Kinch stifled a groan as the truck lurched over a pothole.

"What happened?" Carter yelled from the cab.

"One of the guards must've slipped loose and fired at us," said Kinch.

"But didn't you take all their weapons?" Sophie yelped.

"We were in a hurry. We must've missed one." Kinch finished his sentence with a growl as the truck bounced and rattled.

Sophie crawled over to inspect the wound. Kinch produced a flashlight from his belt. Even with the narrow beam of light, Sophie could barely make anything out in the darkness of the truck.

"I see a lot of blood, but I think the bullet passed through. We need to stop somewhere right away."

As she spoke, Sophie tore off the lower hem of her skirt to tie the wound off.

"Our home is not far from here," Johan offered.

"We can't stop there," Kinch said. "The place will be crawling with Gestapo as soon as they realize you're gone."

"That's a risk we'll have to take," Sophie replied. "We won't stay long. Just enough to make a bandage. We'll be gone long before they get there."

"Driver!" yelled Johan, "take us to our house! I'll direct you."

"No need," Carter shouted back, "I've been there before."

Sophie's father shot her a confused look but said nothing as the truck rapidly changed course. Before long, they pulled into the gravel pathway. Sophie and her father both helped lower Kinch, who was weakening from blood loss. With Carter's help, they hurried into the dark house. Johan rushed to turn on the lights while Kinch slumped in a chair. Sophie removed the makeshift bandage and inspected the injury. It looked like a flesh wound, very similar to Gertrude's calf.

"Carter," she instructed, "go in that cabinet by the sink and get me some gauze and bandages."

Carter obeyed. Johan brought a bowl of warm water with a rag and hastily began cleaning the wound. When Carter returned with an armful of bandages, Sophie began. In a matter of minutes, the wound was dressed and bandaged.

"Where did you learn how to do that?" asked Carter.

"Papa taught me," Sophie replied. Johan smiled with pride.

Kinch wearily rose, leaning on the table for support.

"We'd better go if we're going to make it back to camp in time."

Suddenly, an explosion shook the house down to its foundation, illuminating the night sky for a brief moment. Carter smiled wickedly.

"There goes the laboratory."

"Looks like mission accomplished," Sophie remarked.

Carter helped his friend limp out the door with Johan close behind. Sophie paused just before leaving and gave her home one last look. Everything was as in its place, as it would be when Aiden came home. Would she ever see her brother again? What about Anna? Or any of her friends? A wave of sadness hit her. A strong hand on her shoulder jolted her from her reverie. She looked up to see her father smiling gently at her. She smiled back. Whatever this new life would look like, at least they would experience it together. Taking one last glance at her home, Sophie followed her father back to the truck.

Colonel Hogan, Newkirk, and LeBeau were already waiting when the group returned to camp. The worn-out rescue team was greeted by relieved teammates.

"What took so long?" demanded Newkirk.

"We got shot at and Kinch was hit in the arm," Carter explained.

"But Sophie here bandaged me up. Wilson himself couldn't have done a better job," Kinch replied, patting Sophie on the back with his good arm.

Sophie blushed. "You can thank Gertrude and her calf for that."

"What happens now, Colonel?" asked her father as he admired the underground structure.

"We'll keep you down here until the heat dies down. Then, we'll send for a sub to take you to England."

"You hear that, Papa?" Sophie squealed, "we're going to England in a submarine!"

Johan smiled, relief covering his features for the first time in months.

"Sophie, I have to hand it to you," said Hogan, "maybe you aren't Snowgoose. But as far as I'm concerned, you were born to be an agent."

Sophie scuffed at the floor with her shoe.

"Thank you, Colonel. And if you ever need help, call someone else. I've had all the adventure I need. From now on, my family comes first."