Disclaimer: I don't own anything from MASH, no matter how much I would
love too, I don't so please don't sue me!
Summary: Follow Hawkeye and Margaret's life, together from the beginning!
July 16th, 1955, Hawkeye Pierce woke up to the annoying ringing of the alarm clock, he turns it off and jumps into the shower before he heads over to work at his father's private practice. It was 8:30am by the time he walked through the doors of the office.
"Good morning Ben."
"Good morning Mrs. Kensington, how are you?"
"I'm well, how are you?"
"Well also, thank you." He says, smiling at his fathers Secretary of approximately 30 years.
"Your first patient doctor." She smiles at the man that she has watched grow up since he was young lad of 3 years old.
"Thank you again... Ms. King..." He says groaning. "What's wrong with her today, a hangnail?"
Mrs. Kensington snickers and says, "Benjamin..."
"I know, I know." He says, walking back to his office, sighing heavily. "Hey dad? Why don't you take Ms. King for me?"
"I would, but she asked for you, not me." He grins.
"Ben? Ms. King is here."
"I can't wait..."
"She's all yours Hawk." Daniel smiles at his son and buries his nose in his paperwork.
"Good morning Ms. King."
"Well hello Hawkeye, how are you?"
"I am doing fine thank you." He says, as he closes the door of the examining room.
"How's the family?"
"They are doing great thank you. Cheryl was asking about you."
"Well, you tell her I said hello." Cheryl was a girl Hawkeye dated before his residency. It was Ms. King's kid sister.
"I will."
"So..." He says, sitting on the stool across from her, "What seems to be the trouble to day?"
"Well Doctor, I have been getting extremely bad headaches, and I was doing some research and I think that it could be an aneurysm."
Hawkeye has to stop himself from rolling his eyes, "An Aneurysm? Well then that is pretty serious. Now, why do you feel that you have an aneurysm Ms. King?"
"Well, my head has been throbbing and feeling like it's about to split open, and then it stops automatically."
"Uh huh." Hawkeye says, writing on her chart.
"Then I get extreme nausea with the head throbbing and it stops again!"
"Well Ms King, what you are describing sounds like the aneurysm has exploded in your head. It is extreme throbbing followed by nothing; however I don't think you have an aneurysm because if it had exploded, god forbid, you would not be around to tell us about it."
"It's not an aneurysm?!"
"No. I think what you are experiencing are migraines because you are experiencing nausea too."
"Well... the nausea isn't too bad."
"Still, any nausea present with a headache would give me reason to not think it is a migraine. So, what I am going to do is give you a medicine that is going to stop the migraines, and if you do have an aneurysm this is going to stop it."
"Oh! Well Doctor that is great! What is it called?"
"It's called Ho-John-cin. It's a remedy that I found when I was in the MASH in Korea. My one friend kept on getting these horrible headaches and one of the Koreans who lived in our unit made this up and it worked for him with in one use, but of course you have to be sure to keep taking it, twice a day for a week to be completely cured."
"Of course! Thank you Hawkeye!"
"Be sure to call us in at the end of the week to let us know how they are working, but I assure you, these will work. Let me go make them up, and I'll be right back with them."
"Alright." She says smiling.
"Mrs. Kensington, do we have any sugar in here?"
"Yes, it's above the sink, why?"
"I need it to make Ms. King some special medicine."
"Oh, ok." She says with a knowing smile.
Hawkeye goes back to the office and makes up 14 sugar pills and heads back into the Exam Room, "Alright Ms. King, here you go. Remember only take two a day, one in the morning and one after dinner, and this will clear up what ever you have in your head."
"Thank you so much Hawkeye!"
"Any time Ms. King, now you call us after your finished and tell us how the head feels."
"I will. Good bye Hawkeye."
"Good bye Ms. King." He says, showing her out. "Have a good day." And with that he closes the office door.
"So, what was the problem with Ms. King today Hawk?" Daniel asks.
"She thought she had an aneurysm." He says. "She had a horrible headache that was intense pain but suddenly let up, but it was accompanied by nausea. She did some research and said that this is what happened..."
"So what did you do?"
"I gave her some Ho-John-Cin." He says, starting to laugh. "Its sugar pills and I assured her that it would be better in a week."
"You gave her a placebo?"
"It will work... it has before." He grins.
"Your one of a kind Ben." Mrs. Kensington says, grinning.
"I'm just glad she's gone and you get her next time Dad."
"We'll see." He smiles.
"Who's next?"
"Mr. Jones, but he's my patient today, you get Denise Fields."
"How old is she now?"
"Eight."
"The last time I saw her, she was only four."
"She's changed since then. She's been complaining of an ear ache, but she also needs a physical."
"Another physical, alright." He says sighing.
"Maybe it's time you went back into surgery..."
"Dad, we went over this, I had about as much surgery as I could handle for a long time."
"Well, it seems like you are getting bored just doing the physician's job."
"Dad, I'm fine, I am not bored, and I am not going back into surgery yet."
"Alright, fine..." He says sighing as his son walks out of his office. He knows Hawkeye better than anyone... and he knew that his son was never meant to be a physician. He was too good at what he did to quit surgery, but he knew not to tell his son what to do. That was where Hawkeye was like his mother; they both had a mind of their own and were stubborn as all hell. Daniel smiles and stands up to tend to his patient.
At 5:00, Hawkeye closed up the office for his father. He sighed heavily and headed back home. He knew very well that he couldn't be a physician for much longer. He was bored and it wouldn't get better until he was able to be in surgery. He walks through the door and hears, "Hawk? Is that you?"
"Yeah Dad."
"You had a phone call about an hour ago."
"Who?"
"Colonel Potter."
This sparked the young mans interest, "Did he leave a number? What did he say?"
Daniel found his sons reaction amusing and says, "He wanted to see how you are and to have you call him back. His number is on the kitchen counter."
"Thanks." He says, quickly moving into the kitchen to place the call. He smiles as he hears the voice on the other end of the line say, "Hello?"
"Hi Colonel."
"Hawkeye! How are you son?! It's great to hear your voice!"
"I'm well thanks, how are you?"
"I'm doing great. How's Maine treating you?"
"It's Heaven as far as I'm concerned. How's Missouri?"
"Great! I put up that fence for Mrs. Potter, you know the one that she wanted for years?"
"Yeah? That's great sir. So, my father said that you called, and you have to have a reason."
"Well, we are having a little bit of a 4077th reunion out here at my house and I was calling to invite you."
"A reunion?! That sounds great! When is it?"
"August 5th, however it will be lasting a few days."
"That sounds great Colonel, I'll be sure to make it out there."
"You are more than welcome to stay at my place, or there's a hotel down the road."
"I wouldn't want to impose on you, so I'll stay at the hotel. You've seen how we lived in the Swamp."
"BJ said the same thing." Potter says laughing. "Margaret and BJ are staying for a week."
"Well then, I guess I'll be staying for a week also."
"That sounds great."
They talk for a few more minutes, and the Colonel gives him the number of the hotel before they say there goodbyes.
"Alright, so we'll be seeing you in a few weeks."
"Right Colonel."
"I'll talk to you soon!"
"See you soon." Hawkeye says, and hangs up, smiling.
"What did the Colonel want?"
"To invite me to a 4077th reunion at his house on April fifth."
"Are you going?"
"Of course! I can't wait! I haven't seen BJ in over four months, and Margaret in almost a year, Charles I haven't talked to in ages and the others I haven't seen since we left that god forsaken unit last year."
"How long are you going to be gone?"
"A week, well, that is if that's ok with you... do you think you can cover my patients?"
"I covered all the patients before you came aboard." He says grinning. "I'll manage. I think you need to go and see your friends."
"Thanks dad. I'm going to call BJ." He says as he picks up the phone to place another call.
"Hello?" Calls a females voice on the other line.
"Hi Peg."
"Oh hello Hawkeye, how are you?"
"I'm doing fine, how are you?"
"Fine, thank you."
"How's Erin doing?"
"She's doing great."
"That's good to hear. Is BJ there?"
"No, he just got called into Surgery."
"Oh, alright, well can you just tell him that I called?" Hawkeye says a bit forlorn.
"Sure. Are you going to the reunion?"
