AN: This is just a short drabble about how i think 'As time goes by' should have finished.
Heart of the Matter
"Pierce, I don't know how you did it" The officers club was almost empty, Charles had turned in and BJ had headed to post op for his shift. Only Margaret Houlihan, Hawkeye Pierce and a few other stragglers remained.
"Did what Margaret?"
"The time capsule" she said slurring slightly in her inebriated state.
"It was just a bunch of objects until you came along. You gave it life, you get what this whole place is about" She said sadly leaning her elbow against the table.
"Margaret, you've been here just as long as I have. You know what this place is about" he said comfortingly, not feeling the effects of the alcohol as much as Margaret.
"But I don't. I never would have thought to throw in the bear, or the fishing hook, or the alcohol."
"You know as well as anyone that the army stuff is only a very small part of what goes on here. There's the friendship, companionship, the death, the life, the pain"
"Hawk, I haven't been part of all that like you have."
"Are you forgetting that night in the hut, Darlene? The practical jokes, the poker. Damn, should have chucked in a pack of cards" Margaret smiled lopsidedly.
"I guess when you put it that way, the military barely rates a mention"
"You just have to loosen up Margaret, give the military stuff a break, even half the people in the military don't listen to it" He told her pressing a hand over hers.
"You're right" she said not sure why tears were coming to her eyes.
"Hey" he pressed his arm around her shoulders, not surprised when she leaned into him "The war won't last forever"
"I know Hawk, but it's been almost three years" her words were muffled against his shoulder.
"I want to go home too, Margaret"
"At least you have a home" she muttered sadly.
"Hey, you can always stay with me for a while. I'm sure dad wouldn't mind"
"Over my dead body" she coughed, despite the fact that she was currently wrapped snugly in his arms, and was quite happy to stay there for the rest of the war.
"Margaret Houlihan" he said addressing the back of her dyed blonde hair "You are a strange but beautiful woman" She looked up sensing the complete sincerity in his voice.
"Let's go back to my tent" she said quietly. It wasn't suggestive, but an offer of friendship, companionship, however when she gently pressed her lips to his they knew there was a possibility of more.