Chapter 9: May I Have This Dance

Maria went over to the Rec Hall and picked out a beautiful light blue taffeta dress. It was ankle length and full. It had short puffy sleeves with a white lace trim. The neckline was a modest cut, also trimmed in white lace. There was a light blue satin bow that tied in the back. She found some light blue satin ribbon to tie her long blond hair back, and a pair of white hilled shoes and a white nitted shaw. Fraulein Helga came to help Maria with her dress and makeup before she left for the day.

At a quarter till eight, Maria stepped out of her room. The men just stared. She was the most beautiful woman any of them had ever seen. Colonel Hogan, dressed in his dress uniform, walked up to Maria. "You look very nice." That is all Hogan dared to say for he could feel his face start to flush.

"Thank you Colonel. You look nice yourself."

"This reminds me of prom night back home. Now Colonel, you take good care of her and don't keep her out late." Kinch said like a parent talking to their daughters date.

"What is it with you guys. Can't you find some one else to harass besides me?"

"Why should we? This is fun." Newkirk commented.

Hogan just gave them a disgusted look. How much longer were they going to keep this up? "I think I need to talk to Klink about having more work details, since you gentleman seem to have nothing else better to do."

Every one started laughing. "Come Colonel, we don't want to be late. Besides the sooner we leave the more time we get to spend together before you have to bring me home." Maria said as she gave Hogan a wink.

Hogan just shook his head. Might as well give up. "After you my dear."

KLINKS QUARTERS

"Thank you both for joining us. Captain Mertz, this is Senior POW Colonel Hogan and Maria Crockett." Mertz just stared at Maria.

"Have we met somewhere before?" Mertz asked Maria.

"Don't think so. Ever been to Miami?"

"Remember both of you be on your best behavior." Klink interjected

"No. Is that where you are from?" Mertz gently took Maria by the hand and walked her over to the couch to sit down. Maria's muscles tightened at the touch. Memories of what had happened to her came to her mind. But for the mission, she controlled her emotions. Hogan could see the discomfort in Maria's actions. His stomach turned as he watched.

Hogan looked at Klink. "Kommandant, have you informed our guest of the new rule you instated?"

"Um Captain, we have a rule that Maria is hands off to every one without my say so."

"Sorry Colonel. I didn't know. But I can understand why, with having such a lovely creature as this around. Surly you could make an exception for tonight?"

"It will be up to Maria's discretion." Answered Klink, while looking at Hogan to make sure he was keeping himself under control.

Carter entered the living room in his waiter outfit "Dinner is served."

Every one went into the dining room and sat down. Klink sat Hogan and Mertz at opposite ends of the table while he sat across from Maria. Carter started pouring the drinks. When he came to Maria's glass, she put her hand on top of it. "No thank you Carter. I don't drink. I'll just have water." Carter nodded and brought her a glass of water.

"The wine is excellent Maria. You should try some." Mertz said as he offered her his glass.

"The lady said no thanks." Hogan said coldly.

"Calm down Colonel. I didn't mean anything bad by it."

Great! I am going to have to play referee between two bucks fighting over a doe Klink thought.

"So Colonel, how do you like having a fraulein in camp? I think it is a nice way to keep prisoners under control."

"You think she tells us what to do?"

"No Colonel. Any man who listens to or takes orders from a woman is a fool. I am referring to using her go get the prisoners do whatever we want. And if they don't…well lets just say things can get mighty unpleasant for the fraulein."

Hogan and Maria just glared at Mertz. "So does that mean that if SS Colonel Christine Geiger gave you an order, you would not obey it?"

Way to go Hogan. What am I thinking? Cheering on the enemy. Is there something wrong with me for not agreeing with my own countrymen? Klink thought to himself.

This time it was Mertz turn to fume. "It is different when it is your superior officer."

Maria stared at Mertz and thought about how she would like to give him a few orders to follow.

After they finished dinner, they retired back to the living room. "Colonel, could you please put some music on."

"Certainly Captain." Klink got up and put Strauss on.

When the music started, Mertz looked at Klink "Nice choice Colonel. Maria would you care to dance?"

Klink gave Hogan a look that told him not to say a word or do anything. Hogan saw the look and just sat in his seat and fumed. Maria thought to herselfI'd rather dance with a dead fish in a minefield. Maria looked at Hogan and saw the jealous look on his face. SinceI have to dance with him any way, might as well play withHogan.