"Yeah, I'll be there. I heard that you guys were going too."
"Yeah, we are staying at the hotel."
"So am I. It's going to be a lot of fun."
"Yeah, I can't wait to meet the rest of your gang."
"You'll love them."
"Well, Erin's calling for me, so I better get going."
"Alright, just tell him that I called."
"I will. It was good talking to you Hawkeye."
"You too Peg, and I'll see you in August."
"Yes you will! Bye."
"Bye." Hawkeye says as they both hang up.
"Did you get a hold of him?"
"No, he was in surgery. I'm gonna go out for a walk. I'll be back."
"Right." Daniel says as he watches his son walk outside.
Hawkeye walked over to the ocean where he had spent many of his days thinking. He sat down on the shore and stared out into the horizon. "He just got called in to surgery..." was what kept on running through his head. That use to be him. His talents were wasting away in the routine days of being a Physician and he knew this. He was bored out of his mind doing the same thing day after day. He didn't know how his father did it day after day for over 30 years. He was going crazy after 10 months. Sighing heavily he draws his knees up to his chest, resting his chin on his knees as he watches the boats in the ocean. It dark when he decided to head home. No sooner than he opened the door did he hear his father, "Hawk?"
"Yeah." He says slightly annoyed... who else would it be?"
"Margaret called."
"Margaret?! When?!"
"About an hour and a half ago."
"What did she say?"
"To call her back when you get in."
"Alright." He says eagerly and goes to the phone and places the call. A few seconds later he hears her voice, "Hello?"
"Well hello there Major."
She instantly smiles, "Hello Captain. How are you?"
"I'm doing great, yourself?"
"I'm also doing well."
"I heard you called, so I'm returning it."
"Yes I did. I wanted to know if you were going to the Colonels house?"
"Yes, I was planning on it, and I hear you are also."
"Yeah. I just called for a room."
"I still have to do that, and schedule a flight out of here."
"I did that too. BJ told me that he's getting to Missouri around 5pm, and I'll be there about 10am so we will be meeting over at the Colonels. You'll have to let me know what time you are supposedly getting in."
"I will." He tells her. It was so good to hear her voice. He missed her more than he ever thought could be possible, just as a friend of course, or at least, that's what he kept telling himself. They continue talking for about a half an hour before Margaret had to get going to work.
"I have to get to work Hawk... the VA needs me to help with an aortic resection."
"Nothing you haven't pulled off before." He says, remembering how they saved the life of the young marine.
"Yeah, but this time the Doctor is no where near as good as you are." She says sighing.
"So I better get going. Surgeries in one hour and I have a half an hour drive over there."
"Alright Margaret, take care."
"You too Hawkeye. I'll see you soon!"
"You bet. Bye."
"Bye." She says, hating to have to hang up with him, but her job needed her. "Annie!" Margaret called to her younger sister. "Annie!"
"What?" Her sister called from the other room.
"Do you know where my keys are?"
"Out here Major." She says, smiling at her sister.
"Thanks."
"What would you do with out me Margaret?"
"I don't know... probably be late." She says, rushing past her sister. "I'll be back around 7, I hope. I'm sorry I got called in."
"No problem. Have fun." She grins. "I'll just stay here, eat your food and watch some TV."
"Right." She said, not really paying attention to her sister as she ran out the door. Her sister was visiting her from South Carolina, and she felt horrible about having to work when she was there.
Margaret and Annie were two years apart but very close. Annie knew everything there was to know about Margaret and vice versa. Annie was there to cheer Margaret up. Ever since she had gotten home from Korea here spirit was down. All she did anymore was work. Even though her older sister would never admit it, she knew that she missed all her friends from back in the Unit. Margaret could talk for hours about her stay in Korea and about the people there, especially one Hawkeye Pierce. Every story she had seemed to involve him, and every time she talked about him her eyes sparkled. It was one side of her sister that was not shown often enough. This was where the two of them differed. Margaret had always been her father's daughter, tough as nails with a soft side that only certain people got to see. She was a Major first and foremost. She worked hard to achieve that title and would probably stay in the army till she died. Annie on the other hand was more like her mother. She never got into the whole "army thing," and wore her heart on her sleeve. She wouldn't keep her emotions inside like her sister; she would show them to everyone. Both girls had great personalities and a great sense of humor, but Margaret would only show certain people that side, and even then it was quite infrequent.
Margaret got the VA Hospital in Washington DC with in minutes. She went up to the surgical floor where she was head nurse and said, "What do they need me for?"
"Major, you're needed in OR 2. Dr. Miller is waiting for you."
"Great..." She says, sighing. Miller had been after her for about three months now. She had just started stateside and was hired quite quickly. The chief surgeon there has been after her ever since. He was a good doctor, but no where near as good as one Hawkeye Pierce. The first day she was in surgery, she missed his joking and his greatness. He was the best surgeon she had ever worked with, and she missed him.
"Ah Major, we were waiting for your skilled nursing abilities to arrive."
"I got over here as soon as I could."
"Its fine, scrub up quickly and belly up to the table. This Aortic Resection is going to be a tough one."
"Yes sir." She says, as she scrubs up, "Lieutenant, I need a gown and gloves."
"Yes Major." Lt. Caryn Anderson says, frowning beneath her mask. Ever since Houlihan came to the hospital there life has been hell. She was one tough woman to work with and just about every nurse there butted heads with the Major, but they were also one of the best nursing staff's around.
"This tray is set up wrong!" Margaret grumbles. "Who works like this?!"
"I do Major." The Lieutenant says.
"Well, I thought we discussed the tray is set up like the Doctor wants, and not like the nurse wants!"
"You did Major. It won't happen again."
"I hope not." She says gruffly and continues assisting the Doctor. After a grueling two hours they are finished.
"Good work Major."
"Thank you Colonel." She says, taking off her gloves.
"So, what are you doing tonight Margaret?"
"Going straight home."
"Would you like to accompany me to a nice dinner? I am off at nine."
"No thank you, my sister is up for a week and I told her that I would be home about seven, and I plan on keeping that promise."
"Of course, perhaps next time."
"Perhaps, good night Doctor."
"Good night Nurse." He says, as she turns to walk into her office. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked through the doors to change.
"Unbelievable." She grumbles, grabbing her bag and walking out the hospital. She drove home quickly and got into the house and called, "I'm home."
"Bout time you showed up." Annie says smiling. "Are you in a better mood now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you have been moping around for a while now."
"I am not moping!"
"Margaret... I know you better than anyone... what is it?"
"What do you want for dinner?" She asks changing the subject.
"Anything is fine, and you're not getting out of this question. Why so gloomy?" She asked, helping her sister with dinner.
"No reason."
"There has to be a reason."
"I don't care to discuss it?"
"Oh come on Maggie. Is it because of him?"
"Him? Him who?" She asks, playing dumb.
"Hawkeye... do you miss him?"
"I miss everyone, but nothing is going to change that. I'm going to see them in a few weeks."
"Good... its about time." Annie mutters.
"What the hell does that mean?!"
"Nothing..."
"Nothing? Then why say it?"
"I don't know, lets just eat."
"Fine." Margaret says frowning. What the hell did she mean 'It's about time?!'
"Margaret..."
"WHAT?!"
"Never mind." Annie says, sighing as she fills two glasses with water. "So, when are you coming down to Virginia again?"
"I don't know..." She says, taking a bite of her pasta that she made for dinner. "Probably not till September."
"Oh, well that's not too bad."
"Why?"
"We miss you back home.."
"Hah, you just are sick of being in the same area alone with our parents."
"Well, that too." Annie says smiling at her older sister. "Mom's driving me crazy, and I need you to come home to take some of the heat off of me."
"What is she doing now?"
"She keeps on telling me 'You're twenty nine years old, and you have had the same boyfriend for three years, when are you two going to get married! You aren't getting any younger you know Annie!"
"And you want me to come back and have the exact same thing said about me?"
"You said it not me."
