Summary: '...For never was a story of more woe/ Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.'

Author's Note: I can't give enough thanks to Zoey Tranor for going above and beyond the call the duty. Her editing skills are dynamite, and her suggestions only serve to make me look better.

Acknowledgement: The lyrics for 'Pick Yourself Up' are by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. The Oscar-winning song is from Swing Time, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Disclaimer: See part 1

Copyright: July 2002

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Star-Crossed

By Syl Francis

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Monday 15 FEB 1943/0135hrs local Secret Passageway

Schloss Hammelburg

I am afraid that I have never been a very good guesser.

****

Hogan stumbled awkwardly through the dark passage. Keeping up with Mueller and his goons was a little difficult with his wrists handcuffed behind him. Maintaining his balance took more concentration than he could afford, especially since he was mostly focused on what he was going to do to Newkirk once he got his hands on him.

Of all the idiotic stunts to pull, Hogan fumed! After he had specifically ordered the Englishman to keep his nose out of the Mueller family quarrel. But no-oooo-o! Okay, I feel sorry for the girl, too, but this time Newkirk's gone too far! He's placed the whole mission in jeopardy--not mention our entire operation. When I get my hands on him--!

Hogan's dark thoughts were interrupted by Klink taking yet another misstep and stumbling to his knees. As usual, his death grip on Hogan's sleeve did not loosen, and the irritated American was dragged along. Hogan somehow kept his balance and managed to save them both from falling face-first onto the tunnel floor. "Danke," Klink said gratefully.

"You're welcome," Hogan growled, not meaning it. This was the third time that Klink had tripped over his own two feet, and forced Hogan to save him.

Klink latched tightly onto one of Hogan's arms and began leading him timidly down the tunnel. Or rather, he followed the annoyed POW's uncanny sense of direction, because he was unsure of his own footing.

"This is all so terrible, Col. Hogan," he said, speaking in low tones. "Gruppenfuhrer Mueller's nephew is dead, his daughter is mysteriously missing, along with Sgt. Carter and Cpl. Newkirk. How could they do this to me? After everything that I have done for them?!" He stopped suddenly, and in a desperate gesture shook Hogan's arm. "Please, Col. Hogan...if you have a simple explanation for all this--do not keep it to yourself. There is a very good chance that we could all end up in front of a firing squad before morning."

"Believe me, Kommandant," Hogan muttered out of the side of his mouth. "If I knew what was going on, I'd tell you. But as it is...?" He sighed and shook his head. "Your guess is as good as mine." Klink gasped in fear at his words, and Hogan peered closely at him. The look on the kommandant's face reminded Hogan of on an escaped prisoner caught in a searchlight.

"I am afraid that I have never been a very good guesser," Klink managed. Hogan nodded tiredly.

"That's what I was afraid of--" A sudden shout from further up ahead interrupted him.

"Herr Gruppenfuhrer!" An older noncom ran up to Mueller and saluted smartly. "The passageway branches up ahead, mein Herr."

"How many branches?" Mueller asked.

"Three in addition to the trail that we are on, Herr Gruppenfuhrer!"

"Very well. Anna, divide the search into four groups. I will remain on the main passageway, while you and two other senior officers lead a search. Follow the branch tunnel to its end and investigate wherever it comes out on."

"What if it leads to a dead end?" Anna asked.

"Then return to the main tunnel and link back up with us," Mueller replied.

"Jawohl, mein Herr!" Anna saluted and then began shouting orders to the rest of the group. Within a few moments she had divided them into four groups of three.

"Herr Gruppenfuhrer, I'd like to remain with your search team," Hogan said.

"But of course, Col. Hogan," Mueller said. "I would not have it any other way. Klink, he is your responsibility. Try not to lose him in the dark."

"Y-Yes, s-sir..." Klink stuttered. "M-My responsibility." He turned to Hogan and added sotto voce, "Col. Hogan, please...! Do not lose me!" Hogan rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry, Kommandant," he soothed with just a touch of irony. "Stay close and don't let go of my arm." He saw the dark outline of Klink's head bob up and down. "Oh, and Kommandant--?"

"Yes?"

"Try not to trip."

****

Monday 15 FEB 1943/0145hrs local Secret Passageway

Schloss Hammelburg

Because in spite of everything...I know that deep down he still loved me.

