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But you're a girl - chapter seven
By the time the faint sun had risen into the cloudless sky above her, Christmas felt half dead; she felt frozen to the core. The driving rain had been replaced by strong, angry winds that almost lifted her off her feet as she walked back to the guardroom. She could only drag her feet through the murky dust that lined the ground. Christmas felt angry, not only with Major Burns but also with herself, she had convinced herself that she had done something to upset him in a previous life. Although there was a strong wind, the sun was dazzeralingly bright.
Once she had been relieved of guard duty, Christmas wandered back out into the compound and let her body fall against the wall. It felt as if the wall was the only thing that could keep her upright. The first morning shift had just commenced, personnel milled around her without noticing the look of sheer exhaustion she wore. Trapper emerged from post-op and noticed Christmas slumped against the outside wall of Henry's office.
'Hey' Trap stopped himself when he witnessed how run-down she looked 'are you all right, you look awful'.
'I feel awful, it's a set' Christmas mumbled as squinted up to his towering figure standing in a beam of winter sunshine.
Trapper held out his hand to pull his colleague upright, her skin felt cold to the touch and her grip wasn't very strong. He put a strong arm around her hunched shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
'You been up all night again?' he asked quietly, speaking softly into her ear.
Christmas simply nodded, the energy she thought she had suddenly escaped her as she felt her knees buckle underneath her. Trap felt her weight slip from his arm, quickly twisting around to help her stay on her feet. The Swamp was nearest, it seemed the most logical place to take her; she would be embarrassed anywhere else. Trap managed to kick the door open but it was forced back by the wind so making his way into the swamp was a bit of a struggle.
Hawkeye was laying on his cot reading the latest shipment of medical journals from home, his dad had kept his word and sent them as they had arrived at his childhood home in Crabapple Cove. He looked up to see Trapper struggling to open the door; what was when he noticed the reduced figure of Christmas Hallwell. Hawk jumped to his feet to hold open the violently swinging door; a few of the last autumn leaves blowing into the tent.
'Help me will ya' Trapper stifled as he tried to sit Christmas on Hawk's cot.
'You alright?' Hawk was kneeling in front of Christmas holding her head up as she gazed into his eyes.
Hawk's eyes were visibly scanning Christmas all over for signs of possible trauma; a problem he faced with this was that mental anguish could not be witnessed. Hawk's eyes flicked from the cut on her forehead that she had sustained the previous day to her mud stained boots. Christmas was shaking from the cold and the heat radiating from the stove did little to warm her.
Christmas didn't answer him but her tears spoke volumes to Hawkeye; she breathed in deeply as they ran down her face.
'Hey' Hawkeye mumbled, putting a hand to her face and wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye with his thumb.
Christmas felt completely overcome with emotion; everything that had happened over the last ten days came flooding back. She lent forward and placed her arms around Hawkeye's shoulders allowing her hot, salty tears to soak into the material of his shirt. Christmas lost track of how long she held onto Hawk, her only wish at that moment was that she never had to let go. She felt Trapper's hand in her hair as Christmas's shoulders shook with the effort of releasing all the anger, frustration and pain she had kept to herself.
After a while, Hawkeye couldn't stand to see Christmas too depressed and upset. He unwrapped himself from arms and slowly rose to his feet.
'Hey, where you going?' Trapper trilled.
'To do what should have been done a long time ago' Hawk announced to them both. With this, Hawkeye strode from the Swamp, across the compound towards Henry's office.
As he entered the office, Hawk could clearly see that the CO wasn't around. Hawkeye cursed under his breathe as he looked up to see Christmas, supported by Trapper, pushing her way into the office. Trap eased her into a chair as he made a path for the drinks cabinet that stood locked in the corner. As Trapper shook the glass doors to gain access to the precious within, he heard the voice of Frank Burns.
'Is Colonel Blake in?' the Major trilled.
'Henry's not here Frank' Trap answered.
'Are you sure, when he's here I sometimes get that feeling' Hawk grinned.
