Okay, folks! Here is the fourteenth chapter of this story!
Now by this point, we are coming to a close with this arc, which wraps up with this chapter with Major Peterson and Major Houlihan returning to the 4077, and the people there express relief that they came back safe and sound. Some stuff will be exchanged, Andrew gets resituated into the 4077, and other stuff will occur. How will this all turn out? Find out now!
ON THE OPEN ROAD - IN SOUTH KOREA 22:48
Out on the open road, we see the 4077's jeep driving down the road during the nighttime. In it was the two majors expecting to make it back to their M*A*S*H unit by tonight. Andrew made a note to memorize the directions that were given to him by the colonel of the 8063rd. Hopefully, the 4077 wouldn't bug out on them. They probably wouldn't anyway, but they just had to hope that it doesn't happen.
Andrew was the one driving again, while Margaret was in the passenger's seat. Both of them had perky smiles on their faces; a sharp contrast to the awkward frowns that they had when they left the 4077 temporarily. Not only did they make up and possibly grew even closer to each other, but they were glad that this whole scenario has come to a close. They just hoped that their unit had simmered down after the mishap with the intercom.
Major Peterson couldn't help but take several glances at his partner, something that didn't go unnoticed by the head nurse. She just smiled away as the major kept driving them back to where they belong.
"So, this has been quite an experience, hasn't it Margaret," Andrew asked her.
"Yes it has been, darling," she said in a warm tone. "I just can't wait for us to get back to the 4077."
"Me either. I don't mind telling you this dear, but I kinda miss some of the antics that go on there."
"I get what you're saying."
"Yup," Andrew couldn't help but start chuckling. "I never told you this, but I also found amusement in how Colonel Potter and Winchester holler at each other."
This got Margaret to look at him with piqued interest. "You do?"
"Yeah." he nodded. "Like the time where Winchester demanded Potter to be released from this unit and sent back home just so he could work at a hospital in Boston."
"I overheard some of it," the head nurse had a small smirk. "The colonel told him that he needed him in this outfit and that if he released him, then we'd all want to go home on Groundhog Day."
"Yeah, and I wondered if we'd get out on the Fourth of July," Andrew grinned. "Pretty soon, they started yelling at each other, with Winchester demanding satisfaction, and the colonel ranting about Winchester's cockamamie record player and that he had it up to here with his complaining all the time."
"I should have been there to see that," she snickered, her smirk growing.
"Sometimes I wonder if their hollering fits weren't really an argument, but a contest," Andrew joked. "A contest to see who truly has the loudest voice in all of South Korea."
"It's no contest," Margaret laughed. "They are both pretty loud when they are bickering."
"Imagine what would happen if they had to share the same tent," Andrew cackled. "Like the time that they caught the mumps and they had to be roomies? I can't blame the colonel for getting sick of Winchester's opera records."
"I can't blame him either, considering that his record player kept all of us up the first night you spent at our unit," Margaret giggled. "I also find the colonel's painting of Winchester to be very funny since it shows him yapping his mouth at the colonel like he usually does."
"Yeah, I found that to be hilarious," Andrew laughed. "I especially find it funny that Potter claimed that he was out of umber and wasn't willing on releasing Winchester."
"Tell me about it."
"Their bickering moments can be just as amusing as Klinger's Section 8 schemes."
"No kidding there."
Both of them shared a laugh until they simmered down and they kept on driving back to their base.
As they did, Andrew had another thought come up. Before this whole fiasco, he remembered Margaret wearing that perfume when she sat with them for lunch. Even though he was nervous about blowing his feelings for her in front of everyone, he had to admit, he loved the cherry blossom fragrance that she put on.
Even though she was an army woman, she was still a woman, and she had the right to use what every other woman likes in perfume and makeup and stuff. After all, she is given the nickname Hot Lips for a reason. He had to wonder if she still had some left in her tent.
Clearing his throat, he decided to ask her. "Excuse me, Margaret?"
"Yes, Andrew?" She gave him her attention.
"Do you remember that cherry blossom perfume that you wore before the confession that I had a crush on you was revealed?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Do you still have some on hand?" Andrew queried, feeling sweat building on his forehead.
