They both obliged and Hannibal begin to share the news on Face and discuss the next plan of action.
"Maggie came in the room a few minutes ago and updated me on Face's condition. Her diagnosis was correct. She confirmed that Face will not regain his sight." He waited a few minutes to let this heartbreaking bit of information sink into his men's heads.
BA spoke first. "Well Hannibal, ya know we already agreed that we will deal with that. He's staying with us."..there was venom behind the gruff voice.
"Yes, I know Sergeant, there is no question there. Calm down."
"Then why are we just sitting here talking about it for?"
"Yeah, Hannibal" Murdock cut in. "Is there something else?"
Noting that Hannibal needed to calm his men down and ease their minds, he responded quickly and calmly.
"Nothing that we didn't expect, Captain, and nothing that we can't deal with. He could have some issues with his kidneys, recurring headaches, possibly seizures and possible hearing loss. Maggie couldn't really say with any certainty. We just have to be ready and watchful for anything that may arise and we will deal with any problems as they arrive. I just wanted to discuss our next move, we have to do this together, guys. We can't stay here too much longer, we're already taking more of a chance than I am comfortable with, we've stayed too long as it is. Maggie wants to check Face's hearing in a couple of weeks. If you both agree I am going to ask her to check it in a week and see where we stand there. Then we're going to have to decide our next move."
Murdock had his hat in hands, twisting it madly, something he had been doing a lot lately. "I agree, Hannibal, we have to move,
but where do we go? Face needs time to try to get his bearings and we all need time to get our heads on straight."
"Yeah man" BA spoke from his corner on the porch. "Faceman needs to start learning how to live like this. We just can't dive into missions straight off. He needs time to adjust."
Hannibal nodded grateful that both guys were on the same wave length. "Right guys. So, we just have to decide where to go. Somewhere with a sparse population, favorably in the country, with no neighbors to become suspicious or recognize us from photos.
I remember Maggie offering us the use of one of her friend's hunting cabins, I believe she said it was up north and I know it is secluded."
"Let's ask her if that deal is still available, then"..Murdock said as he shook his hat and put it back on."
BA nodded his agreement as Hannibal also nodded and walked back inside to find the Dr. BA and Murdock followed behind.
Maggie was found in the kitchen and Hannibal asked her if they could talk for a minute.
She motioned all three men to the table and brought them coffee, then settled down herself.
"Remember when you offered us that cabin?" Hannibal begin..
"Yes I do, and the offer is still good, the man who owns it is a good friend and patient of mine. I have the keys in my dresser.
He's an elderly man with no children and can no longer use it himself, so he just gave me the keys and told me to consider it mine anytime the need or desire should arise."
Hannibal looked at her and wondered what her answer to his next question would be. He felt he could not take NO for an answer though, it was too risky. So instead of asking, he announced. "Maggie, we have to take Face and go to the cabin by next week,
we have no choice."
Maggie thought it was too soon, but she knew Hannibal was right. They'd already been at the clinic too long.
"You know it's too soon, Hannibal. I would feel much more comfortable if you stayed another week. But, I know it's not possible
You will have to watch him closely, if he develops fever or any other sign, call me immediately. Try to monitor his urine output and make sure he drinks plenty of fluids. We know he has sustained kidney damage, but I do not yet know if it will require treatment. It can be extremely dangerous if his kidneys do not work correctly. I will do a hearing test before you leave. He seems to be able to hear okay, but I'd prefer to do the test anyway. He may have persistent headaches, so keep a stock of over-the-counter pain medication with you. I don't want to get him started on prescription pain meds, it can be addictive. He may have seizures, this is one of the complications that come with the disease. If he has a large number of seizures, call me. Feel free to call me for any reason or concern. I don't like him leaving this soon, but I do understand that it is necessary. You guys need to watch him like a hawk for the first week."
"We will guard him with our lives, Maggie, you have my word on that."
The week passed and Face slowly begin to get stronger and stayed awake for longer periods of time, as the antibiotics were lessened.
The hearing test was done and Maggie announced that there was a slight hearing loss, but nothing drastic and nothing that she felt required more attention, at least not at the time. She wanted to test it every six months, if possible, to keep tabs on it.
On the seventh day after the decision had been made, Hannibal went into Face's room where he found him to be awake and seemingly staring at the ceiling. His head arched to the door when he heard it open.
"It's just me, kid."
"Oh, hey Hannibal. I was just laying here wondering if Billy might be a guide dog or could be trained to be one.". A small smile was on the handsome face.
Hannibal smiled at this, then realized that Face could not see him, so he chuckled and spoke. "I don't know, Lieutenant, we'll have to ask Murdock that one."
"If Billy isn't a guide dog, maybe he has a friend.". The smile crept onto the face again.
"Maybe so, you never know with Murdock."
Hannibal was happy to see that Face was trying to take this in an upbeat manner.
"How do you feel, Face?"
"I feel a lot better. Still weak and not 100 percent, but a world better than I did a week ago."
"That's good, kid. Listen, we need to get out of here. We're sitting ducks. Maggie has use of a cabin that she is going to loan us and we are going to head there. It's a long trip, Face, and may be uncomfortable for you, but if you are up to it we will leave in the morning. What do you think?"
"I can make it, Hannibal. I'm ready when you are."
"Okay, we leave in the morning then. I'll go tell BA and Murdock and we'll get the van packed and ready to go"
With this, Hannibal started to walk out, Face's voice stopped him, quiet and fearful.
"What did Maggie say about my vision?"
Since Face had been fully alert and coherent, this was the first time he had asked about his sight. Hannibal continued to face the door for a moment, thinking of his response before turning around and going to the bed. He touched Face's arm to let him know he was there and then relayed the information Maggie had given him.
"She said it was permanent Face, I'm sorry."
He watched as his Lieutenant tried to control his emotions, then watched as the tears started to leak from his eyes. Hannibal wasn't sure what to say, so he just pulled Face to a sitting position and hugged him close as the tears poured from the sightless eyes. Hannibal felt like crying along with him. He thought about what it must be like to suddenly wake up and no longer be able to see. It tore his heart out and made him angry that Face had to endure this.
Finally Face pulled back and apologized for loosing his cool, angrily wiping the tears away.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Kid. If there was any way I could bring your sight back, I'd do it. But, I can't Face.
What I can do though is promise we're all going to go through this together. We never leave a member behind, remember? Plus, you're still a needed member of this team, who wouldn't give a blind man what he needed?" Hannibal hoped this was taken in the humorous and light hearted manner that it was intended.
His wish was granted as Face broke into a smile and then a laugh. "Good point, Colonel"
Hannibal grinned and then remembered to chuckle again *gotta learn to make sure the kid knows what my face looks like*. "Gotta think upbeat kid. But just know that regardless of how you had come out of this, we would never dream of not keeping you with us. That's what a family does, kid."
Face smiled and with that, Hannibal patted his leg and told him he was going to find the guys and get the van packed and ready.
"Rest, Face. We have a long ride in store."