****

"How did you--?" Alyse began, staring at Karl.

"Know about your little secret?" he finished. Alyse nodded. "I am sorry, my dear Alyse...truly I am," he said with a regretful shake of his head. "But I am afraid that even in this small childhood secret, Wolfgang betrayed your trust."

"I don't believe you," Alyse replied.

"Oh, very well, have it your way," Karl said, shrugging nonchalantly. "I climbed the balcony and saw you disappear into your dressing room. When you did not reemerge, I investigated." From his position on the tunnel floor, Newkirk looked up at him in disgust.

"I wondered where you'd disappeared to," he grumbled. "Lousy Krauts--always up to something sneaky!" Karl bowed in mock acknowledgement of the backhanded compliment. Keeping his eyes steadily on the Gestapo officer, Newkirk surreptitiously began searching for anything that might serve as a weapon.

Alyse's expression mirrored her inner conflict. Had Wolfgang betrayed her even in this small confidence? Or had Karl simply followed them as he now claimed? And why should she care about Wolfgang anymore, she asked herself? Because in spite of everything he did, I know that deep down he still loved me.

Giving her a wolfish grin, Karl shrugged once again. "What can I say? I am an incorrigible liar." He pinned the two men with a cold look. "However, gentlemen, I assure you that my promise of a most unpleasant visit with us at Gestapo Headquarters is not a lie. Come. It grows late."

"Karl...please..." Alyse said softly. "Let them go. I promise that I will go with you, do anything that you ask. Just please, let them go."

"Alyse, what are you saying?" Carter protested. "You can't!" Karl grinned in amusement at their naiveté. However, while his attention was on the two young lovers, Karl failed to notice Newkirk's hand close around a sharp, jagged stone. Keeping his eye on the German officer, Newkirk worked by feel alone, his broad shoulders concealing his actions. Hefting the stone in the palm of his hand, he tested it for weight. Satisfied, he tensed and waited for an opening.

"You place a high price on your personal worth, Alyse," Karl said cruelly. "I am afraid that your value has gone down considerably in the past few minutes, but--"

"Why you--!" Carter made a move towards him, but froze as soon as Karl aimed the weapon directly at his midsection.

"Please try that again," Karl purred. "I would love to have to shoot you." Smiling evilly, he addressed Alyse. "My dear, as I was about to say before I was so rudely interrupted...I believe that I can still find some personal use for you despite your current state of disgrace."

"You're a slimy piece o' work, you are!" Newkirk sneered. "Picking on a poor, defenseless girl like her. But that's all you bloody Gestapo are--nothing but rotten cowards, the whole lot of you!" Karl whirled on him in sudden fury, but as he did, Carter momentarily distracted him by coming to Newkirk's defense.

"H-He didn't mean that--" Carter began, but was shoved aside by the infuriated Gestapo officer. In that split second, Newkirk saw his opening and threw with all the strength that he could muster. The jagged stone struck Karl on the temple, sending him to his knees.

"Carter, now!" Newkirk shouted, but Carter had already pressed their advantage with a solid kick to Karl's head. Without uttering a sound, the Gestapo officer fell over like a rag doll. At the same time, they heard the distant sounds of pursuit further down the tunnel. "Go!" Newkirk hissed. "Leave me here! I'll only slow you down!"

"No way, buddy," Carter said, helping his friend to his feet. "We either all go, or we all stay. Now, shut up for once and just do as you're told!"

****

By the time Karl came to, the others were already gone. However, his internal clock told him that he had only been out a few minutes, not long enough for them to go far. Behind him, he heard the sound of approaching voices and caught a brief glimpse of what might be a flashlight beam.

Alyse's father with a search party, he realized. No! She is mine! I will not let him take her from me!  Without much hope, he hurriedly searched the tunnel floor around, and to his surprise, found his weapon. The others must have been in too much of a hurry to bother looking for it. Staggering to his feet, Karl continued after them.

****

I'll have them both court-martialed! Hogan fumed.

Thirty days in the cooler! Klink fretted. No, sixty...! I know! I'll have them shot and then hanged! He smiled happily at the thought.

If they hurt her, I'll have them drawn and quartered! Mueller raged. Their carcasses fed to the dogs!

