A/N: Sorry for the extra week, school exams kept me to busy to post. Anyway hope you enjoy and please review:)
Chapter Six
Stalag 13, 1943
Holding the set of newly forged papers, Kinch walked into the Colonel's private quarters and laid them on Hogan's desk for inspection. Studying his commander's face Sgt. Kinchloe read a completely different message to what Hogan was trying to emit. They had spent enough time together to make it near impossible for them to deceive each other.
"What's wrong Sir?"
"What makes you think something's wrong?" The Colonel enquired with an easy going smile.
Kinch argued back in silence; raising a patronizing eyebrow as he crossed his arms.
"It's just a feeling that's all." Hogan answered dropping the act. "I really don't give you guys enough credit do I?"
Smirking Kinch shook his head, "Well you are an Officer."
Laughing warmly Hogan stood and held the door open for the pair of them. "LeBeau should be just about finished by now and so should Newkirk."
They saw Andy sitting on the bench in their communications room, hunched over with her head in her hands. Sharing a glance they came to an agreement; Kinch left in the direction of where Newkirk was processing the Flight Lieutenant before Hogan approached, who he now saw as his temporary charge.
"I was just thinking Sir. You don't have to worry about me." Andy stated, masking her guilt before looking up at the Colonel. "Not yet anyway."
"If you're sure," Hogan replied, his tone made clear he wasn't buying the flippant remark. "Your dress ought to be ready for a test flight," he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Do your men fancy a show then?" She jeered, appreciating the diversion and knowing the guys in the barracks may as well have some fun.
"It could just help camp moraleā¦" The American sarcastically pondered the question. "Yeah, I think they just might." Hogan grinned knowing the majority would, although her brother was another story.
Mindful of the fact twenty odd men were gathered outside, Andy was listening to the doubts in her head. Fussing over a few stray hairs and straitening the hem of the dress she wore feeling more childish than lady like in the American Colonel's private quarters. 'Damn it, grow up and get your arse out there. LeBeau did a fantastic job; so go show it off for his sake and see if you can shut your brother up.' Andy thought, frustrated with how stupid she was acting. Curtly nodding to herself as if acknowledging an order, before she pulled open the door to the chatting crowd walking tall and proud up to her brother's friends. Stopping just steps short of them she gave a quick twirl breaking the disinterested talk, replacing it with many open mouths and more than a few wolf whistles.
"Gosh..." Carter breathed closing the door he was supposed to be watching from. "Ah Sir." Was hurriedly added only just remembering that he was speaking to an officer.
"That's Ma'am Carter." Hogan corrected somewhat taken aback himself at how much a bandage and a uniform hid.
"Merci LeBeau, c'est m magnifique! (Thank you LeBeau, it's magnificent!) Andy exclaimed before proceeding to kiss LeBeau in the French style, once on both cheek.
The Barracks erupted in laughter as the passionate Frenchman turned the same colour as his jersey, a bright red. However modest it was the only description that suited the dress but by no means did it justice. The long evening dress hugged her figure perfectly, the straps crossing in the front formed a tear drop pendant on Andy's chest and the skirt split from just above her right knee to her left ankle. Needless to say it was of course royal blue in colour.
Newkirk, who had somewhat reluctantly remained seated on his bunk while his mates flirted with his baby sister, noticed something that so far everyone else had missed. 'What on earth 'ave you got yourself into now?' He grimly cursed as he jumped off and broke through the crowd to get an explanation, although not really expecting to hear the truth.
"Where'd you get those scars?" Peter demanded laying a hand on her shoulder.
Andy jumped as if electricity had passed through her and quickly stepped around the hand facing him. "An accident of war, if you must know." Her tone closing the subject off entirely, "Anyone care to help me brush up my dance skills? I'm afraid I haven't danced in years, I'd hate to stand on one of my Gestapo date's feet." She finished sarcastically as the men flocked around her.
Irritated and more than he'd cared to admit, worried the English Corporal pushed through the crowd to stand by the two Officers. Ritchie looking proud but sad, feeling more than a little left out. Sympathetically clapped Newkirk's back, knowing words meant little when they came from 'strangers' to them. A blushing Carter held Andy as if she was porcelain as they danced to the music provided by Kinch and LeBeau.
"Newkirk, she is your sister and is just like you in every way possible. Trust her judgement and ability to keep herself out of trouble." Hogan said softly.
"That's the problem Colonel, with me temper, tricks and the bloody Devil's luck, 'ow can I?" Peter replied, solemnly smiling at fond memories.
(England, Basic Training Facility, 1939)
"You ready?" I called as loud as I dared to the black silhouette standing opposite me.
"Always, now can we get on with it?" Was hissed back.
The mark strolled into the Officers' club as planned. Step one; distraction- make them focus on anything but what you're doing.
"Why you... Get your hands off me!" She yelled for all it was worth pretending to struggle in my arms.
"Corporal let go of her right this instant." A Flight Lieutenant ordered stepping back out of the club followed by the Group Captain.
Stepping back I watched Andrea dart behind the Officers, clinging to the Lieuy. Step two- retrieve the object. In this case, it had nothing to do with me so I layed low and let the lady do the work. Pulling myself to attention I cursed in my head, I didn't count on that ruddy big fat idiot showing up.
"Corporal what is your explanation? It had better be good, unless you want to be court martialled!" Group Captain Davies growled.
This part we had planned, "Sir, the bird was wandering round base with no ID..."
Again seeing the perks of sentry duty, I had to hide the grin as he ground his teeth in annoyance at the truth in the story and the Lieuy who was failing to hide his flirting he with my sister. Davies looked good and ready to explode at the Lieutenant. Serves himself right though; the stuck up twit was asking for it.
"Corporal, escort this lady out please. Lieutenant Benson, come with me." Davies nearly shouted, clearly peeved.
Step three- disappear before you get caught. Well this was easy. Saluting perhaps a tad more formally than I'd usually bother to, I grabbed Andrea's arm and headed for the gate. Once we were out of sight I let her go and we both burst into a laughing fit that we'd held in for what seemed to be for ever.
"Did you get it?" I managed to ask recovering slightly.
"Course I got it." Andrea said pretending to be insulted, pulling from her coat pocket a black wallet and handed it over to me. "Tell Henderson the drinks are on him tomorrow for me, okay?"
I shook my head in mock disgrace at her, as I waved her off. She was right though, Henderson said he'd buy if we could grab Benson's wallet. I doubt he'd believe it was Andrea who stole it; he wouldn't believe half the things we've done before this rotten war.
(Stalag 13, 1943)
Watching this look- a- like dance, Peter felt like his baby sister had truly died. The loyalty and trust gone between them; stolen in the two year hole in their lives.
