Author's Note: A big thank you to everyone who followed/favorited this story. I also appreciated the reviews I received. A shout-out to Assilem who made my day by telling me she was actually craving my writing. (I can't tell you how much that meant to me. Thank you!) Here is the second chapter of this relatively short story. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter two"Renewing Lost Connections."
"Gin." Rob announced, laying his cards down on the table and grinning slyly at his opponent.
"You cheated!" Margaret objected, looking at him challengingly. "You weren't supposed to take that Queen!"
"Why not?" He asked, his grin broadening as he looked at her with amusement.
"Because you weren't supposed to need it!" She exclaimed indignantly. "You were only supposed to have one Queen in your hand. Where did you get the other one?"
"That's for me to know and you to never find out," he told her as he totaled up his cards. "What did I catch you with?"
"Twenty-seven," she said disgustedly as she tossed her cards on the table. "I can't believe I gave you that Queen."
"Ah, my poor naive Margaret," Rob condescended, giving her a mock-sympathetic look. "How can I make it up to you?"
"You can't," she pouted pitifully. "I'm inconsolable."
"Well, how about I take you out for dinner and a movie?" He suggested as he gathered all the cards up into his hand. "Would that help console you?"
"When?" She asked, her expression brightening slightly.
"Tomorrow night?" He recommended eagerly.
Margaret pouted again. "I can't, I have to take Captain to the vet tomorrow afternoon in the city."
"Well what time do you expect to be home?" He asked curiously.
"I don't really know." She shrugged. "I was planning on running some errands that I don't normally have time to do while I was there, so I'll probably be fairly late."
"Well then how about I treat you to dinner and a movie on Saturday night," he offered. "There's a new Humphry Bogart film out that I thought you might like to see."
"Humphry Bogart?" Margaret repeated a delighted smile on her face. "I love Humphry Bogart. I must have seen Casablanca five times when it was first released." She chuckled slightly as she added, "Radar O'Reilly did a pretty good Bogart impression. He sometimes entertained us with his movie star impressions."
"I don't suppose you got to see many movies when you were in Korea," Rob remarked as he gently shuffled the cards in his hand.
"Yeah, we did," she informed him. "We had a movie night every night that we weren't stuck in OR. Not that we had great movies. Some of them were actually quite bad - like the Bongo movies. Oh, how I hated them – each and every time I saw them."
"Why did you watch them if you hated them?" He asked curiously.
"Hey, when you're dying for some form of entertainment even bad movies will do," she told him seriously. A broad smile spread across her face as a memory of one of their movie nights resurfaced in her mind.
"What?" Rob asked expectantly, knowing exactly what was coming.
During the seven months that he'd known her, he'd come to recognize that particular smile. It usually preceded a story about the 4077th. Just when Rob was sure that he'd heard every story that there was to hear about that Army hospital, Margaret would come up with another one. It's not that Rob minded hearing tales about the 4077th, in fact he found them quite interesting, what bothered him was seeing the sparkle in Margaret's eye that only the thought of a certain person seemed to put there. And what concerned him even more was that Margaret seemed to deny that there was anything more than friendship between herself and the Maine doctor she obviously seemed to admire. Rob, however, wasn't so convinced. He was sure that this Pierce fellow was what was keeping him and Margaret from becoming anything more than just friends.
Ever since that brief kiss that they had shared after their first date, Margaret had resisted any more demonstrations of affection from him, save the odd hug or a kiss on the cheek. But for him, these things weren't enough. With every passing week Rob found himself falling more and more in love with her, but as of yet she didn't give him any sign that she felt more for him than friendship. But then she wouldn't admit to anything more than friendship with this Pierce character either, but he had a feeling in his gut that there was more going on than she was saying.
His brain finally registered that while he'd been sitting there musing, Margaret had been telling him the story she'd been smiling about. "...Then Klinger finally got the film fixed again. This time we got to watch almost to the end of the movie before an ambulance came in and we had to go to OR." She chuckled slightly as she remembered everyone getting involved in the last scene they'd watched. "When they had the shoot out, so did we. We all 'shot' at each other until nobody was standing."
