Carter drowsily opened his eyes. Newkirk was walking across the barracks and slipping out the door. "Newkirk?" he whispered. Newkirk looked over his shoulder and nodded at him. Then he closed the door. Carter shook his head and dressed. LeBeau woke as he put on his boots.

"Time already?" LeBeau asked.

Carter gestured helplessly and walked outside. The icy air made his lungs burn and he looked for Newkirk. His friend leaned against the barracks wall, smoking. Schultz stalked their way. "Why are you outside already, Newkirk? You are not supposed to be outside until I call you!"

"Sod off, Schultz."

Carter stiffened as did Schultz. "Do not speak to me that way, Englander," Schultz ordered.

"Newkirk, don't," Carter whispered.

"Are you saying I don't belong in certain places?" Newkirk demanded.

"You are a prisoner," Schultz said. "You belong in your barracks."

Newkirk narrowed his eyes and Carter pushed gently on his arm. "Come on, Newkirk. Let's just get in line."

Newkirk looked at him and slowly followed him to line. As the men lined up, Carter watched Newkirk. Newkirk stared at Klink in such a stony, emotionless manner it sent chills up his spine. In the barracks, Carter sat next to Newkirk and handed him a cup of coffee. "Thanks," Newkirk said.

"Newkirk, what's wrong?" Carter asked quietly.

"Fine, mate."

Hogan glanced at them. "Coffee fresh?"

"It's great," Carter exclaimed.

Newkirk sipped his coffee, staring at the wall. Hogan glanced at Carter who lifted his shoulders in a helpless gesture. "You all right, Newkirk?" Hogan asked.

"I'm fine. Have trash detail." He stood and left the barracks.

Hogan looked at Carter. "I don't know, Colonel," Carter said. "He woke up grumpy."

"Great."

Carter drifted after Newkirk, watching over his friend from a discreet distance. Newkirk ignored him, ignored all his friends and fellow prisoners. LeBeau joined Carter. "Why are you watching Newkirk?"

"He's grouchy today."

"Everyone had bad days, mon ami."

"I dunno, LeBeau. He just stared at Klink like he wanted to kill him."

"Perhaps it is that time for him."

Carter winced. "Don't even joke about that, Louis!"

LeBeau shrugged. They watched until Newkirk finished and headed their way. "How are you doing?" Carter hesitantly asked.

"I'm fine. Why?" Newkirk snapped.

"Just asking. Geez," Carter muttered.

Newkirk spent that day pacing, smoking, and carving. Carter played cards with LeBeau and Kinch and kept an eye on Newkirk. As night approached, Hogan gathered his men and they headed into his quarters. Hogan looked at Newkirk. "Factory. Are the papers ready?"

"Yes."

"Good. We need to get a truck from the motorpool. Kinch, you and LeBeau get that. Two nights from tonight. We'll need bombs, Carter. Newkirk, four uniforms for me, you, Carter, and LeBeau. Abwher, I think. Or SS. Timer bombs, Carter."

"You bet!"

Hogan smiled at Carter. "Kinch, send London our supply list for the month."

"Sure thing, Colonel."

"Newkirk, you willing to seek out your 'boyfriend'? See if you can get new information at the Haufbrau tonight?"

Newkirk eyed his CO. Carter stiffened again. It wasn't the same gaze Newkirk given Klink but it was related. Hogan immediately froze. "Sure," Newkirk replied after a silent moment. "I'll go prep."

"If this is going to be a problem, Newkirk..."

"It's fine." Newkirk crossed his arms over his chest. "Anything else?"

"Just be careful."

"I'll be fine."

"I can go with," LeBeau suggested.

"Like before?" Newkirk snapped. "I don't need any ruddy hand holding! I can do my job."

"Stop it," Hogan said. "Newkirk, go get ready."

Newkirk left quickly. Hogan frowned. "Should I follow him?" LeBeau asked.

Hogan sighed. "He'll be expecting that." He paced a few feet. "Go ahead, LeBeau."

LeBeau shadowed Newkirk to the Haufbrau. In the hot, smoky bar, LeBeau watched his friend. Newkirk sipped a beer and chatted animatedly with local soldiers. LeBeau found it unsettling to see his friend, a man he knew well, flirting with all the ease of a born woman. Newkirk soon focused on one soldier. When Newkirk left with this man, LeBeau quickly followed. He spotted Newkirk laughing in the soldier's arms. LeBeau watched patiently until Newkirk left the soldier with a saucy wink and hip swish. LeBeau tailed Newkirk back to the Stalag.

