Why does Frank always have to make things more difficult? Hawkeye thought irritated.
Chris's nightmares increased these weeks, probably because of the court trial. And it took a lot of effort from him and Chris's friends to make the child feel safe enough so that the nightmares got less frequent.
And now that he was finally doing better, Frank steps in, like always, saying the most stupid stuff. Most of the personnel watched a little bit of what they said and how they said it when Chris was near, but not Frank.
Hawkeye sighed, he shouldn't be so angry with the man, Chris was his responsibility to worry about, so it was natural that Frank didn't. But he just wished the man would think before he spoke.
It all started this morning, the moment they walked inside the mess hall Frank said.
"We know something you don't know."
Hawkeye stopped and put his hands in his pockets as he replied.
"Major Houlihan is a brunette? "
Margaret huffed and glared at the man before she snapped.
"Garbage head"
"Take one to know one," Hawkeye said.
"May I join the conversation?" BJ added.
"Keep it short." Frank snapped.
"Hi." BJ grinned at the glare from the other man. He loved irritating the Major in the morning.
"That's short," Hawkeye said.
Chris giggled.
"Ohh stop that giggling, you sound like a girl!" Frank snapped.
"Frank! He's just a kid." Margeret said, making Frank look a bit apologetic.
"Yeah, Frank, he's my kid! It would be best to remember that, next time before you start calling names." Hawkeye said. He felt Chris grab the back of his shirt as the boy stepped closer to hide a little behind his dad, using him as a barrier.
"Never mind that! Guess what's happening." Frank replied, but at least he looked a bit nervous.
"We're bugging out, retreating." Margeret voiced.
"A battalion of North Koreans is headed this way," Frank said casually.
Hawkeye felt his son starting to tremble, why did Frank have to say it like that, he could've kept that to himself, there's no need in getting the child afraid. This way, it would take a miracle if he got his kid, nightmare free in this lifetime.
BJ shrugged casually as he said. "Frank, is this something you've been dreaming about, or has the major been talking in her sleep?"
"Another garbage head!" Margeret snapped.
"Two garbage heads are better than one," BJ replied with a smile.
"What a minute, when are we supposed to bug out?" Hawkeye asked.
"Any minute. It's top secret." Frank said. "We don't want the enlisted personnel to know we're retreating."
Hawkeye looked at him confused as he said "Why? Arent, they invited?"
Chris let out a small snort as he didn't want to giggle again. Frank was probably just being mean, but he didn't know if he did sound like a girl. Or if that was a bad thing.
Hawkeye noticed Chris was a bit quiet during breakfast, and he tried to cheer the boy up. He had hoped that the mood of his kid would get better, but when they returned to the Swamp he knew it wasn't going to be so easy. The boy kept glancing at him nervously like he didn't quite believe that it was just a rumor, even though Hawkeye kept telling him it was.
The doctor took a deep breath, trying to push down his emotions. He needed Chris to be okay but he was getting a bit frustrated at this whole mess.
Thankfully Radar showed up asking if Chris wanted to help feed the animals. That definitely cheered the boy up as he got a huge smile and almost ran out the door with a laughing clerk trailing behind.
Chris loved feeding the animals, they were so cute nibbling on the vegetables, especially the rabbits. They made him think of Wally, their soft wiggling noses. Maybe he should put rabbits in the story that he was trying to write. Flying rabbits, or elephant-sized ones, would be so rad to see such a big bunny.
They stood in front of the cages when Chris looked at his friend next to him, Radar was talking softly to his pets and it made the child smile.
Radar was his best friend, he could ask about sounding like a girl, he didn't think Radar would laugh at him or something.
The small boy took a deep breath and collected his courage before he said.
"Radar?" He quickly looked back at the bunny, he didn't want to see the expression of his friend. "Do you think I sound like a girl?"
"Huh?" Radar said confused "why are you asking that?"
"F-Frank said I s-sound like a girl," Chris said. He tried to keep his stutter under control but this was scary. What if Radar thought the same? And was that a bad thing? Frank didn't make it sound like a compliment.
Radar smiled and shrugged as he said, "Frank is just being mean, you sound just like a kid to me. "
"Really?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, he's always trying to bring people down. You know… some people need that in life to make themselves feel better. Or something like that." The clerk said.
'Wow, Radar's so smart' Chris thought as he got a huge smile, Frank was just being mean, he didn't sound like a girl at all. Radar wouldn't lie about that.
"T-Thank you," Chris said softly as he gently petted the eating bunny in front of him.
