Hawkeye and I were alone in the O-Club, the place had long since closed, but we were enjoying the privacy of the empty room.

"Here's a bet for you Anne," Hawkeye laughed suddenly.

"I'm not the betting type." I protested.

"Hear me out. You have to hold heart-to-hearts with BJ, Potter, Margaret, Chuckles, Sidney when he comes, myself, and another person of your choice. You have to spend at least ten minutes talking to them. You can't use sex to get it out of me. Ten dollars says you can't." This was unusual, but I knew it would be easy and most likely fun.

"Too easy Hawk!" Hawkeye was drunk and seemed egged on by my fearless laughter.

"Okay, twenty and a drink." Hawkeye produced a twenty bill and placed it on the bar.

"You're on Hawkeye, when do we start?" He mused, checking his watch.

"You have until 2000 hours Friday to complete the task."

"Deal!" We shook hands and sealed it with a kiss.

The Colonel was out grooming Sophie the next morning, and I knew this was the perfect opportunity for the first of seven D&M's I was yet to have.

"Morning Colonel," I called cheerfully, coming up behind him.

"Howdy little lady. Good of you to come and see my mare on a day like today." He said in his best cowboy accent, it was damp out, so most of us were staying indoors.

"Hello Sophie," I approached her and she nosed at my pockets.

"Make friends with a horse once, and she'll remember you forever. Go on, there's something in there that she wants, I know you've brought her something." I pulled out two bits of bread and she ate them eagerly.

"You have a way with animals Annie, did you ever have pets?" I laughed a little.

"No, never did, and Mum says that Matt is enough! But honestly, sir if you think I have a way with animals, you should see me with children. I don't want to blow my own trumpet but I do get along with them very well." The Colonel gave a hearty laugh as he tossed a brush at me. I caught it and began brushing Sophie's withers.

"I'd say you do! Honnicut, Pierce and Houlihan have all sung your praises when it comes to little ones, they've seen you with the local kids." He laughed again.

"Did I hear that Stuart was having a birthday soon?" I changed the topic.

"He's going to be the big oh-three! Corey's nearly 6, they grow up faster than the bamboo Mrs Potter has on the back fence!" We'd finished brushing Sophie.

"They do grow up don't they? Mum said that Jem and Nate are babbling already. I hope I can make their first birthdays. I missed Grace's and at this rate, I'll miss Alice's 13th in September, and I've always been the closest with her, I'd hate to miss her birthday."

"Want a ride?" The Colonel put Sophie's saddle on her back and tightened the girth.

"Oh no, I can't ride."

"I'll teach you and we can keep talking. Okay, left foot in the stirrup, and push up! Beaver biscuits you can't ride you're a natural! Now why are you so close to Alice?"

"Well, I delivered her."

"Jumping Jodhpurs! You delivered her?"

"And mum was sick afterwards so I was Alice's mother for the first 8 months of life."

"Hells bells, it's no wonder you were so close. Now I'm going to give you the reins, hold them like that. Give her kick, she should start." Sophie started walking slowly.

"Did you deliver your two?"

"Of course! Mrs Potter wouldn't have it any other way."

"Holding them that first moment is wonderful. I wonder if I'll ever get to hold my child." I added softly, as I directed Sophie towards the camp. Klinger and Soon-Li, the daughter of the people who had helped BJ and I, were walking together.

"You will, take my word for it. You're the best darn mother this side of the world, and when you get home, you'll be the best darn mother then too. Bring your heels down."

"Thankyou Colonel, it's reassuring to know that someone thinks that way." We glanced at Klinger and Soon-Li again.

"Ain't love grand?" The Colonel queried.

"Now, I don't think they're in love. Klinger is just trying to help her." Soon-Li's parents had disappeared one day when Soon-Li was visiting the camp. Her brother who we had not met was missing as well, and Soon-Li was frantic.

"I've seen my share of war romances and that there is young love blossoming."

"I'll take your word for it Colonel, I'd never even been in love till I met Hawkeye."

"What about that MacIntyre?"

"Okay, well, around that time. Get up Sophie, come on." I nudged her with my heels and she picked up her pace, to an almost-trot.

"You are just as impetuous as the next woman. And you women will make nothing but trouble for all the men in this world. God bless you all." The Colonel took Sophie's bridle and led her around the camp and we kept chatting until Hawkeye came up.

"Hey, baby!" He called. I pulled Sophie to a halt, sliding off into Hawkeye's arms.

"So that's where you've been, our good Colonel kidnapped you. Do you know if I were more of a man I'd hit you? For what purposes did you steal away my girl?" Hawkeye wrapped his arms around my waist, waiting for the Colonel's answer

"There's no harm in a pleasant chat is there Pierce? If there were more talks like Mrs Pierce and I had, there'd be less wars."

"Can't argue with that logic!" Hawkeye laughed as the Colonel mounted Sophie.

"How long ago did you abscond with my wife?" Hawkeye asked, checking I'd met the requirements.

"A good half-hour. If anyone wants me, you don't know where I am, comprende?" He asked and I nodded. He turned Sophie away and trotted off.

"Well, one down, six to go hmm?" I queried.

"Okay, one down, six to go." He agreed, kissing the top of my head.