Hi all,

Allow me to apologise for dropping off ffnet for the last few months, I've been going through one hell of a rough time these past few months and it has really knocked me off my feet... I suffer from many chronic health conditions and these last few months they have been really bad, to the point that I dont have the energy to write (writing is really my only escape from things, so if I don't even have the energy to do what I enjoy, it means I'm really not well) or be involved in this fandom etc. People say I'm too young to be sick (just turned 21 yesterday) but while others my age are out living their lives, I'm in bed struggling to have the energy to reply to messages.

I also lost a friend (she was my brother's girlfriend for a time, it didn't turn out, they parted on good terms) at the beginning of the year. She was only 19. That too is a reason why I haven't been on here lately.

I have dropped back in though to start uploading this story I completed last year (Didn't have the energy to upload earlier) and I hope it is enjoyed. Please keep in mind this was written at the same time as Little Bear (When I was still quite new to the show) and as such, this story probably has a couple inaccuracies which I apologise for. If I had the energy, I would re-write a few things (mainly put Kinch in charge during Hogan's absence) but I don't and don't see that changing anytime soon. One day I might be able to re-write this but we'll see what happens. If I write another story after this one, I will endeavor to get the major facts correct.

This is a darker fic, self harm will be spoken of (Will include trigger warnings at the chapters it is in), it's not a sunshine and rainbows fic. It is a more OC centered story, I endeavored to keep it balanced with the cannon characters and keep them 'in character' but we do have more of the character Maisie to explore. Please read 'Little Bear' before reading this fic as her induction etc are contained in that story.

I will try to update on a semi-regular basis but it depends on how life goes for me. As always, reviews are welcomed. It will take a few chapters to get to the action but I hope that this fic is enjoyed. I had a TON of fun writing it and figuring out the twists and turns it takes (and also setting up for more sequels) and though I'm sure it's not perfect, I'm happy with it.

Shout out to Basketballgirl Kaitlin for being Beta reader and editor.

Good luck to everyone who has work in the PBA's!

Missie out (time for me to take a nap)

Enjoy.

Chapter 1

'Newkirk, wait-' Maisie hissed, the corporal crouching down beside her. 'I thought I heard something.'

'You and those ears of yours-' He rolled his eyes. 'I ain't heard a thing all night.'

The teen looked around the surrounding forest and her frown deepened. 'I know I heard something.'

'We're going to be late getting back to camp-'

There, in the distance. A German patrol. She elbowed him in the ribs, and he abruptly became quiet. She motioned in their direction, and Newkirk's face sobered. 'Believe me now?'

He hated to admit it, but she was right. If they'd kept moving they would have walked right into their path. 'How do you do it?' He whispered back to her. 'I didn't hear 'em.'

'Probably since your head's still in the clouds from our meeting with the frauline.' He smirked and she went back to observing the soldiers carefully, trying to figure out which way they should take back to camp. They couldn't go the way they originally intended. Not with the patrol in the area. They could wait it out, but there was no way of knowing how long of a wait they would have until they passed. Glancing around, she guessed it had to be after midnight. Hogan had been expecting them back by midnight. He'd worry if they didn't get back soon. 'What do we do?'

'Well, I ain't heading along this road now; not with those two goons around.'

'No.' She sighed. 'I guess we aren't.' Papa is going to be worried. The thought played over in her mind again. 'It's your call. What do we do now? Wait?'

The corporal glanced at his compass for a moment, then back at the teen. 'London needs those coordinates, you know this area better than I do, which way?'

'You're happy for me to take the lead?'

'Just don't lead us into any more patrols. I would hate to end such a good night on a bad note.'

The teen stifled a chuckle. The agent they had received plans from had been quite an attractive woman, and she'd spent the better half of their meeting reminding Newkirk just why they were meeting with her. Looking around cautiously again, she motioned for him to follow her, and they backtracked through the forest until they were clear of the patrol.