Margaret rolls her eyes and they finish eating. They stay up watching some television before they both call it a night around 11pm. Margaret's apartment had two bedrooms which proved to be convenient when friends and family came to visit. She crawled into her queen sized bed and tried to fall asleep, but her mind kept wandering to her sister telling her, "It's about time." 'Who did she think she was?! ' Margaret silently talks to herself. 'She lived with those people for three years... which happen to be the longest she has lived with people, besides her family. Of course she would miss them a lot! It will be great to see them again... to see him again...' She missed him the most, though she wouldn't admit it to anyone but herself. That kiss left an imprint in her memory that she could not shake. She had a feeling that he didn't even know how much he meant to her, and probably never would... she was a Major first and could not break her form for anyone, not even for Hawkeye. Margaret sighed heavily and stood rolled over, looking at the clock, "2am." She says aloud sighing heavily before closing her eyes until she finally drifted off to sleep.
August 4th, 1955 Back in Crabapple Cove Maine, Hawkeye was getting more bored as the days went on. He was really beginning to hate, and hate was a word he did not use too often, but HATE being a physician.
"You're all set." He says, as he finishes his third checkup of the day. "Everything looks great Mrs. Callahan."
"Well thank you Doctor." She says, as she buttons up her shirt.
"You're welcome." He says, shooting her a smile that did not reach his ears as she walked out the door. He quickly lost the smile and sighed heavily, "Thank god I have a week off." He says aloud, rubbing his eyes. "I don't know how much more I can take of this."
"How much more of what Ben?" His father says, coming into the office.
"Nothing." He says, quickly filling out the chart.
"So what time's your flight tomorrow?"
"Nine, but I'm going to head out by seven to get there in time."
"Do you need a ride?"
"No, I'm going to call a cab. No need for you having to wake up early too."
"Alright. I can pick you up from the airport."
"I'll be getting in by 8pm."
"Alright, I'll be there to pick you up."
"I'll call you when I get to Missouri." Hawkeye says, as he packs his MD bag.
"Alright." Daniel says, smiling at his son. "Well, can you have dinner ready by the time I get back?"
"Yeah, sure dad, what do you want?"
"I don't care."
"Is lasagna ok?"
"Fine."
"Alright, I'll see you at home."
"Right Ben." Daniel says smiling. Even though he was the one to give his son the nickname he goes by, he didn't always call him by it. Daniel went about his day, while his son went home to pack. He was glad Hawkeye took off half a day and was going to be away for a week. He was sick of how miserable he was all the time, and always moping around. It would do him good to get back to his MASH family and back around surgeons.
Hawkeye spend the day packing for the week excursion out to Missouri and smiled. He couldn't wait to see BJ and the Colonel and Radar and Margaret... especially Margaret. He missed her, and he could not wait to see her again. Not a day went by where he did not think about Margaret and the kiss they shared the final day at the 4077th a year ago. He had not felt like that about a woman since Carley who for the first time actually played second fiddle to Margaret. He smiled as he packed a smile that touched his ears. 'You never know how much you miss people until you don't see them every day.' Hawkeye thinks. Only one more day till he gets to see his friends who he lived with for three years.
At Five Thirty, Hawkeye has dinner finished and on the table as his father walks through the door. "Hawk?"
"In the kitchen." He says, making himself a martini.
"Smells good."
"Thanks... I just showered." He says, grinning at his father.
"Clever."
"I thought so."
"Are you packed?"
"Almost. I have a few more things to grab, but other than that yeah."
"That's good." He says taking a bite out of his food. "Benjamin..."
"What?" Hawkeye asks, looking him in the eyes as soon as he heard his full name.
"I said this before... I think it's time for you to start getting back into surgery. You are miserable in my practice."
"And you know this because you are tuned into my feelings? That you know everything about me?"
"Yes. I know that you were never meant for this type of doctoring and you are just fooling yourself staying in a job that you hate."
"I don't hate it Dad. I like it... it's just..."
"Repetitious. I know that Ben, and you aren't cut out for it. You son, are a fine surgeon, one of the best there are and being a Physician just isn't complimenting your skills."
"I'm not ready to go back."
"And I will keep you in my office until you are ready, but you have to start looking. It's time that you at least thought about heading to surgery."
"I know, and I will, after I come back from the reunion."
"Alright. Now that we have that settled, what are you going to do when you see the Major?"
"Dad!" Hawkeye says smiling and shaking his head. "I'm going to say Hello. What do you expect me to say?" He grins like a little imp.
After they finish eating, Daniel says, "I'll do the dishes, you finish packing."
"You don't have to tell me twice." He says. He absolutely hated to do the dishes and has ever since he was a child. He tried his hardest to get out of it.
The next morning he was off to Missouri. The entire flight he smiled. He was very anxious to get to the hotel. He constantly checked his watch during the four hour journey halfway across the continent until they FINALLY touched down at 12:00. He then hailed a taxi to take him to the hotel and checked in.
"Hi, welcome to the Hannibal Inn."
"Thank you. I have a room reserved under Dr. Ben Pierce."
"Ah yes, Dr. Pierce." She says, checking her book. "You are in room 415, and here is your key."
"Thank you. Could you possibly tell me if Dr. Hunnicut and Margaret Houlihan checked in yet?"
"Of course sir." She says smiling. "Ms. Houlihan is checked into Room 426, and Dr. Hunnicut has not checked in yet."
"Ok, thank you." He says, smiling as he headed to the elevator and up to his room He opened the door, and quickly unpacked and went to look for the Major. He went to room 426 and knocked on the door.
"Just a minute." He heard her call, a few seconds before she opened the door.
"HAWKEYE!" She says, smiling.
"Hello Major." He says, smiling as he pulls her into a hug.
"It is so good to see you!"
"You too. You look good."
"Thank you, so do you." She says, still smiling. "Would you like to come in? I just talked to Colonel Potter."
"Sure, and what did he say?" He asks, following her into the sitting part of the hotel.
"He says to come on over about six for dinner."
"That sounds good. BJ should be here by then too."
"Great. I can't wait to meet Peg and Erin."
"They are everything that BJ said they were. Erin is the cutest little girl."
"She's three now isn't she?"
"Yeah. I saw them back in January. I now know why BJ talked so much about them."
"So, how do you like being a physician?"
"It's alright."
"Just alright?"
"Yeah. I am really starting to get bored with the whole physical thing. I say 'Open Up' more than a dentist."
"I doubt it." She says, smiling. "Why don't you go back to surgery if you're bored?"
"I don't know... I guess I'm just not ready."
"I think you are... I mean you are already bored asking Crabapple Cove to say Ah, so maybe it's just time to move back into your field."
"When I go home I am going to be starting to look for surgical positions, but I'm only looking."
"Well, that's a start." She says, smiling.
Margaret and Hawkeye spend the afternoon talking until BJ arrived.
"What time is it?"
"Four O'Clock." Hawkeye says looking at his watch.
"I guess BJ is arriving soon."
"Yeah. I think I'm gonna go and see if he's here yet. Do you want to come?"
"No, that's ok. You go and see him and come on back here when you guys are ready to go to the Colonel's."
"Alright." Hawkeye says as he walks downstairs to the lobby. He smiles as he sees his best friend getting handed his room key. "Well, look who it is." He says, getting the taller man's attention.
"Hawkeye." BJ says, smiling as he walks over towards him. They embrace in a hug and pull apart. "How are you Hawk?"
"I'm good, how are you?"
"Also good."
"Hi Peg." Hawkeye says kissing her cheek.
"Hi Hawkeye."
"And Erin, my gosh you have grown since the last time I saw you." He says.
"Hi Uncle Hawk!" She says, hugging him. Hawkeye saw them only a few months ago.
"What time did you get here?"
"Around noon."
"Did you see Margaret yet?"
"Yeah. What room are you in?"
"Room 415, what about you?"
"402."
"Margaret's in 426."
"Sounds good." BJ smiles as they go upstairs.
"Colonel Potter says to come on over for dinner around six, if you want too."
"That sounds good, what do you think Peg?" He asks his wife eagerly.
"I don't think I have the heart to say no even if I didn't want to go." She smiles as she puts Erin down.
"Well, go round up Margaret, and we'll come over to your room when we are settled in." BJ tells his best friend.
"Sounds good. I'll see you in a few minutes." Hawkeye says as he sets off to fetch Margaret. He knocks on her door and she opens it within seconds.
"Did they get here?"
