5th - Interrogators, Letters, and Death
Toni stood stiffly in front of the filing cabinet, swiftly putting away papers.
Klinger was just as quiet as she was, and the hours seemed to drag slowly.
It was a while before they heard voices coming.
"I think she's been working all day."
"Didn't show at breakfast, either."
Toni grimaced. "Is there another exit out of here?" She hissed to Klinger, who shook his head.
The door opened and BJ and Hawkeye entered.
"Hey Toni, lunch time."
Toni clenched her teeth. "I am not hungry." She spat out. Her stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly.
"Klinger, is that a chopper?" Hawkeye asked, grinning.
"Come on kid." BJ said, pulling Toni's arm toward the door.
In one swift move she had him on the floor with the same knife she threatened Jack with against Hunnicutt's neck. "Don't touch me again." She hissed.
Hawkeye quickly, but gently pushed her off his friend. "Hey kid, quit it." He frowned. "Come on, let's get to the mess hall. I think you need a break."
Toni eyed BJ suspiciously, but followed Hawkeye out, leaving behind an annoyed Klinger.
Sherman walked out of his office holding a drink. "Did I miss something?"
---
Toni grabbed a tray and filled it with something that closely resembled food.
Hawkeye led her to a table away from the door, and sat opposite her while BJ sat next to him.
"What was that about?" Hawkeye asked before she'd taken her first bite.
"You'd make a bad interrogator. You get straight to the point. I thought you guys always started at what the rest of us consider insignificant." Toni commented, nibbling something that she thought was leftover lasagne. Considering the hours they sometimes spent operating there was always breakfast, lunch and dinner being served. Since Toni had skipped all three she'd opted for dinner.
"I'm not interrogating you." Hawkeye countered.
She rolled her eyes, but since her mouth was full refrained from commenting.
"Yeh, no offence, Corporal, you've made a pretty bad first impression." BJ added.
"I'm not here to win over your trust or favour, Captain."
"Well you should. MASH units can't operate without people working together well."
"Then you'll sign my reassignment papers?" She asked mildly.
"I hope you aren't looking to be reassigned already. You've only been here two days. We aren't that bad, are we?" Hawkeye asked.
"Look, everything's fine, Captains, there's just things about me you need to know, like you never touch, before I get too comfortable."
"Why not?"
Toni looked at him, appalled. "Like that's any of your business."
"I want to know. Has someone hurt you in the past?"
Toni stood and shoved her tray to the side. "I don't believe this. All you need is a few lessons from. the right person and you will be a perfect interrogator."
"Toni! Don't go. I'm sorry."
She paused, mid-stride.
"Please, just sit back down."
She hesitated, but finally rejoined them slowly.
"If there has been any problems in the past we do need to know about it. We can help you know. At 4077 we're like one big happy family."
"Except for Charles and sometimes Hot Lips. But you'll get used to them." BJ interjected.
Hawkeye nodded. "Except for them. But honestly Toni. We need to know about any problems in the past." He leaned in close. "And what exactly were you doing up and about at two hundred hours this morning?"
"You saw me?" She blushed.
"No. But you look really tired, and you just told me."
Toni felt like kicking herself. "As I said, a good interrogator. I would usually never let my guard down like that." She replied tiredly.
"My skills come in handy."
"Look, when the time comes, I'm sure you know all about it." She said, and stood again. "If you don't mind I'd like to get some rest. As you said, I am a bit tired."
Hawkeye nodded slowly. "We'll talk later."
She started walking to the door, but at that moment Klinger chose to enter. Quickly she slid back into her seat. "On second thoughts I think I'll stay right where I am."
Klinger looked around and saw BJ and Hawkeye. Ignoring Toni he walked over, stopping on the way to pick up his own tray.
"How's things going in the office?"
"Just fine. We got a call. Expecting wounded in three hours. Eat and rest while you can." Klinger replied. "Oh, most of them are the enemy, too."
Toni looked like she was about to say something, then stopped.
"You'll be doing the same thing as before, Corporal. That's really all we need you for, no offence." "That's fine, Captain." Toni replied quickly. "Look, I'm going back to my tent. I'll see you all later."
---
Hey Yvette,
How's life in Toledo? It isn't too bad here. I've hardly spoken to Maxwell. I still can't believe I got sent to the same MASH he was. Of all the chances, I suppose.