'We're going to have to go the long way-' Maisie said, once they'd stopped for a moment to catch their breath. She winced as she felt her arm starting to cramp. 'We'll go along the south road then cut across the creek and make for the emergency tunnel.'

Newkirk frowned, watching her cradling her arm. 'You alright?'

'I'll be fine-' She winced again as she clenched her hand, trying to ease the cramp. 'We'll both be in trouble if we get caught. Come on.'

Together, they started on again, Maisie leading the way with Newkirk close behind her. Minutes slipped by, and she forced herself not to think of the time. The long way was going to take them twice as long getting back to camp. They just couldn't risk being caught.

Finally, they reached the creek, and they crossed at the lowest part before heading up for the forest. It wasn't much further to camp now, and for that, they were both thankful.

Camp came into sight, and they both sighed with relief at the view. They crouched down to the ground and made their way to the tunnel entrance. Newkirk hurried down first, Maisie following at a slower pace, her arm making the descent difficult. She breathed another sigh of relief when her feet reached the ground, Newkirk patting her shoulder.

'You did well, my little mate.'

Maisie smiled sadly, wishing her arm would stop aching. 'I just slowed us down, Newkirk. I mean, if I could just use my arm-'

'You can stop right there.' He interrupted gently. 'Your doing the best you can, and I say you did bloody well. I'd have walked right into that patrol if you hadn't stopped me, so there's no point in getting annoyed with your limitations. It is improving.'

'Just not as fast as I wish it would.'

Newkirk placed his arm around her shoulder. 'Come on. Kinch needs to get these details for the refinery off to London.'

'Have you got the plans?'

He stopped dead in his tracks, looking at her. 'I thought you had the plans-'

'No, you had them.'

'Bloody hell-' He began feeling his pockets frantically, stopping when he heard her giggling.

Maisie pulled the message from her pocket, smiling wider at his bewildered expression. 'Oh Newkirk, you should have seen the look on your face.'

'Bloody charming.' He playfully cuffed her up the side of her head, the girl giggling as she hurried on ahead down the tunnel. He shook his head as he followed behind. Sometimes her tricks were just too much.

Kinch looked up as Maisie and Newkirk walked into the radio room. 'How'd it go?'

'One set of refinery coordinates and details, safe and sound,' the teen reported, handing the note to him. 'Sorry we took so long. We ran into a little trouble.'

The radioman raised an eyebrow.

'Patrols.' Newkirk elaborated, after a moment. 'Had to take the long way around instead.'

'Where's Papa? In his office?'

'I believe so.'

'I'll leave you to fill him in on the details. Newkirk. I'll go let him know we're back. And after that, bed.'

'Alright, you go on, little mate. You did well.'

Maisie smiled and left the radio room before making her way to the barracks ladder. The rest of the men were asleep as she came into the barracks, but a thin light shone beneath Hogan's door. He was still up.

Quietly, she slipped through the barracks towards his door, and opened it softly. Hogan was at his desk, his arms folded on his papers, and his head resting on them. He was fast asleep. She smiled. He must have fallen asleep waiting for them to return. Having taken three trips out of camp to meet with the Underground this week with LeBeau and Carter, she knew he was exhausted which was why she made Newkirk volunteer to go with her, so he could get some rest.

'Papa-' she whispered softly, placing her hand on his shoulder to wake him. 'Papa, we're back.'

Hogan lifted his head and blinked as he woke up, smiling when he recognized who it was. 'Oh, you're back...'

'Mmhmm.' Maisie smiled as she sat on his lap, the two of them embracing each other. 'I'm sorry we're so late. It's almost three in the morning.'

'Three?' He glanced down at his watch in surprise. She was right. Just after three. 'You were to be back by midnight, what happened?'

'Patrols. Both on the way there and on the way back. We had to take the long way around.'

He ran a hand wearily over his face. 'I must have dozed off waiting for you two.'

'I can see that-' Maisie smiled. 'You're pretty cute when you're asleep.'

Hogan chuckled, then returned to business. 'How did the mission go?'

