On December 20th, Hogan found Newkirk leaning on the barracks wall around 2200 hours. "Are you all right?"
he asked, leaning next to him.
"Just a bit nervy, gov." Newkirk smiled. "Looking forward to tomorrow night."
"I bet."
"I wish you and the others weren't taking on that munitions factory."
"Have to, old chap. I wish we could send someone with you."
"I'll be fine, gov."
"No regrets huh?" Hogan joked. Newkirk glanced at Hogan with an odd look in his eyes. Hogan drew his brows together and Newkirk looked away.
"Maybe one or two," Newkirk softly said. "Don't get me wrong, gov--I'm a man and will be glad to be one again--but..." He shrugged and looked back at Hogan, smiling. "Be nice to 'ave the old Newkirk back, eh?"
"He didn't ever leave. Face it, Newkirk, you're you with a prettier face and female body."
"Thanks for the 'elp through this, gov."
"Anytime." Newkirk gazed at him for long moments, unidenifiable emotions moving through his eyes. Hogan shifted uncomfortably. At long last, Newkirk looked away and Hogan relaxed. Newkirk straightened and sighed.
"We should get inside," he said.
"Come on." Hogan laid a hand on Newkirk's back. He felt muscles ripple and the layers of binding Newkirk used to flatten his chest. Newkirk jerked and looked at him then walked into the barracks. He tiptoed through the dark barracks and pulled himself into his bunk. Hogan slid into his quarters, glancing at Newkirk before he closed the door. Green eyes watched him carefully. Hogan closed the door and laid down. It took a long time before he fell asleep.
The next night, the men stood together in the forest. "Bonne chance, mon ami." LeBeau gripped Newkirk's arm. "Be careful."
"You, too, mates." Newkirk lightly squeezed LeBeau's arm. "You all be careful." He looked at all of the men. "'Urry back." Hogan silently rested a hand on Newkirk's shoulder then left. Newkirk watched them all leave then darted off on his task.
The forest, patched with deep snow, laid eerily silent. Newkirk breathed slowly as he moved. As he neared the circle,
he quivered in the icy air. "Selene?" he whispered.
"I am here, Peter," a voice immediately responded. "Come into the circle." Newkirk stepped inside and warmth enveloped him. Selene, garbed in shimmery black, waited for him with bright eyes. "You have questions?"
Newkirk swallowed. "Can you tell me the future?" he blurted.
"Oh, Peter, there are so many paths, so many twists. What is your concern?"
"There's a meeting of Kraut leaders. As a woman, I may be able to get in. Yet, if I stay a woman, I'm a woman for six months!"
"Yes. I can change you any Winter or Summer Solstice. Six months from now or six years, it would not matter. And I can come to you at any fairy circle or cairn. You simply call my name and I will come. I am attuned to you." She paced to him. "You wish to know what will happen if you don't go to the meeting, correct?"
"Anything. I just wish to know what will 'appen! This isn't me!" He slapped his chest. "I 'ate this. I'm a man and every day I stay in this body, my mates see me more as a bleedin' woman than as me!"
"The future is very convoulted. Peter, I can't tell you what to choose."
Newkirk pushed back his hair. "Help me," he said quietly.
She handed him a crystal ball. "Look."
Newkirk stared into the ball. A picture formed and he spied small figures dressed in black approaching what looked like a minature factory. "Cor! That's the gov and the others!"
"Yes."
He drew the ball close. "What's this?" he blurted. A tiny group of men in German uniforms headed towarded the factory. "Blimey! They'll be trapped!"
"Your commander is very intelligent."
"When that factory blows, the Jerries will swarm everywhere! I have to save them."
"You will wait?" "'Ave to! Someone 'as to get in that meeting and I'm the best choice. Can you get me to them?"
"Take my hand. And whatever you see, fear not. Nothing shall harm you." Selene smiled. Newkirk grabbed her hand, surprised at the warmth, and she stepped forward.
Colors flashed and Newkirk saw bits and pieces of a world he'd never forget. Silver roses and coppery trees, a dart of blue among yellow flowers of incredible beauty, and songs that hung in the air. Glimpses of mythological creatures and myraid scents such as jasmine, lavender, and rose came in waves. When the sharp scent of pine filled his nostrils, the world stopped spinning and Selene's fingers tightened. "You are here," she said quietly.
