I do not own any part of Hogans Heroes and do not take any credit for their characters.
Chapter 1: New Arrival
Maria, the only female prisoner at Stalag 13, sat on a bench outside of barracks two. She was enjoying the warmth of the sun on the cold November day. Sergeant Andrew Carter was walking by and decided to stop and talk.
"Hey Maria how are things going?"
"Okay."
"Something a matter? You don't sound chipper?"
"Just thinking about all that has happened in the past, wondering about the future. You and the rest of the guys are able to get away and do stuff that I cant. I know it is because I'm pregnant, and Colonel Hogan doesn't want to worry about me or the baby getting hurt. Now I know how Kinch feels getting left behind."
"I'm sorry you are feeling down, but after you have the baby you can start going on missions again with us."
"Allo everyone. Is this a private conversation or can any one join in?" Corporal Newkirk asked as he walked up very chipper.
"Hello Newkirk, you are welcome to join in."
"Maria and I were talking about her going on missions again after she has her baby."
Maria stared off at the woods just past the barbed wire thinking. I wonder where Misty is right now? I pray she is safe.
"You alright luv?"
"Just thinking."
"About Misty." Maria nodded "She's fine. You 'ave taught her well. Look at it this way, if we cant find 'er, neither can the Nazi's."
"But you would think that with our contacts and searching for her for four months, we would have turned up something."
"Hello everyone." Corporal LeBeau said cheerfully as he walked up. "It is such a beautiful day. Just wish the temperature was a few degrees warmer." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Colonel Hogan wants to have a meeting about tonight's mission."
Maria and the others joined Sergeant Kinchloe and Colonel Hogan in the secret network of tunnels that they built under the camp to aid in their sabotage and espionage activities.
"There is a munitions train on its way to the Russian front. It will be crossing this bridge at 2330 hours tonight." Hogan pointed to a place on the map not too far from camp. "Carter do you have all the explosives and detonators ready to go?"
"You betcha boy…um Sir."
"Newkirk and Lebeau how are the uniforms and papers coming?"
"Their fine sir. Put the finishing touch on them this morning." Newkirk answered.
"Great. Now everyone know what they are suppose to do right?" Everyone was nodding their head as Shultz walked in.
"Hi everyone. Maria, Kommandant Klink would like to see you in his office."
"Be right there."
KOMMANDANTUR
"Afternoon Kommandant. What can I do for you?"
"For starters stop hanging around Hogan so much. You are acting like him. Both of you come in here like you would at home. Second, we need to work out the details about you having your baby. I was thinking about you pretending to do something that will get you thrown in the cooler for a month. Since a POW camp is no place to have a baby, and I have your word that you will not escape, I will have you moved to a small house that is located fifteen miles from here. I use it when I need to get away from here. I will let you spend a month with the child. Then I will have the family come by and pick the baby up."
"Sounds good Kommandant. I appreciate your help. But if I give you my word, what makes you think I still won't run?"
"I like to think I am a good judge of character. I am betting your word is your bond. And besides, if you do escape, I will make everyone in barrack two pay."
"Can I know who the family is that my baby will be going to?"
"You will find out when they pick up the baby. I will tell you they already have a few kids, so they are experienced with handling children."
"Thanks Kommandant. I'll let you know when it is time."
Maria left and just walked around the camp. I can't believe I am going to be a mom again. I have lost one child and now I have to give the other one away. Lord help me to accept what you have in store for my children and me. Please take care of them.
That night, Maria lay awake in her bed waiting to hear the explosion from the bridge. "This is boring. I am going for a walk." As soon as Maria got off the bed and walked toward the door,…BOOM! The ground shook and windows rattled. Oh no! Maybe that is just a practice contraction. Maria lay back down and kept an eye on the clock keeping track of the contractions. After a couple hours of keeping track, the contractions were about five minutes apart. I guess its time to wake the Kommandant up. Maria got up and walked out the door and into the compound. Shultz was the first one to spot her.
"Maria, you cannot be out here at this time of night. Get back in the barrack before some sees you."
"Back off Shultz. I am in no mood to be bothered. I am tired of getting woken up at all hours of the night by either roll calls or explosions!" By now the spotlights are on Maria and Shultz, and the dogs are barking like crazy. Kommandant Klink runs out of his quarters demanding to know what is going on.
"Shultz, why is Maria out of the barracks?"
"Kommandant I am tired of being told what to do. And I am tired of this place. Out of my way Shultz, I'm leaving." Maria looked at Klink and gave him a wink as she tried to push Shultz out of the way.
"Maria go back inside and think about this. Get a good night sleep and things will be better in the morning."
