AUTHOR'S NOTE: Nope, I still don't own M*A*S*H or any of its characters.

It had been a week since Peg has visited Dr. Pierce, and he had finally received her lab results. He had called her and asked if she would be able to come in for a follow-up visit. She had agreed, slightly concerned due to the fact that whatever had shown up in her blood work was something Dr. Pierce wouldn't mention over the phone.

"I'm sure it's nothing." she muttered to herself as she sat in the waiting room once again. "He probably just wanted to see me because he didn't find anything in the lab results, and he wants to do a more in-depth physical." Unfortunately, she could not convince herself to believe what she had said. In an attempt to distract herself, she watched Erin play with some of the toys in the waiting room. Peg had been reluctant to bring Erin in with her, but since Sally had to work that day, she had no other choice. As she looked around, she noticed how empty the waiting room was. Peg was the last appointment of the day, so it looked like it would be just her, Erin, and Dr. Pierce. A few minutes went by before the nurse brought her and Erin back into the exam room.

Peg sat down with Erin on her lap and waited for Dr. Pierce, trying to get rid of her ominous feelings about what the results would show. However, before she'd had much to time to contemplate the various possibilities, Dr. Pierce walked in the room.

"Hello, Ms. Hayden." he said with a smile as he entered the room. "Well, I've figured out the cause of your –" he stopped midsentence as soon as he saw Erin.

"Hello, Doctor." Peg replied with a smile. "I couldn't find a sitter for today, so I brought my daughter. I hope it's not a problem."

"Oh no, not at all." Hawkeye muttered as he continued to stare at Erin. He knew that face. All he had to do was mentally remove the cute blonde pigtails, age her about 30 years, and stick on a cheesy-looking mustache. He was looking at the spitting-image of his army buddy B.J. Hunnicutt.

Peg noticed that he continued to stare at her daughter, and although she was slightly concerned, she tried to make small talk.

"Her name is –"

"Erin." Hawkeye exclaimed "I know that face! Of course I do, I'd have to know it: I spent a good two years looking at it every day. Or at least a similar face." By this point he was pacing around the room and making excited gestures. "But Hayden…Hayden? Of course! Floyd Hayden, his father-in-law. But if you're Peggy Hayden…Peggy…Peg?" He then looked directly at Peg. "Of course I know you! You're Peg Hunnicutt!"

Peg stared at him with wide eyes, clearly confused. Finally, she spoke. "How do you…"

Suddenly, Hawkeye realized what he must sound like to Peg: a crazy person, or worse, some kind of stalker. "Wait right here!" he told her as her left the room. He came back a minute later with a framed photograph of the gang from the 4077th. "Is this your husband?" he asked in a curious and excited voice as he handed her the picture and pointed to B.J.

Peg looked at the picture and saw her husband's smiling face looking up at her.

"Yes, but how did you…" she continued to look at the picture, and noticed that the person next to B.J. in the picture was none other than Dr. Pierce. "Wait a minute? You served with B.J. in Korea? But…oh! You must be Hawkeye."

"The one and only." Hawkeye said with a smile. "Sorry about getting so excited. But now I know why I recognize you. I heard about you almost every single day for two years. I heard the letters you wrote B.J. and ate the cakes you made for him. Gosh, I must have seen pictures of you and Erin a thousand times. This is great! So what brings you to Crabapple Cove? Is B.J. with you?" Hawkeye was clearly excited about the possibility of seeing B.J. again.

"Well, B.J. wrote a lot about you in his letters." Peg replied. "But he usually referred to you as Hawkeye, not Pierce, which is why I didn't recognize your name. Plus, I've only seen a few pictures of you." She stopped for a second, wondering how (or even if) she would explain the rest of the story. "But…B.J.'s not here…I'm visiting a friend." she answered as she turned her head away.

"Oh." Hawkeye said slowly, clearly disappointed about the fact that he wouldn't be seeing B.J. Suddenly, he started to realize that something more serious might be going on. "Wait a minute. Why are you going by your maiden name? Did…did B.J. die?"

"No!" Peg exclaimed. "Why on earth would you think that?!"

"Well, when happily married women start going by their maiden name, it leads to the conclusion that they aren't happily married anymore."

"Dr. Pierce, with all due respect, there are other reasons besides death that might cause a woman to not be happily married."

