Hi, my dear readers!

I hope, you forgive the chaos concerning chapter 51 and 52, and that you enjoyed no. 51 – as late as it came.

Concerning no. 52: I know that the two main-topics of it are critically and wake very different emotions – especially concerning Auschwitz. This topic is always volatile, but to our big shame it belongs to WW II. I also know that certainly many readers have different opinions concerning the whole thing around 'Dresden', yet I hoped that I was fair – in regard of how we 'felt' about the whole disaster and how the rest of the world saw / see it. The real backgrounds and truths about the attacks, including the rumors of strafer-attacks, were only ascertained approx. 15 years ago. Until then the old reports of eye-witnesses or victims were true for the whole world.

I also thought, how a man who is a spy and saboteur, but also is as human as Hogan would react to something like this For the first time within WW II Germany was portrayed as a victim, even in the international press. How should a man, who always tries to act human even within the enemy's country, react if he learns that this one time his own people / Allies did something wrong? Okay, like I said, later the truth came out, but during the first 35 years (!) after the air-raid of Dresden the rumors of men-hunting and inhumanity lived on. I thought that Hogan would react to something like this in his typical characteristic: human.

Even if I didn't get one review, I still hope, I did a decent job and that you aren't shooed off because of the topic. I know, "Hogan's Heroes" almost never referred to such serious issues, but – sorry – they belong to the whole mess 80/75 years ago.

At the new chapter, the aftermath is still there – and more. Our two 'boys' find solace with each other. And yet Hogan knows that he has to return to his own quarters (what lowers Klink's mood even more) and the two colonels have to find their way back to 'normality' – means, they have to keep up the pretense of a little mixture of respect and friendship. And they do a very good job with it, as you're going to see.

I hope, you enjoy the next chapter.

Love

Yours Starflight

Chapter 53 – Dark times

Hogan had pulled of the headset and had all but thrown it on the table; frustrated, shocked, and angry. His friends knew better than to address him now and gave him time to stomach everything he learned.

Robert had closed his eyes, trying to soothe his still rebelling stomach. Sweet Lord, how could they? How could these monsters in human form do something this cruel and bestial? He still could not believe what Butler had told him, but he knew that Alex would never exaggerate something this important. And even if the colonel trusted the Russians to twist a few things to their advantage and justify their sometimes indeed rough behavior, he realized that even the 'Ivans' would not come up with such a story. So, everything his mentor told him was true. There even existed photos, and therefore, at least a big part of this all was true.

Hogan took a few deep breaths to calm down. He knew that his friends had a lot of questions and wanted an explanation for his anything but professional behavior at the beginning of the radio talk and his reactions now. Yet he was very aware of something else: if word spread through the camp of what the Nazis did in Auschwitz, then the uncertain peace here would be over. The balance would skip what could lead to a catastrophe. Something that had to be prevented at all costs. They could not risk a rebellion and the SS' intervention afterwards. Not a few weeks before this damn war was certainly over. And he would never put Will's safety and life at risk. Not that he thought his fellow POWs would harm the Kommandant. The Oberst had gained their respect by now and a few knew about him being on the Allies' side. And Hogan also knew that no one would threaten Schultz – or Langenscheidt – but any kind of uproar would bring the SS on the scene, and then even Schmidt would not be able to soothe the situation.

Finally looking up again, he straightened his shape and turned around towards his men while remaining on the chair. "You want to know what got into me, don't you."

"Boy, you really got a fit here… sir!" Carter nodded.

"Against you, my Uncle Philippe is a gentle lamp – and he is called 'volcan' within the family and among his amis," LeBeau nodded, folding his arms in front of his chest.

"Did I get this right? Dresden is attacked a third time in the moment?" Kinch asked, having concluded a lot because of Hogan's words during the radio talk.

Robert nodded slowly. "Yes – they're flying the third attack in at the moment. It is done, like the second one, namely hours after the one prior. It means that the people thought it would be safe to be out in the open and trying to flee the burning town, only to be away from any shelter as the new raids begun." He pressed his lips into a short line. "I hope for RAF Major Harris that his boys – and ours! – didn't hunt the people on purpose on the river banks and in the parks. That this all is one big lie or simply rumors spread by traumatized people. If not, this couldn't be excused anymore. It would be murder, nothing else."

"And there were a lot of fugitives in the town – and casualties?" Newkirk asked quietly.

Hogan threw up both hands. "I don't know. At the German radio, they said so. Butler said the brass in London lacked of any information concerning this detail." He rubbed his neck. "One way or the other, this went too far despite what the SS did in Poland and in other camps. Their heavy loaded guilt cannot be paid by civilians, who are not to blame."

Kinch cocked his head. "Something very big had stirred you up, Colonel. You went pale like a table cloth."

"And you still are," Carter nodded, ignoring Newkirk's exasperated sigh and glare.

