SPOKEN ENGLISHChapter Three

A big thank you to those who have reviewed my story so far. As I mentioned before, I had to 'up' the rating, mainly because of this chapter! Bit graphic but I hope in an erotic rather than pornographic sense.

After an emotional evening Karen wakes up to a rainy day, she is sitting in the mess for breakfast with Georgia.

"My you must have got to bed late last night, didn't hear you at all," Georgia smiled at me over her coffee, but I just looked down at my breakfast and continued playing with it. "It doesn't matter how you rearrange it, it doesn't get to look or taste any better," she added.

"What?" I replied, really not listening.

"Breakfast." She pointed with her head.

"Oh, well I'm not hungry this morning anyway," I said, "Just went through the motions of queuing and getting it."

Georgia put her mug down. "Had a good night last night?" she asked, "I did. I must have danced for hours with Igor, you know, him up there serving the food?" and she flashed him a smile, which no doubt he returned, she leaned over and whispered "You know the fool asked me to marry him!" she laughed, "Really not my type but he's very sweet. So where did you go, I didn't see you in the Officer's Club?"

I looked at her with my best honest face. "Nowhere special, just had a drink with Hawkeye."

"In the Swamp?" Georgia's eyes widened, "Hey I've heard the booze they make in there can be used as a chemical weapon, you didn't actually have any did you, hey no wonder you feel bad this morning!"

"I had a bit, we just talked," I said realising I was protesting before I was even accused.

"OK, OK!" Georgia grinned, "Did I suggest anything different?" and she giggled, "Hey, Hawkeye came into the Club pretty late last night and with a face like thunder, did you two have an argument or something?" Her eyes flashed inquisitively.

"Oh no, guess our conversation turned to something sad," I said feeling my face redden, I was beginning to feel a bit annoyed at Georgia's questioning.

"Must have been something awful, he was chucking drink down his throat," she said. I looked at her face for any sign of sarcasm, but didn't see any; she just looked thoughtful. "Oh, Major Houlihan" Georgia suddenly sat upright.

"At ease Lieutenant." Major Houlihan was standing by the table, she looked down at me, "Lieutenant Stanford?" she nodded, I nodded back. "4 O'clock for duty this afternoon remember so I'd finish up soon and enjoy what you have of the day." The Major turned and left the mess.

Georgia drained her coffee grimacing and then stood up. "See you soon, I've got some studying to do." She winked at me and left taking little running steps. I took it a little slower; I wondered what Georgia was studying. As I eventually rose to leave Charles came into the tent, his face was serious and I felt mine burn. Shakily I picked up my bag and left by the other door, I 'd have to speak to him sooner or later I knew that, just not now I thought.

The ward was the same as yesterday, except for William of course, I felt a sting in my chest with the recollection of his death. Georgia walked towards me, her fair wavy hair tied up in a tight ponytail.

"Doctor Winchester is prowling the ward at the moment," and her eyes spun heavenwards, "and boy he seems to be in a mood!"

My heart pounded at the sound of his name and the prospect of being so close to him again. I walked from bed to bed and checked chart to chart, I talked to the patients and was relieved there wasn't another William among them. I spent quite a few minutes with the boy whose legs had been as he said "blown to buggery", I remembered him from the previous day.

Dr Winchester strolled into the ward staring intently at his files, one hand frantically scratching his head; he bent briefly over a bed before catching my eye. His stern expression disappeared and he smiled benevolently at me; I felt frozen with his gaze. He walked over.

"So good to see you Karen, I mean, how are you?" His eyes wandered upwards to the ceiling.

"I feel fine doctor," I replied coolly.

"Good, good," he scribbled a few notes and raised his eyes to look at me, "I…um…well I hope I, well I do apologise if I was a bit out of sorts last night, I have only vague recollections but..."

There was some laughter, and the door opened, it was BJ and Hawkeye.

"No I don't have a skinny ass!" Hawkeye protested.

"Oh yes you do," sang BJ.

"Oh don't get all chubbier than thou." The two saw us, "And talking of chubby, well, Hello Charles!" Hawkeye boomed. "And great to see you too Karen," he added winking. I felt my skin crawl despite Hawkeye's joviality.

