Chapter 20

Newkirk's right… Hogan finally admitted to himself, after a long and drawn out argument in his mind. You have been acting like a bloody fool. He could see that now, and he realized that yes, he was the one to be blamed. He had snapped at Maisie when he knew all she wanted to do was help. He could still see the hurt in her eyes when he'd said those things he didn't really mean. The look of her heart breaking into a thousand pieces. Not only that, yes. He knew she had been frightened of him and what scared him was it had felt good. It had felt good seeing the fear in her eyes before she'd fled from his room. Now, though, the only thing he felt was crushing guilt and remorse. He deserved every word that Newkirk had said to him. He had been taking his anger and frustration out on all of them.

Alone in the darkness and silence, he stared up at the bottom of the bunk above him. Maisie hadn't come to see him since he'd scared her off, and apart from Newkirk, no one else had entered his room. Another thought came to mind. I'm turning into the kind of man Langer was. The very realization was enough to shake him to his core. He was becoming the man in his nightmares to Maisie and his men.

He closed his eyes, trying to catch some sleep, but sleep just wouldn't come. Newkirk's words kept playing over in his mind. He couldn't get them out of his thoughts.

I know you got dragged through bloody hell and back- That was an understatement. But we've been through our own hell, too. We want to help you, but we can't if you don't let us.

We want to help you.

Help me? Help me? His mind scoffed at the very thought of the idea. He was the colonel. He was the commander. He was to be the strong one. The fearless one. The leader. He didn't go to them with his problems. They couldn't know that he was breaking. What would it do for morale-

They already know.

He sighed. Yes. They did know. If they didn't before, they certainly would now. They would know their colonel was a coward. Afraid. Scared. Trying to run from his own mind. What would they think if he told them the truth? How could he tell them what had happened while he'd been in custody? How would they respond knowing what he'd been put through?

You can't tell them. You have to protect them.

Another thought argued with the logic of the first. You've already hurt them. You've already hurt Maisie. How much more will they have to put up from you? He couldn't answer that question.

He opened his eyes again, staring once more up at the bunk above. A thin light from the moon shone through the crack in the shutters, and he glanced towards the window. Maisie said she enjoyed stargazing when she needed to think things through. Stargazing, are you turning into a girl, Robert?

He sighed, getting up from the bunk and moved the chair over closer to the window, pushing the shutter open a little further. He could see guards walking around in the compound, blinking in the bright light as the spotlight swung around. Perhaps it was time for him to move on. His men didn't need him. They seemed to be getting along just fine without him-

No. Leaving wasn't an option. He had known full well what he'd been getting into when he'd been given the opportunity to run the operation beneath the ground of Stalag 13. He was here for the long haul. There was no turning back. There was no running away from his problems. He was here and here to stay until the war ended, no matter how long it took.

Another thought came to mind. One that really sobered him. Maisie almost killed herself over me. He still couldn't believe what Newkirk had told him. He didn't want to believe that it was true, but he had the distinct feeling that it was. Newkirk wouldn't make up something like that. It began to make sense now why Maisie had done what she had, going to Berlin and attempting that foolhardy rescue mission right beneath the noses of the Gestapo. She wasn't afraid to die. He was.

He'd never been so afraid of death, being in that cell had brought a sobering reality to him. As the days had slipped by one after the other, he'd fought. Fought as hard as he could to live until the fire inside him had been extinguished. He'd begun to welcome the thought of death, had even tried to think of ways to end his suffering quicker in that cell. That was until Maisie had come. She had given him a second chance. He would have died in that cell, otherwise, either by Langer's hand or his own. In a way, though, he was still trapped in that cell. His mind was trapped. Trapped by memories and nightmares.

He wasn't the only one to have gone through a nightmare with the Gestapo. Maisie knew what he was going through, to a degree. How did she cope, he wondered, watching a cloud pass in front of the moon. She never spoke of it, never mentioned it except for that note she'd written when she'd run away. What had happened to her? What did they do to her? If his encounter was anything to go by, he didn't think he wished to know.

I'm sorry. His mind apologized in turn to each of his men and Maisie. They were only trying to help. They could see he was struggling, they could see he was hurting, and he'd responded by pushing them further away.

You're going to have to talk to them.

The thought of relaying his experience to them sent a shiver up his spine. Of reliving the nightmare. No, I can't. I can't tell them. What would they think?

