Author's Note: I don't own Hogan's Heroes. This is a fictional story any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.


Lutzen seized the lapels of Newkirk's blue jacket and proceeded to holler insults and curses at him in German. Burkhalter ordered Schultz and Hochstetter to break them up.

"You will conduct yourself in a manner befitting you rank." Burkhalter chastised him, "Where have you seen these men, Dietrich? Go through them one-by-one."

Lutzen glared at Hochstetter and yanked his shoulder from under the major's grasp. "The first one I recognize from the farmhouse. He impersonated a German officer, who aided Technical Sergeant Carter, Andrew J." he drew out Carter's name in a resentful tone. "They removed the Englander from my custody."

Hogan risked a glance at the rest of his men. They stood in a straight line with their heads high, staring at the wall across the room. He felt a surge of pride at their ability to play the game, and play it well.

Burkhalter stood and clasped his hands behind his back, "And the second one?"

Lutzen shook his head, "I've never seen him before, but I would not be surprised if he was in on it. The little Frenchman was the one I caught in Dusseldorf. He met with the traitor who stole the film." Lutzen pointed at Newkirk, "The fourth is the one who helped my niece defect to the Allies. He helped the Frenchman escape and I feel confident that he is in complete contact with London."

Burkhalter paced down the line of Allied prisoners, "That's very interesting, Dietrich." When he reached Newkirk he stopped, "Tell me, Corporal, is what he says true?"

Newkirk glanced at Lutzen and shook his head, "Never seen 'im before in me life."

"He's lying!" Lutzen tried to jump to his feet, but was shoved back in his chair by Hochstetter, "I caught him assisting my niece in her defection. I took him to the farmhouse, put him in the cellar, and I interrogated him!"

Burkhalter rolled his eyes, "How can that be, Dietrich? According to Doctor Bernhard Voll and Colonel Klink, Corporal Newkirk was in Hammelburg receiving treatment for Typhoid Fever."

"They're lying!" Lutzen insisted.

Hochstetter scoffed, "Klink has no backbone to lie to the Gestapo."

Burkhalter crossed his arms over his chest, "Believe me, Dietrich, I'm trying to help you. However, you have a colorful military record and not many will be sorry to see you go. Unless you have some evidence confirming your story..."

"Wilburt!" Lutzen shouted, "Corporal Fielderbach was there, he will substantiate my story."

Burkhalter turned to Hogan, "What do you say to that? I must tell you that, if Corporal Fielderbach backs up any part of the general's story, you and your men will be punished severely."

Hogan looked down the line of his men, "You heard General Burkhalter, if you've got anything to say, say it now."

There was silence in the room for a couple of moments until the phone on Klink's desk began to ring. Hochstetter stepped over to the desk and answered, "Hello." he listened and his lips turned down into a frown. "Go back to Hammelburg and set up watch points. Ja, all the train stations." he hung up the phone and perched on the edge of the desk. "Unfortunately for you, my men were unable to locate the prisoner. So, now you have lost the only person with knowledge of where that film is."

Lutzen rolled his eyes, "Technically, Major, she was in your custody when she escaped."

"She would have been secured in her cell, if you had not interfered." the major snapped.

"They don't like each other very much, do they?" Hogan asked, innocently, "I wonder why?"

"Stay out of it, Hogan!" Hochstetter growled.

LeBeau snickered, "Maybe there is too much bad attitude."

"By which one?" Newkirk whispered, behind his hand.

Hochstetter looked like he was going to lose it, when Burkhalter sighed in annoyance. "While we wait for news on Corporal Fielderbach, perhaps we could go over something else that troubles me."

Lutzen raised an eyebrow, "And what's that?"

"The same problem Major Hochstetter has had with his accusations… How do they get in and out of camp?" Burkhalter and Hogan, both watched as the emotions played across Lutzen's face as he tried to answer the question.

Lutzen frantically tried to put the pieces together, There has to be a way. "Tunnels?" he inquired.

Burkhalter shook his head, "Hochstetter and his men have been over this camp with a fine-toothed comb, no tunnels have been found. Klink hasn't reported the finding of a tunnel in months."

I know it is them… it has be them. Lutzen started to laugh in amazement, as he had his light-bulb moment, "He's in on it, too."

Burkhalter glanced at Hochstetter, whose mouth had dropped open. Hogan glanced at his men, who were looking at each other. "Klink?!" Hochstetter screeched in disbelief, "That simpleton couldn't be a traitor." Burkhalter appeared to be considering this new idea. He had to agree with Hochsetter, the idea was unlikely. Klink was, for all intents and purposes, a coward of the highest form. He couldn't be capable of treachery… could he?

"May I say something, General?" Hogan asked, feeling the need to get a handle on the situation. With Burkhalter's approval, he continued, "Colonel Klink being a spy is laughable and I highly doubt any of the kommandant's staff are spies. Might I also point out that General Lutzen appears to believe everyone is a spy. Next he'll be telling you that Hochstetter is a spy… or even you, sir."

Burkhalter rubbed his chin as he mused over the American's words, "You mean, perhaps he is not of sound mind?"

