"Vascular clamp."

"Vascular clamp."

Margaret repeated, handing the sterilized instrument to the doctor she was assisting. Hawkeye took the clamp and smiled over at her briefly, resisting the impulse to make one of his usual passes.

"What's the matter, Pierce? Run out of energy to swoon members of the fairer sex?"

Ignoring Charles, Hawkeye focused on his patient. All was quiet for a moment, until Colonel Potter called out "Klinger! Could we have a little music out here?"

There was no answer except a few unsuccessful clicks, before the speaker at the top of the back wall expelled the opening notes of a song that nobody recognized at first. But they listened, almost religiously so, to any music they could get. It was one of the main factors in being able to stay sane.

In a vine-covered shack in the mountains

Bravely fighting the battle of Time

There's a dear one who's weathered life's sorrow

It's that silver haired Daddy of mine

Charles snorted in something that was almost disgust, but everyone turned for a moment to look at Hawkeye. They had all heard the countless stories about Hawkeye and his father, Daniel. He loved his father so much. How would these words affect him, if at all? He could feel their gaze on his back and at all sides, but did not react. After all... who was to say that this song compared in any way to himself and his own life?

If I could recall all the heartaches

Dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear

If I could erase those lines from your face

And bring back the gold to your hair

If God would but grant me the power

Just to turn back the pages of Time

I'd give all I own if I could but atone

To that silver haired Daddy of mine.

I know it's too late, dear old Daddy

To repay for the heartaches and care

But dear Mother is waiting in Heaven

Just to comfort and solace you there

If I could recall all the heartaches

Dear old Daddy, I've caused you to bear

If I could erase those lines from your face

And bring back the gold to your hair

If God would but grant me the power

Just to turn back the pages of Time

I'd give all I own if I could but atone

To that silver haired Daddy of mine

As the song closed, Hawkeye stood up straight for a moment and called towards the Clerk's office

"Klinger, get in here for a minute. I'd like to send a telegram."