I don't own M*A*S*H.
Boston was a different world compared to Atlanta.
The social scene was similar in many ways, but there was more of a focus on music and art rather than on charity events and silent auctions. It was almost like she was starting over.
Jackie took her lessons in stride, learning from Meredith, Charles' mother, and Honoria, Charles' sister. Both women were kind and helpful. Honoria helped her with picking out new clothes and find ways to benefit to become a valued member of Boston society.
The day the war was announced to be over, Jackie couldn't help the smile that filled her face at the thought of Charles coming back to Boston. Even though she wasn't sure if he had done this because there really was a kind man beneath the blue-blood persona he portrayed or if he genuinely wanted to marry her.
Either way, she was happy for the chance to see him again.
She was sitting in the library, reading by the fire. Honoria was sitting next to her, sewing. It was a quiet evening. Meredith and Charles Jr. had gone out to pick up Charles from the train station.
Jackie read and re-read the same paragraph multiple times before she gave up the pretext of reading and stood, replacing the book on the shelf.
Honoria glanced up at her with a smile. "Nervous?"
Jackie chuckled. "The last time I saw your brother was in a war zone. I had just been called a liar and berated by a fellow soldier. I have no idea what he thinks of me or even why he wants to marry me."
"Ob-b-bviously, he l-l-loves you."
Jackie turned to Honoria with wide eyes. "Loves me? No way!" Even as she said the words, she started to remember moments in their friendship. Conversations in the VIP tent, arguments outside of it, that kiss. She blushed and Honoria smiled.
"You never t-talk about what happened," she said.
"There's not much to talk about," she said firmly, turning from Honoria. She was looking over the books, running her hands over the spines. "We are just friends."
Even as she stated those words the memory of the kiss ran over her again. The passion, the wildness, the emotions, the intensity of it. She wanted more of that. She wanted him.
Honoria stood just as they heard the front door open. "He's back!" she said excitedly, just like a little girl, before rushing out of the room. Jackie followed at a slower pace, although her heart was pounding just as quickly as Honoria's feet were moving.
There he was, in his Army Officer formal uniform, hugging his sister with a smile. Jackie smiled softly at the sight.
She had forgotten how tall he was. He was handsome standing there with a smile on his face. His eyes turned to her and she froze.
His own eyes widened slightly at seeing her before they relaxed and he smiled.
"Hello, Jacquelyn," he said stepping up to her.
"Hello, Maj...I mean...Charles."
Saying his name was almost foreign to her. She had always referred to him by some title. Doctor, Major, something. But saying his name sent a thrill through her she hadn't expected.
His smile widened before he reached out and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. The feel of his body against hers once again reminded her of the last time they had been this close, during that kiss.
The hug lasted only a moment, but she couldn't help the flush that filled her cheeks at his closeness. He pulled back and turned back to his onlooking family asking what was for dinner that night.
Jackie looked up at his profile, her heart racing. She realized in that moment just how much she had missed him, missed talking to him, missed the closeness and friendship they achieved in the VIP tent, missed the raw sexual tension they had obtained outside the VIP tent, the passion of that one kiss they had shared. She missed him.
She loved him.
The shock of that knowledge should have knocked her over, but it didn't. Instead a wave of calmness ran over her, a feeling of rightness that she hadn't felt before.
She loved him.
Jacquelyn Murphy loved Charles Winchester.
Her heart fluttered as his hand took her elbow and pulled her closer to him. The rush of his body so near her own made her want things she shouldn't while in the presence of his family.
"We need to talk," he said to her in a low, soft tone. She could only nod, her mind and heart still racing at this new information she had absorbed.
His parents and Honoria smiled at the pair before walking off down the hallway. Charles turned and took her back into the library, shutting the doors behind them.
Jackie took a deep breath and looked up at Charles, now without prying eyes upon them. They were alone and that just made her want him more.
Charles removed his jacket and placed it on the back of nearby chair before looking at her. His eyes ran over her from top to bottom, causing delicious shivers to coarse through her veins.
"Jacquelyn," he said softly, "how...are you liking Boston?"
She blinked, not expecting that question. "I love it here. Your mother and sister have been great in getting me adjusted to the new environment."
He nodded before turning from her, facing the fireplace. He placed a hand on the mantle, looking at the pictures there. He remained silent for so long that Jackie almost said something to him, but the atmosphere had changed and she wasn't sure what to say now.
Without warning, he turned and looked at her again. "Why did you stay?"
Jackie narrowed her eyes, confusion filling her face. "I'm sorry?"
He took a deep breath and stepped closer to her. "Why did you stay in Boston? You could have gone wherever you liked once my mother freed you from your family."
Jackie stood stiff, ice filling her veins as a million thoughts ran through her head. "Are you saying that you told your mother that you wanted to marry me as a ruse to release me from my family?"
Charles didn't respond, but turned from her. Then he nodded. She took a step forward, standing arms length away.
