Chapter 13: Coming Home

It was late afternoon. Carter had finished his duties as acting secretary and returned to his quarters. He was pacing the floor, trying to reach a decision. Hogan had asked him to come back, had said that was where he belonged. And the guys had apologized. But he also felt like he belonged in Barracks 6. They were a great bunch of guys, too. From the first, they had made him feel welcome. His crew had lots of fun with his projects.

He was still pacing the floor over an hour later when there was a knock on the door. "Come in," Carter invited.

Miller entered. "Something wrong?" he wondered.

"Hogan's asked me to move back. I'm trying to decide."

"What's to decide? We all know where you belong," declared Miller.

Carter was uncertain. "That's just it. Hogan said I belong there and he's right. But I also feel like I belong here."

"Where do you feel like you belong the most, Chief. As long as we're stuck here, which barracks seems like home?"

"Yeah," stated Carter, decisively, realizing the answer to Miller's question. "I'm going to miss you guys."

"We're neighbors. Drop in any time. You won't be Barracks Leader, then, but I think I speak for all of us when I promise we'll always be your tribe. If you ever need us, Chief, you know where to find us."

Carter smiled. "Thanks, Sandy. For everything. Well, I'd better go let Hogan know I decided to move back. Then, we'll have to arrange things with Klink."

Carter left and Miller followed him from the room. Miller went to find the rest of the men from Barracks 6 to inform them of Carter's decision.

- - -

Carter found Hogan outside, standing near where Newkirk and LeBeau were taking down the dry laundry. "I've decided to come back," he told Hogan.

"Glad to hear that," Hogan responded.

"It will be good to have you back," stated Newkirk.

LeBeau smiled and agreed, "Oui, mon ami."

"All right, let's go talk with Klink about transferring you back," suggested Hogan.

"Yes, Sir," Carter acknowledged and the two of them headed for Klink's quarters.

- - -

It was early evening so Klink had already left his office. Hogan knocked on the door of Klink's living quarters. Klink answered the door.

Seeing that it was Hogan, Klink said, "Whatever it is, you can come to my office tomorrow to--" Then, he noticed Carter standing behind Hogan. "All right, you can come in," he conceded.

Hogan and Carter entered and Klink closed the door. "Carter wants to transfer back," Hogan told Klink.

"Request denied," Klink declared, almost immediately.

"You transferred him in the first place. Surely you could rescind that decision," argued Hogan.

Klink gave Hogan a stern look. "I could, but I won't. Why should I? He is doing an excellent job as Barracks Leader of Barracks 6. He has the men organized into a highly efficient unit. They give us no problems. They report for roll call each morning in an orderly fashion. Their barracks is spotless. He's been very helpful as acting secretary while Hilda's been gone. Obviously, being away from under your influence has been a good thing. Carter is a model prisoner. Why would I want to change that?"

"Because I want to move back," Carter suggested.

Klink was just as firm. "Request still denied. And don't go giving me any threats about attempting to escape. I'd hate to have to deal harshly with you."

Carter looked pleadingly at Klink. "Come on, Kommandant. Please. I'm homesick."

Klink shook his head. "No."

"But what about Carter's influence?" asked Hogan. "You send him back to Barracks 2 and you could end up with two highly efficient units."

Klink would not be swayed. "And I could just as easily end up with none."

Hogan chose his next words very carefully. "Okay. What about if I gave my word as an officer that both units would report for roll call in an orderly manner tomorrow? Think how impressed General Burkhalter would be at his next visit."

Klink thought about it. General Burkhalter had been pleased with Barracks 6 during his last visit. "Yes, he would be very impressed," Klink agreed.

"Could go a long ways towards getting you that promotion you've been wanting. General Klink. It has a nice sound to it."

Klink smiled, thoughtfully. "Yes. It does. Having two efficient units would look good on my record. You're sure the men from both barracks will be orderly?"

"They will even if I have to order them to," promised Hogan.

"All right. Carter can move his things back. I'm rescinding his transfer effective immediately." Klink glanced at Carter. "Carter, you are still reporting for work tomorrow, aren't you?"

