#mash unit

"Shit ass reunion. How are my men?" He asked, through gritted teeth as Bird removed the worst of the fragments. The rest? Fucking hell, of course the four never fought alone. "Haven't seen them yet. I'm hoping you're the only one I do."

Bird worked quickly with the Major, while she gave a quick explanation about how the two Captains met and knew each other. The Major had shown some support for Farah's care when she'd arrived at the MASH unit, rather than siding with Borne as she often did. "Pleasure to meet you Captain. You're in good hands."

"Never been in bette-agh!" Price said before Bird took out a bad piece of shrapnel, this one in the Captain's shoulder.

"He's good to go." Bird told the other aids. "Say hi to Tracker for me Captain."

Price didn't give her a reply before being loaded up. Bird sighed. The man had how many pieces in him, and was more worried about his men than himself. Something told Bird she was going to see the others real soon. Then, like a costume change in a play, Sergeant Garrick was set down. Holy fuck, would he even be able to use his arm again? There were bullet wounds and debris practically coating it, whatever he had for a sleeve was gone. His cap was missing too. Another one she would do personally.

"Major can you give me a tag that says "Not for Borne" on it?" Bird asked, getting a look from the major.

"Hey bird." Kyle groaned. "Where's the cap'n?"

"Hey buddy." Bird said, checking his forehead, which was soaked in sweat. "Worry about your arm first. Can you still feel it?"

"Yeah." Kyle breathed. Now the trick was to make sure he could keep it. "Soap and Ghost?"

"Haven't had the pleasure yet." Bird said, distracted. Assessing his arm, it should recover. The trick was ensuring he'd still have his nerves intact. "Major I'm gonna need your help."

The major was ready to assist like the amazing nurse she was. The major's eyes widened, seeing the damage. Her composure remained, "Sergeant."

"Major." Kyle returned.

"Look at that Sergeant, you got two ladies fauning over your big arm." Bird teased, giving him a wink. Kyle was ablke to give her a smirk, before turning his head away. Good, Bird didn't want him to watch either. If she could, Bird would have performed on him right then and there, but Bird didn't have the right tools and needed an x ray to see what was below the surface. The major was thankfully strong enough to hold down Kyle's arm so he couldn't flinch or pull away. A quick patch and go job, and Kyle joined the Captain in the ambulance before it was shut, and sent off to the MASH.

Bird grit her teeth to regain her focus. Deep breaths. It was a lot, but she would make it. She promised everyone back at the MASH. Rest, they could rest for now.

The major was settling in a blanket with a duffel bag for a pillow, Bird doing the same beside her. The work had been long and tiring, exhaustion was consuming Bird but so was paranoia. Anyone could drop in on them. Unfortunately, two people did. Someone with a hard thick British accent was yelling.

“Medic! We need a medic!”

Bird yanked her half of the blanket off of herself, leaving the other half on the major. Exhaustion was a distant memory as she recognized the voice. Only one person spoke like that in the middle of the shitty conflict. When she reached the edge of the station she saw two figures, one slumped against the other. They could be a renaissance painting with the scene they were in, and the skull mask on Ghost’s face. Bird rushed out to meet them, calling for the Major to prep a table for Soap, who was fighting for consciousness.

Simon helped him on to the table, while Bird got to work immediately. Soap was groaning and wincing, as Bird worked hastily and quickly. Simon stood by to assist, keeping Soap still. With not much in the way of anesthesia, Bird got a rag for Soap to bite down on. Bird poured some sterilzing liquid, making Soap arch his back from the pain.

"I know, I know, it fucking hurts and I'm a bobag." Bird said, getting to work with stopping the bleeding. Bird grit her teeth with stress, seeing just how much blood had been lost already. "Lieuntenant I need his blood type."

Simon got a hold of Johnny's dog tags and kept him held down. Johnny was breathing hard to try and endure the pain, while Simon checked Johnny's blood type. O Positive. Universal donor but not exactly reciever. Simon was the wrong the blood type. The major was as well, so she checked to see if there were any others. Bird got to work stopping the bleeding. They wouldn't be able to give much blood if it just leaked out the same hole. Thank every god that the major was able to find O negative. The major kept an eye on Johnny's pulse as he started slipping in and out of consciousness. Bird waited with baited breath, as the major read out his pulse. Not strong, but the blood should stabilize it. Bird still waited, the wound sewn up. They needed to wait until his pulse was in the same zone, then Bird would get him to the MASH personally. There could be some desertion consequences but she would tell them to shove it later.

