When Newkirk joined his friends in Hogan's quarters, LeBeau grabbed his hand. "Good job, mon ami," he said. "You were magificent!"
"Thanks, mate," Newkirk said.
"Or your legs were," Kinch muttered.
"You're watching my legs?" Newkirk demanded.
"Weren't you flaunting them?" Kinch retorted.
"I didn't even wear a skirt," Newkirk said.
"Just a tight sweater," Carter said. Newkirk shot him a surprised look.
"Enough, he did what he had to," Hogan said. "Let's hope the Field Marshall calls." Newkirk eyed him curiously. "Newkirk, why did you have to make a play for Klink?"
"Just buttering him up, gov."
"Great. You know that I'm going to be hearing about this forever."
"I can't believe he didn't recognize you," Carter said.
"He saw a woman. And my face wasn't the main attraction."
It took one day for the Field Marshall to call. Newkirk winked at LeBeau as he spoke to the Field Marshall. "Well., Field Marshall this is sudden... Yes, Happy Holidays to you, too. 7 PM? I'm sure I can be ready by then but...Well, danke, Field Marshall. I appreciate knowing I'm pretty in your eyes...All right, I'll be available. What should I wear? I'm sure I can find something. Thank you. Have a good night, Field Marshall. All right, have a good night, Wolfgang."
He hung up the phone and LeBeau grinned. "I knew you could do it, Perrin."
"Thanks, Louie. At least ol' Wolfie thinks I'm pretty."
"We all do," LeBeau teased. Newkirk swiped the air near LeBeau.
"I remind you, I still am a bloke."
LeBeau looked at Newkirk closely. "It must be difficult. Do you ever think of yourself as a woman?"
Newkirk looked at his friend, the only one who seemed totally at ease with him. "I try not to think of it at all, Louis," he softly said. "I'm a man and I 'ave to hold on to that. If I start thinking of myself as female, all sorts of problems crop up." He glanced at his watch. "I better run. I have snow shoveling detail."
"Didn't you have that yesterday? It is Christmas Eve! The Kommandant cancelled all work details."
"'Ave to keep busy."
"Are you all right?"
"Fine, mate. Tell the gov we're a go, hmm?"
LeBeau narrowed his eyes. "You are arguing with mon Colonel?"
"Why would I be arguing?" Newkirk pulled on his overcoat. He walked off and LeBeau frowned. He headed out to find Colonel Hogan.
Hogan sat with Kinch and Carter, sipping coffee. "Where's Newkirk?" Hogan asked.
"Snow shoveling." LeBeau sat down and looked around. The other men of Barracks Two were gone, decorating the Rec Hall. LeBeau checked the coffee. "Colonel, something's wrong with Newkirk."
"Besides the fact that he's a woman?" Kinch said.
"And dating a German Field Marshall?" Carter teased.
"Oui, besides that. The Field Marshall has made the date, by the way." LeBeau smiled. "You owe me, Kinch." Kinch sighed and handed LeBeau a dollar. "There's something wrong with him. He's odd."
Hogan's eyes darkened. "What's wrong, LeBeau?"
"Je ne suis pas. He's restless, not himself or herself. He is quiet, moody." Hogan frowned. "He volunteered for snow shovelling. Again. On Christmas Eve." LeBeau looked at his CO.
"I'll go talk to him."
"And say what, Colonel? Sorry you're a woman? He is different," Kinch said.
"He's still Newkirk," Carter protested. "Heck, I never thought about it. And it's Christmas!"
Hogan zipped his jacket and walked outside. Some of the men shovelled snow and the guards stood casually around. Hogan tilted his head as a gentle melody came to his ears. "Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm..." He paused and looked around. Someone was singing, untrained but pleasant enough. A tenor, he guessed. Then he inhaled. Or an alto. He looked around and found Newkirk shovelling near the kennels. Hogan walked over, finding Klink watching Newkirk shovel. "He sings fairly well," Klink said thoughtfully.
"He's not bad. Merry Christmas, Kommandant."
"Merry Christmas, Hogan. I did cancel all work details for tonight and tomorrow."
"He wanted to help."
Hogan watched Newkirk shovel a few more minutes, then added his baritone to Newkirk's song as the Englishman started Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Newkirk turned and grinned. Other voices chimed in, some with German accents. The imprompto choir sang a few songs and then the Rec Hall lit up. Hogan walked over to Newkirk and tossed an arm around Newkirk's shoulder. "Come on, Santa."
