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Our Story

Chapter 8: Regeneration

"Doctor, he's awake!" the nurse informed me, hurrying over to Hawkeye's bedside. I chased after her, Margaret following me, and the colonel following her. It was like a big Follow – The – Leader. I dropped onto the stool next to Hawkeye's bed. He gazed up, those innocent – looking eyes shooting arrows through my heart. "Hi," he said quietly. "Hi," I returned, my face breaking into a smile for the first time in a week.

"How are you feeling?" Margaret asked. Hawk gave a ghost of a smirk. "Like I've been shot. How are you?" Margaret rolled her eyes. "He's fine." Hawk laughed at that, stopping and wincing – he had six broken ribs.

Noticing my expression, Margaret cleared her throat impatiently. "Well, I'll be leaving now – Colonel, I, um, want to talk to you about the new rotation. Um, Joann, you should come too." She tugged the Colonel away, winking at me, the nurse trailing behind. I winked back, pulling my chair closer to Hawk. "You had me really worried," I chastised, brushing his hair from his eyes. "What did I tell you before you left – don't get hurt. But you didn't listen to me, did you?" he grinned, yawning. "Yes Mom." I smiled. Glancing around, I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips. As we pulled apart, I noticed Margaret standing at the doors, a sad smile on her face. As Hawk dropped off, I got up, walking over to her. I hugged her. "Thanks for getting rid of everyone," I said. She grinned. "No problem," she said softly. "I love seeing you so happy again."

I pulled her out, into the compound. "We need to talk." She sat on a crate while I paced back and forth – a habit I picked up from Hawk. "About what?" she asked. "About…you know. Last night." Margaret frowned. "What's there to talk about? I was upset, you were upset, that's all there was too it. It's not like anything will come of it." I bit my lip. "Yeah, well, that's where you're wrong. Margaret, I haven't…been with a woman for over a month – until last night. You sort of…I dunno how to explain it…I mean, Hawk and I have been together for about 6 weeks now, but I'd been with women for 15 years…that sort of – feeling – doesn't get washed away just because I now play for the other team. Do you understand?"

She nodded. "You want to be with Hawkeye, but you want to be with a woman too, because you enjoy both…Trapp, I don't think this is the best idea." I shrugged. "I know. But I can't help it. And not just any woman…before I…traded sides… I had the hots for you so bad. Hawkeye too." She arched an eyebrow. "Really? Hmm, so did I. You should have said something."

I gaped. "Uh Margaret, aren't you forgetting something? About 5'7", 160lbs, balding, no chin and lips, bears a striking resemblance to certain choice rodents?"

"Frank? Ha, I never really had anything with Frank. Oh, I know, you guys asked me a couple of times, but you were just kidding. Had you actually come up to me, asked me with a semi – adult manner, I would have said yes like that." She snapped her fingers. "Huh," I mused. "Anyways, we're off topic. What am I going to do" I hate to even think about cheating on Hawkeye, but I want to be with you too."

She smiled slowly, leaning over to kiss me, soft at first, then growing harder. When she pulled away, I gasped for breath. "As much as I would adore that, I can't jeopardize you and Hawkeye. You are perfect together – don't you dare mess that up." She ran her hands through my hair, like you would a child, then walked away, looking sad, but happy at the same time – she had done the right thing, but it hurt to do it.

I slumped onto the crate, collected my shattered feelings, and then headed back into Post – Op.

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Hawkeye's POV

I woke up to find Trapper, asleep on the stool by my bedside. I sat up carefully, glancing around. Post – Op was empty, but I could hear voices from OR. I puzzled why Trapp wasn't in there, but took no notice, taking instead my advantage of my lover. I stretched towards him, teasing a finger down his back. He shivered, but didn't awake. I laughed to myself. "Time for more drastic measures." I reached out, capturing his lips with mine. He automatically let my tongue through. As I watched, eyes open, his eyelids fluttered, and he opened his own eyes. He pulled back, gazing at me as if he couldn't place me. Then – I could almost hear it – it clicked. "Hawk?" he muttered, voice clogged with sleep. "Was – was that you?" I rolled my eyes. "No, the Tooth Fairy, she was checking for cavities." He grinned. "What a way to wake up. I wish I could get up that way every morning." I laughed. "Don't worry. Once this stupid war ends, we'll go to Boston, get an apartment, and I'll wake you up that way every single morning."

Little did I know that would never happen.

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Trapper's POV

I was just leaning in to reciprocate my wake – up call, when I heard a voice. "Trapper?" I turned, groaning inwardly, to find Margaret. "They need you in OR. I'll sit with him." I nodded, settled for ruffling Hawkeye's hair, and left. 

After the OR session, I walked back to Post – Op to find Hawkeye asleep on a stretcher. Fearing the worst, I panicked. "What's the matter?" I demanded, running over to Margaret. She smiled. "Nothing. We need the beds, so we're moving him." I frowned. "Back to the Swamp?"

She winked. "Nope. And you have me to thank for this – we're putting him in the VIP tent. So there's lots of – ahem hem – privacy."

I danced around gleefully. "Margaret, you're amazing!" She grinned. "I know." I stopped dancing long enough to give her a hug. "And modest too! Such virtues!" She laughed. "I'm glad you think so highly of me."

As the corpsmen lowered Hawkeye onto the bed in the VIP tent, I sat in a chair next to him. As I drifted in and out of sleep, he opened his eyes. "Hey, why don't you get some sleep – back in the Swamp. I'll be fine." I nodded, climbed to my feet, kissed his forehead, and trudged out.

I bumped into Margaret on my way – not to the Swamp, but the O – Club. "Hi," I yawned. She smiled. "Hi yourself. You look ready for bed." I nodded. "Oh, I am. I just wanted a drink before I got there." She paused, looking comtemplative. "Hey," she said. "I've got a bottle of 15 year old Scotch in my tent, and I've been looking for someone to share a drink with. Want some?"

"Sure." We strolled to her tent, and she pulled out 2 glasses and a large, square bottle. But a friendly drink would soon take a turn – for the worst.

We polished off the whole bottle, easily. I was lying on her bunk, twirling my fingers in the air above my head. She was lying next to me, watching my fingers. I stopped twirling, and turned my head to find her face next to mine. "Oh, hello."

"Hello," she replied. I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers. She pulled away. "Trapp, no…what about Hawkeye?" I shrugged. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him." I rolled over, straddling her, and made a trail of kisses down her neck. For the second night in a row, I made love to her. But this time, there was no excuse.

***TBC***

Oooh, naughty Trapper. When will he learn? Tsk tsk…please review! We're getting close to the end now – I'll be able to explain all the cryptic remarks through the chapters. Ta ta!