Mad World

"Sir. Sir?" Hawkeye rolled over in his too small of a cot in hopes that the persistent voice would disappear, "Hawkeye wake up."

It didn't.

"Mmmphhh?" Captain Benjamin Pierce was not in the mood to get up. Especially after the time him and BJ had had the night before at Rosie's.

"Umm, Sir," the voice was now recognizable as Radar's, "You might want to get up before the Colonel gets here. You were supposed to leave for the camp an hour ago."

Hawkeye shot up, ignoring the throbbing through his head, "What!" taking a quick glance at his watch he saw that it was true, "Why didn't Frank wake me? He's supposed to go too."

"He's sick Sir," Radar said, "A bad stomach flu."

"Great," Hawkeye mumbled.

Radar must have sensed Hawkeyes frustration because he quickly added, "But, ummm, I can find another personal to go with you."

"No," Hawkeye stated bluntly as he hurried to slip on some pants, "I'll fly solo on this one. It shouldn't take too long."

"Well, if you don't mind me saying Sir, you may want to start flying soon, because Godzilla is coming."

Hawkeye looked out the door, and saw Colonel Potter coming towards his tent with a look of anger on his face. Taking a deep breath, Hawkeye darted out of the tent, and made a beeline in the opposite direction of the Colonel, hearing faintly behind him a earth shattering yell of 'Pierce!'.

--------

Relief rushed through Hawkeye as he realized that he'd run in the right direction towards his jeep. He knew if he were to have to go back through camp, he would surely run across Colonel Potter, and never live to tell about it. It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't the third time that week that he's sleep in when he had to do something. This time it was just a simple trip to the a medical camp about ten miles down the road so that he could pick up some supplies to bring back to the 4077th. The night before after sixteen hours of surgery, Hawkeye and BJ decided to let loose for 'a quick sip' at Rosie's. That quick sip turned into a test to see who could get themselves the most drunk and yet still come up with more ladies. Though Hawkeye had indeed come up the winner, he was now the loser as he bumped along the road with a killer hangover.

"Beej may be getting to sleep in right now. But at least I get that nurse tomorrow night." Hawkeye grinned at himself.

Then it happened. Just as Hawkeye was rounding the corner. He heard a sound that he knew he'd never forget. The exploding sound of a land mine erupting from the ground.

--------

"Sir, you may want to come hear this," Kinger called into Colonel Potter's office.

"This better be important," he mumbled as he came over.

Klinger put it on speaker, and the Colonel spoke, "Yes? This is Colonel Sherman Potter here from the 4077th Mash."

"Hello Colonel Potter. This is Lt. Colonel Jeremy Forbes from the medic camp. We were expecting one of your personal over three hours ago. What happened?" the voice crackled over.

"Pierce," Sherman muttered, then spoke up louder, "I'll check it out. Someone will be there in a while."

"Ok, thank you Sir," the voice replied back before the conversation was cut off.

"Klinger," Sherman started to bark out orders, "Get Radar. And get BJ up. They're going to go down to that camp and find out what the hell is going on."

"Yes Sir," Klingers said as he spun on his red heals- his blue and pink dress swirling.

--------

Not even a half hour later, BJ and Radar were in a jeep speeding down the road towards the camp.

"This isn't like him," BJ said, "Hawkeye doesn't just disappear. Something happened."

"Try not to worry about it Sir. I'm sure he's fine." Radar did his best to reassure BJ, though he could tell it wasn't working.

"He's gotta be somewhere," BJ continued to talk, "I mean-"

"Oh no," Radars voice was cracking as he spoke.

BJ looked up, and saw what Radar did. Hawkeyes jeep. Totally burnt to the frame.

"HAWKEYE!" BJ screamed as he looked around frantically...

BJ ran as fast as he could towards the still smoking jeep. There was no sign of Hawkeye anywhere.

"Oh no, no," BJ whispered as his eyes scanned everywhere, "Where the hell is he? Radar! Radar! Where is he?"

