Disclaimer: I do not own M*A*S*H, I just play with the toys.
Please R+R!
But you're a girl - chapter three Dedicated followers
The compound was quiet now, practically deserted. Christmas absent mindedly kicked a pebble across the rocky ground as she thought about how Major Burns had made her feel. She had faced hard times before this but never the feeling that her existence as a respectable human being had been questioned. She kicked another pebble, much harder this time, still not looking where it was heading.
'Oww' a voice expressing pain roused her from the dream world she had escaped to.
Christmas looked up to see a female figure clasping her shin. As she started towards the figure to offer help, Christmas noticed the figure wore a gold oak leaf on her right lapel.
'I'm so sorry major, I wasn't looking where I was going, and I kicked one of the rocks, I didn't mean for it to hit anyone..' Christmas was stammering her apologies but the major interrupted her.
'Quiet yourself girl' the major ordered.
Christmas obeyed instantly, she didn't want to make her situation any worse for herself. To make up for her mistake, she apologised again and gave a crisp salute.
'I don't believe we have met captain' said the major offering her hand to Christmas 'I am Major Margaret Houlihan, I am chief of the nursing staff on this bass'
'Captain Christmas Hallwell, Ma'am'
'Ah Hallwell, I understand that you will be sharing my quarters' Houlihan went on 'Are those your fatigues inside?'
'Yes they are ma'am, I'm the new surgeon here' Christmas continued but she stopped at the look on the majors face.
'YOU are the new surgeon??' Houlihan's voice trembled slightly.
Christmas felt again the ice fall into her stomach as she had with Frank Burns. Major Houlihan continued to stare but eventually correcting herself and changing tack.
'Welcome to the 4077th Captain' Margaret announced, offering her hand.
'Thank you Major, This unit has a very impressive record, I hope I can help to maintain it. Trapper was annoyed with himself, he couldn't find Christmas. He was also extremely angry with Frank. Trapper stormed into the swamp and banged the door on its hinges.
'Can you believe what that weasel did to Christmas' Trapper shouted angrily at Hawk.
'I know, its like he removed his own nervous system' Hawk moaned 'It saved us having to do it for him'.
'If I could do to him what he just did to her' Trapper was almost shaking with rage. 'She's only just arrived, she doesn't need that kind of abuse from anyone; nobody does'.
'Trapp' said Hawkeye; elongating the p for effect 'You have really taken a shine to Christmas Hallwell haven't you?' He still had a twinkle in his eye.
'It just makes me sick that Frank thinks he can go around doing that kinda thing' Trapper continued, still livid over Major Burn's behaviour; he could not be calmed.
'It just makes me sick Hawk, real SICK' and with this, Trapper proceeded to punch the doorframe causing the door to swing open.
Once the door had closed, a very scared looking Radar emerged slowly through the door. He had obviously been on his way in when Trapper had punched it.
'Ah, is it alright if I come in' Radar whispered timidly.
'Come on in Radar, you can help me with a rumour that I've heard' Hawkeye gestured the clerk inside.
'If its about that hole in the nurses shower, I am gonna fix it; its just taking a little longer then expected' Radar stammered.
'How much longer' Hawk smiled
'Ah about a week, I seem to get distracted every time I try to do it'
'Oh Radar, haven't your Uncle Trapper and I brought you up to be better then that'
'Ah well, anyway, I just came by to bring you your mail Hawk' as Radar handed Pearce a thick white envelope addressed in his fathers copperplate handwriting.
'Just forget out the weasel Trap' Hawkeye tried to console Trapper as he opened his letter but to no avail, he wasn't listening.
'I just wish I could teach him a lesson' Trapper went 'God I'd love to see his face'. 'Maybe I could rearrange his cot outside the latrine' he spat.
'What do you think Hawk' Trap asked but Hawkeye didn't answer 'Hawk?'
Trapper twisted around on his bunk to look at Hawkeye. He was sitting perfectly still staring at the letter he had just received. His hands were shaking; the sheets of paper were quivering; mimicking his emotion.
'Hawk, you Ok?' Trapper asked again but still no answer from his best friend.
Pearce continued to stare at his letter and his breathing became more erratic. This was very odd behaviour for him, normally he was a solid example of what humour could achieve.
