It was a bright day on the 4077th, they just had breakfast and were now back at the Swamp, Chris was working on his schoolwork sitting on his cot, and Hawkeye was having a manicure done by Klinger, who was wearing his curlers and a lovely orange and white shiny kimono, topped off with a soft jacket.
Chris always liked the man's clothes, the kimono looked like silk, and the small white jacket Klinger wore with it looked very soft. All he wore was such a big contract with the big cigar he was smoking.
As Klinger scrubbed the doctor's hands, he said. " You have very strong hands, sir!" looking over the hands of the doctor.
"Oh thank you, Klinger, " Hawkeye replied. "My father gave 'em to me for graduation."
Klinger snickered at that as he brushed the nails clean.
Hawkeye, Chris, and Trapper were going on a weekend RR, which meant rest and relaxing. They planned the whole weekend already. Chris was very excited, they told him about all the nice things they would be doing, his dad would of course drink a lot, and would want a couple of hours of privacy, but the rest of the weekend they would do stuff together. And Chris would be getting some more writing and work supplies, but his dad let him know that he could pick out a toy as well when they got there.
Chris even wasn't allowed to take his schoolwork with him, he was also there for RR and he was going to get it.
The boy watched with excitement as the adults packed their things. He already had everything packed, he even already packed Wally. Chris liked to have things done early, but his dad was not as organized, as he randomly dropped a couple of Hawaiian shirts in his bag. Chris looked at the bag of his dad, it was not orderly at all, how could the man find anything in there!
Trapper was just thanking God for this weekend as Francis walked in.
"You rang?" the priest said with a gentle smile as he entered.
Hawkeye looked from the priest back at Trapper and said "I didn't know He made house calls."
The priest laughed and gave them a shopping list from some people from the camp.
Klinger apparently needed a training bra, not that the priest knew what that was, but he would give on the message and the money to buy one.
After the priest left, Henry came in with a request of his own. He asked if the doctors wouldn't mind picking up a package, a package under a fake name, because it was "old Chinese prints" and some things never change. The adults laughed at that, but Chris didn't get it.
After that Radar walked in.
"You got a shopping list too, Radar?" Hawkeye said "You want us to buy you a new pair of glasses at the dime store? "
Radar didn't appear to like the jokes very much as he ignored the man and asked for Henry's signature. There was a new shipment of plasma that just arrived.
Hawkeye and Trapper stopped packing and groaned, new plasma meant new wounded, which meant NO RR till the wounded were helped.
They were right of course as a couple of minutes later the compound floated with casualties. Busloads of them.
Chris seemed a bit disappointing about their postponed trip as he had to unpack some of his stuff from his organized suitcase. But it couldn't be helped. Hawkeye would make sure to make it up to him somehow.
Frank is in charge of triage and keeps sending patients who can't wait for treatment. Hawkeye goes outside to confront Frank, who is keeping badly wounded Chinese patients on the bus, allowing all Allied soldiers to go before them. Hawkeye overrules Frank and takes the pressing Chinese cases immediately. In 36 hours, the 4077th handled 473 cases.
It was during the late night and almost morning when the doctors finally finished and were drinking their coffee in the mess hall.
Chris was sound asleep in the Swamp, or at least Hawkeye thought he was, the boy still got out during the night but it was not that frequent anymore, or maybe the kid just got better at hiding. Hawkeye believed his son was sleeping though, he had people checking in on him, almost every hour.
Henry came in and told the crew that the Chinese contacted the 4077th directly by radio, stating they have nine wounded Americans that need more medical attention than they can provide. They ask the 4077th to send a team of doctors and corpsmen to Rainbow Bridge, which is fifty miles deep in enemy territory and twenty miles from the Chinese border. No weapons of any kind are permitted, else the exchange is off.
Frank and Margaret both think it's a trap, but Trapper said he thought they should go!
"It could be a trap, Trap. " Hawkeye told his friend seriously, he understands why Trapper wants to go, but it was dangerous, they needed to think this through!
They were arguing about it, as Radar appeared with the map of the pickup point. The Rainbow Bridge.
Frank kept talking about perfect ambush territory and the yellow horde!
Margaret kept saying they needed to be careful as the Chinese did stuff like torture, brainwashing, and, yes, even rape.
Trapper looked at Hawkeye and said, "Rape a doctor?"
