Hawkeye drove them the short distance to his house in silence. They climbed out of the car and Hawkeye gestured to the porch swing. "Let's sit." He said.

BJ followed sitting on the porch swing next to him, resting his long legs on the porch railing across from him.

"Do you know what you want, BJ?" Hawkeye asked.

BJ turned his head, meeting Hawkeye's penetrating gaze. He nodded slowly. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Hawkeye. I've never questioned or doubted that. I love you."

Hawkeye closed his eyes as a tide of emotions rushed through him. It had been over 4 long years since he'd heard that. He opened his eyes and smiled at BJ. "I love you, too." He said quietly.

BJ smiled, not quite trusting his voice to speak. In response he reached out, grasping Hawkeye's hand tightly in his own.

"So where do we live?" Hawkeye asked cautiously.

BJ cleared his throat. "Here in Maine if you want. I know living in California was difficult for you. You love it here and your dad is here."

"What about Erin? She has two years left of high school – it could be difficult for her leaving her friends."

BJ smiled. "I already discussed it with Erin before I came here. She wants her daddy Hawk back just as much as I do. I'll need a few weeks – maybe a month – to sell the house and get everything packed up. Erin's out of school for the summer so she can help with the packing."

"Okay, BJ. There's nothing else you're keeping from me is there?"

"Well, I once stole a comic book from the drugstore when I was 11. Mr. Keene caught me the next day as I was trying to return it. He agreed not to tell my parents in exchange for me helping him restock the shelves." BJ told this with a twinkle in his eye.

Hawkeye threw his head back and laughed. "That figures." He said. "Mr. Clean gets caught trying to return a stolen comic book. Me on the other hand – I got caught stealing a girlie magazine and was grounded for a month! I tried telling my mom I only took it to study the human body but she didn't buy it."

"You must not have lied convincingly enough." BJ retorted.

"Well, what do you expect? I'd just turned 10 – I was still perfecting my technique then."

BJ laughed. He looked down at their clasped hands bringing Hawkeye's up to his lips and planting a soft kiss on the back of his hand. "I know who I am and I know what I want. There's nothing else I'm keeping from you."

Hawkeye smiled sweetly and stood up, pulling BJ up with him. "I'm about ready for bed. How about you?" he asked.

"Sure. I could use a little sleep I guess." BJ replied. He couldn't quite keep the disappointment out of his voice. He wanted to go to bed – with Hawkeye – but sleep was the last thing on his mind. Focused on his own disappointment he didn't notice Hawkeye's twinkling eyes.

They went into the house and Hawkeye locked the front door behind them. Hawkeye grasped BJ's hand in his as he walked across the entryway and started up the stairs, BJ trailing along behind him. He smiled when he heard BJ's quiet intake of air as he realized it wasn't the guest room he was going to. At the top of the stairs Hawkeye strode through a double set of doors into the bedroom. He led BJ several feet into the room and stopped, releasing BJ's hand.

It was dark but BJ could make out the bed next to him and a set of sliding glass doors 10 feet from the foot of the bed. Hawkeye reached over and turned on the bedside lamp then strode across the floor to the opposite wall to slide open the sliding glass door, exposing the bedroom to the light breeze outside and the sound of the ocean's crashing waves.

It was a good-sized room. It contained a king-size bed with matching nightstands and a dresser. Above the headboard over the bed hung the sign that for 2 years of BJ's life had marked his temporary home, "The Swamp". Next to the sliding glass door was a sitting area currently empty and another door leading to the master bathroom.

Hawkeye strode back over to stand in front of BJ next to the bed. BJ reached out lightly stroking the side of Hawk's cheek. Hawkeye closed his eyes at the touch and BJ leaned in, kissing Hawkeye gently on the lips. He pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against Hawkeye's, breathing in Hawkeye's scent.

Hawkeye's arms came up to rest on BJ's waist, pulling him in closer. Hawkeye's lips touched BJ's lightly, teasing, tasting, their breaths mingling. The kiss deepened and their chemistry, always so potent flared bright.

They kissed hotly, passionately, tongues tasting, teasing and dancing as the embers denied these last 4 years caught fire. They both moaned as the kissing continued. Hawkeye tightly gripped BJ's waist as BJ slid his hands down under the hem of Hawk's shirt and up over his bare chest.

