DISCLAIMER: I don't own MASH the lucky bastards at Fox have the right to claim that!

This is yet another of my Frank related one shots. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It started off fine and I think it ended crappy. Maybe that's just me.

I was in a depressing mood so I wrote about how Frank must have felt after Margaret got engaged. I know we witnessed it on the show but imagine how much pain the poor guy must have been in. After all, Margaret was his only friend.

This takes place when Frank wakes up after being carried to the Swamp by Hawkeye and BJ. Please review!

Frank opened his eyes slowly. He was very confused; the last thing he remembered was talking to his beloved mother.

The Major sat up slowly and saw that he was on his cot in the Swamp. Judging by the light outside, he must have been asleep for a good six hours.

After further inspection Frank saw that he was indeed alone. Pierce and Hunnicutt must be at the Officers Club.

Probably celebrating Margaret's engagement. Frank thought bitterly.

To the Major's horror, his eyes began to fill with tears at the thought of Margaret. How could things have gone so horribly wrong in just a few short days?

Last week he and Margaret had been happy playing hide and seek by the cesspool. Frank could almost smell the shampoo in her soft blonde hair as he remembered nuzzling Margaret's neck in the way he knew drove her crazy.

I'll bet Penobscott doesn't know where she likes to be touched.

Fast forward seven days later and Frank had no one, absolutely no one. Sure Pierce and Hunnicutt were being reasonably civil to him but Frank wasn't stupid enough to think that would last. Once the initial shock of Margaret's engagement wore off he would once again be the butt of the two Captains jokes.

Frank sighed and moved onto the edge of his cot trying unsuccessfully to stem the steady flow of tears now rolling down his dusty cheeks.

For the first time since he had arrived in Korea Frank contemplated what it would be like to be back at home in Indiana. Watching Loretta play with her dolls, listening to Amelia practice the piano, helping Elizabeth with her homework. And Louise, dear Louise.

It was common knowledge that Frank and Louise had married just for the sake of getting married. They had both wanted children and each was just as undesirable as the other so the match had been perfect. But unlike his previous girlfriends, Louise had stayed by Frank's side (if not for the sake of their daughters).

Frank stifled as sob as he thought of his family and realised for the first time just how much they meant to him. Sure he was a lousy father and an unfaithful husband but they were there. They were his (in a manner of speaking).

Margaret had been someone to fill the void of Frank's loneliness. She had listened to him, cared about him and (up until yesterday) he thought she loved him. With them no longer on speaking terms Frank had nothing to distract himself from the feelings of hopelessness and seclusion.

Frank sighed. I should be used to this by now.

The Major began rooting around inside his footlocker for something, anything that had some sort of comfort value.

He found it in a gift from his daughter Loretta.

Dear Daddy,

I sent you Larry to hug and cuddle whenever you feel lonesome. I miss you.

Love,

Loretta xoxo

Frank lifted the teddy out of his locker and hugged it tight as though it were his lifeline.

Maybe it is.

The Major lay back on his cot and sobbed until he fell asleep.

END

I swear I got teary when I wrote this...kinda pathetic I know.

So what do you think? Please review and let me know folks!

Until next time, Abyssinia!

Lucy