"Cap'n Pierce?" It was Klinger and Hawkeye and I stirred, we'd dozed off, and I was lying with my head on Hawkeye's chest while his arms held me protectively.

"In Radar's words, Mrs-Cap'n-Annie-Pierce." Hawkeye stopped listening then.

"Yes Klinger?"

"That patient in Post-Op, who was beat up by his unit," He had not told us the cause of his injuries, but nothing's quite so distinctive as a fist- caused black eye.

"What Klinger, tell me or I'll see to it that your camels lose their humps."

"He said he's happy to talk to a married nurse, something about them being less threatening. Our royal Colonel-ness has put in a specific request for you."

"I'm on it," I was already out the door and halfway to Post-Op. Hawkeye was on my tail as I saw the patient and headed towards him.

"Hi, I'm Annabelle Pierce." I offered my right hand; but he motioned to my left hand.

"May I?" He asked. I nodded and sat down. He took my hand and studied the two rings. He turned my hand over and looked at the slight dint my wedding band had left.

"You're really married?"

"Yes of course, I am, now what is it you wanted to talk about?" I pulled the rings off and handed him the plain gold band. He turned it over slowly, reading the inscription. "Darling Annie, all my love Ben." He looked up quickly, and noticed my black eye.

"He didn't do this to you?" He asked, a bit warily, as though he was even afraid.

"God no!" It was Hawkeye who answered. "I've never laid a hand on a woman in anger. I'd beat a drum, beat an egg, beat you in a game of chess, beat a rug, and even try to keep on a beat, but I never would beat a woman!" Smiling, I leant up to kiss him.

"What about Burns?" I asked with a chuckle, removing Hawkeye's ring and letting the man read the inscription, "Darling Ben, loving you now and always, Annabelle" I saw the smile as he knew why Hawkeye was suddenly defending himself so hotly.

"He failed to evolve fully he doesn't count." I chuckled and turned back to the patient.

"Did that answer your question okay? Now are you ready to talk?" I slid Hawkeye's ring back on and he reciprocated the favour, kissing my knuckles at the same time.

"I know he's your husband, but would he please leave?"

"Hawk, I'll be okay, I'm a big girl." Hawkeye left quickly.

"Now, Private, it's like looking into a mirror, why did you get the bruise?"

"Call me Jim, will you tell me how you got yours first?"

"Promise me you'll talk after?" I held out my hand Jim shook it firmly.

"Okay Jim, I was talking with a friend, the Head Nurse and we were both a little drunk and she more than told what she'd do someone. Ready to talk?"

"But first I want to explain why I insisted on a married nurse. I'd know she'd not make a pass at me. That many single nurses try to pick up us soldiers."

"Fair enough, though most of the staff are pretty good about that. Now, do tell,"

"Well, I'm not one of you, I'm not interested in women. I'm interested in men." The light dawned and my heart went out to him.

"So your unit thinks you're inhuman, unhealthy, unmilitary, vile, unnatural?"

"And they try to beat it out of me." Jim motioned to his face, which was bruised and cut, he hadn't let us clean that either and a split under his jaw was still open.

"Do you think you trust me enough to fix your face then?" He nodded and I went to get what I needed, quickly telling Hawkeye what I'd found out.

"Okay Jim, sing out if it hurts too much." I dabbed some alcohol along the graze.

"Ouch, what do you think of me? I'm surprised you're still willing to touch me."

"Jim, I've never told anyone, but my brother, was homosexual and he was beat up all the time. Jack was just like you and I never thought it was disgusting."

"So, you accepted it when Jack told you?"

"I thought it was little unusual, but I accepted it right away. He was my twin, he died but I loved him so much, I had to accept it. I was proud of him for being so different"

"What do you think of me, I'm not your twin?"

"You're still a red-blooded all-American boy aren't you?"

"I guess so, Minnesota born and bred!"

"Well, there you go, why should I think of you differently?"

"I don't know." At that I smiled proudly I'd made my point.

"Okay, so whatever you want to talk about, it's fine, and my husband, and the other Captain here, and our CO are good to talk to as well, they're all married." I smiled.

"Thankyou Annabelle, you've helped me a lot."

"All I did was tell about my brother."

"But you told me your view, and knowing that one person doesn't mind makes it all so much more bearable."

"I'm glad I could help you then Jim. Would you like me to talk to the CO for you?"

"The CO knows" I jumped at the Colonel's voice close behind me. I turned to see that Potter, Margaret, BJ, Hawkeye and Sidney had heard the conversation.

"Oh, I see, hi Sidney. Well Jim, I think your real help is here now."

"No Annie, you were the help. You could be a really good psychiatrist one day."

"I'm not screwed up enough!" I protested, laughing at Sidney's comment.

"I heard everything from 'red-blooded all-American', you know what you're about. But I think that Jim, Colonel Potter and I need to have a talk," I shook Jim's hand warmly.

"I'll be back later okay?"

"Yep, thankyou Annie," BJ and Margaret had already gone but Hawkeye lingered until I stood up and he took my hand as we left the room.

"Annie, my sexy little girl I'm so proud of you. I mean really, really proud, that was amazing how you did it." Hawkeye wrapped me in a tight hug.

"Thankyou Hawkeye, and I think that was my fourth talk out of seven?"

"Okay Annie, you win there, four down, three to go." Hawkeye kissed me.

"Say, why's Sid here, he wasn't coming down till the poker game tomorrow?"

"Well Potter put in a call when your friend Jim came through."

"Oh, so you, Winchester and Sidney remain?"

"Yes, care for a little dinner?"

"As long as it doesn't move!" I laughed, a conversation with Charles forming in my mind already. We put our arms around each other and headed for the Mess.