Chapter 14

Hotch sighed as he scrawled his signature on the bottom of the report in front of him and tossed the folder into his out-box. He had no idea how many files he had reviewed and signed. All he knew was that he was emotionally and physically exhausted. As he ran both hands down his face, he leaned back in his chair and shook his head. Glancing through the blinds, he saw the bullpen was vacant except for a few agents scattered here and there, but members of his own team were not to seen. He let out a deep breath as someone knocked gently on his closed door.

"Come in," he ordered suspecting who it might be. He grinned when the door opened and Rossi walked inside his office.

"Everybody else seems to have gone home, so why are you still here?" he asked looking at the older man.

"I should be asking you the same question. You do know it's almost seven-thirty?"

Glancing at his own watch, Aaron noticed his friend was right. He failed at stifling a yawn.

"Go home, Aaron," Rossi suggested. "This place will still be here tomorrow."

"In a little while. I want to read a bit more of the journal first. I promise I won't stay late."

Rossi chuckled. "Why don't I believe that?"

"I have no idea. Now go home. You look like crap anyway."

Rossi smirked. "Thanks. You're not so bad-looking yourself." He opened the door and stood in the doorway looking back at his friend. "I don't wanna find out you stayed here overnight."

Hotch chuckled. "Get out of here. Goodnight."

"Goodnight yourself. See you tomorrow." He walked out of the door closing it behind him leaving Hotch alone.

After a minute of being alone, Hotch pulled out the journal and resumed reading.

(Flashback – Early to Mid-April, 1944):

After several weeks, Sergeant Hotchner had recovered from his arm injury. And thanks to Kinch, had learned enough of the basics of chess to at least stand a slight chance against Klink, but promptly lost three straight games. Not that he really tried, but he had hoped this would put an end to having to play chess with the Kommandant. So he groaned inwardly when following roll call one evening, Klink approached him hoping to talk him into playing another game. He glanced sideways at Hogan silently begging for help.

Hogan rolled his eyes skyward when he heard what the Kommandant asked his man. Klink had been more insufferable than normal since he won those three games with what he called 'German superiority', and Hogan knew it. He wasn't about to let the Kommandant rub things in his man's face.

"Kommandant, can I have a word privately?"

Klink approached his American counterpart and leaned his head close so they could converse privately.

"What is it, Hogan?" the German officer asked. "I'm a busy man. Also, I'd like a rematch with your man who between you and me, isn't really a very good player."

"I realize that, sir. That's why I must insist you forget wanting to play him again."

"Why? Is he afraid he's going to lose again?" A smirk appeared on Klink's face.

"No, sir. The truth is you and I both know he isn't very good. And considering your brilliance at the game, why would you want to play a man so obviously beneath your talent? I mean…people might begin to talk."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying people might say that you only play people you can easily defeat because you're afraid to play a really good player."

Klink's mouth formed an 'O' as he stared at Hogan. "You really think so?"

"Yes, sir, I do. And trust me, you don't want that going around knowing you, Kommandant."

"No, I wouldn't. That's extremely considerate of you, Hogan. Very well, I will no longer try and talk Sergeant Hotchner into playing another game."

"Thank you, Kommandant."

"You're welcome." Klink then walked toward Hotchner. He was now wearing his 'fierce' expression which in itself was laughable. Fortunately, he didn't see Hogan's amused smirk as he had his back to him. "Sergeant Hotchner, about our game. Forget it. I've decided it wouldn't be fair of me to take advantage of your uh…lack of skill at the game."

Schultz who had been standing nearby, rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Oh, boy," he muttered. "What a snow job."

"What was that, Schultz?!" Klink bellowed turning his head toward the rotund sergeant. "I didn't hear you! Stop mumbling!"

Schultz swallowed nervously as his eyes nearly popped out of his head with the Kommandant glaring at him.

"I was only saying that was extremely generous of you, Herr Kommandant," hoping he sounded genuine.

Klink puffed out his chest like a peacock. "It was, wasn't it. Thank you, Schultz."

Hogan sighed shaking his head.

