The entire mess tent was buzzing. Everyone was talking about the unmarried young doctor who was adopting a Korean baby.

"Why does he even care so much?" "Is he really making a good decision?" "What kind of joke is he pulling this time?" They all asked.

Hawkeye, Margaret, and the Colonel made their way though the chow line and went to seat themselves among their fellow officers. Hawkeye attempted to juggle holding onto his tray along with Erica, until he was finally able to set it down on the table with a clank.

"Well, Hawkeye, I suppose I won't be the only one they call Father around here, huh?" Mulcahy scooped a bunch of peas into his spoon and was about to take a bite before asking, "So how's the paperwork?"

The Colonel perked up, "Ah! We finished it not long ago. It's all ready to be sent to headquarters."

"Say, Hawk, does she have a name yet?"

Hawkeye looked over to BJ, "Erica."

"Erica Pierce, huh?" BJ murmured as he looked down at the little girl with one of his goofy smiles that was sure to evoke laughter.

Erica giggled and stretched her little hand out towards BJ.

"Aw, would ya look at that, I think she likes you, Beej," Hawkeye said with a grin.

"What's there not to like!" He replied with a chuckle.

Charles scoffed and shook his head.

BJ glared at Charles, "What? You got a problem with me?"

Charles quickly brought his gaze up to the party around him. "Oh no, Hunnicut. I simply wish to give my condolences to the little bean."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hawkeye asked with uncertainty.

"I simply mean, and of course you are not obliged to agree with me, but perhaps the monastery wouldn't have been so bad for her."

"What?" Hawkeye raised an eyebrow at Charles' comment.

"Pierce, let me ask you, what experience do you have with raising a child? Just how much thought did you put into this decision? Five minutes?"

"Listen, I didn't exactly have time to make a decision!"

"Give him a break, won't you, Charles?" BJ said, chiming in.

"I don't doubt that you care for her, but perhaps your ability to be a father figure should first be considered."