Chapter 18

The sound of excited chatter filled the air, spirits high as Hogan's men made their way to Hogan's room. Maisie too was just as excited, but kept it to herself, taking a glance to Klink every now and then. I hope Papa's doing better today- A week had passed since she'd been at Stalag 13, and she'd had the opportunity to visit him a couple times when Klink had brought the men in, but each time Hogan had been asleep during the visit. She glanced over at Klink as the group walked down the long hallway. The Kommandant had been taking his new responsibility as her Uncle quite seriously. Luckily, he had been lenient enough to allow her to come along on the visits. I'd really like to spend some time alone with Papa, but I don't think that's going to happen for a while.

Hogan's door was open as they turned the corner, and he was sitting up as a nurse served him his lunch. Her heart skipped a beat with happiness, but she held back, not wishing for Klink to see her excitement. Papa's awake!

'Well, well, well-' Hogan said, as they made their way into the room. 'Look who it is.'

'Bonjour, mon Colonel-' LeBeau greeted, the first to make his way over to his bed. 'Good to see you're finally awake.'

'We're not interrupting anything, are we?' Klink questioned. 'We can come back if now's a bad time-'

'It's alright, he's finished lunch.' The blonde nurse replied, with a smile. 'He's all yours.'

He looked over at his men, his gaze coming to rest on Maisie. Oh, Maisie... 'And who's this little one?'

The look on Hogan's face didn't go unnoticed by Klink. 'This is my niece, Annika Klink, but she prefers to be called Maisie.' He replied, glancing down at the teen and again, his suspicion was confirmed. Somehow, the two of them knew each other despite the fact they were trying to play along that they didn't. Just exactly like she had with Hogan's close-knit group. 'Maisie, this is Colonel Robert Hogan. US Army Air Corps.'

'Hello.'

'Hi, Maisie.'

You two do know each other, but how, Klink wondered, as he stood back to observe the interactions between the little group. Maisie's eyes were sparkling with a joy he hadn't seen before. She was more relaxed and happy than he'd ever seen. Even Hogan's expression seemed brighter, and the longer he observed, the more he was positive that they all knew the young girl. What was their connection, though? How did they know each other- When they got back to camp, he decided that a chat with Maisie was in order….

'Do you mind if I take a seat here?'

Maisie glanced up, moving her legs aside to make room for Klink on the couch. 'Not at all.'

'Reading anything interesting?'

'Not really. It's boring, actually-' She closed the book up and placed it down on the coffee table, turning back to Klink. 'I'm not in trouble, am I?'

'No, no, of course not.' He replied, with a smile, noticing that she'd tensed up when he'd sat down beside her. If he thought about it, she'd been doing that since she'd arrived. Even with her father. Yet with Hogan she was almost a different person… 'I just wanted to ask you a question. What do you think of Colonel Hogan?'

She raised an eyebrow. 'He's alright, I guess. For the enemy.'

'Maisie-' He interjected softly. 'I saw the way you were with him-' He watched her body tense even more as she looked away from him. 'You know him, don't you?'

'Never met him before today.'

You might try, but you can't fool me. Not this time.

'Maisie. One night, when we didn't know if Colonel Hogan was going to make it or not, I went to visit him. You were asleep beside him.'

Shit! He knew! Her head shot up, her heart beating faster, and she tried not to panic as she looked at him. 'W-what are you going to do?'

'Nothing.' He could feel the anxiety radiating from her and could see the fear in her eyes. 'I won't tell a soul, but in return, I'd like to know a little bit of what is going on.'

Oh shit, oh shit-

'Maisie-'

'I'm fine, I'm fine.'

He frowned. The poor child looked like she was about to have a panic attack. 'It's alright, Maisie, you're not in trouble. Calm down, I just want to talk to you.'

If he finds out, Papa and everyone are done for-

'Maisie-' He continued, the teen starting to bite furiously at her nails. 'Maisie, listen. I'm not going to get mad or tell anyone. I just would like to know what is happening in my own prison camp. Okay?'

No, no, no!

Klink waited, seeing after a moment that she was too worked up to listen to him. He looked at her with sympathy. Something bad had obviously happened to her for her to react the way she was. I didn't mean for this to happen- he went to touch her arm, and she jerked away from him, moving as far away from him as possible on the couch.

