Disclaimer: I do not own the Rat Patrol or profit from writing.

Author's Note: I got Hitch's serial number from the episode The One That Got Away Raid.

Hitch pressed himself up against the wall. He prayed that whoever was coming wouldn't see him. The Rat Patrol had been sent to steal and replace some papers the Germans had. A spy had infiltrated Allied Headquarters and sent intelligence to the Germans. They had caught him, but the information was already in the hands of the Germans.

Hitch cautiously peeked from behind the wall to see if anyone was still there. All was clear. He sighed in relief. Nothing could ever prepare him for the stress of these missions. He motioned with his hand that all was safe. The rest of the Rat Patrol joined him by the wall.

"Okay," said Troy, "got the papers?"

Hitch nodded. He patted his pants. Inside, a secret pocket hid the papers from view.

"Good, let's shake it." One by one, each man climbed onto the roof. Hitch was the last one. Just as he was about to climb up, a dark, sinister voice spoke.

"Guten Abend."

Hitch whirled around, and found himself face to face with a German Lieutenant. Keep calm, he told himself. He grinned. "Yes, it's a beautiful evening, isn't it? The sky is clear, the stars are shining like diamonds in the sky. Reminds me of a song." He started singing, hoping it would warn the others. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky." He stopped singing. "There are more verses, but I forgot them. Did you know that it was written by an English author named Jane Taylor? Very touching. It's a poem. You should read it." The Lieutenant stared at him blankly. Hitch brightened. "I remembered the second verse, it goes like this:When the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon... Mph!" The Lieutenant covered his mouth.

"Quiet," the man hissed, "someone's coming." Hitch inwardly cheered and struggled even harder to get himself released. The man had an iron grip. He stopped struggling when he heard, "What's going on here?" A Colonel stood with his gun pointed at them. The Lieutenant released Hitch, but held him at gunpoint.

"I found this man trying to climb onto the roof. I was just about to bring him to you, but he tried to resist."

"Hmm, very interesting. What are you doing here? Did you come alone?" Hitch stared defiantly past the Colonel. "You are an American, yes?"

"No, I'm Japanese," Hitch spit out. He was dealt a swift blow. Hitch reeled backwards and almost fell.

"You're a smart one, aren't you?"

Hitch cocked his head thoughtfully, "You know, I don't think I am. I never got very good grades in school."

The Colonel's face hardened. "Take him to my office," he ordered the lieutenant. The lieutenant complied and brought Hitch to the office. Once there, the Colonel closed the door. "Tell me, what were you doing trying to get up on the roof?"

"Well, the stars were shining so brightly, I just had to see them better. Your roof was the perfect spot. No oppressing lights or noises. Do forgive me for intruding. I would have called before coming over, but the receptionist was busy."

The Colonel slapped him hard. "Tell me, what were you doing up there?"

"Technically, I hadn't actually gotten up there yet." Hitch hoped he could stall the colonel long enough for his friends to get away.

"If you do not answer my questions, I will be forced to use drastic measures. I do not want to, but if you continue this I will have to."

Hitch grit his teeth and said, "Hitchcock, Mark T, Private First Class. Serial number 08725."

The colonel's manner changed drastically. "You must be exhausted. Lieutenant, take him and give him a good meal and a bed." He turned back to Hitch. "Perhaps you will feel better tomorrow after you have rested. You will feel more cooperative."

Hitch sneered, "Don't count on it, Colonel." The lieutenant led him to a cell. Unlike the ones Hitch was usually put into, this one was spacious, and had a fairly comfortable cot. He turned to the lieutenant. "This won't change my mind."

"I know." he lowered his voice, "Can you get us out of here? I would like to defect. Hitler is absolutely ruining my country. He is a madman."

"I hadn't noticed," Hitch commented dryly. "In case you hadn't realized, I'm stuck in a cell. Even if I could escape, why would I bring you with me? How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Be quiet," the man hissed. "I have information that will make it well worth your while. As for trust, I give my word as a German officer."

Hitch snorted, "I don't think that last fact will make me trust you more. In case you hadn't noticed, you Germans haven't seemed to be very good at keeping your word. Also, I'm stuck in a cell. I can't go anywhere right now."

"What if I helped you?"

"How would you do that?"

"I could try to ask your friends for help."

Hitch jumped. "How do you know about my friends?"

"I saw them on the roof with you. I was trying to ask you if you would take me to your base, but then the colonel came."

"Are they safe? Did they get away?"

The lieutenant shrugged. "I think so."

Hitch started pacing. "Okay, my friends will be here soon. When they come for me, I'll make sure they take you too. That information better be good."

"How do you know they'll come back for you?"

Hitch smiled. "They always have."

The lieutenant nodded uncertainly. "Okay." He left. Hitch stretched out on the cot and tried to devise an escape plan.