Glancing at the Heroes one by one, Hogan said quietly, "What I'm telling you know cannot leave this room. Under no circumstances can you speak about it on the compound or even in secret to the other fellas. Not even in our own barracks. I'll tell Baker later about it, but all the others cannot learn about it before this camp is officially liberated or the war is over. It would lead to an enraged uproar that would give us and our mission away because this knowledge has been kept a secret from the Nazis even in front of their own people. If the guards learn what I know – and you in a few moments, too – there will be no doubt left that there is a spy in the camp with contact to the Underground. And you have three guesses on who would be under suspicion instantly."

"You and our Balding Eagle," Kinch nodded.

"Exactly. And before I tell you what Butler told me, I ask you to remain calm. I'm sure you'll be upset and furious, but – please – control yourself. And I'm convinced that Klink knows nothing of it, too. The same goes for Schultz and Langenscheidt. Those men are far too empathic and humane to learn something like this and stay quiet about it. I'm certain that Will would have told me if he had knowledge about it, but he didn't. So don't blame him – or the guards. Most of them are from the Volkssturm now. The remaining Luftwaffe guys were never involved in this…horror, so don't blame them."

The other four men exchanged a glance with each other before Kinch said slowly, "No problem, Colonel. If you declare something as top secret, it remains like that. But you certainly woke our curiosity and caution by now. What have the Nazis done that you're this enraged, but also worried?"

Hogan took another deep breath for the uncounted time, preparing himself for what he had to tell and trying to get some emotional distance before he began just the way Butler had done ten minutes before. "What do you know about Auschwitz?"

*** HH *** HH ***

The third attack wave lasted until 12:31 – fourteen minutes of wide spread bombing. The main target were some weapon facilities and, again, the Reichs trains workshop and crossroads in Dresden-Friedrichstadt. The bombs also hit the large hospital there, burning it completely down. Boroughs in the neighborhood, who had been more or less spared during the last two attacks, were hit, too. Most parts of the whole town were in flames.

And another disaster happened, as two bomber squadrons missed the course because of the weather and attacked Prague instead of Dresden, mistaking the baroque buildings of Czechia's capital for the Saxonian town.

In Neustadt, a smaller town 35 km away from Dresden, showers of ashes fell from the skies and turned the snow grayish-black: the result of the two nightly attacks.

The overheated air in Dresden woke new firestorms. People who had survived until now were pulled into the inferno to burn alive or found dead because of heat shock. Most died in their cellars because of smoke, collapsing buildings, and fire gases. Glass and metal melted in the incredible heat, sand stone pulverized, whole street lines ceased to exist. Shock, injuries, and flying debris killed hundreds of more people while they tried to escape the town in panic.

As the last bombers left the 'Elbe-Florence', the historical part of the town was destroyed. Those buildings which still stood were burning. Among them the famous Lady's Church, built by the wife of August the Strong, who remained a Lutheran while her husband converted to the Catholic belief to become the King of Poland. The church was one of the few cathedrals around the world that was built with domed structures. Just like the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome or the St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The Dresden Castle, the Royal Chapel, and the Semper Opera had already collapsed, as well as the Church of the Holy Cross (famous for its legendary boys' choir) and the baroque houses around the Dresden Strietzelmarkt that were famous for their unique Christmas Market. Only the Anna Church still stood, saving hundreds of people who had found shelter in it.

Many boroughs in the southeast and the so called 'Newtown' were partly lost, too. And with them, ministry buildings and townhalls from the Belle Epoque. The fires also destroyed a large part of the Great Garden, setting free many animals of the attached zoo. But worse, many casualties and other people who had survived the first (and second) attack wave and had fled to the large park died, too – surrounded by flames and unable to escape until they burned alive or, if lucky, suffocated before the fires reached them.

The whole outcome only became visible days later after most of the fires died down. It would turn out that Hogan had been right concerning the world's reaction to this one particular large strike of the Allies. The newspapers were full with horrible photos, shocking high numbers of victims, and accusations against the London brass, blaming them of inhumanity. Many reports were exaggerated – especially concerning the number of death: 100,000 – 150,000 victims, eventually even 200,000. There was also the news that Dresden held more than 2.5 million people in those days, mainly because of the many fugitives. The newspapers pointed out that never another town had been destroyed like Dresden and that the ruthless action of the Allies had killed more people in two days than during the last half year together.

It should last decades until the truth came out – that the high number of victims had been a misunderstanding and also the result of deliberate NS-propaganda. Swedish reporters, of all people, spread those numbers around the world, took up the NS-reports that showed Dresden only as a culture metropole that lacked of any interesting arm industry and fortification. A lie, yet it was believed.

The same went for the rumors of strafers hunting down fleeing people along the river banks and the parks, shooting them from above. Major Harris and the other squadron leaders stated that they did not do such a thing, yet more and more eye witnesses or escaped citizens spoke about this particular act of war crime – rumors, which did not die down for many years. It would last decades until new investigation methods spoke the attacker free of the accused deeds because of no proof. Yet, most people still believed the witnesses, and this part of the air raid became a dark legend.

