Jessie slept for three days. She was so exhausted, and the bed was so comfortable that she didn't want to get out of it. But eventually, she had enough and ordered room service, choosing half of their choices and eating most of it in one sitting. After ordering some magazines, she crawled back underneath the blankets.

Towards evening, she decided she wanted to see the town. Maybe there was something out there to help ease the pain in her heart, at least for a little while. Distance helped, but not like she hoped.

First, she jumped up and headed for the shower. A real shower with hot water and huge towels. She found herself steaming up the small room, soaping and re-soaping and washing her hair several times. Before long, she found herself singing.

It had been a long time since she'd even wanted to sing. Korea did that to a person.

**************************************

Radar brought his hand up to knock on the door for the seventh time, then stopped, Jessie's shower stall-singing wafting into the hallway.

What am I thinking?

He was so sure of himself when he left camp. The moment Hawkeye declared him well enough to travel, he caught the next jeep to Seoul, trying hard not to think about what happened the last time he took off for R&R.

Sure, the guys at camp thought it was highly amusing that he was chasing her all the way to Tokyo, and they kidded him good-naturedly. Radar didn't care. He knew he had to see her.

Some of their other suggestions made him blush, even now. He didn't like them talking that way about her and let them know it.

But, would she even want to see me?

He clutched the daisies so tightly in his hand he thought the stems would break. He couldn't remember if she actually told him those were her favorite flowers, but somehow, he knew. Just like he knew her favorite song and her favorite food . . .

But, not that she is an heiress.

Or that a bomb was heading straight towards me in that jeep.

Strange how his ability could fail him at times he would have needed it most.

Squaring his shoulders, he adjusted his coat and finally knocked.

*********************************************

Jessie heard the faint rap on the door as she was taking her time dressing.

"Who in the world?" she said to no one in particular as she wrapped her hair in a towel. It wouldn't stay, and she made a face, drying her hair vigorously as she walked to the door. She had eaten enough to feed an army and hadn't ordered room service lately. Looking about the cluttered room, she knew who it was – the maid. The woman was put out by Jessie's sleeping habits and had wanted to get in her room for three days now.

Painting a polite smile on her face, she opened the door.

"Thanks, but . . ." Her smile faded, more out of disbelief than anything.

He looked a little pale and tired, but he smiled at her hesitantly. "Umm . . . hi."

Jessie was so dumbfounded, she didn't know what to say as they stood there staring at each other.

He shifted from one foot to the other. "I know that I . . . well I wanted to call but . . ." He trailed off, a little uneasy with her silence. If he weren't so blasted nervous himself, he would be able to gauge her mood better.

"I'm sorry," Jessie blurted. "I'm sorry for what I didn't say and I'm sorry for what I did say and I'm sorry I ran here without seeing you." It all tumbled out before she could stop it. "And, I'm sorry I chased you off to . . . get . . . hurt." Although he was plainly going to be just fine, just the thought of him lying injured on the side of the road was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

She turned away, hoping he didn't notice. "Geez. Just come inside. I bet you had a long flight, and you're tired with your injuries at all and I'm surprised Colonel Potter let you leave because it's only been – what? Four days?" She shut the door behind him with a click as she rambled.

"Jessie?"

She didn't hear him as she rambled, taking the flowers from him. "I need to get something to put those in. That's sweet of you to remember they are my favorite. Have you eaten? I bet you didn't on that plane. The hotel has a wonderful . . ."

"Jessie!"

"What?" She was glad he stopped her, figuring she would ramble on into eternity.

"Have I ever told you I love you?"

She felt those stupid tears again! For the second time in two minutes, she was rendered speechless. All she could do was shake her head, clutching the daisies to her chest.

Radar didn't quite know where that sentiment came from either. It was not in the well-rehearsed speech he was going to give. But, he liked it just the same. "Well, I should have told you a long time ago. I think I've probably loved you since I first saw you . . ."

"When I ran into you in your office," Jessie whispered.

His eyes brightened. She remembered, too. "I loved you then, and I love you now, and I even loved you after your brother showed up . . ."

She threw her arms around him, trying to remember not to squeeze so tightly, the flowers still gripped in her hand.

Radar buried his face in her damp hair, not realizing how much he missed her until he had his arms around her. He was so caught up with the feel of her, he almost missed her whispered "I love you, too."

"I . . . I can't believe . . . I almost . . . lost you . . ." She just couldn't finish it.

He pulled away from her, trying to look into her eyes.

"Hey, Jess, it's alright," he said softly, brushing her tears away. "I'm fine, really I am."

She laughed through her tears. "I just can't believe you're here!" she said, flopping down on the sofa. "Especially after everything that happened-" She trailed off and sniffed. "Oh, you must think I'm such a crybaby, but I promise you I hardly ever cried until I came to this Godforsaken country."