"What for?"
"Just f-for making me feel better, I guess." the child said, he felt a lot calmer already. A bit embarrassed but calmer. What Radar thought of him was way more important than what Frank thought.
"Yeah sure… No problem, we short guys should stick together, right? And Frank is always being mean, I wouldn't believe anything he says." Radar said with a happy smile.
"So the bug-out is also a lie and just a rumor?" Chris asked.
Radar's smile disappeared. "Did Frank tell you that?"
Chris nodded and his eyes got big as he saw the look of horror and irritation flare across the clerk's face.
"Boy, that Klinger! I have to go, I hope the Colonel isn't mad about this." Radar quickly closed the animal cages and added a "Sorry Chris." as he ran off.
Chris felt his inside turn cold, so it was true then? He started trembling a bit. Was the rumor about the North Koreans attacking also true? He swallowed the lump in his throat, and started to run towards the Swamp, he needed his dad for this.
He ran back to the Swamp but before he arrived the intercom started speaking. "Attention all personnel! Incoming choppers! I repeat! Incoming choppers! "
Chris stopped in his tracks as he saw his dad and BJ running towards triage.
The boy sighed sadly, now nobody would have time for him. What should he do now? Nothing he could do about the rumors now, he would just have to wait.
He already finished his schoolwork but maybe he could continue his writing. He got a whole first chapter already, and he had an amazing main character, a dwarf who looked a bit like Radar. But was of course his age, and this little dwarf was learning to fight his fears, just like him and Radar. It was going to be the best story ever. He wanted to add dragons and swordfights.
He tried to calm down a little but he was still nervous. What about the North Koreans, weren't they supposed to overrun this camp anytime soon? He looked on as the adults ran around, getting the wounded ready for surgery.
He wouldn't get an answer from anyone, but he wanted to stay close to his dad, so he collected his writing stuff and headed to the O.R.
Chris was scrubbing up and jumped up a bit as Radar rushed inside. He relaxed again as the clerk ran past him to the O.R and found Hawkeye. Radar told the doctor that Colonel Potter called General Hamilton, and there is no bug-out, Hawkeye could start the spinal cord operation.
The child sighed relieved as he took his seat in the O.R. He waved at his dad, who got a big smile in return. It was all a stupid rumor. The operation sounded difficult though. His dad even looked and acted very nervous.
Chris worked for a bit on his writing, he had a whole story sort of planned out already. There were going to be dragons, monsters, and scary empty places as well. He could use a lot of stuff that happened in his nightmares anyway.
The boy tried to keep his mind busy, but he couldn't seem to concentrate.
Suddenly the bugle sounded, making the already anxious Chris jump up and drop his pencil. He quickly and nervously picked it up again, a bit afraid he disturbed his dad.
The boy looked at his dad, and Hawkeye didn't look angry, just very concentrated on his patient. His dad noticed Chris looking and nodded at him as he told him he could go and look at what was going on.
Chris rushed outside and pulled his mask down. He saw that everyone was assembled in front of the Colonel while the man held a speech.
The colonel stood confident as he told the crew about the rumors going around.
"That is grade A 100% bull cookies!" The Colonel yelled.
Chris didn't really understand what bull cookies are but he got what the man meant. And Potter seemed very sure. Chris sighed relieved, it was going to be okay. No invading North Koreans, no danger.
"I have spoken personally to General Hamilton at headquarters." The Colonel continued. "The General has assured me there's nothing to worry about! "
At that moment, Radar pushed through the crowd to get to the Colonel and handed him a note. Potter took the note and said. "MASH 4077 is definitely... " He read the note. "... bugging out in three hours! "
People just stood there for a second until the Colonel shouted.
"BUG OUT!" That got everyone moving as fast as they could. There was almost panic as they started running in every direction.
Chris was terrified, his stomach was twisting, and his heart felt like it was beating too fast inside his chest. He looked around him but couldn't see anyone else with them. Radar tried to sound the bugle to dismiss the people, but they were already gone.
Chris turned around and ran back to his dad, his heart was beating like crazy.
He ran through the door, and said "Dad!"
"Christopher! MASK!" Hawkeye snapped harshly, making the child gasp and jump out again. He timidly came out again wearing his mask.
"I-I'm sorry, " He said, he forgot and he hoped he didn't hurt the patient with his mistake. He felt tears in his eyes, but he didn't want to cry.
Hawkeye sighed, "I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have snapped like that." He really shouldn't, he knew better and mentally kicked himself for making Chris extra scared. But this was a very complex operation and he needed all his concentration on this patient.