A nod from the major and another read and finally Bird could breath again. Bailey tossed her head back, while Simon dropped his. Bird held out her hand to Ghost. "Good to see you again."

"Likewise." Ghost said, giving her a nod and handshake. "What's next?"

"We wait for the blood to stabilize him for a bit longer, then I'll get him back to camp." Bird said, standing up straight. "For now, take a seat, I want to look at you."

"I ask for dinner first." Simon said, but complied with the doctor's instruction.

"Most people just shove the bills in my waist band." Bailey said, getting Simon's gear off. The damage on it was pretty extensive, but whether it reached flesh was the real question. No wonder Simon had sat down so willingly, he was wincing as he removed his jacket. There were some bruises from bulletsstriking the vest in some weaker spots. No doubt Ghost's focus was on saving Johnny and not himself.

While Bird was dealing with any bullet wounds, removing the casings, Simon kept quiet and still. The Major stood nearby, despite her own fatigued state. Simon noticed her fidgeting.

"Staring his extra major." He commented. The major went red in the face with frustration and embarassment before storming off to her duffel pillow and army blanket.

"How much for more than just staring?" Bird said, inspecting the bullet she took out.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Simon teased.

"I'll ask the scotsmen later, possibly during a bath." Bird replied.

Ghost assisted Bird and the Major with loading Soap into the jeep. Bailey sped off, with Ghost keeping Johnny's unconcious body secure to the gurney. Bird called for impromptu surgery while the major got Johnny into pre-op. Borne tried to intercept the Major but she was much more focused on her work, and getting Johnny prepped.

Bird got to work on Johnny properly, but she was still tired and rattled. It was going to take a minute while she scrubbed up. Tracker tried to intercept her as well, but as soon as he saw her scrubbing up, he followed her lead. Even his workwife had limits, and he was happy to take over where she needed it. Ghost was examined again for his injuries, but insisted on staying in the operating room.

"Worried about his boyfriend." Bird teased to Tracker. Ghost didn't argue, just sat and watched the surgery. He would check on Price and Gaz later. Thankfully there weren't any complications, only a bit of a struggle with getting some blood on short notice. Simon watched calmly, despite the gore before him.

By the end, Bird gestured for Simon to follow her and Tracker back to their tent. They needed a drink and a rest. As Bird was changing out of her scrubs, she had to lean against the walls, and prop herself up on the sink. Tracker took notice, getting back into his regular fatigues quickly.

"Come on Birdie, back to the nest." Tracker said, once she was back in her fatigues, Simon offering his shoulder to lean on. Tracker took her other arm, and pulled it over her shoulders, escorting her back to their tent. Simon walked next to her, his keeping Borne at bay. Major Heat caught up to them, wanting to speak with Bird for a moment. Alone. Tracker wouldn't let her, intent on Bird getting some sleep.

"I just wanted to say thank you, for last night. And thank you for the trust you put in me." The major said, keeping a professional tone. Bird smiled lazily, and went to the Major, holding herself up by the major's shoulders.

"If it were anyone else major, I would have a rotten time. It was worth the wait." Bird said before giving the major a light kiss on the cheek. The major would have swatted the captain for that, but she didn't. Instead the two went their separate ways, to their separate tents.

When Price awoke, he recognized where he was immediately. The last place he wanted to be. Fuck, he was going to be ordered bed rest and no work, something he hated. Sure, down time was something he welcomed from time to time, but not in long doses. Maybe he could convince Laswell to send him some reports to go over. Price sat up in the caught and looked around the room. He saw Kyle next to him, and... holy shit his arm. It wasn't broken, but god knows if he would be able to move it again. Damn it, it was up to his shoulder.