Rob gaped at her in alarm for a moment before realizing that there was obviously a lot more to her story than he'd heard. Quickly regaining his composure, he pretended to laugh in amusement. "Sounds like a good way to eliminate your comrades."
Margaret looked at him for a moment before saying, "Robert Mallet, you did not hear a word I just said, did you?"
Rob flushed in embarrassment and admitted, "Just the part about you shooting each other after the film was fixed."
Margaret looked at him with concern for a moment before asking, "Are you all right, Rob? You seem preoccupied all of a sudden. Is something bothering you?"
"I'm fine," he quickly assured her. He wasn't about to tell her that he was jealous of a man he'd never met. "I guess I'm just a little tired, after all it is getting late." He glanced at his watch and winced when it only said eight-thirty. "I should go. I have to be at the store early tomorrow."
Margaret nodded and rose to her feet, mutely following her friend to the door. "Are we still on for Saturday?" She asked hesitantly as he pulled on his coat.
Giving her a gentle smile, he told her sincerely, "I wouldn't miss it for anything." Then leaning down he gave her a kiss on the cheek before saying, "Good night, Margaret."
"Good night, Rob." She gave him a warm smile as he turned and opened the door. As she closed the door behind him, she leaned against it for a moment and mused, "I wonder what that was all about."
The next afternoon Margaret found herself still puzzling over Rob's odd behavior the night before. It wasn't like him to make such a quick escape, especially not so early in the evening. Usually, it was well after ten before he even gave any hint that he was thinking of leaving.
"I wonder what was wrong with him last night," she mused to Captain as they waited for their turn to see the veterinarian. "He certainly wasn't acting like himself, was he boy?"
Captain whined slightly in agreement.
"I guess we'll just have to pry it out of him, won't we?" she decided, contemplating the best way to do that.
She had come to really enjoy her friendship with Rob Mallet. He was an intelligent, fun loving man, who seemed to really appreciate her and her company. They'd spent many hours talking and laughing, going to movies and out to dinner. She knew that there were many rumors flying around town about them, but Margaret didn't care. After all, it's not like she wasn't used to gossip, and speculations being made about her. After living at the 4077th for three years she quickly learned that in small areas your life wasn't your own. She also knew that Rob felt more for her than friendship.
She had seen the look in his eyes many times that gave away the depth of his feelings for her. But as much as Margaret liked him, she didn't love him, at least not as anything more than a friend. As much as she enjoyed his company and relied on his constant friendship, she didn't feel that they had a future together as anything more. She hoped that Rob realized that without her having to tell him, because she didn't know what she'd do if he tried to pursue a closer relationship with her. She didn't want to hurt him, but she knew she couldn't lie to him.
The sound of the receptionist calling her name finally jolted Margaret out of her musings.
"Would you follow me, please," the young woman requested when Margaret looked at her expectantly.
Margaret quickly complied, leading an unsuspecting Captain to the examination room.
"The doctor will be with you shortly," the receptionist told her after she'd ushered them inside.
"Thank you," Margaret acknowledged as the other woman disappeared out the door, closing it firmly behind her.
A whine from Captain brought her attention back to her furry companion. Crouching down before him she started running a gentle hand over his soft head.
"It's okay, Captain. You're going to be just fine. It's just a routine shot, nothing to worry about."
Captain whined again as she started scratching behind his ears.
"It's okay, boy. I'd never let them hurt you. You're my friend - my best friend right now." She shook her head slightly and remarked. "Who'd have thought I'd ever say that about a dog."
Captain barked and then licked at her hand before putting his head back under it for another pet. His owner laughed.
"You're such a big baby, aren't you boy?"
Just then the door opened, and the veterinarian came in.
"And how is the patient today?" he asked Margaret and Captain as he entered the room.
At the sound of the vet's voice Margaret startled and quickly turned around to look at him. He had his back to her, but after spending the better part of three years seeing that back she knew she'd recognize it anywhere. "Radar?"
At the sound of his old nickname, not to mention the voice that said it an astonished Walter Eugene 'Radar' O'Reilly turned a completely astonished look on his patient's owner. When his eyes met hers, he exclaimed in a disbelieving tone. "Major Houlihan?"