At that moment Radar bursts through the door as well, almost tripping over the boy standing in his way.
"Hawkeye!" The clerk said as he steadied the child.
"MASK!" The doctor snapped once again. 'Really?! did everyone forget this was a hospital or something?'
Radar stopped and put his woolen hat in front of his mouth as he said. "It's true! We're bugging out in three hours."
"Oh my God, we can't stop now," Margaret said.
Hawkeye wanted to let out several curse words but managed to hold it in. He took a deep breath and said. "If the worst can happen it will. Pierce's theory of medicine."
"Everybody's supposed to start packing." Radar said before he headed out again.
Chris didn't know what to do, so he just stood there until his dad called him closer. He walked over and put his arms around the man's waist as he sniffled. He tried not to cry but he was scared, he didn't know what would happen. Are the Koreans attacking?
His dad gave him a short elbow hug, as he was still operating and in need of his hands. "It's gonna be okay Kiddo. We can do this."
Chris just buried his face deeper and sniffed. Maybe he could but he just didn't want to.
"Now listen carefully. I want you to start packing, as much as you can handle, and ask for help if you can't get the cots folded." Hawkeye said. He needed his concentration on his work, but Chris also needed him, and it tore him apart. He didn't have a choice, he needed to choose for his work, as this man would be paralyzed if he didn't. So he hoped that clear instructions and giving the child something to work on would help the boy.
"Did you hear me?" He felt a tiny nod from the child plastered around his waist. "Okay, I'm counting on you, Kiddo, it's gonna be fine. You can do this, just pack as much as you can, we will be there shortly to help"
Hawkeye knew that was a bit of a white lie, he and BJ wouldn't be finished here soon, but he needed his child busy. Nobody had time right now to watch over him.
Chris nodded again before he released a shaky breath and wiped his eyes, he couldn't help crying, no matter how much he tried.
It took some effort to let go of his dad but he managed and ran back towards the Swamp, his dad needed this from him and was counting on him. He could do this!
Getting his stuff packed didn't take that long, he had most of his stuff already neatly in his trunk, except for some clothes, Wally, and the small wooden box filled with his parent's pictures.
Sometimes he would just hold the box and feel sad, he still couldn't look inside without crying. It hurt too much, he kept seeing his father's face with a bullet wound. As well as his mother lying dead on the dirt.
Sometimes he wished he could just forget about them, but that made him feel very guilty. It wasn't fair to his parents, he loved them a lot, but he still couldn't remember everything, things stayed a bit hazy no matter how much he tried. And he loved Hawkeye as Dad, even before he remembered what a dad was, so Hawkeye replaced his dad a little and that made him feel guilty too.
He put his stuff in his trunk and started collecting his dad's stuff.
A loud explosion rang through the camp, making a shocked Chris drop his dad's clothes and bumped his knee against his dad's cot.
Tears sprung in his eyes, but he kept himself from crying. He could deal with the pain, but he was just so frustrated, scared, and sad, he hated this. He took a deep breath and ignored his painful knee and picked up the clothes again.
Chris had finally collected his dad's clothes and was now collecting everything from BJ.
Frank was screaming at people in the background, the stable patients were put in the ambulances, and street lamps, flags, and intercoms were taken down. The tents were broken down in minutes and put on the trucks.
The boy put the last of BJ's stuff in the man's trunk and started on the cots.
He could do this, he would make his dad proud of him. Even with the explosions in the background, he managed to get the heavy cot upside down, and now he was trying to fold the legs. He was almost an adult, he should be strong enough to fold those things.
But it didn't work. The cot legs refused to come down. Chris groaned as he put all his strength into one push. He threw himself on it. This resulted in the cot being shoved and slammed against his trunk. A loud thump was heard as his trunk toppled over backward, throwing everything of it with a thud that made him wince. His stomach hurt from the push but at least he had one leg down.
Chris stood and dusted off his hands as he went over to fix his trunk. The moment he saw it his insides turned cold and his breath hitched. Several things were knocked over but most importantly the little wooden box had as well. All his parent's pictures were lying in the dirt.
The child looked at the pictures showing his happy parents and tears sprung in his eyes. He wiped them away with his sleeve, but the moment he closed his eyes, those happy faces turned into bloody ones. He let out a loud sob and tried to block them. He tried to block all the memories but they kept coming back like some sort of movie reel, over and over again.
