Disclaimer: Hogan's Heroes isn't mine, I'm sorry to say.

Note: In this story, I'm going to attempt to protray the ongoing relations between Hogan and his family during the war. This is a work-in-progress, so stay with me. Reviews are always welcomed at appreciated!

August 16, 1940
The Hogan Home, Indianapolis, Indiana

Robert Hogan ran his hand over the dusty headboard he had slept beneath for 26 years. He'd never given it much thought before, but now, as he stared at the active duty assignment lying next to him on the bed, it suddenly occurred to him that he might never sleep beneath this headboard again. Odd, the things that you think of at times like these; it wasn't that he really cared about the headboard, it was just the fact that he might not see it again that disturbed him.

"Rob?" The voice of his mother, Regina Hogan, echoed up from the floor below, shattering his daydream. "Rob! We're ready to leave!"

With a slight sigh that betrayed his melancholy mood, Hogan blew the dust of his fingertips, collected his duty notice and bags, and closed the door on his room for a final time. Despite the bustle of his family preparing to see him off, the house seemed quiet and empty, like it too was biding him farewell. Little things jumped out at him: there was the dent in the wall where his older brother Greg had broken his ankle, the crooked hanging door into his sister Emma's room leftover from a wild game of cowboys and Indians, his eyes spotted an open can of shaving cream in the bathroom, and he remember the shaving lessons he had received from his big brother…

The activities of his family ceased as Robert descended the stairs, all staring at him with a mix of emotions displayed on their faces. He felt their eyes follow his progress across the living room to place his remaining bags with the other, and he grew tense and wary. This wasn't the first time he had left home; how come leaving for college hadn't felt like this? Because the death rate is considerably higher in a war than at college, that's why.

For a moment, he considered his destination. As a Major in the US Army Air Corps, he, along with hundreds of others, was volunteering to help defend Great Britain from advance of German forces from the sky. The idea had filled him with adrenaline at first, to take his beloved B-17 out into combat, a real test to his mastery of the sky. But in accepting, Robert hadn't counted on this painful prolonged separation from his family, nor had he really considered the idea that he wouldn't be returning a hero. Until I saw it on my father's face when I showed him my orders. Until I heard Mother cry over it through the walls last night.

"Are you ready, son?" his father, Rodger Hogan asked, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. And as Robert met his father's eyes, he knew that Rodger wasn't just referring to his suitcases.

Was he ready? Was he ready to fly into death and destruction, to order others to their death, to be the direct cause of the death of other soldiers just like him except they were born in Germany? Could anyone be ready for that, or was it something you just…accepted?

"I think so."

Rodger nodded grimly and offered his arm to Regina and began his walk to the car. "Then we are ready also."

Army Base
Indianapolis, Indiana

I will not get emotional. Regina Hogan told herself and she watched her middle child embrace Emma. It was just so hard! She could feel the tears welling up. I will not cry. I need to be supportive.

How could the rest of the family be so calm? Didn't they realize that Robert could die in England, that they could never see him again? Regina knew she was being selfish-after all, there were hundred of other mothers saying goodbye to their son, committing themselves to the comforting fact that their son was safe and in good hands.

Robert gave his sister a final embrace, kissing her on the forehead. Emma took a deep breath to control herself as her brother left her, but she kept her emotions firmly in check. When did she get so strong? Regina wondered. All she had to do was close her eyes, and she could see Emma running to her for comfort after suffering another prank from her brothers, tears running down her face. There was no trace of those tears now.

Her oldest, Greg reached out to shake offer Robert final words and a last embrace. He, at least, took a career as a doctor, and away from the military. For now, Greg was safe. But if the United States ever got sucked into this dreadful war in Europe, he too, might join the fighting by virtue of the draft. Regina shuddered at the thought. The war would end much too early for that.

"Dad?" Robert said quietly to her husband. Rodger offered him a small smile and the too embraced for a long moment, gravitating towards the fact that this would be the last physical contact they would have for quite some time.

And then it was her turn, and as Regina took her son in her arms, she felt some of the strength she had been marveling at in the others. This was the final moment, mother to son, between her and Robert, and she wouldn't spoil that in tears. "Be brave, my son," she whispered softly. "Stay safe and do what's right. I have every faith in you- I love you so much-"

"I love you too, Mom," Robert replied, smoothly covering her breaking voice. "Try not to worry too much."

She sniffed a little bit, a smile coming to her face despite her raging emotions. "I'm going to miss you around here."

Robert embraced her a final time and then picked up his bags and walked down the dusty dirt road that led towards the base that was to soon fly him off to England.