In unison they both exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" and then started laughing in amusement at themselves.
"I thought you were in Ottumwa working on the family farm," Margaret commented, deeply curious to find out what he was doing in Great Falls.
"I was for a while," he confirmed with a nod of his head. "But now Park Sung is taking care of the farm for me. He's really a whiz with plants and seeds and stuff like that."
"So, the farm is doing well?" When Radar nodded, she gave him a bright smile and told him sincerely. "I'm glad to hear it. We were all so worried when we heard that things weren't going so well for you on the farm."
"I appreciate that, Major." He gave her a shy smile and admitted, "It was rough at first. It seemed that everything that could go wrong went wrong. But when Park Sung arrived, he really helped me get things going. He had a few suggestions that he'd picked up from his grandfather who had been a rich farmer before the war, and they worked. I really appreciated his help and knowledge. Without it I would never have been able to go to school."
"You're going to school?" She gave him a delighted smile. "What are you training for?"
Radar gestured with both hands to the room around them. "To be a veterinarian."
Margaret blushed and chuckled at her blunder. "Pretty obvious answer to that question. So, are you training here?"
Radar nodded. "I'm going to school part-time and I work here part-time." Showing her a hypodermic needle he remarked teasingly, "Right now I'm the animals' worst nightmare."
After the two of them chuckled in amusement Radar asked curiously. "So, what are you doing here, Major? The last I heard you were in Tokyo, mind you I haven't spoken to anyone for a while."
"I left Tokyo almost a year and a half ago," she told him. "I've been living in Rawlins for about the last thirteen months."
"Rawlins?" Radar exclaimed in surprise. "That's only about half an hour from here."
"That's right." Margaret nodded. "In fact, I work at the hospital down the street."
Her young friend's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean we've almost been neighbors for the last year and we didn't know it? Wow! This is unbelievable!"
"Small world, I guess." The former Army nurse smiled in amusement. Then after a moment's thought she invited, "Tell you what Radar, how about you and I go out for dinner and do a bit of catching up. It'll be nice to talk over old times with someone who was actually there."
The 4077th former company clerk looked at her with great surprise. "You want to go out to dinner and catch up with me?" His eyes widened and he put a hand on his cheek in amazement.
"Sure, why not?" she asked, amused by his reaction to her suggestion. She found it comforting to realize that even though a few years had passed, Radar was very much the same down-to-earth, innocent Radar that he had been when he'd left Korea. "It'll be fun. We can catch up on what we've been doing and maybe talk about the good old 4077th. What do you say?"
"It sounds like fun, Major," he acknowledged with a broad smile before adding, "However, I don't know if my wife would approve of me having dinner with another woman."
"Your wife?" Margaret exclaimed in profound surprise. "Your married?" Radar nodded. "Since when?"
"Since the month after the war ended," he told her. "Julie and I got married August 22nd, 1953."
"That's wonderful!" his old comrade told him sincerely. "Was anyone there from the 4077th?"
Radar nodded. "Colonel Potter and Mrs. Potter were there and Father Mulcahy, he performed the ceremony. And of course, Hawkeye was there, he was my best man. It wasn't too bad of a turn out considering everyone had just gotten home from Korea."
"No, I'd say that was very good considering," Margaret agreed, then added a trifle wistfully, "I wish I could have been there."
Radar's eye widened in surprise, but he told her sincerely. "I wish you could have been there too, Major. I wish everyone could have been there."
"Sounds like you miss everyone as much as I do," she commented understandingly.
Radar nodded. "I was surprised when I first came home and was so lonesome for the 4077th. It's not that I missed the war, but I sure did miss the people."
"I know what you mean." Margaret sighed slightly, once again surprising Radar by the obvious depth of her longing for their comrades. "I hate why we were there, but I certainly miss who was there. I miss Colonel Potter's kind yet firm commanding of the unit; Father Mulcahy's saintly demeanor; Klinger's outlandish styles and stunts and your amazingly naive yet wise ways. I especially miss listening to Hawkeye's twisted sense of humor while we toiled in the operating room; to the constant battle of wits between Hawkeye and Charles; to the easy camaraderie that Hawkeye and BJ shared. I miss it all. I doubt we'll ever find friends like them anywhere else on earth."
