Disclaimer- Obviously as I need one, there is no more to be said

I was confused by the Chinese only having 9 wounded GI's as for some reason I always expected there to be more and it got me thinking. Unfortunately. ^___^

(Please excuse the weird format regarding the speech bits, I'm not sure who's gone wrong, me or ff.net, but it doesn't seem right to me and always uploads the same.)


Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bridge


These nine are the worst, but we do have a few more who could benefit from a little extra help.
Hawkeye looked up at the Doctor.

Why didn't you bring them too?

I wasn't allowed. He knelt down besides Hawkeye and lowered his voice. My superiors did say I could bring a surgeon back with me. I can't guarantee that the prisoners will be released, but I can guarantee the safety of the doctor who goes.

Hawkeye kept his eyes fixed on the solider he was trying to stabilise and Lin Tang stood up.
Think about it, doctor, he said simply, stressing the doctor' before walking off. And Hawkeye did think about it.

He told Trapper a few minutes later. Dr. Tang watched with interest as the two argued furiously. A cry from one of the wounded ended the row and the man's injuries made it impossible for them to head back to camp that night. Dr. Tang and the men with him were quick to offer the M*A*S*H personnel hospitality and the five gladly accepted, with the exception of Frank, who was persuaded only by the thought of staying on his own.

Later, when everyone had settled down for the night, Hawkeye and Trapper started arguing again.
You go with them and you're gonna get home with a section eight stuck in your belly button!

I can't not go, came the loudly whispered reply. If I can help those guys I don't have a choice!

Uh, Hawkeye? A hesitant whisper made them both sit up.

whispered Hawkeye. What's up?

Well I heard you two whispering and I just wanted to say that I heard some of the soldiers talking about other wounded and I think that Dr. Tang is telling the truth.

Hawkeye clapped him on the back and smiled triumphantly, even though it was too dark for his expression to be seen.
Two against one! I go!

began Trapper, but he was cut off.

Trapper, don't you think I know how dangerous this is? But I don't have a choice!

The discussion' lasted for the rest of the night.
*** *** *** *** ***

Trapper had never found Henry intimidating before. But now, standing in front of him, he saw a fire in the man's eyes that had never been there before.

Are you telling me that Hawkeye, Captain Pierce, our best and therefore Chief Surgeon, just decided to waltz off with the enemy?

Yes sir.

And you let him? Henry yelled, his eyes now flashing dangerously. You, Radar, Klinger, Frank! You just waved him off without thinking maybe it could be a damn fool idea!

Trapper tried to explain, but Henry stopped him before he could even draw breath to speak.
I don't wanna hear it McIntyre. I'm not gonna wanna hear it until that man is back and here and safe!

In light of this new information Trapper decided to beat a hasty retreat. Upon reaching the Swamp he headed directly for the still.
You want one? he asked automatically. He froze as he remembered Hawkeye wasn't there and then let the glass drop from his hand as he sank slowly on to his bed.

Why the hell did you go Hawk? he asked, dropping his head in to his hands.
*** *** *** *** ***

Hawkeye didn't hear him. He wasn't listening for rhetorical questions asked by friends. He was staring in disbelief at a bullet wound as blood soaked in to his jacket and trickled lazily on to the dust beneath him.