"Thank you." Newkirk pulled his coat tightly around his torso.
"Call me when you need me. I will see you Summer Solstice if not before."
Newkirk smiled and picked his way to the road. There he spotted a truck. Quickly he wiped his face and snuck towards it. It was empty and he hopped into the driver's seat. He headed for the factory, trying to recall where he'd seen his friends. When the earth roared, the truck swerved and the sky turned orange. Newkirk slammed onto the accelerator. He knew his friends wouldn't come to the road. He cursed as the truck bucked under his hands
A flicker of black and the truck slew to a stop. Newkirk whistled sharply, a two toned bird call. The black flicker solidified into Carter and Newkirk waved. He whistled again. Carter and LeBeau stepped closer then Kinch and Hogan appeared. They walked to the truck and Newkirk gestured. "Patrol!" he stated. "'Urry! They're on the way!"
The men clambered in the truck and Newkirk drove off. He wished for a Gestapo or Abwher uniform but kept driving. The smoke from the explosion covered the road. He bit his lip, praying they wouldn't meet the patrol. The truck rumbled through the night until Newkirk pulled onto a side road. He stopped and jumped out. "Come on, mates."
"Newkirk!" Carter exclaimed as he leaped out. "Boy, you were quick!" He stared at Newkirk. "Ah,..."
"Later, Carter, let's move."
"How did you get here?" Kinch asked. LeBeau and Hogan followed him.
"It's a long story, mates. Come on." Newkirk headed off. The others followed and they headed back to Stalag 13. Newkirk took point, listening and sweeping back and forth. As they neared the trunk entrance, he circled around back and entered last. He clambered down and Hogan grasped his arm. With a gentle yet fast motion, he gripped Newkirk's chin and looked at Newkirk's face.
"You fool."
"Someone 'as to get in that meeting, gov. And I fit the bill."
"Did you even think of the problems this will cause?!" Hogan glared at Newkirk. "Damn it, Newkirk!"
"Merci, mon ami," LeBeau said. "You are tres brave!"
"And an idiot," Kinch muttered.
"How did you know about the patrol?" Carter asked.
"Selene showed me. I 'ad to tell you."
Hogan exhaled noisily. "You came to tell us?" He ran his fingers through his hair. "All right. What's done is done. I hope you can play a convincing woman."
Newkirk smiled, a sweet smile that made Hogan double take. "Just watch me, mate."
He brushed past the others. Kinch looked at Hogan. "You can't let him try this."
"He's right, he's the best choice we have. And he's willing to stay a woman for six months to do this. What can I do, Kinch?"
"And he came back for us," Carter reminded. Kinch looked unconvinced. "At least we have a way into that meeting."
"If the General likes Newkirk's type. What if he likes blonds?"
"Trust me, mon ami. Perrin is belle. She will do fine." LeBeau grinned. "Especially with La Tigre's help."
"And she can always wear a wig," Carter said.
Kinch sighed.
Hogan paced his quarters. Newkirk as a woman for six months. He'd never believed Newkirk would stay a woman although he knew LeBeau had pressed him. The idiot! We could have done this without his help! And now we have him as a her for six months!! Hogan turned and began pacing again. Part of him was stunned and astonished that Newkirk had chosen the meeting over his desperate need to be a man again. Then again, the fact that Newkirk had rushed in to save the team didn't surprise him in the least. He knew his prickly corporal well and the cynical Brit had a soft heart and an insane devotion to his sat down and pulled off his boots and clothes and put on his pajamas. He laid down on his hard bunk.
Newkirk also followed him. While Hogan had no illusions about his hard headed thief, he also knew despite his stubbornness, no matter what Hogan decided, Newkirk would follow him into Hell itself. Complaining all the while but he would be beside Hogan, covering his back. All his men would be there and Hogan often worried and wondered about that bond. Now instead of four men, he had three men and a woman. And that woman was too pretty, damn it. What if Carter had become a woman? Or Kinch? We all would be women now except for Peter. Hogan sat up. Honestly, if anyone had to be turned, it's best it was Peter. With his show background and familiarity with makeup, he passes. Even I forget he's a woman most of the time. Then she looks at me in a certain way and all I can see is woman. God, this is insane! And how close is he coming to losing his mind? He's doing incredibly well but I know it's taking a toll. This is going to be so much trouble.