Radar noted the sad look in his old comrade's eyes. He never thought he'd ever think this way about her, but he actually felt sorry for her. She seemed lonely and in some ways like she was hurting.
Giving her a big smile, he offered kindly, "Well, since you and I can't go out on the town tonight, why don't you join Julie and I for supper."
"Oh, I couldn't impose," Margaret replied, secretly wishing she could accept. Even though she and Radar had never been close friends, he was a link to a place and a group of people that she was missing very much. She would give anything for the chance to talk with someone who was actually part of her Korean experience, someone who would understand how she felt.
"Please, Major," Radar encouraged eagerly. "We'd love to have you. Julie loves meeting my friends from Korea. She got the biggest kick out of Hawkeye and loves Colonel Potter to death. I would love for her to meet you, and for her to meet you." His eyes twinkled slightly as he added, "There's someone else I'd like you to meet too."
Margaret couldn't help but smile at the expression in Radar's eyes. "As long as it's not a blind date," She joked half-seriously.
Radar couldn't help but laugh at the thought of him fixing 'Hot Lips' Houlihan up with any of his friends. "I can assure you, Major. It's not a blind date."
"In that case, I'd love to come," she assured him sincerely. "But on one condition."
"What's that?" he asked a little nervously. He still felt like a naive young corporal in her presence.
"That you knock off the Majors and call me Margaret," was her completely unexpected reply.
Radar gave her a shy smile and said, "I'll try...Margaret."
"Julia, I'm home!" Radar called as he and Margaret entered the front door of the O'Reilly's modest suburban home.
"Hi sweetheart," Julia O'Reilly greeted her husband warmly as she came out of the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron. After giving him a quick kiss, she took his lunch box from his hand and asked, "How was your day?"
"Good," Radar told her as he set his briefcase down on the floor and shrugged out of his coat. "Dr. Jensen told me today that he thinks I have what it takes to be a very successful veterinarian."
"That's wonderful, Walter!" She gave him a proud smile. "I told you, you could do it!"
As Radar moved to the closet to hand up his coat and Margaret's Julia turned her attention to their visitor.
"You must be Major Houlihan." She shook the other woman's hand and gave her a warm smile. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Walter, Hawkeye, and Colonel Potter."
"All bad I'm sure," Margaret commented with a teasing smile.
"On the contrary," Julia quickly assured her. "In fact, they've always praised you and your nursing abilities very highly saying that you are the best nurse they have ever worked with."
"They're all liars." Margaret laughed lightly. "Very lovable liars, but liars all the same."
"Well, I believed them," Julia said sincerely. Then gesturing towards the other room, she suggested, "But I'll tell you what, how about we get better acquainted over supper and then I'll form my own opinion."
"Sounds fair," Margaret said with a smile.
"The kitchen is this way." Julia directed Margaret to the room in question while Radar followed silently behind. "Supper will be ready momentarily," she told them as she moved to the stove to stir the stew.
"It smells wonderful," Margaret complimented as the delicious odors danced before her nose.
"It's just fresh biscuits and stew," Julia warned as she pulled a tray of homemade tea biscuits from the oven. "If I had of known sooner that we were having a dinner guest I would have prepared a more elaborate meal."
"Oh, please don't worry about going to any trouble on my account," their guest quickly assured her. "I told Radar that I didn't want to be a bother, but he insisted it would be okay. If I'm intruding, I can just go."
"Nonsense," Julia quickly dismissed. "We're both very happy to have you. I know Walter loves being able to get together with his old friends from Korea."
An amused smile broke across Margaret's face as she turned her focus on her old comrade. "I don't know if I will ever get used to hearing you called 'Walter'. It feels like we're talking about somebody I don't know."
"I feel the same way when I hear him being called 'Radar'," Julia admitted. "It seems to me like they're talking about a stranger not my husband."
"I guess it just goes to prove how much you've grown up since Korea...Walter," Margaret told her old friend warmly.
"You can still call me Radar if you want to," he offered sincerely.
