Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous, Mash, or their characters.
Note: Sorry for the wait. This chapter turned out longer then I thought it would be.
Chapter 35,
Soldier Alya did return to collect Hawkeye. She was accompanied by Soldier Nino and together they escorted the doctor up the Major General Chris. And as Hawkeye entered the dark, dirty room, he couldn't help but think about how homey it felt. He was escorted to the corner, and up the ladder. Despite the knowledge that his heroic friends were following him, he couldn't help the desire to look around for a possible escape or hiding place. It's not like he was a coward or anything, he just didn't like the thought of dying over a temper tantrum.
"It is the funny doctor." A voice said and in the light of the video game, Hawkeye saw the child smiling at him.
"Hey kid." Hawkeye said.
"That's Major General Chris, Doctor." Soldier Nino said.
"Oh, well, you must excuse me. I'm a doctor, and generally we ignore idiotic pleasantries like rank, uniforms, and military protocol." Hawkeye said and Major General Chris laughed.
"He's here, so you two can go now." Chris said annoyed and Soldier Alya hesitated.
"Sir, with all due respect, I think regulations would require us to stay to ensure your safety and-"
"I am so sick and tired of you people questioning me. I'm in charge. What I say goes. Now leave while I'm still in a good mood." Major General Chris said. Soldier Nino put a hand on Soldier Alya's shoulder and begrudgingly left the room with him.
"I hear you wanted to talk to me." Major General Chris said and Hawkeye nodded.
"Yeah, I did. I wanted to look at the man in charge and ask him what the heck is wrong with him." Hawkeye said and Major General Chris blinked.
"You wanted to see me, just to tell me that you don't like what I'm doing? That's lame?" Major General Chris stated.
"Oh, it's lame is it? Well, I'm sorry that it's so lame but there must be something wrong with you, if you're so excited about war and wanted to bring it to life." Hawkeye stayed and Major General Chris scoffed.
"Why are you being so serious, you're the fun doctor, make a joke." Major General Chris said and Hawkeye swallowed a growl.
"War is no laughing matter kid, when you're older you'll understand that." Hawkeye said. In the distance they heard the sound of arguing, followed by the even louder sound of people fighting. They must have seen through the disguises the others were using.
"Ugh! That again! First they don't tell me that Nino is my half-brother, then they don't tell me that I was named after his dad, and now you tell me I'll understand war when I'm older. I'm a big kid!!! When are people gonna see that?" Major General Chris said and in that moment, the door bursts open and Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Margaret ran into the room. Oddly enough, the room looked 5x larger with the lights on. Chris turned to his game and he selected Nino as a playable character; which caused a green diamond to form over Nino's head.
"I could talk to you as an adult, but I guarantee you, you will not like it." Hawkeye stayed and Chris shot a glare at him.
"You don't know me, ok. You don't know what I can or can't handle." Major General Chris said. Beneath them, Soldier Nino reaches down and pulled out a shotgun, seemingly from thin air. He started shooting, which alerted Soldier Alya, who ran into the room to aid him.
"Well maybe not, Chris, but right now I'm not even sure you know yourself." Hawkeye said. Major General Chris stood up and the joy stick he was holding morphed into a gaming helmet, which he placed on his head. Then the room crowded with soldiers and monsters a like; Chris must have them all following his mental orders.
"How can I not know myself?" Chris asked. As the fighting grew more difficult below them, Hawkeye grew more angry with Chris.
"It's very easy to not know yourself, especially when you ignore your needs in order to make others happy, or to fit in, or just to prove a point. I though I knew exactly who I was back when I lived in Crabapple Cove, but then I got dropped off in the middle of a war zone and I was forced to take a good look at myself. Looking at all my life, the things I've done, the mistakes I've made, the accomplishments I would remember so that I can maybe find a purpose to be here. And look at yourself Chris. Just look at yourself and what you've done." Hawkeye said and Chris rolled his eyes.
"Oh please. I've done great for myself, Hawkeye. I'm the Major General and no one can tell me what to do." Major General Chris said.
"Is that all you think being an adult means?" Hawkeye asked.
"An adult means you can do whatever you want." Chris said and Hawkeye scoffed softly.
"Being an adult means you have the freedom to do whatever you want. However the things you want are often overlooked by the things you need or the things you have to do." Hawkeye said, but Major General Chris remained silent, which annoyed Hawkeye.
"Ok, forget this. Chris, do you want to be treated like an adult?" Hawkeye asked, and Chris paused.
"Yes." He said suspiciously.
