Hi my dear readers,
that is it finally: The last chapter.
I want to say 'thank you' to you all; for your loyalty, for the many, many reviews, comments, kudos or whatever kind of feedback you chose. It was a long way from the beginning to the end now, and I know you walked with the Heroes and our two love-birds, but also with the other characters (like Schmidt and Helga, or even Burkhalter or Hochstetter) a rough way and an emotional rollercoaster.
The times during WW II were dark and sinister, full of blood, cruelness and inhumanity, but there were also moments of light like friendship that overcame pre-justice and problems, loyalty that was stronger than vowed duties, and even love that seemed to bloom there, where it seemed to be impossible.
I hope that I found the right mixture between humor and drama, fiction and reality, and that you enjoyed to read this story like I did it during writing. One little hint: The mentioned dates and events are, once again, historically.
Now, have fun with the last chapter.
Love
Yours Starflight
Chapter 109 – Important decisions 'til the end
The evening was spent in forced calmness. All Klinks were nervous because of what was going to happen in Düsseldorf. Yet Klink Senior went to bed early. "I'm old, I'm tired, and I'm sure that they'll raze the town, so no need to stay up all night. We're homeless from now on!" With those words, he took off the guest room in Klink's quarters.
With the grumpy old man out of the way, Anna-Maria waited exactly twenty minutes before she confronted her middle son and the US-officer; knowing that her father-in-law was sound asleep.
"All right, gentlemen, out with it," she said suddenly, while they sat in the living area on the sofa and armchairs, nipping at the tea Butler and his troops had left for them.
"Out with what?" Wilhelm asked, and promptly ducked as his mother said indignantly,
"Wilhelm Karl Eduard Klink, don't play dumb with me." She looked at Hogan, then back at her son. "You two are friends, yes? Friends or…friends?"
Wolfgang, who knew about his brother's streak, too, glanced at his mother and Hogan with big eyes.
Robert cleared his throat and gave Will an asking glance, who nodded slowly. "She knows, Rob. She covered for me since…well, for approximately 20 years now."
A sigh escaped Hogan, then he rubbed his neck and took a deep breath. "Will and I are together," he said quietly, smiling sheepishly as Wolfgang groaned and shook his head in a mixture of frustration and amusement. Reaching out, he took his lover's hand in his and entwined their fingers. "We love each other," he added softly, but also with some firmness.
Anna-Maria nodded slowly. "I thought so much. The way Wilhelm groused about you within the last three years spoke more volumes than the whole town library held books. No one ever went as deep under his skin as you did – and still do. I knew it after his first home leave, and I knew it after I learned what happened during the late winter and now in spring." She turned her attention to her son. "What are you going to do?"
This time Wilhelm really was clueless as to what his mother referred. "What do you mean, Mutti?"
She lifted an eyebrow. "The war will soon be over – and I think after all you did, you won't face a harsh punishment. What are your plans afterwards?"
"Afterwards?" Wilhelm frowned.
"Heavens, Willie, Mutter refers to your upcoming trial after the war and what you intend to do after you're free again concerning your…uhm…love to Colonel Hogan."
The two lovers exchanged a short glance and as Klink nodded, Robert braced his arms on his thighs and fixed his gaze at Frau Klink and Wolfgang. "There will be no trial for your son and brother," he said slowly, earning him two confused faces. "Will…worked together with me against the regime."
"What?" Gasped the old lady, while Wolfgang's eyes widened as he looked at his brother.
"You…worked for the Underground?"
Wilhelm nodded. "Yes, I did. Robert is in truth a spy who let himself be captured to fight against Hitler and his goonies from behind our lines – he and his men." He pointed to the floor. "Beneath those planks a whole equipped intel center is installed with a radio, telephone exchange station, tailoring, photograph studios, presses for counterfeit money, labs, and what you need to fulfill a task as a spy, saboteur, and rescuer of hundreds of hunted people."
Frau Klink blinked a few times, completely dumbfounded. "But…you were always so proud that there were no escapes – that you led the toughest POW camp in Germany."
"A fake," Will admitted. "Robert ordered his men not to flee because it would have caused me trouble. First he thought I was stupid and lax, and he needed me to get his job done, because every hint pointed to the fact that I hadn't looked through him. In truth, I realized what he was and did after a few months – and kept silent. Even more, I covered for him or gave him warnings when the Gestapo or SS was close on his tail."
"Because you'd fallen for him," Wolfgang assumed, and his older brother sighed.
