HAWK'S COMING FOR A VISIT
"Hi Hawkeye," said Margaret, picking up the phone.
"Hi Margaret. How are things?" asked Hawkeye.
"Good. How are things in the Cove?" asked Margaret.
"Great. Toby's forgotten his sunscreen again and looks like one of those lobsters!" laughed Hawkeye.
"That would look funny. Is he ok though?" asked Margaret in concern.
"Yeah, he's fine, if embarrassed. Dickie's over the moon cos Hannah's pregnant, so Dickie walks around like a peacock," said Hawkeye.
"Yeah, I gathered that they both like children. Hey, since I came to the Cove, wanna come over here? I'll show you the sights of Boston, and besides, we can stop Cath, Katie and Em from thinking we're a couple," offered Margaret.
"Sure, if it's ok with them. When do you want me to come?" asked Hawkeye.
"How about, say Wednesday?" asked Margaret.
"That's fine. Oh, better go, my next patient's here," said Hawkeye.
"Bye."
"Yeah, see ya!"
"Ok, bye."
"I'm hanging up."
"Ok, see ya."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"Hey girls, I asked Hawk if he wanted to come up. Is that ok with you?" asked Margaret in the mess.
"Hawkeye Pierce! Sure," squealed Cathy.
"Where will he sleep?" asked Katie slyly.
"The spare room," said Margaret sternly.
"Are you gonna keep to that?" asked Emily slyly.
"Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce is my friend, nothing more! I would greatly appreciate it if you three would stop insinuating that we are having an affair!" yelled Margaret.
"Okay, ok, touchy," muttered Cathy.
THE HOSPITAL WEDNESDAY MORNING
The entire hospital nursing staff were on high alert. Their Head Nurse (Margaret had been promoted) was bringing a man. This was the Head Nurse No Nonsense Houlihan. Cathy, Emily and Katie had told every member of the nursing staff that the man was none other than the Benjamin Pierce. All the nurses were glad for their Head Nurse (Even though quite a few were jealous of such a catch.)
Margaret was working in her office, fixing up some paperwork.
"Hello! Everyone's favourite doctor is here!" said a familiar voice in her ear.
"Hawkeye! Don't do that!" said Margaret, turning around and facing him.
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you!" teased Hawkeye.
"You didn't scare me!" retorted Margaret hotly until she realised that she had let him get her goat. She laughed ruefully.
"Tease!" she said.
Hawkeye grinned in acknowledgement.
Margaret smiled at him.
"You all might as well come in so you don't start hearing things," said Margaret, her back to the door.
The door opened and the nursing staff that weren't on duty crept in guiltily.
"Hawkeye, the nursing staff, ladies, Hawkeye Pierce," said Margaret.
"Hello," chorused the nursing staff.
"Hi," said Hawkeye somewhat uncertainly.
"Hawk, my shift ends in about five minutes. You know the coffee shop on Frankfurt Lane? Yeah, meet me there ok?" said Margaret, noting his unease.
"Sure. See ya in five," said Hawkeye, flashing her a grateful smile.
"Wow Margaret! You're lucky! He's so good-looking," said one of the nurses.
"I need something to play this message every time somebody says something like that, we are just friends," said Margaret slowly.
"Okay, okay. We'd better go, see ya Margaret," said the nurse.
Margaret sat down again. It was great seeing Hawkeye again after so long...but every time he smiled, she went all weak at the knees.
Hawkeye sat down at the coffee shop and ordered a cappuccino. It was really nice that he was seeing Margaret more...but every time she smiled or laughed, he just wanted to kiss her.
"Hey Hawk. Sorry I'm a bit late," said Margaret, dumping herself into the chair opposite Hawkeye.
"Um, Margaret, I've been thinking, it's uh, been great to see you and uh I've been thinking about taking that job. It's a bit cumbersome for you to travel to the Cove and back and I thought if I live here it'll be less of a bother. Only if it's okay though," said Hawkeye awkwardly.
"Hawk no! Don't leave Crabapple Cove! You love it there. I was thinking about working as a nurse either in your clinic-cos you don't have one-or at the hospital there. Besides the Cove's heaps nicer than Boston," said Margaret.
"Are you sure? I mean, all your friends are here," said Hawkeye, privately pleased she liked his home so much.
"I'll make new ones," countered Margaret.
"Cool! You can live with us!" said Hawkeye happily.
They made plans for the move.
"Cathy, Katie, Em, it's been great living with you, thanks," said Margaret as she packed.