"Yeah, come on down to my room. They are going to be meeting us there."
"Ok, let me just grab my purse."
"Alright." He says, smiling.
They make there way back to his room and wait for about five minutes before BJ and Erin come through the door.
"Peg's on her way." He says, putting Erin down on the floor. "Hello Major."
"Hello Captain." Margaret smiles and hugs BJ. "It's been a while."
"It definitely has... let's not let it happen again." He says, letting her go.
"And you, must be Erin." Margaret says, kneeling next to the child.
"Yes." She says, smiling, but grabs onto her father's leg.
"You are a pretty thing." Margaret says smiling.
"Thank you." Erin says, smiling shyly.
"This is your Aunt Margaret." BJ says to the three year old. "She was with Daddy and Uncle Hawk in Korea."
"Oh." She says, still playing a bit shy with the new woman.
"Where's Peg?" Hawkeye asks.
"She'll be here in a few minutes."
"Good, then we can leave." Margaret says. "I'm looking forward to meeting her."
"She is looking forward to meeting you too."
"Hey Erin, I have something for you." Hawkeye says to the little girl.
"What?"
"A present."
"What is it?!" She asked, her eyes shining.
"Would you like to come with me and see?"
"Yup!" She says, taking her honorary uncle's hand and heads to his bag on his bed. He pulls out a book and a little bag of candy for the little child. "Oh!" She says happily,
"Daddy! Look!"
"What do you have there?"
"Book and candy!" She says smiling.
"Uncle Hawk is a nice guy isn't he?"
"He always did have his ways with the ladies." Margaret says grinning. "Do you like books Erin?"
"Yes!" She says, looking at Margaret.
"Erin, is uncle Hawkeye spoiling you?" Peg asks as she walks into the hotel room.
"Yup." She says not really knowing what that means, but she always agrees with her mother.
"I thought so." Peg says, turning her attention to Margaret, "You must be Margaret."
"I am, which means you must be Peg."
"I am." She says, shaking the Major's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you Margaret."
"Likewise."
"Open Mommy." Erin says, handing her the small bag of candy.
"No honey, not till after dinner."
"Please?"
"Not till after dinner Erin."
Erin sighs and asks her daddy, "Daddy?"
He smiles and shakes his head no, "After dinner. We have to go to the Colonel's house."
"If you all are ready, I'll call a cab." Hawk smiles.
"Sounds good." BJ says and with in minutes, they are at the front gates of the Potter Household.
Margaret walks up to the front door and knocks. The door quickly opens reveling the
Colonel standing there smiling, "Well look at all of you!" He greats them, "You all look wonderful." He hugs Margaret and gives her a kiss on the cheek, "How are you my dear?"
"Fine Colonel, how are you?"
"I'm great! Hawkeye" he says hugging the man, "How are you son?"
"I'm doing great Colonel."
"And BJ... you two leave together and arrive together." He says, remembering the two best friends leaving the compound last. He hugs him and says, "How have you been?"
"I've never been better. I'd like you to meet Peg and my daughter Erin."
"Peg, I feel like I know you already. And Erin, my god you've gotten a lot bigger since the last time I've seen a picture." He says, shaking Peg and Erin's hand. "Well come on in and meet the Misses! Mildred? They are here!" He calls to his wife. "Mildred, this is Margaret, Hawkeye, and BJ, and his family Peg and Erin."
"It is nice to finally meet you all." She says smiling and shaking there hands.
"You too Ma'am." Margaret says smiling.
"Oh none of that, please call me Mildred. I feel like I already know you all. Are you hungry? Dinner's ready."
"Sounds good." Hawkeye says smiling as they all walk into the dining room.
All through the night, Erin kept her parents and new friends entertained. She was an absolute joy to be around and thought Margaret and Hawkeye were the greatest. She warmed up quickly to Margaret and wanted her to play with her the entire night.
"Aunt Margaret!" Erin says as the adults were sitting around the table talking.
"Yes Erin?"
"Read please." She says, holding the book her 'Uncle' had gotten her.
"Erin, let Aunt Margaret sit for a little while." Peg says smiling.
"I'll read to you in a little while kiddo." Margaret says smiling.
Erin sighs, and climbs into her daddy's lap waiting patiently for them to finish talking.
"I think Erin need's a playmate." Potter says smiling.
Peg laughs and says, "Maybe in a year or so."
At about 9:00, the decide to head home. They said there goodbyes and headed back to the hotel for the night. Erin fell asleep on BJ's shoulder as soon as they sat down in the cab. They drive back to the hotel and head up to the fourth floor.
"Well, its 9:30, do you want to grab some drinks and head to my patio for a while?" Margaret asks.
"Sure." Hawkeye says as he steps off the elevator, "Beej, what about you?"
"Well..." He starts, looking at his wife.
"Go." She says, taking Erin from him. "I'm exhausted, so I'll see you all tomorrow for Breakfast."
"Sounds good." Hawkeye says.
"I'll be back later." BJ says kissing his wife and daughter.
"Night Peg." Margaret says smiling.
"Night Margaret. Night Hawkeye."
"Night Peg." He says, as they head down to Margaret's room.
It was a beautiful night which had cooled off a lot since the morning. The three friends spent the night talking, laughing and drinking on the porch till midnight when BJ decided to head back to his room.
"I'll see you two tomorrow at nine."
"Sound's good Beej."
"Good night BJ."
"Night Margaret, Hawkeye."
"Night Beej." Hawkeye says as his friend closes the patio door. "So, what now?"
"Are you ready to go too?"
"Not unless you are."
"No. I'm getting chilly though. I'll be right back." She says as she heads into the hotel to grab a blanket before quickly returning and sits next to Hawkeye.
"So, what have you been up to lately Hawkeye?"
"Just doing Physicals... after physical, after physical... what about you Margaret? Are you glad to be back state side?"
"I am... very glad." She says taking a sip of her drink. "I really missed working in a state side hospital."
"You missed being in charge." He says grinning
"I never was out of charge Captain." She says smiling. "I have been head nurse everywhere I went for the past seven years."
"And you're great at it."
"What?" She says looking at him.
"Margaret, you are the best nurse I ever worked with. You care about the patients and care about the nurses, even if you do put them through hell during your time with them. I could always count on the nurses being top notch with you as there head nurse, and I am sure that still occurs. I wish I had a whole nursing staff that consisted of nurses like you. I would never have to worry about them being inadequate."
"You didn't think that when we were in Korea."
"Sure I did... I just had a reputation to protect." He says smiling.
"Very funny." She says. "So, do you miss surgery?"
"Honestly? Yeah. I really do. Surgery was my life and the war killed it. I haven't been able to face a surgical ward in a year, and like I said before, I'm bored stiff. I hate being a physician."
"You're a talented surgeon... one of; if not the best one I have ever worked with. Your skills are being wasted on "saying ahh."
"I know. I miss being Chief Surgeon or any surgeon."
"You were a good Chief even though you drove me absolutely crazy with your unmilitary behavior." She says grinning. "And it is definitely time that you go back to surgery."
"Yes Major." He says smiling. They sit in silence for a few minutes before Hawkeye steals some of the blanket for himself as they watch the stars. "I've missed you Margaret."
"I missed you too." She says smiling. "I'm glad you decided to come."
"I wouldn't miss this reunion for my life. It's strange, I spent three years wanting to get out of Korea, but once I was home, I wanted nothing more than to be back with everybody. You all were family and if I could have kept that without the war, I would have been the happiest person ever."
"Its funny how war brings people together." Margaret says, to him.
"Yeah, it is." Hawkeye says, wrapping his arm around Margaret's shoulder. "You're not pulling away." He says smiling. "You aren't a threat anymore." She laughs.
They sit in silence for the rest of the night and eventually drift off to sleep. They sleep comfortably in the cool Missouri night with one another innocently. Something changed between the two of them that night and both felt it. It would be the start of something new for the both of them tomorrow, but tonight they revel in the company of one another.
TBC...
I'm just trying out something different. I always wanted to read a story that followed the way through Hawkeye and Margaret's life together so I figured I'd have a go at writing one. I know there are some mistakes in this and you'll have to forgive them but I am recovering from an appendectomy that occurred on Monday ... The next chapter will be better!
