Athena Project [ M*A*S*H ]

T*W*O

"Klinger, why don't you show the Major to her tent." Colonel Potter shot her a big smile. "Once you're settled and this rain has stopped, someone can show you 'round the place." He stood from his desk chair and offered a hand.

Nellie shook it. With a smile and a nod, she glanced briefly around at the staff. Then she turned back. "Thank you, Colonel."

Klinger moved to show her out. He led the way, grabbing her bags from his office. On his way out he pushed a baseball cap over his hair. Nellie followed close behind him. As they stepped outside into the rain, her heels began to sink into the muddy ground. She hurried herself forward.

The tent that Klinger showed her wasn't far from the large building. He took her to a long row of square tents. A few signs identified the various occupants. The one marked 'Major O'Hara' stood with 'Major Houlihan' on her left and 'VIP Tent' to the right. Klinger opened the door, went inside, and held it for her.

"Here's your tent, Major. Major Houlihan's next door if you need anything." He placed her suitcases on the ground. With a nod and a quick smile, he went to leave. He turned and said, "Oh! Your mail might take a week or two to show up. But find me if you need to send a telegram stateside to let your family know you settled in!"

"Thanks Corporal!" She smiled and nodded. "I'll let you know."

As Klinger left her tent, she placed the lock across the door. More than anything, she wanted to get out of the dress uniform and into fatigues. Nellie hoisted one of her suitcases onto her bed and unzipped it. Slowly she pulled out her clothes. Mostly fatigues, she took one set and put it to the side before hanging up the rest in the stand up closet. Next went her boots. These she placed on the floor at the foot of her bed.

A few civilian pieces followed. One, a Hawaiian shirt, light aqua blue with pink, white, and green flowers and leaves, had been a parting gift from her older brother Jack. He had spent some time in the military stationed in Honolulu. It had been his favorite shirt. Nellie took it gladly as a reminder of her best friend. As she unpacked it, she hung it on her wall from a nail and smiled.

Besides the Hawaiian shirt, she took out some khaki shorts, a set of cropped capris, and a few simple blouses. One pair of black flats soon sat at the bottom of the standing closet. With her clothing unpacked and put away, she moved the empty suitcase under her bed.

Soon fatigues replaced her brown and tan dress uniform, and boots traded places with her heels. Nellie used a small towel to ring out her hair, but it still cascaded messily down her upper body. Relieved to be out of her heels, she decided it time to unpack her other items.

From her second suitcase she took out her toiletries, a small desk mirror, a crocheted blanket, and a few reminders of home. Her framed diploma from med school went to lean against her tent wall from her desk. Nellie set a locked wooden box on her side table under the lamp. Inside was her crystal rosary, her Miraculous Medal, and a prayer card for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a practicing Catholic, Nellie had been glad to see a priest in the outfit. Next, a few beloved books became stacked on her bedside table and desk.