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


"Well?!" Burkhalter barked, his patience was wearing thin. Corporal Fielderbach was standing there glancing from the Englander to the Frenchman and then over to Hogan. "Do you recognize them or not?"

"I… I don't know." Wilbert put a hand up to the bandage on his forehead. "My head hurts."

Klink stepped forward, "General, if I may, loss of memory can be the case in many head injuries."

Burkhalter sighed in frustration, "I'll be frank with you, Corporal. If you do not back up General Lutzen's story, I will be forced to give him an unfavorable report." he smiled, encouragingly, "However, if you were to back his story, the general would be free to go."

"I hope you are not trying to influence the witness, Herr General." Hochstetter said from the doorway, with a bitter edge to his voice. He was more than a little irked that Klink had returned and no one had informed him. He'd heard from Klink's air-head secretary for goodness' sake! "I would hate to have to fill out my own report."

Burkhalter's face contorted as he tried to keep his temper in check, "You sent for me, Hochstetter!" He glared at the shorter man, "I will conduct this investigation, thoroughly, but I won't rail-road the man. We are talking about a man's life."

"Ernst had his taken by Lutzen's hand." Hochstetter spoke coldly, meeting Burkhalter's glare and returning one of his own. "I insist that you do what needs to be done."

Both men were silent, glaring at each other. Hogan stepped forward, a cocky grin slapped on his face, "Aww, come on, don't fight. This seems simple enough." Hogan grabbed Wilburt's elbow and guided him toward the bunks on the left, "This is Corporal LeBeau, does he seem familiar?"

Wilburt stared at Hogan then at LeBeau, "I… I don't think so."

Hogan moved down the row of men, "This is…"

"Enough!" Burkhalter thundered, "Hogan, you will not make a farce of this."

Klink glanced anxiously from Burkhalter's death glare, which at this moment was aimed at Hogan, to Hochstetter's mildly amused expression. Stepping over to Hogan and Wilburt, he said, "Perhaps we should do this tomorrow in my office. Schultz can bring in all of the prisoners fitting the description Lutzen gave and we can see if Wilburt recognizes them."

"That's not a bad idea, Kommondant!" Hogan said, enthusiastically. "My men are really tired, what with camp brawls, escapes, and torturous krauts."

"I do not need you or Klink to tell me how to investigate." Burkhalter snapped at both colonels. "Corporal, you will tell me, right now, if you recognize any one in this room!"

Wilburt snapped to attention, "Jawohl, Herr General!" He looked around the room, his gaze fell on Newkirk. He stepped closer to the Englishman and Hogan tensed. Wilburt gently placed a hand under Newkirk's chin and tilted his face toward the overhead light.

"You have seen him before?" Burkhalter asked with delight. Hochstetter's eyes widened as he waited for Wilburt's answer.

Newkirk had opened his eyes when the German grabbed his chin. There was no doubt that Wilburt recognized him, but perhaps he wouldn't say anything. Newkirk read the indecision in Wilburt's eyes. Remember what you said ta me in that cellar, Wilburt. He thought, silently willing the German to keep his mouth shut.

Wilburt closed his eyes and his shoulders sagged slightly, "General, this is..."

"See 'ere, last person to grab 'old of me chin was me mum and you ain't 'er!" Newkirk complained, as he batted Wilburt's hand away from his face. Hoping that the mention of his mom, would remind Wilburt of his own mother.

Wilburt took a step back, in surprise and looked down at the floor. After a moment, he said, softly. "I thought this might be the Englander, but he is not. The voice is wrong and his eyes are blue. The man the general interrogated had brown eyes."

Burkhalter's expression fell, "Are you sure?" Wilburt nodded. Klink put a hand on the young corporal's shoulder and moved him over to Schultz's side, quietly telling the sergeant to make sure the boy was fed and given a place to sleep.

Hochstetter was smiling triumphantly, "He did not recognize them, therefore Lutzen lied. He lied about them and about Corporal Weis being connected to the underground."

Burkhalter nodded, his features unreadable, "We will not discuss it here. Klink, you will join us in your office." Klink saluted and followed General Burkhalter and Hochstetter out of the barracks.

Schultz relaxed and chuckled, "Oh, boy was that close."

Hogan glared at the young corporal who now had his eyes locked on Newkirk. "I think you should do as you're told, Schultz." He stepped closer to the pair of Germans, blocking the younger man's view of Newkirk, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Corporal Fielderbach should get his rest. From the sounds of it, it might be awhile until he can find another psychopath to follow."

Wilburt looked surprised and hurt at the same time, "I never wanted to do any of it. He… he made me."

his eyes darted around the room, as he took in the anger from almost every face in the barracks, even Kinch was simmering. "I even stood up to him when he wanted to do it to the girl. I… I tried to stop him!"