"I'll hit them with my purse," Hawkeye replied
Radar walked in and helped the doctors with some more coffee.
Getting serious again Hawkeye told the people around him that he thought it was a real offer, the Chinese were more decent with their wounded than the North Koreans, and they know, the Americans were decent towards the Chinese wounded as well, so maybe they are returning the gesture.
"Yeah, but if it's not, if you guys get killed, I'll never hear the end of it," Henry said.
"Well, Henry?" Hawkeye asked
Henry sighed "Radar, we need a driver, a bus, and a corpsman"
Radar got his notebook and pencil and asked.
"Volunteers, sir?" ready to write out names.
"Thank you, Radar! I knew I could count on you." Henry replied
'Wait! What?' Radar thought as he looked at the man confused.
"Uh, uh, sir?" he tried
"Yo," Henry let the clerk know he heard him.
"Uh, excuse me but I think you volunteered me a little quick there." The clerk tried but it couldn't be helped as the rest of the group was having a heated discussion, and Henry pretended not to hear the clerk at all.
The next morning, well let's say four hours later and after three hours of sleep Hawkeye woke up, feeling even more tired than he was before he went to bed. He then had to explain the situation to Chris who looked very upset his dad would be going to the enemy territory to retrieve more wounded.
Hawkeye sighed, he hated this! He hated to disappoint his kid. He hugged Chris tight and explained why they needed to do this. Especially the dangers of doing this, he wanted his son to know how dangerous this was so he would stay put. Hawkeye knew his kid could listen to him and do as he was told, but it was tricky if danger was involved.
Hawkeye let go of the boy and put him at arm's length, as he looked him straight in his eyes as told his son to stay at this camp! Hawkeye tried to get his point across clearly! His son needed to stay here with Henry, while Hawkeye was gone.
"Don't you dare, to sneak on the bus and come along, Young man!
Or I will make sure, you won't be sitting comfortably for at least three days! "
Hawkeye said, giving his son a stern glare as he saw Chris get bright red.
Chris felt his face burn, as he thought 'come on! Why did he have to say that? Trapper was right there and his dad didn't have to say it out loud. It was embarrassing! '
He quickly nodded but his dad took hold of his chin gently and looked Chris in his eyes.
Hawkeye had to make sure Chris understood and stayed where the man wanted him. And that was safe! "Understood?"
Chris looked at the stern expression of his dad and tried to swallow away the lump forming in his throat. He was planning to come along, he couldn't let his dad go alone, it was very dangerous and Chris could lose the man. His fear was telling him that he had to come along, he had to make sure Hawkeye stayed safe.
But he didn't want to be punished for it, he just had to make sure he stayed hidden and wasn't found out, as he said, "Yes, sir."
He saw the expression of his dad soften as the man smiled relieved and ruffled the boy's hair. Chris felt a bit guilty for making his dad believe he would stay, but he just couldn't let the man leave alone!
Chris asked about the trip to find out what they were using for a vehicle, his dad explained that they would be going with an ambulance bus of course because of the wounded. Chris knew the type of bus and that the locks on those things didn't change in at least the last ten years. So he knew how to open them, as he started forming his plan.
Initially, Frank decides not to go but changes his mind at Margaret's insistence it could lead to a medal or promotion. Margaret gives Frank an antique sidearm to conceal on his body just in case.
Radar was loading the bus with the needed supplies, as he was volunteered by Henry to be the driver of the bus, he didn't blame the man, it was probably a big misunderstanding but the clerk didn't have to like it. He was glad he got to help, but this was dangerous and he was scared!
Hawkeye was saying goodbye to Chris, he hugged the boy tight and told him to behave and such before he told the child how much he loved him, this was a dangerous mission and this could be the last time they saw each other.
"I know dad… I love you too. Don't worry..." Chris said as his guilt only got worse.
"Promise me that you won't try anything rash? No running off on your own?"
The boy nodded at his dad, not daring to speak as he nervously smiled up at him, his eyes were teary but he wiped them dry with his sleeve.
The man gave his little one a quick kiss on the forehead and then went to help get the bus ready.
Chris had his little tools hidden away but ready to use in seconds to break in. He wouldn't use the door, as his dad was watching that like a hawk. He also would have to wait for the perfect moment.