Hotchner smiled feigning gratitude as he continued. "Thank you, sir. You're such a master at the game, and I have so much to learn if I'm ever gonna be on the same level as you. And frankly, sir, I'd rather not humiliate myself further. So thank you again."

Klink turned back to the young man. "You're welcome." He then glanced at the Sergeant-of-the-Guard again with his command face. "Schuuuuuulllltzzzzz, dismiss your men!" He abruptly turned and stomped away not waiting for Schultz to salute him.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant! All prisoners are dismissed!"

Hogan and his men dispersed and disappeared into their barracks to turn in for the night.

For the next few weeks Hogan and his men kept busy rescuing downed fliers, and aiding the underground when they needed help. Other than that, there was not much else to occupy themselves.

But that was all about to change when a mission came their way which would have a serious and possibly fatal impact on them.

(Early May, 1944):

Hogan was studying the map in the tunnel while Kinch and Hotchner were checking the radio equipment to make certain everything was working properly.

Ever since London gave Hogan and his men their orders twenty-four hours earlier, Hogan decided Kinch, Hotchner, Newkirk, LeBeau, Olsen, and Carter would plant the explosives. But first he needed to know what security there was so there would be no surprises. And for that he had Kinch contact the local underground and have them check it out and get back to him. He glanced at the time when from the corner of his eye he spotted Hotchner and Kinch approaching.

"Problem, sir?" Hotchner asked, concerned.

"Not at the moment," Hogan responded. "At least I hope not. I requested the underground send a few of their people to scout the bridge and get back to us." He checked the time again and appeared a bit annoyed. "I hope whoever the underground sent gets back to us soon." He let out a deep breath. "We don't need any surprises. I sent LeBeau to escort the operative back here with the report."

"I'm sure everything's all right," Kinch said.

Hogan nodded as he turned back to studying the map spread out on the table. "Where are Newkirk and Carter?"

Hotchner was the first to respond. "I saw Carter in his lab and Newkirk head in the direction of the sewing room," he said. "Want me to go fetch one of them, Colonel?"

"No, that won't be nec…" Hogan began when the sound of voices caught the men's attention causing them to look in the direction from which the voices came. One of the voices they recognized as being LeBeau, but only Hogan and Kinch recognized the other voice, a female voice. A smile appeared right away hearing the feminine voice. A smile that reached Hogan's eyes. His smile widened as he spotted who it was as she walked behind the little Frenchman.

"Tiger," he said as she came into view. Kinch smiled warmly seeing her. "What are you doing here?"

Tiger, approaching Hogan, promptly wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips against his kissing him passionately. Hogan's arms encircled her waist and pressed her against him, feeling himself growing excited by her presence. But suddenly he remembered where he was and that they weren't alone, so he quickly pulled back.

Hotchner's eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he stared at what had to be the most stunningly beautiful woman he had ever seen. Wow! What a hot babe! Too bad she's already taken, he thought watching the colonel and the woman in a lip lock.

Tiger was the leader of the French Underground, and worked closely with Hogan and his men when necessary. Her reddish gold hair was done up in a bun with single ringlets on each side of her head. She wore gold hoop earrings highlighted by her burgundy sweater which hugged her slender waist, and a black skirt just below her knees. She smiled looking up at the Colonel with her long lashes and deep brown eyes, keeping her arms around his neck. As far as she was concerned, there was nobody else present but the two of them at the moment. "Mon Amour, you are not happy to see me? You are angry with Tiger, oui?"

"Yes…I mean no," Hogan stammered. "I'm always glad to see you. It's just that I'm expecting a member of the underground with a surveillance report on what security is posted at the Schweinfurt Bridge."

Tiger grinned and planted another kiss on the colonel's lips.

"I am here with the surveillance report," she giggled while nuzzling his neck.

Hogan pulled back staring. "You?"

Tiger smiled sweetly. "Oui. Me."

A smirking LeBeau sided up to Hotchner seeing his expression and leaned sideways. "She is beautiful, non?"

"She's gorgeous, yes. Who is she?" he asked still enthralled.

