The dawn came faster than expected, turning the dark tent into a warm green cocoon. The man and the woman lay comfortably on the bed, her head on his chest. She broke the companionable silence with a question.
"Are you awake?"
"Mmm hmm."
"Have you ever been in love?" She asked, eyes on the ceiling.
Hawkeye paused before he answered.
"Yes, once."
"What happened?"
"She left. She haunts my thoughts."
"So, you will not love again?"
Hawkeye looked over at Aphasia in bed next to him.
"I think, with you, I could."
"No. You cannot." She said firmly.
"What? Why not?" He asked, propping himself up on his elbows and looking over at her.
"I do not want to haunt your thoughts."
A knock on the door startled both of them.
"Fasia? It's me, Walter. Are you awake?" At the sound of Radar's voice, even Hawkeye had the decency to feel guilty. Somehow, sleeping with the person you're supposed to be interrogating is frowned upon. Scrambling out of the bed, Hawkeye straitened his clothes and tried to look like he hadn't spent the night there.
"Come in, Walter." Aphasia said when Hawkeye was done primping. Radar opened the door with one foot, sliding into the room with a tray of food.
"I brought you breakfast. I hope you like..." Radar faded as he saw Hawkeye. Pierce didn't meet his eyes as he opened the door.
"Thank you for the information. I'll be back this afternoon." He said as he slipped out the door.
Hawkeye checked on his patients, and then made his way home to the Swamp. He was greeted by two unsmiling faces. Radar and BJ stood in identical poses, arms crossed and faces set.
"What's up, guys?"
"Where did you sleep last night?"
"If you must know, I was with one of the girls."
"Which one?"
"A gentleman does not kiss and tell."
"Since when? Hawkeye, you spent the night with her, didn't you?
"Who her?"
"Don't play cute. Radar saw you in her tent this morning. Don't tell me you made an early interrogation visit."
"Okay, I won't tell you."
"You want me to punch him?" Radar interjected, fists raised.
"You'd need a stepladder." Hawkeye said, pulling out his shaving kit.
"She's a spy, Hawkeye! How could you get involved with her?" BJ said, ignoring them.
"Nothing happened! Besides, what business is it of yours?"
"You're the commanding officer! How can you sleep with the enemy and expect no one to notice?"
"Leave me alone! I love her!" Hawkeye paled as he said the words, collapsing back into his cot. He covered his eyes with his arm.
"I love her." He whispered, realizing what had emerged. BJ and Radar looked at him incredulously.
"Love her? Hawkeye, you barely know her! She won't even tell us her real name! Or did you forget that little fact in the heat of, whatever it was you were in the heat of?" BJ screamed at him.
"Besides, I found her first!" Radar interrupted, prepared to fight for his claim. BJ and Hawkeye gave him identical looks of disbelief.
"She's not some pet that followed you home, and she's not a hot new nurse! She's a spy, and I suggest that neither of you forget it!" BJ cried, stomping to the door.
"She's off limits to both of you! From now on, Klinger and I will be the only ones to have contact with her! Understood?" BJ said as he slammed the door behind him and stormed off towards the VIP tent.
He reached her door and knocked harshly. Without waiting for an invitation, he strode in. She was brushing her hair, her back to him. He flushed and spun around when he saw her bare back and realized she didn't have a shirt on.
"Excuse me, I didn't expect..."
"It's quite alright." She said, and he could hear rustling. Her small hand touched his shoulder and he turned. She was fully dressed once more, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"You must have come here for a reason." She said, gesturing towards the chair as she limped back to her cot. He took a seat and folded his hands in front of him.
"You're causing quite a bit of trouble around here."
"Captain, if you will forgive me, you are married?"
"Yes I am." He said, surprised.
"You love her very much." She stated, certain.
"Yes, yes I do." His voice softened, thinking about Peggy.
"Good. Ben will not be jealous." BJ looked at her in confusion, and then it dawned on him who she was talking about.
"Hawkeye? You call him Ben? He lets you?"
"Yes. It is his true name, is it not?"
