Secret Agent Man

The door slowly opened and Karl was able to catch a glimpse of his angel before dropping his head. He hoped his long hair and beard covered enough of his face so she would not recognize him. He was still confused about what to do about the situation between Versie and Peter. He preferred to resolve the issue in his mind before letting anyone know he was around. She stared at him for a moment before speaking.

"Peter is hurt?" she asked with concern evident in her voice.

"Yes Frau Cumba. He fell and cut a large gash in his leg. It is bleeding profusely." Karl's hoarse voice ground out.

"Why has he not gone to the hospital?" she asked while stepping back into the apartment to get her coat.

"There was a man and he was trying to hurt Peter. He…" Karl began. Versie raised her hand indicating she had heard enough.

"Peter is laying low? In hiding?" she asked as she picked up her bag of medical supplies.

"Yes Gnadigefrau," Karl replied.

Versie took a few steps closer but quickly backed up. Frowning and wrinkling her nose she asked, "Have you been drinking?"

"No Frau Cumba, it is just part of the disguise." Karl took a few steps backward until his back was against the far hallway wall.

"Ok then," she said with her tone indicating she was still not sure about the whole situation. "Take me to Peter."

Karl led her through the city streets while attempting to keep an eye out for any potential danger. He explained to her what had happened with Newkirk to which she responded by giving him a sour look. Karl sighed because he felt she was now blaming him for something Newkirk had gotten himself into. He had just come in at the end of it all.

He didn't understand what kind of mischief Newkirk had gotten himself in but knew it wasn't a game. He fought an internal battle with himself all the way to Newkirk's room. On the one hand, he wanted Newkirk to get proper medical attention. On the other, he didn't like Versie being mixed up with something dangerous. Karl wondered if Newkirk had given any thought at all to her safety. After all, what if the man who shot at Peter decided to start shooting at Versie? No, Karl decided, he didn't like this situation at all.

Letting Versie into the room he saw that Newkirk was still on the bed. Karl felt a sense of relief, which confused him. His dilemma lay in how he could be so angry at Newkirk for his betrayal but still felt the need to help and protect him. Karl retreated to a far corner of the room to brood over his feelings and to stay out of Versie's way while she worked on Newkirk.

"What do we have here?" Versie asked as she moved closer to the injured Newkirk. "Looks like you'd do anything to get out of taking me to Gertrude's Christmas party tomorrow."

Newkirk attempted to give her one of his most charming smiles while she set her bag on the table next to the bed. She looked down at him, put her hands on her hips and gave him a faux frown. "Don't even try it buster. I'm on to your wily ways."

Versie moved down to look at the injured leg. Getting a pair of bandage scissors out of her bag she cut away his pant leg.

"Hey," cried Newkirk. "These are my favorite pants."

"You mean they were your favorite pants." Versie replied dryly.

Finding an ace bandage roll, she told Newkirk to open his mouth and then shoved it into his mouth. Newkirk grunted in surprise.

"I have to clean the wound before I can stitch it and all I have is alcohol." Versie said not looking at him.

Newkirk moaned and threw his arm over his eyes.

"I don't feel sorry for you in the least. Running around back alley's in the middle of the night. What were you thinking? Not only that, your friend tells me that you were shot at too. I have half a notion to call Mavis and have her turn you across her lap when you get home and spank the tar out of you." At this point she poured half the bottle of alcohol on Newkirk's leg.

Newkirk screamed into the bandage and arched his back. His fists where knotted into the bed linens and tears ran down his face.

"Oh it's not over. I still have to stitch this very deep gash and I do not have anything for the pain. On the plus side it appears that you missed the Femoral Artery or you would not be with us now."

When Versie started to thread the surgical needle Newkirk turned his head, unable to watch what was about to occur. Karl had witnessed enough and decided to go and set up watch by the window so he would have an excuse not to watch. He could hear Newkirk's muffled cries. He tried to tune it out but was unable to do so.