"I don't believe that," she said, drawing his eyes back to her. "If it was a ruse you wouldn't have called my brother." His eyes widened, surprised. He didn't expect her brother to speak with her. She smiled. "You wouldn't have told him about my time in Korea and you wouldn't have sent your mother to get me. You would have found another way."
She reached out and touched his arm softly. "Charles," she said, his name once again causing her heart to flutter, "the real question isn't why am I still in Boston, it's why did you save me at all?"
He looked down at her, his eyes focused on her. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
Jackie's heart swelled and she wasted no time wrapping her arms around him, holding him close to her, deepening the kiss. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her body against his own.
He kissed her as if this would be the last kiss he would even give her, as if she was all things light in a dark world and he wanted it all for himself. It was passionate, aggressive and completely sensual.
When he pulled back, her breathing was labored, her cheeks flushed and her lips swollen. He looked down at her and spoke softly.
"Jacquelyn, will you marry me?"
Her heart swelled and she smiled. "Yes."
After Charles returned, Jacquelyn had very little time to talk with him about anything. Honoria and Meredith kept her busy running around planning the wedding.
When she did see Charles, it was brief and always with others around. She wanted to talk with him privately, but could never seem to get him alone.
Although she had agreed to marry him, there was one thing she hadn't said to him, one thing he hadn't said to her.
She loved him, she knew that. But did he love her? She wasn't sure.
After he asked her to marry him and she agreed, Honoria had rushed in and interrupted anything else they might have said to each other. It wasn't her fault, but Jackie was a bit upset with her soon to be sister-in-law for that particular interruption.
Since then, alone time was impossible. Invitations had to be selected and mailed, flower arrangements, first and second courses, the cake, everything. It kept her so busy that even a glance at Charles was nearly impossible unless they needed his input on something.
One thing she did notice, even in those brief moments when they were making decisions together, was that he wanted very little music to be played. He had a haunted look in his eyes whenever musical selections were chosen. In fact, he had flat out refused playing Mozart's "Clarinet Quintet in A" and walked out on his mother when she suggested it.
Although Meredith was confused on this, Jackie knew something must have happened in Korea, something involving music.
The Charles she knew in Korea loved music, so this Charles who didn't had to have a reason. She just wasn't sure exactly what it was and could never get him alone to ask.
Before she knew it, it was the day of the wedding and she still hadn't had a proper conversation with Charles, about his newfound distaste for music or how he felt about her. They kept her confined as they dressed her in her wedding gown.
Her dress was beautiful. It had long lacy sleeves and a lacy bodice that flowed down into a plump skirt that swished around her legs when she moved. Her hair was done up in a bun on the top of her head and her veil was secured there and covered her face, although right now it was pulled back over her head so she could see.
Meredith had to leave the room because the sight was too much for her and she started to cry. Jackie's own mother had already left long before the dress had even been placed on her daughter, she had to get back to Jack. Honoria was the only one left in the room and was busy fluffing out the train.
It was in this moment that Jackie knew she only had one more thing to take care of before the wedding.
"Honoria, I need a favor."
Honoria lifted her head and looked at Jackie in the mirror with confusion in her eyes. "Okay..."
"I have to speak with Charles, right now. It's urgent."
Honoria shook her head, going on about bad luck about seeing her in her dress before the wedding and such.
Jackie stood and turned to Honoria, grabbing the woman's hands firmly, stopping her reasons why this couldn't be. "Please," she said firmly. "I will not let him see me in the dress, but I have to speak with him before the ceremony."
Honoria looked at Jackie, the seriousness of her words finally reaching the younger woman. She nodded and stood, hurrying out to find her brother.
Jackie let out the breath she had been holding before walking into the nearby closet to wait. She had promised Honoria that Charles wouldn't see her after all.
She heard the door open and shut. "Hello?"
"Charles," she said softly. "I have to talk to you."
"Okay," his voice sounded confused. "Where are you?"
"I'm in the closet," she said. "Honoria would be most displeased if you saw me before the wedding, so I'm hiding. However, this couldn't wait."
"Okay, I'm listening."
She licked her lips before looking out the door into the room. She couldn't see Charles, but could feel his presence in the room, knew he was there.
"Charles, I want you to know two things before we get married. The first is that you can talk to me about anything. When I become your wife I want there to be nothing between us, nothing you feel you cannot tell me. If something happened to you in Korea, I want you to know that I will be here to listen when you are ready."
She heard his intake of breath at her words. "What..." he cleared his throat. "What makes you think anything happened?"
"The music," she said firmly. "You used to love it, but now you don't. I can think of no other reason than something must have happened when you were in Korea."
Charles didn't respond.
"I understand that you don't want to talk about it right now," she said calmly. "I just wanted you to know that I'm hear to listen when you are ready."
He was quiet for so long that for a moment she didn't think he heard her. Then his voice came out, soft and almost relieved. "Thank you."