"Yah, but I've never heard him let anyone call him Ben." BJ shook his head, amazed at the power this woman had on Hawkeye. Then he remembered the topic at hand.
"He spent the night with you, didn't he?"
"Yes." She answered, unflustered. BJ stood and paced in front of her.
"Do you have any idea how much trouble he could get into for this? Do you care?"
"Trouble? We did nothing wrong."
"Maybe wherever you come from that's true, but an officer in the US Army having sex with a spy he's interrogating is not exactly regulations!"
"Sex? No, he slept with me." She said, looking curiously at the man jumping to conclusions. BJ stopped short, mouth hanging in astonishment.
"You mean he spent the entire night with you and didn't make a move?"
"We kissed, but then... something happened. He stayed with me. That's all."
"But, but he's Hawkeye, and he said he loved you..." BJ trailed off, sitting down to adjust his thoughts around the facts coming to light. Aphasia groaned. Covering her face with her hands, she shook her head.
"What?" BJ asked worriedly.
"Oh, no. I told him not to!" She whispered.
"Not to what?" BJ asked, voice rising.
"Not to fall in love with me!"
"Huh?"
"I don't want to hurt him again."
"Somehow, I think it's a little late for that. Besides, you've got bigger things to worry about." She looked up anxiously, and BJ smiled.
"Radar's in love with you, too."
"Walter? Oh, no!" She said, chuckling.
"Oh, yes. I think he was seriously going to deck Hawkeye this morning." BJ said, standing.
"I've got to go now. Thanks for telling me what happened. I'm going to have Klinger stay with you. He's a nice guy, and married, too, so no worries."
"Thank you, Captain."
"You're welcome. Hey, maybe you can talk to Radar? Explain a few things?"
"And Ben. I'll do my best."
"Hey, that's all you can do!" BJ said setting off happily, much relieved.
Aphasia and Klinger hit it off right away. She loved the colorful clothing he wore, and he loved a clean slate to play dress up with.
"How about this color, Max?"
"No, too pink. It needs to set off your hair. Ah, this is it!" He cried, pulling out a couple of yards of satiny emerald fabric.
"Oh! It's beautiful!"
"A beautiful color, for a beautiful woman."
"Oh, Max, you're so sweet. Are you sure you can make a dress by tonight?"
"Sure! The design we picked out is as simple as pie. I'll be done in a snap."
"Oh, thank you, Max." She said, fingering the fabric.
"Do you think he'll like it?" She asked, hopefully.
"He'd have to be blind not to! Besides, I've never had anyone turn down a Klinger Original." He said, grinning as he spun out the door with his arms full.
Hawkeye was kept extra busy, running from patient to lab and back again, doing a hundred little tasks that the lowest Private could have done. He should have been riled at the treatment, but every time his anger flared, Aphasia's face swam before his eyes. Besides, ever since he got her note, delivered personally by a grinning BJ, he'd been floating on air. Funny how a few words could change an entire day.
Dearest Ben,
I would be very pleased if you would accompany me to the mess tent this evening at 2300 hours.
Most Sincerely,
Aphasia
He sighed again reading the words. When he was finally relieved at 2200 hours, he scrambled to get ready in time. Hopping into the shower, he scrubbed in record time and practically flew to the Swamp. He hadn't felt this anxious since Prom night. As he walked into the tent, he was greeted by an unfamiliar sight. A very tidy tent and a smartly dressed BJ awaited him.
"What's going on?" Hawkeye asked as he pulled on the belt of his robe, feeling underdressed. BJ slid to the side and revealed a tuxedo, complete with black tie.
"You can't go in a dirty uniform, and this just came back from the cleaners, so..." BJ trailed off, grinning. Hawkeye's mouth hung open.
"But, but I can't wear boots..."
"Never fear, Radar was here!" BJ said pulling out a pair of wingtip shoes from under the cot. As Hawkeye got dressed, BJ fiddled with something in the corner. Hawkeye combed his hair over and straitened his collar. Turning to BJ, he asked the inevitable question.
"How do I look?"
"Hmm... You're missing something."
"What? I've got the tie, the shoes, I shaved. What else?" With a flourish, BJ tucked a paper flower into his lapel.