A coughing fit ripped through Karl's body. Looking down at the hand that he had used to cover his mouth, he saw traces of blood. He quickly wiped it away on his pants before she could see. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel sorry for him or feel guilty just because he had a little cold. He had been sick in Stuttgart and had gotten over it. He would get over it here too.

When she had finished, Versie gave Newkirk some aspirin for the pain and swelling. "It's not much Peter but it is all I have." Versie said while patting his shoulder. "I don't want you to get up for at least three days. You need to let that leg rest or you can do permanent damage to it. Do you understand?"

"Yes Mother Hen," Newkirk responded which earned him a smack on the top of his head. Newkirk chuckled in response.

"I'll come back tomorrow and check it for infection." she said as she started to put away her medical supplies. "You really should get a tetanus shot as soon as possible."

Karl rushed across the room to open the door for Versie. She paused as she passed him. Feeling uncomfortable with her interest, he kept his head down and hoped she would not recognize him.

Versie turned back to Newkirk and asked, "What is your friend's name Peter?"

"Oh where are my manners? That's Oskar Danzig. He was the leader of the underground when we were back at Stalag Thirteen. He's Germany's best female impersonator. Taught me everything I know about disguises." Peter chirped happily.

"Hmmm," she responded as she glanced at Karl before starting to walk out of the room.

"I will walk with you to make sure you get home safe." Karl said just before another coughing fit hit him.

Versie raised one eyebrow and then exited the room without further comment.

HHHHHH

Versie didn't know what to make of Newkirk's friend. When she first opened the door to her apartment, she thought he looked familiar but each time she tried to get a glimpse of his face he would do something to obscure his features. Maybe Newkirk was right and this was all part of his disguise.

She noticed right away he was hoarse and she worried about his cough. As they neared her apartment, she thought she could detect a slight wheezing in his breathing. Versie did not think this was part of his disguise. She pondered his financial situation. Many people couldn't afford the cost of meeting their most basic needs. Medical care was a luxury many Germans could no long afford. She also noticed when climbing the stairs to her apartment, his coughing and wheezing had gotten worse. She could tell he was starting to struggle to breathe.

Without turning around she asked, "Have you seen someone about your condition?"

"Yes, I was treated by a doctor but it seems to have returned. It is just a cold. It will pass in a couple of days." he answered.

"It sounds like it stopped being a cold at least a week ago." she said as she opened the door to her apartment. "Wait here and let me at least get you some cough syrup. I had a cold earlier this year and I think I still have some left."

"You don't need to go to so much trouble. I am fine." Karl replied.

"If you're sick you will make Peter sick." she said as she started looking through her kitchen cabinets.

She found the syrup and was reading the label to make sure it was ok to give it to him when she heard him respond, "Yes… Peter."

His tone was so odd it caused her to look up. Her back was to him and she was facing the only window in the apartment. There she saw him reflected in the window. His head was not down as it usually was. He was looking straight at her. For a moment she couldn't breathe. She just stood there staring transfixed at the reflection. Setting the syrup down, she spun around to face him. She noted once again his head was down, his hair falling across his face disguising his features once more.

Crossing the room with long quick strides she grabbed him and forced his face up. She fully expected to learn her mind had been playing tricks on her. He could not be who she thought she had seen in the window. She looked at his face. She saw his gaunt features and purple rimmed eyes. Versie knew exactly who she was looking at. She knew every inch of his face, from his soft blue eyes to the birth mark on his cheek. It was her Karl and now she was angry as hell.

Versie reached out and grabbed Karl by the front of his shirt dragged him into the apartment and slammed the door shut. Carefully she enunciated each word with a conscious attempt to filter the much felt profanity before the words crossed her lips. "Karl Anton Langenscheidt what do you think you are doing? Do you how many people have been looking for you? I have been going out of my mind with worry and the whole time you have been playing secret agent with Peter."

Karl looked at the floor and remained mute. Versie reached under his chin and pulled his head up. "Oh no mister, you're not getting off that easy. You will answer and give me the courtesy of looking at me when you do." Placing her hands on her hips she waited in silence for him to explain himself.