"You want me to talk to you the same way I would talk to an adult?" Hawkeye asked and Chris nodded.
"Yes, that's all I ever wanted." Chris said and Hawkeye took a soothing breath.
"Fine, I will." Hawkeye said curtly.
"Good!" Chris shouted.
"Alright, Major General. Remove That Stupid Looking Hat And Talk To Me Man-To-Man, Or I'll Yank That Junk Off My-Damn-Self!" Hawkeye shouted and Chris took a step back at this shocking display.
"I thought you were-"
"I am treating you like an adult, Chris." Hawkeye stated and he put his hands on his hips.
"I don't have to be nice, I don't have to be polite, I don't have to obey, as adults we can choose to follow orders, or rebel." Hawkeye said.
"You're in the army. You follow orders." Chris stated and Hawkeye nodded.
"That's right, I am in the army. But I was drafted, just like you drafted your brother down there. I didn't get much of a choice, I'll admit. I could have been a selfish jerk and burned my draft card in rebellion and risk going to jail. And once I was here, I could have tried running away, being AWOL and whatnot, but that's not a very good option either. I could step on a landmine, I could get caught by the MP's or worse the enemy. I could be stabbed, shot, killed, or worse. But I chose to stay, not only because it was my best option, but because this place needed a good doctor like me. A doctor whose willing to drop into a war zone on Christmas Eve, dressed as a Santa Clause to save one of our boys. A doctor whose willing to put my entire arm under the ribs, into the chest cavity, and massage the heart- simply hoping it doesn't have a bullet in it. A doctor whose willing to go against army regulation to produce new medical equipment and procedures to save a single solitary soul. I know the Army likes to weigh the war in numbers, but when those numbers include things like names, limbs, and a working pulse, excuse me if I become a little more sensitive to it." Hawkeye said.
Chris didn't know what to say to Hawkeye, so instead he removed his helmet and stared at him dead-on. Of course, when he did this, Soldier Nino froze in place in the middle of the battle ground; completely vulnerable.
"Chris why do you want this?" Hawkeye asked and Chris looked away.
"I'm tired of people hiding things from me. My brother had a different dad then me and no one told me. No one told me the man died or that they named me after him. They lied to me because I'm young so they think I won't understand. I'm tired of people thinking I can't handle things just because of my age." Chris said.
"And you call this handling it? Your brother is down there, completely unable to fight in a war you started, just because you didn't know something. Sounds impossibly stupid, like Frank getting his doctorate without cheating." Hawkeye said and Chris scoffed.
"That's your fault, Hawkeye. You made me take off the gaming helmet." Chris said and Hawkeye went to the edge of the balcony and pointed at Nino using a knife-hand.
"That boy, right there, can not protect himself. So how are you gonna feel if someone comes by and shoots his brains out?" Hawkeye asked and that seemed to scare Chris.
"Oh, you didn't think about that? Well guess what, adults get to deal with this harsh reality we call life. Most the time they don't get the truth cushioned by someone who loves them, now. It gets spat in their face. So you didn't know about the man you were named after, but maybe they didn't tell you- because they weren't really to tell you." Hawkeye said.
"Huh?" Chris said confused and Hawkeye sighed.
"Listen kid. Your mother was married and had your brother, right? And then the man she loves dies. It's not easy for someone to get over that type of pain. But somehow, she was able to pull her life together and she met your father. Someone who loves her, even though he knows he can never replace the man whom she loved before. And then she had you. She knows there will come a time when she'll sit you down and tell you about her first husband, but that doesn't make it easier on her, kid. If anything, this subject has probably caused her years of anxiety. And if you ask me, throwing it up in her face is a rotten thing to do, and I'll bet she didn't deserve it." Hawkeye said and Chris looked down, ashamed of himself and his behavior.
"I didn't think about that." Chris admitted.
"I had a feeling you didn't, but I don't blame you. I'd rather blame that insecure jerk who let's kids and punks fight his battle for him- the idiot who calls himself Hawk Moth." Hawkeye said and the gaming helmet hummed to life, and levitated where it stood and then, in some sort of comic book-esq. technology Hawkeye wasn't familiar with, a virtual Hawk Moth formed under the helmet.
"Who says I have others fight my battles for me?" Hawk Moth asked and Hawkeye scoffed.
"I do, you jerk!" Hawkeye said.
"My Miraculous gives me the ability to grant others power." Hawk Moth explained.
"I don't care, buddy-boy. You're giving Hawks a bad name and I can't stand for it." Hawkeye said. Behind them, the doors crashed opened and Hawkeye was happily surprised at the group that rushed in.
