A/N: Bit of a short one this time. Many thanks to my sole reviewer MASHmad. I'd also like to thank celticmaggie4077 and ricebol, just for talking to me. It helped me get this one going again because I'd stalled a little.
3. Have Faith
"Lay down a list of what is wrong
The things you've told him all along"
BJ walked through the door to the Swamp, seeing Hawkeye laying on his cot. His eye opened a fraction hearing someone enter, but closed as soon as he saw who it was.
BJ made his way other to his own cot, and reached across to get the paper he'd put aside earlier to write to Peg. He sat down on the chair near his cot and picked up the pen that was on the floor.
Dear Peg,
I hope you're well honey. Everything's much the same here, more wounded, more surgery, more boredom.
I loved the picture you sent of you and Erin at your parents house. She looks more like you everytime I see a picture. I can't wait to hold her. I got a bit jealous when you were saying about how your dad got her off too sleep when she was crying with her teething pain. I just wished it were me. But I know it's no one's fault I'm here, I just get a little crazy now and then thinking about what I'm missing.
I've not had the best day today, either. We had a kid come through here, really badly hurt. We bought him into OR and did all we could, but he died. Hawkeye had tried to save him and he's taking it really bad. I think he'll be okay in a day or two, but it's always hard. It makes you wonder why you're even out here when you can't save someone.
You know as well as me that you can't save everyone, but honey, it never helps.
BJ stopped writing when the door to the Swamp opened again. Charles looked at Hawkeye before going and sitting on his cot.
"He asleep?" BJ asked.
Charles nodded as he began taking his boots off. "I don't think I'll be far behind him." Charles commented.
"Tough day." BJ said, knowing it was an understatement. BJ sat there, not writing any more letter, just thinking. It was a few minutes before he spoke out again. "You think he'll be okay?" BJ asked Charles, but didn't look at him.
"Pierce?" He clarified, seeing BJ nod slightly. Charles looked over at the sleeping form. "He'll be fine."
"You can't know that."
"I don't 'know', but I can guess. He's been here longer than both of us two and he's always got through so far."
"He just seems to have taken this one so hard."
Charles paused for a moment before he spoke. "There's probably a reason. Maybe that boy reminded him of someone at home. Maybe... he's tallied up the men he's lost and he didn't like the figure that came out. With Pierce, you never know what he thinking. But for the most part, he usually thinks rationally in the end and I'm sure he'll realise that the poor unfortunate boy had no chance. The only thing he could have done to save his life would have been to stop him ever coming over here."
"Doctors can't do that." BJ said, looking blankly ahead.
Inhaling, Winchester replied. "No, they can not."
BJ looked over at Charles. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."
"So does Pierce." Charles said.
"Pray to God he hears you
And pray to God he hears you"
BJ looked at Charles again. "I think I'll call it a night too."
Both men stripped off their fatigues. Charles' cot creaked first as he got on it, switching off the small light that hung overhead.
BJ took a few minutes longer to get ready. Before he got himself into bed, he picked Hawkeye's blanket up, which was half across him and half on the floor and covered him over properly.
He made his way to his cot and laid down, turning off his light and plunging the Swamp into darkness.
As he lay in the dark, BJ hoped that their plan had worked. He hoped that Hawkeye had heard them.
TBC
