Like Wildfire

Nurses Kelleye and Bigelow both entered the nurses quarters together talking about the fun they'd had that night. They both carried a cup of coffee that they'd picked up at the mess tent.

"...I just can't believe you didn't want to dance with him!" Said nurse Kelleye, laughing at the memory. She sat on her bed letting her aching feet rest for a while.

"Did you have a nice night?" Bigelow asked Rose.

"Oh, I stayed mostly. I went to the officers club for a little while, but... I didn't stay." Her voice sounded sad and Kelleye and Bigelow picked up on it, but didn't comment.

"Well you're coming with us next time we go to Rosie's." Kelleye said firmly. "Have you been yet?"

"No, Hawkeye said he'd take me but..."

"Hasn't got round to it yet, right?" Bigelow said.

"Something like that, yeah."

The door opened as a forth nurse entered the tent. Nurse Abel sat on the bunk next to Kelleye. "You guys left too early, you missed all the fun tonight." She said

"Not another drunken fight." Bigelow said, tired of the constant fist-fights they had there.

"Well, not exactly. I didn't catch it all 'cause I was at the back, but Hawkeye and Major Houlihan had a huge fight. Really laying into each other." Abel told them, now being the center of attention in the small tent.

"Well, why? What did they say?" Kelleye asked curiously. She'd always liked Hawkeye, both professionally and personally. They weren't exactly compatible in any other way, but at least when Hawkeye realized that Kelleye had feelings for him, he made an effort. She had a soft spot for his for that alone. Major Houlihan on the other hand was much more professional and didn't ever seem to get too friendly with the nurses. She was better than she once was, but still not a person you could take your problems to.

"Oh, I don't know what it was about, but it got real personal. She was saying about his way with the nurses, he hit back with how she slept with all the generals. It was pretty nasty. Anyway, when he said that to her, she slapped him."

The nurses all looked as shocked as each other, not believing what they'd heard.

"Are you serious?" Bigelow asked.

"Oh, yeah. She went to take a second shot at him too, but Colonel Potter was there and he stopped her. Well, Hawkeye stormed outta there with BJ and Winchester after him and then Margaret sloped off with the Colonel and Father Mulcahy. I couldn't believe it. Nearly everyone left after that."

"I'm on a shift with Major Houlihan tomorrow, Hope she's in a better mood." Bigelow said softly.

"Are you kidding, she'll be in a foul mood after that." Abel said.

"I always thought those two got on quite well." Kelleye said a little sadly.

"Not any more I guess." Bigelow said. It didn't surprise her too much. She'd seen it all so many times. Friends turn on each other because of the stress they were under from this damn war. It made her sick when she first noticed it. She was indifferent to it now.

"They've always been like that. Sniping at one another one minute and then closest friends the next." Abel agreed.

Gaby stood up and moved to the door to leave.

"Where are you going?" Kelleye asked her.

"I need to talk to someone." She said, then left the three women behind her.