So I found this story on my hard drive, and I wondered why I never posted it. It's an idea I had a while back (obviously), sort of an AU of Hawkeye and Margaret's relationship. Of all the characters on the show, their dynamic is the most intriguing. It's real, and I think that's why so many of us root for them. So this picks up right where Comrades in Arms leaves off, just as Margaret reads her "Dear Hank" letter to Hawkeye and will continue to the end of the series (and maybe beyond) if there's interest.

Anything you recognize doesn't belong to me.

Hawkeye listened as Margaret poured her feelings out to him through the letter. They'd been in this hell hole for almost two years now, and he marveled at just how far they'd come from the biting animosity they'd had for each other. As she spoke, he recalled that night vividly; her warm body in his arms, her soft lips caressing his, her hands gentle but demanding as they sought comfort from each other. He'd just told her that their differences were too vast, and maybe he was right. But listening to her talk about how much that night had meant to her, Hawkeye began to realize that maybe they could have something; something wholly unconventional but completely them.

"You've helped me to grow a little. Thank you Hank." She tucked her letter away and looked up at him expectantly.

"Thank you, Darlene," he replied, watching her face soften as she smiled. But he also saw the hurt in her eyes at the thought of her husband, the man who was supposed to love her, and just why she was sending the letter in the first place. Without thinking, he leaned across the space between them and kissed her. He didn't press, and he was gone before she even had a chance to respond, but the look in her eyes when he pulled back justified his actions. She wasn't mad at him, nor was she yearning for more. He conveyed with his eyes what he couldn't with his words; that he was always there for her whenever she needed him. She smiled her thanks as her bright eyes shined with tears.

Wordlessly, he stood and walked out the door. Before he closed it behind him, their eyes locked again and he saw an indefinable emotion ghost across her features. But just as quickly it was gone and the door hid her from view. As he walked back to the Swamp, he tried to tell himself that was the end of it; that they'd left anything more than friendship in that abandoned hut. But somehow Hawkeye knew that his life would probably be forever entwined with hers as long as they were here.

The next morning Hawkeye hobbled out of bed and winced at the throbbing in his leg. It was healing just fine, but the muscles knitting back together were stiffest in the morning. He stretched it a little before tossing a pillow across the room.

"Hey Beej, rise and shine."

"Don't wanna," came the muffled reply, along with his pillow thrown back at him. Charles had apparently already gotten up and out for the day, so Hawkeye grabbed a tin cup and a spoon and began pounding them together.

"Hey, you're not avoiding more of this lousy war than me," Hawkeye argued. "Besides, Potter wants us all in the mess this morning for our weekly talking to."

"Tell him I'm writing myself a doctor's note to miss class."

Hawkeye sighed and set the utensils down. "You leave me no choice but to resort to drastic measures." The threat fell on deaf ears, so Hawkeye limped over and grabbed the sheets. With one clean yank BJ was uncovered, and as Hawkeye danced outside with his blankets he had no choice but to jump up and try to retaliate.

"Give them back!" He screamed, but Hawkeye just laughed and darted back a little more. BJ sighed and resigned himself to dressing for the day. Seeing his victory, Hawkeye returned to the Swamp, earning him a glare and a sharp jab as he returned his bunkmate's blankets. BJ didn't say anything to him as they got ready, but as they made their way to the mess tent he inquired about Hawkeye's leg.

"It's fine, just aches a bit in the mornings. A few more days and it'll be good as new." He opened the door for his friend and BJ grimaced at the sight of this morning's breakfast.

"Oh great, just what the doctor didn't order." BJ shook his head and grabbed a mug, bypassing the food entirely. Hawkeye took one look at the food and clenched his teeth. He was getting really tired of eating food that probably wouldn't even pass Red Cross standards. Igor held out a spoonful of some yellow mash, but Hawkeye held up his hands.

"No thanks, I didn't get my breakfast booster shot yet." He, too, grabbed a mug and filled it with the brown goop they called coffee before joining Charles, Margaret, and BJ at the far table. BJ still looked mostly asleep and Charles was grilling Margaret on the conditions at the 8063rd. Without missing a beat in her conversation, she passed the sugar bowl toward Hawkeye. He thanked her with a grunt and added a few spoonfuls to make it more appetizing.

"Good news folks," Potter entered with his mug full and sat next to Charles. "The Swedish MASH at Cho Wan just heard about our arterial transplants."

"I don't think I wanna hear the rest," BJ warned.

"You guessed it," Potter answered, "they want a demonstration. I think Pierce and Houlihan have done their duty; that leaves one of you." Hawkeye zoned out for a minute as he glanced at Margaret from the corner of his eye. Usually she was the first to jump up and volunteer, but he guessed even the tough-as-nails Major needed a break every now and then.

As Charles refused to go, citing their eventful journey, Margaret caught his eye. They listened to Winchester's words, how he called their entire trip a "disaster," and Hawkeye couldn't stop the small smile that crept along his face. They'd agreed – though not verbally – that whatever it was that was between them was just that: between them. There was no need to involve anyone else. He berated himself for letting anything slip, but for a brief moment he saw a matching smile on her face. Unfortunately, so did Charles.

After several reassurances that no one was in fact smiling, the officers split for the day. BJ was too nice to say anything about it, and Hawkeye certainly wasn't going to bring it up. But when Margaret excused herself from their company, Hawkeye could see Charles' mind whirling with questions. Hoping to avoid the third degree, Hawkeye stood up quickly.

"I think I'll head over to post-op and see how you've fared without me." He moved as fast as his injured leg would allow him, and he plastered an infectious smile on his face as he opened the doors.

Consider this a prologue, of sorts. I'm not going to deal with every episode, just the important ones in the Hawkeye/Margaret relationship. Please review and let me know how it is, and if there's any interest for more. Ta.

Next up: "What's Up, Doc?"