Rated M.

If you recognize it, it is not mine.

The following chapter contains references to the episode The Most Unforgettable Characters.

Please review! Love ya.

Hawkeye was sitting on some boxes that were delivered and left outside the mess tent earlier that day. No one was tasked with removing the so they just stayed there for the time being. Shifting a little, he stretched his legs across the barrel as he watched BJ walking away.

Anger was brewing inside of him. It was preposterous, he wasn't too competitive. Why did BJ thought of that? And childish? Had to have the last word? The fight might have started out as a gift for Frank but it seemed BJ got into it quite easily. That fink.

"Waiting for a taxi, stranger?"

He turned his head, startled by the voice and was faced with Claudia holding two cups, one in each hand. She sat next to him, offering him one cup.

"I'm not in the mood for coffee, thanks though."

"Then it's a good thing I didn't bring coffee." Claudia smiled, watching him intently.

He swung his feet down from the barrel, leaning against the biggest box and took the cup into both hands. Bringing the cup up to his face, he inhaled and was met by the distinct smell of Swamp booze. Taking a big gulp, he closed his eyes.

"Thank you, Claudia."

His eyes were purposefully glued to the dirt beneath their feet. He was feeling disappointed and angry and didn't want to transfer his feelings onto their conversation, and onto Claudia.

"So come on, what happened?" Claudia said, giving his shoulder a little friendly bump.

"Er… Nothing." Hawkeye kept kicking a little stone back and forth, still refusing to look up.

"Right." She said, raising her eyebrow. "Hawkeye. It's me."

"BJ and I put on a show for Frank's birthday. We pretended to fight." Hawkeye watched the surface of the liquid in his cup. Taking a deep breath, he finally met her gaze.

"Pretended? What happened?" Claudia ran her hand up Hawkeye's arm, a flirtatious smile appearing on her face. "Hawkeye?" After she gave him a little peck on his cheek, her face turned serious. "What happened, it stopped being a show?"

"Something like that." Hawkeye finished the rest of his drink in one big gulp and put his cup away on another barrel. "But I don't wanna talk about it."

"Well, don't feel guilty, it seems this week it's Crazy Loony Town in here."

"What?"

"Frank is shouting something about tapioca pudding, Radar is trying to write about everything but what interests him and Margaret asked for a day off. Everyone's a bit off."

"What about you? How're you feeling?"

"I'm fine actually. But I am worried about a guy you might know. He is very talented, handsome…" Claudia got closer to Hawkeye and threw her legs over his lap. She leaned into his embrace and started whispering the rest into his ear. "And a great kisser. Well, he's gotten into an argument with his best friend. The two of them make the best duo, you should see them together. It's really sad to see them apart…"

Hawkeye rested his head on Claudia's shoulder, focusing on the feeling of her body in his arms. Her hair was tickling his face, but he didn't mind, instead he inhaled her scent and promised himself that he'd never forget it. Suddenly he felt a little drowsy. Probably he should not have drunk the alcohol so fast when he didn't eat much today. Great sense of calm washed over him. It was like merely her presence made everything better.

"How about we move this to my tent?" Claudia said, seeing him trying to suppress a yawn.

"Well, you got me drunk, you should be the one dealing with me now."

"Drunk? After half a cup? When did you become such a lightweight, honey?" Claudia jumped off the box, took two little steps and stood before him. She gently laid hands on his thighs, his body heat making her inhale sharply.

He lowered his head to press his lips on hers. She tasted as sweet as he remembered, her tongue entangled with his and her body flushed against him. Unbelievable adrenaline rush hit him. Frantically, he was running his hands all over her finely sculpted body to feel the beating of her heart, to reassure himself she was still alive. Grunting loudly, as their lips separated, he pushed Claudia lightly away, so he wouldn't bump into her and got down. A cloud of dust rose from underneath his feet.

Still close together, they walked to her tent, locking it once they were inside.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are beautiful?" Hawkeye whispered into her ear, hugging Claudia from behind.

"This one guy, but he's been annoying lately." Claudia laughed, gently stroking Hawkeye's hands.

"Hey!" He swung her around, so she would finally face him and saw her lips curved in a smile. When he traced them lightly with his finger, they quivered. Her tongue darted out to lick them in a subconscious nervous gesture and it touched his finger. For a moment they froze, but then Hawkeye moved to cup her cheeks and crashed his lips into hers. She responded with a loud moan and snaked her arms around his waist.