'Well, if you aren't going to talk, then at least listen to a little story I have to tell you.' He rested against the back of the couch, continuing to observe her for a moment, then began his story. 'I was drafted back into service a year after the war began. To be here to take over the place of the previous Kommandant-'

Maisie shot a glance in his direction, trying to figure out what angle he was coming at now. Where on earth are you going with this?

'When I arrived here, the camp wasn't as you see it today. It was an absolute disgrace, even for a POW camp. There were over seven hundred men, most of them sick or injured, or both and many dying. They were starving, and I mean starving.'

Okay-? Slowly, she began to calm down, turning to him to listen to what he was saying.

'The Kommandant at the time had been selling the prisoners' rations and Red Cross packages on the black market-' He was heartened that she appeared to show a little interest in his story. 'Meanwhile, making the prisoners starve. When I arrived, they were only receiving a quarter of the rations they were to be allocated. It was a disgrace, and when I took charge, I endeavored to do something about it.'

This isn't going to be a 'how great I am speech' is it, Klink?

'The food situation wasn't the only problem, however. Escapes were occurring left, right, and center, but none were successful. Each prisoner was shot upon capture, no questions asked.'

Maisie's eyebrows raised.

'I learned after a little while that just before I'd arrived, there had been a mass escape attempt of over fifty men. It failed, and each man was executed. Not only that, but the remaining prisoners had to witness the execution of their Senior POW Officer, a Colonel Cambell, I believe his name was.'

'The Kommandant had him killed because his men tried to escape?'

Klink nodded soberly. 'And had it written down on file that it was 'justified' punishment for their actions.'

'What happened to the Kommandant?'

'He got a one way ticket to the Russian Front. Shot the day he arrived, died a week later from blood poisoning.'

'Under the circumstances, that served him right.'

'I couldn't agree more.' He was pleased he had her full attention now and appeared to be calming down.

'What did you do?' She questioned, wondering what had happened next.

'I tried to patch things up the best I could, but it wasn't easy. Forty men died in the first week despite my attempts at securing medicine to treat them, though the rest of the sick were able to be saved. Corporal LeBeau was one of them. He only survived because of Corporal Newkirk looking after him.'

Newkirk and LeBeau lived through that hell?

'The men had nominated Newkirk to speak for them, as there wasn't a ranking officer anymore, and he informed me of what had been happening under the old Kommandant. Despite the fact I had tried to help them, there was a lot of unrest between the prisoners. There was even talk of murdering me because of what he'd done. They were angry, and they had a right to be.'

'What happened, then?'

'Hogan arrived three months later with Sergeant Kinchloe. In a week, he had the prisoners organized and things running better than they had since I'd arrived. It didn't take long for him to earn the respect of all the men, the guards included. Honestly, he came at just the right time. He really saved my hide.'

'So he and you have quite a bit of history, then.'

'Despite the fact that somehow he always manages to drive me up the wall, I consider him to be a friend. A good friend.' He looked over at her. 'Now Maisie, I could see the way you've been acting, despite you trying to act as if you don't know Hogan or his men. I'm not as stupid as people think I am. You know them, don't you?'

'And if I say 'yes'?' She asked cautiously. 'What are you going to do?'

'Nothing. Though if you did know them, it would be alright with me for you to continue associating with them. I don't mind, I just don't appreciate being lied to.'

Her cheeks turned bright red with embarrassment. If only you knew- she sighed heavily, then nodded. 'I do know them. Now what?'

'Would you like to share just how you know them?'

She shook her head. 'I can't tell you that. I made a promise to my father. I won't be any trouble-'

'You're not in trouble, I was just curious about it. You seem to be quite concerned about Colonel Hogan.'

Maisie's blush deepened. 'I hope you aren't offended that I haven't warmed to you like the others. Colonel Hogan reminds me of my mother. I guess that's why it was easy for me to like him. I'm sorry Uncle Klink, I don't intend to hurt you-'

'The only way you can hurt me is by lying. I've been honest with you, I'd hoped you'd be honest with me. If this arrangement is going to work out, you and I need to be able to trust each other.'

'I still can't tell you.'

