Pierce smiled in anticipation. He had wiped himself out that morning trying to put together some last-minute plans for a dance. He was anxious to tell the nurses, especially Margaret. He had seen her cry all last night and now he wanted to see her laugh and smile.

"Sheesh Hawk, calm down." BJ said to him, laughing. "What's with you today?"

"I'm just looking forward to tonight that's all." Hawkeye replied innocently. BJ rolled his eyes. He knew there was something his friend wasn't telling him. Hawkeye didn't normally get this excited over a dance. Even if he had a date and as far as BJ knew he had asked none of the nurses. BJ felt Hawkeye shift excitedly next to him. He looked up and followed his friend's gaze. Margaret was walking toward the mess tent.

Hawkeye continued to watch her as she received her food and walked over to the nurses. He raised one eyebrow and watched her curiously. Was she actually trying to be friendly to the nurses? She sat down and smiled and they stared at her. Hawkeye tried his hardest not to laugh. "Poor Margaret!" She was turning a million shades or red. Hawkeye decided to try and bail her out. He stood up and walked over to them.

"Hello ladies." He said pleasantly. He continued on, telling them about the dance. He watched Margaret out of the corner of his eye for her reaction. He was a little hurt to see her bite her lip and sigh. "Oh well, it might not be the dance."

After filling the nurses in on the details he followed Margaret outside.

"Are you coming to our dance Hot Lips?"

She angrily told him to leave her alone. Hawkeye was surprised, but he knew there was more to her bad mood that she was letting on.

"Not until you promise to go with me." He said it almost hopefully. He smiled as he saw the expression on her face change from anger, to shock and then to warmth. He told her to be ready at seven and then walked towards the swamp.

Later that evening as Hawkeye prepared for the dance, he was trying to sort through his feelings. He didn't know what to do. He was really beginning to care for Margaret. He knew he worried about her almost constantly. However, he felt it was a bad idea to get too close. She was still married, although he knew it wouldn't be for long.

He opened up his foot locker and pulled out his tuxedo. The jewelry box was wrapped in it and tumbled to the floor. Hawkeye sighed and picked up the box. He opened it, staring at the rings. In the lid there was a piece of paper folded several times. He unfolded it and began to read it.

Dear Son,

I am enclosing with this letter your mother's ring. I found it exactly where you said it was. I haven't been up in that tree house in years. It brought back so many memories. As did seeing this ring. It seems like only yesterday I was placing it on her hand. I can't imagine it looking half as lovely on anyone else's. I was shocked when she gave it to you, I remember yelling at you and I apologize for that. It seems silly apologizing after so many years, but still…I never think I told you before, but it scared me when she gave you that ring. It was like she was giving up. Anyway… (Sorry, I didn't mean to get so melancholy.) I am also giving you my wedding band. If you wanted the ring for the reasons I think you do…you will also need a ring for yourself; and I'll be happy to donate mine. (I WANT GRANDCHILDREN!) Call me selfish, fine. I don't care. I hope this girl is what your mother would have wanted. Make sure that you couldn't live without her! I love you and miss you, ---Dad

Hawk's eyes misted as he thought about the night his mother died. She called him over to her. She took off her ring and pressed it into his small hand.

"Give this to the girl you means more to you than anything else in the world." She whispered. "Make sure that you couldn't live without her."

At ten, the idea of loving a girl that much was rather strange, still he remembered what she said. She died that night, and when Hawkeye and his father returned home he ran to his tree house. He had often gone there to escape from the reality of what was happening to his mother. He pulled up one of the floorboards and placed the ring inside of a tin lunchbox, along with his most prized possessions.

Hawkeye smiled as he re-folded the letter. He placed it, along with his father's wedding band, back into his foot locker. He slipped the small box, with the other ring, into his pocket.

Hawkeye made his way over to the nurse's tent at seven-twenty. He had looked everywhere for Margaret and was beginning to worry. He knocked hurriedly on the door. Nurse Able opened the door and he smiled at her.

"Have you seen Maj. Houlihan? I've looked everywhere for her and I can't…"

"Captain," Margaret's voice called to him from inside the tent. "I'm right here." She laughed and came to the door. Hawkeye offered her his arm and the walked towards the mess tent. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. Her hair was curled loosely and was spilling about her shoulders. She had on a soft pink dress with matching shoes. He had no idea where she got these things, but she looked like a princess. She looked up at him and she smiled.

As he escorted her into the mess tent she gasped. He looked at her, his eyes shinning with excitement.

"How did you manage it?" She asked in amazement. He smiled.

"That's our little secret."

They danced together the entire night. He loved being so close to her. They were having fun. Margaret was a horrible dancer and they were tripping over everyone. Every time they touched it strengthened Hawkeye's resolve to tell her what he was feeling. Halfway through the last dance they tripped over a bench and went sprawling onto the floor. Margaret was laughing hysterically as they tried to disentangle themselves. Hawkeye brushed Margaret's bangs out of her eyes and smiled.

"I love you, Margaret." He almost said it. It was halfway out of his mouth but she looked behind him and frowned. He turned to see Radar standing over them.

"Uh Sir? I...uh...I mean…uh…Ma'm…er…Major? Um your hus…Uh I mean…Lt. Col. Penobscott is here to see you."