Hawkeye woke up slowly as the hot August sun beat on his back. He moaned and tried to shake the cobwebs from his head. His right arms had fallen asleep and he tried to stretch it but something was pinning it down. He looked to his right and smiled at the mop of curly, blonde hair. He ran his fingers through her tangled hair; he had never seen it this curly before, he liked it. Impulsively he gently kissed the top of her head.

"Hey Margaret," he whispered as he shook her gently. "Time to wake up." He said cheerfully as he shifted her body around.

Margaret moaned and swatted away his hand. Hawkeye chuckled and shook her again. "Go to hell." She muttered angrily. Hawkeye shrugged and stood up. He casually stretched his arms and then walked to the other end of the platform.

"Sorry folks there are wounded; choppers in ten minutes." Hawkeye shouted, imitating the all-too-familiar voice over the PA system at the 4077th.

Margaret pushed herself up and looked around her in bewilderment.

"Sorry about that Hot Lips," he said as he walked back to her and helped her up. "But I'm hungry and I want to go home."

Margaret nodded sleepily and ran her fingers through her hair. "What time is it?"

"I'm not too sure, my guess is around ten." He helped her climb down and they slowly began to walk back to the house.

"How did you sleep?" he asked cheerfully.

Margaret glared at him as she yawned. "Since when are you a morning person?"

Hawkeye laughed. "Since I do not have to wake up to bloody kids that resemble jig-saw puzzles. Now answer my question; how did you sleep?"

"Fine."

"No nightmares?"

"No nightmares," She confirmed.

Hawkeye smiled and wrapped his arm around her. "Good; me neither. I guess you're my good luck charm." He laughed and Margaret uncomfortably shook off his arm and quickly walked ahead of him towards the house.

Margaret entered the house, sweaty and out of breath. Daniel looked up from his seat at the kitchen and frowned. Margaret blushed and asked if Felicity was up yet. Daniel motioned to the living room and Margaret hurriedly dashed into the other room just as Hawkeye burst inside.

Daniel stood up and glared at Hawkeye before walking outside. Confused, Hawkeye followed his dad.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Daniel asked angrily.

"What did I do?" Hawkeye asked in puzzlement.

"Where were you all night?"

Hawkeye rolled his eyes. "Why are you treating me like a kid? I am a grown man and my private life is not any of your business!"

"It is when you are living under my roof!"

Hawkeye stared at his father, puzzling over his strange behavior. "When did you start caring about who I sleep with?" Hawkeye realized what he said and corrected himself.

"That's beside the point Dad; I didn't even sleep with her! I was showing her around!"

Daniel sighed and softened his tone. "That does not matter Son; I want you to stay away from her."

Margaret heard the two men shouting and she silently picked up Felicity and headed for the open window.

"Margaret is one of my best friends, why would I stay away from her?"

Felicity began to fuss and Margaret quickly hushed her and moved away from the window, but not out of earshot.

"Damn it Benjamin! Why can't you understand? Margaret has been through a hell of a lot this past year and she has a new-born to boot!"

"I have been through a hell of a lot too you know. Besides, the fact that she has a newborn is even more reason why I should stick around! She needs friends!"

"Not you," Daniel said determinedly.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Do you want the truth?"

"Yes!"

"Margaret does not need a man like you around. You are my son and I love you but I have seen you hurt too many women."

Hawkeye stepped closely to his father and stared him in the eyes. "I wouldn't hurt her for anything in the world." He seethed.

Daniel sadly shook his head. "Not intentionally, no…" he sighed and continued. "Hawkeye I just don't want her to get hurt, so if you won't stay away from her I am going to have to ask her to leave."

Margaret quickly ran up the stairs, ignoring any further words between the men. She pulled her suitcase down from the closet and quickly threw in her things. She struggled downstairs, juggling her suitcase, Felicity, and a diaper bag. She hurried out of the house and headed down the road. From what she saw the other night, it was a relatively short walk into town. However, it was a difficult walk because of the thick mud, a result of the heavy rain.

Almost fifteen minutes later Hawkeye pulled up beside her in his father's old Chevy truck.

"Hop in," he said, throwing open the passenger door. Margaret shook her head resolutely and Hawkeye stopped the truck, jumped out, pried her suitcase from her hands, and threw it in the back of the truck.

"Hop in," he repeated firmly. Margaret sighed and climbed into the truck. Hawkeye walked around to the other side of the truck and scrambled in. He sat for a moment, staring at the steering wheel and then he looked over at Margaret.

"How much of that conversation did you hear?" he asked solemnly.

Margaret shrugged, "Enough for me to leave before I was asked to."

"Margaret, you have to know I would never do anything to…"

"I know Hawkeye," she interrupted. "I think it is just best for me to go."

Hawkeye sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Is there any chance I could talk you…"

"No Hawkeye," she answered gently. "Thank you for everything, but no."

Hawkeye nodded and started the truck. They rode silently to the train station and Hawkeye helped her to the ticket counter and purchased her a ticket.

The train did not leave for another twenty minutes so Margaret settled in at a bench and Hawkeye sat beside her.

"You don't have to wait," Margaret said uncomfortably.

"Yes I do," he responded seriously, as he wrapped an arm around her. Margaret leaned into him.

"You will visit me wont you?" she asked, reminding Hawkeye of a lonely child.

"Of course I will; how could I forget about my favorite wife?" He said teasingly.

Margaret frowned. "You know we still have to…"

"I know," Hawkeye silenced her. "We will figure something out."

They sat silently until a bell rang, signaling that passengers could now board. Margaret stood up and Hawkeye grabbed her shoulder.

"Can I say goodbye to Felicity?" he asked nervously.

"Are you sure?" she asked in surprise.

"No, I am not sure; but can I?"

Margaret nodded and Hawkeye uncertainly reached for the tiny child. His hands trembled as he held her. Felicity opened her eyes and smiled, reaching for Hawkeye's face. Hawkeye slowly felt his nervousness melting away and he smiled.

"Hi angel," he whispered. His voice was hoarse and he did his best to hide it. "Take care of your mom for me alright?"

Felicity cooed in response and Hawkeye quickly kissed her forehead before handing her back to Margaret in relief.

"Goodbye Hot Lips." He smiled and walked quickly towards the truck as Margaret boarded the train.

"Oh Margaret," Margaret turned around to see Hawkeye hurrying back to her. He stopped right in front of her and chuckled nervously. "I forgot something," he explained nonchalantly.

Margaret naively looked up at him questioningly. "Oh, what did you…?"

She was cut off as Hawkeye leaned into to her and kissed her gently on the lips. By the time he broke the kiss he was already halfway to the truck. Margaret stared after him and he waved. Margaret hurried inside and sat down. She leaned up against the seat, clutching Felicity tightly. She closed her eyes in an attempt to control the emotions rising up inside of her.