In late December, after a month of horrific casualties following NVA violence at Dak To, Frankie and Barb complete the last surgeries on Christmas Eve at the 71st Evac. In triage, they tend to an unidentified dead soldier, and Barb notes the discrepancy between official reports and actual deaths. Frankie realizes she no longer believes the American government’s accounts of the war, feeling a profound sense of betrayal.

As they walk by the morgue, a Huey arrives with Coyote and Rye Walsh. The Seawolves invite Frankie and Barb on a quick flight. Rye pilots to a clearing where Coyote jumps out, hacks down a small tree, and hauls it aboard while the helicopter hovers dangerously low. They return with the tree as a surprise for the nurses on Christmas Eve.

Back at the hooch, Frankie, Barb, Rye, and Coyote decorate the scraggly tree with improvised items while holiday music plays. When Barb and Coyote leave to get drinks, Rye and Frankie are briefly alone. Rye admits he didn’t want to think about her; Frankie acknowledges their attraction but refuses to be involved because he is engaged. Rye withdraws, saying she affects him, and leaves.

The Christmas cease-fire holds, and the hospital staff enjoy a full holiday meal. Afterwards, they host Barb’s going-away party at the Park, where Frankie has hung a playful farewell banner. Away from the crowd, Barb tells Frankie she cannot do another tour, and they express how much they will miss each other.

The next morning, Frankie wakes to find Barb gone, her cot stripped and posters removed. Frankie discovers a heartfelt letter from Barb dated December 26, 1967, in which Barb avoids a tearful goodbye, affirms their love and sisterhood, invites Frankie to visit Georgia, and urges her not to let the war steal her chance at happiness—specifically noting Rye’s feelings. Barb counsels that “happy now” may be all one can ask in a world on fire.

Beside the note is a Polaroid of Barb, Ethel, and Frankie smiling outside the O Club, a reminder that despite the war, they shared real joy. Frankie holds on to that memory as she faces the coming days without Barb.