Hawkeye pulled into the driveway about an hour and a half after Margaret and Daniel left. He parked the dark green 1945 De Soto in the driveway and headed inside. He walked in the door, slumped onto the couch and turned the television on. Lunch had gone better than he had planned. Lucky for Hawkeye, Sandy was so forgiving. She had no idea what Hawkeye had been through, and she didn't try to understand. She was just there for him, if he needed her. Hawkeye sat there thinking about Sandy, "God I'm lucky she even bothers with me" he thought to himself. "Hey, I'm lucky dad hasn't thrown me out yet!". He tried to joke to himself. He knew that he was being difficult, but he couldn't help it. It seemed as though everyone and everything got under his skin and made him agitated. He didn't really want to talk about his problems either. Everyone would just think that his cheese had slipped off his cracker, and this town loved a little gossip, especially about one of their favorite and famous citizens. He sat there and lay back on the couch as he watched the black and white scenes played before him. As he knelt back into the pillows his ever so sensitive nose turned up and he sat up suddenly screwing up his face. He sat up straight and looked at the pillow peculiarly. He picked it up and held it right up to his nose. The smelt reminded him of someone, but who? And what was it doing on the lounge suite? He continued to sniff it and look at the pillow as if to talk to it. "How come you were lucky enough to score this scent on you? Anyone would think Margaret Houlihan had sat on you?" The realization flooded his face. That's who it smelt like. He loved that scent on Margaret, it was so fruity and gentle yet strong at the same time. It reflected her personality.

"Ok Hawkeye" he spoke out loud to himself, "now you're really cracking up, now you think you can smell Margaret!" He huffed at himself, brushing the realization off as another one of his episodes in which he longs to be close to someone from the 4077th.

He lay back down on the couch, taking in the scent. His dad would be home in about an hour. After watching television for half an hour he got decidedly bored and got up to go for a walk on the beach.

"Well Margaret, its about 5pm, and its not busy so I think its safe to head home" He looked over to Margaret, her expression was full of angst. Daniel put his arm around her "Hey, don't worry, Hawkeye will be so happy to see you" he said trying to comfort her nerves. He rubbed her arm and looked straight into her watery eyes the same way Hawkeye would. "You'll be fine Margaret..now do you want to get changed or are you just as happy to come with me back to the house" Daniel said trying to take her mind off her thoughts.

"I think I'll just come over now, I can't be bothered getting changed. I dare say Betsy will have a wad of questions for me tomorrow though when she realizes I was out all day", Margaret laughed and Daniel laughed with her.

"Yes, well, Betsy doesn't exactly mind her own business..but then again, not many people around here do!" He said as he picked up his briefcase and headed for the front door. As Margaret was leaving the small cottage Daniel remarked, "You only have to look at Hawk - you can't tell me he didn't have his nose in everyone's business in Korea"

"Well, he was always poking his nose in mine, but I think it's more out of genuine sensitivity rather than malicious gossip."

"I think he gets that sensitivity from his mother and the nosiness from me!" Daniel laughed and guided Margaret to the car and they got in.

Daniel started the engine and moved away from the curve. "You know Margaret, I have had a lot of fun this afternoon," he turned and smiled at her.

"I've had a nice time too, thanks for keeping me busy for the afternoon"

"No problem, anytime. Now I guess we better plan what we are going to do at home. I'm cooking dinner tonight, so while I'm doing that I'll leave you two alone to chat."

"So." Margaret mused, "Umm, am I just going to walk in with you, and say 'surprise! Hey remember me, I am that blonde from Korea!'" Margaret said sarcastically.

"No need for the latter, he could never forget you. Trust me, I have the letters from Korea to prove it! As for the walking in bit, just tag behind me or something. I dunno, it will just happen, don't stress about it. Just think in less than five minutes you'll be standing in front of Hawk, and that's much more attractive than standing in front of his 63 year old father!" He was trying to lift Margaret's nerves.