"She is Tiger, and she and Mon Colonel are involved. So I suggest you do not try anything with her. Besides having to deal with the Colonel, Tiger is, how should I put it, more than capable of breaking every bone in your body."

Hotchner stared at the little Frenchman and swallowed nervously at the last sentence. He closed his mouth and tried to stop staring at Tiger. He wasn't exactly sure he believed LeBeau, but he certainly didn't want to get on Hogan's bad side...or hers.

"How are you, Tiger?" asked Kinch.

She smiled warmly at Kinch. "Just fine, Sergeant." It was then she noticed Hotchner and her brows knitted in amusement. She hadn't met this man before now. "Robert, who is this man who is staring at me?"

Hogan gave Hotchner a warning stare. "Marie, meet the newest member of our team, Sergeant Aaron Hotchner. Sergeant, meet Marie Monet known as Tiger to the underground."

"Ma'am," was all Hotchner could utter.

"Sergeant. I am pleased to make your acquaintance," she said with a smile.

Hotchner smiled. "Pleasure's all mine, ma'am."

Now that the amenities had been taken care of, Hogan put his arm around Tiger's waist, and led her to the table where the map was. She studied it closely.

"What can you tell us about the security on the Schweinfurt Bridge?" Hogan asked getting down to business.

Tiger pointed to the spot marking the bridge on the map. "The bridge is patrolled day and night and eight guards are posted each time," she explained. "They change men every eight hours so the troops are always rested and ready. From the uniforms, I would say they are Heer. (1) From my contact in town, the convoy is scheduled to cross the bridge at 2300 hours tomorrow night. Do you plan to destroy both the bridge and the convoy?" she asked looking up at Hogan.

"That's the plan. That convoy's carrying weapons heading for the Russian Front and London wants it stopped."

Tiger let out a deep breath. "Ordinarily you wouldn't have any problem, but my people told me that the Gestapo have been spotted lurking around the bridge as well because of earlier attempts. You and your people must be careful." Hogan stared into her eyes and saw love, fear, and worry. He smiled and kissed the top of her head. (2)

"Aren't I always?" he smirked.

But she was still worried. "Yes you are, my love. But my people have reported that the guards have orders to shoot-to-kill anybody suspicious on sight."

Kinch stared at her with narrowed eyes. "Are they that worried about the convoy?" he asked.

Tiger shook her head. "Non. But Major Hochstetter's monitoring things from his end because of all the sabotage in the area. There is no telling what he may do if there's trouble at the bridge."

LeBeau snorted his annoyance. "Leave it to the Gestapo to take all the fun out of things." He then looked into his commander's face. "Do you want to postpone the mission, Colonel?"

"No. We're going for both the bridge and convoy tomorrow night. We have our orders. What we need is a way to not make Hochstetter suspicious when we blow that bridge and convoy." His eyes fell on Tiger. "Would you like to join us? We can use the extra help."

"I'm afraid I can't. I wanted to report on the security at the bridge, because I also have to tell you my news."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, my love. It's just that I am leaving for France to help with several underground matters. So we must say goodbye for awhile."

"How long will you be gone?" Hogan felt his heart breaking already. He would worry about her the entire time she was gone, and relax only when she was safely back in his arms again.

"I do not know. A few days at least, maybe longer."

Hogan smiled sadly. "I'll miss you."

"And I will miss you. But I shall be back before you realize it. And I promise I'll be careful."

"You'd better," Hogan ordered her gently and kissed her forehead.

"Veuillez prendre soin de vous et d'etre prudenti," LeBeau remarked with a worried expression. (3)

"Je promets." (4)

It was then that Hotchner's eyes widened in terror and he wished he had a weapon when he saw who was approaching the small group. What would happen to them now that they had been found out? How did he get into the tunnels? Only then did Hogan, Tiger, Kinch and LeBeau spot the stranger in their midst. Hotchner swallowed nervously. How did one of the enemy find them?

(1) Heer is the German Army.

(2) Gestapo was Germany's secret police.

(3) "Veuillez prende soin de vous et d'etre prudenti" means "Please take care of yourself and be careful."

(4) "Je promets" means "I promise."