Some OC in this last one...Here's the last chapter!
Why don't you collect some firewood, Louie? Just enough for a small fire, we don't want the Germans spotting us."
"Why do we need a fire? Can't we just go straight back to camp?" Lebeau complained.
"No. I want to make a sling for Andrew before we move on. Besides, we can all use a rest," Newkirk explained.
"Alight, I'll go," Lebeau trudged off. After he left, Carter let out another moan.
"Newkirk, I wanna go home," Carter whimpered.
"I know mate, and we will as soon as we get ourselves warmed up a bit and make you that sling," Newkirk reassured him. It was then that the weight if the whole day poured down on Carter and he softly began to cry. "There there now," Newkirk comforted him, "No need to cry." He put his arms around his friend and pulled him close. "Sssh it's alright Andrew, it's alright." Newkirk rocked Carter back and forth softly, running his fingers through his agonized friend's hair. Soon Carter was asleep again and Lebeau returned with the firewood. Newkirk laid Carter, who was leaning sound asleep on his chest, down by the fire once it was made and started working on his sling. Newkirk placed his coat over Carter and tore off a piece of his shirt. He carefully wrapped it around Carter's arm, being cautious not to wake him and making sure he didn't hurt him anymore then necessary. Once he had finished with Carter's sling, Newkirk watched Lebeau fall asleep next to Carter and smiled. He was relieved that his friends- his brothers- were all safe. Newkirk took a deep breath, leaned back against a tree and finally allowed himself to rest. Soon after when everybody had rested up, the three friends eagerly headed back to Stalag 13. Newkirk and Lebeau were on either side of Carter, helping to support him. They reached the tree trunk leading into the tunnels. Lebeau went down first, followed by Newkirk who was gently carrying Carter in his arms. The exhausted boys were greeted by Kinch followed by Colonel Hogan who seemed like he was about ready to explode.
"Where have you been?" he demanded. "Do you realize how worried we've-" his angry mood instantly switched into protective parent mode upon seeing Carter. "Get Wilson!" he ordered Kinch worriedly. After Kinch left, Hogan had Newkirk and Lebeau lay Carter down on a nearby cot. Wilson arrived minutes later and immediately tended to his patient. "Alright, what happened?" Hogan asked Newkirk and Lebeau once he was sure Carter was going to be alright.
"Well, sir, it happened like this…" Newkirk gave his senior officer a brief yet efficient report about their pointless "adventure". Lebeau helped him with the details, adding something in every few sentences. "So you don't have the film?" The Colonel eventually asked.
"Oui, mon colonel," Lebeau sighed. He and Newkirk looked at the floor. Hogan turned to Kinch who had been quietly standing there upon returning with their medic.
"Kinch, contact London, tell them what happened," he said slowly.
"Yes sir," Kinch responded and left silently. Colonel Hogan turned back to his two very tired looking men.
"Alright you two, head back to the barracks and try to get what sleep you can. There's one hour till roll call," Hogan instructed.
"But sir, what about Andrew?" Newkirk protested.
"Wilson and I will take care of him. I want you to get some sleep, and that's an order." Hogan commanded. Newkirk and Lebeau reluctantly left, dragging their feet. But as soon as they got into their bunks, they did everything but sleep. An hour later, all the men lined up for roll call with the exception of Carter whom Hogan had told Klink, was sick. After roll call, Lebeau and Newkirk went straight to Carter in the Colonel's office. Wilson and Hogan had carried him there just before roll call. Since Carter was asleep, Newkirk and Lebeau silently sat by him until Hogan came and ushered them out so Wilson could check on his patient. A few minutes later, Wilson came out of Colonel Hogan's office into the main room with a bewildered look on his face.
"What's wrong?' Hogan demanded. All the men in the room looked up.
"Colonel, while looking Carter over I found this in his pants pocket." Wilson held up a small, black object. Hogan heard a gasp come from Newkirk and Lebeau who were sitting at the table. He took the object from Wilson and sat down opposite his men.
"Lose something?" he asked them with a smirk on his face, while waving the film in front of their faces.
"Mon Colonel we…" Lebeau trailed off, not able to think of anything to say. Newkirk had his head on his hands and it appeared to Hogan that his usually dignified corporal was crying. However, when Newkirk looked up, the colonel found that the Englishman wasn't crying but laughing. Unfortunately his laughs soon turned into growls and his smile changed into a scowl. In a flash, Newkirk got up and burst into the colonel's office, ready to break some bones.
"Newkirk!" Hogan tried to call after him, but it was too late. The colonel, Kinch and Lebeau entered Hogan's office to find Newkirk dangerously leaning over his terrified victim. He had grabbed Carter's collar and was furiously ranting at him and calling him every name in the book.
"NEWKIRK!" Hogan hollered again as Kinch and Lebeau pried Newkirk off wide-eyed Carter. Once off him, Newkirk calmed down almost immediately as if he was slapped in the face.
