Finding The 4077th

Bad Mood

It was around a week ago that Charles first arrived on the 4077th and Chris was finally brave enough to talk to the man. He started out as asking about the meaning of a word Charles had used and thankfully Charles gave him an explanation. He had seen that as permission to keep asking and the questions haven't stopped. It started out slow with small things but soon it became a lot. Chris wanted to know everything about the man. Even though Charles didn't seem to like that the child was bothering him so much, he did enjoy talking about himself and what he had accomplished in his life.

They were lounging in the Swamp after breakfast and Charles was sitting in his chair listening to his record player. His hand moved slowly in the air at the tune of the classic music.

“What are you listening to? “ Chris asked out of the blue from down on the floor of the Swamp where the boy was reading his comic book.

“Beethoven“ Charles replied a bit irritated as he was trying to listen.

Hawkeye had to keep a close eye on his kid to make sure the boy wouldn't overdo it with his interrogation. He had seen Charles snap at the boy several times already and he knew the child could be a bit much sometimes. And on top of that they all been working a lot these weeks and everyone in the 4077th was moody and tense.

There just wasn't a lot of time to relax between the long hours of work and Hawkeye didn't want Chris to add to any irritation the other doctors might have. Thankfully they had some long hours of sleep and a couple of hours to relax before the wounded would be arriving.

“I've never heard of them.“ the boy stated. Charles looked completely shocked before he gave Hawkeye an accusing look.

“Pierce really? Aren't you the one responsible for the child's education?“ He was slightly outraged.

“Didn't you know? “ Hawkeye said as he looked over his magazine at his son. Chris seemed very enthusiastic about the other man but had difficulties understanding him sometimes. The boy looked back at him with slight confusion.

“What are you on about? “ Charles asked

“The army sent you for that, didn't you know that's the whole reason you are here." Hawkeye said, he winked at his son who looked even more confused, letting him know he was joking, Chris broke out in giggles. “It's to teach my kid all about classical music.“

Charles chuckled at the stupidity of it. “ I would appreciate it if you didn't involve me in your insignificant jokes. “

“What does i-insig-ni-fi-cant mean? “ Chris asked,he was trying hard to pronounce it correctly.

“Meaningless “ Charles explained as he closed his eyes, trying to ignore the boy.

“Oh.“ the child thought about that for a second.

Hawkeye had told Charles that Chris was Dutch and that the boy was still learning English. So thankfully the other doctor didn't make fun of the child for not knowing some words or phrases. Hawkeye didn't know if he liked Charles yet but at least the man had dignity and acted like an adult which was already a big step up from Frank Burns.

“It's not a joke, it's true. Radar is here to teach him administration skills and BJ, well I don't know about BJ. “ Hawkeye explains.

BJ chuckled, “Clearly I'm here to teach the boy some humor. “

“Clearly so.“ Charles replied.

“Not so,” Hawkeye said as he stuck out his tongue in a childish display.

Chris giggled and asked “But what is a beethoven? “

Hawkeye saw Charles' face twitch a little and decided to put a stop on it. “Chris, I think that's enough, let's leave the man alone. “ He told the boy.