Please R&R!
Thanks
STARY
Summary: Follow Hawkeye and Margaret's life, together from the beginning!
July 16th, 1955, Hawkeye Pierce woke up to the annoying ringing of the alarm clock, he turns it off and jumps into the shower before he heads over to work at his father's private practice. It was 8:30am by the time he walked through the doors of the office.
"Good morning Ben."
"Good morning Mrs. Kensington, how are you?"
"I'm well, how are you?"
"Well also, thank you." He says, smiling at his fathers Secretary of approximately 30 years.
"Your first patient doctor." She smiles at the man that she has watched grow up since he was young lad of 3 years old.
"Thank you again... Ms. King..." He says groaning. "What's wrong with her today, a hangnail?"
Mrs. Kensington snickers and says, "Benjamin..."
"I know, I know." He says, walking back to his office, sighing heavily. "Hey dad? Why don't you take Ms. King for me?"
"I would, but she asked for you, not me." He grins.
"Ben? Ms. King is here."
"I can't wait..."
"She's all yours Hawk." Daniel smiles at his son and buries his nose in his paperwork.
"Good morning Ms. King."
"Well hello Hawkeye, how are you?"
"I am doing fine thank you." He says, as he closes the door of the examining room.
"How's the family?"
"They are doing great thank you. Cheryl was asking about you."
"Well, you tell her I said hello." Cheryl was a girl Hawkeye dated before his residency. It was Ms. King's kid sister.
"I will."
"So..." He says, sitting on the stool across from her, "What seems to be the trouble to day?"
"Well Doctor, I have been getting extremely bad headaches, and I was doing some research and I think that it could be an aneurysm."
Hawkeye has to stop himself from rolling his eyes, "An Aneurysm? Well then that is pretty serious. Now, why do you feel that you have an aneurysm Ms. King?"
"Well, my head has been throbbing and feeling like it's about to split open, and then it stops automatically."
"Uh huh." Hawkeye says, writing on her chart.
"Then I get extreme nausea with the head throbbing and it stops again!"
"Well Ms King, what you are describing sounds like the aneurysm has exploded in your head. It is extreme throbbing followed by nothing; however I don't think you have an aneurysm because if it had exploded, god forbid, you would not be around to tell us about it."
"It's not an aneurysm?!"
"No. I think what you are experiencing are migraines because you are experiencing nausea too."
"Well... the nausea isn't too bad."
"Still, any nausea present with a headache would give me reason to not think it is a migraine. So, what I am going to do is give you a medicine that is going to stop the migraines, and if you do have an aneurysm this is going to stop it."
"Oh! Well Doctor that is great! What is it called?"
"It's called Ho-John-cin. It's a remedy that I found when I was in the MASH in Korea. My one friend kept on getting these horrible headaches and one of the Koreans who lived in our unit made this up and it worked for him with in one use, but of course you have to be sure to keep taking it, twice a day for a week to be completely cured."
"Of course! Thank you Hawkeye!"
"Be sure to call us in at the end of the week to let us know how they are working, but I assure you, these will work. Let me go make them up, and I'll be right back with them."
"Alright." She says smiling.
"Mrs. Kensington, do we have any sugar in here?"
"Yes, it's above the sink, why?"
"I need it to make Ms. King some special medicine."
"Oh, ok." She says with a knowing smile.
Hawkeye goes back to the office and makes up 14 sugar pills and heads back into the Exam Room, "Alright Ms. King, here you go. Remember only take two a day, one in the morning and one after dinner, and this will clear up what ever you have in your head."
"Thank you so much Hawkeye!"
"Any time Ms. King, now you call us after your finished and tell us how the head feels."
"I will. Good bye Hawkeye."
"Good bye Ms. King." He says, showing her out. "Have a good day." And with that he closes the office door.
"So, what was the problem with Ms. King today Hawk?" Daniel asks.
"She thought she had an aneurysm." He says. "She had a horrible headache that was intense pain but suddenly let up, but it was accompanied by nausea. She did some research and said that this is what happened..."
"So what did you do?"
"I gave her some Ho-John-Cin." He says, starting to laugh. "Its sugar pills and I assured her that it would be better in a week."
"You gave her a placebo?"
"It will work... it has before." He grins.
"Your one of a kind Ben." Mrs. Kensington says, grinning.
"I'm just glad she's gone and you get her next time Dad."
"We'll see." He smiles.
"Who's next?"
"Mr. Jones, but he's my patient today, you get Denise Fields."
"How old is she now?"
"Eight."
"The last time I saw her, she was only four."
"She's changed since then. She's been complaining of an ear ache, but she also needs a physical."
"Another physical, alright." He says sighing.
"Maybe it's time you went back into surgery..."
"Dad, we went over this, I had about as much surgery as I could handle for a long time."
"Well, it seems like you are getting bored just doing the physician's job."
"Dad, I'm fine, I am not bored, and I am not going back into surgery yet."
"Alright, fine..." He says sighing as his son walks out of his office. He knows Hawkeye better than anyone... and he knew that his son was never meant to be a physician. He was too good at what he did to quit surgery, but he knew not to tell his son what to do. That was where Hawkeye was like his mother; they both had a mind of their own and were stubborn as all hell. Daniel smiles and stands up to tend to his patient.
At 5:00, Hawkeye closed up the office for his father. He sighed heavily and headed back home. He knew very well that he couldn't be a physician for much longer. He was bored and it wouldn't get better until he was able to be in surgery. He walks through the door and hears, "Hawk? Is that you?"
"Yeah Dad."
"You had a phone call about an hour ago."
"Who?"
"Colonel Potter."
This sparked the young mans interest, "Did he leave a number? What did he say?"
Daniel found his sons reaction amusing and says, "He wanted to see how you are and to have you call him back. His number is on the kitchen counter."
"Thanks." He says, quickly moving into the kitchen to place the call. He smiles as he hears the voice on the other end of the line say, "Hello?"
"Hi Colonel."
"Hawkeye! How are you son?! It's great to hear your voice!"
"I'm well thanks, how are you?"
"I'm doing great. How's Maine treating you?"
"It's Heaven as far as I'm concerned. How's Missouri?"
"Great! I put up that fence for Mrs. Potter, you know the one that she wanted for years?"
"Yeah? That's great sir. So, my father said that you called, and you have to have a reason."
"Well, we are having a little bit of a 4077th reunion out here at my house and I was calling to invite you."
"A reunion?! That sounds great! When is it?"
"August 5th, however it will be lasting a few days."
"That sounds great Colonel, I'll be sure to make it out there."
"You are more than welcome to stay at my place, or there's a hotel down the road."
"I wouldn't want to impose on you, so I'll stay at the hotel. You've seen how we lived in the Swamp."
"BJ said the same thing." Potter says laughing. "Margaret and BJ are staying for a week."
"Well then, I guess I'll be staying for a week also."
"That sounds great."
They talk for a few more minutes, and the Colonel gives him the number of the hotel before they say there goodbyes.
"Alright, so we'll be seeing you in a few weeks."
"Right Colonel."
"I'll talk to you soon!"
"See you soon." Hawkeye says, and hangs up, smiling.
"What did the Colonel want?"
"To invite me to a 4077th reunion at his house on April fifth."
"Are you going?"
"Of course! I can't wait! I haven't seen BJ in over four months, and Margaret in almost a year, Charles I haven't talked to in ages and the others I haven't seen since we left that god forsaken unit last year."
"How long are you going to be gone?"
"A week, well, that is if that's ok with you... do you think you can cover my patients?"
"I covered all the patients before you came aboard." He says grinning. "I'll manage. I think you need to go and see your friends."
"Thanks dad. I'm going to call BJ." He says as he picks up the phone to place another call.
"Hello?" Calls a females voice on the other line.
"Hi Peg."
"Oh hello Hawkeye, how are you?"
"I'm doing fine, how are you?"
"Fine, thank you."
"How's Erin doing?"
"She's doing great."
"That's good to hear. Is BJ there?"
"No, he just got called into Surgery."
"Oh, alright, well can you just tell him that I called?" Hawkeye says a bit forlorn.
"Sure. Are you going to the reunion?"
"Yeah, I'll be there. I heard that you guys were going too."
