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, Ivan Pedavich, Josh Curtis, and Colonel Samuel Morrison 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 questions Morrison's approach to Dimitri

From Russia with Not Quite Love: by LAGC

Chapter Seven: Morrison Deals with Dimitri?

00000000000000000

The next day began with (a clearly repentant) Murdock dutifully "repairing" the torn seams of the Team's tent. This just so happened to allow him a clear view of the comings and goings at the medical tent. The Team was curious because Morrison had not gone in to interview their patient-prisoner. BA, while reassembling an engine part outside last night, witnessed only the change of guards. Hannibal was rather curious as to why their CO hadn't yet seen Shastakovich. Now as Murdock pulled the final stitch through a perfectly sound seam he spied Morrison stride into the med tent. Murdock snapped his thread,gathered up, and carried his supplies into their hooch.

"Sammy has finally seen fit to investigate your latest present, Colonel." Murdock quietly announced.

"Well, it's about time." replied Hannibal offhandedly.

"Took that Fool long enough. Ain't there some protocols or rules about interviewing captured enemy soldiers in a timely fashion? There's always rules and regulations." BA grunted.

"Seriously, Hannibal. What is the deal with this nearly 24 hour delay?" Faceman added.

"I'm sure time will tell, Boys. Maybe Morrison wanted Dimitri to stew for a bit?" Then Hannibal added conspiratorially, "Um, Lieutenant, I do not like the look of your wound. Looks infected to me. I'm ordering you to get it medically assessed right now."

"Sir, yes, Sir." Face responded and finished off his perfect salute with his signature grin.

xxxxxxx

Upon entering the med tent Face was met by the staff nurse in charge. Face quickly stated Hannibal's orders to get his gash examined. Nurse Murphy glowered at him for coming in with such a low priority ailment. She abruptly directed Face to wait and stay out from underfoot. These instructions pleased Faceman immensely. As soon as he was sure that the staff had forgotten all about him he slinked off toward Dimitri's bed.

Approaching cautiously Face spotted two MPs lazily leaning against a spare bed, their backs to the Russian's bed. The bed was shielded from view by the white privacy curtains enveloping it, the occupant, and his visitor. That set-up hid Face from the MPs. The Lieutenant said a quick silent prayer of gratitude for these lucky breaks. He then positioned himself out of sight on a chair wedged behind the supply cabinet next to Dimitri's bed. "Gee I must have forgotten to put this chair its its proper place last time I was here." he thought to himself gleefully. Once in position he turned his full attention to his eavesdropping.

"Colonel Morrison, I anticipated our meeting and conversations." said Dimitri

"You understand of course that you're not simply a patient here, you're a prisoner of the US Army." Morrison replied curtly.

"Da, yes of course. But I see no reason to be uncivilized. Thus far I've been treated fairly, and honorably. I intend to return that favor."

Face was listening intently and wishing he could see the men's body and facial language to better gage the truth of their words. As it was the conversation felt incredibly tense and cagey. Face could hear Morrison pacing in the limited space behind the curtain.

"How did you become separated from your unit?" demanded the CO

"I fled when my comrades were ordered to arrest me for disobeying my commanding officer."

"Pedavich?"

"Da, yes."

"Why was your unit in that particular village?"

"We had been ordered to go there."

"Why!?"

"Perhaps things are different in the Army of the United States, but in Russian Army soldiers do not ask why in the event of orders. We simply follow them."

"Why were you placed under arrest?"

"I did not follow orders."

"How were you able to evade arrest by your comrades?"

"Colonel Smith's unit, the A-team I believe they are called, discovered and captured me before my comrades could do so."

This conversation continued for several minutes more. Face noted that Dimitri responded honestly to all of Morrison's questions but never revealed more information than Hannibal had already officially reported. The master conman snickered at Dimitri's skill. Morrison was becoming flustered and finally announced, "There has been a unit dispatched from central command. They will be taking over custody of you and transporting you to Saigon for official interview."

"I see." said Dimitri thoughtfully. Face could hear the patient run his fingers over his cast.

"Dr. Penn has medically cleared you for travel. The transfer should take place the day after tomorrow." Morrison stated sternly then turned on his heals and abruptly left. The two MPs returned to their post while Face slipped back toward the waiting area.

Just as he flipped open an ancient magazine lying on a chair, a lovely young nurse called out.

"Lt. Peck, the doctor can see you now."

"Good, great. Here I am." Face responded with his most charming smile.

"Does that gash hurt very much, Lt. Peck?" she asked as she reached out toward it.

Face allowed her fingers to make contact then replied,"Only when I smile but it's worth the pain to smile at you."

She blushed and reluctantly left Face alone with the doctor.

xxxxxxx

Ten minutes later, freshly bandaged and rubbing a new wound from the tetanus booster shot the doctor has given him "just in case," Faceman reported back to Hannibal and relayed all he had heard.

"Morrison sure didn't press Dimitri too hard. I get why Central Intel would want their hands on Shastakovich but I'm not understanding Morrison's apparent lack of interest." muttered Hannibal.

"Maybe Sammy doesn't have the chops to engage our Russian playmate in a round of Twenty Question, Colonel." offered Murdock from his perch on his cot.

"Perhaps...but I don't think that's it, Captain." Hannibal rose from his desk chair and grasped the papers he'd been writing on, "Seems to me that now is the perfect time to turn this document in and demand that it be attached to the reprimand placed in Murdock's file."Hannibal rose from his desk and stomped out of the tent. His three men glanced at each other knowingly.

xxxxxxx

Minutes later Hannibal again found himself knocking on Col. Morrison's door and obeying the command to enter. He exchanged proper greetings with his CO then said,

"I request this formal explanation be attached to the reprimand you're placing in Captain Murdock's file. Sir."

"Very well, Smith. I'll have my assistant see to that." When he realized Hannibal was not ready to leave just yet, Morrison asked, "Anything else, Smith?"

"Well, Yes."

"Come now John, you're not one for beating around the bush. Out with it."

"Very well then. What are your plans for Shastakovich ...Sir?

"Why are you asking?"

"Professional interest. He surrendered to my unit. We brought him in. Seems only logical I'd be interested in his value to the Army and You in particularly ."

"Why me in particularly?" Morrison demanded in an odd tone.

"Sam? Shastakovich is Pedavich's man. Pedavich is the major Russian threat to our field units. Seems to me that, as the CO of this base, you should be all over our Russian guest getting all the Intel you can! That's Intel that can protect our soldiers as well as our allies in the local villages."

"So you're telling me how to do my job now!?" dared Morrison.

"Do I need to be doing that, SIR." challenged Hannibal.

"Watch it John before you end up with a formal reprimand in your file." Morrison warned. When Hannibal refused to break his stare or recant Morrison reluctantly continued,

"Look, John. Of course you're correct. But my hands are tied. The Intelligence boys have declared Shastakovich off limits."

"But Sam, surely ..."

"John I'm not going toe to toe with CI over this. Do you, of all people, want to piss them off. Then they'll be scrutinizing every thing, every mission, every acquisition on this base. Could you're precious Team operate under that microscope?"

Hannibal took a moment and methodically lit his cigar. After a deep drag he admitted, "You've got a point there, Samuel. I guess I see the methods in your madness now."

"So we are done here then." Morrison replied with a conspiratorial smile. Hannibal nodded.

"Here John have a drink to go with that smoldering weed."

Hannibal accepted the bourbon and sank into the same chair he'd sat in yesterday morning.

Morrison covertly watched Hannibal from behind the rim of his own tumbler and stubbornly refused to reveal the relief seeping through his body.