"I have to admit that my feelings for him were a part of it, yes. Even if I tried to deny them in the beginning, but that wasn't the only reason. He was my Senior POW Officer, and I'm his jailer while holding the same rank. That could only lead to a catastrophe. Furthermore, I would never abuse my position to force someone I'm responsible for to do me…well…personal favors. Added to this, I held and still hold high respect for Robert. And…" He chuckled softly. "I didn't think that he would develop feelings for me. Not only because I was an enemy, but above all a man." He smiled fondly at Hogan. "He didn't leave out any chance to flirt with every female that came into camp, but I was wrong."
"You really fell in love with my brother?" Wolfgang was more than surprised as he asked Hogan.
"Yes, I did. First I didn't recognize all the signs my body was sending when Will was present – especially after he got me out from the SS-Headquarters and nursed me back to health. Then…uhm…dreams started. And finally I couldn't deny it any longer – I felt drawn to him. And it grew into more. The hours he was in Berlin during the big air raid in February and the days I feared for him because Hochstetter shot him were the most horrible times of my life." He reached out again to take Will's fingers into his, his eyes full of tenderness and bore it into the blue-grey shades of Wilhelm's. "I can't imagine losing him – ever."
Again, Frau Klink pursed her lips. "But that's exactly what is going to happen when you're called back to America." She glanced at Will. "Do you want to go with him?"
Both men tensed before Will sighed and whispered, "My duty lies with my family, Mutti."
"Nonsense."
"I can't leave you to yourself under the given circumstances." Wilhelm protested, unable to hide the pain in his voice and on his face. "I'm going to lose my job in the Wehrmacht, and with a little bit of luck, I'll find a job in the industry or as a bookkeeper. Wolfgang's injuries will prevent him from working, and Friedrich has his own family. Therefore…"
"I intend to become a teacher after the war – for chemistry," the youngest Klink brother cut in.
Will's eyes became as big as saucers. "After you blew up a whole factory by accident? Do you think they would allow you near a school and…"
"It wasn't an accident," his brother interrupted him and grinned as he saw three confused faces, while some knowledge shone in the American's eyes. Taking a deep breath, he said slowly, "You're not the only one who recognized Hitler and his 'friends' as what they were: inhumane monsters who don't care for anyone except themselves. I arranged everything to look like an accident, but the truth is I blew up the lab on purpose."
"Wolfgang!" His mother gasped, in shock.
"You did what?" Will almost squeaked. "You almost got yourself killed!"
"And there I thought it was another proof of the Klink gaucheness." Robert snorted, shaking his head. "In truth, you're a bunch of incredible actors and rascals."
"This is the kettle calling the pot black," the former Oberst grumbled, shoving his lover gently by one shoulder. Then he looked at his younger brother. "Wolfie, what for God's sake happened?"
"Unfortunately, I miscalculated the timer, and the fireworks started a few minutes too early, but I was lucky. I was hurled against a wall, and one of the big lab tables fell over me, taking most of the blow. It also protected me against the following explosions and flying objects. A few colleagues were down the next door and got me out. I will limp for the rest of my life, but that was a price I was ready to pay. The destruction of the lab prevented the production of new missiles and delayed it for weeks, saving a lot of lives at the end of it. I'm proud of it."
Hogan stared at him – and began to laugh. "You Klinks. You never cease to surprise me. First your brother played the role as the gauche, idiotic Kommandant so well that I want to recommend him for the next Oscar nomination, and now you're an Underground fighter, too. Don't tell me your oldest brother belongs to the Underground as well."
Wolfgang shook his head. "No, he doesn't. He still thinks Hitler is the best that could ever happen to the German economy – even if he had to close his factory three weeks ago. The last I heard he and his family got a ship to Denmark."
"He left you and Mutter and simply took off?" Wilhelm growled, eyes shooting daggers.
"Well – yes. Did you expect something else? He phoned us one last time and offered us to come with him – meeting him in Rostock; not that he would make a detour to pick us up. And as Mutti declined, he said he would try to stay in contact, but he had to think of his children and his soon-to-be-born grandchild and hung up. That's that."
"I knew that he was a bastard the moment he emerged in camp and attacked me, because he thought I would try to poison Will after giving him water." Hogan grumbled. "Sorry, Will, but your older brother is the infamous black sheep every family has."
"Well, he resembles Grandfather in character a lot." Wolfgang sighed.
Frau Klink hadn't forgiven her eldest son for leaving her and the others alone. And she still had to stomach what she just learned of her two other sons, but she was a more practical woman, so she stuck to the current topic.
"This all brings me back to your two's problem. Colonel Hogan will be called back to his home soon, and you, Wilhelm, put your duty over your own welfare – contraire to your older brother. I won't have it. Tell me openly and in clear words; if you have a chance to accompany Colonel Hogan to the USA without letting us down, would you go?"
