A/N: Here it is, the final chapter. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Chapter 35

Eight Months Later:

Kinch, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk stood in a semi-circle at the grave of General Robert Hogan, their hands clasped in front of them with heads bowed and eyes closed. Having placed bouquets in front of the marker, they were each now saying a silent prayer. Once finished, they each crossed themselves and just continued to stare at the white marble headstone. Oblivious to other people who were there to pay respects to loved ones, they first visited the grave of General Alvin Butler in order to pay their respects to the man, and to let him know the successful outcome of their investigation before placing four separate bouquets in front of his headstone. Then, they quietly made their way to Hogan's grave. They wanted to visit his grave last for several reasons; one being it was his death that led to their investigation to start with. Two, it was their love, loyalty still, and devotion to the man who, with the exception of Kinch, would forever be known as 'the Colonel.' And three, it would be the last time they would all be together, and gather at Hogan's grave until the following March 13. But each man had promised he would keep in touch with the others.

Following the arrest of Daerik Kurtz, the men stayed around to watch Desmond and Darwin both plead guilty and be sentenced. After the sentencing, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk then reluctantly bid both Kinch and General Forbes fond goodbyes before returning to their individual homes with the promise that they would return for the trials of Decker, Schmidt and Kurtz as all three pleaded not guilty. A month later, they all returned as the first of the three trials began, and would for each of the remaining two trials with trips back home in-between. But as the sentence was passed on the last of the three trials, Hogan's former unit decided to go out for dinner, spend the night in town, and then visit Arlington cemetery the following day before going their separate ways again.

After dinner, they returned back to their hotel to not only share more fond memories of Hogan and Stalag 13, but to update each other on the latest happenings in each of their lives since the last time they were together. Carter proudly showed recent photos of the new baby, marveling as to how much Robbie had grown while he'd been gone and the latest on Arlene and the other children. Newkirk also proudly had photos of Clarissa and his children as well, recounting the antics of the youngsters, especially his oldest, Peter Jr.. Kinch explained that Captain Winger, though released from the hospital a week ago, was still a long way off from being able to return to her duties. But that her doctors now believed she would fully recover physically in time; However, it was still unclear exactly what the after-effects would be from her head injury. But he also sadly pointed out that there was very little chance of anything romantic happening between them despite their mutual attraction, and until things changed, there never would be. His friends felt badly and again cursed the thinking of the times. LeBeau had a photo of a young lady whom he had been introduced to by a friend. He said her name was Josette, and things had become quite serious. He also informed them that Dubois and Tiger were expecting their first child in a few months, and to honor Hogan, if it was a boy, he would be named Robert; and if a girl, Sophia, after Dubois' late mother. The men asked LeBeau to pass on their regards to the happy couple.

The following morning, the men all awoke early and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast from room service. Then, Newkirk, Carter and LeBeau all had plane reservations to make for later today before leaving for the cemetery together. But for two of the men, they each needed some time alone first, and both Kinch and Carter understood.

LeBeau, alone in the bedroom he had shared with Kinch, chewed his lower lip. He had spoken to his family to check on them and the restaurant, and learned everything was fine. He informed them he would be returning to Paris later today. It was then he learned Josette was there helping out, and spoke with her briefly telling her how much he loved and missed her, and that he had an important question to ask her when he got back. Later when he was alone, LeBeau reached into his jacket pocket and removed a small black box. Opening it, he gazed at the diamond ring inside with a smile. It was while staring at the ring, the little Frenchman's lower lip quivered, and his eyes became bright with unshed tears. He then wiped at something in his eye. "You told me once in a letter not to forget to have a happy life, mon Colonel," he said to the open air. "Well, I have met someone. Her name is Josette, and you would love her as do I. And I want you to be the first to know, Colonel. I am going to ask her to marry me when I return home. My only regret is that you will not be there to celebrate with us at the wedding."

Sitting alone on the bed in the bedroom he had shared with Carter, Newkirk sighed as he swallowed the building lump in his throat. Knowing what he and the others had to do and where they had to be before going their separate ways was more than he could handle, and he needed time to reign in his emotions. Like Hogan, Newkirk was a very private man, and had never been one to show his emotions in public. So, after confirming his flight to London, he had purposely avoided the others by staying in his bedroom until the time had come for them to leave the hotel. The Englander needed that time alone knowing his emotions were about to bubble over. Once he was certain he had a grip on things, he walked into the living room and announced with as cheery a smile as he could to LeBeau, Kinch, and Carter that he was ready. The four men then left the hotel solemnly for their journey as a team.

And now, as they stood staring at the white marble headstone, each man was lost in his own thoughts.

Newkirk, despite his best efforts, felt his lower lip quiver and kept blinking to keep his tears at bay. He refused to cry in public. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, and then swallowed the growing lump in his throat. You and the others can rest in peace now, Gov'nor, he thought to himself. We got every single one of them bleedin' bastards who done you and the others harm.