'Hawk?' Trapper got up and crossed the tent to sit on his best friends bunk. He placed a hand onto Hawkeye's right shoulder but it was shrugged away as he stood and crossed to the still, which was bubbling in the corner. Once Hawkeye had poured himself a large gin and swallowed it down in one, his knees seem to disappear from under him. The glass in his hand fell to the floor and smashed.
'Hawk, geez, Radar, go get Henry NOW RUN' Trapper shouted as he tried to stop his friend from hitting his head on the wooden table.
'Hawk, Hawk are you Ok'? Trapper tried to speak softly into his ear, the way he calmed his daughters when all they wanted to do was cry.
Hawkeye's breathing continued to become more erratic as Trapper tried to hold him as still as he could. He took great gasps of air to stop him from passing out.
He didn't feel like he had any control over himself, he couldn't stand or speak. He couldn't even breathe properly; it caught in his chest and twisted into a mass in his lungs. Hawk felt as if the broken pieces of the martini glass were catching in his throat.
Radar had run skidding across the compound, avoiding a jeep and several enlisted men playing football. He narrowly dodged a washing line and almost tripped over the kerbstones of the flag circle. As he approached the CO's office he pulled the external door open and crashed through the divide between Henry's office from Radar's desk. He came to an almighty holt by putting his arms out to stop himself hitting the desk.
'Radar, what in the world..' Henry began but the clerk cut him short.
'Sir, you must come, its Captain Pearce, he collapsed in the swamp' Radar stammered.
'Hells Bells Radar! Is anyone with him?' Henry announced with a wide-eyed expression.
'Trapper is, Sir he just fell, he was reading his mail and he just fell'
Together they raced towards the Swamp. The anxiety was building up in Henry's chest; he had no idea what he would find. He didn't even think that he might lose his best surgeon.
Meanwhile, Trapper had managed to calm his best friend although his breathing was still erratic. Trap had noticed that there were tears on Hawkeye's face; they were silent tears that Trapper hadn't heard.
'Come on buddy, it's Ok, we're going to get you some help' Trapper reassured the figure of his best friend lying in his arms. Hawkeye tried to speak but his guardian silenced him.
'Try not to talk, save your breath' Trap reassured him as the figures of Henry Blake and Radar dashing across the compound.
Henry didn't know what to do; the figure of one of his best doctors lying on the floor was a shock to say the least. He rushed to Trappers side, unconsciously knocking over a chair in the process.
'Pearce, Pearce can you hear me' Henry spoke in a worried tone to the figure lying in Trappers arms.
'Lets get him over to post-op McIntyre, he made to be sedated' Henry felt he had little to no control over the situation but he could be one thing and that was to treat Hawkeye with medical precision.
It was a struggle for Trapper to hold Pearce; he was not heavy but the awkward position he held his buddy in made it difficult to balance. Trapper tried to talk to Hawk but the extra strain he had taken made it difficult.
'Come on buddy, we're getting you help' Trapper repeated softly, trying reassure his best friend in Korea.
Hawkeye tried to open his eyes but the sunlight was painful to register. It was all he could was to lay still and be carried to whereever he was going. Hawkeye could feel his head lolling as Trapper half ran, half stumbled through the football game in the compound. Almost all the players stopped to see what all the fuss was about because they hadn't heard any choppers. Gasps of shock could be heard around the compound as people realised that Trapper was in fact carrying Dr. Pearce.
'Get out he way' Trapper shouted to clear his path of patients and nurses.
Trapper placed his buddy on a secluded bed off the post-op ward. Hawkeye really did look ill now; his hands were still cold and shaking. His skin was pale and damp from a cold sweat and his eyes seemed to be glazed over.
'He has a fever Henry' Trapper had placed his hand on Hawkeye's forehead and almost recoiled it in shock. He had been fine five minutes ago.
'How much has he had to drink McIntyre' Henry asked trying to remain calm.
'He had one, one drink' Trapper tried to explain. 'He looked upset about something but wouldn't tell me what it was, he just up, had one drink and collapsed to the floor. That's when I sent Radar to get you.'
Hawkeye hardly moved, he couldn't move. The bright sunlight that shone though the windows burnt his eyes. He felt as if he would vomit and he could feel the room spinning around him.