Klink felt his mouth going dry, while his heart began to beat wildly. It was his biggest wish. A dream come true. And feeling miserable because of voicing selfishness, his soul could give only one answer. "Yes."
Anna-Maria nodded and addressed Hogan. "And if Wilhelm wouldn't have to stay here out of family-duties, but would be free to go with you, would you take him with you?"
"Yes," came the instant reply – firm and strong.
The old lady straightened her shape. "Then it is decided."
"What is decided?" Wolfgang asked, bemused.
"What Wilhelm and your other brother Friedrich already suggested a few times; we're moving to your sister in Switzerland."
Silence. For a long moment, there was only silence until the two brothers called out, "WHAT?"
Frau Klink nodded firmly. "I should have made this decision months ago. It would have spared Wilhelm sleepless nights, Friedrich expensive telephone calls, and Colonel Hogan's allies another mission. And it would have spared us a lot of stress and fear within the last several hours."
"Mutti, you don't have to give up Düsseldorf only because I…"
His mother bent forwards and took her middle son's hand in hers. "Wilhelm, let's face it. Düsseldorf is destroyed. There are only a few districts left still inhabitable – and our house was damaged a few times. To tell you the truth, I didn't feel safe there anymore. And…"
"But…this is the house of your parents, Mutter. You were born and grew up there. It holds a lot of memories for you. And all the furniture…"
"Let's face the truth; we cannot go on like this. A house and furniture are home, yes – as long as they offer you safety and peace. If this is no longer the case, it's a place you live and sleep in – without the heart. During the last air raid, the roof and a wall were damaged, we have no power and water anymore, the garden has turned into sheer wilderness, and most of our neighbors have already fled. If the town should survive tonight, it doesn't mean it can still offer its citizens shelter and nourishment. Sweet Lord, we hadn't even had water to wash ourselves anymore. That we're this clean is because of Herr Thiele, who brought a few canisters of water with him along with soap and towels."
"Mutti, why didn't you say anything?" Klink breathed.
"What for? You were here in Hammelburg and had your duty. What would have happened if you knew what had befallen on us? You would have tried to come to us, and then what? The ways out of Germany are closed. The chance to make it safely to another country was very small. Most neighboring countries would never take us in. I'm sure there will even be problems to go to Switzerland, but regarding the fact that I'm old, your brother is crippled, and your sister lives there with a rich husband, they might let us in. And…"
"Ma'am," Hogan interrupted her gently, his whole being soaring with new hope to be with Will without a separation within the next few weeks. "If you really want to move to your daughter's whereabouts, I can be of some help. The US diplomacy staff has a relatively good relationship with Switzerland despite the terrible error our air fighters did a few weeks ago and mistook Zurich for Augsburg. My superior, General Butler, has connections within the diplomatic corps, and I'm sure he can arrange your transfer after the war – officially and without any trouble at the border."
Anna-Maria looked straight at him, a soft smile playing around her lips. Of course she saw the eagerness and hope on the younger man's face and heard it in his voice. It was more proof of how much he loved her middle son. "Let me guess; you'd be very happy if Wilhelm wouldn't have to stay here out of duty towards us, but would accompany you."
Hogan lifted both hands in surrender, his gaze warm and full of hope. "You caught me, Ma'am. Like I said; I love him dearly, and the thought of leaving him behind – even if only for a few months – weighted heavily on my mind and soul for quite some time. I planned on coming back to help rebuild your country…"
Mother and youngest son stared disbelievingly at him, and he shrugged. "Well, yes, it's true. I know that your people are going to need help after the disaster Hitler left behind. You're mostly the victims now, and I do differ between those who are guilty and those who are not. I wanted to return, and I still do, because I came to know Germany a little bit. And despite this insane bastard in Berlin and these horror-guys of the Gestapo and SS, your country itself is beautiful. So many people were misled and had to suffer for their trust they put in the wrong person. I also know that you were under an inhumane pressure after WWI and that it was a little bit our own fault that someone like Hitler could rise like he did. So, yes, I want to return to help your people back on their feet and to be together with Will again." He smiled at Wilhelm, whose eyes were wet. "But if Willie could accompany me from the beginning, I would be the happiest man alive. I want to show him my home, meet my parents, and have him for a few weeks with nothing to worry about – living in a world that's not torn apart."
"And then you would return – to help us?" Wolfgang asked, baffled.
Hogan nodded. "Yes, I would. Together with Will, who was already of great help within the last several days negotiating between us and the Hammelburg citizens. I'm sure our staff would be happy to have him volunteer for a similar job. Maybe in Berlin. And as a future major general, I hope I'm needed there, too. And even if they have other plans for me…Well, I can be very convincing."
