Post-Pardon: Home Is Where The Heart Is

[notthatcrazy]

It's been a long five years since their escape, and thanks to several high-risk high-reward jobs from higher-ups who wanted to maintain plausible deniability if things went wrong, the A-Team had finally earned their freedom.

It's been a bit of a rough transition, truth be told. None of them are quite sure where to go from here. B.A. had responded by heading back up north to visit his family, and Hannibal was still talking about starting some kind of private security firm. As for the two of them, it had taken a while but they'd finally managed to find a beachfront home that wasn't too hemmed in by development. The terms of their pardon included a fairly generous settlement which, combined with a few clever investments Face had made, meant they wouldn't have to worry about money for quite a while.

Now they just have to figure out what to do with themselves.

"Close your eyes." He sneaks up on his partner from behind, wrapping his arms around his waist. "I got a surprise for you."

Comments

[notjustaface]

His steps are uncertain - as much as he trusts Murdock he's still not entirely certain about the path through the small house.

"You didn't..." he sighs tenderly, smiling softly no less. "A dog?" He half-opens one eye; "You got a dog?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Kinda... technically we're her foster parents, unless we decide we wanna keep her."

He kneels down in front of the kennel and opens the door, revealing a thin little honey-colored retriever.

"Face, meet Sophie."

The dog's tail thumps softly against the floor as she scoots forward to rest her head on Murdock's knee.

[notjustaface]

Rolling his eyes affectionately, Face shakes his head. Not that he's upset, he's not, just that they didn't really discuss getting a pet... let alone one that's probably been abused and neglected...

"How bad off is she?" He asks, crossing his arms over his chest; she's all smiles and wagging now but he's seen a dog take a man's face off.

[notthatcrazy]

"She's just shy, is all. She hasn't known many nice people."

His heart had gone out to her immediately when he saw her at the shelter, wanting love but being afraid to ask for it.

"They said when they found her she was so scared she couldn't even walk. They had to pick her up and carry her."

He reaches out slowly to pet her between the ears, which she seems to like.

[notjustaface]

Frowning slightly, he takes a hesitant step toward her and offers out the back of his hand.

"All right..." he rolls his eyes again; "Come here, girl..."

He lets out a short whistle and pats his thigh for her to come forward.

[notthatcrazy]

The pup hesitates, but eventually stands and noses against his hand.

"See? As long as you're gentle with her, she'll come around."

He stands again himself as the dog moves forward to press against his legs, apparently still in need of a safe spot.

"The lady who was takin' care of her said she was already startin' to come out of her shell a little."

[notjustaface]

Letting her smell the back of his hand, Face is slow to offer a gentle stroke between her ears and down to her neck.

"She's a pretty girl." He murmurs, easing slowly into the idea.

"You sure you're up for the responsibility?"

[notthatcrazy]

He nods. "I need something to keep me occupied. And she needs someone to show her how to be a pet."

He watches as Sophie whines slightly, pressing her head against his hand.

"Looks like she's gettin' to know you already."

[notjustaface]

He always has been a charmer, few of the ladies can ignore a kind stroke.

"I just wanna be sure you can handle this..." he sighs, scritching around her collar line. "It's a big step for us, you know?"

Part of him still doesn't believe that it's real - that the running is actually over and they won't have to pick up and move at a moment's notice.

[notthatcrazy]

"We'll have to take it slow with her. Don't wanna push her too fast."

He sits, leaning against the wall, and motions for Face to sit beside him.

"Just felt like the right time."

he still wakes up sometimes expecting to find himself back in some shabby hotel room somewhere... or back in the hospital, locked up alone.

[notjustaface]

He's familiar with slow - working things out one step at a time. "Mmmhmm..." He nods slowly settling down beside him before leaning against his shoulder.

"I guess that's all right."

[notthatcrazy]

Sophie, apparently having had as much attention as she can handle for the moment, retreats to the safety of her kennel, a few thumps of her tail showing her appreciation. He slowly reaches over and closes the kennel door behind her before leaning back against his partner.

"How're you settling in?"

[notjustaface]

Honestly? He's restless, already feeling like he should be doing something... should be preparing for something.

"Got a few lines on work," he answers with a half-shrug; "couple local places looking for part timers - it'd be enough to stretch what we've got for a while."

[notthatcrazy]

"That's good. It'll do you good to get out workin'."

He takes a deep breath, stretching his legs out.

"Just think... no more aliases, no more fake IDs..."

[notjustaface]

Chuckling under his breath, Face leans against him with one eyebrow cocked; "I'm not sure I even have civilian ID in my real name."

It's certainly been a while.

[notthatcrazy]

And if that's not an invitation for a kiss, he doesn't know what is.

"It's gonna take some getting used to."

He sighs, nuzzling his neck.

"God... we have a real life."

He's wanted this for so long it feels strange to actually have it.

[notjustaface]

As always, a kiss warms him - drawing him to nuzzle right back.

"Scary, isn't it? I keep waiting for MPs to show up at our door."

He half-laughs again; "I had to file a change of address for the first time since I entered the military."

[notthatcrazy]

He chuckles.

"Guess we're gonna be lookin' over our shoulders for a while yet."

It'll sink in. Eventually.

"Seriously though... you okay?"

[notjustaface]

He nods against Murdock gently.

"Yeah, yeah..." he looks up, flashing a bright, blue-eyed smile. "I'm, uh, more worried about you to be honest."

And it's the truth, getting him set up with VA and a counselor and everything is all well and good - but adjusting to civilian life (after deciding that no, they'd rather not reenlist - thanks very much) is no easy task.

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah... I guess I can see why."

It's a big adjustment, but his counselor seems like a good one and he knows there's options now, should it ever get to the point where they need them. Hell, just being able to get his meds legally is a step up.

"But things could be a lot worse."

[notjustaface]

"I'd say we're pretty damn close to perfect."

Nothing's wrong... which is why the tingles in the back of his neck won't stop. He's ready for something to happen.

"You really okay with me working so soon? There's one of those touristy bars in town."

And a processing plant that needs an overnight guard. And few slightly more depressing options.

[notthatcrazy]

"Yeah.. yeah, I think so."

He nods.

"You've never been the type to take well to sittin' around. Besides, I got our girl here to keep me company."

[notjustaface]

"Our girl..." he echos with another gentle, almost uneasy laugh. He can't help it, there's been an awful lot of 'ours' in the last decade but it's always been the team... now it's just the two of them.

Not just for a month either.

"And working at a bar like back in Montreal?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Yep. Our girl."

They still keep in touch with the others, of course. You don't go through something like that with someone and just say 'okay, bye' when it's over. Hannibal's hinted he might even have some legit, for-real work for them down the line, though somehow Murdock thinks he'd be rolling his eyes a bit if he could see them right now.

"You seemed to enjoy it. Long as I get to stop in for a visit every once in a while."

[notjustaface]

Brushing a gentle kiss against Murdock's stubbled jaw, he lets out a soft murmur of approval.

"You know you're always welcome where I'm at." He's been a good guy, not that he hasn't had a few close calls and a whole lot of temptation - but in the end he's always come back home.

"No secrets."