In The Eye Of The Beholder

by Falcon and HM Writer

FINAL chapter is up. Please leave a final review. We hope you enjoyed it.

2. Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Margaret was an extremely passionate and sensitive woman. She was soulful and generous; overly compassionate and one of the most resourceful people he'd ever known. Despite all of that, as Hawkeye concluded, he couldn't have found a more stubborn and headstrong woman even if he tried. She could be vindictive and cunning when she wanted to be, she'd had plenty of years of practice when it came to being manipulative and over bearing. Sometimes he took it in stride and accepted it as just being apart of her nature, but there were other times when he knew she was just doing it to spite him. This was one of those times.

She had introduced him to her parents as a friend forgetting that they were engaged.  They had talked about how they would announce their engagement while they were still at home and they both agreed that she would take the ring off until her parents knew.  Hawkeye was furious when she didn't tell them.  That was the first thing that she did and that was just a taste if things to come.  Apparently she left the Margaret Houlihan he knew and loved at the front door and became someone he didn't know.

The entire family seemed to pretend he wasn't there except Margaret's sister, Katie.  But even she had her moments.  There were times that she would be talking to him and he would notice Al or Joan look over and suddenly Katie would get up because she had forgotten to do something.  He did not want to be there.  He didn't like the person his fiancé had turned into.

When lunch was ready to be served they all moved out to the patio to eat.  The women had brought everything out and the only reason Margaret sat next to him was because that was the only seat left.  She glanced over at him quickly giving him a warning look not to touch her.  He rolled his eyes and waited until the food was passed his way and then ate in silence as he listened to Joan constantly jab both of her daughters whenever she got a chance.  He wanted to say something to her, but what for?  The entire family pretended that he wasn't there.

"Margaret," Al said.  "How is it working in a stateside hospital?"

"I really like it, Dad."

"I was talking to an old friend of mine the other day and I think I can get you transferred out of there and to Belgium."

Hawkeye looked over at her to see what she was going to say.  She gave her father a smile.  "That's okay.  I really like where I am right now."

"It'll be good for your career.  I'll put the call in when I get home in a few days."

"No, Dad, you don't have to.  I'm fine."

"Nonsense.  I know what's best for you.  I can help you."

Hawkeye looked at Margaret and she still refused to look at him.  She knew she was leaving the army in a matter of months and she couldn't tell her father.  He was going to find out sooner or later and she was only making it harder on herself by keeping it a secret.  "Okay," she gave in.

"You know Al," Joan said.  "I think you need to leave her alone.  She's getting up there in age and it's about time she finds a nice man and settles down."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not.  She's almost thirty years old and she's still single living on her own.  She needs to get married before she shames the family anymore.  Look at her…"

Margaret wanted to cry, but she held back and put on a hard front as her parents talked about her like she wasn't there.  Hawkeye almost felt bad for her, but he was too pissed to really feel that bad.  Margaret looked over at her sister and asked with pleading eyes to be saved.  Katie came through like she always did.  "Maggie, would you get the baby?  She should be awake now."

"Yes," Margaret stood up and practically bolted into the house.  Once she was inside she leaned against the door and sighed.  Being with them was enough to drive her mad.  She didn't have any time to concentrate on that because she heard Janie's cry.  That baby had perfect timing to save her aunt.

Meanwhile...

Hawkeye used to think that the Korean War had been the bore of his life; standing in an operating room for dozens of hours on end, sitting without a thing to do when the war moved north. He had hated the dysentery, the lice, and the cold showers. Now for some very strange reason he was wishing he was back at the 4077th, lying on his cot and looking up at the green canvas ceiling. At least there he felt like a human being and not a stray dog

.
Hawkeye had sat in on autopsies and bowel resections that were more fun. The proctologist was even more enjoyable than this. Sitting there with Margaret's parents and sister and brother-in-law was just pure torture.

He was livid at the moment and was actually starting to consider just getting up and walking out. No one wanted him there, not even his own fiancé. If today was turning out to be terrible, he couldn't imagine when the other fifty or so other people showed up the next day. Hawkeye decided right then that he wasn't going to go. If Margaret wanted to go, that was her business, but there was no way in hell he was going with her.

It was twenty minutes later when Margaret walked back outside with the baby in her arms. She had taken a little breather getting to know her niece while she left her fiancé to be tortured by her family. Janie made her feel better and a little more refreshed. Now she was starting to feel bad about doing what she had been doing to Hawkeye; she just didn't know what to do. She knew that he would be furious at her later that day when they headed back to the hotel. She could see it in his eyes and his body language. For her, he wasn't a hard person to read.

"Look who's up," Katie smiled standing to take her daughter.

Margaret handed her over reluctantly and took her seat beside Hawkeye. She looked over at him for the first time since lunch had started and he looked away. Under the table her hand crept over and she placed it gently on his knee, but he moved his leg away and out of her reach. Margaret tried to sit there like nothing was wrong and listened to her mother tell her what she should be doing and listened to her father tell her what she had to do. If she could have, she would have gotten up and ran far away with her fiancé, but as it stood now she wasn't even sure he would follow her.

"Margaret, Katherine," Joan stated. "Don't you think its time you two cleared this table?"

"Yes ma'am," Margaret said as she stood up.

"I'll take Janie," she said pulling the baby away from her mother.

"No," Katie said. "I need to feed her. She'll come with me."

"She doesn't need to be fed right now."

"Mom, she's my daughter and I'll take care of her as I see fit."

Margaret didn't look at anyone, but kept her eyes on the things she was gathering from the table. She was glad to hear her little sister say something, but she didn't know what was coming next. She didn't want to know either and took off calmly for the kitchen with her arms full.

Margaret ended up doing the majority of the dishes alone that night, at one point Rick came in and dried for her, but that was about it. She had been hoping Hawkeye would have come in and at least talked with her, but no such thing happened. The whole afternoon was turning out to be one gigantic disaster. Her parents continually pointed out her flaws and talked about her like she wasn't even there. Margaret was used to that though, they had been doing that to her for her entire life, but that didn't mean she liked it.

