A/N: I'm sorry that I haven't updated in so long. I imagine most of you have forgotten about this story, but it's a story I really wanted to tell. After two viewings of GFA this week, inspiration struck once again. I hope you enjoy this.
Chapter four
"Sydney, hey, it's Hawkeye. How the hell are you?"
"Hawkeye," an amused Sydney greeted his friend. "Shouldn't it be I who asked how you are doing?"
"You shrinks never stop do you?"
"That good, huh?"
"Yeah, things are great. Margaret and I are the proud parents of a baby girl. Her name is Shiloh Olivia…"
"The gift of peace," Sydney translated.
"Yeah, how did you know? Been browsing through the baby books?"
"Let's just say I've been around. How are you handling things?"
"Oh, so far I've been okay. She's healthy, Margaret's healthy, and I…"
"Yes?"
"I've been better. I don't know what's eating me, doc. I have everything in the world to be thankful for. I did what everyone told me to. I settled down, I'm staying with Dad but am saving for my own place, I experienced one of the true joys in life- the birth of a child. You'd think I'd be on top of the world."
"But you're not."
"Am I that transparent?" Hawkeye asked before taking a sip of his coffee.
"I know you well. We've been through a lot together, you and I," Sydney reminded him, as if Hawkeye needed reminding.
"Yeah, we've been through hell and back. Although sometimes I wonder if I completely made it back."
"That's understandable. War is hell. And you experienced in a short time what normal people never have to see in a lifetime. You probably did leave part of yourself in Korea."
"Like my marbles?"
"What's going on, Hawkeye? Are you having flashbacks again?" If Sydney was alarmed, he didn't let on, but Hawkeye cringed at the memories that Sydney was referring to.
"Yeah. No. I don't know. I caught myself doing the chicken spiel the other day, and that made me think of things…things I'd rather not think about. How's that for life being grand?" Hawkeye asked bitterly.
"You know, I have some vacation time coming up, perhaps I could plan a trip to Crabapple Cove?"
"I don't know if that's such a great idea. If Margaret knew I was talking with you she might start to panic."
"How is Margaret doing?"
"She's got her hands full that's for sure," Hawkeye admitted. "The baby's good but still any new mother can get overwhelmed if they let themselves."
"I really think a trip out there would be a good thing. Let me handle Margaret…"
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to sleep with her. Or not sleep, depending on Shiloh's mood."
Sydney chuckled. "I'd say you definitely have your hands full. I'll see you next week."
"That soon, huh? Seems like in more trouble than I thought."
"You're not in trouble, Hawkeye. You just are experiencing a major life event. Everyone needs a visit from a long lost friend now and then."
"Okay, but I'm sure Margaret won't like it."
"Then don't tell her. Let me just show up at your doorstep. I'm sure Margaret will be too polite to turn me away."
"Are we talking about Margaret Houlihan? Maybe you should get to know her after all."
As Hawkeye said his goodbyes and hung up the phone, he wondered what exactly he had gotten himself into this time.
