Hi everyone! This is my first MASH story, so let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: Seeing as how my parents were kids when MASH aired, I couldn't possibly own it.


Chapter 1- Trapper

I didn't say goodbye. That thought haunted me as I got off of the plane in Boston. What kind of person leaves their best friend alone with Ferret Face and doesn't even say goodbye?

I looked around for Louise and the girls, but they weren't here yet. Louise had said something about coming after Becky's dance class, so I sat down on a nearby bench to wait.

Attention all passengers taking the 5:45 flight to San Francisco. Your plane has been delayed two hours, a voice said over the PA.

I looked up to see a surgeon I recognized from Boston General storming away from a frightened looking airport employee. What surprised me the most was that he was wearing an army uniform.

"Hi Dr. Winchester," I said, "I didn't think I would run into you here."

"Dr. McIntyre," he nodded before proceeding to ignore me.

"Did you get drafted?" I asked sympathetically. Charles Winchester was a snob, but I knew firsthand what getting torn away from your family was like. Besides, I wanted to know whether or not I would be stuck with him at the hospital.

"No, McIntyre, I simply put on this uniform and had my plane get delayed two hours for the fun of it," he snapped.

"So you're heading to Korea?" I asked. Maybe he was replacing me- or Frank.

"Most certainly not!" he said indignantly. "I've been assigned to Tokyo General as a thoracic surgeon. I would never be caught dead in Korea. Especially not in one of those filthy MASH units. Ha, can you imagine?"

Fighting the urge to punch Winchester in the nose, I said, "That's probably best. If you ended up in the MASH I used to be in, my best friend would probably put a snake in your bed. Good luck in Tokyo."

As I walked away I saw Becky and Cathy running toward me yelling, "Daddy!" Louise was behind them smiling. Even as I hugged my family, talking about Hawkeye had brought back the thought; I didn't say goodbye.

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A few years later

I woke up in the middle of the night and suddenly knew what I had to do. I crept downstairs trying not to wake up Louise or the girls.

When I reached the phone I said, "Hello, operator? I'd like to place a call to Crabapple Cove, Maine… Yeah, I know it's late, but… Listen, I'm a doctor! If you don't put me through I'll come down there and you'll donate a pint of blood through the nose… Thank you!"

I had to yell at a few more operators, but by 3 am, my call finally went through.

"Hello?" grumbled a voice sleepily. I grinned; I'd know that voice anywhere.

"Hiya, Hawk!" I said cheerfully.

"Trapper?" he asked sounding confused.

"Listen Hawk, there's something I've wanted to tell you all these years."

"Trap, I realize that it's only 3 o'clock in the morning, but you might finally have gone craz-"

"Goodbye, Hawk," I said quietly.

An hour later I hung up the phone feeling happier than I had in a long time. As I climbed back into bed with Louise snoring next to me, one thought filled my mind; I said goodbye.


Next up, Frank!