Okay, here is the tenth chapter of this story!

Now, if you remember from before, tension was starting to rise at the 4077, and in this chapter, it continues to spike up, Colonel Potter decides to put an end to the tomfoolery, a call is gotten from the 8063rd unit claiming that they need 2 of their personnel to go to their unit for a presentation, and Potter uses that to his advantage as to a solution to also stop this madness. How much will the tension get? Will things get back to the way they should be? And will Andrew eventually put a stop to secluding himself? Find out now!


AT THE M*A*S*H 4077:

Things weren't looking any better for the 4077. The same tension continued to rise over the course of two days, with no end in sight. Everything was unbalanced, and Andrew was still keeping away from the other personnel. It's enough to make one wonder if this would cause the major to finally leave the unit in the dust. All because of a confession that was made on how Major Peterson was crushing on the head nurse, and the doctors made some disturbing comments about it.

Sherman Potter, who had been observing this whole mess for some time, was at the end of his rope with all the division that's been taking place here, but couldn't come up with a way to stop it. He had no idea how to get Andrew and Margaret alone so they can work things out amongst each other with no one's interference. Alas, he was short on any suggestions for that. So he had to continue thinking about a way to resolve this problem.

Meanwhile, in the nurses' tent, the nurses were struggling to get themselves up for the day. They've exhausted themselves for the past couple of days, due to the overload of work they were given. There was one source as to who was responsible for this:

Margaret Houlihan.

The head nurse wasn't keeping herself holed up in his tent as often as she did when this whole fiasco started. However, whenever she wasn't in her tent or OR, she was busy commanding her nurses in a rather hardcore manner. That means being able to clean the OR, look over the requisitions, look through the supply tents to make sure all items are accounted for, and more.

And the way that the nurses felt about this showed just how harsh it has gotten for them. Several of them were yawning, stretching, rubbing their backs, and even grumbling under their breaths as to what today is going to bring to them.

"Ughhhhhh..." One of the nurses was heard groaning. "I am so not ready for today..."

"Too bad Nurse Bigelow," another one referred to that nurse as Bigelow. "Who knows what kind of hell waits for us today."

"Yeah, you have a point Nurse Baker," Bigelow got up. "After all, what can we expect from Margaret with the way she's been acting."

"You're telling me," another nurse called Preston remarked. "Ever since that confession was made on the intercom, Margaret has been slaving us away."

"I don't think we can blame her too much, girls," Jennifer added. "She's just been heartbroken from how that major has been distancing himself from her."

"Yeah," one of the nurses known as Gaynor spoke up. "That Major Peterson man is...kinda cute."

"I can see why Margaret would enjoy having him around and keeps eying him lovingly," Baker added. "But does she have to take it out on us?"

"Now Baker, you know that when a woman like Margaret is upset, she tends to take it out on others," Kellye remarked. "After all, she did settle a divorce from that Penobscott jerk."

"Don't remind me of him," Gaynor huffed. "Major Peterson doesn't seem like the man who'd be unfaithful and go behind Houlihan's back."

"If that's true, then he wouldn't have distanced himself from her," Nurse Preston rolled her eyes.

"Now look girls, we shouldn't be so hard on either of them," another nurse known as Mary Jo Walsh remarked. "If you ask me, I feel sorry for both of them."

"You? You feel sorry for Major Houlihan?" Another unnamed nurse scoffed. "Pffft, yeah right."

"I'm serious," Mary Jo Walsh told her. "We know that Margaret has softened up on us over time as we allowed her to know about what we do here. The only reason why she's like this now is that Major Peterson has been distant with her and everyone else."

"In that case, it's Peterson's fault for avoiding her like this," one of the nurses snorted.

"Now don't say that Nurse Campbell," Jennifer scolded. "We all heard on that intercom that Andrew does like Margaret as more than just a friend. And from the tone of voice he used, he sounded sincere and genuine."

"Then why has he been avoiding her this whole time," Campbell asked.

"Well, when we have doctors like Hawkeye in our outfit, you'd probably want to hide from everyone too," Jennifer brought up the main source to this problem.

"You have a good point there," Campbell sighed, getting exactly what she was saying.

"If you girls ask me," Gaynor started. "I wouldn't be too surprised if Margaret actually has a crush on Andrew too."