"Yeah, we are staying at the hotel."
"So am I. It's going to be a lot of fun."
"Yeah, I can't wait to meet the rest of your gang."
"You'll love them."
"Well, Erin's calling for me, so I better get going."
"Alright, just tell him that I called."
"I will. It was good talking to you Hawkeye."
"You too Peg, and I'll see you in August."
"Yes you will! Bye."
"Bye." Hawkeye says as they both hang up.
"Did you get a hold of him?"
"No, he was in surgery. I'm gonna go out for a walk. I'll be back."
"Right." Daniel says as he watches his son walk outside.
Hawkeye walked over to the ocean where he had spent many of his days thinking. He sat down on the shore and stared out into the horizon. "He just got called in to surgery..." was what kept on running through his head. That use to be him. His talents were wasting away in the routine days of being a Physician and he knew this. He was bored out of his mind doing the same thing day after day. He didn't know how his father did it day after day for over 30 years. He was going crazy after 10 months. Sighing heavily he draws his knees up to his chest, resting his chin on his knees as he watches the boats in the ocean. It dark when he decided to head home. No sooner than he opened the door did he hear his father, "Hawk?"
"Yeah." He says slightly annoyed... who else would it be?"
"Margaret called."
"Margaret?! When?!"
"About an hour and a half ago."
"What did she say?"
"To call her back when you get in."
"Alright." He says eagerly and goes to the phone and places the call. A few seconds later he hears her voice, "Hello?"
"Well hello there Major."
She instantly smiles, "Hello Captain. How are you?"
"I'm doing great, yourself?"
"I'm also doing well."
"I heard you called, so I'm returning it."
"Yes I did. I wanted to know if you were going to the Colonels house?"
"Yes, I was planning on it, and I hear you are also."
"Yeah. I just called for a room."
"I still have to do that, and schedule a flight out of here."
"I did that too. BJ told me that he's getting to Missouri around 5pm, and I'll be there about 10am so we will be meeting over at the Colonels. You'll have to let me know what time you are supposedly getting in."
"I will." He tells her. It was so good to hear her voice. He missed her more than he ever thought could be possible, just as a friend of course, or at least, that's what he kept telling himself. They continue talking for about a half an hour before Margaret had to get going to work.
"I have to get to work Hawk... the VA needs me to help with an aortic resection."
"Nothing you haven't pulled off before." He says, remembering how they saved the life of the young marine.
"Yeah, but this time the Doctor is no where near as good as you are." She says sighing.
"So I better get going. Surgeries in one hour and I have a half an hour drive over there."
"Alright Margaret, take care."
"You too Hawkeye. I'll see you soon!"
"You bet. Bye."
"Bye." She says, hating to have to hang up with him, but her job needed her. "Annie!" Margaret called to her younger sister. "Annie!"
"What?" Her sister called from the other room.
"Do you know where my keys are?"
"Out here Major." She says, smiling at her sister.
"Thanks."
"What would you do with out me Margaret?"
"I don't know... probably be late." She says, rushing past her sister. "I'll be back around 7, I hope. I'm sorry I got called in."
"No problem. Have fun." She grins. "I'll just stay here, eat your food and watch some TV."
"Right." She said, not really paying attention to her sister as she ran out the door. Her sister was visiting her from South Carolina, and she felt horrible about having to work when she was there.
Margaret and Annie were two years apart but very close. Annie knew everything there was to know about Margaret and vice versa. Annie was there to cheer Margaret up. Ever since she had gotten home from Korea here spirit was down. All she did anymore was work. Even though her older sister would never admit it, she knew that she missed all her friends from back in the Unit. Margaret could talk for hours about her stay in Korea and about the people there, especially one Hawkeye Pierce. Every story she had seemed to involve him, and every time she talked about him her eyes sparkled. It was one side of her sister that was not shown often enough. This was where the two of them differed. Margaret had always been her father's daughter, tough as nails with a soft side that only certain people got to see. She was a Major first and foremost. She worked hard to achieve that title and would probably stay in the army till she died. Annie on the other hand was more like her mother. She never got into the whole "army thing," and wore her heart on her sleeve. She wouldn't keep her emotions inside like her sister; she would show them to everyone. Both girls had great personalities and a great sense of humor, but Margaret would only show certain people that side, and even then it was quite infrequent.
Margaret got the VA Hospital in Washington DC with in minutes. She went up to the surgical floor where she was head nurse and said, "What do they need me for?"
"Major, you're needed in OR 2. Dr. Miller is waiting for you."
"Great..." She says, sighing. Miller had been after her for about three months now. She had just started stateside and was hired quite quickly. The chief surgeon there has been after her ever since. He was a good doctor, but no where near as good as one Hawkeye Pierce. The first day she was in surgery, she missed his joking and his greatness. He was the best surgeon she had ever worked with, and she missed him.
"Ah Major, we were waiting for your skilled nursing abilities to arrive."
"I got over here as soon as I could."
"Its fine, scrub up quickly and belly up to the table. This Aortic Resection is going to be a tough one."
"Yes sir." She says, as she scrubs up, "Lieutenant, I need a gown and gloves."
"Yes Major." Lt. Caryn Anderson says, frowning beneath her mask. Ever since Houlihan came to the hospital there life has been hell. She was one tough woman to work with and just about every nurse there butted heads with the Major, but they were also one of the best nursing staff's around.
"This tray is set up wrong!" Margaret grumbles. "Who works like this?!"
"I do Major." The Lieutenant says.
"Well, I thought we discussed the tray is set up like the Doctor wants, and not like the nurse wants!"
"You did Major. It won't happen again."
"I hope not." She says gruffly and continues assisting the Doctor. After a grueling two hours they are finished.
"Good work Major."
"Thank you Colonel." She says, taking off her gloves.
"So, what are you doing tonight Margaret?"
"Going straight home."
"Would you like to accompany me to a nice dinner? I am off at nine."
"No thank you, my sister is up for a week and I told her that I would be home about seven, and I plan on keeping that promise."
"Of course, perhaps next time."
"Perhaps, good night Doctor."
"Good night Nurse." He says, as she turns to walk into her office. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked through the doors to change.
"Unbelievable." She grumbles, grabbing her bag and walking out the hospital. She drove home quickly and got into the house and called, "I'm home."
"Bout time you showed up." Annie says smiling. "Are you in a better mood now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you have been moping around for a while now."
"I am not moping!"
"Margaret... I know you better than anyone... what is it?"
"What do you want for dinner?" She asks changing the subject.
"Anything is fine, and you're not getting out of this question. Why so gloomy?" She asked, helping her sister with dinner.
"No reason."
"There has to be a reason."
"I don't care to discuss it?"
"Oh come on Maggie. Is it because of him?"
"Him? Him who?" She asks, playing dumb.
"Hawkeye... do you miss him?"
"I miss everyone, but nothing is going to change that. I'm going to see them in a few weeks."
"Good... its about time." Annie mutters.
"What the hell does that mean?!"
"Nothing..."
"Nothing? Then why say it?"
"I don't know, lets just eat."
"Fine." Margaret says frowning. What the hell did she mean 'It's about time?!'
"Margaret..."
"WHAT?!"
"Never mind." Annie says, sighing as she fills two glasses with water. "So, when are you coming down to Virginia again?"
"I don't know..." She says, taking a bite of her pasta that she made for dinner. "Probably not till September."
"Oh, well that's not too bad."
"Why?"
"We miss you back home.."
"Hah, you just are sick of being in the same area alone with our parents."
"Well, that too." Annie says smiling at her older sister. "Mom's driving me crazy, and I need you to come home to take some of the heat off of me."
"What is she doing now?"
"She keeps on telling me 'You're twenty nine years old, and you have had the same boyfriend for three years, when are you two going to get married! You aren't getting any younger you know Annie!"
"And you want me to come back and have the exact same thing said about me?"
"You said it not me."