Price got up, to check Kyle's chart. There was plenty of pain in his abdomen, but he pushed through it to retrieve the clipboard. A nurse noticed him moving and came over to stop him, but he ignored her. Kyle was his concern. Price was thankfully able to relax when he saw the chart, stating no nerve damage by some miracle. Price sighed in relief, and finally let the nurse take him back to his bed.

"Nurse?" Price asked after the nurse got Price's blanket back over him, and the pillows propped up. Price hated being fussed over like this, he wasn't a child. "Have you seen a Scotsmen or a skull mask come in yet?"

"Sergeant Johnathon and Lieutenant Simon?" She asked. That was probably a yes, but Price was more caught off guard by someone calling Johnny, Johnathon. "The Lieutenant is up and walking. I think he's wandering the camp right now. As for the Sergeant, he's just over there."

The nurse directed Price's attention to Johnny who was laying in bed, out like a light. Plenty of bandages on him, and on fluids as well. Price let out another sigh of relief. His men were okay, and alive. He could live with that. Price sat back, closing his eyes. The more rest he got, the faster he would recover. The faster he recovered, the sooner he could get back to work.

Bird went to post op to see her favourite Task Force, once she was well rested and showered. Tracker didn't blame Bird for sleeping for almost a full day straight through. At least she was resting instead of working. Bird smiled her usual smug and cheeky grin when she saw Kyle sitting on the edge of the bed. He gave her a friendly smile in return as she came over to check on him.

"Still feel your arm?" She asked, looking over his chart.

"Thanks to you I've been told." Kyle replied.

"Tracker too. If he hadn't barked and growled at Borne when he tried to work on you, it would be as effective as a claw in a claw machine." Bailey joked. "Would only pick up what you wanted every 100 attempts. Cost you a ton of quarters too."

Kyle chuckled. Smart mouth as always. Bird called for a nurse to bring a sling. She wanted to ensure the arm could still bend without much pain, and Kyle would be able to walk around the camp with a bit more comfort. Kyle never realized how gentle Bird could be when it came to her patients, her delicate hands lifting his arm with him and fastening it in the sling. "Comfortable?"

"Surprisingly yeah." Kyle answered. "How long until the bandages come off."

"About two weeks as long as you don't strain yourself. No lifting 10 pounds, and that includes the nurses." Bird ordered.

"Yes captain." Kyle said with a hint of sarcasm, and a half hearted salute. Bird looked past him and saw Price looking like he was in pain, head back, eyes shut, and fidgeting. Bird leaned in closer to Kyle.

"Is he okay?" She asked.

"He's suffering from work withdrawal." Kyle exclaimed, keeping his voice low.

"Can still hear ya Gaz." Price said. Bird went over to her fellow captain, sitting on the cot. "Think we could get a call to Laswell?"

"I can call the PX to get you a book and some crayons." Bird said, checking his bandages. Still looking good, no issues so far.

"How's Soap?" Price asked quietly. Bird looked up at him for a moment before returning her attention to his injuries.

"On the mend. He'll pull through." She assured him. Bailey got up and retrieved the clipboard to make a couple of small notes. "In the meantime, I'll get you that phone call."

Before Bailey could move on to the next patient Price spoke up. "How long until Soap wakes up?"

Bailey honestly didn't have an exact answer. The damage was pretty bad, it was arguably a miracle he made it to the aid station. He'd pull through but when he woke up, that was another story. The doctor had seen Price's type before, went out with his type before. Missions came first, the sooner the better. For John, his men were priority.

"Can't be sure, maybe a couple of weeks. In the meantime may I suggest you find a hobby to help you with your work addiction?" Bailey said. Price gave her a smile and Bailey couldn't help but return it.

When Soap woke up, he felt like shit. He'd had some nasty fucking hangovers but this took the cake. A nurse said something that he couldn't quite hear, before a familiar pretty face sat on the floor with her fists under her chin and her elbows propped on crossed legs. Once his eyes adjusted he groaned, wanting to go back to sleep. Fuck he was sore. As he tried to close his eyes, a hand went to the stubble on his face.