"I-I'm sorry, Andrew," Newkirk finally managed to choke out. "I don't know what came over me. Are you alright?" he sat down next to Carter and placed a hand on his friend's chest. Carter just stared at him, dumbfounded. "Andrew?" Newkirk tried again on the verge of panic.
"Yeah?" Carter blinked.
"Are you alight?" Newkirk asked again, hopefully.
"Uh…yeah," Carter said slowly and uncertainly. "Are you mad at me?" he asked puppy-eyed.
"Yes- no- oh, I don't know! I guess not," Newkirk sighed.
"Then why did you attack me?" Carter questioned bewilderedly.
"Well…because…you show 'im guv," Newkirk turned to Colonel Hogan. The colonel showed Carter the film. Carter caught his breath.
"But…how? Where did you find it?" he asked his commanding officer.
"It was in your pocket," Newkirk answered for him.
"How did it get back in there?" Carter asked ignorantly.
"It never left!" Newkirk spat.
"You are mad," Carter cringed.
"I'm not-! Oh never mind, what's past is past." Newkirk said. Once everybody had piped down, everyone but Newkirk and Carter left the room.
"How 'bout a 'and?" asked his mate, taking out his deck of cards.
"Sure," Carter replied, and suddenly let out a short gasp.
"What's wrong?" Newkirk inquired.
"Nothing...just my arm," Carter attempted a smile.
"Want me to get Wilson?" Newkirk asked fearfully.
"No. It's alright now," Carter lied.
"If you say so," Newkirk said, giving him a suspicious look. Newkirk took out his box of cigarettes, got one for himself, and offered one to Carter who declined.
"Do you 'ave a light mate?" Newkirk asked.
"Yeah buddy, it's right-" Carter patted his pocket and came up empty. "Well, it was here."
"Blimey Andrew!" Newkirk exclaimed and started thoroughly searching Carter in any possible place that it might be. Carter started giggling.
"What's the matter with you?" Newkirk paused.
"Your tickling me!" Carter laughed. Newkirk rolled his eyes. After carefully searching Carter, he too found nothing.
"I wonder where..." Newkirk started. He suddenly snapped his fingers. "That's it!"
"What's it?" Carter yawned.
"I know what happened to your lighter," Newkirk stated.
"What?" Carter pleaded.
"It was stolen!" Newkirk declared.
"Oh," Carter whispered, "Can I have it back?"
"I didn't take it Andrew!" Newkirk said, insulted.
"Well, who else would have done it?" Carter murmured.
"How can you even think I'd steal your lighter? Carter, I'm 'ighly offended." Newkirk tilted his head up.
"Sorry pal," Carter said with remorse. "It's just that whenever something goes missing around here-"
"Never mind Andrew," Newkirk interrupted. "It was the bat that took it. At the cave. Remember?"
"You mean it never took the film?" Carter asked.
"Right," Newkirk stated. "It never took the film."
"You mean you made me go into that cave for no reason? I could have been killed!" Carter cried. "Some friend you are...How can you do that to a guy?"
"Carter calm down," Newkirk instructed. "I didn't know that it took your lighter and not the film." Carter turned away and looked desolately at the wall.
"Andrew?" No answer. "Andrew…I'm sorry. Silence. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you, mate?" Carter looked over.
"Anything?" he asked.
"Well maybe not anything," Newkirk protected himself. Carter went back to staring at the wall. Finally, after a few minutes of silence and lots of thought, Newkirk leaned in close to his friend and compassionately whispered, "Anything." Carter grinned, turned to face Newkirk and gave him as much of a hug that was possible with his injured limb. "That bad is it?" Newkirk questioned, knowing he was in for something detestable. Carter gave him a sly smirk.
"What ever gave you that idea?"
"Alright Andrew, give it to me straight, what did I just volunteer to do?" Newkirk anticipated.
"Tell me a story," Carter declared. "every night until I'm well again."
"Why, you sly dog..." Newkirk drawled.
"Are you gonna do it?" Carter hoped.
"Well, I promised, didn't I?" Newkirk chuckled.
"Thanks buddy," Carter said sincerely.
"No problem," Newkirk said honestly while ruffling Carter's hair. Carter yawned. "Get some sleep Andrew," Newkirk instructed.
"Will you be here when I wake up?" Carter slurred.
"Probably not," Newkirk answered truthfully.
"Alright, see…night…then?" Carter whispered drowsily.
"Yes little mate, tonight," Newkirk smiled.
"ur..da..be..fre," Carter mumbled sleepily. He smiled and grasped Newkirk's hand before completely conking out.
"Oh." Newkirk grinned. "Sleep well chum," he said softly before leaving the room. Newkirk wouldn't admit it but he was actually looking forward to telling stories to Carter, as ridiculous as it might be. Newkirk sat down and started thinking of stories to tell. Why he found pleasure from this sort of thing he'd never know, but as long as Newkirk had to read to Carter, he decided, he was going to make himself enjoy it to the full. Gladly, it took no effort at all.
The End.