Chapter 3

Hawkeye drove to the airport, he went through customs, and boarded the plane. He normally loved traveling but this trip was scaring him to death, he was a brave person but he was falling apart. He blamed it on age, but it was because he was going to lose the one person he truly loved, and he blew it letting her walk out of his life because he was a coward. He shut his eyes, he declined the food on the flight. He hated airplane food but he knew he would be sick if he ate. He had a beautiful young lady sitting beside him, and normally he would love that but he didn't even feel like talking to her or anyone. He slept most of the flight, and woke up when the Pilot came on saying they would be arriving at their destination in 1/2 hour. Hawkeye put his seat belt on, and looked out the window.

They arrived in California, Margaret lived in Fort Ord, California. He went through customs, and walked out hoping to see John. He should be arriving here at the same time. He looked around, and saw him waving. Hawkeye walked over dropping his bag, and hugged John.

"Wow you got old Hawk"

"Look at you Trapper really"

They both laugh as they grab their bags, and walked over to the car rental place. John said he would rent the car, and they could drive together. Hawkeye waited, and they were walking to the car John choose, and Hawkeye laughed saying it was small, he would have thought John would love a big one"

"No this is fine". They got in, and Hawkeye laughed when John handed him a map, and he was looking up where they had to travel too. Hawkeye gave direction while John drove.

"How have you been Hawkeye , I can't believe you never settled down"?

"You know me Trapper, I'm a ladies man"

"You need someone to take care of you Hawkeye"

"John you are still married how did you manage that"?

"A lot of work on her part". They both laugh, as they continued driving. John looked at Hawkeye, "Lets go to the hospital, than we will book into a hotel to get some rest"

"Oh God"

"Hawkeye you are the strongest person I know, you have to do this for her"

"I don't know what to say to her other than I blew it Trapper. I loved her, and I let her go, and I have regretted it ever since"

Trapper was shocked he looked straight ahead.

"Say something Trapper"

"I knew you two had a thing, but I thought it was just sex"

"She got me through that war, along with you, and the others. She wanted me to step up, but I was a coward, I didn't want to say I love you, because I have done that before, and it ruined everything. I have wanted to call her many times, but I thought no she is living her life, and she is over me. She is married, but she asked us to come why would she do that"?

"She is our friend, what we all shared over there was what bonded us all together Hawkeye"

"I don't want to see her just to say goodbye"

"To bad Hawkeye you have to , I will make you"

Hawkeye tried to smile. "Like you can make me do anything"

"If not for her do it for me, I need you to be strong for both of us. I'm nervous, I saw so much death, but when I came home I tried to forget what I saw, and what I did, but it will forever be in my memories. It should be, we never should forget what happened, and what we did even though at times it felt like we were not winning , the Devil was. We saw so much death, and violence, but one good thing came out of that war was friendships that would last a lifetime"

"We are friends Trapper, I love you, but if you tell anyone I just said that I would have to kill you"

Trapper smiled but he saw the hospital, and he drove in, and he parked the car, and looked at Hawkeye. They both sat silent until they got out, and walked into the hospital together.