I know my last chapter was a bit short; I think this one will make up for it! :D

Chapter 7

It was late afternoon, and Newkirk and Carter were sitting at the long table in the middle of the barracks. They'd been there since lunch, when Carter had finally finished showing Newkirk around and filling him in on their operation. After they'd all eaten, Hogan had suggested that Newkirk might enjoy a game or two of cards. He didn't want Newkirk overdoing it, even if he did seem to be feeling better. Naturally, Carter volunteered to teach him, and they had been playing ever since.

"Gin!" Carter exclaimed for the fifth time in a row. He grinned and laid his cards out on the table.

Newkirk looked at his hand; he wasn't even close. "Looks like you win again, mate!" He said, smiling back at Carter and shaking his head. "I can't figure how you're doin' it…you must be some kind of ruddy genius at this game!"

Carter blushed; he wasn't used to getting complements from Newkirk. "Aw, thanks, buddy," he stammered, "But I'm just playing the way you taught me. You're the one who usually wins all the time, by the way."

"I am?" Newkirk seemed surprised. "Well, you wouldn't know it, would you? At least, not after watchin' me today!"

Carter just smiled as he collected the cards and gave them a good shuffle. He was thoroughly enjoying spending all his time with Newkirk; who was, after all, his best friend in the camp as far as he was concerned. And, truth be told, he rather liked this new version of the Englishman; so willing to accept his help, so interested in what he had to say, and so…sincere. But he had to admit, he actually found himself missing Newkirk's teasing; it just didn't seem like him without it. Well, all he could do at this point was to help him as much as possible, and hope that his memory came back soon.

As Carter was dealing another hand, the bottom bunk to the tunnel banged up, and Kinch climbed out, followed by LeBeau. Kinch had been listening for conformation that Lt. Hanley had made it safely back to London. It finally came through, and he needed to inform Colonel Hogan. LeBeau had been doing a little touch-up sewing on some of the civilian clothes they kept down there, and was coming up to take a break. They both noticed that Carter was still playing cards with Newkirk.

"So, who's winning?" Kinch asked, a grin forming on his face.

"That would be my mate, Andrew, here," Newkirk answered, gesturing towards Carter with his hand. "I 'aven't beaten him once!"

LeBeau smiled. "You better enjoy it while you can," he said, addressing Carter, "When Newkirk gets his memory back, you'll never win again!"

"That's not true, Louie," Carter replied, scowling at the Frenchman, "I've beaten Newkirk lots of times!"

"Only when he lets you!" LeBeau retorted, his smile broadening.

Just then the door to Hogan's office opened, and the Colonel came over to join them. "Any news?" He asked Kinch.

"Yeah, Colonel, the Lieutenant made it back okay," Kinch informed him, "And London's got the information and the film we sent back with him."

"Very good," Hogan said, sounding relieved. He noticed the two men still playing cards. "So, who's winning?"

Kinch looked at Hogan and shook his head. "Don't ask!"

After supper Hogan quietly told Kinch to go down in the tunnel and contact London, and ask them if they could have a sub ready tomorrow night to pick up an escaping prisoner. Kinch looked at him curiously; they didn't have anyone waiting to leave at the moment. But when Hogan glanced in the direction of Newkirk, he suddenly understood. With a nod, Kinch headed over to the bunk, hit the side to open the bottom, and climbed down.

Hogan then looked over at Carter, who was sitting on his bunk; Newkirk seated next to him. He was regaling Newkirk with stories of his childhood, and the Englishman seemed completely engrossed in what Carter was telling him. A smile formed on Hogan's face, but there was sorrow in his eyes. He knew Carter would be devastated if he had to send Newkirk home, but it was looking more and more likely. Hogan didn't think one more day was going to make a difference. Still, he couldn't help holding out hope that Newkirk would wake up his old self come morning; Hogan hated the thought of losing him. How am I going to manage without Newkirk? He thought sadly, and then turned and headed for his office.

A short while later Kinch came back up into the barracks. He noticed right away that Newkirk was still sitting next to Carter, but now it appeared that LeBeau had joined the conversation as well. The Frenchman was sitting in front of them on a bench at the table, apparently explaining something to Newkirk.

"…and not only that, but you even know how to open safes…especially the one in Klink's office." LeBeau was saying.

"I do?" Newkirk replied, looking shocked. "So, what you're sayin' is that I'm not only a ruddy pickpocket, I'm a bleedin' safecracker as well!"

"Oui," LeBeau answered, "But it's a good thing, Newkirk. How else could we get a look at all the secret information Klink keeps in there?"

Newkirk wasn't convinced. He lowered his eyes and shook his head. "But that means I'm just some kind of bloody criminal…"

"No, that's not it at all!" Carter interrupted, shooting LeBeau a dirty look. "Maybe I don't know how you learned all those things," he continued, "But it sure has come in handy around here. We couldn't do half the stuff we do if it wasn't for you!"

