Spearchucker was a pretty lonely guy. Sure, he had friends in the camp…white friends, he meant…but that did not make matters better. He was not a general surgeon, only a neurosurgeon. He was also the only black man on the base. That made some pretty awkward conversations, for sure!

Hawkeye Pierce made him feel pretty welcome and even conned Henry Blake into transferring Spearchucker to the 4077th. Granted, it was for a football game of all things, but it brought him someplace where he felt less harassed. It did not mean that his new friends understood him. It just meant that he was accepted and protected from a lynching.

Granted, that was a good thing. But Spearchucker found that there wasn't anybody else on the base that was black and felt the same pain he did. It made for some awkward meetings at times. Hell, even the nurses backed away, like he had some disease.

That is, until she came. Ginger Bayliss arrived at the camp shortly after that football game. She was the sole black woman in a jeep full of white women. She was confused and quite scared in the far back seat. She thought that she did not belong there. She was a lonely bird in a different flock.

Spearchucker saw her from his position outside the Swamp, where he was playing a game of gin rummy with Ugly John, Trapper and Hawkeye. He was in love at first sight. He almost missed his turn and had to be called back by Trapper. But throughout that game, he kept looking at her. He almost went up in arms the moment Margaret Houlihan came around too and was devastated when he no longer had her in his sights.

Hawkeye saw this and put a hand on his shoulder. "Not yet, partner," he said in a southern drawl. He pointed to the cards. "Your move, Tex."

The game continued, even though the black surgeon got thinking about her. This whole farce reminded him of home, the way that pretty lady peered around her and showed her obvious fear. Back in the States, he always had to deal with a cruel hand and he was sure that she did too. It wasn't until this war that bodies had to be counted and it not matter what color you were.

He just had to introduce himself. He did not want this beauty to believe that she was all alone. They had to stick together in the white man's war, no matter what.

The chance came later. Spearchucker managed to find his way to the nurses' tent, where his (hopefully) new friend was bunked. Lieutenant Baker answered the knock and allowed him in. Again, there was the stillness that came with a group of white women with a black woman. Spearchucker tried to make light of the situation, saying his hellos and such, and was surprised when he did not need to ask about the new nurse. Baker already had her up and center.

Spearchucker's breath was almost taken away. He almost did not hear her name. Ginger Bayliss. He could not get enough of her, from the fuzz of her dark hair to the soft feet that pattered across the dirty floor. It took a lot of effort to ask her to come outside with him.

"I think it's a good idea," Ginger said carefully.

Spearchucker stuttered a reply. "I-I-I know a p-p-pl-pl-place by the creek."

"That sounds like a great idea, soldier."

He did not like the title and grew defensive. "I'm a surgeon, not a common –"

Ginger put a finger to his mouth to shush him. "I know."

That prevented a heated argument. When he looked into Ginger's eyes, he knew that it wasn't worth it. It was best to lead her to his spot and hope for the best. Already, the other girls were whispering. The gossip was going to be around the camp before nightfall. If he was lucky, he'd have an hour with Ginger.

Major Houlihan will make sure we'll never be together.

The thought was like a stab to the heart. Spearchucker could not bear it. He had to get his time with Ginger, before the vultures come to pick the carcass. He took her hand and led her away.

Outside, there was a wall of people on either side of them, blocking their view of the Korean landscape. Ginger did not seem to mind. Spearchucker thought it was odd, especially since they weren't white, but black.

All of them were cheering them on like it was some spectator sport, but their words did not make sense. It was all gibberish and it was harder to understand the more Spearchucker tried. Their nonverbal meaning was clear though. Ginger and Spearchucker will be the first black couple in the camp and everybody wanted to see it. It was a joyous occasion.

Spearchucker rushed Ginger to their destination. They found a rock to sit on. Behind them, these people began to crowd. They came closer and closer, chanting louder. Their words were becoming more comprehensive.

"Kiss the girl!"

"You know you want to be different!"

"You'll never be part of them, boy!"

"Them white people will never accept you!"

Spearchucker found it disconcerting. He hoped that Ginger did not hear it. She still did not seem to. She only seemed to enjoy their time and the loneliness of the place. It was remote to her, enough that she was brave to reach out for his hands. She folded his digits into hers. It was a gesture of comfort as well as love.

"I am sure you are enough," Ginger began.

"Enough…for what?" Now, Spearchucker was bewildered.

"For yourself," she clarified. "For your career. For me."

Spearchucker never thought he'd hear those words from a woman. "We can stand together, against them." His shoulders motioned to the group that was still intoning. "Can we not?"

"Of course, we can," Ginger reassured him. She reached in for a kiss. "You just need to understand that you need to wake up."

It was a cue. Spearchucker kept hearing the words, but did not know what Ginger meant. Wake up from what? Did she really hear the words from those people? Was she a part of them? Was this all some invented scene that Spearchucker dreamt? Or was this some sick trick of his mind, telling him that he could have a bird of his flock nearby and not feel so left out?

Spearchucker woke up, all right. He was in he VIP tent. Ginger was sitting next to him in a Swamp lounge chair. She chuckled to her, counting her winnings. When his sight cleared enough, Spearchucker noted that she had most of his clothing and a pair of boots. She did not give him the decency of a blanket, he was that naked, nor did she care. It was all about the prize underneath all of the clothing.

"You owe me two shirts and your cologne," Ginger said as she finished counting her gold. She laughed merrily. "Are you sure you still want to play?"

Spearchucker had to think about it for a moment. He sat up and grinned. "There isn't anybody coming in anytime soon. We've got some time, my bird."