Finding The 4077th

Commander Dad

“And scurvy.“ Hawkeye added. Anything to get out of this arrangement.

“You're still it!“ Potter explained.

“What about BJ?“ Hawkeye tried.

“I don't want it,” BJ quickly added from under his blankets.

“That's good enough for me.“ Potter said as he turned toward Hawkeye again. “You've got seniority, Pierce.“

“But I'm a coward! My insignia is a cringing chicken.“ Hawkeye tried to explain, but it only resulted in getting a giggle from Chris. “I don't know how to give orders.“

“That's all right. No one around here knows how to take 'em. ”Potter told Hawkeye while patting his knee with sympathy and added. “Don't worry. Radar knows the routine.“

The Colonel got up and told Pierce he should be up at 0600 hours. With a last “Night, boys.“ He left.

“Hawkeye, I'm truly happy for you.“ BJ said. The man looked tired as well.

Chris grabbed his alarm clock and started adjusting it to 05:30 hours. His dad would probably sleep through it all if he didn't put on an alarm.

“So am I,“ Charles added. “It's like one of those westerns where the town drunk becomes sheriff.“ He laughed and took a gulp of his cough syrup.

“All right, Here's my first command. You, bubble-cheeks.“ Hawkeye said as he pointed his finger angrily to Charles “Get your steam room and your gargle out of here and into post-op on the double!“

“I will not!“ Charles said.

“You will for your Commander!“ Hawkeye said as he stood up and closed the distance between him and Charles.

“Ten-hut! “ The man snapped. “Hut, hut, hut, hut, hut, hut, hut!“

Charles quickly got up to get away from the man almost screaming in his face. “I will to get away from my Commander.“

“Good! Left, left! Right, right!“ Hawkeye snapped and followed behind him to the door, making sure the man went away.

Charles left and it became quiet again after Hawkeye went back to bed.

Chris sighed tiredly, they didn't have long to sleep if they needed to get up before 6, but he was happy to be able to help Radar and his dad tomorrow. His dad the Commander. He hoped everything would be fine, he knew you needed to work with a lot of paperwork and Hawkeye wasn't organized at all.

Hawkeye started snoring softly in the cot next to him and Chris started to drift asleep as well.

The next morning Chris awoke by his alarm clock and got up. He yawned deeply as he got dressed. His headache was still there and his throat felt like sandpaper. He ignored it as he went over to Hawkeye to nudge the man. Hawkeye groaned and tried to push him away as he mumbled “Let me sleep. “

“Dad! You need to wake up! Radar is counting on you!“ Chris said as he kept pushing his dad gently. Hawkeye finally sat up and said. “I know! I've wanted to sleep through this whole Commander thing.“

Chris gasped. “But Radar needs your help. “ He mumbled.

Hawkeye looked at the shocked expression of the boy and decided to get up. He knew that if he didn't, Radar and Chris both would try to wake him and the clerk could be a lot more creative with his methods than his son.

Hawkeye didn't really look awake when he stepped out of bed and put on his red bathrobe. He gave Chris a quick hug and yawned widely  “Morning Kiddo.“ he mumbled before walking to the door.