Hawk and Trapper both took seats by Henry's desk and waited for the return of their gallant leader. Major Houlihan had accompanied Frank was holding a report for both captains to sign.
'First you help us Frank' Hawkeye started as he got to his feet 'complete First you help us Frank, complete this saying I want out of this stinking, flea bitten war in 25 dirty words or less'. Hawk handed Major Burns an irrelevant piece of paper from Henry's desk, after quickly scanning it Frank realised that Hawk was making a fool out of him.
'That'll be the day!' Frank began. 'Now hear this, I order you to sign' he announced as Hawk re-took his seat next to Trapper who presented him with a fresh glass of bourbon.
'Sorry, we can't take any new orders until after Christmas' Hawk grinned as he threw a look at Hallwell.
Major Houlihan was becoming annoyed with Hawk and Trapper. Why did they always have to cause a detrimental effect to Major Burn's chain of command? She felt she needed to step in and reinforce Franks request.
'You can't disobey him, he's a Major'
'A Major what Hotlips?' Trap trilled from his whiskey glass, knowing that this comment would rile Major Houlihan.
'Ah just a minute, just a minute, he's only got two clusters, between us to captains we have eight bars' Hawkeye said this while pointing from himself, to Frank and back to Trapper. 'We outrank you by half a chorus!'
Christmas couldn't help it; Hawkeye's last remark had left her giggling to herself. Major Burns observed this and turned to Hallwell with an angry expression.
'I suppose you think this is funny Captain?' Frank barked at Hallwell's defiant behaviour 'you are the reason that I need these degenerates co- operation'
'Why do you need us Frank?' Trapper enquired, a puzzled look adorning his face.
'This release and transfer form needs to be signed by four officers and the commanding officer' Frank went on 'that is the procedure when a complaint has been lodged by another officer'.
'And you're the other officer right Frank?' Hawk enquired climbing to his feet as he extracted the report from Frank's hand. 'What's all this about Frank, think the UN will find out who you really are, they really don't recruit enough horse doctors these days'.
Hawkeye read on through the page, his face falling as the content became flooded recognition in his brain. The humour he had previously found in this situation turned suddenly to anger.
'Frank, I don't if you've realised the nature of what you are doing' Hawk spat at the figure standing before him 'you're asking us to sign a death warrant for Christmas's career, forget it Frank!'
'What's the charge Frank' Trapper enquired as he also felt his anger rise.
'Insubordination, surgical incompetence, lack of military respect; the list goes on' Major Houlihan smiled.
This was becoming too much for Hawkeye to stand, he had to call upon his reserve of strength just so he wouldn't punch the little ferret.
'Let me tell you doctor, and I use the term loosely because it always gets a laugh' Hawk started, his eyes flaring with emotion 'Hallwell has done absolutely nothing wrong but listen to you'. Pearce took a deep breath before continuing. 'I don't know if you have realised what you have done to this poor girl' he gestured at Christmas who was slumped against Trapper, 'you have run her into the ground and this whole fiasco has been initiated by your own incompetence!'
Hawkeye shook with emotion; he did not believe that the weasel could uphold these claims. If that report were to reach the proper authorities, Captain Hallwell would be stripped of her rank and expelled from the army; all on the account of something she didn't do.
'Sign it McIntyre' Major Burns demanded 'You have no choice, I out-rank you'
'Can we help it you are ranker than we are?' Trap replied, narrowing his eyes.
'SIGN IT!' Frank bellowed as he pushed the paper once more into Hawkeye's face.
'You don't see what you have done to her do you' Hawk shouted at a belittled Frank as he pointed to Christmas 'She's dead on her feet, she sleep deprived, deeply depressed and her white count is alarmingly high and its all down to you'
With this comment, Major's Burn's and Houlihan left Hallwell with a few well-chosen words before they left. 'If is the last thing I do' Frank spat at Christmas 'I will see you out of this mans army, you don't belong here'.
Christmas watched the door bang behind her intimidators as it swung on its hinges. The silence of the room engulfed her as she rose to her feet and made for the now silent door.