"Well sure I do. I don't have it on hand now," she answered. "But it's still in my tent right on my dresser. Why?"
Andrew then had a nervous smile on his face as he was driving. "Uh, if it isn't any too much trouble, once we get settled back into the 4077...I would love for you to have it on again."
Margaret's reaction was a bewildered look on her face, which lasted for a few seconds. Then suddenly, she burst into laughter at how he asked for her permission. There was something about the way he asked it that seemed kinda cute. But she was able to reassure him anyway.
"Oh darling, you don't have to ask me permission for that," she assured him. "I would have put some on for you anyway."
"Well that's good to know dear," Andrew smiled. "Because I really love it."
"I had a feeling you did," she smirked with half-lidded eyes.
"Yeah," Andrew said simply as he continued to drive.
He was enjoying this small talk that he was making with her. Things were no longer sour, and they seemed much more lively. To say nothing about the fact that they stuck together when in dangerous territory, along with how they spent kissing throughout last night. Just recalling the moments they shared made him feel on cloud nine. He just hoped that things don't go south once they get back to the M*A*S*H 4077...
After some more driving, the two of them were approaching the entrance to the 4077. It was right up ahead. They were glad to be back in familiar territory.
"Well, there it is Margaret," he announced. "It's the 4077!"
"It's good to be back," she admitted.
"Yup. Home sweet home in South Korea," Andrew cracked, approaching the entrance.
"You know, this reminds me of a song," Margaret decided to lighten the mood. "Over hill, over dale."
"As we hit the dusty trail," Andrew knew which song she was referring to, as he sang it with her.
"As the Caissons go rolling along!" Both of them started to sing at the same time. "Countermarch, right about, you can hear the sergeant shout, and the Caissons go rolling along!"
They had already passed the gate and drove by the compound. That didn't stop them from singing though.
"For it's hi-hi-hee in the field artillery, shout out your orders loud and strong," they sang as they approached the mess tent. "For wherever you go, you will always know that the Caissons go rolling along!"
What came as a surprise to them was how there were a bunch of people there waiting for them to show up, and once they finished singing, everyone was letting out applause for them. There was even a banner above them saying 'WELCOME BACK TO THE 4077: ANDREW PETERSON AND MARGARET HOULIHAN!'; something that came as a surprise to Andrew since they weren't gone for a very long time.
"Wow. I wasn't expecting a festival for us," Andrew remarked. "We weren't gone for a decade."
"They're just happy to see us back safe and sound, Andrew," Margaret smiled.
"Good point," Andrew smiled back as Colonel Potter got through the crowd to greet the two of them.
"Well howdy-do," he greeted them with enthusiasm. "For a minute there, I thought you two weren't going to make it back. It's great to have the two of you here again. And we were gonna send the posse after you too."
"No worries Colonel," Andrew beamed with a bright smile. "I'm happy that Margaret and I have returned!"
"Andrew is right," Margaret agreed, also sporting a gleaming perky smile. "We are glad to be back in this unit."
Colonel Potter took notice of their renewed joyful personality, and he couldn't have been more proud.
"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle," he remarked. "You two left the 4077 as sour rain clouds, but now you came back as beaming rays of sunlight! I don't know how you two pulled it off, but I'm satisfied with what I'm seeing!"
"Well you know sir," Andrew said modestly, not losing that smile as he got out of the jeep and helped Margaret get down. "We just did what you suggested and comforted each other, and we got back perfectly fine."
"We kept each other safe, and we got out alive," Margaret beamed, not bothered that Andrew kept her close with his right arm. "It was quite an experience for the two of us!"
"Yes. Well, in any case, we're glad that you are still with us and your lives were spared because you stuck together," Father Mulcahy proclaimed. "It is truly a holy moment if I must say."
"We're just glad that you two are alright," BJ remarked.
"And we're happy to be back," Andrew said. "And Margaret and I worked things out and there is no more tension."
"We couldn't have done it any better," Margaret agreed with him.