Margaret rolls her eyes and they finish eating. They stay up watching some television before they both call it a night around 11pm. Margaret's apartment had two bedrooms which proved to be convenient when friends and family came to visit. She crawled into her queen sized bed and tried to fall asleep, but her mind kept wandering to her sister telling her, "It's about time." 'Who did she think she was?! ' Margaret silently talks to herself. 'She lived with those people for three years... which happen to be the longest she has lived with people, besides her family. Of course she would miss them a lot! It will be great to see them again... to see him again...' She missed him the most, though she wouldn't admit it to anyone but herself. That kiss left an imprint in her memory that she could not shake. She had a feeling that he didn't even know how much he meant to her, and probably never would... she was a Major first and could not break her form for anyone, not even for Hawkeye. Margaret sighed heavily and stood rolled over, looking at the clock, "2am." She says aloud sighing heavily before closing her eyes until she finally drifted off to sleep.
August 4th, 1955 Back in Crabapple Cove Maine, Hawkeye was getting more bored as the days went on. He was really beginning to hate, and hate was a word he did not use too often, but HATE being a physician.
"You're all set." He says, as he finishes his third checkup of the day. "Everything looks great Mrs. Callahan."
"Well thank you Doctor." She says, as she buttons up her shirt.
"You're welcome." He says, shooting her a smile that did not reach his ears as she walked out the door. He quickly lost the smile and sighed heavily, "Thank god I have a week off." He says aloud, rubbing his eyes. "I don't know how much more I can take of this."
"How much more of what Ben?" His father says, coming into the office.
"Nothing." He says, quickly filling out the chart.
"So what time's your flight tomorrow?"
"Nine, but I'm going to head out by seven to get there in time."
"Do you need a ride?"
"No, I'm going to call a cab. No need for you having to wake up early too."
"Alright. I can pick you up from the airport."
"I'll be getting in by 8pm."
"Alright, I'll be there to pick you up."
"I'll call you when I get to Missouri." Hawkeye says, as he packs his MD bag.
"Alright." Daniel says, smiling at his son. "Well, can you have dinner ready by the time I get back?"
"Yeah, sure dad, what do you want?"
"I don't care."
"Is lasagna ok?"
"Fine."
"Alright, I'll see you at home."
"Right Ben." Daniel says smiling. Even though he was the one to give his son the nickname he goes by, he didn't always call him by it. Daniel went about his day, while his son went home to pack. He was glad Hawkeye took off half a day and was going to be away for a week. He was sick of how miserable he was all the time, and always moping around. It would do him good to get back to his MASH family and back around surgeons.
Hawkeye spend the day packing for the week excursion out to Missouri and smiled. He couldn't wait to see BJ and the Colonel and Radar and Margaret... especially Margaret. He missed her, and he could not wait to see her again. Not a day went by where he did not think about Margaret and the kiss they shared the final day at the 4077th a year ago. He had not felt like that about a woman since Carley who for the first time actually played second fiddle to Margaret. He smiled as he packed a smile that touched his ears. 'You never know how much you miss people until you don't see them every day.' Hawkeye thinks. Only one more day till he gets to see his friends who he lived with for three years.
At Five Thirty, Hawkeye has dinner finished and on the table as his father walks through the door. "Hawk?"
"In the kitchen." He says, making himself a martini.
"Smells good."
"Thanks... I just showered." He says, grinning at his father.
"Clever."
"I thought so."
"Are you packed?"
"Almost. I have a few more things to grab, but other than that yeah."
"That's good." He says taking a bite out of his food. "Benjamin..."
"What?" Hawkeye asks, looking him in the eyes as soon as he heard his full name.
"I said this before... I think it's time for you to start getting back into surgery. You are miserable in my practice."
"And you know this because you are tuned into my feelings? That you know everything about me?"
"Yes. I know that you were never meant for this type of doctoring and you are just fooling yourself staying in a job that you hate."
"I don't hate it Dad. I like it... it's just..."
"Repetitious. I know that Ben, and you aren't cut out for it. You son, are a fine surgeon, one of the best there are and being a Physician just isn't complimenting your skills."
"I'm not ready to go back."
"And I will keep you in my office until you are ready, but you have to start looking. It's time that you at least thought about heading to surgery."
"I know, and I will, after I come back from the reunion."
"Alright. Now that we have that settled, what are you going to do when you see the Major?"
"Dad!" Hawkeye says smiling and shaking his head. "I'm going to say Hello. What do you expect me to say?" He grins like a little imp.
After they finish eating, Daniel says, "I'll do the dishes, you finish packing."
"You don't have to tell me twice." He says. He absolutely hated to do the dishes and has ever since he was a child. He tried his hardest to get out of it.
The next morning he was off to Missouri. The entire flight he smiled. He was very anxious to get to the hotel. He constantly checked his watch during the four hour journey halfway across the continent until they FINALLY touched down at 12:00. He then hailed a taxi to take him to the hotel and checked in.
"Hi, welcome to the Hannibal Inn."
"Thank you. I have a room reserved under Dr. Ben Pierce."
"Ah yes, Dr. Pierce." She says, checking her book. "You are in room 415, and here is your key."
"Thank you. Could you possibly tell me if Dr. Hunnicut and Margaret Houlihan checked in yet?"
"Of course sir." She says smiling. "Ms. Houlihan is checked into Room 426, and Dr. Hunnicut has not checked in yet."
"Ok, thank you." He says, smiling as he headed to the elevator and up to his room He opened the door, and quickly unpacked and went to look for the Major. He went to room 426 and knocked on the door.
"Just a minute." He heard her call, a few seconds before she opened the door.
"HAWKEYE!" She says, smiling.
"Hello Major." He says, smiling as he pulls her into a hug.
"It is so good to see you!"
"You too. You look good."
"Thank you, so do you." She says, still smiling. "Would you like to come in? I just talked to Colonel Potter."
"Sure, and what did he say?" He asks, following her into the sitting part of the hotel.
"He says to come on over about six for dinner."
"That sounds good. BJ should be here by then too."
"Great. I can't wait to meet Peg and Erin."
"They are everything that BJ said they were. Erin is the cutest little girl."
"She's three now isn't she?"
"Yeah. I saw them back in January. I now know why BJ talked so much about them."
"So, how do you like being a physician?"
"It's alright."
"Just alright?"
"Yeah. I am really starting to get bored with the whole physical thing. I say 'Open Up' more than a dentist."
"I doubt it." She says, smiling. "Why don't you go back to surgery if you're bored?"
"I don't know... I guess I'm just not ready."
"I think you are... I mean you are already bored asking Crabapple Cove to say Ah, so maybe it's just time to move back into your field."
"When I go home I am going to be starting to look for surgical positions, but I'm only looking."
"Well, that's a start." She says, smiling.
Margaret and Hawkeye spend the afternoon talking until BJ arrived.
"What time is it?"
"Four O'Clock." Hawkeye says looking at his watch.
"I guess BJ is arriving soon."
"Yeah. I think I'm gonna go and see if he's here yet. Do you want to come?"
"No, that's ok. You go and see him and come on back here when you guys are ready to go to the Colonel's."
"Alright." Hawkeye says as he walks downstairs to the lobby. He smiles as he sees his best friend getting handed his room key. "Well, look who it is." He says, getting the taller man's attention.
"Hawkeye." BJ says, smiling as he walks over towards him. They embrace in a hug and pull apart. "How are you Hawk?"
"I'm good, how are you?"
"Also good."
"Hi Peg." Hawkeye says kissing her cheek.
"Hi Hawkeye."
"And Erin, my gosh you have grown since the last time I saw you." He says.
"Hi Uncle Hawk!" She says, hugging him. Hawkeye saw them only a few months ago.
"What time did you get here?"
"Around noon."
"Did you see Margaret yet?"
"Yeah. What room are you in?"
"Room 415, what about you?"
"402."
"Margaret's in 426."
"Sounds good." BJ smiles as they go upstairs.
"Colonel Potter says to come on over for dinner around six, if you want too."
"That sounds good, what do you think Peg?" He asks his wife eagerly.
"I don't think I have the heart to say no even if I didn't want to go." She smiles as she puts Erin down.
"Well, go round up Margaret, and we'll come over to your room when we are settled in." BJ tells his best friend.
"Sounds good. I'll see you in a few minutes." Hawkeye says as he sets off to fetch Margaret. He knocks on her door and she opens it within seconds.
"Did they get here?"
"Yeah, come on down to my room. They are going to be meeting us there."
