Disclaimer: I do not own M*A*S*H, I just play with the toys.
Please R+R!
But you're a girl - chapter twelve
Hawkeye was at a loose end, without Chrissie he had little to amuse himself. The Swamp held few toys that he had not grown bored of, one of which was his old friend the still. The aforementioned friend was bubbling quietly to itself, which drew Hawkeye to it to sample its contents. As per usual, there were no clean glasses however; this had never stopped him before. Once the last few sacred drops of pure alcohol had deposited themselves into the makeshift glass, Hawk lifted the clinical measuring vile that had been stolen from supply as Trapper had broken its predecessor in a drunken bout of nastiness to his lips. The burning liquid slipped down his dry throat with ease and the sudden headiness Hawkeye experienced was welcomed, as it was something to distract him from his thoughts of Chrissie.
It had been 12 hours since they had all rolled back into the compound, 12 hours since they left Seoul, 12 hours since he last saw Chrissie. He felt like a schoolboy with an all-encasing crush, Hawkeye was beginning feel the ache of loneliness. Falling back on to his cot, Hawk covered his eyes with his hands to visualise her face, the vision that swam to the surface was crystal clear. Just the thought of Chrissie made Hawkeye sick with longing as he rubbed his eyes with the balls of his fingers to deter the tears that had begun to form behind his eyes.
Breathing out deeply, Hawk sat up and surveyed his surroundings. The Swamp, in all its untidiness, remained around him.
'Mail call Hawk' Radar trilled as he struggled through the door with a large package.
Hawkeye stared blearily at the corporal not really taking in what he had just said.
'Oh, thanks Radar' He mumbled as the camp clerk placed the box on the end of Hawks cot.
'It's uh' Radar started, not knowing how to continue 'its for Captain Hallwell, her fathers possessions'
Hawk surveyed the large box; the War office had officially sealed it.
'Uh, you need to sign for it Hawk' Radar spoke quietly as he indicated the MP's standing to attention outside the Swamp.
As the clerk handed the clipboard down to Hawkeye, he could hear a rumbling of a jeeps engine. Hawkeye scribbled a signature in his copperplate hand and looked to the compound to find the approaching jeep. Hawks face lifted in excitement as he saw the figure of Chrissie jump from the vehicle. He didn't have to think twice as Hawkeye raised himself to his feet and skidded from the Swamp. The compound was wet and muddy from the winter rain but even that didn't stop Hawkeye from reaching his target; Chrissie.
Hawkeye skidded to a halt a few feet from Captain Hallwell, simply looking at her. He could see she looked deflated; tired from the 24 hrs she had spent looked in interrogation. Her green eyes had lost some of their sparkle but this made Hawkeye want to hold her even more.
'Hey you' Hawkeye smiled as he pulled Chrissie into a tight embrace.
'Hey you' Chrissie replied as she gave herself over to Hawkeye's strength and letting him relieve the worries and tension of her day from hell. She placed her head onto his shoulder as Hawk ran his fingers through her hair.
Another jeep crawled up behind the stationary vehicle; it carried a representative from the Judge Advocates Office, three armed MP's and Major Burns.
'Morning Frank' Hawkeye called across the compound as the sleep-deprived Major was pulled from the jeep by the MP's.
'I don't have to take that from you' Frank spat as Hawkeye smiled graciously.
'Now what's all this who-ha?' Henry Blake was striding through the compound. 'I was having my afternoon nap'
An MP turned to Henry and gave a snap salute before addressing the CO.
'Colonel Blake' MP announced which made Henry spin around looking for his addressor
'Uh here, which means, uh, I'm here, that's me' Henry stuttered
'I am hereby returning this prisoner, one Major Franklin. M Burns, to your care' the judge advocate's representative addressed Henry.
'What if we refuse delivery?' Hawkeye joked behind Henry's back.