"That's the understatement of the century," Wilhelm deadpanned. "He makes you think what he wants is what you wanted even before he mentioned it – and then he has you."
While Wolfgang and Anna-Maria chuckled, the former Oberst looked at his beloved troublemaker and felt a lump in his throat while sheer happiness squeezed his heart. Would it be possible? Would he really be able to travel with Robert to the US without letting down his family? Was there indeed the chance that he and Rob could have a life together?
Frau Klink pursed her lips again, glad that she had made this decision. Wilhelm deserved to live his own life like he wanted. "I really don't want to ask you again for your help, Colonel, because you already did so, so much for my family. But if your superior could arrange a visa for us, I would be very glad. Not only for Wolfgang and I, but especially for Wilhelm." She looked at her middle son lovingly. "He deserves to finally have happiness – and you make him happy. This much I can see."
Robert nodded – and then the impact of what just happened finally hit him. Will didn't have to stay in Germany to aid his family. He would be free – free to go with him to America. They would be together, walking the streets of New York and Miami, exploring the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. Watch the white sundown of Florida and wander through the endless corn fields or go fishing. He would show him Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, and Washington DC. Hell, Will would see the White House; the building Hitler wanted to sit in one day, but fortunately, there had been enough brave men to prevent this catastrophe.
Touched, Frau Klink watched how the two men looked at each other with tears in their eyes. Yes, it had been difficult for her to realize that her middle son wouldn't marry, wouldn't bear any children – or would have to play a role for the rest of his life to be regarded as 'normal'. Never had she thought he would meet someone who would love him like Robert Hogan did. And she was glad that fate had let them cross paths. For once, Wilhelm wouldn't be the 'outcast', but had found a place in his life – at the side of this boyish, yet strong man.
Even if Düsseldorf would be spared and maybe rebuilt, any thoughts of returning vanished in her mind. Moving to Switzerland would not only mean that the rest of her living years (and those of her father-in-law) would be comfortable, it would also mean that her two sons had a better chance for the future. Wolfgang could teach in Switzerland at a school; his brother-in-law certainly would use his influence to get him a job. And Wilhelm could move to the USA. If he and Hogan would return one day or not didn't even matter. She was ready to relinquish the strong hold she always had on her middle son to keep him safe. Now it was up to Robert Hogan to look out for Wilhelm – and the other way around. Anna-Maria had learned from Friedrich how fiercely Wilhelm became on Hogan's behalf.
And seeing them sitting there side by side, eyeing each other with deep blissfulness and love, she knew that those two were made for each other as different as they were. Love didn't know any borders, and for the first time in many years, Anna-Maria Klink felt at peace.
Germany lay in ruins, the war was lost, yet the battles continued. It would last many years to eliminate the brutal scars the war had bestowed on the country. Lands were lost, towns would never be rebuilt in their old glory, many men would return home changed forever. But those two had each other, and for them it was enough.
*** HH *** HH ***
Of course, the next day Klink's grandfather protested to moving to Switzerland after the war. Especially after they all got news concerning Düsseldorf.
The town had been spared. Resistance against the regime and SS had been built for months, and as the US troops were closing in, a group around the architect Odenthal, the baker Winkens, and the lawyer Müller, decided to take action to surrender the town. To gain this goal, they first had to disempower the SS and the current town government. They managed to lock up the police president of Düsseldorf, Brigarde-Leader August Korreng, but the mission 'Rhineland' failed. Odenthal and the others were betrayed and arrested, yet Odenthal and one of his friends, August Wiedenhof, were able to flee and reached the US troops near Mettmann (a suburb of Düsseldorf) in the later afternoon of April 16th.
After long negotiations, they officially surrendered the town without a fight. An air raid with more than 800 bombers was cancelled in the very last minute. Like this, Düsseldorf escaped total destruction and saved more than 100,000 lives.
On April 17th, the US troops seized Düsseldorf, Odenthal and Wiedenhof leading them through the town to the main police department in the hope to free their friends.
They came too late. Every one of the resistance groups who had been caught had already faced a firing squad. Later it was revealed that they had been tortured before they were shot. Their corpses were buried with all honor in North Cemetery, Stoffler Cemetery, and Gerresheimer Forest-Cemetery. There are memorials today to remember the men's bravery and sacrifice.
Like this, the war was over for Düsseldorf. More than 85% of the town lay in ruins, there was no water or power supply, and people camped in the streets. Not able to stand such misery, many members of the US troops helped by offering nourishment, medical aid, and even tents and blankets. It would last more than 15 years until the last tracks of the war would be eliminated.
Hence the old man's protest, Hogan contacted General Butler a day later asking him for help concerning the planed resettlement of Klink's family. He also asked for an official visa for Will that would permit him to travel to the US.