****

Monday 15 FEB 1943/0225hrs local Caretaker's Cottage

Outside grounds of Schloss Hammelburg

I will always be grateful to have loved you.

****

"My friend needs rest, Alyse," Carter said. They had just entered a dusty basement through a secret door, which was hidden behind a utility shelf. Nodding, Alyse led them to a flight of stairs.

"This way," she said. "The stairs lead to a trapdoor which opens into the caretaker's cottage." A few minutes later, Carter was helping Newkirk through the trapdoor and onto a narrow cot. Alyse lit an oil lamp, and it immediately cast a soft, warm glow. The rustic surroundings spoke of a simpler age, of peaceful days. Carter checked Newkirk's wound, growing concerned.

"Don't frown, Andrew," Newkirk mumbled, half-smiling/half-grimacing. "...Tends to worry the patient..."

"I'm sorry, buddy," Carter said gently. "The wound's bleeding again." Newkirk managed a weak grin.

"You have a lousy bedside manner, mate. Anyone ever tell you that?" However, his irreverent words could not hide the pain he was obviously experiencing. Smiling down at him, Carter shook his head.

"I usually blow things up," he joked, "not put them back together." Newkirk laughed in spite of himself, and instantly regretted it.

"Oh...double bloody charming," he muttered. 

"Andrew, what are we going to do?" Alyse asked, sitting down next to him.

"First thing is, we've gotta stop the bleeding," he told her. His eyes fell on the sheets and blankets. "Here, help me tear some strips for bandages." Newkirk's voice stopped him.

"Y'don't have...bloody-frigging-time!" he said, grabbing Carter by the wrist. "Just leave me here...!" When Carter made no effort to leave, Newkirk implored him further. "Go on, mate--Go!" As soon as he uttered these words, the Englishman's eyes fluttered closed and his body went limp. Carter at once checked his friend's pulse.

"He's passed out," he said relieved. "Come on. Help me change his bandages." Alyse nodded. As they worked, Carter's eyes kept glancing worriedly towards her. He noted the dark circles under her eyes, the listless way she carried out his requests, how pale her complexion seemed under the light of the oil lamp. "Alyse? Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yes," she said softly. Hearing the slight catch in her voice, Carter turned his full attention on her. Taking her in his arms, he felt her shoulders shake, and to his dismay heard a soft sob.

"What is it?" he asked. "What's the matter?" Alyse broke away, and shaking her head, sniffled in embarrassment. 

"Nothing, Andrew," she said with a small laugh. "I am being a silly girl." Carter caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger.

"Tell me," he insisted. Alyse dropped her eyes, then slowly looked up at him.

"It will never work--" The tears began to spill. "--You and I."

"What are you talking about?" he demanded. "Of course, it'll work. Everything's gonna be all right. You'll see. As soon as we get to Stalag 13, Col. Hogan...he'll help us. He'll know what to do. Just wait 'n see! " She took his hand in both of hers, and smiling through her tears, tenderly kissed his palm.

"You are the kindest, gentlest man I have ever known, Andrew. I will always be grateful to have loved you. I hope that one day, you will be grateful to have loved me."

"Alyse...! Don't talk like that!" Carter begged, taking her fiercely in his arms. "It's not over yet. You'll see...The colonel will know what to do. He always does--!"

"Then, what a pity that your colonel is not here to help you."

Startled, Carter and Alyse whirled towards the sound of the hated voice. His expression cruelly mocking, Karl slowly emerged from the trapdoor, steadily holding a gun on them. Carter held Alyse protectively in his arms, shielding her as best he could.

Karl shook his head and made a tsking noise. "Sergeant, I believe that you have something that belongs to me." Keeping his eyes on Carter, he then addressed Alyse. "My dear, you have not already forgotten your pledge? If I let the Allied prisoners escape, you will go with me--?"

"--You're crazy!" Carter shouted, making a sudden move towards Karl. Without any show of emotion, Karl fired. With a surprised cry of pain, Carter was spun round by the force of impact. He crumpled, unconscious, a deep bullet graze across his temple.

"Andrew!" Alyse fell on her knees beside him, sobbing in terror. "Andrew...oh, my darling, what have I done?"

"I believe that those were your terms, were they not?" Karl asked, ignoring the interruption. Cradling Carter by the shoulders, Alyse looked up at Karl, her beautiful eyes reddened with crying. Her ball gown, which had looked so exquisitely radiant earlier that evening, was now torn and bloodied.

