Title: Marching On
Summary: Hawkeye receives some bad news from home.
Notes: I had this idea after watching the episode 'Period of Adjustment' (S8), but the original idea has changed quite a bit. This does take part after that episode.
The title is from the song 'American Trilogy' by Elvis Presley.
Warnings: Not the happiest story ever. Possible minor character death (meaning someone's life is in danger, but I'm not telling you if they'll die or not!).

1. A Letter

Hawkeye and BJ made their way across the compound after a long shift in the OR. Charles had gone straight on duty in post op.

"I'm about ready to hit the sack." BJ commented, stretching.

"I think I need a drink before I turn in." Hawkeye said, voice laced with tiredness.

"Ugh, it's too early to drink." BJ said, even if he didn't believe it himself. Plenty of times they'd started drinking earlier than this. He checked the time on his watch. It was later than he thought, almost midday already. They'd been in OR longer than he thought they had. They walked through the doors, politeness something that had died here a long time ago. "Can you imagine working a regular shift at a hospital or surgery after this?" BJ said, thinking about what seemed to be a hard shift before he was over here.

"Yeah I know, it'd be heaven... Oh, I see the trusty mail man has been in." Hawkeye said, spying a letter on BJ's bunk as he made his way over to the still. He peered back round and saw a letter on his own bunk.

BJ sat down on his bunk, picking up the letter. "From Peg." He said. He started to open it as Hawkeye made his way to his bunk and picked up his letter.
Hawkeye took a sip of his Martini before putting it down so he could open his own letter. He didn't recognise the writing on the front.

After opening it he read the hand written letter.

Dear Benjamin,

This is Mrs Anderson. I hope you remember me, I live opposite you and your father's house.
I'm afraid I'm writing with bad news. Your father's been taken ill. It's quite serious. He was talking to myself and my husband when it happened and we took him to hospital straight away.

I've been to the hospital to see him and his doctor told me he suffered a serious stroke. I'm afraid I don't have a lot of other details just yet. I am trying to visit him as often as I can, every 2-3 days.
I will write you as soon as there's an update for you.

I wish I had been able to write with better news.
Marjorie Anderson.

Hawkeye spent the next few minutes just reading the words over again, especially the words 'serious stroke'. He wondered how serious it was. How badly he was suffering.

"Hey, Erin's just starting to put her words together." BJ said proudly, cutting through the deafening silence that seemed to have swamped Hawkeye.

"That's great." Hawkeye managed, hoping he kept any feelings out of his voice. BJ made no other comment, and Hawkeye glanced at him to see he was absorbed in his letter from home. Emotions swirled through Hawkeye, of his dad being helpless and alone. Getting up suddenly, he made his way to the door, taking the letter with him.

"I thought you were tired?" BJ said, unaware of Hawkeye's upset.

"No I'm fine." Hawkeye mumbled not stopping as he left the tent and BJ behind.

TBC

A/N: I already have several chapters of this written. I'll try and update regularly.

Feedback much appreciated xxx.