Disclaimer: I don't own MASH …..Yet.
Hawkeye was staring intently at the little girl who now possessed only one leg. She was so small and pale lying in such a big bed. In reality the beds were quite small, but with her in one they seemed gigantic. He had been unable to sleep, which was surprising because he had consumed a lot of martinis, a new record actually. He had no idea what had drawn him here but watching the girl seemed to comfort him. She had been washed and given clean pajamas which now hung droopily off her short arms resting on her small chest. With each breath she rose gently in a soothing rhythm. She was quite cute with long black hair and soft features. If she had been awake Hawkeye was almost certain that she would have big dark curious eyes. He stayed quiet not wanting to wake her from such a peaceful slumber, a rare gift nowadays. As he continued to stare at her he realized it was a great privilege to see such innocence. He was so caught up in watching the young girl he did not notice Colonel Potter sit next to him.
"Hello son, how're you doing?"
Hawkeye jumped in surprise.
"Oh hi Colonel." He replied then turned back toward the girl. The Colonel rested his hand gently on Hawkeye's shoulder.
"I want to talk to you about what happened today in surgery, son" The Colonel was sincere; Hawkeye could tell he really wanted to help.
"I'm sorry Colonel; I just don't want to talk right now, and there is really nothing to be said."
The Colonel nodded in defeat. "I understand son, whenever you're ready."
The two then sat in silence staring at the girl.
"I wonder what her name is." The silence was interrupted with Hawkeye's question. After several moments the Colonel replied.
"I don't know? You'll have to ask her."
Hawkeye turned toward the Colonel. "I was wondering. Do you know how she was wounded?" He had been wondering for awhile now how someone so young could've been hurt so badly. The Colonel sighed.
"One of those POW's that came in with her told me. He said she was checking her family's field for mines so it would be safe for their cow."
Hawkeye stared in horror at the Colonel. How could someone risk their child's life for the protection of a cow!
"Was anyone else with her?"
Colonel Potter nodded in response to Hawkeye's question. "Yep. Her brother was checking the field with her, killed in the blast. She was lucky they got to her in time. They say her parents weren't anywhere to be seen. Lost track of them in the commotion." He chuckled slightly, "Found the cow though."
Hawkeye didn't reply. He just stared at the girl. Her brother was dead and her parents weren't anywhere to be found. He turned toward the Colonel.
"So she's all alone?"
"Well I got Radar on the horn with some people. If anyone can find her parents it'd be Radar."
Hawkeye nodded in agreement. Radar was the best. But what if he couldn't find her parents? What then?
She would be all alone. She'd have no one. Hawkeye, who had eagerly been awaiting her return to consciousness, now dreaded it. How could he tell her, a child, she had no one?