Two days later, I woke up to knocking at my door. I opened it to see Margaret.
The thing about Margaret Houlihan is that, despite how obnoxious and bossy she can be, she can surprise you with her sensitivity and kindness. And this was one of those surprising times.
She looked at me with not a trace of scorn or disapproval, but rather a look of ... sympathy.
Alarms went off in my head. Something is wrong. Seriously wrong.
She took a deep breath. "They found Pierce," she began. "And... from what I saw anyway, I might be jumping to conclusions... I saw him briefly and that was it..."
"What is it!?" She was driving me crazy. "What happened?"
"Well... I don't know... He just... doesn't look too good."
I swallowed. "Can you take me to him?"
She nodded. "Of course."
I knew he shouldn't have left. I knew it... Oh Hawkeye, why Hawkeye? He was- I stopped myself. No, not was. Is. Hawkeye is the sweetest, funniest man I know. Which is why he's not dead. He can't be. The patients, Trapper they need him. I need him.
Margaret had led me to a jeep. In the back, there was a still bundle. And blood.
"He's dead." I sounded just like I felt. Hollow. But I had to see him. Just one more time. Or what was left of him.
I jumped into the jeep and crouched next to him. I gently touched him. "Oh Hawkeye, my poor Hawkeye," I whispered in a voice that I could barely hear.
"Belle? Is that you lovely?" The bundle shifted and Hawkeye lifted his head. He looked thin and weak, but he was alive!
I squealed and hugged him. "I'm so glad you're alive! I really thought I- we had lost you!"
"Whoa, take it easy. I am wounded, you know." He didn't sound angry, though.
I let go. "Sorry."
He smiled. "I knew you would miss me."
I heard Frank's voice. "What is this jeep here for? I demand to know!"
"Why do you need to know?" I don't know when Trapper showed up but he was here to challenge Frank now.
"I am in charge!"
"What?"
"Henry left. He left for Tokyo this morning to get help finding Pierce. And now I'm in charge!"
I glanced at Hawkeye. He had laid back down and closed his eyes.
"But he's already here."