The night was long and exhausting. Just as the first light of dawn began to emerge did the surgical team at the 4077th finish their duty. No patient would be answering the call of death today. While many were in critical condition, if the medicine, rest, and physical therapies did their work, they would either be receiving a hospital room in Tokyo followed by a one way ticket back to the states.
The unfortunate few would be returned to the front where death watched from afar.
But Vivi was in a state of nerves. She checked on the boy Frank had left the shrapnel in and while he seemed okay for now, she knew it was not going to last. If that shrapnel did not come out, that soldier would be in the throes of fever within a day or so, if not sooner.
She walked out of post-op, on her way to Colonal Blake's tent, she knew she had to say something and only hoped that Major's Burn and Houlihan were not there.
She jumped when she felt an arm across her shoulders.
"Good work nurse." Vivi turned to see Hawkeye looking at her. He looked exhausted, even through his trademark crooked smile, some light blood spatter left on his scrubs.
"I'm actually impressed you were able to keep ole 'Ferret Face' calm." He said. "Burns usually cannot go one shift without insulting a nurse."
"Uh yeah." She said scratching the back of her neck. "He is a bit rough."
"So what's wrong." He asked.
She looked up at him.
"I saw it in the operating room." He said. "You froze when Burns had that kid moved. Nice save with the frog in the throat excuse though. Otherwise Hot Lips would have thrown you in a fire. She can't stand to see her precious Frank insulted. They try, but it's hardly a secret they knock boots."
"Oh." Vivi said. It surprised her a bit that Major Houlihan would be interested in a man like Frank Burns. But that was gossip, not the issue she was facing now.
"So what's happening kids." A voice yelled and Trapper caught up to them and once again another arm was thrown over her shoulders.
"Just complimenting Miss Vivi on her tact with ole pain in the rear."
"Ah yeah, good move there kid." Trap said. "But we can tell, something was eating at you back there! You going to tell Hawk and me or are we going to wait till we get to Henry's?"
Vivi sighed. She had thought she could conceal her emotions pretty well, but somehow these doctors could see through her surgical mask.
"I was going to Colonel Blake's just now." She said. "I guess you two are going to tag along whether or not I object."
"So smart." Hawkeye gushed.
"Please don't patronize me doctor." Vivi said with a smile.
"He wasn't." Trap said. "Besides we were heading to Henry's anyway and see if he'll share some his good booze with us."
"If you behave, perhaps we will share."
After the night Vivi had, a good belt was very welcome.
She approached the large tent and met with Radar at his desk. Hawk and Trap though just waltzed on in.
"I hate when they do that!" Radar complained. "Hi Lieutenant McCullough, come to see Colonel Blake?"
Vivi smiled. "Yes Radar."
"One moment."
Radar walked in and the usual mishap of words between he and Colonel Blake and Vivi was ushered in. Hawk and Trap were already seated pouring glasses of gin from Henry's liquor cabinet.
Vivi stood at attention and saluted.
"At ease, lieutenant." Colonel Blake said and extended his hand. It was a strong, warm handshake. "Glad to see you came. I know your first night here was quite the doozy."
"Nothing I couldn't handle sir." She said.
"Would you like a drink?" Henry said. "In celebration of your arrival here at the four o double seven."
"Yes sir." She said.
"Sorry it's not the finest in the land." He said as he opened the cabinet. "What's your poison?"
"Vodka, if you have it sir." She said.
"Ah a lady of refined taste." Hawk said.
Blake poured the drink and handed the glass to her. Though it wasn't the best, it quenched her thirst.
"Before we get to the fun facts about Miss Vivi." Trap said. "I think something is eating at her Henry."
Colonel Blake looked at her with such concern that Vivi needed another sip of her drink. She didn't know if underneath the fishing hat and vest if Henry was a Frank Burns in disguise and she needed to be ready.
"Well if something is bothering you, please go ahead."
"Uh, sir, first off let me say this hospital runs amazingly. When I was in Germany, there was at least one soldier every surgery that would not be making it home. The fact that every soldier that came in last night has a chance of survival is commendable."
"We do try our best." Henry said.
"Come Vivi spit it out!" Hawk pleaded. "You're about to explode."
Vivi knew she couldn't keep stalling.
She opened her mouth, but the sound was drowned out, by a familiar screech.
"COLONEL BLAKE!"
"Majors Houlihan and Burns here to see you sir." Radar shuffled in, but was nearly ran over by the two Majors in obvious annoyance who stomped to Blake's desk.
"Hey this was a private meeting!" Hawkeye yelled.
"Yeah, invitation only!" Trap yelled.
"Quiet, you two!" Margaret scolded. Then she saw Vivi, who was hanging her head in embarrassment. She stood at attention and went into Soldier Vivi though when Margaret approached her.
"Lieutenant McCullough, what are you doing here!" She bellowed.
"Sorry Ma'am, I was just meeting with Colonel Blake." She said. "He had offered I'd introduce myself after last night's surgery. I felt it best to do so now before we get hit with a new wave of patients. Colonel Blake is also my superior officer and it is important I presented myself now as a member of his staff."