'We got the information. Newkirk is with Kinch now relaying the details through to London. Met our contact without any problem. Newkirk was more smitten with her than getting the refinery information.'

He laughed softly. 'And I take it, you reminded him of the task at hand?'

'It wasn't an easy job getting him away from her, that was for sure.' She replied, with a smirk. 'I don't think he was happy he had a chaperone with him, but at least we have the information now-' She was interrupted by a tired yawn.

'I think it's time for you to get some sleep.'

'Mmmhmm, I think you might be right.'

He gave her a kiss on the head. 'Go on now. Bedtime.'

'I think the same goes for you.' She replied, with a weary smile, then stood and gave him a kiss on the cheek. 'Goodnight, Papa.'

'Goodnight.'

She slipped back through the barracks and down to the tunnels below, looking in on Kinch and Newkirk as he continued sending the radio transmission. Must be a long message, she thought, as she made her way down to her room, slipping out of her black camouflage gear and into her bed clothes. Another tired yawn escaped her as she cleaned her face, and once she'd finished preparing for bed, she climbed onto her cot. It certainly had been a long night.

'London just sent this through, Colonel-' Kinch announced quietly, Hogan watching a game of volleyball from the sidelines. 'They want us to sabotage the refinery tonight.'

Hogan took the message Kinch brought, reading it over. 'Oh, that's just great. Are they out of their minds?'

'That was my reaction as well.'

He sighed heavily, pocketing the message to dispose of later. 'Go find Newkirk and Carter. They're on clean up detail. My office. Twenty minutes. You've got Baker minding the radio?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Good. I'll go start thinking of a plan-' Of all the, he started, as he headed back to the barracks, then cut his thoughts short. They hadn't had a sabotage mission for sometime. It was bound to be needed sooner than later. So much for my quiet evening.

'Something wrong, Papa?' Maisie questioned, looking up from her writing practice as he walked into the barracks, the door closing firmly behind him.

Hogan sighed. 'London wants us to blow up the refinery tonight.'

The teen grinned. 'What's the plan?'

'How is it that you're always the most enthusiastic member among us?'

She giggled. 'Guess I just enjoy a good explosion. It gives me a chance to have Carter show me more. You know, last week he was teaching me-'

'Okay, enough.' He interrupted. 'I get the idea.'

'You don't want to know what he's been teaching me?'

'No. The less I know of what you two get up to, the better.' Only the week before he'd discovered his watch had gone missing. Maisie single handedly swiped it while he'd been wearing it just to show off what Newkirk had been teaching her. That was in addition to all the other little things his men had been showing her. Maisie was now well equipped in every aspect of their operation. 'How's the writing going?'

She looked up at him sadly. 'Don't ask.'

'That bad?'

'See for yourself.'

He glanced over the notepad, Maisie attempting to write out the alphabet, but without much success. 'What are you having the most trouble with?'

'Holding the pencil. If I hold it too long, my arm cramps up.'

'After we plan the refinery sabotage, how about we see if we can figure something out that'll help you?'

Maisie smiled. 'Danke, Papa.'

'Anything for my little girl. Did you get some sleep?'

'Actually, I did, for a change.' She glanced at his watch. It was just past ten in the morning. 'Only woke up an hour or so ago. I didn't see you earlier. Were you stuck in Klink's office?'

'Since roll call.'

'Oh, fun.'

'No, not really.'

'What did the 'Iron Eagle' want this time?'

'Work detail. Some road needs repairing.' He motioned to his office. 'While we wait for the others, how about we go look at the map of the refinery?'

She nodded and stood, following him into his office. Hogan pulled down the map of the surrounding area from its hiding place in his wall.

'This is where the refinery is.' He pointed to the location on the map. 'Four miles south of Dusseldorf.'

'About twelve miles from here.' Maisie replied, after a moment. 'Twenty four mile around trip. I don't think you would handle it-'

'What makes you think that?'