'I understand, but in the future, I would appreciate being told the truth.'

'Are you going to punish me?'

'Should I?'

Maisie remained quiet.

Klink's expression softened after a moment, and he placed his hand on her shoulder. 'I'm not going to punish you. Not this time. You have to understand, this is all new to me. I've never had a child in my care before. It's going to take awhile for both of us to adjust, but it'll be easier if you could start to trust me.'

'I do…a little.' She replied, after a moment, looking back at him. 'The last few years haven't been easy for me, Uncle. First my real father-' Her conscience tinged a little at telling another half truth. I really do hate lying. However, if he found out the truth… 'he died, then my mother met your brother and they got married, which meant a new father, then she died-' She sighed heavily. 'I've had a lot to deal with, and now, coming here… it's all new. It's different. I like you, Uncle, but it's going to take me a while to learn that I can trust you.'

'And yet you trust Hogan?'

'He reminds me of my mother.' And that was a full truth for a change. 'I just feel safe around him, which is something I haven't felt since this war started.'

'I just can't figure out how you'd know him, though. He's a prisoner, and you were away at boarding school-'

'Uncle, would you want the truth?'

'Would you tell me the truth?'

'If you really want to know.'

Klink looked at her and something in the expression she wore told him that if he did wish to know, she would speak. Part of him did want to know, the other half said it would be in his best interest if he didn't. After a moment, he made up his mind. 'Maisie, I appreciate the fact you would tell me, but I think under the circumstances, the less I know, the better.'

Thank goodness. She breathed a sigh of relief. 'It is probably in both of our best interests for you to not know.' She agreed. 'From now on, though, I promise to be as honest as I can be, and I promise I won't cause you any trouble.'

'Your word is good enough for me.'

'Thank you, Uncle.'

Klink smiled. 'I do hope though in time, you and I can have the same relationship I see you have with Hogan. I've never seen him like someone as much as you, even with you both pretending to not know each other.'

'He's a pretty bad actor, isn't he?'

'Don't let him hear you say that.'

She giggled. 'Good thing he can't hear us, then.' She stood, going over to the cupboard where the chessboard was stored. 'Care for a game of chess?'

'Of course, but I must warn you; I won't go easy on you just because you're my niece.'

'You better not. I won't go easy on you just because you're my Uncle.' Maisie grinned mischievously, as she started arranging the game out on the coffee table. After all, it was Colonel Hogan who taught me how to play.

Two weeks passed by, the general atmosphere of the camp slowly beginning to return to normal. The Colonel was coming back! By now, everyone in camp knew that Colonel Hogan was alive, however, it was still going to take some time before he fully recovered from his injuries. The prisoners had been informed by the Kommandant of the story that General Wolfgang Klink had told him, yet the men in Barracks two and a few others knew the real truth. That it was really Maisie they had to thank for the good news Hogan would be returning home.

Maisie. The young girl was over the moon with excitement that he was returning to camp. She'd been like a nervous butterfly, when finally, Klink had received word that he was ready to be released. Both she and Hogan's men had been conspiring together to hold a little party in honour of the occasion, their way of welcoming their commander and friend back. Even Klink, much to all their surprise, had encouraged the idea and granted Maisie free rein to organize what they needed.

With her mind occupied preparing his welcome back gift, Maisie hadn't had much time to linger on the worries that had begun to creep into her thoughts. With being able to visit Hogan almost every day since her talk with Klink, she'd noticed subtle changes had taken place. His eyes weren't gleaming like they used to, and in her opinion, she felt he was depressed. It was just a feeling that she had. Though now, perhaps with him coming back and being around friends again, maybe that would help. She hoped so.

Hogan's men had notified London of the news that Colonel Hogan was still alive when they'd been told he'd make a full recovery. London had been surprised at the turn of events, then greatly relieved and wanted to know when he'd be able to take charge of their operation again. They'd kept that information to themselves, not telling either Hogan or Maisie about what they'd said. How long would it be before he could lead again? They had no idea and had agreed it was best not to stress the colonel while he was recovering. When Hogan was ready to take back command, they'd let him. But until then, they'd hold the fort while he regained his health.

