7. Plans

"Klinger, have you seen Hawkeye?" BJ asked the company clerk.

"He's in with Colonel Potter BUT there are no interuptions."

"Why, what's going on?" BJ asked, looking towards the door.

"No idea, sir. That's just what I've been told." Klinger held a look of sorrow, but also guilt. BJ knew Klinger at least had an idea of what was happening.

"Come on Klinger, you must have a clue."

Klinger looked at BJ with his big brown eyes. "I'm sorry." He knew he couldn't betray the trust he was given as the company clerk.

-()-

"Is that BJ I can hear?" Hawkeye asked.

"Yeah. He's just outside the office."

"How long have I been in here?"

"About two hours. He's probably come looking for you. I told Klinger to keep everyone out."

"I guess they're gonna find out sooner or later." Hawkeye said. He couldn't believe it had been two hours since he'd come in here. It must have been an hour ago that they'd got through to the hospital. That they confirmed what Potter had told him. That all this wasn't a horrible mistake, but it was in fact, all real and happening to him.

"You want me to handle that?" Potter asked. Hawkeye put his hand over his eyes as he leant his elbow on the desk.

"Yeah." Hawkeye couldn't imagine talking about this right now.

"Not everyone needs to know. I'll hold a small staff meeting later on and tell them then." Hawkeye nodded at that vaguely.

"Tell you what, I'll get Klinger to round up those folk; Hunnicutt, Winchester, Houlihan, Mulcahy and himself in the Swamp. I'll tell them then. And while I do that I want you to head over to my tent. Park yourself over there and I'll come by after I've finished. Or, if you want to see anyone else, I can send them over?"

"No, not tonight."

"Okay, then you spend the night in there. Some time alone to get your thoughts straight will do you some good. I don't want Hunnicutt smothering you. I'll take yor tent."

"Yeah okay." Hawkeye agreed. "You think... er. You think tomorrow morning BJ would... you think I could talk to him tomorrow morning?"

"Of course." Potter said. He didn't care if BJ was reluctant to see Hawkeye, he'd order him to see him if he had to. "Okay, I'll get the troops rounded up. Five minutes from now make your way to my tent? I'll bring your things over."