Being led by tough-as-steel Colonel Potter, his friends have come to their aid. Radar, Klinger, Trapper, and Henry were all holding blunt instruments, and not the kind Frank normally used. They were holding 2-by-4's, batons, canes and bats. BJ, on the other hand, defended himself with his own two hands, knocking out Gremlins right and left. Though he was a boxer, Father Mulchay only three a punch when he absolutely needed to. He tried to talk some sense to the monsters, but very few listened; but he did manage to pull Nino out of the way before someone could hurt him.
"I don't care what you have to say- you're not even real." Hawk Moth said, matter-of-factory.
"And what do you care about Mothman? What could possibly be worth all of this destruction you're causing? What's worth the sweat, tears, blood, and lives being lost?" Hawkeye asked.
"My Wife!" Hawk Moth shouted and this surprised Hawkeye and Chris.
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug shouted and she conjured up a mirror.
"How is a mirror suppose to help?" Margaret shouted as Ladybug looked around.
"Do you think your wife would want you to go down this dark path? Making villains, causing problems, supporting revenge instead of allowing people to grow up and heal? You're wife must have been one hell of a lady but that's not excuse." Hawkeye said.
"My wife was no excuse." Hawk Moth said insulted and Hawkeye sighed.
"Do you ever stop to realize that what you're doing isn't right? Do you think you're the first person to lose someone they love? Do you know what I would do to go back to Maine and hug my dad? I think I'm pretty lucky to have a good, solid relationship with my dad. That may not mean much to you, but Charles has a father not a dad. He grew up rich, family title, and connections, and the only time he saw his dad was at meal time when they got 2 minutes to talk about their day. There's a difference between a father and a dad. And there is a difference between a husband in mourning and a husband playing Frankenstein." Hawkeye said, much to Hawk Moth's surprise.
In that moment, a Gremlin saw the shine mirror in Ladybug's hands, and thought it must be a delicious snack. So he snatched it away from her, jumped up to the ledge, where Hawkeye, Chris, and Hawk Moth where, and attempted to eat it.
"I'm trying to prevent my wife from getting hurt. If you've ever been in love, then you would understand why ai have to do this." Hawk Moth said and Hawkeye paused to turn his head and look at Margaret down in the battle. Though a nurse, she was still the fiercest warrior out of all of them.
"Look, Mothy, I may not know what happened to your wife; but I do like to believe that things happened for a reason. No matter how wonderful or tragic things get. Not only that, but say you save your wife, you don't know how that would change reality as you know it. Sometimes the thing you want isn't the best thing for you." Hawkeye said and Hawk Moth scoffed.
"I don't have to stand here and take this insolence from a television character." Hawkeye said, and his hologram started to fade away.
"I may not be real, but I have more heart then you ever will!" Hawkeye shouted, as the helmet lowered to the ground. Hawkeye turned to look at Chris. Chris looked away and briefly stared at the Gremlin on the edge.
"Is this really what you want, Chris?" Hawkeye asked. The Gremlin shifted, and when he did, a glare hit the mirror it was chewing on and it fell backward; the mirror falling at Hawkeye's feet.
"This is all I've ever wanted." Chris said, almost to convince himself, as he picked up the gaming helmet once more. In one swift motion, Hawkeye picked up the mirror and pointed it directly at Chris.
"Is this really who you want to be for the rest of your natural life?" Hawkeye asked.
And for a moment, Chris just stared at his reflection. He stared at his unnatural skin and the military uniform he was wearing and... he didn't like it. He didn't like it at all. In the back of his mind, he could hear Hawk Moth pestering him about getting the Miraculous' for him, but there was only one thing Chris wanted to do.
"Cat Noir!" Chris shouted, and the young hero turned towards the sound. Much to his amazement, Chris threw the gaming helmet up into the air and Cat Noir jumped towards it; making several gremlins freeze in place.
"Cataclysm!" He saif, before touching the device. As it turned to dust, Major General Chris smiled as he reverted back to his normal self.
"No more evil doing for you little akuma." Ladybug said as the creature started to fly off.
"Time to de-evilize." She swung and easily captured it.
"Bye-bye, butterfly." Ladybug said and Klinger smiled.
"Cool, does that mean we beat the bad guy?" Klinger asked and Ladybug giggled.
"Sort of. Defeated for now." Ladybug said. Hawkeye walked over to Chris, gently picked him up, and walked down the ladder. Upon seeing their leader defeated, the evil characters ran off in search for a place to hide.
