Good evening, sorry I've been MIA. I've been working on two other stories and I've been dividing my time between fics. Hope you like this chapter. We are almost done. And I have another A-team fic in the works as well. Oh boy! The wonders of imagination!

MissEclipse: You know, I didn't add Murdock because he is technically "not wanted" by law. But, you know. I should have. Let me see what I can come up with.

InACupFool: You are brave. I'm not watching. I loved the movie version though. I wish they would have made sequels. But a TV show. I don't think so. Hollywood has a horrendous track record when it comes to their versions of "reinventing" shows. I just don't believe in that. Be creative and come up with other shows, but don't mess with perfection. Hope you enjoy the rest of the fic. I think I have maybe one or two more chapters after this one.

LittleMonkeyDog: So, don't hate me for this chapter. LOL! But I promise a happy ending. That's a staple in all my stories. BTW, where's your next chapter? Hello!

Viskey HeroMouse: Well, it's coming! And like I said, I promise happy ending in all my fics.

Tania: Thank you. Hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Lunaz: Thank you! I always thought that Face showed superficial feelings on the show. The few times he put them out they were very poignant. I wish that concept would have been explored further.

GreyGregory14: Just wanted to let you know, I much I enjoy your stories. Thank you for reading mine.

Please excuse my typos or missed grammar. My husband is watching his fishing show in the room and for the life of me, I can't concentrate! Okay, one…maybe two chapters to go and we are done!

Chapter 8-Family Reunion

"Face!"

"Templeton!"

Both Hannibal and Ellen panicked when they watched Face close his eyes once more. And when they realized he wasn't opening them, Ellen bolted out of the room and shouted for someone to come in. It didn't take long for Doctor Jones to run in as he was the admitting physician for the floor.

When he noticed the distraught look of the occupants in the room hovering over Face's bed, he immediately went over to his patient and checked in on him, "What happened?"

"He woke up," Hannibal replied, "Said a couple of words before passing out again."

B.A. went straight to comfort the young woman who clung to him to control her sobs.

Studying the machine still hooked up to his patient, the doctor noticed much more activity from earlier on, "Lieutenant Peck," he called out. "Can you hear me?"

Face was unresponsive.

"Templeton," he called out again as he opened one of Face's eyelids. Pulling out a small flashlight from his pocket, he illuminated the patient's eye. He noticed immediately how the pupil dilated and Face groaned, pulling away from the light.

"What's going on?" Frankie asked.

Jones smiled, "He's awake."

Ellen pulled away from B.A, "What? Are you sure?"

"He's awake. You have to remember that waking up from a comatose state takes a lot of energy from the patient. The Lieutenant woke up and used so much of his energy that he passed out."

"When will he wake up again?" Murdock breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the doctor's words.

The physician shrugged, "I'm not sure. It could be in an hour or a couple of hours. Each time he wakes up, he's stay up a little longer until his body acclimates to staying awake for longer periods. But, you should all be happy to hear that he is out of the coma. Have patience with him." As the doctor said these words, he noticed the group gradually relax. Smiles appeared on their faces. He couldn't help to smile too. "Congratulations. Your friend is back."

XXXXXXXXXX

The next time Face woke up was early in the morning. It took every effort to open his eyes, that, once he finally opened them, he prayed he could maintain them open for a while. He looked around, trying to understand where he was. What happened? There was no one in the room. He had a vague memory of Hannibal and the rest of the team in the room with him. Maybe it was a dream? He wondered where they were.

It didn't take long for the door to open. Murdock walked in and immediately smiled when he saw his friend looking right at him, "Muchacho, you're awake!" His tone was one of excitement, but there was also speckles of sadness and relief.

It took a beat or two before Face could get the words out of his mouth, "Murdock." Just saying the word had tired him out.

"It's okay," Murdock walked up to him, "It's okay. Just rest Faceman. Doc says you have to rest."

"Thirsty," Face responded as his eyes began closing.

Murdock immediately provided him with some ice chips from a cup Ellen prepared in case he'd wake up thirsty.

Gently putting some into his friend's mouth, Murdock whispered, "Chew slowly."

Face did as ordered, mostly because he had no energy to go any faster. The ice did help him wake up a little. Looking at Murdock he asked in a weak tone, "What...happened?"

"You don't remember?"

He shook his head.

"The restaurant? The guys we thought were thieves?"

He looked at Murdock for a moment, the thought still jumbled in his head, "They…shot me?"

"Yeah," Murdock nodded. "You've been in a coma for over a week."

Face closed his eyes again, he felt so tired. Sighing heavily to force himself to stay awake, "Where are...the others?"

As if remembering them, Murdock's eyes widened, "They're right outside, let me get them." Quickly, he ran out the door and called the group who stood by the hall way.

Face felt himself growing tired again. He couldn't help it, sleep beckoned him, but he didn't want to fall asleep again without at least seeing the rest of the guys. He tried desperately to keep himself up and was glad when he watched them walk in.

"Kid," he heard Hannibal's voice, "Glad to see you're back."

"Hmmm," he fought his eyelids to remain open.

"Faceman, about time my man," Frankie smiled.

"You finally up, fool," BA nodded as he smiled. "Glad you okay Faceman."

"Glad to… see you too," Face whispered with a weak nod.

"Templeton?"

The woman's voice shocked Face enough to snap his eyelids open. That voice. So familiar. When he focused enough around the room to see everyone, he noticed the one person he never expected to see again, "Ellen?"

"Hi," she smiled as she gently sat on the edge of the bed. "You had me worried sick."

