Letters Home From Korea: From Quijonbu to Mill Valley, Letter #7
Letter #6
TITLE: Letters Home From Korea: From Quijonbu to Mill Valley, Letter #7
FANDOM: M*A*S*H (tv)
PAIRING: BJ/Peg
GENRE: Het
TABLE: #11: Song Titles A
PROMPT: 03. Friends @ 12_stories
RATING: G
WORD COUNT: 1,460
SUMMARY: BJ tells Peg about the 4077 version of "Gee Ma, I Wanna go Home".
WARNINGS: n/a
NOTES: All my M*A*S*H fics.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters, nor am I making any money off of them.
Dearest Peg,
How are my two favorite Californian girls doing? I’m glad things are going seemingly well. I miss you too. It sounds like you two had a wonderful day at the park. I can’t believe my baby’s starting to talk. It feels like she’ll no longer be my baby when I get home. It’s funny, because of me missing out on so much, I know she’ll be a daddy’s girl. Maybe she would have been no matter what, but the missed time definitely does affect it.
Thank you for the pictures. My favorite is the one of you kissing Erin, and she’s making that giggling face. You two just look so happy. I want to kiss both of those faces! Have I told you that you are the love of my life? It’s only natural that we would make a beautiful child.
Aww poor Waggle. I hope he feels better soon. How old is he now? Tell Waggle to hang on until I get home.
We occasionally see movies, and this past one was My Darling Clementine (you know, the one with Henry Fonda and Linda Darnell). There was some trouble with the film, and while Klinger fixed it, we did different things to entertain ourselves: like sing, and do impressions (including Fr. Mulcahy impersonations!)
One of the songs we sang was that old one “Gee Ma, I Want to Go Home” (fitting, no?) Well. . .ours you could say was the 4077th version; we made up our own verses. I know you’re intrigued, and I won’t remember the words by the time I get home. I’ll even denote who sang what.
Father Mulcahy:
A chaplain in the Army has a collar on his neck,
if you don't listen to him you'll all wind up in heck.
All of us:
Oh I don't want no more of Army life, Gee Ma, I wanna go home!
Hawkeye & me:
Oh the surgeons in the Army they say we're mighty bright,
we work on soldiers through the day and nurses through the night.
(Don’t worry honey, only Hawkeye is working on nurses. I sleep at night - alone).
[Chorus]
Colonel Potter:
Friendships in the Army they say are mighty rare,
so I spend all my free time carousing with my mare.
[Chorus]
The Nurses:
The surgeons in the Army, they're bright, they are profound,
but we'll take chopper pilots they'll get you off the ground.
[Chorus]
Radar O'Reilly:
The corporals in the Army you say we're really green,
but if it weren't for us guys you'd be in the latrine.
[Chorus]
Klinger:
Oh some guys like the Army I think that it's a mess,
if it's so damn terrific how come I wear a dress?
[Chorus]
Margaret Houlihan:
Oh some nurses in the Army they haven't tied the knot,
but this one's gonna try it with Donald Penobscott.
(Did I mention that Margaret’s going to marry Penobscott? He’s regular army, like her. He’s a real pill. But she’s a tough cookie, so maybe they’ll make it work. All this talk about marriage has me realizing how lucky I am to have found such a wonderful woman.)
Ending chorus:
Oh I don't want no more of Army life, Gee Ma, I wanna go,
But they won't let me go, Gee Ma, I wanna go home!
Frank Burns:
Oh Hawkeye and oh BJ,
they think they're pretty smart,
I'd like to take a scalpel and stab them in the heart.
Oh I don't want no more of Army life, Gee Ma, I wanna go home. . .
(Don’t worry darling, he doesn’t know which end of the scalpel to use if you want to stab someone).
I want to apologize if my thoughts seem to be darting around; I’m really tired, but I can’t sleep.
I can’t wait until I’m done with these uncomfortable cots, thin blankets, inedible food, long hours of surgery, and all things war. I just want to be home with you, Erin, Waggle and all things California.
These lighter fluid martinis are fine enough over here, but what I wouldn’t give to have a nice glass of California wine.
This not getting full nights of sleep are killing me. Either we’re working through the night, or Radar’s coming in and waking us up (so that we can go to surgery).
The only good thing about being so busy is that I’m too tired to be kept awake by Hawkeye’s snoring. Though of course I’d rather be falling asleep to your breathing.
There’s a little field of wildflowers not that far away, and occasionally I’ll go there and sit and just look at them. I wish I could pick some and give them to you; you’d love them.
Peg, I love how strong you’re being. I know it can’t be easy having your husband and the father of your child so far away. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. You are so brave. I love you so much. Please just keep hanging on for me. And if anyone says anything to upset you, let me know. I’ll put them in their place when I get home.