Radar stood stunned about ten feet away- a shocked look plastered his face, and he knew he was going to get no help from him at this moment. BJ ran over to his jeep, and immediately got onto the radio.

"Hello- hel-" the voice started, but was quickly interrupted.

"Klinger," BJ's voice shook with emotions, "Get Colonel Potter now!"

"Yes Sir," Klinger said, and a moment later another voice came.

"Hunnicut, what is it? What happened?"

"The jeep," BJ said, "We found. H-His jeep."

Sherman could sense the tears in his voice, "Ok. Just calm down son. Explain it from the beginning. Take your time."

"Damn it we don't got time!" BJ exploded, "Hawk's jeep is here in a pile of burnt rubble. We have to find him now! And I need help!"

"Ok," the Colonel's voice was heard again after a moment, "People are on their way. Just hang in there and for God's sake be careful."

The connection was immediately lost, and BJ ran back over to Radar, "Radar. Radar, c'mon I need your help. We have to find him!"

"Yes sir," came Radar's quiet voice.

c It was bright. Far too bright for his eyes. But. There was something missing. He knew he was laying down, but as he racked through his throbbing head, one question came to mind. Who was he?

"You're up," the rough voice came from his right, "'Bout damn time."

The person was in uniform, and had short grey hair. He stood just under six feet tall, and was muscular.

"C'mon boy, get up," the man said again.

He sat up in his bed, "Who are you?"

Without a second thought the man answered, "I am Colonel H. Morgan- you will call me Sir. This is the Mash 1829th, and you are Captain Alan Alda. You were missing for a month behind enemy lines. You were drugged. And this is the Korean War. We are trying to kill every God damned American solider we see. Anything else?"

Alan shook his head slowly as he swung his legs, "I don't remember anything Co- ehh, Sir."

"Of course you don't boy. I told you, they drugged you. You'll gain some of it back as time goes on. Now, go to the Marsh and take a rest where you AREN'T taking up valuable space," Colonel Morgan said harshly.

"Uhh, Marsh Sir?" Alan asked carefully.

"You're bed," Colonel Morgan said with eyes of steal.

Alan's voice was quiet as he mumbled a quick "Yes Sir", and left.

It took him ten minutes, but finally he found the tent that he had been told was his by one Corporal Farr- who was in- in Alan's opinion- what seemed like a brand new uniform which was pressed and iron to top of the perfection look of a perfect solider. Once in the tent he saw someone sitting in the bed next to his.

"Who are you?" Alan asked tentivly.

"You really don't remember," the man said, "My name is Captain MJ Farrell. I'd think you'd remember me at least. We haven't gotten along since I came here. Fungus face over there is the one your buddy-buddy with."

"Fungus face?" Alan's face showed his puzzlement that came in his voice.

"Yes," MJ showed his exasperation, "Major Larry Linville. Which for the life of me I could never understand why you always called him Lars. Though I don't get half of the things you two do together so it doesn't really matter to me."

Alan inwardly sighed as he sat down on the cot. If people in this place were like this, he wouldn't have been surprised if he'd run off rather than been captured...

--------

"BJ?" the voice was quiet and the blond man could barely hear the female voice from behind the door, "BJ, can I come in please?"

"Sure," the blunt answer came, and Margaret Houlihan came walking into the tent.

"Hi," she said, "How are you Major?"

"Fine," BJ's voice shook with aggravation and anger, "I mean, why wouldn't I be? My best friend is only missing in action. Hell, let's have a party."

"There's no reason to be rude," Margaret said, reflecting BJ's tone of voice, "We are all just as worried about him as you are, but in case you've forgotten, we are in the middle of a war here, and there are people that need our help."

BJ turned around, looking straight at Margaret, and only then could Margaret see the red rimmed eyes, and dark circles, indicating a good night at Rosie's and no sleep.

"Why?" BJ whispered, as tears came to his eyes, "Why did he have to go that morning? It's been a week, and all I can think of is why."