"Wait until you see the magical Ladybugs fix everything." Cat Noir said, but Ladybug hesitated. It was her job to save the day, but at the same time, she didn't want to say goodbye to the people around her.
"That sounds amazing. Go ahead, Ladybug." Klinger said. Margaret looked at the heroine and she recognized the look on the young girl's face. Margaret put her hand on Ladybug's shoulder and offered her a warm smile, which comforted her.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug shouted, and the soldiers marveled at the amazing power Ladybug had; especially Klinger.
"Oh, wow, it's so beautiful!" He exclaimed. Soldier Nino was returned to his normal self and he ran over to Hawkeye, grabbed Chris and held him in his arms.
"Chris, dude, I'm so sorry! I didn't think we were lying to you, and that's not fair to you. I love you so much, little bro." Nino said, and Chris hesitated.
"You know what, Nino... I love you too. Let's got have that party for you." Chris said and Nino could have cried. They left the room, and Klinger was smiling.
"Well, isn't that adorable. All's well that ends well, I say and... what's that?" Klinger pointed and everyone turned. It appeared that the magical ladybugs were spinning round and around, making a circular portal.
"I believe they are giving us a chance to say goodbye." Father Mulchay said, stepping forward. He turned and looked at his dear friends and he took a deep breath.
"I suppose I should go first. See... well, first of all Major Burns and Major Winchester we're unable to fight with us, staying behind to take care of the Mash and all. I imagine Frank might be a little nostalgic; probably saying something to the fact not a lot of people liked him, but how he still hoped to stay friends with all of us, especially ms. Houlihan, since he... valued your friendship the most." Father said.
"He more then valued it Father." Trapper couldn't resist saying, and he got smacked by both Margaret and Hawkeye.
"-ey! What'd I say?" Trapper said and Father Mulchay smiled.
"Ah, Trapper, I think you may have deserved that for whatever you said." He commented and most grew confused by this comment.
"As for Major Winchester, I think he may have talked about how he once lived in a beautiful and culturally rich atmosphere named Tokyo, and he was forced to leave his second home, in order to be here in this, as he would put it, deprived incestuous hellhole, and how he hated every second of it. Then, perhaps he would pause and rephrase himself... saying how there were some rare moments in which he found life here tolerable. And it was because of this annoying, irritating, loving group with whom he's managed to find friendship in this mad war zone. I imagine, for that, he would be eternally grateful." Father Mulchay said and his eyes stated to water, and he smiled.
"Loved ones, I must... I find myself at a loss for words. For you see... I have vague memories that are becoming clearer by the second... but, I have also lost the ability to hear. And as much as I would love to say goodbye to each one of you, and listen to the heartwarming things you have to say... my lip-reading is subpar at it's best." He paused a moment to wipe his eyes with his hand, and he took a deep breath.
"I don't know what will happen when we return to our proper world... the fact that we managed to travel to another world is an experience ai think we all agree is miraculous. And I thank the lord for all the knowledge we have gained here... and I thank him every day, that I was able to be around souls as brave and courageous as all of you. A-and it may not mean much, but I would like to give you all my own personal thumbs up, as a small guest of my love and appreciation for you wonderful, wonderful people." Father Mulchay said, lifting his thumb up into the air; and to his surprise, the others returned his thumbs up, and he got all choked up.
The portal showed Father Mulchay returning to the Korean orphanage he loved so much, and the children rushed over and hugged him.
"Well, I may not have much to say." Henry said, stepping in front of the crowd now.
"And I may not exactly be the most poetic fisherman in camp, but I love you all too." Henry went over to Colonel Potter, and smiled at him.
"It seems like we were never suppose to meet, Sherman; but you're one hell of a guy." Henry said, extending his hand out to him, and Colonel Potter shook it.
"It wasn't easy to take your place after you left. This lot really loved you, and I hope you realize that." Colonel Potter said and Henry nodded.
"I'm glad they had someone as bold as you to care for them. Thank you." Henry said. They let go and Henry turned and started walking towards the portal.
"Colonel Blake, wait!" Radar said and Blake turned back to the boy.
"Sorry sir. But sir, maybe... maybe it would be better is you... stayed here." Radar suggested and Henry's lip quivered. But he swallowed his sadness and he gently grabbed Radar's shoulders.
"It's ok Radar. I know that my helicopter never made it home. I know that when I go through that portal, I'll be walking towards my death... maybe I'll be going straight up to Heaven... then again... maybe all this is my Heaven. After all... Heaven is full of the people you love." Henry said. Tears dropped down Radar's face, and he roughly wrapped his arms around the man, who tried to stay strong.