As people said goodbye to each other, Chris moved to the last little window on the side of the bus. The boy made his plan earlier and after the bus arrived had moved an empty barrel that was already standing there on the side of the building a bit closer, so he could climb in easily.
It was a small window, but Chris would fit. Most of the windows were already unlocked and open, but if Chris sneaked in through any other windows he would be seen. The last windows were locked as the supplies were stored there behind the seats and beds, and those supplies made it possible for the boy to stay unseen. And he needed to be as invisible as possible.
Chris started to work, the words of his dad floating through his mind as he got the tiny iron pin out of his shoe. And pushed it carefully into the small window lock.
He didn't want his dad to follow through with his words, as he felt his insides swirl nervously. Kept telling himself that he would just have to make sure he wasn't found out, so he could watch his dad from afar and stay at a safe distance.
He had to keep reassuring himself to keep his focus on the thing he was doing. The lock fell open easily and it took only one or two minutes in total before the boy stood back next to Henry, he had to make sure his dad would think he'd stay, so the man needed to see him.
As the crew walked around the bus, Henry was explaining to a very nervous Radar how he should drive, and what to do in certain situations.
Chris walked behind his dad as Trapper reassured Radar that he would be fine.
"Yeah, the Chinese are very fond of miniatures." Hawkeye jokes
"Cut it out, sir! I'm no scareder than you are!" Radar said as he almost walked into Henry standing at the door of the ambulance.
Chris walked up to Henry to stand next to him, he was waiting for the perfect moment, while making sure he was being seen by his dad, to appear normal.
At that moment Klinger appeared, giving Chris a good reason to move a bit to the back of the bus. Klinger volunteered as well, this time however he was wearing his normal Army clothes, it would be a bit weird showing up on a wounded exchange wearing a dress, but Chris thought he looked strange this way.
Radar walked with Klinger inside the bus to show him the map and explain their plan. Hawkeye quickly scooped up and hugged Chris for the last time, as he put the child back on the ground, with a sad smile the man swept his hands through the boy's hair. Hawkeye was scared, scared that this all may be a trap and he would die and leave the small boy alone. He sighed, as he pulled himself to get, he had no choice in this.
Hawkeye faced Henry and told him to watch Chris, at that moment Frank and Margaret appeared, and Hawkeye turned his attention on the man as Chris sneaked a bit more to the back of the ambulance.
His dad gave him one last smile as he stepped inside, and sat down. He looked from out the window at his small son, standing outside nervously.
Radar sat behind the wheels and told people they were ready to go.
Before Trapper stepped inside he faced Margaret and took hold of her biceps a bit rough as he said.
"If I don't come back, honey, be sure that our son, Henry, gets a good education!"
"Oh... Stop it.." was all Margaret could say before Trapper kissed her passionately. Hawkeye cheered as he watched his friend.
This was the moment the child waited for. Just as Trapper went for the kiss, the boy quickly crawled onto the barrel, opened the window, and crept through it. He landed as softly as possible, so nobody noticed him as they had all their attention on the two kissing people.
The boy sat down and made himself invisible behind the pile of boxes and blankets. Now he just had to wait.
As Trapper released a dazed Margaret and went inside, he passed an angry Frank sputtered in outrage over Trapper's behavior but before Burns could get a full tantrum going, Hawkeye interrupted him by saying.
"As for me, I think Ralph Bellamy said it best, when he said, if I can't get the girl, at least get me more money "
Frank blew his whistle, making Radar step on the gas, and they were off. Frank fell inside the bus at the sudden movement, but quickly got up and closed the door.
Hawkeye tried to look for Chris for the last time but because of the angle of the ambulance, he couldn't see the boy as they drove off.
As the bus left, Henry looked around the compound, but couldn't see Chris. 'Maybe I should look for him.' The man thought as he wandered to the Swamp.
The bus hobbled wildly over the uneven dirt road, the brakes groaning under its considerable weight. Radar gave it his best to keep the bus steady as the roads were barely passable at all, but he knew from experience how to handle these types of things.
Next to Radar sat Klinger and behind those two sat the three doctors, further back you had the beds ready to transfer the wounded safely, and in the back of the bus stood the supplies and a small boy hiding behind it.
Chris couldn't see everything from out of his hiding place, but he could see his dad from here, so now he just had to stay put and quiet.
The drive over there was filled with stupid jokes and discussions about their route, it was incredibly dull for Chris to just sit there as they drove for hours.
