Disclaimer: I don't own MASH, not even on DVD... If I did, like many others, there wouldn't have been a goodbye kiss in GFA because they wouldn't be going seperate ways!
Author's Opening Notes: A word of warning... I am an unrepentant Hawkeye/Margaret fan and this story WILL reflect that.
"Maggie-Beth"
By J.T. Magnus, "Turbo"
If he wasn't on-duty, he was there. He slept in a chair, when he slept. Colonel Potter had taken him off the duty roster for now, until Margaret was better or they needed Hawkeye back with no other option. It was the only thing the old soldier could think of that might help. He wouldn't say that Hawkeye was closer to Margaret or B.J., he was just as close to both of them in different ways.
Behind his desk, Potter sighed, if he kept dwelling on it, he'd be in as bad shape as the rest of the camp. With Margaret injured, Hawkeye wasn't in a joking mood. Without Hawkeye's jokes, there wasn't the same level of comfort around the camp. That lack of comfort and friendliness had become all too appearent after Klinger and B.J., of all people, had gotten into an argument. This whole thing was reminding Potter of the time the camp had that big bonfire, the days leading up to it, and if something didn't happen soon, the whole camp was going to ignite...
"Klinger, call Sidney Freedman, if he's got a few days, ask him to come up here."
"Guess I can't make fun of B.J. anymore, Margaret... At least he didn't hurt anyone..."
In Margaret's tent, Hawkeye was pouring out his soul in a way he rarely did...
"God, if I hadn't been in such a damn hurry, you wouldn't be like this. I could have slowed down or taken a different route, but I was supposed to be going for five days in Tokyo when we got back from the 8063rd and had to be an idiot... Ironic, huh? I nearly got you killed because I wanted to be in Tokyo and I never went, I'm still here. Dammit, what kind of doctor am I if I caused one of my best friends to spend the last week unconscious? C'mon, Margaret, wake up! Swear at me, call me 'Captain' like you used to, complain that it's not military for a man to be crying, anything!"
As if summoned by his words, Margaret's eyes fluttered slightly before easing open, but the words that came out of her mouth were unexpected by the dark-haired surgeon, "Ben?"
Author's Closing Notes: Yes, a short set-up chapter... Hopefully I'll be able to move things along better as I get the story going...