The world was outraged. Especially after a British Correspondence Officer made a big mistake during a conference of the Allies Press in Paris three days later, commenting that 'the attack was also meant to break the still lasting morale of the Germans and to speed up Hitler's defeat'. This sideline sentence prompted the international press to formulate the statement like this: '…A decision that lead to a terror bombing of the German people as a ruthless way to speed up Hitler's demise'. Even if this statement had been done without a second thought from said officer, and the Allies attempted to reduce the done damage, the article increased the outrage among their own people and other befriended countries even more. While in Great Britain, the article was stopped before it could be released. Radio Paris and the newspapers in the USA published the interview, irritating even more people around the world.

And of course, the NS-regime did nothing to correct the false numbers, but used them to their own advantage. They not only tried to get foreign countries, who had declared war against Germany, to become neutral again, they also used the destruction of Dresden to distract their own people from the real status of the war and to poison their mind against the Allies even more.

Yet the whole uproar resulted in its own success – this time for the German people.

Six weeks later, Prime Minster Churchill distanced himself from 'Operation Thunderclap'. Most American staff officers urged the British Army that this kind of warfighting would not lead to any success, but the RAF was mainly armed for area bombing and refused to agree. Finally, the American staff officers were able to convince Roosevelt to stop any more air raids, which had not any real military targets. At first, the President declined the suggestions, but the generals pointed out that it would be a big disadvantage for their own troops if they only found burnt down cities and destroyed streets they could not use to conquer more of Germany. At last, Roosevelt gave in, and the attempt of stopping Hitler by attacking civilian targets was returned to mostly pure military operations, sparing as much civilians as possible who would face new horror coming from their own government soon enough. And, after a letter from Churchill to his own staff officers, the RAF quitted from bombing German cities to increase the terror. 'Operation Thunderclap' was stopped – but for many towns it came too late.

Of course, the regime in Berlin plotted revenge after Dresden – something that would involve Hogan and his men, as well as Klink soon. All this would happen within the next few weeks; a future no one could know about at the moment. Just right now, all of Germany was shocked as it learned about the burning town at the Elbe River. And many of them mourned the loss of one of the most beautiful towns within Europe.

*** HH *** HH ***

Hogan returned to the Kommandantur after he had told his men everything he learned from Butler. He really admired their display of self control. Disbelief and shock had changed to naked fury during his tale, yet they remained calm. Heavens, Carter even had some tears in his eyes, and it was more than obvious that all of them had the strong urge to vomit. But somehow they showed a lot of self composure. It did not surprise him that none of them felt hungry and offered their lunch to the other men of Barracks 2, seeking something like comfort by lying down on their beds and brooding in silence.

While Hogan walked over the compound towards Klink's office, he became aware of the many harsh gazes he and the few other POWs on the compound received from the guards. The two men in front of the Kommandantur he knew for almost three years now glared at him, making him stop in front of them and saying quietly, "I know that you're furious of what happened in Dresden, and I can understand you. But neither my men nor I am responsible for it, so stop glaring daggers at us."

He passed them by and entered the building. Hilda looked up with red eyes at him and whispered, "When will it stop?"

He shrugged helplessly and murmured, "I have no clue. I spoke with…with one of the Chiefs. He's trying to delay the next attack, but the rest…" He felt so damn helpless as he saw tears rising in her eyes. Impulsively. he closed the distance to her and placed a hand on her small shoulder as she wept softly.

"Why Dresden? Why this town? There is nothing of interest for the Allies; only historical and cultural buildings."

Hogan pressed his lips into a thin line before he murmured, "Wrong, Hilda. Dresden was undergoing serious outfits to change it into a fortress, delivering new soldiers, weapons, and other supplies to the Wehrmacht in the east. This is why London decided to attack." With good reason, he stayed silent about the other grounds for the air raid.

"There is not much room for military buildout in the historical part of Dresden," Klink said quietly from the door, face still pale; eyes puffy.

"Yet the Nazis used exactly these locations to buildout the town to their purpose," Hogan answered softly, while straightening his shape and turning around towards his secret lover. "They used the baroque buildings as shields – or, better to say, as pawns; thinking the Allies would decline from an attack there." He took a deep breath and rubbed his neck. "Berlin was wrong."

"And all the people – the citizens, the fugitives, the casualties…" Real pain mirrored on Will's face.

"Butler said the brass had no information about a larger number of escapees and casualties in Dresden," Hogan answered slowly. "But I told him about the rumors that air fighters hunted down people along the river banks and in the parks. He promised to investigate these accusations."

Klink wrapped both long arms around himself and lowered his head. He felt cold and somehow away from reality, as if everything was a sinister nightmare he hopefully would wake up from soon. "Was this the last attack?" He wanted to know, pointing one thumb over his shoulder towards the radio, where Hogan heard a German newsman report that the air raid was over.

