Disclaimer- I've wished, I've begged, I've cried, I've screamed, I've looked as hard as I can on all my shelves. I still don't own this.
Drat!


I don't know...

Damned close call...

Still critical...

There were lots of voice, all overlapping, like ripples on a wind swept lake. He heard the voices, but they didn't seem to make any sense to him, and he decided there was only one way to figure out what was going on. Slowly, he began to pull himself to the top of the column of light. Slowly, he began to wake up.
*** *** *** *** ***

The door burst open and there was a smash as Henry's glass slipped out of his fingers.
Damn it Radar! Why'd you do that? he cried exasperatedly.

I just got a call through from the 1075th M*A*S*H. They say Captain Pierce was taken in to them by a group of American soldiers early this morning. He's in a bad way, but they're pretty sure he's going to make it through!

Henry yelled as he jumped up from his chair. That's the best news we've had all year!

Yes sir! Radar was just as excited at the news and quickly ran back in to the office. Henry caught his hand before he could turn the PA on.

Ummm, why don't you go tell Trapper first before you announce it to the rest of the camp?

Radar nodded and hurried over to the Swamp. A few seconds later as yell was heard and Henry, peering across the compound, saw Trapper seize Radar in a hug that lifted him off the floor. Radar came running back as Trapper ran out of the Swamp, on his way to who knows where.

I take it he was pleased, smiled Henry as Radar sat down at his desk.

Oh, yes sir, he replied. Is it ok for me to tell the rest of the camp now?

Yes Radar, let em all know.
Henry wandered to the door and watched the compound as Radar shouted the news in to the PA microphone.

Attention everyone! Hawkeye is alive! He's at the 1075th M*A*S*H and they say he'll be fully recovered soon!
Within seconds nearly all of the personal were in the compound, laughing, dancing and singing, in a celebration to rival that of their premature peace talk party. Henry took a few seconds to marvel at the huge impact that Hawkeye had on the camp, and to pray that this party wouldn't turn out to be premature, before grabbing Radar by the arm and running out to join the celebrations.
*** *** *** *** ***

Captain Pierce?



How are you feeling?
Hawkeye looked up at the young doctor.

Not too bad actually. I take it the chest wound wasn't as bad as I thought? he asked, looking down at his bandages as he spoke.

Oh it was bad, said the doctor, but you're right. It was no where near as bad as bad as we thought. In fact, he added, looking half ashamed, when we first saw it, we weren't at all sure you'd pull through.

Hawkeye smiled.
I like surprising people. Hey, uh, when can I get out of here?

Probably by the end of the week, five days at the most. You'll be going home most likely.

Doubt it, was Hawkeye's reply. I'm too good a surgeon for them to let me go like that. In truth, Hawkeye had sent a telegram to his father fully describing his wound in order for his father to tell him if he would be sent home or not. His father's reply had been a definite, if somewhat regretful, negative. Hawkeye had no doubt he would be returning to the 4077th and, sure enough, orders came through the next day telling him to report to the 4077th M*A*S*H as soon as he was fully healed.

I'm not even getting leave? he asked incredulously.

'Fraid not doc. Apparently there have been quite a few very embarrassing reports about your leave, and the powers that be figured if they were true, you'd get more rest while you were working.

Knowing the stitches in his chest would likely pull if he did, Hawkeye tried his hardest not to laugh, although he had to admit, he didn't really care about a scar. He had even refused a purple heart. All he wanted to do was get out of his hospital bed.

The image that was fixed in his mind was that of an ever restless swirl of faces. He wanted to add more faces to that blur. Now that his life had been saved, he wanted to save more lives himself.

No-one, not even Radar, could have known how quickly an opportunity for both events to occur again was approaching.




Dum dum dum! Oh well, I posted. You'll just have to tune in again to the next chapter to see what's going on =)