Hello! I'm almost done. Hope you enjoy this next update. Please excuse my typos. I do this for fun. My life is crazy and there's barely time to fix things. The day I write a book, I'll hire an editor. LOL!
Lunaz: Thank you so much! Very appreciated. Hope you enjoy this next chapter.
MissEclipse: Thanks! I've never seen Stockwell as the bad guy. He gives the team a lot of liberties despite his position. I think it's part of the comedy of the show (in a way). He is also not an emotional man, so this is as close to emotion as I think I can get him. LOL. I've always wanted to see how Face/Ellen relationship would have worked out. The writers of the series were horrible with follow ups. I think this was the one thing lacking from the show. But then again, it was the 80's and the entertainment was different. I heard there's a new A-team show coming with a girl cast? Ridiculous if you ask me. What a horrible way to pay tribute to such a popular and yet underserved show. I wouldn't be surprised if Peppard came out of his grave and for good reason. The A-team is a guy's show. This Women's Rights thing is going overboard. LOL.
LittleMonkeyDog: I'm so glad you are enjoying the fic. I'm also enjoying yours. Whenever alerts come out, I'm already opening up the address to read!
Tania: Isn't he lovely to look at? I get goosebumps when I see him. What a dream!
Terry S: I think you are going to love the last chapter the most. Hope you continue reading! BTW, this is not the last chapter. LOL!
Chapter 7-Mr. Sandman
After carefully assessing Face's condition later that night, both physicians decided that it would be best to begin the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy after the fever broke. Luckily, by midday the next day, Face's temperature was back to normal. To assure he wouldn't wake, Jones administered a light drug to keep him sedated in case he would wake up prior to entering the chamber. The group stayed with him in his original room, while the medical staff prepared another private room that contained the cylinder chamber where he would lay for the next three days.
As the group waited, Ellen never left her brother's side. Holding his hand, she told Hannibal, "I hope this works, Hannibal."
"It will," the colonel replied firmly. "Like someone told me once—you gotta have faith."
Looking back at her brother, she smiled a little, "I hope we get the time we need to catch up. I don't know anything about him and for a time, I didn't want to."
"And now?" Murdock asked carefully.
She squeezed her brother's hand, "Now, I want to know everything." Looking at Murdock, Ellen sighed, "I was scared. I was so scared about the unknown that I didn't consider to look beyond…to see what I'd be missing. Templeton, saw what I didn't."
"Well, he's always been good at seeing possibilities," Frankie smiled.
Ellen smiled, "I'm sure."
"You should hear some of the crazy stunts that kid's been able to pull off," Hannibal shook his head. "He's quite good at acquiring the impossible."
"You remember the time Face hosted that party for a movie he wanted to make?" Murdock began laughing.
B.A. smiled as he shook his head.
"When was that?" Frankie asked as he smiled hearing the comment.
"Oh, way before we met you Kimozabee," Murdock replied as he looked at Ellen. "Face wanted to produce a movie and needed investors so he put together this lavish party, invited half of the movie industry, actors, producers, directors and just about every rich person and their mother."
This time Hannibal was now laughing, "Yeah. He was careful to invite everyone except us."
"Why?" Ellen smiled as she watched Hannibal's eyes spark at the memory.
"Because he knew he'd be in trouble if I found out," he replied, shaking his head. "I did find out. Just in time too because the military police found out where he was a little after I did."
"Yeah," BA interjected, "If Hannibal hadn't crashed that party, Face probably be sitting in jail. Decker would have made sure of that."
"Wasn't he afraid of getting caught?" Ellen asked, a bit perplexed.
"Face?" Murdock snorted. "I think at that moment he was angry about not getting the money for his movie. Knowing him, he'd find a way to escape from Decker."
Frankie laughed, "That's Face alright."
"Your brother is one who likes taking risks," Hannibal shrugged. "I've never seen him settle for second best. Maybe it was his upbringing."
"Has he ever discussed with you his childhood?" Ellen asked carefully. "His life in the orphanage."
The room became quiet for a moment before Murdock answered, "Not a lot. Sometimes he'd share with me things here and there, but I don't think he liked talking about it."