Despite everything Hogan had learned from Butler, he felt bad and almost guilty as he was forced to shake his head. He hated it to give Will more pain, but he would not lie to him. Never.

"Butler's trying to delay the next planned attack and to give the people a warning. More I couldn't demand from him." He sighed. "I already adopted the wrong tone at the beginning of the talk because I was completely outraged. I can call myself happy that he doesn't send me to a court martial."

"Because you took pity on Dresden's citizens," Klink croaked.

"No, because I asked him if the brass in London has become insane, and if we're up to the same cruel and inhumane games now like this damn bastard in Berlin. I told him that we aren't better than Hitler's fellows. Guess how Butler took this," he grumbled. He felt Hilda squeezing his wrist, gave her a quick, half-hearted smile, and turned his attention back to Wilhelm, who looked with wide eyes at him.

"I can imagine how your superior reacted to this accusation," he whispered.

"Yeah, lucky me that he sees a son in me. Otherwise I would be in deep water now. But what happened in Dresden went too far. Plain and simple." He sighed. The temptation to tell Will of the unbelieving, horrible crimes which happened in Auschwitz was great, but Hogan controlled himself. He knew that this all would be too much for Wilhelm to bear in the moment.

For a few seconds, they all listened to the broadcasting that was done from a place far away from Dresden and did not give any real news, but this did not change the shock that seemed to pour out from every word.

Hogan felt the atmosphere tensing up even more and met his German counterpart's eyes. "Do you want me to go?" He asked quietly, assuming that his uniform and his heritage must not be easy for Klink to deal with.

To his relief, the older man shook his head. "What happens there is not your fault, Robert. You and the other POWs here have no part in it. I…" He cleared his throat. "It would distract me if you remain here – if you don't mind. I don't think that I'm up to do any work today, and to listen to everything with someone there to share it… will help me." He glanced at Hilda. "If you want, you can take the rest of the day off."

"Thank you, Herr Kommandant, but I think I'll remain here – for the case that telephone calls come in or other problems appear. I'll get them off your back so that you are left alone today."

Klink gave her a sad, short smile of gratitude. "Thank you, my dear."

The young woman only nodded at him, watching her boss and the American officer closely. The Kommandant had no problem to address Hogan by his given name even now – in the relative privacy of his office, yet this display of familiarity was unusual and absolutely new. Even under the given circumstances. The next uncommon behavior was the way Hogan had acted on Klink's behalf – his protectiveness towards the Oberst and the way he comforted him. Not to speak of him confronting his own superior concerning the air raid. Hogan always tried to smooth out a situation. After all, it was in best interest if everything ran well in the camp so that he could concentrate on his missions. But his reactions today were new. He seemed to suffer with Klink, understanding him completely, and was hell bent to stop his pain. And Klink even asked him to stay and to share these weary hours with him – in other words, he needed Hogan to comfort him.

Something was going on here. Something she could not catch, but it was something big. And she would find out what it was. She respected and liked Klink, Hogan was her friend, and she had her own shares of a mission no one – not even Robert – knew of. If Hogan risked court martial to stand up for German people, and Klink practically begged him to stay with him in his office to not be alone, then something drastic had changed in their relationship. And as she saw the compassion and comforting warmth in Robert's eyes, and the tentative relief on Klink's face as the American followed him to his office, she began to assume that this 'friendship' Hogan first had only faked before had become real and had increased immensely.

What in the name of the Lord was going on here?

*** HH ***

The rest of the day Hogan remained in Klink's office. They listened to the radio, talked quietly with each other, and also spoke with Schultz as the Sergeant of the Guards came in the office late afternoon to report that everything was tense, yet calm in the camp. The large Bavarian was upset too, and Klink did not mind that the three emptied the half filled bottle with cognac.

Hogan returned shortly to Barracks 2 half an hour before evening roll call. The Heroes were still in a dark mood, but they stayed silent about the reason for it. And their comrades in the hut had finally given up to ask them questions, yet it was clear that they did not like to be kept in the dark. Olsen even sulked a little bit, but was distracted as Hogan appeared.

"When will you return to your own quarters, Colonel?" Kinch addressed his superior and friend, while LeBeau filled a cup with coffee and gave it to Hogan.

Sipping at the hot, bitter beverage, Robert sighed. There was no way in hell that he would leave Klink alone within the next two or three nights. The man was badly shaken and simply needed him. Hogan knew that his German counterpart had to be comforted and that his presence would soothe the emotional suffering Will under-went at the moment.

"Wilson said that I'm as good as healed, yet my broken ribs are still mending. You know bones need six weeks to do so, and Klink doesn't want to let me go until I'm as good as new. If I understood him correctly, he wants Dr. Birkhorn to make a final examination before I'm declared as healed. Until then, I enjoy his hospitality." He shrugged.