But he held himself very quiet up until the point Radar drove over a rock and the boy stumbled, he almost fell face down on the floor but caught himself just in time.
"Stop the bus!" Hawkeye said he heard something at the back of the bus he didn't trust, but he was hoping he was wrong about this. 'His kid couldn't have gotten on this thing, right? How would've he done that?' The man thought as Radar slowed down and stopped the bus.
Hawkeye got up even before the bus stood still, and walked over to the back.
Chris had hastily scrambled back behind the boxes after he fell and was now looking through the small gap between the supply boxes. He saw his dad get up and walk his way, his heartbeat started beating faster as the small boy almost panicked. He never had that problem before when he was forced to steal and hide in people's houses, and some people had come close to finding him.
But this was a whole different situation, he loved his dad, and it hurt so much if the man was mad at him. Tears sprung into his eyes as he almost jumped out to beg his daddy not to get mad, and just to love him forever, without any spanking! But it was way too late for that as the ambulance was almost at their destination, and he was close to getting found.
Chris's emotions got too much as he couldn't stop the small sniffle from coming out. He didn't want his dad to be angry at him, but he was already in so much trouble.
Hawkeye almost thought he imagined the first sound before he heard the unmistakable sound of his son sniffing, he heard it enough times to know by heart. His insides turned cold as fear gripped him, and his legs were shaking. They were a FAR way into enemy territory and his son was right here!
His anger pushed away his fear as he thought about his son. His son who had promised to behave himself and his son who he should've kept safe. Hawkeye felt almost sick as he looked in the direction of the sniff and said infuriate.
"Christopher Wouter Pierce! Come here now!"
Chris almost hit his head on one of the boxes in his haste to get up, he crawled from behind the boxes and moved hastily to stand in front of his furious dad, he never heard his dad angrier than right now.
The crew gasped as Chris appeared in front of Hawkeye.
"What. Huh... How?" Radar asked, stunned. Klinger shook his head in unbelief.
Hawkeye didn't even wait for Chris to stand still as he grabbed the child's upper arm, turned, and bent him over a bit to deliver a very hard smack on the small bottom.
SMACK!*
"OWW!" The child cried but did not move away or say anything else as he started crying as he stared down at the floor, he quickly rubbed the stinging spot on his buttocks. 'That hurt!' He thought before his dad started talking in a very stern voice.
"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you exactly how dangerous this was?"
"Y-yes, Sir," Chris started crying in earnest now. " I -I'm... S-sorry." He tried to keep his voice from cracking. Tears poured down his face.
"You promised me! " The disappointment was clear in the man's voice.
Chris felt TERRIBLE, he wished he just stayed back at the camp! His dad seemed so sad and hurt by what he did. And Chris wanted to do anything to make it better.
"When we get back to the 4077th, you're getting the worst spanking of your life, Mister! You can count on that!" Hawkeye shook the child a little as he said that. He wanted Chris to know how serious he was.
Chris's eyes got even bigger as he gasped, but before he could say something about it Hawkeye delivered another slap.
SMACK!* Chris let out a high squeak and didn't even have time to be embarrassed as the second one followed right after.
SMACK!*
That one hurt even more than the one before. Chris was sobbing as he was put vertically again facing his father. His bottom still smarted as he softly caressed his backside hoping to relieve the already burning sting.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Hawkeye's voice is loud enough for everyone to hear it.
"I'm s-sorry papa" Chris whimpered out, trying not to cry anymore. Chris looked down at the floor trying to keep tears from falling. This was all going wrong. All he wanted was to know his dad was safe! He didn't want to lose him. He needed to know!
Hawkeye sighed, he hated this! He loved his kid so much, but Chris couldn't do things like this. Chris's presence here jeopardized the whole mission, not to mention the lives of everyone here!
"Pierce! Your kid is endangering this mission!" Frank yelled outraged.
"Damn it! Frank! Don't you think, I know that!"
Hawkeye sighed as he looked very disappointed at his son.
Chris hunched into himself as he saw the look his dad gave him and looked at the floor.
"Look at me!" the child's red puffy eyes snapped back to Hawkeye.
"When we are doing this exchange, you are staying on the bus! Understood? They will not even have to know that you are here!" Hawkeye said to his crying son.
"Yes, Sir!" Chris said meekly as he rubbed his bum.