Radar settled on the bed next to her. "I also want to say I'm sorry, too."

Jessie started to open her mouth. He raised a hand. "Let me finish."

She obediently shut her mouth and listened.

"I was an idiot for treating you the way I did. When I found out you had money, I suddenly felt unworthy of you, like I wasn't good enough. But, I was wrong." He studied his hands. "Yeah, I don't like that you kept it from me, but I understand that you didn't want to be judged on the money and not on who you are. Sort of." He took a deep breath. "There, I'm finished."

Jessie swallowed hard "When Hawkeye and I found you lying in all that blood on the stretcher . . ." Her voice faltered as she trailed off. He took her hand, and she gripped it tightly, afraid to let go as she finished. "Well, let's just say that it scared me. But, I didn't know how to make everything right again."

"When I was lying on that cold ground with bombs going off around me, I just kept thinking that I would never see home again or my mom. But, mostly, I thought that I wouldn't be able to see you." Gingerly, he pushed back a strand of her hair that had fallen across her face.

They both jumped at a knock on the door. "Who in the world is that?" she said, rising from the bed. "I can't take another shock." She unbolted the door, then composed herself. "Who is it?"

"Room service," a voice said. Jessie opened the door and was surprised to see a cart full of food. The maid barged right past Jessie. "But, I didn't order . . ."

"Soldier in your room. Want food," she pushed the cart right up to Radar. "Now, eat," she said, shaking a finger at Radar, who didn't need to be told twice. The elderly maid turned to leave the room, giving the still-surprised Jessie a knowing look.

"He need strength for later, no?" she said, winking at Jessie as she closed the door behind her, not waiting for an answer. She blushed furiously, but Radar didn't notice. He was happily digging into the feast.

Jessie sat down across from him, and he caught her up on the happenings at the 4077th between bites. Apparently, Klinger was attempting to be company clerk in his absence, and he was none too happy about it.

"Do you know that he already rearranged the file cabinets? I won't be able to find anything when I get back!" he said, stuffing the last bite in his mouth. He stifled a yawn, and Jessie jumped up.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" she said, pushing the tray out of the way.

"Well, I still need to find a hotel room," he said, wearily rising from the bed. "It won't look right to stay here."

Jessie smiled at his notion of protecting her reputation. "Don't be ridiculous." She firmly sat him back down on the bed. He tried to argue, but she shushed him as she pulled back the covers. "Besides, who's going to know? And, I won't tell if you won't."

He chuckled as he wearily took off his boots and crawled underneath the blankets. He was soon fast asleep.

Jessie watched him for a minute, then curled up next to him.

*****************************************

Radar woke the next morning feeling groggy, not knowing where he was. When he saw the classy white furniture and the tasteful pastel blue wallpaper, he sat straight up in bed.

Jessie!

He looked next to him– he knew she had slept there because he woke up once and felt her there – but it was empty. He fumbled for his glasses on the nightstand.

"Jess?" he called. The clock next to the bed said 10 a.m., and his stomach growled. It had been awhile since his feast the night before.

He crawled from the bed and realized he still had on his uniform-minus the coat-from the night before and stumbled into the living room, also decorated quite tastefully. He saw her sitting on the balcony, eating from a bowl of fruit and reading a newspaper.

God, she was beautiful!

He joined her out on the balcony.

Startled, she looked up from her paper. "Up so soon?" she said, offering him a piece of fruit.

He chose an apple and sat down next to her, taking a bite. Real fruit!

"I slept for three days when I first got here."

"Yeah, well, for the last few days, all I've had to do is sleep," he replied between bites. Finishing the apple, he reached for an orange.

She put down the paper. She waited until he finished the orange. "So, what would you like to do today?"

He looked surprised. "I heard there's this great zoo around here."

"Sure, but first things first, let's eat breakfast."

After a huge breakfast, the pair went to the zoo, then the park. For lunch, they ate at a little bistro that specialized in French food, of all things, then visited some of the local historic spots, holding hands along the way. Before they knew it, it was time for dinner, and they picked a combination restaurant/dance hall. After a huge meal, Jessie taught him the foxtrot and the two-step, and they laughed and giggled like teenagers, tripping over their own two feet most of the time.

It was late by the time they got back to the hotel, still laughing. Jessie unlocked the door to the suite and plopped down on a chair, pulling off her shoes.

"Whew, I'm worn out," rubbing her feet.

Radar nodded in agreement. "Now, I think I'll go try out this shower you have been raving about."

Jessie rolled her eyes to the heavens. "It's just wonderful! Imagine, hot water!"

He chuckled at her theatrics.

By the time he finished, she was sitting in the living room, curled up underneath a lamp with a book. Her hair, which she had worn up all day, was falling around her shoulders, and she was dressed in a hotel bathrobe, a big, fluffy one. She looked up at him as she put down her book.