"Not with B.J. Hunnicutt." Hawkeye said firmly. "He's the strongest family man I know. He always was going on about how much he loved you and Erin and how much he missed you guys. He made me look like a real heel with women. Of course, I don't need help with that, but still…" As he said this, he looked at Peg, realizing that she clearly wasn't telling the whole story.

"Was he really like that?" Peg asked as she looked at Hawkeye, desperate for answers. "Because he's not now…and I don't know why."

"Of course he was." Hawkeye said. "Why? What's he like now?"

"I…I don't even know how to explain it." Peg said slowly as tears started to well up in her eyes. "Ever since he came home, he's withdrawn from us. He won't talk about the war, won't talk about us, he won't talk about anything. And…he gets angry." Erin had been occupying herself on the floor with some toys, but as she sensed Peg's distress, she climbed up into her mother's lap. Peg hugged her daughter for a moment before continuing. "The other day we got into a fight. It was over something silly, to be honest, but he…he almost…hit me." Peg tried to go on, but she simply couldn't. Hawkeye, meanwhile stared at her in silence. Finally, he spoke.

"I'm sorry." he said slowly. "I can't believe this is happening. War really is hell." He looked at Peg with a sympathetic look before he continued. "But you have to know that it isn't anything you did. It sounds like B.J. isn't telling you anything, but Korea was…well it was horrible. B.J. probably glorified it a bit in his letters to you, but basically it was meatball surgery. We fixed boys at the front only to send them out to get blown up all over again, or worse. And if it wasn't them, then it was watching Korean families get split apart, getting bombed and shelled constantly, and watching young people die. All without having a really good reason as to why we were there."

"I can't even imagine." Peg answered quietly. "I just wish B.J. would talk about it."

"It surprises me he doesn't." Hawkeye replied honestly. "Unless…nah."

"What?" Peg asked earnestly.

"Well…" Hawkeye said slowly, not wanting to alarm her with what he was about to say. "When I was in Korea, towards the end of the war…I had a mental breakdown. The war had just been too much for me. Of course, I had someone to help me through it…but B.J…well, maybe he's going through the same thing."

Peg sat and stared for a minute. She had regained her composure, but was now starting to cry again. Hawkeye, unsure of what else to do, opened his arms.

"Come here." he said slowly. Peg came in and let Hawkeye hold her in his arms as she cried. It was a strange feeling, but as she cried into his shoulder she almost felt like it was B.J. that was holding her in his arms. Perhaps it was because Hawkeye knew B.J. so well. He was probably one of the few people that knew B.J. like she did. She supposed that war had a way of connecting people like that. They stayed like that for a few seconds, but then Peg pulled away to try and regain her composure.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't crying in your arms like that." Peg said, clearly flustered. "You must think I'm ridiculous."

"Of course not." Hawkeye replied with a reassuring smile, trying to lighten the tone of the conversation. "Ridiculous would be the mustache your husband grew while in Korea…does he still have that thing on his face?"

"So I'm not the only one who thought it looked ridiculous!" Peg said with a smile as she wiped away her tears. "And yes, he still has it. He told me his army buddies thought it looked good."

"Well, sure, if he's listening to a crossdresser or a hillbilly kid from Iowa for fashion advice." Hawkeye answered in a snarky tone. "You know, one time I shaved half of it off while he was asleep."

"I can only imagine how ridiculous he looked with half of his mustache gone." Peg replied as she laughed. "But in all seriousness, what should I do about B.J.? I mean, I can't just give up…right?"

"Well…" said Hawkeye slowly. "I'm not sure how Beej would feel about this, but when we were in Korea, there was this psychiatrist we all knew and loved. He's the one that helped me get past my mental breakdown. I think he could help B.J. too."

"At this point, I'm willing to try anything." Peg said, clearly exhausted by what she and B.J. had been going through the past few months. "But I'm not so sure how B.J. will feel about seeing someone that has to do with the war. I mean, he won't even talk about the time he spent in Korea."

"That's the funny thing about war. No matter how hard you try to escape it, you can't. Apparently that goes for even after the fighting is done."

"I suppose so, Doctor." Peg replied as Hawkeye got up to leave the room. "Wait, Dr. Pierce. Aren't you going to tell me what my lab work said?"