"Ah ha, you're complete." Hawkeye looked down at the flower critically.
"It's the first flower I've ever seen in that particular shade of blue."
"You can thank Klinger for that. He said, and I quote, 'It'll set off his eyes.' End quote."
"Oh, forbid it that I disagree with color coordinator Klinger, the man of the famed powder blue overcoat."
"Shut up and get moving. You're going to be late for your date."
"Why do I feel like this is a set up?"
"Probably because it is. Get moving." BJ said as he pushed him towards the door.
The walk to the VIP tent was silent and nerve-wracking. Hawkeye had hoped for an interruption, someone to comment on his outfit, something to break the tightly wound feeling in his chest. Instead, an eerie silence filled the camp. Hawkeye wondered if BJ hadn't confined everyone to quarters for the night. Reaching the door, Hawkeye swallowed hard and knocked. He straitened his jacket again, and heard a faint rustling from inside the tent. The door opened.
He usually hated the color green, but the emerald gown she wore was as close to Army green as a butterfly was to a moth. It set off her complexion perfectly, accentuating the auburn glow of her hair and making her ivory skin glow in the dim light of the moon. The dress was long and low cut, but not immodest. It showed just enough skin to make him swallow before he spoke.
"My lady." He said, bowing to her with a flourish.
"Ben." She whispered, looking him over appreciatively.
"You look wonderful." She said as she met his eyes.
"That's my line." He whispered, moving closer to her.
"Ahem." A throat cleared loudly and they turned to look. BJ held the door of the mess tent open, looking dapper in his white suit.
"Ah, I see dinner awaits." Hawkeye said, offering her his arm. She grasped it and they walked towards the tent slowly. Entering the tent, they both looked around in amazement.
"This isn't the way you always eat?" Aphasia whispered, astonished.
"Not hardly!" Hawkeye said, equally awed. A lone table sat next to the wall, white tablecloth draped aesthetically. Twin candles provided ambiance, and the tin plates and silverware had been shined to within an inch of their life. BJ showed them to their table.
"Ma'am." He said, pulling out her seat. She nodded her thanks. Hawkeye opened his mouth to ask one of the thousand questions that were spinning around his brain, but BJ put his finger to his lips and walked out.
"My, they're pulling out all the plugs." Hawkeye said, smiling at his date. She looked over his shoulder.
"Oh, no!" She said, laughing. Klinger came to their table, a wine bottle in his hand.
"May I offer you the house wine? 1951, an excellent year." Klinger asked, holding the bottle like a professional. Hawkeye affected an English accent.
"Why, that sounds delightful, my good man. Two glasses and leave the bottle!" Max grinned and winked at Aphasia, pouring the wine. Before they could take a sip, Radar came to the table, pen and pad ready.
"Hello, Sir, Madam. Can I interest you in our specialty this evening? A nice thick Spam steak accompanied by a pasta dish."
"That sounds delightful." Hawkeye said as Aphasia nodded.
"We'll both have the special, medium rare."
"Coming right up, Sir!" Radar said, scrambling back towards the kitchen.
"And to think, this morning he was ready to tear my head off." Hawkeye said, spreading his napkin on his lap.
"Yes, he and I had quite a talk. I think he understands." Aphasia said sadly.
"I hope so." Hawkeye said amorously. Aphasia looked up from her lap.
"Hawkeye, I..." He cut her off, raising his glass.
"To today." She swallowed her words and raised her glass to meet his.
"To today." The glasses touched with a clink and they drank.
After a delightful dinner of Spam, macaroni and cheese, and a cup of red Jell-O for dessert, Radar cleaned off the table, and BJ started the record player. Hawkeye and Aphasia had talked of inconsequentials, avoiding the issue between them. When the music started, Hawkeye saw yet another way to avoid the unspoken words. He stood and walked to her side.
"Would you care to dance?" He asked regally, bowing before her and holding out his hand.
"I'd love to." Her face fell as she looked down at her leg, hidden beneath the fabric of her dress.
"I can't." She said, disappointed. Hawkeye's grin didn't waiver.
"Trust me." He said.
