Imprisoned by Ratiocination

Chapter Four

Margaret walked into the mess tent. It was so quiet and bland. As much as she hated to admit it, she missed Hawkeye, his jokes, the pranks he’d pull, and even the way he would constantly make passes at her.

She let out a deep sigh and walked over to the chow line. Usually there would be a riot started by now, food being flung, shouting, banging trays. But no, without Hawkeye the place seemed dull. Maybe it was the circumstances behind him not being there, or maybe it was because he was the heart and life of the 4077th. She didn’t know. All that she knew was that they needed him, and she had to get him back. The whole units morale depended upon it! Somehow the thought of “doing it for the unit” rather than for herself made her feel more at ease. She straightend her posture and reached for one of the cold metal army trays. Making that decision, she felt a change. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but part of her felt better.
“Yes.” She thought to herself “I’ll go and see Hawkeye.”
“Ah Major..” A voice broke her from her thoughts and she realized she had been standing, staring at nothing.
“Oh, sorry Private.” She apologized sticking out her tray
“What’ll you have?” Igor asked holding up a ladle full of what could once be referred to as food
“A little of everything.” Margaret replied trying not to look at what she was about to eat
“Yes mam.” Igor replied slopping the army gruel down in the portions of the tray

Margaret poured herself a cup of so called coffee, and began to search for some suitable company. Her eyes scanned each table, there was a group of nurses sat at one, some enlisted men at another and then … Charles.
“I guess he’ll do.” She muttered to herself taking a few steps towards him.
She had almost reached the table, when she noticed someone else in the far corner of the mess, it was BJ. She inconspicuously made a detour and approached him slowly.
“May I sit here?” She asked politely
There was no reply.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Margaret stated as she slid her tray along the table to sit.
The noise of the tray made BJ realize there was someone else present.
“Oh sorry Major, I was a million miles away.”
“I noticed. Is there any reason why you’re sitting all the way over here on your own?”
“There’s your reason.” BJ replied begrudgingly pointing in the direction of Charles Emerson Winchester the 3rd
Margaret took a sip of her coffee and pulled a face as she set it down again.
“BJ. You’re not going to start anything with him.”
“Why shouldn’t I?” BJ retorted “Its about time someone pointed out to the arrogant bag of wind just how selfish and uncaring he really is!”
“Oh come on!” Margaret rolled her eyes and grabbed for her cup once more “You can’t start a war in the middle of a war! We need to work together, this is not the time or place to start!”
BJ stared over at Charles with a resentful glint in his eye “Oh yeah, watch me.”
“BJ! What about Hawkeye? If he were to come back tomorrow how much do you think it would help him to see you two at each others throats?” She attempted to reason with him
He let out a sigh and slowly shook his head, he hated that she was right.
“I’ll … I’ll see you later.” He said slightly irritated as he exited the table

*************
“So let me get this straight.” Sidney scooted backwards in his chair and rested one leg over the arm rest “Margaret and Frank organized Henry’s orders to come through, so they could make his plane crash as he was leaving and take command of the 4077th?”
“Exactly!” Hawkeye lit up like a light bulb and pointed towards Sidney “Now you’re catching on.”
“But, wouldn’t it have been easier to make a jeep crash or say a sniper shot him?”
“They tried that!” Hawkeye paced the room and then sat sharply on his cot “We all thought it was Cowboy who was trying to kill him because Henry wouldn’t let him go home to his wife. But all that time… all that time, it was Frank and Margaret.”
“Hmm, I see.” Sidney nodded vaguely recalling being told of the event

*************
“Colonel! I request permission to go and see Pierce.” Margaret stated charging into Potters office
“You what?” Potter looked up from his paper work to see the Major standing in front of his desk
“I want to go and see Pierce, I think maybe I can help him.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes sir.”
“On what grounds?”
“Well … uh.” Margaret stammered, “I don’t really know that sir. I just, I just think that maybe I can help.”
“Mmm hmm.” Potter nodded, he knew that she felt something for Hawkeye, even if she refused to admit it to herself. He also knew that there was no arguing with Major Houlihan. Especially when her mind was made up.
“Very well, sign out a jeep, Radar can drive. But I want you back here before it gets dark. There’s been a report of some snipers in the area. And check it with Major Freedman first!”
“I will, thank you Colonel!” A grin spread across Margarets face as she bounded out in search of Radar.

“Corporal, put a call through to Major Freedman.” Margaret ordered as she attempted to hide her uncharacteristic happy expression
“Uhh … yes mam.” Radar complied reaching for cords and flicking switches