"I only found out where you were today." Karl hesitantly began. "Then I saw you and Peter hugging and kissing. I thought you were a couple. I didn't know what to do. I was going back to see Hans and talk to him about it. Before I could do anything I saw Peter was in trouble and tried to help."

"So you deliberately hid who you were from me and planned to walk out of this apartment building tonight with me none the wiser."

Karl nodded.

"So you have no feeling for me what so ever."

"No, I love you." Karl cried.

"How can you love me if you don't trust me? I would have waited forever for you. You should have trusted me when I told you I would. You have really hurt me."

"I'm sorry." he whispered.

"Look at you, sick as a dog and smelling of cheap booze and something I don't even want to think about." Grabbing his shirt she said, "Come with me."

Versie pulled Karl into the bathroom and started running water in the claw footed tub. "Strip!" she said as she began gathering soap, shampoo and other bathing items.

"What?" Karl asked looking more than a little taken aback.

"I said 'strip'. You need a bath and you're going to get one. Now take off your clothes." Versie replied.

"But I will be naked." Karl said.

"That is generally how one bathes. Now get out of those clothes." Versie said with a touch of impatience. "It's not like I haven't seen man parts before. I am a nurse, remember?"

"Yes but you haven't seen my man parts." Karl exclaimed.

Hesitantly Karl removed his clothing. Versie was shocked at his appearance. He looked like a Halloween skeleton that someone had stretched some skin over. She noticed the red half healed wound on his leg and the ugly scar on his arm. Turning off the bath water, she helped him into the tub. Gathering the soap and washcloth, she began to wash his back. She could count the vertebrate in his spine. His ribs and shoulder blades were prominently displayed. His arms were little more than two thin sticks. Washing him was like rubbing her hand over a washboard.

She wanted to stay mad at him but he was making it difficult. He kept peeking up at her with those baby blues, looking so much like a kicked puppy. She found her anger was slowly evaporating and being replaced by relief and concern. He was obviously suffering from malnutrition and she suspected pneumonia. His leg looked as if it was infected. How he was able to get around in his condition was beyond her.

She started to wash his arms and chest. He attempted to stop her telling her he could do it himself. She compromised with him and allowed him to take care of what was underwater while she washed his hair. When finished she had him stand while she helped him from the tub. Helping him dry himself, she gave him her warm fluffy pink bathrobe to put on. He had lost so much weight, it easily fit him.

Leaving the bathroom, Versie got some clean sheets and a blanket from the closet. Taking a pillow off her bed, she made a place for him on the couch.

"Here, lay down. I have to go somewhere but I will be back shortly." she said.

"I need my clothes." Karl protested.

"I'm burning those clothes. Besides if you don't have them you can't disappear. I doubt you want to be seen walking down the street wearing nothing but my bathrobe. Now please lay down."

He did as he was told and she covered him in the thick blanket. Brushing the hair from his eyes she gently kissed his cheek.

"You forgive me?" he whispered.

"I'm getting there." Versie said giving him a hint of a smile.

He smiled happily up at her. Shaking her head in mild amusement she exited the apartment.

Karl tried to stay awake while waiting for her return but the warmth of the room and blanket quickly derailed those plans. Unable to keep his eyes open, Karl slipped into a blissful sleep.

When Versie returned several hours later with various packages, she found Karl asleep. Like a new mother, she had to check on him before she could relax. His breathing was still labored and he noticed his fever had risen. She quietly walked over to her bed and deposited her packages before going to her kitchen and started to cook Karl some breakfast. She turned on the radio and turned the volume down as not to wake Karl.

There in her little kitchen she felt at peace. Listening to the Christmas carols on the radio and being able to cook a Christmas breakfast for Karl made her extremely happy. For the first time this year, it really felt like Christmas to her. She began to hum along with the music. Realizing she was being watched, she turned and saw Karl had woken and was watching her.

"Good you are awake." she said turning off the stove. As she walked by the dining table she snagged a chair with one hand and her medical bag with another. Setting the bag and chair next to the couch, she went to the bed and started rummaging through them.