Hogan looked back to the moon, his eyes welling with tears as he continued to wrestle with his thoughts. He quickly brushed them away again, resolving not to break down a second time. He was a commander, he had to be strong-

The tears began to slide down his cheeks. He accepted it. The first step in receiving healing had been taken.

Looks like I'll be early, at this rate. Maisie thought to herself, taking a guess at the time from where the moon was in the sky. The meeting was to take place at eleven, and she'd left at nine to make sure she gave herself enough time to get to the location. So far she hadn't run into any problems at all, which was a pleasant surprise, and she smiled as the barn came into view.

Slipping into the barn, she looked around. It was empty. No one was there yet, and so, she pulled up a seat on a crate to wait. Minutes slowly ticked by.

I sure hope Papa will get better soon, she thought, allowing her thoughts to wander off from the assignment she was on. He really scared me earlier. I've never seen him so angry, so cold… It was like it wasn't even him. I only wanted to help…

What had taken place had been the very thing she'd been worried about right from the start. That Hogan had changed as a result of what he'd been put through. I thought Papa would have been strong enough… I guess I was wrong. Even the strongest people can be broken.

Broken was definitely what Hogan was. She could see it. She could feel it. She knew it, because she had been there. He knew little bits and pieces here and there of her past, but there was still a lot she kept hidden away in her mind. There was a lot that no one knew of. The secrets behind her eyes would curl the blood of anyone if they were revealed. She'd seen death and had danced with it on many occasions. It was part of what made her dangerous. Reckless. She'd been scared stiff going into that Gestapo Headquarters, but she had done it anyway. That was what a love as fierce as hers enabled a person to do what she had. A love so strong that they would be willing to sacrifice themselves to save the life of another-

The sound of a creaking door abruptly cut off her thoughts, her hand going to the grip of her pistol. A figure walked in, going past the stall she had hidden in. She stood, the only sound being of her pistol as she took the safety off.

The figure stopped, raising their hands as they turned back towards the sound. 'I sure hope you don't intend to use that.'

'Blue Bird?'

'Correct.'

She lowered the gun, flicking the safety back on as she slipped the pistol back into her pocket. She stepped forward, shaking the man's hand. 'Little Bear.'

'Papa Bear has little cubs working for him now?'

'You might say that. I am the only exception, though. The others couldn't meet on such short notice, so I was sent instead. What is this meeting for?'

'Plans-' He reached into his pocket, producing a thick yellow envelope. 'Strategic movements of invading troops. They need to be passed along to London. If the Germans pull this off, it'll be a devastating blow to the Allies-'

She quietened him with a motion of her hand, her ears having caught the sound of something outside. The hair on the back of her neck raised. They were not alone. Someone had followed one of them.

'Get these to London.'

The plans were pressed into her hands as the man pushed her up the ladder into the loft, motioning for her to take cover. Not a moment too soon she found a crate to shelter within, the door of the barn crashing open as loud German shouting filled the air.

Oh no….

'Boy, that bridge sure went up good.' Carter was bouncing with excitement as he relayed the events of the evening to LeBeau and Kinch around the stove later that night. 'Sure lit up the night sky.'

'The Germans will be busy for a couple weeks repairing that one, I'm afraid.' Newkirk leaned down on an elbow, having taken a place back on his bed. 'Where's the little lady? I was sure she'd have gotten back here before we did.'

Color drained from Kinch's face. 'I thought she'd come in with you and gone to bed already. You haven't seen her?'

'Not since we parted ways just outside of camp.'

Kinch looked at his watch. It was nearing one in the morning.

'She should have been back ages ago.' LeBeau spoke up, voicing the opinion of every one present. 'What's taking her so long?'

'Probably stopped to sniff the roses-' Carter said. 'You know how easily distracted a girl can get.'

'Not Maisie,' Newkirk said. 'Not when she's on a mission. She's like a dog with a bloody bone when it comes to an assignment like this one. She wouldn't mess it up.'

'You think something has happened to her, then?' LeBeau questioned, with worry.

Kinch looked back at Newkirk. 'Maybe we should go look for her-'

Newkirk held a hand up to interrupt him. 'We'll give her another half hour. If she doesn't turn up by then, we'll head out.'

A second later, the sound of rapid gunfire filled the barn.