'Uh, pipe down Pierce' Henry started and turned back to the JA rep 'Thank you, I assume there are conditions to Major Burn's return'
'Didn't we agree Henry' Pierce started 'it makes the war less profitable if we accept returns'
The CO decided to ignore this last comment as he gestured the way to his office. The group that followed him entered his office as the MP's pushed Frank down into a chair; he was still handcuffed. Henry took up his place behind the desk as he gathered his thoughts.
The Judge Advocate representative, Major Falkner, rose to his feet and turned to address Henry.
'I will begin if I may Colonel?' Falkner asked the CO who nodded in return.
'On the charges of cruelty against a fellow officer, the accused was found guilty. However, on the charge of fascism, the accused party was found to be not guilty. The judge found this to simply be the army way' Falkner meant to go on but was interrupted.
'The army way?!' Hawkeye screamed 'the only reason why it has all come to this was due to Captain Hallwell doing her job' Trapper tried to silence him but he carried on regardless.
'Just because Frank Burns has poll in the war department doesn't mean he can exploit her in the way he has' Hawkeye was fuming; he looked set to lash out at Frank and tear him to shreds.
'Captain Pierce!' Major Falkner boomed 'I will not ask you to contain yourself again, you made your opinions clear at the hearing'. Falkner continued after a fixed, heavy stare at Pierce.
'During his absence, the accused private medical records were assessed and certain medical errors were uncovered. It was also discovered that this incident is not the first time reports have been taken out concerning the accused juniors'.
Through Major Faulkner's explanation of Frank's errors, Christmas sat completely still; staring at Hawkeye's hand, which had become intertwined with hers. She couldn't believe that all of this had gone so far. Her father had always told her that the mark of a good leader was to empathize and sympathize with your men. She had done what she was told, the mark of a good soldier.
'Do you have anything to add Captain Hallwell?' Falkner addressed her in a fatherly manner.
Chrissie's eye line levelled out to Major Falkner, taking a deep steadying breath as she stood.
'Sir, what has occurred over the time in which I have been assigned to this post, Major Burns was justified and within his right to do what he did' Chrissie projected. This made Hawkeye sat up almost outraged at what Chrissie was saying; he knew it wasn't true.
Her voice was strong as she addressed the assembled party, she would not allow her voice and the tears forming behind her eyes to betray her. Chrissie went on.
'It states in the Officers manual that if an officer of higher rank has justifiable evidence to discipline a fellow officer for a punishable offence, the officer in question should strive to ensure that a suitable discipline is instilled' Chrissie maintained her tone as one of authority 'However, I do not believe that the act I committed had to be justified with a punishment'. Chrissie sat back down, feeling almost empowered. Major Falkner took his the floor once more.
'The verdict reached in this case was found to be inconclusive therefore Major Burns has been placed under caution, the accused will be placed under surveillance in and around this camp'.
An MP removed the handcuffs that imprisoned Major Burns as Faulkner prepared to leave.
'It is in my opinion' Faulkner began as he addressed Frank 'if you hadn't been drafted as a doctor, you would have been called up as a pastry chef'
This set Hawkeye and Trapper off into fits of hysterical laughter. Henry returned Faulkner's salute and sent Radar out to bid them farewell.
'Well' Henry muttered into his glass of freshly poured bourbon 'Hallwell, Pierce, McIntyre, I want to talk to Frank privately'
'Whatever you say Henry, its your war' Hawk quipped as he scooped Chrissie up into his arms. Radar was coming back through the door so not to feel left out, Trapper reached down and slipped Radar over his shoulder, much to squealed protests from the corporal, as he walked through the swing doors leading from the CO's office.
'Put me down Trap' Radar protested as Trapper placed the clerk back on the floor.
'I don't know what you were complaining about Radar, for once you were taller then me' Trap joked as Radar blushed and hurried away.
'Ah damn, I gotta do on duty' Trap cursed as he looked at his watch' Ah well, see you in the funny pages'
'Oh well my dear' Hawkeye asked as he opened the door of the Swamp 'the excitement never stops in this mad little world of ours'.