"I am sorry it took so long for me to get back. I had to call and wake Gertrude to let her know I couldn't make it to the party and why. She and Wilhelm will be here soon. I also had to convince Herr Braun to open his store, at three times the price, so I could pick up some things for you." she said as she selected some items and came to sit next to him.

"You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble." Karl replied.

"The correct answer Herr Langenscheidt is 'thank you my dear'." Versie said as she took a thermometer out of her bag and placed it in his mouth.

"Thank you my dear." Karl was able to mumble around the thermometer.

"Better," she said as she took his pulse. Looking at the thermometer she saw his temperature was 103 degrees. Frowning she placed it back into its alcohol filled container. "I am going to try and nurse you today and hopefully I can get a doctor to see you tomorrow and give you some antibiotics. You're going to keep getting sick until we do something about that leg. It looks infected and it will keep taxing your immunity. That's why you keep getting sick."

Karl smiled at her and reached up to pull her down into a kiss.

"Oh yes," she remarked, "I got you some toothpaste and a brush." She smiled and leaned down for a second kiss.

Pulling away she said, "You need to get up. I need to shave you and cut the lion's mane. Come sit in the chair.

Versie helped him to the chair and he sat quietly as she gave him a hair cut and a shave. She then helped him into an undershirt and boxers. Then she put him back on the couch and tucked the blanket securely around him. Going back into the kitchen she half filled a bowl with oatmeal toped with a little cream and sugar. Bring it back to him she said, "Eat this and if you can keep it down, I will give you some more in an hour. If I give you too much to eat at one sitting, your stomach will rebel. Try not to eat it too fast."

Accepting the bowl, Karl tried to eat it as slow as he could. He watched her cleaning up after him and humming softly to herself. He fell in love with her all over again. Feeling sleepy again, Karl thought to close his eyes just for a moment.

HHHHHH

Klink did not know how to react when he had gotten the call from Gertrude. Karl was alive and at Versie's. He quickly jumped out of bed, gathered up some things. As the sun started to break over the horizon, Klink drove to Gertrude's. He found her waiting in front of her apartment building. Her arms full of Christmas presents. Klink got out and opened the trunk for her. As she was about to put the packages inside the trunk, she spied a suitcase. "Going on a trip Wilhelm?"

Klink laughed, "No my dear, its just some old clothes of mine. I thought Karl may not have much and if he has lost as much weight as Versie said, he might be able to fit in them."

"You are a sweet thoughtful man Wilhelm." Getrude beamed.

"Thank you my dear." Klink returned happily. "Now get into the car where it is warm." After they were both settled in the car, Klink drove straight to Versie's apartment.

With barely controlled excitement Klink knocked on the apartment door. After verifying who it was, Versie opened the door and let them in. Placing a finger over her lips she bid them to come in. Klink entered the apartment and saw Karl asleep on the couch. If Versie had not told him it was Karl, he would have never recognized him. His distress must have been mirrored on his face because Gertrude had begun to pat his arm and give him reassurances that Karl would be ok.

Versie led them to the dinning room table and after taking their coats, asked them to sit. Putting at pot of coffee on, she also started to reheat the oatmeal.

"Are you sure he will be alright?" Klink asked Versie while looking at Karl with concern.

"He is sick and in need of a doctor but with good food and proper medical care I think he will be ok. I'm trying no to think about what he must have gone through to get in that condition in the first place." she said as she stirred the oatmeal. Placing coffee and oatmeal in front of her guests she went and checked Karl. Satisfied his temperature had not risen, she returned to her guests. "He will be so happy to see you Wilhelm. Have you called Hogan and told him?"

"No, I won't be able to reach him until after the holidays. Don't worry. I'll make sure he knows Karl is here. It will be a great load off of his mind." Klink said sipping his coffee. "We've brought some stuff with us since you can not come to the party today. It is in the trunk of the car. I will go down in a little bit and get it." Looking over at Karl, Klink continued, "Schultz will be so happy to learn that Karl is here."

"That big rat knows." Versie said. "Karl had Hans promise not to tell anyone."

Looking up at Versie Klink replied, "I am so glad I am not Schultz."