She pressed pause and gathered her thoughts before continuing.
I still have Rebekka's sword, and am still training with it. I had another dream last night. I think it's working with Maxwell that's bringing them on. I hope I can last here until the end of the war. Last night when I woke up I couldn't get back to sleep so I went to the lake to practice the sword dances Rebekka taught me. It's not much of a lake. Just reeds and slime, really, but it's still somewhere where no one else is, so it will do.
There are two Captains, Pierce and Hunnicutt. I almost killed Hunnicutt today. I'm told to call Pierce Hawkeye, and Hunnicutt BJ. I suppose there's history behind those names. I worked so had to learn how to control, and I almost lost it on BJ today. He touched me. You'd think I wouldn't mind by now, but physical contact like that makes me sick still.
Do you think I'll ever get over it? I know Rebekka couldn't, but am I stronger than her? One last question before I go, do you think I should talk about it to Hawkeye or BJ? There's a Father here, Father Mulcahy, he seems nice enough, but I don't know if I'm ready to tell a virtual stranger my life's story. I better go. Hope to hear from you soon. Give my love to anyone you think I want to give it too. See you when the war's over.
Toni lay on her bunk. It was hot in her tent all of a sudden. The walls felt like they were closing in. I need to get out! Her mind screamed to her, and she shoved her sword into a long bag and stumbled out toward the lake she discovered yesterday.
Hawkeye saw her going, and followed her.
"Are you going to follow me the whole way?" She asked without turning around.
"How did you know I was here?" He asked.
"Lucky guess." She replied dryly.
"No, I'm serious!" He complained.
She sighed and turned around to face him. "Here." She held up a mirror she had in the palm of her hand.
"How come I didn't see that?" He asked, fascinated.
"I've used it for years. If you had seen it I would have been very disappointed." She replied sarcastically.
"Do you mind if I come with you?" He asked reasonably.
"If I say no will it stop you?"
He pretended to think for a moment. "Good point."
She shook her head and they reached the lake in silence. She sat and began to stretch.
He watched her for a few moments. "Do you do this often?"
"Do what?"
"Come to a lake to do stretches."
She shook her head, almost sadly. "That's not all I'm going to do, Captain."
He nodded, and continued watching her.
After half an hour she stood and unzipped the bag, extracting the sword carefully. She unsheathed it, and examined the blade slowly before beginning the warm up exercises Rebekka had taught her.
"Where did you learn?" Hawkeye asked, breaking her concentration.
She paused, and a number of replies ran through her head. "Just someone I knew once." She finally answered.
He nodded again, and she continued, working her way through to the most complicated patterns.
She stopped with a vicious cry that sent shivers up Hawkeye's spine.
"That was amazing." He said softly.
Toni didn't hear him. She sank to her knees in front of the lake and fell sideways, tears falling. "Toni!" Hawkeye ran over to her, and held her in his arms as she sobbed.
Finally she seemed to realized where she was and stopped, pulling harshly out of Hawkeye's embrace.
"What are you doing?" She demanded, voice wobbly, but angry.
He frowned, confused. "You were crying. I was just trying to help. Please, Toni, what's wrong?"
"I haven't completed that in four years." She whispered softly.
"Why not?" Hawkeye asked, perplexed.
Toni shook her head, as if mentally waking herself. "Never mind. I have to go. Those wounded are due any minute."
As if on cue Klinger's voice came over the PA system. "All officers report to work stations. Corporal White report to the incoming helicopters. We have wounded."
Toni stood, and packed the sword away quickly, and ran to the chopper bay, followed by Hawkeye.
---
"Alright, all walking wounded to me!" Toni called quickly. She walked over to a chopper that had just landed and opened the doors. Three medics jumped out, and she helped unload the injured. There was only about five wounded that were capable of walking over to her, and she took their names and serial numbers quickly.
She organized everyone efficiently, and somehow also managed to calm several of the wounded. An hour passed quickly, and she found herself checking charts in the infirmary and talking to some of the patients.
---
Hawkeye found her nineteen hours later, after he'd finished surgery, asleep on a chair next to a smiling young man.
"She was talking to me. I swear she calmed everyone down in here, she was talking to me and she fell asleep. I would have put in a bed, but I can't really stand up."