A soft knock and Hogan said "Come."
Newkirk slipped inside, draped in his nightshirt and pants. "Gov?"
"Come on in." Hogan stood. "Are you all right?"
"Fine." Newkirk looked at him. "Gov, I knew you're upset--and Kinch too--but I can do this. And I think we'll learn a lot at this meeting. I just wanted to tell you not to worry."
Hogan smiled slightly. "Little late for that, Newkirk."
"I mean it. I can do this. I don't need pampering." He gazed steadily at Hogan.
"I'm pampering you?"
"You're worrying. Stop."
"I always worry and that has nothing to do with your gender." Hogan sat down. "I have to admit, I'm shocked. You're taking a huge risk. And I don't mean just the operation. I mean you personally."
"I'll be all right." Hogan sighed. "Gov, let's face it. If this 'ad to 'appen to anyone, we should be glad it was me. Think if it'd been you." Hogan jerked involuntarily and Newkirk chuckled. "Anyway, that's it, gov. Thanks." He turned to leave.
"Peter, wait." Newkirk turned back. "I don't know if any of us said it but thank you."
"For what?"
"You shoved us out of the circle. You thought we were in trouble tonight and came for us. You gave up your gender for the sake of the war. Thank you isn't enough."
Newkirk studied him. "You're welcome."
"You know, I seem to recall someone who said he didn't care about anyone, that he was just bored." Hogan grinned.
Newkirk rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me. See, becoming a bleedin' woman rattled my brain. Don't think I'll keep doing it." Hogan grinned wider but allowed his thief his pride and fictitious self-centeredness. Newkirk nodded and left after a gentle "Night, gov."
Hogan watched him leave, noting the flash of skin under ebony hair, thought he caught a scent of lilacs. Oh, yes. A LOT of trouble.
-----
"Come on, Newkirk!"
"Hold your horses, mate!"
A soft rustle and the sound of a brush through hair and Newkirk stepped out. Carter whistled. "Wow." Newkirk grinned. Clinging black pants and a snug black sweater revealed a very female outline. Makeup highlighted an exsquisite face and high heels showed off his long legs. He slipped on a short buff jacket. "You look great," Carter said.
"Now to go charm this General." Newkirk fluffed his hair. "Good thing I practiced walking on these." He walked off and Carter watched him. Disturbing thoughts entered his mind and he hurried off to find Colonel Hogan. Hogan, Kinch, and LeBeau clustered around the barracks door, watching Klink's office.
"I'm still surprised we got Schiff here so quick. Christmas is two days," Kinch said as Carter joined them. "How's he look, Carter?"
"Troubling," Carter honestly said. As the others looked at him, he shrugged. "You'll see."
"Think she'll have any problem getting through the gates?" Kinch asked.
"Nope," Hogan said with a smile.
Wolfwhistles broke out all over camp as the gates opened and Newkirk sashayed in. Hogan shifted uncomfortably. As Newkirk walked towards the porch, hips swaying, Schultz beside him, Wilson strolled over, wide eyed. "Sir, is that...?" he whispered.
"Yes," Hogan said. How is she walking on those heels?
"She's gorgeous," Wilson muttered. Klink stepped onto the porch. Hogan drifted over.
"Schultz, what is the---gutentag, fraulien," Klink stammered.
"This is Fraulien Belinda Walters. Her car broke down. She came here to use our phone."
"If I may, Kommandant?" Newkirk smiled and Hogan felt sweat break out along his back. Newkirk was Newkirk, damn it, and Klink saw Newkirk almost daily. Yet Newkirk opened his eyes wide and Klink took her arm to escort her inside. They disappeared inside the office and Hogan headed for the barracks, his men behind him. They entered Hogan's office and plugged in the coffeepot.
"Fraulien Walters, this is Field Marshall Wolfgang Schiff. Fraulien Walter's car broke down," Klink explained.
~"A pleasure, Fraulien."~ Hogan could hear movement.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand German well," Newkirk said.
"You are English!" Schiff's shock carried over the microphone.
"Yes. When war occurred between our countries, I was in Germany, visiting with my cousin. I didn't get a chance to go home. I have to stay in Germany The local Gestapo like to check in on me continually. I keep hoping they'll deport me."
Klink laughed and the General snorted. "You must get homesick," Klink said. LeBeau rolled his eyes at Klink's fawning tones.
