It wasn't a problem. It was a nightmare. Tiger helped them by reviewing files and turning down a few possibles. "Little Red Riding Hood is far too young, Colonel," she said.

"She's 19, Tiger."

"And this would be her second assignment. We can not use a child!"

"Then Evil Stepmother," Hogan said.

"She is a possibility." Tiger frowned. "She is older yet she's only been on a few field assignments."

"Damn! And London definitely wants someone there."

"You are overlooking the best possible answer." Tiger touched Hogan's shoulder. "Perrin."

"Absolutely not." Hogan slammed down a file. "Newkirk will be a man in a week."

"Louis told me he could wait."

"Six months, Tiger! I can't ask that of him. Or my other men. Six weeks is hard enough."

"And yet many of us live our lives this way." Tiger pursed her lips. "Perrin could do this."

"No, Tiger!"

------------

"No, Louie!"

"You are the best choice, Pierre!"

"Enough, Louis," Kinch said. "He's a man. Six weeks has been bad enough. He has to sneak into the shower, wear make up. Can you imagine six months of that?"

"And Colonel Hogan will think of something," Carter said. "Peter's just not a woman."

Newkirk blinked. "'Old on here. Are you saying I couldn't pass as a woman, Andrew?"

"Sure on looks but you couldn't get a guy to ask you out."

Newkirk narrowed his eyes and looked at all the men. "You really think I couldn't?" He snorted. "Just watch, mates."

"Don't you dare!" Kinch stated.

Newkirk sniffed and disappeared into the tunnel. There he glanced in a mirror and washed his face. With a quick fluffing of his hair and a fast touch of makeup, he shimmied into a tight skirt and sweater. Then he pulled on some hose and shoes and tiptoed down the tunnel.

Corporal Mueller paced by the gate. Approximately 50 yards away, Schultz also paced. Mueller's eyes glittered as a shadow moved. "Was ist los?" he demanded.

"Excuse me."

Corporal Mueller's mouth dried as a lovely, long legged brunette woman stepped into view. "Hello, fraulein," he stuttered.

"I got lost. Could you give me directions?" She stepped closer and Mueller could smell a soft, spicy perfume. A black sweater clung to her, outlined gentle curves and a short skirt revealed lovely legs.

"Ja, ja," Mueller stammered.

"What are you doing, Mueller? Why aren't you walking--hello, fraulein!"

"Hello, Sargent." The strange woman stepped close and Mueller noted her eyes were green. "Could you please tell me the way to Hammelburg?" She looked at both men and smiled. "Surely two such dedicated, handsome soldiers could help me."

"Of course!" Schultz said importantly. He gave the directions slowly, occassionally stammering as the woman leaned close to him.

"Danke," she said as he finished. She trailed a hand down Mueller's shoulder. "If I came this way again, perhaps one of you would kind enough to remember me."

"Oh, ja," Mueller gasped. "Fraulein, you are unforgettable!"

She smiled and laid a gloved hand on Schultz's arm. "Thank you again, Sargant. May I ask your name?"

"I am Hans, Hans Schultz."

"And I am Karl Mueller."

"Dumkopf! She does not care about your name!" Schultz snapped.

"Hans and Karl. Although I'm alone, I will sleep better tonight knowing that two such brave soldiers are protecting the Fatherland." She squeezed his arm.

"Alone?" Schultz dumbly repeated. "Such a beautiful lady!"

She looked away shyly, cheeks pink. "Danke. I must go. Gutentag!" As she hurried off, she waved and disappeared down the road.

The next morning, the prisoners stood clustered together after roll call. "Come on, Schultzie," Newkirk said as the guard walked by. "Why not a game of cards?"

"Be still, Englander!"

"Why are you so cranky?" Hogan asked.

"I've had night duty for three weeks but last night it was all worthwhile." Schultz smiled. "I met a woman last night, Colonel. And such a woman!"

"Your wife will love that," Carter said. The prisoners laughed.

"Never mind, Schultz. Tell me more." Hogan draped his arm around Schultz.

"She has large green eyes and black hair and such long legs!" Schultz sighed. "And the rest of her--oh, she's beautiful, herr Colonel!" He smiled. "And she let slip she is alone."

"Green eyes?" Hogan purred. "Really? Schultz, you Casanova." He patted Schultz's back. "What's her name?"

"She did not say. But I have my dreams!" Hogan laughed. "And now I go to my bed with my dreams."

Hogan nodded. As Schultz left, Hogan grabbed Newkirk's arm. "Come into my office, Newkirk," he growled. In his quarters, Hogan shoved Newkirk to a chair. "Tell me you aren't Schultz's lady love!"

"I was just showing I could fool the Krauts!"

"Fool them why? You'll be yourself in six days!"

Newkirk sighed. "I was proving a point."

"What? That you can get a date?"

Newkirk reddened. "Maybe."

Hogan rubbed his temples. "I can't believe this."

"Who's coming for the party?"

"London has a few possibles." Hogan studied Newkirk. "Don't worry. If we miss it, it'll still be all right." Newkirk frowned. "Are you honestly thinking of doing this mission?" He's fast becoming the best choice. If he wasn't always. But I can't ask him. Not for six months.

"No. I'm just thinking."

"Good. I need you back as a man."

Newkirk stiffened. "You saying I'm not doing my share, gov?"

Hogan jerked as Newkirk bristled. "No."

"Then in what way am I not the same? What am I not doing now that I was doing before?"

Hogan stared at Newkirk. "You're a woman."

"Just answer the question. What am I not doing that I was doing before?"

Hogan stumbled for words. "Nothing. I mean, it's just that you're female and..." His voice trailed off as Newkirk narrowed his eyes. "You're a woman in a POW camp filled with men. Yes, that worries me. It's hard to hide."

Newkirk stood up abruptly and left Hogan's quarters. He headed into the tunnels. As he stalked through the tunnels, trying to control himself, he heard rustling and turned. Tiger stood by a bunk. "Tiger! I thought you were gone."

"I almost ran into a patrol. I hurried back and hid here. I will go back tonight." She yawned. "You seem upset, Perrin."

"Just a bit of a disagreement." Newkirk studied her. "You must be hungry. I can get you a bite."

"Merci."

Newkirk went upstairs and fixed a plate of leftovers and a cup of coffee. He hurried downstairs and brought it to Tiger. "Merci again." Tiger sipped the coffee gratefully.

"Any luck picking an agent?"

Tiger frowned. "Non. I have explained to Robert that she must be special, experienced."

"In what ways?" Newkirk sat down beside her. "Why does she have to be British or American?"

"He has not told you?" Tiger ate a few bites. "Schiff likes women of countries that the Nazis are fighting. He likes the idea of er, conquering such women."

"Conquering?" Newkirk raised both eyebrows. "Are you saying this woman has to play with this General?"

"That's why I asked for an experienced woman. She must be able to give and take, to understand men." She smiled slightly. "To flirt."

"That's ruddy disgusting!"

"It is a game, Perrin." Newkirk frowned. "You will be glad to be a man again, hmm?"

"You won't believe how glad." Newkirk ran his fingers through his hair. "This woman thing is a lot harder that I ever thought." Tiger nodded, finishing her plate. "Harder for my mates rather than me."

"That is common. Let me guess, Robert worries when he should not."

"Ruddy right. 'Ow do you stand it?!"

She laughed and bent her head close to his.

-------------