Charles sniffed and reread his notes, making little scribbles with his pen.

"Writing a novel about us Charles?" laughed Hawkeye, "Don't forget to share your Royalties."

Charles looked straight at him. "Like you share your loyalties Pierce, with the nurses?" There was an intense fire in his eyes and I felt good that he had stood up for himself. I couldn't help but grin.

"Did you hear that Beej?" Hawkeye proclaimed, BJ shook his head and smiling to himself went to check on a patient.  "No honestly," Hawkeye chased after him, "That is not fair."

"No it's not," said BJ, "But true though."

"Fine, fine," said Hawkeye before his gaze rested on mine, "Hey, sorry about that Karen." He skulked over to me, his hands deep in his white coat pockets.

"Er, so you never got to the Officers Club last night then?" His tone softened and I couldn't help but warm to him again. "Sorry I ran off like that," he continued, "Charles made me so mad, he does that occasionally, not that I don't like the guy..."

"That's OK Hawkeye," I interrupted, "I do have some work to do though."

"That's fine, just that I hope I didn't put you in an awkward position leaving you alone with him last night that's all, mind you, I think I'd be comfortable leaving Jayne Mansfield with him if you know what I mean."

"No, I don't know what you mean." I looked at him with as much seriousness I could muster and Hawkeye just stared back in silence before a voice echoed from the ward door.

"Colonel Potter wants to see you Doctor Pierce," a nurse stood there.

Hawkeye blinked. "Yoh, coming!" he shouted back and he then turned and left. I had only seen Colonel Potter, had never spoken with him, but from what I heard around the camp he was a decent and reliable man who although expected a certain modicum of military order, viewed us all as human beings with faults and failings. I did wonder what he wanted with Hawkeye though and hoped he was in no trouble.

"I trust you and BJ with the ward now." A voice behind me made me start, "I'm off for a glass of Cognac, some Verdi, and a nap." Charles removed his stethoscope and smiled at me. My heart cramped looking into his beautiful blue eyes and I wished he wasn't leaving so soon. Still there was this evening, and I blushed there and then at the thought of seeing him again. Charles then walked briskly out whistling.

The rest of the shift was very quiet. Georgia had come in to see how things were and to visit a couple of patients. She was so good in that way, seemed to have a natural way of befriending people, I wished I was as unselfconscious as she was.

The Officers' Club was very quiet that evening and I ordered myself a Soda. I sat down in a corner with a paperback trying to appear as oblivious as I could. After a while BJ came in and after getting a beer offered to join me. We talked a little, he spoke of his life back in San Francisco, his wife and his little girl Erin; I felt comfortable in his company and relaxed. I hadn't noticed Charles had entered the Club until he was standing next to our table.

"May I join you two?" he asked.

"If that's OK with Karen," beamed BJ and I nodded.

Charles sat between us around the table placing his tipple before him. "You know Hunnicut," he begun, "It would do Pierce no harm to be as civil as you are, I admit your combined jokes can be a little tiring but I've always admired your decorum and good attitude, relatively of course."

"Well thank you Charles, my relatives would be thrilled," replied BJ.

Charles lifted his glass to ours. "To civilisation," he toasted. The Club door opened and Hawkeye walked in, his grin dropped from his face as he saw us, and he sauntered over.

"Hi all," he chirped regaining his grin, "Any room for a littl'un?"

"Aher!" exclaimed Charles, "Now does that refer to your body or mind Pierce?"

BJ interjected. "Hey Hawk, let me buy you a drink, I do have something to discuss with you so shall we adjourn to another table. Please excuse us ladies," and he got up steering Hawkeye to another corner of the bar.

I sat sipping my Soda listening to Charles' breathing for a few seconds until he turned to me. "Maybe I shouldn't have been so rude" he said at last, I looked at him and realised how close he was sitting, I blushed and with a bravery I never knew I possessed placed my hand on his.

"He can very rude to you too," I said, "I wouldn't worry too much."

