"Pierce you bastard!! I'll get you one of these days!!" Frank yelled as he was led out of the courtroom. "And Margaret! I thought you were better than this Margaret! You slut! Sleeping with any guy that helps you!"

"C'mon Burns." A couple MPs dragged him out of the room.

Hawkeye and Margaret still had their arms around each other. Margaret nodded to the doors where Frank had just left. "That's just sad."

"I know. But you'll never have to worry about that man again."

"Thank God. Thank you Hawkeye. You know, if it wasn't for you, I don't know if I would have had the courage to stand up and fight. I know normally I do, but, it's all just so much Hawkeye!" She cried a little.

"I know I know. C'mere." He wrapped his arms further around her and kissed her blonde hair.

"Hawkeye I love you."

"Really?" She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, and nodded. He smiled. "I love you too, Margaret." He kissed her slowly and deeply.

They broke apart to catch their breath, and realized that they were the only ones left in the room. "We'd better go." Margaret said. After getting help from many MPs along the way, they headed upstairs to get their bags and got a jeep.

The whole way back Hawkeye drove and Margaret sat with her head on his shoulder. Each had a smile on their face, because finally something was going their way. In the God forsaken place, nightmare after nightmare, they finally found each other.

Finally they made it all the way back to the 4077th without any problems with bombing or snipers. Every time anyone made it back alive, they thanked God and heaven above. Hawkeye helped Margaret out of the jeep and carried their bags back to her tent, which they had decided he would stay in for a little while longer, until they knew Frank was back in the States and she felt safe enough to be alone.

The two went into Radar's office to let him know they were back, and to see where the new surgeons had gone. When they went in Radar was sitting very still on his cot, staring into space, hugging his teddy bear. Instantly they knew something was terribly wrong.

"Radar, what is it? What's wrong?" Hawkeye asked and sat down next to the young clerk.

Radar sighed and looked down, hugging his bear even closer. "Colonel Blake didn't-" He stopped. "Henry, uh-" He tried again but no sound came out. A tear fell down his cheek. He was so embarrassed, but Hawkeye, being the big brother-like figure he was to Radar put one arm around him.

"Radar, take a deep breathe. Now what happened to Henry?"

"Lt. Col. Henry Blake's plane," he sighed. "Was shot down over the sea of Japan."

"Oh God."

"It spun in. There were no survivors."

For Hawkeye it was devastating news. Henry had been a good friend. But he couldn't imagine what it was like for little Radar. He had no father, and looked up to Henry as his dad.

Margaret hung her head. She had filed countless reports against him, but Henry was still a good guy. She couldn't help but cry. She sat down on the other side of Hawkeye, both her and Radar using one of his shoulders to cry on. He hung his head and leaned a little into Margaret, silent tears in his eyes as well. The three stayed there for a very long time. No words needed to be said.

Finally Hawkeye realized that Trapper was going home with Henry. "Radar, what about Trapper?"

Radar looked at him with red eyes. "When they got to Seoul, there was only one seat available. Trapper and Henry played for it. Col. Blake won, or lost, as the case may be."

"Dear God, Trap must feel terrible! Is there any way to call him?"

"No Hawk. Sorry. He's already on his way home. I don't even know if he knows about it."

"Oh. Did you tell everyone else yet?"

"No. I was kind of hoping you could, Hawk. I mean, you mean a lot to everyone, and I know you were good friends with him. I don't think I could do it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. I'll tell Col. Potter I want a meeting in the mess tent in 10 minutes. How are the new guys doing?"

"Well BJ is a nice guy, he's fitting in pretty good. So is Col. Potter. He's really nice, and he's not strict. A little stricter than Henry, but he's a good CO."

"How about that other one, uh, Charles?"

"Major Winchester is not fitting in. He's been trying to buy his way out of here. He's got a lot of money. I hear him fighting with Col. Potter continuously. He's really mean to everyone, not like Major Burns, but he just has no respect for anyone. Thinks just 'cause he's got more money he's automatically the best person around and looks at us like we're ants. Though he hates the army, he hates enlisted men, like me, and nurses."

"That's too bad. Well I guess there's one in every outfit."

"Yeah."

"I'll go talk to Potter. Margaret, do you want to stay here or come with me?"

"I'll stay with Radar." She said, causing Radar to look up in surprise.

