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YESTERDAY'S DREAMS

Final Chapter

Two sets of extra-curious eyes were glued upon the screen before them as a figure brushed passed the lens and into the otherwise insecure space where the large container was being stored with an average amount of security. It wasn't enough, Trent thought with a scoff to himself. And clearly the military didn't seem that interested in it as the Admiral would have them to believe, Carlos thought in unison.

Carefully guided by his own fear of demise, the figure ducked between two boxes, clearly wary of someone watching him or some guard passing by. He then sprung back up into action, securing a rather insecure grip on the box in question and dragging it away off of the table and outside the room away from the camera's view.

"Okay. Now here's the only other footage we have of him," the technician signaled with a few clicks on her keyboard. One final click and the screen played a different image. "This is just outside the gate of the base. You can see his truck…a rather old truck I might add…just leaving the base as if it was normal."

"How do you know it's the same guy?" Carlos asked.

"Easy. The box was in the bed of his truck hidden in plain sight."

Carlos shrugged and chuckled as he looked over the screen once again.

"Can you zoom in?" Trent queried next, pointing to the truck's bed.

"Yeah. Sure." The tech went to typing eagerly and closed in on the license plate number. It was super grainy and not very clear whatsoever. "Is that what you were after?" Trent nodded, smiling his approval. "It's not very clear. But I can print you out a copy if you need it."

"Nope," Trent grinned. "Come on, Carlos. Let's make a few calls."

They were all the way back to the blue beauty when Carlos nabbed a smile away at his partner. "Trent, you and I both know there's no way I can call in a favor after what happened."

"Aw, come on," Trent begged as he climbed into his Stingray's driver side, waiting for Carlos before he started the engine. "Just try. The worse she could say is no."

Carlos rolled his eyes and pulled out his cell phone to make the dreaded call. "Just so you know…if this backfires, I'm blaming you."

Katheryn was waiting patiently, a barely detectable smile teasing her face as the calm ocean tide splashed against her bare feet. Slowly she turned at the sound of someone approaching and nestled her feet out of the sopping wet sands to offer her full attention.

"Forgive me," was the first thing out of the aging former army surgeon's mouth. He seemed to settle into silence after that. A sharp sigh cutting through the air revealing how difficult it had been for him to come outside to say those insignificant words.

"Somehow I knew you would follow me."

"How?"

"I don't know. It's just from everything Mr. Hunnicutt has told me about you, the one thing I figured you wouldn't do was run from an opportunity to tell the truth."

"Oh, don't be coy. Everyone knows I was a first class coward."

"I don't believe you."

"No need. I believe it. And that's all that really matters in this crummy game of life."

Katheryn grimaced. "Surely you don't believe that. The war ended after all. You came home. That's what you wanted right?!"

"Yeah," Hawkeye laughed. "Somehow the war at home was just as butt ugly as the one I left behind. Two failed marriages and the loss of my father for good just wasn't how I pictured things turning out. And then some snot nosed wannabe reporter marches up to my door demanding the world find out how low and despicable their veterans really are. Don't you think I had the right to be a little bit infuriated?"

Heat rose to the brim of the little bit of dignity Katheryn had left to display. But somehow she was able to set aside the insults enough to see into the hurt this man had felt for so many years. "I assure you, sir, that I would never exploit you. All I want is for people to know the truth about the war."

"It was hell on earth. What more do you need to know?"

"Well, I really would like to know how you went through that hell and lived to tell about it. The people you all helped. God knows folks in the states could use a reality check once in a while. They've forgotten what our soldiers go through to keep our freedoms intact."

The elder gentleman seemed to linger on the young woman's meaningful words with a lean to his head as if he were debating some great philosophy in his mind. Then after a deep breath he smiled, "I tell you what. I'll make a deal with you."

"Name it! Anything."

He seemed to be holding back the most irreverent need to laugh. "I'll give you fifteen minutes if you promise me you'll not be spreading it all over the country or something. It has to stay between you and me."

"Well, what about my colleagues and friends? They're a large part of the reason why I came here."

"Nope. Confidential, my darling. Or no interview."

Katheryn wanted to go off on him again but held her tongue. This time she figured she had no choice at this point. With a shrug she accepted, deciding maybe by some miracle he'd change his mind. At least it would be better than knowing nothing at all. And she was immensely thankful she had taken the chance.

Nearly three hours later, the former military surgeon had done everything short not to tell the young inquisitive mind every detail he could remember that would give her a good idea what North Korea had been like. He even had consented for her to tell her friends about their talks. With an entire notebook full of stories and priceless accounts, Katheryn and Hawkeye shook on their measure of partial confidentiality.

As soon as Ben had driven her to the airport the next morning, she already missed the old guy already. Thankfully, she had his phone number tucked safely in that same notebook. Maybe out of this whole unusual case, she had gained a sort of grandfather out of the whole deal. And for a moment Katheryn wished she could relive their meeting all over again.

Trent and Carlos pulled to a stop along the street's edge of a rather sketchy neighborhood. That is, if it was even a neighborhood to begin with. Half of the street's homes seemed vacant and overrun with various creatures and infestations. Graffiti painted on the various buildings along with the distant sound of hip hop grooves told them that some gang had most likely taken over the street.

As he surveyed the street, Carlos shuddered inwardly at the thought of this case leading to gang trouble. He prayed that somehow it was simply an isolated incident and that no one would get hurt.

With a couple raps on the door, the pair of private eyes waiting patiently for any signs of life.

As soon as the door eased open enough for someone to stick their head out, a middle-aged man donned a smile and offered a cigar. "Well, hello there, boys. What can I do you for?"

Carlos shook his head. "We don't smoke. We came looking for a man named Charlie. Charlie Rizzo. Does he live around these parts?"