"He's right, Newkirk," Kinch said, joining in. "You've saved us many times."

"Oui," LeBeau added, feeling guilty now for telling Newkirk about his shadier talents. "That's what I was trying to say. I wish you could remember, Mon Ami."

Newkirk looked at LeBeau and sighed heavily. "Me too, mate." He responded softly.

Just then Hogan came out of his office. He saw his men clustered around Carter's bunk, and called out, "Kinch, LeBeau, I need to talk to you in my quarters."

"Yes, sir," they answered, and went to join him as he went back into his office. As soon as the door was shut, he asked Kinch, "Did you send the message?"

"Yeah, Colonel," Kinch answered, "And London said they should be able to have a sub waiting tomorrow night."

"Good," Hogan said, and then turned to LeBeau. "I've decided to send Newkirk back to London. It's too dangerous to keep him here while he has amnesia."

"What?" LeBeau exclaimed, "You can't send him away, Colonel! Who else can help us the way he can?"

Hogan looked at him sympathetically. "And how is he going to help us, when he can't remember anything?"

LeBeau thought about it for a moment. "You're right, Mon Colonel," he finally agreed, "But Carter is going to be very upset with your decision. I've never seen him so happy; he's even got Newkirk following him around like a puppy. If you ask me, I think he's found a new best friend."

Hogan nodded. "I know. And I'll have to find a way to make him understand."

"Oh, one more thing, Colonel," Kinch cut in, "I got a message from the underground while I was waiting for London's reply. They want us to meet with them tomorrow night at the abandoned farm just north of here. They've got some information about a new munitions factory that's being built near here."

"Okay," Hogan answered in his business-as-usual voice. "LeBeau, you and Carter can go out and meet with them. I'll take care of getting Newkirk to the rendezvous point with the sub."

"Yes, sir," LeBeau responded. He wasn't happy at all that Newkirk would be leaving, but he knew the Colonel, and he could tell his mind was made up. He was going to miss his English friend, more than he cared to admit. But, deep down, he had to agree with Hogan's logic.

The next morning came too early. Newkirk had slept in his usual bunk above Carter's, and when he felt the Sergeant's hand on his arm, trying to wake him for roll call, all he wanted to do was turn over and go back to sleep. But he knew he had to get up, so he jumped down and quickly dressed. Just then Schultz opened the door and barged in, causing the men to groan loudly. Newkirk still felt a little nervous around the big German guard, but the others seemed to think he was okay, so he tried to relax.

"Rous, Rous," Schultz bellowed, shooing everyone toward the door. As they were beginning to file out into the cold morning, Schultz's gaze lighted on Newkirk.

"Newkirk," he said in his thick accent, "I heard that you've been having trouble with sleepwalking lately, is that true?"

"Sleepwalkin'?" Newkirk responded, and then looked at Carter, who was standing right next to him. "'Ave I been sleepwalkin', Andrew?" He asked him questioningly.

"Not that I know of," Carter answered. "You sure about what you heard?" He asked Schultz.

Hogan came up behind them and put his hand on the German Sergeant's shoulder. "Yeah, Schultz, it's true," he informed him, "Last night when Newkirk got up, he thought he was Major Hochstetter. It took us over an hour to get him to stop interrogating all the men in the barracks!"

Schultz's eyes widened. "Oh, that's terrible, Colonel Hogan!"

"Yeah, well, we're used to it by now," Hogan said, and then waved with his other hand toward the door. "After you, Schultz."

As they were lining up, Hogan noticed Newkirk looking at him with a thoroughly bewildered expression. "Don't worry, Newkirk, you haven't really been sleepwalking," he reassured him.

"Then why did you…" Newkirk started to ask.

"Because they don't need to know the truth," Hogan answered, glancing first at Schultz and then at Klink's office. "That's the way we do things around here…but you still don't remember, do you?" he said, turning his head to look at Newkirk. He already knew that Newkirk's memory wasn't back, and he inwardly sighed. Looks like he's going home tonight.

"Sorry, Colonel Hogan," Newkirk replied, "Wish I could say I did."

"I wish you could, too."

After roll call Hogan told his four men to join him in his office. When they were all inside, Hogan closed the door and turned to face them. "I've had to make a difficult decision," he began, "But it's for the safety of each of you, as well as the safety of our operation here." He looked at Newkirk and felt his throat tighten. "Newkirk, I know you still haven't recovered your memory, and there's no way to know when it will come back. So I'm sending you back to England tonight."

Carter, who had been sitting on Hogan's bottom bunk, immediately jumped to his feet. "You can't do that, Colonel!" He shouted, his voice shaking with emotion.

Hogan gave Carter a stern look. "I can't?" He challenged.