Before anyone else could say anything, another voice was heard yelling from beyond the crowd.
"ANDREW?! MAJOR PETERSON!" That voice came from Klinger as he fought right past that crowd and went straight for Andrew.
"Klinger!" Andrew remarked as the company clerk got right in front of him.
"Oh, Andrew! Major, I'm so glad that you're okay and alive," Klinger could barely contain himself. "Listen, Peterson, I'm really sorry for that little idiotic stunt! If I hadn't had kept it on, you wouldn't have gotten into this mess, and you and Major Houlihan wouldn't have been almost killed!"
"Klinger! Klinger, it's okay! It's okay," Andrew tried to get the Lebanese-American Corporal to settle down. "Listen, I want to say that you are forgiven."
"Really? Do you mean it? You really mean it?" Klinger had to double-check.
"Of course I mean it. I've forgiven you, Klinger," Andrew told him before frowning. "And I'm sorry for overreacting."
"Hey, no hard feelings pal," Klinger didn't seem upset by that anymore. "I'm just glad that both you and Major Houlihan are alive and back with us!"
"Yeah," Andrew grinned. "Let's just forget that this ever happened."
He turned to see Margaret looking at him brightly, making him correct himself.
"Well...almost everything," Andrew gave Margaret a wink to let her know what he was referring to; about what they did last night. She blushed a light pink as a result.
"Fine by me, Major Peterson," Klinger said to him.
"Hey Major Houlihan," Nurse Jennifer got her attention along with the other nurses. "We kept everything nice and organized as you instructed."
"Yeah. Thanks for that," Margaret said sheepishly. "As a way of apologizing, I'm giving you girls a whole two days off."
"You mean that," Nurse Bigelow asked as Margaret nodded. "Then who will take care of the duties?"
"I'll handle it," Margaret insisted, smiling. "I could do that stuff again anyway."
"Better yet, I'll lend you a hand Margaret," Andrew intervened, insisting on helping her as he walked right next to her. "I could try doing that stuff again too."
The nurses were all surprised. Before she left, Margaret was absolutely grouchy. But now she's as perky as an overly excited schoolgirl. They exchanged looked before Nurse Baker spoke up.
"Uhhh, thanks for this Houlihan. And we appreciate the time off, but we don't understand," she wondered. "Why the sudden change in attitude to being uplifted?"
Andrew decided to speak on Margaret's behalf as he kept her close. "Let's just say that Margaret and I found our place in the wilderness, and we are happy to be together."
"Now you're talking my language," Colonel Potter said. "In any case, what are we standing around here for? Let's head into the mess tent!"
"Yeah, we have a big surprise for you two since you returned," BJ added.
Andrew and Margaret exchanged looks with each other, and they didn't see any harm in doing it. Although Andrew felt that all of this wasn't necessary, he figured that it was best not to ignore a gift straight from the horses' mouth.
The two majors went inside the mess tent with the others as they were escorted to one of the tables. They both sat on top of the table together as they stayed close. Andrew began to notice that Hawkeye wasn't anywhere in sight. It was probably for the best though. He didn't want to deal with any more drama after having come back.
The members of the unit were talking in unison until Colonel Potter finally got them to settle down.
"Alright people! Settle down," the colonel turned his attention to the two majors. "Now before we begin, I'd like to thank the one person who helped in getting you two found. Without Corporal Klinger going behind my back and getting that chopper pilot out there to find you two, none of this would have been possible!"
"You sent out that pilot to look for us, Klinger?" Andrew queried in pure amazement as he and Margaret pieced it together.
"Yes sir. I just felt so guilty about what I've done, I couldn't just stand around and think that you two have been killed. And I-Corps was unable to find you two," Klinger admitted. "So I went behind the Colonel's back, got that chopper pilot out to look for you, have him give me your coordinates, and allow your rescue to be possible. All as a way of making up for what I did to you two."
"Klinger, I already told you that I forgave you for that," Andrew repeated calmly. "In fact, if I didn't forgive you for it before, then I certainly do now."
"That goes for me too, Klinger," Margaret spoke up, siding with Andrew. "I forgive you too."
