"I'm not gonna see ya for 'ah whole month?!"
Trapper's words came tumbling out, a cumulation of shock, and dolefulness. His inflection, however inadvertent. Of course he was happy for Hawk, it spoke volumes of his capabilities as a surgeon. Yet, there was that fickle, nagging portion of his brain. A portion that reeked of envy. He would never come out and fully admit to this. But that little green-eyed monster planted seeds of doubt in his head, questioning his own skills. But, not a time to wallow in self pity.
"Don't worry, I'm comin' back. You can steal Radar's teddy bear in absence of my extraordinary intimacy"
Just the sheer corniness in the statement alone had Pierce chuckling to himself. Trap is quick to follow as he feels the corners of his mouth give way to a grin.
"'An have that three foot ankle bitter go after me? I don't think so"
Once again, Hawkeye was unable to keep the hysterics at bay. Making his way over to his cot, before letting his body decide for him and plops down heavily on the edge. His ketchup red robe, enveloping his legs like some sort of wonderful, cotton-like cloud. Trapper finds his unnecessary jealousy slowly quelling.
Taking liberty and priming their faithful still. Just as things were starting to get underway, Frank appears. A smile as big as you please, either he just got laid, or Hot Lips broke the news to him. And Hawkeye would bet an his entire $300 poker win, that it was the latter.
"Well, well, well. Seems you're going bye-bye for awhile"
His expression really ringing true with his childhood nickname of "Ferret Face".
"Will ya lay off 'im, Frank?"
Trapper snaps. Pierce simply smiles whilst holding his cocktail glass out in preparation for McIntyre to pour.
"Don't worry, Trap. His parents surrendered him to gypsies. Not his fault"
Suddenly Frank drew in both lips as if he had just eaten a lemon. His eyes comically going wide.
"How dare you speak of my dear mother that way! You monster!"
He then swiftly proceeds in dramatically throwing himself onto his cot. Rolling over so his back was facing the men and like some sort of praying mantis/human hybrid, hands shoot out to snatch and subsequently, to cradle, the sterling silver picture frame containing a photo of his beloved mother.
"There, there, mommy. They didn't mean it, honest"
He spoke, as if trying to calm a child. Fingers disturbingly brushing over the frame in a petting motion reserved for dogs. The duo exchange perplexed and humored looks.
"Even she doesn't want to listen to you, Frank. That's why she's behind a 2.0 milometer panel of glass"
"Oh, go suck an egg wise guy!"
He rebuked in a whiny manner, throwing the moss colored blanket over his head to sulk.
"Poor 'lil fella must be cranky. Had 'tah do a whole four hours of meatball surgery without his baba"
Hawkeye gives a hearty laugh as the dynamic duo clink their glasses in a final goodbye toast.
There Margaret sat. In front of her small vanity mirror, brushing her sandy blonde hair. Trying to amp herself up to the fact that within less than an hour, she would be in an even more chaotic world than the one she was in currently. Just as she was about to reach for her cherry red lipstick, there was a set of three knocks at the door. She sighs.
"Who is it?"
She calls out in a somewhat irritable tone.
"It's me, sugar face"
Another one of Frank's nauseatingly cheesy "terms of endearment". Once again, she finds herself sighing.
"Come in, Frank"
Setting her brush down, she continues to look into the mirror, even though the blundering surgeon had already entered the tent.
"Margaret, please don't go (he whines), not with that delinquent"
His expression morphs into a pout and he begins to lightly wrap his arms around her from behind. She groans in annoyance before reaching for the hairbrush a second time.
"I have a headache, Frank"
"I'm not here for that. Besides, Louise's jawline isn't nearly as manly as yours"
Margaret's eyes immediately morph into saucers, mouth agape in stunned silence. She was almost certain she could see the faint traces of smoke billowing from her ears.
"GET OUT!"
Next thing he knew he was dodging a collision with an eyelash curler to the face.
"But sweetums.. you won't believe what Pierce said about my m.."
"OUT!"
"Going", the timorous voice trails, scurrying out the door as fast as his puny legs could carry him.
She does one final check of her bags. Making sure she had an adequate amount of clothing, toiletries and other supplies to last her throughout the entire 30 days. She hears the Jeep idling rather loudly outside her tent. Giving a small smile as she surveys her quarters for a final time before departing.
"Your chariot awaits, madam"
Hawkeye quips as she nears the vehicle. Acting quickly to help put her things in the back. She climbs aboard the passenger side, suddenly realizing they had a farewell crowd see them off. They wave their final goodbyes, Radar bustles his way into the lines of people, placing himself beside Henry.
"Bye, sirs!"
He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose and waves. "Bye, Radar" Hawkeye calls out before putting the Army vehicle into drive and leaving the base in a plume of dust. The surgeon and nurse exchange small smiles, reality was sinking in fast now. But she hadn't regretted anything. Underneath her oftentimes gruff exterior. She had a soft side.
"Ya think you'll be able to stand bein' around me this long?"
Pierce cracks lightheartedly. She chuckles and attempts to control her wind blown hair with an old rubber band that had long since lost its elasticity.
"No, but like with Frank's warts in cold weather. I'll adapt"