Disclaimer- I own? I wish!

A/N- I have no idea at all how military stuff works and cheerfully admit it. It's possible that if Henry were big A he would charge Hawkeye with being AWOL or desertion or dereliction of duty, some such thing. But Henry is nice and so I'm ignoring that possibility ^___^

O.R was quiet. Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone else to say something before they said anything. The fact that one of their doctors was effectively missing wasn't making matters any easier.
Typical of Pierce to go galavanting off just as we get three days worth of casualties.

Galavanting off to a Chinese prisoner of war camp? Even Klinger isn't that desperate to get out of this place Frank, said Henry distractedly, his attention fixed on the young man in front of him.

It's not like he had to go.

Don't be ridiculous Frank, sapped Margaret. He's a doctor. Of course he had to go!
Silence fell again, broken only by the routine murmuring that always pervaded the room.

Worrying about Hawkeye wasn't helping anyone's concentration, and the cheer that went up as the last case was wheeled out of the room seemed a little more heartfelt than usual. It was a very relieved group of people that headed towards the mess tent.

Radar ran in before they had gotten their coffee and nearly knocked Margaret over in his hurry.
Watch it Corporal, she snapped.

Sorry sir, but I just got great news! Oh boy! he cried. Dr. Lin Tang just radioed that Hawkeye left the Chinese camp a few minutes ago and the way he drives should be back by tonight!

There was a yell of joy from Trapper that was echoed by everyone in the tent. Before Henry had stopped hugging Margaret, Radar had run back to his office and a burst of static announced his P.A. message.

Attention all personal. Hawkeye's on his way back!
A cheer sounded all through the camp.
*** *** *** *** ***

He was grinning like a maniac and was incredibly relieved that there was no one around to see him. Any old tune that sprang in to his mind was hummed and then discarded in favour of another tune. A jumpy little piece brought a chuckle to his lips and he tapped his hand in the wheel in time with his humming.

A bang louder than any hand could make rent the air, and when the echoes died away, the humming had stopped.