Margaret seated herself at the small desk in the corner of post-op. It was a little past midnight and she had a four-hour shift. She groaned as she heard the doors at the opposite end of the room open. Hawkeye was supposed to relieve BJ ten minutes ago; BJ went to look for him a few moments before.
"It's about time you got here," she hissed as she turned around.
"What do you mean darling?" Margaret groaned at Frank's whinny voice.
"Go away Frank," she ordered sternly.
Frank ignored her statement and trotted towards her like an eager puppy. "Margaret, I missed you last night," he whined as he pulled her close to him.
"Let go of me," Margaret tried to pull away but Frank tightened his grip on her. Margaret was shocked; she had always been able to slip away from him before.
"Frank you're disturbing the patients." She whispered frantically as a few soldiers began to look over in concern.
"Margaret why weren't you in your tent last night? I looked everywhere for you." Frank still kept a firm grip around her waist while Margaret tried to think of an answer that would set her free quickest.
"I don't wish to discuss last night." She stated firmly, looking towards the door. Where was Hawkeye?
"What is the matter Sugar?" Frank began again. Margaret rolled her eyes and looked away. Frank took that opportunity to kiss her firmly on the lips.
Margaret attempted to push him away as she sputtered angrily. "How dare you? Get away from me you lipless pervert!"
"Hey leave the lady alone!" one of the soldiers spoke up. Margaret flushed, wondering how long he had been awake. Frank quickly let go of Margaret and marched over to the corporal.
"What's your name corporal?" he asked snottily.
"Corporal Washington, sir," the boy responded strongly. Margaret was surprised that the boy did not seem to be backing down.
"I am Major Burns," Frank emphasized his rank, leaning in over the poor soldier. "Unless you can give me a darn good reason why you're sticking your big nose into my business, you will soon be Private Washington. Get my drift?"
The young man, Margaret guessed him to be no more than nineteen, looked Frank squarely in the eye.
"You were bothering the lady, sir. I think that is a very good reason, sir." Margaret smiled temporarily as the boy defended her, but she quickly began to panic as Frank's face turned a deep red.
"Oh yeah, who do you think you are?" Margaret rushed over to Frank as he stepped closer to the soldier.
"Come on Frank leave him alone," she pleaded.
"Stand up and fight like a man!" Frank ordered.
Margaret rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm. "Frank he's wounded now get out of here, you're causing a scene. Frank shoved Margaret away from him and she tripped over the cot and landed on the floor just as the door opened and Hawkeye stepped in.
"What on earth is going on?" he asked Frank as he pulled an embarrassed major off the floor.
Frank glared at Hawkeye and stormed out of the room. Margaret yanked her hand out of Hawkeye's and walked over to Corporal Washington to check his bandages.
"I'm terribly sorry about that corporal." She apologized. The young man did not answer; he was staring in shock at Hawkeye.
"Hey Matt," Hawkeye greeted solemnly. "What was up with Ferret Face?"
Matthew Washington chuckled and shrugged. "He was bothering this angel of mercy." He replied teasingly, causing Margaret to blush deeply and rush through changing his bandages.
"That she is," Hawkeye muttered quietly. "How have you been doing Matt?"
"Besides this you mean?" the boy asked, indicating the large bandage over his stomach.
"Yeah; how is the family and everyone?" Margaret noted that Hawkeye's voice had taken on an unusual, anxious tone.
Matt smiled and laughed, "Emily is fine."
Margaret hurriedly sat down at the desk and tried to pick up her paperwork where she had left off. Unfortunately, she could not bring herself to concentrate. She continuously found herself eavesdropping on the nearby conversation.
After about a half hour Hawkeye convinced the young man to go to sleep and he began to check on the other patients. When he was done, he pulled up a chair, facing Margaret and just began to watch her.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked uncomfortably after a few moments.
"What was Frank doing? Matt said he was bothering you but he didn't want to say anymore." Margaret thanked the boy inwardly for keeping his mouth shut and then she shrugged.
"Frank was just being… well, Frank."
"Is that all you can come up with?" he asked teasingly.
Margaret glared at him and leaned in over her paperwork trying her best to ignore him.
"I hope this means you are finally going to ditch Ferret Face." Hawkeye said seriously. Margaret looked up in surprise but said nothing. "You are too good for him Margaret."
At this point Margaret was desperately trying to control her feelings. She hastily stood up and glared at him. "My personal life is none of your concern Captain." She said icily. Hawkeye sighed and leaned back in his chair, watching Margaret casually check the patients. When she was done, she had no choice but to return to the small desk.
"How do you know Corporal Washington?" she asked nonchalantly. In truth, Margaret was dying to know who Emily was. She had seen the look on Hawkeye's face when the soldier had mentioned the woman; his entire face had lit up, his eyes took on a dazzling sparkle and it was all Margaret could do to keep herself from staring.
"He lives in my hometown. I was in Boston for a while and I met up with him again there."
Margaret tried to smile politely and she nodded. "Oh; is Emily his sister?" Margaret held her breath for his answer.
Hawkeye did not even try to stop a large grin from creeping over his face. "Yeah she is," he began, smiling in remembrance. "The prettiest girl you will ever see. Her hair is a deep, rich brown, and curly. She has huge brown eyes," Hawkeye trailed off and then shook his head and began again.
"She has freckles all over her and…"
Here Margaret cut him off; she could not take it anymore. "And I suppose she has an amazing body too? Am I right?" she asked coldly.
Hawkeye looked at her in surprise, his eyebrows raised. "Jealous Major?" he asked humorously. Margaret only glared at him and Hawkeye came very close to letting the matter drop, but he noticed a small twinge of hurt in her eyes.
"No, she doesn't have a great body." He explained, still maintaining his good-natured smile. "I suppose she will in another ten years, but for now I love her chubby little arms and legs."
Margaret's expression changed drastically. First, from one of complete shock, but then it quickly turned into embarrassment. She quickly stood up and spent the remaining three hours in a small chair at the opposite end of the room, refusing to acknowledge Hawkeye.
When nurse Able and Frank arrived to relieve them Margaret rushed outside ahead of Hawkeye. Hawkeye hurriedly followed to her tent and took a deep breath before rapping lightly on the door.