"That would explain a lot of things," Kellye nodded. "Considering how she's offered to help him fit into our outfit, how she's been hanging out with him a lot, and why she wore that cherry blossom perfume from South Korea just so she could win his heart over."

"I think she already has," Preston deadpanned. "Those two are so cute together. It makes me wish that the two of them could work things out between them."

"And Major Houlihan would stop slaving us around," Bigelow groaned. "When she and Peterson were hanging out a lot, she was easy on us and didn't overload us with work."

"In that case, I suggest that Andrew Peterson and Margaret Houlihan get together and work out their feelings for each other and hope that things will improve for everyone," Campbell suggested.

"But what can we do," Jennifer queried. "We know that Margaret has been crying over all of this, so there's no way to convince her."

"I'll tell you what we should do," Mary Jo Walsh insisted. "I say that we stay out of this and let them work it out for themselves."

"Oh, but Mary..."

"But nothing Baker," Mary Jo Walsh cut her off. "We do not need to do anything else to escalate the problem that is already growing here. So my advice to all of you ladies is to just butt out, and see if Colonel Potter can come up with something to help the two of them."

"Oh, I guess your right Mary," Baker sighed in defeat, as the other nurses agreed with her on butting out of this affair between Andrew and Margaret.

"NURSES!" Speaking of which, Margaret was heard hollering as she was approaching the tent.

"Speak of the devil, here she comes," Campbell moaned. "Let's just do whatever the major tells us and that's it."

The other nurses begrudgingly went with that as Margaret Houlihan entered the tent. With a stern look on her face, she got to the point.

"Alright ladies, listen up," she started, looking at her clipboard. "Today is going to be another busy day for all of you! First up you girls are going to clean out the equipment used in OR! Then you are all going to be reporting to your assigned duties as provided on the bulletin board! And afterwards, you'll be going to take care of checking the supply tents to make sure everything is accounted for, and then you can work on making sure Post-Op is spotless from top to bottom!"

"Aw, but Major, we've been exhausting ourselves for the past couple of days," Baker whined.

"Don't you argue with me Nurse Baker," Margaret yelled. "I am the commander in charge of all of you nurses, and what I say for you all to do will get carried out, no questions asked!"

"But I'm tired Major," Gaynor groaned. "I haven't slept well in three days!"

"I DON'T CARE HOW TIRED YOU ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW NURSE GAYNOR!" Margaret screamed. "YOU WILL CARRY OUT YOUR ASSIGNED DUTIES WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT! THAT GOES FOR THE REST OF YOU TOO! I WON'T TOLERATE ANY BACKTALKING OF ANY KIND! DO YOU ALL READ ME?!"

The nurses flinched at how she was practically screaming at them, but they nodded their heads. They knew that this wasn't intentional. She was still suffering from heartbreak, and the best way to cope with it was to take her anger on them.

"Affirmative Major Houlihan," Mary Jo Walsh saluted on the other nurses' behalf.

"Good. Now get moving this instant! You have a busy day ahead of you, and I want you all to start moving on the double! LET'S GO! LET'S GO! MOVE IT! MOVE IT! MOVE IT!"

It was at that tone that the nurses all marched out of the nurses' tent and got themselves ready for the kind of day that was ahead of them.

As soon as they were gone, Houlihan calmed herself down and sighed. She really didn't mean to reach this point like she used to. She was just so upset with what's been going on.

She felt some pains coming from her heart. They weren't medical-related. It was emotional hurt. It was clear that she wasn't doing any better than Andrew was.

Truth be told, she always had a thing for Andrew ever since he got into the outfit. There was more to how she treated him nicely than just respect. She found herself developing feelings for the major, which explained why she always sided with him during any conflict. It also helped that Andrew was willing to hang out with her whenever it was possible. Before all of this happened, she enjoyed every moment she spent with him.

When she overheard on the intercom that Andrew has a crush on her, she wanted nothing more than to confront him about it and let him know about how she feels about him; that the feeling was mutual. Unfortunately, a damper was put onto that when Andrew distanced himself from the rest of the compound. She could understand why he would since those doctors were making pervertic comments about herself and the major, not helped by how Hawkeye keeps teasing him about his feelings for her. But he didn't have to avoid her, since she would be more than willing to talk to him about it like she always has been.