The only thing that really mattered to Margaret was Hawkeye; however things weren't going so well between them. She felt terrible for the way things were turning out, but there wasn't much she could do about it at the moment. What she needed to do was get him alone and talk it out, but even then he might storm out. She saw the heart wrenching look on his face when she introduced him as a friend. Margaret knew she should have told them what was really going on, but she'd just felt so flustered seeing her father and mother again.

Hawkeye was anything but a friend to her. He was her best friend, her better half, her lover. Hawkeye was the only person who had ever made her feel the way he did, he was the only person who had ever urged her to be herself. When it came right down to it, Hawkeye was more important to her than anyone else. If she had to choose between him and her father, she wouldn't have had to think about the answer, it was a no brainer.

When Margaret had finished the dishes she walked out in to the living room where her sister was feeding the baby. She sat down beside her and watched her little niece.

Katie looked at her older sister and smiled. "I really appreciate you doing the dishes, I'm sorry I couldn't help."

"No." Margaret touched the baby's head and ran her fingers through her hair. "This was more important. I didn't mind at all."

Katie smiled brightly. "Thanks."

The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes. Margaret was trying to unwind and just relax. That's when she realized that it was abnormally quiet. "Where is everyone?"

"Dad and Rick went to pick up Uncle Mike from the airport." Uncle Mike was Al's brother, his very close brother. Sometimes it was hard to tell them apart.

"Wonderful." She sighed and rubbed her face with her hand. "Just what I need. Another one."

"I know what you mean.  How do you think I feel?  Mom is staying here with me and I have all of them running in and out of my house."

Margaret sighed placing a hand on one of the baby's chubby bare feet.  "At least you have this little one for an excuse to escape from all of that madness."

"Yeah.  Sometimes I wish she would stay awake so I don't have to deal with everyone.  I could just take care of her."

Margaret smiled at her.  "I might fight you for that job."

"Sorry, you have to have your own."

"I don't know after the way today is going."

Katie pulled the baby away from her breast and started to place her on her shoulder to burp her.  "What do you mean?  I thought you said you and Hawkeye were just friends anyway."  Katie gave her sister a knowing smile.

"Stop it.  You know he's not."

"I know, and Mom almost caught you two at the airport.  Two 'friends' don't hug like that."

"You're right.  Oh no," she suddenly said.  "He's out there with just Mom, isn't he?"  Katie nodded.  "Will you go save him for me?  He's not on the best of terms with me after today."

"I can't.  The baby."

"I'll take her."  Margaret gathered the baby into her arms.  "Please do this for me."

"Oh, alright." 

"Thank you so much.  You're the best sister."

Katie rolled her eyes and pointed a finger at her big sister.  "You owe me."

"I know, I know."

Katie was feeling very skeptical as she walked through the kitchen and out to the patio. She didn't know anything about Hawkeye, but she certainly knew her mother very well. Hawkeye was hard to read, she wasn't able to distinguish a single thing about him from their short talk. All she knew what was Margaret had told her, and that wasn't very much. She hoped her mother wasn't digging into him too much.

As she neared the door she could hear their heated voices. Her mother had done it again; at least Hawkeye didn't seem to be taking it. Whether that was a good thing or bad, she wasn't sure.

Joan's voice was very shrill and demanding. Katie could only imagine the look on Hawkeye's face. "What kind of a man befriends a woman?" She questioned him. "What are your intentions with my daughter?" Kate could just imagine her mother leaned casually back in the chair, her eyes fixated on Hawkeye.

"I don't really see why that's any of your business." Hawkeye's voice was just as cool and if not more collective. Katie maneuvered so she could see them through the window. Joan was giving him a nasty look.

"You're wrong.  Tell me Dr. Pierce, what do you want from my daughter?"

"Does it really matter to you anyway?"

"What is that supposed to mean?!"  She demanded sitting forward losing her confidence that she could push the man around.  Now she needed to intimidate him.

"I saw the way you treat her.  You don't seem to care about her, so why would you care what part I play in her life?"

Joan narrowed her eyes wanting to lash out at the man, but she couldn't do that.  He would lash back and she wasn't used to that from anyone.  "You, young man, know nothing of family and love.  Do you have any children?  Oh, you probably don't even know if you do."

Hawkeye's eyes widened and his blood boiled.  He could feel his blood pressure rising, but he had to stay calm.  Despite what Margaret had done to him that afternoon he still loved her and would one day be part of that crazy family.  "I do know that answer, and that isn't any of your business either."

"I don't like you," Joan said evenly and without remorse.

"Good.  I'm not here for you to like.  I'm here for Margaret."

Inside Katie was standing quietly with her ear pressed up to the glass.  She told her sister she would go out there and save Hawkeye, but he didn't seem like he needed saving, so she just stood there and listened.  She could hear Margaret talking to the baby and knew that they were fine.  Katie debated about whether or not she wanted to go outside and she knew that she didn't want to step out into that because she didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.

Katie decided that walking out there would only make things worse for herself. She wouldn't be helping; she'd only be putting herself in the line of fire. Quietly she turned and walked back into the living room.

Margaret was sitting on the couch playing with the baby. She looked up when her sister walked into the room. "What happened?" She asked when she notice that neither Hawkeye nor their mother were with her.

"I uh..." She picked up her daughter. "I wasn't about to get into that."

"Was it that bad?"

"Let's just say...I've heard war stories from dad that weren't as gruesome."

Margaret covered her face with her hand. "Oh no." She groaned.

Kate adjusted the baby on her hip. "I'm surprised that he's lasted so long with her, but then again, I was more worried for her towards the end."

Margaret wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She knew Hawkeye wasn't about to let anyone walk all over him, especially Joan, but she was worried that one of them might get too excited and do something rash.  "Maybe I should go out there."