"Newkirk will have to scrub her skin clean," he grunted.
"You have German relatives?" Schiff asked.
"My mother is German born and raised," Newkirk said. "Thank you, Kommandant. You are very kind."
"Call me Wilheim."
"And I'm Belinda, Wilheim."
Hogan shuddered. "Disgusting."
"So you are Aryan," Schiff stated.
"I've been told that. Frankly, Field Marshall, my bloodlines never concerned me. My father traced our British hertiage back to William the Conquerer."
"Very impressive," Schiff said. "And your German hertiage?"
"My mother told me of it," Newkirk said carelessly. "She claimed we had 'pure' blood. I'm not sure what that means."
"It means you are of pure stock."
"I sound like a Thoroughbred breeding mare."
"Proper breeding is essential for healthy children. Are you married, fraulien?"
A throaty laugh. "Heavens, no." A pause. "You're displeased with that. That's all right. I know I'm not your type. I'm hardly a docile, sweet housefrau."
"You need a firm hand," the Field Marshall grunted.
"Sorry, Field Marshall. No man has been able to keep up with me."
"Watch it," Hogan told the coffeepot.
"She's not being very nice. The Field Marshall will hate her," Carter said.
"Why, danke, Wilhem. I haven't seen biscuits in such a long time. And chocolate!"
"You are most welcome," Klink said. "Perhaps a little schnapps?"
"That would be most appreciated."
"Suck it up, Newkirk," Kinch snorted.
Throughout the meeting, Newkirk both gently chided and indirectly taunted the Field Marshall. Hogan, an expert in the verbal jousting between the genders, gained a new respect for his thief. "Must be in the gender. Newkirk as a man is never this good."
"But she's being kind of rude," Carter said.
"She's baiting the hook," Kinch said. "Tiger said the Field Marshall both resents independent women and is fascinated by them. Newkirk is making him mad and getting him curious."
"It's about time I checked in." Hogan zipped his coat. "Keep an ear open."
Hogan strolled to the office, brushing by Schultz. "Hi, Hilda. Kommandant in?"
"Ja, Colonel, but he has visitors."
"That's all right."
Hogan stepped in. "Hi, Kommandant. I have a question..."
"Dismissed, Hogan!"
"Sorry, I didn't know you had guests. Hello, Field Marshall. And hello, fraulien."
"Who is this, Klink?" Schiff snapped.
"Field Marshall, this is Colonel Hogan, senior POW officer. Colonel Hogan, Field Marshall Schiff."
"And the lady?"
"I'm Belinda Walters." Newkirk stood and Hogan gallantly kissed her hand. "An American Colonel. How fascinating."
"Not as fascinating as you." Hogan smiled at her. To Hogan's surprise, Newkirk blushed and smiled.
"American. Soon we will have that country, too," Schiff said.
"We're reserving the Bronx for the Kommandant here," Hogan said. "I am sorry to interrupt your meeting, Field Marshall. Good day, fraulien."
"Good day to you, Colonel Hogan. It was a very brief but very great pleasure." Newkirk smiled wider and Hogan felt his stomach flip in an enjoyable way.
"Yes, go, Hogan," Klink ordered.
Hogan left, feeling Newkirk's gaze on him as he left. When he got back to his quarters, all his men were snorting with laughter. "What did I miss?" he asked.
"Just Newkirk commenting on attractive Americans and how you walk with a purpose," LeBeau laughed.
"So what's so funny?"
"The Field Marshall asked why she was watching you walk and she said 'how else can I see how he's put together? After all, Field Marshall, you mentioned breeding stock.'"
Hogan's neck reddened and his men smirked. The meeting ended with the Field Marshall escorting Belinda to her cousin's car (aka Briar Rose) and as he helped her into the car, she laid a hand on his arm. She settled in beside Briar Rose and crossed her ankles, smiling up at the Field Marshall. Then the car drove off and Hogan listened as the Field Marshall walked back into Klink's office. "What a charming lady," Klink said happily.
"She would eat you alive," the Field Marshall said. "She is wild, undisciplined. This is what happens when parents are not firm. She needs a calming influence. She is beautiful, however."
"Wild, yes," Klink agreed. "I'm sorry she interrupted us."
"Are you mad? She's the most exciting thing that happened today."
Hogan grinned. "She's in."
------
When Newkirk joined hi
