Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own these two adorable characters.

Chapter 1: Making waves!

[Timeline: 4077th M*A*S*H, South Korea – 1951]

"Excuse me, ma'am, is anyone sitting here?"

Klinger looked up from his food tray to see a tall, lanky-looking pilot smiling amiably at him from under the brim of his non-military, dark blue baseball cap. He wore one of the customary flight jackets, with a very fierce looking tiger design displayed on the back.

His face showed no signs of being concerned to see the very macho-looking, Lebanese Corporal wearing a WAVES' uniform. This consisted of a narrow navy blue, six panel skirt and matching fitted jacket. A perky blue and white hat sat jauntily on his head. The pilot instantly recognised the white anchors on the round collar lapels, depicting the "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" insignia. He knew that WAVES was a division of the US Navy during WW2.

With the Mess Tent filled to capacity, Klinger gestured indifferently at the seat opposite him. The pilot perched himself down on the end of the bench, placing his tray carefully on the table. Klinger had seen him round the camp on several occasions. He was known as Captain HM Murdock and had a reputation for being a zany, madcap pilot whose initials apparently stood for "Howlin' Mad". His unique war cry during take-off had amused both the troops and the casualties!

Klinger glanced up at Murdock every now and then, noticing how he seemed to be distracted by something down on the floor by his feet. His bushy eyebrows arched in further bewilderment as he saw the pilot breaking off pieces of his food, before tossing it casually on to the ground. He was murmuring something under his breath, as if he was talking with someone. Klinger leant sideways as he peered down at the ground, curious as to who the pilot was talking to. His forehead puckered up into a frown as he saw nothing but empty space.

"Come on Billy-boy," crooned Murdock, in a concerned voice. "You've gotta eat somethin'."

Klinger stared at Murdock in astonishment. The pilot must have caught his eye, because he spoke, rather apologetically to the Corporal, in a fretful voice.

"It's ma dawg, Billy," he said, in a thick Texan twang. He pointed down at his feet as if to clarify his point. "He ain't been eating well lately. I'm that vexed about him."

"Sure, Captain," replied Klinger, rather nervously. "Whatever you say."

Murdock patted the air below him, in a soothing manner. Klinger continued to stare at him, rather incredulously at first and then gradually with suspicion. He wasn't used to seeing anyone else acting so peculiar – that was usually his job! Other people were also beginning to look over at the eccentric pilot with puzzled expressions on their faces. Feeling rather put-out by someone else grabbing his "crazy" limelight, Klinger decided to play along with the Captain's little performance.

"I guess the food here is enough to turn anyone's stomach," he drawled, as he also threw a piece of food down on the ground by the Captain's feet.

His response was met with a loud guffaw by Murdock, who obviously appreciated the remark – and the gesture. His brown eyes flashed back mischievously at Klinger, who despite himself, found himself returning the pilot's inane grin with his own roguish smirk.

"Is Billy your co-pilot?" he asked, in a genuinely interested voice.

"Sometimes," said Murdock. "Depends whether or not my whirlybird is picking up a full load."

"How does he know where to find you?" continued Klinger.

"Oh, he just does," said Murdock, somewhat vaguely. Klinger couldn't help notice that the friendly sparkle faded from the pilot's eyes, just for a few seconds, before they lit up again with enthusiastic lunacy.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," enquired Murdock, politely. "But isn't that a Second World War, US Navy uniform you're wearing?"

"Correct!" concurred Klinger, proudly.

"But you do realise you've missed the boat by about five years?" reiterated Murdock. "Plus you're in the wrong regiment!"

"Exactly my point," responded Klinger, brightly. "They're gonna have to send me back home now!"

A wave of recognition swept across the pilot's face. He had heard all about a certain Corporal Klinger from 4077th M*A*S*H, who was well-known for his extreme scams to get out of the army by acting crazy! Murdock hid a wistful smile behind his napkin. Looked like he had competition!

Not that Murdock was particularly bucking for a Section 8. Ironically, flying was the only thing that kept him grounded. In the air he was in control and at one with the world and his aircraft. On the ground he became as fragile and unstable as a fawn taking its first steps.

"Nice bit of jazz you've got going down," he said, the bemused expression on his face letting the Corporal know he approved of his game plan.

"Jazz?" queried Klinger, innocently.

"Yeah, the jazz!" repeated Murdock. "It's something a friend of mine excels in – you know - getting a kick out of running a scam!"

Klinger feigned an offended posture as he rose dramatically from the bench.

"Well I can't sit around here all day," he retorted. "Anchors aweigh me shipmate!"

He gave the Captain a brisk, military salute and then took his leave. Murdock chuckled to himself as he heard the Corporal singing the WAVES' song, with great gusto at the top of his voice:

There's a ship sailing down the bay.
And she won't slip into port again,
until that Victory Day.
Carry on for that gallant ship.
And for every hero brave,
who will find ashore,
his man-sized chore,
was done by a Navy WAVE.

Murdock dutifully tidied up before leaving the Mess Tent. As he sauntered casually through the camp, two dark, beady eyes watched him, attentively, from the entrance of the clerk's office. Murdock appeared to be throwing sticks to his imaginary dog in an animated fashion. Several passer-by's were looking at him with quite a bit of amusement on their faces.

"This guy's good!" thought Klinger to himself. He was going to have to seriously up the ante if he was going to stand any chance of competing with the screwball pilot!

[AN: Thanks for reading. This idea was given to me by another Fanfiction author almost a year ago. Hoping to post another chapter soon, depending on whether or not I figure out where I'm going with this! Please R&R and if you get the chance, let me know what you think.]