"Gin."
"Ah pigeon pellets," Colonel Potter grumbled as he threw his cards down.
From his spot in the corner, Hogan let out a little laugh. "I tried to warn you, Doc. Don't be fooled by that dopey look on his face- Carter's the best gin player in camp."
"Aw shucks, Colonel," Carter said with a lopped-sided grin. "What do you say, Doc, best five out of nine?"
Potter shook his head. "No thanks. I'm getting mighty tired of getting my fanny kicked. Besides, you need to get some rest."
Carter grimaced and deflated slightly. "But Doc, I feel a whole lot better. I mean, look at me, sitting up and everything. I might even be able to go outside soon?" he asked with hopeful eyes.
"Soon Carter," Hogan answered for the doctor. "Once the doc gives to go ahead, we'll find a way to get you up there for a few minutes."
"Yeah, all right," Carter said glumly. "I guess it's not too easy to get me out there, seeing as how I'm not a prisoner anymore. Even Schultz might say something if he sees me." He paused. "But, I don't suppose there's any way-"
"Sorry Carter."
"Yeah. I guess that ship has sailed, huh?"
Potter reached over and put a hand on his shoulder. "Buck up son. Soon, we'll both be going home."
"Hmmm, home," Carter said dreamily as slowly laid himself back down on his cot. "Gosh, I kind of feel bad that I get to go home before everyone else. But, boy, I can just how much everything has changed. Why I bet my Aunt Betty has had at least another kid. Maybe two. My Uncle Sam has flat feet, you know, so he's still at home and-"
Hogan couldn't help but smile as he listened to Carter ramble. At first, Carter hadn't taken too well to the idea that he would have to go home. Having barely come back from a second bout of infection, he had been too weak to protest a whole lot when Hogan had first told him. But once he had enough strength to string more than a few sentences together, he had argued profusely against the idea. But through the combined efforts of Potter, Hogan, and the rest of the team, Carter finally gave up and accepted that it was really the only option.
It would still be a while before Carter and Potter could leave Stalag 13. Hell, by the time Carter was even well enough to make the trip, the war might be over. And until then, Hogan wasn't going to let it weigh on him too much. They were having a rare moment of peace at Stalag 13, and he was going to soak up every bit of it that he could.
Everything, he was sure, would turn out.
"Piece of pie."