Pierce residence, kitchen, November 1953, late afternoon, Hawkeye and Carlye
"What do you mean? She's our daughter." he said, so surprised that he let Carlye sit astride on his lap with her arms around his neck, looking him straight in the eyes.
"When we met in Korea, we spend two weeks together. After that, I went on R&R with Doug and well…I got pregnant."
"How do you know I'm the father?"
"Kathy has to undergo surgery…hernia…nothing complicated, but they took a blood sample and the blood type ruled Doug out as the father." Hawkeye took his first real good look at Carlye.
"You have a fresh bruise on your cheek."
"Doug hit me …it wasn't premeditated, but he threw me out...and now I'm here." She embraced Hawkeye. "Hawk, please do my back. I've really missed that."
Pierce residence, driveway
The Pierce residence was placed on top of a hill and the driveway was around 120 yards long. In front of the house there was a large parking area with a garage in one corner opposite the house.
Margaret was on her way home from work. As she drove into the driveway of the Pierce residence, she had to brake hard to avoid somebody in the driveway. He opened the door to the car and pointed a gun at Margaret.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Margaret." she replied as calmly as possible.
"What are you doing here?"
"I live here."
"With Hawkeye? Wife? Fiancé?"
"Yes, and I'm pregnant." Margaret decided to play for sympathy.
He hesitated for a few seconds, but as he climbed into the backseat he said...
"OK. Turn the car around and follow the main road downtown."
Pierce residence, kitchen, Hawkeye and Carlye
Hawkeye took her arms away from his shoulders.
"Carlye, we can't…I'm engaged now." Carlye literally jumped from his lap.
"Ohh – I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.." Hawkeye stood up. He took a first aid kit from a closet and treated her bruise.
"It's ok, Carlye. Can I see her?"
"Yes, of course." She took Kathy from the carrycot.
"She's a beauty..look at her..she smiles at me..be careful now…don't squeeze her too hard.." said Hawkeye, also with a big smile.
"You really like her and you're so concerned about her..it suits you …and you're cooking. Hawkeye, children and cooking, I didn't see that combination coming…if I had I would never have left you." said Carlye looking sad.
"Carlye, you're one of the reasons I've changed my perspective in life..." said Hawkeye, but he was interrupted by Carlye...
"...and where does that leave me?... she asked looking afraid.
"What are you talking about. I want to be there for my daughter and I'll support you anyway I can, if you want me to…What about you and Doug? I can understand his anger, but is their no way for you two to get back on the track again?"
"I don't know. I don't think he'll be able to forgive me."
"Please sit down. We will find a way to deal with this."
"You said, we?."
"Yes, we! I'm not going to hide this from Margaret. She's on her way home right now. Let's wait for her and get things settled.
"Oh Hawk, I wish I had your optimism. Don't you think she'll be jealous? I know I would be."
Karen opened the door to the kitchen.
"Hawkeye, Daniel needs your opinion about the condition of his patient and there's a gentleman in uniform waiting in the hall."
"Excuse me, Carlye." said Hawkeye, taking off his apron.
Hawkeye went into the hall together with Karen and saw an elderly army officer. He looked angry.
"Hi there! Did I forget something? Don't worry. You may keep it, whatever it is." said Hawkeye with a big smile.
"I'm Colonel Houlihan and I'm here to get my daughter." said Col. Houlihan almost shouting.
"Ahh – Hi Pops. I just thought I had seen you before, but I was confused by your uniform. It makes you all look alike, you know. I'm so glad to see that you and Margaret are speaking again. So you're going out? She'll be here shortly. I'm sorry, but I'm needed elsewhere."
"I don't care. I'm a Colonel in the United States army and I have no time for this." said Col. Houlihan in a very angry voice.
"What a coincidence. I'm a doctor in this house and I have no time for the army. You may salute the hall tree. It has an impeccable position of attention."
"You work as a doctor in this house?." said Alvin.
"Yes. This is the most healthy house in Crabapple Cove. There are only doctors and nurses here. Now, please excuse me. I have a patient waiting for me." said Hawkeye and went to the practice followed by Karen. He grabbed a smock, washed his hands and examined the patient.
"There is definitely inflammation from an untreated wound, but look at his skin. He complains of headache." said Daniel.
"Yes - what have you been doing today Mr. Evans?" asked Hawkeye.
"I've been working on my farm all day."
"Anything in particular?" asked Hawkeye.
"Heavy rain is expected and I needed more sandbags to prevent flooding. I've been moving sandbags most of the day until I felt this pain in my leg." said Mr. Evans.
"Hmm… how much have you been drinking today?" asked Hawkeye.
"I've had my coffee."
"Could be dehydration. Not common at this time of the year, but he is warmly dressed and he has been working hard for many hours. Take his blood pressure. If the blood pressure is low, then give him some fluid with a little salt and sugar." said Hawkeye, rushing out the door.
In the hall he met Alvin Houlihan again. As he saw Hawkeye he puffed himself up, but before he could say anything, Hawkeye said. "Hi again, Pops. At ease."
"Are you living here with Margaret?" Alvin asked.
"Yes, I am. Margaret should be here any minute. Make yourself comfortable in the living room. Sorry, I can't talk to you right now, but I have a stew and a daughter waiting for me in the kitchen."
"A daughter." said Alvin puzzled, but Hawkeye had already rushed into the kitchen where Carlye stood by the stove, stirring the stew.
Crabapple Cove, late afternoon getting dark, Margaret and Doug
"Where are you taking me?" Margaret asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Shut up." he said. They drove for a few miles. "Turn left at the next road. Turn left again...and then to the right at that small side road." He hid the gun under his jacket.
"Get out of the car and into that house." he said, pointing with his other hand. Margaret noticed the nameplate on the door. It said Doug and Carlye Walton.
They went into the living room and he told Margaret to sit on the couch.
"Please tell me, what this is about." said Margaret.
"Hawkeye stole my wife and knocked her up."