Henry was trying his best to entertain the General but was failing miserable. First he spilled a shot of vodka onto the Generals pants and then he insulted his beard on accident. And at this moment he was ready to throw himself in front of spinning chopper blades. "I'm terribly sorry, General. I wasn't informed of your arrival until my way out of the operating room and by Pierce none the less. He's our chief surgeon and one hell of a doctor." Henry rambled out trying to cover up his awkwardness.
General Martin Hopkins just smiled at the nervous man. "No harm done, Colonel. I've had worse spilled on me and I know that your nervous so your little comment about my beard will be over looked. And now since you mentioned Pierce, he's just the man that I'm here to see." He smiled and eyed the Colonel and he couldn't help but notice his confused look. "Is something the matter, Colonel?"
"Wait just a second. You're here to see Pierce? Benjamin Franklin Pierce? The one man that hates big brass more than the mess tents food? Are you sure about that?" Henry was confused to say the least.
"Am I sure about that? Yes, I'm sure. I just wanted to check on him. Ever since he saved my life back in Seoul, I feel debted to him. He is a good man. I just want to make sure that this war hasn't changed that." The General smiles. "You seemed shocked. I thought for sure that he would of mentioned it to you. But I guess he works in mysterious ways."
Hawkeye was in a hurry, trying to lose the Major who seemed to be hell bent on making his life miserable. "Maybe I can hide in Henry's office. Surely she won't follow me in there." He smiled as the doors loomed closer and he ducked inside heading straight for Henry's office.
"You can't go in there Sir" Radar squeaked out as he stood in front of the Colonels office doors. "He has company and would run me up a flag pole if I let anyone interrupt."
"Radar. I need to see Henry about something urgent and besides I got one Major after me that seems to want my hide ran up a flag pole or thrown into the stockade, whichever came first." He pushed the boy aside and entered, shutting the doors and looking out the top windows. "That was close. Henry, you really need to give Major Houlihan some time off. She seems to be out for my blood these days." He says with a chuckle as he turns out. His chuckle and the smile accompanying it faded. "General Hopkins, pleasure to see you again." He held out his hand instead of saluting which would of been the military thing to do.
Colonel Blake rested his head in his hands once he saw and heard Hawkeye. He was sure that his best surgeon would be dragged out in handcuffs before long. But then when Hawkeye offered his hand, Henry's mouth dropped open. He had never seen Pierce be nice to a General without it being a order.
The General smiled and let out a hearty laugh. "I see that you're the same old Hawkeye as in Seoul. I hope things haven't been to rough on you out here." He took the out stretched hand and shook it.
Hawkeye pulled his hand away once the greeting was finished. "No General. Things are fine out here. Not many wounded this week but you don't hear me complaining. I think the change of pace is refreshing." He smiled and then looked to Henry. "You better pick your bottom jaw up, Henry. Before the rats begin to nest inside." He let out a chuckle and shook his head before turning back to the General. "I didn't expect you to actually visit the 4077th. It's nothing like Seoul." He was being sincere with underlying tones of sarcasm.
Hopkins let out another laugh before patting Hawkeye on the shoulder. "You got yourself one fine, Major here. We need more like him in this Army and maybe this war would end a lot quicker."
The Colonel began to nod but stopped. "Major who? Pierce? He isn't a Major. He's a Captain." He gave Pierce a look that could kill. How dare he lie and get him or even the whole 4077th in trouble.
Pierce let out a sigh after Henry spoke. Well here it was. Out in the open. He would have to deal with it now. "Well you see Henry." He points to his collar and the gold oak leaf. "I'm kinda a Major now. I have been since I was promoted."
Henry just stared. "Oh. Ok. As long as you've been one since you were promoted. Hey! Wait a minute! When were you promoted? I wasn't informed of this promotion."
"I promoted him, Colonel. He saved my life and I had to repay him. Taking a bullet isn't something you just buy a drink for and call things even. He deserved the promotion." Stated General Hopkins.
"It was nothing, General. Anyone would of done it. I was just closer and I slipped. Luckily it was towards the bullet and not the floor. I could of been hurt if I'd hit the floor." Hawkeye was being sarcastic again.
"You didn't know about it, Colonel Blake because it came straight from HQ. No time for paper work and I would of made him a General if I could. But he settled for Major. He's very modest." Looking down at his watch the General stood. "I should be going. I was going to spend the night but there are some things that need finished back at the base so I'll be taking my leave." He turned back to Hawkeye. "If you ever need anything, give me a buzz on the squawk box and I'll be here as soon as I can." He turns and marched out of the office and settles into a already prepared jeep with Chow Zein at the wheel. Leaving behind a Colonel wanting answers and a distraught Hawkeye not wanting to give them. Not to mention an angry Major wanting answers of her own.