"And you can distract and comfort our Balding Eagle," Kinch made a soft attempt of teasing. "He really seems to take the disaster in Dresden to heart."

"You can say that," Robert agreed. "He's absolutely beside himself. He told me about his visits there as a child and teen, and about the historical buildings and streets. He deeply loved Dresden. As it seems, our boys and the English flyers not only left a big hole in the culture cradles of Europe, but also in the hearts and souls of many people – including our Kommandant."

"Damn war," Carter said softly. "And this all because one man and his fellows want to rule the world crowded by 'pure and clean' people."

"Insanity and to what it can lead," Hogan nodded, and emptied his cup. Placing it on the table, he carefully rose. "Okay, I'll return to Klink's flat. A few days more, and I certainly can be back in my own quarters." He glanced at Kinch. "If you hear something from London, inform me immediately, okay? Butler mentioned a few new missions for us, and…"

"Butler's secretary radioed us an hour ago," Kinchloe interrupted him.

Hogan tensed up. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" He demanded.

"Because this call has nothing to do with our operation. Butler wanted to update you that the next and last strike against Dresden for now is planned for tomorrow. The people will be warned in time before it happens."

Robert lowered his head and closed his eyes. "This is something at least," he murmured. "Yet I really want to know what they want to attack. There is nothing left they can smash." Bitterness sounded in his voice before he took his cap and placed it on his head. "Good night, Gentlemen. See you tomorrow."

He listened to the echoing "Good night, sir" from the others and left the barracks. Crossing the compound, he was more than aware of the guards' gazes, but he ignored them. As long as the situation in the camp did not get worse, he saw no reason for interference, and he hoped that the atmosphere would calm down within the next few days – a hope that should not be fulfilled.

*** HH ***

Klink was done with evening roll call quickly. He knew that he should say something, prompting the men within the camp to remain calm and not to alter the status quo, independent of their heritage and uniform. But he lacked of any inner strength in the moment, received Schultz's report, and dismissed the POWs with a few words, hurrying over the compound towards his quarters afterwards. He felt tired, emotionally exhausted, and chilled to the bones. He and Hogan had skipped lunch, yet he did not feel hungry as he stepped into his quarters, where LeBeau had set up the table and the dinner before he joined the roll call.

Hogan still wore his uniform and had rolled up his sleeves. Wordlessly he watched the older man slipping out of his coat, scarf, cap, and gloves before he walked to him and took him simply into his arms – something he had not dare to do after the first comforting embrace in the morning. The curtains were already closed and therefore no one could see them, as Will instinctively wrapped both arms around the younger man and buried his face at Robert's shoulder, monocle forgotten. The warmth of the furnace, the golden light of the three enlightened candles, the smell of tea – nothing really reached him. Only the proximity of his witty fox brought his hurting soul some comfort.

Somehow, Robert managed to get Wilhelm to eat something. He himself did not feel hungry too, but he knew that he needed to regain more strength for the next missions London would give him. And Will needed nourishment as much as he did. So, he persuaded Klink to take at least two slices of bread with toppings and to drink some tea.

Afterwards, they sat quietly together, not in the mood to do anything and not tired enough to go to bed. Quietly, Hogan told Will of the planned last attack tomorrow and that Butler had asserted the other staff officers (and the Prime Minister) to give the citizens of Dresden a warning in time.

Klink only nodded mutely, controlled despair on his face. He knew that there was nothing he could do – not without giving himself and Robert away. Yes, a part of him urged him to warn Berlin – to alert the Luftwaffe so that the next attack maybe could be prevented, but he knew that he was forced to stay aside and to watch, feeling guilty for every victim the next air raid would leave. But he had chosen a side, and there was no going back now. He still wanted Hitler to lose and to be brought to his knees. This maniac and his fellows were responsible for all the horror that went on in the country and all of Europe so that the rest of the world was forced to stop him on all costs. Yet, his heart bled at the mere thought that the terror was not over in Dresden yet.

Both men went to bed, and Robert had been right concerning Will. The older man suffered from strong nightmares as his subconscious mixed the nasty experiences in Berlin one and a half week ago with the imaginations of the burning in Dresden. Rob needed all his sensibility and repertoire of comfort to soothe his hurting love, who wept himself silently to sleep.

When Wilhelm finally was in Morpheus' Realm, Hogan tried to find some sleep too, but not very successfully. His own dreams were filled with pictures of people in shower rooms, screaming and trying to escape the gas mixed with dead bodies in large graves and fleeing people in burning streets, hunted by air fighters.

He felt absolutely groggy the next morning, and Klink did not do any better. The Oberst looked worse than after his return from Berlin, and Robert was convinced that everything that happened within the last few weeks were bottling more and more up in his secret lover. There was no thinking of telling him about the regime's crimes in Poland within the next few days. Every man could bear only a certain amount of stress, and Hogan realized that Klink was nearing his limits. And there was nothing he could do despite being there for Will.