Charles smiled and reached his fingers around my touching hand. "Still, I hate to lower myself to that level of sarcasm," he said and we sat like that for some minutes. I felt so close to him, his large warm hand in mine, and his occasional gaze with those sapphire-like eyes. We told each other some things of our lives although I, as usual, kept much back. It was only when I looked casually over to where Hawkeye and BJ were sitting I noticed Hawkeye glaring at us. His face seemed angry and serious and I felt immediately guilty although I wasn't sure why. When I caught his gaze his expression softened and he gave me a half-smile but it was full of sadness; I felt just awful. BJ had noticed I reckon, and placed his arm round his friend and seemed to be chatting merrily to him, his even white teeth gleaming. After a moment Hawkeye seemed to lighten up but for the next half-hour as Charles and I spoke, he still gave an occasional sideways glance in our direction. I found it such an uncomfortable situation and had to tell Charles I should really go back to my tent.

"That's no problem Karen, but I must see you back safely," he smiled; we rose and walked toward the door.

I turned my head towards Hawkeye and BJ. "Goodnight," I said.

"And you," replied BJ, smiling kindly.

"See ya," Hawkeye mumbled without even looking at me. "BJ and I have decided to have continue the merriments Charles so don't expect us back tonight."

"How kind of you to warn me," he replied.

As we walked back to my quarters I felt a sense of deja-vu, how Hawkeye and I had done this the same a couple of evenings previously. I felt every tent had eyes and was pitched in judgement.

"I think that Pierce might be a little jealous," Charles eventually said as we strolled slowly arm in arm.

"I have no idea why," I replied and feeling terribly aware that I'd given Hawkeye the wrong idea from the moment I'd met him.

"You see he is a very nice fellow but expects every female who has the unfortunate luck to be assigned to this place to fall into his arms immediately."

I remained silent and tightened my grip on his arm.

"You seem nervous Karen, I'm sorry if I am making you feel uncomfortable," he said gently.

"You aren't," I said feeling my words stick in my dry throat. My arms encircled his waist and I put my head against his chest feeling his warmth seep through his shirt, his breathing seemed a little laboured. "You are very nice," I managed to say realising at that moment what a vague and senseless thing I'd uttered but Charles just returned the hug and kissed the top of my head.

"You are too", he whispered.

My head spun but this time thankfully sober. As the seconds passed I realised I didn't want to leave him tonight, not because of the loneliness that tempted me with Hawkeye but a real longing to be him. My heart pounded wondering what to do until Charles released himself from my hug and lifted my face to look at him.

"This is totally out of character for me but I would be so happy if I could spend some time with you tonight, just to talk you understand." Charles then spluttered, "Karen, I mean just to talk, you must understand I am not Hawkeye." I could see he was getting flustered.

"That would be lovely," I replied, "to be in your company Charles," and without a word my trembling hand took his as we walked slowly back to the Swamp.

When we entered the tent it was more or less the same as when I saw it last. Cluttered, dusty, and the Still, in the middle, like a big centrepiece at a lush's banquet. Charles pulled up a chair for me and he sat on his bed opposite.

"I have a bottle of good cognac, would you like some?" he asked, opening a small cupboard.

"Yes I'd love one," I replied. I felt I'd been a good enough girl all evening so I felt comfortable accepting a tot of Brandy, and I guessed it would be quite good stuff knowing the little I did about him. He poured two glasses, giving one to me. I sipped the amber liquor and found the experience pleasant, not the burning of the Still's offerings.

Charles cupped his hands around his glass and closed his eyes. "I know nothing about you at all, You told me a lot about some things tonight but can you tell me about yourself, your family?"

I froze, Charles must have noticed my expression.

"I'm sorry Karen, it was an impertinent question, it is just that I am eager to know more about you." He reached over and put his palm lightly over my hand, "I obviously overstepped the mark there."

"No," I said, "I'd like to tell you about my life but it's so difficult to describe," and it was if all my life was condensed on my tongue, I was so desperate to tell him everything, well everything I could remember. "My life hasn't been straightforward," I managed to say, "My father died when I was small, he had an accident but I can't recollect the details. My mother is a difficult woman, very demanding."

Charles smiled. "As is my Father so you have my utmost sympathy there," he wrapped his fingers around my hand, "Please carry on."

