AN: Thank you for the reviews! Forgive me if I have not responded-my email had serious issues and I lost some and I am not sure who I responded to! Thank you!
Newkirk sighed as Hogan began pacing again. "Come on, gov," he groaned. "Get some sleep."
"This sucks. What is wrong with me?"
"You know what's wrong." Newkirk stepped closer to the door so Hogan could see him. "I-"
"If you say 'I told you so' or 'I warned you', I'll tear off your tail," Hogan snapped. Newkirk prudently remained silent. He understood. As former pack leader, he well knew the stress of not being with the others. He also knew he was the one keeping Hogan as calm as he was. Hogan rattled his door then glanced at Newkirk. "Sorry."
"It's ok." Newkirk rubbed his neck. "Least you're in the cell with the tunnel."
"Like you can't pick the lock." Hogan gave a gusty sigh. "Smell that?"
"The coming snow? Yes."
"I was thinking. Newkirk, if I have to return to Dachau, will you come?"
"'As to be me, gov. The others don't need to experience that."
Hogan gave a quick smile. "Thanks." He turned around. "Wilson?"
"Hi, Colonel." Newkirk pressed against the door, wondering what was going on.
Wilson quickly looked over Hogan. "Is there a problem?" Hogan asked.
"Not really, sir. We're all restricted to barracks and it's easier for me to come than the others. You might have company soon. Simmons and Trenton have been hassling Jenkins again and LeBeau stepped in. Honestly, Colonel, Kinch, LeBeau, and Carter are all on edge."
"We'll be out in a day. Tell Kinch to keep a lid on it."
"Yes, sir." Wilson's voice dropped. "Colonel, I know you like to run but I need to talk about Newkirk. Should he be in wolf form so often? I mean, Kinch said he shifted in his sleep. From what Elsa said..."
"Elsa?" Hogan blurted. "What's she doing here?"
"I spotted her yesterday and we talked through the wire," Wilson said.
"About us?"
"Well, sir, you aren't sharing information. Elsa knows I'm the medic and I'm safe."
"Next time, talk to me."
"Colonel, I've tried." Wilson ground his teeth. "Newkirk hasn't said word one and you all are so tight mouthed, I'm lucky to learn anything. And since you and Newkirk came back, all of the command crew has been broody. Carter, Carter, has been picking fights."
"We're fine."
"Colonel, I don't think you know. I picked here to talk to you because this is the only solitary place I can talk to you alone."
Hogan gestured to his cot. "All right, let's talk."
Newkirk stripped and shifted to Whisper, ears cupping forward.
Wilson began slowly. As he went through his concerns, Hogan listened intently, breathing in Wilson's worry. In the background, he heard soft clicks of claws and mentally cursed Newkirk's curiosity and hearing. When Wilson finally left, after reassurances that yes, they would talk and yes, the pack would inform him more, Hogan raised his voice only slightly. "I know you're listening, Peter. It's rude to eavesdrop."
A click and Whisper's glowing eyes appeared in the barred window. Hogan sighed and shook his head. "Come on. We'll run some."
Carter glared at Mills as the shorter man flopped into his bunk. "You don't know anything," he snapped. "God you're an idiot, Mills."
"You sure are pissy when your boyfriend's in the cooler."
LeBeau grabbed Carter. "Andre, no!"
Kinch leaped across the table and stood between Carter and Mills. "Go below, Carter," he said in a low tone. "Listen for London." Carter eyed him then stalked to the bunk entrance and headed below. Kinch jerked his head and LeBeau followed.
Mills gave a muffled laugh that stopped instantly when Kinch whirled on his. Light reflected in Kinch's eyes, making them shine oddly, almost as if they were glowing. "You lay off Carter," Kinch said. "Or I'll let Newkirk have five minutes alone with you."
"I'm not afraid of Newkirk," Mills scoffed.
"Then you have nothing to worry about. I have to go below. Keep look out."
Mills rolled his eyes but nodded.
In the tunnel, Carter kicked the wall angrily. "I am sorry," LeBeau said. "We are all frustrated."
"I hate this! We sit around while people are dying! Did you smell Newkirk's clothes from Dachau? They reek of smoke and rotted flesh. And we're not doing anything!"
"We told London," Kinch said as he dropped beside them. "We got the film to them. They'll send us a response."
Carter growled, a brief rumble. Kinch eyed him but LeBeau was the one who soothed both of them by rubbing a hand over Carter's back and patting Kinch's arm. Then LeBeau turned. "Wilson?"
The medic appeared a minute later. He wasn't surprised to see all of the crew together nor that all of them were waiting for him. Kinch's eyes suddenly narrowed and he pushed between LeBeau and Carter. "Where have you been?" Kinch demanded.
"What?" Wilson asked.
