FOUR

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor did I create, any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own, nor did I create, any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates. Any familiar catch phrases or settings also belong to the Cannell team.

Spoiler Alert: References characters, locations, plot, and revelations from Season 3 Episode 11 "The Bells of St. Mary's". including but not limited to St. Mary's School, Angels Guardians, Sr. Catherine, Billy Rey King, Charlotte King, The Bells, Dave Luna, and Zeke Westerland.

Sr. Ruth, Miss Chambers, Coach Boggs, Sr. Paulette, and Timothy are my OCs

Author's Notes: This takes place in my "A-team World" which I set up in my story "Chronicles of a Colonel". The Team has received not just pardons but full exoneration. They are free men and have established a private security company called A-team Security Co. After all who are better trained to chase thugs than these guys.

The seed for this story was planted by Peppe1951 who requested a story about the Team and their security company.

Summary: Face makes connections.

Return to St. Mary's: A Case Close to Their Hearts: by LAGC

Chapter Four: Morning Revelations

The next morning dawned all too quickly. The four soldiers awoke and made their preparations for the day, then piled into the van and headed off to school. Face went directly to the fund raising records and building plans to try to ferret out a clue to the identity of the Big Bad. Hannibal set off toward his classroom to set up for his "epic lesson plan."

BA shook his head and said, "Man, Lesson Plans? What do you actually know about teaching?"

"Lots BA! Lots!" replied Hannibal, when he saw the doubt in BA's eyes, Hannibal added, "I taught the three of you how to be soldiers didn't I?"

BA simply nodded his defeat. Then he rumbled, "Come on Murdock. I promised Sr. Catherine that we would fix the Shack before school opens today. Later I have to take her and Tim to the doctors office."

"Right behind you Big Guy. Carpentry is yet another of my hidden skills. We will repair the Snack Shack to its grandest glory."

Sensing that Murdock was winding up to a crescendo BA stopped abruptly and spun. While his his chains were still swinging he grabbed Murdock's collar and growled, "Don't be starting with none of your fool jibber jabber, Murdock! We are gonna be working with hammers and saws and I don't want none of your foolishness making me crazy like you."

Murdock raised his hands in a gesture of surrender and the two men stomped off toward the concession stand.

A half hour later, Face was still in Sr. Catherine's office scouring the records when the nun and Timothy strode in. Sister looked determined and the boy looked pensive.

"Timothy have a seat on the sofa. I have a few morning routine things I must accomplish but I want to talk with you about last night when my chores are done. Just wait here for me."

The boy compliantly, albeit sulkily, plopped onto the couch.

"Oh good morning, Templeton. My, you seem entrenched in your task." she greeted Face as she spotted him.

"Ah, um, yes Sister. But I can clear out if you need your office." said Face as he stood up.

"No, no, my boy. You're fine where you are. I will return in a bit. Tim, please be prepared to share your thoughts with me."

The boy simply cast her a very cautious glance. Once the nun was safely down the hall, Tim walked over to the table where Face was working.

"Whatcha looking at?" he challenged.

Without raising his eyes Face replied, "Documents and plans for the new sports fields. As well as the records of people and businesses that have donated to the building fund."

"Why are ya doin' that?" Tim asked as he leaned in closer.

"I'm hoping to find a clue about who is causing the damages to the school and or why?" answered Face.

"Why does the WHY matter?"

At this question, Face made full eye contact with Tim, "Because, knowing 'why' someone does something helps you understand the person. Once you have that knowledge then you know how to stop the thug … or help the kid."

"Sr. Catherine told me you went here. That's you in that football picture in the hallway case ain't it?"

"Yes that's me. I went here, and I lived at Angels Guardians." Face admitted matter-of-factly.

"Oh….was Sr. C. here when you were?"

"Oh yes she was. You can probably say she raised me."

"How'd ya guess I took off from a foster house. Were ya talking true when you said you'd done it yourself?"

"I knew, because yes, I had done it myself. I know why I did it, but I bet Sister wants to know why you did. First off were the Schillings mistreating you? That's really important because I'm guessing you aren't the only kid there." prompted Faceman

"Oh no, they treated me, us all, fine and fair. It's nothing like that….I just didn't want to be there. I'm needed here and at AG. Besides ain't no point in living in a foster house." Tim glumly replied.

"Yeah, I know. Fosters aren't families, so what's the point in pretending. Might as well be at the orphanage at least that is what it is." commiserated Face.

Timothy's dark eyes gleamed with astonishment and camaraderie. "Yeah, that's right. That's why. You really do understand, Mister Peck."

"Ah just call me, Face. You can tell Sister Catherine this you know. She'll understand, just like she did with me. Believe me, she really does care about you. Have you known here long?"

"I came two years ago. I was ten. Been in a bunch of temp placements before. How 'bout you? How old were you?"