Somehow, Alex wasn't even surprised. "I knew that you would take him with you. You two are inseparable, after all," he sighed.
"Will is a very good friend," Robert answered, and received a short laugh for it.
"Son, do I want to know how close this friendship really is?" The question caught Hogan by surprise, but before he could reply something, Alex added, "Don't answer that question. I don't want to know the truth. It's better for all of us."
Seven days later, the information came. Klink, as a member of the Underground and loyal supporter of the West Allies, would get a visa after the war. And another friend of Butler's, who was a high ranking diplomat, had the official Swiss residence permit for Frau Klink and her family to move to Switzerland. Detailed arrangements would be made after the war.
*** HH *** HH ***
Life in Stalag 13 continued in relative peace. On April 22nd, the citizens of Hammelburg celebrated a thanksgiving service in their cleaned church. And the unusual circumstances within the country allowed an early marriage. Hilda Schneider and Horst Schmidt exchanged their wedding vows after the mass.
Klink and Fuhrmann were the best men, and Robert, as the highest ranking US officer in the area, signed the marriage certificate together with the interims judge. The marriage party was small and held at the Schneider's farm, yet many people stopped by to give the newlyweds their best wishes. LeBeau insisted on cooking and baking the whole wedding menu, and the other Heroes, as well as Wilson, Olsen, and a few other former POWs, joined the party after they had cleaned the barn.
None of them knew that the Red Army was already battling in Berlin – and that the days of war were counted.
The next day, April 23rd, Goering fell from grace while he was in Berchtesgaden. Three days later, Himmler tried to save what wasn't savable anymore as he offered capitulation with the help of the Red Cross. It was declined. The next morning, US troops and divisions of the Red Army met at the Elbe River, while the Royal Air Force attacked the Berghof in Berchtesgaden, destroying the building and a part of the bunkers beneath it. Goering escaped to shelter in the small town nearby. A day later, Berlin was completely encircled by the Red Army, while Washington signed a directive that declared that Germany wasn't 'liberated' but 'conquered as a hostile country'. Hogan, who learned of it with dread, knew that it would need a lot of talking and well-thought arguments to convince High Command and Washington to help the German people at all. But he had set his mind to it, and everyone who knew him was sure he would reach his goal sooner or later.
The end of the war began on April 30th. After Hitler and his lover married, they died by their own hands – evading punishment and further responsibility. Fleet Admiral Dönitz became the new leader in Germany, but he wouldn't be it for long. On May 1st, Goebbels and his wife killed themselves in the garden of the destroyed Reichskanzlei after Magda Goebbels had poisoned all of her children – but not to prevent them from paying for their parents' crimes in Russian hands. As fanatic as she was, she didn't want her children to live in a world without Hitler and his regards. Dazing them with a sedation she had mixed in their cacao, she combed them and clad them in white nightgowns, then she made them swallow 'medicine'. In truth, it was a strong poison – the same Hitler had tested on his dog Blondie and given his new wife before he shot her and himself. The youngest child was six, the oldest was twelve. Only the Goebbels' oldest son, who was a POW, survived because of being captured.
The next day Berlin fell. 10,000 people had died in this needless battle for a capital that was already destroyed. But they hadn't only died because of the combat. Until the bitter end, drumhead trials and SS-leaders declared citizens as 'traitors' and had them either hung or shot. Another cruel outcome was the blowing up of a tunnel roof of the metro near the Landwehr-Kanal (name of the water channel) in Berlin by US troops. They didn't know that thousands of civilians had fled underground to escape the horror in the streets. The damage was strong enough to free the water, and it overflooded the tunnels. Most people inside died.
Finally, on the evening of May 2nd, Berlin surrendered. The next two days were ruled by chaos. Two passenger ships carrying escaped captives were destroyed – a horrible misunderstanding between the RBA and intel. The remaining ships of the German Navy had ordered to destroy themselves – an order that was cancelled in the very last minute by Fleet Admiral Dönitz, saving thousands of lives.
And Dönitz did more. He released Himmler from all duties, built an interims government, and began to negotiate with the West Allies. He didn't care for Hitler's last order to fight to the death. Even loyal as he had been towards the Führer, he wasn't blinded by the insane hate Hitler harbored during the last few months. He didn't want the German people to be erased, so he surrendered. On May 7th, the Wehrmacht officially capitulated in Reims and gave official orders the next day via radio to quit all battles. More than 7.5 million Wehrmachts and SS-members became POWs.
Hogan and Klink barely switched off the radio during those days. They knew that the war was over, but they only breathed in relief and embraced each other on May 8th, when they heard the official order and news of the surrender.
