Finding The 4077th

Just Being Friendly

Things had turned back to normal for a while. It was a very busy period and they needed to work long hours and for once again Hawkeye was glad he allowed Chris inside the OR again, otherwise the boy would have been alone for almost two days straight. Chris's demeanor changed for the better, he wasn't as angry all the time and even though he was just sitting in the O.R it had made a big difference.

It also helped Hawkeye’s mood. He hadn't realized how moody and stressed he was and how much he missed having his kid around him. Just hearing him laugh or giggle at his jokes made all the difference. It did lighten the mood of the whole O.R immensely.

Today they had been working for almost the whole day again and even though the boy spent most of that time sitting in the O.R, he seemed happy. After the long day, they went to the showers before he had to send Chris to bed. He and the other doctors needed to wash away the dirt and blood from this session.

Hawkeye was singing an opera tune loudly while he was soaping himself up. The warm water felt great after such long hours of standing in front of an operating table.

Chris grinned at his dad, he had just showered himself and was already dressed in his superman pajamas he had gotten from Radar a couple of days ago with the light blue bathrobe his dad ordered for him. It was his favorite color and he was overjoyed when it was delivered.

He didn't want to leave yet as everyone from the Swamp was there and thankfully his dad didn't seem to mind. Chris giggled loudly as BJ started singing as well.

With a loud opera voice, he sang.
# La donna e mobile. Oh what I ate today #

Hawkeye started laughing as BJ continued. # Pasta fazul and army gruel #

Hawkeye clapped his hands before he joined in again singing but to a whole different tune.

Charles walked over as he combed the little hair he had, the man looked not amused.

“Do you realize that you are singing two entirely different operas and they are both out of tune? “

“Don't blame me, I didn't write this stuff.“ Hawkeye said as the door from the showers opened and Colonel Potter walked in.

“I need a volunteer for a business trip. “ The man said, looking over at the three doctors.

“Business trip?“ BJ asked.

Potter explains to them that the 8063rd wants to see a demonstration of the 4077th's arterial transplant procedure, and since it was Hawkeye who has performed most of them, he's assigned to go.

“I thought you were looking for volunteers? “ Hawkeye said. He wasn't happy at all by being chosen to do this. He also had Chris to think about. The last time they separated, Chris spent hours walking back to the 4077th, all on his own through enemy territory and Hawkeye didn't want any repeat like that.

“ I was breaking it to you gently. “ Potter said.

“But Colonel... Why me? “ Hawkeye tried and quickly glanced at his son. Chris looked back at him with big eyes full of terror. He already looked very pale and he could see the boy trembling from here.

Chris sniffed as his eyes got glossy. The thought that Hawkeye would leave without him did almost hurt. It horrified him, he couldn't lose the man. He didn't want his dad to go but he also clearly remembered the punishment he got for walking back last time, and he didn't want to repeat that. 

Potter cleared his throat and said “And don't worry about your boy, I'll keep a good eye on him. “ Potter gave the pale child a stern look. “After last time, I'm not letting him out of my sight. Even if I have to take him to the woodshed myself.“