Disclaimer : Song : If that's what it takes : Celine Dion
You're the bravest of hearts, you're the strongest of souls
You're my light in the dark, you're the place I call home
You can say it's all right, but I know that you're breaking up inside
I see it in your eyes
Even you face the night, afraid and alone
That's why I'll be here
Hawkeye once again woke up, covered in sweat. His eyes were wide in fear and it took him a moment to remember where he was. His dreams lately had been filled with blood and death and sadness. His father, BJ, his patients, Margaret, all dead. And nothing he could do. By now his shakes had slowed slightly but he was still quivering.
Without thinking he stood and, in only a pair of pants since it was warm out, walked out and went through the familiar path to a Margaret Houlihan's tent. He ignored the sign that said to knock before entering and slipped in, looking down at the woman who had become such a good friend to him. Without a second thought he lay down on her bed and closed his eyes painfully, images dancing beneath his eyelids.
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
Gently Hawkeye reached out and touched Margaret's hair, running his fingers down it. Sleep still evaded him and the pain was still lurking but for one second it time he felt peace. Remembering his dream of the night before he softly whispered a promise, "I'll always protect you."
You can sleep in my arms, You don't have to explain
When your heart's crying out, baby, whisper my name
Cause I've reached out for you when the thunder is crashing above
You've given me your love
When your smile like the sun that shines through the pain
That's why I'll be there
Margaret's blinked awake and her eyes clouded slightly in worry, "Hawkeye?"
Hawkeye stared at her for a second before grabbing her and pressing her to him, both protectively and to help his own heart. "Margaret." Her name came out in a whisper as he realized her from his bear-hug but still kept his arms loosely around her waist.
He smiled slightly at her, it said everything that he couldn't, everything that he didn't have to.
When the storm rises up, when the shadows descend
Ev'ry beat of my heart, ev'ry day without end
I will stand like a rock, I will bend till I break
Till there's no more to give, if that's what it takes
I will risk everything, I will fight, I will bleed
I will lay down my life, if that's what you need
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
Without any words they both lay next to each other, arms wrapped around each other and a rain began to fall, the first rain in weeks. Neither noticed the rain beating a rhythm on the ceiling of her tent.
Margaret met his eyes, "I think I might have fallen for you, Hawkeye." He froze, suddenly consumed by conflicting emotions. As he opened his mouth to answer she put a finger to his lips, "Shh, don't answer now," They stared at each other, neither blinking and she gave a half-smile, "I just wanted to tell you."
He nodded once, the only communication they needed and she lay her head under his chin and within moment they had both fallen asleep, the storm raging around them.
Through the wind and the rain, through the smoke and the fire
When the fear rises up, when the wave's ever higher
I will lay down my heart, my body, my soul
I will hold on all night and never let go
Ev'ry second I live, that's the promise I make
Baby, that's what I'll give, if that's what it takes
If that's what it takes
Every day
If that's what it takes
Every day
The next day she awoke to an empty bed but she went about her routine as usual but in the mess tent their eyes met and they held something new that hadn't been there before and she knew, there was always after the war.