'For once you may just be right' Chrissie joked as Hawkeye pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her gently. 'What's that?' she asked as Chrissie pulled away from him.
'That' Hawk started, putting down his glass 'that came earlier, it's for you, they are your father's military possessions'
'I can go if you want to be alone' Hawk offered.
'No, don't be silly, you are probably the closest thing I have to family right now' Chrissie replied softly.
Christmas knelt in front of Hawkeye's cot as she accepted the pair of scissors he offered and began to cut through the 'official' war office tape.
'You know it's probably nothing special in here' Chrissie started as she removed the top layer of documents; more to herself then to Hawkeye 'The army would have sent everything valuable back to the states, it'll only be official docu..' Chrissie's voice trailed off as she uncovered something more then just army paperwork.
'Oh my lord' Chrissie stammered as she brought out a handful of drawings 'I don't believe it, he actually kept these'
Hawkeye looked on over her shoulder, taking the childish portraits as she handed them to him. They were slightly fainted and in some the paint was flaking off but from the look on Chrissie's face, Hawkeye could see they were something from her childhood.
'I used to send stuff like this to dad all the time when I was younger, I had no idea that he kept them' Chrissie's voice was calm now until she came upon the next object in the box.
She said nothing but the single tear, which rolled down her cheek, spoke volumes to Hawkeye.
'I thought Mum had all of these, I never knew dad had this pair' Chrissie wiped the tear from her face and replied with a small smile to Hawkeye's concerned expression.
'Dad allows said I looked like a prima ballerina with these' Chrissie swallowed back a sob as she turned a battered worn out pair of ballet slippers over and over in her hands.
The rest of the box contained fatigues, various medals and a pair of general's stars. There were two envelopes nestled at the box, both addressed to Chrissie; one in her fathers unmistaken copperplate handwriting and the other in a hand she did not recognise. Chrissie went to open the unfamiliar envelope and emptied the contents onto Hawkeye's cot. The contents of the envelope made Chrissie feel physical sick; it was a pair of dog tags, her father's dog tags.
'Are you alright?' Hawkeye asked softly as Chrissie took several deep breaths. The envelope also contained another piece of paper; it was a copy of her father's death certificate.
Chrissie stood up and turned her back on the items that lay across the floor. She lowered herself down onto Trapper's cot facing the wall and placed her head in her hands. She couldn't explain how she felt; it was all a mixture of sorrow, regret, fear, anger and hate. She hated her father for dying; she knew this was wrong but at that moment, she could feel little else.
Hawkeye was now sitting in front of her, not saying a word; he held out the unopened letter from her father. Chrissie took it from him and with two shaking hands, proceeded to open the envelope. Two pieces of paper lay inside, one was an official document the other as a hand written letter.
'What is it Chrissie?' Hawkeye enquired sympathetically.
'It uh' Chrissie stammered' 'It's a copy of his Last Will and Testament' She unfolded the letter and began to read aloud.
My dearest Chrissie,
If you are reading this, then I am dead. This is the letter that I have dreaded writing for 10 years but it is now something that I must consider.
I know that I was never a large part of your life; nothing would have pleased more then to see you, my darling little princess, grow up into the fine specimen of womanhood that you have become.
I could not have wished for more when you became part of my life and I thank the lord everyday that you still bless this planet with your presence.
When you decided to enter the Army as a doctor, I was amazed at how much you had achieved on your own. I am so very proud of everything that you have achieved in your life for the events in mine could not match a single action of yours.
I still remember the day you announced to your mother and I that you were going to become a principal lead in the Royal Ballet.
The day you graduated from St Georges was one of the happiest days of my life. Remember those words I used to tell you when the training became too much 'when you are close to tears remember, someday, it will all be over'.
My only regret in life is that I will never see have a family of your own; your mother always said that her life would be fulfilled when we became grandparents.
I love you my darling, you will always be that special little girl to me.