That day a big celebration was thrown in Stalag 13 – a real one; not a fake done like last autumn as they tricked Hochstetter in setting free Underground agents. The men had a party until the next morning and even lay in each other's arms weeping in relief and joy.
A day later, everyone had a hangover. Hogan learned that Goering had been caught by US troops. As it seemed, he had tried to escape from Berchtesgaden, but he didn't get far. He was captured in Kitzbühl, Austria and would kill himself a few weeks later.
On May 9th, the governments of the freed countries, as well as those of the West Allies, held a speech to their own people around the world.
The horror of the war that had seized the planet was over – at least in Europe and Russia. The war in Asia would continue a few months more, but the root of all evilness – the disbelieving greed, bestial point of views, and insane hate towards everyone who didn't meet the Führer's standards – was no more. Hitler and Goebbels were dead, Goering would follow weeks later by his own hand, and Himmler was caught incognito as he tried to flee the country using fake documents. The four devils were dead, and many of their servants would share their fate, but for what a price. Too many good men and innocent people had been killed only because of those four men's madness. Too many blood and tears were shed, and the world would weep for a long time until the wounds began to heal.
Hammelburg was peaceful. The military government ruled with a firm, but not too stern hand, and slowly, some trust had developed between the citizens and GIs. The kids spent most hours of the day in the US camp at the river learning English, getting chocolate, and the older ones got a cigarette here and there. There wouldn't be any school for them until autumn, so they enjoyed their time of being free of fears and duties. Later they would have good memories of the summer. And as the first young summoned members of the Volkssturm and Hitler Jugend returned, worry turned into relief and relief into gratefulness. A first step to a better future had been made.
*** HH ***
A few days later the message came: Frau Klink, her youngest son, and her father-in-law would be flown to Stuttgart and from there would be escorted to the Swiss border, where an employee of the American embassy would wait for them and take them to Bern, where Wilhelm's sister and her husband lived.
And she would have a companion. Hans Schultz was allowed to go home and would fly with them to Stuttgart, from where he would be taken to Heidelberg. After all he did for Hogan and his men, for the other POWs, and the Underground, there wouldn't be any trial for him. He was regarded as a valuable ally and treated as such. He had gotten two telephone calls from his oldest daughter, who called from the new established US Headquarters in Heidelberg. Between the lines he learned that a young US captain was responsible for this favor and that the Schatze Spielzeug Fabrik would re-open within the next few weeks.
Hogan had bruises from the bear-like hug Schultz gave him afterwards, complaining that the large Bavarian was trying to kill him in the end, and earned him a lot of laughs from his men and some teasing from Will.
The goodbye was teary for all of them. They wouldn't see each other in a long time, and Wilhelm promised his mother to write. Hogan gave Anna-Maria, whom he called by her given name by now, the address of his parents through which she could contact her middle son any time she wanted until he settled in and had his own home. Wolfgang and his brother embraced each other. It had become plain to see within the last few weeks that the two siblings were close and had a far lovelier relationship than with Friedrich.
Klink and Schultz wished each other farewell, and the Heroes swore up and down that both Germans had tears in their eyes. The two men's relationship hadn't been an easy one, but when the going had gotten rough, they had stood together like one man. Little by little, they had become friends. At the beginning without even recognizing it, and now – as they would walk separate ways from now on – the goodbye was hurtful.
Schultz returned home a day later – walking down the street where the house of his family had been built five decades ago. His youngest daughter, Franziska, had seen him coming through the kitchen window and raced out of the house screaming at the top of her lungs that he was home. Laughing, he enclosed her in his arms and held her tightly, too happy to find any words. His wife was next and came out of the house smiling and almost weeping in joy – something that touched him deeply despite the disputes they had on a regular base.
"Margarethe is at the company," Gretchen told him. "She and Captain Furson are watching the dismounting of the not needed tools and the setup of the machines that will be used for the production."
"Captain Furson?" Hans asked, confused. "Who is that?"
His youngest daughter began to giggle. "I think Marga fell for him," she revealed, and the former sergeant's jaw dropped. What? His daughter and an Ami? Then he remembered Hogan and sent a prayer to the Lord that this Captain Furson wouldn't be so troublesome like the damn rascal he had come to like so much.
In the evening, Furson brought Margarethe home, and Hans used the chance to come face to face with the young man, eyeing him warily. He wasn't surprised that the captain was incredibly polite and even regarded it as an honor to meet 'one of the important Underground agents who helped to defeat Hitler'. Getting such compliments, Hans' temper calmed down, and he had to admit that the young US captain was indeed a nice guy.
But the happy surprises weren't over for the Schultz family. Furson was about to leave as another jeep came down the road. Three Americans sat in it – and two boys.