"Thanks. That's all that I can ask for." Klinger expressed himself.
"Now now, that's enough Klinger," Potter got him back on topic. "Now that we got that out of the way, we have some gifts for the two of you!"
"You do?" Andrew and Margaret asked in unison.
"Allow me to go first," Father Mulcahy stepped up. "Ahem, Majors Peterson and Houlihan, as a way to express how happy I am that you returned, I am willing to give you two these."
Father Mulcahy gave both of them what appeared to be a passport inside a black leather flap.
"Are these passports Father?" Andrew quizzed the Padre.
"That's exactly what they are," he said. "And although Houlihan already got one when she came back with Pierce, she gets this second one just in case she gets lost again with you. That way the both of you can show them to someone, and they can bring you back here."
"Well this is awful nice Padre, thank you," Andrew smiled as did his partner.
"It's no trouble at all," the Chaplin exclaimed. "Remember, those passports are sacred, and were granted with the approval of God. They aren't easy to come by."
"Well that's sweet Father," Margaret grinned. "Thank you for these."
"Wait! Now I have a gift for you two," Klinger stepped up. "You two get to share this one."
Klinger went and took out what appeared to be a pair of handcuffs with a key to go with it. He placed right in between the pair as both Majors gave him a confused look.
"Handcuffs?" Both Andrew and Margaret queried.
"Yes. Those handcuffs came straight from the Toledo Police Department," Klinger said bashfully. "They're for you to use whenever you guys are in the wilderness again. If you two put them on when you are lost out there with nowhere to go, it will make sure that you two stay together and aren't separated by anything or anyone."
This resulted in both Andrew and Margaret laughing out of delight that he'd think of something like this. They wouldn't separate anyway, but it was a thoughtful gift just in case they did somehow get separated.
"That was some clever thinking Klinger," Andrew snickered. "Thank you for this."
"Yeah. This was really considerate," Margaret agreed with a chuckle. "Thank you."
"Wait, not so fast," BJ stepped up. "Now it's my turn to give you two a gift."
The captain approached the two of them and gave each of them a circular tool. It was revealed to be a compass as they saw the arrow and the first letter for north, south, east, and west placed in the proper area.
"Hey. It's a compass," Andrew said admiringly.
"What are these for, Hunnicutt?" The head nurse asked.
"Well, they are so you two won't get lost and so you won't wander into enemy territory," Hunnicutt explained. "They can help the two of you find your way around."
"Hey, what do you know," Andrew decided to joke. "It seems that there's a little Radar in all of us."
"You can say that again Andrew," Margaret found herself laughing at what he said. She hadn't felt this happy in a while.
"Hot sausage, that was a clever one Major Peterson," Colonel Potter admitted. "Kudos to you for thinking of it."
"It was no trouble at all," Andrew said modestly as the others thought that his joke was not only clever but appropriate for the situation.
"Anyway, we like to thank all of you for going through this trouble for us," Margaret thanked them.
"Yeah. We truly do appreciate the welcome back and gifts," Andrew smiled, keeping his partner close. "And for that, we thank you all."
"Think nothing of it Majors. We just missed having you two here," Colonel Potter said. "It's good to have you back!"
"And it's good to be back, Colonel," the two majors remarked.
"Yes. Indeed. It is a great pleasure to have you two back in our M*A*S*H unit." Winchester commented.
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Father Mulcahy agreed.
But before someone else could say anything, Hawkeye chose the right time to enter the mess tent and see the two majors back from their time away together.
"Hey, lookie here. If it ain't the cute young couple having come back from their honeymoon," he remarked shamelessly. "Did you two have fun? Play hanky panky or something?"
This wasn't a good thing for either of them as Andrew and Margaret jumped down from the table. BJ facepalmed and shook his head, Klinger pinched the bridge of his nose, Potter shook his head and groaned, Winchester rolled his eyes, and the rest of them grimaced at this. Andrew had a look of shock plastered onto his face.
