A/N: Okay, so...I lied a little. This isn't the last chapter...there's gon'na be one more. These men, they're just too complex! ;) Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: not mine.

Hannibal pt 3
Tedious
StriderX

Maggie's words were the closest things to an angel's voice the boys thought they'd ever hear. Just five tiny little words were all it took to reduce Murdock to a sniffling grin, B.A. to a trembling sigh, and Face to a puddle of weak knees and ruffled hair on the closest chair he could find.

"He's going to be fine."

"Oh thank God," was all Face could breathe; his response the perfect translation of all their feelings.

Maggie let the good news sink in for a minute or two, taking the moment to recharge her own batteries on their relief. When she continued, a small smile brought her youth back from the depths. "The bullet came out clean and thanks to your efforts," her glance rested a moment on Face. "The infection was minimal. He'll need a lot of rest the next few days, but he'll be up and scheming again before you know it."

Murdock grinned. "That's great news Doc, thanks…for everything."

Maggie waved him off kindly. "I'm just glad you made it in time."

The intensity of their own imaginations had brought the reality of how near they'd come to losing their father close to home but hearing Maggie—a veteran doctor—acknowledge it…the 'what if's' were simply too much to bear.

Staring at the newsprint lion leading a pack of three lemurs (each with their own feature: a Mohawk, a tie, a baseball cap), Murdock decided he needed fresh air…now. Jumping up, he shuffled to the front door almost nervously. "I'm a…gon'na go hide the ch-chopper up in the woods."

Eager to help, knowing they'd all want to see Hannibal as soon as possible, Maggie reached into her skirt's pocket and pulled out her car keys. Tossing them to B.A. she instructed: "There's a small road that leads to an old hunting trail about a mile behind here…there's a clearing just off the road. You can hide the chopper there then drive back.

B.A. stood with a nod, keys in hand. "Thanks Doc," then, turning to Murdock, "C'mon fool, quicker we get back, quicker we can see Hannibal."

With a salute, Murdock bounded out the door and to the borrowed bird; B.A. was close behind to a muddy Jeep in the drive beside the house.

As they left, Maggie turned to Face and noted the uncertainty playing in his tired eyes as he stared through the open White Door. Years of hard doctoring or not, Maggie's heart still melted. It was times like these when she saw people for who they really were—all three of these boys were loyal and true, but right then, catching the dull shimmer in the Lieutenant's eyes, she saw beneath his mask. Deep down (probably farther deep then even he could access) was an innocent young boy, petrified of losing the only family he'd ever had. Quietly, so as not to startle him, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Reluctantly, his eyes drifted to hers.

She smiled. "Why don't you go in and talk to him? He may not wake up, but I'm sure your being there will help."

Maggie couldn't tell if his expression was timid or anxious, but he nodded all the same. "Thanks," he offered before pulling himself up and hesitantly crossing the threshold of that infamous door.

Maggie collapsed into Face's chair when he'd gone out of sight. 'And I thought today would be slow,' she shook her head with a tired snort.

Face's heart was pounding so fast as he weaved through the hall he wondered if Murdock's 'Sounds of Helicopters' record was broken inside his head. Thump, thump, thump… he couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't—

He froze…everything froze.

B.A. must've snapped Murdock's record in two.

Suddenly, Hannibal was right in front of him. His face was pale and drawn; a thick white blanket hid his abused body as he lay on the operating table.

Face moved without thinking; he pulled a chair close by the 'bedside' and took Hannibal's limp hand as he sat. He didn't look up at Hannibal's face…his eyes were glued to the older man's chest like a spell. Up, down, up, down. As long as his chest moved, Face chanted to himself, Hannibal would be okay—he was still alive.

The air was quiet for a long time as Face took in the near silent sound of Hannibal's breath, soft and slightly shallow as it was.

When he'd finally worked up the nerve to say something, he nearly jumped at the harsh, broken sound of his own voice. "Ha-hannibal?" he paused, tearing his gaze from the steady rise-and-fall to Hannibal's resting eyes. Face wasn't sure what to say, really…this was usually Hannibal's job or Murdock's…Face and B.A. were never very good at these kinds of words. (B.A. for the open emotion, Face for the wrenching honesty.)