"What…" Hans breathed, who had accompanied Furson to the door, and stared disbelievingly at the well-known face that beamed at him from the backseat. "Max…" he whispered before a shout of joy was ripped from his mouth. "MAX!"
His outburst alerted the rest of his family, and Furson was the only one who was rational enough to stay in the door for the case that the wind would try to close it. Smiling, he watched how the large figure of the older German simply raced to the jeep, bent over it, and pulled one of the boys up in his arms, lifting him in the process.
Two corporals and a sergeant left the car and saluted towards the captain, who returned the greeting.
"Dad, you're home!" Max yelled, in joy. "John, Jim, David, just look; Dad's back!"
The addressed men grinned at him, greeted a teary Gretchen Schultz, then Wright lifted Frank in his arms. "And where is your family, young man?" He asked.
Frank pointed over his shoulder to the other side of the street. "There is our house and…MOM!"
Jim flinched as the boy screamed right beside his ear, but he didn't mind. Turing around, he saw a woman in her forties, pale, thin, and with shadows beneath her eyes – eyes filled with tears, while she forgot any wariness and hurried over the street. A younger girl and two small boys followed her, while here and there windows and doors were opened because of all the tumult in the street.
Carefully, he set Frank on his feet, gripped for the crane Frank still needed, and handed it to him. Then the boy's mother was there and simply pulled her son into her arms, weeping in relief and joy.
Jim and David exchanged a glance. So much worry, so many tears, so many fears only because of one crazy bastard in Berlin. Here and now everything had a happy ending, but they knew that most families wouldn't be so lucky and have to mourn their dear ones.
Sighing, Wright wanted to address John Milford – and saw his superior and friend staring at someone with big eyes. Following his gaze, he saw a young woman, maybe eighteen or nineteen years old, with big round blue eyes, a heart-shaped face, and a curly mass of blonde hair. She held Max in her arms and hugged him before another girl – a little older – did the same.
"Thank you for bringing my son home," Schultz croaked, and offered Milford his hand. "I assume you're the young man he spared and befriended?"
John took the hand and shook it. "Yes, John Milford is my name. This is Jim Wright and David Greenhill." He introduced his companions.
"My friends, too," Max threw in, grinning. "And tell you what? They're transferred from their post to stay here in Heidelberg. Isn't that great?" He beamed at Milford, who chuckled.
"Well, of what I've seen from the town so far, it's really impressing and beautiful. There are certainly a lot worse cities I could have been transferred to. And the people here seem to be nice." His gaze wandered beneath his lashes to the young blonde woman, who looked straight at him with the bluest eyes he ever saw. The impact he felt was strong, and to his horror, he flushed.
Max watched him and followed his gaze. Instantly, he knew what happened and smirked as he said, "This is my sister Franziska. Hey, Franzi; come and say 'hello' to my friend John!"
Almost shy, Franzi closed the short distance to them and offered Milford her hand. "Thank you for watching over my brother and his friend, sir."
"You're most welcome," John murmured.
Hans watched them with hawk eyes, caught his youngest son's wide and pleased smile, and rolled his eyes. 'If this continues, my family will grow in no time – added by Americans no less. I can only hope that at least my two eldest sons aren't already love-smitten with those French girls, or we have to discuss which language will be spoken in this house from now on.'
The answer came two days later as Ludwig and Hans – the eldest sons of the Schultz family – walked down the line and headed home. They were thin, their clothes were ragged, yet they looked healthy, clean, and carried a little sack over their shoulders. They belonged to the first who had been allowed to go home, and Schultz knew exactly whom he had to thank for it: A certain Colonel Hogan, who would be a general soon.
As the US officer had been brought to Stalag 13, Hans had known that the man meant trouble. That this trouble was connected to spy-business and sabotages was something Schultz only learned of later – and Hogan had already woven his net around him, showing him a way to fight against the regime without getting into too much danger.
Never in a million years had Schultz thought that Hogan would become such a good friend – that he would help him and his family like this. Securing them a better future and bringing his summoned sons home while saving the Schatze Toy Company.
There had been times he had cursed the day Hogan had been brought to Stalag 13 – now he blessed that day, because this incredible man had been his and his family's savior in the end. He vowed to stay in contact with the American and hopefully with the other Heroes, too. Yes, he was glad that the war was over and that his chosen hometown had been spared, but that bunch of grown rascals would always hold a special place in his heart for a long, long time.
*** HH *** HH ***
And then, finally, the day came in which a plane landed not too far away from the field in the south of camp, bringing the new CO of Stalag 13 and the camp that had settled down at the banks of the Saale River.
It was the 25th of May, and Hogan and his men were more than ready to return home.
