"There you go, Lieutenant, you're all set," Radar said, wiping dust off the desk in the VIP tent. It had been a few weeks since any Very Important People had visited the 4077th.

"Thank you Corporal O'Reilly," Amy said, smiling wanly. He reminded her of her next-door neighbour back home; he had a kind of cheerfulness about him that she found very comforting.

"Oh, you can call me Radar, everyone does."

"Cute nickname. What's it for?"

Radar blushed. "Uh well, sometimes I know things are gonna happen 'fore they happen."

"Really? Wow. I wish a had ESP."

"Oh, I don't know about that, I just sense things other people don't, I guess."

Amy smiled again. She couldn't quite bring herself to laugh yet, though she knew that under ordinary circumstances Radar was exactly the kind of person she would find amusing. "Well, thanks for your help, Radar."

"You're welcome Lieutenant. Goodnight."

Radar exited the tent, still blushing and smiling to himself. As he began to walk towards his office, he passed Major Houlihan.

"Radar, did you just come from the VIP tent?"

"Yes Major, straightaway, just then."

"Well, how is she? Is Lieutenant Clark still awake?"

"Yes ma'am but I wouldn't -"

"Don't tell me what you wouldn't, Corporal, I don't care what you wouldn't." Margaret said, her temper rising.

"No ma'am, I mean yes ma'am, but the Colonel said -"

"Oh, get out of my way, you idiot!"

"Yes ma'am."

………….

Amy heard the conversation outside and quickly switched off her light. She couldn't talk to anybody else tonight, it was just too much to take in. She lay there in the dark, eyes wide open, feeling a little guilty but pretending to be asleep. There came a knock at the door.

"Lieutenant Clark?" a female voice called. "I'm Major Houlihan. May I come in for a minute?"

Amy lay quiet and still. If she just stayed quiet…

"Amy? I'd like to speak with you if you'll let me in." The voice was unmistakeably stern, but quite kind at the same time. Amy turned over in bed and considered, for a brief moment, letting the Major in. She hesitated.

"Alright, I understand if you need some more time. But I'll be by again in the morning to see you, alright?" There came no answer. Major Houlihan looked down; there was sadness in her eyes for this young woman who'd been through so much already just to get here… But the Head Nurse in her couldn't help wondering how Clark would be when she had to deal with hundreds of wounded men. Would she fall apart?

"Goodnight Lieutenant," she said quietly, and began walking away.

"Goodnight Major," came the soft reply. Margaret smiled into the dark.