"That didn't take long."

Radar shrugged, settling across from her on the couch. "Only you women take hour-long showers."

Jessie stuck out her tongue at him. "It seems to me you men are the ones who use up all the hot water at camp!"

"Probably because we outnumber girls six to one!"

She laughed, rising from the chair. "No wonder I get asked out on so many dates." She plopped down next to him on the couch and cuddled next to him, leaning on his shoulder. "You know, I don't think we've ever had a real date. You know, dinner, movie, that sort of thing.

Instinctively, Radar draped his arm over her shoulder, pulling her in closer. "Yeah, but we don't need all that."

Jessie leaned back and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"Well, look at all we've already been through. Dinner and dancing would seem a little . . . tame. Don't you think?"

She chuckled in agreement, settling back against his shoulder.

"Jess?"

"Umm?" She was almost asleep.

"What ever happened on your date with Jake?"

She grinned, but he couldn't see it. "I thought you weren't jealous."

He shifted uncomfortably. "Well . . .you know."

"We went dancing. We ate a lot and drank a lot. Then, he took me home."

"That's it?"

"Yep, that's it."

"He didn't . . . try anything, did he?"

"Well, yeah. But, so did half the other pilots at the party."

Radar sighed with relief. "Good. You came back so late. And that dress . . ."

"Did you wait up for me?"

He blushed. "Well, yeah. It's not like I could sleep or anything."

"What would you have done if I hadn't come back?"

"Probably gotten drunk."

Jessie laughed. "One beer, huh?"

"I would be pretty mad. Maybe two."

She tilted her head back, so she could see him better. "Good to know I'm worth at least two beers!"

"At least!"

She settled next to him again. They both fell silent.

"Jess?"

"Umm?"

It was amazing that no matter how often they had been intimate, he still couldn't broach the subject. "Do you want to . . . I mean if you want to . . . we could . . . I'm not sure how to ask you . . ."

"I thought you'd never ask."

***************************************************

The blade winked at him, almost as if it had a life all its own, daring him to make a move. Her blood was bright, almost an unnatural shade he had never seen before as it trickled down her neck. She struggled in the grip of her captor.

"Stop, Walter, please!"

He stopped. Or at least, he thought he did. He felt like no matter how many steps he took, she was just as far away, that damned white dress blowing around her, looking like it was pulling her further into nothing.

"Listen, don't do this," he heard himself saying to her captor.

As in all the other dreams before, she didn't reply. He didn't know how he knew it was a woman without seeing any features. He just did.

He watched in horror as the knife turned into a gun, a mean-looking black thing. If he didn't know any better, he would swear it looked alive, too, ready to mow down anything in its path.

Before the woman in white pulled the trigger, Jessie cried out his name.

With Jessie's cry and the gunshot echoing in his mind, he sat straight up, his surroundings unfamiliar to him. It was the most vivid one he had had yet. But it ended in the same place each time. He never knew what happened.

Breathing heavily, trying to calm down, he jerked his arm away from her when she touched it.

She snapped on the lamp.

He put his head in his hands. "A . . . dream. It's just . . . a . . . stupid dream."

Grasping the blankets to her chest, she touched his back, surprised to feel he was trembling. "Tell me . . ."

"No!" he cried out immediately, his heart still racing.

She knew about those nightmares that give you cold sweats and the inability to return to sleep for the rest of the night. So, she remained silent.

They sat like that until his breathing slowed and the trembling ceased. He finally turned to look at her as she watched him wide-eyed, her long hair, tousled from sleep, curling about her bare shoulders.

"I didn't mean to yell."

"I understand."

He knew she did. Everyone who lived as they did understood.

He reached over with his free hand and brushed the hair from her freckled shoulder, his fingers lingering on her skin. He needed to chase away the final lingering memories, needed to prove to himself that she was alive and wasn't going anywhere. At least for a little while, he could convince himself of these things.

He didn't sleep for the rest of the night, but not because of the nightmare.

*********************************

After their first sight-seeing day, they didn't leave the room. They saw the maid, on occasion, who would smirk at them, and the various bellhops who would bring in carts of food. Since camp was not conducive to any sort of intimacy, they joked that they had to make up for lost time.

At the end of her last day, they clung to each other in the lobby of the hotel.

"Why don't you stay here?" she asked as they stood outside and waited for her ride to the airport.

"It would be lonely without you. Plus, you're not going to pay for my hotel room when you're not even in it."

She started to argue, but held her tongue. Money issues were still a little raw with them, and she wasn't going to push it.

When Jessie's cab arrived, they embraced one last time. As the cab pulled away, he waved at it until it was out of sight, then picked up his bags and walked downtown towards a nice, but cheaper, hotel.