BA paced the interrogation room, walking around and around the table and chairs. He wasn't sitting down any time soon. He groaned and rubbed his stomach. All that rich food was not sitting well.

A large mirror took up half of one wall and he glared at it every time he went near. Did they think he was stupid? Yeah, Baracus, why would they think you're stupid? Who's on the wrong side of the two way mirror?

Okay, he didn't say anything to them. Hannibal had taught him that. You've got the right to silence, don't give it up. Wait for a lawyer. BA snorted. Lawyer? What the hell good had lawyers done for them before?

"Plead guilty." Every one of their lawyers had advised them that when they were awaiting trial at Fort Bragg. Plead guilty even though they weren't? That didn't matter the lawyers said. Yeah, what the heck did the truth matter to a lawyer? "Plead guilty or be found guilty," one had said. "That's your choices." Well Hannibal had decided there was a third choice and he'd made it.

The door opened and Taylor came in, a Captain with her, Benson, BA read on the officer's name tag. A couple of privates came in after them and took up position by the door.

"Good evening, Sergeant." Taylor said.

"I ain't got nothing to say to you, lady."

"That's 'colonel', sergeant." Benson snapped. BA glared at him and Benson backed off a step.

"Have you been properly advised of all your rights?" Taylor asked.

She knows I have, BA thought. She gave the orders. She's just trying to draw me in to talking to her.

"Yeah," he snapped. Keep it short. "And I know I got the right not to talk to you. And I got the right to a lawyer and I'm not saying anything till one shows up."

He thought he saw her sigh just a little. That put the kibosh on her plans.

"Take him to a cell, see he has whatever he needs. Some antacids perhaps?" She looked at him speculatively.

He just scowled back. Don't give me the good cop act, like it's not your fault I got a gut full of adrenaline on top of my turkey dinner.

Benson and the MPs started to take BA out. "My mama better be okay," BA growled at Taylor as he passed.

"She got home safely." Taylor said, a sympathetic look on her face. "I'm sorry she had to be involved in this, she must be very upset."

"Yeah thanks to..." No, shut up. Don't talk to her. Hannibal says don't let them sucker you in. "Good. I mighta been real mad."

~~~~

BA spent his most miserable night for many a year in the cell. His guts were on fire and finally at three a.m. he gave up on being tough and asked for an indigestion remedy. He sat on the cot with his back against the wall as the medicine did its work, soothing his raging stomach.

He looked around at the tiny cell. Unless Hannibal came up with a plan then this or rather some place very like it was going to be BA's home for the next thirty years. But if Hannibal did come up with a plan it had better be a darn good one, because the last thing BA wanted was for Hannibal and Face to get themselves caught trying a rescue.

Okay, Hannibal would say, no problem, if they were all caught they'd escape like they had before. But BA wasn't so confident. It was easy the first time. The second time was different. The second time they were expecting it. The second time they didn't give you any chances. Supposing they slapped us all straight into solitary confinement and threw away the key? No escaping from that.

No, if there was any chance of the others getting caught then BA would rather they didn't even try to get him out. Better for one of them to be in prison than all three.

And he'd be okay in prison. He could take care of himself. Also, if he had to be in prison, he'd rather be alone, with only his own back to look out for.

He'd have enough jerks going after him, trying to prove something, didn't want to have to deal with looking out for the other two as well. And they'd need looking out for. Both had big mouths that they didn't know when to close. Get themselves in trouble right off the minute they walked in the door. And Face... BA didn't want to think about that.

About the only good thing was that he might actually see Mama more often. But her having to visit him in prison, he hated that. And how often could he expect her to make that journey?

And he'd never see Murdock at all. Or Hannibal or Face. Well maybe Face could put that long hair of his in pigtails and come in wearing a dress, pretending he was BA's girlfriend. BA actually giggled at the image. Might be worth it all, just to see that.

~~~~

In the morning he got breakfast and even accepted coffee, because he needed to keep his wits about him and he'd had about two hours sleep. Then guards took him back to the interrogation room and he was soon joined by the same crowd as yesterday, but also a new addition. A dark haired, middle aged man, with rumpled clothes that stunk of tobacco. The grey streaks in his beard were yellow with nicotine.

"Sergeant Baracus," the man stepped up to him, offering his hand. He peered at BA myopically though thick ugly glasses. "Your mother hired me. I'm your lawyer, Alan Kelly."

BA shook his hand nodded at him and they all sat down. Kelly at once lit up a cigarette. BA saw Taylor give him a scowl.

"Benson, get an ashtray would you?"

"Yes, ma'am. Should I bring some coffee?" Benson asked, also scowling at Kelly.

"Please," Taylor said. Benson left.

"All right, Sergeant, are you prepared to talk to me now your lawyer is here?" BA glanced at Kelly, who nodded. BA turned to Taylor.

"Ain't gonna do you no good. I know what you want. You want me to tell you something that will lead you to the rest of the team. That ain't gonna happen in this lifetime, might as well forget it."

"So you're prepared to take the fall alone?"

"Yeah."

"I see. You're obviously very loyal to your unit."

Benson came back in with four cups of coffee and passed them out. He put an ashtray down in front of Kelly.

"So..." Taylor began, then had to stop as Kelly coughed, a wet hacking that would cause any doctor present to call for a chest x-ray, stat.

"Pardon me. Go on there, Colonel." She gave him a look of disgust and turned back to BA.

"So, it wouldn't interest you at all if I were to say that if you lead me to Smith and Peck you would receive immunity from prosecution in return?"

"Is that guaranteed?" Kelly jumped in at once.

"I'd have it in writing," Taylor promised.

"Forget it!" BA snapped at both of them. "You're right, lady, that don't interest me one bit. I ain't betraying my unit, no matter what deal you offer me."

She nodded. "I didn't expect anything different, of course. But..." She took a sip of coffee. BA frowned.

"But what?"

"There is an alternative deal. Again, I'd have it in writing. It would mean guaranteed freedom for you..."

"I already said no!"

"Please, let me finish," she said mildly. BA subsided, glowering. "As I was saying, it would mean guaranteed freedom for you and Lieutenant Peck."