"If you have to.  Hawkeye seems to be doing fine on his own."

"That's what I'm afraid of."  Margaret stood up and straightened her dress.  "I hate this dress.  Its so uncomfortable."

"Why did you wear it?  It doesn't look like you."

"Yeah, well there's a lot about me today that doesn't seem like me."

"What?"  Katie asked with confusion.

"Nothing.  If no one comes in here in ten minutes, call an ambulance.  I might just have to strangle our mother."  Margaret walked bravely toward the back door.

Katie looked at the baby on her hip and smiled.  "I think Aunt Maggie will finally be standing up for herself this weekend.  It's like watching a time bomb without knowing how much longer you have until it goes off."

Margaret took a deep breath before she walked onto the patio.  She wasn't sure what she was in for, but she had done enough damage to her fiancé today and it was about time she started to make up for it.  She composed herself and opened the door.  Joan was quite now and so was Hawkeye.  They both stopped and looked at her.  Suddenly her confidence slipped and her step faltered a bit. 

"Margaret Elizabeth Houlihan, where are you been?!"  Joan demanded.

"I was…ah…"  She pointed to the house.  "Cleaning and then um…spending some time with ah…Janie."

Hawkeye hated how her self esteem and confidence dropped like that.  He stood up bravely and took her hand helping her to regain some stability and walked her over to one of the vacant seats at the table.  She gave him a weak but grateful smile as he pulled out the chair for her and she sat down.  "Did you get to know your niece a little?"  Hawkeye asked.

She nodded.  "I did.  Are you two okay out here?"

"I'm going in," Joan stood to her feet.  "You need to stay away from that man!  He's no good for you or anyone else for that matter!"  With that said Joan stomped off into the house to degrade her other daughter for a little while.

As soon as they were sure she was gone they both relaxed a little. Margaret took a deep breath as she started to breathe again. Somehow being around her mother caused her to forget how. She looked over at Hawkeye; he was seated back in his chair with his eyes fixated on her.

Margaret met his gaze and looked at him with a longing. Then with a deflated look she said. "I'm surprised you're still here, I would have thought you'd have left by now." Her eyes shifted to the ground. "I've treated you terribly. I don't know why you even bother with me."

Hearing her say that just made him even angrier. Why was she always so quick to second guess him? He was suddenly sitting up on the edge of his seat. "I love you more than anything. There isn't a single person or single thing in this whole world that means more to me than you. I know things aren't always going to be perfect between us, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to get up and leave. When I told that you I loved you I meant it. When I said that I wanted to be with you forever I meant forever. And when I asked you to marry me it wasn't just for a little while, it was for life. I'm on your side Margaret; you've got to believe me. I just want you to be yourself, the woman that I've grown to love more than anything."

Margaret sat there, starring at him, her eyes searching his. She felt so terrible for hurting him the way she did. He'd been supportive of her the whole time and she'd only pushed him away and off to the side. "I'm so sorry." She shook her head, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I love you so much..." She had to stop to keep from crying. "I needed someone to direct my frustrations at and you got in the way. You're the last person I wanted to hurt; you mean so much to me..."

Hawkeye could tell the day was really taking its toll on her. She was a mess on the inside and out. Quickly he slid from his chair and moved to take her in his arms. Immediately she held onto him and buried her face in his chest

. He rubbed her back soothingly and held her tight against him.

After a few minutes she calmed down and leaned heavily against him. Hawkeye pulled his head back enough so he could look at her face. "What do you say we just go back?" He asked her softly as he wiped the smeared mascara from her face. "It'll just be you and me for the rest of the day." Margaret nodded; she didn't want to be there anymore. She was tired and just wanted to be with the one person who really mattered. Together they stood up and walked back into the house.

Finding new strength she took her fiancé's hand and led him through the kitchen and to the living room where they saw Katie and Joan.  Margaret took a few deep breaths and then spoke.  "Mom, we're going to leave and spend the day together."

"What?!"

"We're leaving," Margaret enforced. 

Katie stood up not wanting to see her sister go.  That meant she was left alone with their mother again.  Her sister owed her one and by leaving she wasn't not paying.  "Maggie, why?  Please don't go."

"Sorry.  We flew in here this morning and after being here this afternoon we're tired."

Hawkeye put his arm around her shoulders and held her close.  "We'll be back tomorrow."

Margaret looked up at him.  "I'll call a cab."

Katie followed her sister out of the room leaving the baby with Joan and Hawkeye.  As soon as Katie left the room the baby started to cry, but then she heard her daughter settle down so she continued to follow her sister into the den.  "Maggie, stop."

Margaret picked up the phone and dialed the operator asking to be directed to a taxi service.  "Katie, I don't want to stay here.  We can't stay here."

"But you're leaving me here all alone."

"I'm sorry."

"Please," she begged.  "Don't do this to me."

"Its more important for Hawkeye and I to be alone right now than it is to sit here and be tortured anymore by Mom and Dad." 

Katie paused while Margaret talked to the cab company telling them the address.  When she hung up Katie looked at her older sister with longing.  "Why do you have to go now?"

Margaret picked up her sister's hands.  "You know why.  We'll be back tomorrow at one for the reunion.  I promise.  Believe me, all the attention will be on me and you'll be safe, okay?"

"What do you mean?"

Margaret smiled at her sister.  "You'll know tomorrow.  Let's go so I can save Hawk from Mom."

When the two of them walked out into the living room they were both a little surprised to see it was Hawkeye holding the baby and Joan had disappeared.  "Hey, you two.  I was just getting to know this little girl.  We had a nice long talk and decided that neither one of us like Grandma."  Katie and Margaret both looked wide eyed looking for any signs of their mother.  They didn't want her to hear that.  "She's outside."

The two sisters let out sighs of relief.  "What did you do to her?"

"Me?  I didn't do anything.  It was all Janie here I'm proud to say."