"No!" Lutzen shouted, this time he actually stood and put his hand on Burkhalter's shoulder, "Albert, don't fall for their tricks." his eyes flashed wildly and he stated, emphatically, "Albert, you know what we do to lunatics." He shot a quick, panicked look at Hochstetter, "I made it all up. I have never seen any of them before, except Hogan. The boy's death was an accident. My interrogation tactics might be unorthodox, but they are effective."

Burkhalter pushed him down into the chair, "Pull yourself together, Dietrich. Hogan, you and your men are dismissed to your barracks. Schultz, they are to remain there until further notice."

Schultz saluted, "Jawohl, Herr General." He opened the door and motioned for the Heroes to march. They filed out one-by-one. Hogan bringing up the rear behind Newkirk.

1*************************1

They had no sooner entered the barracks when they saw Baker exiting Hogan's office. Schultz frowned, but ignored it. Instead, he turned to Hogan, who quickly spun him around and attempted to usher him out, "You should have Wilson look at the ankle, Schultz."

"No!" Olsen and LeBeau shouted, causing Hogan and Schultz to jump and Newkirk to stare at them like they had gone stark raving mad.

Kinch slid over to Hogan's side,"I think Helga would be a better choice. I mean, she is on their side, after all." he chuckled, "Besides, Schultz, you'd be irresistible to her. Lots of women have a strong nurturing instinct toward the wounded."

Schultz looked between Kinch and Hogan; something was definitely up and it involved the medic. "Colonel Hogan, please!" he whined, "Nine weeks of good behavior… nine! Now, everybody is running around escaping and getting hurt. I do not ask for much, but please, no more monkey business!"

"I think it would be best for you to see Helga." Hogan said, slowly. "I promise no more monkey business. Now, go on and if Helga gives you any trouble just tell her that I have a pair of nylon stockings for her."

Schultz chuckled, "Where in all of Germany would you find stockings?" Hogan started to open his mouth, but Schultz shook his head as he backed out of the barracks, "Nein, I do not want to know."

Hogan shut the door. Turning to face his men, he leaned against the door. "What was that?!"

Olsen and Kinch turned their gaze to LeBeau, who looked away guiltily. Hogan crossed his arms over his chest, "I'm waiting for an explanation. I get back from the farmhouse and the men are brawling in the camp yard. I tell Schultz to see the medic and in the most inconspicuous way possible you shout out that he isn't supposed to be there." his sarcasm thickened with every sentence, "Perhaps next time you could do that in front of Hochstetter or Burkhalter. Hey, maybe even Lutzen, too!"

Reluctantly, LeBeau spoke up, "I had Kinch start the fight in the yard, so I could sneak Jocelyn in under the fence."

Hogan pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, "Why didn't you just take her in through the tunnel? I mean, that is what it's there for… don't you realize how close you came to getting the sentries to machine gun the whole camp?"

LeBeau raised his head defiantly, "Jocelyn begged not to go underground and I took the chance. She is safe with Joe and she can tell us where the film is."

"Oh, great!" Hogan growled, "Just what I need. If anyone of the guards or Hochstetter sees her, we'll all get shot. Newkirk was right you are too close."

"Easy, guv." Newkirk said, softly. "It's been a bad day for all of us." Hogan turned to chastise the Englishman when he noticed, his pale color and the spot of blood that seeped through his pant leg.

He reached out and pulled Newkirk over to the table and ordered him to sit down,
"I assume it was your bright idea to fire shots at the house." Hogan said, as statement rather than a question, "So, what happened with your krauts?"

"They wanted me to 'ave a cuppa with 'em." Newkirk said, jokingly as he accepted a cup of coffee from Baker, gratefully. He sobered, "They chased me for a ways. I thought I'd lost 'em and headed for 'ome, but they were sneaky buggers. They kept pushing me farther 'n' farther from camp."

He looked down into his cup.

"Then what?" Kinch pressed.

"Well..." he mumbled, shifting uncomfortably. "uh..."

"They shot you?" LeBeau asked.

Newkirk shook his head, "They didn't shoot me."

"They stabbed you?" Olsen tried, receiving strange looks from the rest of the Heroes, "What? That's what his wound looked like, a jagged tear."

"What happened?" Hogan asked, his tone clipped with frustration.

Newkirk sighed, "I remembered what Schultz said about 'ow Carter lost the guards. So, I ran through that small river north of 'ere… or tried to anyway. It worked, but I tripped on me own feet and fell against the rocks. Tore up me leg and 'ad ta limp 'ome."

Olsen started to chuckle, causing Newkirk to glare at him. "What's so funny?" he asked.

"Sorry." Olsen attempted to gain a straight face, "I was just thinking how you won't be able to live it down when Carter hears about it."

The heroes each smiled, slightly, as they thought of their friend.

"Is he in as bad a shape as Schultz said?" Kinch asked the question lingering in the room.