But you're a girl - chapter three Dedicated followers
The compound was quiet now, practically deserted. Christmas absent mindedly kicked a pebble across the rocky ground as she thought about how Major Burns had made her feel. She had faced hard times before this but never the feeling that her existence as a respectable human being had been questioned. She kicked another pebble, much harder this time, still not looking where it was heading.
'Oww' a voice expressing pain roused her from the dream world she had escaped to.
Christmas looked up to see a female figure clasping her shin. As she started towards the figure to offer help, Christmas noticed the figure wore a gold oak leaf on her right lapel.
'I'm so sorry major, I wasn't looking where I was going, and I kicked one of the rocks, I didn't mean for it to hit anyone..' Christmas was stammering her apologies but the major interrupted her.
'Quiet yourself girl' the major ordered.
Christmas obeyed instantly, she didn't want to make her situation any worse for herself. To make up for her mistake, she apologised again and gave a crisp salute.
'I don't believe we have met captain' said the major offering her hand to Christmas 'I am Major Margaret Houlihan, I am chief of the nursing staff on this bass'
'Captain Christmas Hallwell, Ma'am'
'Ah Hallwell, I understand that you will be sharing my quarters' Houlihan went on 'Are those your fatigues inside?'
'Yes they are ma'am, I'm the new surgeon here' Christmas continued but she stopped at the look on the majors face.
'YOU are the new surgeon??' Houlihan's voice trembled slightly.
Christmas felt again the ice fall into her stomach as she had with Frank Burns. Major Houlihan continued to stare but eventually correcting herself and changing tack.
'Welcome to the 4077th Captain' Margaret announced, offering her hand.
'Thank you Major, This unit has a very impressive record, I hope I can help to maintain it. Trapper was annoyed with himself, he couldn't find Christmas. He was also extremely angry with Frank. Trapper stormed into the swamp and banged the door on its hinges.
'Can you believe what that weasel did to Christmas' Trapper shouted angrily at Hawk.
'I know, its like he removed his own nervous system' Hawk moaned 'It saved us having to do it for him'.
'If I could do to him what he just did to her' Trapper was almost shaking with rage. 'She's only just arrived, she doesn't need that kind of abuse from anyone; nobody does'.
'Trapp' said Hawkeye; elongating the p for effect 'You have really taken a shine to Christmas Hallwell haven't you?' He still had a twinkle in his eye.
'It just makes me sick that Frank thinks he can go around doing that kinda thing' Trapper continued, still livid over Major Burn's behaviour; he could not be calmed.
'It just makes me sick Hawk, real SICK' and with this, Trapper proceeded to punch the doorframe causing the door to swing open.
Once the door had closed, a very scared looking Radar emerged slowly through the door. He had obviously been on his way in when Trapper had punched it.
'Ah, is it alright if I come in' Radar whispered timidly.
'Come on in Radar, you can help me with a rumour that I've heard' Hawkeye gestured the clerk inside.
'If its about that hole in the nurses shower, I am gonna fix it; its just taking a little longer then expected' Radar stammered.
'How much longer' Hawk smiled
'Ah about a week, I seem to get distracted every time I try to do it'
'Oh Radar, haven't your Uncle Trapper and I brought you up to be better then that'
'Ah well, anyway, I just came by to bring you your mail Hawk' as Radar handed Pearce a thick white envelope addressed in his fathers copperplate handwriting.
'Just forget out the weasel Trap' Hawkeye tried to console Trapper as he opened his letter but to no avail, he wasn't listening.
'I just wish I could teach him a lesson' Trapper went 'God I'd love to see his face'. 'Maybe I could rearrange his cot outside the latrine' he spat.
'What do you think Hawk' Trap asked but Hawkeye didn't answer 'Hawk?'
Trapper twisted around on his bunk to look at Hawkeye. He was sitting perfectly still staring at the letter he had just received. His hands were shaking; the sheets of paper were quivering; mimicking his emotion.
'Hawk, you Ok?' Trapper asked again but still no answer from his best friend.
Pearce continued to stare at his letter and his breathing became more erratic. This was very odd behaviour for him, normally he was a solid example of what humour could achieve.