I felt hesitant but after having another sip of the Cognac I carried on. "It's like I have very little memory of so many things." I knew I sounded like an idiot but Charles nodded. "They argued so, Mamma…. I mean my mother was so full of hatred, bitterness..." I felt my voice trail off but Charles just remained holding my hand. "It's odd but it is like huge chunks of my life have disappeared."

Charles blinked his blue eyes at me. "Sometimes trauma can lead the human mind to completely block emotions, and the memories, of an event and your father's death must have been an awful experience. I gather you were very close to him?"

"I loved him very much," I said sadly, barely remembering his funeral.

Charles took my hand and kissed it, a rush of tingling warmth crept over my body. I could smell his cologne, which seemed so exotic compared to the acrid pungency of the cheap Tokyo aftershave many of the men at the camp seemed to exude. He then suddenly pulled back a little.

"What's wrong?" I asked, worried if I had given him any signals that might have upset him.

Charles took his hands away and placed them on his knees.

"Nothing at all" he stuttered. "Well, I mean I just think that maybe we shouldn't be here, alone, in this tent together." He stood up and paced a little, rubbing the back of his neck. I felt slightly annoyed, he had after all invited me into in his company but now I thought he might be throwing me out.

I stood up defensively. "I'll leave then," I said, placing my glass down.

Charles turned round quickly and his eyes widened and he reached to me. "Oh no, I do apologise," he stammered, patting my arm, "I was only thinking aloud, it's just that here people talk..."

My temper calmed and I smiled. "You mean it would be so terrible for others to know we were sitting here talking and having a quiet drink?" I asked.

Charles sat back down again and looked up at me. "You are quite right," he whispered in a mock conspiracy voice, "What would everybody think?" and he chuckled, grabbing my hands to reseat me. "I am so sorry Karen, please stay a little longer, let's talk, about anything!"

"Well, I'd love to hear more about your life back in Boston," I began.

Charles slapped his thigh and reached over to the Cognac to top both our drinks up. His eyes glistened and a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "Ah Boston," he said to himself, "Have you ever been to Boston, Karen?"

"Only once," I replied "Dad took us there when he had to attend a conference." I left out the part where Mamma had got drunk and had embarrassed him in the hotel bar afterwards.

"Well you must remember how beautiful the place is, especially this time of year," and his eyes seemed to mist over with his recollection.

"Maine is similar," I said.

"Of course, I forgot!" Charles laughed, "Well, we're practically neighbours!" He quaffed back his Cognac and then looked at me seriously. "I couldn't imagine living in New York though" and he fell silent.

I fumbled with my glass. "I've never been," I eventually said.

"Dreadful place, and to think..." and his smile dropped "Never mind, so what has been happening in Maine?" His expression seemed sad.

I was reluctant to answer because I felt I didn't want to remember the place, but also because Charles really wasn't interested to hear anyway by the tone of his question. I mumbled that things were about the same and agreed that the weather was indeed very beautiful for this time of year.

He looked at me intensely as I spoke, it was a look of kindness and patience and I realised he had a lot on his mind. I wanted to ask what was troubling him but felt it might upset him; I was his guest and it was no concern of mine to start poking into his business.

He needed no provocation. "Karen," he said suddenly, "When I mentioned that I would hate to live in New York I meant it for a reason," and he leant over and cupped my face in his large warm hands. I shivered. "It's that woman..." He spat out the last word, his eyes clearing. "I mean, it would be so perfect for both our families, my father, her father…" He stopped and sat up straight. "You have no idea, I don't expect you to," he said gruffly and he refilled our glasses again. My mind whirled, I had no clue at all what he was saying but I wanted him to continue.

"Please tell me," I asked, "I'd like to know, to understand."

"I don't expect you to understand my predicament at all," he said and his manner softened, "You see," and he closed his eyes, "I am expected to marry somebody who is of my equal, of similar social standing and, well, when Dr Mathews arrived I thought I might have just met the woman who might have been the perfect choice; a woman who not only equalled me as a professional but also as a person who my parents would flip over backwards for, due to her family connections. I mean our fathers had even met at one point!" Charles' eyes flashed at this last statement.

I looked down at my drink and felt uneasy, he was right, I didn't understand but his predicament obviously bothered him.