"For once, I agree with Shultz, but you will be staying the night in the cooler."
"You can't do that! I haven't done anything to get thrown in the cooler."
"Call it preventive maintenance."
"Well I might as well make it worth while." Maria faced Klink and threw a punch, which surprisingly he caught.
"Shultz, escort her to the cooler. Now Maria, you have earned yourself a month to think about things."
After the camp quieted down, Klink went into the cooler and snuck Maria into the backseat of his car.
"Corporal, since I cannot go back to sleep, I have decided to check out the explosion. I will return later." Klink drove out the gates and to his little house.
The next morning at roll call, Hogan and the men noticed that Maria did not come out of her room. Hogan knocked on the door. No answer. He opened the door and saw no one.
"Men we have a problem. Maria isn't in her room."
"Sacré chat! It is time for roll call. What are we going to do?" LeBeau asked worried
"I don't know, but I'll think of something."
"Raus! Everyone in formation for roll call." Shultz's voice bellowed
All the men went outside and stood in their place in line. Kommandant Klink came out of his office and stood in his usual place facing the prisoners. "REEEEEEEPOOOOORT!"
"Herr Kommandant, All present and accounted for."
"You may dismiss the prisoners. Colonel Hogan can I please see you in my office."
All the men just stared at Colonel Hogan. "Why didn't Klink say anything about Maria not being here?" Asked Carter.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Hogan walked across the compound and into Klink's office. He didn't pay Fraulein Helga any attention. She started to miss his teasing and bribing information out of her. Since Maria came to camp, Helga has felt neglected. "Kommandant I have a question to ask you…."
"Hogan, do you have your favorite little book with you? You know the Geneva Convention." Hogan nodded his head and took it out of his jacket pocket. "Now look up Section two, chapter 5, article 18, paragraph two and tell me what it says."
Hogan started thumbing through the pages until he found it. "In addition to external marks of respect required by the regulations in force in their own armed forces with regard to their nationals, prisoners of war shall be required to salute all officers of the detaining Power. Officer prisoners of war shall be required to salute only officers of that Power who are their superiors or equals in rank. So what's your point?"
"You like quoting that book to me when it is in your favor. Now I am pointing out something that is in mine. If you want me to go by it, so must you."
I never new Klink read the Geneva Convention. How did he find out about that? I hate it when it is in his favor. All right Kommandant have it your way. Hogan gave his typical lazy salute. "Now about that question…"
Klink rolled his eyes. "Hogan do you also think one time you could knock before you come barging in here.
"That is not in the Geneva Convention."
"It is only polite to knock before entering and then wait until you are invited in. You are teaching the rest of the prisoners' bad manners. Incase you are wondering about Maria, its time. I know you will keep quiet about this. If the truth gets out, both Maria and I can be in a lot of trouble. The story I am telling everyone is she is in the cooler for trying to hit me. The truth is she is at a little house about fifteen miles from here."
"Sir, why are you going out of your way to help her?"
"A POW camp is no place to have a baby. She will be taken care of. If you don't cause me any problems and do something nice for me, I might let you be with her."
"What did you have in mind?"
"You are a smart man Colonel. I am sure you can think of something that I want that won't cost you too much."
I don't like it when Klink tries to act big and in control. He did say he wanted me to knock before I come in, but I have a feeling that isn't what he has in mind. I bet he wants me to give him a proper salute. Poor man has to bribe someone to show him respect. I don't want Maria to go through this alone. "Alright Kommandant, but for this, I am going to need something more. Can Carter, LeBeau, Kinch and Newkirk come also?"
"What makes you think she would want them there?"
"There is something you need to know about prisoners Kommandant. Since we are so far away from our regular families, we have to make our own."
Klink thought for a moment "Granted. But if any one escapes, the entire camp will pay. If any one finds out I am doing this, all of us are in trouble. I will leave Shultz to guard you while you are there. Now Colonel, after you do something nice for me, get your men ready to go out on a work detail." Klink gave Hogan a sly grin telling him that they were going to see Maria and not on a work detail.
Hogan took a deep breath. I guess Klink does disserve this one for all the help he has been to Maria. He came to attention and gave Klink a proper military salute. After Klink returned the salute, Hogan left.
BARRACK 2
"Maria's in labor and Klink has her in a little house about fifteen miles from here. He gave us permission to be there for her. If any one asks, she is in the cooler and I am not able to get her out and we are going on a work detail."
"Hogan get your men in the truck. The potholes are not going to fix themselves. Raus!" Shultz yelled as he motioned for the men to get into the truck parked just outside the barrack.
