Thanks to you all for reviewing. Here's the newest chapter. Will look forward to reviews and might post an update sooner than you expect ;)

Read on!

Chapter 100

It was a long while past exhaustion that we sewed up last of our patients. I finished earlier and went to assist Potter who looked as tired as I felt.

"Rough shift, eh?"

"Bet your belly button, Col." I cracked a small one as I tied last of the bleeders before starting the anastomosis.

"Feels like we've been here for days. What time is it?" Potter asked, stifling a yawn and failing miserably.

"Quarter past dead." I said.

"And I thought cat got your tongue today." Came the voice of the man I respected as much as my own father.

"It did. Didn't like the taste so it returned it with a note of no-thanks."

"You did good today, Pierce!"

"I know Col. Potter." I said tiredly and without sarcasm as this statemet hit my self-piteous sentiment on the head. How could Army forget all the good that I did do in the last year and a half and stick to the non sequitur commonly known as Frank's figment of not-so-imaginative-imagination?

Even my love for the world of word and letter couldn't make me enjoy the irony of this situation.

"Hunnicut has been awful quiet today."

"Yeah. Cat took his tongue as well. His it liked better."

"Something I should know about?" Potter raised his eyebrows from behind his glasses.

"Should? Hmmmm. Let me think." I stalled while I thought about how much Potter needed to know.

Colonel just looked at me. I couldn't see his expressions but his eyes said enough. He was curious and perhaps tad bit concerned. At least he sounded and seemed like that. Or maybe my self piteous imagination was playing games with me.

After closing this patient, I went to change in the scrub room. My clothes and shoes were again full of blood. Smell of warm blood and now, after speding a whole day in it, even its thought made me feel sick.

BJ was long gone and Frank finished almost the same time as we did and was probably coming here as well. I took that as a series of fortunate events and quickly left for post-op.

Patients were all fine and their doctor was making rounds. I made my own quick round, gave orders to the nurse on duty and left for the Swamp. Army owed me a year worth of sleep and I was out to collect the interest tonight.

It was dark outside. Snow had covered the ground though it was less of the beautiful virgin snow I remembered fondly from olden days and more the slush we had gotten used to ever since our first winter in Korea. I needed new boots as I was reminded of this need by the seepage of the icy broth I was treading in.

Rumbling of my stomach reminded me of my prolonged fast and I turned towards the mess tent against my better judgement. As expected and par for the course, mess food was less of food and more of a mess. For the countless time, I wondered about the contractor responsible for the provisions and wondered some more what would happen to him if he were to receive surgery and one of his victims , the surgeon?

After putting some strange looking semi-solids and some veggies in varying shades of gray, I turned to find a familiar face to sit with and pretend to be eating real food. Margaret and Father Mulcahy were there.

"Good morning, Lady and Gentleman! I present in front of you the finest, handsomest, most eligible bachelor in whole of South East Asia. Too bad neither of you could have me." I declared before crashing on the bench across Margaret, next to Father. My sigh was less dramatic than my dialog, albeit more real.

Margaret snorted. I should have known. Father Mulcahy, however, had the desired and again, fairly predictable reaction as he chuckled.

"Cummon Margaret. You missed the golden chance." I wiggled my eye brows at her and tucked in which was more like a dive, all things considered.

"My word, Hawkeye! You're chipper considering the long shift you had today."

"You were very quiet today in the OR. What happened now? Got a date?" Margaret asked me in a mocking tone herself. I had a feeling she knew something was up with me, again.

"I had some real doozies today, Father. Pass me the salt please." I generously salted the mystery gravy. It had a very dominant soapy taste. I could smell some Zest in it. "And if you want me to have a date, you have to transfer this batch and get a whole new bunch. These ones are boring. Pass me the ketchup, Margaret. I can still taste the soap." I commented with my eyes scanning the whole mess tent for any sign of any other nurse within earshot.

"They didn't look as smart as you say they are, Pierce!" Margaret commented wryly but I could see her eyes were smiling. Father Mulcahy just had a very bemused smile on his face the entire time.

"You didn't say they were smart because... Oh no, you didn't. That was below the belt!" I feigned heartbreak as taste of soap got taken over by ketchup, if only marginally.

"Or above your head." Margaret was in form tonight.

"Hawkeye! Can you tell me something?" Father Mulcahy asked me in his earnest tone and gave me an excuse to ignore Margaret.

"Of course, Father. Either I know the answer or it isn't worth knowing." I grinned at father but felt like all the food I had already eaten rose to my throat as a dollop of salt disintegrated in my mouth.

"Is everything alright, Hawkeye?" Father Mulcahy who was looking at me suddenly got worried.

"I have to show the cook how to use the ladle correctly is all. What was your question?"

Father Mulcahy turned slightly pink at that and stuttered, "Maybe sometime later. I shall get going. I have an appointment."

"That was weird!" I commented as I pushed the tray away.

"Hmmm." Margaret mumbled before looking at me directly, "Pierce!"

"Yes?" I looked at her as well, concerned by the seriousness in her voice.

"Col. Potter told me about the upcoming ... hearing." She sounded as worried as I felt.

"Its going to be nothing, Margaret. I'm not worried. And neither should you be." I gave her false hope and some to myself as well.

"I know what your worries are all about." Margaret snorted this time, per reflex before continuing, "Just try not to piss off all the friends you've got."

"BJ?"

"Yeah!"

"I know. I know, Margaret. I know." I took a deep breath before getting up from the bench.

"And Pierce!" I turned to see what she had to say and was surprised to see the grin on her face.

"Kickass!" She told me before turning her attention to her food again.

Some woman!

I thought as I headed off to see what BJ was upto.