This is my take on what happened after Lt. Hanley, Caje, Claude and the Countess ran from the Chateau in the episode "Finest Hour"...No copyright is intended I am only "borrowing the characters" and am not making any money off this story. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1

Once the shelling had begun the four survivors started running away from the Chateau as quickly as they could when they were far enough away the group split up. Claude and the Countess De Roy headed north in hopes of catching up with the French resistance. Caje and Lt. Hanley headed south, to what they hoped would be base camp and the rest of their squad.

Caje had supported the Lieutenant as they ran from the shelling and he could feel more of the man's weight resting on his shoulders. It had been less than 24 hours since Hanley had been shot and as far as Caje was concerned {Lieutenant shouldn't be anywhere but in bed not running through forests in the middle of the night}.

Caje: "Lieutenant, let's take a break."

Hanley: "Not yet, let's get more distance between us and the Chateau." Trying to take more of his own weight the Lieutenant pressed forward.

About an hour later they reached a small grove of trees, Hanley was unsteady on his feet by this time and after he stumbled for the second time Caje came to a halt, he could feel the light tremors running through the Lieutenant's body.

Caje: "Sir, we need to find shelter soon…you need to rest and it will be getting colder."

Hanley: "I know…help me to that tree, I can rest there while you scout ahead."

Caje: "I can't leave you out here not in the shape you're in."

Hanley: "You'll be able to move faster without me along…besides it feels like we're going to get a storm so the faster you find shelter the better."

Caje: "But Lieutenant…"

Hanley: "Consider it an order Caje…scout ahead then come back and get me…I'll be right here." (he had been leaning against a tree and now he slid down and sat against its trunk).

Caje: "Alright Lieutenant, I'll go …You don't move ok." As he left, handed Hanley a knife, just in case.

After Caje left, Hanley pulled his jacket tighter against his body and started thinking about the past twenty four hours…from the time he was shot to arriving at the Chateau…the Countess removing the bullet from his shoulder…finding out a German Panzer division was using the Chateau as a base… having to tell the Countess that the allied troops were going to shell what had been her home for over twenty years…Hanley hadn't wanted Chateau Ahmandy destroyed but there was no other way to stop the Germans from setting up shop…Count De Roy had given his life to save the Countess and Claude, in the end saved Hanley and Caje as well...it was indeed the Counts "finest hour."

With a sigh Hanley tipped his face up to the sky letting the raindrops fall soft and cool against his warm skin, wondering how long it would take Caje to get back.

Caje was keeping close to the trees as he looked for shelter…he was unfamiliar with this area and wasn't sure how to get back to the river that would guide them to the base camp…Claude had brought them to the Chateau by wagon and at the time Caje didn't think they were more than seven or ten miles from the river but couldn't be sure…he thought they were headed in the right direction…again he wouldn't know for sure until daylight {right now I need to find shelter} just then he came to a small clearing in the middle of which stood a small shack...reaching back he pulled the rifle from his shoulder…though he was not expecting to find anyone here it wouldn't hurt to be prepared…crouching low he scouted around the shack…noting the walls and roof were still intact when he tried the door found it was unlocked and with gun aimed he entered.

Hanley felt himself starting to fall asleep and knew that it wasn't a good idea but the past day was catching up to him…he straightened against the trunk of the tree wincing at the movement…by his watch Caje had been gone roughly 40 minutes and Hanley hoped that nothing had happened to the Frenchman…he was a good scout and good man to have at your back.

Then he heard a soft accented whisper.

Caje: "Lieutenant?"

Hanley: Did you find anything?

Caje: "Yes about twenty minutes to the south I found a shack…it is old but sturdy and there is a cot and fireplace it should keep us until morning."

Hanley: {didn't know if he could make it ten minutes south, let alone twenty} "Let's get going." Getting to his feet the LT had to brace himself against the tree when he felt a little dizzy.

Caje: Lieutenant, are you alright?

Hanley: "Yeah…yeah…I'm ok (straightening his back and shoulders he glanced at Caje) let's move out."

Caje: "Yes, Sir."

Caje could see the Lieutenant was tiring and what had been sprinkles earlier had turned into a light shower, he was trying to get Hanley under cover before it started to pour.

Caje: It's only a short distance now, can you make it?

Hanley: "I'll make it."

Once they reached the clearing Caje checked the area around the shack…nothing was out of place from his previous visit …helping Hanley through the front door led him to a chair next to a small table and when the Lieutenant was seated lit an oil lamp…after placing the lamp in the middle of the table Caje made his way toward the fireplace building a small fire hoping to warm the shack.

Hanley had watched while Caje got the fire going …once there was enough light between the lamp and the fire to see he glanced around, the windows were shuttered which explained why no light was filtering in… the cot was placed in front of the fireplace it had a thin mattress, pillow and a blanket he also noticed a wooden bucket next to the door. Hearing the rain coming down outside, he caught the Frenchman's gaze.

Hanley: Caje...Can you set that bucket outside to catch some water? "Maybe there's a pot or kettle that we can use for heating."

Caje: "Yes Sir." He moved to place the bucket outside the door catching a glimpse of lightning a short distance away and the sound of thunder not far behind. His eyes scanned the woods as the bucket filled but nothing moved.

Caje stepped back inside with the full bucket after a few moments he located a large black kettle…after pouring part of the water into it placed the kettle on the hook in the fireplace…the Lieutenant had remained quiet and as the scout turned to check on him, saw why.

Hanley was slumped in the chair with his good arm bent, forearm resting flat against the table top and his forehead was resting on the bent arm…

Caje: Lieutenant? (he approached Hanley and placed a hand on his back) Lieutenant?

The Lieutenant warily lifted his head…his face was pale, there were shadows under his eyes an unnatural flush had reddened his features and as Caje caught a glimpse of the Lieutenant's eyes he could see how tired the man was…pain had dulled his green eyes and he was shivering).

Caje: "Lieutenant, let's get that wet jacket off."

Hanley: "That's a good idea."

After the jacket had been removed Caje hung it on the back of one of the chairs to dry.

Caje: "Let's get you to the cot it will make it easier to tend your wound."

As the Lieutenant started to get to his feet he swayed but Caje steadied him…placing the man's good arm over his shoulders helped him toward the cot.

Hanley: {feeling his knees starting to buckle} Caje! Caje! I…

The scout caught the Lieutenant as he passed out, gently placing him on the cot {good thing we were so close} He checked to make sure the Lieutenant was breathing ok then took a moment to consider what to do next. "Rest easy Lieutenant." (Placing a blanket over Hanley the scout went in search of supplies).