Author's note:
This is a request from one of my reviewers. Face's reaction to it all. This story has been completely overhauled. Please review. I'd love to know what you think.
This chapter has references to 'The Pucker Factor'.

Tag scene:

In a rather gloomy bar in one of the seedier parts of LA, a handsome blond man is carefully nursing a scotch. This not being his usual haunt, he stands out like a sore thumb. He couldn't care less about that though. This way there was a good chance he could get drunk before Hannibal found him. Luckily, it's patrons had returned to drowning their sorrows, leaving the man to his dark thoughts.
The mission had brought up a lot of memories for the lieutenant. Some good, some bad and everything in between. Face sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He hadn't thought about any of it in years. After their arrest, they'd lost contact with Young and Olsen and who knows what happened to Murdock's crew. They probably stayed in country until Murdock got discharged, maybe even after.

Speaking of the pilot… They left Murdock in Tucson to reacquaint with his new family. Which was nice for him of course, but it also left Face to deal with his demons on his own. Face slams his empty glass onto the counter and signals the bartender for a refill. He leans his elbows on the bar and props up his head with his hands, hiding his face. He can't help but feel neglected. Murdock and he had so much in common. They were both orphans, they both had no family left. Or at least, that's what they'd thought. Heaving another sigh, he swallows a mouthful of the cheap scotch. After these last few days, he feels that a bit of wallowing in self-pity is justified. Face wishes Ray was still around. During the war, he'd become quite attached to the major and his sudden death had rattled him. You were supposed to die on a battlefield. Not at home in the country they fought for. Face guessed the death of Ray had sparked something in Murdock that contributed to his breakdown during the mission.

Suddenly, he feels awful for thinking about himself.
"Hey kid."
Face glances to his left. He knew Hannibal would track him down. He waves his empty glass at the bartender and keeps his eyes trained on the amber liquid being poured into his glass. Hannibal orders a drink too and turns to his wayward lieutenant.
"How are you holding up Face?"
Face's face twists in something akin to grief before it's being carefully hidden again. He casually runs his hand through his hair trying to regain some semblance of his normal suave self.
"I'm just fine." He picks up the glass to take a drink, but Hannibal puts his hand on his wrist. Effectively stopping him from hiding behind it.
"You and I both know you're not, Face." Face's jaw clenches before he looks up. Despite his well-maintained mask, Hannibal had always been able to look right through the kid. It was the reason he'd pulled Face out of the brig in the first place.

Face looks down at his hands.
"I didn't think about it." He says softly. "I remembered it, but I didn't think about it." Face's expression shows his inner turmoil. "What happened…with Murdock… I… It made me think about it, Hannibal. All of it…" The blond shakes his head before looking up again. His blue eyes are suspiciously gleaming in the dim light.
Hannibal deflates, his shoulders sagging. He releases Face's wrist and leans heavily on his arms.
"I know son."

Face nods.
"What if he wants to… stay with them?"
Hannibal thinks it over for a while before snorting.
"They won't be able to handle him."
Face looks at the colonel with wide eyes. He suddenly has an image in his head of Danny trying to deal with Murdock's antics before bursting out in laughter. They laugh until their bellies are aching, pushing their sadness to the background. Just like in the old days.
"Can you believe that?" Face gasps between bouts of laughter. "I forgot he's crazy."
Hannibal lights a cigar.
"Crazy but not insane."
Face raises his glass to the older man.
"I'll drink to that!"
The men settle down a bit. The occasional snicker breaking the companionable silence between them.

"He'll be back Face." The lieutenant sighs yet again.
"How can you be so sure?" Face thinks about his own family. What he would give to find any of them.
"Because I know so." Face looks at the colonel searchingly but finds no doubt whatsoever in his steely blue eyes. Hannibal grabs Face's shoulder.
"Come on kid, I'll take you home." Hannibal throws enough cash on the counter to cover their bills and helps the inebriated lieutenant to his feet. He guides the swaying blond to the black van parked right around the corner. Deciding against taking Face to his scammed apartment he instead takes him to his own place. By the time they arrive, Face is already half asleep. B.A. and Hannibal half walk, half drag the lieutenant up the stairs to the condo and into the guest bedroom.
They help Face get situated and B.A. silently takes his leave. Hannibal settles himself on the couch. He turns on the TV and lowers the volume. That way he'll be able to keep an eye on the sleeping lieutenant. Murdock will be back and everything will go back to the way it was. Almost like an actual TV show.

Hannibal smiles. They just need a catchphrase…