Kooshball: Because I won't be here for a week (I'm going to that snow!) I'll update now.
And a short note to MovieQueen17, Alex has had 2 fics before this, "Alex" and "Old Friends" (A.k.a. "Alex 2"). Alex is a character of my own invention, but it's up to you if you read the first parts. They are fairly long, so hopefully you've got the time to do so!
Alex was asleep when Hawkeye arrived the next morning. He stumbled into the Post op loudly, as if expecting her to have disappeared. As far as Jefferson could tell, Hawkeye was expecting it to just be some sick joke to make him get back to camp to help with the wounded. Jefferson found she liked being on duty more often now, to keep an eye on Alex. The nurse interested her, and it had made the camp very lively and talkative. According to the rumours, Hawkeye had dated Alex while she was in camp, a girl after his own heart. She enjoyed gambling and drinking, though didn't try to seduce every male she met. Jefferson didn't think she would have to try hard if she wanted though, the scar made her look mysterious, and Alex was also a very likable person.
'Alex,' Hawkeye yelled, seeing her in the bed, and he almost tripped up on his own feet trying to get to her. Alex jumped awake and opened her left eye. Her right one still seemed swollen, and she had mentioned to Charles that it hurt.
'Hawkeye, I thought you were on R and R, you weren't back for a couple more days, unless I slept for longer than I thought,' Alex said.
'They told me you were back,' Hawkeye said, looking Alex over. 'But not like this.'
'Just a few two inch deep scratches,' Alex smiled. Hawkeye took a swift look at Alex's shoulder and leg, then realised her eye was closed.
'What's wrong with your eye?' he asked.
'Hurts when I try to open in. I've tried telling that Major, he operated on me, but he hasn't done anything yet,' Alex explained.
'I'll take a look at it in a while. But for now, tell me what you've been up to,' Hawkeye said, grinning and suddenly looking a little less worried and more like his old self.
Jefferson saw the x-rays of Alex's eye spread on the desk in the Post op. Her eye had been struck with shrapnel and she needed to be operated on. A specialist was being brought to camp in a day or so, but odds were she'd never be able to see out that eye again. Jefferson felt sorry for the woman. She'd never have been able to cope with losing her sight in one eye, and yet, Alex seemed calm about it, not even nervous.
'Ah, excuse me?' Alex was waving Jefferson over.
'Yes, Lieutenant?' Jefferson asked.
'I... I want a pen and some paper, to write a letter to my sister,' Alex said.
'I'll get some right away, Lieutenant,' Jefferson nodded. Alex nodded in reply, and stared quietly at the foot of her bed. Jefferson got paper and a pencil from the left hand top draw, where all paper was kept for people who were in the Post op. She handed them to Alex, who smiled thanks. She gripped the pencil in her left hand, and then dropped it in pain.
'Forgot I won't be able to write for a little while,' Alex said. 'It's typical that it would be my left arm that was hurt so I wouldn't be able to write my sister.'
'You're left handed?' Jefferson asked. Alex nodded. Jefferson was left handed herself, though she didn't mention it at that time. 'Would you like to dictate it to me and I'll write it?' Jefferson asked. Alex looked up.
'That's be good,' she agreed. Jefferson took up the paper and pencil, and sat on the next bunk.
'"Dear Dani, sorry it's been a while since I last wrote you",' Alex paused as Jefferson began writing. '"But I was injured a week or so and had to go to hospital. You won't believe me when I tell you I'm at the 4077th, but I am. Hawkeye and BJ are still here, and doing well, as is Colonel Potter. I busted my left arm, my left ankle and right leg, so I won't be moving for a little while. Because of my shoulder, I am having a nurse write this for me.".' Alex looked up.
'Keep going,' Jefferson said when she finished writing.
'"That's not all, Dani. Apparently, I have shrapnel or something in my right eye, and need to be operated on. I might not be able to see through that eye after the operation, but other than that there is minimal risk. However, there's a high chance of infection here, and if... if I don't make it...",' Alex paused for a while to calm herself down. "If I don't make it, Hawkeye and BJ will write you to tell you.".'
'Is that all?' Jefferson asked. Alex nodded. 'I'll post it right away.' Jefferson walked away, realizing Alex may not be as brave as she first thought.
Alex woke in pain a few hours after the operation. Her right eye had been covered with cotton and a bandage to prevent her using it or causing it more damage, but hurt more than it had before. Sleep blurred the vision in her good eye, but she was too tired to be bothered rubbing it out. Someone walked past her cot, but paused when they noticed her.
'Take a photo, it lasts longer,' Alex snapped at them. She wasn't in the mood to have people stare at her today.
'Alex!' the person at the foot of her bed cheered.
'Klinger?' Alex asked, and she rubbed the tiredness from her left eye, suddenly filed with energy. In front of her was a stunned looking dark haired man, wearing uniform with Sargent stripes on the sleeves.
'I knew you had come through here, but people kept telling me you'd been moved out already, otherwise I'd have come seen you ages ago!' Klinger exclaimed.
'If someone had told me you still hadn't got your section eight, I would have made someone get you!' Alex said.
'I'm way past the section eight. After Radar left, I became company clerk, and got promoted, see?' Klinger pointed to his stripes.
'Wow, I'm glad for you,' Alex said. 'Wait, Radar left?'
'Yeah, his Uncle died or something and he went home on a section DA7,' Klinger explained.
'Poor Radar. How's the little guy doing?' Alex asked.
'He's doing fine, last I heard. Had the farm running real smooth, with only a few minor hiccups,' Klinger said, sitting on the foot of her bed. 'So how'd you get hurt?'
'The usual. Risking my life for some idiot,' Alex laughed. 'What about you? So much has happened since I was here, obviously. Radar gone, you got a new job and promoted...'
'Major Houlihan married and divorced, Major Burns sent state-side,' Klinger added.
'Margaret got married? To Frank?' Alex asked. Klinger shook his head.
'Some Colonel. You'd be better asking her about it,' Klinger shrugged.
'I will,' Alex promised.
'I better go. I was meant to tell Major Winchester he has a phone call, and it ain't gonna wait all day,' Klinger said, getting up and starting to walk off.
'Hold on a minute,' Alex called. Klinger stopped. 'Spin around,' Alex commanded. Klinger did so, and faced Alex with a puzzled look. 'First time I've seen you in a uniform. I'll miss the dresses, but you look good. Scrub up well,' Alex said. Klinger laughed, and walked out.