KOMMANDANTUR
"Hello, Dr. Klingler? This is Kommandant Klink at Stalag 13. Heil Hitler! I was wondering if you could come to camp. I need your help with the problem you called me about sometime ago…You can! Great! See you when you get here. Good Bye Heil Hitler!"
THE HOUSE
A short time later, Shultz pulls up in front of a small house. The men got out of the back of the truck and went to the door. Maria opened it. She was glad to see them. It is nice to have the support of your friends and family. Just as everyone walked in, Maria let out a small moan and closed her eyes. Hogan rushed to her side.
"Are you ok? Why don't you sit down?"
"I'm fine Colonel. Nothing I haven't gone through before. What are you doing here?"
"Klink gave us a pass for good behavior" Newkirk commented.
"Like I said, what are you doing here?"
Everyone started laughing including Shultz "Everyone is a Jolly Joker."
"Klink said we could come. Figured you might need some support." LeBeau interjected
"Colonel, are you blushing again?"
"Now don't go and start that again. Don't think that just because you are in labor, you are exempt from suffering the consequences."
Maria just closed her eyes and remained still for a moment and took in deep breaths. After the contraction passed she walked up to Hogan and patted him on the cheek "Look into my eyes Colonel, I'm not scared of what you are going to do to me. Besides, we will get you back even worse."
"Maria, if you don't mind me asking… Well if you don't want to answer it is ok. I understand. But what does a contraction feel like?" Carter fumbled with his hands as he asked her that question
"I don't mind. Ever had a leg cramp?" They all nodded their head "That is what a contraction feels like, but more painful."
"I see everyone is getting cozy. How are you doing Maria?" Klink walked in the door with Dr Klingler.
"As good as can be. I want to thank you again Kommandant."
"You're welcome. You probably don't remember her, but this is Dr. Klingler. She treated you when you first came to Stalag 13."
"Thanks doctor for your help."
"Maria if you don't mind, I would like to examine you to see how far along you are." Dr. Klingler asked walking up to Maria.
Maria and Dr. Klingler walked into the bedroom. A few minutes later Dr. Klingler walked back into the living room. "Colonel Hogan, would you mind helping me? She is going to deliver soon and she is going to need someone to help coach her. Kommandant I am going to need a few items also."
Hogan went into the bedroom and Klink and LeBeau got the items she needed together, and took them in to her.
"I don't know what to do to coach her. You might want Shultz, he has five kids. He knows what to do."
"Its simple Colonel," Maria began "Remind me to take long, slow deep breaths. I might tell you to push on at a certain place to help ease the pain."
Time went on and Hogan did as he was asked. He could tell she was in more pain than she let on. He started to have a new respect and admiration for her and how well she was managing the pain. Not once did she cry out. Who said women are the weaker sex?
"Okay doc, time to start pushing"
Dr. Klingler got things ready for the delivery and Hogan sat on the bed behind Maria so he could help her push. After thirty minutes of pushing, the baby was out.
"Congratulations Maria! You have a beautiful boy."
Hogan had tears in his eyes and gave Maria a big hug. "I'll leave you alone to get some rest." Hogan walked into the living room. "She has a son!"
"Hey Kommandant isn't that nice that she had a boy on your birthday." Shultz announced
"I didn't know it was your birthday. Happy birthday Kommandant." Hogan congratulated, wondering why he didn't know that.
"Tattle tale" Klink looked at Shultz who was smiling from ear to ear. Ever since Maria got here, ever one is a comedian.
Dr. Klingler came out of the room "Maria and baby are doing fine. They are both resting right now."
"Thank you for your help doctor." Hogan went up and shook her hand.
"Call me if she has any problems." Then Klink and Dr. Klingler left.
That night, Maria got up and walked into the living room with the baby. Everyone commented how beautiful he is. "You know who else's birthday is today? Klink's." Carter informed.
"That's it! I'll name him Robert Wilhelm Crockett."
"Ay gov'ner! Look 'ere. 'e looks just like you."
Hogan walked up to Newkirk and Robert. "That's impossible! There is no way he looks like me."
"Well he sure doesn't look like…..um you know who. He does have his mother's blue eyes and blond hair though."
"Let's stop worrying about who he looks like. It is late and Maria needs her rest."
Maria walked back into the room and fell fast asleep. The next morning Klink was there bright and early. When he walked into the house, he could smell food coming from the kitchen. LeBeau was making a wonderful breakfast.
"Morning Kommandant." Maria said as she walked up to him and showed him the baby.
"I named him Robert Wilhelm." Klink looked at Robert and then at Maria then at Hogan.
"You know Colonel, if I didn't know better, I would say…"
"We already had the discussion Kommandant."
"That doesn't answer the question on why Robert looks like you."