Make no mistake about it, she does miss Andrew, and she still has feelings for him. But she wasn't going to let how he's been avoiding her reduce her to a puddle when she is in command of the nursing staff here. She would feel her eyes tear up on occasions, but she'd always push them back in since they weren't allowed in the army life.

Until Andrew decides to confront her about this, this was how things would probably go for her, and there was no changing it, at least not by herself.

I guess I should go right to work right now... She thought in a forlorn manner. Why did Andrew have to distance himself from me?

Not letting out any tears come down from her eyes, Margaret stormed out of the tent to attend to some business that had to be done...


LATER ON, IN THE MESS TENT:

It was now lunchtime in the mess tent, as the tension continued to expand within the whole unit. People were going to get their lunches, and talks about the confession Andrew made was still running high. It was unclear as to when this'll finally blow over.

Coming into the mess tent was Andrew Peterson, who was separated from everyone else and he no longer wore that disguise. If one could look into his eyes, they could see that they were bloodshot. He hasn't slept well since he started distancing himself from the others. For the past couple of nights, he's been an insomniac and remained tireless throughout the night. He was an absolute mess, and he was miserable.

Part of the reason for this was because of how he was publicly humiliated like this. It also had something to do with how he forced himself to be separated from Major Houlihan. He certainly missed hanging with her, as he has fond memories of the two having so much fun together. He missed her a lot, but he felt that this was for the best; for her sake. Not his sake.

Not having much of an appetite just like the past couple of days, Andrew scanned to see if there was somewhere to sit where he can be alone from everyone. Luckily, he saw a lone table that was deserted, seeing that the other side of the tent had a crowd too focused on something else.

Shrugging his shoulders, Andrew casually heads over to the table where he sat down all alone. He was hoping that there would be no more conflicts that'll get under his skin. Sadly, that was all for naught as Hawkeye Pierce saw Andrew sitting by his lonesome without his disguise on, as he decided to get his attention as he approached the lone major.

"Well, if it ain't Major Andrew Romeo himself," he commented. "What are you doing here by your lonesome? Shouldn't you be sitting right next to your girlfriend?"

"Shut up Pierce," Andrew growled, clenching his teeth and furrowing his eyebrows.

Colonel Potter was at one of the nearby tables drinking his coffee when he saw just how tense things were going at the moment. He saw Hawkeye continuing to badger Andrew about not sitting with the head nurse, as he heard the major starting to scream.

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP PIERCE! SHUT UP!" It took every ounce of willpower on Andrew's behalf to restrain himself from leaping up and beating the captain to a pulp.

And if that wasn't enough, Colonel Potter was also able to hear what some of the other doctors were saying while surrounding Margaret. There were many different comments made, but three of them were noticeable by the Colonel.

"So Hot Lips, did you hear about how Peterson has a crush on you?"

"The two of you should get laid in your bed!"

"Houlihan, do you have a crush on Major Peterson?!"

Margaret did her best to ignore these questions, but she found it very hard for herself to remain calm. As far as Andrew was concerned, he overheard some of the horrible comments being made. It was one thing to humiliate him, but he did not want them to do the same to Margaret. It was one of the reasons why he was distancing himself from her! By this point, he looked ready to flip out and have at it with those pervertic doctors. And Hawkeye was just adding salt to the wounds by egging him further.

And as for Sherman Potter, he had just about enough of what he was able to stand regarding all of this. He was at his breaking point.

That tears it! The colonel thought in fury. This has gone on long enough! Time to put an end to this tomfoolery!

But before he could even do something about it, Corporal Klinger entered the mess tent and got the Colonel's attention.

"Colonel Potter! I'm sorry for disturbing you sir, but you are wanted on the phone," Klinger exclaimed.

"The phone," he queried. "Who could be calling us at this time of day?"

"It's from the 8063rd, sir," Klinger explained. "They say it's an important call, and they need to speak to you right away!"

Potter could only sigh as he got up. The good thing about this call was that he would probably not do anything drastic to break up all this craziness.

"Alright. I'll get on it right away," Potter said.

"Great sir," Klinger proclaimed. "I'm sorry for disturbing you on your coffee break."

"Oh, it's no trouble," Potter sighed. "I lost interest in drinking it anyway."