'Hawk?' Trapper got up and crossed the tent to sit on his best friends bunk. He placed a hand onto Hawkeye's right shoulder but it was shrugged away as he stood and crossed to the still, which was bubbling in the corner. Once Hawkeye had poured himself a large gin and swallowed it down in one, his knees seem to disappear from under him. The glass in his hand fell to the floor and smashed.
'Hawk, geez, Radar, go get Henry NOW RUN' Trapper shouted as he tried to stop his friend from hitting his head on the wooden table.
'Hawk, Hawk are you Ok'? Trapper tried to speak softly into his ear, the way he calmed his daughters when all they wanted to do was cry.
Hawkeye's breathing continued to become more erratic as Trapper tried to hold him as still as he could. He took great gasps of air to stop him from passing out.
He didn't feel like he had any control over himself, he couldn't stand or speak. He couldn't even breathe properly; it caught in his chest and twisted into a mass in his lungs. Hawk felt as if the broken pieces of the martini glass were catching in his throat.
Radar had run skidding across the compound, avoiding a jeep and several enlisted men playing football. He narrowly dodged a washing line and almost tripped over the kerbstones of the flag circle. As he approached the CO's office he pulled the external door open and crashed through the divide between Henry's office from Radar's desk. He came to an almighty holt by putting his arms out to stop himself hitting the desk.
'Radar, what in the world..' Henry began but the clerk cut him short.
'Sir, you must come, its Captain Pearce, he collapsed in the swamp' Radar stammered.
'Hells Bells Radar! Is anyone with him?' Henry announced with a wide-eyed expression.
'Trapper is, Sir he just fell, he was reading his mail and he just fell'
Together they raced towards the Swamp. The anxiety was building up in Henry's chest; he had no idea what he would find. He didn't even think that he might lose his best surgeon.
Meanwhile, Trapper had managed to calm his best friend although his breathing was still erratic. Trap had noticed that there were tears on Hawkeye's face; they were silent tears that Trapper hadn't heard.
'Come on buddy, it's Ok, we're going to get you some help' Trapper reassured the figure of his best friend lying in his arms. Hawkeye tried to speak but his guardian silenced him.
'Try not to talk, save your breath' Trap reassured him as the figures of Henry Blake and Radar dashing across the compound.
Henry didn't know what to do; the figure of one of his best doctors lying on the floor was a shock to say the least. He rushed to Trappers side, unconsciously knocking over a chair in the process.
'Pearce, Pearce can you hear me' Henry spoke in a worried tone to the figure lying in Trappers arms.
'Lets get him over to post-op McIntyre, he made to be sedated' Henry felt he had little to no control over the situation but he could be one thing and that was to treat Hawkeye with medical precision.
It was a struggle for Trapper to hold Pearce; he was not heavy but the awkward position he held his buddy in made it difficult to balance. Trapper tried to talk to Hawk but the extra strain he had taken made it difficult.
'Come on buddy, we're getting you help' Trapper repeated softly, trying reassure his best friend in Korea.
Hawkeye tried to open his eyes but the sunlight was painful to register. It was all he could was to lay still and be carried to whereever he was going. Hawkeye could feel his head lolling as Trapper half ran, half stumbled through the football game in the compound. Almost all the players stopped to see what all the fuss was about because they hadn't heard any choppers. Gasps of shock could be heard around the compound as people realised that Trapper was in fact carrying Dr. Pearce.
'Get out he way' Trapper shouted to clear his path of patients and nurses.
Trapper placed his buddy on a secluded bed off the post-op ward. Hawkeye really did look ill now; his hands were still cold and shaking. His skin was pale and damp from a cold sweat and his eyes seemed to be glazed over.
'He has a fever Henry' Trapper had placed his hand on Hawkeye's forehead and almost recoiled it in shock. He had been fine five minutes ago.
'How much has he had to drink McIntyre' Henry asked trying to remain calm.
'He had one, one drink' Trapper tried to explain. 'He looked upset about something but wouldn't tell me what it was, he just up, had one drink and collapsed to the floor. That's when I sent Radar to get you.'
Hawkeye hardly moved, he couldn't move. The bright sunlight that shone though the windows burnt his eyes. He felt as if he would vomit and he could feel the room spinning around him.