SERIOUSLY PIERCE!? YOU'RE GOING TO GET AT THIS AGAIN!? AFTER MARGARET AND I CAME BACK FROM WHO-KNOWS-WHERE, WHERE WE WERE ALMOST KILLED! Andrew screamed in his thoughts.
This was unbelievable. How could Hawkeye go on about them again, even after what took place? Andrew went through a living life of hell in North Korean territory where he did everything he could to protect Margaret, even when she snapped at him until they talked in the South Korean home, which he could understand as she was feeling hurt about him shunning her away, and now he was back to square one?
This whole scenario wasn't easy for him. It was just sheer luck that got him and Margaret to finally get on good terms again, maybe even closer than that. And Hawkeye still has some nerve to tease him about his feelings for Margaret?
Damn it, Pierce, why do this to us again!? I almost LOST Margaret; literally and figuratively! I am in no mood to put up with this crap again, not after everything I've been through to keep Margaret safe!
With that, Andrew started to furrow his eyebrows, curling his hands into fists before clenching his teeth. He felt himself visibly shaking from anger and fury at being put into this situation again. He was finally going to tell Pierce off for his behavior.
But before he could do anything, Margaret decided to step in, having noticed Andrew was about to erupt. She then approached the chief surgeon with a faux smile on her face.
"Pierce?" She spoke calmly with that fake smile of hers.
"Yes," Pierce looked curious by this.
Margaret wasted no time in raising her left hand. Now sporting a frown, she took that left hand, and smacked him right across the face, getting him to stumble down a bit before she stormed off to her tent. It was clear that she was done with his attitude just as Andrew was.
Everyone had gasped at what Margaret did. Everyone except Andrew, who just stared in awe at how she was saving him the trouble of expressing his aggravation. Andrew pretty much cooled off the moment Margaret smacked Pierce in the face.
Colonel Potter and BJ helped Hawkeye onto his feet as the former then made this comment.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially when she's with her partner," Potter admitted.
Andrew was pretty much satisfied with what Margaret did. Still, he had a couple of words that he had to tell Pierce. Walking up to him, he got his attention.
"Well, Pierce? Are you proud of yourself yet?" Andrew asked calmly, glowering at him. "Are you satisfied? Or do we have to write it out for you in a lengthy letter straight from the Pentagon?"
With that, Andrew turned around and stormed back to the Swamp to unpack his stuff, since he assumed Margaret was unpacking her stuff in her tent. BJ was not impressed by what Hawkeye did. The chief surgeon got smacked by the head nurse and told off by the major afterwards.
"Didn't I tell you to stay out? I mean it. Didn't I tell you to stay out of this? Look what happened!" BJ told him.
Hawkeye could only moan as Colonel Potter then issued this party to a close, as the fun was all over...
BACK IN THE SWAMP:
Sometime later, in the Swamp, Andrew had finished unpacking his stuff in there and was just getting comfortable in his sleeping quarters again. He was also in a navy blue bathrobe, which was essentially his nighttime clothing, with an undershirt and green shorts underneath. Hawkeye and BJ returned to the Swamp recently, as the former was now on his bed since he decided to lay down after how Hot Lips smacked him, which the latter watched Andrew get his stuff back to where they belonged. Klinger even decided to join them in the Swamp as he was just glad that Andrew was back. Peterson noticed that Winchester wasn't back yet, but he decided not to fret about it.
"So I take it that everything went well for you two," BJ commented.
"Yeah," Andrew sighed. "It was certainly an experience that I won't forget."
"So did you two manage to work it out together," Klinger asked softly.
"Kinda. It was rocky at first since she was snapping at me," Andrew explained. "I couldn't blame her for it though, after what had happened. That didn't stop me from doing the right thing and protecting her though."
"Wait, how did you protect her?" BJ queried.
"Well first off, when we were ambushed by North Koreans, they pointed guns at us, threatening to shoot us if we didn't get out of the jeep," Andrew told them. "So I grabbed Margaret and we got out of the jeep. I did it so she wouldn't get shot. Next, I knew where there was a minefield, so I showed Margaret that we should avoid it, and we did."
"Anything else happened to you two?" Klinger was curious.
