Thank you for the reviews. I hadn't actually been expecting anything so now the pressure is on .

Be forewarned I'm no MASH writer for one and I think both HM changed a lot by war's end so some people might get upset that I'm straying, and I'm sorry.

I don't own these characters.

Chapter 2

"I'm moving, I'm moving." Margaret moaned, groggily turning off her alarm clock. One thing she most enjoyed about being back in the states was that she could sleep uninterrupted. And better still she found that unlike many of her fellow veterans she was not haunted by the war in her dreams; in fact, her dreams tended to consist of one person and Margaret attributed that person to why she slept so much more than she use to.

It was her first day of work and she was both excited and apprehensive. This would be an entirely new environment for her and she wasn't sure she was prepared for the changes. In the army her status as Head Nurse was reinforced by her rank as Major and she was able to make necessary decisions. She knew things would be different in civilian life and it made her nervous. So nervous that she could barely eat any breakfast and what she did eat came up immediately.

Rushing around her Georgetown apartment Margaret quickly gathered her things to leave. The last thing she needed was to be late her first day.

"You must be Major Margaret Houlihan. I'm Chief of Staff Al Roberts." Al said extending his hand. "Nice to meet you."

"It's my pleasure Sir." Margaret said obeying his motion to sit. "And I'm no longer in the military so the Major is not necessary."

"You are a veteran, you're always a Major. I know I was a Major myself in the First World War."

"I did not know that."

"War is hell, as I'm sure you can attest. I'm glad the damned thing is over with and I'm glad you've decided to join us. Now I overbooked my schedule and am meeting ol' Ike for some rounds so I'm going to let one of our surgeons show you around. I'm not quite sure where he is at the mom-"

"Sorry I'm late, Sir."

"Ah Brad, good. Miss. Houlihan I'd like you to meet one of our finest doctor Dr. Bradley Mitchell."

"Pleasure to meet you Doctor." Margaret said standing and extending her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine I'm sure." Brad said grinning. "I know you have to go Sir I can take over from here."

"Wonderful, now Margaret I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir."

After Dr. Roberts left Brad began to give Margaret a tour of the hospital informing her on policy and procedures. Margaret listen intently taking notes when necessary and was caught off guard when the conversation drifted in nature.

"I'm must say I wasn't expecting such an attractive nurse."

"Pardon?" Margaret said taken aback.

"Well when they informed me that they had hired a veteran and a Major no less I assumed it would be an older woman."

"Oh."

"What was it like there? In Korea."

"Hell." Margaret replied bluntly.

"I hear that MASH units are well equipped these days." Brad said slowing his pace to walk next to her.

"Sometimes." she replied, uncomfortable about the talk of war.

"Margaret, I was wondering would you like to -"

"Maggie!" a woman cried from the other end of the hall. "Maggie Houlihan is that you?"

Margaret turned and smiled. "What on earth are you doing here Jane?"

"I was just about to say the same thing to you!"

"Last time I heard Auntie Anne said you were on your way to the Netherlands or something." Jane said giving Margaret a hug.

"I changed my mind. I'm working here as head surgical nurse." Margaret informed her glancing over at Dr. Mitchell.

"That's wonderful. Oh hello Dr. Mitchell." Jane said lowering her voice.

"Hello, Jane."

"Well, I don't want to get you in trouble on your first day. Here, come to my house tonight I get off at 5 and will be home after that." Jane said writing down her address and handing it to Margaret.

"Alright," Margaret said a bit flustered. "Bye"

"How do you know Jane?" Brad asked once the woman was out of ear shot.

"She's my cousin. How do you know her?"

"Everyone knows Jane."