Three weeks passed by slowly for Hawkeye, there were no jokes in the OR and no drinks after shifts. Henry considered calling Doctor Sydney Freedman to help Hawkeye out of his solitude but decided against it, Hawkeye needed to morn in his own time and in his own way. Everyone had too.

The chances of her coming back were slim to none.

Frank went easier on Hawkeye, no more crude jokes about his martini's or living habits, no more practical jokes and no more sarcastic comments during surgery. Trapper was less willing to leave Hawkeye in peace, he was convinced Hawkeye needed to start drinking again but his efforts were less than successful.

Hawkeye had been home one week, after a 17 hour shift at post op he went back to the Swamp and lay down on his cot, just to think. Trapper came in shortly after and sat down on the edge of his cot.

"Want a drink Hawkeye?"

"No thanks."

Trapper sighed and rubbed his eyes , Hawkeye was being stubborn, "Come on Hawk, have a drink, it'll help you relax."

"Leave me alone Trap, I'm really not in the mood..."

"Pierce, moping about isn't going to help anything," Frank said from the other side of the tent, "She's not going to come back just because you lay around pitying yourself."

"Lay off Frank," Trapper said, "Your not helping." Frank merely shrugged and continued shaving in front of the mirror, "Come on Hawkeye, you can't stay like this forever, Sara wouldn't have wanted it..."

'Attention all personnel, incoming wounded front the front. Lots of casualties folks, It's going to be a long night, both shifts report to the OR at once!'

"We just got off of 17 hours of duty!" Hawkeye protested, "stupid war..."

"You rest Hawk," Trapper said quietly, "Frank and I can handle it, get some sleep and come once your rested..."

Hawkeye jumped to his feet, "No way!" He protested, "I pull my own around here..."

"McIntyre is right, Pierce," Frank said, "You need to get some rest, we can handle it."

Hawkeye knew they were right, when Frank Burns starts caring they have to be right.

"Fine," Hawkeye said, "But if you need a hand..."

"Yeah, yeah we'll come and get you." Trapper said, "Relax Hawkeye, It'll be fine."

Trapper and Frank left the Swamp and made their way over to the pre op, Frank walked ahead at a brisk pace while Trapper ambled behind thinking.

I bluffed, Sara's last words to him, he couldn't forget. It had to be so hard on Hawkeye, for the first time in his life he knew what it was like to have someone to care for only to have that feeling ripped away from him a day later.

Trapper entered the post op, scrubbed up, put on his white robes and began work on the first patient.

"How's Pierce doing?" Henry asked from across the room.

"Not so good, Clamp please Ginger," Trapper said, Ginger handed him a clamp, "He's pretty quiet, doesn't drink, doesn't want to play poker. Heck he doesn't even want to booby trap your tent Hot Lips."

Margaret scowled at him but her eyes twinkled with laughter.

"Well then something really must be wrong," Henry said, "Think it warrents a visit from Sydney?"

"I'm not sure," Trapper said, "Suction, I think with time he probably could get over it but it'll be a long hull."

Radar's head popped around the curtain, "Sir?"

"What is it Radar?" Henry asked.

"Um, You might want to get in here, you and Captain McIntyre."

"WHY Radar?"

"They've brought in Sara, sir. She's losing blood fast, pulse is weak..."

"Get Pierce, now!"