Chapter 15 -- Hogan's Decision
It was late afternoon when Hogan finally opened his eyes. He looked around his quarters again, just to make sure he hadn't been dreaming earlier. Satisfied, he slowly sat up on his bunk. He massaged his forehead. His headache hadn't subsided any, and the nauseousness and dizziness were still present.
"How do you feel, mon Colonel?"
Hogan looked in the direction of the voice. He saw LeBeau standing in the doorway, holding a plate of tantilizing food. It's aroma reminded Hogan just how hungry he really was. He hadn't eaten in days and he was starved. "How long have I been asleep, LeBeau?" he asked, stretching his arms.
"Several hours, Colonel." LeBeau handed Hogan the plate. "I brought you something to eat before Klink and Morrison have any."
"Smells good, LeBeau. I'm starved. I just hope this nauseousness I still have will allow me to eat it all." Hogan took a bite and after swallowing it, suddenly looked at the Frenchman. "It's delicious. Wait a minute. Did you say Morrison's coming here?"
"Oui. Schultz came by while you were asleep and told the others that Morrison was going to be Klink's guest tonight for dinner and that Klink wanted me to prepare dinner. Is something wrong, Colonel?"
"I'm not sure. I'm just wondering why Morrison is coming tonight of all nights. I mean, he knows I'm back at camp."
"Kinch thinks maybe he's just coming to check on you and make sure you're all right."
"Maybe," Hogan replied, eyes narrowing. "I just wish my gut wasn't telling me something different."
The door opened and Kinch, Carter and Newkirk quietly entered.
"Hope we're not bothering you, Colonel," commented Carter.
"Not at all. Something I can do for you fellas?" asked Hogan.
"No, sir," Kinch replied hesitantly. "We just wanted to see how you were doing. Wilson will be here within the hour to check you over, Colonel. We just want to make sure you're all right after that experimental drug you were given."
"You didn't tell Wilson it was me, I hope."
"No, sir," Carter chimed in. "Kinch suggested I only tell him somebody in barracks two needed his attention. He couldn't come right away, though."
"I don't need to see Wilson," Hogan protested as he continued eating. "I feel fine. I'm just tired, that's all."
"Begging your pardon, Colonel," Kinch interrupted. "But you're shaky on your feet. You almost collasped twice earlier, and you're still nauseous and dizzy. I'd say that qualifies you as needing to see Wilson. So don't argue with us, Colonel."
Hogan rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Yes, mother," he kidded Kinch. He then looked at his men. "What time do you all have to be serving dinner at Klink's?"
Newkirk checked his watch."In about two hours,sir" he explained. "We've already set up everything."
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Kinch approached. "Who is it?" he asked through the door.
''Sergeant Wison. Carter said someone needed my assistance."
"Just a minute," Kinch replied opening the door to admit Wilson. He closed it after the medic entered.
"What took so..." Wilson froze when he saw the person sitting on the bunk. He closed his eyes, shook his head, and opened his eyes. "It can't be!" the camp medical officer declared, rubbing his forehead. "You're dead!"
"I'm not a ghost, Wilson," Hogan said, handing his empty plate to a smiling LeBeau. Hogan then slowly stood up and gripped Wilson's shoulder.
Wilson nearly fainted when Hogan touched him. Gathering himself, he looked at the men. "I don't understand. How...?"
"Let's just say someone went to a lot of trouble to have us believe the Colonel had died and leave it at that, shall we?" Kinch told him. "We want you to examine the Colonel, Joe. He was given several doses of an experimental drug, and he's been suffering with headaches, dizziness and nausea."
"Oui," LeBeau chimed in. "And earlier he almost passed out twice."
"They're making it sound a lot worse than it is, Joe," Hogan said.
"Knowing you as I do, Colonel, I somehow doubt it." Wilson put his medical bag on the bunk beside Hogan. "If you gentlemen will excuse us," Wilson replied, opening his bag, "I'd like to examine my patient."