"I know you want five more minutes, but your dads need you outside for the yard work." Bailey told him. Soap sighed through his nose, eyes closed, but then he started to sit up. Bailey was on her feet in an instant, getting him propped up with some pillows. Johnny winced slightly at the sound of a chair scraping the ground for Bailey to sit on to start going over his damage. "Can you hear me okay?"

"In mae dreams." Soap answered, eyes still closed, head facing the cieling. "How's Ghost?"

"A lot better than you I'm afraid." Bailey told him. "What exactly happened?"

"Caught in a blast. Was pinned down, couldnae get away far enough." Soap said. Bailey checked his pulse, and his heart. They were steady. "What 'bout Garrick and Price?"

"Most people in your state should be worrying about themselves. Not much good to the world dead." Bailey told him. "They're okay. Price got some hits to the abdomen. Kyle's arm won't be needing measurements for a prosthetic. Ghost just took a couple hits, said it happened dragging you out."

"One more question." Soap asked as Bailey checked his bandages. Not too tight, good. They could move him to clear liquids now. Price would be relieved to hear that, no doubt. Bird nodded for Johnny to continue. "How long do I 'ave left?"

"You should be up and moving again in a short time. A week or so."

"How long was I out for?"

"About a week or so." Bailey said. Soap grinned. "I'll go get Ghost for you, let him haunt for a bit."

Bird left post-op and called Ghost over. He looked relieved through the balaclava and eye paint. Over the time Soap had been out, Ghost had been coming to check on him. Once Price and Gaz had recovered, they'd started taking shifts. When Bailey had returned from the aid station, Tracker had done the same for her. He took care of her, and watched over her while she rested.

For the rest of the recovery period, Bailey worked with each of the four men. If she thought it would keep them away from battle, she would have tended to them less. As soon as she overheard Johnny asking Ghost to help him walk though, Bird knew it was a matter of time before they did more damage to themselves.

Ghost didn't need much tending to, if anything he was helping Bird with getting Johnny on his feet again, making sure he was still eating, taking his medications, and getting rest. Borne tried to give Johnny some orders when it came to eating or sucking up the pain, but one word from Ghost had the major fleeing with his tail between his legs. Then Simon would tell Johnny he did need to eat.

"I know. Just didnae wanna with 'im spoiling it." Johnny said. Johnny hated the way the meds made his head feel funny, so he wouldn't be on his feet until Bird gave him the okay. Simon could still lend a shoulder if Johnny started to feel a little crazy sitting around. The food was still garbage, but he preferred at least eating it in the mess tent with the others than by himself.

Johnny was taking his treatment in stride. Did he push himself? Yes, to Bailey's frustration, he would, but at least he was testing it slowly. Price and Gaz offered a shoulder on the off chance Simon was helping with something else, sometimes the kids that came running around the MASH unit. If Bailey let him, Johnny would sit outside if only to sit with the kids who were playing games with the other soldiers. Sometimes one of the kids would come over to watch with him and he did his best to answer any questions they had for him. Adorable little rascals.

Gaz would spend time with the kids and other soldiers when he could. He got Tracker to run him through some physical therapy for his arm as long as it didn't risk his stitches. With his arm out of commission for a while, he wanted to maintain the usual muscle memory. Bird was checking it constantly.

"I'm starting to think you just want to look." Kyle teased.

"One of them many benefits of my position." Bird admitted. "It shouldn't need the sling anymore, so it's progress."

Kyle got the sling off, and stretched his arm carefully. Still a little stiff but he could start lifting with it. Plenty of scars to be had, but it didn't stop Bailey from admiring his muscle. Kyle took notice of her eyes. "Appreciating my work doc?"

"I would say it's a team effort, with my stitches." Bailey said, giving Kyle a smile. "Just don't hit the gym for another couple of days or our group project will go to waste."

"Yes ma'am." Kyle said. Bailey was good to hear someone following hewr orders. If only the captain would heed her words. She couldn't pull rank on him since they were on mutual ground, the best she could do was find him some reading material.

Bailey gave Price the word that he could get up and walk around again. He'd gone through plenty of paperwork and files in that time, including the reports for the fight they had been pulled from. Despite her suggestion, Price turned down Bailey's offer to talk to a psychiatrist.