Hawkeye released the boy's upper arm as he enveloped Chris in a hug. Chris sobbed as he held his father close.
Hawkeye took the boy as he sat down on one of the beds, pulling him to his chest. Chris cried into his father's jacket.
"Shh." He soothed as he pressed kisses onto the boy's forehead. "Everything is going to be alright now. I promise."
Chris was only crying harder and buried his face against his father's shoulder. Hawkeye rubbed circles on his back.
"I'm sorry, "Chris's voice sounded soft as the boy stood pressed against his father.
Hawkeye knew he was sorry, but that didn't help any of this now! He was still very angry with the boy. He'd been so careful, how did this happen, Chris should be reading comic books safely back at the 4077th right now. And instead, the boy decided to risk his life and the lives of the rest of them, by attending this exchange. He would make sure this doesn't happen again.
"You will be! I will make sure of that!" His dad told him sternly, Chris sobbed harder, but held on extra close.
Chris stood in his dad's embrace for minutes before he calmed down enough and stopped crying. He looked around with hesitation at the other people around the bus, but Radar already had the ambulance driving and the rest were completely ignoring what just happened. Chris was so embarrassed, he hated that these people knew he got smacked, above all Radar since he was his friend.
The small boy sighed as they drove further. It took about half an hour for the crew to arrive at the bridge.
They stopped the bus and slowly got out. On the other side of the bridge across from them stood several Chinese soldiers with guns, waiting for them.
The most important-looking one of them waved.
The doctors slowly made their way forwards.
"Radar, Klinger you guys stay back! " Trapper said.
They didn't need to hear that twice as they went quickly back onto the bus.
The three doctors made their way onto the bridge as the Chinese came closer as well.
Frank told the other doctors it was a good thing he brought a gun! Hawkeye looked at the man perplexed. "You brought a gun!" he whispered.
"Keep it out of sight! I would like to see my wife again!" Trapper said.
"I'd like to see anybody's wife again" Hawkeye voiced as well.
Slowly the Chinese and the doctors got closer to each other.
Chris saw his dad walk toward the armed Chinese man and his breathing stopped for a moment as the image of a dead man with a big bullet wound on his face flashed in his mind. His subconscious frightened mind told him his new dad would end up dying right now, the same way! The child felt his tears fall, as panic took over his body as he lost the battle to fear and stopped thinking, so he ran.
Just as the Chinese got close enough for Hawkeye, to see the man's facial features, he heard little running footsteps behind him, his heart sank, as he saw the Chinese pull their guns toward Chris as the small boy ran to his dad.
"Don't shoot!" Hawkeye shouted while holding his hands up. " He's my son!" He quickly tried to stand in front of Chris shielding the child with his body.
"He's just a kid!" Hawkeye said after Chris was close and stood plastered against his dad's back in seconds. Hawkeye sighed relieved, the men didn't shoot and they were still alive, the important-looking Chinese looked at him with confusion.
Hawkeye was sweating bricks as he mouthed "Please" to the man while holding a small scared boy against his back. He wasn't too proud to beg if it saved their lives, they didn't hold up their part of the agreement, so it was a big possibility the enemy will start shooting.
"He's my son!" He tried again. 'His son, who will definitely sleep on his stomach tonight!' Hawkeye thought he was livid right now. He even considered the thought of getting a slipper to spank his kid but decided against it, Chris was only ten, and he was just very scared.
Standing there looking at guns raised against him, his friends, and his son, he felt terrified. The look of terror must have shown on his face as the Chinese lowered their guns the Chinese officer looked at Hawkeye as he asked, "You brought your son to an enemy exchange?"
Hawkeye felt very relieved as he said. " Not my choice! He got some abandoned issues"
The Chinese man still looked confused but seemed to accept it as he said.
"I'm Dr. Lin Tan. Army of the people's republic."
"I'm Dr. Pierce" Hawkeye introduced himself, he pointed at the small hands around his waist as Chris stood glued at the man's back.
"This is Christopher." Hawkeye pushed his son a little to the side so that the Chinese could see him. The boy looked with red puffy eyes at Lin Tan before he hid his face against his dad's back again.
"Uh, Dr. Burns" Frank told Lin Tan before Trapper told the man his name as well.
They saluted out of respect for each other.
