CHRISTMAS 1989

 

 

He’d been sent out the house to smoke.  Bending his head to light his cigar, Hannibal couldn’t help but grin at the irony of the situation.  Who would ever have thought that he, Hannibal Smith, United States Army Colonel, Green Beret and leader of the A-Team would have to concede to a woman?  Not that she was any woman.  Oh no.  Maggie Sullivan was not just any woman.  So when she said, “John Hannibal Smith, you are not smoking that filthy thing in the house,” he did not smoke in the house.  Especially since it was her house anyway.

 

“Been sent outside again, Hannibal?”

 

He smiled as Face walked up to him, having parked his new vette beside BA’s black van.  One of the first things the kid had done after they had returned to LA was buy himself a new flashy car to replace the old one. This time he had gone for a red one with a black stripe and white roof.

 

“Hey, kid.  How you been?”

 

“Great.  Still can’t believe we’ve been free a year though.  Seems like uh…”

 

“A dream?” Hannibal provided.

 

Face nodded.  “Still can’t help feeling that it’s some kind of April Fools joke.  You know, that at any time Decker or Stockwell will jump up and say that the pardons were a fake.  It’s not as if that’s never happened before.”

 

“But without the autobiography this time, kid?” Hannibal grinned wryly.

 

Face groaned.  “Please, don’t remind me.  I can honestly say, I’ve learned my lesson since then,” he admitted.  “Going for the quiet life this time.  But what about you?  Haven’t really seen you since the Hammond case with that kidnapped girl.  Maggie forgiven you yet for turning up with a bullet in your leg?”

 

“Nope,” Hannibal smirked.  “But she’s glad I’m back.”

 

Face grinned knowingly.  “I bet.  Where’s everyone else?”

 

“Kitchen,” Hannibal replied.  “BA and Mrs B arrived about an hour ago.  They’re helping Maggie.” 

 

Face raised an eyebrow.  “BA’s helping to make dinner?”

 

“No,” Hannibal replied with a smile.  “Mrs B’s helping with dinner.  BA’s moving furniture around.  Although, not anymore it seems.” He pointed to where BA was coming out the house.  “Hey, BA, you been sent out too?”

 

The big guy grunted.  “Don’t need my help anymore,” he told them.  “Thought I’d come out and keep you company.  Hey, Face.  Nice wheels.”

 

Face smiled broadly.  “Thanks, BA.  Wait, this really the first time you seen it?”

 

BA shrugged.  “Didn’t need it on the Hammond case.  Probably would have got shot up like the rest of us.”

 

Hannibal ignored BA’s pointed look.  The last case they had been on hadn’t been the most successful.  They’d got the girl back, but he’d taken a round in the leg, Murdock some cracked ribs, Face a sprained ankle and BA’s van had ended up with some nice bullet holes in it.  BA was still moaning about it.  Anyone would think they were getting too old to mercenary around like they used to.

 

“Hey, maybe if you’re not busy later you could have a look at it,” Face said, changing the subject back to his car.  “You know, make sure it’s working alright, work a bit of your magic.”

 

“Just as long as you keep the fool way from me,” BA agreed.  “Where is he anyway?”

 

“Said he might be a little late,” Hannibal said.  “Although…” he broke off with a grin.  “Speak of the devil.”

The three of them all turned to watch as a familiar silver Range Rover pulled up and parked in front of the other two vehicles. Two figures emerged, moving to hold hands as they approached. 

 

“Hey, guys.  We’re not late are we?”

 

Hannibal had to admit that together, Murdock and Kelly made a really cute couple.  Of all of them, Murdock was perhaps the last person he would have expected to settle down quickly, although he wasn’t entirely sure now why he had thought that. If there was something that Murdock seemed to want in his life, it was stability, and Kelly provided that.  She also loved animals so for Murdock it was a win-win situation.

 

“No, you’re not late,” Hannibal replied.  “Just on time in fact.”

 

“Good, good,” Murdock replied, his smile growing as he saw the cigar. “Maggie throw you out again, Colonel?”

 

Face smiled and BA grunted, as Hannibal replied, “Funny, Murdock.”  He then raised an eyebrow, catching sight of a sparkle as Kelly pushed some hair out of her eyes.  “You got something to tell us, Murdock?”

 

Kelly blushed as all eyes looked at a tasteful three diamond ring on her left ring finger. 

 

Murdock just grinned broadly before turning to move into the house.  “Everyone else inside?”

 

“Mur-dock,” Hannibal said.

 

Murdock’s grin grew.  “We’ll tell you after dinner,” he admitted.  “Cross my heart.”

 

“Sounds like one of BA’s family Christmas traditions,” Face pointed out.  “You know, the going round the table after dinner and surprising everyone with your latest news.”

 

“Nothing wrong with my family’s traditions,” BA growled, causing Face to take a step back.

 

“Never said there was, BA,” Face said, holding his hands up in mock surrender.  “You just seem to have a somewhat large family.”

 

“And getting bigger,” BA reminded.

 

“Especially if your cousin Ashley has anything to do with it,” Hannibal said, his eyes twinkling as Face’s hand nervously reached for his collar.

 

“I was, uh, meaning to ask you about that, BA,” Face said.  “Is Ashley usually that, uh, friendly?”

 

“No,” BA growled.  “Only around blonds.”

 

Hannibal wasn’t sure which sight was funnier; Face’s nervous look at the news, or the way BA was smiling.  Kelly, on the other hand, was very wisely staying silent.  Hannibal didn’t blame her.  

 

“Welcome to the family,” he grinned at her.  “I think we’re going to have a very merry Christmas.”

 

*-*-*

 

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