"I'm gonna miss you sir." Radar said and then he quickly pulled away.
"Sorry sir; I don't think it's regulation to hug a superior officer." Radar said and Henry smirked lovingly. He pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped Radar's eyes.
"To hell with regulation." Henry said, and he gave Radar another hug before he left at well. The portal flashed blinding light, then gently settled.
"It seems like everyone is getting their memory back." Cat Noir said and he hears Ladybug sniffle and he looked at her.
"Are you alright, milady?" He asked.
"I-I'm fine." She said quietly.
"Radar... I don't know if I can stand saying goodbye to you again." Colonel Potter said.
"I'll be alright sir. You all may not realize it, but I go home, and I serve my town as a humble little police officer. I think you'll find that I'm pretty happy with my new life." Radar said and Colonel Potter straightened his back.
"I hope you find all the love and happiness that... that you deserve, Walter." Colonel Potter said, getting choked up.
"Thank you sir." Radar said and they hugged each other.
"Godspeed, my son." Potter said, his voice breaking.
"When you see your folks, tell them that we all say hello." Klinger said.
"And give them hugs from us." Hawkeye said and Trapper smirked.
"Don't forget to give mama Radar a big old smooch from me." Trapper said. Radar pulled away from Potter, with a huge smile on his face.
"I'll do that. Goodbye sirs." Radar said and he went through the portal.
For a few seconds, the portal showed Radar, in a police uniform, walking up to his family farm, and he gave his mother a hug and a kiss; just as promised.
"Well, sirs, you lot are just about the craziest group of doctors this old veteran has come across." Colonel Potter said and he smiled at them. Hawkeye, Margaret, Trapper, Klinger, BJ, and the children he didn't really know.
"You know a lot can be said for a man of my age, being the military man I've always wanted to be. Heck, that's why I lied about my age when I was 15, just so I could join early. And in my life, it not always easy to keep in touch with the people you've... come to love. There's... there is like a double-edged sword. Most people, myself included, find themselves torn by wanting to keep the friendships we've developed all this time... and wanting to forget everything, good and bad, about the war, so that maybe, maybe, we can return to a 'normal life'... whatever that entails." Colonel Potter said and he took a deep breath.
"This will be my last war. I'm retiring and giving back on all the promises I gave Mildred. Now I have seen you all as incompetent children, my children, and a highly effective medical team. And there doesn't seem to be a right way to... properly express how wonderful and infuriating you all have been..." Potter paused and smiled.
"When a Army man retires, the ceremony is full of rituals and symbolic gestures... one of those rituals is a folded flag being passed around the troops while they recite the Old Glory poem. And though I do not have a flag, I would like to recite part of that poem to you all. It's a long poem, but I'll only do some of it for you rascals." Potter said and he cleared his throat.
"My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in America's halls of justice. I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud. I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years. I was there. I led my troops. I was dirty, battleworn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud. I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country. And when it's done by those whom I've served in battle - it hurts. But my finest hours are yet to come. When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battle field, when I am flown at halfmast to honor my soldier, or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud." Colonel Potter said, reciting his favorite bits and pieces for his friends.
"As a soldier I have given up several things in my life, so I could serve my country. I was alright with that, because I had the faith and belief that I was helping my fellow Americans keep their freedoms. Now a lot of people might over look the flag we carry, because to them, it's just fabric on a pole. But when you stop to realize how many people have been inspired by, and died for the flag... you realize it deserves a little respect." Potter put his hands behind his back and took a few steps towards the portal.
"Oh, before I forget..." Potter stopped and turned to them. With a comforting smile on his face, he rose his hand and saluted them.
"And, if I hear you were in the area, and you didn't stop by, I'm gonna haul you back to my house to Mildred can punish you." Potter said and he walked through the portal.
The portal showed Sherman walking into his backyard and smiling when he saw his wife sitting in a chair and reading. She looked up at him, and he saluted her, to which she giggled at and said 'at ease'. She put down her book as he sat in the chair beside her, and then they shared a quick kiss and a lingering hug.
I guess I'll go next, though I'm not really one for long sentimental goodbyes." Trapper said and Hawkeye scoffed.
"I know that already." Hawkeye retorted and Trapper hesitated a bit.
"I guess I deserve that Hawk; with the whole leaving without bye thing." Trapper said and BJ scoffed.
"Yeah, thanks for that." BJ said and Trapper glared at him.