I mean, you don't need to, sir," Carter replied sheepishly, realizing he'd just yelled at the Colonel. "I've already told him everything that he's forgotten, and he said he's feeling fine now, so he could probably help out on our next mission, and …"

"I'm sorry, Carter," Hogan interrupted, his voice taking on a more gentle tone. "He needs to go home."

Carter's face fell. He knew he wasn't going to change the Colonel's mind. "Yes, sir," he replied softly, and sat back down, fighting back the tears that were already starting to form in his eyes.

Kinch and LeBeau looked on with sympathy. They'd both known that Carter would take it pretty hard.

"And now, if you don't mind," Hogan said, "I'd like to speak with Newkirk alone for a few minutes." He didn't want to be so abrupt with his men, but he still had business to take care of. Consoling Carter would have to wait.

"Yes, sir," Kinch and LeBeau responded almost in unison. They got up and headed for the door, grabbing Carter on the way. As soon as they were gone, Hogan looked at the man that had been with him from the beginning of their whole operation, and felt a knot form in his stomach. This was proving to be much harder than he thought.

"Newkirk," Hogan began, "Do you understand why I'm sending you back to London?"

"I think so, Colonel Hogan," Newkirk answered, "It's because I've lost me memory, and it doesn't appear to be comin' back any time soon."

"That's right, Newkirk."

"But, Carter's got a point…he's told me everythin' what goes on around 'ere, and I'm sure I could help you with some of the work…"

"Aren't you afraid?" Hogan cut in.

"Truth be tellin', I'm more afraid of leavin'. I mean, I know I've got mates 'ere, but what do I 'ave waitin' for me in London? "

"Well, I know you have a sister named Mavis…"

"I do?"

"Yes, but beyond that…well, I'm sure you'll find out when you get there."

"Do I really 'ave to go, Colonel Hogan?"

"I'm afraid so."

Newkirk took a deep breath. "Well, all right, then. Guess I'll 'ave to trust you again, won't I?"

Hogan smiled. "I guess you will."

The rest of the day was a blur. Carter, Kinch, and LeBeau spent as much time as they could with Newkirk, knowing they might not see him again for a long time. As night approached, Carter and LeBeau had to get ready to go out for their rendezvous with the underground. Just before they left, Hogan brought Newkirk down into the tunnel so they could say their goodbyes. Carter stared intensely at Newkirk for a moment, as if he was taking a mental snapshot of his best friend, and then threw his arms around him unashamedly and gave him a big hug. "I'm going to miss you, buddy!" He whispered softly in Newkirk's ear.

Newkirk hugged him back. He'd grown very fond of this American Sergeant that had befriended him so eagerly. After a moment Carter pulled away, and he looked at him once more. "Take care, Andrew," he said, fighting back his own tears, "I'm sure I'll see you again, mate…as soon as this bloody war is over."

"You better believe it!" Carter answered, his voice full of emotion. Then he turned and headed toward the emergency exit.

Now it was LeBeau's turn. "Take care of yourself, Newkirk," he told him, "I'm going to miss you, you know."

"Thanks, mate," Newkirk replied, "I'll miss you, too."

LeBeau grabbed Newkirk's arms, leaned in, and kissed him on both cheeks. Newkirk seemed a bit surprised, but he smiled at the French Corporal and said, "You've got a bloody strange way of sayin' goodbye, 'aven't you?"

"No stranger than Carter's!" LeBeau exclaimed, smiling back at him. Then, he too headed down the tunnel, and was gone.

An hour later Hogan was preparing to take Newkirk to where he would meet up with the sub that would take him home. They were in the tunnel once again, and Kinch was about to say his farewells, when suddenly they heard a noise coming from the direction of the emergency exit. They recognized the sound of footsteps; and as they got closer, the men tensed. Just then a figure appeared, and Hogan recognized it as one of the underground leaders.

"Fritz Schuman," Hogan greeted him, shaking his hand, "What brings you to our neck of the woods this evening?"

"Bad news, Colonel Hogan," Fritz answered. "We've discovered a traitor in our underground operation, and I wanted to inform you immediately."

"A traitor?" Hogan didn't want to believe it. "Who is it?"

"That contact you had two days ago; his codename was 'Dwarf'."

No wonder I hadn't seen him before, Hogan thought to himself. "But the information he passed to us was accurate," Hogan said, sounding confused. "Why would he give us reliable intelligence?"

"Because he wanted to find out who Papa Bear is," Fritz told him. "But don't worry, Colonel Hogan," he continued, a dark expression crossing his face, "We've caught him, and he will be taken care of."

"That's good news, Fritz," Hogan replied, sounding relieved, "But why did you come all this way to tell me tonight?"

"Because we didn't have time to stop his latest plan," Fritz answered, sounding extremely worried now, "The men you sent to the meeting tonight…they're walking right into a trap!"

9