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Dreaming Reality

Charles paused in the doorway to the swamp and was relieved to see B.J was sleeping. Trying to be as quiet as he could, he moved to his own cot to retrieve the letters from home that Klinger had delivered earlier that day.

"Peg?" B.J sat up, his eyes scanning the tent quickly.

"Uh, no...It's...it's just me..." Charles turned to look at him.

B.J sighed and rubbed his eyes; as he remembered what had happened.

"I just needed to pick something up and then I will be out of your way." Charles reached down to pick up his post.

"You don't need to run off..." B.J mumbled, his hands still covering his face. "This is your tent too."

"Yes but I must to get back to Post-Op."

"Post-Op?" B.J looked up at him. "I forgot! I'm meant to be on Post-Op duty."

"Not to worry, between the Colonel, Pierce and myself, we have your duty covered." Charles assured him.

B.J just nodded slightly in reply. While he never liked it when his friends had to do extra work to cover for him, he couldn't think of anything worse then going to face young boys who were suffering from the horrors of war while he was suffering his own personal war.

Charles headed for the door but then stopped and turned to look at B.J again. He would never admit it but there were times when he felt like he was closer to B.J and Hawkeye then his own family.

"Uh, Hunnicutt?" Charles started but couldn't find the right words.

When Charles did not continue, B.J looked up at him questionable.

"Was there, something you needed, Charles?" B.J asked, slightly irritated; he just wanted to go back to sleep where his dreams had yet to become the nightmare he was living.

"If you needed money, then I would gladly help you out."

B.J looked at him for a few seconds. "No, it's okay...I wouldn't be able to afford the interest rates."

"I did not mean...I uh..." Charles stuttered.

"Or did you want a houseboy again? Well, that wouldn't work..." B.J cut in, angrily. "Haven't you heard? My wife is dead! I'm being shipped out of here."

"I simply wanted to help and had no intention of asking for the money back or anything in return...I certainly never meant to upset you." Charles told him. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you...I'll leave now."

"Charles?" B.J called out, as the Major reached the door. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have presumed... I appreciate the offer."

"No, its is I that should apologize..." Charles walked closer to him. "My brother, Timmy...He died, while I was very young..."

B.J looked up at him in surprise. He had never heard Charles mention a brother.

"Two days later, my Father brought me the train set I had wanted...Honoria got a new doll...over the next few weeks, we got a lot of new toys...anything we wanted." Charles stared off ahead in his own little world. "You see, my Father's solution to our grief was to throw money at us...When really, all we wanted was a hug."

B.J did not know what to say, he had never seen this side of Charles before.

Charles cleared his throat, suddenly feeling awkward. He had never spoke about this to anyone.

"You're not going to hug me, are you?" B.J questioned, he could see how uncomfortable Charles was.

"Ha, no...I shall leave that to the feminine members of staff...like Klinger."

B.J smiled slightly and then stood up. He moved over to the still but stopped himself before he could pour himself a drink.

"It seems I take after my father in a way that I promised myself I would not," Charles added. "I am truly sorry for your lose and I cannot imagine what you must be feeling, right now."

B.J turned to face him again, his eyes glistening with tears. He just gave Charles a small nod in reply when he choked on the words he tried to say.

"I should get back to post-op." Charles told him but stopped at the door again. "Hunnicutt? My offer still stands, it's tough for a single parent to raise a child."

B.J closed his eyes when he heard the words 'single parent'. How could be a single parent? He had a wife, whom he loved. He should not have to do this alone.

"And it could get pretty expensive..."

"Charles, I appreciate it, I really do but...but I cannot think about it right now." B.J said. "There are more important things then money."

"Of course," Charles replied. "Just remember my offer."

"Thanks." B.J whispered as the Major left the tent.

He walked back to his cot and sat down again; leaning back, he stared up at the canvas roof.

"How about that, Peg? Major Charles Emmerson Winchester III, offering me money with no strings attached..." He spoke quietly. He paused for a moment before continuing. "I know, you're here... I can't see you or hear but I know...deep down in my heart, I know you're here...You shouldn't be here, Peg. You should be at home with Erin, our daughter...our beautiful, amazing daughter... you should be there, not here..."

He moved to lie fully down, resting his head on the pillow, where the photograph still led. He traced his wife's face with finger gently.

"But stay with me, Peg..." He whispered before closing his eyes. "Just please stay with me..."

TBC

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