CHAPTER 10

Hannibal handed Face a glass of water and pulled up a chair next to his bed. He also made sure Face could sit up comfortably in his bed supported by some pillows. Face eagerly drank the water his Colonel had offered him.

"Easy there, kid. Can't have you getting sick on top of all this."

Face nodded his head.

"Face, we need to talk about what happened."

No … I'm fine. Really. It was just … uh … you know. It was nothing. Bad dream."

"Who are you trying to fool here? Kid, you're nowhere near fine. You were having a bad flash back of what has happened to you. You refuse to go to the basement and you can't stand being left alone not even for a little while. You haven't set foot outside the house since we brought you home from the hospital. You can't lock yourself up for the rest of your life, kid."

"What? I'm still recovering, Hannibal. I'm just not up to doing anything like that. That's all. I swear."

"I know you too well by now, Lieutenant. You can't fool me. Now talk to me."

"I …uh … I can't …"

"I know you can. I also know it's hard, but you have to talk about this. And I'm not going anywhere until you do. I'll be right here with you to help you deal with this."

Face was still trembling and shivering and Hannibal grabbed a spare blanket and draped it around his Lieutenant's shoulders.

"Now tell me what happened, kid. And start from the very beginning when the doctor took you back to his room at the hospital."

Maggie had told Hannibal that he needed to make sure that Face would be able to tell about what happened to him in the right order. Bringing back triggers from his subconscious to his conscious would help him get a grip on his emotions. They also would have to find out what could trigger these bad flash backs. Maggie had pointed out just how important it would be for Hannibal to actually listen to Face and to help him deal with the stress that talking about his ordeal would no doubt trigger.

Face sighed and closed his eyes for a minute. He knew he trusted Hannibal and was grateful that the team had managed to save him from Kyle. He just hated being this vulnerable, but he also realized that he had to talk about his ordeal to someone so he could get past this. Hannibal was not only his Colonel, but also his mentor and his friend. So Face started to talk about what happened. Hannibal listened carefully and supported and re-assured the young man whenever he needed it.

It was as if a heavy weight was lifted from Face's shoulder now it was all out and in the open. Hannibal never once judged him. In fact, he praised him for his courage and for his clever idea to help the team find where Kyle was holding him. Face was glad to get the story out of his system, but now felt completely drained of all energy. Hannibal noticed this straight away.

"You look tired, kid. Think you'll be able to get some more sleep?"

"I think so."

Hannibal made sure he could lie back down comfortably in bed. Face buried himself beneath his covers and his eyes were slowly drooping.

"I'm proud of you, kid. I really am proud of you. Now get some rest. You're gonna need it. And don't worry. I'll be right here with you."

Even though he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open by now, Face managed a small smile before falling asleep. Hannibal sat and watched his sleeping second-in-command for a long time. He was relieved that he had managed to get the kid to open up to him and knew that he would be alright again real soon.

I love it when a plan comes together he thought and just had to smile at that very thought. Now if only he could light up a cigar …

THE END