"You didn't stop him from hurting Newkirk or Carter." LeBeau spat at his feet and was muttering insults in French. Hogan relaxed his harsh demeanor when he realized that the men were working themselves up, "Schultz, get him out of here before one of us does something we'll all regret."

Schultz looked around nervously and nodded, pulling the younger man toward the door. Wilburt called out, "Please, Englander, forgive me."

Newkirk continued to stare at the door long after they had gone and long after Hogan and the others had gone back to his office to eavesdrop on Klink's meeting. His thoughts were jumbled, incessant, and at times contradictory.

'E woulda turned me in… 'E's no better than Lutzen…

No, it's not 'is fault… Lutzen's the monster 'ere

'E coulda done more, though… shoulda done more

'E's barmy if 'e thinks I'll forgive the lot of 'em…

but still… I 'ave ta know…

Newkirk moved to the door and opened it a crack. Seeing no one, he slipped through the door and stole along the building, trying to blend into the darkness of night. He dodged guards, as they walked on patrol and ducked away from the spotlights when the swung inward to survey the camp grounds. He took a deep breath as he reached his destination. Without a sound, he opened the door to the guard house and slipped inside.

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

Klink sat in his chair and watched his fellow officers, carefully. Burkhalter sat in a chair against the wall, deep in thought. While Hochstetter had been pacing for the past several moments, also deep in his own world. Klink figured it was going to be a tense meeting, but this was ridiculous. He stood, moved around the desk, and over to the door. He opened it and stuck his head into the Helga's office,

"Helga, if you would be so kind as to bring some coffee in and have the kitchen send supper for three into my office."

Helga sighed, "But I've all ready stayed later than I usually do, Herr Kommandant."

Klink nodded, "I know, I really do appreciate it and my appreciation will be reflected in your next pay check. Danke, Helga." He turned back to his office and smiled pleasantly, "I've sent Helga for some coffee and supper. I'm famished as, I'm sure, you both are."

Burkhalter rolled his eyes and ignored Klink, speaking to Hochstetter instead, "I can't believe that Dietrich has done all of this. Are you sure that no one else had the opportunity to kill Sergeant Weis?"

Hochstetter stopped mid-step, "Lutzen did not deny killing him, just that it was justified because he was a 'spy'."

Klink resumed his seat behind the desk, "Also, Corporal Fielderbach refuted his story about Hogan and his men."

Burkhalter sighed, "I've known that man for almost fifty years. Our families have been close for over a hundred years." he shook his head, "How could this have happened?"

"Maybe Hogan was right." Hochstetter suggested, "It could be insanity."

"It does not matter what it is." Burkhalter said, stiffly. "The end result is the same."

There was a knock on the door and Hochstetter opened it then quickly stepped to the side. Helga entered carrying a tray with three cups and saucers and a large pot of coffee. She placed the tray on Klink's desk and informed him that, at Hogan's behest, LeBeau was preparing Rhenish Mussels. "Oh, that's my favorite!" Klink smiled, clapping his hands together.

"Oh goody." Burkhalter deadpanned.

Klink's smile disappeared, "I can ask them to prepare something else, if you'd prefer not to have mussels."

"It does not matter, Klink." Burkhalter said, frustratedly. He stood and received the cup of coffee from Helga with a mumbled word of thanks. He'd settled himself back into the chair and was sipping his coffee when an idea came to him. "Hochstetter, if he were, say temporarily insane," Burkhalter spoke slowly, "There would have been no intent to kill Weis, at least not any reasoned intent."

"What are you getting at, General?" Hochstetter asked, suspiciously.

"Just that, I think I have an idea that would suit every one." Burkhalter looked at Klink and Hochstetter, hopefully, "If both of you would agree not to make any fuss, I could have him transferred to the Eastern Front. He would not cause any more trouble for either of you."

"You expect me to let him get away with murder?!" Hochstetter asked, indignantly. "I think Sergeant Weis deserves more."

Burkhalter scowled, "I had hoped you would readily agree, but it appears I will have to convince you." He set his cup on the desk and started to reach for Klink's humidor. Klink jumped up and moved the humidor over in front of Burkhalter's face. "Thank you." Burkhalter ground out in irritation. Klink shrunk back and sat down, miserably. Burkhalter smiled, "Major, do remember that rather embarrassing incident you had in Berlin last year?" Hochstetter paled, as the general continued, "Goebbels' personal secretary, wasn't she?"

"That's blackmail." Hochstetter accused, running a finger under his collar. "Something like that would ruin my career."

"Consider it an incentive to see things my way." Burkhalter said with a shrug.