It’s funny; I never thought I could be this good of friends with a guy like Hawkeye. I could never be unfaithful to you, and he’s with a new woman each night. But we seem to have come to an agreement. Heck, I think if I were to bring a nurse back (which I wouldn’t), he’d be surprised and appalled, but not proud. I always figured guys like that would think there was something wrong with guys like me, but Hawk seems to view it as one of the good things about me.
I think about you all the time Peg. I wonder what you’re doing, what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling. I wonder how you’ll feel going back to three people in the house - after all, it must be pretty nice having the bathroom to yourself (I’m kidding). I worry about you. I know you’ll laugh and tell me you’re more worried about me and that’s who I should be worried about, but. . .it’s just so hard being so far away. I want to be where you can reach me when you need me. Darling, what do you want more than anything in this whole world? Are your days pretty normal, or are you constantly reminded of the war? I mean, I know it must be a constant reminder not having me around, but what is the media like? Are people constantly talking about it?
I wish there was a gift shop so I could buy you something nice. Occasionally they have peddlers, but I want something nice for you (like I said), and there’s nothing they could have that would be good enough for you. When I get home, I promise to get you something, a nice necklace or bracelet or something. I’m going to spoil you; both you and Erin. I miss you both very much. And I promise to shower you both with hugs and kisses. After all, I’ll have a lot of time to make up for.
Maybe this is weird, but I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my dog tags when I get back. I mean in some ways I just want to get rid of anything that reminds me of this war. But, it seems a bit unpatriotic, and I’ve gotten so used to them. . . so I was thinking maybe I’d keep them on my keychain or something.
I miss you so much. I’m going to try calling you before week’s end so I can hear your voice again. What’s the status of the property? I’m getting anxious about it being ours. I can’t wait until I’m with you girls again.
I won’t feel safe again until I’m in your arms. You’re my whole world (you and Erin are), I hope you know that.
Peg, I’m worried. What happens if when I get home, my parenting skills are rusty? Will Erin think less of me because she’s used to you and you’re style (and I know you’re a superb mom)? I know it’s a ridiculous concern. It’s just a strange sensation to be away. It’s easy to let your mind wander, and of course that always leads to strange concerns and ideas.
Have I told you enough just how much I love you and miss you and how beautiful you are? I cannot wait to hold you again. There’s no woman who holds a candle to you, you know that right?
I think I’m going to try and get some sleep now.
Big hugs and kisses to both of you, as well as all of my love,
BJ
Letter #8
TITLE: Letters Home From Korea: From Quijonbu to Mill Valley, Letter #7
FANDOM: M*A*S*H (tv)
PAIRING: BJ/Peg
GENRE: Het
TABLE: #11: Song Titles A
PROMPT: 03. Friends @ 12_stories
RATING: G
WORD COUNT: 1,460
SUMMARY: BJ tells Peg about the 4077 version of "Gee Ma, I Wanna go Home".
WARNINGS: n/a
NOTES: All my M*A*S*H fics.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters, nor am I making any money off of them.
Dearest Peg,
How are my two favorite Californian girls doing? I’m glad things are going seemingly well. I miss you too. It sounds like you two had a wonderful day at the park. I can’t believe my baby’s starting to talk. It feels like she’ll no longer be my baby when I get home. It’s funny, because of me missing out on so much, I know she’ll be a daddy’s girl. Maybe she would have been no matter what, but the missed time definitely does affect it.
Thank you for the pictures. My favorite is the one of you kissing Erin, and she’s making that giggling face. You two just look so happy. I want to kiss both of those faces! Have I told you that you are the love of my life? It’s only natural that we would make a beautiful child.
Aww poor Waggle. I hope he feels better soon. How old is he now? Tell Waggle to hang on until I get home.
We occasionally see movies, and this past one was My Darling Clementine (you know, the one with Henry Fonda and Linda Darnell). There was some trouble with the film, and while Klinger fixed it, we did different things to entertain ourselves: like sing, and do impressions (including Fr. Mulcahy impersonations!)
One of the songs we sang was that old one “Gee Ma, I Want to Go Home” (fitting, no?) Well. . .ours you could say was the 4077th version; we made up our own verses. I know you’re intrigued, and I won’t remember the words by the time I get home. I’ll even denote who sang what.
Father Mulcahy:
A chaplain in the Army has a collar on his neck,
if you don't listen to him you'll all wind up in heck.
All of us:
Oh I don't want no more of Army life, Gee Ma, I wanna go home!
Hawkeye & me:
Oh the surgeons in the Army they say we're mighty bright,
we work on soldiers through the day and nurses through the night.
(Don’t worry honey, only Hawkeye is working on nurses. I sleep at night - alone).
[Chorus]
Colonel Potter:
Friendships in the Army they say are mighty rare,
so I spend all my free time carousing with my mare.