"Oh, shut up, mustache. This is between me and Hawkeye; not yous." Trapper said and BJ laughed slowly.
"Au contraire, my adulterous friend. It was between you and Hawkeye. Now it's your mistake between Hawkeye and I." BJ said and Trapper glared.
"Excuse me? 'My mistake'? I waited for him to come back from leave, but he was late. And I hear that he returned to camp drunk as a skunk and rode back in a wheelbarrow." Trapper said.
"You know, when I first met Hawkeye, he was running around base to base, trying to find his dear friend Trapper and tell him goodbye. I knew how hard it was when you left like that, which is why I knew how bad it would be for me to go home without leaving Hawkeye a note." BJ said and Trapper's eyes widened.
"Oh, now I get it. You're not mad at me for what I did. You are just strung-up over the fact that you pulled the same stunt I did. It was time to go and Hawkeye wasn't around. You wanted as long as you could, so you can say goodbye in person, face-to-face, but Hawk just isn't there until after you're gone." Trapper said and BJ was silent for a moment. So in his silence, Trapper turned back to Hawkeye and sighed.
"Look, Hawk. You're my best friend and I love you dearly. We've chased many women together, fought over a few, and helped each other through some difficult times. Now I don't really know a lot of deep intellectual words to showcase how much you mean to me... then again, I'm not big on words, I suppose; I'm more into gestures." Trapper said. He reached out and gently gave Hawkeye's cheeks and forehead a loving kiss. They rested their foreheads together briefly and looked at each other's eyes sweetly.
"I can't describe how much I'm going to miss you." Trapper said. He pulled away from Hawkeye and walked over to the portal. But before he entered, he paused and turned back around.
"And hey, if yous ever in my neck of the woods, look me up, will ya? I'll get my wife to cook up a grand feast. She loves to cook for me, 'cause it's cheaper then having me go out and followed around." Trapper said.
"Oh, am I invited too?" BJ asked.
"Don't push it, mustache. I will only invite you into my home if you're Hawkeye's date; but you better not steal my man. I had him first, after all." Trapper said.
"Yeah? Well, I've had him longer." BJ retorted, and they both chuckled together. Trapper took a breath, smiled at Hawkeye and walked backwards into the portal.
The portal showed Trapper walking backwards into a home and his wife running up and hugging him from behind. This surprised Trapper, but he quickly smiled and started laughing.
"I imagine that looks pretty good to you Beej." Hawkeye said and BJ looked down.
"You know, I once asked this Air Force public affairs officer what it was like to be deployed, and he told me, very simply, ' you've basically died'. I was shocked at this answer, and he seemed to realize that. 'You leave, and life goes on without you. See, you might think that when you return home, you'll find most things the same. This is your home with your wife and kid and you'll go back to the way life was before, right? Not quite. Your wife is still your wife, your kid is still your kid, but... things are different. Maybe your wife got a haircut while you were gone, or the show you love has been cancelled, your favorite restaurant has been demolished, your precious little girl went from an A-cup to a C-cup seemingly overnight. So many little changes that... everyone else is use to, but your not. Since I've been here, my daughter has learned to walk, talk, and read, and she loves her daddy, but does she even remember what I look like? I guess not... considering the fact that Erin called Radar 'daddy' when she met him." BJ paused as his eyes watered at the heartbreaking memory.
"I've been dead to my family for a long time... and... I-I'm ready to be resurrected." BJ said and Margaret's eyes watered and she hugged the man.
"You're such a good man BJ. Your daughter is very lucky to have you as a father. Unlike mine, I bet you would have let her get a crew cut instead of crying her eyes out in the middle of a barbershop." Margaret said and BJ chuckled softly.
"Well her mother might stop it, but I would definitely discuss the option with her." BJ said and Klinger patted the doctor's shoulder.
"It's time to go home, sir." Klinger said and BJ gave him a quick hug and then turned to Hawkeye.
"So long, Hawkeye." BJ said and Hawkeye smirked.
"Heh, 'so long', huh? I guess I can't expect another great goodbye like that giant note you made out of rocks." Hawkeye said and they hugged as well.
BJ turned and walked through the portal, and the three smiled when they saw BJ's home, his wife, and daughter sitting on a picnic blanket having lunch; when he walked up. They both gasped and the young girl rushed over, and BJ dropped to his knees to properly hug his beloved child. BJ whispered something to Erin, and she looked through the portal, though she didn't see anything herself. She spoke, though no one could hear the words themselves, Hawkeye, Margaret, Klinger, Ladybug, and Cat Noir all understood what the young one was saying; 'goodbye Hawkeye, thank you.'