"Karl, please! He needs a doctor!" She fought in vain to stem the flow of blood from Carter's wound with her small hand. "Please...I promise to do whatever you ask--"

Karl chuckled softly at her request, his laughter growing louder, until he was almost doubled up in merriment. "Alyse...!" he guffawed. "You are priceless, my dear!" At her looked of incomprehension, he covered his mouth while trying to get himself under some semblance of control.

"Don't you see--? You have no choice! My dearest girl, you are mine for taking, to do with as I please!" He vaguely indicated Carter and Newkirk. "As for your two friends here, they are already as good as dead, but do not worry--" He deftly pulled back the bolt and chambered another round. "--I will put them out of their misery."

With a faint sneer, Karl walked towards them in slow, measured steps. As he stood above them, he deliberately aimed between Carter's eyes, the gun held centimeters from Alyse's face.

"No-ooo-oo!" she screamed. Leaping to her feet, Alyse made a desperate grab for the gun, fighting like a wildcat! With one hand on the gun, she lashed out with the other, nails fully extended, gouging Karl's face. Enraged, he struck her with the back of his hand. Stunned, Alyse fell back but kept her tight grip on the gun, refusing to let go.

"I won't let you kill him!" she shouted, struggling to release his hold on the weapon. "I won't--!" The jerked suddenly, as if punched in the stomach by a giant fist. The world around seemed to slow down. A loud explosion rang in her ears, drowning out all other sounds, except the beating of her heart.

The room began to spin around her like a children's carousel. Somewhere from far away, she heard Andrew calling her, "Alyyyyssssssss...!" Other shouts echoed in her head, sounding strangely distorted and muffled, as if she were underwater.

And the world continued to spin.

Karl suddenly jerked backwards, accompanied by another loud explosion. His painful grip on her wrists was released, and abruptly she was free. She felt herself floating backwards...falling, falling, falling for an eternity.

"Alyse--! No-ooo!" Father?

"Carter! Newkirk!" Andrew's colonel...

"Colonel...help her...please..." Andrew? Everything will be all right now. She smiled, feeling at peace. I love you...

"I love you..." The words were the barest of sighs.

"I love you, too, my daughter. Please forgive me." Alyse's eyes fluttered open. Her father was holding her gently, rocking her back and forth. She smiled at him, with the tenuousness of one who is already partly of another realm.

"I...forgive you, Father," she breathed. Suddenly, her face lit in indescribable joy, and she stared rapturously as if gazing upon a breathtaking panorama that only she could see. Closing her eyes against the ethereal glory that pulled at her soul, Alyse clung to this world by a mere gossamer thread. "Andrew...?"

Startled, Hogan stared from Alyse to Carter. What the--? Both young people were reaching towards each other, but neither had the physical strength to close the distance that separated them. Carter--? Hogan shook his head in stunned amazement.

"Sir..." Hogan turned at Newkirk's weak voice. "Help him...He needs you, sir..." The usually cocky Englishman spoke with soft earnestness before his eyes fell closed in exhaustion. Turning to Mueller Hogan saw the SS-general nod his permission.

Hogan glared at Klink and impatiently indicated that he should remove the handcuffs. Fumbling nervously, Klink did as requested. Hogan took a brief moment to massage his wrists to restore circulation. As soon as he could feel his hands again, he gently assisted Carter to Alyse's side.

Carter took her hand in his and kissed it tenderly, a single tear coursing down his cheek. "I'm here, Alyse."

"Andrew, do not...grieve for me..." Her blue eyes sparkled with an inner luminescence as she spoke. "I will always be grateful...to have loved you..." With a quiet sigh, the light left her eyes.

****

Monday 15 FEB 1943/0300hrs local Caretaker's Cottage

Outside grounds of Schloss Hammelburg

A father should not outlive his child...

****

Mueller stared unmoving as his daughter's lifeless body was loaded onto the ambulance. A second ambulance carrying Karl and Wolfgang had already left. A third was pulling up to the drive and to await its human cargo.

Carter and Newkirk were to be transported to the Hammelburg Hospital until they were well enough to be transferred to the camp clinic. Both men were in bad shape, but considering that they had risked their lives to save the daughter of an enemy officer, it was the least that the Third Reich could do for them.