"I know," warm tears came down Margaret's face as well, "I wish he had never gone either. Or maybe if he wasn't so stupid, and had stayed for Colonel Potters lecture. Or even if Frank hadn't eaten those month old beans the night before and he hadn't gotten sick. There are so many things that could have stopped him from going. But. You have to remember than. There are so many things that can bring him back."

"Like what Margaret. The enemies!" BJ's voice exploded as he shot up, and walked out of the tent.

"Like me," Margaret whispered as she slowly walked out of the tent.

--------

Alan was sitting in a tent after a long day out in the fields. As he did so, he saw a book sticking out from under MJ's cot. Looking around quickly, he saw that no one was around, and picked up the book. It was a wildlife book. He was just about to toss back under MJ's cot, when a picture on the front cover caught his attention. It was dark coloured bird. He opened the book up, and quickly found the page with the information about it on it. Alan looked at the large print at the top of the page that indicated what bird it was. Hawk.

"Hawk," Alan whispered.

He was still staring at it when Larry walked in, "Hello Alan. What are you doing?"

"A hawk," Alan said showing the picture to Larry.

"Very good," Larry said sarcastically, then pointed to himself, "Person."

Alan shook his head, and tossed the book back, "So, Lars, what have you been up to?"

Larry smiled slightly as he spoke, "That Major Loretta Swit was after me for 'another shot', and to go for a date. She just can't get the fact that it's over."

"Yeah," Alan said offhandedly, "Hotlips sure can be pushy when she wants something."

"Who's Hotlips?" Larry asked.

A puzzled look came to Alan's face, "Ehh, I meant Loretta."

The two then continued talking until late in the night.

--------

Margaret had been missing all day, and the camp was in a frenzy as one of their best doctors was gone, and now their best nurse was. Colonel Potter was just about to call a Personnel Meeting when a loud voice came from the far side of the camp.

"COLONEL! MAJOR!" the voice was Margarets, "COME QUICK!"

Colonel Potter ran as fast as he could from his office. Radar, BJ and Klinger on his tail.

"What is it Margaret?" BJ asked once he got there.

"T-This man," Margaret said completely out of breath as she pointed a tall slim Korean man beside her, "He-He said t-that his brother- h-he found a m-man. Sounded l-like Hawkeye."

"What did he look like?" Sherman asked as he gestured up and down himself with his hands, "Look- like?"

"Hair," the man said pulling at his hair, "dark. Like with shoes with dirt. Look like you," he said pointing to BJ.

"Like me?" BJ asked confused, but then looked down at himself, "Oh! A captain!"

"Captain, captain," the man nodded in agreement.

"Take me to him," BJ said bluntly, "NOW!"

The man gave a puzzled look.

"NOW!" BJ yelled again.

"Yes, yes," the man quickly said as he bowed quickly before taking off, BJ close behind.

--------

"No! No! Beej, no! I'm here, right here! Beeeejjjjjj!" Alan jarred awake, sweat pouring down his face.

Larry jolted awake beside him. He looked at Alan, concern on his face.

"What's wrong?" he asked, "You were calling out for a Beej? Who's he? Was he one of the guys that drugged you? Do you remember?"

"N-No," Alan said slowly, "Well not now. But, in my dream. It was there."

"What are you two blabbering about at this time in the morning?" MJ spoke up groggily from the other side of the tent.

"Alan is remembering things in his dreams," Lary said excitedly.

"Oh!" MJ mocked excitement, "Quick, someone pinch me."

Lary threw a pillow at him, "Oh just go back to sleep."

"Gladly," MJ mumbled as he rolled back over and instantly fell asleep.

"Listen," Alan said in a quiet voice, "We'll talk about it tomorrow ok?"

"Yeah," Lary nodded, "And Alan, don't let MJ get you down. This is being nice for him."

Alan gave a small smile before turning over, and going back to sleep.

--------

It took a mere five minutes to get to the Korean man's house, but by the time they got there, it was dark out. Immediately after being told which door lead to the room, BJ ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the room. The man was laying down in the bed, a blanket climbing up to past his chin- his back to them.