Dr. Tan speaks fluent English, for he attended the University of Illinois, the same university as Henry. Dr. Tan gives them explicit directions to retrieve their wounded as the Chinese soldiers cock their guns in anticipation of trouble.
As Dr. Tan shouted something in Chinese and Frank stupidly thought they were attacking and reached for his gun. In which the Chinese raised their guns as well.
"Come on, let's have it. " Trapper said, meaning that Frank should give up his gun.
But the man refused, causing Dr. Tan to explode in anger and call off the exchange. Hawkeye and Trapper stop Dr. Tan and try to reason with him.
"Look, you're doing something decent in the middle of a giant indecency! Don't endanger nine men just because some idiot wants to do his general Custer impersonation." Hawkeye said as Frank looked at him insulted.
After that, they order Frank to give up his gun. As Frank takes out his weapon, they all see the tiniest pistol probably ever made.
Dr. Lin Tan burst into laughter.
" Comes in a box of Cracker Jacks," Hawkeye added. A happy man is better than an unhappy one, and Dr. Tan seemed like a decent guy.
More people laughed, and even Frank joined them as he nervously held the firearm.
" It's also a whistle," Hawkeye added as he felt the tension go down. He felt Chris got less tense as well, but he didn't let go.
They called Radar and Klinger and started getting the wounded in the ambulance.
"Did you bring your kid to a warzone?" Dr. Tan asked Hawkeye.
Hawkeye looked at him as he carried a stretcher with a wounded soldier to the bus. "I didn't bring my kid to war, the war brought me, my kid." he got a confused look back, but Hawkeye didn't want to explain, no need for the man to know, and Hawkeye still felt very protective of his son. Facing death will do that.
Chris stayed almost precisely a step away from Hawkeye to let him do his work and stay out of the way, but he wouldn't go further than that.
The drive back went a lot easier, and even the O.R visit was short, or maybe it went a lot faster than normal because Hawkeye dreaded what he needed to do after this. Chris was not happy about it as well.
The moment they got back at camp, Hawkeye sent him to the Swamp to collect his schoolwork, he still had the evening to work on it. He then met with a nervous Henry who apologized, but Hawkeye told the man nobody saw the child get into the ambulance, it wasn't his fault.
Later while he was working in the O.R, Radar let him know Chris was very nervous and didn't work on his task, so Hawkeye knew Chris didn't do a lot of his work But couldn't blame him.
Chris would just have to work harder tomorrow.
Hawkeye sighed as he removed his gloves and bloody doctor's shrubs. He looked at the pale nervous small boy standing next to him. Chris looked up at him with big already teary eyes, as he held his book close to his chest.
'Please remember you love me, don't kill me!' Chris thought as he tried to beg his dad with his eyes to go easy on him, he knew Hawkeye loved him and wouldn't literally kill him, but spankings hurt a lot! And the earlier treats of his dad floated around in his mind. 'Worst spanking in my whole life! He said that! ' Chris thought as his tears welled up.
Hawkeye put his laundry in the basket and marched up to his son. He grabbed his right bicep and took the boy's book from him before walking off without a word. He didn't need to explain, he was sure Chris knew what was going to happen.
Chris started crying as he stepped after his dad. They neared the Swamp and Chris stopped walking, he never did that before, if his dad was mad, he always followed if the man wanted that from him, but today the words, worst spanking EVER ran through his head, and he couldn't help himself.
Hawkeye however didn't even seem to care as he just walked on dragging the boy a couple of feet. As Chris started to pull back as well the man stopped and while he didn't loosen his grip on the child, and turned to face his son, his stern expression was frightening and Chris let out a sob at the sight.
"If you don't follow me right now, Young Man! I'll hoist you over my shoulder!" Hawkeye said loudly.
Chris looked at his dad with wide eyes, he flushed, and even his ears got bright red as he quickly nodded. Without a word, Hawkeye started walking again and Chris followed him as he cried and used his left sleeve to wipe his tears away, he couldn't get them to stop falling.
With more force than he planned Hawkeye opened the door, and marched inside, he knew he had to calm down a little, he was still going on adrenaline. He sat down on Chris' cot, put down the book next to it, and put the crying child to stand in front of him.
Hawkeye took a couple of seconds to just breathe and think. He calmed down as he planned what he was about to do, he needed to make a point to his son, a serious one. He looked at the miserable-looking boy in front of him.
"I'm thinking about giving you a bare bottom spanking with a slipper, Mister!"