"Why yes, there was something else," Andrew revealed. "Later on when we were walking down this road, I sensed some people present in the forests on both sides. I had a feeling that they were North Korean Guerrillas, and I was right when they started to shoot at the two of us. Margaret told me to stay down, and I encouraged her to do the same while sticking right behind me. We stayed safe until we found an abandoned South Korean home, and we stayed there for shelter so we could be safe."
"What else happened with you two," Hunnicutt asked.
"Well, my left arm got a minor wound when we were getting away from those Guerrillas. But Margaret insisted on treating it for me," Andrew confessed. "After that, we talked about what was on our chests and our minds in an attempt to work things out. They did work out."
"Is there anything else that you two did while in the wilderness?" BJ questioned. "And also, how do you think you two feel about each other?"
"Last night, when we were sleeping in that home, a shell fire woke us up, scaring the two of us to the point where we couldn't sleep," Andrew mentioned. "So I had Margaret huddle up to me, and then we...we..."
"Yes?" Klinger encouraged.
"We...I took this big blanket and tossed it over both of us so we'd be hidden. And underneath, Margaret and I...well, that is we...uh...we kissed, mouth to mouth," Andrew confessed.
"Ah, so you two did go on a honeymoon together after all," Hawkeye spoke up upon hearing that.
Andrew only gave the captain a dirty look for that comment.
"Unless you want me to get Margaret in here just so she can smack you again, I'd recommend shutting up Pierce," Andrew warned him. "And to answer your other question Hunnicutt, we practically comforted each other from there on out. She was pretty affectionate with me. She made sure that I was in good spirits. She even called me 'darling'."
"Wow," BJ remarked. "It's just like the time Hawkeye was lost in the wilderness with her."
"Yeah, and I'm not sure if I even want to know about that," Andrew shook his head.
"So you think that you and Houlihan are on good terms again?" Klinger brought.
"I don't think so. I know so Klinger," Andrew said with no humiliation. "The two of us were very happy by the time we were heading back to this unit. We were laughing like a couple. We were even singing when entering the compound before being greeted with the surprise. Hell, we enjoyed the gifts that we got from you, Father Mulcahy, and Hunnicutt. We were flattered that you gave us those handcuffs so we wouldn't be separated if we were to get lost again. All in all, I'm glad that we got this out between us and that the feeling that I share for her is mutual on her end too."
"I know the feeling," BJ sympathized. "I still remember the honeymoon I went on with Peg. Yes. That was a wonderful time for us."
"But the thing is that Margaret and I aren't married. I don't even know if we are a couple," Andrew expressed his confusion. "I mean, I would love to be a couple with Hot Lips, but I don't want to make it official until she wants it to be official."
"I see," BJ rubbed his chin. "Well, you two can work that out by yourselves. I'm keeping out of it just like I did before."
"Yeah, I'm gonna leave you two to figure that out on your own as well," Klinger promised.
Andrew turned to face Hawkeye and was about to ask him if he was going to follow their example. But before he could get his question out, the door to the Swamp opened once again, and entering was Charles, who looked like he had to say something to the other major.
"Ah, Major Peterson, just the person I wanted to see," he got his attention. "I'd like to have a word with you for a minute."
"Uh sure," Andrew found this to be odd, seeing that he never did this before. "What's on your mind, Winchester?"
"Ahem, Peterson, it is no secret that I resent your capabilities and doctoring techniques, as mention time after time again," Charles admitted. "However, after the harsh realities that have occurred that involved you and Major Houlihan, it has occurred to me that I was rather...hasty with how I misjudged you with being on par with my skills. Therefore, it is to my pleasure, that I...honestly apologize for my irrational behavior."
Andrew was left in complete shock by that. Never mind the fact that Winchester had a lot of trouble getting that apology out. Andrew was surprised that he was even apologizing at all. He always felt that Winchester would be the last person to apologize to him for anything. This came as quite a shake-up.
"Wow. That's a first," Andrew couldn't help but retort. "What brought on this apology anyway?"
