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.

Dimitri Shastakovich, and Ivan Pedavich, are characters belonging to Stephen J Cannell and Associates.

Spoiler Alert: References characters and revelations from Season 4 Episode 14 "The A-team is Coming".

Author's Notes: A theory about how The A-team first met the KGB operative Dimitri Shastakovich alluded to in Season 4 Episode 14.

Summary: The team and their prisoner have to survive an overnight camp.

From Russia with Not Quite Love: by LAGC

Chapter Three: A Night and a Morning in the Wilderness

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Hannibal chomped on his unlit cigar as he kept vigilant watch over his men and camp. He was relieved when Face finally allowed himself to drift into a light sleep about an hour after he'd issued the lights out order. BA had complied much more quickly and was slumbering as soundly as any soldier could under these conditions.

Shastakovich was seemingly asleep as well, but the Colonel wasn't making bank on that. That being said, Hannibal wasn't overly concerned about the threat level from their prisoner. Dimitri had surrendered willingly enough and had proven himself useful and cooperative during their trek to this point. Besides which, BA had deliberately placed his boot clad foot on the Russian's bedroll. Any movement on the Russian's part would result in a fully armed, alert, and angry USA Sergeant pointing a rifle between Dimitri's eyes.

Hannibal's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden shrill call of a startled collared Scops owl. Immediately Hannibal readied his rifle. Those sounds also roused Face who jumped to full alert only a heartbeat slower than the Colonel. Carefully the two men listened and peered into the enveloping darkness for any indication about what had disturbed the owl.

Dimitri was also searching for that answer from his position on the bedroll. This location allowed him a better perspective on the treetops illuminated by the clear full moon. With a relieved sigh he quietly called out,"Colonel Smith, look to the sky. Bats."

Hannibal acknowledged Dimitri's information with a nod and offered, "Perhaps they startled our little feathered alarmist."

This information had done nothing to ease Face's apprehension which he tried to justify by asking, "Well what startled the fruit bats?" While he said this Face repositioned his rifle. Hannibal recognized Face's motion as a way to conceal a nearly unpercepatable shudder.

A fully awake and habitually grumpy BA growled, "Nothing FOOL! Those bats are just out to feed. The owl too for that matter. Just hungry animals is all."

After several more watchful minutes the Colonel declared a stand down. He ordered Face back to his bedroll as it was BA's turn at guard duty. Hannibal was glad of this. Bats always made Face extra jumpy, which wasn't a good mental state for your guard to be in. "One of these days I'm going to have to get to the bottom of the Kid's primal reaction to bats. But not tonight.," Hannibal promised himself as he crawled into the bedroll vacated by his Sergeant. He watched Face resettle into his half awake-half asleep rest, knowing that was the best the Kid would achieve. BA was on rounds. Dimitri was lying still, watching the sky. Hannibal allowed himself to slip into a much needed, albeit very shallow, sleep.

The rest of the night passed quietly. Face's turn on duty carried them into the early dawn. That's when everyone began to stir. Murdock was due in a few hours to usher them all back to the relative safety of their base. The men went about their morning routines and broke camp. BA and Dimitri went to the nearby fast flowing stream to refill their canteens, while Face and Hannibal obscured any traces of their overnight stay.

"Did you sleep well Sergeant? It was a quiet night, no? Does your pilot know of my capture?" inquired Shastakovich.

"Why you askin' so many questions? You're nearly as bad as Murdock." growled BA as he handed the canteens to his charge. "Be quiet and fill these up!"

Dimitri complied and BA stepped back to allow him access to the clear running stream. When the Sergeant did this his foot dislodged a sizable rock and sent it tumbling away. Dimitri's expression turned to one of horror. As BA was wondering about the Russian's reaction he heard the dreaded sound of a viper's hiss.

"Do not move, Sergeant Baracus." warned Dimitri.

"What is it?" BA whispered.

"A krait."

"Damn ... a miserable Two-Step. Of all the rotten luck."

"Easy Sergeant. I can handle this. The snake is more startled than angry."

"I don't care what it's feelings are, man! I just want it away from me."

Dimitri reached for a long twig near his arm. It had some drying leaves on it's very end. The Russian cautiously approached BA and the snake from the side. Carefully he slid the the branch toward the reptile which became focused on it rather than BA's shin. The approaching rattling leaves unnerved the startled serpent. It decided to slither away rather than confront this new unrecognizable enemy. BA and Dimitri let out relieved sighs.

"Thanks, Man."

"Think nothing about it Sergeant."

"That was a clever way to dispatch that Two-Stepper." declared Hannibal, "That's twice you've protected my men in dangerous situations."

Both BA and Dimitri jumped at the sound of Hannibal's voice as neither had heard him approach.

"Where did you come from, Colonel?" challenged a shaky BA.

"Our camp, BA. I was curious as to why you two were taking so long. I thought you'd gone swimming." teased Hannibal.

"Naw Colonel, no way that there stream would be deep enough to float BA." Faceman packed on as he too materialized out of the undergrowth.

"Be quiet, both of you! Hey who's keeping watch?" BA demanded to get the focus off his scary encounter with the krait.

"Relax, Big Guy. Everything is ready we bug out as soon as you two stop delaying the water fill up. In fact here is the Globaline iodine to treat the water." Face said passing over the tablets.

With all the supplies ready and the excitement over, the men set off to the LZ. Once again they lined up. Face took point and Hannibal assumed rear guard. They had to cover about five klicks and Murdock was due in about an hour.

"Right on schedule." Hannibal thought to himself as he surveyed his unit and their prisoner. The Colonel let his thoughts briefly settle on the Russian in their custody. "There is much more to this guy than meets the eye. Much more." he decided as he chomped down on cigar. "Can't wait to get back to base so I can actually light this thing and find my answers about Dimitri."

That was the last indulgent thought Hannibal allowed himself before going into full on commander and guard alert. They arrived, without further ado at the predetermined coordinates. Ten minutes later, right on time, Murdock swooped in to retrieve them.