My heart always, Daddy.
But you're a girl - chapter twelve
Hawkeye was at a loose end, without Chrissie he had little to amuse himself. The Swamp held few toys that he had not grown bored of, one of which was his old friend the still. The aforementioned friend was bubbling quietly to itself, which drew Hawkeye to it to sample its contents. As per usual, there were no clean glasses however; this had never stopped him before. Once the last few sacred drops of pure alcohol had deposited themselves into the makeshift glass, Hawk lifted the clinical measuring vile that had been stolen from supply as Trapper had broken its predecessor in a drunken bout of nastiness to his lips. The burning liquid slipped down his dry throat with ease and the sudden headiness Hawkeye experienced was welcomed, as it was something to distract him from his thoughts of Chrissie.
It had been 12 hours since they had all rolled back into the compound, 12 hours since they left Seoul, 12 hours since he last saw Chrissie. He felt like a schoolboy with an all-encasing crush, Hawkeye was beginning feel the ache of loneliness. Falling back on to his cot, Hawk covered his eyes with his hands to visualise her face, the vision that swam to the surface was crystal clear. Just the thought of Chrissie made Hawkeye sick with longing as he rubbed his eyes with the balls of his fingers to deter the tears that had begun to form behind his eyes.
Breathing out deeply, Hawk sat up and surveyed his surroundings. The Swamp, in all its untidiness, remained around him.
'Mail call Hawk' Radar trilled as he struggled through the door with a large package.
Hawkeye stared blearily at the corporal not really taking in what he had just said.
'Oh, thanks Radar' He mumbled as the camp clerk placed the box on the end of Hawks cot.
'It's uh' Radar started, not knowing how to continue 'its for Captain Hallwell, her fathers possessions'
Hawk surveyed the large box; the War office had officially sealed it.
'Uh, you need to sign for it Hawk' Radar spoke quietly as he indicated the MP's standing to attention outside the Swamp.
As the clerk handed the clipboard down to Hawkeye, he could hear a rumbling of a jeeps engine. Hawkeye scribbled a signature in his copperplate hand and looked to the compound to find the approaching jeep. Hawks face lifted in excitement as he saw the figure of Chrissie jump from the vehicle. He didn't have to think twice as Hawkeye raised himself to his feet and skidded from the Swamp. The compound was wet and muddy from the winter rain but even that didn't stop Hawkeye from reaching his target; Chrissie.
Hawkeye skidded to a halt a few feet from Captain Hallwell, simply looking at her. He could see she looked deflated; tired from the 24 hrs she had spent looked in interrogation. Her green eyes had lost some of their sparkle but this made Hawkeye want to hold her even more.
'Hey you' Hawkeye smiled as he pulled Chrissie into a tight embrace.
'Hey you' Chrissie replied as she gave herself over to Hawkeye's strength and letting him relieve the worries and tension of her day from hell. She placed her head onto his shoulder as Hawk ran his fingers through her hair.
Another jeep crawled up behind the stationary vehicle; it carried a representative from the Judge Advocates Office, three armed MP's and Major Burns.
'Morning Frank' Hawkeye called across the compound as the sleep-deprived Major was pulled from the jeep by the MP's.
'I don't have to take that from you' Frank spat as Hawkeye smiled graciously.
'Now what's all this who-ha?' Henry Blake was striding through the compound. 'I was having my afternoon nap'
An MP turned to Henry and gave a snap salute before addressing the CO.
'Colonel Blake' MP announced which made Henry spin around looking for his addressor
'Uh here, which means, uh, I'm here, that's me' Henry stuttered
'I am hereby returning this prisoner, one Major Franklin. M Burns, to your care' the judge advocate's representative addressed Henry.
'What if we refuse delivery?' Hawkeye joked behind Henry's back.