Despite outward appearances, Klink was greatly relieved that Colonel Hogan was returning. It had been over three months since the day the Gestapo had come in and taken him. A day he didn't wish to remember. He considered Hogan as his friend, despite everything. As much as that man drove him crazy, he had missed his absence. He'd told Hogan that though he would be back in camp, he wouldn't need to concern himself with his duties until he felt he was ready. Newkirk and Kinch had been handling things rather well, and it helped that the morale of the men had been raised with the colonel's impending return. Slowly, things were returning to normal, or as normal as they could be, granted their place of residence.

Maisie too felt she had slowly started to warm to Klink, and he admitted to himself that it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be having her stay. Having her presence in the camp was like a breath of fresh air. She brightened every room she walked into, her sweet quiet presence a welcomed change to the camp. It hadn't taken her long to win over both the guards and the prisoners. He was glad to see she was beginning to adjust to her new home.

He was still curious, however, on how she knew Hogan, but he'd abstained from asking her any more questions. She was right when she said she wouldn't be any trouble. She'd been on her best behaviour the entire time. When his brother had rung to see how she was doing, he'd been pleased to give him a good report. Perhaps, over time, she'd come around and begin to trust him. He'd been pleasantly surprised when one evening she'd come into his office with a little bouquet of wildflowers she'd picked from outside the camp. Though with Hogan's return, he wondered if that would change things. He couldn't help but feel a little hurt. He was her Uncle, and yet, the American had seemed to win again. It was frustrating and annoying at the same time, yet he knew he couldn't allow his feelings to complicate the situation further. Maisie just needed time, that was all. She'd come around eventually…he hoped.

'Maisie, you're gonna wear a hole in the floor with all that pacing-' Newkirk remarked, as she walked back to the window for the eightieth time in the last half hour. 'Come sit down, you're like a ruddy cat on a hot tin roof.'

'I can't sit. I'm too excited. Papa's coming back.'

'You running back and forth to that window isn't going to make him show up any sooner.' Kinch said, helping Carter add their final touches to their 'Welcome Back' banner.

She sighed heavily, flopping back onto the bench beside Newkirk. 'I know, I know. I just can't help it.'

Newkirk smiled, patting her shoulder. 'I know, love, but it won't be much longer now.

'You'll be happy when he is back. You won't have to play the role of sergeant father anymore.'

'I think I've done a pretty good job, don't you?'

'Yeah-' She smiled, placing her arm around him. 'You're alright.'

LeBeau looked up from the dish he was preparing. 'You wouldn't want Kommandant Klink hearing you say that. I've never seen him take something so seriously as he has 'raising' you.'

'I know.' Maisie sighed again. 'I really do hate lying to him. I know he's trying his best. At least he hasn't asked me about things since last time. I think he's come to realize it's probably in his best interest that he doesn't know.'

Carter put the lid back on the tin of red paint. 'You know, I don't think he'd believe the truth even if you did tell him. I think he'd faint on the spot.'

She giggled at the image that came to mind. 'I think you'd be right; especially when he finds out I'm not really his niece.'

'Yeah, well let's keep that one under the hat for now, hey?' Newkirk questioned. 'We've got enough problems 'round here already without you going and blowing the whistle.'

'Problems? Anything I can help with?'

'Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about.' Kinch helped Carter lift the banner up, and they placed it on one of the bunks to dry.

'I can help-'

'You'll do nothing of the sort.' The corporal interrupted. 'You've done more than enough already. Until further notice, and that notice would be from Colonel Hogan, you are hereby restricted to no Underground activity whatsoever. Understand?'

'I'm sure I can do something-'

'Newkirk is right.' Kinch agreed. 'For now, all you need to be concerned with is keeping your nose clean and staying out of trouble. Colonel Hogan doesn't need to add you to his list of worries.'

'Alright, alright. I get the point.'

Carter stood and gathered the laundry basket from beside the door. 'If you really want to help, the washing needs to be done-'

'No, thank you. The laundry is all yours and yours alone, I'm afraid.'

'It was just a suggestion.' he shrugged, heading out the door.

LeBeau placed a bowl down on the table. 'Would you like to stir this up?'

'That, I can do,' she replied, as she picked up the spoon. 'What is it supposed to be?' He rattled off something in French, and she raised an eyebrow. 'I didn't quite catch that.'

