2

Frank walked in."Aha."

"Frank.. you know that star you found?"

"Yes.."

"It was mine."

"In Major Houlihan's bed."

"Yes."

"A star?"

"A Captain General.. I was promoted by Major Houlihan."

"For what?"

"Service.. above and beyond."

"You're nuts."

"Then how do I know about that star?"

"I'm out of here." Frank walked out.

Margaret looked at Henry and then at Hawkeye.

"Major Houlihan?"

"What he said."

"Pierce."

"She promoted me."

"This is great... I mean.. just great."

"Well.. she did.."

Hawkeye walked out and she followed him.

"Pierce... I am never coming to you again.... when I get in trouble."

"Sure you are."

"You think you're so smart.. you don't even wear your Captain's bars."

"Like you care."

"I do." She took his arm.

"We can't disappoint them."

"I did not promote you."

"I'd love it if you did."

"You don't even wear a uniform."

"You're not in uniform right now."

She looked at her robe and pjs.

"I guess."

"And...we need to go to bed."

"I'm going to bed... alone."

Hawkeye walked her to her tent."Listen...seriously...though...if you get in trouble...just follow the bread crumbs to my tent."

"Yes."

"Don't I get something for helping you?"

She held out her hand to him.

"Nope." he kissed her.

She moved away."Hawkeye."

"What?"

"You're in big trouble."

"I can't come in?"

She nodded her head and indicated the chair.

He sat down and then pulled her on his lap.

She leaned her head against him and closed her eyes and sighed.

Hawkeye closed his eyes and fell asleep.

They didn't hear the choppers or the ambulances.

Henry looked at Trapper."Where is Pierce?"

"Haven't seen him."

"And where is Major Houlihan?"

"No clue."

Henry went to the Swamp and looked in and then walked to Margaret's tent and then opened the door and his jaw dropped.

Hawkeye and Margaret were sound asleep snuggled together on the chair. They had the blanket over them and were in their night things. Henry didn't have the heart to wake them. He turned to see Trapper.

"So it's true?"

"What?"

"Frank said that she promoted him."

"She did.. I'm sure she did.. and..maybe he promoted her too."

"We're really going to get a lot of trouble from Frank."

"Do you care?"

"Not me, Henry.. I really don't care... and I'm sure they don't care either."

The two quietly closed the door and walked back to the OR.

Frank came out and saw them."So?"

"Don't bother her."

"She's asleep?"

"Yes."

"Figures."

"What?"

"I said....it figures...."

"She's not in any trouble."

"Frank....not right now." Trapper had a smirk on his face.

"Oh.. yeah.. McIntyre.... not right now."

"She never promoted me."

"Well.. heck.. Frank... you just... well you aren't...trouble enough."

"What?"

"He's right....in order to be promoted by a Major... you have to be in really big trouble."

"That's a lie."

"Is it?"

"Colonel Blake?"

"She's got a mess of trouble...and I don't think she's going to get out of it any time soon."

"A Captain General....there is not any such thing."

"Don't ask me, Frank."

Henry walked out to his office.

Radar walked in."Sir?"

"Radar, we're making sure that no one goes to the Major's tent."

"Huh?"

"Shh.. the Major is really exhausted and needs her beauty sleep."

"Right.. sir."

"Hm... I wouldn't mind having some beauty sleep."

"Sir.... there's something else."

"Radar..."

"That General... the one.. who died... the paper said he died at the front."

"Better than the real truth."

"Huh?"

"Oh nothing...I don't want any more trouble than what we have."

"Yes, sir."

The two walked to the tent."Radar.. stand here and make sure no one goes in there."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll come and relieve you in about three hours.. and round the clock for the next twenty four hours.. that should do it."

"Twenty four hours?"

"You never know.. Radar.."

"You think it's contagious?"

"Is what contagious?"

"Why she's going to be sleeping that long?"

"Well... that's a good question... it can be.. Radar... it can be."

"Colonel... I don't want to know."

Inside the tent, Hawkeye opened his eyes and heard a noise. He moved his hand and shook her gently.

"Huh?"

"Shh.."

"What is it?"

"Just someone knocking."

She moved and looked at him."You go."

"I can't.. you need to get off my lap."

She got up and he walked to the door and opened it.

"Why it's little Radar and our Colonel."

"Pierce.."

"Henry?"

"Hmm.. you tell me?"

"Oh...it's about General Kelly."

"And that's what I'd like to know."

"That's a good one.. I thought you knew... he had a heart attack."

"What?"

"Yeah."

"No one tells me anything."

Margaret came behind Hawkeye.

"Major?"

"The General had a heart attack..."

"Right and they printed it up that he died at the front."

"I guess you can say that, Henry."

"He died here.."

"I thought that's what we said."

"Forget it..just go back to sleep. I'm putting Radar on detail every three hours.. with me.. to make sure for the next twenty four hours... "

"For what, Henry?"

"Sleep.. Pierce.. other than your meals.. in the tent and other details... you two are stuck in here.."

"Henry?"

"With him.. Colonel?"

"Well. shoot, Major.. I didn't promote him."

Margaret frowned and then leaned her head against Hawkeye's back.

"No I didn't."

"A Captain General."

"Are you going to believe Ferret Face?"

"No."

"Good, wait.. are we in trouble?"

"No."

"I don't want any."

"And what about her?"

"Colonel Blake.. I'm not in trouble... there is no trouble."

"Henry...you better leave."

Hawkeye closed the door.

"Great... just great.. and it's your fault... all of this is."

"For helping you out...getting you out of trouble."

"I don't want any help."

"I was having some fun at Frank's expense."

She saw the look on his face and backed up.

"Hawkeye.. "

"Hmm."

"Listen... if I have to be stuck with you.. I may as well."

"Why don't we get some sleep until we get some food or whatever we need to do? Don't you agree?"

"Why not?" she walked to the bed.

"That's just what I said.. Major." he stretched out on the bed. She moved to him and curled up next to him. She may as well... he was more trouble than anyone... but right now she didn't care.. not one little bit.