"What?"  Margaret took her niece into her arms.  "What happened?"

Hawkeye smiled at her.  "She started to cry when Katie left the room so your mother picked her up and she started to scream.  I took her and she was fine."

Katie and Margaret both smiled.  "Sounds like us.  Come on," Katie said.  "I'll wait with you two out front for that cab.

Katie hated to see her sister go, she was the only one who understood how she felt. Having Margaret there made it easier, their parents paid less attention to her and she had someone to back her up. Of course she did have her husband, but Rick wasn't anything like Hawkeye. Hawkeye wasn't scared of their parents; he had even stood up to Joan. Rick would never have done that.

For the first time since they had arrived, Margaret finally felt good about her decision. She was starting to realize just how right Hawkeye had been. He was more important to her than anyone else and she felt it was time she started showing it. From that point on she was going to be honest with herself and with her family. If they didn't like her relationship with Hawkeye, than that was just their problem. All that mattered now what them.

The cab ride back to the hotel was the complete opposite of what it had been earlier. They were sitting together with their arms around each other. Instead of feeling anger and frustration, they were feeling rather happy.

"I'm proud of you." Hawkeye told her softly as he pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"I didn't do anything. You were the one who stood up to my mother." She hugged him tighter, grateful for the security of his strong arms.

He planted a kiss on her hair. "I know, but you will. You took a great step today, walking out of there like that and telling them that we weren't coming back." He was surprised at how she had told her mother, she had sounded confident, she had sounded like the real Margaret.

A smile spread across her face as she remembered the scene. "And that look on my mother's face, I haven't felt anything so gratifying in a long time. I thought she was going to faint."

Hawkeye laughed softly at that. "Especially since you were leaving with me."

"Yes."

"What do you mean by that?"

She smiled at him and gave him a kiss. "I feel wonderful."

"Good. We have the rest of the day to ourselves. What do you want to do?"

"I suppose we could walk around and look at what's here. But first I want to go back to the hotel and change. I'm throwing out all the conservative clothes I bought!"

He held her tighter proudly. "Good. In that case, this is only a one time offer..."

"Yes?"

He sighed. "Why don't we go shopping?"

She laughed and nodded her head. "That sounds good. I'll need someone to carry my bags, so now you won't be board."

He rolled his eyes. "I can't believe what I've gotten myself into."

"Maybe," she whispered. "I'll model some swim suits if you're good."

"Mmm..." He starred at her lips. "I don't think that's very fair."

"Why not? I thought you would have enjoyed looking at me in a swim suit."

"Oh honey." He kissed the underside of her chin and then her neck. His lips moved up to her ear where he whispered. "Finding you attractive is not the problem. It's enjoying it too much that's the problem."

Margaret smiled and laughed very softly. Her hands went to his head as he kissed her neck again. He nuzzled her lovingly as he hugged her tighter. "I feel like a new woman." She told him. "I just hope I can keep it up tomorrow. My father and his family can be very intimidating."

Hawkeye was enjoying their closeness immensely. Before that she wouldn't even let him touch her, now she was being even more cuddly then she had been the night before. "I can be even more intimidating." He told her. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll be right by your side the whole time."

Margaret relaxed against him. "I love you, you know that?"

"I love you too...even when you ignore everything I say." He teased her.

Margaret didn't respond to that. He had been telling her the truth and she chose not to pay attention. After a few moments she moved back so she could see his face. "You know something, you're not only handsome and talented, you're also smart."

Hawkeye raised an eyebrow to that. She didn't compliment him that often. He got such a rush to his ego when she did that. "You know something, I should agree to take you shopping more often."

She jabbed him in the arm. "I'm serious!" Then in a quieter voice she said. "You're everything to me, and I'm sorry I don't always show it."

Hawkeye let a finger graze her cheek. "I love you."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It wasn't a long drive to the hotel from Katie's house. Hawkeye tipped the cab driver and walked hand in hand with Margaret up to their room. She still couldn't get over how extravagant he had gone for her; she would have been more than happy in a regular room.

He immediately started loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. "I think we both need to make some changes before we go back tomorrow."

Margaret was looking through her clothes for something more comfortable to wear. "Besides getting rid of these horrid dresses?" She had taken off her dress and thrown it across the room.

"Exactly, you're going to wear something sexy that shows off your figure." He fidgeted with his tie some more. "And I'm not going to wear another damned tie." Finally he got it off.

"You look so handsome all dressed up."

"But I don't like it!"  He threw the tie across the room and then took his shirt off.

"I know you don't, but you're not going like a bum are you?"

"No.  I'll still let you dress me, but no tie."

"Deal."  She pulled out a pair of white shorts.  "What about these?"

"For you?  Fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."  He sat down on the bed and took off his pants so he was only in his boxers and an undershirt.  "Where did you put my jeans?"

She looked back at him.  "You're not wearing those, are you?"

"I said I would let you dress me tomorrow.  Today I get to pick what I wear."

She rolled her eyes giving in because she knew she wasn't going to win that fight.  She had always hated those jeans and one day they were going in the trash.  "Fine.  I don't have a shirt to wear with these."

"So buy one.  Just throw something on.  Now where are my jeans?"  She opened the draw in front of her and threw them at him.  "Thank you."

"I don't want to wear those," she tossed the shorts aside.  "What about these?"

"Even better.  I love those on you."  He grinned.  They were his favorite jeans on her because accentuated everything that he loved.

"I'll wear these."  She pulled the pants on and then took off her slip so the only top she was wearing was her bra. 

"You could always go like that." He smiled mischievously as he took off his undershirt.

Margaret laughed at that. "In your dreams."

"How about later tonight?" He asked questionably, hoping she would say yes.

After she had slipped her shirt on she turned around and looked at him. She gave him a half smile as she raised one eyebrow. "I'm ready, are you?"

Hawkeye looked down at himself, he was sitting on the bed in his underwear. "I could always go like this."

