A/N-I'm back! I was going to just make this a one-shot, but I had a request to make this H/M, and some want more Donald, and some just want more H/M in general, so I thought I'd continue. So here it is! I hope you like it! There's still more coming, don't worry! Special thanks to Baby Penobscott, Falcon, and HM writer and all posters on the BCA fanfic message board for their encouragement. Please R and R!
Margaret Houlihan was still steaming when her jeep arrived at the 4077th, almost hitting the sign with its motto, "Best Care Anywhere". The young Corporal glanced over nervously at the Major beside him, and was surprised and greatly relieved when she didn't react. He'd heard about Major Houlihan, and the scuttlebutt was that she was very no-nonsense and stern and he figured that running a Major into a signpost probably wasn't something she'd accept.
Margaret was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the Corporal's driving or his scared looks in her direction. She still couldn't believe that Donald would say those things to her. Sure, in the past she'd been promiscuous-to put it politely-but never while she was married. Well...there was that one time, but that was different. Wasn't it? Margaret shook her head. No. She wasn't going to think of him at all right now, especially in that way. Margaret Houlihan is going to look out for herself, now. She didn't need any man to swoon over, and to whom she had to cater to his every whim. Ugh, how flaky she must have sounded when she was engaged to Donald, going on and on about his being a Lieutenant Colonel, and his body and all that nonsense. It's no wonder the nurses didn't respect her. All that was about to change. Major Houlihan was back in charge of her life, and damn anyone who got in her way.
The jeep stopped with a lurch, bringing Margaret back to the present. She scowled at the Corporal, who was looking somewhat sheepish.
"Sorry about that, Ma'am."
"Get my bags, corporal, and put them in my tent, please." Margaret climbed out of the jeep and dusted off her dress uniform.
"Yes, Ma'am. Sorry about the rough ride, Ma'am. I'm not used to these jeeps yet."
"That's all right, corporal, and you're dismissed after you're through with my luggage."
"Oh, okay...um...thank you, Ma'am, have a nice day." He saluted her, which she returned, and then left the corporal to his duties as she went towards Colonel Potter's office.
Margaret went into Radar's office. Unfortunately, he wasn't there. But he was. Hawkeye. Margaret sighed inwardly. Why is it the last person you want to see is always the first person you see? Margaret tried to remain stoic. She brushed by Hawkeye and his clipboard and headed towards Colonel Potter's office.
"He isn't in, Margaret." He spoke just as she opened the double doors and seen that the Colonel was absent.
"I can see that, Captain." Margaret said, exasperated. She really didn't want to talk to Hawkeye right now. There was too much confusion inside, feelings that she hadn't sorted out yet, and didn't want to, at least not right now anyway. "Where is he?"
Hawkeye didn't look up from his notes. "He's out riding Sophie. He told me about a half hour ago that he'd been back in two hours. I think he was going to the orphanage." Hawkeye finally looked up at Margaret. "And if you're looking for Radar, good luck. He went off to the Officer's club a while ago muttering something about filling out a requisition form in triplicate to order more requisition forms in triplicate." He smiled slightly. "I don't think he'll be back here anytime soon, unless it's to fall into bed."
"And what are you doing in here?" The words came out a lot harsher than Margaret wanted.
Hawkeye looked confused.
"What am I doing here? I had finished up my rounds and was headed back to the Swamp when I realized I forgot to write a note on Private Johnson's chart." He gestured with the clipboard he was holding. "So I came back to write it down, and decided to use Radar's office as it was quiet, and I wasn't planning on being here that long. Does that reply meet to your satisfaction, Major? I wasn't aware that I needed a pass signed by my CO to be in the company clerk's office." Margaret didn't reply. Hawkeye gathered up his papers and made his way towards post-op. He stopped at the door.
"For someone who just spent some R and R with her husband in Seoul, Margaret, you're awfully cranky." Now Margaret was really getting mad.
"It's none of your business, Captain, what Donald and I did in Seoul. And it's Major to you, buster." Margaret knew that her anger was not towards anything Hawkeye said, really, but the fact that he could always see right through her. She could see a glimmer of hurt in his eyes as he stared at her before he replied.
"I didn't ask what you and Donald did on your R and R, and you're right, It's none of my business. I'm sorry, Major. I just thought maybe if something's bothering you, you'd want to talk about it to someone who does give a damn about you, unlike your sweetheart, Donald Penobscott." Margaret could only stare back at Hawkeye, unable to speak. Hawkeye continued. "And Margaret?" Hawkeye smiled. "If you ever need to talk, you know where to find me." And with that, Hawkeye went back into post-op to deliver his chart.
Margaret thought fast. She had to get out of there. She quickly put her traveling papers on Colonel Potter's desk and got out of there as fast as she could. She crossed the compound quickly, went to her tent and closed the door behind her. She sat at her bed, confused. The thoughts she had been trying to quell all day filled her head, combined with the events that had just happened in the office. It was giving her a headache, all these thoughts. Maybe she would take a nap. Margaret laid down on her bed to rest, but sleep was a long time coming for a troubled Major.