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mash_slashTitle: Five Years Is A Long Time
Chapter 7: Happy Holidays
Author: [Bad username or unknown identity: captain_lubey Pairing: Hawkeye/Trapper Rating: M Warnings: Slash, sexual acts, occasional swearing Disclaimer: I own MASH…not Author’s Notes: I published this on ff.net at the beginning of the year but I thought I’d see how it would go on LJ. Oh, and my OTP is still H/BJ ;-) Summary: Hawkeye and Trapper attempt to bring some Christmas cheer into their lives by spending the holidays with friends. December 23rd 1958 ‘Dr Pierce!’ Hawkeye turned on his heel at the sound of his receptionist’s voice. ‘Yes, Melinda?’ The brunette paused to catch her breath before going on. ‘Mrs Johnson is on the phone, she’d like to make an appointment to see you this afternoon.’ Hawkeye shook his head. ‘You know I can’t Melinda. I have to catch a plane to California in 3 hours. Tell her I’ll either see her next week or she can make an appointment to see Dr. Moore.’ Melinda nodded and turned to go back into her office. ‘Have a great Christmas!’ she shouted over her shoulder. Hawkeye chuckled to himself and continued his trek to the front doors of the hospital. When he returned from the war, Hawkeye had worked at the local clinic in Crabapple Cove with his father. After three years of readjusting to civilian life the former Captain decided that he was ready for a real hospital and applied for a job at Crabapple Cove General which was only a half hour drive from his home town. Hawkeye had been working in there for four years now and he was very close to being promoted to Head of Thoracic surgery. Four months had passed since his argument with Trapper and Hawkeye hated to admit it to himself, but he was missing his former friend terribly. Hawkeye wasn’t naïve enough (anymore) to think that their friendship could be the same as it once was, but he wished that they could spend more than three days together without fighting. * * * ‘Paging Dr. McIntyre, Dr. Winchester would like to see you in his office immediately!’ Trapper rolled his eyes at the PA but proceeded towards his boss’s office. He had been immensely surprised (not to mention spooked) to find out that Dr. Winchester had served at the same MASH unit that Trapper had. Even more so that he had shared the Swamp with Hawkeye. It was indeed a small world. But that was old news now. Winchester returned five years ago and was promoted to Head of Thoracic surgery, a position that Trapper had dearly wanted. Trapper paused to wink at Winchester’s secretary (a pretty blonde woman with a rather large chest) and entered his office without knocking. Winchester was seated at his desk poring over some papers. He looked up when Trapper entered and frowned slightly. Charles respected Trapper and even admired his surgical skills but he did not like him. Charles thought him to be rude, crude and a letch. But be that as it may, Margaret was fond of Trapper and it was Charles’s duty to respect his wife’s opinion. ‘Hey Chuck, how’s it hanging?’ Charles forced himself not to roll his eyes. ‘Please be seated McIntyre.’ Trapper shrugged but sat down on the edge of Winchester’s desk. ‘McIntyre, were you born with bad manners or did you acquire them from Pierce?’ Trapper chose to ignore the remark. ‘What did you call me in here for, Winchester?’ Charles sighed. ‘McIntyre, Margaret has requested your presence at our home for dinner tonight. Are you free to attend?’ Trapper couldn’t help but smirk at Winchester. It was plain by the expression on his face that he sincerely hoped Trapper would decline the invitation. ‘Sure why not? It’d be good to see Hotlips.’ Charles’s face darkened. ‘McIntyre, that ‘nickname’ may have been appropriate in…Korea but it will not be tolerated here, especially in my presence.’ Trapper nodded. It took awhile but once you got him going, Winchester was very dangerous when he got mad. Trapper wasn’t in the mood to try his temper. ‘I apologise, what time should I be there?’ ‘Around 7 o’clock would be fine. Dress formally, that will be all McIntyre.’ Trapper stood up, bowed to Winchester and made his way out of the office. * * * ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you to the airport, Ben?’ Daniel hovered in his son’s bedroom doorway watching him pack frantically. ‘No dad, it’s fine I’ll catch a cab.’ Hawkeye snapped his suitcase shut and went over to hug Daniel. ‘Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’ Hawkeye mumbled in Daniel’s ear. ‘What don’t you do?’ The younger Pierce shrugged and held his father at arms length. This would be the first Christmas the two would spend apart since Hawkeye returned from the war. ‘I love you dad.’ Daniel grinned. ‘Why are you getting so teary? You’re only going to be gone a week. We can go crazy during New Years!’ Hawkeye hastily wiped his eyes and hugged his father again. ‘I have abandonment issues.’ Daniel chuckled and pushed his son into the hallway. ‘Go on, get going. You’ll miss your flight if you don’t hurry.’ ‘I need my suitcase.’ Daniel threw Hawkeye his bag with a strength that was impressive for a man his age and proceeded to push his son downstairs. When they got to the front door the older Pierce gave Hawkeye an affectionate pat on the back. ‘Send my love to Peg and BJ, get moving.’ Hawkeye grinned and walked outside into the snow towards the waiting cab. * * * ‘Louise I can’t talk right now I’m getting ready to go out!’ ‘John, would you just listen to me for once?’ Trapper fell silent at the sound of his ex wife’s demanding tone. ‘Thank you, now, would you like to have Kathy and Becky on Christmas day?’ ‘Are you fucking with me, Louise?’ ‘John don’t be filthy, yes I’m serious. Mark is taking me to New York for New Years and I need someone to take care of the girls.’ Trapper’s mood lifted considerably. His thoughts had wandered to Hawkeye and this news about his daughters was very exciting. ‘Sure I’ll take them. Can you tell them to come over tomorrow at around lunch time?’ Louise paused. ‘Can’t you take them now?’ ‘No, I was invited to dinner by some old army buddies.’ ‘Hawkeye?’ Louise’s voice turned immediately cold. ‘No, you know my boss Dr. Winchester?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘His wife, Margaret served with me in Korea. She invited me.’ ‘Major Houlihan?’ Trapper chuckled. ‘You remembered?’ ‘I’m more intelligent than you give me credit for John.’ Trapper frowned. ‘Louise, I really don’t want to fight right now. I’d like to be reasonably placid when I see Winchester.’ He heard Louise sigh on the other end and muffled talking in the background as she was obviously discussing the situation with Mark. A few moments later Louise came back on. ‘Okay John, the girls will be over tomorrow at 12, please try not to be hung over-‘ ‘Yes mother.’ ‘Mark and I will be back on January 2nd.’ ‘You’re going for eight days?’ ‘Yes, is that a problem?’ ‘No, when does school go back?’ ‘January 3rd so you shouldn’t worry about taking them.’ ‘Okay, can I go now Louise, I’m due at the Winchester’s in half an hour?’ Louise sighed. ‘Okay, bye John.’ Trapper hung up the phone without bothering to say good bye to Louise. He was still hurt by the fact that she had the audacity to let Mark move in with her after only two months. Then again you wanted Hawkeye to move in with you after only two days. A nasty voice in the back of Trapper’s head said. The doctor bitterly wished that thought away and proceeded to get ready for his dinner with the Winchester’s. * * * ‘Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seatbelts. We will be landing in San Francisco in just a few minutes, thank you.’ Hawkeye started awake but obeyed the Captain nonetheless. He looked out the window at the city below. It was lit up brilliantly against the dark sky. It was 9 o’clock in the evening (San Francisco was two hours behind Maine) and Hawkeye was absolutely exhausted. Plane trips always did him in and he looked forward to sleeping in the Hunnicutt’s guest room. Once the plane landed and Hawkeye had gathered his things, it was just a matter of looking out for BJ. He was anxious to see his best friend. They had spoken on the phone and written letters but they hadn’t seen each other since Charles and Margaret’s wedding. ‘Uncle Hawkeye!’ Hawkeye turned around just in time to be pummelled by an over excited Erin Hunnicutt. The doctor grinned and laughed. ‘Help, I’m being attacked by a midget!’ Erin giggled and hugged Hawkeye’s knees. ‘Hi Uncle Hawkeye!’ ‘Hello sweetie.’ Hawkeye bent over and picked up the ecstatic seven-year-old. ‘Where’s your dad?’ Erin shrugged and pointed behind her nonchalantly. She looked so much like BJ. ‘He’s over there somewhere.’ ‘Hey Hawk!’ BJ came running over to his best friend and hugged him tightly which received protesting groans from Erin. ‘Daddy, you’re squishing me!’ BJ laughed and let go of Hawkeye. ‘Sorry Erin.’ The little girl harrumphed and touched her blonde pigtails to make sure they weren’t messed up. ‘Excuse me Uncle Hawkeye; you can put me down now.’ Hawkeye chuckled and placed Erin on the ground. Now he could focus his attention on BJ. ‘You grew back that moustache!’ Hawkeye laughed good-naturedly which earned him a playful smack on the shoulder. ‘I thought you liked my moustache, Hawk?’ ‘I said it was cheesy but I never said I liked it.’ ‘It always tickles when he kisses me.’ Piped up Erin who appeared to have grown an inch since August. Hawkeye laughed and tried to stifle a yawn. ‘Can we go to your place now Beej, I’m exhausted.’ BJ nodded. ‘Sure, you want me to carry your luggage?’ ‘Nah its fine, I can manage.’ The trio started walking to the car. Erin didn’t appear to be tired at all and (according to BJ) her bed time was at nine. ‘She’ll never get to sleep now.’ Sighed BJ and Hawkeye chuckled again. ‘Give her a glass of brandy that ought to put her lights out for at least eight hours.’ ‘Can you see Peg agreeing to that?’ ‘No but it doesn’t hurt to try.’ Erin looked up at the two adults. ‘What are you going to make me drink?’ Hawkeye smiled. ‘Brandy.’ Erin looked at her father quizzically. ‘Isn’t that the amber stuff in the balloon glass?’ ‘It is indeed.’ Replied BJ. Erin screwed up her nose. ‘That stuff burns my throat. Please don’t make me drink it.’ Hawkeye raised an eyebrow at his friend who shrugged. ‘I gave her a sip last Christmas.’ ‘Right.’ They arrived at BJ’s car and Erin hopped in the back seat next to two baby capsules. ‘Do Benny and Jess still need those?’ asked Hawkeye as he climbed in the passenger side. ‘They’re only two years old, Hawk.’ ‘I don’t know from kids. How are they any way?’ ‘Michael has a slight cold but the twins are healthy.’ ‘Hows Peg?’ ‘Radiant.’ Hawkeye grinned. BJ worshipped the ground his wife walked on and since the war they had hardly spent more than two weeks apart at a time. ‘It’s a pretty long drive, Hawk; you wanna try and get some sleep?’ The older man yawned and looked at his watch. ‘Half an hour right?’ BJ nodded. ‘Plenty of time for a nap.’ So Hawkeye closed his eyes and slowly drifted off whilst BJ drove them back to Mill Valley. * * * Trapper’s breath caught in his throat when he saw the large mansion before him. He knew that Winchester was rich but he didn’t think he was this rich. ‘Hotlips must be doing pretty good for herself.’ Trapper mumbled to himself before approaching the front door. He knocked loudly and waited. A few seconds later the door was opened by a stern looking man wearing a suit. Trapper assumed this must be the butler. ‘Can I help you sir?’ he asked in a British accent. How cliché? ‘Yea I’m John McIntyre; I was invited to have dinner with Dr and Mrs Winchester.’ ‘Oh yes, please follow me sir.’ The butler stood aside to let Trapper in. The entry hall was magnificent. Marble floors and a large staircase ascending to the second story stood before him. ‘May I take your coat Dr McIntyre?’ ‘Thanks Jeeves.’ Said Trapper handing over his heavy jacket. ‘My name is Nelson sir. That is a rather interesting garment you’re wearing.’ Trapper was wearing the pinstriped suit he’d had made for him especially in Korea. Except the stripes were going horizontal instead of vertical. Trapper grinned. ‘Thanks, a Korean tailor made it.’ ‘Indeed.’ Nelson gave Trapper a look of mounting distaste. ‘Shall I announce you?’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Sure, where are they?’ ‘Dr and Mrs Winchester are residing in the den for the moment. Please follow me.’ Trapper smirked behind Nelson’s back as he followed him to the den. Nelson opened the door to an elegant room that was being warmed by a large fireplace. Large blue velvet curtains hung over the windows and large comfy leather chairs were scattered about around the hearth. Seated on a lounge together nursing glasses of rosé were Winchester and Margaret who looked up when Nelson opened the door. ‘Dr and Mrs Winchester, John McIntyre has arrived.’ Margaret rose from her seat and rushed over to Trapper enveloping him in a hug. ‘Trapper, you look wonderful.’ Margaret grinned widely at the former Captain. Trapper smiled back. ‘You look ravishing.’ Indeed she did. Margaret’s blonde hair was pulled back in a loose bun at the back of her hair and she was wearing a lovely pale blue pants suit which brought out the colour of her baby blue eyes. ‘Thank you Trapper.’ Somehow hearing Margaret address Trapper by his nickname didn’t feel right. ‘Margaret, please call me John.’ A look of confusion passed over the blonde’s face but she smiled nevertheless. ‘Okay, John.’ Margaret looked Trapper up and down and began to laugh. ‘Where did you get that suit?’ Trapper grinned. ‘A Korean tailor made it for me remember?’ ‘Oh yea, I never thought you’d keep it!’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Well, I’ve never had the occasion to wear it until now.’ Charles cleared his throat to get their attention. ‘Oh, sorry Charles, come over here John.’ Trapper complied and walked over to the fireplace where Winchester was seated nursing his wine. He looked so regal, so stern. Trapper couldn’t imagine this man being anywhere near the 4077th. How did he survive? Margaret that’s how. ‘Would you care for some wine McIntyre?’ Charles offered. Trapper nodded and sat on a chair opposite the Winchesters. Margaret had seated herself next to Charles and his expression had warmed considerably. They were definitely in love. ‘So how are you Margaret? You look absolutely wonderful.’ Margaret blushed, something Trapper never thought he’d see her do. ‘Thank you John, I am very well. Charles is treating me great.’ ‘So you like living in Buckingham Palace then?’ Margaret giggled. ‘I know it’s pretty intimidating at first but you get used to it. So how are you John? Have you seen anyone from the 4077th lately?’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Well aside from you and Winchester, no one.’ And Hawkeye. Conversation halted as Nelson entered the den. ‘Excuse me, Dr Winchester, there is a Dr. Hamilton on the phone, he says it’s urgent.’ Charles sighed and stood up. ‘I don’t know why those incompetents can’t do anything without me.’ Margaret reached out to pet her husband’s arm. ‘It’s because you’re so important Charles.’ ‘I know, I know.’ Charles stalked out of the room to take the call, leaving Margaret and Trapper alone. ‘So how are you John, really?’ Trapper grinned but it didn’t quite meet his eyes. ‘I’m fine Margaret…just dandy.’ Margaret gave Trapper a look of disbelief. ‘Come on, you’ve been here ten minutes and you haven’t even tried to make a pass at me or molest me or anything.’ ‘Do you want me to?’ ‘No.’ growled Margaret in her old Major Houlihan tone. ‘Well, Winchester is my boss and I don’t think it’d be appropriate to flirt with his wife in his presence.’ Margaret tried to hide her smile. ‘Since when?’ ‘Look Major can we cut this out. Nothing is wrong!’ Margaret’s pleasant mood faded. ‘Don’t talk back to me McIntyre, I’m a superior…oh wait…’ She trailed off into giggles. Trapper grinned. ‘We don’t do that anymore remember?’ ‘Sorry, I’ve used that threat so often that I can’t seem to break the habit.’ Trapper had heard stories from Hawkeye and Radar that Margaret had become a changed woman after he was discharged. After Frank was transferred she became more human and less of a demanding figure although she still stuck to her nursing duties. Trapper hadn’t believed it at first but seeing this beautiful woman seated before him, talking civilly to him, he knew that the stories were true. ‘So…have you been working? I haven’t seen you around Boston General.’ Margaret nodded. ‘I’ve been working at a small clinic downtown for the past 18 months. But I won’t be much longer.’ Trapper frowned. ‘How come? Is Winchester all gung ho about women staying home and cooking while men go to work?’ Margaret shook her head. ‘No, we just don’t think it’d be good for the baby.’ ‘You’re pregnant?’ Margaret’s grin was so wide that Trapper thought her lips would meet at the back of her head. ‘You’ve been busting to tell me this haven’t you?’ ‘That’s why I got Charles to invite you up here. What do you think?’ ‘I think it’s wonderful, how far along are you?’ ‘Almost eight weeks. The baby is due approximately mid to late July.’ Trapper leant over and hugged the former Major. ‘That is fabulous Margaret, congratulations.’ ‘Thank you, but enough about me. How is your family John?’ Trapper’s smile faded instantly. ‘Oh God John what’s the matter? Is it the girls?’ ‘Louise and I got divorced a few months ago.’ ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ Trapper shrugged. ‘No big deal, I cheated on her and I guess she couldn’t take it anymore.’ Margaret actually laughed. ‘But I thought both of you cheated on each other, why was this time any different?’ Trapper paused. This was it the moment of truth. He could either tell Margaret and risk being kicked out of her home or he could lie. ‘Can I confide in you Margaret?’ The blonde’s expression softened. ‘Of course, what is it?’ Trapper sighed. ‘The reason Louise kicked me out is because of Hawkeye.’ Margaret became instantly confused. ‘Hawkeye ran off with your wife?’ Trapper laughed. ‘No, no, no…it’s…more complicated than that.’ Margaret put a hand on the doctor’s knee. ‘Tell me.’ ‘Do you remember that Hawkeye and I were really close in Korea?’ ‘Of course, you two were practically joined at the hip. I remember those stupid gorilla suits that you idiots purchased. You scared the hell out of me with those.’ Trapper chuckled but instantly sobered up to emphasise the seriousness of the situation. ‘Do you remember when Hawk and I had to sober you up that one time?’ Margaret struggled to recall. ‘…vaguely, wasn’t that when I demanded a transfer because of you two?’ ‘Probably, well, do you remember how you were all over me and saying how much you loved me?’ Margaret blushed so Trapper assumed she did. ‘And then Hawkeye said that that was when he fell in love with…you…’ Margaret paused as realisation dawned on her. ‘You and Pierce?’ Trapper nodded, preparing for the screaming match that was sure to ensue. ‘But, I thought…the nurses?’ ‘Well we had to make sure nobody got suspicious of us.’ ‘Well I must say it worked.’ Margaret wasn’t giving anything away by the tone of her voice so Trapper couldn’t tell whether she was mad, disgusted, confused or anything. ‘But…what has that got to do with Louise?’ Trapper sighed. He was about to tell Margaret something that nobody except himself and Louise knew. ‘When I got back from Korea I was feeling pretty lousy about the way Hawk and I parted. He probably told you that he missed me by ten minutes at Kimpo?’ Margaret nodded. ‘He only mentioned it about a hundred times.’ ‘Okay well although I never said so, Louise knew that I had cheated on her numerous times while I was away. But that was fine because she had done the same according to my sister.’ ‘And you were both okay with that?’ Trapper shrugged. ‘We only cheated for sex, not love. Louise only loved me and I only loved her…’ Trapper paused and Margaret knew what he wanted to say. ‘Until you met Hawkeye?’ The doctor nodded. ‘I felt…revolted at first. You know because it’s supposedly wrong to love someone of the same sex. Then I kept trying to deny the fact that I really felt that way. You may recall a time when I was particularly aroused by the nursing staff.’ Margaret raised an eyebrow. ‘Yes I do. I thought I was going to have to spray you with cold water. So…that was only to take your mind off your feelings for Hawkeye?’ Trapper nodded. ‘Yep, I figured since Hawkeye spent so much time with the nurses that he was completely straight. That is until that night when we were given the in enviable job of trying to sober you up.’ Trapper was about to go on when he heard Charles clear his throat and enter the den solemnly. Oh shit, how much has he heard? Margaret seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Trapper because she had an expression on her face that resembled a rabbit caught in headlights. Charles found the scene before him rather amusing. So much so that he let out a short laugh. ‘You needn’t be alarmed McIntyre. I have no problems with homosexual behaviour. I would advice you however to keep your voice down to a dull roar when discussing your escapades with Pierce.’ Trapper and Margaret breathed sighs of relief as Charles sat down next to the latter. ‘Do go on, I find this quite fascinating.’ McIntyre grinned awkwardly. ‘Uh…where was I up to?’ ‘I believe you were about to tell us when you and Pierce discovered your love for one another.’ There was the slightest hint of amusement in the aristocrat’s voice but Trapper ignored it and continued his story. ‘Well, I confronted Hawkeye in the Swamp afterwards and discovered that he really did have feelings for me. He was worried that I might be afraid or disgusted so he had kept his yap shut. I guess you can figure how the evening went after that.’ Margaret’s expression looked to Charles as though she had just completed a particularly passionate bout of lovemaking. Trapper however didn’t seem to notice. ‘After that I felt guilty because I still loved Louise but I loved Hawkeye with just as much force. When I arrived home I pretended that nothing other than nurse molesting had gone on in Korea and Louise and I picked up where we had left off.’ Margaret frowned. ‘That still doesn’t explain how Hawkeye broke up your marriage.’ ‘Knowing Pierce he probably broke into the McIntyre residence and declared his undying love for Trapper.’ Charles chuckled at his joke. Trapper shot Charles a look that could have killed. ‘Not funny Winchester.’ ‘Sorry, but you have to admit that it seems like the kind of thing Pierce would do.’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Okay I’ll give you that one. May I continue?’ Charles nodded his head and Trapper resumed his story. ‘Okay well five years after the war I invited Hawk to dinner.’ Trapper went on to explain the details of his failed reconciliation with Hawkeye. ‘When Hawk stormed out of the house I turned to go upstairs and I saw Louise standing in the kitchen doorway with a very murderous expression on her face. Turns out that she had heard everything that Hawk and I had said to each other and she was not very happy about it.’ Margaret put her hand to her mouth. ‘What did she say?’ ‘We had a huge argument over Hawkeye and Louise kept saying how disgusting and wrong it was that I was sleeping with a man (she comes from a very homophobic family) and that she wanted me out of the house.’ To his horror Trapper’s throat began to get tight and his eyes swam with tears. ‘I told Hawk at your wedding that we had only been separated six months but it’d really been two years. I also told him some stupid reason about why Louise kicked me out. He bought it thankfully.’ Trapper had to pause because tears had started to run down his cheeks. Charles looked decidedly uncomfortable as Margaret leant over and hugged the former Captain. ‘Where is Hawkeye now?’ Trapper wiped is eyes gruffly with the back of his hand. ‘We had another argument after I asked him to come live with me and he walked out and went back to Maine. I haven’t seen him since.’ There was a long silence as the Winchesters sat and digested all that they had been told by Trapper. Charles was the one who broke the silence. ‘Do you love him?’ ‘Um…yea I guess so.’ Replied Trapper awkwardly. ‘No, not I guess so, yes or no?’ ‘Winchester, has anyone ever told you that you have the sensitivity of a blunt axe?’ ‘Many times, answer the question McIntyre.’ Margaret frowned at her husband. ‘Charles, John’s right you are being a little insensitive.’ Trapper rolled his eyes. ‘Yes I do okay? But how the hell are we going to live together if we can’t spend three days without fighting?’ Nelson entered the den at that point and the conversation ceased immediately. ‘Dinner is served sir.’ Nelson addressed his boss briefly and left the room. The trio stood up and walked out of the den silently, not knowing that Charles was thinking up a solution to this rather unusual problem. Chapter 6 Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Chapter 1 ]