The pulled round the sharp right corner into Poplars Street and drove down the hill and round the bend. He pulled into the drive and parked behind the De Soto. Margaret presumed this was Hawkeye's car. The got out of the car, Margaret tried to close her door as quietly as possible, so Hawkeye wouldn't suspect someone else was coming home with his Dad. She felt so torn, she felt like she was trying to hide from him yet at the same time she just wanted to run up to him and give him a huge hug. They walked up the wooden steps to the front door. Daniel turned around to Margaret and gave her one last reassuring smile. Margaret didn't smile back. She was unbelievably nervous, more nervous than she was earlier that day. She straightened her clothing and took her hat off. Daniel opened the front door. "Hey Hawk, I'm home" He turned again to Margaret

"Yeah dad I'm in the kitchen fixing a snack" Hawkeye hollered back to his father. Margaret couldn't believe she just heard his voice. Her heart was flying high now. It was all about to happen.

Daniel quickly turned to Margaret, "I'm just gonna walk through to the study, you wait here though" He said quietly to Margaret, holding her forearm and looking her straight in the eyes. "Hawk! There is a surprise for you at the front door, ou might wanna come and get it. I'll just be in the study." And just like that Daniel left Margaret standing at the front door. Margaret closed the front door behind her and stood in the entrance hall. Hawkeye didn't answer his father but she heard footsteps in the lounge room. They began to get closer, She could here him mumbling something derogatory about the surprise. And then, suddenly he was before her.

Margaret stood there, she didn't know what to do but stand there. She didn't know how to approach him.

Shyly, she said, "Hi Hawkeye" and that was the best she could come up with.

"Margaret?!" Hawkeye looked at her in disbelief. "My god, is that really you"

Out of pure joy and relief to see him, a tear ran down Margaret's peach complexion. "Yes" she said, trying not to break up.

"Margaret" he said it again and moved forward and put his arms around her. He held onto her tightly and Margaret could feel the desperation in his bones. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. He rubbed the back of her head and kissed her forehead gently. He then put his hand to her face and turned it so he could see her. She still looked so beautiful he thought. Her eyes were a little watery and but still a beautiful icy blue. She smiled at him, there was no need for words at that moment. They were both content holding each other. He had not come running to her with all his energy like he used to, or dipped her and kissed her, he simply held her. She looked into his deep blue eyes, they were full of sorrow. She could feel his pain through his muscular arms holding her ever so firmly. He was still handsome. His salt and pepper hair had almost recovered to its original black. He wasn't as long and lanky as he had been in Korea. Margaret couldn't hold it in anymore. All of her emotions that had built up during the past forty eight hours of worry and angst came to the surface. Her tears started to run down her face like little rivers and she started to sob silently. Hawkeye lifted her head and broke the silence between them.

"Hey don't cry Margaret, what are those tears for" he said to her, wiping them away with his fingertips.

"Everything, for you, for me, my life, your life, life in general" she said between sobs. It had been so long since she had opened up to anyone, or cried on anyone's shoulder. In fact the last time would have been when they left the 4077th on the 27th July, 1953. Hawkeye led her into the lounge room and they sat on the couch where she had been earlier. Hawkeye sat her down next to him and cuddled her to him, rubbing her back and massaging her shoulders. God, it felt good to be in his arms again. She had needed this embrace for so long now, at the same token, Hawkeye felt the same way.

"I understand how you feel Margaret" he kissed her hand and held it. "I cant tell you how glad I am that you are here. I think I was about to lose it again. No one around here understands my pain, but you do Margaret, I know you do."

Daniel saw the two chatting on the couch and left them too it. There was no need to interrupt and explain, it would all be accounted for later. They didn't talk much, they just sat silently, absorbing each others embrace. There would be plenty of time to catch up later.

Daniel surprised Margaret with his excellent cooking by the special meal he had prepared for her arrival. Daniel knew this would be good for Hawkeye, finally someone for his son to relate to. He hoped that Margaret could help renew Hawkeye into himself again.

Dinner was very pleasant, unlike the night before when Sandy had come by. There was an instant change in Hawkeye, he wasn't rude to Margaret or his father and even made the odd joke and wisecrack. Daniel was not the only one who noticed the change, Hawkeye noticed it within himself. The arrival of Margaret made him so much more comfortable in himself. He finally felt like he could relax a little, without being worried he may appear a little different to his former self and worried about what people thought of him, but he knew Margaret wouldn't judge.

"Well kids, I think I'll retire to upstairs now, but I'll see you in the morning. Don't get up to mischief now" Daniel said with a cheeky smile. Margaret's presence had made Daniel more relaxed around his own son. As he walked upstairs he thought about how weird it was, that Hawkeye and him had always had a wonderful relationship, yet after the war they fell so distant and it took someone Daniel didn't even know, for it to begin to get better. He thanked god for Margaret's arrival. He sat down on his bed and looked at the photo of Alyssa on his bedside table. He smiled at her and said "Thankyou".

