Epilogue

[AN: Sorry, I didn't plan on writing an epilogue, but was aware that the previous chapter was getting a bit long!]

No doubt the highlight of the reunion was the arrival of Sidney Freedman with Lorraine Blake. He had recently attended a seminar in Illinois, Henry's hometown and had managed to persuade Lorraine to come to the reunion.

Sidney was welcomed with great affection. In his capacity as psychiatrist, he probably had endured the most difficult time in Korea. As he himself had once admitted, it was always difficult to know whether or not he had healed the minds of his patients. In some tragic cases, he knew he had failed to reach them and that they would remain lost forever.

He had been a good friend to most of the 4077th in one way or another, giving reassurance – usually when off-duty - when all sense of sanity had threatened to rock their world. Looking round the group, he found it fascinating to witness how the war had broken the stronger characters, whilst in contrast, the weaker characters had become stronger.

Lorraine's presence was nothing short of inspirational. To the people who had known Henry Blake, she was a stark reminder of all the souls who didn't come home from the war. But Lorraine wasn't bitter, or twisted. She hadn't turned against God or was pointing the finger of blame at anyone.

She spoke with a vibrancy and passion when referring to 4077th M*A*S*H. They were words that Henry had used when he had written to her about "that crazy bunch of people" whom he had learned to become dependent upon.

She spoke of how he referred to Hawkeye and Trapper as the best damn chest-cutters in Korea. She referred to his fatherly relationship with Radar and of the great respect he had for Father Mulcahy. She laughed in delight as she recalled how Klinger had constantly kept her husband amused by his latest hair-brain scheme. She revealed how proud he was when he wrote about his loyal nursing staff and the fabulously feisty, Major Hotlips Houlihan! He even referred to Frank as an "okay type of guy"!

Finally, she spoke of the sadness in her heart, as his chair around the family table would always remain empty. The only regret she had was that he never got the chance to come back and pick up the pieces of his life again.

Therefore, her underlying message was that life was too short to become complacent or hesitant. You had to grab the bull by the horns and live your life so that you would die satisfied that you had fulfilled all your dreams. That way, the ones that didn't make it would never be forgotten.

The group came together one final time, standing in a big united circle. As they held hands, they each reflected on her words and how they would have a big impact on their lives.

Radar had decided he was going to marry his girl, Patty and have children. The farm was doing well and he wanted to make his mother's wish come true by making her a grand-ma.

Klinger was already one step ahead of Radar, having revealed that Soon-Lee was pregnant. He had plans to study for a Civil Service Exam, which hopefully would secure them financially.

Frank was going to divorce his wife. He no longer wanted to live in a web of deceit and lies. He felt stronger now than he had ever felt before in his life. And he was going to make sure he exchanged telephone numbers with Honoria. She had made quite an impression on him, but this time it was for the right reasons. He could finally see a glimmer of hope at the end of his dark tunnel.

Father Mulcahy had not given up on his dream to work with deaf children. His hearing was almost 100% better and his renewed confidence and determination would allow him to establish his goal.

Having taken Colonel Potter's advice, Margaret was going to marry her fiancé. For once, she was going to think about her own happiness without trying to please other people.

The Colonel would still fulfil his role as head of his surrogate family. He would always be the one the others would go to for advice and encouragement.

Trapper had vowed to keep in contact with Pierce and Hunnicutt. After spending nearly three years trying to erase all memory of his days in Korea, he realised that he could never forget the people who had come to mean so much to him.

Charles, having been given the wake-up call he needed from Father Mulcahy, was going to replace his smashed Mozart's Clarinet Quintet record. As he squeezed his sister's hand, he felt an inner peace that he hadn't felt since he had returned home.

Hawkeye also felt a sense of great relief. He had Carlyle and his father. He had the friendship of two of the finest people he had the pleasure to have known. He may have come back from the war with a few demons, but at least he had come back.

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As the guests began to depart, it wasn't long before BJ and Peg were the only two people left in the room. The reunion had gone better than BJ could have hoped for. There was really only one thing now that was standing in his way of moving on with his life.

He took Peggy by the hand and looked deep into her eyes. He could see that questioning look staring back at him. But he could also see the love and trust, almost willing him on to tell her of his indiscretion.

"There's something I have to tell you, Peg," he said, gulping back a big lump in his throat. "I was unfaithful to you when I was in Korea. It only happened the one time and it didn't mean anything."

He paused, waiting for her to say something. He saw a betrayed expression flicker briefly across her face. He hated himself for hurting her like this.

"I know," she finally replied, softly.

BJ looked at her in astonishment.

"You knew!" he repeated. "But why didn't you say anything?"

"I guess I didn't want to give you a reason to lie to me," she said. "That would have hurt me even more."

"Can you forgive me?" he pleaded, his eyes wet with tears of remorse and guilt.

Peg thought carefully about her answer. She knew deep down that her husband loved her. She understood that he had been in a place she could only imagine about in her worst nightmare. And she knew she loved him more now than she had ever loved him before. She thought of Lorraine Blake as she gave him her answer.

"The only thing I couldn't forgive you for, is if you hadn't made it back to me," she said.

BJ let out a sigh of relief as he drew her to him. That's all he needed to hear.

In time, the Korean War would be known historically as the Forgotten War. But to those people who had been attached to the 4077th M*A*S*H, it would always serve as a reminder of all those who would be forgotten by all but their immediate families and close friends.

T*H*E E*N*D

[Thanks for reading. Please do let me know what you thought. Happy New Year, everyone!]