'Uh, pipe down Pierce' Henry started and turned back to the JA rep 'Thank you, I assume there are conditions to Major Burn's return'
'Didn't we agree Henry' Pierce started 'it makes the war less profitable if we accept returns'
The CO decided to ignore this last comment as he gestured the way to his office. The group that followed him entered his office as the MP's pushed Frank down into a chair; he was still handcuffed. Henry took up his place behind the desk as he gathered his thoughts.
The Judge Advocate representative, Major Falkner, rose to his feet and turned to address Henry.
'I will begin if I may Colonel?' Falkner asked the CO who nodded in return.
'On the charges of cruelty against a fellow officer, the accused was found guilty. However, on the charge of fascism, the accused party was found to be not guilty. The judge found this to simply be the army way' Falkner meant to go on but was interrupted.
'The army way?!' Hawkeye screamed 'the only reason why it has all come to this was due to Captain Hallwell doing her job' Trapper tried to silence him but he carried on regardless.
'Just because Frank Burns has poll in the war department doesn't mean he can exploit her in the way he has' Hawkeye was fuming; he looked set to lash out at Frank and tear him to shreds.
'Captain Pierce!' Major Falkner boomed 'I will not ask you to contain yourself again, you made your opinions clear at the hearing'. Falkner continued after a fixed, heavy stare at Pierce.
'During his absence, the accused private medical records were assessed and certain medical errors were uncovered. It was also discovered that this incident is not the first time reports have been taken out concerning the accused juniors'.
Through Major Faulkner's explanation of Frank's errors, Christmas sat completely still; staring at Hawkeye's hand, which had become intertwined with hers. She couldn't believe that all of this had gone so far. Her father had always told her that the mark of a good leader was to empathize and sympathize with your men. She had done what she was told, the mark of a good soldier.
'Do you have anything to add Captain Hallwell?' Falkner addressed her in a fatherly manner.
Chrissie's eye line levelled out to Major Falkner, taking a deep steadying breath as she stood.
'Sir, what has occurred over the time in which I have been assigned to this post, Major Burns was justified and within his right to do what he did' Chrissie projected. This made Hawkeye sat up almost outraged at what Chrissie was saying; he knew it wasn't true.
Her voice was strong as she addressed the assembled party, she would not allow her voice and the tears forming behind her eyes to betray her. Chrissie went on.
'It states in the Officers manual that if an officer of higher rank has justifiable evidence to discipline a fellow officer for a punishable offence, the officer in question should strive to ensure that a suitable discipline is instilled' Chrissie maintained her tone as one of authority 'However, I do not believe that the act I committed had to be justified with a punishment'. Chrissie sat back down, feeling almost empowered. Major Falkner took his the floor once more.
'The verdict reached in this case was found to be inconclusive therefore Major Burns has been placed under caution, the accused will be placed under surveillance in and around this camp'.
An MP removed the handcuffs that imprisoned Major Burns as Faulkner prepared to leave.
'It is in my opinion' Faulkner began as he addressed Frank 'if you hadn't been drafted as a doctor, you would have been called up as a pastry chef'
This set Hawkeye and Trapper off into fits of hysterical laughter. Henry returned Faulkner's salute and sent Radar out to bid them farewell.
'Well' Henry muttered into his glass of freshly poured bourbon 'Hallwell, Pierce, McIntyre, I want to talk to Frank privately'
'Whatever you say Henry, its your war' Hawk quipped as he scooped Chrissie up into his arms. Radar was coming back through the door so not to feel left out, Trapper reached down and slipped Radar over his shoulder, much to squealed protests from the corporal, as he walked through the swing doors leading from the CO's office.
'Put me down Trap' Radar protested as Trapper placed the clerk back on the floor.
'I don't know what you were complaining about Radar, for once you were taller then me' Trap joked as Radar blushed and hurried away.
'Ah damn, I gotta do on duty' Trap cursed as he looked at his watch' Ah well, see you in the funny pages'
'Oh well my dear' Hawkeye asked as he opened the door of the Swamp 'the excitement never stops in this mad little world of ours'.