Still, Face knew he had to try. "M-Maggie says you're gon'na heal up just fine," he smiled small and sad. Delaying the inevitable was not making it any easier. He sighed, placing a nervous hand atop the limp one he already held. "Why…didn't you say anything?" his voice broke. There was feeling there so deep Face couldn't comprehend it. He didn't know what he was feeling…or how to express it.

Absently rubbing Hannibal's hand, he was losing control; he didn't want command anymore. He wanted Hannibal to wake up and take it back.

"Murdock says we all would'a done the same thing, and he's right…but…Hannibal?" his heart begged the older man to wake but his mind prayed he wouldn't. Face knew he could never say this to the Colonel's face when the man was looking right back. "I…we…I can't lose you, Hannibal…w-without you…" he faltered. "You're the only father I've ever had."

The open confession left Face feeling cold and empty. Hannibal was still unconscious, far from hearing. He'd never know…

When B.A. and Murdock returned, they squeezed through the operating room door and found Face still and numb, lost in the rise-and-fall of Hannibal's chest with clear, dry eyes. He'd heard them come in, of course, but couldn't find the energy to react. It wasn't until Murdock placed a brotherly hand on his shoulder that he crawled out of his reverie.

"How's he doin'?" came Murdock's voice, quiet as if trying to keep Hannibal from overhearing.

Face shrugged, alarmingly devoid of emotion. Murdock recognized it instantly as the last defense of a conman against sheer breakdown. "Doc says he'll be okay."

B.A.'s gaze shot to Face the moment he spoke. The big guy may not be the best at expressing himself either, but he knew that dark, void tone just as well as Murdock. His glance shifted back to the Captain; the man was a crazy fool, but by far the best psychiatrist of them all.

Calmly, like a pillar of stability, Murdock sent Face waves of strength through the strong grasp to the kid's shoulder. "Why don't you go catch some breeze, Muchacho. We'll watch 'im for a bit."

Slowly, like a man concussed, Face nodded and ran a hand over his eyes and through his hair. "Yeah," he exhaled. Reluctantly, the Lieutenant pulled his hand from Hannibal's and stood with one last, longing look. When he left the room, he did so quickly, barely meeting Murdock's eyes for a weak, lying smile.

After watching him go, Murdock lowered himself into the empty chair and took Face's place in grasping Hannibal's hand. B.A. was close behind him, a silent statue of support and unease.

"Hey'a Colonel," Murdock tried for cheerfulness. "Boy, you sure had us worried," his façade crashed and burned in a chuckle three octaves too sad.

The silence that responded was too much too bear. Even B.A. shuffled uncomfortably.

Murdock, for his part, did his best to keep his voice steady. "Anytime you uh, feel like wakin' up would be great, though…we're um…" faking finally failed him when the dark thoughts he'd been desperately trying to suppress ravaged his mind like a jack-in-the-box. "We can't do this wi-without you…"

Feeling the need to give Murdock a moment, B.A. found his courage. "Yeah man…you our Colonel. We ain't a team wit'out you."

"Yeah," chimed in Murdock, B.A.'s strength replenishing his own. "And if we find out you're just prentendin' to be unconscious for a dramatic entrance, B.A. here's gon'na weld you into that Aquamaniac costume for good!"

The hope in Murdock's eyes was bright and short-lived. No response. No grin. Not even a subtle change in expression.

"Point is," continued B.A. "Our family ain't right wit' you hurt…you got'ta wake up soon, man. We all worried an' I think Faceman 'bout to pass out."

It was a dream come true when Hannibal squeezed Murdock's hand. The pilot hardly registered it at first, thinking his own fingers were just twitching again. It wasn't until two tries later, each progressively stronger then the last, that he picked up on it. Instantly shooting to attention, Murdock jumped forward. "Colonel?" he asked, hope emanating through every pore.