"Hawk?" BJ's voice was small as he moved the man's body towards him...

"BJ?" Margarets voice spoke after a few moments of silence.

"It's not him," BJ's voice was quiet, and then suddenly changed to stern and direct, "Get him back to camp. Now! He's got a weak pulse, and what looks to be internal bleeding. C'mon, get him back, before he dies!"

"Yes Sir," Radar said, and him and Klinger immediately went to work on getting the injured solider to the jeep.

Margaret went with them, and Colonel Potter went over to BJ and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't get discouraged son," he said.

"It wasn't even close to him!" BJ exploded, "Not even close! Sure he may have the same hair and same rank, but he's a bloody Korean Solider!"

"Get a hold of your self Captain!" Colonel Potter said rather harshly as he grabbed the arm of the now thrashing about BJ, "You need to calm down! Now we can either do this the hard way, or the easy way, which is it!"

BJ took a deep breath, and broke free of Sherman's grip, "I'll meet them in pre-op. That man is not gonna die if there is any chance he knows anything about Hawk."

Sherman shook his head then mumbled to himself before following, "If nothing but for that boy's sake I sure hope that Pierce makes it back ok."

--------

Alan rose from his cot with a tremendous headache. His world was fuzzy to his eyes, and he found it hard to focus. One name kept on persisting in his mind though as he sat there in the still dark tent. Erin.

"Who's Erin?" Alan finally whispered to himself.

"Huh?" this time is was MJ who woke from Alan, "What are you saying?"

"Oh, sorry MJ," Alan wasn't in the mood for arguing, so tried to quickly close the conversation.

"No," MJ was fully up now, "You said something about an Erin."

"Yeah," Alan gave in, "I woke up and the name Erin was in my head. Why?"

"That's my kids name," MJ's voice was suddenly soft in contrast to the usual bitterness.

"Oh," Alan perked up at the thought of getting more memories back, "How old is she?"

"He," MJ's voice was back to it's usual bluntness, "This is my SON we're talking about. And not that it's any of your business, but Aaron is two."

"Sorry," Alan said, and got up and walked out the door.

Once outside, Alan walked slowly. The cool air nipped at his bare arms which stuck through his tank-top. His legs were just as cold, as his shorts clung to him, making his body do things that on any other day would make him embarrassed. But not on this night. Too much was on his mind. His head still hurt, and trying to sort out the wondering thoughts that were charging through it didn't help. There were certain things that just wouldn't leave his mind. He'd only been at this camp for just over a week, and already things seemed eerie familiar. This Loretta she seemed- so- familiar. Alan felt like he knew her body, her every crevice. From her dirty-blond hair to her perfect toes, he felt an attraction to her that you wouldn't normally feel towards someone you'd known for a week. On the other hand all the people here were strangers. With the newly arising memories that surfaced in his brain, none of them brought the feelings of knowing these people. The person just recently in his dream- Erin. She seemed so real, like someone he actually knew all about. But, there was no one there by the name of Erin. And MJ's son was Aaron. Through the pounding of these thoughts through Alan's brain, he didn't even notice the jeep charging towards him...

--------

"Suction Margaret, I need suction!" BJ's voice barked as he worked frantically to get the bleeding under control inside the Korean man's stomach.

"I'm trying Sir," Margaret's voice rang out from underneath the white mask on her face.

"Oh no," Klingers voice came up from the end of the surgical table.

"What? What is it?" BJ asked.

"No heart rate," Klinger said, and silence fell to the room.

--------

Alan woke up. The air was cold, and when he moved his limbs, everything hurt. His mind tried to register where he was, but all he could remember was a jeep coming right towards him, then nothing. He was now laying in the middle of a field. In the distance dropping bombshells could be heard.

"I thought Potter rung to them to stop the midnight bombshell showing," he mumbled as he slowly sat up.

