey! At this rate I'll be black and blue!" he laughed, his eyes sparkling and radiant. Murdock turned to greet his friend, his eyes widening as he saw who was with him.
"Amy! "he squealed, "Triple A!! When d'you get back? What are you doing here? Why d'you look so happy? Where are we going? What are we doing? Why am I asking all these questions?"
"Shut up Murdock and get into the chair," said Face, and they wheeled him out of the hospital and into Face's 'vette. As they sped away, Murdock stared closely at Face.
"Something's happened. What's happened?"
Face and Amy exchanged smiling glances, something that Murdock took great notice of. An idea began forming in the back of his mind. He stared at Face.
"Stop it Murdock, that's getting kind of creepy, you know," said Face uncomfortably.
"Hmmmm. Ze clues, zey are all zere, methinks" said Murdock in his best Poirot voice. "Let me zee zen. Ze Faceman, he is all shiny unt happy," he said, climbing over the front seat to closely examine Face. Face swerved, alarmed at the sudden movement. Amy swatted Murdock back into the rear seat.
Murdock turned his attentions to Amy.
"And ze Amy, ze returning vanderer, she ist here, unt she is shiny unt happy too." It was Amy's turn to be carefully scrutinised and again she swatted Murdock away. Face groaned and pulled the car over to the side of the road.
"Ok Murdock." Face turned the engine off and turned to face his best friend. He glanced at Amy, who smiled. As he opened his mouth to tell Murdock about himself and Amy, Murdock let out a squeal and jumped out of the car, hopping in circles on the pavement.