Margaret thought about it for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I think I'd rather call you 'Walter'." When he gave her a surprised look she explained, "Even though we met and toiled together in Korea, the war and the 4077th are a thing of the past and I think that 'Major Houlihan' and 'Radar' belong with them. So, from now on it is Margaret and Walter, two friends on equal footing. What do you say?"
"I'd say that I'm not the only one who's done some growing since Korea," Radar remarked, deeply touched by her words.
Margaret gave him a warm smile as Julia announced, "Supper's ready!" and set a basket of hot biscuits on the table. "Walter, could you go get Lucy. She's in the living room."
"Who's Lucy?" Margaret asked Radar curiously.
"She's the other person that I wanted you to meet," he told her eagerly. "Just a minute, I'll be right back."
As Radar disappeared out of the kitchen, Julia gestured to a place at the table and encouraged, "Why don't you have a seat, Major."
"Please, call me Margaret," the other woman urged. "Just like I said to Ra...Walter." She smirked at her slip. "That's going to take some getting used to." As Julia smiled, she continued. "Just like I said to Walter, I left Major Houlihan in Korea."
"Very well, Margaret," Julia acknowledged warmly. "Why don't you have a seat right here."
As Margaret was settling herself at the table, Radar returned with a baby in his arms.
"There's Mommy's little angel," Julia cooed to the child before moving to get the stew off the stove.
"Major...Margaret." Radar blushed slightly as he stumbled momentarily on her name.
"I guess we both have to get use to each other's names again," Margaret commented lightly, trying to ease the younger man's embarrassment.
"I guess so," Radar acknowledged. "Margaret, I'd like you to meet one of my very special girls, Lucy Jane O'Reilly."
As Margaret rose to look at the child cradled in her friend's arms, he continued his introductions. "Lucy, this is your Aunt Margaret."
Margaret's heart skipped with pleasure at the title that he had bestowed upon her. Reaching over to take one of Lucy's little hands in hers she greeted the child warmly, "Hello Lucy. It's very nice to meet you."
The little girl gurgled and smiled, wrapping her hand tightly around one of Margaret's fingers.
"She's darling, Walter. How old is she?"
"Three months," Radar replied as he sat down in the chair beside Margaret's and settled Lucy on his lap. Julia and Margaret claimed their chairs on either side of him.
Supper was spent between Margaret and Julia getting better acquainted and Margaret and Radar reminiscing.
"I don't think you realize this, Julia but your husband has a very devious mind. Especially when you get him together with Hawkeye."
"I've heard a few tales," Julia told her amusement evident on her face. "I'd have to say that my favorite by far was when Walter, Hawkeye and Trapper created a fictious officer named 'Captain Jonathan Tuttle'."
"Uh, honey..." Radar tried to interrupt her, but she was so intent on her story that she didn't seem to hear him.
"And what I find the funniest was that almost everyone in camp bragged about knowing him and being good friends with him."
"Uh, Julia!" Radar finally managed to get his wife's attention.
"What?" she asked, confused by his interruption.
"Maybe we should talk about something else," he suggested, casting nervous glance at Margaret.
"Why?" Julia's brows puckered in confusion. "You and Hawkeye got a big kick out of talking about it. Why wouldn't Margaret?"
"Because I was one of the ones that bragged about knowing Captain Tuttle," Margaret told her seriously. "Isn't that right, Radar?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Radar squirmed in his seat, afraid to meet her eye.
"Well, that being the case, Corporal." Margaret put on her best 'Major Houlihan' tone. "I think I deserve to hear the whole story." When he hesitated, she added, her eyes dancing, "That's an order!"
Since he still wasn't looking at her, he missed the twinkling in his former superior's eyes, but Julia noticed it and couldn't help but smile.
With a soft sigh he told Margaret all the details that lead up to the creation of Captain Jonathan Tuttle. He even told her how Hawkeye had created Tuttle's file with her in mind. When he finished his story, he braced himself both emotionally and physically for her reaction. What he witnessed was anything but what he had expected.
Margaret's shoulders shook with laughter as tears started rolling down her cheeks. Wiping her eyes with her napkin she looked at Julia and said, "I agree that is one of the best 4077th stories yet." When Radar gaped at her in surprise she said, "Hey, just because I didn't have a sense of humor than, doesn't mean I don't have one now. Like you said earlier, we've both done some growing."
