The 2087th

by DoctorAwesome1

The year is 1969. Margaret Houlihan is head nurse over the 2087th mobile army surgical hospital. As similar, and sometimes worse horrors are faced in Vietnam, fimiliar faces, and new ones come to befirend the head nurse, along with one California nurse who brings everyone back together, thousands of miles away from Vietnam. Slash. Warning: some strong language, death, and violence.

29. For The Love Of God

Christmas was fast approaching, and the mood of the camp wasn't as jolly when Darlene had still been alive. Shortly after her death, Colonel Dayton had announced that Nurse Heather would be permanently assigned to the 2087th. Another problem arose for Dayton in terms of trying to find another replacement, but it certainly didn't bother Sergeant Porter.

Porter burst into the nurse's tent without thinking to knock, the excitement and joy overwhelming him.

"I'm going home! I'm going home!!!"

Jo yelped as the small man almost tackled her in attempt to give her a hug.

Erin shook his hand, "Really!?"

He nodded, "Yes! Yes! Really!"

Heather simply gave him a smile, not being well acquainted with the Sergeant, but still wishing him the best.

"When do you leave?" Jo asked.

Porter held up his papers with pride, "Two days!"

"Well ain't this one hell of a Christmas gift!" Erin exclaimed.

"It certainly is, Lieutenant." He looked at Erin and Jo sadly, "I know you two and Darlene were always on my case, but I'm gonna miss you guys more than you'll ever know. This place doesn't even scratch the surface of a nightmare, but you guys... you guys always had my back, I'll never forget-"

Jo began wiping at her eyes, "Would you cut that out, Porter! Damn it! Quit with the sappy shit... just go home and be happy," she gave him a tight hug and clutched his free hand, "for the love of god, go home and be happy."

Erin embraced him, "For the love of god, get home safe and be happy."

Porter looked over to Heather. "I didn't really get to know you, ma'am, but for the love of god, keep these ladies under control when I'm gone."

Heather chuckled as a few tears escaped from her eyes. She walked over to give Porter one last hug. "For the love of god, Sergeant, just be happy."

Porter sat down on Darlene's empty cot. He sadly looked up to the others, "I wonder what she'd say right now..."

Jo gave him a weak smile, "Probably something like, for the love of god, Porter, get me a beer and shut the hell up!" She said, trying to lighten the mood.

Everyone laughed in her memory, but it quickly subsided, the sullen feeling in the tent returning.

"I just wish I had the chance to hear her say that, you know?"

Erin sat down beside him and took his hand. "We know."

For the love of god, Darlene, why did you have to die?...