Carter finished washing up at the small sink and wished he could completely disappear from the earth. The barracks were empty except for Lebeau. The Frenchman had made a temporary bandage for his ankle and cleaned the scrape on his arm. Carter felt like a complete failure now as he sank down onto his bunk. How could he have made such a terrible mistake? He was always messing things up for everyone. How many times had he bungled an important mission?

The barracks door opened and Hogan came inside. He still looked angry, as his eyes met Carter's.

"What did he say, Colonel?" Lebeau asked.

Hogan let out a sarcastic laugh, "After accusing me of trying to arrange an escape from Stalag 13, he finally came around to hearing my side of the story. I managed to convince him that there was some demolition happening. A few hints about the Allied forces getting closer made him forget the whole thing."

Lebeau looked relieved and poured out a cup of coffee. Hogan took it from him and looked straight at Carter.

"In my quarters now."

His tone was hard and Carter gulped. He was officially on Colonel Hogan's bad side. He slowly rose and followed Hogan. Lebeau didn't look at Carter and kept his gaze focused on the small stove as they walked past.

Hogan shut the door behind them and set down the coffee cup.

"Sit down, Carter. We're going to have a very long discussion and I want some answers."

"Yes, sir."

Carter meekly sat and stared down at the floor. Hogan began to walk back and forth in front of him.

His voice rose in anger, "What ever possessed you to set off a timing device like that?"

"I-I didn't mean to, sir. It was an accident. I-I must have fallen asleep while I was working."

Hogan stopped abruptly and whirled around to face him, "Do you realize what could have happened due to your carelessness? We could have lost our entire operation systems here. It took us months to even get established here in Stalag 13 and you could have destroyed everything."

Carter swallowed hard and tried to speak, but Hogan was far from finished.

"You're lucky I was able to get Klink off our backs! If he ever found out what really went on around here, we'd be ruined. You've jeopardized our mission tonight. London is counting on us to blow up a bridge and because of your carelessness, we may not be able to come through."

He resumed pacing again and Carter felt horrible inside. Colonel Hogan had every right to be furious with him.

"Just what were you doing all day yesterday? I assigned you to make explosives and you didn't even have them completed until midnight."

Carter couldn't bring himself to tell Hogan the truth. How could he tell him that everything that happened was because of Mary Jane's letter? He decided to press his luck with another white lie.

"I just needed some fresh air. Guess I lost track of time, wandering around the camp."

Hogan took a long drink of coffee, "Lebeau and Newkirk both said you seemed bothered about something."

Carter kept a straight face and shook his head.

"I'm fine, sir."

Hogan sighed, "Look, Carter. I understand that accidents happen, but this incident today was completely unacceptable. I gave you the task of assembling the explosives because I thought you were suited for the job. I trust you know what you are doing, we all do. We depend on your knowledge of these things in order to carry out the missions London gives us. I don't know what to even think about all of this."

He began pacing again, and Carter tried to apologize.

"I won't let it happen again, sir. I promise. I'll never be so careless again."

Carter felt hot tears threatening and bravely fought them back for as long as he could. Hogan shook his head and stopped pacing. His tone was grave.

"Trust is a privilege that has to be earned, Carter. I feel that today you've broken that trust."

The words cut like a knife and Carter couldn't believe his ears.

"Please, sir. Give me another chance." he choked out.

Hogan shook his head, "I'm sorry, Sgt Carter. I feel I have no other choice but to officially dismiss you from Hogan's Heroes. I can no longer allow you to be a part of our missions. Effective immediately."

"No! Please, sir!" Carter begged.

Colonel Hogan ignored the tears streaming down the his face.

"Gather your belongings. You can move into Barracks 7. Consider yourself as just another prisoner of war, Sergeant Carter."

He opened the door and Carter slowly rose. He couldn't believe this was happening. Hogan made a brief motion and Carter knew his time was up.

"Yes, sir." he said, and shakily saluted for the last time.