Chris gasped and shook his head as his eyes got big and he took a step back. His dad reached out, grabbed the boy's bicep, and pulled him back. He gave the boy a very stern look.
"You, No! We all could've died today because of you! And not only us, two but everyone there was in danger because of you! You definitely deserve a spanking with a slipper! "
Chris looked at him as he wiped the new tears. Chris looked like his life just ended. He knew he was stupid today, and he put everyone in danger, and he felt terrible, but he couldn't control himself if he got too scared.
"I'm still deciding if I should let you fetch the slipper, and you refusing to even follow me, is maybe an indication we should use it!" The doctor continued to scold.
The child shook his head as he whispered "No p-please..." He looked at his dad with tears on his face.
Hawkeye wouldn't use the slipper without letting Chris know beforehand that it was a possible punishment. But his son didn't know that, and he needed Chris to remember this for a long time. He never wanted to repeat a situation like today.
His child cried and sniffled in front of him, the boy wiped his eyes and said in a soft voice.
"Dad... I-I- I'm so sorry...Please... Don't!" Chris begged his dad, he looked at his dad with big glossy eyes.
Hawkeye took a couple of seconds to reply, to let his boy stress a little about his fate, it was nothing compared to what he went through today.
He sighed before he said.
"Okay, no slipper...But!" He pointed his finger at the boy and gave him his stern angry dad face as he said.
"Next time I will use a slipper, Young Man! Is that clear? I never and I mean NEVER want you doing something so dangerous again!"
Chris nodded and said, "Yes, sir" The slipper sounded frightening, and he would promise almost anything to make his dad less mad at him.
Hawkeye felt a lot calmer now, he hoped the threat and this spanking would work for the future. He wasted no time after that, opened the boy's pants, getting some complaining sound from Chris, and shoved them down, no need for more explanation, his adrenaline wore out and the man was getting tired, he wanted this over and done with and quickly.
He put the small boy over his knees and tightened his grip around his waist. Chris was still crying and didn't object as he got hailed over.
Hawkeye pulled the boy's briefs down to bare his small target and raised his hand.
Slap* Chris squeaked and sobbed as the first strike landed on the tender flesh of his bottom. But he didn't have time to think about it as more smacks rained down on his buttocks.
"Stop! OW! Pleaseee!..." Chris whimpered between tears. His bottom was beginning to sting from the force of the smacks. The small boy put his hands back to protect his bum, but his dad was having none of that as he took them to the side, and out of the way as he continued to slap the small bottom, which turned pink quickly.
Hawkeye didn't stop, kept a steady pace, and didn't say a word, he explained enough already.
Hawkeye hated this! He HATED the whole situation, he HATED the fear he felt as his son appeared on that bus, and he HATED spanking his son for it. The slaps didn't slow down as the man saw his red handprint manifest over and over again on the small crying boy's buttocks. Making it a deep angry pink color.
Tears streamed freely down Chris's face as more and more strikes landed on his backside.
"Please stop!" *sob* "P-papa!" "Ow!"
When the harsh slapping continued the child started to kick his legs, his hands were clenched into fists, as he tried to struggle free, but his dad held them out of the way.
Hawkeye shifted the boy higher over his knees and captured the small legs under his own before the man started smacking the boy's upper tights, he spanked the sit spot extra hard as well, Hawkeye needed Chris to feel this tomorrow. His son needed to think before doing such dangerous things.
Soon, the young boy cried out his innocence for all the world to hear.
"Please stop! OW" His small voice sounded raw from all the crying and his bottom stung even worse than ever before. He wanted to struggle but his dad had him locked into place, he couldn't escape the smacks, so he stopped struggling.
The small bottom now had a dark pink color, and Hawkeye decided he had spanked the kid enough. Chris was sobbing like crazy as he lay limp over his dad's lap. This was the worst spanking he had gotten from the man so far, so he kept his word, Sidney told him that was important with raising Chris.
Hawkeye told Chris earlier today that he wouldn't sit comfortably for at least three days if he would find him on the bus, but he just couldn't do that, at the state of the small red bottom Hawkeye knew Chris would be feeling this tomorrow but would be fine the day after that. He just hoped Chris would do anything to prevent getting in this position again in the future.