They showered together in relative silence, yet Robert saw the gratitude in the older man's eyes for every little support and tender comfort he gave him. They had an early breakfast before Klink left for duty. Roll call passed by, and then he tried to catch up on some work – listening to the radio.

Hogan used the given chance to call Baker to Klink's quarters and to inform him of everything. His second radioman reacted just like the rest of the Heroes: with utter shock that changed into enragement. Yet he understood why the colonel wanted to keep these horrible crimes a secret for now. He had to agree that the mood in the camp was loaded enough. A spark could elicit an inferno no one wanted.

At midday, Klink returned to his quarters with his hands shaking, composure barely in place.

"She collapsed," he whispered instead of a greeting, as he stepped into the small building.

Hogan, again clad in his casual uniform and doing some paperwork he usually had to do with being the senior POW officer, looked up from the table. The soft noises from the kitchen where LeBeau was preparing lunch did nothing to calm both men's rattled nerves.

"Who collapsed?" Robert asked, worrying that Klink was referring to Hilda. He rose and closed the distance to his secret lover.

"The Lady's Church," Will answered, and Hogan realized that the older man used the German grammar for once, referring to a building in the gender form of his mother tongue. "She burned out but still stood – until a quarter past ten this morning. Then the walls folded into themselves. The heat was too much. They…they said at the radio that the large bells were to hear during their fall until they were buried beneath the debris." He gulped. "The only thing that still stands is…is the effigy of Martin Luther in front of her. It…it remained undamaged – like a memorial."

LeBeau came out of the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. He could not help himself. He felt compassion rising in him at the sight of the so miserable looking Oberst. "This church meant a lot to you, didn't it?" he asked quietly.

Klink nodded, while he felt Robert's hand on his shoulder. "My uncle and my aunt married there – and I visited it a few times as a child. It was…something very special."

Louis cocked his head in sympathy. "This church held a special place in your people's heart – just like Notre Dame in that of us Frenchmen." He sighed. "If I imagine something like this would happen to France's heart…." He shook his head.

The Oberst gave him a glance of gratitude for his understanding before he said hoarsely, "But there is more. The next attack started at 12:00 hours. Dresden received a warning one hour earlier – too late for the Luftwaffe to interfere, but maybe enough time for the people to flee. That means who is still able to move at all."

LeBeau rubbed his face with one hand, while he met Hogan's intense gaze. Getting the hint, he turned away and returned to the kitchen – not without looking once more back over his shoulder, seeing his friend and superior wrapping an arm around Klink. Cursing the war in French, he continued his work with the pan and pots, feeling against his will pity with the citizen of Saxony's capital.

*** HH ***

A detail Hogan warned Butler about became true. At the same day the last attack happened, Goebbels's PR-office published a report about the 'utter destruction of the culture metropole Dresden' that was broadcasted in many foreign radio stations, as well in the German ones. It accused the British government of lying concerning the key transportation location within Dresden and that the attacks had nothing to do with some defensive works within the town, but had only aimed at living areas and historical buildings. Further, Goebbels pointed out that any eventual surrender of Germany's would not stop the Allies and that the people could not expect any mercy should they fall into the enemies' hands, but would be enslaved – that even the Red Army had stopped to spread sheer terror among civilians by targeting them on purpose, but not the 'barbarians from the island and the US'. Regarding the fact that the international press jumped on that train because of the destroyed historical boroughs, the Germans were for the first time in the role of victims.

While the world discussed sometimes neutrally, sometimes outraged this particular air raid, the war continued. On Friday, after another unrestful night for Hogan and Klink, the Messerschmitt facilities in Regensburg were attacked, which stopped the production of the jet stream engines. Parallel, the Council of Switzerland ordered that all German depots in the Swiss banks closed – all of a sudden, Germany lost one of its last counter values of its already dramatically fallen currency.

Saturday the whole atmosphere in the camp calmed down finally. Klink had been forced to remind his guards that none of the POWs were responsible for what happened in Dresden, while he also told the prisoners firmly to decline any provocations. The mood was loaded enough, and he reminded them that this 'victory' for the Allies had been bought with the blood of eventually hundreds of thousands of victims. It was a dance on the high wire for him, but somehow he managed to keep the balance in Stalag 13 between guards and POWs. He also permitted a home relief for three men, whose family lived in Dresden. It was better to let them go officially than telling Burkhalter that they had deserted.

Hogan still waited for a chance to tell Wilhelm of Auschwitz, but as he saw that his secret lover found only slowly back to himself, he delayed the whole thing. Will had to build some distance to everything before he would be confronted with the next news of horror.

Robert visited Barracks 2 now more often, yet he made certain to walk slowly and to prevent any hastily movements. Yet he knew that his stay in Klink's quarters had to end. He had hurried over the compound on Wednesday, he had climbed down into the tunnels with his old strengths, and even his friends would not accept his excuses for much longer.

