FF A-team: Time to torture

Their latest mission had once again been a big success and everyone was relieved that it was over. This time no flying was needed, so B.A. happily drove his van back to L.A. with the Colonel in his usual seat beside him. Hannibal puffed on his cigar while glancing to the back of the van. Murdock was sprawled out on the floor sound asleep. Face was also asleep in his usual chair, but pain was etched on his handsome features. Hannibal sighed.

"You worried 'bout him too, Hannibal?"

"Hmm. He said he was fine."

"He ain't lookin' fine to me."

"That's because he isn't. The kid is just too stubborn and too proud to admit he got hurt."

"He got thrown down hard, Hannibal. Bet is them ribs of his."

"That's what I'm thinking too, B.A. I'm gonna keep my eye on him tonight just to be safe. I don't like the look on his face."

B.A. glanced in his rear-view mirror and also noticed the painful grimace on Face's face.

"I'll drop the fool off at the nut house first then drive you home."

It didn't take B.A. long to get to the V.A. building. He parked his van in a dark spot at the parking lot while Hannibal woke up Murdock.

"Up and at 'em, Captain. You're home!"

Murdock immediately sat up straight his hair sticking in all directions as he somehow lost his favorite cap while sleeping. He grabbed his cap from the floor, rubbed his tired eyes and sat in his chair for a few seconds to compose himself. He glanced sideways towards his best friend who was still sleeping and frowned.

"You're not gonna leave him alone tonight, are you Colonel?"

"No, Captain. Don't you worry. I'll keep an eye on him. You just sneak back inside and get some rest. You look like you can use some."

"I know, but I'm worried about Face."

"You ain't got nothin' to worry 'bout, fool. Hannibal is with him. He ain't goin' nowhere."

"I'll call you in the morning, Murdock, and let you know what's going on."

Murdock took one last look at his best friend, opened the sliding door of the van and snuck back to the V.A. B.A. drove the van to Hannibal's place. Face had scammed him a nice and cozy beach house. Upon arrival, B.A. parked the van around the back.

"No need to wake him, Hannibal. He'll only start to whine. I'll carry him inside."

"Good point, Sergeant."

Hannibal opened the door and got inside. B.A. followed a little while later carrying Face over his shoulder. The young Lieutenant was softly moaning in pain while being carried inside the house. Hannibal showed B.A. the way to the guest room and helped him to lay Face down on the bed. The act made him groan in pain and woke him up.

He blinked and looked around the unfamiliar room.

"You're at my place, kid. I decided you needed to spend the night."

"Hannibal … I told you .. I'm …"

"Fine? You ain't fine, Face."

"Okay, so maybe I'm a little stiff."

"Face. You have this painful look written all across your face and you just groaned in pain. Now cut the crap and tell me what's going on."

"Hannibal …"

"That's an order, Lieutenant."

"Okay, okay. My ribs are somewhat sore."

"Sore, huh. Let me have a look."

Face sighed.

"The man asked you somethin', sucka. If I have to help, you ain't gonna wear that fancy shirt no more after this. I'll rip it to shreds."

Face slowly started to unbutton his shirt.

"Speed it up, Face. He ain't got all night."

When he was finally done unbuttoning his dress shirt, Hannibal immediately noticed the black and blue bruising on Face's ribs.

"This is not nothing, Lieutenant. This is serious business."

Hannibal gently began to check whether Face's ribs were merely bruised or fractured. Face tried to pretend that he was alright, but Hannibal noticed how he held his breath at each touch.

"I think you got lucky. It seems to me that your ribs are severely bruised, but not broken. But I could be wrong. How's the pain?"

"Oh …"

He paused as he noticed B.A.'s angry scowl.

"It hurts somewhat."

"Face?"

"Fine. It hurts. A lot."

"Now, that wasn't so hard was it? B.A. get the first aid kit from the van. I'll wrap up those ribs of yours and give you something for the pain."

B.A. ran to the van to get the requested merchandise and Hannibal already handed Face a cup of water and a couple of pain pills. He ordered Face to take them straight away.

"Now, Lieutenant, be a good boy and take off your shirt and sit up so I can wrap up those ribs of yours."

Face rolled his eyes, but did as he was told. Hannibal taped him up and ordered him to get some sleep. That wasn't too difficult with the pain medication in his system. The very next morning, Face met his Colonel at the breakfast table.

"Hi, kid. How are you holding up?"

"Me? I'm just peachy, Hannibal."

"Yeah right. Who are you kidding, kid?"

He sighed. Why did Hannibal have to know him this well? The pain killers had stopped working around 2 AM and Face hadn't been able to sleep anymore due to his painful ribs. He was exhausted.

"When did the pills stop working exactly?"

"Two am."

"Why didn't you wake me up, huh? I could have given you some more pills."

"You needed your rest too, Hannibal."

"So do you. I don't like this, Face. We should get you checked out at the hospital."

"Why?"

"Well, I'm no medical expert. It might be a bit more than bruised ribs and besides I don't wanna take any risks. It's not negotiable, Lieutenant."

Face sighed.

"Have some breakfast, take a quick shower and I'll take you to the hospital."

About an hour later, Face got into the car and Hannibal drove the both of them to the hospital. Neither of them noticed that they were being followed …