Evelyn knew she'd been difficult but she couldn't seem to help it. She'd forgotten what it felt like to be seven months pregnant and feeling ungainly and unattractive. It was at times like this she wished Barbara was there to talk to.

Rafe knew that Barbara's transfer back to the States had been hard on his wife and the farther along she got, she seemed to feel it even more keenly and wished there was something he could do.

They were sitting together on the back porch after having put the kids to bed for the night. Rafe had his arm around Evelyn as she put her head on his shoulder and he laid his cheek on the top of her head. "You've been real quiet honey. You feelin' all right?"

She nodded. "Other than feeling as big as a house, I feel fine."

"I know I don't count, but I think you're beautiful."

Evelyn sat up and smiled at him. "Rafe, you always count."

"I mean it."

"I know you do and I love you for saying it." And she kissed him.

He kissed her back and felt her arms wind around his neck. He pulled her as close as he could before she started to laugh. He leaned back so he could look at her and tried not to smile. "Since when is my kissin' you so amusin'?" It had been awhile since he'd heard Evelyn laugh and it was a nice sound.

It took her a moment to stop laughing before she could explain. "It wasn't that. You can't hold me as close as you usually do."

Rafe grinned. "I'm holdin' the both of you, don't you know that?"

She kissed his cheek. "I've been pretty difficult lately and I am sorry."

"Honey, I can't even imagine what you're goin' through and I wish there were somethin' I could do to help."

"You're here and you love me and that does help."

"I do love you Evelyn."

"I know." And she kissed him again before she settled back and put her head on his shoulder.

The next morning, without telling her what he was going to do, Rafe put in a call to the hospital where Barbara was stationed. It had occurred to him after he and Evelyn had gone to bed that he needed Barbara to come back to Hawaii for a little while. He knew it was the only thing that would help Evelyn feel better.

When Barbara got on the line she was all business until she heard the familiar voice. "How's Ev doing?"

"That's why I'm callin'. Evelyn's havin' a rough time right now and she could really use some moral support." Rafe told her.

"Rafe, what aren't you telling me? Is the baby okay?" Barbara sounded alarmed.

"The baby is fine, but this is the first time she's had a baby without you here and it's been real hard on her."

There was silence on the other end until he heard her sigh. "If it were up to me, I'd ask for a transfer back."

"I know that."

She was quiet again. "I do have some leave coming. I hadn't decided what I was going to do with it but if you want me to come out, I'll be there."

"I wouldn't ask you to do it if it weren't important, but I know Evelyn would be real happy to see you." Rafe told her.

"I'll put in for it as soon as we hang up and I'll call you back."

"Call me here at the base. I want this to be a surprise for Evelyn."

"I'll do that." And they said goodbye and hung up.

Rafe didn't hear Danny come into the briefing room. "I was wonderin' why you'd disappeared."

He turned to face his friend. "I called Barbara to see if she could come back for awhile."

"Why call her from here? Your telephone broken?" He grinned.

He shook his head and grinned back. "Very funny Danny. I called her from here because I don't want Evelyn to know about it."

Danny nodded in understanding. "How is Evelyn doin'?"

Rafe sighed. "She's fine, but she's real touchy about everythin' and when I try to help her I usually end up makin' her cry." He sighed again. "I didn't really realize what she went through with Danny and Sarah because I was gone so much of the time and now I wonder if it was fair to put her through all of this again."

"I don't think you're the one makin' her cry Rafe. From what Sandra tells me, most women go through this and it's our job as men to be extra patient."

"It sounds simple don't it?"

"Yea. But the one thing you have to remember is that Evelyn ain't usually like this and once she has that baby, she'll be back to her old self."

Rafe ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I know that. The thing is Danny, it ain't the fact that her moods are different and that she cries so much, it's that I can't really help her."

Danny put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It seems to me that by askin' Barbara to come out here, you are doin' somethin'."

"Evelyn says that I do help her but to tell you the truth, I don't know how." Rafe admitted.

"Well then, if Evelyn says you're helpin' then you have to believe her. It may not seem like much to you, but it obviously means a lot to her." Danny countered. "I ain't busy right now so how 'bout comin' with me to get a cup of coffee?"

Rafe nodded. "All right." And on their way down the hall they ran into Red. "Hey Red could you keep an ear out for the telephone? Barbara's supposed to be callin' me back about her leave."

He frowned in confusion. "Sure Rafe."

"Thanks." And he and Danny walked to the dining hall for a cup of coffee.