But you're a girl - chapter seven
By the time the faint sun had risen into the cloudless sky above her, Christmas felt half dead; she felt frozen to the core. The driving rain had been replaced by strong, angry winds that almost lifted her off her feet as she walked back to the guardroom. She could only drag her feet through the murky dust that lined the ground. Christmas felt angry, not only with Major Burns but also with herself, she had convinced herself that she had done something to upset him in a previous life. Although there was a strong wind, the sun was dazzeralingly bright.
Once she had been relieved of guard duty, Christmas wandered back out into the compound and let her body fall against the wall. It felt as if the wall was the only thing that could keep her upright. The first morning shift had just commenced, personnel milled around her without noticing the look of sheer exhaustion she wore. Trapper emerged from post-op and noticed Christmas slumped against the outside wall of Henry's office.
'Hey' Trap stopped himself when he witnessed how run-down she looked 'are you all right, you look awful'.
'I feel awful, it's a set' Christmas mumbled as squinted up to his towering figure standing in a beam of winter sunshine.
Trapper held out his hand to pull his colleague upright, her skin felt cold to the touch and her grip wasn't very strong. He put a strong arm around her hunched shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
'You been up all night again?' he asked quietly, speaking softly into her ear.
Christmas simply nodded, the energy she thought she had suddenly escaped her as she felt her knees buckle underneath her. Trap felt her weight slip from his arm, quickly twisting around to help her stay on her feet. The Swamp was nearest, it seemed the most logical place to take her; she would be embarrassed anywhere else. Trap managed to kick the door open but it was forced back by the wind so making his way into the swamp was a bit of a struggle.
Hawkeye was laying on his cot reading the latest shipment of medical journals from home, his dad had kept his word and sent them as they had arrived at his childhood home in Crabapple Cove. He looked up to see Trapper struggling to open the door; what was when he noticed the reduced figure of Christmas Hallwell. Hawk jumped to his feet to hold open the violently swinging door; a few of the last autumn leaves blowing into the tent.
'Help me will ya' Trapper stifled as he tried to sit Christmas on Hawk's cot.
'You alright?' Hawk was kneeling in front of Christmas holding her head up as she gazed into his eyes.
Hawk's eyes were visibly scanning Christmas all over for signs of possible trauma; a problem he faced with this was that mental anguish could not be witnessed. Hawk's eyes flicked from the cut on her forehead that she had sustained the previous day to her mud stained boots. Christmas was shaking from the cold and the heat radiating from the stove did little to warm her.
Christmas didn't answer him but her tears spoke volumes to Hawkeye; she breathed in deeply as they ran down her face.
'Hey' Hawkeye mumbled, putting a hand to her face and wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye with his thumb.
Christmas felt completely overcome with emotion; everything that had happened over the last ten days came flooding back. She lent forward and placed her arms around Hawkeye's shoulders allowing her hot, salty tears to soak into the material of his shirt. Christmas lost track of how long she held onto Hawk, her only wish at that moment was that she never had to let go. She felt Trapper's hand in her hair as Christmas's shoulders shook with the effort of releasing all the anger, frustration and pain she had kept to herself.
After a while, Hawkeye couldn't stand to see Christmas too depressed and upset. He unwrapped himself from arms and slowly rose to his feet.
'Hey, where you going?' Trapper trilled.
'To do what should have been done a long time ago' Hawk announced to them both. With this, Hawkeye strode from the Swamp, across the compound towards Henry's office.
As he entered the office, Hawk could clearly see that the CO wasn't around. Hawkeye cursed under his breathe as he looked up to see Christmas, supported by Trapper, pushing her way into the office. Trap eased her into a chair as he made a path for the drinks cabinet that stood locked in the corner. As Trapper shook the glass doors to gain access to the precious within, he heard the voice of Frank Burns.
'Is Colonel Blake in?' the Major trilled.
'Henry's not here Frank' Trap answered.
'Are you sure, when he's here I sometimes get that feeling' Hawk grinned.