Hochstetter thought for any way out of the box he was in. Finding none, he sighed, "As you wish, General. I won't make any complaints, but only if he is sent to Russia for the duration of the war."

"Of course, Dietrich will stay here in the cooler until I can make preparations to send him to Russia." Burkhalter smiled, agreeably, "Now that we have that settled, we shall enjoy our dinner then I will go back to Berlin."

"It's not settled." Klink said, "I mean, you've settled it with the Major, but not with me."

Burkhalter shifted his gaze to Klink. "What I mean to say, General Burkhalter, is you get something out of this and Major Hochstetter gets something out of this. I believe that I, in some small way, should get something out of this arrangement."

"I see, and just what did you have in mind?" Burkhalter said, his voice dangerously low.

Klink swallowed hard and smiled, nervously, "Well, I will not file any reports about Carter or make any complaints… if I receive Corporal Fielderbach as a transfer."

"But he's S.S." Burkhalter complained, "I can't just transfer him out of the S.S. and in to the Luftwaffe."

Klink frowned, "I'm sure you underestimate your influence. Surely, you know someone in the S.S. who can transfer him?"

Burkhalter mulled this over, "Why do you want him? What makes him so special?"

"Absolutely nothing," Klink shrugged, "I just like him, that's all."

After a moment or two, the general relented, "All right, Klink, I'll see what I can do."

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

"He can't do that!" Olsen exclaimed, "We had it all fixed to get rid of Lutzen. Sir, they can't do that!"

Hogan sighed, as he disconnected the coffee pot. "They can and they have. Kinch, call London. Let them know everything we know. Ask them if they can get the sub in position to pick up the film tomorrow night and when you're done with that, call the underground. Let them know we'll have a customer for them." Kinch nodded and left the office. Hogan turned to Baker, "When LeBeau gets back for cooking the krauts dinner, tell him to get Miss Boucher ready to leave. I want her appearance changed. All new clothes, dye her hair, and put fake glasses on her if you have to. I want her completely unrecognizable."

Hogan opened the door to his office and looked into the common room, "Where's Newkirk?"

All of the men looked at each other or shrugged. "Thanks, you guys are a great help. Somebody find him and tell him to get to work on the girl's traveling papers right away."

"I'll do it, Colonel." Olsen offered.

"No, I need you to come with me." Hogan told him, motioning for the others to find Newkirk.

"What are we doing, Colonel?" Olsen asked, as he followed Hogan over to the tunnel entrance.

"We're going to call the hospital in Hammelburg and find out what room Carter is in." Hogan told him as they climbed down into the tunnel, "Then if we can manage it, we'll check on him after we get done picking up the film."

"We're going to Dusseldorf? Tonight?" Olsen said, his voice slightly raised. "What if the krauts want to talk to us again?"

"They won't." Hogan assured him, as they made their way to the wardrobe room. He selected a lieutenant's uniform for Olsen and a major's for himself. "Come on, get dressed."

"Just for the record, sir," Olsen said, as he picked up the German uniform. "I don't like this idea."

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

"Oh, Bernhard." Mrs. Voll spoke softly, her voice catching, "How much more of this must we take? First the Englander… Now, the Amerikaner…"

"Easy, Frieda." Doctor Voll whispered, "Our guest is just outside the door."

They had spent almost an hour cleaning up Carter. Doctor Pheiffer hadn't done a very thorough job, but Voll was surprised he'd even worked on him at all. Pheiffer hated Americans with a passion ever since his son was killed in North Africa. Voll had given Carter the last of his blood plasma packs which the Underground supplied for him, reset several broken bones, and restitched a few of the gashes that Pheiffer had carelessly sewn shut. Carter was still unconscious, but his color looked much better.

"Go make up a place for him to sleep." Voll urged her, "The guard and I will carry him in a few minutes." She nodded and left the room. Voll smiled down at Carter, "She means well. She's just tired… we both are. Tired of hiding and lying and running around in the dark." he checked his patient's pulse, reassuring himself that Carter was still quite alive. "Tired of seeing our beautiful country turned into a bottomless pit of suffering. Tired of seeing young, healthy men come back scarred for life or sometimes not at all." He turned his back on his patient and fought against tears, as ten years of emotions battered at him.

"Don't worry, it'll be over soon." a hoarse voice whispered, in an attempt to console him. Doctor Voll turned back to the table. Carter was awake… more importantly, he was alert.


P.S. Hey, I am on a roll! *does a little happy dance* I have one more full chapter(and maybe an epilogue)then this story is over. I'm so excited for you to read this and the last chapter. I hope you'll enjoy how I conclude this little tale. Until next week, much love!