I reached over and touched his hand gently. His eyes stared straight ahead and he continued in a gentler tone. "I spent most of the afternoon wooing who I thought was the most charming woman and found myself in the company of the most boring and self-centred individual I'd ever met, she seemed more interested in my parent's assets than in me... and she said that if we ever married I'd would have to move to New York, due to her mother being an invalid; I mean!"

I smiled a little at the irony but then realised how upset Charles really was about this. "Is that why you drank too much yesterday?" and I trod carefully.

"I'm afraid it got a little worse," Charles admitted, "I told her she and her father could... stick it," and his nose turned up a little at the memory. "This is going to reach my parents I know," he said, "And Grandmamma Winchester, well she'll be just furious."

"Is it that important?" I asked realising at once it probably would be and I tightened my grip on his hand. I noticed a little tear at the outer corner of his eye. He stroked my thumb. "You're right that I don't understand," I said at last, "But I'd like to. Let me stay."

Charles looked at me. "Do you think that is a good idea?" he asked.

I felt suddenly foolish. "Maybe you're right," and I stood to leave once again. He took hold of my arm.

"I could make up the spare cot, it would be no problem," he smiled, slurring his words slightly and he stood and walked behind me finding blankets and ruffling pillows.

"I'd rather sleep next to you," I said and my face burned furiously, how the hell did that get out? I thought.

Charles gave a little sniff. "It might be wise if you didn't." His voice sounded suddenly cold and unemotional and I felt a tear in my eye. After a minute he walked back to his cot and reached over to his little cupboard. He removed a couple of small candles. "When I have the rare moment of sleeping in here without Pierce and Hunnicut I like to light these, I bought them in Tokyo, they contain incense and I find them very relaxing." Standing up he placed the candles on the table next to his bed. "I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not," I said.

Charles found a match and lit the candles and I undid the laces on my shoes.

"You'll want some bedclothes of course," he said and he kneeled down and unlocked his footlocker and removed a large silk shirt, which he passed to me. He then muttered a few apologies about having to do his ablutions and left the tent. I undressed, and buttoned the shirt around me; my insides felt twisted as I walked to the perfectly made bed and climbed in. I lay back on the pillow wondering that just maybe Charles had escaped me and had found somewhere else to sleep tonight. Maybe I had overstepped the mark myself. I had no doubt offended him. I grasped the cold, crisp sheet to my chin and noticed the smell from the candles. I must have fallen asleep, Charles returned to the tent. He was in a dressing robe and he placed his clothes on the chair, I could smell soap. He turned off the lamp and I watched him move in the shadows.

He sat on the side of his bed and looked at me, his eyes flickering in the candlelight.

"Thank you for staying Karen," he whispered, "and for listening to my petty problems."

He blew out the candles and I watched him as he disrobed, his body a silhouette. He climbed into his cot and lay down.

"Goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight Karen."

My dreams were fretful, there were images of Charles, Hawkeye, and then I was back home in Maine. I could see the colour of the carpet outside my parent's room, a deep peach that I felt my tiny feet sink into and that turned gradually into a creeping dark red. A flash of reflected light from a steel knife, my mother's eyes. "That Brat!" I heard a man's voice cry and then I felt terror.

I must have been screaming before I heard it. Charles was kneeling by my cot and holding me.

"It's alright," I heard him say, "It's a nightmare."

I instinctively held him and sobbed into the shoulder of his robe. "I'm so sorry," I sniffled, "Too much Cognac I guess."

Charles kissed my cheek. "Come and sleep next to me," he whispered and I staggered on his arm over to his cot. He made sure I was comfortable and I felt the warmth of his body as he slid down next to me, his large frame took up much of the cot but I was willing to hang on in there manoeuvring my body and finding myself eventually with my leg astride his hip. I was still shaking but it felt comforting to feel Charles' presence.

I lay there in the dark for quite a time, my mind kept trying to gather the pieces of my dream together, surely it was just a silly nightmare. I couldn't sleep but I concentrated on Charles's hot body next to mine, his steady breathing, and I bathed in the bliss of my infatuation whose skin touched my own. I couldn't resist and I reached my trembling hand over to his chest, it was broad and I tangled my fingers around the lush hairs. Mitch had once put my hand on his chest when we were at the pool but his had been bony and smooth, I relished in the touch of this wide rough expanse. Charles awoke suddenly and quickly put his hand over mine.