'Oh, so you are up for that long a run, then, are you?' She teased goodnaturedly, poking him in the stomach. 'Now I could do that in a night, but I wouldn't be able to do it alone.'

He raised an eyebrow. 'You can run that far in an outing?'

She shrugged. 'I've never taken notice how far a distance I could run in one go. I don't want to count though how many miles I ran delivering messages for my Uncle. It'd be easier if I had Lena's pony. It's too rough for a bicycle-'

'I don't think we happen to have an equus caballus in our inventory.'

'I'm just teasing you,' Maisie said, with a wide grin. 'But a pony would make these outings a lot easier and faster.'

'And where would we get one of them?'

'I'm allowed to borrow the Gustavssons' mare, when I need to.'

'That's four miles to their farm alone.'

'I know, but it's an option if we ever need it.' She turned back to the map. 'What's security like?'

'The usual maximum security. Guards, dogs.' He produced the notes from their agent from its hiding place and handed it to her. 'What's your opinion?'

'Impossible.'

He chuckled. He knew that look on her face. 'What's your plan?'

'One that requires absolutely minimum effort. We send them a little package that has a huge bang.'

'A bomb.'

She nodded. 'Mmmhmm. Do we have a floor plan of the refinery?'

'Here.'

'Perfect.' With a quick glance, she was able to find the storage location right next to the boilers. 'May I suggest, Papa, as long as I'm not overstepping the mark, that we send a package large enough that they'll place it in storage.'

'And how would you get it there?'

'Delivery truck. What's their delivery schedule?'

'Uh-' He found another note with the timetable. 'Deliveries every Wednesday and Saturday.'

'Hmmm.' She started pacing as she thought. 'Does it have to be blown up tonight? I mean, all we would need to do is get that bomb onto the truck, and then kaboom. Problem solved.'

A smile spread across his face. You've taken notice of my strategy lessons, I see. 'I like the way you think. It's a pretty good idea.'

'I have a good teacher.' Maisie smiled. 'If we plan for Wednesday, that gives us two days to prepare. It'd take too long for any of you to come along. You'd have to miss a few roll calls-'

'You want to go on your own?'

'For the actual mission, yes.'

'Maisie-'

'You haven't heard the rest of my idea yet. You don't have to agree to it, it's only a suggestion, but I think we should wait for the others to arrive so we can get their opinion also.'

'Alright. I'll hear you out-'

'Good, that's all I'm asking.'

'They should be here any minute now-' He glanced towards the door. 'I sent Kinch to go find them.'

'My idea won't go anywhere,' she remarked, as she surveyed the map again. The truck comes from here, travels along here. I could intercept it there-

'London wants us to blow a bloody refinery tonight?' Newkirk exclaimed, as the men walked back into the barracks and filtered into the colonel's room. 'Are they nuts?'

'That's what I want to know.' LeBeau added.

Carter turned to him. 'I've got some new explosives-'

Kinch closed the door behind himself, joining Hogan and Maisie in front of the maps. 'What's the plan, Colonel?'

'I don't have one-'

'Well, that's bloody charming.'

'Maisie here has a couple ideas.' Hogan continued. 'Maisie, go ahead.'

'Danke, Papa.' Maisie turned to the map. 'The refinery is here, a twenty-four mile round trip there and back. From the information provided by the Underground, we know it is heavily guarded. Trying an outright attack would be plain suicide, so a more careful approach must be taken.' She held up the floorplan of the refinery. 'This here is their storage area, right next to the boilers-'

'If we blew that up, it'd cause a chain reaction.' Carter interrupted enthusiastically.

'Mmmhmm. Exactly. What I propose is that we slip a package in there with a little surprise for them.'

'A bomb.' LeBeau replied. 'But how?'

'That's where the timetable comes in handy. They have a supply drop off every Wednesday. That gives us a few days to prepare.'

'But London wants it done tonight-' Kinch interrupted.

'They want a bloody miracle, don't they? Unless Colonel Hogan has a plan that would have it blown up tonight,' Newkirk said.