Pierce smiled back tiredly.
"She's amazing."
"She's something alright." He agreed. He picked her up and placed her gently on the bed next to the young man, Edward Kale, softly.
"Keep an eye on her for me?" Hawkeye asked.
"Of course. You surgeons do a hell of a job. Go to bed, sir. She'll be fine."
Hawkeye smiled at Edward. "And I thought I was the doctor." He joked. "I'll be in tomorrow to see how you both are."
He waved briefly, then exited, leaving Edward staring at the ceiling, biting his lip in pain. He'd done a good job of hiding it in front of Pierce, and now it seemed to be growing worse.
He gasped for breath, but the oxygen he inhaled seemed wet. Dimly he realized what was happening. He tried to call out, but it was too late. I wonder how they missed it. He thought as he drifted slowly to oblivion.
---
Toni woke up to the sound of soft voices. As she felt pain in her neck she remembered falling asleep next to an interesting man called Edward Kale the night before.
But as she looked up she realized that there of two people next to the bed talking softly.
"How did you miss it?" She asked quietly, no blame in her voice.
"He was one of the walking wounded. He came in for a broken arm. We didn't realize-" Hawkeye started.
"It's our job to realize." BJ snapped.
"I know that."
She jumped off the bed and ran into another room.
BJ and Hawkeye heard her vomit violently. They had a quick conversation with their eyes, and Hawkeye went into the wash up room after her.
He didn't say anything as she rinsed her mouth out and washed her hands.
"He had a family." She said suddenly, staring at the mirror, not seeing her reflection.
"I know."
"Two sons and a daughter."
Hawkeye bit his lip.
"What will his wife tell them?"
"The truth, probably."
She shook her head. "It shouldn't be like this."
"I know, Toni, but it is."
"I heard a quote once. 'An eye for an eye only makes the world blind'. Is this what they meant?"
She walked out without waiting for an answer.
BJ watched her go, and Hawkeye walk out of the room. "Everything okay?" He asked.
Hawkeye sighed. "He had a family." Was all he said.
BJ knew what he meant, and they covered Edward's face together.
Toni stood stiffly in front of the filing cabinet, swiftly putting away papers.
Klinger was just as quiet as she was, and the hours seemed to drag slowly.
It was a while before they heard voices coming.
"I think she's been working all day."
"Didn't show at breakfast, either."
Toni grimaced. "Is there another exit out of here?" She hissed to Klinger, who shook his head.
The door opened and BJ and Hawkeye entered.
"Hey Toni, lunch time."
Toni clenched her teeth. "I am not hungry." She spat out. Her stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly.
"Klinger, is that a chopper?" Hawkeye asked, grinning.
"Come on kid." BJ said, pulling Toni's arm toward the door.
In one swift move she had him on the floor with the same knife she threatened Jack with against Hunnicutt's neck. "Don't touch me again." She hissed.
Hawkeye quickly, but gently pushed her off his friend. "Hey kid, quit it." He frowned. "Come on, let's get to the mess hall. I think you need a break."
Toni eyed BJ suspiciously, but followed Hawkeye out, leaving behind an annoyed Klinger.
Sherman walked out of his office holding a drink. "Did I miss something?"
---
Toni grabbed a tray and filled it with something that closely resembled food.
Hawkeye led her to a table away from the door, and sat opposite her while BJ sat next to him.
"What was that about?" Hawkeye asked before she'd taken her first bite.
"You'd make a bad interrogator. You get straight to the point. I thought you guys always started at what the rest of us consider insignificant." Toni commented, nibbling something that she thought was leftover lasagne. Considering the hours they sometimes spent operating there was always breakfast, lunch and dinner being served. Since Toni had skipped all three she'd opted for dinner.
"I'm not interrogating you." Hawkeye countered.
She rolled her eyes, but since her mouth was full refrained from commenting.
"Yeh, no offence, Corporal, you've made a pretty bad first impression." BJ added.
"I'm not here to win over your trust or favour, Captain."
"Well you should. MASH units can't operate without people working together well."
"Then you'll sign my reassignment papers?" She asked mildly.
"I hope you aren't looking to be reassigned already. You've only been here two days. We aren't that bad, are we?" Hawkeye asked.
