Conclusion of: The Sacrificial Lamb
Author's note: Be aware that this story is a little heavier than my usual fare, which is why it has been rated T. There is nothing graphic or gratuitous, but definitely hinted at. There is also brief nudity of a NON-sexual nature.
Captain Kerry Pierce Lloyd dreaded her duty shift coming to an end. Despite Private Hopkins' eyes on her back whilst on duty in the hospital, at least she knew where he was, and she had a nurse with her in the room at all times. This evening it was Major Houlihan on duty.
Somehow, Margaret's presence was reassuring. The Major was aware of what was afoot, and although she gave nothing away whatsoever in her words, expression or demeanor, still Kerry could feel her support as reliable as a brick wall.
She hated this innocently waiting around for something to happen. She would sooner have confronted the leech and have done with it. This way of course, he would hopefully be put out of the way so that the world would be a safer place, but in the meantime, she had to sit back and play victim.
A victim. Was she a victim? Was the fact that she had used the word to reference herself make her in any way a helpless victim? A potential victim perhaps, but certainly not a helpless one. Margaret Houlihan was a perfect example of an attractive woman who might be viewed as a target by a leech like Hopkins.
There were still stories that circulated the camp from time to time about the Major's nickname Hotlips, and how she had acquired it; but she was no soft touch, as Kerry had witnessed first-hand. Possibly if Hopkins had been in Korea for a while, if he had booked into the 4077th hotel before, he may well have already got the measure of the Major, although she had not said so. Come to that, if he had been here already, the records would have made it clear. In that case, why had he picked her as his target?
A soft nudge at her shoulder made her look up from her paperwork. Margaret smiled.
"Hang in there, doctor."
"Still staring?"
Without looking round, Margaret grunted in the affirmative.
"I can't help wondering why me? Do I have a target painted on my back or something?"
"You're his doctor…and you are a little more…hands-on than doctors usually are."
Kerry glanced up, but Margaret was serious.
"More hands-on?"
"When the patient needs something, you generally don't wait for the nurse to come and take care of it, you get right on and do it yourself. With a man like Hopkins, there is the risk that he will take it the wrong way and assume he is receiving special attention."
"Along with the rest of the ward?"
"He won't have noticed anyone else. He will just know that he wants you and you have shown him preferential treatment. To a man like that, almost an invitation."
Kerry sighed and got up.
"I'll have to think carefully about that one, Major. I just hope the Colonel and Hawkeye know what they are doing. Come on, we'd better get back to work."
The two women were busy, and both were happy when Doctor Hunnicut and Nurse Bigelow arrived to take over.
"Quick drink before bed doctor?" Margaret asked. Kerry nodded.
"Why not? I think we've earned it tonight."
In the officer's club, Klinger was doing duty behind the bar. At least, technically speaking. In fact, he was standing behind the bar with a large white cloth tied around his middle, sprawled across the counter and snoring loud enough to rattle the windows. Beside him, Radar was in the process of pouring drinks for himself and Nurse Cox, his date for the evening.
"What'll it be Major?" Kerry asked her companion, slipping behind the bar and taking two clean glasses off the tray. She poured their drinks, and they sat down near the wall, deliberately with their backs to the door.
"So, how have you been Captain?" Margaret asked, once they were settled. "I mean, aside from this business, how have you been doing?"
Kerry shrugged.
"Good days, bad days."
She took a long swig of her half bitter and shut her eyes, feeling the alcohol enter her stomach, wishing she had chosen something stronger, like whisky.
"I miss Mike so much it hurts. One of the enlisted soldiers that came through here last week looked so much like Mike from behind, I almost…" she broke off and shook her head. "I just kept thinking `Well it just might be him… perhaps someone made a mistake…' and I…" Kerry finished her drink and sat staring at the now empty glass.
"Keeping busy helps through the daytime, but nothing helps at night…"
Margaret nodded, tears in her eyes.
"Well, you're welcome to bring your cot into my tent for a while if you think having someone else around will help with the loneliness…"
"Thanks. I might do that at some point, but right now I think I would keep you awake."
Margaret's heart almost broke in sympathy. She had sometimes heard her friend crying herself to sleep in the wee hours of the morning, and had yearned to be able to do something, anything to help. The thing was, the only thing that would really help her, was time. Time would eventually create a tough scar to cover the wound. The wound, the scar, the hole left by the death of her husband would never leave her. But time, as with all things would create a barrier that would eventually ease the searing pain she had now whenever he entered her mind, and allow Kerry to eventually remember him with fondness, and even with humour. But how long the tough scar would take to form differed with each individual.
