I'm very sorry that took so long.  I've been so busy!  I'm also sorry it's too short.  Meh, I'm sorry for everything.  You can blame me for global warming if you want.  I won't mind.

Disclaimer:  not... mine...

"Now is not a good time, Captain," Margaret hissed.

"Why not?" I replied, my voice becoming a little louder than preferred.

"I have company." Just then, Frank appeared behind Margaret and peered at me over her shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" he snarled.

"I'd ask you the same thing, Frank, but I'm afraid you'd answer me."

Neither Frank nor Margaret was amused. "Goodbye, Captain." And then the door was slammed in my face.

I pondered knocking again and somehow forcing my way in to say some much needed things to the good Major Houlihan, but half of the things couldn't be said while Frank was there anyway. There was no point, so I strolled back to the Swamp. Jimmy hadn't come back yet and I thought I had gotten away with my lie.

When Jimmy did return, I made sure I was lying on my cot with a book so that he didn't get suspicious.

"Hey, BJ. Get some sleep?"

"Nah... there was too much on my mind."

Jimmy nodded as he sat down on his cot. "You lie pretty badly, BJ."

I stared at him. "What?"

"You went to talk to Major Houlihan."

"No. I was here trying to sleep."

"Ha! I saw you." He quickly added, "And don't even say that it must have been someone else that looks like you."

Jimmy had caught me. "So what if I did? Why can't I have a friendly chat with a fellow officer?"

"Oh that wasn't any friendly chat. I could have heard that door slam a mile away." Jimmy smiled. "But whatever. It's none of my business. Just, BJ, please don't lie to me. I really can't stand it when people lie to me."

"I'm sorry, Jimmy. I just didn't want you to have to get involved in this."

"Involved in what?" he asked, looking up from the boot he was re-lacing. "Some sort of scandal? Conspiracy?" Jimmy smiled and muttered, "Some drama you guys got here!"

I chuckled. "The most drama around here is who will win the cockroach races."

"Aren't those held in the mess tent after lunch?"

I smiled. "You're pretty good with your remarks, kid."

"I'm only a year or two younger than you, BJ... I'm not a kid."

"I know," I said looking down at the floor. "You just seem so untouched still. So... unscarred."

Jimmy let out a sigh. "I miss Emma, BJ. A lot."

"I know. I miss Peg and Erin like I've never missed anyone before. I'd do anything to be back home to kiss my wife and watch my little girl grow up."

"I wasn't going to do this..." Jimmy hesitated and smiled. "But, when I get back home, as soon as I see Emma, I'm gonna ask her to marry me. That is if I get back home..."

"You'll get back home," I reassured him, patting him on the back as I got up from my cot and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Showers."

"Wait for me." Jimmy grabbed his necessary supplies and joined me right outside the Swamp.

"Let's go get all clean," he said, putting his arm around me.

Out of everyone in the world that could have been sent to the MASH 4077th, I was lucky enough to get Jimmy. He reminded me of myself in so many ways. He was a great kid, and it was unfortunate that he wasn't staying at the 4077th much longer.