"Ok, let me just grab my purse."
"Alright." He says, smiling.
They make there way back to his room and wait for about five minutes before BJ and Erin come through the door.
"Peg's on her way." He says, putting Erin down on the floor. "Hello Major."
"Hello Captain." Margaret smiles and hugs BJ. "It's been a while."
"It definitely has... let's not let it happen again." He says, letting her go.
"And you, must be Erin." Margaret says, kneeling next to the child.
"Yes." She says, smiling, but grabs onto her father's leg.
"You are a pretty thing." Margaret says smiling.
"Thank you." Erin says, smiling shyly.
"This is your Aunt Margaret." BJ says to the three year old. "She was with Daddy and Uncle Hawk in Korea."
"Oh." She says, still playing a bit shy with the new woman.
"Where's Peg?" Hawkeye asks.
"She'll be here in a few minutes."
"Good, then we can leave." Margaret says. "I'm looking forward to meeting her."
"She is looking forward to meeting you too."
"Hey Erin, I have something for you." Hawkeye says to the little girl.
"What?"
"A present."
"What is it?!" She asked, her eyes shining.
"Would you like to come with me and see?"
"Yup!" She says, taking her honorary uncle's hand and heads to his bag on his bed. He pulls out a book and a little bag of candy for the little child. "Oh!" She says happily,
"Daddy! Look!"
"What do you have there?"
"Book and candy!" She says smiling.
"Uncle Hawk is a nice guy isn't he?"
"He always did have his ways with the ladies." Margaret says grinning. "Do you like books Erin?"
"Yes!" She says, looking at Margaret.
"Erin, is uncle Hawkeye spoiling you?" Peg asks as she walks into the hotel room.
"Yup." She says not really knowing what that means, but she always agrees with her mother.
"I thought so." Peg says, turning her attention to Margaret, "You must be Margaret."
"I am, which means you must be Peg."
"I am." She says, shaking the Major's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you Margaret."
"Likewise."
"Open Mommy." Erin says, handing her the small bag of candy.
"No honey, not till after dinner."
"Please?"
"Not till after dinner Erin."
Erin sighs and asks her daddy, "Daddy?"
He smiles and shakes his head no, "After dinner. We have to go to the Colonel's house."
"If you all are ready, I'll call a cab." Hawk smiles.
"Sounds good." BJ says and with in minutes, they are at the front gates of the Potter Household.
Margaret walks up to the front door and knocks. The door quickly opens reveling the
Colonel standing there smiling, "Well look at all of you!" He greats them, "You all look wonderful." He hugs Margaret and gives her a kiss on the cheek, "How are you my dear?"
"Fine Colonel, how are you?"
"I'm great! Hawkeye" he says hugging the man, "How are you son?"
"I'm doing great Colonel."
"And BJ... you two leave together and arrive together." He says, remembering the two best friends leaving the compound last. He hugs him and says, "How have you been?"
"I've never been better. I'd like you to meet Peg and my daughter Erin."
"Peg, I feel like I know you already. And Erin, my god you've gotten a lot bigger since the last time I've seen a picture." He says, shaking Peg and Erin's hand. "Well come on in and meet the Misses! Mildred? They are here!" He calls to his wife. "Mildred, this is Margaret, Hawkeye, and BJ, and his family Peg and Erin."
"It is nice to finally meet you all." She says smiling and shaking there hands.
"You too Ma'am." Margaret says smiling.
"Oh none of that, please call me Mildred. I feel like I already know you all. Are you hungry? Dinner's ready."
"Sounds good." Hawkeye says smiling as they all walk into the dining room.
All through the night, Erin kept her parents and new friends entertained. She was an absolute joy to be around and thought Margaret and Hawkeye were the greatest. She warmed up quickly to Margaret and wanted her to play with her the entire night.
"Aunt Margaret!" Erin says as the adults were sitting around the table talking.
"Yes Erin?"
"Read please." She says, holding the book her 'Uncle' had gotten her.
"Erin, let Aunt Margaret sit for a little while." Peg says smiling.
"I'll read to you in a little while kiddo." Margaret says smiling.
Erin sighs, and climbs into her daddy's lap waiting patiently for them to finish talking.
"I think Erin need's a playmate." Potter says smiling.
Peg laughs and says, "Maybe in a year or so."
At about 9:00, the decide to head home. They said there goodbyes and headed back to the hotel for the night. Erin fell asleep on BJ's shoulder as soon as they sat down in the cab. They drive back to the hotel and head up to the fourth floor.
"Well, its 9:30, do you want to grab some drinks and head to my patio for a while?" Margaret asks.
"Sure." Hawkeye says as he steps off the elevator, "Beej, what about you?"
"Well..." He starts, looking at his wife.
"Go." She says, taking Erin from him. "I'm exhausted, so I'll see you all tomorrow for Breakfast."
"Sounds good." Hawkeye says.
"I'll be back later." BJ says kissing his wife and daughter.
"Night Peg." Margaret says smiling.
"Night Margaret. Night Hawkeye."
"Night Peg." He says, as they head down to Margaret's room.
It was a beautiful night which had cooled off a lot since the morning. The three friends spent the night talking, laughing and drinking on the porch till midnight when BJ decided to head back to his room.
"I'll see you two tomorrow at nine."
"Sound's good Beej."
"Good night BJ."
"Night Margaret, Hawkeye."
"Night Beej." Hawkeye says as his friend closes the patio door. "So, what now?"
"Are you ready to go too?"
"Not unless you are."
"No. I'm getting chilly though. I'll be right back." She says as she heads into the hotel to grab a blanket before quickly returning and sits next to Hawkeye.
"So, what have you been up to lately Hawkeye?"
"Just doing Physicals... after physical, after physical... what about you Margaret? Are you glad to be back state side?"
"I am... very glad." She says taking a sip of her drink. "I really missed working in a state side hospital."
"You missed being in charge." He says grinning
"I never was out of charge Captain." She says smiling. "I have been head nurse everywhere I went for the past seven years."
"And you're great at it."
"What?" She says looking at him.
"Margaret, you are the best nurse I ever worked with. You care about the patients and care about the nurses, even if you do put them through hell during your time with them. I could always count on the nurses being top notch with you as there head nurse, and I am sure that still occurs. I wish I had a whole nursing staff that consisted of nurses like you. I would never have to worry about them being inadequate."
"You didn't think that when we were in Korea."
"Sure I did... I just had a reputation to protect." He says smiling.
"Very funny." She says. "So, do you miss surgery?"
"Honestly? Yeah. I really do. Surgery was my life and the war killed it. I haven't been able to face a surgical ward in a year, and like I said before, I'm bored stiff. I hate being a physician."
"You're a talented surgeon... one of; if not the best one I have ever worked with. Your skills are being wasted on "saying ahh."
"I know. I miss being Chief Surgeon or any surgeon."
"You were a good Chief even though you drove me absolutely crazy with your unmilitary behavior." She says grinning. "And it is definitely time that you go back to surgery."
"Yes Major." He says smiling. They sit in silence for a few minutes before Hawkeye steals some of the blanket for himself as they watch the stars. "I've missed you Margaret."
"I missed you too." She says smiling. "I'm glad you decided to come."
"I wouldn't miss this reunion for my life. It's strange, I spent three years wanting to get out of Korea, but once I was home, I wanted nothing more than to be back with everybody. You all were family and if I could have kept that without the war, I would have been the happiest person ever."
"Its funny how war brings people together." Margaret says, to him.
"Yeah, it is." Hawkeye says, wrapping his arm around Margaret's shoulder. "You're not pulling away." He says smiling. "You aren't a threat anymore." She laughs.
They sit in silence for the rest of the night and eventually drift off to sleep. They sleep comfortably in the cool Missouri night with one another innocently. Something changed between the two of them that night and both felt it. It would be the start of something new for the both of them tomorrow, but tonight they revel in the company of one another.
TBC...
I'm just trying out something different. I always wanted to read a story that followed the way through Hawkeye and Margaret's life together so I figured I'd have a go at writing one. I know there are some mistakes in this and you'll have to forgive them but I am recovering from an appendectomy that occurred on Monday ... The next chapter will be better!
Please R&R!
Thanks
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