"Ah." Hawkeye said with a slightly shocked look on his face. Because of the unfolding conversation about B.J., Hawkeye had forgotten the life changing news he had been waiting to tell Peg. It was just hitting him that this didn't just mean a change for a random patient…it meant changes for B.J and his family. And with everything that Peg had just told him, he was unsure as to how she would take the news.

"Did anything conclusive come back?" Peg asked. Her expression made it obvious that she was scared about the news Hawkeye was about to deliver.

"Yeah, there were some pretty conclusive results." Hawkeye said slowly as he sat back down. He paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue.

"Is it bad news?" Peg asked bluntly as she tried to put on a brave face. "Whatever it is, just tell me. I can take it."

"Well, it's not really bad…it just, y'know, might not be exactly what you're expecting right now." Hawkeye answered.

"I don't understand." Peg said slowly.

"Of course." Hawkeye muttered to himself. As much as he wanted to beat around the bush with it, he was simply going to have to tell her directly. "Ms. Hayd—er, sorry, "Mrs. Hunnic—"

"Call me Peg." she interrupted. "Sorry, go on…what is it?"

"Alright. Peg…you're pregnant."

"I'm…I'm pregnant?" Peg said quietly. She paused for a moment. "Pregnant, huh? Well, I suppose it makes sense." As she said this, she got up and started to pace around the room. "I mean, this is exactly the way I felt when I was pregnant with Erin. Minus the incredible tension with my husband, of course. What am I supposed to do, Dr. Pierce?" As she said this, she turned to Hawkeye with a look of desperation. "I don't know if B.J.'s ready to be a husband again, let alone a father for a second time."

"You said it yourself that B.J. would probably be resistant to getting help. What better motivation for help than another baby on the way? Plus, if you're pregnant, then you and B.J. must have communicated a bit more than you let on, if you know what I mean." As he said this, he got a sly smile on his face.

Peg giggled, but her face soon became serious again. "You're right. I have to do this. After all, we got through Korea. Now we just have to get through the aftermath of the war. We have to, for the sake of our child." She then gently placed her hand on her abdomen, as if to feel the tiny life within her. "You mentioned you know someone who might be able to help B.J."

"I worked with a psychiatrist over in Korea…Dr. Sidney Freedman." Hawkeye answered with a smile. "He's great. Like I said, he helped me when I had my breakdown, and I've worked with him a few times here in the states dealing with Korean veterans. I know he'd be more than willing to help B.J. Tell you what, I'll call him tonight and tell him what's been going on with B.J. From there, we'll see what he wants to do."

"Do you think he'll want to come to California and see B.J.?"

"Probably. And even if he doesn't, I'll come down there and set B.J. straight."

"Oh, Dr. Pierce, you don't –"

"It's Hawkeye" he interjected.

"Alright…Hawkeye. You don't have to do that. You've already done so much."

"No, I have to do it. I want to be there for B.J." he said firmly. "After all, he's my best friend. We kept each other from going insane back in Korea, and that job carries back over to the states. Besides, it will be worth the trip just to see the look on his face when he sees me."

Peg smiled. "Thank you Hawkeye. For everything. You know, I was never happy that B.J. went off to Korea. But I'm glad he made a friend like you while he was there."

"I'm glad I made a friend like him." Hawkeye said with a smile. "Even if he did have that stupid mustache. Do you think I can convince him to shave it?"

"Good luck with that." Peg said as she stood up. "Oh, and Hawkeye? If you do come visit, you won't mention to B.J. that I'm pregnant, will you? I really want to tell him myself, and I need to make sure he's ready to hear it."

"Of course not." Hawkeye said. "I may mention it to Sidney, I mean Dr. Freedman, when I call him, which'll be as soon as I'm free tonight." As he said this, he opened the door of the waiting room for her.

"Thank you." Peg said as she stepped through while holding Erin's hand. As Hawkeye stepped out behind them, he hummed a little tune to himself that Peg recognized instantly.

"C'est Manifique." Peg told him with a smile.

"Come again?" he asked, not exactly sure what she was referring to.

"The song you were singing. It's C'est Manifique from that new Broadway show, right?"

"I guess so." Hawkeye answered. "I just remember hearing it when I was over in Korea." As he said this, he grinned a little.

