Title: If Only and sequel Missing In Action
Fandom: A-Team (TV)
Pairing: H. M. Murdock/Templeton 'Face' Peck
Categories: AU, angst, drama, first-time, romance, action/adventure
Length: Long (31,294 + 2,611 words)
Warnings: per author: "Graphic descriptions of characters suffering from PTSD (war-related), death (minor characters)." Also, infidelity (kissing) before another relationship was fully ended, children in danger, and some homophobia.

Author on LJ: lamardeuse / lamardeuse
Author Website: when the world is puddle-wonderful , lamardeuse

Summary:
AU. Fate, heroes, true love, the whole enchilada.
Instead of going to Vietnam, Templeton Peck becomes a doctor. He meets Murdock in a bar, and later when the team needs a doctor for a mission, they contact him.

Review:
I don't think we've ever recced an A-Team story on epic_recs, so I'm excited to start the fandom off with one of my favorites.

Face (in story referred to as Temp) and Murdock meet when Temp's life is at a turning point, with his marriage falling apart and at a cross-roads with his career. They click, and have a long conversation, but soon part. However, when the team has a mission to South American requiring a doctor, Murdock and crew recruit Templeton.

In the midst of their mission, Murdock and Temp get to know each other better. Both are damaged in their own way, but despite their differences (and similarities), they are drawn to each other.

I love that lamardeuse stays true to the characters, while giving them depth and complexity. Equally lovely is her prose, with clever turns of phrase in two strikingly different, alternating character POVs.

Further, the AU is clever, and well thought out. Her version of Face is still very much himself, but also the result of becoming a doctor instead of going to Vietnam Nam have had clear impacts. Too, his absence from the team as altered it slightly, and it's interesting to see this altered dynamic adjust to accommodate his presence on the mission.

If Only (AO3) (Author website)
Missing In Action (AO3) (Author website)