well here's the next chapter. Charles worries a couple of people in this one. I hope the Snoopy reference isn't too cheesy.
"Alright, Winchester you've had time to recuperate after your… little adventure but now I expect nothing less than one hundred percent from you, got it?" Colonel Potter welcomed his second in command back home wasting no time at all.
"I offer nothing less, Colonel," Charles would normally have been thinking of quips to answer his CO back with but the past week had sapped his strength and he just couldn't bare to fight with the people he actually in a way, liked.
"Good. I've been called to Battalion Aide to help out while they wait for their new cutter to arrive. So you, Prince Pompous are in charge. And I don't wanna hear any gripes from anyone that you've been acting like a jackass. I don't expect anything from you, don't give me less than nothing this time, Winchester. That clear?!" growled Potter glaring profusely.
"Crystal, sir. Utterly transparent." What was wrong with him? He couldn't even muster a sarcastic tone! "How long will you be gone?"
"Two days. Three tops."
"Fine. Well, if I may be excused, Colonel. I'd like to change back into my fatigues," Charles was quite surprised with how calm his tone was.
"Alright, Winchester. I'll be gone in a few minutes. Klinger's driving me there. I want the place to still in one piece when I get back." Potter nodded as Charles headed for the door.
"Look after yourself, Colonel. I hope I don't let you down, sir."
Charles' parting words left the cavalry man confused.
"He hopes? What ever happened to his arrogance?"
Stepping across the compound Charles made his way to his bunk hoping he wouldn't draw attention to himself. Passing Margaret's tent his blue eyes suddenly grew darker and he sighed inwardly as he knew Penobscott would want to come here all the more now that Charles had bait the snare.
"Sorry, Margaret," he managed before entering the Swamp.
He forced his annoyance into the back of his mind as he noticed that Hawkeye and BJ were waiting for him.
"Hey, Chuckles," grinned BJ as lifted his head up from a letter from his daughter, Erin.
"Why Charles, you're not drunk. What happen, you forgot your money?" Hawkeye guffawed, springing up from his bunk.
"Gentlemen." Charles regarded them both with a slight nod of the head before grabbing his fatigues from his foot locker.
"So, Charles did ya have fun?" BJ queried swinging his legs, imitating a small child.
"Sorry to inform you, Gentlemen but I'm afraid that Colonel Potter is leaving for Battalion Aide for a few days and has unfortunately left me in charge," Charles informed his room mates, ignoring BJ's question.
He immediately was aware of the despairing faces of Pierce and Hunnicutt who were genuinely upset by the news.
"I best start my paper work, then. Good day, Pierce and Hunnicutt," Charles straightened the collar of his shirt and stepped back out into the dim light off the afternoon.
"Hang on, did Charles just apologise to us.. In advance?"
Opening the door to Colonel Potter's Office, Charles was met with face of the one person he hoped he would not see today. Margaret.
"Major," he regarded her as he had the Swamp rats.
"Don't you, "Major" me buster. You aren't going to run this place like you did last time and have Klinger be your little errand boy," she growled ferociously at him.
"The thought, had not crossed my mind, Margaret. I intend to do paper work for the most of these few days and if I'm needed for anything otherwise I shall comply." He refused to meet her gaze as he sat behind Sherman Potter's desk.
"Alright, but if I have any nonsense from you after that stunt you pulled getting Rizzo to strip the motor pool down into little pieces, again, I'll be taking over and you'll be confined to your tent, Major. That clear?!" she barked placing her hands on the Colonel's desk to stare him square in the eyes.
"Unequivocally so, Margaret," Charles replied dropping his eyes from her to the forms Klinger had thrown together and strewn before him.
"Right. Well, I'll be back in an hour for you to sign the duty roster."
"No problem, Major I shan't have moved in that time."
"Charles?" she seemed quite concerned.
"Yes, Margaret?" he lifted his head but he still could not look at her.
"Are you sure you're ok?"
"Me, Major? I haven't a care in the world."
Margaret left the office before realising that those were the exact words he said to her the night before he went to Battalion Aide.
"Max, could you come here for a moment?" Charles beckoned the Lebanese Corporal from his office.
"How may I serve you, O Pretentious one?" Klinger responded as he entered the Office, bowing to his superior.
"I have a favour to ask of you, Max. Could you phone your dear friend, um you know the fellow who answers the phone down at I Core.."
"Who you mean Snoopy?"
"Yes.. Isn't that Sparky?"
"No, Sparky is just the operator, Major. Snoop is the Clerk at I Core," explained Klinger flashing his bright teeth.
"Isn't that the name of a cartoon dog?" Charles appeared a little bewildered.
"Yeah, he's a sucker for those comics that's why we call him Snoopy. After Radar left I found a note and a parcel in one of his drawers. In the note Radar told me all about Snoop and his comic fetish so I could get important supplies from I Core. I still got a couple left in case of an emergency."
"Well, Klinger your friend.. Snoopy may be receiving those last few comics. Could you have him check if we're dew any visitors in the next few days?" Charles requested
"You're not ordering me to do it?" Klinger raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"No, because I know you'd be kind enough to answer my request, Max."
Klinger read the Major's face but could not find no hidden malice there in his statement.
"What's this all about, Major?"
"It will all become clear, soon enough. Just do this for me first, Klinger, please. It is imperative you don't let anyone in the camp find out about this."
Klinger nodded in agreement and backed out into his own office.
"Oh boy, something's up, the Major said "Please" to me."
Picking up the receiver of the phone he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey, Sparky could ya be a pal and get Snoopy at I Core on the phone?"
Next chapter Charles gets Klinger to help him with an important favour.