He told Klink about his explanation to be still living in the Kommandant's quarters he used towards his men – that Dr. Birkhorn wanted to check him through before he was declared as healed. Will did not only accept this excuse, he agreed on the whole idea. On the following Monday, he would call the doctor to examine Hogan officially before the colonel would return to his own quarters – something both of them dreaded.

Despite the emotional storm Wilhelm, and also Robert, went through, both found solace and peace in each other's arms in the night from Saturday to Sunday. And the next night, they made love again. The war's cruelness once again banned from their shared bed, while they clung to each other with the urge to be as close as possible, and to forget everything while exchanging tenderness and passion.

Finally, sated and spent, they rested breathlessly on the bed, wrapped around each other, limps entangled. They knew that this would be the last night they could spend together. After the next day, Hogan would be only a visitor here again.

Robert lay on his back, Will's head on his shoulder, the fingers of one hand playing with the older man's soft ring of hair. "I don't want to go," he admitted quietly after he caught his breath, feeling an unusual pang of sadness and regret. "I want to stay here – but I would risk both our lives if anybody became suspicious of us."

Klink sighed and snuggled closer to the younger man, trying to think not too hard about the upcoming separation. He would never forget Robert's silent comfort within these last, harsh days – and even less, he could not imagine to sleep alone from now on. "I'm going to miss this here," he whispered. "Not only our love nights, but to fall asleep beside you, to wake up with you in my arms, and to share my life with you." He lifted his head and pressed a kiss to the still sweat damp shoulder of his American counterpart. "But I know it has to be – at least until this damn war is over, and we can leave this camp to return home."

Robert cupped the older man cheek and smiled melancholic at him. "If you believe it or not, but this camp here – simple and basic as it is – has become something like a home for me. Last but not least, because of you." He brushed his lips over Will's. "Yet I would love to show you the States." Their eyes met while he continued, "I promise you, my phoenix, when this war is over, I'll show you the Great Plains, the Grand Canyon, the bayous in Florida, and the Rocky Mountains. We stroll along Broadway, explore Central Park, and greet Miss Liberty. And I'll show you Miami – and New Orleans. You're going to love the French Quarter, the typical music they're playing there, and the mixture of French and Caribbean cuisine."

Will's eyes betrayed his yearning – not only to see all those things, but to be surrounded of heal buildings, an intact nature, and happy people. He longed to feel peace again and to go to wherever he wanted without fearing agents of the Gestapo or the SS, overthinking every word before he spoke it. Yet he knew that such a vacation was not meant for him for a few years more – at least concerning the travel to the US. He had his duties here in Germany – not towards the country, but towards his family. He hoped to be able to visit the States sooner or later – together with Robert. Always with Robert. He knew without his witty fox he would fall into a deep dark hole full of loneliness and coldness. He would be able to manage a few weeks without him – as long as they would be for him – but to be separated from him for maybe a longer time was unthinkable. Yet he had the dreading feeling that this lay ahead for him.

Because he did not want to darken their mood, he did not speak of these things now. He did not want to tell Robert that he would have to return to the US without him within the near future, and so he murmured, "I would love to explore this all together with you."

Rob smiled and pulled his lover even closer towards himself. "We'll make this work," he whispered. "You and me – somehow we'll make it work. Not only here in the camp, but also later. You have my word. I won't accept a life without you."

Klink could not help the smile that spread over his face. Hogan and his optimism. If everything went to hell, Robert Hogan always saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Was it a wonder that he loved his American troublemaker so much? Lying his head back on Rob's shoulder, he tightened his arms around his beloved, wishing time would stop.

*** HH ***

Monday came far too early for the two men in love. For the last time, they showered together; making love beneath the pouring water. They had breakfast together, what delayed the morning roll call, but for once Klink gave a heck on duty. The mere thought to return to his quarters in the evening and Robert being gone sent chills down his back.

Giving the love of his life one fierce, last kiss and clinging to him for a moment, he finally left the building to attend his duties – feeling Robert's sad gaze on his back while he walked over the compound, where freezing and grumbling POWs still waited for the roll call.

To keep up their cover and to not wake more suspects as they already did, it was Schultz who brought Hogan in the camp's truck to the hospital in Hammelburg during the later morning, and not Klink. The colonel was checked thoroughly through, and Dr. Birkhorn found no reasons to declare the American NOT as healed, but warned him not to overdo it in the next few weeks. His body had suffered a lot and had not regained its full strength.

Afterwards, Schultz used the opportunity to place orders of food for the stock of Stalag 13 – getting less than a week ago. The market was simply lacking of larger amounts of basic nourishments, flesh, and vegetables. There was no doubt that sooner or later the inhabitants of the camp had to tighten their belts.

Because he and Hogan were alone in town, a few helping hands put the boxes and bags on the truck before the two men returned to Stalag 13, where several POWs unloaded the truck. Schultz had the big displeasure to inform the Kommandant of the even more streamlined rations. The money he had paid for the few things he got was even less worth than before – and the free offered products were drastically reduced by now.

