A/N: I dedicate this fic to Ashley, a girl at my school who passed away recently. She was only thirteen years old and loved to ski and horseback ride.
Disclaimer: I do not own MASH anymore than Klinger is an actual woman.
The rain fell heavily flooding the compound with muddy water but Hawkeye paid no attention to it. He had work to do. He was careful to step around the wounded men as they lay scattered across the compound. Moaning they reached out for him, their eyes screaming a silent plea for help. He knew many of them had no hope, but that wouldn't stop him from trying. He worked his way through the many wounded, working fast, these men didn't have time to waste. He bent over a young soldier whose stomach was virtually missing. He was writhing in pain. Hawkeye desperately tried to pin the man down so he wouldn't aggravate his wounds further. Unfortunately the man would have none of it and thrashed violently. Slowly the man's efforts ceased and he lay still, his eyes clouded over and stared up at nothing. Hawkeye grabbed the young mans wrist and searched for a pulse in vain. Nothing, he was gone. Wearily he stood; another young man who would not make it home alive.
Suddenly, he stopped short. There lying motionless on a stretcher was a little Korean child. As he drew closer he saw that it was a young girl, probably no more than eight years old. Although unconscious her tiny features were scrunched in pain. She seemed to be bleeding heavily and when he reached her he found the reason. Her small legs were twisted in awkward directions and her blood mixed with the mud on her dress. Hawkeye nearly gagged when he saw that a chunk of flesh seemed to be missing.
"Nurse!" he called as he stooped to take the child's pulse. It was rapid and thready she needed help. Now. A new nurse who had just transferred rushed over and gasped at the sight of the girl's legs.
"Yes Doctor?"
He squinted up at her through the downpour, "I need some bandages, penicillin, and some guys over here fast. I need to get her inside." He leaned in closer to get a better look at her mutilated legs. "I need some light! I can't see anything out here!"
"Sir, there are more seriously wounded men. Shouldn't you help in surgery?" The nurse asked timidly.
Hawkeye glared up at her.
"I will help in surgery. As soon as I take care of her! Don't tell me how to do my job!"
She seemed stunned but nodded and rushed away to carry out his orders. He turned his attention back to the young girl. He cooed and caressed her trying to give her some comfort since she seemed to be in a considerable amount of pain. Blood soaked the gauze he was using to apply pressure to her legs. That nurse better hurry up.
His prayers were answered as two men arrived and lifted her stretcher.
"Keep pressure on that!" He shouted to the cocky nurse. She nodded and pressed fresh bandages on the girl's leg. They headed toward pre-op and Hawkeye left to go scrub up. This little girl needed his help, and she was his first priority.