Maisie quivered with fear, closing her eyes. She didn't need to take a guess at what had happened. She'd seen what their guns were capable of doing before; he hadn't stood a chance-

'Durchsuche die Schenune! Schnell!1

Her heart beat faster as she heard movement below her. If they came into the loft and found her- Don't panic, don't panic-

She heard the sound of someone climbing the ladder into the loft.

It's time to panic.

Her hand slipped into her coat, and she pulled out her pistol, flipping the safety off. The footsteps rustling through the hay came closer and closer. No, no, please- She begged in her mind, begging them to leave.

'Alles klar.'

The footsteps receded, and she breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the person descend down the ladder again. Oh, thank God. She closed her eyes, trying to calm down. She was alright. She was alright… It was alright. They hadn't found her.

The papers the agent had given her she hid away in her pocket with her pistol, and she stayed in her hiding place. She couldn't hear any movement below, but that didn't mean they weren't still around. She couldn't risk it. She'd stay and wait as long as it took for her to feel it was safe to leave.

Papa would have a fit, if he knew what just happened. Then again, perhaps he wouldn't. He'd changed. He doesn't really care about me-

Her thoughts were cut off abruptly by a new sound. A crackling, rustling sound. A shiver ran up her spine. She knew what that sound was. She sniffed the air. Smoke. They had set the barn on fire.

'What are you all doing up at this hour?'

Newkirk looked up, Hogan hobbling out of his room on his crutches. 'I could ask you the same thing.'

'Couldn't sleep.' He remarked, going over to the stove to see if there was any coffee left in the pot. There was just enough for a cup, and he poured what was left into a mug before joining his men at the table. 'I owe you all an apology-' He started, unable to look any of them in the eye. 'I'm sorry, Newkirk. You were right in what you said. I am sorry.'

Newkirk smiled, placing his hand on the colonel's shoulder. 'I'm glad to hear it sunk in. We don't hold it against you, G'vnor. We know you've had a bloody rough time, and we just want to help you anyway we can.'

'Is there anything we can do?' LeBeau asked, after a moment.

'Not at this point in time, but thank you.' He replied sadly. 'It's just going to take some time.'

'We're all here for you, Colonel-' Kinch joined Newkirk, placing his hand on the colonel's shoulder as well. 'You don't have to go through it alone.'

'Thank you, Kinch.'

'There's still no sign of Mai-' Carter stopped abruptly, seeing Hogan was at the table as he came into the barracks. 'Uh, hi, Colonel.'

'Something wrong?'

'No, no, nothing's wrong-' He closed the tunnel entrance up behind himself. 'What ever gave you that idea?'

'I can tell.' Hogan looked back at Newkirk. 'Newkirk-'

'Maisie's overdue from a mission, sir.' Newkirk stood, moving over to the stove to put on another lot of coffee. Also to put space between him and the colonel. 'London sent a message through for us to meet with an agent tonight. Carter and I couldn't go. We'd already arranged to blow up a bridge with the Underground. LeBeau and Kinch couldn't go either, so Maisie went to meet with the agent instead.'

'You let her go?'

'She wasn't feeling particularly wanted around here.'

Hogan rubbed his face wearily. 'How long is she overdue?'

'Almost two hours.' Kinch spoke up. 'She left at nine. The meeting was to take place at eleven.'

'And where was the meeting?'

'A barn along the road to the village. Three miles south.'

The colonel looked at his watch. It was just after two now. She should have been back by now.

'We agreed if she didn't make it back by two-' Newkirk said, with a glance at his own watch. 'That we would go look for her. It's ten past now.'

'And there's no sign of her.' Carter added.

'You best go look for her, then.' Hogan decided, after a moment. 'She might have been delayed. But if something happened…' He sighed. 'Just find her.'

'Right away, G'vnor-' He turned to Carter and LeBeau. 'Let's go find our little mate.'

The smell of the smoke became stronger, the sound of the crackling becoming louder as the fire began to take hold of the old barn. Maisie was frozen with fear in her hiding place, tears running down her cheeks. If she stayed here, it would only be a matter of minutes before the fire reached the loft-

Coming out from her hiding place, she looked around frantically, running to the edge of the loft. She blinked, coughing as she looked over the edge and saw the floor was alight, the dry hay a perfect fuel source. Within mere seconds the fire had spread to the walls, the old timber ignited almost instantly. I've got to get out-

Panic seized her, and all logical thinking went out the window.