"Look, everything's fine, Captains, there's just things about me you need to know, like you never touch, before I get too comfortable."
"Why not?"
Toni looked at him, appalled. "Like that's any of your business."
"I want to know. Has someone hurt you in the past?"
Toni stood and shoved her tray to the side. "I don't believe this. All you need is a few lessons from. the right person and you will be a perfect interrogator."
"Toni! Don't go. I'm sorry."
She paused, mid-stride.
"Please, just sit back down."
She hesitated, but finally rejoined them slowly.
"If there has been any problems in the past we do need to know about it. We can help you know. At 4077 we're like one big happy family."
"Except for Charles and sometimes Hot Lips. But you'll get used to them." BJ interjected.
Hawkeye nodded. "Except for them. But honestly Toni. We need to know about any problems in the past." He leaned in close. "And what exactly were you doing up and about at two hundred hours this morning?"
"You saw me?" She blushed.
"No. But you look really tired, and you just told me."
Toni felt like kicking herself. "As I said, a good interrogator. I would usually never let my guard down like that." She replied tiredly.
"My skills come in handy."
"Look, when the time comes, I'm sure you know all about it." She said, and stood again. "If you don't mind I'd like to get some rest. As you said, I am a bit tired."
Hawkeye nodded slowly. "We'll talk later."
She started walking to the door, but at that moment Klinger chose to enter. Quickly she slid back into her seat. "On second thoughts I think I'll stay right where I am."
Klinger looked around and saw BJ and Hawkeye. Ignoring Toni he walked over, stopping on the way to pick up his own tray.
"How's things going in the office?"
"Just fine. We got a call. Expecting wounded in three hours. Eat and rest while you can." Klinger replied. "Oh, most of them are the enemy, too."
Toni looked like she was about to say something, then stopped.
"You'll be doing the same thing as before, Corporal. That's really all we need you for, no offence." "That's fine, Captain." Toni replied quickly. "Look, I'm going back to my tent. I'll see you all later."
---
Hey Yvette,
How's life in Toledo? It isn't too bad here. I've hardly spoken to Maxwell. I still can't believe I got sent to the same MASH he was. Of all the chances, I suppose.
She pressed pause and gathered her thoughts before continuing.
I still have Rebekka's sword, and am still training with it. I had another dream last night. I think it's working with Maxwell that's bringing them on. I hope I can last here until the end of the war. Last night when I woke up I couldn't get back to sleep so I went to the lake to practice the sword dances Rebekka taught me. It's not much of a lake. Just reeds and slime, really, but it's still somewhere where no one else is, so it will do.
There are two Captains, Pierce and Hunnicutt. I almost killed Hunnicutt today. I'm told to call Pierce Hawkeye, and Hunnicutt BJ. I suppose there's history behind those names. I worked so had to learn how to control, and I almost lost it on BJ today. He touched me. You'd think I wouldn't mind by now, but physical contact like that makes me sick still.
Do you think I'll ever get over it? I know Rebekka couldn't, but am I stronger than her? One last question before I go, do you think I should talk about it to Hawkeye or BJ? There's a Father here, Father Mulcahy, he seems nice enough, but I don't know if I'm ready to tell a virtual stranger my life's story. I better go. Hope to hear from you soon. Give my love to anyone you think I want to give it too. See you when the war's over.
Toni lay on her bunk. It was hot in her tent all of a sudden. The walls felt like they were closing in. I need to get out! Her mind screamed to her, and she shoved her sword into a long bag and stumbled out toward the lake she discovered yesterday.
Hawkeye saw her going, and followed her.
"Are you going to follow me the whole way?" She asked without turning around.
"How did you know I was here?" He asked.
"Lucky guess." She replied dryly.
"No, I'm serious!" He complained.
She sighed and turned around to face him. "Here." She held up a mirror she had in the palm of her hand.
"How come I didn't see that?" He asked, fascinated.
"I've used it for years. If you had seen it I would have been very disappointed." She replied sarcastically.
"Do you mind if I come with you?" He asked reasonably.
"If I say no will it stop you?"
He pretended to think for a moment. "Good point."
She shook her head and they reached the lake in silence. She sat and began to stretch.
He watched her for a few moments. "Do you do this often?"