"Karen," he said softly, and I froze in anticipation of a coarse rebuff, but instead he kissed my forehead. "As I have said to you before, you are so very young and this is a difficult situation for both of us..." but before he finished I took his face in my hands and kissed him. His lips responded and he placed his body over me. His tongue gently licked the inside of my lower lip and then darted into my mouth where our tongues met in a delicious dance, my hand moved down his body caressing his hips. I could feel my heart race and my body shake with pleasure.

Charles' breathing became laboured.

"We really shouldn't be doing this, you are so young…" his voice trailed off and I kept kissing him, placing his hand over my breast. He gently squeezed it. "Please tell me if you would like me to stop," his voice seemed rasping, pleading almost. I had no intention of putting a halt to these wonderful sensations though.

"Don't stop", my voice was a whisper but Charles seemed to hear.

He leaned down and kissed my nipple, I freed myself from the shirt and groaned as his tongue encircled and prodded, drawing my nipple into his soft warm mouth. It felt so good and placing my hand over the back of his head with my fingers in his curls, pressed him closer to my breast. He then reached up and kissed my mouth again, his warm lips pushed against mine. Our tongues mingled and our bodies pressed against each other. His hand stroked my body, over my stomach and down to in between my legs, I gasped as I felt his fingers touch me where I had been tempted to touch myself so many times. I was brought up to think that was a sin, so I left myself alone but now I couldn't care less if I'd be damned. Charles' caresses were gentle and sensual but urgent, I breathed in his scent and brought his body closer into mine. Reaching down I felt him, he moaned as I stroked his hardness and I wanted that hardness inside me so much, wanting him so much. Slowly and very gently he eased into me, a little at a time but with each time my body responded by pushing back onto him. My mind suddenly went back to when Mamma had said to me:

"Sex is disgusting, to think I ever indulged your father. Remember girl that all men are bad, they are nasty, they only want to satisfy themselves"

I gave a little whimper as Charles fully entered me. There was a sharp pain but pleasure took over and I grasped him to my body as we rocked slowly together in the cot. He covered my face with kisses, nipping my neck and whispering into my ear how much he wanted me. He placed his hand underneath me and lifted me to his body, and his rhythm increased. I could feel his hot breath on my neck and his hard chest sweeping my breasts when suddenly my body seemed to leave itself, I was aware of every part of my skin that touched his. An electricity spread throughout my body, which was so intense, I let out a cry and tears stung the corners of my eyes. My back arched as I gasped. Charles pushed into me a little more and then cried out himself. We grasped each other, our fingers leaving marks in each other's sweating skin. Then they were in each other's hair. He kissed me hungrily and I held him tightly to me. Charles rested his head on my breasts and I stroked his damp curls.

"Karen," he panted, "I don't know what to say."

"What is there to say?" I said, and I screwed my eyes up and took a deep breath, "It was wonderful, truly wonderful."

Charles hugged me. We just slept and I cuddled him and enjoyed the comfort of his large arms encircling me. My nightmare never entered my thoughts again that night, the horrors seemed to be far away and my dreams a fleeting string of feint wisps.

"Charles," I heard a soft but urgent voice, "Charles!" and we were being shaken, "Wake up, you've slept in." I opened my eyes to see an unshaven, bleary eyed BJ kneeling beside us, I instinctively covered my exposed breast, blushing furiously, but BJ didn't bat an eyelid, he seemed more intent on rousing his fellow doctor. "Come on, get up!" he said, and Charles gave a small moan and raised his head.

"Hunnicut, what the..." and he blinked in the daylight and turned his face to mine before quickly looking at BJ. "Where's Pierce?" he panicked.

"He went straight to the latrine soon as we got back, seems he ate something that disagreed with him," BJ replied.

"Obviously something intelligent." Charles yawned, "Thank you Hunnicut, do you mind now if we...?"

"Ah, yes of course Charles, Karen," and he smiled at me and left the tent.

Charles leapt out of bed and grabbed his robe; I followed and hastily changed into my clothes. We said nothing to each other.

