Title: Phone Call - Wedding (5/6)
Author: Lisa M
Pairing: BJ/Hawkeye friendship
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Nope...don't own anything. Don't sue...no money.
Archive: Anywhere...just let me know.
Feedback: Would be, like, totally awesome!
Summary: Hawkeye gets married...
A/N: Short, short, very short, almost a drabble, section. First person POV - BJ.
Here I stand, next to the man who has been my best friend for almost ten years, at the start of a new beginning.
For both of us.
I listen to them as they speak their vows to each other and I remember my own. The promises I made to Peg a lifetime ago. I touch the rings I hold in my pocket and feel my own burning a circle into my finger.
"Do you, Christine, take Benjamin to be your husband?"
"I do."
"Do you, Benjamin, take Christine to be your wife?"
"I do."
"By the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
And Hawkeye does. I watch as he presses his lips gently against hers - as he has done to mine so many times - and my heart stops beating for a moment. But I know now that it will start again. The wound in my heart, my soul, that was Hawkeye, has healed. More quickly than I ever expected, but it has healed, nonetheless.
Before we leave the church, Hawkeye and Christine find me sitting alone, near the back. I stand when they approach. Hawkeye opens his arms and I smile. I hug him tightly and then kiss his wife on the cheek.
"Congratulations, Christine. You've got yourself one hell of a man, here."
"Thanks, BJ. And thanks so much for being here for us on such a special day."
"You're very welcome." I kiss her again and she walks away.
Hawkeye and I stand and stare at each other for several long moments. I still love him. I know I do. He knows I do. And he feels the same. Of this, I have no doubt.
When he folds me into a second hug, more fierce than the first, I hear the telltale sound of dog tags rubbing together beneath my clothes. Hawkeye pulls back and meets my eyes again. I cloak the truth of my actions with my expression, but he still reaches forward and brushes the cloth covering the tags with his fingertips.
He smiles at me and I smile back.
"Thank you for being here. For being my friend. For everything."
I can hear the sadness in his voice, but I cannot allow myself to react to it. There's only one thing left for me to say, so I do.
"You will always be my friend, Hawkeye Pierce. You will live in here forever." I put his hand on my heart. "I love you and I will miss you."
I don't even allow him to respond before dropping his hand and walking away. I will attend the reception before leaving for good. That's a promise I made to Hawkeye this morning. After that, I'm not sure when - or if - I will ever see him again.
TBC