"That is better than wearing those jeans..." She told him as she looked over his body.

"You're better to look at than I am." He commented as he pulled them on, knowing it drove her wild. He picked out a more comfortable T-shirt and put it on.

Margaret looked him up and down. "We'll see if we can't find any men's stores. I'd love to take you shopping."

"No, we're shopping for you. You're the one who needs a change in wardrobe. They started walking towards the door.

"You're the one who's wearing a pair of five year old jeans and a shirt to match." She told him.

"I am not..." He opened if for her and followed her to the elevator. "They're four years old."

**********************

It was less then twenty minutes later that Hawkeye found himself being led around in a men's clothing store.  Margaret was handing him things to go try on and telling him whether or not she liked it without regard to his personal taste.  He tried to tell her that once or twice but she just told him that he didn't have any taste.  All he cared about was comfort and she was trying to combine that with some decent looking clothes. 

"Margaret, are we done yet?" 

"No.  You need some pants."

"For what?  I don't work right now.  What do I need all these nice clothes for?"

"Because you do."  She held up a nice collared golf shirt up to him. 

"Do you golf?"

"What?"

"You know how much I love to play, but do you?"

"I've never tried it."  She didn't pay much attention to him and tossed him another shirt.  "Should I just go do this without you?"

"Why the hell not?  You don't need me here for anything."

"No, I need you to try some things on."  He rolled his eyes.  He wanted to get out of there.  Suddenly it dawned on her.  "Do you want to go golfing while I shop?"

Hawkeye was a little perplexed by the question at first, suddenly he understood what she was asking. She thought he was trying to get out of being with her. "No, no, no, I want to be here with you. I was just curious, that's all." He put his hands on her arms. "I'm the one that wanted to take you shopping, remember?"

Margaret wasn't thinking that at all. "I know that. I was just thinking that if that's something you wanted to do, then we should do it one day."

"You'd want to do that with me?" He could hardly believe she wanted to go.

"I want to do what you want to do. You're taking me shopping even though you hate it, so we'll do something that you want to do." Margaret gave him a soft kiss.

"Well you know what I'd really like to do..." His voice trailed lower as he moved closer to her.

Margaret swatted him away. "Go try on those clothes."

Hawkeye looked at the pile in his arms. "And I suppose you're going to want to have a look when I do?"

Margaret smiled. "Of course."

"You know what that means don't you?" He asked as he prepared to walk into the dressing room.

"What does it mean?"

"It means that when you start trying on clothes, I get to see." His voice trailed off again. Then in a softer tone he said. "Preferably in the dressing room where I can watch."

She smiled at him.  "Get going so we can get out of this store."

"Okay." 

The two of them walked to the back of the store where the dressing room was.  Hawkeye tried on pants and every time he did, Margaret felt the need to tug at the waist making sure there was enough room.  He felt like a child shopping for clothes with their mother.  She would make him turn around and walk to make sure everything fit him just right.  They spent over a half an hour doing that.  Margaret could tell that he was frustrated and wanted to get out of there.  After he was done trying things on they checked out and moved to the next store.

"What color do you like best on me?"  Margaret asked looking through some very nice summery dresses.

"Try this one," Hawkeye handed her a light pink dress.  "I want you to look good tomorrow.  Show them all that you don't care what they think and you're happy in your own skin."

Margaret smiled and agreed with the pink dress.  It was more feminine and that's what she was going for.  She was a woman and a very happy woman.  Hawkeye made her that way and she wanted to look good for him if no one else.  "I love it."

He gave her a kiss on the cheek and followed her around some more of the clothing helping her pick things out. 

Luckily for Margaret he had impeccable taste for women's clothes. Everything he handed her seemed to be exactly was she was looking for. They were sexy and demure without showing too much skin and seemed to fit perfectly around her hips and bust. She knew he would have loved to see her in something a little more revealing, but she decided she'd make it up to him when they went on their honeymoon. There were just some things she wasn't ready to share with her family.

That's where the trouble came in when it came to pick out bathing suits. Margaret had a nice figure and didn't want to hide it, but she didn't want anything that revealed too much. There was a huge difference between the suits she'd wear for Hawkeye and the suits she'd wear for her father.

"They've got some men's suits here too." Margaret was leafing through a rack of swimming suits.

"I have one already." Hawkeye was standing behind her holding the bag.

"Don't you need a new one?"

"Don't tell me you're embarrassed over my swim trunks now."

"No, I was just wondering if you needed a new one. The other ones looked a little tight in the crotch and the butt."

Hawkeye set the bag down and leaned against the rack. "So you do care."

"Of course I care. The last thing I need is for you to be hanging out while were in the company of my family."

"I was not hanging out." He reminded her. "I happen to think they fit just fine."

She didn't know if she wanted to tell him that she didn't want her family to see him looking like that.  "They look a little snug, honey."  She held up a pair of black trunks for him to see.  "What do you think?"

"Margaret, I don't need any."

"All you have is the one pair.  I'll buy them for you."

"It isn't the money.  You know that."

"I didn't mean it like that.  Do you like them?"

"Yeah, they're nice."

"Okay."  She held them over her arm and moved to another area.  It was time she pick out something for herself.  The reunion was being held at a rented beach house so everyone would be able to fit and have some fun at the ocean too.

Hawkeye had been going through racks of suits and had a few in his hands.  When he walked over to his fiancé she didn't have any except the swim trunks she had picked out for him.  "Look at this one," he held it up.  "You'd look so good in this."

She picked her head up and smiled.  "I can't wear that."

"Why?  You have the figure."

"I just can't.  It would barely cover my chest."

He grinned, "Exactly."

"No.  What else do you have there?"

He held up a peach colored two piece.  "Nice.  I like that one."

"Good.  What about this blue one?"

"I like that one too, but I think what I'm looking for is more of a one piece."

"You?  Last time I saw you in a one piece was at that Fourth of July picnic we had in Korea."