Hogan shook his head, his arms folded across his chest. 'I haven't got anything yet. Continue, Maisie.'

'So if we plan for Wednesday, it gives us enough time to prepare. It's a twenty-four round trip. There would be at least three roll calls in the time needed to complete this mission. I don't see how the five of you could be gone from camp so long, so what I propose is this. Tomorrow night, we will take our package to the Gustavssons' farm. I can borrow their pony Wednesday morning to take the package the rest of the way to the road. Intercept the supply truck here, and our package goes on. Once it's in storage, our package blows, and it's goodbye refinery.'

Newkirk rubbed his chin. 'It's actually not a bad idea.'

'But you're going alone, Maisie?' Carter questioned, with concern. 'I don't think-'

'Hold it.' Hogan interrupted. 'Maisie's idea just might work.'

'Thank you, Papa.'

'How do you think your going to get the parcel onto the truck, though?'

'A dear sister has a delivery for her brother, who is returning to guard duty at the refinery. Her pony is lame, and she can't take it any further and hopes the driver can take it with him.'

'It's risky, Maisie.'

'I've done a lot more dangerous things.'

Which I wish you hadn't. 'And if it doesn't work?'

'It'll work. Can we get a list of the guards who are stationed there, Kinch? If there's one there who has a day pass so he's out for the day, that would be perfect. I can use that as our excuse for the package needing to be delivered.'

'I can find out, with your permission of course, Colonel.'

'Permission granted-' He looked back at Maisie. 'You really took notice of my lessons, didn't you?'

She grinned. 'Mmmhmm. I've had a good teacher. Carter, what do we have in storage right now?'

'I'm sure between the two of us, we can come up with something that'll do the trick,' he said, with a wide grin of enthusiasm.'

'Brilliant.' She turned to the Englishman. 'Newkirk, do we have any small wooden trunks?'

Newkirk nodded, raising an eyebrow. 'A trunk? What for?'

'Well, we don't want them opening the package now, do we? If it's inside a locked trunk and my dear brother supposingly has the key, will they be looking inside?'

'I have to hand it to her, Colonel-' LeBeau spoke up. 'She's got a good plan.'

'Those are the only ones I have,' Maisie said.

'Yeah yeah.' Hogan chuckled. 'Is that all?'

Maisie nodded. 'Yep. Best plans are the simple ones. I'll just need a volunteer for tomorrow night. Who wants to come with me?'

'I'll come with you,' Carter offered, with a smile. 'Be like old times. The brother and sister sabotage team together again.'

'Alright, Carter it is, then. Everyone knows what they're to do? Kinch, radio. Newkirk, organize the trunk. Carter and I, we handle constructing the bomb.'

'What about me?' LeBeau questioned.

'And me.' Hogan added.

'You both can take a well deserved rest. Papa will be supervising, of course. Are you happy with the plan?'

'Happy? My protege is a genius. Just don't get yourself caught. I'll have to start ironing my own shirts again,' the colonel remarked.

Maisie shook her head with amusement. 'Any questions?' She waited a moment, then turned back to Hogan. 'I'll give the floor back to you, now.'

'Thank you, Maisie. I think your idea is a pretty good one, and I think it'll work.'

'Danke, Papa.'

Hogan turned back to his men. 'I don't have anything else to add, so you're all dismissed. Maisie-' The teen turned her attention to him as his men filtered back out of the office. 'Let's just go over that plan once more and make sure we're not leaving any loose ends.'

'Sure.' She sat back at the table and started going over the map once more. 'I'll try and do some reconnasions Tuesday night. Find the best place to stop the delivery truck. By borrowing the mare, I won't need to carry the trunk, so that'll make this mission easier.'

'You're going to put me out of a job one of these days.'

Maisie laughed loudly. 'Pa, no one could replace you. Are you sure you're happy with me coming up with a plan for blowing up this refinery?'

'I'm delighted you've put your lessons to good use-' He replied, tousling her hair. 'And using that magnificent brain of yours. Now, how long of a timer are you going to use on the bomb?'

