As the sound got closer, Margaret began playing with her hair, patting and fluffing and Hawkeye looked at her in disbelief.

"Well I…"

"Never mind. I have decided to make it a point in life to not try to understand women. The last thing I need right now is a headache."

The jeep pulled to a stop near them and Radar and BJ got out and rushed to them, Hawkeye pointing BJ to Margaret first.

"Where have you been?" Hawkeye asked.

"Had casualties." He and Radar lifted Margaret's stretcher and placed it on the back of the jeep. "How are you doing?"

"I'm still here. I might need a little help getting up."

"What happened to you?"

"Ribs. I think it's just a bruise though."

BJ helped Hawkeye to rise and stood with his arm around his waist. "Can you lift your shirt up for me?"

Hawkeye complied and winced as BJ pressed gently all round his ribcage. "I think you're right. When you get back, get to X-ray."

"Look at that bruise. It looks just like a steering wheel," Radar breathed. Hawkeye looked down and barked a short laugh. "That could be why it hurts."

"It wouldn't surprise me." BJ answered. "There's an ambulance on the way. You ride back in the jeep and I'll wait here for Klinger."

"Fine by me." BJ helped him climb into the jeep, then he twisted a little and threw one arm over Margaret for the ride. "See you."

The ambulance arrived as they were turning around and Klinger waved to them as they passed.

* * *

The next day a sore Hawkeye walked slowly from the Swamp to Post-Op, stopping by the two beds of the aid station injured before he went to Margaret's bed.

She was lying with her eyes closed and her hands resting on top of the blankets on her stomach. Hawkeye took her chart off its hook, and the small metallic sound of the clipboard's metal ring on the hook made her open her eyes. "Hi."

"Hi there." Hawkeye smiled down at her. He pulled a stool over and eased down on it.

"How are you?"

"Oh fine. What about you?"

"It hurts but not too badly."

"Good."

Margaret was looking at him, and she opened her mouth to say something, changed her mind and closed it again.

"What's wrong?"

"Pierce, I'd like to tell you something."

"Oh, today it's 'Pierce'. Yesterday it was 'Hawkeye'." His eyes were teasing and the glare she gave him lacked intensity.

"Hawkeye."

"Fine. What's on your mind?"

"Yesterday when the ambulance crashed, I was scared."

"Yeah, I would hope so."

"That's not what—I mean, when I saw my leg like that, I don't think I've ever been more scared. I saw my own bone…" She trialed off, swallowing several times.

"Different, wasn't it." Hawkeye had gone serious, and he moved the wheeled stool a little closer.

"Hawkeye, I wanted to tell you, I'm glad it was you there with me. I can lean on you. I know we don't always get along but you make me feel safe."

Hawkeye's face broke into a slow smile. "Thank you, Margaret." He picked up her hand and stroked his thumb across her knuckles. They sat there for a few minutes in silence before he drew a breath and said, regretfully, "I have to go back to my tent and lie down before me chest fall off. I'll be back later though, alright?"

"Sure."

He dropped a kiss on her hand, laid it on the blanket and stood up. He smiled at her once more, and after she returned it he walked away.

The End

I hope you liked this little story. I have others that I plan to post as soon as possible, and hope y'all come and check those out as well.

Because, you know there'll never be enough M*A*S*H.