Chapter 3: Goodbye, Hello

Hawkeye glanced around the 8063rd, which was in a mild state of confusion. There were many people running or wandering around. He was looking for one.

Finally, he saw her. Gathering up his courage, he walked slowly over to her.

When he reached her, he tapped her shoulder.

"Margaret?"

She gasped, and spun around.

"Hawkeye?"

He smiled, and she stared at him, wide eyed and shocked.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you on your way home?"

He hesitated. "Ah, is there anywhere where we can talk privately?"

She looked confused, but led him over to a more secluded place.

She looked at him, and asked, "So, why are you here? Are you going to tell me?"

He searched for an answer, something witty to say, so he wouldn't have to say what he truly felt. Finding nothing, he settled on the truth.

"I couldn't stay away."

She looked at him in shock and confusion.

"What are you saying, Pierce"

He took a deep breath, and spoke quietly. It was now or never.

"Major Margaret Houlihan, I'm in love with you."

She gasped and stared at him, in complete and utter shock.

"Are you serious?"

He nodded. "As serious as I've ever been in my entire life."

"Why did you just tell me this now? Why not back at the 4077th?"

"I didn't know how. Besides, I didn't think you would want anything to do with me, now that the war was over," he said truthfully.

She looked at him, and saw the sincerity. Any doubts she had had about her feelings for him vanished at his words.

"Hawkeye?"

"Yes?" he said, expecting the worst.

"I love you too."

Now it was his turn to be shocked. "Y-You do?"

She nodded. "I didn't tell you, but I didn't know how either."

Hawkeye laughed, all his nervousness gone.

"I think we may have been the only ones. After that kiss, I figure a few people knew." He laughed, then said, "That was some kiss, wasn't it?"

She nodded in agreement. "It was."

"BJ knew how I felt. He was the one who told me to come after you. I didn't think you would want anything to do with me. An I was sure you didn't feel the same way about me," he added in a soft voice.

"Why?" she asked, curious.

"Well, you've had such bad luck with men, I didn't think you would want to have anything to do with any man, especially me. I mean, we were good friend, very good friends, but I didn't think you thought of me the same way I thought about you."

She smiled a little. "I had tried to think that way, especially about you. But I couldn't. I kept thinking about you."

He smiled, and leaned slowly towards her. He looked deep into her eyes, searching for any sign of objection. Seeing none, he kissed her gently.

She slid her arms around his neck, and deepened the kiss. When they finally broke apart, Hawkeye smiled at her.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Hawkeye."

He took a deep breath. Why not go for it all?

"Margaret?"

"Yes, Hawkeye?"

"I realize this is a little- Well, a lot sudden, but will you marry me?"

She smiled and nodded. "Of course I will."

"I don't have a ring," he said regretfully.

"That doesn't matter to me."

He smiled at her. "I have one back home. It was my mother's."

She smiled. "I'd be honored to wear it."

They kissed again, then Hawkeye said, "Well, what are we going to do? I'm supposed to be going home, and your supposed to be staying here."

She thought a moment, then said, "I'll leave. They don't really need me here. I'll convince them to let me go. Then we can go back together."

He smiled at her. "Where do you want to live?"

She looked at him, a little confused. "I assumed you'd want to live in Crabapple Cove. You always talk about it, about going back. And that's where your father is! Isn't that where you want to live?"

He nodded. "With all my heart, I want to go back to the Crabapple Cove. I wanted to make sure you did too."

Her heart melted. "Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you."

He smiled lovingly at her, and they kissed again.

"Come on, let's go convince the CO here to let you go."

They stood up, and walked towards the CO's office. A half-hour later, it was settled. They were both going back to Crabapple Cove.

Hawkeye looked at her.

"Wait, I have one more question."

"Yes, Hawkeye?"

"You may get to leave the 8063rd, but your still in the Army. They're bound to send you someplace else, as an assignment. What are we going to do about that?"

She thought, then said simply, "I'll quit the army."

He looked at her. "Are you sure? You would do that for me? I mean, I though the Army was everything to you!"

She looked into his blue eyes. "Not anymore."

Hawkeye looked at her, love in his eyes.

He leaned down and kissed her.

When they separated, they walked towards the waiting chopper, hand in hand, towards their new life together.

THE END

A/N: So, what do you think? Do you like it? Do you want me to continue it, or just leave it???? Please review, with answers to these questions!!!! Flames welcome, but please, don't burn me!!!