Charlie immediately disappeared behind the slamming of the door, making a dash for the back of his house. Trent darted to the left while Carlos went for his weapon, his police instincts instantly kicking in as he charged right towards the back of the house. Two climbed fences later, the pair finally caught up with the man and had a hard time catching their breath as they led him forcefully back to his home.

"Sorry about that," he chuckled wryly as soon as Trent and Carlos properly introduced themselves. "Thought for sure you were cops."

Trent's smile broadened subtly. "Why were you running though? Have you committed some sort of crime?"

"No! Not at all!" Rizzo chortled and wiped his brow on his sleeve. "Now, what's that you boys want? I ain't got all day you know."

"I'm sure you don't," Carlos breathed, his voice barely detectable. "Are you aware that your truck was scene on surveillance footage at the nearest military base recently?"

"Uh, yeah. I was there the other day to pick up a few things."

"What kinds of things?" Trent queried.

"Is it really any of your business?!"

Carlos laughed. "You can either let it be our business or the cops' business. Take your pick."

Charlie's eyes darted between the young investigators before he slipped his hands deep into his pockets, rocking on his heels nervously. "Well, I was supposed to be picking up something that was in my pa's possession before he died. A big time capsule. He brought it back from the Korean War. Promised it to me when I turned forty. Well here I am forty years young. I was just stopping by to pick up the goods."

Ending his performance with a tacky grin, both Trent and Carlos exchanged a glance full of sarcasm as they listened to the man tell his blatant lie.

"Well," Carlos flashed a grin. "Looks like we'll make it in time to pick Katheryn up at the airport after all."

It didn't take long for Charlie to regret his words as Carlos secured cuffs on him and led him outside to make a brief call to the DPD. They had caught their thief almost too easily. But they hardly could complain. Still, they were curious why the culprit had committed such a crime.

Carlos stretch a little from the driver's seat as he slowly let his foot of the brake to inch forward in the rather long line of cars tracing the entrance. He could barely make out a small figure about seven cars ahead, her blond hair waving in the breeze and her head looking back and forth most likely searching for the one who had his eyes fastened on her at that very moment. His Durango was three cars away when a broad smile suddenly took over Katheryn's face, reddened from the cold and most likely smiling so much so quickly.

Kath met Carlos at the back of his SUV a short minute later, handing him her suitcase to hoist inside before she planted a kiss on his lips and dreamed of the moment they'd be alone again to cherish the reunion a bit better.

"So did y'all catch the guy?" Katheryn asked as soon as they were on the freeway riding hand in hand.

Carlos smiled. "Yep! It was way easier than either of us thought it would be to be honest."

"That's usually not a good thing," Kath noted. "Are you sure you shouldn't have dug a little deeper?"

Carlos shook his head. "Nope. We found the time capsule stashed in his garage with a few other military trinkets."

"But why did he do it?"

"Trent and I were wondering the same thing. Turns out Rizzo's father Luther was also a member of the M*A*S*H unit that all the others were a part of. But he wasn't a high ranking official if you get my drift."

Kath nodded understandingly. "He wasn't a very likable guy I'm guessing."

"Nope. Charlie's father talked night and day about getting revenge. Seemed Charlie thought it was his duty to somehow steal the last treasures they left behind. Since Charlie served too, he'll be tried by a military court. He'll probably be in prison for a very long time. This wasn't his first offense."

Kath's gaze dropped. "That's sad. Poor guy. Hopefully he'll realize how much his actions could hurt the other kids of the M*A*S*H members."

"Yeah, I doubt it though since that was his goal in the first place. Meanwhile, Mr. Flores is beyond happy to have the box back to finishing investigating it. He said a museum is already inquiring about the items."

"True. That's good. At least I was able to talk with two heroes on my trip. I've got so much information to sort through. And…" Kath paused, giving Carlos time to become confused by the twinkle in her eye. "Mr. Pierce has given me permission to start writing a book about them all."

"Hey, that's great!"

"But! He said it can't be a bio. So it will be about the whole M*A*S*H unit. I'll probably go back to Maine sometime to work on the project more with them and the other surviving members. The kids and grandkids too."

"That's incredible, Kath." Carlos waited until they had exited off of the interstate and stopped at a stop sign in a quiet neighborhood before he leaned over with a pressing kiss on her lips. "I'm so proud of you."

Kath's smile grew bigger as Carlos drew away. "I'm glad."

Laughter echoed as a car stopped behind them and blew their horn at the oblivious couple.

"Come on," Kath urged, giving Carlos' hand a squeeze. "Let's get home and get started on those wedding plans."

"Already?" Carlos blurted out, partially afraid for his own well-being.

Katheryn couldn't help but laugh at his response. "Don't worry, silly. I'll go easy on you. I promise. Frankly, if you want to elope, I'm up for that too."

"Really?!" Carlos' eyes lit up than fell gloomy again. "You and I both know Molly and Trent would not let us live it down."

"Yeah, you're right," Kath frowned. Then a bright smile spread across her face. "It's okay. Because really I wouldn't dream of robbing myself of the opportunity of spending that day with our friends…our family. I just wish the days would pass by just a little bit quicker."

A/N: And our MASH saga comes to a close! Wow, I spent far too long trying to wrap up this story than I planned. Still, I wish I could have explored even more of the MASH end of the tale. But as seems to be a trend for me, I get tired towards the end each story and get pumped for my next one. Also, there was no big fight or climatic ending to this one. But don't fret. That just means you have a huge treat to look forward to in the next story. That's right, folks. My series is far from over! I've got so many good stories in the works! It may take me longer to write in between chapters due to a few changes in my life. But these characters are my home away from home. They'll never be abandoned. Promise! Thanks as always for reading, reviewing, and enjoying the adventure. God Bless, 'Kath'