"Elsa! Why are you with Elsa?" Kinch grabbed Wilson's arm.
"Relax, Kinch. She met me through the wire."
Kinch released him and shoved his hands in his pockets. Wilson nervously noted how tight Kinch's lips pressed together. The black man glared at him and Carter laid a hand on Kinch. To Wilson's surprise, Carter embraced Kinch, brushed his nose and lips across the back of Kinch's neck. Kinch exhaled and Carter let Kinch go. LeBeau handed Kinch a steaming mug. Kinch reached out and stroked LeBeau's arm. "Thanks." Kinch looked at Wilson. "I'm sorry. Did she have a message?"
"She said hello. I was hoping the Colonel would visit."
Carter grinned. "They're coming."
Wilson turned as two wolves headed his way. He inhaled. Newkirk and Hogan paced almost silently, Hogan's winter fur inky black and darker than Newkirk's softer black. Newkirk looked at Wilson, nostrils widening. Then he walked to LeBeau and LeBeau tickled his ears. Carter took a robe to Hogan, patted his back, and then stepped back. "What's going on, Joe? Now what's wrong?" Hogan pulled on his robe.
"This is what I'm talking about." Wilson pointed. Hogan glanced to where Carter stroked Newkirk's ears. "He's not a dog, Colonel."
Hogan gestured and Newkirk reared up, shifting. "What do you care?' Newkirk muttered, pulling on a different robe. Wilson sighed.
"I need to know what is going on. I can't take care of you as a medic if you aren't telling me things. Why in the world are you petting him, Carter?"
Carter squirmed. "We're pack," he said simply.
"Later," Hogan said. "What else? And why do you smell like Elsa? Is she here again?"
"She was. She wants to meet with you." Wilson inhaled. "And I'd like to talk with her more."
"Wilson, she's not part of this operation. But we can talk. I already agreed to that."
Wilson rubbed his head. "So can you at least tell me why everyone in the command crew has been on edge?"
Hogan looked at LeBeau. "Can I have coffee?"
"Of course! Pierre?"
"That would be great, Louie."
"Wilson?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"I'll help," Carter offered. Kinch and Newkirk looked at Hogan expectedly. He sat down, gestured absently, and Kinch and Newkirk pulled up chairs.
"Look," Hogan started. "We're werewolves. We are pack and rely on each other."
"I know, Colonel, but the men-a few-are starting to wonder. I know some of the guys are wondering just how we can do so many long distance jobs. I mean, you've expanded the sabotage area considerably. And that last flight crew you brought in-they came down quite a distance away."
"We became werewolves for that reason," Hogan said. "I can deal with questions. Are the men afraid of me?"
"You can be growly, mate," Newkirk said.
"True," Kinch agreed.
"Maybe if my seconds weren't so stubborn, I wouldn't growl," Hogan replied amusedly. Kinch and Newkirk just grinned unrepentantly.
Wilson shook his head. "They're not afraid, Colonel. They're baffled. I just wish you'd explain more, get a cover."
"I was thinking of explaining that we had an Underground unit helping us," Hogan said. "Maybe Elsa and Heinrich." To Wilson's surprise, Hogan looked away from him and stared at Newkirk. "Their pack could be a valuable excuse." Newkirk's gazed lowered, Hogan turned back to Wilson. "Wilson, what else should I know?"
"What I need to know. Heck, Colonel, I don't understand all this and I don't want to pump Elsa."
Kinch suddenly elbowed Newkirk as Newkirk chortled. Hogan shook his head. LeBeau and Carter appeared with coffee, cream, and sugar as well as sandwiches and cookies. "What about this? You five eat so much..."
"We burn off calories," Hogan said. "Guys, tell Wilson what he wants to know."
"Sir?" Carter asked, eyes wide.
"It's all right, Carter. Wilson won't tell."
Wilson didn't miss the others exchanging looks. "What do you want to know?" Carter asked.
"I know Elsa and I met Heinrich," Wilson said. "Who are they?"
"Another pack," LeBeau said.
"Kinch's girl," Carter said.
"She's-" Kinch started. "All right, we're dating."
"And mating," LeBeau said.
Kinch's dark face reddened and Newkirk sniggered. "We're not mates," Kinch said mildly. "We date. She's nice." LeBeau and Newkirk rolled their eyes and LeBeau pulled a chair next to the Brit. Their shoulders brushed and Wilson sighed.
"That," he said. He looked at Hogan.
"That's easy," Carter said. "Wolves and werewolves touch. We're pack. We're family."
"We have to communicate," LeBeau said. An unspoken 'stupid' rang at the end of the sentence.
Wilson nodded. "Do you understand?" Hogan said.
"Not really," Wilson said. "It's just weird. LeBeau stroking Newkirk's ears."