'Well, we want to make sure that it will go off while it's in storage…what would you suggest?'

He smiled. 'Uh, uh, uh. You're the brains behind this mission.'

'Three hours? That should be enough, don't you think?'

'That should be enough.'

'Hopefully. If it goes off while it's outside the storage room, it'll still do some damage, but not as much as it would if it made those boilers explode.'

'I can see you've thought it through.'

'I try to.' Maisie paused, thinking deeply for a moment. There weren't any important details she was leaving out, were there? 'I might be gone for a while. I might not make it back till Thursday. If I go to the Gustavssons' Tuesday night, that'll leave Wednesday to complete the mission, and I'll try to get back that night. If not, I'll return Thursday.'

'I'd feel much better if someone else went with you. This'll be your first solo mission.'

'I know, Papa, but you can't miss all those roll calls. Unless you have another plan-'

Hogan sighed heavily, his hand resting on her shoulder. 'You know, I worry about you each time you go out.'

The teen smiled sympathetically. 'I know you do. My Uncle used to say the same thing all the time. I'll be fine, though. I promise. You know I'm always careful. Besides, I'll be with the Gustavssons for most of the time.'

'Just make sure you are careful.'

'I promise.'

The maps and plan of the refinery went back into their hiding place, and he returned to the teen. 'Alright, what about your exercises, now?'

She sighed heavily, lying her arm down on the table and tried to make a fist. 'I can't go any further than that, which is why I still can't hold anything properly.'

'And you've had your session with Wilson this week?'

'He says it's improving, but it's frustrating. I know it's going to take time, but I really want to be able to do things normally again.' She let her hand relax, wincing a little as she felt her arm start to cramp. 'I think I've done too much today.'

'Cramp?'

Maisie nodded.

'You know you need to take it easy, sweetheart-' He replied kindly, as he began to rub her arm for her. 'It's going to take time.'

'How much time? It's been four months already.'

'Just have patience, my girl. Patience.'

'I've been having extensive lessons in that department.' She sighed heavily, resting her chin down on her other arm. Her arm began to feel a little better from him massaging it, then she frowned as he started examining her hand. 'What are you doing?'

'I might have just thought of a way you can hold a pencil. Until you heal up, that is.' Hogan stood and went to his wardrobe, returning with one of his gloves. 'I'll just use this as a guide. We can get Newkirk to help make you a proper one.'

Maisie watched intently as he put the glove on her hand, then began to experiment with resting a pencil against the inside of her thumb. 'I don't get where you're going with this.'

'Your main problem is you can't hold onto the pencil normally, correct?'

She nodded. 'I just can't hold my hand in that position for more than a minute at a time.'

'Well, this might help solve it. If we add in a leather piece here-' He motioned over the pencil were it rested. 'It can hold the pencil in place. That way you won't have to hold onto it properly all the time. We can alter it to be used with a fork or other items your trying to hold, too-'

'Oh, Papa, it's brilliant.' The teen interrupted, with excitement. 'I'll be able to draw again, if it works.'

Hogan chuckled at her enthusiasm. 'And when have my ideas failed us?'

'Never.' Maisie wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. 'Thank you.'

'Don't thank me yet. We've still got to try it out.'

'I'm sure it will work-' She stood, hurrying toward the door. 'Come on. Let's go see if Newkirk can help us.'

The colonel smiled with amusement as the teen dashed out of his room, and he followed at a slower pace. He knew Maisie's disability was a huge problem for her. He and his men did their best not to mention it to her, but it pained him each time seeing her struggle with her limitations. I sure hope it does work, sweetheart, he thought, as he made his way down the ladder to the tunnel below. Each time he witnessed her struggle with the most menial tasks, like eating her dinner, for instance, he was reminded of the sacrifice she'd willingly made to make sure that traitor didn't get away. She was the most selfless person he knew. There was no end to the lengths she'd go to help someone or carry out an order he gave. You sure deserve it.