Josta

I am no doctor and the only thing I know about medicine is that you can take an aspirin when you've got a headache. All medical actions in this story are therefore totally, completely and utterly non-sense.

BA lays his hands on Murdock's shoulders.

"Easy, buddy, I'm right here."

Murdock doesn't hear him: he's having a terrible panic attack….. BA forces him to look at him.

"Look at me, I'm here! Listen to me, man! I'm right here with you, it's okay! Nothing's the matter! I won't leave you….." He still doesn't get a reaction and BA can think of nothing else than to hold Murdock in his arms, all the while talking to him reassuringly. Slowly Murdock calms down, but he clings to BA, panting in fear.

Hannibal, Face and Kelly come running in, startled by the commotion.

"What's going on, BA?"

"He was having a nightmare. He's all upset! If I ever lay my hands on those bastards….."

They look at Murdock worried and pitiful. He's still shaking and panting and clinging to BA like he'll never let go again. Each of them would take over his suffering if they could, but that's not an option!

Kelly administers a sedative so Murdock calms down and can get some more sleep because that's the thing he needs most so he will be able toget up and about again. "This should keep him calm for awhile," she assures the others.

She was right because Murdock sleeps for twenty-four hours before he wakes up again. He still doesn't want to eat, but they manage to get some fluids into him. After that he falls asleep again, exhausted from the effort, but that's good for him. Rest, rest and more rest, that's all he needs.

It's good Kelly has a double bed in the guestroom; otherwise BA could never last long. Now he's able to sleep at night without having to leave Murdock who regularly startles awake to see if BA is still with him. The nightmares keep haunting him and one night, when Hannibal comes to check on them, it appears BA had to let Murdock sleep in his arms to assure him he won't leave. That's something he's unconsciously very afraid of. Murdock is hiding away in BA's arms like a scared child. His nerves are heavily shocked; he's lost all confidence and has withdrawn completely. BA is the only one who can still reach him…..

"He's not doing well, Hannibal! He just can't cope; he's terribly scared, I'm afraid he's going to have a heart attack."

"Don't leave him even for a second, BA. Your presence alone can help him. He's got great faith in you."

They are very worried about Murdock's injuries; physically he's going to be okay, but mentally he's had to endure too much. Undoubtedly it will take a lot of time to heal.

But, after six days of anxious suspense a great transformation has occurred: when BA wakes up, Murdock is standing besides the bed. Though a little shaky, he's actually standing! "Hey, man! What are you doing out of bed? Shouldn't you be lying down?"

"I don't know how to lie anymore. Do you know where Kelly is? I want to ask her permission to take a shower."

"You lie back down again and then I'll see if I can find her. She'll have to remove the bandages first to examine your wounds."

Murdock impatiently does as he's told and a moment later Kelly comes in.

"Well, what do I hear? You're doing better? Come and sit up, so I can take the bandages off."

This very moment Hannibal enters.

"Morning, captain, how do you feel?"

"Like my own grandfather, only thirty years older. I'm terribly rusty, but I think it's going okey dokey otherwise."

Kelly has removed the bandages and is satisfied with the healing progress. "It's alright for you to take a bath, but try to keep those gunshot wounds dry. They're not completely closed yet. Your back is better than expected. If you promise to take it easy, you may stay out of bed for an hour."

He is a little disappointed but hides it well. One hour? Only one hour? That's nothing, is it? Yes, it is! But he only notices when he stumbles to the bathroom like an old man. It's disappointingly difficult. A hundred yards hurdle-race isn't something he will be able to do in the near future!

He doesn't last the whole hour, but it's a start.

Since he's making progress at last, the others can finally turn their attention to the bounty hunters. They are still to get their just deserts!

"Got a plan yet, colonel?" Face wants to know.

"Yes, Face. We must find out where Decker is. We need him to pick up the pieces after we're finished. But we can't all leave, that's pretty obvious. I don't want to take the risk of those goons getting back here to finish the job to only find two women and a wounded man."

"Okay, man, let them come….. I'll be here with open arms!" It is all too clear: BA is mad! Mad because of all the things those men did to Murdock and mad because he's unable to help his friend who is going through hell all over again.

Physically he will be fine, but he's lost a lot of weight caused by stress, pain and not eating. He still isn't eating and often retreats in his own little world where he's unreachable to the others, sometimes even to him!

That's why BA hopes the bounty hunters do come back, preferably at a moment Murdock can think straight so he can witness his attackers suffering for what they did to him; maybe that can give him a mental push…..

Together they go the guest room to discuss their plans. They also want Murdock to be part of the operation, but he isn't in the guest room. They get slightly worried, but then they notice Kelly and Homer are gone too. They hear the dog barking somewhere in the garden, but it doesn't sound as a warning and when they go out to see what's going on, they see Murdock sitting on the garden bench throwing a stick which Homer fetches and retrieves. Kelly is looking at the scene from a distance, careful not to be seen by Murdock. She goes back inside, leaving Murdock and Homer to their game.

The others meet her and look at her questioningly. She laughs.