"Well, after hearing about the treacherous tales of woes between you and Houlihan, and how you went through all the trouble and hassle for the head nurse to stay safe, I have concluded that I...ahem, was wrong about you being inept. Thus, I am sorry for giving you such grief and irritation."
"Well, that's okay. I guess," Andrew said softly. "If it makes you feel any better, I never had any ill-mannered feelings against you. You did annoy me frequently with your attitude and such, but I wasn't going to hold a simple grudge over it."
"Yes. Make no mistake about it Peterson. I still don't like you, and I still resent you," Charles then sighed. "But I'm willing to put up with another major being in our outfit."
"And that's all that I ask for," Andrew smiled. "And I appreciate the apology. Thanks for that."
"Hey, sir? I know you've already forgiven me for what I did," Klinger got his attention. "But is there anything you'd like me to do for you? It can be anything."
Andrew looked at Klinger with a thoughtful expression as he started to think for a minute. Suddenly, Margaret popped into his head again, as well as the desire for real food not served in the mess tent. He came up with an idea that he could share with Klinger.
"Well, there is one thing," Andrew then asked him. "Klinger, are there any restaurants in Toledo that are good places for romantic couples to eat at?"
"Why sure. There are plenty of them," Klinger answered confidently. "One of them that I can name off the top of my head is Ernie's Pizza Inferno! Why do you ask?"
"Klinger? I think I have an idea," Andrew got Klinger over as he started whispering the plan that he had in mind.
Needless to say, Klinger was impressed by what the major was telling him.
"Wow Major. That is impressive," Klinger commented. "Very well. I will get to work on it right away. It may take a couple of days to get all the necessary ingredients and toppings, but I can promise you that it'll be a fantastic dinner night that you won't ever forget."
"That's good to know." Andrew smiled in satisfaction.
Now that he was all unpacked into his hut, and he felt like he said everything that he needed to say, it was time for him to pay a visit to a certain head nurse. As he stormed the door, the others were wondering about one thing.
"Where are you going, Major Peterson?"
"I'm going to visit Margaret," Andrew answered before advising them. "So I don't want anyone to follow me there. That means you, Pierce."
Hawkeye flinched as he said that, but Andrew was already out the door before he could react.
"Yeah, I better get back to my office to start getting the stuff that Major Peterson wants me to get," Klinger announced. "I hope you all have a goodnight."
From there, Klinger went out the door to head back to the company clerk's office, leaving the two captains and major behind to get themselves comfortable for bed, as nothing else was said between them...
Meanwhile, in Margaret's tent, the head nurse had already unpacked her things and she was already in her cyan blue bathrobe, with her white tank top and comfy light green shorts underneath. She looked absolutely comfortable, and she put on some of her cherry blossom perfume when she found it and was brushing her hair while sitting at her desk.
She was happy to be back at the 4077. But more importantly, she was happy that Andrew would stop avoiding her from here on out. Even though she slapped Pierce, it was because she noticed Andrew getting angry by his teasing, and she couldn't bear to see him get frustrated after all that they been through. So she acted upon it.
The comfort that she and Andrew gave each other from last night and most of today ran fresh in her mind. Their feelings were mutual. They enjoyed each other's company. Heck, both of them enjoyed that kissing fest a little too much from last night. It felt wonderful to her.
Suddenly, she found herself getting out of her thoughts when a knock was heard at her door. Taking a deep breath, she then asked.
"Who is it?"
"It's me," that voice belonged to Andrew, getting her to smile.
"Come in Andrew."
And that's what he did. He entered her little tent. "Uh, am I interrupting anything important?"
"Oh no. Not at all," she insisted. "I was just brushing my hair. But that's not important right now."
"Oh good," it was then he smelt the perfume that she wore the other day. "You're wearing that cherry blossom perfume, aren't you?"
"What gave it away," she gave him a sly smirk as she went over to her desk. "Oh hey! I have some tea that I made recently. Would you like to have some?"
"Sure," Andrew accepted. "It'll be nice to have something fresh to drink after what we went through."
"You're telling me," she grabbed two mugs and poured some tea from her tea cattle into both. She gave one of them to Andrew, which he took and she kept the other one. "So tell me, why did you decide to stop by my tent?"
