Disclaimer- Yeah, like you can't guess what goes here by now?
A/N- Just to explain the briefness of Sydney's visits, I haven't got a clue about psychology, I don't even think I've spelt it right! So it's kind of impossible for me to write proper counselling sessions.


The next few days passed quickly for the people at the 4077th. Hawkeye was coming home and that was cheering everyone up. It was especially noticeable where Trapper was concerned. He seemed determined to have the driest of all dry martinis waiting for Hawkeye, and as a result had spent a large amount of time nursing a hangover along with his drinks.

Even the reports of heavy bombing hadn't dampened the sprits of the 4077th personal, because had they received a phone call each day from the 1057th keeping them up to date on Hawkeye's condition. Rumour had it that Henry had spoken to Hawkeye himself during the last call. It was Tuesday, four days after the camp had been told Hawkeye was still alive, when the results of the heavy bombing became apparent, and the 4077th was quickly flooded with casualties.

In the controlled chaos that always seemed to occur over any long shift, the fact that no phone call had come through from the 1057th had gone unnoticed. Even Radar, who had been seen waiting by the phone so as to be the first to get any news, was kept so busy running back and forth for supplies, that he didn't notice the absence of a call.

It was early Wednesday morning, barely five minutes after the last patient had been wheeled to post- op, when the phone finally rang. Hardly a minute had passed when Radar walked in to Henry's office, where both Henry and Trapper were sitting.

Radar? What's wrong son? You look like a ghost! cried Henry, getting to his feet. Trapper did the same.

I just got a call from the 1057th, said Radar quietly, disbelief shinning in his eyes as well as his voice. It was a bad connection, lots of background noise, shells, yelling, shooting. The guy got as far as to say it was about Captain Pierce, and then got cut off.

As Henry and Trapper stared at each other in shock, Radar sank in to a chair, fighting tears, and by the door, unheard, and unnoticed by anyone, Margaret sank to the floor in a dead faint.
*** *** *** *** ***

The news of Hawkeye's possible death spread through the camp within a matter of minutes, and before Margaret had regained her senses, it seemed as though the cloud of gloom they had just shaken off had reappeared over the camp. To everyone there, it seemed to have a heavy air of permanency about it. Even Frank had been caught unawares by the idea of Hawkeye being killed, and had been surprised by many people who saw traces of tears in his eyes before he hurriedly looked away, muttering about allergies.

Margaret had refused to leave her tent for the first day after
the call. Now, three days later, with still no news coming in from any camp around the area of the 1057th, she was acting as though she had never heard of any one called Benjamin Franklin Pierce. Henry was drinking heavily, as was Trapper, and neither was capable of operating had any casualties arrived.

It was on the fifth day after the call, Monday, that Radar, worried by the reactions of the people around him, to say nothing of the depression that was plaguing him, decided to call Sidney. Having been half expecting a call he was ready to leave at a minutes notice, and promised the frightened young corporal he would be there before nightfall.

Sure enough, three hours later a jeep pulled in to camp and Sidney got out. He caught himself expecting Hawkeye to come out to greet him, and felt a surge of grief at the sight of Radar hurrying towards him. He pushed it down ruthlessly. He could deal with his own pain later, now he had to help his friends.

Radar took him to the Swamp first, where they found Trapper lying on his cot, an empty glass hanging from his hand.
called Sidney gently, are you awake Trapper? Can you hear me?

I hear you Sidney, came the whispered response. To Sidney's immense relief, Trapper didn't sound drunk. Knowing from Radar's somewhat vague description that Trapper hadn't been sober for a few days now, Sidney decided to be slightly underhanded.

Radar tells me you've been drinking for quite some time now Trapper. You have a wife and two beautiful girls back home who are going to miss their husband and Daddy if anything happens to you. Would Hawkeye want to be responsible for taking you away from your family?

The pain in Trapper's eyes sent a pang of guilt through Sidney, but he knew he was doing the right thing. After a few more minutes Trapper started shouting about how stupid it was that Hawkeye had died in a hospital after surviving on his own at night, about how unfair it was that he had to lose his friend just days after hearing he was going to get him back, about how much it hurt him to know he was never going to see his friend again.

Sidney grabbed a nurse who was passing by and told her to stay with Trapper and went to the office where Henry was sitting, slightly less sober than Trapper, but not too drunk to hear what was being said to him. Encouraged by his success with Trapper, Sidney pulled the same line on Henry. Just like Trapper, Henry soon started yelling and crying.

Radar went straight to him, his own depression forgotten in light of the pain his father figure was going through. Trusting Radar's close relationship to help Henry open up more and express his pain, Sidney crossed to Margaret's tent. The severity of the denial she seemed to be experiencing had him very worried, and, knowing her stubborn character, he was fully expecting to have to fight her every step of the way.

He was shocked to see Margaret sitting cross legged on the floor when he walked in. When she looked up he saw tears falling down her cheeks.
I heard you were here. I knew you were going to try to get me to stop hiding my pain, so I decided to do it myself. As Sidney sat down next to her she leaned on to him, burying her face in his chest.
I miss him so much, she sobbed, the tears uncontrollable now. I want him back, I want him back.

Sidney said nothing, he held her tightly as she cried, guessing she needed to cry more than talk.
*** *** *** *** ***

The sight of a sober commanding officer, a surgeon who was capable of operating, and a human in place of the zombie Margaret had become seemed to have an uplifting effect on the rest of the camp. Sidney decided to stay for a few days, guessing, correctly, that others would need his help too.

He was a little nonplussed to be told no confirmation of death had been received, but when the heavy bombing and the phone call had been explained, he found himself grieving for his friend too. In their hearts, even those who were outwardly holding on to hope knew it was getting steadily less likely Hawkeye would ever return to them.





I bet you're all screaming right about now right? I bet you're all thinking I am seriously evil and twisted? Well, you'd be right! =) No fear, the next chapter is all written and just needs to be checked through, and you know, reviews have been known to speed this process. ^___^