The T.V. show Hogan's Heroes belongs to CBS and was a Bing Crosby Productions. No ownership of the Hogan's Heroes characters is implied or inferred, and no infringement is intended.

The Home Of The Brave

By M Breedlove

Chapter Three

--Later that afternoon—

"We can't have a kite flying contest without first making the kites!" Hogan answered in irritation. "The ones the Red Cross sent, supposedly disappeared. Funny how, at about that same time, the front page story in the Hammelburg News was, 'A Day in the Park' with children flying kites as a central feature!" Hogan softened his glare as Klink gave him a wide eyed, 'watch what you're saying' stare.

"Of course, I'm sure that was just a coincidence," Hogan amended before continuing with his insinuation. "Besides, the kids needed a break from the war."

"Oui, we love seeing little Boche kids playing in the park." Louis grumbled from his seat in the recreation building. His comment was answered by his commanding officer with a nonchalant nudge, as Hogan reached out from behind his back giving Louis's shoulder a prod in an attempt to stop the outspoken Frenchman.

Louis closed his mouth, but decided to make his point with an exaggerated slipped stitch in the kite he was sewing, and he stabbed Klink in the leg.

"OW!" Klink grabbed at the stinging injury, while hopping around, off balance, on one leg.

Quickly moving in to steady Klink and defuse the situation, Hogan apologized, "Sorry, Kommandant, it was an accident. LeBeau didn't mean to stick you like that, his hand slipped." Hogan gave Louis the stare, prompting a quick apology from the Frenchman as well.

"Oui, Herr Kommandant…I slipped." Louis paused purposely to lend a hint of doubt to his sincerity.

Hogan glanced heavenward and then moved in-between Louis and Klink, breaking the Kommandant's confrontational stare, while Newkirk, Carter, and Kinch surrounded LeBeau, blocking any further outbursts from the excitable Frenchman.

"Let's move over here, Kommandant. The men are really focused on what they're doing and we're in the way." Hogan gently moved Klink 'out of the line of fire'.

"A little, too, focused, maybe!" Klink decided, and angrily tried to peer around Hogan at LeBeau, while still rubbing his sore leg,

At least it's keeping their minds off of escaping." Hogan bargained against Klink's temper, as he tried to maintain his own "cool". He would deal with Louis later.

Klink looked at the activity going on around him. The prisoners were all busy at their crafts. Either working on wind chimes, though some of the chimes seemed rather unusual, or sewing pieces of material together making kites.

"You know, Colonel Hogan, I'm really quite impressed. You took my warning and, instead of challenging me, you actually got to work to busy your men." Klink smiled and pumped out his chest. "I would like to think my counseling had something to do with your coming to your senses. You have to admit this is better for the morale of the camp than celebrating an Independence that …well…lets just say is a past victory soon to be made inconsequential." Klink said, with a good deal of self-satisfaction, as he measured the fire in Hogan's eyes.

"You can't be serious!" The air grew silent with tension. "That little Corporal in Berlin may have won some battles but the war is far from over!" Hogan challenged.

"That will do, Colonel Hogan. I know you have a problem admitting defeat. But you can't possibly think the Allies will win out over the Superior Third Reich! Some day you'll have to admit that we have beaten you!"

"That day hasn't come, yet, Kommandant!" Hogan answered, boldly.

"Maybe you should look around, Colonel Hogan. The barbed wire and guard dogs should be telling you something!" Klink gloated.

Hogan glared at Klink, "Trust me, we're just getting warmed up. Hitler will be back to painting church steeples before this is all over."

Klink flushed with dread bordering on rage. "Watch what you say, Hogan. If you talk like that around General Burkhalter tomorrow, he'll be the one turning up the heat, and it will be under you!"

Hogan scowled, "Don't worry Kommandant, as long as the General doesn't start anything, I won't finish it!"

Klink began to turn red with frustration and then realized he was allowing Hogan to play him…again. "Colonel Hogan, how did your army ever put up with you?"

The glint in Hogan's eyes was nearly blinding as he sarcastically answered, "They gave me the authority to carry out their orders…unchallenged!"

"Hogan!"Klink stomped his foot in exasperation. "You won't be so insubordinate when your country is defeated and you're under German rule. Discipline is highly enforced in the German Army," Klink warned.

"What makes you think, I'd stay in the army if Hitler ruled?" Hogan asked disgustedly.

"What makes you think you would be given a choice?" Klink questioned, his voice taking on a melancholy quality.

Hogan recognized the change. "You don't sound too happy about that, Klink. Could it be you're ready to step out of the military yourself?"

"I've thought about…" Klink quickly realized he had let his guard down and stopped himself. "Hogan!" Klink, sputtered, "You're dismissed!"

Hogan just looked at Klink, "You came to me!"

Klink's face reddened, Hogan was right. Flustered, Klink asserted his authority and hurriedly added, "You and your men have one hour, Colonel Hogan, and then back to your barracks.

"Yes, sir!Hogan bristled and flipped off a terse salute, which Klink returned in kind.

"Schultz, see to it that this mess gets cleaned up, and I want all the barracks in order for General Burkhalter's inspection tomorrow,"

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Schultz answered, saluting to Klink's retreating back.

Carter, wide eyed, slowly edged over to Hogan. "Everything all right, Colonel?" he asked.

Hogan glanced quickly at Carter and then back at the disappearing Klink before answering, "It will be, Carter. It will be."

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