It was such a sweet moment that Cat Noir was started crying softly, Ladybug reaches over and gently held Cat's hand, which seemed to comfort him. Her earrings were beeping at her, and she knew she will change back at any moment. She didn't fear it though. Everyone in the room knew her secret, and the magical ladybugs were proving this goodbye, because of how she was feeling; she wasn't going to miss it.
"You know, kid. I may not understand this world a lot." Klinger said, walking over to Ladybug.
"And I may not really understand... how much of this is awesome, fearful, or even real. But, little lady, I have got to say I've love working together with you." Klinger said. In that moment, Ladybug became Marinette, and Klinger smiled when he saw the jacket from earlier.
"I hope your little 'Klinger collection' grows, even though you don't have my gowns to play around with. I've always been a sucker for youngins and I hope Soon-Lee and I have a cutie as wonderfully miraculous as you are." Klinger said and Marinette's lip trembled and she squeezed Cat Noir's hand roughly, which he grunted at.
"I think it's about time I go home to my wife and live some of that life I've heard so much about. See you 'round, gentlemen; ladies." Klinger said and he walked through the portal.
There stood a wonderful view of Korea, and a young woman walking down the dirt road. For some reason, she stopped and turned around. A large smile formed on her face and she held her hand out for Klinger to grab. They continued walking, together; hand-in-hand.
Margaret stares at the portal; Hawkeye stared at Margaret.
"Are you afraid?" Hawkeye asked and Margaret hesitated.
"Perhaps a little. I know, in one form or another, that everything we've experienced wasn't real. So, when we go through the portal, we will cease to exist." Margaret said and Hawkeye took a breath.
"You know, I was thinking about that. And I was thinking about how some people believe in multiple universes." Hawkeye said and Margaret scoffed a little.
"Have you been reading comic books again?" Margaret said and Hawkeye smirked.
"Maybe, but some scientists believe in it too." Hawkeye said.
"Well, What's your point?" She asked.
"I was just thinking. Maybe we don't exist here, but at home we are real. In this world, our lives were a part of a television show that this Alan Alda acted and wrote for. But the funny thing about books, and art, and music, or whatever you pour your heart into... a lot of the time it takes on a life of it's own." Hawkeye said and he smiled.
"It's all about transportation. You read a book, it transports you into someone else's life. You can look at a painting and be transported to a vineyard in Vienna. You can listen to a song and be transported back to your childhood. All that transportation has got to mean something. After all, you can't be transported without a place to go. If people loved us as much as that Kwami Plagg loved us, then surely our world is a real place for us to be transported. That means we are real, Margaret. In our world we are real, just as Ladybug and Cat Noir are real in this world... perhaps in another world their lives are simply a TV show, like ours, but... in our different worlds, we are real." Hawkeye said and for a moment, everyone was silent, almost frozen in place. Then Margaret took a deep deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Well, looks like the scarecrow does have a brain." Margaret said and Hawkeye's smile grew.
"Why Margaret, don't tell me that was a joke." He said cheekily and then he reached over and grabbed Margaret's wrist and looked at his watch.
"Why are you checking my pulse?" Margaret asked and Hawkeye remained professional.
"Well, I always told you that it wouldn't kill you to make a joke and I'm just making sure you haven't dropped dead before I proclaim my victory." Hawkeye said. Margaret jerked her hand out of his grasp and hit him with it.
"Ah, I'm sorry!" Hawkeye said and they both laughed.
"They do kinda act like us don't they bugaboo." Cat Noir said and Ladybug rolled her eyes.
"How many times have I asked you not to call me that?" Ladybug said with a smile.
"Ah, thanks mom and dad. You always were amazing role models for Hot Lips and I." Hawkeye said and Margaret shook her head.
"Call me 'Hot Lips' one more time, and I will give you a lobotomy with rusty instruments and no anesthetics." Margaret said and Hawkeye rolled his eyes.
"Don't be ridiculous. You take too much pride in being a nurse to perform surgery improperly." Hawkeye pointed out and then Cat Noir looked down at his ring and bit his lip.
"I have to leave soon." Cat Noir said and Margaret sighed.
"I suppose we ought to leave now, then. Good luck to you both." Margaret said and she walked towards the portal. She was just about to enter when Hawkeye reaches out and grabbed her hand.
"Wait." Hawkeye pleaded, and Margaret couldn't help but stare at him like he were insane.
"What are you doing?" She asked and Hawkeye hesitated.