"If I'm Saint Nick, are you one of my elves?" Newkirk asked.
"More the other way around."
In the rec hall, the smell of treats filled the air. LeBeau stepped over, handed Newkirk and Hogan mugs of cocoa. "I've made what I could. There's chicken and ham."
The men ate. Late that night, Hogan and his crew walked outside in the compound. "Pretty night," Kinch said.
"Very." LeBeau pulled his jacket tight. Carter tossed a snowball at Newkirk and Newkirk threw one right back. Snowballs began flying and Hogan found his rank was no shield. As they shook off snow, Hogan glanced at all his men and smiled.
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you, too, Rob," Newkirk softly said. Hogan blinked.
"Let's get inside." He followed his men inside the barracks. The barracks had a small tree and the smell of pine filled the air. The men settled on their bunks or chairs and opened valued letters and small presents. Hogan listened to the chatter and joined in the gin rummy game. When he headed into his quarters, a tiny mountain of gifts covered his table. Hogan fought back a swelling of emotion, glad he was alone. Nothing fancy but everything from the heart.
On New Year's Eve, Tiger helped Newkirk into her dress. "You look wonderful, Perrin," she said softly, adjusting a strap.
"I feel like a ruddy fool. How do women bleedin' breathe in these contraptions?"
"You get used to it."
Newkirk rolled her eyes. "You think I look all right?" He stretched a leg. "And my stockings better not fall."
"You are far more than all right. Just be careful, hmm? We will not be far." Tiger touched his shoulder. "Merci again, Perrin."
"You're welcome." Newkirk looked in a mirror. "Blimey, Tiger, I look like an idiot!"
"You look gorgeous," she reassured. "Come."
Hogan tugged on his Gestapo overcoat and gloves. "Is everyone ready?" he asked.
Carter and LeBeau nodded, each garbed in Gestapo uniforms. Briar Rose stepped into the room. "She is ready. Schiff should be here in ten minutes."
"We'll hide in the back room. Thanks, Briar Rose."
"You're welcome." The brunette woman smiled at Hogan and then beamed at Carter. Carter smiled back and as she left, glanced at his colleagues.
"I think she likes our Carter, LeBeau," Hogan chuckled.
"Oui. Andre has made a conquest."
"Oh, lay off, guys. She's just being nice."
"She does like you," Tiger said, coming into the room. "Perrin is ready."
"Good," Hogan said.
"Briar Rose really likes me?" Carter blurted.
"Oui," Tiger smiled.
"Gosh."
"Can we see her?" LeBeau asked, shooting Carter a dirty look.
"Certainment. Belinda?"
"I'm here," Newkirk said brightly. She glided into the room. Hogan swallowed hard.
"Sacred bleu!" LeBeau whispered.
"Wow," Carter said.
Hogan shivered. Now he saw the woman that Newkirk truly was. God, she's lovely. And there's no man in there at all. She's all woman.
Dressed in black again, Newkirk wore a sleeveless dress with thigh high silts and a white stole around her shoulders. Hogan swallowed. Perrin (She's a woman, she needs a female name. And that dress is way too revealing!) glanced at him with a small smile. "I don't look foolish, do I? Tiger said I looked fine but I don't know..."
"You are tres belle," LeBeau said.
"You look great," Carter said.
"Gov?"
Hogan turned away. "You'll do," he said harshly. "Just be careful and listen up." He felt Newkirk's hurt as well as sheer puzzlement. He looked away from the confusion on Carter's face and anger from LeBeau and Tiger. "Schiff's on the way. Be ready."
"I am."
Tiger glared at him as Newkirk left the room. "Come," she said. "We need to go to the back room." She pulled on her Gestapo coat. In the back room, she whirled on Hogan. "How could you do that, Colonel?! She is lovely and you simply say 'you'll do'? This meeting means everything!"
"Enough, Tiger," Hogan snapped. "Newkirk looked fine. That's all that matters!"
Everyone stared at him. "Looked fine? She looked beautiful!" Carter blurted.
"Carter, stop. He's a man in a female body and that's it!"
Tiger's eyes gleamed. "Ah," she said. "Je comprehends, Robert."
"Tiger..." Hogan warned.
LeBeau looked at Hogan and Tiger and his eyes widened. He shot off a few rapid questions in French and Tiger replied just as quickly. Hogan straightened his coat. He heard the front door open and shut and gestured. His team clustered around him. They hurried to their car, following Schiff's car.
