The Toy Store

[notjustaface]

It's been nearly a year since they met in Mexico, but something about a near death experience or two makes it easy to fall into friendship with the guys Hannibal picked up along the way.

One of them being Captain H.M. Murdock, the crazy (maybe crazy-genius, he's not sure yet) pilot that seems bent on killing them all through either his flying or cooking. He also happens to be the reason they're standing outside a Toys-R-Us on a Saturday afternoon instead of back at the base where he could be following up on a cute cadet he'd seen around.

It's not too bad, of course, but until their ride shows up to ferry them back he's stuck - like it or not.

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

Murdock at least manages to avoid scandalizing the youngsters with any further swearing as he gets up.

"Shoot, sorry man. You okay?"

He's still holding Grumpy Bear in front of him like an offering.

[notjustaface]

"Fine..." he squeaks with a grimace, not quite ready to get up off the floor yet. Big bad Ranger can't handle a little shot to the goodies.

He manages to look up, almost smiling with the genuine concern on his friend's face - it was an accident at least. And casualties happen in love and war.

War...

He looks up just above his head and forgetting the ache in his balls he snatches the unguarded pistol and takes a free shot without aiming.

[notthatcrazy]

The shot, though not aimed properly, manages to glance off his chest, and he immediately falls back to the ground, taking his "death" to the extreme. He holds up the poor beleaguered Care Bear to the sky, much to the bemusement of the gathered onlookers.

After a moment of silence, he reached over and punches Face lightly on the shoulder. "See if I ever act concerned about you again."

[notjustaface]

With a triumphant howl, Face laughs, falling back down against the linoleum clutching himself as he watches the theatrical "death" - complete with mimed blood spewing out his mouth and clutching the blue bear.

With the gentle punch, he rolls onto his side - smashing another Cheer bear under his chest - and laughs again. "Never underestimate your enemy, man... remember the little old lady in Tijuana?"

He's pulled out of the moment by a familiar clearing of throat and Hannibal's voice above them. "Lieutenant? Captain?" The Colonel fixes them with a steely, unamused glare.

"Uh... Colonel..." Face flashes again, managing back up onto his feet with a wince. "We were, uh... simply demonstrating the importance of tactical advantage..."

[notthatcrazy]

"Uh-oh," he whispers. "Dad's here."

He stands to attention, nudging a few errant plush toys aside with his foot. "And the importance of adaptability in combat conditions. Sir."

It might be more convincing if he'd let go of Grumpy.

[notjustaface]

Fighting not to laugh at the comment, Face forces a somewhat convincingly stern expression and a somewhat more rigid stance before adding; "And improvised weaponry."

Hannibal shakes his head, surveying the damage. "I'm sure the manager will be pleased to ring up these donations for the Toys For Tots bin."

Face has seen that look before, far too many times really, and knows it's Hannibal's quiet way of striking a deal to keep them both out of too much trouble.

"All of them?" He asks, noting the multitude of stuffed rainbow bears.

"Good to know you boys are feeling extra-generous." He shoots back, withdrawing a cigar from his pocket.

[notthatcrazy]

Never let it be said that the Colonel doesn't know the importance of creative punishments. At least some kids'll have a nice holiday because of their shenanigans.

He looks down at the frowning blue bear in his hand, a small smile threatening to overtake his properly contrite expression. "Can I get this one for BA? They've got a lot in common."

[notjustaface]

That's a lot of cash... but he's a court marshal away from losing his only recently earned stripes, so Face is more than willing to go along with it.

Of course, the teddy bear is enough to break his mostly cool composure with a soft laugh and he answers before Hannibal can; "I bet he'd like that - it's even kinda got a little mini-mohawk there."

"Take care of it, boys." The colonel answers, the corners of his lips tugging almost enough to give away the barest hint of a smile under the stern facade. "We're due back in under an hour."

[notthatcrazy]

It's a fairly big chunk of change, but it won't be too bad with both of them footing the bill. They kind of got off easy this time.

"Yes, sir."

He would point out that he wasn't the one climbing the shelves, but that would only make things worse.

[notjustaface]

Hannibal nods once, lifting his eyes up to a man in a pressed white shirt with a name tag proudly declaring him "Martin - Manager" before looking back to his officers. "Gentlemen, we will leave without you."

And it's a hell of a walk back to base.

"Yes, Sir." Face nods, flashing the manager a weak smile. "We'll, uh... take a couple of those guns too - extra ammo. And, uh... what's your active duty discount?"

[notthatcrazy]

He listens to Face negotiate, on his best behavior. He really does feel bad about the mess they made.

Sure was fun, though.

When they're done working things out with the manager, he leans in next to Face and whispers "I want a rematch."

[notjustaface]

In the end, it's not quite as much as he'd feared, but it'll definitely eat into the pre-deployment beer budget.

And he can't help but grin as they slide into the waiting vehicle and he murmurs in Murdock's ear; "You are so on..."