Note: Hi guys! I know its been, like, months since I updated, my best friend keeps reminding me about this and asking me about it, but I have had a huge case of writers block with regards to this fic, I have another Frank/Trapper fic in the works but I won't post it till this is finished. Anyway, sorry again! (Ducks rotten tomatoes and other fruit) don't hate me!

Disclaimer: nope, don't own 'em. My pay is crap, don't sue!

Chapter five

Trapper and Frank had both fallen silent, caught up in past memories. B.J had been assessing them. He had acknowledged that Frank seemed quite different than he remembered. He seemed more caring almost, and completely caught up in Trapper. He was also pretty sure that Trapper and Frank Burns (of all people) were lovers, but that no one knew, save maybe the granddaughter. But judging by their body language towards each other, he figured Hawkeye should be coming to the same conclusion, and by his body language, he didn't like it. He knew how rash and thoughtless his friend could sometimes be, and hoped whatever Trapper was about to reveal, Hawkeye would be able to accept that Frank cared, and would take care of his friend.

Margaret was surprised by how her former flame was acting. He seemed so different from the Frank Burns she remembered from Korea. He seemed softer, almost like he'd grown up. He also seemed very protective towards Trapper, which she was pleased, but also confused.

Radar was starting to get an idea what was going on. After the war ended he hadn't liked to listen to his 'radar' as much, and no longer the innocent Ohio boy he had been, he was starting to see where this was going without his 'double-talk' power. Looking at his other friends' faces, he could see what they were thinking. BJ was looking pensive, Margaret curious, and Hawkeye looked like he may blow up if he didn't know what happened next soon.

Radar decided to prompt them.

"So, two years later…"

Trapper cleared his throat.

"The next time I saw Frank I wasn't in a good state. I was unemployed, and what money I had had, I spent on drink. I…well I showed up in his hospital."

Frank swallowed.

"He was admitted as a John Doe with Cirrhosis of the liver, as he was in one of my wards, I was able to identify him. He didn't have a proper home to go to, and he didn't want any of his family to know, so he kinda moved in with me when he was discharged."

Sam gave a sad smile and said. "Whenever he came to visit us he was always sober, but he never came often"

Hawkeye spoke very slowly and calmly.

"So, you had Trapp living in your home, didn't your wife mind?"

Frank cleared his throat. "Umm, my wife and I divorced about six months after I returned from Korea. I was living alone at the time."

"Why, Frank?" Margaret was curious, Hawkeye felt an odd flash of jealousy,

"Does it matter?" he asked his wife.

BJ spoke for the first time, and put an arm around the waist of his wife who had come to join their little group.

"I think it might."

This time the slightly somber mood lifted a bit and smiles of mirth tugged at the corners of both Sam and Trapper's lips as they began to giggle uncontrollably. Frank playfully swatted the top of Sam's head and blushed.

"Shut-up! It wasn't like that!"

Trapper stopped, but Sam winked at Frank.

"No, of course not, you were just showing the nice man your…"

This time it was Trapper, who kicked her,

"Sam!" he said warningly.

The rest of the group by this stage was a little baffled by this bazaar behavior. Trapper shook his head to focus.

"anyway, Frank was caught with his pants down in a public bathroom."

That caught Radar's attention. His eyes widened.

"A public male bathroom?"

Peg looked at her husband, then back at the group.

"Someone care to fill me in?"

Margaret's eyes widened as everything fell into place. She screeched, "You're gay Frank?!"

The whole room heard. They stopped.

Frank's thin lips formed a tight smile.

"Thanks Margaret." He said, quietly sarcastic. After some whispering, the room began to return to normal under utterances of 'always thought so,' and 'who's Frank?'

some more pieces fell into place for Margaret Houlighan.

"So, if Franks gay, and Trapper seems to be gay, and you're living together, then…"

"NO!"

"Hawkeye! Maybe we should listen to them."

"No Radar, sorry Margaret, but this is not heading there, no way. Not Trapper and not Frank! Trapper isn't even gay!" this last bit was scoffed.

Trapper moved slightly away from his boyfriend and granddaughter and leant over his orange juice.

"Yes Hawkeye, I'm gay. I just didn't realize it for years. And yes, Frank is too. Both my family and Frank's know and have accepted it, and yes, we're an 'us', we have been for five years now."

There was a short break, and then Hawkeye exploded.

"Why did you come back then, huh Trapp! Was it to get our blessing? Flaunt your homosexual relationship?!"

"Hawkeye!" Trappers voice was low and warning.

"I mean, for God's sake Trap, Frank Burns? El Hurón? I mean you can't possibly love him! We hated him in Korea!"

"Things change!" Frank said tersely, not liking where this was headed.

"They never change that much! I know they say fine line and all that, but this is ridiculous! He isn't even good looking!"

Frank had had enough. He knew if he stayed for this he would do something he would seriously regret.

He stood.

"I need some air." He announced and stomped out of the hall."

Trapper turned on Hawkeye.

"What the hell was that?

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know how long it took me to get him out of that mindset! How long it took me to convince him that someone really could love him!"

"What the hell is with you? Who are you?"

Sam cleared her throat, "I'm going to go and find Frank." She said quietly and slipped outside.

Trapper and Hawkeye's attention was fully focused on each other; they didn't even register her leaving.

"Hawkeye, Frank isn't really that bad. He's changed since Korea, and what is with you. You didn't hate him this much then. I guess you've changed too!"

"You know what, McIntyre? Maybe you shouldn't have come. I mean you obviously don't belong anymore!"

Trappers voice dropped to a vicious whisper.

"You want to know why I came Hawkeye? It was to say goodbye!"

"Oh yeah? Well see…"

"I'm dying."

TBC…