After a few moments, Kerry seemed to shake herself, and apologized to her companion.
"Sorry, Major. Enough self-indulgence for one day. I'm not like this usually. At one time, I would have given that cousin of mine a run for his money."
"You mean you're a joker and prankster too?"
Kerry grinned sidelong.
"I try to be less…obvious than Hawkeye…but for the most part, I seem to have lost all interest in things like that…the world stopped being a fun place when I lost the twins. It seemed to go downhill from there. But you know what?"
"What?"
"I think if I can switch my `mad gene' back on, it might prove a useful antidote to grief…"
The Major frowned thoughtfully, thinking back.
"You said `for the most part'. You haven't been playing tricks on us all behind out backs without our realizing it, have you?"
A sly smile lit up Kerry's face for a moment before she managed to quash it. Margaret was instantly suspicious.
"What was it? Tell me!"
Kerry shook her head.
"Hawkeye warned me that If I told you, you would go into orbit, and I would hate that. I value your friendship, and I would hate it if you suddenly decided that I was a bad influence after all."
Margaret huffed.
"Hawkeye's the worst influence in this entire camp! He is a smartass prankster that can never be serious for more than a few minutes at a time. He is one of the most annoying, infuriating men I have ever known, and a loyal friend who would do anything for anyone. He is also a valued friend, and if you ever tell him I said that, I will deny it!"
Kerry laughed.
"You mean that you've been waiting for me to show my true colours all this time?"
"Well, you're alike in every other way. It seemed likely you would be hip deep in the jokes too…but when I learned about your…your losses, I found myself wondering how you have managed to keep yourself together this well."
"Workaholic…learnaholic…studyaholic…jokeaholic…"
"Work hard and play hard, right?"
Kerry nodded.
"My problem is that I don't face my problems so much as turn my back on them in the hope that they will go away. Do you realize I never properly cried for Mike until I arrived here at the 4077th? There is so much suffering everywhere here, so much unnecessary death and destruction, it kind of puts all your own woes into perspective, but also brings you face to face with them in a way that doesn't happen so readily at home."
"If you can worry about other people…?"
"Exactly."
"So that's why you're so good with patients?"
That brought the present problem back to their minds, and Kerry grimaced.
"Perhaps I should try and be less hands-on as you put it, if it is going to start encouraging every lothario in Korea."
Margaret made no comment. For her part, she considered doctor Lloyd was an outstanding doctor, and was well liked and appreciated among all the patients for her kindness and compassion. Presently, Kerry moved back her chair.
"I guess I should be making a move. I have a letter home to write. My late sister-in-law's lawyer is dragging his feet over dealing with her estate, knowing that as I am thousands of miles away, I am unable to camp outside his office to give him a piece of my mind. He's clearly forgotten that that letters can have an even greater sting in their tails."
"Well, all the best with that, then."
Kerry smiled, gave the Major a quick hug, and left. She took care to appear carefree and unhurried as she normally would, even though she wanted to break into a run. There was no one acting suspicious on the compound, and she made it to her tent without anything occurring to alarm her. Before she had the chance to click on the light, a hand clamped around her mouth and nose, cutting off her ability to breathe, whilst another hand clutched her tightly around the throat. Her assailant kicked the back of her knees, and they buckled. As her knees hit the wooden floor, she could feel her head starting to spin, and she knew she was about to lose consciousness. She still couldn't breathe, and she squirmed frantically, making wild noises in her throat. The hand across her mouth loosened its grip on her nose, but clamped all the harder on her mouth, stopping her from crying out. With her nose thankfully free, she sucked in as much air as she could, feeling her head starting to pound. Finally, a voice spoke in her ear.
"Now we're going to have a little fun, you and me. Click the light on. Now!"
He leaned her towards the door, and she reached out her hand and fumbled for the light-switch. As light flooded the tent, she saw her reflection in the mirror, her eyes wild with fear, Private George Hopkins close behind her. She felt him tighten his grip on her, then sparks flew, and she blacked out.
She opened her eyes slowly, feeling horribly sick, and realized that she was tied up, hand and foot. There was something large and hard in her mouth…it felt something like a large golfball, but of a size that it filled her mouth to capacity. A gag was tied viciously over the top that ensured she could not make any kind of sound. Her clothing had been completely removed, but she knew that aside from tying her up and undressing her, he had not, as yet, touched her. She knew full well that if he had, she would know it.
