Thank you for your endless patience. It turns out that even though both my covid tests were negative, I probably had it somewhere in between, so I am dealing with the aftermath. Haven't been anywhere since September 1st, I am going crazy in here!

Regarding the revelation in chapter 30, it definitely wasn't meant to be out of the blue surprise. There were hints written in chapters 5, 8, 17, 24 and 27 while in chapter 9 Claudia outright says it to Sidney.

If you recognize it, it is not mine.

The help that headquarters had promised about a lifetime ago actually arrived when the dawn broke. It seemed the helicopter was prepared to land and let the soldiers track the sniper if needed, but he opened fire on them while they were still in the air. It was over pretty quickly.

Everyone poured out of the tents when the sound of helicopter started waning, looking around suspiciously. The air was cold and humid and felt uncomfortable when it hit the lungs. A few moments later the MASH personnel discovered the sniper was even younger than the last one that fired at them. But there was no time to wager. Some patients were waiting for their medicine due to the circumstances, thankfully not for too long.

Claudia and Hawkeye got separated by their duties right after the sniper was shot. Hawkeye was called into Post-Op, while she stayed with Colonel Potter.

"What happened to you, Baker?" Hawk asked when Baker came to get him, noticing how she looked.

"I fell into a puddle of muddy water when running for cover. I didn't have any change of clothes available since then." Baker explained pretty angrily.

"Remember, you are still beautiful to me." Hawkeye shouted over his shoulder while rushing where he was needed.

Baker momentarily looked after him and then continued to the nurses' tent, passing two Colonels on her way.

"Our sector has been hit very heavily, we are pretty much the only things left standing for miles." Colonel Potter confirmed between taking bites from a sandwich.

Claudia hesitated for a second. "When can we expect wounded?"

"Headquarters didn't say anything about wounded." Colonel gave a satisfied sigh as he finished his meal.

"Don't you find that a little strange? There should be a lot of wounded. And since we were shelled within an inch of our lives, we have to be pretty close to where the action was. It doesn't make sense we haven't received any. Unless, of course…"

"Exactly." Colonel Potter said finally, when it was certain Claudia wouldn't continue.

"Oh." Claudia paused, biting her lip. "Anyway, I am pleased to report that anything that can be sterile stayed that way. We have only lost a few mugs that were practically flattened by canned beef. We need to deal with the supply tent, otherwise all is fine. How's your half of the camp?"

"Some linen got dirty, some people got scared. Nothing major. We'll be okay. How about you?"

"What do you mean?" Claudia fixed her eyes on her superior, waiting for an answer she already knew.

"Claudia…" Potter insisted.

"I am fine, Colonel. Now excuse me." Claudia left Colonel Potter alone with his concern about her.

After the initial workload ceased to be so critical, many retreated to the mess tent. For people who were constantly moaning about the quality of the food, they sure spent a lot of time there. Margaret voluntarily took the first shift in the Post-Op, Klinger was washing his dress that got hurt during the siege and some were trying to catch up on sleep, but otherwise pretty much the whole camp was present.

Colonel Potter was thoroughly enjoying his first hot meal in about forever, cooked specially for him. The other doctors just drank coffee, except for Hawkeye who kept nibbling on a piece of burnt toast while watching Claudia very intently. She was chatting with Colonel Potter and BJ, completely unaware of Hawkeye's gaze.

At one point Radar came running in, announcing he fixed the PA system and got hot cocoa as a reward. It temporarily distracted Hawkeye, but his eyes soon found their way back to Claudia's slender figure. He studied her face as she laughed with her coworkers, sometimes playing with a strand of shiny red hair that kept falling into her face. She looked stunning. Every time she smiled, her eyes lit up the room for Hawkeye. His eyes traveled to the elegant curves of her lips, the unbelievably soft lips he loved to kiss.

Suddenly it felt like a terrible waste of time to be sitting on the opposite side of the table, watching her from afar. His chest constricted at the thought of losing her. He swallowed with difficulty, trying to push the pain away. Knowing how many times Claudia was there for him, he was determined not to make it harder on her. He was still recovering from her revelation, or more precisely trying to ignore it as hard as he could. Unsuccessfully, of course. His mind kept switching between shallowly concealed panic and memories of their time together.

