CH. 3

"Right here BA." Face ordered. "I can still see the building from here."

Murdock had stopped his John Wayne imitation as things had gotten too serious too fast for his liking.

"Why did the Colonel stay?" Murdock asked.

"You know him Murdock; he doesn't like to leave things unfinished with our clients." Face sighed looking towards the building. "Let's listen on the radio."

BA turned the dial. "What's this, it appears an older man with white hair was just seen running into the building…Yes folks, he ran past the police barriers and ran in without remorse…lets hope he's not just going in for his cat…."

All of their eyes widened. They quickly opened the doors and raced down the block toward the building. They ran till they could see the police block off. As they got closer a force threw them back, like they only knew from a shell exploding in Vietnam only stronger.

"You guys alright?" Face yelled as the dust covered his eyes.

Murdock replied. "Yeah I'm good…BA!"

"Yeah." He shook his head.

"Faceman…does this mean?" Murdock asked, now coming to terms with what just happened.

He didn't answer. All he did was look at the three men then started to run towards the demolished building.

A few officers stood in front of the men before they got to the front.

"I'm sorry sirs; you can't go into that building."

BA quickly threw them aside, this causing a lot of attention. As the three ran inside the police wanted to follow but did not. Just then a man in a different uniform approached them. He flashed his ID. "Colonel Decker, US Army, those men who ran in there are fugitives, and they are wanted by the government…we'll take it from here."

"Sir that building will collapse at any time, going in there would be suicide."

"When will it be stable enough to enter?"

"Hard to tell Colonel…hours maybe even a day or two, but I can tell you this; there is no other way out than that front door."

The Colonel smiled. "Then we'll just wait for them to come to us."

"Be careful guys…he has to be between here and the 4th floor…lets move."

As the three walked debris fell from every side. "BA! Get up here; we gotta move this beam from the stair well.

"No problem Face." He lifted it slowly, but lifted in none the less.

"This is the room right here…402…" Face walked into what was left. The entire room was scorched black.

"There's no way he survived if he was in here Faceman…there's just no way." Murdock started to choke up with tears.

Face looked up. "Then he's not here, he must've gotten the kid and headed out…check near the fire escapes, he probably tried to get out quicker…"

Just then they heard a cry from BA. "I found him."

Both Murdock and Face walked over as quickly as they could. Beams, glass and debris had collapsed on top of the Colonel and he wasn't moving.

Face knelt down. "Colonel!" He yelled loudly. His hands shaking he touched his neck for a pulse, finding one, he sighed. "He's alive…"

Murdock knelt down as well. Then they heard a weak cough.

"It's the boy…he's under the Colonel…BA we have to move the debris to get Danny out…"

"Right Face…Murdock get on the other side to even it out…"

As the two lifted, Face lifted the Colonel and reached for Danny.

"Hurry Face!" BA yelled as a large beam loosened on top of the Colonel.

"I got him!" He set Danny aside. "Just give me a few more seconds, I'll get Hannibal out."

He knelt down and grabbed underneath Hannibal's arms, just as he lifted, he saw the beam come down fast. BA and Murdock fell back as they saw it falling. Face made one last pull but it was no use. As it all fell, the three men laid on the ground defeated.

Danny was conscious but crying quietly.

"Murdock, check the escape, see if you can get out easier that way."

Murdock walked over to the blown out window and peered out. "Uh Face, looks like Decker saw the Van…"

"Oh Come on…" Face slapped his forehead. "We have to get the boy out."

"I can walk him out Faceman." Murdock replied. "Then I'll come back up."

Face looked down at the Colonel then back at Murdock. "Why Murdock? Stay down there, they wont arrest you, they'll just take you back to the hospital."

"I know, but I don't want to leave you guys."

Face and BA nodded, peering down at their Colonel.

Murdock picked Danny up, consoling him best he could. As Murdock left he checked the Colonels pulse once more, it was faint but it was there.

BA didn't say anything just looked at Face as if looking for an answer. What could they do? If they give themselves in they may be able to save the Colonel, but if they do they are dead anyway. Both men couldn't help but wonder what the Colonel would do.

"His body is probably crushed; internal bleeding…Lord knows what else." Face offered to BA, who was sitting quietly.

"I'm sorry; I just couldn't hold it…" He replied.

"Whoa BA, don't go putting blame on anyone, the Colonel risked it all for that kid…he knew what he was doing."

"I know, I just don't want him to go out like this, not arrested and brought out on a gurney on TV for everyone to see. Like he's a criminal."

"Well then, let's find another way out…"

BA nodded. And headed out of the room. "I'll be careful."

Face looked down at the Colonel. "I knew you were up to no good when you didn't leave with us…why did you have to go and do this? Why not let us help you? I know…I know, you couldn't put us in danger…well what makes you think that we would be any good without you anyhow? We're not the A-Team without you Hannibal…" As he uttered those last words the tears started to stream down his face.

Just then Murdock reappeared. "You alright Face man?"

Face quickly wiped his tears. "Yeah, I'm good, just trying to talk to him, keep his brain working as much possible."

"Right, well I'll be on look out for Decker, Danny got out okay, some cuts and bruises but he'll be alright."

"Thank God." The Colonel said softy as he started to awake.