Newkirk squeezed his eyes tight, waiting for the bullets that would soon be tearing his body apart. Holding his breath, it took him a minute to realize he was still waiting. And then his breath came out in a rush as he heard a voice he never thought he'd hear again.

"Hello Fritz," Hogan leaned over the Gestapo captain's shoulder, keeping his gun pressed against the man's back, "Fancy meeting you here."

"It's Franz," the man replied tightly, fear and anger running through his veins.

"Oh, my apologies," Hogan's voice dripped with sarcasm. He was not inclined to be polite after arriving at the building only to see two of his men being lined up for execution.

He pushed his gun tighter, holding the Gestapo captain still. Glancing sideways, he saw that Carter was holding tightly to his own captive. Normally Carter avoided this kind of confrontation, but the sight of two of his best friends being lined up to die had awakened his buried anger. One hand held tightly to his gun, the other was wrapped around Niklas' neck and holding him in a tight headlock. Hogan didn't need to look to know that Kinch would already be in position, ready to start shooting if things went wrong.

"Alright Franz," the Colonel stressed the captain's name heavily, "We're gonna take this nice and easy. You tell your men to back off, and I won't put a hole in your back. Is that clear?"

"Very," Franz spoke through gritted teeth before raising his voice to speak to his men, "Put down your guns! All of you!"

Confused, the execution squad did not immediately lower their weapons.

"Now!"

At this fear ridden yell from their commanding officer, the men put their guns on the ground.

"Very good," Hogan said, "You might make it out of this alive after all. Now I want you to tell two of them to bring my men over here, and tell the rest to stand facing the wall."

"You are insane Hogan!" Franz spat, "I don't know how you got in here, but how are you planning on leaving here with two prisoners in tow?"

"Easy," Hogan tightened his grip further, "I have a foolproof Gestapo insurance policy."

Franz's breath whistled between his teeth as he involuntarily gasped; Hogan's grip was now so tight that his back was bent into a curve. And yet, he resisted the American's instructions. After that first moment of panic, he had regained some of his confidence and was determined to hold out. Everything had gone so well in the beginning of this operation, but it had gradually depleted from bad to worse. It seemed as though the only satisfaction he would get from his hard work would be the execution of these two captives, and he would not let Hogan take that away from him.

"Not as foolproof as you think Hogan," he replied tersely, "What if I were to order them to pick up their guns and start shooting? What is your plan then?"

"Ha!" Hogan scoffed, "Don't make me laugh! You Nazi's are entirely too self-serving to sacrifice yourselves for nothing."

"Hardly nothing Colonel. Maybe I think it would be worth it as a service to the Fatherland, if my death also caused the death of the great Papa Bear!"

Hogan's jaw tightened. His instinct told him the man was bluffing, but what if he wasn't? If he guessed wrongly, LeBeau and Newkirk would not be the only ones to die today. Perhaps it was time to try a different tactic.

"Maybe you have no regard for your own life," Hogan said, "But what will you do if I order my man to put a bullet in your partner?"

Carter's grip tightened in panic. He sent a terrified glance at Hogan, which neither Gestapo captain saw. Was he angry enough to hold a man at gunpoint? Yes. Was he angry enough to kill a man point blank, execution style? Carter didn't know. Fortunately for him, Franz was unconcerned.

"Now it is my turn to say-what is the expression you used?" Franz smiled evilly, "Ah yes. Don't make me laugh. You see Colonel, I am not like you. You may think that everyone risks their lives to save their friends, but I am not like you. I look after myself only. Shoot him."

Hogan cursed himself inwardly. He should have known that threatening the other man wouldn't work. These Gestapo men were cold bastards, which led him to believe that his first instincts were indeed correct. It was still a gamble, but if he was right then he had the man good and cornered.

"If, as you say, you are out to save yourself only," Hogan's voice did not betray his nerves, "Then your threat to sacrifice yourself for the Fatherland seems rather empty doesn't it?"

The captain held his tongue. It would seem the battle of wits was lost; the American colonel had called his bluff. But still he could not bring himself to give the order. What would these men do to him once the prisoners were returned to them? By this time however, Hogan was tired of waiting. Knowing that Franz had no more tricks up his sleeve, he repeated his instructions.

"Now that you've had some time to think it over," Hogan kept his tone coldly polite, "Wouldn't you say now would be a good time to release my men?"

Gritting his teeth, Franz nodded once and gave the order.

LeBeau could hardly believe it when he felt himself being pulled to his feet. They had been only moments from death, when out of darkness stepped their salvation. The rest of the gang was here to rescue them, and he had nearly fainted when he had heard Hogan's voice instead of the hail of gunfire he had expected.

He turned to grin at Newkirk, but to his astonishment the Englishman seemed barely lucid. The Gestapo man at his side was struggling to hold him upright, and his wary eyes were half shut. At first LeBeau was puzzled, before remembering that Newkirk had not eaten in days, as well as he had been both physically and mentally tortured. The shock of the sudden rescue must have put him over the edge. And yet LeBeau detected something else as well. There was fear in Newkirk's eyes, and it was directed towards Hogan. At once, LeBeau realized what was going through his friend's mind.

"It is all right Pierre," he whispered, "They are here to rescue us both. I promise you, no one will leave you behind ever again."

Newkirk turned his frightened eyes to rest on LeBeau, and nodded his head tremblingly.

The two of them continued their slow walk towards Hogan and Carter. LeBeau shook off his Gestapo handler after two steps, but let Newkirk's remain as he did not think he could support the much taller Englishman by himself.

Hogan allowed himself a sigh of relief as he watched the pair move gradually closer. So far, so good. Then Newkirk looked up, and their eyes met. The corporal's green eyes were full of fear and questions. Hogan's breath caught in his throat as he tried to convey an apology without words to Newkirk. How could he ever make this up to him? He felt a strong urge to break away from the Englishman's gaze, but just then Newkirk gave him a slight nod. The breath he had been holding left him in a hurry. While he knew that the two of them had a lot to work out, he knew that for now, Newkirk trusted him. And that was enough.

They were nearly there, not ten feet away from Hogan, when it happened. Carter, delighted at seeing his friends again, slackened his grip for a second, which was all Niklas needed to throw off his arms and steal his gun.

Niklas expertly aimed his weapon straight at the man being held by Hogan.

"You selfish bastard!" he yelled.

Just before he pulled the trigger, several things happened at once. Franz wrenched himself from Hogan's grasp and threw himself to the ground. For a moment, Hogan faced the weapon alone, but as Niklas pulled the trigger his vision was obscured by a brown headed blur before he was pushed to the ground. Then he was shoving himself upright, scrambling to reach the side of the man who had leaped in front of him and saved him from harm. He turned the man on his back, not noticing the blood that covered his hands as he did so. All he could do was stare into Newkirk's eyes.

Newkirk stared back, and tried to speak, but found that the words wouldn't come. All he could do was reach a shaking hand out to his commanding officer. Hogan grasped it tightly as Newkirk watched the world fade into blackness. The Colonel held up his corporal's head after he passed out, and prayed that he would keep breathing long enough for Hogan to tell him how sorry he was.

Note: I know, I know, another cliffhanger! What can I say, I'm a suspense junkie!

I am sorry, but I promise this is the last one. As always, please R & R. Every comment is appreciated!