Ch. 4



"You know, you've been here for about two months, and I still haven't figured you out."

Hogan said to Kent, who was in her customer spot on the barrel outside of barracks two. Sewing something. She stopped and looked at Hogan.

"What do you mean?"Kent asked, Hogan thought for a minute then responded,

"Like every morning after roll call you run. Also some times your as wise as. . .well my grandma. And other times you act like a ten year old. Then of course if your not out here sewing , your in getting Newkirk to teach you about pickpocketing. Or with Carter learning about explosives. Then the fact that you tell off Gestapo Majors and American Colonels."

"Well I figured learning to pickpocket and explosive may come in handy. I can go places where you may not. As for the colonel thing, when I tell you off it because I respect you, and I don't want any thing bad to happen to you. When I tell most other off it's because I don't want any thing bad to happen to me or my buddies."

"So with me you don't care what happens to you?"

"No, I trust you fully. But I will speak my mind." Kent smiled then frowned, "who's that?" she nodded to the car that had just came in.

"General Burkhalter. Come on let go say hi." Hogan and Kent started towards the car but Klink beat them there.

"Ah General Burkhalter what bring you here?" Klink asked worriedly. Just then the other door opened and Gertrude Linkmeyer stepped out.

"I thought to check up on you and Gertrude wanted to come for a visit." Burkhalter purred.

"Hello Burkhalter nice to see you." Hogan said. Burkhalter looked over at Hogan and heisted when he saw Kent.

"What is a nice young lady like you doing in that silly outfit" Gertrude said coming around the car to stare at Kent. Kent snapped to attention and saluted. Burkhalter raised an eyebrow and returned the salute. Kent then turned to Gertrude and curtsied.

"It is not a silly outfit, it is my flight outfit." Kent said.

"Flight outfit?" Gertrude questioned.

"Yes Ma'am, I was a part of a ferrier group back home, then I was transferred to England. That's the reason my outfit doesn't match." Kent smiled

"You do not belong here, you will be sent back to England. You can't be a POW." Gertrude said. Nobody else said any thing, knowing it would only get them yelled at.

"Why not! I was shot down and captured fair and square." Kent placed her hand on her hip.

"They let you fly?" Gertrude said in amazement.

"Yeah, other wise I wouldn't be here with my silver wings." Kent pointed to her flight wings.

"You must tell me what it's like to fly." Gertrude said.

"Yes ma'am. Right now?"

"No at dinner, Klink dear you must have that chef cook" Gertrude turned back to Kent. "Now what is your name?"

"Oh sorry my manners have never been the best. Amber Kent, Sargent." Kent smiled

"I am Gertrude Linkmeyer. You have something to where to dinner?"

"No Ma'am just my flight outfit." Kent said.

"You will come with me, I brought a long a dress that is getting a little to small, I will give it to you." with that Gertrude turned and marched to her quarter Kent followed, tossing a quick salute and a see ya latter, sir. Once they got to the quarters Gertrude puled out the dress, it was a dark blue. Handing it to Kent she asked, "do you need help altering it?"

"Oh no thank you, one of the men in Barracks two is skilled at sewing. He'll help me with it. Thank you I will get working on it right away." Kent curtsied then skipped out the door. Holding the new dress tight to her chest. Once she was back in the Barracks she looked at Newkirk, "I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?" Newkirk asked.

"Can you alter this dress, by tonight. I'll help." Kent said holding out the dress. Newkirk nodded, and they immediately got started on it.



(Several hours later)

"Are you ready yet?" Hogan asked thru the door. Lebeau, Newkirk, and Carter where already at Klink's house preparing diner. Hogan was to "escort" Kent. When Kent finely came out she was greeted with whistles and cat calls. Blushing, she turned to Hogan, "how do I look?" Hogan studied Kent, her almost waist length, slightly wavy, blond hair had been brushed till it shined, with the bangs secured into two tight braids that hung on ether side of her face. The blue dress hung tightly till it flared at the waist, it flowed to her ankles and had a V styled neckline. Kent had even borrowed Hilde's shoes. Hogan offered his elbow. "Very pretty." Hogan answered honestly. As they walked across the compound they where met by whistles and cat calls. Kent just kept turning red, Hogan smiled. Carter opened the door for the two 'Guest'.

