The next morning, I woke up to Radar knocking on the door and saying, "Belle, it's me! I need to tell you something!"

I got up and rushed to open the door. Radar sounded upset. I hoped his rabbits were okay. He came in and said, "It's Major Burns! He's been messing with Hawkeye!"

"What, right now? Let's get him!"

"No, no I mean... Well, you know how he got sick, right?"

"Don't remind me."

"It's because of the Major! He replaced the disinfectant you used with distilled water!"

"That weasel!" My mind flashed back to the day Hawkeye had been brought back. "Splinter my foot!"

"What?"

I shook my head. "His cover story for why the disinfectant, or should I say distilled water, was in Henry's office. He told me he had gotten a splinter and used it in there."

"Gee whiz. The major is smarter than he looks... sometimes anyway."

I sighed. "Thanks Radar. Is that all he's done?" His threat rang in my ears again. You're going to regret all those times you've messed with me...

"Well, he's been giving him a hard time about... Well, just about everything. Trapper was complaining that Hawkeye was dehydrated after Major Burns's last shift, but I don't know..."

"My poor, neglected Hawkeye," I murmured softly.

"What did you say?"

"I said... Oh would you look at the time! I better go see Hawkeye."

"Okay... Sounds like he's in good hands."

"How are you doing?" I asked gently as I settled next to Hawkeye's cot.

He raised his head. "I thought you weren't on duty for another two hours."

"What, I can't visit?"

His head flopped back down. "Sorry. Of course you can, lovely. To answer your question, I've been better."

I moved his bangs from his forehead with one finger. With an inward sigh, I felt how hot he still was. "Don't worry, it's raining today. It's all muddy and nasty out there anyway."

"Frank's trying to kill me," Hawkeye said suddenly. "I had to practically beg for a drink of water yesterday. It's driving me insane."

"I won't let Ferret Face do anything to you."

Too late for that, I thought gloomily. He already has.

He sighed. "Yeah. Trapper and Radar say the same thing."

"Did I hear my name?" Trapper came in with mock seriousness. "I hope you're not talking about me badly, young man."

Trapper's efforts to cheer up Hawkeye weren't working. He just smiled half heartedly and stared miserably up at the ceiling.

I heard Frank's voice. "McIntyre! Winifred! You aren't interfering with my patient again, are you?"

"No, mother dearest," Trapper replied meekly.

"Come to torment me again, Frank?" Hawkeye's voice sounded flat and dull. What had Frank been doing to him?

Margaret had come and was standing beside Frank. "Of course he isn't. Why would want to do that?"

A flash of fear passed through Hawkeye's face. He started to tremble ever so slightly.

Frank looked triumphant. Trapper looked annoyed. "Last time I checked you weren't Frank. Although, I suppose you two are interchangeable."

Margaret looked indignant. "You cannot speak to a superior officer in such a way!"

"You two have no reason to be in here. I command you to leave!" Frank practically shouted.

"Stop yelling, Frank," I said, trying to stay calm. "You're going to upset the patients."

"Where have you been?" he scoffed. "Besides Pierce, there are no patients."

I looked around and saw he was right.

"I'm all by myself," Hawkeye whispered to himself. I don't think anyone but me heard him.

"We'll stop yelling when you two leave," Margaret insisted.

Trapper and I exchanged a glance. "I'll come back later," he said. "It's probably the best way."

I sighed. "Yeah, okay."

When we got out of post op I turned to Trapper. "Did you see Hawkeye? He seemed... scared. Do you think Frank's been bothering him?"

"Frank bothers everybody." Trapper tilted his head thoughtfully. "I'm no psychiatrist, but I think it's that Frank is bothering Hawkeye just as much as usual but he's sick on top of it. It makes him feel weak, so therefore, it's making him paranoid about Frank."

I had forgotten Trapper didn't know about Frank's threat.

"Although, I suspect Frank may be neglecting him when he's on duty."

I hoped Hawkeye was just being paranoid.