"Yes, Sir," replied Carter. "Of course it will be my last day since Hilda will be back Monday."

"Good. Then, provided I'm pleased with roll call, I'll have you type up the transfer papers first thing and I'll sign them to make it official."

Carter was grinning. "Thank you, Sir."

Klink looked questioningly at both visitors. "Now, gentlemen, was there anything else?"

"No, Sir," Hogan answered. "I think we've covered it."

"Then, Auf Weidersehen," said Klink, showing them to the door.

"Auf Weidersehen," Hogan and Carter both responded as they stepped outside.

Klink closed the door. As they walked away, Carter looked at Hogan. "Are we really going to keep being efficient?" he queried.

"Only till after General Burkhalter's next visit," Hogan declared. "If you noticed, I only gave my word that we'd be orderly tomorrow."

Carter laughed. "Very clever, Sir."

"Thanks, Carter. Now, shall we go get your things. If you don't mind, I'd like to go along. I have something I'd like to discuss with the men."

"No, I don't mind," Carter agreed. They turned and headed towards Barracks 6.

- - -

When Hogan and Carter entered Barracks 6, the men all crowded around them. "Sandy told us you were leaving," stated Montgomery.

"That's right. It was a hard decision," Carter explained. "You guys have all been great. I've really enjoyed being your Barracks Leader. But I lived at Barracks 2 a lot longer and have older friendships there. It seems more like home."

"We understand," Nelson agreed. "But don't you go being a stranger. Drop in and see us now and then."

"I will," promised Carter. "And, of course, you guys can drop by Barracks 2 if you like."

"We had a lot of fun," Evans declared. "You said you wanted to boost morale and you certainly did."

Others present voiced their feelings. Carter was touched. Hogan watched silently, impressed with how much Carter had meant to his men. Finally, Carter said, "Well, I better go get my things." Carter started towards his quarters.

"Just a minute," insisted Hogan. Carter looked back, puzzled. "Miller, Nelson, Evans, Montgomery, I'd like to speak with you four in Carter's quarters, please. You, too, Carter."

Carter went on into his quarters. Hogan and the four members of Carter's team followed. Carter was even more puzzled now. Even before he decided to move back, he'd accepted Hogan's order to stop his missions. Therefore, he couldn't see what business Hogan had with his team.

Once they had entered Carter's quarters, Hogan closed the door and went to stand in front of the group.

"I suppose all of you are wondering why I called this meeting," Hogan began. "I know Carter chose the four of you to serve on his team to carry out his missions. The two 'accidents' some of you caused were well done. All of you performed well last night when you doctored LeBeau and rescued us. However, you are amateurs and there's a great deal of risk. Look at my team. We've had lots of experience and we almost ended up in a Gestapo cell. That's why it's not practical for you to continue acting alone."

"I agree, Sir. There won't be any more missions," Miller promised.

"I'm glad to hear that. But that isn't why I called you all here. I wanted to make an offer. I recognize that you are all good men. After last night, I decided it would be wise to have trained backup. We will train those of you who are interested. From time to time, we will include one or two of you in our missions so you can gain experience. You can think about it and let me know what you decide."

"There's no need to think about it," Miller responded. "Count me in."

"Me, too," stated the other three, almost in unison.

Hogan smiled. "Okay, welcome aboard. I'll call another meeting with both teams sometime within the next few days. I'll let you know when. In the meantime, those who can't speak German can start learning the language."

"They already have," explained Carter. "And I had them start practicing their German accents."

"Good. Since you will be working with us, another project for the near future will be reopening the branch tunnel to your barracks. It would be a little awkward crawling through your tunnel all the time."

"LeBeau told you about our tunnel," Carter deduced.

"Didn't have to. I followed you and Montgomery early Friday morning. For secrecy, I'll have to admit, you have a pretty ingenious setup. If I hadn't been right behind you, it would be hard to know it was there."

Carter grinned. "Thank you, Sir."

Hogan glanced at the others. "All right, you four are dismissed." Then, he turned back to Carter. "Okay, Carter, let's get your things together. Then, you can formally turn the barracks back over to Sergeant Miller."