B.A. was leaning in close behind, eagerly encouraging Hannibal awake; the Colonel's eyelids fluttered and low groan seeped out with the effort. "That's it, Hannibal."

Hannibal's first waking thought was addressing the conundrums of 1. Why he was cold, 2. Why he was sleeping and 3. Was that Murdock holding his hand? In his mind's eye, he pictured his eyes popping open and lunging to a sit on…whatever he was laying on. What actually occurred couldn't have been any more disappointing to the invincible Colonel. His eyelids felt like a thousand pounds as he willed them open; just the thought of getting up sent a wave of agony over his chest not unlike a runaway train. The involuntary groan that began in pain ended in self-berating frustration. Even before the haze about his vision cleared, he remembered just what it was that put him in this pathetic position.

The gunshot in Utah…he hadn't even been able to make it back to town.

"Colonel!" Murdock's childish leap of excitement nearly gave Hannibal a heart attack.

"Boy, oh boy! I've never been so happy to see those baby blues!"

Wearily, Hannibal forced on his biggest grin…which really came out a small, crooked smirk. "Nice to see you too, Captain," Hannibal winced. His voice was about as far from strong as the will of a mouse resisting cheese.

"Ya' had us worried, man," B.A. stepped forward into Hannibal's line of sight. Now that the Colonel was awake, he didn't feel so uneasy. "How ya' feel?"

Hannibal snorted a laugh and grimaced at the tightness it caused. "Like that time I took Face's dare and went out with twins."

Murdock's grin couldn't get any bigger; B.A. shook his head, not able to help his rolling eyes. Yeah, the old man was a'right.

"You guys alright?" Hannibal asked, suddenly quite serious.

Murdock nodded. "We're fine! It's you who jumped into the fire this time, Colonel."

Hannibal's expression went solemn as he took in his surroundings. He recognized Maggie's place immediately…but something was missing, someone. "Where's Face?"

Briefly Hannibal wondered if his heart was hit too…when Murdock's grin fell he suddenly found it difficult to breathe. The kid hadn't been hit too, had he?

Murdock must've read his worries like a book. "He's okay…We just sent him outside for some air. He's been sittin' with you since the Doc finished patchin' you up."

If what the Captain said was supposed to comfort Hannibal, what he didn't say increased his worry ten-fold. With reconstructing consciousness was coming memories of things he wasn't meant to have heard…

He shook his head. Thoughts for later. "How long have I been out?"

Murdock looked at the clock on the wall, grateful for the change of topic. "About five hours or so."

Hannibal nodded. "Any signs of Decker?"

Both boys rolled their eyes. "Don't worry, Colonel, we're safe here for a while," Murdock new Hannibal hated not being in charge…the warning glare he received when he pushed Hannibal back down from attempting to sit proved that. "You should get some more rest…"

"Yeah man…we ain't goin' anywhere," B.A. chimed in, a silent threat of muscle backing up Murdock's gentle reproof.

"Besides," Murdock grinned. "I don't think Ms. Maggie's gon'na be lettin' you out'ta her sight anytime soon anyway."

Hannibal chuckled despite himself as he settled back, remembering the soft taste of the lady doctor's lips on his…maybe staying here for a bit wouldn't be so bad…

The next time Hannibal woke, he found himself comfortable. It was a strange sensation for a hardened military man like himself…vaguely, he remembered being shot, trudging through the desert; collapsing in B.A.'s arms. He remembered waking up on an operating table with Murdock and B.A. anxiously fussing over him.

None of those things did anything to explain the soft, painless comfort that then enveloped him. Tentatively, he moved his left hand about, searching for some kind of answer without the trouble of opening his eyes. The fabric under his fingertips was softly woven and plush like a child's favorite blanket. Wiggling his toes—mysteriously naked without socks or boots—the same gentle cotton touch caressed him. A bed.

Slowly, realizing there was no harm there, Hannibal's eyes parted. The ceiling above was white, like many household ceilings.