"Ma'am?"

"At least you got that right this time. Corporal I've decided we need to talk."

"Um, okay Ma'am." Radar said. He was a little worried about this. The Major had always intimidated him.

"Radar, don't look so scared. Now, I just want to tell you, well, the past little while I've opened my eyes. I see now that you are a great clerk, and you keep this unit running very smoothly. For an eighteen year old is it?"

"Nineteen ma'am."

"Well for a nineteen year old, you have a big responsibility. And you do a great job with it."

"Thank you ma'am." He smiled a little.

"Radar, I've changed, and Hawkeye has helped me. I'm just going to let you know, well, over the next little while you'll see a big change in me, because I've realized who and what is important in my life. I now see the 4077th as a kind of family, and Radar, you're part of that family too, okay?"

"Okay ma'am."

"Now, friends?" She held out her hand.

He shook her hand a smiled a little. "Friends."

"Oh come here." And she hugged him. "Now don't be scared of me anymore, okay? You can even call me Margaret if you want, just, well, if you don't want to, that's fine as well."

"Okay. Thanks, Ma'am, uh, Margaret. Uh, that could take a while to get used to."

"I understand perfectly." She started to head into Col. Potter's office where Hawkeye was when she stopped. "Umm, Cor- uh, Radar?"

"Yeah?"

"You do understand what's happened, right? And where Major Burns went?"

"Yeah, ma'am I'm really sorry to hear about it. How did it go?"

"He's now a lieutenant and will serving 4-5 years in a military prison in the states when they ship him back next week."

"Oh, that's great, ma'am. I'm sorry it happened, but glad it came out alright."

"Yes. Thank you Radar."

"Your welcome ma'am." The two smiled at one another. They had finally become equals.

Margaret headed into Col. Potter's office. "Hello Colonel."

"Hello Major, uh, Houllihan, am I correct?"

"That's right sir."

"Captain Pierce was telling me how the trial went. I'm glad for you."

"Yes, thank you sir."

"He also told me about the tragedy of your former CO. I'm really sorry about that, I heard he was a nice guy, an all around good egg. I'll get Radar to announce a meeting in the mess tent in 10. Ra-"

"Yes sir, meeting in the mess tent in 10 minutes. No problem."

"Uh, Thank you and uh"

"Here are the reports you wanted on the patient Private Michaels."

"And I want the reports-" He looked down and saw them in his hand and the Corporal walked out of the office. "How in the name of Sweet Granny Smith does he do that?"

Hawkeye and Margaret shrugged their shoulders.

"Attention: There will be a meeting for all members of the 4077th in 10 minutes, that's at eleven hundred hours in the Mess Tent. Everyone is to attend. That is all."

Hawkeye sighed. "We'd better head over there. People are going to want to know what's going on. Where's the padre?"

"Oh, the father is in his tent. I met him today, he's a nice guy, and I like him. In fact everyone on this base seems in pretty good spirits. Not military spirits, but great personalities."

"I should probably talk to him first. People will want to talk, and he's usually the one they go to." He ran out of the office and saw Father Mulcahey going towards the mess tent. "Father!" He shouted out. The father looked around and spotted him.

"Oh, Hawkeye, my son. How are you, how did the trial go?"

"Frank's busted down to lieutenant and serving 4-5."

"I believe he got what he deserved."

"Yes father, but I need to talk to you, about the meeting?"

"Well I'm supposed to be there now,"

"Don't worry. I'm conducting the meeting. It's just I want to let you know what it's about first so you can prepare yourself so others can talk to you."

"What is it Hawkeye?" He could tell something was seriously wrong.

"It's Henry. He never made it home. His plane was shot down. He and Trap played poker for the one seat that was left on this plane, and Henry won, or lost as the case may be."

"Oh dear. This is, very, very sad news I must say. Thank you for telling me Hawkeye before hand."

"No problem father, now if you'll excuse me, I have to go tell everyone."

They ran into the mess tent to see everyone seated, looking around wondering what the meeting was about. Hawkeye and Margaret sat up front. He gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek and headed up to the front of the mess tent.

Once he delivered the grave news, there were many somber faces in the mess tent. Out of respect, they lowered their flag to half-mast, and saluted Henry. Hawkeye delivered the eulogy and everyone's tears flowed freely. The nurses were deeply upset by this, and Hawkeye, BJ, Col Potter, the Father and Margaret all pulled together to help everyone feel a little better.

