A/N: Okay, maybe that wasn't as quick as I'd hoped! I've been away from the computer for a while, but I've been coming up with ideas. Thanks to 4077th Hawk (by the way, are you ever on the BCA board?), firebirdgal, and Hawk's Soul for your reviews! To those who are reading but not reviewing, I've set it so anonomous (spelled wrong!) reviews work. Even a "it's horrible, it hate it, eat your socks" is crucial to my writing!

After the letter to Clark with my ring, Mother sent dozens of letters. I'd asked Klinger not to give them to me, though, so I had no clue what was going on at home. Elliot and Dad weren't writing, probably because Mother looks at all outgoing mail and weeds through it.

One evening at six, I was writing in my journal when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said.

It was Hawkeye.

"May I come in?" he said.

"Sure," I said, closing the book and sitting up.

"Would you think I was a jerk if I would ask you to come to the mess tent and get some dinner?" asked Hawkeye. "Margaret kind of told me what was going on--but she was real fuzzy on details."

"I wouldn't think you were a jerk at all," I said softly.

I stood up and held out my arm. Hawkeye took it and we exited the tent.

"You don't have to do this," I said to him. "What exactly did Margaret tell you?"

"That you were all jumbled up about Clark and the ring...and me."

I blushed. "What ABOUT you?"

"That you cared about me very much."

Thank you, Margaret, I thought gratefully. It would have been too embarassing if she would have walked up to Hawkeye and said, "Jaclyn is in love with you so you should ask her to dinner."

Hawkeye opened the door for me and I grinned at him. Usually I didn't see the "gentleman" side of the captain.

Klinger escorted us over to a private table. "I'll bring you the special of the house in a moment, sir and madam."

"Very good," I said with a smile.

There was silence after Klinger left.

"I wonder..." I trailed off.

"What?" Hawkeye asked.

"Nothing." I shook my head. "It'll spoil the evening."

"Say it," said Hawkeye.

I sighed. "If Clark knew why I broke the engagement he would kill me."

"You aren't serious," Hawkeye said. "About the killing part."

"I am, partly," I told him. "Clark was...is...very protective of his prizes. If anything came between him and what he wanted, he would become violent, and aggressive. He knocked the tooth out of a kid at the Valentine's Day dance because he said hi to me."

"What a creep."

I nodded. "I agree with you, and I'm sorry I had to drag you into all this crap."

"Your dinner, diners!"

Klinger re-emerged with two trays. "Enjoy."

Hawkeye and I talked through dinner, and before we knew it, it was midnight.

"Thank you for the wonderful night and dinner," I said to Hawkeye. "That was the best food I've ever had here."

"This was the best night I've ever had here," Hawkeye said.

I looked at him. "It was the best night I've had too."

And before I knew what was happening, we kissed.