The smoke had changed from a light grey to thicker, darker clouds, and she began to cough violently, holding her hand over her mouth and nose. The smoke stung her eyes, the rising heat was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. It was hot. So hot- I've got to get out of here! The thick smoke had completely filled the barn now, and she couldn't see, couldn't breathe. What should I do? I've got to get out-

She heard the sound of something loud crashing, sparks and flames rising up from the floor. Something had fallen, the fire already licking at the roof. She had to get out. She had to find a way out-

If you're ever in a fire, get down on your hands and knees. It's easier to breathe lower on the ground.

She did as Hogan's voice in her head told her to do, feeling around in the darkness along the edge of the loft. She couldn't see. Everything was black, and what wasn't black was orange or yellow and flickering. The flames were everywhere. She was trapped. There was nowhere to go-

Her hands found the timber of the ladder, and as she peered down, she could see the ladder was already on fire. There was no way down. She was really trapped. Tears ran down her cheeks as she struggled to breathe, holding her hand over her mouth and nose. She had to get out-

Jump. It was the only way down as the ladder gave way, sparks flying up as it crashed to the floor. She had to jump. She had to- I can't, I can't-

That's exactly what courage is; facing your fears and danger bravely.

More timbers crashed to the floor, the roar of the fire and the heat increasing with every passing moment. I have to jump, I have to-

Mustering up all the courage she could find, she jumped. She was falling- Falling- She landed on the floor heavily, instinctively rolling over like her Uncle had taught her to break the fall. More debris fell on her from above, but she didn't pay any mind to them. She had to get out. She had to find her way out-

Her hand touched something. A body. Another person dead. And if you don't make it out, you're going to join him!

Coughing and gasping for air, she continued along the floor as quickly as she could, making for the door. Another loud crash sounded behind her, the part of the loft she'd just been on collapsing, as the fire lapped at the roof. Come on, you can make it- she hurried on as fast as she could, reaching for the door. She pushed against it with everything she had. It wouldn't budge.

She tried again and again, frantically trying to get out of the barn before the entire roof collapsed. The door stayed shut, and she realized with horror that the door had been locked. There was no way out. She couldn't make it for the other door behind her. Not with the fallen debris blocking the way. In desperation, she tried again, pouding on the door, but it wouldn't open.

More of the loft came crashing down behind her and part of the wall crumbled- she felt air rush in, fueling the flames. Air. That meant there was a way out-

She scrambled for the hole in the wall, dragging herself through, and began to crawl away from the burning barn. Air, fresh air… She coughed violently as she kept crawling, fighting to get air into her lungs. Behind her, the roof gave way, sparks and flames dancing towards the sky as the inferno continued to burn.

Finally, her body gave out on her, and she collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air as she watched the barn burn. If she hadn't made it out when she did- Fresh tears of exhaustion and pain ran down her cheeks. She'd been lucky to make it out of there alive.

The fire began to die down, Maisie still lying on the ground on her side to catch her breath. It had lit up the night sky for miles around, and she wondered what on earth had happened in there. One thing was certain, though. Blue Bird was dead.

When she'd managed to catch her breath and calm down, she slowly rose to her feet, the barn reduced to a smoldering, flickering pile of ash. Again, she'd brushed hands with death and had come through seemingly unscathed. I better get back to camp-

'Halt!'

Run!

Without looking back to where the harsh German bark had come from, she fled. Ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Behind her, she could hear more German shouting, the sound of someone crashing through the undergrowth. They were gaining on her. Would she escape the fire only to die anyway?

She saw a dead tree to the right of her, a hollow tree, and without a second thought, darted into hiding. It was just big enough for her to crouch in, hugging her legs tightly against her chest. Please, please, please pass by.

The shouting and footsteps came closer, another voice barking out an order for them to search. A German patrol came into view, and she counted six officers. Those odds weren't at all comforting. Blue Bird never stood a chance against them. Her heart pounded faster as a soldier came closer to her hiding place, sweeping his flashlight around the forest. Quickly, she ducked her head, hoping and praying that he wouldn't see her. The light came onto her, she could feel it, and her heart skipped a beat. Please, please no.

The light swept past her, and the soldier continued on his way. After a few minutes, she cautiously raised her head again and looked around. The patrol was slowly moving away, but she didn't dare leave her hiding place. Silent tears began to slip down her cheeks. She was scared. Really scared.