The guys had promised to be looking out for her, following her and making sure she was safe. Where in hell were they? She felt curiously detached as she watched Hopkins stripping himself down, as though she were merely watching an old movie. Finally, clad in just his shorts and his boots, he advanced on her, a happy smile on his face.
"I know you've been waiting for this, doctor." He said in a dangerously soft tone. "Sorry about the ropes and gag and everything, but I've found that it's the only way to keep girls' hands off me. They want me too much, you see…"
Kerry was suddenly panic-stricken. Somehow this maniac had managed to escape from post-op without being noticed. The guys were all waiting somewhere else for him to show up, and she was about to be attacked, assaulted, possibly even…
She thrashed about as wildly as her bonds would allow, frantically trying to get her head near enough to her arm to remove the gag so that she could spit out whatever was in her mouth and scream. Hopkins was amused.
"Good girl!" he cooed. "Getting excited, are we? Come on then. Let's have a little fun…"
He advanced towards her, beginning to remove his shorts. She became even more frantic. She had to stop him! She had to!
Suddenly the door was thrown off its hinges by what sounded like several army boots and a volley of shouting. A moment later, Hopkins was lying face down on the floor, with two army issue rifles aimed at his head if he moved. Whilst the MPs took care of the prisoner, Hawkeye was frantically untying her and freeing her mouth from the awful gag, the fear in his eyes telling her all too clearly what could have happened.
Suddenly finding herself freed from her restraints, Kerry didn't care that she was unclothed in the presence of several of her male colleagues. She was alive, and untouched…for what that was worth. Hawkeye leaned in to hug her, but she pulled away from him and grabbed her bathrobe. Colonel Potter rested a hand on her shoulder.
"I think you need to go to the hospital my dear." He said in his kindest grandfather-like voice. Kerry shrugged him off and rounded on him.
"Where were you two when I needed you Colonel? You and Hawk both promised you would be there, and you weren't. I thought he was going to…he might have…oh god…"
Hawkeye looked profoundly upset.
"We were there all the time, Kiwi, really. We had a feeling he would ambush you in your quarters, but we had spies out all over the place, everywhere you could have gone, just in case. We were watching, making sure he didn't actually hurt you, but we had to wait and let him hang himself first…"
Colonel Potter and Hawkeye both yearned to comfort her, but she refused to let them anywhere near her. Then suddenly, they were gone. The MPs were gone, the prisoner, Hopkins was gone. Her tent was hers again, except for the door that was now on the floor in three separate pieces. A blanket was being wrapped around her shoulders and a mug of something hot pressed into her hands. She had never tasted it before, but she knew instantly what it was. Tea. Major Charles Emerson Winchester III sat on his heels, gently massaging her ankles and feet whilst she sipped her hot tea., until she had finished it. He took her mug from her and placed it carefully down on the floor, then sat beside her on the bed, and held her tightly against his chest. He could feel her shaking from deep down inside. Instinctively he knew how terrified she had been…how terrified anyone would have been in her position.
How he admired her for agreeing to be the decoy for that maniac! She could have been killed or worse…Personally, Charles considered her response to the Colonel and Captain Pierce had been remarkably restrained considering the danger they had exposed her to. She was the sum total of everything that Charles considered desirable and attractive in a woman. Good looking and clever yes, but she was courageous and honest. Thank goodness they had stopped that Hopkins before he had managed to do any permanent damage.
Charles stopped that thought in its tracks. How did he know she had suffered no lasting hurts? The trauma she had clearly been through tonight could be enough to tip some women over the edge. She should never have been asked to go through such a thing, whatever the reason. Anger, compassion and desire raged through him as he sat and held her closely, determined that come what may, she would be safe tonight.
Presently, Kerry sat up, and Charles released his hold on her. Her face was tear stained and she was still shaking, although not so badly as before.
"Thank you, Charles."
"Anytime." He smiled. "Are you feeling any better?"
"I don't know…I don't want to be alone right now…Can you stay here with me? I promise no hanky-panky…"
He smiled, his heart thumping unexpectedly.