They haven't discussed it at all. She brushed away his suggestion about experimental treatments and that was that. They spent the rest of the time in each other's arms. Hawkeye remembered hugging her especially tight then, wanting to hold her forever.

Sighing loudly, Hawkeye took another bite of the burnt toast. He ignored the chitchat, so it came as quite a surprise when all of a sudden everyone stopped speaking and stared at him.

"Are they boring you, Captain?" asked Klinger, who just returned from frantically scrubbing his dress for an hour in the laundry tent.

"I think my brain is so tired, it just checked out of this war." Hawkeye spoke unusually quietly. "Well, what can you do? We had a good run, kids. I'm going home."

"As long as you mean the Swamp, I am going with you." BJ added, getting up.

"You wouldn't go with me to Maine? Then why did I put out? You promised you'd marry me!" Hawkeye threw his hands up in a wild gesture, pretending to be mad.

"I changed my mind." BJ said, looking around the table. "Anyone else want to join us for a little drink?"

"Don't mind if I do." Hawkeye looked at Claudia when she spoke up. Making a few quick steps, she caught up with them and took his hand.

Hawkeye raised their joined hands and kissed Claudia's. "Ha! I am over you, traitor." He said to BJ as they were leaving.

Truth be told, he had hard time concentrating on anything else than the beautiful woman holding his hand. He found himself once again dazed by her perfume. Feeling him tighten the grip on her hand, she looked at Hawkeye with raised eyebrows. His look did not tell her much, but his eyes were not as happy as his lips tried to pretend. But before she could say anything, they were at their destination. BJ opened the flimsy tent door for them and they squeezed in.

"You know, if I ever come here and find it cleaned up, I'll have a heart attack." Claudia said, pushing a big pile of dirty clothes away, so she could sit on Hawkeye's bed.

"Why do you think we don't clean?" BJ laughed, handing her a martini glass.

"Thank you for your care, doctor." Claudia said, taking the drink from him and tasting it. Hawkeye was sitting next to her, his eyes glued to the floor. She didn't realize what a stupid thing she said before she saw his face. The thought of her demise wasn't anything new to her and when no one knew, she didn't have to censor herself. But by judging by Hawkeye's tortured expression, she made a mistake in telling her stupid joke.

"Anyway, kids, have fun, I need a shower." BJ said, taking his things and slipping out quietly. He obviously sensed something was up and decided to skedaddle.

When they were alone, Hawkeye exhaled loudly. Scooping over closer to him, she fought to find the right words and failed. So in the end she just asked if he was ever going to look at her again. He sighed.

"I promise I won't even make any stupid jokes." Claudia tried.

"I am sorry, I know this is the last thing you need." Hawkeye finally turned to her, revealing his perfect blue eyes that might have been a little watery at the moment. "I just don't know what to do or say."

"Oh, Hawkeye. I understand. But don't worry about me, I am fine. Really." She snaked his arm around his torso and brought him closer. "Want a drink?"

"No, not really."

"Okay, so what would you say if I invited you to my tent?" Claudia whispered softly into his ear.

He pressed a light kiss on her cheek and stood up. "I'd say let me just change and I'll be right there."

"Who says you'll need clothes?" She said in a really low husky voice that made his mind go interesting places.

"I should probably have some on when strolling around the compound. I've already done a nude promenade once and I don't imagine Potter would ignore it as Henry once did."

Claudia stood up quickly, her voice full of surprise. "You did what, mister?" She put her hands on her hips and looked him up and down.

"It was a bet." He shrugged with a small nervous laugh, seeing her intense gaze.

"That makes it alright then."

"Is someone being judgmental, my lady?"

"Not judgmental, but impatient." Claudia was on her way out, but she turned around to send him a kiss. "I'll be waiting."

Sorry to keep you waiting, I will try to upload more often.

Hope you are okay and safe.

Please review.