Olsen jumped up spinning around ready to tackle any threat, he relaxed when he understood the problem. A welcoming smile crossed his face, then he sat down as the room spun.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," Captain Fritz Fuchs said with his hands held in a non-threatening manner.
Colonel Hogan entered next, "It's all right. Fuchs is a friend."
"Nein, he's real Gestapo!" Couldn't they see the danger?
"Ja, I am, but I am also a member of the underground. We have to stop Hitler," Bluebird said standing back trying to ease her concerns.
"Porscha," Olsen reached a hand toward her indicating for her to sit next to him on the cot. "As scary as it might seem, he's a great ally and I trust him with my life and yours." She swallowed hard and moved to sit next to Olsen, body still tense unsure of the changing dynamic. Olsen put an arm around her shoulders.
"The underground is larger than most imagine and we have members in many professions," Fuchs said sitting on a stool a few feet away. "For obvious reasons, each member only knows two or three other members, so in case of infiltration or capture the loss is minimal. I am in a unique situation knowing that if I'm caught my death will be ugly, but I do it to save Germany and my family."
Hogan sat on the chair closer to the couple but not blocking their view of Bluebird. "We need to decide where you go from here."
"I want to go home. My family must be terrified," she said.
"I've heard that you want to be a part of the underground," Hogan sidestepped.
"Sir, I believe we've worked out that wouldn't be the best situation now," Olsen said tightening his hold on Porscha for a few seconds.
"I want to help, but I can't put anyone in danger," she relaxed a bit.
"Can you keep what you've learned a secret when your Schwester, Mutter und bester Freund* pressure you to know where you've been and how you were injured?" Fuchs asked with a raised eyebrow. "My family's lives are at stake too and we have to know for certain."
She took a deep breath before answering. "Ja, I can. I believe it would be best if we came up with a story close to the truth before I return."
"There is another option. You can go to London with Smitty and Nottington," Olsen stiffened at Hogan's words. Hogan met Olsen's eyes calming his fear, "As a refugee, not a prisoner."
"Thank you for the opportunity, but I want to stay," she said then turned looking into Olsen's eyes. "I need to stay."
"All right, I'm willing to allow you to stay. There are conditions, and they are not negotiable," Hogan said.
Porscha looked at him in confusion and concern, "Conditions?"
"First, you are never to contact Doctor Prust other than in your normal duties at the hospital, or discuss anything you've seen out here with him. Second, since you were taken by the Gestapo, it's proper you're returned by them, which is why Fuchs is here. Third, there is an underground member whom Fuchs will introduce you to that you can discuss things if you need. You must follow his direction and if he stops you from saying anything you must stop. He's one of the first underground members and has hard earned wisdom. I've learned much from our discussions," Hogan said in his command voice.
"Those don't sound difficult," Porscha said. "I have a concern."
"What is it?" Hogan asked.
"I've missed shifts at the hospital, how do I explain to the head nurse?"
"I'll handle her," Fuchs said. "Doctor Prust believes it's best if you don't return to work for a week allowing your neck time to heal. Your cover story will be that the Gestapo needed your assistance with a medical issue. As the loyal German you are, you volunteered your time to help with the war effort. When you return to work, Nurse Schmidt will shower you with praise. Just return to your duties as normal."
"Who can I discuss things with?"
Hogan and Fuchs shared a knowing look, and Olsen understood whom they had chosen. "Don't worry, it's someone you know and it won't appear suspicious if you're seen together," Hogan answered with a gentle smile. "I will give you ten minutes to say goodbye and gather your belongings, and then Fuchs will escort you home. Olsen, you're to return to the infirmary and stay there until released."
"Yes, sir," he blushed knowing the medics and doctor were unhappy with his disappearance. He'd pay for his disobedience, but he needed the time with Porscha.
After the officers left, Porscha wrapped her arms around Olsen staring deeply into his eyes, "I'm glad he didn't send me to England."
"So am I. How will you handle the questions especially from your mom?"
"You are all the motivation I need. I've never told her what happened to Anna, I can do this," she kissed him. He deepened the kiss holding her tight. "Now let's get you back to the infirmary."
"That can wait a moment. We won't see each other for a while," his lips back on hers. Their kiss broke with both out of air. "I love kissing you and I love you."
"Kissing you is one of my favourite things too. I love you so much," Porscha said as they broke apart. She gathered her meager belongings, and they walked down the tunnel towards the infirmary meeting up with Hogan, Fuchs, and LeBeau.
"Are you ready?" Hogan asked.
"Ja, I am. Thank you for everything. Louis, please take care of Derrick until he's better."
"Oui, I will," he gave her a peck on the check.
After Porscha and Olsen finished one last kiss, she left with Fuchs.
"Come," LeBeau took hold of Olsen's arm leading him; the sergeant struggled to stay upright long enough to make it back to the infirmary. LeBeau knocked on the tunnel entrance of the infirmary.
A moment later the trapdoor opened. "Look who finally came back," Wilson said annoyed until he saw his patient's exhaustion. "Let's get you in bed." LeBeau and Wilson helped Olsen up the ladder and to his assigned bed. The medic finished examining his patient determining no damage was done. "How's Porscha?"
"Good. Fuchs is taking her home. The colonel decided she could stay," Olsen's eyes were closing on him.
"Get some rest, we'll talk later," Wilson covered Olsen with a blanket.
Fuchs stopped the car in front of a familiar house. Porscha's eyes enlarged looking between the house and Fuchs. He nodded his head with a smile. "Told you it would be natural for you to be seen together."