Without another word, Potter followed Klinger back to the office as the chaos continued in the mess tent...


Once they got into the office, Klinger escorted the Colonel to the phone in his office, as Potter then picked it up and then spoke into it.

"Hello? This is Colonel Sherman T. Potter speaking," he started. "What can I do for you?"

He heard some voices on the other line, as he understood what they were saying.

"What? You're saying that two of your medical staff members are unavailable due to catching a case of the mumps," Potter asked, giving the speaker a moment to answer. "And you're saying that you need to borrow two of my personnel staff to give a presentation in their place?"

The voice explained to Colonel Potter what the requirements for it are, as the colonel looked mighty curious by this.

"One doctor and one nurse, huh," it was then something clicked in the colonel's head, as he knew just how to kill two birds with one stone. "I see. I think I can arrange to have one of my doctors and one of my nurses go there and do the presentation."

That voice continued to speak as Colonel Potter felt a smile building up.

"Okay, good! It's settled," Potter exclaimed. "I'll send you the doctor and nurse over there right away!"

The voice spoke for a little longer so Colonel Potter can close up the phone call.

"Alright, thanks for the call," he wrapped it up. "Okay. Goodbye."

And with that, the colonel ended the call. From there, he went right into the company clerk's office.

"Klinger!" He got the corporal's attention.

"Yes, sir?" Klinger saluted.

"Announce on the intercom to tell all the doctors and nurses that I want them to head right outside of this office," Potter commanded. "And that's an order!"

"Right away sir," Klinger saluted before turning on the microphone connected to the intercom where he then spoke into it.

"ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL! ALL THE DOCTORS AND NURSES OF THIS M*A*S*H UNIT ARE TO REPORT RIGHT OUTSIDE THIS OFFICE AT COLONEL POTTER'S REQUEST! AND HE SAYS THAT IT'S AN ORDER!"

This worked like a charm as all the doctors and nurses exited the mess tent and headed to the outside area of the office, where Colonel Potter and Corporal Klinger were waiting for them. It didn't take long for all the doctors and nurses to surround the area, where the colonel was wanting to make an announcement. Potter even saw Andrew and Margaret amongst the group, which made this easier for him to handle.

This might be easier than I thought... Colonel Potter cleared his throat and gave his announcement.

"Alright doctors and nurses! I got you all gathered here to fill you in on a phone call that I got," he started. "The 8063rd has called to let us know that due to two of their staff members coming down with the mumps, they need two of our members to go down there and give a presentation that the two who are indisposed were supposed to do. The 8063rd wants one doctor and one nurse, and they want the two volunteers to go there right away!"

Before the colonel could continue with his announcement, the people were already starting to chatter away, except for Andrew and Margaret. The nurses were all discussing amongst each other as to which one of them would go and get away from Margaret Houlihan for a bit. Needless to say, it wasn't an easy discussion as only one of them were to go to the 8063rd.

Meanwhile, some of the doctors were wondering who should go there this time. In particular, a debate was held by the three main doctors; Hawkeye, BJ, and Charles.

"If you ask me, I think Charles should go," BJ insisted. "What do you say, Winchester? Will you take one for the team?"

"Not on your life Hunnicutt. I have more important matters to attend to than to go to the 8063rd," Charles refused. "I think Pierce should go to the 8063rd."

"Oh no," Hawkeye shook his head. "I've already been through that the first time! I'm not going to do it again! I suggest that we have BJ go there instead."

"Can't. I'm writing a letter to Peg," BJ told him.

This wasn't being made easy amongst them, as the quarreling continued. Fortunately, the colonel had it up to his neck with this debate as he let out a whistle.

"ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH!" He got everyone to silence themselves. "Now I know that I usually allow you guys to decide who should volunteer! But due to the debate that's been spreading around the compound lately, I won't be allowing that this time! It just so happens that I've already decided who is going to go to the 8063rd!"

This got the group to stare in shock. Who would have thought that the colonel would be forced to pick out two people to go on a trip to the 8063rd? Everyone looked curious, including Klinger.

"You have sir," Klinger asked. "You've already chosen one doctor and one nurse to go to the 8063rd?"