He sat down and buried his face between his arms, he couldn't even stop sobbing long enough to ask for help. He was helpless against those awful scenes. The screams from his parents were getting louder, as he relived those horrible events.
Chris didn't know how long he sat like that, but after a while, he started hearing footsteps coming his way.
"Ohh boy! Chris, what's wrong?"
Chris's heart was hammering in his chest, he wanted so badly to just disappear. He didn't want anyone to know how heartbroken and terrified he was.
Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder and he quickly flinched away from it.
" Please be okay! Hawkeye will kill me if you're not!"
Chris knew that voice and he looked up and saw through his blurry vision a very worried Radar.
"What happened? Are you hurt?" The clerk seemed pretty upset himself and Chris couldn't explain at the moment. He tried but no sound came out, he only managed a loud sob.
"Hey hey, it's okay, I'm here." Radar said, kneeling in front of the boy and trying to calm him down. He was very gentle with him, making sure he didn't scare the child again by touching him suddenly.
Radar kept talking softly to Chris but the child wouldn't stop sobbing, so Radar looked around and finally saw the fallen pictures.
The moment he saw them he knew what to do. He quickly got up and put them back in the box and put them with the boy's clothes in his trunk.
He went back and knelt so that he was on eye level with the child before he said.
"It's fine, they are not damaged or anything, I promise." Radar gently took hold of the child's biceps and got Chris standing. "You're okay too," He said before Chris grabbed the clerk's waist and buried his face into the man's chest as he sobbed.
Chris needed his friend right now, the comfort and the affection, he needed those images to stop, and Radar helped. He listened to the clerk's heartbeat and soothing voice before he finally felt himself calm down a little.
"Well, that's gonna complicate getting all this stuff out." Radar said after Chris grabbed his waist, but he let Chris cry it out as he soothing stroked the child's head. "I've got you, it's all gonna be alright."
Chris sighed, he was very glad he had a friend like Radar, it still took a couple of minutes for Chris to calm down, but the sobbing turned slowly into soft sniffles.
Radar called in a couple of guys, and Chris looked up and noticed most of the stuff was already gone and they were standing inside a mostly empty tent. The guys got everything on the trucks in no time, so Radar asked if Chris wanted to help him with his animals. The clerk thought it would be better to keep the child busy. He knew Hawkeye was busy at the moment.
Chris nodded, of course, he wanted to help. He was a bit embarrassed about crying this much again, but he knew Radar would never make fun of him. And he would do anything to help his friend.
They secured the animals together, making sure the cages were shut and they wouldn't get hurt during the trip. They carried them to the truck but Frank interfered, he refused to let the animals on the truck, even after Radar explained they were his friends and not just rodents as Frank called them.
The Major told the clerk that the animals could walk for themselves.
"Major Burns, haven't you ever had a pet of your own?" The clerk asked, trying to reason with the man.
"Just a canary. Never sang a note and it bite me." Frank snapped back.
"Maybe you didn't talk to it right." Radar said.
Chris held himself as silent as possible, he couldn't imagine Frank talking nice to a bird. That man was never nice.
"Are you telling a doctor how to talk to a bird?" The Major asked.
"Major, I can't leave 'em here. They might get killed! " Radar tried again. Chris was more and more hiding behind his friend, he wasn't really scared of Frank, but he knew the man could be very mean if he wanted to.
"Well, if you start to cry, I'll give you a good slap." Frank snapped.
Making Chris squeak a little before completely hiding behind Radar, again he was very grateful his friend was here. Radar looked like he wanted to cry, but wouldn't let himself. Frank huffed and left to scream at some other guy.
So Radar turned towards Chris and said.
"Come on, we will find something else for them."
They managed to get some of the animals hidden away on trucks but at that moment Hawkeye came stumbling out of the O.R. so Radar dismissed the boy, who seemed eager to turn to his dad.
The moment Hawkeye came close, Chris felt his tears come again, he hated feeling like this, but he couldn't help it.
Hawkeye saw Chris's eyes filling with tears and quickly developed him into a hug. His kid looked like he hadn't slept in days. Chris sobbed softly against his belly as Radar explained to the man what happened earlier.
Hawkeye sighed deeply, his kid had a really rough day so far, and it was far from over. The doctor thanked Radar multiple times before he guided the very tired child over to the Swamp.
The Swamp looked very empty like this, the trunks, chairs, and cots were gone, but the rest was still there. BJ started breaking down the still, while Hawkeye tried to soothe his kid.