Grudgingly, the men all exited Hogan's quarters. The door closed behind them leaving Hogan and Wilson alone. Wilson removed his stethoscope from his bag.
"Before you start, Joe," Hogan became serious. "You examining me must be kept between you, me and the men who just left this room. Understand? Nobody must know I'm alive right now and it's got to stay that way! Not even Klink or Schultz know."
"I don't understand what's going on, Colonel, but with you I learned long ago not to ask questions. So don't worry. As far as anyone's concerned, you're dead until you say you're not."
Hogan gave the medic one of his lopsided grins. "Thanks, Joe." He then proceeded to unbutton his shirt.
An hour later the door to Hogan's quarters opened, and Wilson, followed by Hogan emerged. The Colonel's men all gathered around as Hogan and Wilson sat down at the table.
"I could find nothing wrong with Colonel Hogan," Wilson explained. "From what you men and the Colonel all told me, I believe that these symptoms should go away in a few days. If they don't, I'll have see what I can do."
"But he's okay?" asked Carter, concerned.
"All things considered..." Wilson added, "he's in pretty good condition for a dead man."
Wilson and Hogan shook hands. Then, Wilson got up and left the barracks. Hogan motioned for one of the other men to keep watch at the barracks door. He looked at his men.
"Have a seat, fellas," he said. "I want to talk with all of you."
Kinch, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk all looked at each other nervously. They did as the Colonel requested, and waited.
Hogan clasped his hands together on top of the table. "I've made a decision regarding this unique situation I have as Kinch so aptly put it."
"And what would that be, sir?" asked Newkirk as he and the others held their collective breaths.
"I've done a lot of thinking since it was pointed out to me that as everybody believes I'm dead, I could therefore make arrangements to go home back to the states and not have to worry about the Krauts searching for me." He paused momentarily. "However, I decided when I took command of this unit, that when I leave Stalag 13, I will leave by walking out the main gate with my men, not under the guise of being dead." Looking at each man separately, he smiled. "Besides, somebody's got to keep an eye on you guys and keep you outta trouble. And it might as well be me."
While the others looked at each other excitedly, Carter appeared confused. "Does that mean you're staying, Colonel?"
"Yes, Carter. I'm staying."
There were whoops and smiles all around as his men gathered around their Colonel and slapped him on the back. After accepting their 'welcome backs, sir,' Hogan rubbed his arms up and down. How he missed his leather bomber jacket.
"Something wrong, Gov'nor?" asked Newkirk.
"Nothing serious, Newkirk," Hogan replied. I'll just have to finagle a new bomber jacket and crush cap from the Red Cross when I have a chance."
LeBeau and Carter exchanged looks. LeBeau winked at the young man indicating it was time. Carter quietly went to LeBeau's locker and pulled out two towels with something wrapped inside each of them under his arm. He handed both to LeBeau who handed the bulkier of the two to Kinch. Hogan watched this exchange with amusement.
"We would've given this to you anyway, Colonel," Kinch remarked. "But now that you're staying, we want to make it official."
Hogan looked at each of them. "You fellas are certainly being mysterious. What's going on?"
Unrolling the towel, Kinch shook out Hogan's bomber jacket and held it up. There was a smile on his face.
Slowly getting to his feet, Hogan slipped his arms through the sleeves of the jacket and zipped it halfway up. He ran his hands over the soft leather. The jacket was a part of him. He never realized until this exact moment how much he had missed it until he thought it was lost forever. Turning, he looked at his men. LeBeau had unwrapped the other towel and handed Hogan his crush cap. Putting it on, Hogan pushed it back on his head. Hogan now felt like himself again.
"Ten hut!" Newkirk said loudly. The four men all stood at attention in front of the Colonel and gave him the sharpest salute they could.
With eyes misting over, Hogan returned their salute. Now, he realized, his being back was almost official.