They reached homebase and Hannibal delivered BA to the medics, personally, and against his sergeant's express, vociferous protests. "It already stopped bleeding!" he claimed, and it was almost the truth.

By Hannibal's judgement it would take maybe another five minutes. But he was not going to have any of this. "I don't care, you get that cleaned and properly wrapped. There's nothing else for you to do today anyway, you may as well have yourself checked out."

BA scowled. He prided himself in being strong and invincible. Even more so since they got out of the POW-camp. Having an injury that needed medical attention went against all that.

"Sergeant," Hannibal said, his tone softening just a little, "Murdock's flying me over to Saigon in a bit, to deliver our purchase of today. There's nothing you can do there. So have your head checked, and then enjoy your time off. I believe there's a banged up jeep around here somewhere with your name on it."

BA fought against it, but it was a losing battle. The prospect of getting out of a flight - two flights, actually - lifted his mood, and a grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "Alright," he gave in.

Hannibal had a hard time hiding his own grin. BA was so easiy to handle.

"Face, whatcha say? Have a night-out in Saigon?" Murdock asked with a sideways glance at Hannibal who did not protest the offer.

Face did not care much for a night-out,but he had nothing against one either. So he just shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

A few hours later Hannibal left to deal with the top brass after wishing them a good time.

"So, what now?" Murdock asked adventurously and with a broad smile and sparkling eyes.

"I don't know about you, but I'm heading for that hotel and get some rest."

"Rest?!" Murdock protested like he was personally insulted by the word. "Face, it's only six in the evening, the sun hasn't even set!"

"So?" Face challenged.

"So?! That's way too early for rest! I'm sure there's quite some adrenaline still floating round in your body after today's mission. You gotta get rid of that."

"Murdock, do whatever you think you have to do, but don't count me in. I'm off." Face sniffed indignantly and started walking.

"Face, don't get upset. Care if I join you?"

Face shook his head no, although he'd rather Murdock left him alone. He didn't want him around, because he was a total wild card, anything could happen.

Their hotel was about ten minutes from their position. By the time they reached it Murdock had talked Face into having a drink, just one. So they dived into a bar, just across the street. Murdock ordered two whiskys. They sat down at a small table and sipped their drinks in silence for a while.

"No Trin Thi, Murdock. What you gonna do tonight?" Face teased with a nasty undertone after the first half of his drink. But Murdock stayed calm. Face should have known; it was practically impossible to irritate Murdock. "Find yourself another chick?" Face went on, nonetheless. He really wanted Murdock to be irritated, wanted him to get pissed, so he would rush off; or so he could gracefully back out himself. But Murdock did not go with that plan, but calmly ordered two more drinks.

"I agreed to one drink."

"One, two, what's the difference?"

"One."

Murdock shrugged. "Just go ahead, Face. My treat."

"What else?" Face emptied his first glass. After a moment's hesitation he took a sip off the second glass. It tasted good. Good whisky was rare in Vietnam. Mostly it was some cheap brew, about as close to real whisky as noon was to midnight. But this, this was good stuff. So when Murdock ordered a third round, Face didn't protest.

After that Murdock ordered another round and another and... Face lost count.

It was a while after midnight, and they were both fairly drunk, when they finally left the bar and walked the few steps to the hotel. Hannibal was already there, not that they saw much of him, but where else would he be? Murdock was giggling uncontrollably. About what, Face didn't know. Perhaps some inside joke, just inside Murdock. But to see Murdock that cheery brightened up his own mood.

The receptionist was... well, elsewhere.

"What now?" Face asked.

"Steal a room," Murdock answered, still giggling. He stretched over the counter and got hold of a key.

"It's not stealing, Murdock, we're Army, we're requisitioning," Face lectured, but then halted. "It's not even requisitioning, 'cause we're gonna pay in the morning." Face took the key from Murdock and watched Murdock trying to fish for another one, but there was no other one.

Murdock shrugged apologetically. "Mind sharing?"

Face didn't. He was sharing with Murdock every night. Why should he suddenly care?

Murdock nodded satisfied and followed Face upstairs.

The room was small with only one bed. And that fact sobered Face up a bit. "Murdock, we've got a problem," he said.

"Why, bed's big enough for the two of us." Murdock closed the door behind him.

"Murdock, please go and get another key," Face asked.

But Murdock shook his head. He took off his boots and went over to the bed. "There's no more keys, remember? And I'm tired. Night, Face." He lay down, pulling the cover over him.

Face stood at the door and considered his options. He could go downstairs and see if there was another key, after all. Or he could stay. The bed was indeed big enough for two. Or he could sleep in the only chair in the room, but that looked neither comfortable nor stable.

"What's taking you," Murdock asked, "you coming or not?"

"Yeah, yeah, coming." Face slowly walked over to the bed, took off his boots, took off his jacket. He lifted the cover, and lay down. He could feel Murdock's body heat beside him.

He lay awake.

TBC