The stone edifice, festooned with Nazi banners and etched with the German eagle, glittered with lights. People spilled out around the doors. From the car, Hogan watched the people chat and laugh. Schiff stood with his arm around Newkirk's waist. "Poor Perrin," LeBeau muttered.
"He'll be fine. Remember, he's just acting. He's not a woman," Hogan reminded.
"But he is," Tiger said. "Phsyically. Biologically. The only thing Perrin has that makes him a man are memories."
Hogan frowned. "They are inside. Come. Let's get to the apartment."
They settled into a small apartment across from the building. The Underground had rented this place and the four waited patiently. The party lasted long into the night. Hogan paced while Tiger, Carter, and LeBeau played cards. As the hours passed, people finally trickled out and Hogan sighed with relief as he spotted Schiff and Newkirk. The Field Marshall casually fondled Newkirk's back and buttocks and Hogan cringed.
"We owe him so much."
"Oui," LeBeau said distastefully. "Poor Perrin. Hopefully she will slap the Boche if he gets too friendly."
"She will do what she must," Tiger absently said.
"What's that mean?" Carter looked appalled. "She won't get too friendly, will she?"
"Don't worry," LeBeau reassured. "She will never collaborate."
"It is not collaboration!" Tiger whirled on her countryman. "We do what must be done! For the Allies, for friends, for France!"
Shock bleached LeBeau's face. "You would not," he stammered.
"Do you think this is a game?! Perrin does what many of us do. We smile while trying to figure out where best to strike! If that means we snuggle with the Boche, we do it. We use what works. Men run the government and so we women cozy up to them. We do what we must!"
"Hold it!" Hogan glared at Tiger. "Just what is Newkirk supposed to be doing?"
"What she must. She is aware of what that entails."
"No one said anything about her being the Field Marshall's plaything!"
"And what did you think escorting a Field Marshall meant? Why do you think I demanded an experienced woman? Did you think Schiff would be a gentleman and simply take her arm?"
"We have to rescue her, mon Colonel." LeBeau swallowed hard. "Perrin is not...She can not..."
Tiger looked at all the men with pitiless eyes. "You asked Perrin to do this, mon ami," she said to LeBeau. "You knew--or should have--what she might have to do." LeBeau stared at his feet. "She is to travel to the airport with the Field Marshall. We retrieve her there."
Hogan nodded, feeling sullied. "It's not right," Carter said suddenly. "I mean, Perrin shouldn't have to--no one should have to..."
"How do you think fallen women fall, cher?" Tiger dusted her hands. "Soldiers have it easier, I think. It's far harder to use one's body and mind as weapons than to use a gun. After all, was it not easier to bomb from above than be a saboteur?"
"Let's get Newkirk," Hogan snapped, disgusted with himself. He held the door for Tiger. They drove in silence until they came around a corner and found the Field Marshall's car slew across the road.
"No," Carter groaned.
"Easy, Carter." Hogan stepped out of the car. He whistled a three tone signal and a trill answered him. Relief swept through him. Newkirk limped from the bushes.
"Blimey, mates, I'm glad to see you." Newkirk pushed back her hair.
"You're hurt!" Carter moved forward.
"I broke a heel," Newkirk said.
Hogan looked her over and took her arm. She smelled of whiskey and smoke, her stole hung over her arm, and she looked disheveled. "Are you all right?" he asked, voice tight.
"Other than a sore arse from every man thinking they 'ad the right to pinch me." Perrin shivered and Hogan hastily guided her to the car. "Thanks, gov. Let's hurry. The Field Marshall passed out from too much liqour and the driver 'ad a minor accident."
"Accident?" Tiger asked.
"I hit him with a bottle when the General passed out. He was looking at me wierd."
"I can not thank you enough, mon ami." LeBeau grabbed Newkirk's hand.
"Don't thank me yet." Newkirk shivered beside Tiger. "You don't know what I 'eard."
In the car, Newkirk began relating what he'd heard. A tape recorder had been stitched into his stole yet his preceptions were vital. Newkirk told of bits of gossip and plans, of a man named Eichmann and something called the Final Solution. He mentioned hunts and purges in the Nazi party. And of the breeding of the super race. "That practically curled my hair, mates. Women picked to mate with select SS soldiers and have children which are turned over to the Reich." He shuddered. "Someone spoke of having sex on the gravestone of fallen SS soldiers so that the resulting children could have some of the dead one's strength and soul. Bleedin' creepy."