"That's right," the colonel then pointed to Major Peterson and Major Houlihan within the crowd. "Andrew! Margaret! Congratulations! You are the two lucky volunteers chosen to go on this trip to the 8063rd! Pack up your bags! You'll be leaving in the jeep in about 15 minutes!"

Everyone was rather shocked by that decision. The nurses all disperse from the crowd, thankful that Margaret won't be around here to breathe down their necks. As for Major Houlihan, she already went straight to her tent just to get her things packed up, not complaining about the arrangement at all.

By contrast, Andrew actually regained himself by that announcement. He seemed a little upset by the decision, as he couldn't believe it. As if things couldn't get any more awkward for him, now this happens. Fighting through the crowd, he got right in front of the colonel.

"You can't be serious, sir," he yelled.

"I am serious Major," Potter nodded, expecting this reaction from him. "You are going with Major Houlihan."

"But...but...but...but..." Andrew stuttered, not feeling comfortable by this.

Colonel Potter sighed as he then instructed. "Andrew, please head into my office. I want to talk with you."

Andrew just slumped as he went into the building and straight for Colonel Potter's office to wait for the colonel to talk with him. Before Colonel Potter went inside, he cast a glower towards the other doctors not part of the main crew.

"And as for the rest of you docs, I'm letting you know that I picked Andrew and Margaret to go on this trip because I was sick of all of you bulldozing them with your uncivil and risque comments," he warned them. "If I catch any of you trying to get things out of control like this again, you'll be put on the report! Am I understood!?"

The doctors jumped at his harsh tone as they nodded. They had nothing else to say.

"Good! DISMISSED!" He dismissed them as the doctors dispersed too, as Potter looked at Hawkeye.

"Oh, and Pierce? Because you were egging Andrew further, I'm putting you in charge of keeping the pervertic minds of those doctors in check! I'm holding you responsible for their behavior! Is that clear?"

"Oh yes sir," Hawkeye nodded. "Cause it's my dream to control what pervertic thoughts that the other doctors might have."

Colonel Potter said nothing else as he headed back inside the building, while Hawkeye, BJ, and Winchester headed back to the Swamp. Klinger decided not to stick around as he still felt a little on edge about Andrew, and was uncertain if he was ready to talk with him yet. So he decided to take his time elsewhere while the colonel has a word with the major...


IN COLONEL POTTER'S OFFICE:

"I can't believe this," Andrew said, pacing back and forth. "I can't believe this is happening to me."

"Don't get your britches all caught up," the colonel told him. "The arrangements have already been made, and we can't do anything about it."

"But why Margaret," Andrew gave him a panicked look. "You've heard all the horrible comments that have been said about her! I don't want her to be shown as a fool just because I'm a laughing stock in this M*A*S*H unit!"

"I get that son," Potter nodded. "But the fact is that you two need to make up and work this out without interference from any of us. That's why I chose you two so that you can make peace with each other."

"And suppose she doesn't want to forgive me?" Andrew queried. "Then what do I do? From how things are going, things might never be the same for me!"

Sherman Potter just looked at him. He knew that he would've reacted like this, seeing how he has been a hermit for the past couple of days. Still, he had to get through to him how important he is to this unit and the head nurse. And he knew exactly how to do it.

"I understand, major," Colonel Potter said with a forlorn tone as he looked down. "That's why I'm requesting a transfer for you."

This caught Andrew's full attention. He had so many problems going on right now that were hectic and chaotic. But that didn't mean he had to be transferred, right?

"Now wait a minute sir! I know that I've been having problems in this compound for the past couple of days, but that doesn't mean that I need a transfer," he argued. "I can work out my problems just fine while staying in this unit! Just please don't transfer me, Colonel!"

The colonel saw the look of determination in Andrew's eyes, which is exactly what he was counting on.

"I know," Colonel Potter nodded. "And that's why I lied about you getting a transfer."

"You did? Why?" Andrew asked in a rather confused tone.

"It was a test to see if you really are serious about wanting to stay in the M*A*S*H 4077," Colonel Potter answered sincerely.

"Oh," Andrew murmured as he frowned, looking towards the floor.