Hawkeye reluctantly pulled away from BJ, both of them breathing hard. Hawkeye pulled BJ's hands down and away from his chest. Before BJ could form a protest Hawkeye was reaching for his shirt, quickly pulling it up over his head and tossing it onto the floor. He ran one finger down the center of BJ's chest then slowly back up circling around one nipple then the other.

BJ reached for the hem of Hawkeye's t-shirt, pulling it up and off over Hawkeye's head to quickly join his own discarded shirt. He moved forward pushing Hawkeye backwards. As the back of Hawkeye's knees hit the bed BJ reached out with both hands and pushed Hawkeye backwards. Hawk fell backward onto the bed and BJ followed him down, leaning over him as their lips met in another steamy kiss.

They were both hot and hard now and wearing entirely too many clothes. Hawk tried to roll them over to gain the upper hand but BJ resisted. "No, I'm driving." BJ told him.

Hawk protested. "It's my house!" he said roughly.

"And I'm the guest so I should get what I want." Not waiting for Hawk to respond, BJ leaned down and kissed his lips, temple, jawline, trailing kisses down his neck and over his chest to the waistband of his pants. Somehow – and neither of them remember how – their clothes disappeared, leaving them naked against each other, their erections hot and hard between them.

BJ licked a trail of fire down the middle of Hawkeye's chest past his waist on down to his erection. Hawkeye groaned and arched up as BJ's hot mouth enveloped him. BJ wrapped his hand around Hawkeye stroking as he licked and sucked taking Hawkeye nearly to the edge before backing off.

"Beej . . ." Hawk pleaded, his voice husky from desire.

It was music to BJ's ears. Hawkeye had begun calling him "Beej" within days of meeting at Kempo back in Korea – and only Hawkeye had ever called him that. He hadn't heard his nickname from Hawk's lips these last few years, and even when Hawk had come to California two months ago it hadn't escaped BJ's notice that Hawk had been careful when addressing him by name – always "BJ" and never "Beej".

BJ kissed and nibbled his way back up Hawkeye's chest to his lips kissing him hotly. Each touch, each taste, each stroke was enjoyed as they rediscovered each other. Their skin grew slick with sweat, their breath coming in short gasps. BJ aligned himself with Hawkeye starring down into his intense blue eyes as he thrust their erections against each other. Hawkeye groaned, his hands coming to rest on BJ's hips helping to guide him. Their release when it came was mind-blowing. BJ collapsed on his side on the bed next to Hawkeye, laying his head on Hawkeye's shoulder, his arm flung across Hawkeye's chest. Their breathing gradually returned to normal and BJ drifted to sleep as Hawkeye stroked his back.

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He was cold. He slowly opened his eyes, looking around. The sliding door was still open - that was the main reason he was cold. The other reason was none other than Hawkeye Pierce. While Hawkeye was covered with the bed sheet, he was also lying on part of it, leaving BJ completely uncovered.

BJ grabbed part of the sheet and rolled over onto his side, his back against Hawkeye, trying to gently tug the sheet out from under Hawkeye. He felt a slight movement behind him and paused for a minute not daring to move – sensing no further movement he tugged again finally getting more of the sheet. He kicked with his foot pulling the sheet over his cold body.

BJ felt the sheet being tugged away from him. He turned his head looking back over his shoulder and a second later was pushed flat on his back, Hawkeye leaning over him. "What are you doing?" Hawk asked.

BJ smiled. "I'm trying to warm up. You stole all the covers."

Hawkeye leaned down, kissing BJ warmly. "I can think of a better way to warm you up." He mumbled as he pushed the sheet down out of the way and trailed a hand lightly down BJ's body. BJ inhaled sharply as Hawk's fingers stroked lightly between his legs. Their kisses became deeper, more passionate.

Hawkeye finally pulled away long minutes later, both of them breathing hard and highly aroused. Hawkeye moved off BJ lying on his side on the bed. BJ started to protest but was silenced as Hawkeye maneuvered BJ onto his side, Hawkeye's front pressing into BJ's back in spoon-fashion. Hawkeye ran his fingers lightly down BJ's side, pressing his lips to BJ's neck and shoulder nibbling and licking. His free hand glided down BJ's side, coming to rest on his hip. Hawkeye moved to BJ's ear, nibbling and biting on his earlobe as BJ gasped, pushing back against Hawk's throbbing arousal.

