Hey,

I'm sorry that you had to wait for such a long time again, but I just didn't find the time to write. I wrote this chapter a little hurriedly, but I hope there're not so many mistakes that it's incomprehensible ;)

Enjoy the next chapter and remember: Reviews are love ;)

When they came back into the mess hall, they promptly ran into Maggie and Lip. Dick went beet red and Maggie gave him a short ashamed but affectionate look before she went to the bar. Arrived there, she was caught by Liebgott who asked her to dance with him. Maggie really liked Lieb, apart from his light choleric streak and she had to admit that he was a handsome guy. If she hadn't already been hopelessly in love with Dick, she might have made a move on Lieb. The two of them got along pretty well and had a good time. But after a while, Lieb's hand started to wander down her spine and was much too close to her butt for Maggie's taste. But because Lieb was pretty drunk, she just grabbed his hand and put it back upwards.

"It seems as if Liebgott wants to join Guarnere with his latrine duty…" stated Dick who watched Maggie and Liebgott.

"Hell, Dick, you're jealous!"

"No, I'm not." said Dick although he was pretty aware of his jealousy and knew that he sounded like small child.

"No, of course not" muttered Lew and then added: "I'll go and ask the little Lady for a dance."

"Lew, you're my best friend…" started Dick but Lew interrupted him. "Yepp. And best friend share everything, don't they?!"

Maggie and Lew started to dance and enjoyed each other's company. But they didn't say a word about Dick or the incident earlier this evening. Lew wasn't sure if he could talk about this with Maggie. First, he didn't know her too well, because he worked at the Battalion and second he didn't want to reveal Dick's feelings.

On the other side of the mess-hall, Lip had joined Dick and didn't avoid the "Maggie-subject".

"Sir, try not to look so desperate. It's due to your decision that Maggie and you aren't together…"

"Lip…"

"Sorry, Sir. I mean no disrespect but it's pretty obvious that Maggie and you have feelings for each other. And you don't have to justify your decision; that's not my business. And apart from that, I already know the whole pro-and-con-list from Maggie. What do you think about going to her and asking her for a dance? I'm sure she'll love to dance with you with less audience. This way you could be close to each other and talk unhurriedly."

"Yeah, you're right Lip. Thanks for your advance." With that Dick went away and asked Maggie to dance, who naturally accepted happily.

They were both too shy at the beginning to start a more private conversation, but after a few minutes they had a good time. Maggie was glad that she could be near to Dick without having to justify it. He was just so smart and kind and apart from that a really good dancer. Not the sophisticated type of a good dancer, like Lew, but a naturally good dancer. When they had danced first Maggie was so exited and later too embarrassed to notice Dick's dancing abilities. Besides he was a total gentleman, whose hands always stayed where they belonged. 'Great, the only man I wouldn't care about wandering hands…' thought Maggie but was content with what they had at the moment. An hour later, the Colonel called it a night and Dick escorted Maggie to her barrack. They talked for a few moments and separated after a short hug and a small peck on the cheeks.

The next day, they went to New York by train. Nobody – apart from Lew – knew, if they'd have to go to the Pacific or if they'd take part in the European theatre.

Maggie sat together with Dick, Lew and Harry Welsh. Because she hadn't got much sleep last night, Maggie fell asleep. As she fell into a deep sleep, her head bent to the side until it came to rest on Dick's shoulder. Dick was startled for a short moment, but quickly caught himself and admired how cute Maggie was.

Apparently Maggie wasn't comfortable enough, because she moved closer to Dick and slung an arm around his waist. Lew and Harry were already smirking like crazy but when Maggie started to make "little comfort-noises" as Harry called them, they screamed with laughter. Dick decided to ignore his comrades and enjoy Maggie's closeness.

When they came closer to their goal, Sobel announced their arrival in his lovely and charming manner, so that Maggie nearly fell from her seat. She was pretty embarrassed when she noticed who she had used as a pillow.

"Oh, sorry, Dick… I hope, I didn't drool on your shoulder…"

"Oh, yes, you dribbled like hell" said Lew and Maggie went beet red and felt like crying. She couldn't really have drooled on Dick's shoulder, could she?!

"No, you didn't; no need to worry. And even if, it's only Army property." Dick winked at her and she was relieved. When she saw Lew's facial expression caused by Dick's statement, she got the giggles. She couldn't stop laughing until tears were rolling down her face. Dick thought that she had never looked more beautiful.

Dick got Maggie's rucksack from the luggage rack and helped her to put it on. Maggie gave him an appreciative smile and Lew quirked an eyebrow and smirked.

"What, do you need help, too, Lew?"

"Oh, you're such a gentleman, Dick. But no, thank you very much. You should better pay attention to our little Lady or she might get lost."

Dick grabbed Maggie, who was pushed by all the men by the hand and pulled her to his chest.

"Hey you don't want to run away from us, little Lady, do you?

"No. But I couldn't do much about this mass…"

Luz gave his best Sobel parody and said from behind:

"That's why weak women shouldn't be part of the Army!" and gained lots of laughter from the men standing close enough to hear what was going on.

"Mag, listen to me. As long as I don't tell you anything else, you'll stick with me like chewing gum under a shoe sole, okay?"

"Yes, Sir" replied Maggie without thinking about it.

"Good girl" said Lew and tapped her head.

"Sir, permission to speak?"

Because Dick didn't know what Maggie wanted, he played along:

"Permission granted"

"Sir, I'm sorry, but I can't stay too close to you, because there's always Captain Nixon and we get along as well as cats and dogs.

Lew poked his tongue out at Maggie and Dick had to cough to cover a laugh.

They were again interrupted by Sobel and went to the exit.