So the man sat down with his son in the dirt and pulled the child onto his lap. He rubbed Chris' back as the boy sniffed, holding Chris tight against him. He explained to the boy gently that he was going to stay behind, and Chris would go to the new location with the Colonel. He couldn't come with them as he had to watch his spinal cord patient, who couldn't be moved for at least 24 hours.
This resulted in another burst of tears, but Hawkeye didn't have a choice, he had to watch his patient and this place would be overrun with North Koreans, and he must get Chris to safety.
It took a couple of long minutes but Hawkeye managed to get Chris calm again, the boy was calmer but definitely not happy. He gave Hawkeye a hurtful accusing look, which hurt the doctor more than Chris would know.
He had thrown that look a lot at his father as a kid. He knew what it felt like, that as a kid, your dad had to choose between work and you, and he always chose work. It just hurts a lot, it makes you feel like you were not important at all, even though he was the most important thing in his father's life. And Chris was the most in his.
This was a lot more extreme than what he went through as a kid, but the same pain was there and he hated it. It would be difficult getting Chris to leave.
Hawkeye went to check up on his patient, Chris refused to let him go so the boy went with him. He sat there for several minutes while Chris held on to his arm. The patient had some movement in his toes, so that was very good news.
They walked back to the Swamp, or what was left of it. The only thing standing was the poles and some of the frames. Radar was collecting the last things, as Hawkeye asked about the stuff and his still. All the stuff is in the truck, but Major Burns wouldn't let the still go on the truck.
"He wouldn't let Klinger's dresses or my animals go on the truck, neither, sir. " The clerk explained.
Hawkeye sighed as he said. "I can understand the dresses, but Snuffy and the Doo-doo twins? The Smith Brothers of the jelly bean industry."
Radar laughed before he got serious again. "Uh, can you keep a secret, sir?"
"Scouts honor," Hawkeye said.
"Were you a Scout?" Radar asked.
"No, but I was always prepared."
This seemed to be enough for Radar as he looked around for people listening in before he said.
"BJ, Klinger, and me worked out a little deal with a local for the use of his cab. He's gonna haul the still and the animals and the Klinger collection. "
Hawkeye sighed relieved and put his hand on the clerk's shoulder as he said. "Radar, when all this is over I'm gonna adopt you. "
Radar giggled as he said, "I've already got my mother and my uncle Ed."
"I'll sleep on the couch. " Hawkeye said.
With all the stuff taken care of, the Colonel was ready to leave.
The man promised Hawkeye to watch over Chris, as a father and grandfather, the man knew all the tricks and Chris wouldn't get away from him.
Hawkeye wasn't so sure as he looked at the stubborn expression from his son as he kissed him on the forehead and told him he loved him. He got a sad "love you too" whisper back while he lifted the child in the saddle. Chris would ride up front in the saddle with the Colonel so the man could keep his eyes on him.
"I mean it, Christopher, you stay near the Colonel at all times. Am I clear?" Hawkeye said as he gave the child a stern look. He didn't like the stubbornness he saw shining in those sad big blue eyes.
"Y-yes, sir." Chris quickly said softly.
"Do I have to explain what will happen if you don't?" Hawkeye asked, looking even a bit sterner.
Chris sniffed softly and shook his head as he whispered. "N-no, sir."
He felt his whole face burn from embarrassment, why did his dad have to say it like that? He knew that he would be punished if he didn't listen, but he didn't think he could ignore his fears for so long, he already was into a fleeing mindset and Hawkeye was still right in front of him. The feeling would only get worse.
His kid looked at him as though his life just ended, tears gleaming in his eyes, so Hawkeye sighed and put his hand on the back of the child's head so he could gently bring their foreheads together.
"Don't worry, Kiddo," he whispered soothingly, "It's going to be okay." The boy only sniffled but nodded, accepting this reassurance. Some lonely tears rolled down the child's face and found their way to Hawkeye's cheek as Chris tried his best to stop crying.
" I promise. " Hawkeye whispered.
Chris let out a small sob and whispered back.
"Y-you c-can't promise me that. "
Hawkeye pulled away a bit and saw the hurt expression of his son. He knew that he couldn't promise things will be fine, and he knew that he was lying right now, but he needed to be strong for Chris.
He thought it would be better this way, Chris wouldn't be helped if they both started crying, he needed a strong dad right now. He tried to sound very confident as he said. "I promise, okay? I just know."
Hawkeye kissed the child's forehead quickly before he stepped back as the Colonel wanted to leave.
The Colonel spoke loudly so everyone could hear him.
"Move Out! Yo!" and gestured for people to follow his lead.