Hawkeye took the hint and thrust slowly, gently, being careful not to harm. BJ groaned in pleasure, pushing back into Hawkeye's thrusts. Their coming together was pure heaven. Hawkeye's hand trailed down over BJ's hip to his erection and he stroked firmly as his thrusts continued. Their release came almost simultaneously.

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An hour later – after showering together – they were downstairs in the kitchen having a much-needed breakfast.

The rest of BJ's stay passed quickly and pleasurably. They talked about their future together, making plans for BJ's impending move to Maine. On BJ's last night there Hawkeye surprised BJ with a candle-light dinner of lobster and wine. It was absolutely delicious. The night was spent together in bed, both reluctant to say goodbye to the other even though it was only for a short time.

They said goodbye privately before leaving. The one-hour drive to the airport was spent in silence. A few minutes into the drive BJ reached over and clasped hands with Hawk, taking comfort from the touch. At BJ's boarding gate they said goodbye with a long hug, BJ assuring Hawk he would call that night as soon as he got home.

Hawkeye stayed, watching the plane take off. Finally he turned and left, walking slowly out of the terminal to his car to begin the drive back home.

True to his word BJ called that night. Even though they had only been apart hours, they stayed on the phone a long time. Three days after returning back to California BJ had his home up for sale. A week later he turned in his formal resignation to work. Three weeks later BJ had a buyer for his house. The closing was scheduled for 2 weeks after.

Difficult as it was for BJ, he put Erin on a plane to Maine. School was starting and he didn't want to uproot Erin just a week or two into the school year – better that she start the new school year fresh in Maine. Hawkeye greeted Erin warmly at the airport – they quickly gathered her things and he took her to his home, giving her the guest room. They spent the weekend shopping and decorating the room to make it Erin's. Four days later she started school in Crabapple Cove.

Hawkeye flew out to California on the day of the closing, leaving Erin in the care of his dad for the next week. BJ picked him up from the airport, greeting him with a hug and a smile. Back at BJ's he unlocked the door and led the way into his house. Hawkeye followed behind him and barely got the door closed when BJ attacked him. BJ seemed to have developed several extra sets of hands and they were all over Hawkeye – not that Hawkeye was complaining. In fact once the initial shock rubbed off Hawkeye began participating in earnest. They didn't make it up the stairs to the bedroom as their hungry passion overtook them.

The next day BJ went and picked up the moving van he had rented and with Hawkeye's help loaded up the last of his and Erin's belongings. Most of the furniture had been sold, BJ keeping only those items that were either new or in better condition than what Hawkeye had. Two hours later – BJ's car hitched to the back of the moving van – they headed out for the long drive to Maine. It took them a week to get there – they drove steady 12 to 14 hours each day, taking turns driving.

BJ took the next week and with the help of Hawkeye and Erin unpacked their belongings and settled in. He contacted Dr. G at Portland General and the following week he started working at the hospital as a surgeon.

On New Year's Day BJ finally decided to act on an idea that had been pulling at him for the last several days. He waited until he was at work in his office – he wanted to surprise Hawkeye – and made two phone calls – one to Ottamwha, Iowa and the other to Hannibal, Missouri. After all, who could say no to these two? BJ smiled as they eagerly agreed to take care of everything. He got off the phone and sat for the next 10 minutes wondering how he was going to keep this a secret from Hawkeye for the next 7 months.

In March, Hawkeye's dad finally officially retired for good and transferred his practice to Hawkeye. Hawkeye still didn't want to be a full-time small-town doctor and neither did BJ. So they took alternating days working part of the week at the practice and part of the week at the hospital in Portland. It worked out well and the people of Crabapple Cove came to love and accept BJ.

In May Hawkeye went shopping for a wedding ring. He certainly couldn't do that in Crabapple Cove so he waited until a day he was working in Portland and took an extended lunch to go ring shopping. Things had been great between himself and BJ. They were happy and Erin was flourishing, having made friends with seemingly everyone in Crabapple Cove. He knew his commitment to BJ would not be legal and would never be acknowledged by law, but that wasn't what he wanted anyway. It was BJ he wanted to affirm his commitment to. Now he just had to find the right time, the right way to do this.

In June BJ brought up the Korean War – July would be 15 years that the Korean War ended – he wanted to commemorate that with an overnight trip to Portland for the weekend. Hawkeye was somewhat reluctant. He had never totally shaken off the demons from the war. He still sometimes had nightmares about it and while he had worked through his anxiety of being around kids, he still remembered well the woman on the bus who had smothered her baby – try as he might he would never be able to totally put that behind him – that and his subsequent stay in the wacketeria. It was a raw source of hurt with him and always would be.