"He's never really had a constant in his life," Hannibal smiled sadly. "Unless you count us. I guess Face tried to find ways to create something consistent. Something that was his and only his. We all have family, maybe one that we can't see often, but they're there. He didn't. So, he tried finding other means of gaining consistency."
Ellen looked back at her brother and sighed, "Well, he has a constant now."
A knock on the door had them all look up as the door opened. Doctor Cartwright walked in, "We're ready."
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With all the new medical equipment needed for Face, the new room was limited in space. Three people in the room was the limit so the team took turns staying with him. The space limitation also forced them to take turns to go to the hotel and rest. Ellen herself was forced to take a shift like the others. Despite the fact that she argued with Hannibal to stay, he made her rest.
During the three days of the required therapy Face was in, Ellen learned about her brother, his military family and even herself. One evening, she decided to treat everyone to dinner. Since no one wanted to leave the hospital, they settled for the hospital cafeteria. At a table, the group shared with her stories of their past cases and clients. There was laughter, questions and even moments of sadness about events from their past. At one point of their conversation, Ellen asked a question that ignited a lot of excitement, "So, when this is all over, when you finally get your pardons, what's next for all of you?"
Frankie was the first to speak out, "Oh, that's easy! First, see my Dad again. I mean, I was pulled into this…situation. Not that I'm complaining."
"Yeah, sure," B.A grunted as he picked up his glass of milk and began drinking.
Hannibal couldn't help to laugh.
"Like I said," Frankie rolled his eyes and looked at Ellen, "I'd want to see my Dad. And, I'd like to go back to Hollywood. Continue creating movie magic…maybe study directing. I think I can give Spielberg a run for his money."
Smiling, Ellen turned to Hannibal, "How about you Colonel?"
He shrugged, "I wouldn't mind seeing my nephew and his wife. They had a little girl a few years ago. She's probably two years old by now."
"Would you go back to making movies?" Frankie asked.
"I'm not sure," he sincerely answered. "Movies like the Aquamaniac are thing of the past. I thought about consulting for some Federal Agencies. Who knows? I could go into private consulting or investigations. It's just a thought."
"You would be great at that Hannibal," Murdock nodded. "No one can put a plan together like you. The FBI, the CIA will snatch you up. Stockwell better watch out."
"Now, Murdock," Hannibal sighed. "That's something to think about. Stockwell fighting to keep me. The man can barely stand me at times."
"Because you exasperate him, Jonny," Frankie smiled.
"That's right. It's all in good fun," the white hair man laughed.
"How about you B.A?" Ellen asked as she played with her salad.
"Me," he nodded, "I'd like to go back to Chicago. Be with mamma. She's getting ahead in years and I'd like to make sure I spend all the time I can with her."
"You still want to open those youth centers?" Frankie asked.
"Yeah," he nodded in his gruff voice, "For the kids."
"A man of few words, but a big heart," Murdock mocked with a friendly tone.
"Shut up, fool!"
"What about you, Murdock?" Frankie asked.
"Well," he said shyly, "There's this girl in California. We've been talking."
Hannibal's eyes widened a little, "That's why you went to California last month?"
The crazy man nodded, "Yeah, I didn't want to say anything because we're still just trying things out. Kelly and I met a few years back, when some guys were after me. She kept me safe and we've been friends ever since."
"Friends?" Frankie smiled.
Murdock rolled his eyes, "We are taking it slow."
"Aha," Hannibal sarcastically remark.
B.A just giggled.
Ellen was laughing now. This group was amazing. They had a chemistry that she never thought existed. They weren't even family yet, they were more family than her own. Templeton was so lucky to know them. A thought came to mind, what were her brother's plans?
"Hey, guys," she began. "Did Templeton ever share with you his plans?"
"He told me he was going to produce movies," Frankie replied taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Really?" B.A. asked curiously, "I thought he was interested in real estate."
"Face?" Murdock laughed, "No way. That's too boring for someone as flashy as that muchacho. Face told me that he wanted to open up nightclubs."
"He told me he wanted to tell his story to the world," Hannibal smiled as he looked up to the ceiling mocking the phrase he had just said. "Face has a thing for sharing himself to everyone who will hear him."
"But only what he wants to tell," Murdock reminded them.