"Karen," he eventually said and he held me gently by the shoulders, "Do you mind if we speak later, I..." his eyes gazed into mine pleadingly.

"I understand Charles," and we kissed briefly. I left the Swamp looking anxiously around for Hawkeye, I knew my life was none of his business but his mood and intense glares the previous evening made me feel uncomfortable, I thought how stupid I had been to play with his affections even with the knowledge of his own reputation with nurses. The coast was clear and I ran back to the nurses' quarters, to my relief it was empty and I realised I had no idea of the time, I looked at my wrist, I wasn't wearing my watch; I must have left it at the Swamp but at least I wasn't due for duty until the afternoon.

As I showered I had time to reflect back on my night with Charles, my heart ached and my body trembled remembering his touch and his lovemaking. As I soaped myself my hand reached down over my breasts and in between my legs, I imagined Charles' fingers caressing me, his passionate kisses...

"Morning!" a voice trilled behind me, with my eyes closed I hadn't realised the door had been opened, I thanked God the shower walls blocked my body. I turned quickly towards the voice.

"H-hey Georgia!" I blushed, "How are you?"

She disrobed and entered the other cubicle. "I'm fine, a little hung-over, but what happened to you last night?" she giggled, "Oh maybe it's none of my business but you certainly didn't sleep in your cot last night!"

My body froze and it wasn't the lukewarm water, I rinsed my body. "Can I talk to you, I mean later?" I asked; for some reason I really did feel I could talk to her.

"Wow, you sound serious Karen," and she looked at me with her kind eyes, her voice became quieter, "Of course you can, I'm pretty busy most of today but is after dinner all right?"

"Yes, that would be perfect," I smiled. "Thank you."

The rest of the morning I spent reading on my bed and thinking of Charles, I felt hurt that he had shooed me out so quickly that morning but I understood, he too must have been aware of Hawkeye's mood and after all he had to live with him during this war. I thought of what he said about Dr Mathews, he said he'd loathed the woman but maybe he'd changed his mind? He seemed to put so much importance on social standing, and money. My family had no money really, we had a nice house and a woman in to help but our finances were very unstable and whatever cash was left each month being spent by my mother on Whisky. Oh my Mother! Charles could never accept her! The more I thought of my family the more my heart plummeted, whatever he despised in Dr Mathews' family mine would leave him reeling in horror. Tears crept from my eyes. He'd said he wanted to speak later, I lay back and my tears fell onto my pillow and I sobbed, fearful of what Charles would say to me when we met.

There was a knock at the door and I sat up.

"Who is it?" I asked, trying to wipe my tears with the sheet.

"It's BJ, is it OK if I come in?"

My heart lurched, Hawkeye had found out.

"Of course BJ," I replied and stood up, straightening my rumpled clothes as he entered looking very much fresher than he was earlier, he smiled at me warmly. I thought that if BJ hadn't been married, I would have fallen in love with him instead of Charles.

"Mind if I sit down Karen?" he asked.

"Of course not," I flustered and pulled up a chair, he placed his slim frame down and crossed his legs.

"I'm sorry about barging in on you this morning, I mean I had no idea you and Charles were, well..."

"Together?" I finished.

"Yes," and he grinned, "Of course I haven't told Hawkeye and please believe me I won't."

"Thank you BJ," I said.

"You know Hawkeye is very jealous that you were talking with Charles last night?"

"I didn't mean to hurt him, really," I stuttered.

"I know that," he said nodding, "He's feeling a bit sorry for himself at the moment, getting drunk, he even got into a fight day before yesterday."

"Was that why Colonel Potter asked to see him?" I asked.

"Yup, but don't worry Karen, honestly, he just got a little telling-off that's all." BJ rose and took hold of my hand. "Hawkeye's been through this stuff before, well maybe without the brawling, but he'll recover." He patted my shoulder "Anyway, thought I'd come and apologise. Good luck with Charles," he said kindly and left the tent.

I lay back on my cot feeling just awful, I hadn't realised Hawkeye would respond this way. I felt like a walking disaster area; I was in Korea to mend men's bodies not break their hearts. I checked the time by picking up a watch that had been left by a nurse, soon I'd be talking with Charles and I was sure my own heart would be broken too.

To be continued...