2.

Hawkeye had planned on finding BJ, but between one thing and another he'd been held up.

He did head to the Swamp first but was surprised by the mess in the inside. Sure, it's not the tidiest of places at the best of times. But not usually coming from Charles. But he didn't worry about the mess, simply clambered over it and went to Charles' bunk. Some of the assortment of items was still on his cot, other bits in the box. Hawkeye looked through a few of them, tempted to open a pack of rum and raisin biscuits Charles received, but resisted.

Winchester had relaxed a fair amount recently and he didn't want to run the risk of upsetting him and stopping him from sharing with the others. He could wait.

Besides, he came here looking for BJ.

He clearly wasn't in the Swamp, so Hawkeye headed back outside. He saw Margaret heading towards her tent, looking like she wanted to break something, so he decided against speaking to her.

But then the distractions started.

He'd helped Mulcahy with some last minute supplies he needed to take to the orphanage (some of the kids were sick and wouldn't be coming). Once Mulcahy he was off on his way, he'd been called into post op to check up on one of his patients who had been showing signs of a potential fever, Luckily, with Nurse Kelly calling him so quickly when she noticed the symptoms, he was confident that they would keep the fever at bay. He stayed with the kid for a while, even though Charles was on duty and was more than capable. BJ was the furthest thing from him mind for a while.

He didn't really notice how long he was in post op until his stomach started to protest. Heading to the mess tent he grabbed some food and enjoyed a pretty peaceful lunch.

Then BJ came to his mind again and he headed off to find him. He eventually found his bunkmate in Rosie's Bar. Hawkeye went to the bar and ordered two beers, waiting for Rosie to get the beers and keeping an eye on BJ. He seemed lost, unaware of where he was and what was happening around him.

"Captain, can I buy you a drink?" Klinger said, standing with Margaret about to order for the pair of them.

"No thanks, Klinger. These are on me." He said as he put down money for his beers and enough to cover whatever Margaret and Klinger wanted before heading off to the table with BJ.

Margaret watched him sit down at the table with BJ. "So what did you get us for food? Anything inspiring?" she asked Klinger.

"Radar's on the case. He's trying to do some deals but the phonelines have been kinda tied up right now. But Radar won't let us down."

"Now how about the banner?"

"Some of the nurses volunteered to do that," Klinger informed.

"Excellent. Now, we have to make sure that all the gifts for the orphans are wrapped up. And make sure the Colonel checks the Santa Claus suit still fits."

"It's all in hand, Major. I have your list right here."

"I know I know. I just... I want everything to be perfect. I don't want one thing going wrong tomorrow."

"It won't! Not with us at the helm."

Margaret shot Klinger a sceptical look but before she could say anything in response, BJ's voice boomed loudly across the room.

"Why don't you stay out of my damn business!"

"Well there's Christmas spirit for you," Klinger remarked.

"Come on," Margaret said as she got up and headed over to the table, BJ and Hawkeye were sat at.

TBC...