Christina and Gabrielle avoided Moffitt for the rest of the afternoon. He didn't even see a glimpse of them, something he was somewhat relieved about. He wasn't sure what he'd prefer: two hurt women who ignored him completely, or two angry women who argued with each other and him constantly. When they were arguing, at least he knew what they were feeling. He could try to do something about it. When they just ignored him, his ears didn't burn; but he also didn't know what was going on in their minds. He understood Christina had a reason to be hurt and angry. After all, he had told her he might still be in love with his old girlfriend.

Gabrielle was different he told himself. He had no previous engagements with her. After she had gotten married, she had "cut" all ties with him. She had no claim on him, and he owed her no obligations. Okay, she did save him from the Gestapo and nurse him back to health, but hadn't he made up for that? He had tried to view this situation through a woman's eyes. Was that ever hard!

The whole day, he was preoccupied with such thoughts. He went about his work almost as if an afterthought. He was very detached from the rest of the world. He did notice, however, the rest of the Rat Patrol left him pretty much to himself. They didn't try to make small talk. For that, he was thankful.

It wasn't until dinner, that he finally said anything. He stared at his cup of tea for awhile. Eventually he looked up and smiled briefly. "What do you chaps think?" He didn't bother explaining, he knew they understood exactly what he was talking about.

Troy glanced at the other two, then at Moffitt. He took a deep breath.

"If you love Christina, stay with her. If you still love Gabrielle, you have to break it off with Christina. It wouldn't be fair to Christina if you stayed with her. It would make her feel second-hand."

Hitch and Tully nodded in agreement.

"He's right, sarge," Hitch said.

"And we leave tomorrow. Maybe taking a break from her will help you sort out your feelings," added Troy.

Moffitt slowly nodded. He sighed deeply.

"I suppose you're right. Thanks for the advice, old man." He got up from the table. "I guess I'll be off."

Christina surveyed herself in the mirror and exhaled. She was going to try and talk to Moffitt before her shift that night. Maybe she could get a definite yes or no from him. She knew it didn't really matter about Gabrielle. After all, she was married. But Christina had to know if Moffitt still loved her. If he did, she'd have to leave. She couldn't bear being with someone who still hadn't gotten over his old girlfriend.

Christina picked up a pencil and outlined her lips. She wanted to look as nice as she could. She needed to remind Jack she was a woman. She grabbed the mascara and brush. She stared at it before throwing it down. Her eyelashes didn't curl no matter what she did with them. She was in envy of Gabrielle's long, beautiful eyelashes that she routinely batted at Moffitt.

She finished her makeup and carefully looked at herself. She knew she was pretty. Some would say beautiful. Like most women she usually looked at the other competition when she walked into a room. Christina worried a little too much about her looks and she knew it. Her vanity hadn't been lessened by Gabrielle's arrival. She found herself constantly comparing herself to Gabrielle.

Christina didn't like Gabrielle. She didn't really have a good reason. The woman had been nothing, if not very polite to her. Christina knew it wasn't Gabrielle's fault Jack might still love her. But she was jealous and realized it. Christina didn't enjoy the feeling, but nevertheless, it was there. She couldn't blame Gabrielle for falling in love with Jack. He was gallant and chivalrous and a whole host of other things that would make any girl swoon. Practically a modern-day knight. Christina smiled at the thought. She picked up her scarf and tied it in her hair. She straightened her back. It was time.

Christina walked to Moffitt and Troy's room with vigor and door was open so she went right in. She was shocked. Moffitt had Gabrielle in his arms, and was kissing her. Christina stared at them, not moving. This could not be Jack. The woman was married! Christina remained rooted in the doorway until Gabrielle broke the kiss. That was when Jack saw her. His face blanched and he started to get up.

"Christina," he said.

She shook her head and held up a hand.

"No, Jack."

She turned and marched out the door.

Christina marched into the hospital seething. She stalked to a pile of unfolded sheets. She picked up the first one and began folding. Unshed tears blocked her view, but she did not make an attempt to wipe them. She continued folding, but her sharp, angry movements combined with her obstructed vision, made it impossible for her to fold it properly. Frustrated, she threw the sheet on an empty bed and sat down next to it. Tears made their way down her face. She angrily wiped them away and glanced at her hand.

"Wonderful," she muttered, "now my makeup's ruined."

Realizing she was getting concerned and curious looks from the wounded soldiers, Christina quickly grabbed the sheet and commenced to folding again.

She continued on with her work trying not to think about Moffitt. Finding this hopeless, she went over to work next to one of the other nurses.

The nurse, Veronica, smiled at her.

"Trouble in paradise?"

The news of Gabrielle and Moffitt had spread across the base. Everyone knew about it, especially the nurses.

Christina glared at her.

"You could say that."

Veronica put an arm around her.

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry. You don't deserve to be treated like this. Why don't you march right in there and tell him what you think. Better yet, tell them both what you think."

"No. I really can't. They haven't done anything. Jack can't help what he feels. She can't either." Christina refused to say Gabrielle's name. Just thinking about them made her eyes swell with new tears.

"How about you go to your room? You can't work like this," Veronica said.

"But I can't. Who'll take my shift?"

"Don't worry, honey, I'll find someone."

Christina hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. Look, I'll take your shift for you."

"Oh, I can't do that. You have a date tonight."

"Nonsense. Now you just go to bed and in the morning you'll feel much better."

Christina smiled faintly. "Thank you, Veronica." She left and headed for her room.