She looked up at him, curiosity in her eyes, as she allowed him to help her to stand. He bent down and swept her into his arms. She clung to his neck for a moment, unsure if he could carry her without dropping her. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and looked into his, eye level for the first time. She kissed him, and, as they broke apart, he began to sway to the music. She leaned her head against his shoulder and held him tight as they swept across the dance floor to the crooning of Frank Sinatra.
"The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me
The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off-key
The way you haunt my dreams
No, no they can't take that away from me
We may never meet again, on that bumpy road to love
Still I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we dance till three
The way you change my life
No, no they can't take that away from me
No they can't take that away from me"
The guys had gone to bed some time ago and the music had ended, but Hawkeye and Aphasia still swayed to the music in their hearts. Hawkeye slowed and stopped. Aphasia raised her head from his shoulder. He set her down gently, and kneeled on one knee in front of her.
"Will you marry me?"
"I thought you didn't believe in marriage."
"I didn't."
"Who would marry us? You an officer, me a woman without a name."
"Father Mulcahy owes me a few favors. Anyway, he'll love an opportunity to do something besides the last rites. So, will you?"
"Yes. But you know they will come for me."
"I'd rather spend a day married to you than a lifetime with anyone else. I love you."
"I love you, Ben." She said, slipping to the floor beside him. They kissed until the sun illuminated the mess tent. Still holding her, Hawkeye whispered in her ear.
"We better get you home. Your father's likely to kill me."
"Not when I tell him we're engaged." She whispered back, smiling. They stood and walked back to her tent, enjoying the cool morning air and each other's presence.
"Shall we set a date?" Hawkeye asked, leaning against the door of the VIP tent.
"How about this afternoon? That is, if I can get another Klinger Original and you can find a priest in time."
"Wild horses couldn't stop us. Until then, mon cherie." Hawkeye said, kissing her hand.
"Until then, Ben." She said coyly, slipping into the tent and shutting the door behind her.
An hour later, Klinger came barging into the tent.
"I hear you need my services!" He cried happily, pulling out one delicate fabric after another.
"I never thought I'd have an opportunity to design a wedding dress, but here we are!"
"How did you hear so quickly?" Aphasia asked, amazed.
"Ah, the hotline. Father Mulcahy is the biggest blabbermouth you ever saw, until it comes to confessions that is. I've got to work fast if it's going to be ready by tonight. It may not be my fanciest gown, but it'll get the job done. This is the color." He said, pulling out the palest sea green fabric she had ever seen.
"It's not white, but it'll do!"
"It will be beautiful, Max. Thank you."
Hawkeye cleaned up his tux, polished his shoes, and bought a tiny gold ring from the local merchant. The shoes were on their third polish when BJ came in.
"You're going to wear the tux? Why not your dress uniform?"
"If I'm getting married, I'm getting married as me, not as some dolled up toy soldier. By the way, will you be my best man?"
"No can do, Hawk."
"What? Why not?"
"I'm giving the bride away."
"Ah, and the part of the angry father will be played by BJ Hunnicut."
"Yep. So who you going to ask?"
"Well, I can't ask Father Mulcahy, he's marrying us..."
"And you can't ask Klinger because he's the Matron of Honor."
"No!"
"Oh, yes."
"So who does that leave me? I could ask Hot Lips..."
"She'd kill you for suggesting it."
"Or Radar."
"Ah, there you go. Perfect! The Best Man is always in love with the Bride."
"Now what?" Pierce asked when he heard a knock on his door. Radar came in.
"Ah, Radar, just the, ahem, man I wanted to see!"
"Um, Sir, there's some MPs and a CIA agent here. They asked to see the commanding officer. They're waiting for you in the office." Hawkeye and BJ had twin looks of surprise and shock.
"Oh my God! They know! How could they know? Is the communications silence broken?"
"No, Sir. Still as silent as a church on Monday."
"They must be combing the area." BJ said logically.
"We've got to hide Aphasia! No one's told her yet, right?"
"Well, Klinger was there and he took off towards her tent..." Radar said.
"I've got to talk to her!" Hawkeye shouted as he ran out the door.