With almost insane ardor, he tipped her onto the cot while stripping off all her clothes. She looked like the embodiment of temptation, all soft and welcoming. Claudia entangled her fingers in his hair, angling his head so she could kiss him more deeply. She then threw his legs around his waist, bringing him even closer, which made him cry out loud. Relishing the feel of her body against his, he got lost in the sensations, stopping all he was doing.

Claudia took the initiative then, getting rid of his jacket and t-shirt in a flash. In the meantime, he started kissing his way from her temple, down her cheek to her jawline.

"Hawkeeeyyyeee." She whispered lustfully, while unbuckling his belt and sneaking a hand inside.

Hawkeye kept whimpering softly, as Claudia teased him, never letting him get there. Sometimes he was so close, he stopped kissing her and just kept trembling above her. He thought he was going to pass out from the intensity when they finally got to the main course.

It was next to impossible for both of them to stay silent, so some inhabitants of the 4077 camp might have heard them. But that wasn't on either of their minds. In fact, it took some time before they were capable of rational thought.

"That was some commendable stamina, soldier." Claudia said, planting a kiss on Hawkeye's cheek.

"Thank you, ma'am." He rolled onto his side, making more room for her and when she lied down, he pulled her to his chest, holding on tightly. He sighed. "Do you even know what you mean to me?"

"I don't know. Do you know what you mean to me?" Her breath tickled him on his neck.

"Listen." He pulled back a little to look into her half-opened eyes. "There's something I wanted to give to you."

She leaned forward to settle against his chest again and whispered. "And I think you've given it to me. Several times." After ruffling his raven hair, she gripped his shoulders firmly and brought him even closer.

"How am I the serious one here?" Hawkeye suddenly wondered, raising his eyebrow high.

"Sorry, Hawk." Claudia bit her lower lip and put some distance between them. "So what's up?" She gathered the locks of her red hair in her hand and pushed them away to see Hawkeye more clearly. His oddly nervous behavior worried her, it was very uncharacteristic of him.

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way." Hawkeye started carefully.

"What are you saying? Have you found another war? Should I be jealous?" She tried to lighten the mood with her playful tone, but it felt flat. His brain was obviously otherwise occupied.

"Claudia!" He laid his index finger gently on her lips, barely touching her. He didn't want to get distracted again. "I bought something for you from Mr. Yee."

"That's nice. What is it?" Claudia said quite hesitantly, wanting to interrupt the awkward silence for Hawkeye's sake.

The attractive surgeon slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a little embroidered linen pouch. Loosening the string, he froze for a moment and gazed into her eyes. "I fear you might run out on me."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm too tired for that."

"Good to know." Hawkeye murmured, taking Claudia's hand and prompting her to stretch it palm upwards. Then he laid the gift gently in the palm, holding his breath in anticipation.

"Oh." Claudia said, not even trying to hide her shock as she stared at the silver ring. It consisted of two circles wrapped around each other with some writing on the inside.

"I know it won't…" Hawkeye's voice trailed off, as his courage faded because Claudia still hadn't said a word. He desperately wanted to touch her, but didn't know how she'd react, so he clenched his fists at his sides. "I know you can't wear it to work, but... Ehm."

"I'm sorry, what were you saying? I just…I don't know what to say." Claudia's eyes left the ring and finally rose to meet Hawkeye's gaze. His expression was somewhere between pained and panicked. It suddenly dawned on her that she was silent for quite a while. "Oh no, Hawkeye. I didn't mean it like that." Her heart clenched as she saw him fighting back tears. She reached for his cheek and caressed it tenderly. "Thank you." Leaning forward she captured his loveable lips in a deep long kiss.

"I love you, Claudia." Hawkeye exhaled loudly, tension leaving his body.

"I love… Wait a minute! But Mr. Yee was here ages ago…" Claudia frowned, thinking whether or not she was forgetful.

"Ye-ah."

Warm feeling spread through her body. Just knowing he was caring for her so deeply for so long was overwhelming. "Oh, Hawkeye. I love you, too." Claudia kissed him again and when they separated, she reached for her dog tags.

Hawkeye grunted in disapproval, missing the contact with her body. "What are you doing?"

"Let me see what I can do with this." Claudia fidgeted a little with the chain and then showed it to him. The ring was now hanging right next to the dog tags. "See?"

"Perfect." He said, hugging her as they fell back on the cot.