"Never underestimate the therapeutic power of animals. If someone can help him to get over his experiences, it's Homer. They like each other."

They look at the pair in the garden. They seem to be having a serious conversation. That's to say: Murdock is talking and Homer is listening very attentively; his head slightly tilted and his ears pricked up. Hannibal turns and smiles.

"Let's hope it works. Homer lends an ear and what's more important….. He can keep a secret!"

"That's a fact," Kelly says blushing, "I for one am glad he can't talk." The only one she's told about her secret love for Murdock is Homer. Little does she know that right this very moment one of the things Homer hears is that a certain H.M. Murdock has fallen head over heels for his mistress…..

They hear Homer barking again and when they turn to see why, they see Murdock slowly walking to the house, the dog jumping around him like an elated puppy.

"Physically he's recovering much faster than I would have expected," Kelly says. "All things considered he should have died after such injuries."

Hannibal thinks back to the moment he was alone with Murdock, when BA and Face were getting the Van and he thought Murdock would die just there and then. "Murdock is tough, he doesn't die easily." Hannibal is lost in thoughts for a moment. "Face, I've got a job for you."

Face looks at him expectantly.

"You go to the cabin of those bounty hunters and wait for them to come home if they aren't there yet. If they are there or get there, whatever happens first, you call us. Make sure they don't leave until I tell you to lure them here to get the dressing down of their lives before Decker arrives."

Kelly looks at him stupefied. "How do you plan to get Decker here?"

He laughs. "You call him and tell him you've seen us. Just watch him run!"

BA looks hopeful. "What are we going to do?"

"We will get the Van ready."

Murdock comes in with Homer. He's looking tired, but not as vacant as in the last few days. With his physical condition getting better he's able to mentally deal with the events too.

"Good morning, captain. Do you think you are able to help us?"

Before he can answer the question, Kelly flares up. "No way! He is in no condition to fight! He's going straight to bed, before he collapses."

"I really love the way the corners of your eyes scrunch up when you get angry." Murdock says grinning, but since he's really very tired he does as he's told and goes to bed. Hannibal looks at Kelly apologetically.

"I don't intend to let him fight, but we have to build something so we can takea firm line with those bounty hunters. I want him to help with that so he has the idea he's working on their downfall. I guess that's very important to him."

She nods. "I shouldn't have flown of the handle like that, but….. Well, you know how it is….."

Indeed he does, he's a perceptive man and it's very clear to him they're both hiding their feelings. Why Murdock does this he knows of course but he doesn't understand it from Kelly. Why doesn't she want them to know she more than likes Murdock? He doesn't ask her though, in the end it's better this way. "We've got time enough. When he's rested he can help."

After exactly four hours Murdock gets up. Under the circumstances he's looking well. Although skinnier than ever, he's lost a lot of weight, he seems very alert. He seems to have everything in order now, which they are very glad about. Hannibal explains what he wants done with the Van and they cheerfully start working.

BA keeps a very close eye on Murdock to make sure he doesn't strain too much. Although he likes to call him names like "idiot" and "crazy fool", the last week has taken it out of him. He is extremely glad Murdock is doing better now and he wants to make sure nothing endangers the progress he is making. They work on steadily. The Van gets equipped with a remotely controlled, revolving double machine gun which is stationed behind the grill.

When they're ready, Hannibal orders BA and Murdock to guard the road from atop the hill behind Kelly's house. You never know if those bounty hunters might arrive earlier than expected. There's no certainty that Face will find them at home and Hannibal doesn't want to be taken by surprise. That's happened too often in the past. He looks at Murdock from the corner of his eyes, again amazed how fast he's up and about again.

Murdock weakly protests: "Can't we eat first? I'm starving!"

That sounds like music to their ears; at last he wants to eat! Better proof he's getting better can't be found.

"Yes," Hannibal agrees. "That's fine, captain. BA can start out alone so you can eat first. You can join him later. Pack something for later, because I have no idea how long it will take for those men to show up. I haven't heard from Face yet."

Murdock disappears into the house and BA leaves to stand guard on the hilltop. A few minutes later Murdock comes out again, carrying a bag which is filled with bread and milk. In spite of their continuous squabble there are no better friends than him and BA, and instead of eating alone inside and letting BA wait, he's packed enough food for two so they can eat together.

About half an hour later Face calls; the bounty hunters just came home. He hasn't shown himself yet, for now Kelly has to call Decker to tell him she's seen the A-team Van.

Kelly calls and speaks to Decker in person. "Good afternoon, colonel Decker, this is Kelly Stevens. I'm a doctor on South Mason Road number 45. When I came home from my home visits this afternoon I spotted a Van very much similar to the one used by the A-team. If I'm correct they're hiding out on number 125. I saw them there. Could you please sent someone over? I live here kinda isolated, all alone and I don't feel at ease with outlaws running loose around here."

"Miss Stevens, I'll get over myself with a few of my men. We'll be there in an hour."

"Thank you; I appreciate that very much, colonel. I'll see you then."

She puts down the receiver and looks at the others. "He'll be here in an hour."

