Copyright of the Hogan's Heroes characters
belongs to others and no infringement or
ownership is intended.
Marty Breedlove
Follow up story to "Chirstmas Prayers".
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Christmas Morning
"Hochstetter just pulled into camp, Colonel."
Hogan swallowed his coffee and stared into his cup. "That's no surprise, LeBeau. After last nights mission, I would have been more surprised if he didn't show up."
"He's just fishing. There's nothing to lead him to us." Kinch assured and then walked to the door to look.
"Right, we were quiet in and quiet out, except for Andrew's momentary scare with that kraut guard. And the guv'nor took care of him, right smart! Not a shot fired, just a tap on the ole noggin." With a second thought Newkirk looked up from the cards he was nervously shuffling and asked, "You didn't say any names did you, Carter?"
"Heck, no! I'm smarter than that. Golly, you guys must think I'm dumb or something!"
"All right fellas, knock it off. Nobody did, or said anything that would point to us. You know as well as I do, Hochstetter runs here when he doesn't know where else to go." Hogan smirked, "And he's usually right."
"Oh, oh. Here comes Schultz, Colonel." Louis spun away from the door as Kinch closed it.
"Colonel Hogan!" Schultz called, entering the barracks in his usual gun dragging manner.
"Yeah, Schultz."
"Major Hochstetter wants to see you. He's in the Kommandant's office."
"What's he want?"
"I do not know, Colonel Hogan. Major Hochstetter did not tell me. The Kommandant said to go and get you, so I came to get you."
"Aw, come on, Schultzie, its Christmas! No one should have to look at that mug on Christmas! Tell him the guv'nor's on holiday!"
"Yeah, tell him the Colonel went to London on a three day pass and he'll have to go there to see him!" Kinch patted Schultz on his shoulder as he went to stand next to Hogan.
"Ha! Holiday! Jolly jokers." Schultz patted his stomach. "But I know what you mean. I already have an upset stomach, and I only saw him for a few minutes. Come on, Colonel Hogan. He's not going to leave until he sees you."
"Oh, all right, Schultz. Let's get this over with."
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"Come in!"
Schultz opened the door enough to half enter.
"Herr, Kommandant, Colonel Hogan is here."
"Bring him in, Schultz, then you may go."
"Jawohl!" Schultz stepped in, opening the door wider, and motioned to his prisoner. "Come in, Colonel Hogan."
Hogan walked straight to Klink's desk, hat in hand.
"You sent for me, Kommandant?"
"I sent for you, Colonel Hogan!" Hochstetter called out from behind.
"Ahh, Major Hochstetter, I thought that might be your car out front. Come to wish us a Merry Christmas?" Hogan flashed his best irritating grin at the Gestapo Major.
"No, I did not come to wish you a Merry Christmas!" Hochstetter yelled and then, lowering his voice, thoughtfully added. "But perhaps you will be making mine merry."
Hogan looked questioningly from Hochstetter to Klink. "What's this all about, Kommandant?"
"There was a bombing of a munitions factory last night."
"On Christmas eve? That's terrible!"
Hochstetter, hissed. "We have a witness."
Hogan held his breath and squeezed his hat in his hands as he waited. "If you have a witness, why are you here?" he bluffed. "Shouldn't you be out rounding up the bad guys?"
Hochstetter, ignoring the derogatory comment, slowly circled Hogan.
"A guard was injured by the criminals. We believe he may have seen them. As soon as he is able to talk we may have our saboteurs." Hochstetter took a step closer. "What do you think of that, Colonel Hogan?"
"Not much. It has nothing to do with me." Hogan looked away thoughtfully before looking back and asking. "What do you mean as soon as he's able to talk? Did something happen to him?"
"Don't play coy with me, Hogan!" Hochstetter sneered. "You know what happened!"
Klink frowned at the insinuation. "Major Hochstetter, my prisoners do not go around blowing up munitions factories! No one has ever escaped from here. I would know in an instant if they left the camp."
"Is this an admission of guilt, Herr Kommandant?" Hochstetter glared at Klink as he leaned across the Kommandant's desk. "Because when I prove Hogan is responsible, that would make you an accomplice!"
"Whaaat?" Klink sputtered. "I assure you, I am as loyal to our cause as…"
"Enough! I haven't got time for either of you right now. I would suggest you let me take Colonel Hogan with me as a gesture of good will. If we find he is responsible it will look better if you gave him up now, before we have proof of his guilt, Kommandant!"
Hogan looked with earnest at Klink.
Klink stood up and mustering his courage, accused, "So you can beat a false confession out of him?"
Hogan grimaced, giving Klink a double take.
"Colonel Hogan is under Luftwaffe protection, until you have proof of your charges!"
Hogan briefly closed his eyes and exhaled, only to find Hochstetter in his face when he again opened them.
"Don't try anything, Colonel Hogan, the woods are full of Gestapo." Turning back to Klink, he warned, "If I were you, Kommandant, I would lock him up in the cooler until this matter is done." Hochstetter paused and squinted, turning back to Hogan he said, "On second thought, Colonel Hogan, do try something, you could save us all a lot of time."
Hochstetter turned and grabbed his coat as he raced for the door. "Bah, I will talk to you both later.
"Major Hochstetter!" Hogan called.
Hochstetter turned, looking back, without speaking.
Klink grimaced and stepped out from behind his desk, "Hogaan!"
Hogan looked from Klink to Hochstetter and innocently said, "All I wanted to say was Merry Christmas!" But the spark of defiance in Hogan's eyes relayed the American's message loud and clear. The sabotaged munitions plant meant Hochstetter would spend Christmas tramping around in the cold looking for leads, not a pleasant way to spend Christmas.
Hochstetter spun back around with an annoyed "Argh" and disappeared out the door.
"Did you have to do that?" Klink asked.
"I'm sorry, sir. It's just the spirit of the season..."
"No it wasn't! You know, Colonel Hogan, someday your mouth is going to be the death of you."
"Why, Kommandant, I didn't know you cared."
"I don't!" Klink blushed. "Now, get out of here and let me enjoy what's left of this Christmas day."
"Yes, sir." Hogan took a step toward the door and turned back. "Kommandant?"
"Yeees, Colonel Hogan, what is it?" Klink sighed, not looking up from his desk.
"The guard that was hit on the back of the head…will he be all right?"
Klink looked up, "Yes, Colonel Hogan, he will be fine. Just a slight concussion." Looking at the American Colonel he added thoughtfully, "It was nice of you to ask."
Hogan nodded and turned to leave.
A feeling of warmth crept over Klink, "Merry Christmas, Hogan."
Hogan reached the door and quietly answered, "Merry Christmas, Kommandant."
The door clicked closed. Klink stared down at his desk. That was very considerate of Hogan to ask about the injured guard. Just when I think I have Hogan pegged as a self centered obnoxious American, he does something to show me I'm wrong.
Klink reached for the decanter on his desk. Pouring himself a schnapps, his warm smile gradually began to fade. Wait a minute…Klink looked up at the closed door and a shiver ran down his spine, as he replayed the events that had just occurred. Did we say the guard had been hit on the back of the head?
We must have….
The Schnapps hit the back of his throat with a passion and he eagerly gulped it down.
… of course we did!