"So?"

"Well, why do you want to wear one now?"

"Because I just do."

"Margaret." He tried to reason with her. "There's nothing wrong with either one of these. The bottoms aren't cut too high and the tops cover everything, the only thing they'd see would be your stomach."

"Honey, I'd feel better if I just went with a one piece." She took them from him and hung them on the rack.

"You and I both know that if we weren't at a reunion you would have gone for something even more revealing. Both of these are tasteful and still make you look attractive." She was trying to do the same thing she had done with the dresses, look more conservative than herself.

"Yes, I would have, but we're not. We're here, and my entire family will be there."

"Then how about this..." He tried to reason with her. "Since I'm letting you get me a new pair of trunks, let me buy you both the one and two piece. Later on, you can decide which one you really want to wear."

Margaret thought about it for a moment. She could always wear the two piece another day when it was just him. "Fine."

"Good." He smiled. "Pick out which colors you like and then we'll pay."

She decided on the ones she liked and paid. They left the store and continued to walk down the street. Margaret wasn't sure what else she needed, but it was nice to be with him the same.

"Margaret," Hawkeye pulled her along. "Let's go in there."

"In where?"

He pointed across the street. "Right there."

She looked at him and smiled. "Why?"

"You need new lingerie. Most of the really sexy things are ripped now."

"Gee...I wonder why." He smiled and pulled her across the street. He would be happier in there than a kid in a candy store. She did need new lingerie and he was the sole cause of that. She didn't know how many times he would rip and tear her things because he couldn't wait to pull them off of her. "Wait," Margaret said before they went in.

"What?"

"Are you going to behave yourself in there?"

"I always do."

"No you don't."

"I promise to behave," he crossed his hand over his heart.

She couldn't tell if he would or not, but her bet would be that he wouldn't be able to keep his promise. She would go in with him anyway. He always made things more fun, but this was their first time in a store like that together.

Hawkeye opened the door for her and followed her inside. This was probably the happiest he had been the entire trip. Margaret could see that familiar grin starting to form, she wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing.

"I can think of a couple things you need." He said as he started to look around. If she would have let him, he'd stay in there all day.

"I'm sure you can."

"Now these are sexy." He held up a pair of black laced underwear. Margaret gave him a sideways grin and folded her arms. "But red is really nice too..." He started to sift through the racks.

"I do need other things besides lacey panties." She reminded him.

"Hmm..." He was lost in all the colors and styles. "Oh, right." He looked at her. Then with a broader smiled he added. "You also need bras, and maybe something fun for later."

"Do you even know my cup size?" She was curious if he really paid attention to that stuff.

"What do you think?" A mischievous look on his face told her he did.

"Well good." She told him. "You spend enough time trying to figure how to get me out of them."

"I haven't heard any complaints so far."

She smiled knowing he was right. Since he was so happy she decided he could pick some things out for her. It was the least she could do. He had put up with a lot today from her and her family. "Okay. I'll let you pick out some things."

His blue eyes sparkled. "Anything I want?"

"Yes, but you don't get to tell me when I wear them."

"Ah, that would be so fun."

"That's just what I need. My parents and the rest of my family to see me the way you want to see me."

He held up a pair of leopard printed bikini panties that tied at the side. "We'll need these, oh, and these..." He picked the pair of red lace panties he had been admiring.

"Are you getting the right size?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"I do most of the laundry at home. I think I know what size you wear."

"Okay. I'm going to go look for some things too." She left him and walked away to look at some more useful everyday things that she could wear. She still had to go to work and she couldn't wear the things that he picked out everyday.

Ten minutes later Hawkeye found her and she was a little surprised to see that he had already checked out and had a pretty good sized bag. She thought they would pay for everything together and besides the two things she had seen in his hands she had no idea what he had bought.

He gave her a kiss, "I'll wait for you outside. Do you need some money?"

"No. I've got it. What do you have in that bag?"

"I'll show you later."

Margaret found herself feeling a little nervous as she watched him walk away. The bag was very big and knowing him he had probably bought the most extravagant lingerie there. She didn't mind wearing if for Hawkeye, but if someone from her family ever found out, especially her father, there'd be no way to talk herself out of it.

Margaret paid for her items and met him outside like he'd said. Hawkeye had been leaning against the wall, holding the bag close to him as he watched the few people walk by. "You didn't see my mother did you?" Margaret asked as she approached him.

"No, but it crossed my mind once or twice." He told her as he stood up and took her hand. Together they began walking in the opposite direction.

"Is there anything else you need?" She asked him as they walked by several men's stores.

"Apart from the complete wardrobe you just bought me?"

"I've noticed some of your socks have holes in them, do you want a few more pairs."

"No."

"What about underwear? A few of them are starting to look a little dingy."

"They're fine, honey," he insisted.

"No. We're buying you some new ones. Let's go." She wouldn't take no for an answer so he gave in and they walked along until they came to another men's store. "Here," she pulled him in.

"I hate shopping for underwear."

"Well, you seemed to like it in the other store."

He grinned. "That was different."

"No it wasn't." How hard was it to buy boxers? He knew his size. All he had to do was pick some out.

"Your underwear is a lot sexier than mine." He told her as they walked to the underwear section. "There's so much more of a selection."

"I'd hate to see you in something lacey." She laughed. "I think you look plenty sexy in boxers." Hawkeye grinned at that. "But if you want something different..."

"I'm not wearing lace." He said sternly.

"No." She waved her hand. "I meant a different style." She pulled him in a row of men's underwear. "Do you want something tighter?"

"It's up to you." He didn't want to be shopping for himself.

"You have to have some say, you're going to be the one wearing them after all." They started to walk down the line.

"Well, I got to pick out yours." He could have cared less. "Pick out mine."

"And what if I get you something you don't like?" She looked at him. Hawkeye shrugged his shoulders in mild response.

"It's just underwear." Was his comment.