He stopped in mid movement as his brain clicked in his previously stated sentence.

"Potter," he said slowly as he strained his mind to remember, "Uhh, Colonel Sherbert Potter? No! Colonel SherMAN Potter! I remember!"

He jumped up- ignoring all pain that rushed through his body, "I remember now! Oh my God. I am- I'm... Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce- also known as Hawkeye. Serial Number is US1283643! BJ is my best friend, Frank Burns is ferret face, and Klinger has worn more dresses than Margaret has. Margaret." Hawkeye paused momentarily as the blond haired wonder flashed into his mind, "I never had met a person with hotter lips than Hotlips."

The memories flooded back, and it overwhelmed Hawkeye. He didn't know where he was other than the mere fact that he was at 1829 Mash. He had no clue as to where that was in relation to his home of the 4077th. He decided one thing though.

"I have to find out who this Alan Alda is."

--------

Sherman came up behind BJ and put a hand on his shoulder, "It's ok Son, you tried your best. There was nothing that anybody could have done. The infection inside of him had already gotten to him long before we did."

"He-he was the only link we had to where Hawk was. N-Now we'll never know," his voice cracked as he spoke.

"Listen," Sherman said trying to keep his voice under control, "Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce is missing. Now missing does not mean dead, and then again does not mean alive. It means he is gone, and whether you save a man does not mean that he will all of a sudden die or live. Hawkeye is a strong man- much stronger than lots of the people in this unit. I miss him, you miss him, and so does every other Tom, Huck and Mary. But that does not mean we all have the right to sulk around and wallow in self pity. There is still a war going on, and it will continue to go on whether I die, you die- or Pierce does."

BJ looked at him, "But what if it does?"

"But what if what does?" Sherman looked at him questionably.

"What if this man dying does mean the death of Hawk," BJ's voice was a whisper, "Then- I killed my best friend."

--------

"Alda, Alda," Hawkeye mumbled as he thumbed through the files inside Colonel Morgan's office.

Hawkeye quickly found out that his place in the field had not been far from the 1829th. Now as he skimmed through the names in the file he prayed that he found the name before someone found him.

"Yes!" Hawkeye cried as he pulled out a file with the name 'Alda, Alan' clearly printed on the side, "Now to see who this guy is."

Hawkeye was startled to see that the picture inside closely resembled him, with minimum differences. He quickly read through the papers, and found that he had gone missing just a day after he himself had, and they had him written down as being found when Hawkeye had been taken by them.

"A few cuts. Banged head. Possible amnesia?" Hawkeye read from the report, "Seems to not know too much, but can't be sure of cause. Will retrain. These bastards don't care who the hell they have on their side, just as long as they can stick a gun in their hand and aim their brain, they got themselves a solider."

It was becoming more and more difficult for Hawkeye to keep his voice down, so he decided to leave. It was gonna be a long teak back home, and Hawkeye knew that.

--------

"Incoming wounded people, the shows back on!" BJ rolled over in hopes that the voice was just a dream, but the kick in the feet indicated it wasn't.

"You're going to have to get up," Franks voice could be heard vaguely through the pillow that was currently over BJ's face, "you can't kill yourself now and leave me to treat these people."

Reluctantly BJ got up and went to pre-op to prepare.

It didn't take long for people to notice how quiet BJ was.

"Why don't you go scrub down BJ, I think we can handle it from here," Colonel Potters voice broke the silence that had been looming in the room.

With a nod of his head BJ agreed gratefully, and left.

"That boy is taking this really hard," Sherman shook his head as he worked on closing up a belly wound.

"I know," Margaret said sadly, "I wish there was something we could do to help him."

"So do I," Sherman sighed, "so do I."

BJ took out some paper and a pen as he sat on his cot in the Swamp. He was going to write two letters. One to his wife- Peg, and one to Hawkeye. He decided to write to Peg first...

