Disclaimer- Do I need to say any more?
*legal figures start throwing legal papers*
Ok, ok. I don't own any of the characters in this story, except for the ones that I do of course.

A/N- There wasn't originally going to be a second chapter to this fic, but you asked so nicely and got me really interested in doing it. This is nothing like this first chapter, and nothing like I was expecting, but the characters kept on interfering. It's not my fault!
^___^

Stirred Emotions Chapter 2

All Mixed Up

Dear Diary,
No depressed poems for you today. I never seem to be angry or upset for long anymore, and it's all due to Hawkeye. I never believed I could be this happy! We've been together almost 3 months and I'm constantly surprised by how easily he can get me to shake off my bad moods. But it's a surprise I love.

Another surprise is how supportive everyone has been. As soon as we told everyone we were a couple (something we both insisted on) Trapper (I feel it's only right to call him that now) organised a huge party. For once no casualties arrived to interrupt the fun and the entire camp said it was a good sign. I think they were right.

Even Frank seems to have accepted I'm not his anymore, but that may be because of his last leave. His wife flew out to join him and now she's pregnant. I was so happy when I found out, they really seem to be happy together now.

Hawkeye asked me last night if I wanted children. I do, but I just laughed. We're not even ready to get married yet, and I don't want children out side of marriage. A little old fashioned I know, but Hawkeye agrees with me. He says children need a huge amount of stability and he should know, he was raised by a single parent.

And so we're waiting. Not that I mind. I have the most wonderful man in the world to wait with, and all the time in the world to wait through.'

The diary closed with a snap and Margaret smiled as she thought of how often she had written about Hawkeye in the last 3 months.

I'll have to tell him someday. He'll probably get embarrassed, but he'll love it all the same.'

The smile was still on her face as she headed over to the shower. Two hands wrapped around her waist before she could get half way there and pulled her back slightly, so she was leaning against the person standing behind her.

she began, a note of warning in her voice. A finger over he mouth stopped her before she could continue.

Everyone knows we're together Mags. We don't have to sneak around.

Margaret's smile widened in to a full fledged grin when Hawkeye called her Mags, a nickname she knew she would never get tired of hearing.

We're supposed to be setting a good example for the enlisted men. But her voice was light, and they both knew she was flirting.

We are. We're showing them how fulfilling a long standing serious relationship can be.

Oh, Hawkeye!

She spun round to face him and immediately lost her self in his eyes.

Standing still seems to have become a hobby of yours.

They both jumped and Trapper laughed.

Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you, just wake you up.

Funny Trap, remarked Hawkeye, his voice heavy with sarcasm. Why don't you go wake up your brain? Oh that's right, you can't wake up what isn't there!

Oh yeah? Well how do you wake up? You've been saying for months now that you're not all here!

The two men turned as Margaret started giggling and son all three were laughing. Unbeknown to them Klinger and Radar were watching them from behind the Swamp.

Sure is great to see the Major looking so happy. She hasn't complained about my dresses for a full 3 months.

Yeah, yesterday I called her sir and she just laughed.
*** *** ***

Well General, I'm glad to have you.

Yes sir I'll take the General's things to the VIP tent.

Radar could you take the General's things to the VIP tent?
*** *** ***



Hawkeye spun round in time to catch Margaret as she tripped trying to stop herself from running in to him.

Mags calm down, he said, concern written all over his face as he led her to an empty bed and sat her down.

Hawkeye it's General Taylor.



Taylor. General Taylor, he's here!



Oh you'll probably think I'm being silly. But... well he'll be expecting to... for me and him...

Hawkeye wrapped his arms around her as understanding shone on his face. He winced at the idea of Margaret being with someone else, then he gently pushed her away so he could look at her face.

Mags, just tell him you don't want to. It's easy.

I know but I'm scared to. He's well known for having a very quick temper. She stopped as anger flashed in Hawkeye's eyes.

Tell him your closely acquainted with a surgeon who'll make it his pleasure to cut off any finger he lays on you.

She laughed and put her head back on his chest. The smell of his after shave filled her nose and she relaxed completely. After all, they had all the time in the world, and one General was not going to take it from them.
*** *** ***

Later that night a very awake Hawkeye sat with his eyes fixed on Margaret's tent. General Taylor appeared and slipped through the door. After barley a minute had passed he reappeared and headed off towards the VIP tent, but Hawkeye couldn't relax. He had spoken with the General and didn't trust him.

So he stayed where he was, watching and listening for any sign of the General until dawn crept up and the first signs of life began to stir. Only then did he look away and lay down to take the rest his body was calling out for.

Unfortunately Hawkeye's distrust of the General was very well placed.
*** *** ***

He hadn't gotten nearly enough sleep before Radar was shaking him awake.

Captain Pierce? Come on Hawkeye, wake up.

What's it Radar?

Colonel Blake wants to see you in his office.



If not sooner.
*** *** ***

When Radar finally dragged him to the office, Trapper jumped out of his chair so Hawkeye could sit down.

You ok Hawk? the pale skin and red eyes obviously worrying him.

I didn't sleep much, was the answer, though it was very much directed towards Henry.

I'm sorry to wake you Hawkeye but one of our aid stations needs a surgeon. I was going to send McIntyre, but I just got word that they've got some major chest cases which makes you the only reasonable choice.

Henry had obviously been expecting some sort of argument; surprise showed on his face on in his voice when all Hawkeye said was,
Is anyone else going?

Oh... um... no. Just the surgeon. You.

A nod was the only response he received. Within an hour, Hawkeye was headed towards the front line.
*** *** ***

What do you mean no casualties?

Just that sir. It's been all quiet here for a few days. We have been expecting a new surgeon, but a permanent transfer, not a temporary replacement.