"Sure Captain." Maria got up and danced with him. How could she dance with…with… with that idiot? Maria looked toward Hogan and saw that he was even morejealous.He was actualy fidgiting.When she was turned so only Hogan could see her face, she gave him a wink.

I'll be Hogan thought. She's flirting with me. She only danced with him to see how I would react. I can't believe she did that to me. I can't believe I fell for it! Either I am really slipping or she is that good.

When the song was over, Klink stood up and walked over to Maria. "I am not going to let a captain have all the fun. Maria, may I have this dance?"

Maria smiled "Yes, Kommandant you may."

Now dancing with Klink has gone to far Maria. You proved your point now sit down. Ok jokes over. Ha, ha very funny. I fell for it. Ok you can stop any time now. Rob, are you listening to yourself? Get a hold of yourself. Klink said it is up to her discretion. She is free todance with whomever she wants. She doesnt owe me anything. We are not a couple. So why is it bothering me so much? Is it because they are the enemy or is it because she is not dancing with me?

"Colonel, would you care to dance?" Maria asked, as she looked deep into his eyes.

"Um, sorry. What did you ask?"

Maria gave a little chuckle. "I asked you if you would like to dance."

Hogan's heart raced and his palms started to get sweaty. Why am I acting like a teenager on his first date to the prom? He looked at Klink to see if he would be allowed to. Klink smiled at the way Hogan is acting. I am suprised you asked for permission. I guess I will grant it. Klink gave Hogan a nodd to show his aproval. Hogan stood up and walked with Maria to the center of the living room. He put his one arm around her waist so that there was space between them, and took her hand in his. Maria stepped closer to Hogan and pushed his arm around her more. Then she put her hand on his shoulder.

LeBeau and Carter watched from the kitchen doorway. They didn't want to miss this.

When they started dancing, they moved together as one. Their steps were flawlessly executed. They danced like professional dancers who have danced the same routine for years.

Maria and Hogan, for that moment, forgot about the world around them. They forgot about the war, the people in the room, everything. The only thing that existed was them.

At the end of the song, Hogan dipped Maria and starred deeply into her blue eyes. He started to lean closer to her. Just before their lips met, Shultz came in "Ok Colonel Hogan and Maria. I am here to escort you back to the barracks. Its time for lights out." That brought them both back to reality and they separated.

"You dumbkopf! You know they are allowed out late when they are with me!"

"Sorry Kommandant. I forgot."

"Its ok Shultz. We need to be leaving any way. Morning roll call will be here before we know it. I also promised her father to have her home at a decent time." Shultz and Klink looked atHogan like he losthis mind. Her father they thought. "And besides I am sure Captain Mertz would like to get going."

"Colonel Klink, If it is all right with you, I would like to spend the night here. I'd rather leave for Berlin in the morning?"

"Of course Captain. You may stay in the guest quarters."

LeBeau and Carter ran back to the barrack as fast as they could and told the guys about what they heard and saw.

"Fraulein, may I escort you home?" Hogan stuck out his arm for Maria to accept.

"Of course sir." Maria accepted his arm. "Good night Kommandant. Captain. Its been a wonderful evening."

When Hogan and Maria got to the barrack, Hogan turned to Maria "We better separate. Don't want to give these guys anything more to harass me about."

LeBeau opened the door and announced "Now arriving, the King and Queen of Stalag 13." LeBeau bowed low and motioned for them to enter.

"Too late Colonel."

When Maria and Hogan entered the barrack they couldn't help but laugh at the site. Kinch was humming a tune. Carter asked Newkirk "Care to dance?"

"Luv to" Newkirk responded as they danced.

Hogan was in such a good mood, he laughed with them. He turned to Maria and bowed and offered his hand to her. "Fraulein?"

Maria curtsied and accepted his hand and they started dancing again.

"Colonel Hogan, you know that is verboten. All of you stop dancing and get in bed." Shultz said as he walked into the barracks.

"Sorry. Good night Shultz. All right men, hit the sack."

When Shultz left, Kinch asked, "What are we going to do about Mertz?"

"Taking him while he is in camp would be too hard to explain the disappearance. Unfortunately we will have to grab him in the morning after he leaves camp. We will get me in the big curve before you get to the river.