Dearest Peg,
Hi Darling, how is it going? How's Erin? Is she walking now? The last time you wrote to me you were saying how she liked to grab onto furniture and try and walk holding onto to that. Does she do that anymore, or can she actually walk on her own? Oh God how I miss her.
And what about you? How are you holding up Sweetheart? I promise it won't be much longer until they call peace and I can come back home. This place is a hell hole, and I can't wait to go back to Heaven- home with you and Erin. Is you're flu any better. Was it just a flu. You told me before that you were going to be going to the doctors, how did that go? I hope you are feeling better.
Tragedy has struck the 4077th. My best friend Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce- or Hawkeye as we all call him- is gone. He went missing some time ago- I can't even remember precisely how long because the time has all gone by in such a blur. He went on a simple outing to get some supplies, and got in a wreckage. We never found his body and he's been gone since. Oh Peg, it's so hard. He was my only link to sanity, and now he's gone. My best friend- someone who I thought was invincible to all harm is a casualty of war. I just can't believe it, and it hurts me every time I think that he won't be around to give one of his snide remarks, make a joke about the food, or even insult old Frank Burns. A man was brought in the other day that looks somewhat like Hawkeye, and who we were sure knew something about where he was, but he died while I was operating on him. That hit me hard, and I can't help thinking that if only I was a better surgeon I could have saved him, and my best friend.
Well, as much as I hate to end this letter that way, I think I have to. Frank just got in, and is yelling at me to turn off the light. Sweat dreams my Peg. Kiss Erin for me. I love you both with all my heart.
Love, BJ

BJ sighed, put the letter on his end table, turned out the light and went to sleep.

--------

Hawkeye froze on his tracks.

"No," he whispered tears coming to his eyes, "it can't be."

The early dawn light his a large sign in front of Hawkeye, and he was scared to believe it. He ran as fast as he could, until he was only a few yards away from the sign.

"Oh my God!" Hawkeye cried as he stared at the sign.

In bright white letters it read 'Welcome to the 4077th MASH'.

BJ sat on his cot-- the early morning light shinning through, as he wrote out a letter...

To Hawkeye
I don't know what to write to you, or how to write it. I also know it doesn't really matter because you will never read this letter. You went missing about a month ago. We've had hundreds of wounded go through here, Frank has asked Margaret out at least twice a day, and Klinger continues to try and get out of the army any way possible. The war continues to go on, and people try their best to forget the past. I think that's what scares me the most- that I'll forget the past. And that I'll forget you. You were, are my best friend I've ever had. Always there to put in a joke, or listen to me when I talk about Erin and Peg.
The new replacement comes in two days. His name is Dr. Jack Lee Forest. I already hate him. Oh God how I wish you were here. I'd do anything to for you to come ba-

"War's a funny place ain't it," BJ swung his head around to see none other than Hawkeye standing at the door, "sometimes it swallows people up, and sometimes it spits them out. Guess it didn't like me."

Tears were immediately running down BJ's face as he sat up, "We'll take you here any time Hawk."

BJ stood up, and the two meet in the middle for a long awaited hug.

"Oh God Beej I missed you," Hawkeye said hoarsely as pulled himself away.

BJ quickly wiped the tears away from his eyes, "I missed you too Hawk-- more than you'll ever realize."

It was only then that BJ did a quick up and down review of his friend to look for any damage, "You look horrible Hawk!"

"Thanks I try."

"No," BJ smiled slightly, "I mean you have so many bruises on you, you're starting to look like a purple and blue polka-dot person! And you face. You got a nice gash above your right eye. Hawk, I'm taking you to get looked over."

"We don't have to do that," Hawkeye said with a sly grin, "Give me about ten minutes in the nurses tent, and I'm sure I'll be feeling better."

BJ grinned and put an arm around Hawkeyes shoulder as they walked out the tent, "It's good to have you back Hawk, it's good to have you back."

--------

"Colonel, I really think you may want to help me examine this patient," BJ spoke to Colonel Potter once he fished him out of the mess tent.

"Blast it BJ, there are no wounded expected in for quit some time, and I plan on enjoying myself for a while this morning. What could possibly be so important about this patient that you need me there?"