"Yes, Sir," acknowledged Carter, going to his locker to start collecting his things. Meanwhile, Miller opened the door and he and his three teammates left the room.

- - -

Hogan stood leaning against the door to his quarters, his arms crossed in front of him. He was watching his men seated at the table. He was puzzled. Something was wrong. After the initial joy at Carter's return two days before, morale had been plummeting downhill. It was as if a dark cloud hung over the barracks. Carter seemed to be the most depressed of all. Hogan had hoped that the success of the previous night's mission would improve things but each hour seemed worse than the one before.

Newkirk, LeBeau and Kinch were playing cards. Carter sat off by himself at the far end of the table, looking forlorn. Finally, Carter got up and walked to the stove for the coffee pot. He returned to his place and filled his cup. "Anyone else want some coffee?" he asked.

"No, thanks, Sir," Newkirk flatly replied.

"I'm not thirsty, mon Sergeant," LeBeau stated.

"Mine's still nearly full, Sergeant Carter," Kinch declared.

From his doorway, Hogan said, "Carter, I'll take some, please. My cup's on the table."

Carter filled Hogan's cup, then returned the coffee pot to the stove. Then, he carried Hogan's cup of coffee over to him.

"Thank you," Hogan acknowledged. Then, he looked questioningly at Carter. "You're not upset about the reprimand, are you?" he wondered.

Carter shook his head. "No, I understand. It was something you had to do."

"Not having second thoughts about returning?"

"No. You were right. This is where I belong."

Hogan voiced his concern. "Then, what is it?"

Carter frowned. "I don't know. Everything seems so…well…different."

"Different how?"

Carter shrugged. "Just…different."

Hogan watched as Carter wandered back to the table and sat down. The others were just finishing their game. "Sergeant Carter, do you feel like joining us this time?" Newkirk invited.

Carter sadly shook his head. "No. I'm just not in the mood."

"We're hoping someone will beat Newkirk, Sir," LeBeau declared.

While he shuffled the cards, Newkirk glanced at Carter again. "You sure you don't want to play, Sir?"

Hogan noticed the wince as Carter looked down at his coffee cup and said, "No, I'm not up to playing."

At that moment, Hogan realized what the problem was. "Newkirk, Carter, LeBeau, Kinch, I want to see all of you in my quarters now," he ordered. Hogan turned around and opened the door to his quarters. The four came over and entered the room. Then, Hogan followed them in and closed the door.

Hogan looked at Carter and began, "Carter, have you ever heard the phrase 'be careful what you wish for, you just might get it?' "

"I think I have," Carter answered.

"Well, you wanted respect, you've got it. Though it's far too much." Then, Hogan's gaze took in the other three. "You men have been 'walking on eggshells,' so to speak, since Carter got back. It's as if you think you might drive him away again. Keep it up and you just might. Your overdone display of respect has forged an invisible barrier between you. That's why it feels so different and you're all so depressed. Now, I have a solution. When we're on a mission, give him all the respect you want. But when we're off duty, refer to him as 'Carter'--or 'Andrew' if he asks. And that's an order."

"You really think we've been giving him too many 'Sirs?' " asked Newkirk.

"Once I thought about it, I realized that during these past two days, Carter has been getting more 'Sirs' than I have. Does that answer your question, Newkirk?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Then, I think I've made my point. You guys can get back to your game."

As they started to leave, Newkirk declared, "Carter, we'd really like to have you join us. What do you say?"

"Okay," Carter agreed. "I guess I will."

"Good. Maybe we can put a stop to his winning streak," remarked LeBeau.

As the four of them sat down at the table, Newkirk protested, "Don't be so sure of that. Luck's been with me tonight."

While Newkirk dealt the cards, Carter glanced at Hogan, who was standing in his doorway. Then, Carter looked around the table at each of his other friends and smiled. "I'm feeling kind of lucky myself tonight," he avowed.

Watching his men, Hogan smiled, too. Mission accomplished. His team was intact again. Carter had come home.