A/N: This chapter is from Klink's POV. I just want to say again how deeply moved I am by the encouragement I've received in this fandom. You guys are awesome!

The Crittendon Effect - 2

I spent a few restless days and nights after the bombing of Inspector General von Platzen's train. I was forced to look at Colonel Robert Hogan in an entirely new light. Not only was he handsome and charming, he was also dangerous and apparently in possession of resources I never suspected.

I gave long hours of thought to my current position and how best to handle it. Everywhere I turned it seemed I was beset with danger. My government would imprison me (or worse) if my preference for my own gender became known. I had never felt personal loyalty toward Hitler and his party, and yet, to actively work against German interests was unthinkable. But, was it possible to passively allow Hogan to continue to do whatever it was he was doing? Could I turn a blind eye, continue to act as if I were unaware?

Maybe.

However, what I could not do, was let Hogan think that I was merely his unwitting tool. I had to offer some show of resistance to him. My pride and sense of duty required that he, at least, be made aware that I was not a blind fool and incapable of action.

It had to be done carefully, however. My pushing back against Hogan needed to be done in such a way that he would understand me, but would not alert any outside party as to the truth of our situation. If I could achieve that, maybe, just maybe (my heart whispered) he would finally respect me and then maybe...but I never allowed myself to think much beyond that.

I supposed that my actions were probably not strictly honorable, but I was hard pressed to find where honor might lie. I resented my government for wishing to destroy me for simply being who I was. As a soldier, I didn't mind the idea of dying for my country, but I did mind dying for nonsense. That happened to include the nonsense of attacking Russia, as the betrayal of our ally troubled me deeply. I was content to play my own role here at Stalag 13, staying out of both Hogan's and the Nazi's way while hostilities were waged. When the war ended, hopefully my record would be clean of anything damning to either side.

I felt as if I were walking a tightrope, but what else could I do?

I was on the telephone with my colleague at Stalag 18 as he was complaining about the latest escape attempt of the senior POW officer, a Colonel Crittendon of the RAF. The description of this British soldier caught my interest and I asked for more information about him. As he and his career were described to me in detail, a plan formed in my mind.

I offered to take the troublesome Crittendon off Stalag 18's hands. I was confident that his ineffectual escape attempts wouldn't cause me much anxiety, but that he would be the perfect foil for Hogan.

It all turned out better than I could have possibly hoped. The look of grudging respect that lit Hogan's eyes as he realized what I'd done caused my heart to soar.

My good mood carried through the next few days. I was feeling so cheerful that when I found myself alone with Fräulein Helga in my office I attempted to flirt with her. I'd never flirted with her before, but I had made advances at women once in a while in the past, for the sake of appearances.

I sidled over to her and mused aloud that someday, as a fallen hero, I might be born away to Valhalla across the saddle of a beautiful Valkyrie, such as herself. I leaned over her in what I hoped was a suggestive manner.

Her calm reaction accompanied by a knowing smile quickly ended my flirtations.

"Are you volunteering for active duty, Herr Kommandant?"

I slunk back to my desk, defeated. I knew that other homosexual men were able to date women, even get married. Why couldn't I ever seem to effectively court the so-called fairer sex?

My reverie was abruptly ended by the roar of an aircraft engine. I ran outside to see a small Allied plane taking off from within the camp! It managed to clear the fence because the fence had collapsed flat. As my mind tried to process what was happening, I spied the figure of Colonel Crittendon running from the downed fence and into the forest.

After spending a moment yelling, I realized that there was no retrieving the airplane, so I focused instead on the camp and the retrieval of Colonel Crittendon. Fortunately, none of the other prisoners seemed interested in taking advantage of the fallen fence, but they were naturally confined to their barracks while it was repaired and the search conducted for Crittendon.

The foolish man was quickly found blundering about in the woods, still close to camp. I immediately had him imprisoned in the cooler. I questioned him at length about the airplane, but he seemed to be genuinely at a loss as to explain it.

I eventually gave up and retired to my quarters for the night. I had received word from Schultz that no other prisoners were missing.

S owho had been in the airplane? I wondered to myself in bed shortly after.

Then I remembered, the (missing) crashed plane and (missing) pilot.

Hogan is behind this. It seems he will find a way around any obstacle put in his way.

I shivered slightly in my bed, partly with fear, partly with delight. No question but Hogan was dangerous. In spite of that, I couldn't help but admire his abilities and the power he seemed to wield. That I was able to be close to such a man was thrilling and frightening.

And, he apparently prefers men! If only we ever had the chance to speak plainly to each other. But Allied planes taking off from Stalag 13 will get me transferred or worse. I simply have to express to him that I cannot allow such things.

I had him in first thing in the morning.

Hogan sauntered in, saluting casually as always, looking relaxed and calm. I was anything but.

I demanded an explanation for what had happened the previous day.

Hogan asked if I had interrogated Colonel Crittendon.

"Colonel Crittendon is in the cooler for attempted escape, besides which, he denies everything."

"Frankly Kommandant, I think what happened was pretty deplorable, and probably accounts for the rumors."

"Rumors? What rumors? You heard something?" I asked anxiously. If I had ever doubted Hogan's access to information, those days were long gone.

Hogan seemed reluctant to continue, so I prodded him.

"I'm being transferred, that's it, is it not?"

Hogan assumed a dreamy expression and said that he saw me as a fallen hero, born off to Valhalla across the saddle of...

I cut him off, my face flaming with embarrassment. Hogan was using the very words I had used in my attempt to woo Fräulein Helga the previous day. I was horrified. Helga had repeated our conversation to Hogan! I felt so foolish I couldn't face him and paced away practically shouting.

"No, they can't do that to me! Not with my record, which up to now has been perfect."

"Not a single escape," agreed Hogan, "we did make quite a team."

I paused for a moment, thinking.

Is Hogan offering to behave himself if I get rid of Crittendon? Oh, what's the use? He has me where he wants me and we both know it.

I arranged for Crittendon to be transferred back to Stalag 18 immediately.

After I gave the instructions to Fräulein Helga I turned back to Hogan.

"Colonel Hogan, just tell me one thing, was it really Colonel Crittendon who was responsible for yesterday?"

"Well, let's put it this way," Hogan replied, "we had to lose him, he was bad luck."

I began to laugh, delighted momentarily by Hogan's use of the word we and his cleverness in bringing back my joke about the racetrack tout.

But, I quickly realized that the humor was really at my expense. Hogan's reference to my joke was to drive home to me my failure at attempting to cross him. I stopped laughing. I looked into his smiling face and felt my heart throb painfully.

Hogan also stopped chuckling and looked at me oddly. I realized that I was staring at him, awash in sadness and yearning. I knew it was dangerous, but I could not seem to tear myself away.

Hogan backed away looking slightly puzzled.

"Dismissed," I said quietly with a salute, hating myself for the sadness that crept into my tone.

Hogan saluted back a little hesitantly, and left the office. Helga followed in his wake, casting a knowing, sympathetic look at me as she shut the door behind her.

My God, Helga knows.

I spent a long time sitting at my desk, pondering an increasingly frightening future.

END

A/N: I know this installment was very short, but I hope it was enjoyable anyway. The next one will be much longer, I promise!