"We feel," Newkirk said. "When we're wolves, we can be petted."
"And Carter snuggling Kinch? It was kind of creepy."
Carter flushed. "He wasn't snuggling," Kinch said. "It's a calming gesture."
"We rely on each other," Hogan said. "It's all entwined."
Wilson slowly nodded. "All right." He looked at Kinch. "So what was going on this week?"
"We need each other," Kinch said simply.
Wilson nodded. "OK. This is what I need to know. If you five need each other, then maybe I can convince Klink to spring the Colonel for medical reasons when he's in the cooler again."
"I couldn't leave Newkirk alone," Hogan said. "We need to have each other. I mean, each pack member must have at least one more near him."
"You're saying you five can't be alone?"
"We can," LeBeau corrected. ""We just can not be alone forever."
"And Newkirk changing in his sleep?"
"Who told you that?" Newkirk demanded.
"I did," Kinch admitted. "I was worried."
"I don't do it often," Newkirk said.
"Has anyone else done this?" Wilson asked.
"I have," LeBeau said.
"Not me," Carter said. "Not that I know of."
"Or me." Kinch looked at the Colonel.
Colonel Hogan sighed. "Yes, I have, a couple times. Stress, I believe."
"Colonel, that's an issue. If someone changes and anyone in Barracks Two sees, what are we going to do? The other men aren't going to see men, they'll see monsters."
"We're not bloody monsters!"
The roar sent made Wilson blanch and Newkirk leaped to his feet, teeth lengthening into fangs. "If you want monsters, go to Dachau!"
Hogan stood, stepped in front of Wilson and reached for Newkirk. Hogan laid his hands on both Newkirk's shoulders. "Relax, Peter," he said softly as the others nervously waited. "Back to me."
To Wilson's horror, tears began trickling down Newkirk's cheeks. Hogan slowly embraced the Englishman, held him tight. LeBeau bit his lower lip and Carter nervously paced. Kinch stood up, reaching out to caress Newkirk's back.
It only took a few minutes but gave Wilson an inkling of both how close the pack was and that something was drastically wrong. Newkirk trembled, his teeth shrank to normal, and he gasped a few times. Hogan pulled away and Wilson nervously noted his CO was weeping as well. Newkirk angrily swatted his face and LeBeau handed a handkerchief to Newkirk. Carter handed one to Hogan.
Newkirk wiped his face. "Sorry, mates," he said. "I won't 'urt you, Wilson."
"I know," Wilson said. Newkirk looked at Hogan and then hung his head.
"Sorry, sir."
"Peter, it's all right." Hogan squeezed Newkirk's shoulder.
"I'm all right." Newkirk looked around at the other men. "I'm OK."
Wilson stood up. "What's at Dachau?"
Hogan patted Newkirk and sat down like an old, old man. "Sit back down, Joe. This isn't going to be pretty."
As Newkirk and Hogan again explained Dachau, Carter, LeBeau, and Kinch pressed close to them. Wilson's gaze flicked over them briefly. Then he listened.
When Hogan finished, Wilson unclenched his fists. "So what will we do?" he whispered.
"We've contacted London," Hogan said, patting Newkirk's knee. "And hopefully they'll give us some ideas."
"The other men may have ideas," Wilson suggested.
"No," Newkirk blurted. "You can't tell them!"
"Why not?" Wilson demanded.
"He's right," Hogan said. "You can't. Wilson, there are a lot of guards there. This isn't something prisoners should know about."
"But Colonel!"
"No," Hogan ordered. "No one beyond us knows. That camp is not something we talk about. I get the feeling that what happens in that camp is not general knowledge."
"He's right," Newkirk said. "We were there, Joe. That place is more guarded than here. And those guards are not friendly."
"God." Wilson rubbed his forehead. "OK. Oh, and you all need to talk more."
"What?" LeBeau asked.
"When you five are together, you actually don't talk a lot. I watched the Colonel here start to say something and then stop and you guys seem to know exactly what he wants."
"Oops," Carter muttered.
"What?" Wilson said.
"We read each other," Kinch said. "Body language and scent."
"Scent?"
"We scent," LeBeau said. "We know when people are upset or happy."
Wilson nodded. "All right," he said. "Well, thanks for sharing with me." He stood up. "Good night Colonel, guys."
"Good night," Hogan said, feeling utterly worn out. He watched Wilson leave and glanced at his watch. "We got time. Anyone want to run?"
Five minutes later, the pack raced through the woods. Wilson watched from a tall tree. When he dropped to the ground, he gasped as a shadowy figure grabbed his arm. He inhaled. "Who are you?"
Blue eyes stared into his. "Tell Newkirk I visited," a female voice said.
"Who are you?"
The eyes gleamed and white teeth flashed into a breathtaking smile. "You can call me his second mother."