BJ easily interpreted the conflicting emotions on Hawk's face. He got up and went over to Hawk hugging him tightly. "Hawk it was horrible over there. But we met some lifelong friends there and that's where I met you. And that is what I want to celebrate. If not for Korea, I wouldn't have you."

Hawk took comfort in the hug. BJ was right – without Korea they would never have met. He pulled back, smiling at BJ. "Meeting you – now that's something I want to celebrate!" he said.

BJ kissed him gently on the lips. "Great. I figure we can check into the hotel around 3:00pm and maybe test out the bed before dinner."

"That sounds great, Beej. Now why don't we test out the bed here?" With a wicked grin he pulled BJ close and kissed him on the lips. As usual the kiss turned passionate, BJ groaning when Hawkeye captured his tongue. Engrossed in each other neither heard the front door open then close, the thump as Erin dropped her roller skates on the floor, nor the sound of two sets of footsteps approaching.

Erin came into the living room a minute later with Grandpa Pierce right behind her – they stopped abruptly as she saw her dad and daddy Hawk kissing – again!

Daniel cleared his throat loudly while Erin walked across to the radio and turned it on. The sound of music – Elvis Presley – startled the kissers and they separated looking around. Spying Daniel Pierce BJ smiled nervously. Hawkeye blushed a fiery red as he hurriedly pushed BJ away from him. BJ starred, astounded. In all the years he'd known Hawkeye he had never seen the man blush.

Erin laughed as she noticed her dads' discomfiture.

"Well, maybe this is a bad time, Erin. Should we leave and come back later?" Daniel asked mildly. His blue eyes sparkled mischievously however belying his serious tone.

Hawkeye finally found his tongue and spoke. "So Erin you're home a little early."

Erin's smile was huge. She too had noticed daddy Hawk's red face. "Kim hit a small rock when we were roller skating and scrapped her knee pretty bad. We were just two blocks over from Grandpa Pierce so I ran to get him. He took her home and cleaned her knee then brought me home."

"I thought maybe you all might want to join me at Jake's for some lobster. But it appears the two of you have already moved on to dessert."

Hawkeye – whose face was just starting to return back to its normal color – blushed again and punched BJ in the arm as BJ started laughing.

"Come on, Erin. Let's go." Daniel said. He turned back to BJ and Hawkeye. "We'll be waiting out in the car. You've got 5 minutes if you want to join us." He said and walked back out of the house with Erin right behind him.

BJ gave in to his mirth, holding his stomach as he laughed. Hawkeye was still starring at the spot where his father had stood just a minute before.

"What are you laughing at?" he asked grumpily.

Finally getting his laughter under control, BJ answered. "I've known you for 17 years now Hawk. This is the first time I've ever seen you blush. It's unfortunate I didn't get a picture of it."

Hawkeye's only response was a glare as he turned and left the living room. BJ followed behind him grabbing his keys and locking the door behind him as they joined Daniel and Erin in the car.

At the restaurant Hawkeye stopped at the bar to say hi to two of his friends. BJ took that moment to quickly talk to Daniel.

"Is everything all set?"

"It's all set, BJ, stop worrying! Sherman threatened Charles with bodily harm if he didn't come, and Radar had no issues with Klinger and Margaret. Once they heard his voice they caved immediately."

BJ grinned. "I knew no one would be able to resist saying no to the Colonel or Radar. And they know when to arrive right?"

Daniel nodded. "They will not arrive at the hotel until 4:30pm. Hawkeye won't see any of them a second before you're ready."

"Good. Thanks Daniel for all your help in setting this up. I just want Hawkeye to be surprised."

Daniel nodded. "I admit, what you're doing is definitely a bit unorthodox. But I've seen Hawkeye with you and without you – he's happy with you. It's not quite official yet, but you can call me dad."

BJ swallowed hard. He was deeply touched to finally be accepted by Hawkeye's dad as a permanent member of the family. "Thank-you, sir – that means a lot to me." He said.

Daniel patted BJ on the back. "And Erin is coming with me to get everything set up. We'll be driving a car from Hank's used car lot so Hawkeye won't even recognize it."

BJ grinned. "That's great."

The topic changed as they saw Hawkeye and Erin coming to rejoin them for dinner.

tbc