"Listen, son, you are one of the best surgeons to have hit this unit," Colonel Potter gave him a reassuring speech. "Starting from the day that you first displayed your surgical techniques when you first got here, I knew that you would be impossible to get rid of. You are always polite, you are willing to follow commands when they are giving, you remain calm and determined, you are considerate, and most of all, you never give up when it comes to needing to do the right thing. Modesty or not, you are one of the best things to have happened to this M*A*S*H unit, and I am proud of having you here Andrew."

"I get it," Andrew said, still not entirely convinced by this.

"Look, Andrew, if you are worried about Margaret, I understand how you feel. I've been in your shoes before," the colonel continued. "You think that Mildred and I had days with no problems at all? No. That's not true. We've had our disagreements. There have been times where we ignored each other. There were even times where we had arguments. But at the end of the day, we still love each other no matter what. Nothing could ever change that. The point I'm trying to make is that you and Margaret should talk this out because I've seen how close you two have gotten."

"I guess so," Andrew looked up towards the colonel. "I do miss her."

"I know, and she misses you too," Potter informed him. "What I'm trying to say is that when you go on this trip with her, not only talk it out with her but also be sure you two can comfort each other for what it's worth. It'll make a hell of a lot of a difference for everyone, and it'll make things better for you, and Margaret."

Andrew had to think about it, and realized that he has some stuff that needed to be taken care of and that the colonel was right. There was something that had to be settled, and recluding himself didn't help things at all; not only for Margaret but also for himself.

"Yeah. That's true Colonel," he sighed. "Maybe trying to avoid her wasn't the answer."

"Neither would getting you transferred out of this unit, son," the colonel added. "That wouldn't solve anything for anyone, especially for you and Margaret."

"I know that now," Andrew was starting to feel better. "I really do have a crush on her, sir."

"I know son," the colonel said. "That's why I want you two to go on this trip. You two desperately need some alone time together."

"Okay," Andrew then asked him. "And would it be alright if we were to become a thing and remain in this unit?"

"Well," Potter did some careful thinking about this. "I normally wouldn't do this, since the army is no place for romance. But if it'll make the both of you happy, then I don't see why not."

"Okay sir," Andrew said with a small smile. "But only if she is alright with it. I want her to feel comfortable with being with me."

"You know son," Potter chuckled lightly. "I wouldn't be surprised if she has a crush on you too, considering how much you respect her, and how you've been friendly towards her."

"Yeah. Alright, sir. I'll go on this trip with Major Houlihan," Andrew accepted. "I'll do my very best to make things right with her."

"That's all that I ask of you Andrew, to do your best to do the right thing with her."

"I get that now. And I'm sorry that I've been distancing myself from you guys."

"No need to apologize for that. Just go and make things right with Margaret."

"I'll do whatever it takes to bring us close to each other again," Andrew was about to turn around, but then realized something. "One more thing sir, could you show me how to get to the 8063rd? I've never been there before."

"That's right. I haven't sent you out on an errand before," Sherman Potter remembered. "And I take it that you can drive the jeep there, right?"

"Yeah. I've driven a couple of cars before, but nothing like this," Andrew nodded. "Now let's see how I can get to the 8063rd."

"Alright," Sherman Potter took out a map of the area between the 4077 and the 8063. He then started pointing out some directions as to how he can get there, and make sure he follows the route exactly how it's shown.

As soon as that was done, Andrew decided to leave and pack up some of his stuff from the Swamp, planning on setting things straight with the head nurse so the two of them could be happy again...


AT THE SWAMP:

Andrew was just getting some of the important stuff packed up for his time out of the unit. It wasn't much. It was mainly the overall necessities; surgeon coats, important tools, and whatnot. He even checked his footlocker to see if he could use a spare of boots for the trip. While he was at it, he inadvertently stuffed that note he wrote for Margaret into his pockets, which would be important to him later on.

One last thing that he made sure of was wearing something formal, which would be appropriate for this occasion. He's never done anything like this before, so he had to make sure that he was in mint condition with his appearance.

As soon as he was ready, he stood up in a brown formal uniform as he picked up the backpack and threw it over his back.

"So I guess you're leaving us for a bit, huh," BJ watched him pack his stuff this whole time.

Andrew could only let out a sigh at that. "I guess so. I'm gonna try and make things right with Margaret."

"Hey, don't sweat it okay, pal," the captain assured him. "You can do it. Just show her how much she means to you, and she'll forgive you."