"Good," Hannibal says. "We'll tell Face to get those guys here in half an hour."

Of course Face does this very well. He lets himself be seen strikingly unobtrusive and when he 'finds out' he's been seen he turns tail. They fall for the trap completely. Hannibal and BA are hidden very well and when the bounty hunters think they have an easy target in Face, Hannibal hits the button of the remote control; the grill of the Van opens to show the two machine guns. These start firing immediately. The bounty hunters take cover so they won't be hit but they don't get a chance of escaping. Face jumps over the paling of the veranda, behind which Tannen took cover. Although Face hates fighting and always tries to stay out he's absolutely no coward and he will fight if necessary; and right now it is! He shows Tannen as much mercy as Tannen showed Murdock; none at all. He knocks him out with a few well aimed punches and throws him off the veranda.

BA in the meantime is fighting Chazz. His entire pent up wrath is released on him, and that's a lot! He only regrets Chazz didn't bring his whip because he would have loved to pay him back with his own coin. All the while Murdock sits in the Van on the drivers' seat, ready to leave as quickly as possible should Decker arrive earlier than expected. Royco spots him and drags him off the seat. Murdock is fighting for all he's worth, but that isn't much yet. Royco tries to hit Murdock with a heavy tree branch but he misses because Murdock ducks just in time. While doing so he stumbles and falls backwards against the tree he was standing in front of, leaving him breathless. Royco lashes out again, but Murdock manages to roll aside. This can't go on forever because Murdock isn't nearly recovered enough to last long. Thankfully BA, who's beaten Chazz, comes to his aid. He seizes Royco by the collar and reels off his lines mercilessly. He is raging after he saw Royco trying to smash in Murdock's brains. His rings make a great knuckle-duster and it isn't long before Royco is bleeding out of numerous deep and less deep wounds. When BA finally releases him Royco feels as though every bone in his body is crushed. It's not that bad, but he does have a concussion, his right arm doesn't look as it should and a few ribs are cracked, if not broken. He's lucky the doctor is nearby although there's the question of whether she's willing to treat him... Hannibal is setting accounts with the father in a short but severe fight. Hannibal smashes the man through the door, rendering him unconscious.

Hannibal takes a cigar out of his shirt-pocket, bites off the tip and says to Kelly: "They never learn! You got to know when to hold them and know when to walk away!"

BA steps out of the brushwood, wiping the dirt of his sleeves. Murdock is right behind him. Sirens are heard and BA cries out: "Hey man, Decker!"

He rushes into the drivers' seat while Face gets in the back.

Hannibal turns to Kelly: "Give Colonel Decker our regards and ask him to throw these slime balls in jail for us, would you? Thanks again for everything you did for us; we are in your debt for ever."

Murdock kisses Kelly goodbye: "I got to go! Come visit me?"

He runs for the Van which is already pulling away. Face hoists him in and BA puts the pedal to the metal. Kelly watches them leave, a little disillusioned…..

Some time later, at the V.A. a male nurse approaches Murdock, who is, all by himself, sitting under a tree. "Murdock, you have a visitor."

Murdockreactswithsurprise. "A visitor? Eh, do me a favour, will ya? Will you go find out if it's a bill collector? If it is, just tell him eh….. Tell him I ran out of stamps a couple of months ago. He'll understand. He really will. He really will!"

"It's not a bill collector. It's a lady."

Murdock is even more surprised at that. "A lady? Where is she?"

The male nurse guides him to a nearby tree. "Waiting right over here!"

"Thank you," Murdock stammers and follows him confused. Then he sees…..Kelly. She smiles a little shyly at him.

"Well, you said I could come visit you!"

He closes his eyes and pants giving her a fright. After all she doesn't know how well he is.

"What! What's wrong?"

"Nothing! Nothing!"

He opens his eyes again, almost expecting to see no-one is there, but she's still standing right in front of him.

"I was just comparing you to a mental image I was carrying around in my head. Sort a like a….. a mind projection. And guess what?"

"What?" she asks tensed.

"It doesn't compare to the real thing!"

They both laugh.

He hesitates. "I missed you too….."

"You never called." It sounds a little reproachful.

Of course he didn't! There's no future in a relationship. Why would he want to hurt her feelings? It would have been better if she'd thought he had forgotten about her, but how could he? He is so happy to see her….. He starts walking and she follows. She's carrying a flat box.

"Well, you know, they don't eh….. They don't give you any dimes in this place. I think they're afraid you gonna choke on them. You know what I mean?"

She gestures around them. "Murdock, what are you doing here?"

"That's a long story."

"Wanna tell me over pizza?"

She puts the box she was carrying on the table. Murdock's eyes sparkle.

"Pizza? You got pepperoni and mushroom on it?"

Kellysighs apologising. "It's got pepperoni, but we have to do without the mushroom."

Murdock opens the box and cries out in disgust: "Aaaaaaaaah, you already took a bite!"

He looks at her and starts laughing.

Relieved she joins in.

The end

Many thanks to Clairon who made a few suggestions to make this a better story...