"Yeah, it is." Peg said. "I recognize the tune." As she said this, she started to sing it softly. "When love, comes in, and takes you for a spin..."

"That's the one." Hawkeye said eagerly.

"It's a favorite of mine. It always made me think of B.J. while he was gone. Anyway, it sounds like you're in a bit of a romantic mood, Hawkeye. B.J. always did say you were a bit of a womanizer. Might I remind you I'm a married woman?" As she said this, she smiled and winked, indicating that she was clearly joking around with Hawkeye.

"Yeah, because that's just what I need: B.J. punching me out back behind the school for messing with his girl." As he said it, he laughed. "Actually I have a date tonight."

"Oh really?" Peg said. "That sounds nice."

"Yeah, it'll be great. B.J. would actually be pretty surprised about it, because –" Before he could continue, Sally approached the two of them.

"Oh good, you're all done." Sally said. "Is everything ok?"

"Yes." Peg said with a smile. "I've just got a lot to tell you."

"Well, I'm all ears. Oh, and Dr. Pierce, your date is waiting up front. She seems to be getting a bit impatient."

"Of course she is. But I love it when her nostrils flair." The three of them then stepped out of the hall and into the waiting room. As they did, an attractive blonde woman wearing a pale pink dress stood and addressed Hawkeye.

"Dr…" she said in a tone that sounded irritated. However, her girlish smile revealed otherwise. "You're running late."

"Major" he replied with a grin. "All set for our date?"

"You don't have to call me Major?" she replied. "And yes, I've been ready and waiting."

"Well, you don't have to call me doctor. And I know you've been waiting…I can tell by that attractive glare on you face." As he said this, he grabbed her hand as the two of them headed to the door. "Sally, can you lock up? Oh, and Peg…congratulations. I'll talk to Sidney tonight and get back with you about what he says."

"Ok. Thank you, Hawkeye." Peg said with a smile.

"You know, I don't know why I agreed to this date anyway." The blonde woman said with a bit of a huff and a sparkle in her eye as they walked out of the door. "And who was that woman, anyway? She looks familiar."

"I know. I don't know why you agreed to these past 5 dates either." Hawkeye answered. "As for her…well, that's a story you won't believe. It all started a few days ago –" Peg and Sally didn't hear the rest because Hawkeye and his date had stepped out the door.

"Well, that was interesting." Peg said as she set Erin down.

"Every day is interesting when Dr. Pierce is involved." Sally replied with a laugh while shaking her head. "And that's not the first time that blonde woman has come around. I think her name is Margaret or something like that. But enough about them…what did he say? You're not sick are you?"

"No…just pregnant." Peg said slowly.

"You're what?! Oh my goodness, congratulations!" she said as she ran and gave her best friend a hug. "I can't believe it. Oh…but what about B.J.?"

"I don't know. But Hawkeye, I mean Dr. Pierce, knows someone who he thinks can help B.J. And he said he'll do whatever it takes to help too."

"Of course he will. This will all work out for the best. But how does Dr. Pierce think he'll be able to help B.J.?"

"It's a long story…" Peg said as they stepped out the door and Sally turned to lock it. "I'll tell you the rest when we get home."

"Well, with Dr. Pierce, it's bound to be interesting." Sally answered. They all walked to the car, and as they did, Erin turned to her mommy and asked a perceptive question.

"Momma…what's pregnant?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello again readers! Thank you for being patient in waiting for this chapter. I was crazy busy this week, and I didn't have as much time to write as I would have liked. Plus, I wanted to make sure this chapter was solid, especially since I introduced several plot twists.

There were a few references to M*A*S*H episodes in the chapter:

"The Joker is Wild" (S11, E4): This is the episode where Hawkeye shaves off half of B.J.'s mustache.

"Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen" (S11, E16): This episode is where Hawkeye goes through the mental breakdown referred to in this chapter.

"Movie Tonight" (S5, E21): In this episode, Margaret sings "C'est Manifique", a song from the Broadway musical Can-can. This is the song that Hawkeye is humming towards the end of the chapter.

I hope you all are enjoying the story. Please continue sharing any compliments, constructive criticisms, or questions you may have. I love hearing from all of you. Thanks for reading, and be on the lookout for another chapter coming soon.