Chapter 7: Happy Holidays
Author: [Bad username or unknown identity: captain_lubey Pairing: Hawkeye/Trapper Rating: M Warnings: Slash, sexual acts, occasional swearing Disclaimer: I own MASH…not Author’s Notes: I published this on ff.net at the beginning of the year but I thought I’d see how it would go on LJ. Oh, and my OTP is still H/BJ ;-) Summary: Hawkeye and Trapper attempt to bring some Christmas cheer into their lives by spending the holidays with friends. December 23rd 1958 ‘Dr Pierce!’ Hawkeye turned on his heel at the sound of his receptionist’s voice. ‘Yes, Melinda?’ The brunette paused to catch her breath before going on. ‘Mrs Johnson is on the phone, she’d like to make an appointment to see you this afternoon.’ Hawkeye shook his head. ‘You know I can’t Melinda. I have to catch a plane to California in 3 hours. Tell her I’ll either see her next week or she can make an appointment to see Dr. Moore.’ Melinda nodded and turned to go back into her office. ‘Have a great Christmas!’ she shouted over her shoulder. Hawkeye chuckled to himself and continued his trek to the front doors of the hospital. When he returned from the war, Hawkeye had worked at the local clinic in Crabapple Cove with his father. After three years of readjusting to civilian life the former Captain decided that he was ready for a real hospital and applied for a job at Crabapple Cove General which was only a half hour drive from his home town. Hawkeye had been working in there for four years now and he was very close to being promoted to Head of Thoracic surgery. Four months had passed since his argument with Trapper and Hawkeye hated to admit it to himself, but he was missing his former friend terribly. Hawkeye wasn’t naïve enough (anymore) to think that their friendship could be the same as it once was, but he wished that they could spend more than three days together without fighting. * * * ‘Paging Dr. McIntyre, Dr. Winchester would like to see you in his office immediately!’ Trapper rolled his eyes at the PA but proceeded towards his boss’s office. He had been immensely surprised (not to mention spooked) to find out that Dr. Winchester had served at the same MASH unit that Trapper had. Even more so that he had shared the Swamp with Hawkeye. It was indeed a small world. But that was old news now. Winchester returned five years ago and was promoted to Head of Thoracic surgery, a position that Trapper had dearly wanted. Trapper paused to wink at Winchester’s secretary (a pretty blonde woman with a rather large chest) and entered his office without knocking. Winchester was seated at his desk poring over some papers. He looked up when Trapper entered and frowned slightly. Charles respected Trapper and even admired his surgical skills but he did not like him. Charles thought him to be rude, crude and a letch. But be that as it may, Margaret was fond of Trapper and it was Charles’s duty to respect his wife’s opinion. ‘Hey Chuck, how’s it hanging?’ Charles forced himself not to roll his eyes. ‘Please be seated McIntyre.’ Trapper shrugged but sat down on the edge of Winchester’s desk. ‘McIntyre, were you born with bad manners or did you acquire them from Pierce?’ Trapper chose to ignore the remark. ‘What did you call me in here for, Winchester?’ Charles sighed. ‘McIntyre, Margaret has requested your presence at our home for dinner tonight. Are you free to attend?’ Trapper couldn’t help but smirk at Winchester. It was plain by the expression on his face that he sincerely hoped Trapper would decline the invitation. ‘Sure why not? It’d be good to see Hotlips.’ Charles’s face darkened. ‘McIntyre, that ‘nickname’ may have been appropriate in…Korea but it will not be tolerated here, especially in my presence.’ Trapper nodded. It took awhile but once you got him going, Winchester was very dangerous when he got mad. Trapper wasn’t in the mood to try his temper. ‘I apologise, what time should I be there?’ ‘Around 7 o’clock would be fine. Dress formally, that will be all McIntyre.’ Trapper stood up, bowed to Winchester and made his way out of the office. * * * ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you to the airport, Ben?’ Daniel hovered in his son’s bedroom doorway watching him pack frantically. ‘No dad, it’s fine I’ll catch a cab.’ Hawkeye snapped his suitcase shut and went over to hug Daniel. ‘Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’ Hawkeye mumbled in Daniel’s ear. ‘What don’t you do?’ The younger Pierce shrugged and held his father at arms length. This would be the first Christmas the two would spend apart since Hawkeye returned from the war. ‘I love you dad.’ Daniel grinned. ‘Why are you getting so teary? You’re only going to be gone a week. We can go crazy during New Years!’ Hawkeye hastily wiped his eyes and hugged his father again. ‘I have abandonment issues.’ Daniel chuckled and pushed his son into the hallway. ‘Go on, get going. You’ll miss your flight if you don’t hurry.’ ‘I need my suitcase.’ Daniel threw Hawkeye his bag with a strength that was impressive for a man his age and proceeded to push his son downstairs. When they got to the front door the older Pierce gave Hawkeye an affectionate pat on the back. ‘Send my love to Peg and BJ, get moving.’ Hawkeye grinned and walked outside into the snow towards the waiting cab. * * * ‘Louise I can’t talk right now I’m getting ready to go out!’ ‘John, would you just listen to me for once?’ Trapper fell silent at the sound of his ex wife’s demanding tone. ‘Thank you, now, would you like to have Kathy and Becky on Christmas day?’ ‘Are you fucking with me, Louise?’ ‘John don’t be filthy, yes I’m serious. Mark is taking me to New York for New Years and I need someone to take care of the girls.’ Trapper’s mood lifted considerably. His thoughts had wandered to Hawkeye and this news about his daughters was very exciting. ‘Sure I’ll take them. Can you tell them to come over tomorrow at around lunch time?’ Louise paused. ‘Can’t you take them now?’ ‘No, I was invited to dinner by some old army buddies.’ ‘Hawkeye?’ Louise’s voice turned immediately cold. ‘No, you know my boss Dr. Winchester?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘His wife, Margaret served with me in Korea. She invited me.’ ‘Major Houlihan?’ Trapper chuckled. ‘You remembered?’ ‘I’m more intelligent than you give me credit for John.’ Trapper frowned. ‘Louise, I really don’t want to fight right now. I’d like to be reasonably placid when I see Winchester.’ He heard Louise sigh on the other end and muffled talking in the background as she was obviously discussing the situation with Mark. A few moments later Louise came back on. ‘Okay John, the girls will be over tomorrow at 12, please try not to be hung over-‘ ‘Yes mother.’ ‘Mark and I will be back on January 2nd.’ ‘You’re going for eight days?’ ‘Yes, is that a problem?’ ‘No, when does school go back?’ ‘January 3rd so you shouldn’t worry about taking them.’ ‘Okay, can I go now Louise, I’m due at the Winchester’s in half an hour?’ Louise sighed. ‘Okay, bye John.’ Trapper hung up the phone without bothering to say good bye to Louise. He was still hurt by the fact that she had the audacity to let Mark move in with her after only two months. Then again you wanted Hawkeye to move in with you after only two days. A nasty voice in the back of Trapper’s head said. The doctor bitterly wished that thought away and proceeded to get ready for his dinner with the Winchester’s. * * * ‘Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your seatbelts. We will be landing in San Francisco in just a few minutes, thank you.’ Hawkeye started awake but obeyed the Captain nonetheless. He looked out the window at the city below. It was lit up brilliantly against the dark sky. It was 9 o’clock in the evening (San Francisco was two hours behind Maine) and Hawkeye was absolutely exhausted. Plane trips always did him in and he looked forward to sleeping in the Hunnicutt’s guest room. Once the plane landed and Hawkeye had gathered his things, it was just a matter of looking out for BJ. He was anxious to see his best friend. They had spoken on the phone and written letters but they hadn’t seen each other since Charles and Margaret’s wedding. ‘Uncle Hawkeye!’ Hawkeye turned around just in time to be pummelled by an over excited Erin Hunnicutt. The doctor grinned and laughed. ‘Help, I’m being attacked by a midget!’ Erin giggled and hugged Hawkeye’s knees. ‘Hi Uncle Hawkeye!’ ‘Hello sweetie.’ Hawkeye bent over and picked up the ecstatic seven-year-old. ‘Where’s your dad?’ Erin shrugged and pointed behind her nonchalantly. She looked so much like BJ. ‘He’s over there somewhere.’ ‘Hey Hawk!’ BJ came running over to his best friend and hugged him tightly which received protesting groans from Erin. ‘Daddy, you’re squishing me!’ BJ laughed and let go of Hawkeye. ‘Sorry Erin.’ The little girl harrumphed and touched her blonde pigtails to make sure they weren’t messed up. ‘Excuse me Uncle Hawkeye; you can put me down now.’ Hawkeye chuckled and placed Erin on the ground. Now he could focus his attention on BJ. ‘You grew back that moustache!’ Hawkeye laughed good-naturedly which earned him a playful smack on the shoulder. ‘I thought you liked my moustache, Hawk?’ ‘I said it was cheesy but I never said I liked it.’ ‘It always tickles when he kisses me.’ Piped up Erin who appeared to have grown an inch since August. Hawkeye laughed and tried to stifle a yawn. ‘Can we go to your place now Beej, I’m exhausted.’ BJ nodded. ‘Sure, you want me to carry your luggage?’ ‘Nah its fine, I can manage.’ The trio started walking to the car. Erin didn’t appear to be tired at all and (according to BJ) her bed time was at nine. ‘She’ll never get to sleep now.’ Sighed BJ and Hawkeye chuckled again. ‘Give her a glass of brandy that ought to put her lights out for at least eight hours.’ ‘Can you see Peg agreeing to that?’ ‘No but it doesn’t hurt to try.’ Erin looked up at the two adults. ‘What are you going to make me drink?’ Hawkeye smiled. ‘Brandy.’ Erin looked at her father quizzically. ‘Isn’t that the amber stuff in the balloon glass?’ ‘It is indeed.’ Replied BJ. Erin screwed up her nose. ‘That stuff burns my throat. Please don’t make me drink it.’ Hawkeye raised an eyebrow at his friend who shrugged. ‘I gave her a sip last Christmas.’ ‘Right.’ They arrived at BJ’s car and Erin hopped in the back seat next to two baby capsules. ‘Do Benny and Jess still need those?’ asked Hawkeye as he climbed in the passenger side. ‘They’re only two years old, Hawk.’ ‘I don’t know from kids. How are they any way?’ ‘Michael has a slight cold but the twins are healthy.’ ‘Hows Peg?’ ‘Radiant.’ Hawkeye grinned. BJ worshipped the ground his wife walked on and since the war they had hardly spent more than two weeks apart at a time. ‘It’s a pretty long drive, Hawk; you wanna try and get some sleep?’ The older man yawned and looked at his watch. ‘Half an hour right?’ BJ nodded. ‘Plenty of time for a nap.’ So Hawkeye closed his eyes and slowly drifted off whilst BJ drove them back to Mill Valley. * * * Trapper’s breath caught in his throat when he saw the large mansion before him. He knew that Winchester was rich but he didn’t think he was this rich. ‘Hotlips must be doing pretty good for herself.’ Trapper mumbled to himself before approaching the front door. He knocked loudly and waited. A few seconds later the door was opened by a stern looking man wearing a suit. Trapper assumed this must be the butler. ‘Can I help you sir?’ he asked in a British accent. How cliché? ‘Yea I’m John McIntyre; I was invited to have dinner with Dr and Mrs Winchester.’ ‘Oh yes, please follow me sir.’ The butler stood aside to let Trapper in. The entry hall was magnificent. Marble floors and a large staircase ascending to the second story stood before him. ‘May I take your coat Dr McIntyre?’ ‘Thanks Jeeves.’ Said Trapper handing over his heavy jacket. ‘My name is Nelson sir. That is a rather interesting garment you’re wearing.’ Trapper was wearing the pinstriped suit he’d had made for him especially in Korea. Except the stripes were going horizontal instead of vertical. Trapper grinned. ‘Thanks, a Korean tailor made it.’ ‘Indeed.’ Nelson gave Trapper a look of mounting distaste. ‘Shall I announce you?’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Sure, where are they?’ ‘Dr and Mrs Winchester are residing in the den for the moment. Please follow me.’ Trapper smirked behind Nelson’s back as he followed him to the den. Nelson opened the door to an elegant room that was being warmed by a large fireplace. Large blue velvet curtains hung over the windows and large comfy leather chairs were scattered about around the hearth. Seated on a lounge together nursing glasses of rosé were Winchester and Margaret who looked up when Nelson opened the door. ‘Dr and Mrs Winchester, John McIntyre has arrived.’ Margaret rose from her seat and rushed over to Trapper enveloping him in a hug. ‘Trapper, you look wonderful.’ Margaret grinned widely at the former Captain. Trapper smiled back. ‘You look ravishing.’ Indeed she did. Margaret’s blonde hair was pulled back in a loose bun at the back of her hair and she was wearing a lovely pale blue pants suit which brought out the colour of her baby blue eyes. ‘Thank you Trapper.’ Somehow hearing Margaret address Trapper by his nickname didn’t feel right. ‘Margaret, please call me John.’ A look of confusion passed over the blonde’s face but she smiled nevertheless. ‘Okay, John.’ Margaret looked Trapper up and down and began to laugh. ‘Where did you get that suit?’ Trapper grinned. ‘A Korean tailor made it for me remember?’ ‘Oh yea, I never thought you’d keep it!’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Well, I’ve never had the occasion to wear it until now.’ Charles cleared his throat to get their attention. ‘Oh, sorry Charles, come over here John.’ Trapper complied and walked over to the fireplace where Winchester was seated nursing his wine. He looked so regal, so stern. Trapper couldn’t imagine this man being anywhere near the 4077th. How did he survive? Margaret that’s how. ‘Would you care for some wine McIntyre?’ Charles offered. Trapper nodded and sat on a chair opposite the Winchesters. Margaret had seated herself next to Charles and his expression had warmed considerably. They were definitely in love. ‘So how are you Margaret? You look absolutely wonderful.’ Margaret blushed, something Trapper never thought he’d see her do. ‘Thank you John, I am very well. Charles is treating me great.’ ‘So you like living in Buckingham Palace then?’ Margaret giggled. ‘I know it’s pretty intimidating at first but you get used to it. So how are you John? Have you seen anyone from the 4077th lately?’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Well aside from you and Winchester, no one.’ And Hawkeye. Conversation halted as Nelson entered the den. ‘Excuse me, Dr Winchester, there is a Dr. Hamilton on the phone, he says it’s urgent.’ Charles sighed and stood up. ‘I don’t know why those incompetents can’t do anything without me.’ Margaret reached out to pet her husband’s arm. ‘It’s because you’re so important Charles.’ ‘I know, I know.’ Charles stalked out of the room to take the call, leaving Margaret and Trapper alone. ‘So how are you John, really?’ Trapper grinned but it didn’t quite meet his eyes. ‘I’m fine Margaret…just dandy.’ Margaret gave Trapper a look of disbelief. ‘Come on, you’ve been here ten minutes and you haven’t even tried to make a pass at me or molest me or anything.’ ‘Do you want me to?’ ‘No.’ growled Margaret in her old Major Houlihan tone. ‘Well, Winchester is my boss and I don’t think it’d be appropriate to flirt with his wife in his presence.’ Margaret tried to hide her smile. ‘Since when?’ ‘Look Major can we cut this out. Nothing is wrong!’ Margaret’s pleasant mood faded. ‘Don’t talk back to me McIntyre, I’m a superior…oh wait…’ She trailed off into giggles. Trapper grinned. ‘We don’t do that anymore remember?’ ‘Sorry, I’ve used that threat so often that I can’t seem to break the habit.’ Trapper had heard stories from Hawkeye and Radar that Margaret had become a changed woman after he was discharged. After Frank was transferred she became more human and less of a demanding figure although she still stuck to her nursing duties. Trapper hadn’t believed it at first but seeing this beautiful woman seated before him, talking civilly to him, he knew that the stories were true. ‘So…have you been working? I haven’t seen you around Boston General.’ Margaret nodded. ‘I’ve been working at a small clinic downtown for the past 18 months. But I won’t be much longer.’ Trapper frowned. ‘How come? Is Winchester all gung ho about women staying home and cooking while men go to work?’ Margaret shook her head. ‘No, we just don’t think it’d be good for the baby.’ ‘You’re pregnant?’ Margaret’s grin was so wide that Trapper thought her lips would meet at the back of her head. ‘You’ve been busting to tell me this haven’t you?’ ‘That’s why I got Charles to invite you up here. What do you think?’ ‘I think it’s wonderful, how far along are you?’ ‘Almost eight weeks. The baby is due approximately mid to late July.’ Trapper leant over and hugged the former Major. ‘That is fabulous Margaret, congratulations.’ ‘Thank you, but enough about me. How is your family John?’ Trapper’s smile faded instantly. ‘Oh God John what’s the matter? Is it the girls?’ ‘Louise and I got divorced a few months ago.’ ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ Trapper shrugged. ‘No big deal, I cheated on her and I guess she couldn’t take it anymore.’ Margaret actually laughed. ‘But I thought both of you cheated on each other, why was this time any different?’ Trapper paused. This was it the moment of truth. He could either tell Margaret and risk being kicked out of her home or he could lie. ‘Can I confide in you Margaret?’ The blonde’s expression softened. ‘Of course, what is it?’ Trapper sighed. ‘The reason Louise kicked me out is because of Hawkeye.’ Margaret became instantly confused. ‘Hawkeye ran off with your wife?’ Trapper laughed. ‘No, no, no…it’s…more complicated than that.’ Margaret put a hand on the doctor’s knee. ‘Tell me.’ ‘Do you remember that Hawkeye and I were really close in Korea?’ ‘Of course, you two were practically joined at the hip. I remember those stupid gorilla suits that you idiots purchased. You scared the hell out of me with those.’ Trapper chuckled but instantly sobered up to emphasise the seriousness of the situation. ‘Do you remember when Hawk and I had to sober you up that one time?’ Margaret struggled to recall. ‘…vaguely, wasn’t that when I demanded a transfer because of you two?’ ‘Probably, well, do you remember how you were all over me and saying how much you loved me?’ Margaret blushed so Trapper assumed she did. ‘And then Hawkeye said that that was when he fell in love with…you…’ Margaret paused as realisation dawned on her. ‘You and Pierce?’ Trapper nodded, preparing for the screaming match that was sure to ensue. ‘But, I thought…the nurses?’ ‘Well we had to make sure nobody got suspicious of us.’ ‘Well I must say it worked.’ Margaret wasn’t giving anything away by the tone of her voice so Trapper couldn’t tell whether she was mad, disgusted, confused or anything. ‘But…what has that got to do with Louise?’ Trapper sighed. He was about to tell Margaret something that nobody except himself and Louise knew. ‘When I got back from Korea I was feeling pretty lousy about the way Hawk and I parted. He probably told you that he missed me by ten minutes at Kimpo?’ Margaret nodded. ‘He only mentioned it about a hundred times.’ ‘Okay well although I never said so, Louise knew that I had cheated on her numerous times while I was away. But that was fine because she had done the same according to my sister.’ ‘And you were both okay with that?’ Trapper shrugged. ‘We only cheated for sex, not love. Louise only loved me and I only loved her…’ Trapper paused and Margaret knew what he wanted to say. ‘Until you met Hawkeye?’ The doctor nodded. ‘I felt…revolted at first. You know because it’s supposedly wrong to love someone of the same sex. Then I kept trying to deny the fact that I really felt that way. You may recall a time when I was particularly aroused by the nursing staff.’ Margaret raised an eyebrow. ‘Yes I do. I thought I was going to have to spray you with cold water. So…that was only to take your mind off your feelings for Hawkeye?’ Trapper nodded. ‘Yep, I figured since Hawkeye spent so much time with the nurses that he was completely straight. That is until that night when we were given the in enviable job of trying to sober you up.’ Trapper was about to go on when he heard Charles clear his throat and enter the den solemnly. Oh shit, how much has he heard? Margaret seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Trapper because she had an expression on her face that resembled a rabbit caught in headlights. Charles found the scene before him rather amusing. So much so that he let out a short laugh. ‘You needn’t be alarmed McIntyre. I have no problems with homosexual behaviour. I would advice you however to keep your voice down to a dull roar when discussing your escapades with Pierce.’ Trapper and Margaret breathed sighs of relief as Charles sat down next to the latter. ‘Do go on, I find this quite fascinating.’ McIntyre grinned awkwardly. ‘Uh…where was I up to?’ ‘I believe you were about to tell us when you and Pierce discovered your love for one another.’ There was the slightest hint of amusement in the aristocrat’s voice but Trapper ignored it and continued his story. ‘Well, I confronted Hawkeye in the Swamp afterwards and discovered that he really did have feelings for me. He was worried that I might be afraid or disgusted so he had kept his yap shut. I guess you can figure how the evening went after that.’ Margaret’s expression looked to Charles as though she had just completed a particularly passionate bout of lovemaking. Trapper however didn’t seem to notice. ‘After that I felt guilty because I still loved Louise but I loved Hawkeye with just as much force. When I arrived home I pretended that nothing other than nurse molesting had gone on in Korea and Louise and I picked up where we had left off.’ Margaret frowned. ‘That still doesn’t explain how Hawkeye broke up your marriage.’ ‘Knowing Pierce he probably broke into the McIntyre residence and declared his undying love for Trapper.’ Charles chuckled at his joke. Trapper shot Charles a look that could have killed. ‘Not funny Winchester.’ ‘Sorry, but you have to admit that it seems like the kind of thing Pierce would do.’ Trapper shrugged. ‘Okay I’ll give you that one. May I continue?’ Charles nodded his head and Trapper resumed his story. ‘Okay well five years after the war I invited Hawk to dinner.’ Trapper went on to explain the details of his failed reconciliation with Hawkeye. ‘When Hawk stormed out of the house I turned to go upstairs and I saw Louise standing in the kitchen doorway with a very murderous expression on her face. Turns out that she had heard everything that Hawk and I had said to each other and she was not very happy about it.’ Margaret put her hand to her mouth. ‘What did she say?’ ‘We had a huge argument over Hawkeye and Louise kept saying how disgusting and wrong it was that I was sleeping with a man (she comes from a very homophobic family) and that she wanted me out of the house.’ To his horror Trapper’s throat began to get tight and his eyes swam with tears. ‘I told Hawk at your wedding that we had only been separated six months but it’d really been two years. I also told him some stupid reason about why Louise kicked me out. He bought it thankfully.’ Trapper had to pause because tears had started to run down his cheeks. Charles looked decidedly uncomfortable as Margaret leant over and hugged the former Captain. ‘Where is Hawkeye now?’ Trapper wiped is eyes gruffly with the back of his hand. ‘We had another argument after I asked him to come live with me and he walked out and went back to Maine. I haven’t seen him since.’ There was a long silence as the Winchesters sat and digested all that they had been told by Trapper. Charles was the one who broke the silence. ‘Do you love him?’ ‘Um…yea I guess so.’ Replied Trapper awkwardly. ‘No, not I guess so, yes or no?’ ‘Winchester, has anyone ever told you that you have the sensitivity of a blunt axe?’ ‘Many times, answer the question McIntyre.’ Margaret frowned at her husband. ‘Charles, John’s right you are being a little insensitive.’ Trapper rolled his eyes. ‘Yes I do okay? But how the hell are we going to live together if we can’t spend three days without fighting?’ Nelson entered the den at that point and the conversation ceased immediately. ‘Dinner is served sir.’ Nelson addressed his boss briefly and left the room. The trio stood up and walked out of the den silently, not knowing that Charles was thinking up a solution to this rather unusual problem. Chapter 6 Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Chapter 1 ]
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