"Where are you going? Was it something we said?" asked Katie in concern.
"No, I'm moving to Crabapple Cove. Not because Hawk and I are having an affair but because the Cove is nicer than Boston," said Margaret.
"Oh. Here, let me help," said Cathy.
WELCOME BACK MARGARET!
"Hi Margaret! Welcome back!" said Toby as Margaret and Hawkeye walked to the Pierce Practice.
"Hi Toby, thanks," said Margaret.
"See ya!" said Toby.
Margaret and Hawkeye made a funny pair in surgery. Margaret pretended to be a stern mother and Hawkeye pretended to be the naughty child for the children that came through. All the patients loved it. With the adults, they were good friends.
DAD, CAN YOU HELP?
"What's wrong son?" asked Daniel as he washed up. Hawkeye was sitting dejectedly on the couch. Margaret had gone to visit Jane.
"Nothing Dad," lied Hawkeye.
"Son, what is wrong?" asked Daniel in concern.
"Margaret," whispered Hawkeye.
"Are you in love with her?" asked Daniel.
"I don't know! I don't know," said Hawkeye in despair.
"How do you feel about her?" asked Daniel.
"It's like she's a candle. She makes everything all right. When she smiles I want to kiss her. When she laughs at something I say, I'm happy. When she's happy I am. It sounds really soppy and stupid, but that's the way she makes me feel," said Hawkeye.
"It sounds like you've got an incurable disease son," said Daniel gently.
"What?" asked Hawkeye.
"Love. It sounds like you're head over heels in love with her. My advice? Talk to her. Tell her how you feel son."
I LOVE YOU (FINALLY)
"Margaret?" asked Hawkeye. They were in Hawkeye's office, working on some bills.
"That's my name, that's what they call me," quipped Margaret. Looking up, she saw the solemn expression on Hawkeye's face.
"What's up Hawk?" she asked softly.
"I have an incurable disease," replied Hawkeye.
"What?" asked Margaret sceptically.
"C'mere and I'll tell you," said Hawkeye, drawing her to the back of the room, beyond the view of the front windows.
Margaret came confused.
"What?" asked Margaret.
Hawkeye drew her into his embrace and lowered his head and kissed her.
Margaret wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Daniel watched through the connecting door's window from his son's office to his. And smiled, and left them alone.
Hawkeye and Margaret broke off the kiss.
"Margaret, I love you. If you don't love me then I'll let you be," he said; his voice hoarse with emotion.
"Silly. Of course I love you," said Margaret, and pulled his head down for another kiss.
A knock came at the door.
"That'll be Tommy, in for his check up," said Hawkeye reluctantly.
"We'd better go," said Margaret. They pulled apart grudgingly.
"Hello Tommy, you been a good boy for your dad?" asked Hawkeye, opening the door.
"Yeah!" said Tommy.
Toby followed his son into the office.
Hawkeye and Margaret gingerly pulled off the bandage on Tommy's leg.
"Good, it's healed well," said Hawkeye, pleased.
"All you gotta do Tommy is not break that scab ok buddy?" asked Hawkeye.
"Yes Dr Hawk," said Tommy.
"Good. Toby, if the scab breaks, bring him back," said Margaret.
"Yes ma'am," said Toby, saluting.
"Say, Toby," said Hawk.
"What is it Hawk? Shoot," said Toby. Margaret and Hawkeye winced. "Sorry."
"Wanna bring your folks to dinner?" asked Hawkeye.
"Sure, when?" asked Toby.
"Thursday," replied Hawkeye, "Oh and tell Dickie too please Tobe."
"Will do Hawk. See ya," said Toby, leaving with Tommy.
They watched as the door closed behind them.
"Where were we?" asked Hawkeye, grinning.
"Right about...here," said Margaret before kissing him.
YEAH WELL I LOVE YOU
Margaret and Hawkeye were walking along the beach the following night.
Hawkeye knelt on the sand before Margaret and took out a small box.
"Margaret Jane Houlihan, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" asked Hawkeye timidly.
Margaret smiled shyly.
"Yes," she replied, helping him up. Their lips met. No talking was done for a long time.
WEDDING
Hawkeye and Margaret got married in a big wedding which all of Crabapple Cove was invited to. Margaret's father was furious that she was marrying a Captain, so he refused to attend. Margaret's mother, on the other hand, was thrilled that her darling was getting married-and to such a good-looking man too!
ALL PERSONNEL STANDBY FOR PART TWO
Hope you liked it! Coming up next, part two!