LeBeau had hoped that once the conspiracy had been exposed, and all the guilty members caught and punished, or killed, that he could rejoice; but found he couldn't. The one thing that would bring him joy was not to be had no matter what. I will forever miss you, mon Colonel, he thought to himself as his eyes fell on the lettering on the marker. You made me believe in myself during our days in Stalag 13, and that I could make a difference. For that I will always be grateful. When I return to Paris, the first thing I will do to honor you is to have your photo hung on the wall in my restaurant with a bougie commemorative beneath it which will be kept lit. This way, when those who dine there ask, I will proudly tell them who you are, and that you are the man who made such a difference to me and my country. Rest in peace, Colonel. (1)

Carter didn't care if anybody saw him crying. Though delighted that all those responsible had been found, that fact brought him little joy. Bowing his head, Carter looked down at the ground. During his conversation with Arlene, he told her he'd be home in a few hours, and how much he loved and missed her and their children; he then added once he returned home, he wanted to sit her and the kids down, and tell them all about Colonel Hogan. Lifting his head again, Carter gazed at the marker. "I know you didn't get a chance to meet Robbie, Colonel," Carter told himself. "And when he's older, I'm gonna make sure he learns all about his Uncle Robert and the type of man he was. I know he'll be just as proud of you as I was serving under you. I'm sure gonna miss you, sir." Suddenly Carter suddenly had an inspiration. Digging into his inside jacket pocket, he removed his wallet and removed one of the new photos of the baby. With the others looking on, Carter stuck the photo behind the flowers and against the headstone. "He never got a chance to see the new baby I named after him," he said softly. "At least now he'll have a photo of him."

"That's a lovely gesture, Andrew," Newkirk told him softly with a smile; Kinch and LeBeau agreed.

Smiling in return, Carter returned to his spot beside Kinch and with hands clasped in front of him again, resumed staring at the headstone.

Kinch inhaled and exhaled deeply as his eyes momentarily looked skyward before returning to the headstone of the grave of the man he considered his best friend and confidant. A man to whom his skin color meant nothing.

Looking down, Kinch let his fingers then caress the Bronze Star medal pinned to his uniform jacket, and recalled General Forbes' words that one of Hogan's last acts before his death was to recommend Kinch for the medal. Kinch swore that he would never forget those words as long as he lived. He swallowed the lump in his throat and wiped at the tears rolling down his cheeks unashamedly, and wiped them away with the palm of his hand. "I thank you for the medal, General," he said to himself. "And while I appreciate it, I'd give it back in a heartbeat just to have you alive and back with us again. But I promise you I will continue to do the best job I can for General Forbes and make you proud. I won't let you down, sir." Swallowing hard again, Kinch exhaled deeply as he felt his emotions getting away from him.

"You'll be glad to know, sir," began Kinch in a shaky voice, "That we got them, all of them. And they will pay for what they did. Major Desmond got life in prison in Leavenworth; Decker's younger brother got life in prison at a Federal Penitentiary. We also had everybody in the Air Force checked out thoroughly again, and fortunately, we found nothing so there shouldn't be a repeat of what happened. Hopefully that will make you rest easier on that account."(2)

"Decker, Schmidt and Kurtz all pleaded not guilty, Colonel," LeBeau continued, "But with all the evidence we had of the conspiracy and the previous attempts made on you, the trials did not last very long. They were all found guilty in separate civilian trials, and have been sentenced to death. Couldn't happen to three nicer filthy Bosche, Colonel."

"And ole Jack Williams is dead, Colonel," added Newkirk, his voice trembling. "Fortunately, he won't be up there with you. Then again, hell's even too bloody good for 'im."

"But it won't bring you back, Colonel," said a sad-faced Carter. "Nothing will in fact. Sir, there's just one thing. Could you say hi to General Butler and Morrison for us? They were swell guys just like you." He didn't see Newkirk roll his eyes and shake his head.

"Ten Hut!" Kinch announced sharply. He, LeBeau, Carter and Newkirk all came to attention and gave Hogan their smartest salute, completely unaware of three men standing close by and off to the side watching them.

Only a few yards away, standing unobserved by others looking in their direction while visiting the cemetery, and despite being in full view of those paying respects to others interred there, were General Robert Hogan and General Alvin Butler, both in their dress uniforms, smiling as they glanced at Robert Morrison who returned their smiles. Both Butler and Morrison could see Hogan was bursting with pride at his former team, and they both knew he would give anything at this moment to be able to personally thank each of them for exposing the conspiracy that claimed him and the others as a result of the plane crash, as well as those who became casualties simply because they got in the way.

"I always knew your men were good, Hogan," Morrison said looking at the General. "They proved that when you and your men helped me in Berlin with Robin Hood. But doing what they did by finding those responsible for all our deaths, they've all outdone themselves. You should be proud."

Butler put a hand on Hogan's shoulder and the two Generals looked at each other; Hogan's arms were wrapped around himself as had been his custom.

"You have a good team, Rob," he said. "A good team and even better friends."

Hogan smiled affectionately at Butler before turning to look at the four men still standing in front of the headstone marking his grave. He had never been as proud of them as he was at this moment.

"I still do, General," he said, voice swelling with emotion. "I still do."

THE END

(1) A bougie commemorative is a memorial candle.

(2) Leavenworth is one of two major prisons built on the grounds of Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.