"And I told you that Major Houlihan had given you all the information you needed." Burns interjected. "And I can smell the booze on your breath young lady! You have been drinking haven't you!?"
Jeez, even her own father wasn't this wound up and he had seen two wars.
"I cannot lie sir." She said. "Colonel Blake did offer me a drink and I accepted since I am off shift."
Burns crossed his arms.
"See, it's happening." He said to Major Houlihan. What did I tell you!? Here we go again, another wayward nurse."
If Soldier Vivi hadn't been in full mode, Civilian Vivi would have popped him in the nose. Vivi took her career seriously. Hell it wasn't just her career, it was her livelihood and it was already being sullied by this awful excuse for a surgeon.
"Enough Burns!" Blake said standing up. "If you haven't forgotten, Lieutenant McCullough showed excellent skill and tact in the operating room and for once you didn't see it necessary to find a flaw that you just had to announce to the staff."
"That alone calls for a drink." Hawkeye said reaching for the bottle.
"And seeing that she is not underage as her file shows", Henry continued; "And the fact she is not on duty, I highly doubt one celebratory drink would turn her into the Camp Lush."
"That's us." Trap said.
Frank snarled, but Margaret stepped in.
"Well, as much as it pains me to say it I can't not argue with the Colonel on that." Margaret said. "I did warn you earlier though lieutenant, army protocol is of highest priority, please do not let yourself be swayed by those who think they are above it."
She eyed Hawkeye and Trapper.
"Yes Ma'am." Vivi said tiredly.
"Now, Major Burns and I need to speak with Colonel Blake on a private matter, so you are dismissed."
But Burns couldn't help himself.
"You met Colonel Blake now, so amscray!" He hollered and pointed to the door.
"Hey she was here first!" Hawkeye argued. But Vivi felt defeated. She had had enough. No one was going to listen until that boy became sick.
"Yes Sir." She said with a weary salute and walked out of the office, past Radar who had hopped back to his desk after listening in on their conversation.
What she didn't know was two surgeons chased after her.
"Hey wait up Vivi." Hawk said as she walked out.
"Don't let those two intimidate you." Trap said catching. "Margaret might have been an army kid, but Frank is about as army as a toy soldier. He just acts that way really to get into her tent."
"Tell us, what is going on." Hawkeye said. "You don't have to be afraid."
The sincerity in his voice made Vivi stop and face them. She could see that beneath the exhaustion of the prior evening and the impending surge of alcohol, they both were concerned. She looked around and motioned them towards the Swamp.
They followed and once Vivi was sure that she was safe from prying ears, she began to speak.
"The kid Major Burns operated on, umm, Private Stanley." She said. "There's a good possibility he needs his arm re-opened."
"What for?" Hawk asked.
"Shrapnel." She said. "I don't think Major Burns got all of it out before he closed. I am almost positive there is more in there."
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Trap asked. But Hawk gave him a look.
"Look I know I am just a nurse, but this is not my first time in an army hospital and I know shrapnel when I see it. But how could I say anything with him and Major Houlihan? I already know how Burns thinks of the nurses, and if Major Houlihan is as lovestruck as you say she is Captain Pierce, she won't listen to me."
"The stars in her eyes when she looks at him are more blinding than staring directly at the sun." Trap said.
Hawkeye motioned towards post-op.
"Come on, let's see if we got one more surgery before we hit the sack." He said.
While Burns and Houlihan gave Colonel Blake his daily talking to, Hawk and Trap brought the still unconscious Private Stanley into X-Ray. Vivi waited outside with bated breath.
When the scans developed, Trap put them under the light.
"Well I'll be." He said.
"She's right." Hawk said. While hard to see with the naked eye, a trained surgeon's eye could make out the tiny pieces of metal still lodged in the muscle of the private's arm.
"Vivi scrub up." Hawk said removing the x-ray from it's light. "You're assisting me. Trap, you mind the anesthesia! Klinger!"
Vivi had to do a double take when saw what appeared to be a thin, somewhat hairy nurse in what looked like a Red Cross nurse's gown. Except, this hairy nurse, was..a..man?
"Klinger, get this kid into the OR. Apparently Needle Nose didn't do a thorough sweep of this kid's minute bicep."
"Yes, Captain!" He said. As he worked the boy's bed he saw Vivi staring at him.
"Ah, you must be the new nurse." He said extending his hand. "Corporal Maxwell Klinger, soon to be Section 8 Corporal Klinger at your service!"
The words Section 8 made Vivi laugh as she shook his hand. Oh the wanna-be Section 8s. While rare, there were men out there that did everything they could to avoid going near any piece of a battlefront with the insanity defense. Unfortunately with the past war, Section 8s were more truth than fiction.
"Lieutenant Vivi McCullough, pleasure to meet you."
Klinger winked as he and the duty nurse moved Stanley into the OR and Vivi went to scrub up.