Hello fellow MASH-lovers! This is my first MASH fanfiction, so once you have read it, I would love it if you would review! I really want to know what you think! The idea for this story came to me the other day while I was watching "Mail Call Three". Anything that is bolded in the dialogue is taken directly from the episode "Mail Call Three", and there is a reference in Peg's letter from "Your Hit Parade". And, unfortunately, I don't own MASH, the characters or the plotlines in the episodes. (I can dream though!) I do, however, own this story, so leave it as it is, and I will be very happy!
I Still Need You
BJ's POV
I smiled excitedly as I rip open the letter from home. I live for Peggy's letters! It feels like forever since I've gotten one from her! I easily tune out the chattering from Hawkeye and Radar as I start to read.
My Darling BJ,
Erin and I miss you so much. Not even an hour can pass before we think of you. I can't believe how short a time it has been since you left, it feels like forever. Every day I can feel the seconds ticking by. I'm glad that you Hawkeye as a friend, I wouldn't want you to be lonely. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have Erin.
I never realized how much skill you require to be a plumber, BJ. The other day the pipes in the kitchen sink weren't working properly. So I brought out the toolbox, got down on my hands and knees, and tried to fix it. The end result? I now have a flooded kitchen, and a nasty cold. Erin, who was in the kitchen watching me as I attempted to fix the sink, was excited when the kitchen started to flood. She thought that she was about to get a huge bath! Well, she didn't, but I did!
"Uh, darn!" I exclaim. "Look what happens when a man's forced away from his home."
"Why, what?" asks Hawkeye.
"Eh, Peg became a plumber for the first time, tried to fix the sink! She now has a flooded kitchen and a cold!"
I went to a neighbourhood gathering a few days ago. Rebecca Anne took care of Erin for me - Erin just adores her. May and Craig Peters and Josh and Betty Davis all asked about you. While I was there, Jeffrey Mutch made a pass at me! Ha ha! Some people!
My heart stops when I read the last bit of that paragraph. How could he make a pass at my wife? He must know that I'm not home! How dare he! And Peg? Why would she think that was funny? It's crazy! I knew that I never should have come to Korea! "Wait a minute!"
"Yeah, what? What?" asks Hawk.
"Went to a neighborhood party and one of our good neighbors made a pass at her!" I spit out.
"How did she handle it?"
"She thought it was funny! 'Ha ha!'"
"Sounds like she handled it very well."
"Gosh, I wish I was home! None of this would have happened if I had been there!"
"Beej, except for the kitchen, she's taking care of things!"
"Yeah, well she shouldn't have to! What am I doing here?"
I slam the door of the Swamp, and storm into the Mess Tent. After grabbing a cup of coffee, I thump down on a bench and start reading the rest of the letter.
There are a few problems with the car, but nothing too serious. I took it to Mac's, and he gave me an estimate. I think that I'll look into some other places, before I make a decision about what to do. I should have known that it would've been expensive there, since they charge for air!
Erin is in bed and asleep, now. The late, late show is on the television. Do you remember that song that they play on it? Whenever you heard it, you knew it was time for you to get Erin's bottle. Everything -save the flooded kitchen, and the fact the one side of the bed is always cold at night - is still the same as when you left.
I know that you're always busy (well, almost always) and that it takes a lot of time on Radar's part to connect the call, but I love it when you put a call through to us. Hearing your voice is always a blessing.I also love getting letters from you! Keep writing to me about everything that goes on in your everyday life. It's like a window for me to see what you're going through.
I love you darling.
Ever,
Peg
A drop of water plops down on top of Peg's name, smudging her perfect handwriting. It is only then that I realized I'm crying. I miss home and Peg and Erin so much. Not in that order though, obviously. What am I doing here in Korea, while Peg has to play plumber and worry about some jerk making a pass at her? This is wrong! I should be the one at home, lying on the kitchen floor, fiddling around with the pipes. If the kitchen is flooded, it should be my fault. I should have been with Peg at that party! I should've been there to punch out Jeffrey Mutch! Instead, you know where I am? I am sitting in an army tent, drinking this black muck that is considered coffee, and crying because I'm so homesick. What I wouldn't do to be at home right now.
Sighing, I managed to haul myself out of the Mess Tent and into the Swamp. I ignore the glances from Hawkeye, and the blabbering from Charles. After collapsing onto my cot and closing my eyes, I'm swept into a dream about what my homecoming will be like.
"Choppers! Choppers! Ambulances in the compound! We've got wounded!" yells Radar.
I wearily open my eyes. It is dark outside, now. I have no idea how long I have been asleep, but I know that I wish I still was.
"Beej," says Hawkeye. "Come on."
"I took the night shift yesterday," I mutter.
"Yeah, but if you don't help, I'll be stuck with Charles!"
"He always behaves if you give him a hot bath and a cookie," I sigh, as I nod back to sleep. Suddenly, I feel Hawk's boot hit my head "Hey! What the heck?"
"Come on Beej, the party's going to be running for a few more hours, yet."
Well, what do you think? I have ideas for future chapters, but first I need to know if you even want future chapters. And, I won't know until you review! By the way, you may have noticed that there was no swearing in this fanfic. That is because I believe that swearing is wrong, and that it won't hurt anyone to read something without any in it. I realize that your views on this matter may not be the same as mine, but I am the author, so please just work with me on this!
Thanks for taking the time to read, and God bless,
R12Fizzy