'For once you may just be right' Chrissie joked as Hawkeye pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her gently. 'What's that?' she asked as Chrissie pulled away from him.
'That' Hawk started, putting down his glass 'that came earlier, it's for you, they are your father's military possessions'
'I can go if you want to be alone' Hawk offered.
'No, don't be silly, you are probably the closest thing I have to family right now' Chrissie replied softly.
Christmas knelt in front of Hawkeye's cot as she accepted the pair of scissors he offered and began to cut through the 'official' war office tape.
'You know it's probably nothing special in here' Chrissie started as she removed the top layer of documents; more to herself then to Hawkeye 'The army would have sent everything valuable back to the states, it'll only be official docu..' Chrissie's voice trailed off as she uncovered something more then just army paperwork.
'Oh my lord' Chrissie stammered as she brought out a handful of drawings 'I don't believe it, he actually kept these'
Hawkeye looked on over her shoulder, taking the childish portraits as she handed them to him. They were slightly fainted and in some the paint was flaking off but from the look on Chrissie's face, Hawkeye could see they were something from her childhood.
'I used to send stuff like this to dad all the time when I was younger, I had no idea that he kept them' Chrissie's voice was calm now until she came upon the next object in the box.
She said nothing but the single tear, which rolled down her cheek, spoke volumes to Hawkeye.
'I thought Mum had all of these, I never knew dad had this pair' Chrissie wiped the tear from her face and replied with a small smile to Hawkeye's concerned expression.
'Dad allows said I looked like a prima ballerina with these' Chrissie swallowed back a sob as she turned a battered worn out pair of ballet slippers over and over in her hands.
The rest of the box contained fatigues, various medals and a pair of general's stars. There were two envelopes nestled at the box, both addressed to Chrissie; one in her fathers unmistaken copperplate handwriting and the other in a hand she did not recognise. Chrissie went to open the unfamiliar envelope and emptied the contents onto Hawkeye's cot. The contents of the envelope made Chrissie feel physical sick; it was a pair of dog tags, her father's dog tags.
'Are you alright?' Hawkeye asked softly as Chrissie took several deep breaths. The envelope also contained another piece of paper; it was a copy of her father's death certificate.
Chrissie stood up and turned her back on the items that lay across the floor. She lowered herself down onto Trapper's cot facing the wall and placed her head in her hands. She couldn't explain how she felt; it was all a mixture of sorrow, regret, fear, anger and hate. She hated her father for dying; she knew this was wrong but at that moment, she could feel little else.
Hawkeye was now sitting in front of her, not saying a word; he held out the unopened letter from her father. Chrissie took it from him and with two shaking hands, proceeded to open the envelope. Two pieces of paper lay inside, one was an official document the other as a hand written letter.
'What is it Chrissie?' Hawkeye enquired sympathetically.
'It uh' Chrissie stammered' 'It's a copy of his Last Will and Testament' She unfolded the letter and began to read aloud.
My dearest Chrissie,
If you are reading this, then I am dead. This is the letter that I have dreaded writing for 10 years but it is now something that I must consider.
I know that I was never a large part of your life; nothing would have pleased more then to see you, my darling little princess, grow up into the fine specimen of womanhood that you have become.
I could not have wished for more when you became part of my life and I thank the lord everyday that you still bless this planet with your presence.
When you decided to enter the Army as a doctor, I was amazed at how much you had achieved on your own. I am so very proud of everything that you have achieved in your life for the events in mine could not match a single action of yours.
I still remember the day you announced to your mother and I that you were going to become a principal lead in the Royal Ballet.
The day you graduated from St Georges was one of the happiest days of my life. Remember those words I used to tell you when the training became too much 'when you are close to tears remember, someday, it will all be over'.
My only regret in life is that I will never see have a family of your own; your mother always said that her life would be fulfilled when we became grandparents.
I love you my darling, you will always be that special little girl to me.
My heart always, Daddy.