A/N: Wow. Ok, 'wow' doesn't even cover it. WOW!-- that's more like it! I got 12 reviews for that last chapter!! Man, I used not even be able to get you guys to give me 5 reviews when I was bribbing you! --not complaining! :o) Anyways, I really am enjoying writing this story, and I have a feeling your going to 'hate' me even more at the end of this chapter... gives evil grin Well, you know the drill! Read and review!! ThAnKs!!
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Eyes wide, BJ read through the list scrawled harshly in Colonel Potters writing;
Patients:
Private Luis Kirk
Private Zachary Huston
Private Ernie Webbings
Private Daniel Cross
Private Maxwell Polar
Private Vincent Leslie
Corporal James Lark
Corporal Alexander Star
Corporal Justin Able
Colonel Dustin Pine
Nurses:
Mary Freeman
Sara Perch
Laura Love
Gabrielle Ginning
Doctors:
Capitan Ronald Johnston
Capitan Joseph Roots
Capitan Benjamin Pierce
Major Richard Deeds
BJ read through the names of the doctors again; hoping, praying that he was reading the third name incorrectly. A strangled gasp of 'No!' from Margaret behind him showed that, in fact, the third name on the list was that of Benjamin Franklin Pierce, Hawkeye, BJ's best friend. Slowly BJ looked up at Colonel Potter, who, for the first time, looked just as helpless as the rest of them.
"B-But," something suddenly occurred to BJ, "They said before that there was twenty patients wounded-- there's only ten names there. That means, maybe they made a mistake."
Colonel Potter shook his head sadly, "I'm sorry son. Those- those are the confirmed names-- the ones that they have the dog tags for. There's still more wounded. They've asked us to send up some people to help. If none of you feel wanting to go, I'll understand, I can just tell them--"
"I'll go," Margaret, Charles and BJ suddenly said all at the same time.
Colonel Potter looked at them stunned for a moment-- the last thing he had expected was for them all to volunteer for this.
Taking a deep breath, he thought about it for a moment, "BJ and Margaret go. Charles, I need you to stay here with me in case we get anymore wounded."
"Alright," Charles nodded and left the tent.
"Ok," Colonel Potter looked at the eager BJ and Margaret, "I want you two to report to me as soon as you get to the 8063rd-- understand?"
"But--" Margaret began to protest.
"But nothing," Colonel Potter sternly interrupted, "There is still a war on Major. Now I want you to report-- understand?"
"Yes Sir," Margaret nodded.
"Good," Colonel Potter then glanced towards the still very pale BJ, "And I'd like you to drive too Margaret. BJ doesn't quite look up to the job."
Surprisingly BJ didn't object to this and Margaret silently nodded and took the keys to one of the jeeps. A half hour later her and BJ were on the same road Hawkeye had been on only hours earlier…
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It was very bright, and as he looked around, he felt a sense of calm run over him. Blood was on his face and dripped all the way down to his hands-- where he clutched tightly a small stuffed teddy bear, and yet he felt no pain. Finally, a person came into view in the distant brightness.
"Hello?" he called out hesitantly.
"Hello Hawkeye," the voice was familiar, and suddenly the man was jolted to reality.
"Oh my God," Hawkeye stumbled, "What- what are you doing here? Where am I? What happened?" he paused for a moment, "Damn it tell me!"
There was a soft chuckle as the other man came closer, "Just calm down there Hawk. Everything will be ok."
"What happened?" Hawkeye asked again-- this time, his voice etched with fear.
"You were heading towards the 8063rd to get some information for a patient at your camp," the man explained, "You never made it though. Just outside of the 8063rd the shells started to drop, and you spotted a young girl lying at the side of the road--"
"Ty-Ling," Hawkeye whispered, remembering.
The man nodded, "She gave you her teddy and started to speak to you, but you couldn't understand. Only her name. As you tried to help her, more shells dropped. You tried to carry her to a nearby shelter, but just as you entered it another shell dropped-- right on top of the home."
Hawkeye's voice cracked as he spoke, "I remember. She- she couldn't have been older than five."
"Four and a half," the man supplied.
Hawkeye gave a small chuckle, "I remember she was really fascinated by my dog tags that hung down, and I-I took them off for her to see while I looked her over," Hawkeye closed his eyes tight in a feeble attempt to stop the tears from coming down his face, "I shouldn't have taken her to the shack. She would have made it…."
"No," the other man was in front of Hawkeye now, "She wasn't going to make it Hawkeye, and their was nothing you or anyone could have done. Her family had been hit hard by a shell just up the road, and Ty-Ling had managed to crawl away. You made her last few minutes happy ones."
Hawkeye looked up, and stumbled back at who he saw, "H-Henry…"
The former Mash commander grinned, his floppy fisherman hat and vest on him, "It's ok Hawkeye."
A sudden jolt of fear rushed through Hawkeye as he choked out the barely audible words, "Does-does this mean I'm…. that I'm dead?"
A sad look came to Henry's face before he answered...
...........to be continued.............
A/N: How was that?? Are ya all interesting in the story now? How are you liking it? I hope you are liking it, and any and all critisim is welcome! I got marshmellows ready for flames, my word processor for constructive, and a tissure for really good reviews! :o) So, my loyal readers, you've read, now review!! ThAnKs!!