46 Things Don't Change

AN: The songs Murdock sings in this chapter are "Sky Pilot" (1968) by Eric Burdon and the Animals, "Break on Through (to the Other Side)" (1967) by The Doors and "American Pie" (1971) by Don Maclean. I know "Sky Pilot" is really about a military chaplain that feels the weight of responsibility on his shoulders when he has to encourage the troops being sent into battle, but it seemed like something Murdock might sing.

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

"Sky-y-y-y . . . pilot . . . sky-y-y-y pilot
How high can ya fly?
You'll never, never, never reach th' sky."

The singer belted out the chorus before gasping in a few breaths interspersed with quieter half-moans. Taking a deeper breath, he began the chorus again.

"Sky-y-y-y . . . pilot . . . sky-y-y-y pilot . . . "

B. A. scowled in the rear view mirror and growled. He couldn't see the man making the noise. "Hannibal! Does the fool gotta sing that over an' over like that?" He snorted when Hannibal smiled at him.

Here we go again. Even when he isn't feeling the best, Murdock can't resist rattling B. A.'s cage.

The older man looked with mild concern at the weakened pilot laying on the floor.

"Captain, it might be a good idea if you found a different song to sing."

Hannibal saw the pilot's face tighten for a few seconds as the van hit a small bump in the road. He raised an eyebrow and patted his jacket pocket for the syringe and vial of morphine.

As the 'doctor' in charge of Henry Merchand's case, he appropriated all the antibiotics and painkillers he thought they would need before they sneaked out through the hospital delivery doors. The pretty nurse Murdock had frightened away was more than willing to allow the 'doctor' to administer the drugs the patient required. She had been very helpful.

Who said I couldn't charm them as well as Face?

He smiled faintly, then grew serious as the pilot's face paled. "You're in pain. Do you need something for it?"

"Naw. I'm good." Murdock swallowed heavily, his eyes losing focus for a few seconds. Slinging his uninjured arm across his face, he mumbled, "Jus' tell th' Big Guy he don' get t' pick out th' songs on this jukebox."

He took a shaky breath and paused for a moment, staring up at the dome light on the ceiling of the van. "Helps me keep 'wake, keep focused." He raised his voice as he spat, "'N' if you don' like it, B. A. . . . " He turned a pair of pleading brown eyes on Hannibal. "I gotta stay focused, Hann'bal. You understan', don'tcha?"

B. A. grunted in mock displeasure but turned worried eyes on the man beside him in the passenger's seat.

The older man frowned. "You're sure you don't want . . . "

"No!" For a few seconds Murdock's eyes flashed darkly at his CO. Then the pilot forced an unconvincing grin on his face to soften the harsh answer. "B'sides, I gotta keep th' Big Guy from fallin' 'sleep on th' road, don' I?"

The Colonel shook his head in frustration.

I can't force him to take something he doesn't want to take. But I will make him take his other meds on schedule.

Hannibal scanned the chart he had taken with them to figure out the next dosage and time for the prescribed antibiotic.

"I told ya, Hannibal. Shoulda waited until he got some of the crazy outta his system b'fore we took him outta there." B. A. scowled ahead at the road and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"'Cordin' t' you, that woulda been years." Murdock sniffed slightly and then took a deep breath.

"Ya know th' day d'stroys th' night
Night d'vides th' day
Tried t' run
Tried t' hide
Break on through t' th' other side
Break on through t' th' other side
Break on . . . "

"Hannibal!" The Sergeant protested the new song with even more pressure applied to the steering wheel.

Murdock interrupted his own singing.

"Don'tcha like Th' Doors? I can fin' somethin' else. I know a buncha good ones."

The Colonel rolled his eyes at the banter between them.

I think I know the real reason he wants to stay awake. He has to see Face and Melody for himself to know they're alive. Just hope we don't walk in on something.

"But I put th' quarter in this jukebox 'n' I get t' say what I'm gonna sing to," Murdock added, a small grimace on his face as he shifted positions and sat up. "How long b'fore we get there, Hann'bal?"

"It shouldn't be any more than seven or eight minutes, Captain. Don't worry. Melody is taking care of Face. I'm sure she's doing a good job." He said the words before he thought about what he was saying and realized only when Murdock frowned and gave him a skeptical look how the reassurance could be taken.

"Wonder how good o' job," the pilot muttered. "Okay, guess I got 'nough time t' play one more song." He lifted his hand and went through the motions of putting a coin in a slot. The trembling fingers didn't escape Hannibal's attention and he sighed.

"Ka-chunk." With a series of hand motions and clicks of his tongue, Murdock made the sounds of a selection button being pressed and a record being brought over in the invisible machine.

Hannibal smiled and leaned back in his seat.

Pretty good impression, I'd say.

B. A. groaned as Murdock sang.

"Long, long time ago
I can still r'member how that music used t' make me smile.
'N' I knew if I had my chance, that I could make those people dance . . .
'N' maybe they'd be happy for a while . . . "

Eight minutes later, B. A. pulled up in front of the motel unit and quickly left the van. The last strains of Murdock's song followed him as he pounded on the door.

"They were singin', Bye, bye, Miss Amer'can Pie
Drove mah Chevy to th' levee, but th' levee was dry
Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey 'n' rye,
Singin' this'll be th' day . . ."

"We're here, Captain," Hannibal said but Murdock had passed out.