He could practically hear the relief radiating next to him. Turning his head, he found a small vase of wildflowers watching over him. Hannibal smiled as their soft scent drifted through his nose. Only Maggie.

"Welcome back, John," speak of the angel, Hannibal couldn't suppress the grin when he turned the other way to find the Doctor's gentle, knowing smile lighting up the air.

"Maggie," he breathed, finally allowing himself to believe the whole ordeal was really over. They were alone in the room, but that didn't surprise him. Through the window he could see the first rays of sun just glittering across the yard.

She must've been reading his mind. "I almost had to sedate the boys to get them to get some rest…they've been watching over you all night."

Hannibal snorted a weak laugh. "I'm surprised a threat was all it took," he wasn't, of course. Maggie may be beautiful and charming, but he knew she could be downright scary when need be. "How long've I been out?" the classic question rolled off his tongue as he tested just how much discomfort stretching would cause…too much.

"Almost twelve hours. You had me worried, John…" her voice drifted off with a sadness he kicked himself for causing.

"Aw, I'm sorry, Maggie," he tried for his most convincing grin. "I'm okay…thanks to you."

Maggie returned the smile, but the grief was still there, shimmering behind her eyes, even as she held his hand. "I only did the patch job…those boys of yours; they're the ones who saved your life."

Hannibal watched her deeply, taking in every word as a thousand-pound-note. Those boys of mine…the pride swelling in his heart could only be dampened by his tense disappointment in himself. I should be protecting them…not the other way around.

Maggie seemed to notice the sudden shift in mood about Hannibal's heart. She noticed, but wasn't sure how best to handle it. She'd seen it before a thousand times—a father getting older, coming to the bitter realization that a time would come when he could no longer protect his sons from harm; a father broken by the shattered pride of needing his sons to protect him—each time was harder to witness then the last. "You're gon'na be all healed up in no time, John."

He looked at her and saw the understanding there. He couldn't voice it…couldn't admit his greatest fear; with her at least, he knew he didn't have to. Desperate to change positions, Hannibal slid his left arm under him and began to pull himself up.

He didn't get far. Barely was his elbow in a lifting position, when Maggie's strong hands settled on his uninjured shoulder, pushing him down. "Oh no you don't, Colonel."

He tried his best Murdock-impression at puppy-dog-eyes, but she clearly wasn't buying it. Her gaze was steely and bordering frightening. "As commanding medical officer, I'm ordering you to stay put, is that clear?"

"Yes mam'," he grunted out. He wanted so badly to defy her, to get up right now and take charge—to grab his boys, steal a kiss from the Doc, and ride off into the sunrise…

All of this played out like a piece of cake in his mind. The reality found him sinking back to the bed while she smirked in victory.

Squeezing his hand with love, she smiled small. "I'm gon'na get you some water, okay? I'll be right back."

He watched her go, her soft skirt circling about her legs as she walked, and turned back out to the window. He could see the glisten of morning dew slowly fading into the dusty green of day. Whatever happened to bouncing back without a scratch?

The next two days were a pair of the longest, most tedious moments the Team had faced in years. Maggie thought it would've been almost funny if not for the circumstances; with Hannibal laid up, the boys were besides themselves with what to do. Often, she found the Captain, Murdock flailed out on her couch tossing a stress-ball with one leg thrown over the back and head hanging off the side. B.A. growled often, but seemed to be the most adjustable of them all; he was eager to help her around the house with repairs and made a rather decent cook. She figured his keeping busy kept the worry at bay.

The other young man, Lieutenant Peck…Face: he worried her now and then. He paced a lot; she recognized the faraway look in his eyes as that of a man struggling to hide worry under nonchalance. He didn't spend much time with Hannibal over those two days, either; he silently snuck in once in a while, only to dart right back out again. For the last hour or so, she noticed he'd finally settled in a chair on her back patio, facing the woods, deep in thought.

She wondered if she should talk to him, but the moment her hand went for the sliding door, Murdock stopped her. "Don't worry 'bout him, Doc," he'd said with a sad little smile. He didn't look at her, but past her, through the glass to the young blonde in question. "He just needs some air. He'll be alright," then, like a switch flipped, his eyes locked with hers and a huge childish grin lit up his face. "Hey! Do you have any chocolate chips?"