Face didn't understand what he suddenly felt. He should have felt happy, elated actually. His sister was there. She cared enough to go and see him, but something was off. The fact that Ellen was there scared him. He must have been in real bad shape to make her come.

She had been right. His life was too dangerous for her. She didn't belong with him. She needed to get the hell away from him as fast as possible.

Ellen must have noticed the stress on his face because she immediately asked, "Templeton? Are you okay?"

He wanted to tell her so many things, but he felt extremely tired and his eyes began to close, "What…are you…doing here?"

"I needed to see you," Ellen answered taking his hand. "I was wrong."

"No," he whispered, his eyes now closed. "You're…not. Go home, Ellen."

"No," Ellen answered gently but firmly, "Rest. But, I'm staying here by your side. You're my brother. I love you."

Face didn't answer. He was out again and Ellen wasn't even sure he had heard her state the last two sentences. Murdock walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulders, "Don't worry. He said it to protect you."

"I know," she answered. "But, I just realized that it is going to take a lot to convince him otherwise."

XXXXXXXXXX

The next time Face woke up, he had noticed it had become easier to open his eyes. This time, the room was dim and the absence of the bright lights was gladly welcomed. Sighing heavily, he attempted to rise. It was more of an unconscious thought. The action cost him dearly. Immediately he felt a pain radiating from his stomach to his chest. Gasping, he immediately felt someone at his side.

"Temp!"

Ellen gently pulled her brother back on to the bed, "You can't do that! The doctor said that you can't make any sudden moves just yet. Your recuperation is going to take a couple of weeks. You know, the doctors have missed every time you've woken up. Let me call them so they can check you before you tire out again."

Looking up at his sister, Face asked, "Why are..you still...here, Ellen?"

The younger woman looked at him with hurtful eyes, "Please, Templeton. Don't turn me away. I realize I was wrong."

His blue eyes, although tired, held a painful and melancholy look that hit her heart. Shaking his head lightly, Face replied in a weak tone, but his resolve to get the words out was firm, "I'm not...turning you away. I'm...protecting you. Ellen... you were right. I…I'm a danger to...you." He paused for a moment, breathing deeply before continuing, "It is better...that you stay away...from me."

Ellen, about to speak, was stopped by him "Look at me! I got shot...while having dinner...with friends. Not...even...a job. A damn…dinner! I can't offer you…anything, but pain. I love you... too much...to put you...in harm's way."

"No! Don't say that," she shook her head. She walked away from him to gather her thoughts for a moment, before turning to him with a tenacious gaze, "Richard. That's who you are. Richard Bancroft. My brother. The only family I have. I lost you six months ago, by choice and I almost lost you again by circumstance. I won't lose you again. You have no idea what I felt the night Murdock called me. When I thought I lost you, I realized what a horrible mistake I'd made. And when he told me you were still alive, but no one knew for how long, I hated myself for what I did. I turned you away for my own selfish reasons."

"You made...the right decision," Face interjected. "Don't beat–"

"You're wrong, Richard! I know it's hard for you to understand, but I've changed. You've helped me change, your friends have helped me change. I made a horrible decision and I've been given a chance to rectify it. You're not getting rid of me that easy. You're my brother. I love you. Don't you be the one to reject this second chance at a family."

Face closed his eyes for a moment before he opened them again. God he was tired. He didn't understand why as soon as he woke up, he tired so quickly after saying just a few words. But this time, he wasn't going to give in to sleep so easily. He wanted to know why Ellen kept pushing so hard at something she was adamant would not happen six months prior. He looked at his sister, trying to find a loophole in what she had just told him, "What about…my life?"

She nodded, understanding what he meant, "I'll admit it is not going to be easy, but we can make it work."

"Wishful..thinking," he replied sarcastically. "And by the way...it's Templeton. I've never been...Richard. I have no idea...who he was or...what he would...have become." He paused for a moment before speaking again, "I should have...never pushed you Ellen. I regret even...telling you...we are related. You shouldn't...have known. My life is...too damn...complicated. The..last thing...I want to do...is hurt my...little sister. I can't…I won't. Please, go."

His last words were a mere whisper before he fell asleep, but Ellen heard every one of his words. She shook her head with regret.

"Don't give up on him."

A male voice made her turn around.

Ellen looked at the white haired man that stood by the door, "I'm not. I just don't know how to reach him. How do I convince him otherwise?"

Hannibal walked up closer to her and put his hand on her shoulder, "This is just his way of protecting himself."

"What do you mean?"

Sighing, the older man answered, "As a group, we decided that we wouldn't share this with you unless it was absolutely necessary. And after hearing Face just know, I think I have to."

"I don't understand what you are telling me Hannibal," Ellen said perplexed.

"After you told him…well, what you told him. Face got really depressed. Yeah, he still played his typical self pretty well to those on the outside, but we all knew he wasn't himself at all. Your rejection…well, it affected him harder than we thought."

"I'm sorry–"

"We don't blame you Ellen," Hannibal chimed in. "You were as much a victim of circumstance as he was. I'm just telling you this so you understand why he's turning you away. He's afraid of putting you in danger. And, he's afraid you'll reject him again. His entire life has been about rejection. First, his parents, then the love of his life, Leslie. And up until a few days ago, you."

Ellen nodded, but them she looked up at Hannibal curiously, "Leslie?"

Hannibal smiled a little, "Yeah, I'll let him tell you that story. the thing is that he's basically been rejected by most of the people in his life. He guarding himself from getting hurt."

"Then," she sighed heavily, "Hannibal, I don't know what to do."

"I think I do," he suddenly told her. "You may not like it at first, but I think it's the only way to get him to change his mind."

"What is it?"

"Do what he told you," Hannibal answered. "Go home."