Hogan nodded, quickly summarizing the events inside the farmhouse. Everyone was quiet for several moments. Hogan cleared his throat, "We should go get your leg checked out. You'll probably need stitches." Newkirk stood, with some assistance, and Hogan helped him over to the tunnel. "LeBeau, you'd better come too. Kinch, get in my office and man the coffee pot. Any surprises the krauts have planned, I wanna know about."

Kinch went to the office, while LeBeau climbed down the ladder. Newkirk followed, slowly and Hogan waited until he was off the ladder before starting down. He paused for one moment on the ladder to tell the rest of the men in the common room to relax, but be watchful.

The reached Wilson's barracks moments later and Hogan tapped on the entrance. Wilson swung it open and immediately began to protest, "Colonel, I'm a pretty easy going guy. I don't always complain, but this time..." he shook his head and said, vehemently, "I can't keep her here."

"Take it easy, Joe." Hogan said, firmly. "She won't be staying." Newkirk made it to the top of the ladder and was panting from the effort. LeBeau was right behind him and was scowling at Hogan's statement. "Joe, take a look at Newkirk's leg. LeBeau, come with me."

Joe helped Newkirk over to a table and got him settled. Hogan and LeBeau moved over to the corner where Jocelyn sat in a chair. She offered a small smile to LeBeau as they approached. "He told me to sit and be quiet." she said, softly. LeBeau grinned and motioned to Hogan, "This is Colonel Hogan."

"Newkirk said you were snagged before you could hand off the film. So, I assume you stashed it some place." Hogan said, cutting to the chase. "Where?"

She looked over at LeBeau, surprised at Hogan's curt, business-like tone. "I was followed when I got off the train in Dusseldorf. I went to the hotel and checked into a room at the top of the stairs. After I made sure there was no one to observe me, I hid the film in a plant in the hallway. I buried it deep, so no one could find it." she recounted her story as clearly and briefly as she could. LeBeau praised her for her quick thinking.

Hogan didn't listen, he was too busy thinking about how to get the film, "Someone's going to have to go back to Dusseldorf to get it. Preferably, before someone decides to water the plant." he stated, "But in the mean time, LeBeau, take her down into the tunnel and get her a cot to sleep on."

He moved over to where Joe was working on Newkirk and was about to ask how the Englishman was, when Jocelyn grabbed the crook of his elbow and pulled him around to face her.

"Please, Colonel, don't make me go underground. I can't do it." she had tears in her eyes that were threatening to spill over. "I will stay out of sight. I promise."

"Colonel, can't she stay above ground?" LeBeau asked, putting his arm around her shoulder.

Hogan shook his head, "No, take her to the tunnel." seeing LeBeau was still hesitant, he added, "That's an order, Corporal."

LeBeau took her hand and tried to guide her to the tunnel, but she resisted. "I can't." she shouted, angrily. LeBeau tried to shush her, but she was too upset, "I was underground in tunnels and cellars for months after the Nazis marched into Paris. I held my mama as she died in one of those tunnels. I lived beneath the city, until I was evacuated by the freedom-fighters." she jabbed a finger into Hogan's chest, "And after what I witnessed this night… your own man. How can you make me?"

Hogan swallowed hard, "I sympathize, Miss..."

"Boucher." she supplied.

"I really don't want to do this, Miss Boucher." He spoke gently, "But your feelings are secondary. I have several hundred men, including Louis, that depend on you being hidden. If you're caught, they'll punish the whole camp." he watched as his words registered in her eyes, "The Gestapo will take you back to Hammelburg, get the location of the film from you, and all of this will be for nothing. Please, it will only be for a few days, then we'll get you to London."

She allowed LeBeau to lead her to the tunnel, steeled herself, and climbed down the ladder.

"I didn't think she'd go." Newkirk said, grimacing as he jumped down from the table.

"What's the verdict, Joe?" Hogan asked.

"I want him to rest." the medic said, much to Newkirk's disgust. "He lost a fair amount of blood, so he'll be weak for awhile. But, since this is Peter Newkirk we are talking about, I'll be happy if he doesn't tear his stitches and gets something to eat."

"Uh, guv?" Newkirk pointed to the truck that was pulling up in front of the kommandantuer.

"Klink's back." Hogan pushed him toward the tunnel, "Keep your fingers crossed, Joe. We're not out of the woods yet."

Joe chuckled, dryly as the stove was replaced, "My fingers, my toes, and my eyes."

1************************1

The barracks door banged open and Schultz entered, sliding off to the side, "Actung!"

The prisoners moved, lazily into their spots in front of the bunks. Burkhalter stood in the doorway and scanned the room. "Where is Hogan?"

"Right here." Hogan said, from the door of his office. "What can we do for you, General?"

Burkhalter stepped in further and called for Klink to bring him in. Klink ushered a young man into the room. Hogan immediately recognized him as the young corporal under Lutzen.

"Do you recognize anyone in this room?" Burkhalter asked.

Newkirk closed his eyes and waited for Wilbert to point him out.


P.S. Hey, everyone. I know I keep saying it will only be a couple more chapters, but this time I mean it... I think. Comments and criticisms are always welcome. Much love!