Sarah hurried quickly through the main camp, towards her tent. Not looking back at BJ. She just couldn't face him just then. It was such a cowardly thing to do but what explanation could she give? Frank Burns had threatened her with the MPs and she knew exactly what was in store for her after that. Imprisonment, a trial and public humiliation. Her future practice would be over before it even began.
Pushing open the door to her tent, she froze and let the door to her tent slam behind her. Frank Burns was standing in the middle of her tent with an arrogant smirk on his lipless mouth.
"Welcome home, honey. I've been waiting for you." He jeered to her nastily. Sarah felt her skin crawl in his presence. "I know I said 8 pm tonight, but I just couldn't wait." He took a step towards her. Sarah flinched unconsciously going to defend herself, Frank scoffed at her efforts. "We had a deal, Marlowe. You know as well as I exactly what will happen to your future if you fuck this up."
Sarah screamed mentally as his hand touched her face, making the bile rise in the back of her throat. "Yes, sir. Major Burns…sir." She stood her ground as he moved closer. "I am honored at your interest in a mere woman doctor like me." She made sure there was as little sarcasm there as possible.
Frank nodded and ran his hand down the side of her face. "There now. Don't you feel better for that? Everything will be fine, as long as I am happy." He leaned forward and began to kiss her neck, slowly. "And you want me happy, don't you?"
Sarah kept her ground and tried to pretend it was Hawkeye kissing her, trailing his tongue down her neck and whispering to her. Only, Hawkeye was never this forward or brutal about it. "Y-yes, sir." Sarah's voice trembled and she hated herself for it.
"Now, Sarah. Give me a kiss." Frank didn't wait for a reply and he just pulled her roughly into a bone jarring kiss. It was awful. Sarah kissed him back and willed herself not to be sick. 'You son of a bitch.' She thought to herself. 'I swear I am going to kill you.' Frank moved her arms around his shoulders, deepening the kiss.
After a few moments, he pulled back. "There, that wasn't so bad? Was it, Hunnicutt?" Frank looked past Sarah, who spun on her heel to the doorway of her tent. BJ and Margaret both stood there, faces shocked and disgusted.
There was an awful silence as Sarah stared at the two people who had honestly tried to help her. Who it appeared she was now betraying.
Frank pulled Sarah back to him, draping his arm around her shoulders and kissing her temple. "Looks like Sarah has changed her mind about Pierce after all." He squeezed her and looked at Margaret. "Looks like there's another fish in the sea, now."
"Get your hands off her, you brute!" Yelled Margaret at Frank. "How dare you do this to the poor girl? After all she has been th-" Sarah raised her hand to cut off Margaret.
"Leave him alone, Houlihan!" Sarah eyed Margaret. "This is what I want. If you have a problem with me being in love with your ex, take it up with someone who cares!" She leaned back and kissed Frank on his cheek. "Right, Honey?" Frank beamed at Margaret and BJ.
"Sarah…" Began BJ quietly. "You can't be serious, You and Hawk-" Sarah laughed sharply. "You really think I care what that military reject thinks? Please. I found a new man and he's better than anything Hawkeye ever was."
A new voice entered the group, from just behind Margaret. "I suppose I wasted my time on these flowers then." The four people in the tent all turned to look who was talking.
Hawkeye had returned from the airport, unable to even leave Korea due to fighting, all planes had been grounded. He had taken his time, gathering Sarah wildflowers from a nearby village.
"I, thought these would look beautiful with your eyes." Hawkeye said woodenly. "I suppose it doesn't matter now, though." He tossed the bouquet at Sarah's feet, and turned and left the doorway.
Margaret watched Hawkeye leave. Then she turned to Sarah. "I hope you are happy with your choice, Capt. Marlowe. You broke the heart of one of the best men in the entire camp. I hope you suffer for it." Margaret turned and left after Hawkeye.
BJ just stared at Sarah. "After everything." He shook his head. "I thought you were different." He looked after Hawkeye, then back at Sarah. "Stay away Marlowe, we don't need you here. Just work with us. Don't talk. It's nothing but lies anyhow." BJ then turned and left Sarah and Frank in the tent.
Sarah felt as though she had been punched in the stomach. It had been the hardest thing in the world for her, telling Margaret and BJ those awful things. But for Hawkeye to see her, and hear what she said. It was pain. Pure and simple.
Frank smiled and patted Sarah on the shoulder. "Perfect. I couldn't have hoped for a better moment. Thank god I told Hunnicutt and Houlihan you need to see them, or this would never have happen. Oh, and the note on Pierce's bunk about seeing you right away was a perfect touch."
Sarah looked at Frank with hatred and disgust. "I hate you, Burns." She said. It couldn't have been helped at all. It slipped out and she was glad for it.
Frank shook his head and pulled back from Sarah. "Oh Marlowe, when will you learn?" He stepped in front of her and slapped her hard across the face. "I am in charge and you can't do anything about it. "
The shock of the hit was worse than the sting of the slap. Sarah placed her hand on the side of her face and watched Burns.
"Now. I am going to deal with a few things, Sarah." He leaned in and kissed her mouth. "Be a good girl and stay here. I'll be back for you soon."
As Burns left the tent, Sarah shook with fear and disgust. 'He's going to kill me. I know he is. I am dead any way I go!' She sank to her bed and let her face fall into her hands. "Oh Hawk, I am so sorry…"
Just then an announcement resounded through the camp. "Attention! Atttention! Incoming wounded! All doctors report to the helicopter pad and parking lot for triage! That's an order!"
Sarah's problems had to wait. There were wounded who needed help. She dried her eyes with the back of her hand and left her tent to help with the wounded.