"Um…" Maggie had to admit, she was caught by surprise. "I think there's some in the pantry…"

"Oh good! Chocolate chip cookies are the Colonel's favorite!"

And just like that, the Captain was gone, off into the kitchen with all his crazy glory. Maggie shook her head. Did they really let this man fly them?

With the remnants of a giggle, Maggie went to check on her patient.

"What's so funny?" Hannibal asked, looking up from the book he'd been reading. His right arm was in a sling, keeping his shirt from fitting quite right, but he was thrilled to be sitting up straight. He'd graduated to the semi-vertical position just that morning…he was hoping if he behaved, Maggie would let him leave the bedroom for longer than just a trip to the bathroom.

The Doctor shook her head with a grin and sat on the edge of the bed by Hannibal's side. "Murdock,"

"Ah," he mouthed with a nod. The Captain was always good for a laugh…Hannibal still firmly believed that was exactly why the boy'd chosen to be the way he is.

"How are you feeling?"

It was the tenth time Maggie had asked him that today, but he didn't mind. Even if humiliating…there was something nice about being cared for. "Better," he smiled genuinely. Yeah, it still hurt to breathe and moving felt like hell, but feeling (good or bad) reminded him he was still alive.

Maggie didn't look convinced and pulled away Hannibal's shirt to inspect the bandage hidden beneath. "Looks like the stitches are holding well. And no fever," she added, placing a cool hand to his forehead. "John, you heal with as much charm as you speak."

He grinned devilishly.

For a long moment, she stared at him; she examined his clear, crystal eyes…his soft, prematurely white hair…his lips…

The kiss came so quick she didn't even have time to register it. One moment, she's locked in a passionate daydream of the man who can never stay; the next, his lips are flush with hers, moving like a dance over her skin.

She was in a perfect breathless agony when they finally parted for air. She was blushing; she could feel the heat rising through her cheeks. He was grinning at her happily. She wished she could immortalize the look on his face just then. It wasn't ravaging and hungry like that of a man in the bloom of youth, but sincere and loving; the look of a man who'd seen everything, felt everything, yet still chose to spend an extra moment staring at her.

Inwardly berating herself for losing control with a patient, Maggie cleared her throat and patted his hand; they both knew this signaled the end of the moment.

"Well," she tried, desperately attempting to straighten herself. "So long as you don't pick up a hammer and start helping B.A. with the gutters, I think you can move about now, if you want…"

There was an ecstatic burst of excitement erupting in Hannibal then. Finally! If he tried to hide it from her, he failed miserably.

"Just take it slow…I wouldn't want to have to put an order on you again," she chuckled slightly, moving to help him stand.

Even through the numbing stiffness as he moved his legs off the bed, he couldn't help the mischievous glint in his eyes.

She didn't miss that, either, matching his passion with a silent promise of better times to come.

The seconds dripped by at a gravelling snails' pace as he leaned and bent his way out of bed. Each movement sent spikes of numbing throbs through his chest, but he ignored it. There'd been worse pain in 'Nam and Korea before that…of course, he'd been decades younger…and not nearly as soft.

By the time he was standing on his own, he was slightly trembling and dizzy with effort. He was aware of Maggie eyeing him closely, wondering if she'd made the right decision to let him stand. He was thankful for the pajama pants hiding his wobbly knees.

Taking a moment to gather himself, Hannibal straightened his back; finding his balance with his right arm pressed against him was a little more awkward then he'd anticipated. When the spots finally cleared, Hannibal forced a grin and nodded. "You see? That's why you don't lay down for so long…you lose your legs."

Maggie knew he was joking to cover the pain. She let him. "Just don't try running any marathons for a while, alright?"

He chuckled lightly. Before she knew it, he was already walking steady and out the door; out to find his boys.

TBC

A/N: Okay...the next chapter will be the last...I think lol.