"Oh wow boy you sure are pretty." Carter said, Hogan laughed and said, "thanks Carter, I try." He then lead Kent into the living room, leaving Carter confused at the door.

"Ah now that we are all hear we can eat." Klink said leading the way to the table. Hogan puled out a chair for Kent. Then set down next to her. When the other's had sat down, Newkirk filed the drinks.

"A toast." Klink said holding up his glass.

"To the Fuhrer." Burkhalter said, as they klinked glasses Hogan said "to the president."

"Hogan!" Klink said.

"To the end of the war." Gertrude said, they klinked glasses again.

"To the boy's so far away from home, may they make it home safely" Kent said. Hogan murmured "here, here." as the glasses klinked. Then the food was brought out and Gertrude and Kent talked no one was able to get a word in edgewise. After dessert was cleaned off the table, Burkhalter said,

"You have entrainment planned right."

"Uh well-"

"I could sing." Kent said quietly.

"Do you know any German songs?" Gertrude asked.

"Yes one. I could sing it for you."

"Please do." Gertrude said. Kent took a drink of water, she started singing. First in German than the English words.

Vor der Kaserne vor dem grossen Tor
Stand eine Laterne, und stebt noch davor,
So wolln wir uns da wiedersehn
Bei der Laterne wolln wir stehn,
Wie einst Lili Marleen, wie einst Lili Marleen.

Unsre beide Schatten sahn wie einer aus.
Dass wir so lieb uns hatten, das sah man gleich daraus
Un alle Leute solln es sehn,
Wenn wir bei der Laterne stehn,
Wie einst Lili Marleen, wie einst Lili Marleen.

Schon rief der Posten: Sie blasen Zapfenstreich
Es kann drei Tage kosten! Kam'rad, ich komm ja gleich.
Da sagten wir auf Wiedersehn.
Wie gerne wollt ich mit dir gehn,
Mit dir Lili Marleen, mit dir Lili Marleen.

Deine Schritte kennt sie, deinen zieren Gang
Alle Abend brennt sie, mich vergass sie lanp
Und sollte mir ein Leids geschehn,
Wer wird bei der Laterne stehn,
Mit dir Lili Marleen, mit dir Lili Marleen?

Aus dem stillen Raume, aus der Erde Grund
Hebt mich wie im Traume dein verliebter Mund.
Wenn sich die spaeten Nebel drehn,
Werd' ich bei der Laterne stehn
Wie einst Lili Marleen, wie einst Lili Marleen



Underneath the lantern by the barrack gate,
Darling I remember the way you used to wait;
'Twas there that you whispered tenderly,
That you lov'd me, you'd always be,
My Lilli of the lamplight,
My own Lilli Marlene.

Time would come for roll call time for us to part
Darling I'd carress you and press you to my heart.
And there 'neath that far off lantern light
I'd hold you tight we'd kiss goodnight,
My Lillie of the lamplight,
My own Lilli Marlene.

Orders came for sailing somewhere over there,
All confined to barracks was more than I could bear;
I knew you were waiting in the street,
I heard your feet, but could not meet,
My Lillie of the lamplight,
My own Lilli Marlene.

Resting in a billet just behind the line
Even tho' we're parted your lips are close to mine,
You wait where that lantern softly gleams
Your sweet face seems to haunt my dreams,
My Lillie of the lamplight,
My own Lilli Marlene.



When she had finished singing everyone clapped. Lebeau, Carter, and Newkirk where all standing in the door listing. Kent turned red.

"You have a beautiful voice." Gertrude said.

"Thank you." Kent said.

"We should be getting back soon. It's getting close to lights out and I have a letter to wright home." Hogan said.

"Good night Hogan, Kent." Burkhalter said. Gertrude smiled and wished them good night also. Klink looked quietly at Gertrude.

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Hi. This is the longest storie I have typed at 22 pages.(jumping up and down cheering.) Anyway, uh WASP weren't officially in the Military, they had no rank. And weren't Honably Discarded until the '70. SNAFU. (Situation Normal, all fouled up.)

auf Wiedersehen (good by)

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