Meanwhile Margaret and Hawkeye went into the living room. Although they were good friends, they resumed their position on the couch in each others arms, just holding one another. Margaret moved her head to look at Hawkeye.

"I think we should have a chat about things, don't you?" Hawkeye looked at her in mock disbelief, "Margaret, am I hearing right or is this just a dream. Are you asking me to talk - I thought it was the other way round."

"Well, WE can both talk, I think WE both need it" she said lightly hitting his arm and emphasizing the word 'we'.

"I think I need a drink first" Hawkeye said pushing himself off the couch. Margaret just smiled at him and thought it very typical. "What can I get you, scotch?"

"That will do just fine" Margaret replied. Hawkeye bought the drinks over and sat down next to Margaret.

"To old friends" he said, looking at her. Damn she was beautiful Hawkeye thought, the warm lighting of the living room made Margaret's skin, eyes and hair glow. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and make love to her. Margaret interrupted his thoughts.

"So, I guess they right place to start would be from the begiining. Tell me from the start Hawkeye, from when you left the camp on the helicopter to this very moment"

"Tell you about my trip? Oh it was a little bumpy but I got here safe and sound and now six months later you are sitting here in my home, whereas before we would have been in the officers club, Rosies or the Swamp. I think that just about sums it up" Hawkeye said with sarcasm whilst fidgeting with his shirt. Margaret saw straight through him.

"Hawk, you know what I am talking about, how have you been, have you been coping are you alright, are you in love?" That last question shot a sharp pain through his heart. He placed his glass down on the coffee table and stood up with his hands in his pockets.

"Ok ok.well the helicopter took off and I looked back on the camp, I couldn't believe the day had come to say our goodbyes and go home. While we were there, home just became this artificial place miles away where a few lucky people got sent. It almost seemed like we would never see the day, and that we would always be there, just dreaming of home. I began to stop dreaming I think. I didn't think anymore about what my life would be like when I returned, or what I would do. I thought about how it was before I left, not what it would be like after the war. The helicopter left and I couldn't believe I had said goodbye to the people I had spent three years of my life with." Margaret gave him a sad smile, Hawkeye paused for a moment. "That time was a lifetime in itself. I couldn't comprehend that the day had come to say goodbye to BJ, the man who had become my best friend, and just like that we were taken away from each other and we all went our separate ways. I guess I got to Kimpo and I was pretty quiet, so many things were rushing through my mind. I got on the plane, I had a window seat and the whole time I spent looking back at Korea like it was too late to go back. I felt so torn Margaret, I wanted to come home yet at the same time I actually wanted to stay. I don't know why, I guess I - I - I felt like I had left something behind." Margaret continued to look at Hawkeye, she knew exactly how he felt. "Then when I finally got to Portland and dad greeted me. I was still in a state of shock that I was in fact stateside, I felt like I was dreaming, it was all so surreal. Then I got back home and I just couldn't settle back in. I don't think I have had a good night sleep since I got back and I always figured I would be fine when I got back. But everything started to haunt me and not only the war. I seemed to forget over in Korea all the things which had haunted me and hurt me at home. But when I got back, more memories came flooding back. Memories of the war were mixed with memories of Carlye and how she broke my heart and my mother, and how much I loved her and missed her. Everything Margaret, EVERYTHING came back to haunt me, and quite frankly I haven't been the same since." He was running his hands through his hair and talking a little faster and louder. He was starting to rave, like he used to do in OR. Margaret continued to watch him as he let it all out. Her eyes followed him around the room. "People round here don't like change, including changed in people. I'm not the Hawkeye that they remember. I would give anything to be him again, and I'm trying, but its hard to go back. My old friends like Toby and Dexter, they don't know what to do with me, they don't want to be with me. Sandy has been great though, but I cant vent on her like I am doing now with you. None of them understand, and I don't want to explain to them. That's what I like about telling you Margaret, I don't have to explain a thing. Anyway, Dad and me fight a lot now, I get really irritated by the smallest things he does, and I don't know why"

"Well I'm no Sidney Freedman Hawk, but you obviously have been taking our pain out on your father" Margaret said as Hawkeye stopped and looked at her. His eyes were full of pain. He sat back down next to Margaret and placed his head in his hands.

