Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at. - Maya Angelou
"So, how'd it go?"
Face stared out the window, watching the sky as if he could see her plane. See her.
"I, uh, I just told her I'd like to keep in contact. Just because... well, having the whole 'missing father' thing in common. I mean, she's still pretty bitter about it, but..."
"You could be the understanding shoulder to cry on?"
"Something like that."
"And?"
Face shrugged. "She didn't say no, so..."
"So when are you going to tell her about the real commonality? 'Cause you can't let things go too long. She could get the wrong idea, you know. Not to mention it's kinda, well, dishonest. She doesn't need that."
"No, I know. I just don't want to dump it on her. I want to see if she would be... receptive."
"Receptive?"
"Maybe she doesn't want another criminal in her family tree. Or maybe she wouldn't believe me. Hell, I'm still not sure I should believe Stockwell."
"We'll get the paperwork from him, double-check it ourselves. Then you can tell her the truth - that you wanted to make sure before saying anything."
Face was silent for a while. Murdock figured he was mulling everything over, seeing how he could make it work. His next statement surprised the pilot.
"Do you think it's worth it? This whole sibling thing... What the hell do I know about being a girl's brother? What if I find out she's not... well, she grew up a lot differently than I did, after all. Maybe we're not compatible. Not all siblings get along, right? Or - "
"Face." Murdock sighed. "Any relationship needs work. Any relationship that really means anything. Look at the team. We're like brothers, but do we always see eye to eye? No. There's things we like and things we hate about each other. That doesn't change the core feeling. So you and I are going to go over Stockwell's info. We're going to make sure. Then you're going to tell her, and you will accept whatever decision she makes about the future. And if, as I think she will, she decides she wants a big brother, you will work your ass off to be a good big brother. And if either of you make mistakes, if there are speed bumps, the two of you will work it out. That's what families do. Okay?"
Silence.
"I said, 'okay'?"
"Yeah, Murdock. Okay. But do me a favor?"
"You name it."
"You call Stockwell."