Another one is up. Its light and fun.

Enjoy!

Chapter 48

I took the picnic basket from the private probably sentenced to KP, remembering my own almost-sentencing to the said fate. Maybe going to Med school wasn't such a bad idea after all. Looking at the basket, I wondered whoever thought of bringing one here to this sewer. Someone with eternal optimism of the institutional kind, I reflected as I landed myself on what used to be Spearchucker's bunk.

"So food is here."

"Astounding powers of observation, m'dear." I spoke in a British accent. She smiled at that.

"So what's on the menu, Soldier?"

"Search me, fella." I said as I put the basket on my knees to search for the goodies.

"Sure smells good."

"Oh yeah. Which is a good sign under usual circumstances. How long have you been here?"

"I came this weekend. Why?"

"Well, they say around here, the best thing you can lose regarding food here is your sense of taste. Next best is your sense of smell. Last on the list is your appetite but then, its not a sense really."

"Hmmm, you don't sound like a fan of mess food."

"Another sparkling example of the excellent powers of observation, milady. I am sorry for not setting up a table but I was otherwise occupied last couple of hours."

"Don't worry about that." God, perfect teeth. What was with the current set of nurses and perfect smiles worthy of Journal of Dentistry cover?

"If you say so." I flashed my own teeth this time.

I started taking food out of the basket finally and wondered what I had been doing for last few minutes, poking through it all.

"Come over here. This is our guestbed so anybody can vandalize it. Only Frank might feel angry about it."

"You call Major Burns by his name?"

"Is that a question? If yes, yeah. Force of habit." I smiled. Somehow, Frank always came in the middle of my fun times these days.

"Bet he hates it. This chicken is delicious, by the way."

"Oh Yeeeaaah. Hey, you want some Pierce millésime de vin with the chicken?"

"Oooh, classy guy. What are my choices?" She laughed at my made up name for gin.

"Gin and gin." I feigned contemplation before answering.

"I think I would pass."

"Suit yourself, lady. I hear 2pm was a very good hour."

"No fun drinking alone, ya know."

"Yeah. Thats so true."

"Uh huh!"

"So-o-o-o-o..."

"So? Don't tell me you have run out of things to talk. You don't seem like the kind of guy who easily runs out of topics."

"Well, it depends on the company. And also, on situation."

"Company? Is it your way of telling me I am boring you?" She was funny.

"NO. Jeez, NO, no. Not at all. Its kinda complicated." She laughed again.

"Complicated? Thats a euphemism we used to..."

"No euphemism, Brenda. You don't bore me."

"How do I know?"

And I proved it to her. Her face turned red as I chuckled.

Finally!

It felt good to be in control again. She was blushing and smiling.

"Are you always this forward, Soldier?" After what seemed like a lifetime, she managed to speak.

"Truth be told, that too depends on my company." I smiled again.

"You are full of surprises, Hawkeye."

"You aren't any less, Lt."

We had a good time together. It felt like ages since I had such good company, BJ included. I told her of the tricks we pulled on Frank, a little about BJ and the camp in general and she told me about her volunteering for service and coming here.

Suddenly, I felt a cold draft on my back. It was Frank. I hoped he stayed clear but could not be too optimistic after my earlier rendezvous.

"Hello Frank." I greeted him as a goodwill gesture. He completely ignored it.

Brenda looked at me quizzically. I just shook my head.

"Thank you for the lunch. And company, Hawkeye. I will see you later." She gave me a kiss on the cheek before putting on her jacket.

"Lieutenant! This is an Army camp, not your fraternity house. You address senior officers by their rank and accord them the respect they deserve. Is that clear?"

"Frank! Mind your own..." I started off heatedly.

Brenda just squeezed my arm before addressing Frank formally, "Yes Major Burns." Then she turned, gave me a nice kiss, saluted Frank and left the tent.

"You don't sal..." The look on Frank's face was priceless as he tried to choke out the salute etiquette at her retreating figure. I simply burst out in laughter. Wasn't she something?

"Major Burns, are you alright?" Frank was still looking at the door and then towards me in a complete disbelief, his lips or whatever stood for them quivering. It was obvious that if left alone, he was ready to throw a foot stamping, full blown tantrum.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Yeah. I am fine."

"Certainly don't look that way." I mumbled under breath collecting the plates and bowls from our earlier feast.

"You said something?"

"I said, whatever you say, sir." This was fun. I started chuckling again.

"What's so funny, Pierce?"

"Nothing." Nothing at all, you humorless fink.

"I am going to the mess tent. Hold the fort till I return." And with that, I left for mess tent, basket in hand, humming Sinatra's song.

"Hey! You look better."

"I feel better. Its a set." And then I looked at her. All spruced up, fresh out of GI Factory.

"What are you looking at?" She asked me suspiciously.

"Nothing. Got work tonight?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Just checking, Margaret. BJ had to reopen one of Frank's patients today."

"Oh. Which one? And who was the scrub nurse?"

"Martins, I think. And whose? Brendt assisted BJ. O'Hara assisted Frank."

We both reached mess tent and I opened the door for her before entering myself.

"Want some coffee? Or still high on your lunch date."

"How did you...Oh, yeah. The basket. Yeah, I will have coffee. Let me return the basket."

I went to the chow line and dropped the basket behind the counters. Whoever was on KP could pick it up.

"There you go." She pushed one cup towards me.

"Thanks. So any plans for Thanksgiving?"

"Don't tell me you are planning on another of your 'Come as your favorite Nude Pilgrim' parties."

"I won't." I smiled at her.

"What?" She asked me suspiciously.

"I won't tell."

"Idiot!" She smiled this time.

"Am not!"

"Are too. No parties this year, alright?"

"No parties this year. Alright!" I smiled at her while stirring my coffee after putting in some sugar.

"Are you mocking me, Pierce?"

"Nope. Argh... How many spoons of sugar..." She was having fun at my expense. I growled before going for another cup.

"I thought you would not notice it."

"Sugar? Well, when you empty the bowl in a cup, it gets kinda hard not to notice."

"Yeah. Thats true. I keep forgetting."

"Margaret, your cheerfulness is kinda scary right now. May I ask why you are so cheerful?"

"None of your business, Captain!" And she smiled dreamily.

Not too hard to do the math as I smiled at her expression.

"When is he coming?"

"Tomorrow...WHAT?" She suddenly realized she had told me more than she had decided to. I grinned and she smiled as well.

"You checked the rota I asked Col. Potter to show you?"

"Yeah. Its fine. I trust your judgment."

"Lazy ass!"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Just that. You think I don't know why you never look at these things and come crying to me later."

"I never come crying to you, Margaret. Thats a lie."

"Yeah? Next time you do...Creep!"

"Huh? What did I do now? Did you invite me for coffee so you could abuse me?"

"Nope. I did not ask you along for that. I was talking about him." She nodded towards the table at my back. I turned back. That was Frank, alone.

"You know. I realized something today. For all the good he has ever done anybody, he sure takes a LOT of our conversational space. Much more than he deserves."

"Yeah. And that O'Hara. How long before Frank shows her his real color?"

"How about starting a pool?"

"Good idea." She grinned devilishly.

"You know you look beautiful when you are diabolical." She glared at me but did not say anything.

With that, I left the table to go find Radar to start the pool.

Finally something constructive to do.

I thought silently.