"I, uh... well, maybe... what I mean is..." Hawkeye said awkwardly and Margaret's expression softened.
"You... you said that you wanted to work at a hospital in the states after the war ended... and, uh... have you thought about where you'd... like to work?" Hawkeye asked and Margaret blinked slowly:
"Why do you ask?" Margaret asked, a cocky smile playing on the edge of her mouth and Hawkeye looked away.
"I... I-I was just thinking, you know. Being a military kid and all, you moved around a lot... not a lot of places to set down roots and call home... you... you could call anywhere home... e-... even Maine." Hawkeye said and Margaret's eyes widened.
"Maine...?" She asked slowly and Hawkeye glanced at her bashfully.
"Well... yeah... I mean theoretically." Hawkeye said, and Margaret smirked at him.
"What does Maine have to offer me?" Margaret asked and Hawkeye scoffed.
"You're really making me work for this, huh Margaret." Hawkeye said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Margaret said, but she gave Hawkeye's hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled.
"Margaret... do you think... would you be willing to come to Crabapple Cove and... and be with me." Hawkeye said. And though Margaret could sense those words coming, part of her still found it unbelievable.
"Even after all of our fights, and I'll-mannered pranks, you still want to-"
Margaret was cut off by Hawkeye leaning forward and kissing her burning lips. It may not have been a 35-second kiss like their original goodbye, but somehow it felt just as intense. When they pulled away, Hawkeye and Margaret stared into each other's eyes.
"Isn't it obvious, Margaret...? I'm in love with you." Hawkeye said and Margaret's eyes watered.
"I... didn't think you were capable of saying that." Margaret said. She took ahold of Hawkeye's wrist and looked at her watch.
"Are you checking my pulse?" Hawkeye asked and Margaret smirked.
"Just making sure you haven't dropped dead." Margaret said. Hawkeye laughed and he gently pressed his forehead against hers.
"Will you come home with me, Margaret?" Hawkeye asked and Margaret sighed happily.
"Isn't it obvious, Benjamin...? You are home for me." Margaret said. The two shared another kiss, and then they looked back at the children.
"Thank you both for giving us the opportunity to be together." Margaret said and Hawkeye took off his dog tags and tossed them to Cat Noir.
"And please, give those to Plagg." Said Hawkeye and Cat Noir stared at the dog tags.
"I will." Cat Noir said simply. Then, together, Hawkeye and Margaret went through the portal. The last image they saw was Hawkeye and Margaret walking through a beautiful wooded area, autumn leaves falling all around them as they held hands, talked, and laughed together. Then, the magical Ladybugs disappeared altogether.
At this moment, Marinette and Cat Noir took a look at the building around them. It was an old factory building which had been abandoned for quite some time. It was almost unusual that Chris had picked here, of all places to set up his base of operations. Then Marinette sighed.
"I have to go. It's Nino's birthday today, and I've lost Adrien and Nathalie." Marinette said. Cat Noir looked at her and his eyes widened.
"You still have the Klinger Jacket, Bluebell." Cat Noir said and Marinette looked down at her body and gawked at it's appearance.
"And you still have the dog tags." Marinette pointed out and Cat Noir looked down at his hands, and then his ring.
"I've only got a few seconds." Cat Noir said and Marinette stiffened.
"Oh no. I can't know your secret identity." Marinette said and Cat Noir blinked slowly.
"Why not? I know yours." Cat Noir said. His ring beeped loudly, and Marinette covered her face with her new jacket, so she couldn't see that Cat Noir had turned into Adrien.
"I know, Cat Noir, but all of this is happening too fast. Part of me still doesn't know how to handle the fact that you know my secret. I'm not ready to know your secret identity, Cat Noir... at least, not yet..." Marinette said and Adrien hesitated, then sighed.
"Alright, Milady. Let me help you to the door." Adrien said and he placed his hand on her back and escorted her out the door.
"Thank you Cat Noir." Marinette said, when she felt the warmth of the suns rays shining down on her.
"See you later, Marinette." He said and Marinette heads a door close behind her. She slowly lowered the army jacket and squinted at the blazing light infiltrating her gaze. She turned and stared at the door of the warehouse, longingly.
Her emotions were screaming at her to rip the door open and learn Cat Noir's real identity; but logically she knew that his secret wouldn't be safe if she were told right now. She was a very emotional person and she might blurt out Cat's identity- something they'd both regret. She took a deep breath and sighed heavily; she needed to push that away until she could deal with it. For now, she needed to get back to her friends. Where did Adrien go, anyways?