"Fine then." She started looking at the packages. "What about...these?" She held up a package of tighty whities.

"No!" His eyes widened, he didn't like those at all. "Anything but those." He protested.

Margaret grinned and put them back. "So it does matter."

"You can get anything but those." He told her.

"You're no fun!"

"I will be later tonight when you model all of this for me," he nodded to the bag in his hand.

She rolled her eyes and picked up some boxer-briefs.  "What about these?"

"I don't know.  Never tried them."

"Good, we'll get these then."

"Fine."

He didn't seem to care what she picked up.  She grabbed a couple of pairs of boxers in different colors and patterns.  "All done I guess.  Was there anything else you wanted in here?"

"Not unless you want something."

"In a men's store?"

"I'll take that as a no." 

"No.  We'll pay and then can we get something to drink.  Its hot as hell here."

"Yeah," he chuckled.  He grabbed the underwear from her and handed her all the bags he had except the lingerie bag he was carrying and went to the cash register. 

When he came back he took another bag from her and then grabbed her hand as they walked out of the store. "So are we finally done shopping? You've bought everything except a kitchen sink."

"I can't think of anything else..." She tried to remember if there was something she was forgetting.

"Thank goodness." He played a phony sigh of relief.

Margaret wrapped and arm around his waist and leaned into him as they walked. "Now let's get some food, I'm so starved. I hardly ate at all during lunch."

"Me neither, I can't eat when I'm upset." He smiled.

Margaret looked up at him. "You," she poked him in the stomach. "Are a bottomless pit, and I'm terribly jealous that you can everything and anything and still look so damn good."

Hawkeye lifted the bag in his hand and shook it. "I didn't buy all this lingerie just to admire you know."

"Yeah, but I have to work to look like this.  You don't."

"Yes I do.  I go running everyday, you know that."

"Yeah, but you love that.  Its not like you're doing it because you have to, to stay in shape."

"I'm thirty years old now.  I have to work to stay in shape.  If not all I would do is stay at home eating bon-bons waiting for you to get home from work."

She laughed at him and moved closer to him.  She was almost glued to him as they walked down the street together.  "Maybe one day we can trade."

"You know we will," he kissed the side of her head.  "Just as soon as the army is out of the picture things will change for the better."

"Hopefully."

"Why wouldn't they?"

"I don't know.  I don't know what life will be like."

"It'll be better, trust me."

"I'm sure you're right," she smiled.  "Let's go there," she pointed to a café down the street.

"Okay."

They walked together the rest of the way in silence holding one another.  Hawkeye got them a table outside in the corner.  He took the bags from her and pulled out her chair before he sat down.  Looking across the table at her all he did was smile.  He kept thinking about her modeling the things he bought.  She was too busy looking at the menu to notice him until his hand found its way to her knee.  She didn't think anything of it and continued looking at the menu.  She slapped his hand as she felt it move further up her leg.

"What are you doing?  We're outside in public."

He grinned.  "I know, isn't it exciting?"

"No!"  She moved his hand back to the table.  She looked around to make sure that no one saw them.  "What would people think?"  He had scooted his chair closer to her.

"Who cares what they think?  Let them get their own."

"Hawkeye..." She gritted her teeth as she peered around the cafe.

"I can't help it." He whined. "I've been undressing you with my eyes ever since we sat down to eat."

Margaret shot him a look. She tried not to look amused but she just couldn't help it. "Keep your voice down." She whispered.

He let his foot travel up the back of her leg. "If it wasn't such a nice day I would have suggested that we eat inside."

"Mmm..." She glanced at him. "I'm sure we wouldn't have done much eating."

"It's a good thing it's not raining then isn't it?" He smiled as he slipped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.

The waitress came and delivered their food. They had both gotten sandwiches, Hawkeye with turkey and Margaret with Ham. He got a salad with ranch dressing and she got one with Italian.

"Mmm...this is good." Margaret said as she took a bite of her sandwich. She held it out and let him take a bite.

"That is good." He licked some mayonnaise of his lip. "Here." He held out his and let her take a bite.

"That's really good too." He had some sort of spicy sauce on his. She took another bite.

"Hey!" He laughed. There was only a little portion left. Margaret giggled and handed over the rest of hers.

"Sorry."

"You can have it," he smiled.

"No, you take."

"Oh, alright."  He took it and started to eat it.  "Mine was better."

"Yes it was.  It sure didn't take much convincing for you to take mine."

"You said I was a bottomless pit.  You knew that when you offered your sandwich to me.  We could order more if you want."

"No," she smiled and leaned in to whisper in his ear.  "I have other plans.  I don't want to be full of food.  I'd rather be full of something else if you get my drift."

Hawkeye's eyes widened in excitement and then a huge grin spread across his face.  "You have been around me way too long."

She laughed.  "I don't know if that's good or bad."

"Well, I'm finished here."  He said popping the last bite of sandwich into his mouth.  "Check please," he said to the waitress as she passed by.

"Sure thing."

"Back to the hotel?"  He questioned.

"Yeah.  I don't want to do anymore shopping and I'm sick of carrying these bags around all afternoon."

"I'll get all of them.  You just carry your purse."

The waitress brought the check and Hawkeye paid, he picked up the bags and walked with her back to the hotel. He wished he hadn't had his hands full; he would have loved to have put his arms around her as they walked. However, it was a nice evening and walking beside one another was so much better than being stuck with the Houlihans.

Hawkeye could hardly wait to get back to the room. He had a whole bag of lingerie that he was dying to see her in. They had been teasing one another all afternoon and he was dying to get her alone.

They were waiting for the elevator when Margaret realized something was wrong. "Uh oh..." She murmured as she rummaged through her purse.

"What?" He turned his head and looked at her in alarm. "What's wrong?"

"I can't find the key." Margaret started checking her pockets when she couldn't find it in her purse.

Hawkeye patted himself down. "I don't have it."

