Chapter Five
Henry sat up in bed and rolled his eyes at the doctors around him who insisted on poking and prodding him for the millionth time, or so it seemed.
"Come on sirs... I'm fine!"
He said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. He threw back the covers and stood up, oblivious to the fact that his hospital gown had just flown open in the back, and turned circles as though to prove his condition was perfect. Then he pointed to a spot on the whitewashed wall behind the specialists.
"Look over there!"
His shout aroused the attention of those few men and caused them to turn. While they stood there like complete morons and tried to figure out what the man had pointed at, and wondered whether or not he was delusional, Henry slipped out the door. Before they knew what had happened, he was gone, and before they could even begin to look for him, he was boarding a plane for Kimpo. Clutched in his hand was his fishing lure hat - the only thing that had survived the crash besides him.
*
That night, with patients resting comfortably in the Post-Op ward, a celebration raged full force in the Mess tent. Beers were passed around, and Igor had managed to scrape up a decent meal, one of the best that anyone had eaten in quite awhile.
"I just can't believe he's alive! I should've known that old Henry could cheat death... must've all been one big poker game to him."
Hawkeye said with a laugh, a martini in one hand. He and Trapper had temporarily relocated the still to be used by anyone who dared, but so far, few had been brave enough to drink such toxins as what the two Captains managed to brew.
"But sir, Colonel Blake didn't cheat at poker! Well, at least not as much as you do!"
Radar said defensively, though he couldn't help but smirk slightly. "You vertically challenged twerp! Don't give away my poker secrets!" The captain said, pretending to look horrified, and Radar giggled. A big grin was pasted on his face. It had been there since he regained consciousness. Hawkeye grinned and rested one arm around his low shoulders, looking up as a faint knock sounded at the door. All eyes turned in that direction. Everybody in the whole camp had attended the celebration, and as far as anyone knew, nobody was missing.
"Er, come in!"
Hawkeye called, eyebrows knitted in uncertainty. Had he accidentally forgotten to invite somebody? One of the enlisted men, perhaps? That might hurt a few feelings. But lo and behold, the door opened to reveal Henry Blake, in the flesh (Almost literally, wearing nothing but a hospital gown and his hat). He was grinning like a little boy on Christmas morning.
"Hi guys! Did you miss me?"
"HENRY!"
They all shouted in unision, flocks of people running toward their friend and former commander, tears of joy running down several faces. Radar made it there first, pulling Henry into a tight embrace, which the shy young man rarely did. However, Henry returned the hug with something even more unexpected. Since Radar seemed to eat everything in sight, yet rarely gained weight, it brought Henry little pain as he lifted the corporal who had been like a son to him. He hugged Radar close, as though it were Molly, Janie, or Andrew that he were holding.
The whole population of M*A*S*H 4077 ended their chatter abruptly to watch the touching scene, and there wasn't a dry eye in the tent. It may have just been the smell of last week's leftovers, but it was most likely the sight of Henry and Radar. A single tear coursed its way down Hawkeye's cheek. After a moment, Henry let the boy down and said casually
"So... how long does it take to requisition some new fatigues?"
Most chuckled quietly through their tears, and resumed their previous conversations, many people stepping forward to give Henry a hug. Surprisingly, Margaret was among them. But there was one person who stood emotionless in the corner, cold and uncaring. "So who cares if the bastard lived? He shouldn't have. He deserved to die." Little did the tall man know, but Frank was standing a few feet away, lips pursed in agitation. For the umpteenth time, command of the 4077th had been snatched from his hands. The ferret-faced major turned and gave a surprised look, but didn't say anything. The man hadn't noticed him.