Margaret finished writing and looked up from her journal. She cleared her food from the table and headed back to the ER, passing by some nurses in the hallway who were whispering excitedly. Margaret knew instantly that they were either talking about that murder scene in Psycho or someone important who had just arrived. She assumed it was the mayor or maybe even the governor coming to make a statement about the fire. As she drew closer to them, she overheard one of them mention a new surgeon.

"Mary told me they sent for him right before the fire, as though the hospital knew they'd need a surgeon trained in large scale trauma situations."

Margaret rolled her eyes. The gossip and drama in this hospital was as bad as the 4077th.

But we really do need a new surgeon, she admitted to herself. Even before this tragedy, there had been a shortage of talented doctors around. One surgeon even reminded her of Frank, minus the misguided respect for authority. Frank may not have known when to shut up, but at least he followed regulations. This doctor had the disrespect of a young Hawkeye Pierce along with the lack of talent of Frank Burns. He was also very fresh and persistent, making her feel uncomfortable on a regular basis. He was a jerk, and not the kind with a hidden heart of gold just waiting to be discovered by the right woman. As head nurse of the cardiac surgery unit, she was forced to work with him every day. This news of a new surgeon filled her with relief.

Margaret was startled out of her thoughts by a tap on her shoulder.

"Nurse Houlihan, I know it's not your usual spot, but the nurses are asking for you in the children's ward."

"Thank you, Sally. I'll head over right away."

Margaret turned around and went to the elevator. She stood there alone thinking about the craziness of the day and worrying about what she might find in the children's ward. The elevator jerked to a stop and Margaret walked down a cheery looking hallway filled with toy animals and balloons, She stopped at the nurses' station.

"I'm Nurse Houlihan. I was told my assistance was needed?"

"Yes ma'am. There's a young boy in room 803 who lost both his parents in the fire. He keeps asking for 'Nurse Maggie.' His chart shows he got his appendix out a few months ago and you were the nurse on duty."

Margaret's face fell. She remembered the boy and his parents. They were the kind of couple that she wished had raised her.

"Yes, I remember him," she said with a sigh. The last thing Margaret wanted to face today was another tragedy, but she knew she couldn't leave the boy alone.

Margaret stood in the doorway of room 803. She saw the seven-year-old sitting quietly on the bed. Another nurse came up behind her.

"He just calmed down. The doctor thinks he should sleep, but he wouldn't even try unless he saw you."

Margaret took a deep breath and walked inside the room.

"Nurse Maggie! They said you were coming."

"I'm here, James. Are you ok?"

"I think so, but I'm confused. They said Mommy and Daddy couldn't come see me. But I don't hurt nearly as much as I did last time. See?" He showed her the small burn on his leg. "That's all. If I'm not sick, why aren't they here?"

Margaret was filled with compassion for the boy, but dreading the news she had to give him. I know it needs to come from someone he knows, but why me? she thought. She tried to remember if his parents had said anything about other family members who had died. Hadn't his grandfather died last year? But what if he doesn't remember? she worried. God, today is just full of worries, isn't it? She wished there were a professional counselor who could help her.

Margaret turned on the voice she had used when she told the soldiers their buddies had died. Those moments were easier though, because she knew they understood what she was telling them. Talking to a young child was a whole new experience.

"James, do you remember why you can't see your grandpa anymore?"

"He died. He's not here anymore. He's in heaven and I can't see him until I get there too."

That's a good start, Margaret thought.

"And do you know how you got that burn on your leg?"

"There was a fire. Lots of people got burns."

"It was very big fire. Some people had so many burns they couldn't survive. Some people even went to heaven, James."

"Were Mommy and Daddy in the fire?"

Margaret saw understanding and fear starting to grow in his eyes.

"Yes, they were."

"And they got burns too?"

"Yes, they did."

"Did they get lots of burns?"

"Yes, James."

"Are they ok?"

"No." She didn't want to sugar coat it. He was a smart kid.

"They're not here anymore?"

"No."

"Are they with Grandpa?"

"Yes."

"Ok." James was silent for a few minutes. Margaret wrapped her arm around his tiny shoulders.

"Can I sleep now?"

"Sure, sweetie."

"Mommy won't be here when I wake up, will she?"

Margaret teared up at the note of hope in his voice. "No, but I will," she reassured him.

"And this is our children's ward."

A hospital administrator led him down the hallways, giving him a tour of his new surroundings.

Hawkeye Pierce stopped suddenly when he heard a familiar voice. It can't be… He knew she had left the army and was working in the Midwest, but this was just ridiculous. 'Of all the hospitals, in all the towns, in all the world,' he thought.