[Chorus]
The Nurses:
The surgeons in the Army, they're bright, they are profound,
but we'll take chopper pilots they'll get you off the ground.
[Chorus]
Radar O'Reilly:
The corporals in the Army you say we're really green,
but if it weren't for us guys you'd be in the latrine.
[Chorus]
Klinger:
Oh some guys like the Army I think that it's a mess,
if it's so damn terrific how come I wear a dress?
[Chorus]
Margaret Houlihan:
Oh some nurses in the Army they haven't tied the knot,
but this one's gonna try it with Donald Penobscott.
(Did I mention that Margaret’s going to marry Penobscott? He’s regular army, like her. He’s a real pill. But she’s a tough cookie, so maybe they’ll make it work. All this talk about marriage has me realizing how lucky I am to have found such a wonderful woman.)
Ending chorus:
Oh I don't want no more of Army life, Gee Ma, I wanna go,
But they won't let me go, Gee Ma, I wanna go home!
Frank Burns:
Oh Hawkeye and oh BJ,
they think they're pretty smart,
I'd like to take a scalpel and stab them in the heart.
Oh I don't want no more of Army life, Gee Ma, I wanna go home. . .
(Don’t worry darling, he doesn’t know which end of the scalpel to use if you want to stab someone).
I want to apologize if my thoughts seem to be darting around; I’m really tired, but I can’t sleep.
I can’t wait until I’m done with these uncomfortable cots, thin blankets, inedible food, long hours of surgery, and all things war. I just want to be home with you, Erin, Waggle and all things California.
These lighter fluid martinis are fine enough over here, but what I wouldn’t give to have a nice glass of California wine.
This not getting full nights of sleep are killing me. Either we’re working through the night, or Radar’s coming in and waking us up (so that we can go to surgery).
The only good thing about being so busy is that I’m too tired to be kept awake by Hawkeye’s snoring. Though of course I’d rather be falling asleep to your breathing.
There’s a little field of wildflowers not that far away, and occasionally I’ll go there and sit and just look at them. I wish I could pick some and give them to you; you’d love them.
Peg, I love how strong you’re being. I know it can’t be easy having your husband and the father of your child so far away. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. You are so brave. I love you so much. Please just keep hanging on for me. And if anyone says anything to upset you, let me know. I’ll put them in their place when I get home.
It’s funny; I never thought I could be this good of friends with a guy like Hawkeye. I could never be unfaithful to you, and he’s with a new woman each night. But we seem to have come to an agreement. Heck, I think if I were to bring a nurse back (which I wouldn’t), he’d be surprised and appalled, but not proud. I always figured guys like that would think there was something wrong with guys like me, but Hawk seems to view it as one of the good things about me.
I think about you all the time Peg. I wonder what you’re doing, what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling. I wonder how you’ll feel going back to three people in the house - after all, it must be pretty nice having the bathroom to yourself (I’m kidding). I worry about you. I know you’ll laugh and tell me you’re more worried about me and that’s who I should be worried about, but. . .it’s just so hard being so far away. I want to be where you can reach me when you need me. Darling, what do you want more than anything in this whole world? Are your days pretty normal, or are you constantly reminded of the war? I mean, I know it must be a constant reminder not having me around, but what is the media like? Are people constantly talking about it?
I wish there was a gift shop so I could buy you something nice. Occasionally they have peddlers, but I want something nice for you (like I said), and there’s nothing they could have that would be good enough for you. When I get home, I promise to get you something, a nice necklace or bracelet or something. I’m going to spoil you; both you and Erin. I miss you both very much. And I promise to shower you both with hugs and kisses. After all, I’ll have a lot of time to make up for.
Maybe this is weird, but I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with my dog tags when I get back. I mean in some ways I just want to get rid of anything that reminds me of this war. But, it seems a bit unpatriotic, and I’ve gotten so used to them. . . so I was thinking maybe I’d keep them on my keychain or something.
I miss you so much. I’m going to try calling you before week’s end so I can hear your voice again. What’s the status of the property? I’m getting anxious about it being ours. I can’t wait until I’m with you girls again.
I won’t feel safe again until I’m in your arms. You’re my whole world (you and Erin are), I hope you know that.
Peg, I’m worried. What happens if when I get home, my parenting skills are rusty? Will Erin think less of me because she’s used to you and you’re style (and I know you’re a superb mom)? I know it’s a ridiculous concern. It’s just a strange sensation to be away. It’s easy to let your mind wander, and of course that always leads to strange concerns and ideas.
Have I told you enough just how much I love you and miss you and how beautiful you are? I cannot wait to hold you again. There’s no woman who holds a candle to you, you know that right?
I think I’m going to try and get some sleep now.
Big hugs and kisses to both of you, as well as all of my love,
BJ
Letter #8