While Himmler went behind Hitler's back and contacted the president of the International Red Cross, Folke Bernadotte, to make a peace offer to the West Allies, LeBeau helped Hogan to pack his few belongings and to move them back to Barracks 2, where the colonel shared a common lunch with his men. Only at the sidelines he became aware of another fact in connection with him returning to his own quarters: the deal of LeBeau cooking for both colonels was over now. But Louis, whose sometimes grumpy behavior was only a pretend to mask his far too soft heart, offered to cook here and there for Klink, too. After all, their 'Balding Eagle' belonged to them now.

Hogan was welcomed back in the barracks with a loud 'Hipp-hipp hurray!', as if a father or brother came home from a very long business trip. LeBeau had prepared some cake, and Robert did not want to know how the tiny Frenchman got a hold of the ingredients. Schultz, who helped him carry his belongings, got a piece of it, smiling and groaning in delight.

For an hour, everything seemed to settle back to normality, but as Hogan stood in his own tiny quarters unpacking his hygiene utensils after the little welcome back party, the reality of this new/old status crashed down onto him.

No, he did not mind the shabby walls, the hard bed, the simple desk, or the old sink which built the furniture. He also ignored how the wind found here and there its way into the room or how it howled around the corner of the little chamber he called 'his'. He had never been a man who needed luxury to be content. No, he missed the warm and cozy atmosphere he had experienced in Will's quarters. He missed the soft ticking of the grandfather clock, Will's scent and… and simply Will's presence. As his gaze found the top of the stock bed he usually occupied, he knew that he would need nights to get used to this here again. Not because of the miserable excuse of a mattress or the cool air, but because of Wilhelm's absence.

Good God, he was away from the little house fifty meters away for only an hour, and he already yearned to be back there – together with his German counterpart.

Love and what it could do to a man.

Sighing, he finished unpacking before he returned to the main room. The beaming faces of his friends and comrades distracted him, but he knew that something had changed in him drastically. That nothing would be again like it had been before.

He reported to London that he was back at his original location, what earned him a surprised "You've been in the Kommandant's quarters the whole time?" Hogan only rolled his eyes. What did they think in London? That Klink would kick him out while he was still injured and healing? Had they not learned anything about the man who protected Hogan and his men for two years now? He growled inwardly. Sometimes the staff was really slow. It had to be with being placed at a desk most the time. And he knew that would delay any commotion as long as possible to avoid the fate to become a slow, thinking individual.

Evening roll call happened at the usual time, and Robert could not deny that he felt a soft stab in his chest as he lined up with the others and watched Klink coming out of his office, steps in hurry, stance bowed, one hand on his back, the other clinging onto his riding crop. Their eyes met, and only Rob saw the short pain in those blue eyes before Wilhelm straightened his shape.

"Prisoners, like you already saw, Colonel Hogan healed up nicely and was declared as cured from the doctor. From now on, he can return to his duties as Senior POW officer of this camp – and I hope, Colonel, you give me a little less trouble than usual."

It was odd. Strange to hear Klink addressing him so formally, but he knew that this had to be done to keep up their cover.

"As long as you don't give us trouble, Kommandant, I'm as nice as a schoolboy."

The first laughter was to hear.

"Hogan, if you were only half as good as a schoolboy like you're now, then I'm taking your words as a sincere warning."

More laughter, while the two officers exchanged a look no one could portend.

"All right, Gentlemen, dismissed!" Klink waved them off, gave Robert a last intense glance, and returned to his office. God, he would delay the return to his quarters as much as he could. He almost feared to step into the empty building without the younger man waiting for him.

The Heroes had watched the little scene and took now a closer look at their friend as he turned around to them. For a moment, something seemed to cloud his eyes, then he put on a brave face. "As it seems, I have to convince him of me being a 'good boy' during the next games of chess," Rob grinned. "And maybe I should remind him as soon as possible." Whistling, he walked towards Barracks 2.

And in the background, Newkirk shoved his hand beneath LeBeau's nose. "I won," he said.

"Oui, I know. I owe you one British Pound now," Louis sighed.

Kinchloe stopped beside them. "On what did you bet?"

"Of the first excuse the gov'nor would use to visit Klink in secret," Newkirk deadpanned, smirking from one ear to the next.

Hogan's second in command groaned, already assuming that this would not be the last bet the others would put on their CO's white lies to get to his secret lover.

TBC…

Well, you can imagine, what kind of excuses and how many of them Hogan / Klink will come up with to see each other in semi-privacy. In the next chapter, both are almost overdoing it, while the Heroes laugh the head off.

Parallel another real history event lays the base for the last episode of the TV-show, namely "Rockets or Romance", in which our two lovebirds will have to play the acting-roles of their life…

I hope, you liked this chapter more, and I also hope to get some feedback.

Have a nice rest of Sunday and a good start into the next week,

Love

Yours Starflight