I just want to go home.

'There's what's left of the bloody barn,' Newkirk said, with worry as Carter and LeBeau joined him where he stood looking at the smoldering fire.

'You don't think Maisie-' Carter searched the surrounding landscape for any sign of life, but Maisie wasn't in sight. 'Could we have sent her into a trap?'

'Sure doesn't look good.' LeBeau added.

'It couldn't be more than an hour old. Maisie should have been long gone by then.' Newkirk reported.

'Why didn't we meet her on the way here, then?'

Newkirk ran a hand over his head, thinking. 'We'll cover more ground if we split up. We'll spread out and take a good look around. There has to be some clue as to where she is. We'll meet back at the crossroads in an hour.'

'What if we don't find her?' Carter wondered, out loud.

'We'll find her.'

'Maisie? Maisie, where are you, little mate?'

The sound of someone softly calling her name caught Maisie's attention. The teen looked up as she choked back a sob. Was she just imagining it, or had someone said her name?

'Maisie?'

Someone had called her name.

'Newkirk! Newkirk I'm here.' She called out, and a moment later, Newkirk came into her view.

'Am I bloody glad to see you,' Newkirk said, with relief, crouching down in front of her. 'What happened, sweetheart?'

'I don't know.'

'Did you meet with Blue Bird?'

She nodded. 'I did, then someone came, and he sent me to go hide. They killed him and set the barn on fire while I was still hiding.'

Oh God- 'Come here, hon, it's alright.' The teen rushed into his arms, and he held onto her tightly. 'It's alright now, Maisie, I'm here.'

'I want to go home.' She sniffled.

'That's why I'm here. Come on, love, you'll be alright.' He looked her up and down, trying to assess if she had any injuries. Her face was covered in soot, as was the rest of her, and he could hear she was struggling to breath. 'Your not hurt, are you?'

'Just really really tired. There was this patrol that chased me, and I had to hide here… I don't think I can make it back to camp-' She whimpered, as she held onto him. 'I can't walk. I'm too tired.'

'I'll carry you. Up you come, now.' In one movement, he swept her up into his arms, the teen resting her head against his shoulder. 'I'll have you home in a jiffy.'

'Danke, Newkirk.'

'You just rest, little one,' he said softly, as he started forward with the exhausted child. 'Catch forty winks while Ol Peter Newkirk takes care of everything.'

Maisie nodded and closed her eyes.

You poor dear- Newkirk looked down at her fondly, his heart going out to her. How long had she been hiding in that old tree for? The poor girl was exhausted, not to mention the strong smell of smoke on her clothes. I should have sent LeBeau with Kinch instead. He was kicking himself now that he'd sent her on this assignment. How was he to know, though, what was going to happen? He'd thought it would be just a simple meeting, not imagining that things would have turned out like this. This was the chance they took, though. Every time they left the camp they knew they'd be walking straight into danger. That was their choice they made, but it wasn't fair on Maisie. She was only a child. She shouldn't have any part in the war… Looking down at her, he cursed the war that had caused this. Maisie was no soldier, she was only a young girl.

'You found her-'

Newkirk shushed Carter's loud comment as both he and LeBeau hurried towards them. 'Not so loud, she's sleeping.'

LeBeau looked at her with pity, the strong smell of smoke not escaping his notice. 'Where did you find her?'

'Hiding in an old tree, poor dear.' He glanced down at his watch. 'Let's get her back to camp.'

'I'm sure they'll find her, Colonel,' Kinch said, handing Hogan another cup of coffee before sitting back at the table with him. 'They know what they're doing.'

'I hope you're right.' Hogan sighed, fiddling with the mug. Silence descended upon them both, the colonel absorbed in his own ponderings. Newkirk had been right. So right. He'd been so wrapped up in his own nightmares he hadn't given a thought to what his men and Maisie had gone through. None of them had said anything, except for Newkirk, when he'd had that little speech at him, and yet, they were trying to be as understanding as they could be. I don't deserve to have such a loyal team.

'So-' Kinch broke the silence, Hogan looking back at him. 'Is there anything you want to talk about to pass the time?'

He shrugged. 'Much been happening around here lately? Apart from you having to deal with me?'

'Not much. The most amusing thing that happened last week was when Maisie hid Felix inside Newkirk's boot. Newkirk hit the roof with that. He's been trying to come up with something to get her back since.'

