Hello all! Sorry for the late update but I'll post another chapter really soon to make up for the lateness. Many things going on here so I forgot! Thank you to Fluffykitty12 for the reminder. As always, I could never do this without all friends. Thank you guys!

CHAPTER 9

Kinch was reading his letter for the fifth time when Newkirk returned to the barracks with his packet of needles. "Hey Peter."

Newkirk glanced over and paused on his way to the tunnel entrance. "What do you want now!?"

"Don't bite my head off!" said Kinch angrily. "Just because you're tired and mad at Carter is no reason to be so pissy at everyone in the camp." Kinch wasn't really more than slightly annoyed but Newkirk's dark mood had lasted quite long enough now and he wanted to shake him out of it. Kinch rarely showed any temper and when he did, it would make everyone pay attention, even stubborn Cockneys. Sometimes, especially stubborn Cockneys.

Newkirk had the grace to look at least a little guilty. "Sorry Kinch." He turned the packet over his his hands a few times. His eyes flicked over to Carter briefly before he went over to sit next to him in Carter's bunk. "So..." His eyes glanced at Carter for a second and then he began to examine the needle pack with great attention as if it were of vital importance. "So, what's your mum 'ave to say?"

Carter had automatically pulled back into his bunk to make space and watched the Brit warily until his question. Then he grabbed up his first letter. "Well, Mama had to knit a second set of baby booties for one of the cousins who had twins. They sure weren't expecting that!" Carter jumped right into telling his friend all the details, often haring off on long rambling tangents. Rather than correct him, Newkirk listened patiently, encouraging him with the occasional comment or question.

Anyone else would have to go through the awkward apology stage. Carter and Newkirk somehow managed without ever bothering. Carter's annoying habits rolled off Newkirk without much effect. Newkirk's snappy temper rarely dampened Carter even when it was directed at him. The two would squabble over the most minor things and within minutes be back together as if nothing had happened. Newkirk and LeBeau on the other hand could hold grudges for weeks, although there was some debate as to whether they were actually serious or if most of it was purely for form at this point. However, let someone else attempt to pick on LeBeau and Newkirk would readily leap to his defense, regardless of any fights between them.

Kinch looked over when Carter began trying to convince Newkirk he should rest instead of working on uniforms. Somehow in the ensuing argument, Newkirk ended up giving in and climbing into his upper bunk. With everyone still absorbed in their mail and many writing responses, it was quiet. It didn't take very long before Newkirk was asleep.

Hogan emerged to glance with surprise at the suddenly happy Carter and sleeping Newkirk. When he looked to LeBeau for an explanation, the Frenchman nodded slightly towards Kinch. Hogan walked over being casual and leaned on the radioman's bunk. "So all is well now?"

"More or less, sir." replied Kinch. "He just needed a little push." Kinch smiled. "I'm good at pushing Newkirk. When needed, that is."

"Kinch, you're good at pushing anyone at all." Hogan pointed a finger in a mock reproach. "Just don't push me, I'm an officer." He paused just long enough for Kinch to begin to think it was a slight reprimand about respecting rank before adding a quip. "I'm delicate, you know."

Kinch's expression of slight concern turned to amusement. "I'll keep that in mind, sir."

"So why is Newkirk sleeping?" Hogan kept his voice low. "Wouldn't it be better to try to get him extra tired so he won't want to walk in his sleep?"

Kinch shook his head. "We tried letting him get tired, sir. Now we'll try the opposite."

LeBeau's head poked over the edge of the bunk. "Oui. Maybe he won't wander if he's not sleeping so deeply?" He looked over to be certain Newkirk was still asleep before pulling a string of bells carefully from under the edge of his blanket. "I got these from Schultz. When Newkirk goes to sleep tonight, I will tie them to his ankle and if he gets up, the bells will wake him up... or wake us up, either way."

Hogan frowned. "Well, okay but why wait until he's asleep? Won't he be angry all over again?"

"No sir." said Kinch. "He'd only get angry about being restrained, the bells won't stop him. But I don't see why he won't just untie those just like he did the leash."

LeBeau shrugged, putting the bells away carefully. "He knew he had a leash, so he untied it in his sleep. If he doesn't know about the bells, maybe he won't untie them."

Hogan mused it over. "Worth a shot." He turned to look at the shapeless lump on the top bunk across the room. "Even if Klink ordered the guards not to shoot him... it's still too dangerous for him to keep sneaking out. We'll have to figure out something." He took a deep breath. "You know, he just started doing it, so something has to have triggered it." His expression changed. "What if it's just that we haven't had any missions lately? Once London starts sending us out every night, he'll probably stop again."

Kinch didn't look convinced but nodded anyway. "Could be, sir. At any rate, if we're out most of the night, he won't be sleeping anyway, much less sleepwalking."

The barracks door opened and Schultz came in, stomping the snow off his boots until Hogan motioned him to be quiet. "Easy Schultz..."

"What? What did I do?" Schultz lowered his voice further at Hogan's urging. "What did I do?" whispered Schultz.

"Newkirk is asleep." Hogan pointed up at the bunk.

"Oh." Schultz stood up, now unconcerned. "The Englander is sleeping." Suddenly the burly guard frowned. "Why is he sleeping in the middle of the day?" His face got a distressed look. "Colonel Hogan, you did not knock Newkirk out again? I told you... I told you not to do these things, please Colonel Hogan!"

"Noo, Schultz! He's sleeping so that he won't sleepwalk tonight." Hogan smiled reassuringly.

"Oh." Schultz thought that over a few seconds. "I thought maybe there was monkey business planned for tonight and that is why he was sleeping during the day." Hogan barely had time to look worried over Schultz's sudden burst of suspicion before a grin broke out on the guard's jolly face. "Heehee, no no... I joke with you! I know Newkirk is a good boy."

"Ah ha-ha. Schultz, you got me." Hogan pointed at him and chuckled agreeably while telling his heart to stop racing. "You're so funny, Schultz."

"Ja." Schultz straightened up and looked around at everyone. "You have my mailbag, ja?" LeBeau hopped off his bunk and went to retrieve it. "Danke. Cockroach." Taking a heavy breath, Schultz looked down at Colonel Hogan. "The Kommandant said for me to make sure that everyone is behaving. I think some of the big shots in Berlin have been talking to him again. So he tells me to go check on all the prisoners again."

"Yeah, well, you are the sergeant of the guard and probably the only guard that the kommandant trusts to have that keen eye and the intellect to catch any of us POWs if we were up to anything." Hogan nodded at LeBeau.

The Frenchman immediately jumped in on cue. "Oui! None of the guards are as observant as Schultz! We could never get anything over on you!" He spat. "Bah!"

Schultz looked pleased. "Well, I am the senior sergeant. I have had many years of experience." He chuckled. "I have to go and check the other barracks now. If the Englander walks in his sleep again tonight, I will let him walk my patrols with me. Then he will be too tired to walk in his sleep any more."

Hogan shushed him but laughed softly himself at the offer. "Thanks Schultz, but I think it's against the rules to make an enlisted man work in his sleep."

Schultz made a face and mumbled good-naturedly to himself as he left. "Just make sure there is no monkey business."

End Chapter

Short and sweet. New chapter will be posted very soon!