"I guess we have," Radar agreed, still amazed that this was the same woman he'd known in Korea. But then he realized that was the whole point: she wasn't the same woman that he'd served with in Korea. This was a woman who'd been softened and refined by the horrors and closeness of a MASH unit and who had finally allowed the craziness and the unmilitary antics of her fellow comrades tickle her funny bone. As much as he quaked in his boots around Major Houlihan, Radar had a feeling he was going to enjoy getting to know Margaret Houlihan better.
"So, what other stunts did you help Hawkeye with at my expense?" Margaret asked expectantly as she reached for another biscuit.
Radar hesitated for a moment before saying, "Do you remember the time..."
Margaret woke up Saturday morning to the phone ringing in the kitchen downstairs. Glancing at her clock she was surprised to find that it was already nine o'clock. It had been late when she'd gotten home the night before, almost one o'clock.
After supper she and Radar had continued entertaining Julia with more stories about the 4077th. Some of them Julia had heard before, but there were a few new ones that even Radar didn't know about. Margaret also filled Radar in on some of the things that had happened between the time he'd left and the end of the war. It had been a wonderful evening, one that Margaret wished would never end. She hadn't realized just how much she'd missed being around someone from the 4077th until last night. She'd always known she'd missed her old comrades, but she hadn't known just how much of a void had been there until she'd run into Radar the day before. It had felt so nice to reminisce about old times with someone who'd actually been there.
Margaret had managed to catch the phone on its seventh ring. Fortunately, whoever the caller was, he or she was evidently very determined to contact her.
"Hello?" She answered, putting the receiver to her ear.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady," a familiar voice scolded sternly on the other end of the line. "What's the big idea dropping off the face of the earth like that? Why I ought to have you horsewhipped for worrying us like that!"
"It's good to hear your voice, sir!" Margaret exclaimed, a wave of excitement washing over her. "How have you been?"
"I've been good," the retired Army Colonel told her sincerely. "Been missing you though. Seems everyone else has managed to keep in touch one way or another, but nobody's heard anything from you in far too long."
"Let me guess, you were talking to Radar," she commented knowingly.
"Actually, he's been talking to me," he corrected with a chuckle. "Called me about twelve o'clock last night just bursting with excitement about having run into you again. Said you'd been over for dinner and that the two of you had spent a few hours hashing over the old times. He was just tickled pink about the whole thing."
"I was too, Colonel," she admitted truthfully. "I thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing with Radar and meeting Julia. They seem very happy. And their daughter is adorable."
"She is definitely a cutie that one," the proud honorary grandfather agreed wholeheartedly. "I just wish I got to see more of them. I've only seen Lucy once since she was born."
"Well, I'm intending to see more of them," Margaret told him excitedly. "In fact, Walter, Julia and Lucy are coming up to stay with me for a couple of days next weekend. Walter has Friday off, so they're going to come up and stay until Sunday."
"Walter?" Colonel Potter repeated in surprise.
Margaret smiled. "Radar and I have mutually agreed to leave 'Radar' and 'Major Houlihan' behind in Korea," she explained. "We are simply Walter and Margaret now. We're hoping we can build a better friendship if we're both on equal footing."
"That sounds wonderful, Margaret," the Colonel approved eagerly. "I just hope that while you're bonding with your new buddy you won't forget to keep in touch with your old Colonel from time to time as well. I've missed hearing your cheery voice."
Margaret chuckled slightly. "I've heard you describe my voice in many ways, Colonel, but cheery wasn't one of them."
The pair both chuckled knowingly at her remark.
"Don't worry, sir, I promise not to lose touch again. In fact, after spending the evening with Walter I'm even more determined to stay in touch this time. I miss everyone very much. I can't wait to see them again."
"We miss you too, Margaret," he echoed his tone full of feeling. "Maybe you and Radar and his family could schedule a little furlough here in Missouri before too long."
"I'll see what I can do, Colonel," Margaret acknowledged eagerly.