A slight smile came to Hogan's lips. 'Maisie back to her old tricks, then?'

'You might say that.'

'That's good.'

'You know-' Kinch started carefully, after a moment. 'It just wasn't the same here without you, Colonel. We all missed you. We're glad to have you back.'

'Are you really?'

'We are. Honest.'

'Even despite how I've been lately?'

'That's not your fault, we all know that. We knew it wasn't going to be easy when you returned.' He shrugged. 'But we are glad to have you back with us, yes.'

'Have you told London that I'm here?'

Kinch nodded. 'Affirmative.'

'What did they say?'

'They wanted to know when you would be returning to duties, sir. I told them that we would continue on as we are until you feel you are ready to take charge again.'

'You might have to hold the fort down a little longer, yet.'

'We realize that, Colonel, and we are happy to for as long as it takes.'

'I appreciate it.'

Silence fell on them again, Hogan taking a glance at his watch. Come on, what is taking you so long, he wondered, watching the hand move to four. A little over an hour until roll call, and they hadn't returned yet.

'They'll be here, Colonel.' Kinch assured him again, seeing the worried look on his face when he checked the time. 'Maisie hasn't let us down yet, and you know Newkirk; he won't let anything happen to her. He really stepped up to the plate while you were away. He and Maisie have become quite close.'

He thought of Newkirk relaying to him about Maisie, and yes, he could see that himself. 'She's been adjusting to this new arrangement well, then?'

'Seems to be. Klink really laid it on her a few weeks back when he asked her how she knew you. Maisie didn't breathe a word to him, but I know she hates having to lie about things.'

'As long as Klink has been treating her well-'

'Oh, he has. He's taken a real interest in her.'

'That's good.'

More silence. Kinch looked at Hogan closely, the colonel again staring blankly into his mug of coffee. 'Do-do you want to talk about it, Robert?'

He shook his head. 'No… not now, Kinch. I just… I just can't…'

'I understand,' he said kindly. 'When you are, I'm happy to listen. As a friend.'

Hogan managed a sad smile. 'Thank you, Kinch.'

'Anytime, Colonel. Anytime.'

More time slipped past, the two of them sipping their fourth (or was it their fifth?) cup of coffee for the night. Finally, the tunnel entrance opened, and Carter was the first one up into the barracks, turning back to help Newkirk with Maisie.

'Careful, mate. You got her?'

'I've got her.'

The color drained from Hogan's face as he saw the girl lying limp in Carter's arms, almost falling over in his hurry to get to his feet. Damn blasted crutches. He cursed them again, LeBeau closing up the tunnel entrance behind them. Carter lay Maisie down on an empty bunk, Newkirk sitting down beside her. Hogan moved over closer to them, leaning against the bunk as he looked at the teen. 'What happened?'

'I have no bloody idea. From what I can gather, a fire was involved, and Blue Bird is dead.' Newkirk replied, leaning down to listen to her breathing. 'Carter, go get Wilson. LeBeau, bowl of water and some rags.'

'Fire?' Hogan questioned, his voice catching as both Carter and LeBeau went to their assigned tasks.

'Burned the ruddy barn to the ground.'

Kinch was just as concerned, especially with the strong smell of smoke that had come in with them. 'London said it was just a simple information pickup.'

'Just our luck that it wasn't.' LeBeau returned with the basin and some clean rags, and he began washing the soot off her face. Maisie's eyes flickered open after a moment, the girl trying to sit up as she began to cough. He helped her sit up, holding her as she struggled to catch a breath. 'Breathe, Maisie, you're alright.'

LeBeau brought over a cup of water, handing it to Newkirk to give her, when she stopped coughing. 'You've been in the wars again, ma petite.'

'I'm fine.' She replied, when Newkirk took the cup of water away. Her throat felt a little better after having a drink. She blinked, rubbing her eyes. Everything was blurry…

Newkrik frowned. 'What is it, little mate?'

'I can't see. It's all blurry.'

'Probably from the smoke, I'd guess.'

'Probably-' She frowned, trying to make out who was standing at the end of the bunk. 'Colonel Hogan? Is that you?'

'Yes, sweetheart.'

She fumbled for a moment, pulling the envelope from her pocket. 'I hope they're not burnt. This is what Blue Bird passed to me. They have to be sent to London.' She held the envelope out to him, and Hogan took it.