"Trust me," was all BJ said as he led the way to the examination room.

Once in Colonel Potter looked around, and saw Hawkeye sitting on the table.

"Well I'll be a pickled cucumber!" Sherman cried as he made two large steps to the table, "Pierce!"

"The one and only," Hawkeye grinned.

Sherman did a quick hug to Hawkeye, then looked at him- tears brimming in his eyes, "My God Son, what happened?"

"It's a long story," Hawkeye said.

"Which I suggest," BJ interrupted, "we all listen to after we examine him."

"Right," Sherman nodded his head.

It took a mere half hour before they had completed the exam, and came to the conclusion that his worst injuries he had was the gash on his head which had started to get infected, a sprained wrist, three broken ribs and countless cuts and bruises. Immediately after that they went to the intercom where Sherman made an announcement.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of 4077th. This is your CO speaking, and I would like to say a few things. First of all, immediately proceeding this announcement all major officers will come to my office for a meeting. Second of all, I would like to say in front of everyone how happy, and overjoyed I am to announce that our very own Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce is back with us. That is all."

--------

So much noise was clouding through Colonel Potters office, that none could be recognizable as any sort of words. Most of it was sobbed 'oh my God's' and 'I can't believe it'. And in the middle of it was Hawkeye- enjoying every second of the pampering from the people that meant so much to him.

"Ok, Ok! Hold it everyone!" BJ was the one that called it all to order.

Everyone stood still and looked at BJ. Hawkeye took that moment to look around. Father Mulcahy stood in the back. His hand was clutching the golden cross around his neck, and his face supported the biggest grin that Hawkeye had ever seen on him. Klinger was sitting on the end of a desk to his right. A grin on his face, and a fur coat on his back. Next Hawkeye noticed Frank. He was standing to his left, and was smiling- tears actually brimming in his eyes. Just behind Frank was Colonel Potter. His arms over his chest, and grinning proudly. BJ was beside him, his arm around his shoulder as he spoke. Sniffles every few seconds proved to show that the tears weren't over yet with him. Then Hawkeye noticed her. Margaret. She was standing in the back of the room, tears flowing freely down her face as she continuously attempted to wipe at them to keep them under control. She was looking directly at Hawkeye, and for a moment they both just stared at each other. Taking in each others feelings, and seemingly having a conversation with no words. Hawkeye was brought back to reality when BJ continued on.

"Hawkeye, I'd like to say a few things to you, on behalf of everyone," BJ said as he looked over at his friend, "Hawk, to see you here, means so much," BJ's voice cracked and he looked down. Hawkeye put a hand on his shoulder and patted his back, "And," BJ continued after a quick wipe of his eyes, "I, we, want you to know, that you mean so much here at the 4077th. When-when you were gone, there was a part of everyone that was missing. The part that makes us laugh, the part that makes us feel better about ourselves, and even the part that makes getting drunk fun! And now, you're back. It's such a relief that you are ok, and are safe. We all love, and care for you Hawk, and- and if anything ever did happen-"

BJ stopped there, staring at his shoes. A few moments of silence went by before another voice rang through the still room.

"Here, here," Sherman grinned, and the whole room burst out into applause, people shoving their way to hug Hawkeye.

--------

"Margaret, sponge," Hawkeye said as he worked on a patient.

"Anytime doctor," the admiration shone in Margaret's voice.

Hawkeye gave a quick look at her, "How about my tent at ten?"

"In your dreams Buster," Margaret tried to make her voice stern, but couldn't help smiling as she realized how much she'd missed him.

"We'll see about that," Hawkeye replied slyly.

"Right," Sherman spoke up from the other end of the operating room as he finished up with a patient, "Pierce. I almost forgot. We're running low on gloves and caps, and someone needs to go to the 8063rd to pick them up tomorrow, how'd you like-"

Before another word could be spoken, the whole room rang out in a chorus of "NO!"

THE END