Hawkeye let the small hands go and removed his leg, releasing the sobbing boy. He put the briefs back in place before he lifted the child off his lap and stood him in front of him, Hawkeye looked down at the crying boy who was looking at him with big blue doe eyes filled with tears.
Hawkeye gently wiped away the boy's tears. "Will you listen to me next time? What you did today was so dangerous!"
Chris nodded shakily, still sniffling and wiping the tears off his face.
"I-I-I'm sorry! " he mumbled between his sobs.
He wanted a hug very much, it hurt! And he was so sad, he still felt very badly that he'd caused his dad to be this angry with him. He never meant to get into trouble, he just needed to know his dad was safe.
He hoped his dad still loved him as he let out a loud sob.
"Come here." Hawkeye held out his arms. The little crying boy leaned into Hawkeye's embrace.
Hawkeye hugged the boy tightly and kissed the top of his head. "Don't ever do anything like that again! Do you understand?"
Another nod came from Christopher. "I'm s-sorry papa." His voice quivered as he said those three words. He carefully touched his behind, it really hurt and felt warm, it was even emitting heat, that spanking was the worst one EVER! 'Never again!'
"Shh, I forgive you, Kiddo! "
Hawkeye held him tighter, rubbing the boy's back soothingly.
The crying boy clung tightly to Hawkeye as if life depended on it as the man stroked the boy's hair gently. They sat like that for several minutes, the spanking lasted only a couple of minutes but it felt so much longer, for both of them.
Chris his crying slowly stopped as his dad murmured endearments while softly rocking his son back and forth a little. "It's okay Kiddo. We'll get through this together, remember? It's just one bad day."
The boy's lip wobbled and his tears began anew. He wiped away the tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand, he always had bad days!
His dad pulled his jeans back up making him hiss in pain as the fabric touched his raw behind. Hawkeye almost rolled his eyes, the spanking wasn't that hard, it made an impression but wasn't too hard.
Hawkeye wiped some of the child's tears away as well, and said " If we are quick we can still get to Tokyo, what do you say!"
Chris seemed to cheer up a little after hearing that as he nodded, YES! He still wanted to go! Maybe he was still allowed to get a toy! He didn't dare to ask now, so he would ask tomorrow.
They started packing as Trapper came in.
"Still trying to make it!" The man said, enthusiastic.
After Hawkeye told him they still would make it, he started packing as well. Radar came in a while later, he wanted to ask Chris if he was alright, because it sounded terrible! But as he saw the people packing, he decided to help.
The Clerk collected Hawkeye's Hawaiian shirts and put them in the bag and as he turned to get Trapper's shirts, he saw both doctors sound asleep. The clerk sighed, poor men, they were looking forward to it.
Radar looked at Chris who didn't seem to notice his dad had fallen asleep and was still slowly packing, as the boy was dead tired as well.
Radar tapped the boy's shoulder, making Chris look at the clerk with expectation. "Your dad fell asleep, we should get you in bed as well," Radar said with a friendly smile as he guided the very tired child gently by his elbow to his bed.
Chris looked at his dad and felt guilty, tears started again, he hated that he cried so much, but Sidney says it was good to cry, he always says most psychiatrists are just people hired to tell adults it's okay to cry. But he still felt like a baby doing it.
Radar put his arm around him, letting Chris lean in on him.
"What's wrong? Are you sad about the trip?"
Chris shook his head as he calmed down in Radar's arms, he sighed and said. "I f-f-feel guilty!" The small boy said. Radar didn't know what to say to that but as Chris went on about his dad being so dead tired, Radar knew he could at least explain that even without Chris on the bus, they still would be this tired.
It seemed to help a little, so Radar was glad as he pulled the shoes off Trapper's feet as Chris did the same for his dad. They didn't undress them, just positioned them better and pulled the blankets up.
Radar quickly turned away and put his hand over his eyes when Chris got into his pajamas. Chris didn't understand why the man did that but he didn't ask. He was glad Radar didn't see his red bum though, that would be terrible.
After he got changed Radar even tugged him in.
"You just sleep Okay, it's gonna be all better tomorrow!" He patted the boy's head softly before leaving.
After Radar left, Chris tried to sleep but his butt was stinging uncomfortably so he turned over to sleep on his stomach. He sighed and fished Wally from under his pillow and snuggled close to it, he heard his dad snore and felt very relieved his dad was here next to him.
He listened for a while as he fell asleep.