Opening the envelope, he looked them over for a moment, then passed them on to Kinch. 'Get these on the radio. London won't have much time to take action.'

Kinch nodded. 'Right away, Colonel.'

Hogan turned back to Maisie as the radioman left, placing a hand on Newkirk's shoulder and motioned for him to move aside. The corporal got up, and Hogan sat down in his place. 'I owe you an apology, my girl. Newkirk had a little talk with me earlier and made me realize a couple things. I'm sorry for how I got mad with you yesterday.'

'It's alright.' She replied, with a tired smile, reaching out to him with a sooty hand. 'I know you didn't mean it.'

Oh, my girl- He took her hand in his, kissing it gently. Maisie was so quick to forgive him, he swallowed back the lump in his throat. He didn't deserve her forgiveness. 'Your not hurt, sweetheart?'

'I don't think so-' She paused, taking a moment to take inventory of her body. 'My hands are pretty sore. They're a bit burnt, aren't they?'

'Can't tell under all that soot.' Newkirk replied, bringing the basin down beside her. 'Here, put your hands in the water. We'll get them cleaned off and take a look.' Maisie winced when her hands touched the water, and gently, he washed the dirt and soot off. 'I'm afraid you did burn your hands a bit, little one.'

She sighed, then coughed again. 'Okay, any ideas how we explain this one to Uncle Klink?' She asked, once she'd caught her breath again. 'Anyone?'

'I have a feeling you're going to have a very bad cold for a few days.'

'That should suffice, but what about my hands?'

'Rash from working in the garden?' Hogan suggested.

'That might work.'

LeBeau pulled up a chair with them as Newkirk kept cleaning the soot off the girl. 'What happened, ma petite?'

'I don't know. I was there speaking with Blue Bird, when someone went to come into the barn. He gave me the plans and sent me up into the loft to hide, then there were gunshots, and a little while later the barn was set on fire. I don't know who it was or why they killed him, but I know he was dead.' She bit her lip, again wincing as her hands were cleaned with the rag. 'Someone wanted to make sure he was dead, and they locked the barn before they lit it.'

The frown on Hogan's brow deepened. 'You were trapped in a burning barn?'

'Mmhmm.'

'You sure were lucky, then-' Newkirk said, as he cleaned off the rest of her face and neck. 'How on earth did you get out?'

'Part of one of the walls caved in. I crawled out through the hole.'

God, you were lucky. Hogan glanced over her, trying to see if she had any other apparent injuries. Apart from the heavy smell of smoke, he didn't see anything else other than her blacks being a little scorched. Thank God you made it out.

'And then I got spotted by a German patrol-' She sighed heavily. 'I had to run. I found an old hollow tree to hide inside, and that's where I was when Newkirk found me.'

'You've had quite the evening, then,' Hogan said.

'I guess it makes up for the refinery job being so easy.'

'You must have been born under a lucky star.' LeBeau said, shaking his head.

'I definitely agree with Louis-' Newkirk replied, with a small smile. 'You're bloody lucky, my little mate.'

Wilson walked up, placing his bag down on the table as Newkirk and LeBeau moved aside to let him in. 'What have you done with yourself now?'

'Oh, nothing much. Just got herself trapped inside a burning building.' There was a tone of concern in Hogan's voice despite him trying to play the situation down.

He raised his eyebrows. 'I don't even want to know how. Between you and Hogan, both of you are going to send me to an early retirement.'

'What can I say,' Maisie remarked. 'War is dangerous.'

'I'll leave you with her.' Hogan patted the medic's shoulder as he got to his feet, relying on his crutches to steady him. He went to give the teen a kiss, then thought against it, giving her a small smile instead. 'You'll feel better in no time at all.'

'At least it'll get me out of doing school work for a few days.'

He shook his head, smiling a little with amusement. Trust Maisie to find the silver lining to this cloud. Hobbling along, he made his way back into his office and closed the door behind himself. God, Maisie, you could have been killed! A million different emotions washed over him as he leaned against the door and took a deep breath. And my last words to her would have been those horrible lies.

Lingering a moment, he continued on back to his bed and climbed onto the lower bunk, placing his crutches on the floor beside him. He stared up at the bunk above him, a thousand thoughts going through his mind. His situation was now the least of his problems, his mind instead being preoccupied with concern for Maisie. She said she forgave him, without so much as a second thought. He didn't deserve her. He really didn't.