"Oh, I just wanted to check up on you," Andrew muttered, taking a seat.
"I can see why," she took a sip of her tea.
"Yeah," Andrew followed her lead as he then brought up. "To be honest, I'm still amazed by how you slapped Pierce like that."
"How could I not? I saw how angry you were getting from that. And frankly, I wasn't up to dealing with it either," Margaret admitted. "After what we've gone through, I wasn't going to put up with anymore of that, so I slapped him, especially on your behalf."
"Aww, I'm flattered Margaret," Andrew felt a blush forming. "I mean, we been through a lot. I almost lost you in both senses. And I wasn't up to dealing with it again."
"I feel the same way, Andrew."
"But really, we did go through a lot before we came back to the M*A*S*H 4077," Andrew admitted. "And to tell you the truth, I did enjoy every moment we comforted each other."
"I enjoyed it too," Margaret smiled. "I think a lot has changed between us since then."
"For the better that is," Andrew commented. "I'll tell you what though. I'm glad that all this tension is gone between us. And aside from that, I don't think I can get the fun moments we shared out of my head."
"I can't either," she said while standing up. "I also think that we learned quite a bit about each other."
"Yeah," he nodded. "From this point on, I get this feeling that we'll have each others' backs."
"Which is certainly better than us separating."
"You know, if that happens, we should use the handcuffs Klinger gave us to make sure we stay together if we get lost out there," Andrew joked.
"Yeah, that would be a good idea," Margaret laughed as she went over to her bed and sat down. "Come over here, Andrew. There's something else I'd like to say to you."
Andrew didn't object as he put his cup of tea down and walked over to sit right next to Margaret on her bed.
"Andrew, I think it's safe to say that we are stuck with each other," Margaret insisted. "I also hope that we can remain in the same unit; this one."
"I'd love for us to remain in this unit together too," Andrew mentioned. "And I have no problem with us being stuck with each other."
"Yeah," she nodded. "At least I was with you, darling."
"Me too dear," Andrew then admitted. "I still admire the fact that we kissed last night."
"Same here," Margaret shared his thoughts.
"Hey, Margaret?" Andrew asked barely above a whisper.
"Yes, Andrew?"
"That...that kissing that we did last night, just for comfort," Andrew started. "Can...can we...try doing that again...dear?"
Margaret could only smirk at this, never mind the fact that he was stuttering the question like a dork.
"I'd thought you'd never ask, darling," she whispered seductively.
From there, their lips met as they embraced each other while standing up. It was just as affectionate as it was the other night. To them, being together was comparable to being in paradise, no matter how crummy and rundown the M*A*S*H 4077 was.
Sometimes it's not the place in question that counts. It's the people. And Andrew was glad that Margaret was in this outfit, and vice versa.
By the time the kissing fest was done, Andrew reeked of lipstick and cherry blossom perfume. He didn't care about it though. He felt like a wicked lucky man with Hot Lips around. And he looks forward to enjoying any future instances in this M*A*S*H unit.
There were plenty of fun times in store for him. That was a given...
END OF CHAPTER 14...
Yeah, that's it for this chapter. I hope that you guys had fun reading this one too.
Now there have been a couple of new changes for Andrew's characterization as a result of his character development. While he will still have stoic moments and he will continue to remain calm in most situations, he is starting to exhibit a more silly dorky side when around Margaret, which will add a more charming side to his personality. He will also continue to have traits typical of a 'deadpan snarker' and also the 'only sane man' so he doesn't lose all of his original traits. He's just not going to block out his emotions and he'll spend less time by himself.
As for the lyrics to that song, most of them were inconsistent, so I had to go with what I found that was consistent enough.
Anyway, the next chapter is more along the lines of a breather chapter, after what had taken place the past couple of chapters, as the main crew with Andrew will have some fun taking part in something. What will they be doing? Find out next time!
For now, only leave constructive criticism if you're being kind about it, and leave a positive review if you like.
That's all for now, folks. So until next time, take care of yourselves. And for that matter, thanks again for reading!