She exited the car, closing the door behind her, and walked to the front ringing the bell. Her grandfather opened the door, a huge smile on his face at seeing her. He pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so happy you're alive and back." He looked behind her smiling at Fuchs. Releasing his granddaughter, he grasped Fuchs hand. "Thank you my friend. Where was she?"
"Hello, Pierre, she was assisting Papa Bear and never arrested by Gestapo," Fuchs answered.**
"Ahh…," he nodded knowingly. "Young Derrick and Papa Bear I assume." Porscha appeared bewildered he knew so much. "Come child, there is much we need to discuss." Porscha and Fuchs entered his home.
Lights out was thirty minutes ago, and the men of barracks two were in the tunnel infirmary. "Newkirk and Baker, I want you to carry Smitty's stretcher, while Carter and Reynolds take Nottington. Wilson, are they are ready to go?" Hogan asked.
"Yes, sir, Nottington won't wake up before he arrives in London," he clipped the patient notes to each man's chest. "Smitty will be in and out for most of the trip." Neither man regained consciousness as they were carried through the tunnels then passed to the men waiting above using the old trap door close to the tree trunk entrance***. This entrance was used to move large equipment or patients; the tree trunk was more convenient for normal in and out of the tunnel. Once outside, the men were loaded into a truck borrowed from the motor pool. As the truck came to a stop at the field used as the Allied airfield, Smitty opened his eyes.
"Time to go home?"
"Yep, you lucky dog," Newkirk kneeled beside him. "Plane just signaled and will land in a few minutes."
"Thanks pal, for everything," Smitty placed a hand on Newkirk's arm.
"Any time. Seems I'm always rescuing you," he winked at his old friend.
"Keep telling yourself that, I remember rescuing you lots," both men laughed. "Seriously, take care of yourself out here. We have a lot of time to make up for and need to drink England dry of beer."
"Bloody hell, you're trying to get me on that plane with you," Newkirk shook his head. Smitty gave him an unapologetic grin. They could hear the plane landing in the background. Newkirk and Baker picked up the stretcher while Carter and Reynolds carried Nottington loading both patients on the plane. Newkirk glared at the traitor who remained unconscious. Then he turned and gave his friend a nod. "Ta, see ya in London." Smitty nodded unable to trust his voice.
The men of Stalag 13 watched as the plane door closed and took off before heading home. Two hours later, Baker came up the tunnel grinning. "The plane landed safely. Nottington's in custody and both are being treated by doctors."
"That's ruddy good news, thanks," Newkirk said.
"It is good news. Thanks for sitting with the radio. It's late and everyone needs sleep. Good night gentlemen," Hogan ordered as he closed his door.
Newkirk climbed into his bunk turning to the wall, Rita on his mind.
The train came to a stop near his home, he had a three-day pass from the RAF, the fourth he had since joining. On the platform waving were the three ladies in his life, his mum, sister, and Rita.
"Oh Peter," his mum pulled him close hugging his neck. She let go taking a step back running her eyes over him. "Let me get a good look at you. You've lost weight, don't they feed you in the RAF?"
He laughed, "Yes ma'am, they feed me well."
"Hey big brother," Mavis gave him a hug. "Glad to have you home."
"Thanks sis."
He stood in front of Rita soaking her in, then pulled her close kissing as lovers who had been away too long. "Miss me?" he asked with a mischievous smile.
Rita swatted him on the arm, "What do you think?"
His time off went by in a blur of friends and family, he hadn't realized how bad he missed home; training and the war left little time to think about anything else. The morning he was to return his mum fixed him a huge breakfast. He was helping to put away the dishes.
"I'm sorry I have to work and can't go to the train with you," his mum said sadly.
"Don't worry about it. I understand. Besides, Rita is coming to see me off," Peter said giving her a lopsided grin.
"You need to ask that girl to marry you," she shook her finger at him
"After the war, mum, after the war," he agreed with her.
"Those two will give you grandbabies," Mavis said sharing a knowing smile with her brother. She had Rita's engagement ring in her room for safe keeping.
Shortly after his mum left Rita arrived, and Mavis pulled her brother into a tight hug. "Take care of yourself, and I'll see you next time you come home."
He returned her hug, "Ta, and thanks." He winked at her as she gathered her stuff leaving them alone.
Rita wore the red dress with all the buttons down the front, "We have three hours to get you to the train. What do you want to do?"
He grinned and pulled her close and unbuttoned the top button. Her hands stopped him from going to the second one, she looked up at him with a playful smile. "Each button will cost you."
"Oh, and what would the cost be?" He eyes danced with delight.
"A kiss," before she could say anything else his lips were on hers; the kiss left her breathless and her toes curled.
"I think that's a tariff I can pay," he laughed. "What happens if you undo a button?"
"That costs two kisses," she undid the next button.
Three hours later, they were at the train platform. Rita wrapped her arms around his neck. "Promise me something."
"What?" he looked deep into her eyes.
"You won't forget about me when you meet all those other beautiful women," her eyes never leaving his.
"I could never forget you," he gave her a gently kiss. Her expression said she needed more. "I promise, you will always be in my heart and I'll never forget you."
She smiled forcing the tears of goodbye to wait.
"All aboard! Last call all aboard!" The conductor yelled.
Peter boarded the train and stuck his head out a window watching her as the train pulled away, his eyes on her until she vanished from his sight. Rita stayed on the platform until the train could no longer be seen tears falling softly. It was the last time they'd ever see each other.
"I promise, I'll never forget you," he said tenderly tears falling onto his bunk. He closed his eyes allowing sleep to claim him hoping to dream of Rita Nottington.
The End
A/N I hope you enjoyed Rita's story. Please leave a review and tell me what you think.
* Sister, mother, and best friend
** Pierre is from Episode The Reluctant Target
*** Episode The Assassin