'Apple strudel.' He replied, in English this time. 'You've already made a cake?'

She nodded. 'It's sitting safe in the cupboard in the kitchen. That is unless Schultz sniffed it out and helped himself. I think that's everything-'

'The flowers.' Newkirk interrupted, as he remembered. 'Weren't you going to pick him some from Klink's garden?'

'I was. I totally forgot.'

'And your present?'

She patted her coat pocket. 'Wrapped up and ready to go.' Leaning over, she snuck a look at the time on Newkirk's watch. The truck was due in at eleven, and it was a quarter to. 'I better go pick those flowers. Hopefully they'll be on time today.' She stood, stopping at the door. 'Make sure everything else is taken care of-'

'We will.' Kinch cut her off with a nod. 'Don't you worry 'bout a thing. We've got it covered.'

'When a man says not to worry, that's when a girl should start to worry.'

Newkirk shook his head with amusement. 'You are a ruddy nuisance, you are.'

'Thank you, Newkirk.' She grinned mischievously at him, the corporal rolling his eyes as she started out the door.

'You come to help me, then?'

Maisie turned back to Carter, joining him at the laundry tub. 'No, going to go pick flowers, actually. How much more have you got to go?'

'The rest of these shirts.'

She looked at the pile, then rolled up her sleeves. 'Alright, I'll give you a hand. Just this once, mind you. I'm not going to get into the habit of doing your jobs for you.'

'I wouldn't expect you to.' He replied, rubbing more soap onto the shirt he was scrubbing. 'You sure are excited Colonel Hogan is coming back.'

Maisie giggled, taking a place at the extra wash board. 'Haven't you missed him, too?'

'Yeah, I guess I have. Even miss him getting cross at me.'

'I'm sure it won't take long before that happens again. Especially if you rub another hole in his shirt.'

'And that's exactly why you should be doing the laundry.'

'Ah ah ah, you're forgetting I'm the Kommandant's niece, now. Menial labour is beneath me.' Carter rolled his eyes. 'I am joking, you know. I don't mind helping out. Helping, mind you, not doing it all on my own.' She wrung the shirt out she'd washed and picked up another. 'You think Papa's going to be okay when he gets back?'

'Why shouldn't he be?'

She shrugged. 'I don't know. He just seemed a little different the last few times we went to see him.'

Carter carried the shirts over to the line. 'I didn't notice anything.'

'Perhaps I'm just thinking too much into it.' After a few minutes, she'd finished the rest of the shirts and brought them over to the clothesline. 'There, done. Now I'm going to go get those flowers.'

'You want company?'

'Sure, you can come along. You can take half the blame when Uncle Klink realizes his garden has been raided.'

'Oh, swell.' He rolled his eyes as they started around to the garden behind the Kommandant's quarters. 'You know how Klink is about his flowers.'

Maisie shrugged. 'He's got to have something to interest him in. Besides, I've been helping tend to it since I got here. I don't think he'll mind. It's for Colonel Hogan, after all.'

'Just make sure he takes your head and not mine.'

She giggled, opening the picket into the garden. 'You worry too much, Carter. I can handle Uncle Klink.'

'Do you have to call him that?'

'Well, since 'technically' he's my Uncle now, I guess I have to.'

'It just sounds so weird you calling him that.'

'Just as weird as it feels doing it.' She replied, gently breaking off the best looking flowers. 'When Papa feels up to it, I've got to have a long talk with him.' She added a couple extra to the bouquet, then stood and showed it to him. 'What do you think?'

'I think he'll like it.' Carter plucked one out of the bunch, tucking it in her hair above her ear. 'There we go. Pretty as a picture.'

She smiled, and they made their way back out of the garden to the barracks to wait for Colonel Hogan's arrival. 'You really are quite sweet, Carter.'

'I've been told I'm lots of things. Sweet has never been one of them, though.'

Newkirk stepped outside, glancing towards the gate, then looked back at Maisie and Carter as they returned. 'Nice bouquet.' He nodded at the flowers she had in her hand, motioning towards Klink as the Kommandant emerged from his office and started in their direction. 'Wonder what old blood and guts wants now.'