Hawkeye blew his breathe out through pursed lips and then looked around him at the ruins of the aid station.

You may as well have a drink now you're here, said the man, leading Hawkeye away from his jeep and over to where a small group of men were sitting in one of the more sheltered areas.

Make your self comfortable. I'm Perkins. This is Heard, Archer, Baghurst, James, Morgan, Hawkins and Devins.

replied Hawkeye, but everyone calls me Hawkeye. He shook hands with all the men who stood to greet him and it wasn't long before they had poured him a drink and dealt him in to their poker game.

They had been arguing over his orders for almost an hour when they heard a sound that sent them all running to organise the station.

In the distance, and getting closer every second, were the explosions that heralded a heavy bombardment.
*** *** ***

What do you mean, a mix-up?

Just that Colonel. There was no need for your man to go to that aid station. You better just call him back.

Um, sir?

What is it Radar?

I just got word that's sorta connected with the aid station. There's a push on. The entire area's under heavy bombardment. A lot of casualties are going to be headed here soon. Twenty minutes at the most.

Any news of Hawkeye or the station itself?

No sir. Sparky tried to contact them but the shelling's knocked out all communication.

As Trapper and Margaret came running in to the room General Taylor leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, letting the worried voices wash over him.

He thought about how man favours he had called in to get Captain Pierce ordered to the aid station, and he winced.

He thought about how how he had approached Margaret after Pierce had left and how coldly she had brushed him off, and frowned.

He thought about how depressed she would be if Pierce were to be killed by the shelling, and a smile spread slowly over his face.
*** *** ***

Over the next three days the 4077th was kept busy to the point of exhaustion with casualties resulting from the bombardment. The OR seemed unnaturally quiet without Hawkeye cracking jokes and each wound seemed twice as serious without the chief surgeon to led a talented hand.

All through Radar was trying to get through to the aid station with no luck. It was halfway through the fourth day when Trapper realised what he was seeing.

It's Hawkeye! he yelled, causing an uproar in post-op.

What!



Not here. These stitches. This guy was already fixed up when he got here, he came right to post-op. These are Hawkeye's stitches I'm sure of it.

A quick check revealed many of the patients who had been taken directly to post-op looked to have been operated on by Hawkeye. It took less than a quarter of an hour for the news to spread through the camp and the effect on morale was noticeable immediately.
*** *** ***

Dear Diary,
I'm ecstatic! Hawkeye's alive and now that the push is over he'll be back soon! I can't wait to see him again. Radar's listening out for choppers as hard as he can and there's always someone jogging up the road to see if they can spot his jeep.

He's alive! He's alive, and time is ours again.'
*** *** ***

The two men watched as the chopper took off, carrying the last of their wounded away to Tokyo.

You do great work doc', said Perkins, admiration evident in his voice as he offered Hawkeye his hand.

I try, replied Hawkeye, smiling at the sincerity of the compliment.

I guess you'll be wanting to get back to your hospital. Sure will be sorry to see you go.

As long as their not sorry to see me back.

Perkins laughed and headed back towards to the station while Hawkeye walked towards the amazingly still intact jeep. From nowhere a gunshot rent the air and shattered the newly born silence.

Every man dove for cover as the sniper's bullets continued to fly.

How many are there?

Just the one.

James can you take him?

There was a scuffle and then a rifle cracked.

Everyone all right? yelled Heard. Sound off.















There was a pause.



There was no reply.
If he's been shot...

No-one continued the sentence. No-one needed to. They were all far too aware that Hawkeye was the only person with medical experience at the station.
*** *** ***

The number of people in the Swamp was constantly altering. Trapper, Margaret and Henry had been there for hours. Radar had joined them after a while and the nurses and enlisted men were walking in and out every few minutes.

Shouldn't he be back now?

Relax. All it takes is for the one last casualty to go bad and he could be stuck there all night.

Silence fell again and everyone's head seemed to drop with each passing minute. Except Radar's. He sat up straighter than ever and after a few seconds made everyone present jump with a cry of,


Margaret and Trapper were out of the tent before any body else and reached the landing pad just as the machine touched down.

What've you got? called Trapper over the noise of the blades.

Some guy got him self shot by a sniper. He was driven in to the 79th evac. about twenty minutes ago.

Margaret had been fussing with the plastic face shield and as it left the stretcher she gave a startled yelp that brought Trapper round to her in an instant.

she cried, her face pale and her eyes wide with fright, it's Hawkeye!
*** *** ***

Dear Diary,
5 days. It's been 5 days since that chopper brought Hawkeye back to me. He was in surgery for almost 4 hours with both Trapper and Henry working on him. He woke up about 12 hours after and this time I was there with him when his eyes opened.



That was all he said. That one word, then he fell back asleep. But that one word was more than enough.

As soon as he told me he was leaving for an aid station I started feeling all mixed up . I started wondering if it was worth the risk of his being killed. If he was right to take the risk. If I was right to let him.

But that one word. It took me back three months, to when he first called me that.

Why not try spending that much time with my while I'm awake?

We stood together for almost five minutes before he spoke again.

How about it, Mags?

And then he leant forward and kissed me. That kiss was so achingly sweet and at that moment time really did stand still. I'm not mixed up any more. I spent all night with him in post-op going over that moment in my mind. I wish I could put it in a box and save it forever, but my memory is more than good enough.

I can't help smiling. General Taylor is gone and he's facing some very uncomfortable questions about the orders Henry received.

Hawkeye is fine and all ready driving everyone crazy.

We're back together, and I know that time wont interfere again. After all, we have all time the world can give.

We have all the time we need, all the time we want.