As much Margaret Houlihan hated the rain, she had had enough of the heat

A/N: Hi there! It's me again! I know I've just finished writing my previous story, but since my MASH obsession has been torturing my troubled mind as of late, I need to get a few more ideas out ;) I also remember I promised some people to write a sequel for "Strong Enough", but I want to give this project some time to settle down, in order not to spoil it. Anyway, here's a new thing from me, I hope you enjoy it :)

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As much Margaret Houlihan hated the rain, she had had enough of the heat. The temperature and humidity of South Korean summer drove her nuts, and as far as the forecasts were concerned there were no chances of the temperature dropping until the week after next.

Unbearable, she thought, pinning her hair up and splashing some cool water over her neck. She even decided to change her tee for a tank top, which she didn't usually feel comfortable wearing, but right now she figured the less she wore the better.

Why on Earth did they have to send a new nurse in on a day like this? They had wounded coming in like a tidal wave for the last four days, forced to practically move into OR in all that heat, and finally when Margaret thought she might be able to get some rest (disturbed only, if ever, by cold showers taken every couple of hours) the announcement of a new staff member coming over from Seoul had arrived. As much as she felt grateful for an additional pair of hands, Margaret wasn't exactly looking forward to 'filling in' yet another girl.

Who would, most probably, become an object of not-so-subtle assaults from one Hawkeye Pierce, she thought grimly and winced. Why would he always come to her mind whenever she wasn't paying attention to the course of her thoughts? Well, yes, he helped her a lot through her divorce the month before last, and the night when they operated in the abandoned hospital during the shelling gave her a slightly different image of his character than she had until now, but that certainly wasn't the reason to deliberate over him so much! She's never felt like this towards the Chief Surgeon, not even during their 'episode' in that abandoned hut on their way to the 8063rd… Oh no, not again! She mentally slapped herself, making a firm resolution to forget that unfortunate night once and for all. It's been months since that happened, and yet, from time to time, she would catch herself on pondering about this or that detail, which definitely wasn't right.

Oh, no. Not at all.

Shaking the troubling thoughts off herself, Margaret walked out of her tent and staggered slightly as the sun and heat hit her with full force. Moaning, she strolled towards the Colonel's office, where the jeep was most likely to stop when it came, and sat down on a small bench next to the entrance, where the roof provided a wee shadow. Half of the bench was already occupied by Corporal Klinger, who flashed her a smile and marked a salute.

"Excuse me for not standing up, Major, my feet must have melted down somewhere around yesterday."

"At ease," she murmured sympathetically, and dropped down on the bench next to him. "Are we in Hell already, or is it just some wicked kind of a purgatory, where we're supposed to lose the better part of our body weight by constant sweating?"

"I wouldn't know that, Major, but I'd sure be happy to get out of here on the double."

"Same goes for me. Did you hear anything about what time should the transport from Seoul arrive? I could really use another shower right now."

"Sorry, Ma'am, not a clue."

"Thanks anyway." She wondered whether she was too sweet on him, but she didn't really feel like snapping around at people in all that heat. Leaning her head against the wall, she closed her eyes and dozed off.

She woke up at the sound of an engine running somewhere close, and blinked a couple of times, feeling hot and dizzy, dark spots dancing in front of her eyes. The skin on her face, neck and shoulders was burning, for the sun has moved while she was sleeping and burnt her red, her bangs were plastered to her sticky, sweaty forehead… Not the best looks one could get when greeting their new personnel, but she figured the girl/woman wouldn't look much better herself.

Just as she tried to console herself with that thought, the jeep pulled up into the compartment, revealing the shape and form of Margaret's new nurse. The blonde Major moaned, feeling her spirits drop rapidly.

The woman in the passenger seat was wearing a dark-brown tank top similar to Margaret's, khaki trousers rolled up to expose her smooth, tanned calves, and a pair of standard military ankle-high shoes, but she didn't look like she was hot. Her skin had a dark tone typical for people of Latin-American or Italian descent, and there was not a drop a sweat on it, not even the sticky-mushy layer of moisture Margaret used to get on herself whenever the temperature would rise rapidly. The newcomer was slim, though the top hardly concealed the fact that her body was deliciously formed in all the right places. Her hair fell past her shoulders in a chocolate brown wave, bangs short enough for one to see her carefully formed eyebrows, and two sets of eyelashes around doe-like, brown eyes.

And on top of that, she wore full make-up that wasn't running!

Margaret had the feeling she'd have some trouble getting to like the new girl.

The brunette jumped off the jeep and took her bag (just one, Margaret noticed instantly, and looking as if it was filled with books rather than clothes) off the back, saying goodbye to the driver, who seemed to be totally mesmerized by her. He shook her hand vigorously and pulled back, beaming at her when she waved to him cheerfully. She then turned to face Margaret and smiled at her, taking a few steps forward. Before the Major could react, however, Colonel Potter went through his door and passed her, opening his arms to greet the newcomer.

"Captain Brown!" he exclaimed with a smile. "We're so glad to have you here!"

"And vice versa, Colonel," the woman responded, saluting perfectly before giving the CO a strong, definite handshake. "I'm really looking forward to working with your people. Did you get my letter?"

"I sure did. I'm really happy to have around a person who actually performed arterial transplants on the state side. Our Chief Surgeon will be more than exhilarated to work with you."

"I'll do my best to prove myself worthy of my position, Colonel."

"Good. Now," he turned to Margaret, placing a hand on Captain Brown's back, "let me present our Head Nurse, Major Margaret Houlihan. Major, this is Captain Alicia Brown, your new second in command. I hope you two get along well, especially since we decided to put Captain Brown in your tent, since she's got a higher rank than the rest of the nurses."

Margaret gaped at him, forgetting she should welcome the new nurse. "Excuse me?"

"I know this may come as a bit of a shock, Major, but we have only found out about Captain Brown's promotion last week. We'll put the Captain in the VIP tent for a while, and proceed to rearrange the setting of your tent. For now, I would like you to show our new nurse around, and fill her into her duties as well as your own. Have a nice day, ladies."

He turned to go back into his office, but paused after just a couple of steps. "Oh, Major… When you're finished with giving Captain Brown a guided tour, I would advise for her to pay an uncalled-for visit to the Swamp."

Margaret gaped at him, still in shock from his recent revelations. "Why is that, Colonel?"

"Just go there, and you'll see," he answered curtly, and smiled mischievously. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Captain."

"The pleasure is all mine," Alicia Brown answered, and turned to Margaret with a friendly smile on her face. "I am very sorry to come upon you this way, Major Houlihan. However, I promise I'll do everything I can to make sure our co-operation as smooth and effective as possible." Her smile changed, being now a little shy, more feminine-like. "I also hope we could be friends, even if not now, then maybe one day. Would you please consider calling me Ali?"

"Yes," Margaret answered weakly, feeling her head pounding from the heat and the great amount of information she has been forced to process in such a short time. "Whatever you say, Captain…"

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A/N: So, what do you think? Will it do for a start? How could Captain Brown's presence affect the life of the 4077th? And what exactly is she supposed to do at the Swamp? Stay tuned for the next chapter!