A few days later, Hawkeye was sitting in the Mess tent alone. Margaret was usually with him, but she had to run into post op to get a file she had forgotten. He slowly sipped his mud-err - coffee, and thought over the past week. So much had happened. With Henry's death, Margaret and Hawkeye decided to leave their relationship as it was and just wait a little. Everyone had his or her own grieving process. They would still kiss every now and again, and he still slept in her tent, but nothing ever happened. He had to accompany her to the showers, where one turned around while the other showered and vise versa. He made no wisecracks or anything, not until everyone was feeling a little better.

"Hey Hawkeye." Someone came up behind him. He turned around to see Nurse Margie Cutler.

"Hey Margie." She sat down next to him and cuddled up next to him. He suddenly felt really uncomfortable and slid down the bench further away, but she followed.

"How are you doing?"

"Good, good. You?"

"Well, I know everyone is upset, but you know I've missed you. I'm a little upset and I need you to comfort me."

He knew what she meant, but decided to just comfort her as he would any other friend.

"You want to talk about Henry?"

"Well I was thinking about maybe, you know." She looked at him with her eyebrows raised. She went forward to kiss him, but he pushed her back. "Hawkeye!"

"Look I'm sorry, I can't do that Lieutenant."

"And why not?"

"Because."

"That's not an answer. Last week was a different story. What's happened?"

"I'm sorry Margie." He got up and left to go to post op to find Margaret. He bumped into her right outside the Mess tent.

"Hawkeye, I saw and heard what you did." She smiled at him. "You're so sweet."

"Thanks." He said and kissed her without thinking. Their arms wrapped around each other and the kiss became longer and more passionate. She ran her fingers through his dark, silky black hair.

They then realized where they were and stopped. Everyone in the camp was staring at them mouth opened.

"Holy cow!" Radar said.

Hawkeye was a little embarrassed. "Hey, what's wrong? Never seen two people kiss before? MOVE IT!!" The camp suddenly went back into action, with everyone giving them funny looks.

"Sorry" He said to Margaret, who was still in his arms. Though they stopped kissing they still held onto each other tightly.

"It's okay. I really didn't mind."

"No?"

"Well, it was a very nice kiss, as always from you. Besides, everyone would find out anyway, and I don't want it to be like when me and, ugg, Frank were together. We pretended that no one knew, but everyone was laughing at us for thinking that. I don't want our relationship to be a secret, I mean, I mostly kept Frank a 'secret' because I was, well, ashamed. I knew he was an ass, treated other people like dirt, and on top of all that was married. But you, well, I have to say I'm not ashamed of you."

"Well that's always a good thing."

She laughed a little. "Hawk, seriously though, I just want to be with you and not worry about what other people think."

"Sounds good to me." He smiled and took her hand as they headed into the mess tent for lunch.

That day Hawkeye and Margaret were back to normal. Both decided the best way for everyone to get over it was to try and put it behind him. Not to forget him, but to go living their lives as normal. It would have been what Henry wanted.

"Hawkeye, I have to get a shower."

"Okay." He said rather excitedly.

"Hawk," She said sternly.

"Okay, okay, it's well, I thought we were back to normal now, so you will have to put up with a few passes."

"Fine. But, like always, no peeking."

He sighed. "Okay. No peeking."

They headed to the shower tent where Hawkeye faced the wall as Margaret started to get undressed. Hawkeye whistled.

"Hawkeye!"

"I'm not watching!"

"Well stop doing stuff like that!"

"Like what?"

"Don't say anything."

"Okay, I won't say anything."

"Good." She started to get ready for her shower again.

"Ba da da da da" Hawkeye sang in deep, sleazy voice imitating 'stripper' music.

"HAWKEYE!"

"I didn't say anything!"

She scowled. "You're impossible!"

"Sorry, please, continue. I would also like to get a shower, so c'mon."

"I would if you shut up."

"Okay, no more."

She got her shower without Hawkeye saying anything more. She could tell it was killing him. He was biting his tongue not to say anything. Finally she was done.

"Okay, I'll turn around and you can get your shower." She laughed to herself. 'Time to give Hawkeye a dose of his own medicine.' She thought.

He started to undress. Margaret yelled out "Ooh Baby!!"