At least, these were the words that Mueller had used when Anna suggested that Carter and Newkirk be placed under arrest for murder, kidnapping, and attempted escape.

"Murder!? Kidnapping!? Attempted escape!?" Hogan sputtered. "What are you talking about? If it weren't for my men--!"

"--If it were not for your men, Col. Hogan," Anna interrupted, "I would not have two dead Gestapo officers and a dead girl--the daughter of a hero of the Reich--on my hands!"

"You are partly correct, Major," Mueller said, addressing Anna by her rank for the first time. "We would not have two dead Gestapo officers, certainly. But what of my daughter?" He spoke evenly, almost as if he were dissociated from the whole situation. "I think we know. Or at least, I do. And that is enough for me."

"But how can we be sure?" Anna argued. "All we have is the word of the Englander. The other one--the American sergeant is not talking." Mueller glared at the coldly beautiful Gestapo officer.

"I heard enough before I killed Karl," he bit out savagely. "Because Alyse refused to marry Karl, both he and my nephew decided to take her by force. Somehow the Allied prisoners discovered their plans and risked their own lives to come to her rescue." He stared at the ambulance bearing his daughter as it drove off into the night. "Now she is dead, along with her would-be abductors. And the men who tried to save her are badly wounded. I believe, Major, that allowing them to live is the very least that our glorious Reich can do for them. Don't you agree?"

Anna stared long and hard at Mueller, but finally nodded. About to turn to go, her gaze fell on Hogan who was helping load his men into the waiting ambulance. On impulse, she walked up to him.

"What Gruppenfuhrer Mueller is doing is for the best. Do you not think so, Col. Hogan?" she asked.

"And what exactly would that be?" he asked, feigning disinterest.

"Why, the very generous gesture of allowing your men to live." She laughed softly. "However, as for you...I am not entirely sure that you should be allowed to just walk away. As Major Hochstetter has harped time and again, you are a most dangerous man. And one that will bear watching." She moved in close and teasingly walked her fingers up his chest. Her hand eventually came to a rest along the back of his neck. Hogan stoically withstood her forward advances.

"What is more, I am still not certain what you were up to this evening." Hogan grabbed her by the wrist and squeezed just hard enough to cause her to gasp involuntarily. He then removed her hand from around his neck and lowered it to her side where he released it.

"I told you already," he said. "My men were here tonight to earn extra rations and special rec-room privileges. All very innocent and well within the provisos of the Geneva Convention. If you're looking for any skullduggery, Anna, I suggest you look no farther than your own backyard." Anna smiled in wry amusement at the transparent prevarication.

"Perhaps your activities this evening were entirely innocent, Col. Hogan. Perhaps not. Either way, I will figure it out in time." Then, before he could push her away, she took his face in her hands and quickly pulled him down for a kiss. "Until then...auf Wiedersehen, my dear colonel."

The touch of her lips still on his, Hogan stood by as she climbed into her car and roared away. He thought of the vast chasm that separated them and let out a long sigh of relief.

You were lucky, Colonel. That's one dangerous dame. Nevertheless, as he watched the taillights disappear into the night, he recalled her feminine softness against him and experienced a strange pang of desolation. Life can sure play some funny tricks on people. He thought suddenly of Carter and Alyse. And what about them? How could Fate play such a cruel cosmic joke on two swell kids like them? He shook his head at the capriciousness of life.

"It was the Top Secret plans for the counteroffensive." Hogan jerked back to the present and faced Mueller who was looking at him with certainty. "That was what you were after."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Herr Gruppenfuhrer." Hogan kept his expression carefully neutral.

"That is quite all right, Col. Hogan. It is only important that I know. And do not worry...I will neither betray you, nor alter them in any way." Hogan's mask slipped briefly, his eyes flickering in surprise. As the last of the ambulances pulled away, Mueller made his way slowly to his waiting staff car. He appeared to have aged twenty years in the course of a single night. Pausing at the open door, Mueller addressed Hogan, bridging the gulf of war and animosity that lay between them.

"I lost everything tonight," he said softly. "A father should not outlive his child, Col. Hogan. It is more than a man was ever meant to bear. Now, all I have left is to die in battle with my men." His eyes lit briefly with a touch of Prussian arrogance that was extinguished the next instant.

As SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer Mueller climbed into the rear passenger seat, all that remained was a tired old man.

****

Monday 15 FEB 1943/2000hrs local Prison Ward

Hammelburg Hospital

Don't let her love for you be buried along with her.

****

Hogan shook hands with Newkirk and bade him good night. "Get plenty of rest, Newkirk," he said. "The sooner you're on your feet, the sooner that I can kick your butt." Newkirk grinned weakly.

"Then I'll have to make sure I heal extra slowly, sir."

Hogan smiled in turn. "I got a look at the nurses here. If this is what a Kraut hospital looks like, I might just look into getting myself shot." He held onto Newkirk's hand a little longer. "Get some sleep, you malingering Limey."

With a final squeeze of Newkirk's hand, Hogan turned to go and felt a sense of dread come over him. He had put this off long enough. Visiting hours were almost over, and he knew that Sgt. Schultz was growing impatient for his supper.

"Sir...?" Newkirk's soft voice called him back. "Sir...he was hit pretty hard, sir. Carter, I mean. The girl...well, it hit him pretty hard." He shrugged helplessly as he grasped for words that failed him. Hogan nodded in understanding.

"I know, buddy...God help me, I know." Taking a deep breath, he straightened his shoulders and crossed the room to Carter's bedside.

The young American sergeant lay still, staring unseeing at the ceiling. As Hogan approached him, Carter waited without turning. After he sensed more than saw Hogan hesitate disturbing him, Carter spoke calmly and clearly, as if just whiling away an idle afternoon.

"She was really swell, Colonel. Not like other pretty girls, you know? Nice--not mean or stuck up. Did you know that even after everything he did, she still cried when he died? She forgave him and everything. That's the kind of girl she was, Colonel...the kind who could love you and forgive you, no matter what...even if you hurt her." By now the tears had started, unnoticed and unchecked.

"And we all hurt her, sir. Even me...I betrayed her on account of we were there to--" He stopped, remembering who he was, a wounded American prisoner of war in an enemy hospital. "I wanted to forget all about it...and for awhile, I almost did. I wanted to forget about everything except her." He turned to Hogan, his face reflecting confused hurt.

"And she died because of it," he finished.

"No! Carter, listen to me," Hogan said soberly. "Alyse's death is not your fault! She died because--"

"--Because I loved her," Carter said. "If I hadn't loved her, she would still be alive."

"Carter, I won't let you blame yourself." Hogan sat carefully on the side of the bed and forced Carter to look at him. "You and Alyse did what young people around the world are supposed to be able to do. You met and fell in love." He leaned in closer, never taking his eyes off Carter's. "She loved you, buddy. Always remember that. Always keep the memory of her love close to your heart. Carter, Alyse said that she was grateful to have loved you...?" He made it a question, quirking an eyebrow at Carter who nodded.

"How about you? Are you grateful to have loved her?"

"Of course, sir! Alyse is the greatest girl I've ever known!"

"Then fight for her, dammit!" Hogan hissed. Carter stared him, clearly not understanding. "Don't let her love for you be buried along with her. Think of the millions of other young men and women around the world who are being denied the right to fall in love because of this lousy war! They would risk anything to have had the chance at love that you and Alyse had. Carter, you have to hold onto her love, but you must let go of the guilt."

Carter turned away unable to face the truth of Hogan's words.

"Carter, I need you, buddy--physically healthy and mentally focused on the mission. But more importantly, I need you, Sgt. Andrew Carter. I need you on my team." Hogan sat back, studying Carter's profile. Sighing, he stood to go. "Think about it, buddy."

Just as he was about to knock on the locked security door of the prison ward, Hogan paused. Strange, he thought he heard someone whistling. He glanced back. Newkirk slept peacefully, while Carter lay still, staring quietly up at the ceiling. Shrugging, Hogan knocked and requested that the guard let him out...

Images of Alyse danced before Carter as he stared at the ceiling. He saw her in the Grand Ballroom, attempting to whistle the tune he had taught her; on the balcony in the glowing moonlight; in his arms as they kissed for the first time.  His expression softening in a sad smile, Carter began to whistle. As he did, the words to the merry tune echoed silently in his head:

Nothing is impossible I have found

For when my chin is on the ground

I pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again...

****

The End