Hawk and Trapper both took seats by Henry's desk and waited for the return of their gallant leader. Major Houlihan had accompanied Frank was holding a report for both captains to sign.
'First you help us Frank' Hawkeye started as he got to his feet 'complete First you help us Frank, complete this saying I want out of this stinking, flea bitten war in 25 dirty words or less'. Hawk handed Major Burns an irrelevant piece of paper from Henry's desk, after quickly scanning it Frank realised that Hawk was making a fool out of him.
'That'll be the day!' Frank began. 'Now hear this, I order you to sign' he announced as Hawk re-took his seat next to Trapper who presented him with a fresh glass of bourbon.
'Sorry, we can't take any new orders until after Christmas' Hawk grinned as he threw a look at Hallwell.
Major Houlihan was becoming annoyed with Hawk and Trapper. Why did they always have to cause a detrimental effect to Major Burn's chain of command? She felt she needed to step in and reinforce Franks request.
'You can't disobey him, he's a Major'
'A Major what Hotlips?' Trap trilled from his whiskey glass, knowing that this comment would rile Major Houlihan.
'Ah just a minute, just a minute, he's only got two clusters, between us to captains we have eight bars' Hawkeye said this while pointing from himself, to Frank and back to Trapper. 'We outrank you by half a chorus!'
Christmas couldn't help it; Hawkeye's last remark had left her giggling to herself. Major Burns observed this and turned to Hallwell with an angry expression.
'I suppose you think this is funny Captain?' Frank barked at Hallwell's defiant behaviour 'you are the reason that I need these degenerates co- operation'
'Why do you need us Frank?' Trapper enquired, a puzzled look adorning his face.
'This release and transfer form needs to be signed by four officers and the commanding officer' Frank went on 'that is the procedure when a complaint has been lodged by another officer'.
'And you're the other officer right Frank?' Hawk enquired climbing to his feet as he extracted the report from Frank's hand. 'What's all this about Frank, think the UN will find out who you really are, they really don't recruit enough horse doctors these days'.
Hawkeye read on through the page, his face falling as the content became flooded recognition in his brain. The humour he had previously found in this situation turned suddenly to anger.
'Frank, I don't if you've realised the nature of what you are doing' Hawk spat at the figure standing before him 'you're asking us to sign a death warrant for Christmas's career, forget it Frank!'
'What's the charge Frank' Trapper enquired as he also felt his anger rise.
'Insubordination, surgical incompetence, lack of military respect; the list goes on' Major Houlihan smiled.
This was becoming too much for Hawkeye to stand, he had to call upon his reserve of strength just so he wouldn't punch the little ferret.
'Let me tell you doctor, and I use the term loosely because it always gets a laugh' Hawk started, his eyes flaring with emotion 'Hallwell has done absolutely nothing wrong but listen to you'. Pearce took a deep breath before continuing. 'I don't know if you have realised what you have done to this poor girl' he gestured at Christmas who was slumped against Trapper, 'you have run her into the ground and this whole fiasco has been initiated by your own incompetence!'
Hawkeye shook with emotion; he did not believe that the weasel could uphold these claims. If that report were to reach the proper authorities, Captain Hallwell would be stripped of her rank and expelled from the army; all on the account of something she didn't do.
'Sign it McIntyre' Major Burns demanded 'You have no choice, I out-rank you'
'Can we help it you are ranker than we are?' Trap replied, narrowing his eyes.
'SIGN IT!' Frank bellowed as he pushed the paper once more into Hawkeye's face.
'You don't see what you have done to her do you' Hawk shouted at a belittled Frank as he pointed to Christmas 'She's dead on her feet, she sleep deprived, deeply depressed and her white count is alarmingly high and its all down to you'
With this comment, Major's Burn's and Houlihan left Hallwell with a few well-chosen words before they left. 'If is the last thing I do' Frank spat at Christmas 'I will see you out of this mans army, you don't belong here'.
Christmas watched the door bang behind her intimidators as it swung on its hinges. The silence of the room engulfed her as she rose to her feet and made for the now silent door.