"Nothing wrong up here, just under the bandages." Price said. Bailey shrugged. It couldn't be forced. Maybe she could talk to Laswell, get her to intervene. Then again, Laswell probably already tried that.

Price was able to recover quickly, and did what he could to get some extra supplies sent to the camp. The major was against the off record shipments, until Price shut him down with all the paperwork to sanction it. Bailey was standing next to him at the time.

"You need a major's signature to make this shipment legal." Borne argued. Price was doing very well not to chew the major out for his blatant disregard for Price's generosity.

"Borne maybe get off you feather capped pony for five seconds and check our inventory numbers. Everytime we do a full restock, there's only half for the next full batch of wounded. Just because you want to speedrun every surgery with as few items used up as possible doesn't mean everyone can."

"Keep it up Pierce and I'll have you riding back with this truck."

"Is that a promise?" Bailey asked, sounding eager.

"Bite me." Borne shot back.

"Sorry Borne, not attracted to dumbasses." Bailey said. Major Heat came into the conversation, and Price was starting to get a headache. Bailey could feel him starting to lean on her, ever so slightly.

"Major Borne, what is going on?" Heat asked.

"Turning away contraband." Borne answered.

"Contraband?" Bailey said, her smart ass dropping for hard attitude. "Oh well if this contraband then lets get another truck, pack up all our first aid kits, load up the blankets and gauze, making sure blood and plasma is on there too!"

Major Heat reached for Price while Bailey spoke, looking over the paperwork ehrself. Everything was in order except the signature. As the head nurse, Heat knew just how valuable the supplies were, and how difficult it could be to have enough when they needed it. Borne looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to side with him as she often did. By the book, no nonsense. But Heat was better than that.

"So you don't get your way or any toys for christmas, boo hoo Pierce. I'm not signing anything unless it comes directly from the higher ups and not your big British buddies." Borne sneered, Bailey stepped a little closer, ready to sucker punch him, hosue arrest be damned. "While you've been sleeping on your ass maybe you could have gotten the extra supplies from the PX directl-"

"Captain Price do you have a pen?" Heat spoke up, shutting Borne's mouth immediately. Price took a second to process the question through the irritating voice of Borne and his head ache. With missing another beat, Price handed over a pen, and Borne stood their mouth agape as Heat signed her name. She politely returned the board and pen back to Price before giving Borne a glare. When he didn't say anything, she closed his jaw, and walked around him, calling for assistance with the supplies.

Borne continued to stand there in shock as Bailey led Price to a more shaded area to get him something for his head ache. The two of them laughed about it later on. Just imagine if it had been Laswell there instead of Heat, hell the two of them would probably get along pretty well in that moment.

The day eventually came that the four men of the 141 had to depart for another assignment. By now they were properly rested and healed up as much as they could be. Bird gave them some final checks before giving each of them a good bye. Simon wasn't much of a hugger, but Bird was an exception. She took care of everyone even when she didn't have to. It was admirable.

When Bailey approached Kyle, he just about ripped his hoodie, taking it off. Bailey laughed hard as he offered his arm for her to do a final check. Kyle figured the idea of his stripping would make her snicker. Arm was all good, and perfect for another hug.

Bailey thanked Price profusely for the supplies, it meant more than he would ever know. Price gave her Nikolai's contact in case she ever needed something extra. Even if it was just a good time or some good liquor, Nik was the one to call. Bailey wrapped her arms around Price's next, not wanting to apply any pressure to his abdomen. He did have to bend over a bit for it, but he hugged her back. She would be a brilliant field medic, but she'd made it clear already it wasn't for her.

Finally, Bailey approached Johnny. Still handsome as ever. The two hugged each other, and she told him something. Something that made him look at his team, his eyes widen and brows raise. Bailey pulled away a bit, sharing a knowing grin with him, before giving him a peck on the cheek. "Stay safe yeah?"

"No promises." Soap told her. Bailey nodded and let go of him. Price ordered his men to get into the helicopter as the rotors started up. Bailey stepped back and waved as they took off. She sighed, knowing there was a good chance she'd see them again. Hopefully it was under better circumstance.

Hopefully, it would be to celebrate the end of the conflict.