"So who's raising the kids?" Carter asked.
"I guess there are Nazi nannies," Newkirk said. "I heard the women are expected to have as many kids as possible. And correct Aryan women found in conquered lands can 'ave kids for the Riech, too. If they fit the standards." He looked at LeBeau and Tiger. "I'm sorry."
"French women?" LeBeau demanded.
"Yes." Newkirk's voice was soft. He swallowed and told of future plans for France and Europe. "You and the US can rest easy, mates," he told Carter and Hogan bitterly. "While ol' Adolph wants the US, word is since Russia is giving them such a hard time, once the Russians are beat back and England beat, he'll sign a treaty with the US. Then the US can focus on Japan."
The car swerved. "Carter!" Hogan blurted.
"Sorry, sir."
Hogan looked at LeBeau, Newkirk, and Tiger. The Europeans all had white, set faces. "Never," he said and his voice rippled with the force of his oath. "Never." He breathed. "I don't care what Scramble Brains thinks, it isn't happening. And if our government did sign a treaty, I'd stay and fight. I swear that."
"Me, too," Carter chimed in.
"Merci, mon Colonel," Tiger said softly.
LeBeau nodded, eyes shining. Newkirk looked at him and smiled sadly. "You're an officer, mate," he reminded.
"I won't leave, Peter. I won't leave that nut in power!"
Newkirk's smile turned to a real smile of pleasure. "I believe you, gov."
As they drove on, Newkirk's voice grew raspier. Yet he kept talking as Carter drove. As they neared Stalag 13, he looked at Hogan. "I 'ave to get a shower."
"Take the tunnel there. And you'll have to hurry."
"I will."
Carter pulled over and Tiger took the wheel. She kissed Newkirk on each cheek. "Thank you, Perrin."
"You're welcome. Be careful, luv."
The prisoners hurried to the tree enterance, Newkirk in spare boots. Hogan gestured and Newkirk slid inside. When everyone was inside, Newkirk started for the shower. "Newkirk?"
Newkirk looked at the Colonel. "Sir?"
Hogan inhaled. God, she's beautiful. "Great work," Hogan complimented. Sheer pleasure lit Newkirk's face.
"Thanks, gov."
Newkirk disappeared. Hogan changed his clothes and LeBeau and Carter followed suit. Kinch hurried into the room. "You're all right?" he demanded.
"Just tired," Carter said. "And, wow, Kinch, did we learn a lot!"
"We'll tell you," Hogan said. "How long until roll call?"
"20 minutes," he replied. "Where's Newkirk?"
"Showering," LeBeau said.
"He's cutting it close."
"Believe me, he needs one."
As they filled Kinch in, Newkirk returned with five minutes to spare. "How was the party, Newkirk?" Kinch asked.
"Ruddy terrific. Nice to know drunk Nazis are the same everywhere." His voce grated as if he had pneumonia. Kinch's eyebrows went up. "Losing my voice. I'm fine."
"Our prayers have been answered!" The group laughed as Newkirk rolled his eyes. Newkirk ran his fingers through his wet hair.
"I did manage to sneak a bottle into my stole."
"Schultz alert," came Olson's yell.
The men hurriedly turned out. Hogan yawned and closed his eyes as Schultz totted up the prisoners. LeBeau and Carter sagged. "Colonel Hogan!"
Hogan glanced at Klink. "Yes?"
"Are we boring you Colonel?"
"Well, I would like an few extra hours sleep. It's hard to stay up all night and plot escapes and then get up at 5:30. Can we push back roll call?"
"Insolence!" Klink stamped his foot. "Dismissed!"
Newkirk looked at Hogan. "Permission to get some sleep, sir?" he asked. Hogan's eyebrows shot up. Newkirk's voice had become a broken whisper. Yet it was the asking that confused Hogan. Newkirk rarely asked permission for anything. Hogan looked closely at Newkirk. She (He, damnit!) swayed lightly on his feet. His dark hair seemed an inky blot against his white skin.
"Granted. Get some rest, all of you."
"You, too, sir," Wilson ordered. "Now. All of you."
Hogan shot an irritated look at his medic but Wilson merely glared at him. Hogan nodded curtly and gestured his men inside. All of his command crew crawled into their bunks. Hogan walked into his quarters and dropped into his bunk. He heard Olson and Wilson ordering people out of the barracks. Then he fell asleep.