'Hey, remember he's my Uncle now. I'm duty-bound to protest those kinds of remarks.' She reprimanded with a cheeky grin, turning to Klink as he joined them. 'Is the truck on time?'

Klink nodded. 'I just got off the phone with them; they'll be arriving here shortly.'

'I'll go let Kinch and LeBeau know.' Carter said, disappearing inside the barracks.'

'Sure will be good to have the G'vnor back with us.' Newkirk took a glance at his watch. 'The place hasn't been the same without him.'

'I can't argue with you there,' Klink said. 'I'll be glad when he's feeling up to his duties again. Nothing against you, Newkirk.'

'No offense taken, sir. I know I don't do as good a job as Colonel Hogan does.'

'But you have done your best, and I appreciate you trying.'

Klink sure is in a ruddy good mood today, if he's handing out compliments. 'Thank you, sir.'

Klink turned to Maisie, looking at the flowers she had in her hand. 'Those wouldn't happen to be from my garden, would they?'

Maisie gave her most innocent looking smile as she tucked the bouquet behind her back. 'It's for Colonel Hogan-' She replied sweetly, noticing that the rest of the prisoners in camp had started to gather around. 'I was sure you wouldn't mind.'

He sighed, shaking his head. 'I guess this time I'll overlook it.'

'Danke, Uncle.'

'Hey, watch it, Carter-' Kinch protested, as they emerged from the barracks, carrying their banner to put up. 'Maisie will be cross with you if you ruin it.'

'What's this?' Klink questioned, with an eyebrow raised.

'Just a banner I asked the boys to make up for me,' Maisie answered. 'I was hoping we could hang it outside your office, if that's alright.'

'I suppose there's no harm in that-'

'Danke.' She pressed the bouquet into his hands. 'Hold them for a moment. I'll give them a hand to get it up.'

Klink went to protest, then sighed as she hurried away, shaking his head. He looked down at the bouquet she'd handed him, her blue, red and white hair ribbons tied around the stems. Again, he couldn't help but feel a little sting of jealousy. He knew she meant well, but he was her Uncle. I guess I just don't have what it takes. I'm not Colonel Hogan, he thought, making his way back towards his office. He still hadn't been able to figure out how she knew him or how she'd become so fond of him. Laughter rang out, Maisie up on Kinch's shoulders to tie the banner onto the roof, and he smiled a little hearing her so happy. I guess as long as she's happy I shouldn't care. She'll come around in time.

'Okay, we're all done,' Maisie said.

'Thank goodness.' Kinch remarked, as he knelt down so she could get off. 'Feels like you've put on fifty pounds. Next time we'll get a ladder.'

She laughed. 'I doubt I've put on that much, come on.' Klink joined them on the stairs and handed her back the flowers. 'Do I look fat to you, Uncle?'

'Not at all. You look just right.'

'See? There you go.'

'Hey-' Carter interrupted their conversation. 'I think I can hear something.'

Maisie listened closely, and a smile spread across her face. 'It must be the truck.'

A couple minutes later and a truck appeared around the corner, the guards at the gate opening it to allow it through. The prisoners all gathered around as the truck came to a stop out the front of the Kommandant's office, LeBeau hurrying out to join Hogan's group and Maisie at the bottom of the stairs.

A guard helped Hogan out of the truck, the teen running over to greet him. 'Welcome back, Colonel Hogan.'

Hogan smiled, standing unsteadily with the help of the crutches the hospital had given him. 'Hi, Maisie.'

'Here-' Newkirk joined them, offering a hand to their commander. 'Let me help you, sir. We'll get you back to your room.'

'Thank you, Newkirk.'

Maisie stood back as Newkirk and Kinch helped Hogan over to the barracks, absorbed in her own thoughts. Hogan's eyes didn't sparkle like they used to. Even when Klink spoke to him he hadn't replied with some witty remark. Something is wrong. I can feel it. She watched as the other prisoners called out their well wishes, then looked down at the flowers she was holding. I guess I'll go take them over when he's settled back in.

With the paperwork taken care of, Klink turned back to his niece as the truck pulled out of the yard. He frowned as he joined her, the rest of the prisoners slowly dispersing back to their barracks. 'Something wrong?'

She stiffened, feeling a hand on her shoulder and looked up at him. 'I don't know.'