Robert and Will had enjoyed their time together after Anna-Maria and the rest of the Klink family had left. They had lived in Will's former quarters, forcing Hogan and Wilhelm to move into the Kommandantur to have some privacy. After the others' departures, they had used the few days for themselves whenever they were off duty – playing chess or making love.
As the information came that a plane would pick them up soon, Will had begun to pack his belongings he would take to the US. He planned on settling down near Robert's own place – even if they might return to Germany to bring some order to the chaos the country was drowning in.
While Klink packed, Hogan had another job: to empty the tunnels.
Somehow it almost hurt to dismount all the devices, the power wires, the machines they had used to make false documents, and all the other equipment. To remove everything from Carter's lab was tricky, but in the end, everything that could have endangered the camp was no more. The little furniture were moved to the Barracks that would offer refugees from the east shelter. They would move to Stalag 13 as soon as the last of the POWs went home. Another part of the camp would be used by the GIs who camped at the banks – a peaceful co-existence between those who had escaped the Red Army in the east and the Americans, who didn't mind the civil company.
"Everything is cleared out, Colonel," Kinch reported, and Robert nodded at him.
"Thank you, Kinch." Then he took a lamp and walked through the tunnels one last time. They would be filled with soil and stones soon to stabilize the Barracks.
"It's an awkward feeling – to leave all this," Kinch murmured, and Hogan chuckled.
"Yes, isn't it crazy? There I wished for this particular day for more than three years to happen, and now I'm almost sad to shut our little world down." He glanced around in the chamber that once had been the radio room. "It was the most dangerous time, but also the most fun one; don't you think so?"
The sergeant laughed quietly. "Afterwards even the most sinister situations seem to be funny – if you survive them." He lay a hand on Rob's shoulder. "We survived because of you – because you put our welfare before your own."
"Nah." Hogan shook his head. "We all watched out and had each other's back. That's something I'm going to miss – having our gang together. LeBeau is determined to open a restaurant near Marseilles, Newkirk wants to quit his job in the Royal Air Force, and Carter wants to study chemistry. So, only you, Baker, and I remain in the Service." He sighed. "I'm really going to miss them."
"Just wait and see, Colonel. Maybe we'll be together again – you never know what the future holds."
Rob grinned. "And there I thought I was the optimist, and you the realist."
"Maybe this is just the case again," James smiled, then he climbed up the ladder for the last time.
Robert glanced back into the light shine of his lamp, his gaze wandering over the rough walls, and his nose took in the earthy smell. "Goodbye," he said softly. "In a certain way, you gave us shelter. Now we give you back to the grounds you belong to." Then he climbed up the ladder and closed the entrance. His time as Papa Bear was over.
*** HH ***
The next morning, Hogan and his men, as well as Klink, were picked up to fly to London. A day they all looked forward to, yet was an awkward feeling to leave Stalag 13 and Hammelburg. Hilda and Horst had stopped by to bid them goodbye, and even Fuhrmann had showed up to wish them well.
But as the jeeps drove up and the small road and wooden huts vanished between the greening branches, Hogan felt to his surprise some sadness. For over three years this here had somehow become his home. For over three years he had tricked everything and everyone to fulfill his mission and keep his men and himself safe. For three years this here had been his whole life – and now it was over. This episode of his life was no more. Yet memories would remain.
Among them, something most important for him; here he had found the love of his life. The man who had officially been his jailer and enemy became a friend and rescuer – and then his lover. Even more. Wilhelm Klink held his heart, sheltered, soothed, and revived it after he had been almost broken by Hochstetter. The man beside him was the best thing that ever happened to him, and they had met here – in this camp.
He felt Will gripping for his hand and squeezed those long fingers gently between his own, while he turned his head. Those blue eyes looked at him with tenderness and understanding, but they also shined with a promise – the promise to be there for him. Robert knew that Wilhelm understood the sentimental way he threw one glance back over his shoulder, just like Rob knew that for Will a part of his life was finished, too. The older man was a little bit wistful just like he was. Germans had the streak to get nostalgic easily.
Robert gave his beloved a soft smile that was instantly returned. They understood each other without words.
The Heroes behind them in the other jeep were joking and laughing, while LeBeau drove in a separate one, keeping Bella and four other sheepdogs close. They all would go separate ways soon, but they would stay in contact. They always would remain a bunch of lucky guys who sent the Nazis on goose hunts and tricked everyone through the dark times to stay alive. Thick as thieves.
Sighing, Robert E. Hogan and Wilhelm Klink simply entwined their fingers and looked down the road that would take them to the waiting plane and a new future – one that was unknown and would hold many surprises for them. But they would face it together, and that was all that mattered.
THE END
