A big thanks to all my reviewers! I'm sorry I have been so bad at responding but we're moving so things have been very hectic! I think this will be my last update for a while, because I'm not too sure if I'll have computer acsess for the next two weeks. Sorry...

Major-Baby

Margaret angrily shrugged off Hawkeye's hand as she walked down the large hallway, her dress heels clicking noisily on the tiles. The pair made their way into room 102 and sat down to wait.

Soon, General Bradley Parker entered and was followed by two MPs and a very disgruntled Major Burns. The General leafed through a small file and then the trial began.

Two hours later Margaret found herself holding her breath as the General gave his decision.

"After much careful consideration I find the defendant, Major Frank Burns, not guilty of the charges of rape and attempted murder."

Suddenly the room felt very hot and Margaret's head began to swim. She felt like she was about to collapse when Hawkeye protectively grabbed her hand.

"General how the hell can you…"

The General shook his head and sighed. "Captain, there is not enough evidence to convict Major Burns."

Margaret glanced at Hawkeye who was now a deep shade of red. "How much more evidence do you need?"

"Captain, you didn't actually see him rape Major Houlihan. Nor do you have any way of knowing whether the shot fired was intentional. Now, Major Houlihan's testimony is marred by the simple fact that she is known to be very close to Major Burns. Who is to say whether or not this was just a date that went bad?"

Hawkeye took a step toward the General but Margaret refused to let go of his hand. She was staring straight ahead of her, her eyes wide. Hawkeye sat down and squeezed her hand comfortingly.

"Uh general," It was the first time Frank had spoken in quite a while. "I would like to press charges towards Captain Pierce."

"Frank have you lost your mind?" Hawkeye shouted. "You already won, now get the hell out of here."

"Just a moment Captain; what seems to be the problem Major?" The General asked as he seated himself back at the desk.

"This pervert jumped me as I innocently made my way out of the tent. I was unconscious, he wanted to kill me!" The general sighed.

"Assaulting a superior officer is a very serious charge Captain Pierce. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Hawkeye stood up and walked over to the general's desk, trying his hardest to keep his temper under control. His mind traveled over the events of that evening and his blood began to boil.

"General are you married?" Hawkeye asked suddenly.

General Bradley snorted and rolled his eyes. "I don't see what this has to do with the charges Captain."

"Are you married?" Hawkeye repeated firmly.

"Yes."

"If you came home and found a man inside your house, holding your naked wife at gunpoint; what would you do?"

The general looked uncomfortably at his hands and tried to form an answer.

"I'd make sure he never saw daylight again."

Hawkeye smiled in satisfaction. "Now let's say he hadn't raped her, he had been on a date with her, and she decided she wanted him to leave. Would you still tear him apart, or at least want to?"

Again, the General nodded, he looked convinced, but then he frowned. "There's a slight problem there Captain. You are not married to Major Houliahn."

Hawkeye chuckled cynically. "No, but I care about her a great deal. In fact, I…" Hawkeye's voice trailed off as he looked at Margaret. She was staring at her lap, her fingers twitching nervously. "I love her," he whispered, no one hearing the confession but him.

The General thought the matter over and nodded. "Well I suppose it was in defense of the Major, so you're free to go Captain."

Hawkeye rolled his eyes and held out his hand to Margaret. He helped her up and wrapped an arm protectively around her shoulders as he walked her past Frank, who was smirking at them.

Margaret stared blankly ahead, refusing to look up. Just as they were exiting the room, she glanced up at Frank who flashed a victorious smile. Margaret's knees went weak and if it were not for Hawkeye's arm around her, she would have collapsed.

Hawkeye wisely kept a firm grip on her, led her outside, and helped her into the waiting jeep.

Hawkeye tried to talk to her but Margaret refused to acknowledge his presence. She simply stared straight ahead, keeping her back straight and her head raised in defiance of her emotions.

They arrived at camp a little before midnight. Margaret hopped out of the jeep and hurriedly walked to her tent. Hawkeye wearily pulled himself out of the jeep and headed for the swamp. Once inside he peeled off his jacket and loosened his tie, he was just about to take off his shirt when he anxiously peered across the compound towards Margaret's tent. He sighed and crept outside and headed for her tent. He knocked lightly but when there was no answer, he let himself in.

Margaret was seated on her cot, still in full uniform staring at the floor. When her door opened, she jumped up and backed up, to the far wall.

"Margaret calm down, it's me." Hawkeye said gently, making his way over to her. Margaret glared at him, then turned and began to brush her hair, pointedly ignoring him. Hawkeye rolled his eyes and grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him.

Margaret's eyes flashed with anger but when she was Hawkeye refused to relent her expression slowly softened. Hawkeye pulled her into his arms and moments later, he could feel her shoulders shaking with sobs.

He held her for a moment, stroking her hair gently before he led her to her cot.

"I'm scared," she choked out. I'm so scared."

"I know you are, it's going to be okay, I promise." Hawkeye moved apart from her, although he still kept one arm around her waist.

Margaret angrily wiped away her tears, upset with herself for crying, although it had only been less than a minute.

"It's okay to cry Margaret."

Margaret shook her head and tried to smile. "No it's not; I scare myself when I cry." Hawkeye smiled; glad to hear her talking again.

They were quiet for a moment before Margaret spoke up, saying something that had been nagging at the back of her mind since the trial.

"You really do care don't you?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hawkeye nodded and stood up. "You bet I do." He began to make his way to the door when Margaret called out to him.

"Hawkeye, I was wondering… do you think… um I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but…" Margaret began to stumble over her words, her face turning bright red.

Hawkeye smiled brightly. "Of course I'll stay." He walked back to her, kissing her forehead lightly. "Night Major, don't let the bedbugs bite," he grinned mischievously and added, "Or me."

Margaret's smile widened as she tried pathetically to frown. "You will be sleeping on the floor Captain," she said sternly as she handed him two blankets and a pillow.