Andrew couldn't help but flash a reassured smiled towards him. It helps that unlike Hawkeye, he didn't pester him about his feelings for her, and he minded his own business throughout this whole ordeal.

"Thanks for that Hunnicutt," Andrew thanked him. "I'll do my very best."

"Ahem, feel free to leave us anytime now," Winchester told him impatiently.

"Sure thing, Winchester." Andrew shook his head as he walked out the door and went for the jeep that he'll be taking on this trip...


AT THE MOTOR POOL:

"So you have just about all the necessary supplies needed for this trip," Potter was at the jeep that Andrew and Margaret were in. "You don't need much. Just your doctor and nurse coats, and a couple of tools for the presentation. That's it."

"Uhhh...I think we got everything we need, Colonel," Andrew said slowly, trying not to make things awkward right now, as Margaret was sitting in the passenger's seat.

"Good. So I think you two are ready to shove off," Potter encouraged.

"NOT SO FAST SIR," that came from Klinger, who had two more backpacks to put into the jeep, as he placed them into the back seat. "I took the liberty of packing a couple of extra things for our two majors. These backpacks have some food and beverages for the good sir, and his missus when they get hungry or thirsty."

"Beat it, Klinger," Andrew glowered at the company clerk after he put them in the back seat.

Klinger took a hint and high-tailed it out of there, seeing that Andrew is still mad about what he did, and he couldn't blame him. He only hoped that he'll at least be willing to consider accepting an apology after he comes back from this trip.

Andrew was all set to shove off. He couldn't help but take a glance at Margaret, who was wearing a formal brown outfit similar to his, except she had a skirt on instead of pants, with her hair hanging down. A slight blush formed on his face, but he quickly shook it off, considering the predicament he was in, and how she wasn't even talking.

"Okay, I guess we are ready to shove off Colonel," Andrew told Colonel Potter.

"That's the spirit! Now remember, have a good trip," the colonel told them. "And remember, if you two get lost or let's say, get your jeep stolen, be sure to keep each other safe. Understood?"

"Yeah," Andrew tugged on his collar, fearing that this may get weird. "I'll make sure that both of us stay safe."

"Now you're talking my language," Potter praised him. "Bon voyage for now you two! Have a nice trip!"

"Uhh...thanks," Andrew decided to activate the jeep and got it out of the parking lane. "I guess we should go."

I'm gonna do what the colonel says and work things out with Margaret...

With that, Andrew drove the jeep out of the 4077 with Margaret in the passenger seat, while Sherman Potter was waving towards them. As they were driving out of there, Father Mulcahy witnessed the whole thing as he went over to the colonel's side.

"So, I take it that sending them out to the 8063rd is going to get them to work things out, right colonel," the Chaplin asked him.

"I sure hope so," the colonel sighed. "This whole mess had gotten out of control."

"Well it has become noticeable that the doctors here have been acting a little...unholy to say the least," Father Mulcahy remarked sheepishly. "Let's just hope that Majors Peterson and Houlihan can work things out between them, so they can be happy again."

"Believe me, Padre, I'll be praying for them to be in a better mood when they get back," Potter said. "And that they'll make it back alive."

"We can only hope and pray for a better outcome to all of this," the Padre remarked.

"Yeah. One can hope," the colonel said simply.

And thus the two of them headed back to the center of the compound, hoping that things will work out between Andrew and Margaret.

They had no idea about the treacherous trials that would be in store for the pair; something that might help them not only restore the status quo but bring them closer together...


END OF CHAPTER 10...

Yeah, it looks like things are going to get somewhere in this story. Still, I hope that this part of the story is good enough.

Now if you must know, these next couple of chapters are similar to that one season 6 two-parter episode with Hawkeye and Margaret, except there are a bunch of differences with this one; the major one involves Andrew. Just to let you know.

Anyway, the next chapter will show Andrew and Margaret trying to break the ice, with the latter snapping at the former a couple of times (to make it more realistic), while the former is willing to put up with that, and some other nonsense will occur. How will this go for them? Find out next time!

Now only leave constructive criticism if it's on a friendly level, or leave any positive reviews for this chapter. Although by this point, you all should know this by now.

With that said, that's all for now! So until next time, hope you look forward to what's coming up! And on that note, thanks for reading people!