"I wish I could, but I'm due in post-op in an hour. Let me take you over to the hospital. We can give you something to help you with the shock, treat those abrasions from the ropes, and make sure you're all right. You can have a bed in post op if you want…I could screen one off for you, or…Margaret would be very willing to let me set up your cot in her tent for a few days until you're…"
Exhausted in every way, Kerry nodded and let herself be led away.
Colonel Potter, Hawkeye, BJ, Charles and Father Mulcahy stood in a tight circle in the Colonel's office in the early hours of the morning. Winchester had temporarily left Post-op in the capable hands of the nurse. He was silent and preoccupied. BJ was looking worried, and Hawkeye and Colonel Potter were arguing. After several hours, the argument had lost its heat, but the fact that Hawkeye was still mad at the Colonel worried BJ. Mulcahy regarded his friends and colleagues as though from afar. He was able to see all sides, and he had an equal sympathy with all of them. This happy little family had had a serious breakdown, but things would mend. He had no doubt of that. He cleared his throat, and the voices dropped away into silence.
"If we could utilize the benefit of hindsight before the fact instead of after, we would all be spared a lot of heartache and pain." He observed. "But right now, Private George Hopkins is under armed guard at headquarters, being thoroughly examined by an army of psychiatrists I'm told, to make sure he is fit to stand trial. Because of the difficult decision you all made, and Captain Lloyd's bravery and courage, the case against him is open and shut. If he is fit to stand trial, he will be found guilty and sent down. If not, he will be committed to mental health indefinitely. Either way, Hopkins is no longer a danger to women. Major Winchester and Major Houlihan cared for Captain Lloyd in the hospital, and Lloyd is now in the care of Major Houlihan. Everything that could be done for the captain has been done. You are all worried and hurting and blaming each other, and getting nowhere."
Hawkeye nodded, and Potter chewed his lip thoughtfully.
"The Father's right, folks. Our priority right now is Captain Lloyd. She put her life on the line to help us out, and we almost lost her."
"Sorry Colonel, it's Hopkins I should be mad at, not you. It's just that…I could have lost her and…this was the very first time that she ever pulled away from me."
Winchester sighed.
"Hawkeye, she will be fine, believe me."
"She went to you, but not to me…"
Winchester leaned forward.
"Surely you don't need me to explain that? Hawkeye, you were the one needing comfort, and she was not able to give it, that's why she pulled away from you. She was traumatized, you came in guns blazing, angry and scared…how did you expect her to react? Once you are calm and have had time to get things sorted in your own head, you'll find she'll respond to you as she always has. Probably!" he added as an afterthought.
"Charles, was Kerry hurt at all?"
Charles shook his head.
"Bruises on her wrists and ankles, and around her mouth where he had her tied too tightly. She also has a handprint on her throat from where he was threatening to choke her, but nothing worse. He removed her clothing, but didn't touch her beyond that. The worst thing is the shock and the trauma. It'll take a while for that to go, but she is a remarkably courageous woman. She will bounce back. I have no doubt of that."
"I'll call doctor Freedman." Potter decided. "First thing in the morning. Alright, let's get some sleep."
As the senior officers filed out, he touched Winchester on the elbow.
"Good work, Major." He said. "I'll see you in three hours."
Hawkeye and BJ trudged back towards the Swamp, wondering how anyone could possibly sleep after such a night. As they passed Houlihan's tent, the head nurse herself came outside, closing the door quietly.
"Hey!"
They paused, then BJ nodded, excused himself and continued on his way. Hawkeye stepped towards her.
"Margaret, how is she?"
"High!"
Hawkeye's eyebrows raised.
"High?"
Margaret nodded, unable to hide a slight smile.
"She's drugged up on stuff to calm her down, de-stress her and make her sleep, but its making her very relaxed and giggly. It'll take her a little while to recover, but she will be fine, Hawk. She's still awake. She asked me to look out for you. She wants to see you if you were still around."
Half excited, half afraid, Hawkeye followed the Major into her tent where he found his cousin sitting cross-legged on her bed.
"Kerry." He knelt on the floor and took one of her hands "Are you… will you… do you…"
She pressed a finger against his mouth.
"You got to me in time. You promised you would and you did. I could have said no. It wasn't your fault, Hawk. He scared me but he didn't hurt me in the end because you came."
She kissed the end of his nose.
"I love you, Hawkeye."
"I love you Kiwi."
"Now go to bed and get some sleep. And do me a favour?"
"Of course I will. What?"
"Tell Major Winchester that I am buying him dinner at Rosie's, whenever he's ready."