"Margaret!"

"What?"

"What was that about?"

"Oh, nothing. Sorry." She said innocently.

"Okay."

He started to undress again.

"Hmm mmm. Wow." She said.

"Margaret!"

"Hawkeye are you nervous?"

"Okay, so I am. You're making me nervous."

"Now you know what it's like."

"Yeah but I'll still have to make a few passes at you."

"Fine." She picked up his robe and walked out of the tent.

"Margaret! Wait! Come back!!" He opened the door and stuck his head out to see where she had gone. "This isn't funny Margaret! C'mon!! Okay, uncle! Come out come out wherever you are!" He didn't see her. "Margaret?"

Suddenly he saw her on the other side of the compound with his robe in one hand and waving with the other. "C'mon Hawkeye!! Come get your robe!! You don't want to get cold you'd better put it on!" She called out.

"Well come back here!"

"Nope!" She looked around. There appeared to be no one in the compound. "Sure, no one's here, see? They're all over to Rosie's!"

"You sure?"

"Yup."

"Umm.okay." Slowly he stepped out of the shower with his hands in front of him.

"NOW!" She yelled. Suddenly what seemed like everyone in the camp popped out from behind trashcans and out of tents with cameras. 'Stars and Stripes Forever' blasted over the PA as everyone whistled and hooted at Hawkeye. Turning beet red, he ran over to Margaret and grabbed the housecoat from her.

He pulled it on as fast as he could. "That was NOT funny!"

"Oh yes it was." Margaret was keeled over laughing.

Hawkeye got over his initial shock and realized it wasn't anything most of the nurses had seen, and the guys are always in the shower, but he realized Margaret was almost crying with laughter.

"You know, it's not the greatest complement for someone when you laugh when you see them naked."

She laughed harder. "Sorry!" She managed between breaths. "I just couldn't help it!! The look on your face was priceless when everyone popped out! It was hilarious!" She gasped. "Okay, I'm okay." She slowly calmed herself down, took one look at Hawkeye and busted out laughing again.

"Okay, you've had your fun. This is a tremendous blow to my ego you know."

"What is?"

"The fact that you're laughing!"

"It's because it was funny!!"

Hawkeye then got really embarrassed and suddenly turned into an insecure little adolescent. He whispered "Everyone saw my, uh, yoo-hoo, including you, and you're laughing."

"Your yoo-hoo? Who are you, Radar?" She said trying to keep a straight face. She couldn't hold it in.

"Oh C'mon!"

"Okay, I'm sorry." She finally calmed herself down enough so that she would only giggle a little every now and again. "I didn't mean for it to be a blow to your ego, or your," she laughed, "your 'yoo-hoo', it's just that I thought that a simple prank would liven things up a bit. After last week, I need some good laughs, not to sound mean to Henry, but you know, we need to get morale up again."

"Yeah, but why did I have to be the butt of the joke?"

"Butt! HAHA!!" Margaret laughed again and realized he still wasn't laughing. "Guess there was no pun intended, huh?"

"No."

"Sorry. But, well, you were making me feel uncomfortable in the shower and I had enough, so I decided to give you a little of your own medicine."

"Fine. But I still don't like that fact that you found it that funny."

"No, it's just I was laughing at your face, that's all."

"I'm sure."

"No seriously, the look of terror and surprise on your face when everyone appeared was the funniest thing ever."

"And I'm sure you only looked at my face."

"Hawkeye!"

He decided to not be embarrassed, but try to get back at her instead.

"Okay, we'll make a truce. Since you saw me naked I get to see you naked."

"Hawkeye!! No way!! Are you crazy??"

"Damn, I was sure it would work." He said under his breath, but purposely loud enough for Margaret to hear.

She thought for a moment and decided to be serious for a moment. She leaned up towards him and whispered, "not here and not now. I'll let you know when I'm ready."

He smiled a little. He didn't expect that answer. He was happy, but still understood that she wanted to wait. "Okay. I'll wait."

"Okay. By the way," She pulled him down and whispered in his ear. "I wasn't laughing at, you, okay? Believe me, I had to look at your face and laugh at that to keep from looking at you and running at you." She winked.

"Really?"

"Really." She kissed him on the lips. "See ya later." And walked into the mess tent.

Hawkeye shook his head and followed her in.