She smiled, although he couldn't see her. "The second thing I want you to know before we do this is just that...well I..." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I want you to know that I lo..."
"Charles! There you are dear!"
Jackie's eyes widened at the sound of Meredith's voice. Could the women of this family have worst timing?
"You shouldn't be in here. It's bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding. Come along now."
"No..." Jackie said.
"Jacquelyn, you'll see him soon enough. Come along Charles."
"Okay Mother," he said. "See you in a few minutes."
She heard the door shut as both left the bride alone. She groaned in frustration before stepping out of the closet. Was the universe just trying to make confessing one's love impossible?
She took a seat and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled at the sight she made. She was a beautiful bride and had the glow of someone in love. Maybe Charles would understand when he saw her walk down the aisle? She hoped so.
She stood and grabbed her flower bouquet as the door opened and Honoria walked in.
"It's t-t-time," she said with a smile. Jackie nodded before having Honoria move the veil to cover her face.
She may not have told Charles how she felt, but she could damn well show him.
Seeing Jackie walk down the aisle towards him made his heart soar. He couldn't help the smile on his face as he looked at her.
He couldn't believe his luck that this beautiful woman would actually agree to marry him. He wasn't sure what her thoughts were when she agreed and he hadn't really had time to ask her.
He hadn't had a chance to tell her of his feelings for her either.
Since she had left Korea, she had always been in the back of his mind. He loved her, he knew this. He just wasn't sure where her heart was. She was attracted to him for sure, but that could just be lust. He wanted more than that from her.
She had seen right through him too about the music. It still pained him to think back on those Chinese POWs that he had tried to teach real music. They were gone, but not forgotten.
She had told him that he could tell her anything and she would listen. That meant more to him than anything else. His parents and sister wouldn't truly understand what he was going through, but Jackie...
Jackie would understand.
As she stopped next to him, Charles turned to the priest wondering just what else it was that she had wanted to say before his mother had interrupted them.
For a moment he wondered if she was going to try and call off the wedding. The thought terrified him and couldn't help the sudden fear that filled him in that moment.
"...to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Charles blinked. He had been so deep in thought he was missing the ceremony. "I do," he said firmly. He did. He wanted to be with her no matter what.
He looked at Jackie as the priest went through her vows. If she wanted out, she would hesitate. If she hesitated then he would stop the wedding. He wouldn't force her to marry him. He wouldn't be like her parents were. He couldn't do that.
It would kill him if he had to, but he would do it, for her.
"...lawfully wedded husband?"
Charles took a deep breath.
"I do."
No hesitation. She even smiled when she said it. Hope soared through his heart at that sight. Maybe she really did want to marry him. Maybe she was trying to tell him something else before.
He turned to her and placed the ring on her finger. These hands, like his, had saved lives, although in a much different way. His eyes moved up to her shoulder. The dress covered most of the scar, but he could still see the tiniest sliver peeking out from the lace. The woman was strong, she would understand what happened in Korea and why music is hard to listen to now, she would stand by him in the good times and bad. She had been a friend to him and then a friend with a hint of something more. She challenged him and made him want to be that man he had become in that VIP tent in Korea.
She was the only woman for him.
"...husband and wife." Charles blinked. This was now his wife. They belonged to each other now. No one could take her from him.
"You may now kiss your bride."
Charles lifted the veil and looked down at a softly smiling Jackie. He leaned down towards her, stopping inches from her. He had to tell her now, even if she didn't feel the same. They would have their whole lives together where he could try to win her heart.
"I love you," he said, watching her eyes widen in surprise before he kissed her.
He didn't hear the music playing, didn't hear the people clapping. He heard nothing except the sound of his heartbeat as he kissed her.
As he pulled back, he felt her hand in his, squeezing gently. She looked up at him with a smile.
"I love you too."
Jack watched his sister dance with her new husband. She was smiling at him in a way he had never seen her smile before.
He felt terrible that he had allowed his parents to treat her so terribly and do nothing. He knew now that he had had the power to stop it long ago. One word from him and his parents would have stopped.
He hadn't though and that was his greatest regret.
She could have died in Korea and it would have been his fault.
He was her brother, older by only a few minutes, but it had fallen to him to protect her and he hadn't done that.
Looking at her now, he wished he had. Then he could have seen that smile years ago rather than on her wedding day.
He turned his gaze to her husband, his new brother-in-law. Charles Winchester the 3rd.
He was a good man and a good doctor. He had been the one to point out to him the failings he had done towards his own sister. Charles had called him from Korea to tell him all that his sister had done for him, to protect him.
Charles loved Jacquelyn, Jacquelyn loved Charles, and Jack couldn't ask for anything more.
Jack smiled, letting the guilt wash away for the night. It would never disappear, but just for tonight he would forget and concentrate on how happy his sister is in this moment.
The End! Hope you enjoyed Unexpected Soldier!
