Margaret stood on the front porch of a small house, situated snugly between woods and rocky cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The door opened slowly and Margaret smiled awkwardly.

"Good grief Margaret you look terrible; come in." Daniel smiled, took her bags and she followed him inside the house.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as he took Felicity out of her arms. He had only seen Felicity once before; while Margaret was still in the hospital. He treated her like his own granddaughter. Margaret leaned up against the wall and tried to decide what to tell him. She was not even sure why she had come.

"Hawkeye…um…he," Margaret stopped talking and let Daniel lead her to a chair. She sank into the cushions gratefully and looked at Daniel. He looked remarkably like his son, especially his eyes. Margaret recalled how those same eyes had glared hatefully at her the night before and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Hawkeye was at my apartment last night." She whispered. Margaret watched Daniel curiously. He did not act the least bit surprised by her last statement.

"Something was wrong and he wouldn't tell me what it was and then we started fighting and…" Daniel laughed slightly and Margaret stared at him. What was wrong with him?

"Margaret you look very tired; why don't you go take a shower and get some sleep." He suggested kindly. Margaret nodded; she was too tired to try to explain everything to him.

Daniel picked up her suitcase, still holding Felicity in his other arm and led her up the stairs. He showed her a spare room, and pointed out where the towels were.

"I'll be downstairs with this little one if you need anything." Margaret nodded and headed for the bathroom. She quickly stripped off all her damp clothes and climbed into the shower. She stayed in only ten minutes; she would have liked to taken longer but she was afraid she would fall over if she did not get sleep soon. She dried her hair and pulled on her robe before shuffling across the hall to the guest bedroom. She collapsed onto the bed.

A soft ocean breeze drifted in through the window, the curtains fluttering gently. Margaret sighed and smiled slightly. Right as she was drifting to sleep, she heard angry voices outside of the window. She ignored it for a moment but then she recognized one of the voices as Daniel's. She pried herself off the bed, walked quietly to the window, and pulled the curtains aside. Two figures were walking away from the house, as they were arguing. The instant Margaret saw them she recognized the second man as Hawkeye.

She rolled her eyes and groaned, crossed the room, and lay back on the bed, closing her eyes she tried to block out the worry of her uncertain future.

Margaret awoke suddenly and rolled over onto her stomach. She felt sick and she was sweating profusely. She shakily stood up and got dressed. She was so tired of the nightmares.

It was dark outside; Margaret guessed it to be around nine o'clock. Margaret glanced in frustration at her hair; she had been too tired to do anything with it and now it was a curly, tangled, mess. She ran a comb through it and headed downstairs.

Hawkeye stood up nervously when Margaret walked into the living room. Daniel stayed seated as he was holding a sleeping Felicity; invited her to sit beside him but instead Hawkeye walked over to her and grabbed her hand.

"Come on," he said gently. Margaret remained silent, wondering at his change of attitude. He led her outside and they began to walk towards the cliffs, Hawkeye still held her hand tightly.

"I'm sorry for being such a jerk last night." He said finally. Margaret made no comment; waiting for him to explain himself.

"On the fourth of July we had a celebration at the beach. On the way back…" he sighed and shook his head. "Well, I caused a woman to kill her baby. I went a little crazy for a while."

They had reached the cliffs and Hawkeye sat down on the grass, letting his legs hang over the edge. Margaret sat down beside him, horrified at what he had just said. What was he talking about? What happened?

Hawkeye twisted his body so he was looking at her face. "Felicity is beautiful Margaret but it's just hard for me…" He sighed and shook his head as he stood up. He began to walk back towards the house but Margaret jumped up and grabbed his arm.

"Hawkeye I don't know what happened but I want to help."

He smiled and Margaret noticed the old familiar twinkle spark into his eyes. "Well I can think of something that would help…," he said suggestively.

Margaret smiled brightly, she was glad to see the Hawkeye she knew back again. "Not a chance." She replied firmly. They both laughed and Margaret allowed Hawkeye to wrap an arm loosely around her shoulder.

"Come on Hot Lips, let's get you some food." Margaret smiled and they headed back to the house. Margaret was still worried about him but she knew that as long as she could keep him open he would be fine.

Hawkeye watched Margaret carefully as she bit into the sandwich he had made her. She looked up and nodded approvingly.

"You're right; you do have talent." He smiled but said nothing. Instead, he studied her as she ate. She looked so different from what he remembered. Her hair was a much darker, more natural shade of blonde and surprisingly her features seemed to soften. He supposed it was because she had gained a little weight but he thought she looked lovely.

Daniel had gone to bed, leaving Margaret and Hawkeye alone to talk. Felicity was asleep, lying on blanket in the middle of the floor.

Margaret noticed Hawkeye staring at her and she raised her eyebrows suspiciously. "What do you want?" she teased.

"Why are you always so suspicious?" He asked, feigning innocence.

"Because you have a dirty mind." Margaret replied quickly. Hawkeye shrugged and smiled.

"I come by it honestly." He said jokingly. Margaret laughed; it was true. From what she knew about Daniel he seemed liked he was exactly like his son.

"I don't know how your mother put up with you two." Margaret said while laughing. She regretted it the moment it was out of her mouth. She was forever speaking before she thought and it always got her in trouble.

Hawkeye tried to smile but Margaret could almost see the melancholy thoughts creping into his mind.

"You would have liked her." He said simply. Margaret nodded and awkwardly stared at her sandwich.

"I'm glad you're here Margaret." She nodded uncomfortably and Hawkeye continued. "You will stay for a while wont you?"

"I don't know Hawk…"

"Please? I'd like someone to talk to and my dad just wouldn't understand." He said seriously. Margaret looked up in shock; she was not sure if she had ever heard Hawkeye speak so honestly about his feelings. She knew what he meant; they had gone through hell together and survived, no one else would be able to understand the scars that they still carried with them.

"Yeah, I'll stay." Hawkeye smiled and stood up. He quickly jogged up the stairs. "'Night Major-Baby." He called. Margaret smiled and finished her sandwich before gathering up Felicity and heading up the stairs.