Chapter Four

It took another two weeks, but the Texas Hold 'Em tournament was finally underway. Hawkeye, B.J., Margaret, Frank (Who was still REALLY freaked out by what happened), Robin, Radar, Klinger, and Colonel Potter. They each had 20 dollars worth of chips, which could be taken by anyone if they lost their bets. Chip leader at the end gets his money's worth, and 1st place got a mystery prize, which had been kept under lock and key by Colonel Potter. Even Radar didn't know what it was.

Robin arrived at the officers club in a black cowboy hat. "Kind of a good luck thing." She told them when they asked. Father Mulcahy explained the rules.

"Okay everyone, look to the list to see your pairs. Best 2 out of 3 games, winners advance to the next round. Begin!"

The first pairs were:

Hawkeye – Klinger

Margaret – Radar

Robin – B.J.

Colonel Potter – Frank

Hawkeye beat Klinger all three rounds. Radar beat Margaret, who seemed shocked and appalled by this. "But this isn't fair! He's got a poker face now!" Radar laughed, and winked at Robin, who probably taught it to him. Robin beat B.J, who didn't seem to care. He was just having fun. And amazingly enough, Frank beat Colonel Potter. Everyone except for Margaret was suspicious, but didn't have anything to prove it…yet.

Father Mulcahy spoke again. "Okay, second round! 2 out of 3 games, winners face off in the final showdown! Begin!"

Hawkeye had the better hand the first game, but Robin managed to bluff him into folding. The next hands were all in Robin's favor. Hawkeye pretended to be angry, but he was drunk and happy.

Frank and Radar only needed to play one more game, the one who won would be declared winner. The cards were dealt, and it looked like Frank won…until he jumped up and pointed at him laughing. A few cards tumbled out of his sleeve. Frank was disqualified, Radar was winner, and Frank's chips were divided between the two remaining players.

Father Mulcahy spoke again. "Final showdown between Radar O'Reilly and Robin O'Keefe! Chip Leader gets his money, and the 1st placer gets our mystery prize! Best two out of three, best of luck! Begin!"

Radar won first hand with a Jack-Queen off-suit, but Robin one the second hand with a straight. The final hand was dealt, and those who witnessed knew it would be close. They both had pocket aces, but Robin had hearts and Radar had spades.

They flipped their cards over and they held their breath as the river came. Robin had bet most of her chips, if she lost, Radar would get the money, but she would get the prize. It didn't seem to bother her, but she did want to know if she would win. After all, she did teach him the game. The river was dealt:

It was the ace of spades.

Robin pushed her chips toward Radar with a grin. "And the student…becomes the master."

"Our winner tonight is Radar O'Reilly!" They counted up the chips. Radar collected 210 dollars! But Robin got the mystery prize, which turned out to be a nice flannel emerald green bathrobe from the Ginza. They were both happy with their winnings, and the others were just happy to have a good time….except of course, for Frank.

On the third month of their courtship, Radar was in the office doing filing, and Robin was in the supply tent taking inventory, when the news came:

A sniper had been spotted in camp.

They heard gunshots, and Colonel Potter was trying to find a safe way out. "I'm gonna try to find Pierce and check on the patients."

"Colonel!" Radar called after him. "Let me know if you find Robin…"

The older man's eyes softened. "Of course, Radar."

Radar was a nervous wreck. He couldn't focus without knowing if Robin was okay.

"Please, Robin, be alright… I couldn't bear it if you died…I love you." Radar seemed pleasantly surprised. "I really do love her…"

Then, amazingly, he heard Robin's voice in his head:

"I hope Radar is okay…I don't think I could handle it if anything happened to him… I love him…I really do." He realized that he was hearing Robin's thoughts. He took pleasure in the loving words, until the next sentence came.

"Oh, God, the door just slammed. The sniper, is he in here? Oh, God, I see a gun! No, no, don't hurt me, please! Help! WALTER!"

Radar didn't even think. He burst out the door and ran to the supply tent. On the way, he thought, "She called me by my real name…" But he opened the door and saw that Robin was pinned on the floor, the sniper holding his rifle over her. When she saw him, a look of relief came over her face.

The sniper turned around and smacked Radar down. His glasses skidded on the ground. He shot and fled the scene. Robin gave a scream of anguish and ran to his side. Hawkeye and B.J. ran in and rushed him to O.R.

-END OF CHAPTER FOUR-