"God, I have made such a mess of everything. My life, dad's life, you better watch out Margaret or I'll screw things up for you too" He tried to joke but Margaret just looked straight into his eyes. She moved towards him and held him close to her.

"Its too late, I don't think my life could be any worse either" She whispered in his ear. He pulled away from her.

"Margaret are you alright?"

"No" she said, half smiling at him, her eyes watery.

"Well I guess its your turn."

"OK, well. I too had mixed emotions about leaving Korea as well. I think all of you at the 4077th helped me to grow so much as a person, to which I am eternally grateful. So much happened to me over there, and I came back a very different person. After I returned, about September I got back to the states, I was transferred to a stateside army hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. I just haven't been happy since the day we left the 4077th. Unlike you I know what I left behind. I left behind my family and friends. You have no idea how much I cared for, and loved you all. I know I didn't show it often enough and I have been kicking myself for that ever since I got back" Margaret's voice was beginning to break. Hawkeye put his arm around her, but she stood up and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "I have been so lonely and depressed Hawkeye. I dread work everyday, I dread life itself from the moment I wake up. I hate the hospital, I hate the doctors and nurses there. I'm head nurse, but I still hate it!" Her tears were rolling down her cheeks now. "So, I had enough the other day, I signed myself for one months R & R and I packed my bags and got a taxi to the train station. I just had to get away, there was only one train when I got there, it was the last one until morning and I couldn't wait that long. It said it was headed for Portland Maine, so I got on it and never looked back. Then I realized I was headed your way and thought I would stop by and say "Hey remember me!" she tried to hide her smile but it quickly turned to a frown. Hawkeye stood up and she buried her head in his chest and sobbed into him, staining his shirt with her tears. Hawkeye ran his hands through her hair and had a few tears as well.

"Its ok Margaret, your most welcome here, infact, I cant tell you how glad I am to see you, words just wont express my relief. You have only been here a few hours yet have already made me feel more like myself again"

Margaret lifted her head and looked at him. "Thankyou" and then after a few moments "Hey Hawk? Did you keep in touch with anyone from the 4077th"

"I haven't spoken to BJ in a while. I have been so torn up inside though, I just cant hold a conversation with BJ like a used to. He is so happy with Erin and Peg, and I am so unhappy that it is impossible for me to be happy for anyone else. I just envy his happiness so much."

"You could have what he had one day too, Hawk"

He laughed a little at Margaret's suggestion. "I don't think anyone wants a doctor whose cheese has slipped off his cracker." He looked at her, but she was not smiling. "Well I tried dating some of the local talent but they just don't do it for me. They are so naïve, they have no idea about the pain and suffering this world can cause and it annoys me that they can be so ignorant. They are so insular, living in this place, they have never got out of here and experienced anything different. They think everywhere is just like crabapple cove. I almost find it offensive after spending three years of my life in a flea pen!"

It was obvious to Margaret that Hawkeye could not get over the war. It had effected him to a depth that she never thought possible from a man she leant on so often. They continued to talk about their lives since the war. Margaret began to feel tired though, and decided that would be enough for one day.

"Hawkeye, I think I should get back to the motel, I'm very tired. This day has been full of surprises to say the least!"

"Don't you dare, I'll take you back to Betsy's but only to get your stuff, you're staying here with me and dad" Margaret was too tired to argue. "Come on I'll get the keys for dad's car seeing he's parked behind me, although I cant wait for you to come for a spin in my prided possession 1945 De Soto!" He smiled at her and opened the front door for her.

"Won't Betsy be surprised to see you bring me back, boy will she want answers!" Margaret said as they drove toward the village.

"I'm surprised she didn't know what you were up to, Betsy knows everything!"

"Haha, she tried believe me, but every time she asked me, she got distracted, so she never found out"

"Well here we are, Crabapple Coves one and only motel!" They walked in together only to see Betsy sitting right in front of them at the desk.

"Well well well," she said "Don't tell me our town doctor has already wooed you in Margaret."

"Well actually Betsy, she came to surprise me, Margaret and I served in the same unit in Korea"

After all was out in the open and all had been explained, Hawkeye and Margaret left with her bags and got back in the car. Betsy was now eyeing Margaret suspiciously, Hawkeye and Margaret just laughed. It felt so good to laugh again. Both of them hadn't laughed for months. In just a few hours, their lives had become so much happier.