"Me? I was about five."

Before the kindred orphans could say anything else, Sister Catherine returned. She gave each of them a gentle smile and said, "Tim, I'll leave it up to you. Do you feel ready to talk with me now, or would you rather go off to classes. We can talk when we go to the doctors this afternoon with Mr. Baracus."

"Um I guess later Sister. I'm not avoiding you or nothing. But we can talk later."

"Ok son. Off to science class then."

Once the boy left, the nun came to look over Face's shoulders at the papers he was studying. She nodded thoughtfully and placed a caring hand upon Faceman's shoulder,

"Thank you, Templeton."

"I haven't done anything worth a thank you yet, Sister. I still haven't discovered a red flag or any clue in these files." replied Face humbly.

"No, no, Dear. Not for the case. For Timothy."

Face glanced up at his childhood guardian and said, " Murdock pulled him out the of the Shack."

"Oh Tempketin, stop being evasive! I mean the conversation you just had with him. I heard it from the hall. You just did more good in five minutes than I could have in five hours."

Face smiled nonchalantly, "Sometimes it just takes a orphan to understand an orphan"

Just then the moment was interrupted by grumbles and wails. Murdock and BA were clomping down the hall. Face and Sr. Catherine went to the threshold to see what was going on. BA was limping a bit, favoring his left foot while Murdock was fluttering and hopping around nervously.

"I'm sorry Big Guy. But you zigged when I thought you were gonna zag. Here let me help you walk."

Murdock swooped in to support BA but then grouchy man waved him off with his gold clad hands. "Stay back. I don't need you to carry me Suc…" BA halted his tirade when he spotted the Principal and Lieutenant.

Both he and Murdock came to an abrupt standstill. Face stifled a giggle while Sister inquired about BA's foot.

"The Foo..., Murdock, dropped a 2x4 on my toes." BA declared.

"I'm taking him to the school nurse right now, Sister C. to get an ice pack. And maybe a feel-better popsicle" added Murdock.

"Man! I ain't gonna need no popsicle. That foolishness is your bag, not mine." BA snarled at the Pilot.

Then in a much more respectful tone he announced,"The concession stand is all repaired and ready for business, Sister. We even fixed the serving window after we noticed that it kept getting stuck in the slide track."

Sister thanked the two repair men and gave them directions to the infirmary. She then went to the intercom to make morning announcements and lead the opening prayer. Face made his preparations to go out door to door to meet the donors and solicit new ones.

Less than two hours later Face had drummed up another two thousand dollars in pledges from new businesses and inspired two established donors to increase their gifts by twenty percent. Feeling rather pleased, Face found himself in the office of the CEO of Damon Construction Inc. While waiting for the CEO to appear, he studied the adornments and details of the office looking for insights about the person he was about to meet. The office didn't give away much. It was quite impersonal and seemed decorated directly from a catalogue picture spread. No framed photographs of loved ones, diplomas, or award certificates. There wasn't even a name plate on the desk. "Good thing I got the guy's name from his secretary. Geez, I've set up warmer offices to run a scam." Face muttered to himself.

Just then the door opened and in strutted a man wearing a grey Armani suit. He was trailed by his slightly frantic secretary. She was trying to announce Face's presence. The CEO met her frenzied report with a curt disapproving dismissal and an order for a cup of coffee.

Face stood up with an extended hand, "Good morning, Mr. Scott, my name is Templeton Peck, I am here on behalf of Saint Mary's School. We are endeavoring to repair and expand our athletic fields."

"St. Mary's!? Oh that's the run down school on the corner of Logan and Xavier, right?"he answered curtly shaking Face's hand limply and only out of obligation.

Face's open smile faltered a bit at this greeting.

"Um yes it's the school on that corner. It's a fine school. It does wonderful work and provides an excellent education to many of the local children. Currently we are revitalizing our athletic fields. It's a truly needed project as our sports teams are proving to be contenders in the All-City rankings."

"Oh I see. You're here trying to scrounge some money from this company. Well let me stop you Mr. Peck. I don't squander my time so I won't waste yours. It's a corporate policy that specific offices not get involved in private interactions with local organizations be they for profit or for charity. So I am not able to appease you. If you are so inclined you can contact our parent company at the central headquarters in Hartford, CT. My secretary, Ms Westernan, can provide you with the contact info."

As he finished his diatribe, Scott, opened his office door and gestured Face out. Recognizing that he had no recourse Face took the not so subtle hint. "Well, good day then, Mr. Scott." Face said as he exited and eyed the CEO carefully. The door was unceremoniously shut behind him. A quick stop by Miss Westerman's desk supplied Face with the name and address for the alluded to parent company. Something about the name rang familiar. Face then made his way over to the public library to look into this Connecticut based corporation.