Ellen nodded and smiled. But, something bothered her. Her brother hadn't shared what he wanted with them. What did he want? Was he really as flashy as the group thought he was, or was he hiding something that he didn't want to share with the others? Ellen wondered what was true and what was not about Templeton Peck.
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Three proposed days turned into four and despite immediate worries, the team was assured that everything was going well. The physicians just wanted to make sure that Face was in perfect condition before being pulled out from the therapy.
By the morning of day five, he was back in the original room as the group congregated around him. Doctor Cartwright told them that it would take some time, but that she hoped that Face would wake up on his own soon. MRI's and CT scans showed that brain swelling was no longer an issue and brain activity was also at normal levels.
Hours of waiting turned into twenty-four hours, then forty-eight. Ellen and the group began to grow nervous.
"It's been two days, Dr. Cartwright," Ellen said when the physician came in for her day check-up of her patient.
"Ellen, I don't know what to tell you," the doctor replied sadly. "We have to be patient. Templeton has to wake up on his own. His body has gone through hell and it's not easy to come back from such abuse as the one he took. Be patient. Everything so far is looking well. Let's wait another day. If he doesn't wake up, we will begin discussing alternatives to natural consciousness."
"Which one is safer?"
"Of course, having him wake up in his own the safer option," the doctor replied. "But, we can look for other ways."
Sighing, and not feeling any better than she did before, Ellen nodded, "Alright, thank you doctor. I'll go back to my brother and we will wait as you've recommended."
"Ellen," the woman assured, "Believe when I tell you, everything is going well. But, if I find any abnormalities in the process, you will be the first to know. I promise you that."
Smiling appreciatively, Ellen nodded, "Thank you, Dr. Cartwright."
Padding her gently on her shoulder, the doctor left for her other rounds as Ellen turned back to her brother's room to wait.
As she walked in the rest of the group looked up, expecting answers. She smiled a little and shrugged, "We are just going to have to wait a little longer."
Murdock, who was sitting down next to his friend, held his hand, "Come on muchacho. I know you can do this. I know you can wake up."
XXXXXXXXXX
The evening drew to a close and the night welcomed the group with no changes. Tired and disappointed, they made themselves as comfortable as they could before calling it a night. No one wanted to leave. They all wanted to be there to welcome Face back to the world of the living, as Murdock had multiple times shared. At around a quarter past two in the morning, Ellen, who sat on chair close to her brother's bed, suddenly startled awake.
Sitting up, she looked around the room before stretching her arms. She had thought she heard something. The group was sound asleep in the remaining chairs or the sofa that occupied the room. The room wasn't dark, but the lights were dimmed in order help them sleep. Everything seemed in place.
Sighing heavily, Ellen was about to stand up and stretch a bit before she heard a very soft groan. Immediately turning to her brother, she watched as Face moved his head softly toward her.
"Templeton," Ellen leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Temp, it's me Ellen. Come back to us. Wake up, please."
Face groaned again, a little harder. Ellen took her brother's hand and squeezed. "Please Temp. Come back to me."
She could tell he was fighting to open his eyes, "I know it's hard. I know you want to sleep, but you can't. You need to come back to me. Hannibal, Murdock, B. A. and Frankie are here. They are waiting for you. I'm waiting for you. Please open your eyes. For me, for your sister."
By this time, the group woke up, but Hannibal had signaled to stay quiet. Ellen was trying to get Face to wake up. They needed to support her by staying quiet and allowing her to concentrate. She looked at Hannibal, he nodded, encouraging her to continue.
Face took a heavy breath. He waged a war with his eye lids to open. Finally, after what seemed like hours, which was in reality a few minutes, Face opened his eyes.
"Yes!" Ellen smiled as tears came out of her eyes, "Hi."
Face looked at his sister. At first, he looked like he had no idea who she was. His stare was strange, distant. Slowly, awareness triggered and his brows knitted together. Fighting hard to voice his question, Face pushed the words out of his mouth, "E…Ellen?"
She nodded, "Yes, I'm here."
Face closed his eyes in pain, "N…n…n…no. Not….s…s…s…safe. Not." With that, he took another deep breath before slipping away once again.