"Do what?"
"Come to a lake to do stretches."
She shook her head, almost sadly. "That's not all I'm going to do, Captain."
He nodded, and continued watching her.
After half an hour she stood and unzipped the bag, extracting the sword carefully. She unsheathed it, and examined the blade slowly before beginning the warm up exercises Rebekka had taught her.
"Where did you learn?" Hawkeye asked, breaking her concentration.
She paused, and a number of replies ran through her head. "Just someone I knew once." She finally answered.
He nodded again, and she continued, working her way through to the most complicated patterns.
She stopped with a vicious cry that sent shivers up Hawkeye's spine.
"That was amazing." He said softly.
Toni didn't hear him. She sank to her knees in front of the lake and fell sideways, tears falling. "Toni!" Hawkeye ran over to her, and held her in his arms as she sobbed.
Finally she seemed to realized where she was and stopped, pulling harshly out of Hawkeye's embrace.
"What are you doing?" She demanded, voice wobbly, but angry.
He frowned, confused. "You were crying. I was just trying to help. Please, Toni, what's wrong?"
"I haven't completed that in four years." She whispered softly.
"Why not?" Hawkeye asked, perplexed.
Toni shook her head, as if mentally waking herself. "Never mind. I have to go. Those wounded are due any minute."
As if on cue Klinger's voice came over the PA system. "All officers report to work stations. Corporal White report to the incoming helicopters. We have wounded."
Toni stood, and packed the sword away quickly, and ran to the chopper bay, followed by Hawkeye.
---
"Alright, all walking wounded to me!" Toni called quickly. She walked over to a chopper that had just landed and opened the doors. Three medics jumped out, and she helped unload the injured. There was only about five wounded that were capable of walking over to her, and she took their names and serial numbers quickly.
She organized everyone efficiently, and somehow also managed to calm several of the wounded. An hour passed quickly, and she found herself checking charts in the infirmary and talking to some of the patients.
---
Hawkeye found her nineteen hours later, after he'd finished surgery, asleep on a chair next to a smiling young man.
"She was talking to me. I swear she calmed everyone down in here, she was talking to me and she fell asleep. I would have put in a bed, but I can't really stand up."
Pierce smiled back tiredly.
"She's amazing."
"She's something alright." He agreed. He picked her up and placed her gently on the bed next to the young man, Edward Kale, softly.
"Keep an eye on her for me?" Hawkeye asked.
"Of course. You surgeons do a hell of a job. Go to bed, sir. She'll be fine."
Hawkeye smiled at Edward. "And I thought I was the doctor." He joked. "I'll be in tomorrow to see how you both are."
He waved briefly, then exited, leaving Edward staring at the ceiling, biting his lip in pain. He'd done a good job of hiding it in front of Pierce, and now it seemed to be growing worse.
He gasped for breath, but the oxygen he inhaled seemed wet. Dimly he realized what was happening. He tried to call out, but it was too late. I wonder how they missed it. He thought as he drifted slowly to oblivion.
---
Toni woke up to the sound of soft voices. As she felt pain in her neck she remembered falling asleep next to an interesting man called Edward Kale the night before.
But as she looked up she realized that there of two people next to the bed talking softly.
"How did you miss it?" She asked quietly, no blame in her voice.
"He was one of the walking wounded. He came in for a broken arm. We didn't realize-" Hawkeye started.
"It's our job to realize." BJ snapped.
"I know that."
She jumped off the bed and ran into another room.
BJ and Hawkeye heard her vomit violently. They had a quick conversation with their eyes, and Hawkeye went into the wash up room after her.
He didn't say anything as she rinsed her mouth out and washed her hands.
"He had a family." She said suddenly, staring at the mirror, not seeing her reflection.
"I know."
"Two sons and a daughter."
Hawkeye bit his lip.
"What will his wife tell them?"
"The truth, probably."
She shook her head. "It shouldn't be like this."
"I know, Toni, but it is."
"I heard a quote once. 'An eye for an eye only makes the world blind'. Is this what they meant?"
She walked out without waiting for an answer.
BJ watched her go, and Hawkeye walk out of the room. "Everything okay?" He asked.
Hawkeye sighed. "He had a family." Was all he said.
BJ knew what he meant, and they covered Edward's face together.