"Good," he exclaimed joyfully. "Well, I'd better run. Mildred's just handed me my list of weekend chores. First on the list is to clean out the stable. Maybe Brandy and I will slip out for a ride - just kidding, Mother," he quickly amended. "Catch you later, Margaret."
"Goodbye, Colonel."
A bright smile remained on her face as she replaced the receiver. It had felt so good to hear the older man's voice. To realize that even though several months had passed, she was still as important to him now as she had been when they were leaving Korea.
She jumped slightly as the phone beneath her hand rang again. Picking it up on the second ring she greeted cheerily, "Hello?"
"Well, good morning beautiful," another familiar male voice greeted eagerly. "How's everything in Montana?"
"BJ!" Margaret cried excitedly. "Boy, Radar must have a great long-distance package!"
"Must have," BJ agreed. "He said he was calling Klinger and the good padre after me. And he'd already tried Hawkeye, but he was out on an emergency call."
"Nothing serious I hope," Margaret said with concern.
"Don't know," her friend replied. "But I'm sure it's nothing Hawk can't handle. So, you never answered my question, how's everything in Montana?"
"Good, how's everything in Mill Valley?" She asked in return.
"Everything great!" He exclaimed happily. "I'm great, Peg's great, Erin's great, Mill Valley's great and work's great! I love being a civilian...!"
"I still can't believe it Rob!" Margaret was excitedly telling him about the steady flow of phone calls she'd had that morning from her old comrades. "First there was Colonel Potter, then BJ, then Klinger, then Charles, then Father Mulcahy. Even Walter called to see if I'd heard from anybody. The only one who hasn't called me yet is Hawkeye."
Rob instantly noted the disappointment in her tone.
"But BJ did tell me that Hawk was away on an emergency when Walter called him, so I may hear from him later."
"Oh, I'm sure he'll call," Rob assured her patiently, though in his heart he wished he wouldn't.
Margaret gave him a warm smile and reached over to give his hand a gentle squeeze. "Thanks, Rob. I appreciate that. You know, you've been a really good friend these last few months. I want you to know how much I really appreciate your company and your friendship."
"Ah shucks, Miss Margaret." He bowed his head, pretending to be embarrassed. "You know how to make a fellow blush."
Margaret laughed and gave him a hard shove. "You're absolutely nuts, you know that."
"Just about you," he told her seriously as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Rob..." she said in a slightly warning tone.
"I know, I know." He removed his arm from her shoulders. "You just want to be friends."
"Good friends," Margaret amended, looping her arm through his.
Rob gave her a sad look for a moment before repeating, "Good friends."
They walked on in companionable silence for several moments before Rob asked curiously, "So, what have you got planned for next weekend while Walter and his family are visiting?"
"Nothing much," Margaret replied excitedly. "I'll probably show them around Rawlins, maybe introduce them to Marty's fine cooking, but other than that it'll probably be a rather laid-back weekend. Maybe Walter and I will get up a poker game or something. I think he still owes me ten dollars from the last time."
"Ten dollars!" Rob exclaimed in mock alarm. "For that kind of money, I'm surprised you didn't have him tracked down and hung!"
"Smart-aleck." She laughed, slapping his arm.
"So, do I get the pleasure of meeting your 4077th chum?" Rob asked expectantly.
"Of course," she assured him eagerly. "After all you can't play poker with only two people." She gave him a cheeky grin.
"Ha, ha, ha," he retorted sarcastically.
"Why don't you come over for supper Friday evening," she invited. "I was planning on cooking a big welcoming dinner for them and there will be plenty of food if you want to join us."
"I'd love to," he accepted as they reached the town's small theater. "Two please," he said to the young agent.
"There you go, Mr. Millar," the ticket agent said as he handed Rob the two tickets. "Enjoy the show."
"Thank you." Leading Margaret into the theater he asked, "So, are you ready for an all-star cast and the real theater experience?"
"You better believe it!" she acknowledged eagerly as he surrendered their tickets and entered the auditorium.
After looking around them at their beautiful surroundings she quipped slyly, "It's a little nicer than the Mess Tent."
She chuckled slightly as Rob shot her a mock-annoyed look and led her down the aisle to their seats.