"I must have lost it." She sighed heavily. "Damn it."

"Do you have any idea where you might have lost it?"

"No, none." Margaret was tired and just wanted to go up to their room. She had been looking forward to being wrapped in his arms all day. "Uhhh!"

"Shh." Hawkeye walked over to her and hugged her. "It's no big deal. We'll just tell them what happened and they'll get us another one. This kind of thing happens all the time."

"Yeah, you're right." She picked up some bags and followed him over to the desk. He explained the situation to the clerk and they took care of it. They were going to have to wait for a key to be made so the woman told them to sit down in the lobby and make themselves comfortable.

Margaret sat with her shoulders slumped. Hawkeye wrapped an arm around her. "What's the matter?"

"I can't believe I lost the key. That stuff never happens to me."

"You were trying clothes on today. I'm sure it just fell out somewhere and you didn't realize it."

"Yeah, but now we have to sit here and wait." She was getting frustrated and those emotions were beginning to take a turn. "I'm so sorry," she said sadly.

"Margaret, it's not your fault," he smiled. She was taking this way too hard.

"Yes it is," she was almost in tears.

Hawkeye knew that the day's events must have been getting to her now that she was tired. It was getting later in the day and the next day didn't look so far away anymore. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "What's really bothering you?"

"I don't know," she said in almost a whine.

She sounded so helpless and he didn't like that. "Honey, its not a big deal. Nothing to get so upset about."

"Yeah, but I wanted to be back in the room with you."

"We're still together, and look, I have my arm around and we can still do this." He gave her a tender kiss on the lips causing her to smile. "See, its not so bad."

"Yeah, I know."

He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "When we get up there we can take a nice bubble bath together."

Margaret smiled and melted into him. "That sounds really nice." She said just loud enough for him to hear.

"And I can give you a massage..." Margaret was starting to relax a little more. She closed her eyes as she listened to his voice. "Think about it...you, me, a tub of hot water, maybe some wine..."

"Mmmm..." She breathed deeply.

"And then you can try on that lingerie..." Margaret felt him move closer to her. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. "And then..." He started to whisper in her ear.

Margaret laughed softly as she threaded a hand through his hair. If they hadn't been in the middle of the lobby they probably wouldn't have been sitting upright any more. Her muscles felt tight and she wanted to feel him against her.

"Hawkeye..." He could hear the strain in her voice. She wanted to go upstairs now.

Hawkeye wrapped his arms tighter around her. "Not too much longer now." He knew she was feeling stressed and was overly tired. She had spent the entire night before tossing and turning. Neither of them had gotten much sleep. "And tomorrow." He told her. "We can sleep in until noon."

"Eleven Thirty...you take long showers." She murmured.

"That's only because I've got something else occupying my washing time." He whispered as he softly kissed her neck.

She leaned into him more trying to get closer. All she wanted to do was go back to the room and have him hold her. What would have been better would have to been at home and not have to worry about her family and what the next day would bring. That however, was not a choice and she had to take what she could get.

He nuzzled her neck and kissed the underside of her chin feeling her finally relax a little. "Mmmm," she moaned quietly.

"How much longer til that key is done?"

"I don't know," she sighed. She laid her head against his shoulder to get him to stop kissing her. His kisses made her so weak and she could never stop him once he reached a certain point. She placed her hand on top of his leg and leaned completely against him.

"I'll take care of you this week," he said softly. "As soon as we walk through the door to our room you don't have to be strong anymore. You can let me handle all the worries and stress."

"Thank you."

The two of them sat like that for a little while longer with their arms wrapped around each other. Margaret wanted nothing more than to go upstairs and lay with him in bed while he was trying to figure out how to get back to the warmth of her neck.

"It should be done soon." He said softly into her hair. They were both feeling a little sleepy sitting there. It was starting to get late and they had had a long day.

"I hope so." She buried her face in his chest. "I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm dirty, and all I want to do is go upstairs."

Hawkeye sat up which caused her to sit up as well. "Here, turn around." He pulled her closer so she was sitting more in front of him. His hands moved to her neck and shoulders as he started to massage them gently.

"Ohh..." She moaned very softly. He had wonderful hands. "I've got a huge knot right there." Hawkeye started to work at the knot with the palm of his hand.

"How's that?" He wasn't sure if she'd fallen asleep. She hadn't made a noise in a few minutes.

"Wonderful." He heard her mutter.

Margaret closed her eyes as his hands continued to work on her tense muscles. She wanted to fall asleep and groan loudly all at the same time. When he started to place light kisses on the back of her neck she didn't stop him, there was no one in the lobby and she was too tired to give a damn.

Hawkeye worked on her neck and shoulders some more.  She could have fallen asleep and almost did.  His hands were wonderful and he could not only feel, but sense where her tense spots were.  When she was relaxed she leaned back against his chest with her legs resting on the couch.  He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck forcing her to turn it to one side. 

"I'll run the bath water for you," he said softly.

"You have to take a bath with me," she mumbled.

"I will.  Then we'll go to bed and I'll hold you."

"Yes."

"Do you think you'll be able to sleep tonight?"

"I hope so."  She closed her eyes smiling as he kissed her neck over and over. 

She was as close to heaven as she could get without being alone with him.  She didn't think anything could go wrong now.  All they would have to do is make it through the night together and get up and get ready for the next day's events.  It seemed easy enough.  That was until she heard and all too familiar voice call her name.  "Margaret Elizabeth Houlihan!"

Her eyes popped open and she jumped to her feet.  Standing in front of her was her father looking as angry as ever, accompanied by his more conservative brother.  That was all she needed.  She and Hawkeye were so close to being able to go to their room and forget all about the days earlier events and now they had to deal with this.  Why did her family have to be like that?  Why couldn't they be happy that she was happy?

Please leave us a few reviews to let us know that people are reading.  You could just say 'here' if you have to.  But your thoughts and feelings would be greatly appreciated.