This story starts during the April Fool's episode of MASH

I don't own Charles or any one else, except Ellie.

Lieutenant Ellie Barrett, newly assigned to the 4077 MASH, leaned out of her tent as she heard hushed rustling from where she had been told Major Houlihan's tent was. Her eyebrows went up as she saw 3 men carefully dismantling the tent, leaving only the supports of the structure and the insides intact. She stepped out, tucking a few strands of golden hair behind her ear. Ellie stepped closer, curiosity overpowering her good sense to simply keep her nose out of things. One of the men caught her eye; a tall stocky man with curly hair- what was left of it any ways. As she got closer to what was left of the head nurse's tent, she could see he had pale blue eyes, sparkling with mischief.

Major Charles Winchester chuckled as he took down tent flaps, keeping a sharp look out for the tent's owner. During his scan of the area, his eyes settled on a new nurse, still in her dress uniform. His first impression of her was one of loveliness; golden blond hair flowing over her shoulders, deep green eyes that reminded him of his own front lawn in Boston. He paused in his work to just watch her for a moment, turning away just as soon as she noticed his gaze and sent him a wink.

"Should I be asking, or will it just get me in trouble?" she asked with a good natured grin.

"Best not to ask. Let's just say that the Major is getting her just desserts. Or should I say breakfast," a tall lanky man said, giving her a mischievous grin.

"Indeed. I suppose I'll have to watch for whoopee cushions then?" She gave a smile again, making Winchester a bit weak in the knees all of a sudden.

"Not from me, Lieutenant. From these juveniles, perhaps," Charles said, quickly composing himself as he moved over to her and kissed the back of her hand. "Major Charles Emerson Winchester III. A pleasure to meet you."

"Ellie Barrett. And the rest of you?" Her eyes widened somewhat as the dark haired man who had addressed her first practically charged them, snuggling up against her.

"Hawkeye Pierce. They tell me I'm a captain, but I prefer 'misplaced civilian'. Maybe we could get to know each other a little later?" he asked, his voice dripping with suggestions that she never would have dreamed an officer would make. He gave an exaggerated wink that he obviously thought was funny; she knew his type- he believed himself to be God's gift to humanity in general, and women in particular. She chuckled weakly and backed away from him, bumping into Winchester. She blushed and looked away, glancing back for a second before turning to Hawkeye's mustached companion.

"BJ Hunnicutt," the other man said simply, brushing his sandy hair from his face with a wide grin. He offered his hand to her, which she shook with a friendly smile.

"What does 'BJ' stand for?" she asked curiously, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Anything you want," he answered with a wink far more friendly and subtle than his friend's, then dragged Hawkeye back to the tent. Ellie turned around to smile at Charles, extending her hand.

"I look forward to working with you, Dr. Winchester." She blushed again as he turned her hand in his to kiss it again.

"And I you, Miss Barrett. Adieu." Charles walked back to the tent as well, a little more briskly than his usual walk. He so desperately wished he had Pierce's audacity, could even do so much as invite her back to the Swamp for a quiet drink without thinking that he had overstepped some boundary. Surely she must have someone. Or so the major told himself to keep from thinking of her any longer.