Disclaimer: MASH went off the air four years before I randomly decided to begin gracing this planet with my grating and abrasive personality. I have no stake in it and am contractually obligated to moan about having been so cheated.

Chapter One

BJ Hunnicutt blinked, shading his eyes from the California sunlight. BJ looked at the clock next to his recliner and groaned. He had hoped to sleep for at least another hour. Sighing, he rolled over, knowing he would not be able to sleep much longer but refusing to give up just yet. BJ squeezed his eyes shut, but had to concede defeat when there was a knock on the door. He sat up, noticing as he did so that his wife had already left, rubbed his eyes and called: "Come in."

Peg entered, looking everywhere but at him. "You've had a letter," she announced stonily. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"No, the sun beat you to it," BJ replied, forcing his voice to sound cheerful. "Who from?"

"Your old friend," she answered, walking towards him with her hand extended. "Hawkeye Pierce."

"Hawkeye?" BJ sat up straighter. He took the letter and stared at the postmark. There was no return address. "Salem, Massachusetts? What's Hawk doing there? He lives in Maine!"

Peg sat down on the bed, waiting quietly while BJ pored over the contents.

Dear Beej,

They say doctors make the worst patients, and they are right. And since they already can't stand me, I figure causing a bit more trouble can't hurt. I'm writing to ask you and some other old friends to come and invade a hospital in Salem, MA. They can consider it payback for the state's awful road signs. I swear, Korean roads are more navigable.

Coming slightly closer to the point, I was driving home two nights ago and somehow managed not only to get into an accident but also to break my leg. I spent most of the morning admonishing said leg for causing me such a terrible inconvenience. I can't drive, and I want to go home. They said I could go home now, but there remains one problem: who to pick me up. My father could, I'm sure, but I don't want to make him drive down here. Then I had an idea: Why not make the most of it, and have everyone come? There'd been talk of a five-year reunion anyway, and my friends in Crabapple Cove could finally meet all of you.

I realize it's short notice, and I understand if you can't make it. The hospital's phone number is printed at the bottom of this stationery, so you can call and let me know. Say hi to Peg and Erin for me.

Love,
Hawk

"Well?" Peg asked, squinting at BJ in the sunlight. "What's he got to say?"

BJ was still staring at the letter. It certainly was impromptu, but then, Hawkeye obviously hadn't planned on breaking his leg. BJ smiled at the mental image of Hawkeye writing in a daily planner: Tomorrow – Break leg. BJ checked the date of the postmark: Monday. Today was Thursday. If he wanted to accept the invitation, he would have to leave immediately. The Mill Valley hospital would not like that, but if he returned by Monday, or Tuesday at the latest, they would probably let it go. He had been their most reliable surgeon for the past five years, taking time off only to attend Erin's preschool and kindergarten performances and more than making up for it in overtime work. BJ chewed on his lip and looked up at Peg.

"Hawk was in car accident in Salem," BJ began carefully. "He's fine, but he broke his leg and can't drive home. He wants me, along with half the 4077th, to come and take him back to Maine. We'd been talking about getting together anyway, since it's been five years since the war ended, and I guess Hawk thought this was as good a time as any."

"It sounds like he's just desperate for company," Peg observed, frowning. "Still – maybe you should go."

Now it was BJ's turn to frown. "Peggy – you know I don't have to. Hawkeye will understand; he said as much. He also says hi to you and Erin, by the way. He knows I've got a family and a job and understands that I can't just run off across the country on one of his whims. If you don't want me to go – "

"I do, though," Peg interrupted, her expression one of emotionless resolve. "It might be for the best. Maybe we need time apart."

"Peggy – "

"BJ, think about it. You're sleeping in the recliner. There are problems, whether you admit it or not. It hasn't been easy for me, either, just so you know."

"Peggy, I love you."

"I want to believe you." Peg paused as a lump formed in her throat. "And I want to say it back. You know that. But we haven't really talked in months – years, even – it's like Erin is the only thing we have in common these days. A brief separation might give us a chance to clear our heads. I think it would be good – for both of us."

BJ felt a similar lump forming in his own throat as he matched her gaze. "Do you really believe that?"

Peg nodded. "Yes. Besides, it sounds like Hawkeye could really use a friend."

"Sure does," BJ agreed, feeling slightly worried now. "It's not like him at all. Hawk was always a reckless driver, but he knew where to draw the line." BJ's face darkened as a new suspicion dawned on him. "Good God, I hope he wasn't drunk."

"Do you think he'll admit it if he was?"

"I don't know. I'm sure he would if anyone else had been injured, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I sincerely doubt Hawkeye would have planned a homecoming party for himself if he'd hurt somebody while inebriated – he'd be too wracked with guilt. He is a doctor, after all."

Peg nodded again, her eyes unfocused. "I suppose you'd better call him, and start packing."

BJ nodded. "Hopefully I won't be gone too long."

"As long as Hawkeye needs you," Peg replied, staring disinterestedly at the wall. She stood up slowly, resolutely, and made her way out of the room. BJ watched her go with a flicker of sadness in his heart, then turned to the phone to call Hawkeye.

The connection was patchy at best, and the hospital receptionist was reluctant to connect to Hawkeye's room, but eventually she gave in and put him through. BJ waited, feeling the heat rising on his cheeks.

"Hello?" Hawkeye sounded tired, but his voice was unmistakable.

"Hey, Hawk," BJ answered, feeling suddenly more cheerful than he had in weeks. "Sounds like you got yourself into a quite a fix there. Didn't your father ever tell you not to play with scary automobiles?"

"Beej? Is it really you?" Hawkeye was yawning, but he was clearly excited. "Everybody, BJ's on the phone!" He was almost jubilant, but his voice quickly dropped to a more melancholy pitch. "But I'll bet you can't come, though. I know it's sudden, but I just thought – "

"Hold on, Hawk. I was just about to tell you that I talked it over with Peg, and we both agreed that I should come up for a bit. You're my best friend. You know that. And who's 'everybody'?"

"So you're really coming?" Hawkeye was almost pleading, scarcely willing to believe his ears.

"Yes. Now answer my question. Who's 'everybody'?"

"That would be Radar, Klinger and Father Mulcahy. The Father arrived last night; Radar and Klinger came in this morning; and Potter and Margaret both said they'd be in tomorrow. How about you?"

"Well, since I'm probably flying out tonight, put me in the tomorrow crowd. I'm surprised you amassed such a turnout."

"So am I. But I guess some people just can't resist a handsome doc in need – especially Klinger."

"Don't be too sure," BJ retorted, pleased to hear Klinger's screeching protest in the background.

"You want to talk to everybody? I'm sure no one will mind – "

"Dr. Pierce, I think you've assaulted our phone bill quite enough for one day," a nurse's cutting voice interrupted. "Besides, it's time you ate lunch."

"How does that compare to the Mess Tent?" BJ shouted as the connection was unceremoniously cut off. BJ sighed and decided he'd better pack. Though the circumstances were unfortunate, he was looking forward to seeing Hawkeye. He missed their banter. Though he was not prepared to relive the war for any price, he knew that his friendship with Hawkeye was one beautiful thing that had sprung from it. Hawk was one of a kind, and if he had not proven that in Korea, he had proven it every day since, as various people to whom BJ had once been close showed how little they had on Hawkeye.

BJ closed his eyes, insisting to himself that Peg did not, absolutely did not, belong in that category.