A Short Goodbye

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Scarlett woke up earlier the next morning than usual. As soon as she opened her eyes she felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach as tears started to pour. Margaret heard her quiet sobs and walked across the tent to see her friend. She sat next to her and Scarlett buried her face in Margaret lap as she continued to cry. Margaret rubbed her back; it was going to be one long and hard day.

"Why Maggie, why did she have to leave me?" Scarlett asked through tears.

"I don't know Honey, I just don't know." Margaret said as she continued to rub her back. Scarlett continued to sob into Margaret's lap.

SWAMP

Meanwhile in the SWAMP the three men heard the crying from across the camp. Hawkeye sat up looking over at BJ who also woke up.

"Let's go." Hawkeye said quickly pulling on his pants. He glanced over at Charles who was already tying his boots. "You care for her don't you Charles?"

"I don't see how that is any of your business Pierce." Charles replied sharply.

"She's like a sister to me. I don't want to see her give her heart away and have him break it."

"I have no intention of hurting Scarlett, Pierce."

"You better not. I love her to much." Hawkeye said as the three men made their way out of the tent.

The camp was all standing in the doorways of their tents all looking at each other in confusion. The three men walked into the tent and saw Scarlett holding to Margaret crying. Charles walked over to them and Scarlett went into his lap and started to cry. Margaret stood up and walked to Hawkeye, who was waiting with open arms. She walked into them and gave him a hug. BJ sat on the other side of Scarlett and rubbed her back.

"Hawk, come on." Margaret said grabbing his hand and leading him out of the tent.

Colonel Potter's Office

"You can't discharge?"

"I'm afraid not. Scarlett is a specialist, and you can't discharge specialists."

"That makes absolutely no sense." Margaret said angrily.

"The Army makes no sense." Hawkeye commented.

"Can we at least get her transferred back to the States?"

"No luck Major, transfer was denied."

"Why?"

"Well Pierce why don't you head to I-Corps and ask?" Colonel Potter said in an annoyed voice.

"What can you get her then?" Margaret asked breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Two weeks emergency leave. She'll go home for two weeks then come back."

"That's the best you can do?"

"I'm afraid so, Major." The Colonel said sadly. Margaret sighed looking at Hawkeye. He grabbed her hand giving it a small squeeze.

"When does she leave?"

"Three hours. Can you two get everything ready by then?"

"Yeah, Charles is looking after her."

"Charles?"

"He's got a thing for her. And Scarlett cares for him more than she should." Hawkeye said looking at the Colonel.

"Why do you say that Pierce?"

"Scarlett already gave her heart away to her ex. I don't want her to be hurt again."

"She won't be Hawk. Charles cares for her."

"I know. But if he hurts her, I swear."

"We know Hawk. Come on lets get her stuff packed okay?" Margaret suggested. Hawkeye nodded and gave her a quick kiss as he stood up. The two walked back to the tent. Scarlett was still crying as Charles rubbed her back.

"Welcome back." Charles greeted.

"Hi Charles. Scarlett is leaving for two weeks."

"Emergency leave?"

"Yeah. She leaves in three hours. While we pack her stuff would you continue to do, what you were doing?"

"Of course." Charles smiled. He wrapped his arm tighter around the red head. Hawkeye looked at them. Charles truly cared for her. He wouldn't hurt her, Hawkeye smiled, his 'little sister' found true love.