Guard Duty

Disclaimer: I do not own The A Team movie or television series or any of the delightful characters found on The A Team.

Maggie peeked over the edge of her newspaper at Hannibal as they sat across from each other at her kitchen table.

The Colonel had driven to Bad Rock with the thought of taking the doctor out for a late lunch. When he arrived, he found Maggie had to stay close to home. One of her patients, Amanda Sunderson, had called and reported labor pains that were mild and sporadic but promised to increase in intensity and become closer together as the day progressed.

John understood. "Just as long as we're together, we can enjoy each other's company no matter what we do."

The hint of a smile tweaked the corners of her mouth and her dark eyes grew softer. Evidently, that included sharing Maggie's copy of the Los Angeles Times over coffee and homemade blueberry scones.

He was unaware of the tender look she gave him as he read the sports section.

It's moments like this that I think it wouldn't be too bad settling down with him and living the rest of our days together. But he can't, maybe never, and both he and I know it.

She sighed and rose from the table, cup in hand. "Want some more coffee, John?"

Absently he picked up his own mug and gulped the last of the contents before handing it to her. "Sure." He glanced up, caught the last of her loving appraisal of him and laid the paper on the table. His eyes twinkled with amusement as she turned her back to him.

"Oh, Maggie?"

Holding a cup in either hand, she was unprepared when he hooked his arm around her waist. With a mischievous grin, he pulled her backwards onto his lap.

She gasped in surprise just before his lips cut off her breath.

"Now how am I going to fill your cup sitting here?" she murmured as he went in for a longer kiss.

"You can't, but this beats sugar in my coffee."

Putting the cups down on the table, she wrapped her arms around his neck and playfully rumpled his hair. "What am I ever going to do with you, Colonel Smith?"

"I don't know, Captain Sullivan, but I have a few suggestions." He smirked and ran his thumb along her cheek. Rather than argue she gave him another smaller kiss and stood up.

She was on her way to the enamelware coffee pot on the stove when the doorbell rang, followed by an urgent series of knocks.

Setting both cups on the counter-top, Maggie glanced back at Hannibal, a questioning frown on her face. The pregnant patient was expected to call before she came in to be delivered.

The Colonel drew his pistol from his shoulder holster and gestured toward the bathroom. She waited until he ducked inside and behind the door.

Only then did she hurry to the front door to open it.

Her expression turned grim. Framed by the doorway, a woman in a torn house-dress hunched in front of her. Both arms defensively hugged a swollen belly. The patient's stringy blonde locks hung over her face and hid her eyes until Maggie stroked back the disheveled hair.

"Amanda!" There was no time to do more than quickly note the marks around the woman's neck, the bruised cheek and gashed chin.

In seconds, she had one arm around her patient's waist as she desperately tried to prevent Amanda from collapsing onto the floor.

"John!" she called as the injured woman sagged against her. The pregnant patient whimpered as her belly hardened with a contraction.

"Breathe quick panting breaths. Ride out the pain. You can do it!" she ordered as she guided Amanda toward the examination room on the first floor.

"I've got her!" Hannibal appeared on the woman's other side and, with one sweeping movement, lifted her up into his arms. He saw the same injuries Maggie had observed and tightened his jaw in anger. "After you, Doc," he muttered.

Laying the patient gently on the examination table, the Colonel turned to Maggie. "Will you need assistance?"

The former Captain sensed discomfort at what Hannibal clearly must have thought was a "woman's domain."

"I'm a physician, John. If I can't deliver a baby by myself, I should go back to medical school." Glancing at Amanda who rested against the starched white pillow until the next contraction, Maggie drew the Colonel out of earshot. "I would like you to keep your eyes and ears open for trouble. If I'm right, Amanda's boyfriend Russell Fox may try to get in here to see her."

Hannibal narrowed icy blue eyes at the bruises around the woman's throat and face and then gazed at Maggie's worried expression. "I take it you believe he's responsible."

The doctor nodded. "It wouldn't be the first time I had to treat her for something he did to her."

"His baby too?" The Colonel's voice was a menacing growl that the doctor thought would make even B. A. stop what he was doing if he heard it.

Amanda began to clench the sides of the exam table as another contraction started. "Doc!" she rasped.

Maggie turned to help the young woman. "Yes, but the way he's treated her you would think he wanted to see it dead."

"He won't get within a foot of her, Doc. I promise both of you that." Without another word Hannibal left the room and closed the door on the two women. Maggie heard the sound of a chair being dragged across the floor and placed just outside the room.

oooooo

To Be Continued