I'm sooooo sooooo sorry for not updating this story in months. I just finished uni yesterday and this session was incredibly insane. I had no time to write and because my brain was full of law, I had no creativity left. Now I thought I'd give you all a bit of a present for sticking with this story. Some better HM. You can help me decide what happens after this chapter. Review and let me know what you want. Cheers :-). Please enjoy!

Hawkeye was the first to speak after Margaret's incredible announcement.

"You mean, you'd leave the Army?"

Margaret looked over to Hawkeye and stated the simple truth.

"I'm no longer Major Margaret Houlihan. I'm Margaret Houlihan and that's a very different person. I don't want to be a part of something that causes so much grief and pain. I know the Colonel stayed in the Army his entire life, but I've been involved in too much destruction. I simply can't take it anymore. I need a real life filled with something I haven't had my whole life – stability. I want to live in a town or city I can call my home, not move around so much that all I know is that I'm from the USA."

Everyone looked at each other not knowing what to say when Klinger stood up.

"Well then, I'd like to propose a toast. To Margaret Houlihan. To Margaret."

Everyone raised their glasses, "To Margaret."

As the night wore on and a constant stream of alcohol was brought to the table, Margaret and Hawkeye began to become friendlier than they would without the intoxicating liquor in their systems. Under the table, Hawkeye kept a hold of Margaret's hand and she had no intention of having him let her go.

Hawkeye felt that he really needed to talk to Margaret alone, or at least be alone with her, so he spoke up to the rowdy MASH gang.

"Guys, I think it's time we call it a night. I actually believe we're the last customers here and that the restaurant's owner wants to close. So, how about we all go to court tomorrow to hear the decision?"

Trapper and BJ were the first to stand up. BJ spoke first, "I think we all agree with Hawkeye. Let's go back to the hotel and get some sleep."

As everyone got up, Hawkeye asked for the cheque and paid it without complaint, despite the enormous bill.

Hawkeye looked over to the beautiful woman beside him. "Let's go back to your house, ok?"

Margaret smiled. She didn't know what the night would bring but she was willing to find out.

"Ok, let's get out of this place."

They both waited till the MASH gang left and then caught a taxi home, never letting go of each other.

Reluctantly, Margaret had to let go when she opened her apartment door. She needed two hands to get the key out of her bag.

As soon as the door closed, Hawkeye did what he knew best. He grabbed Margaret and kissed her senseless.

"Hawkeye? What are we doing?"

"I think it's called kissing. People do it sometimes when they like each other a lot."

Margaret smiled, "No, I mean WHAT are we doing? Us. You and me?"

"I don't know. I really want to be with you. Only you. You're all I've thought about since the war and I don't want to waste anymore time. We've wasted too much of it already."

"Do you just want to sleep with me or do you want more?"

"I'd love more with you than just a one night stand and I think you know that, but I won't make any promises. I don't think either of us is in a position to make them. Maybe we can learn to live? Together?"

Margaret then did what she was very good at too. She kissed him and that he had not expected.

"Ok Hawkeye. I want you too and I guess we can learn how to live after the war together. Maybe we'll be good for each other. I know we'll fight and we'll make up again and then fight some more cos we're both strong characters and stubborn as hell. But I want to try too."

Margaret then grabbed Hawkeye's hand and lead him to her bedroom. They didn't know if they were going to sleep together or simply sleep together, but they were going to spend the night in each other's company.