As he descended the ladder, Newkirk waited for him. "I didn't need you," he spat.

"I had my orders," LeBeau said.

"Damn it, Louie!"

"Did you get the information?" LeBeau asked.

"Yes," Newkirk snarled.

Carter appeared with Wilson. "How'd it go?" Carter asked.

"Why not ask my shadow?" Newkirk demanded. He shoved past Carter and stalked off.

"What's wrong with her?" Wilson asked.

"Bad day," LeBeau suggested.

"I'd say." Wilson shook his head. "I hope she's not going to the Colonel with that attitude."

Hogan stood by Kinch as Newkirk walked stiffly into the room. "How'd it go?" Hogan asked.

"Fine," Newkirk said. The sharp bite made Hogan jerk. "Here's the information." He pulled a piece of paper from his tight green sweater. Hogan scanned it and nodded.

"Nice work."

"Thank you."

"You all right?" Hogan questioned.

Newkirk glowered. "I'm ruddy terrific," he spat. "Everyone can stop worrying."

"Cool it, Newkirk," Kinch said.

Newkirk pressed his lips tightly together. Hogan reached out to squeeze his shoulder and Newkirk stonily allowed it. "All right I give up. Now what's the problem?" Hogan ordered.

"What problem? I'm fine." Newkirk spun on his heel and left.

Hogan rubbed his aching head.

The next morning, Hogan plotted out the factory job. Kinch and Carter leaned over the table with him while Newkirk and LeBeau drank coffee. "This is going to have to be quick," Hogan said. He frowned.

"Wish I could help more," Kinch said.

"Sorry, Kinch." Hogan slapped his shoulder. "You're just not a typical German."

"Thank you, Colonel. That's a compliment."

"And maybe you just don't belong in certain places."

"Newkirk!"

The chorus of yells only made Newkirk take another drink of coffee. Kinch inhaled sharply. Newkirk gazed at Kinch coolly. "You have no problem saying it about me. Is there a problem with me saying the same thing?"

"That's enough, Newkirk." Hogan's voice crackled with ice. "That was a private conversation. I'm sorry you overheard it."

"It's all right, Colonel." Kinch didn't take his eyes off Newkirk. "He's got a right to be sore."

"What happened?" LeBeau asked.

"Nothing," Hogan said. "Carter, you and LeBeau step out for a minute." Carter and LeBeau reluctantly left. Hogan turned to Newkirk. "As for you, Corporal, you can apologize any time."

"For what? Am I not repeating just what he said? If women don't belong certain places, why not blacks? Or Irish? Or Yanks or Italians or anyone?"

Kinch sighed. "It's not the same. Women are different, Newkirk."

"Tell me one thing you can do that that I can't."

"I work the radio better. And I can fix things."

"And I can pick locks and nick things. It's not what sex I am, it's my ruddy skills."

"And Drake?" Kinch looked troubled. "If something like that happens again..."
 "I'll take care of it. Like I did before."

"And if you can't?"

"That's my problem, mate."

Kinch glanced at Hogan then back to Newkirk. "Would you want your sister doing what you do?"

"If it keeps the bleedin' Krauts out, yes. I understand you're worried but I can do this. Woman or not. And if we don't beat the Krauts, you won't have to worry. All of us will have places. And no one will be safe."

Kinch sighed. "Can I speak to Newkirk alone, sir?"

"Sure," Hogan agreed. He stepped out of the room and Kinch looked at Newkirk.

"I'm sorry. Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm thinking of women the same way most whites think of me."

"I didn't ask for this body, Kinch."

"I know."

"And I am still a bloke." Newkirk grinned. "Despite the womanly features."

"You sure don't look like a bloke," Kinch said.

Newkirk shrugged. "Sorry."

Kinch held out his hand. "Truce?"

Newkirk clasped his hand. "Course, mate." Newkirk suddenly looked embarassed. "You know, your race never mattered to me."

"Let me date your sister?"

"That's up to them. You think I'm bad, Elizabeth and Mavis will eat you up."

"God." Kinch rolled his eyes.

"Think we should let the gov'nor in?"

"It is his room."

Newkirk chuckled. He opened the door and Hogan, Carter, and LeBeau looked up. "Everything ok?" Hogan asked.

"Course."

Hogan gazed at his men as they all clustered together. Newkirk and Kinch stood side by side, comfortable with each other. "Are you done acting like children?" LeBeau sniffed.

"Easy there, Louie. Haven't even started on you yet."

"He was following my orders," Hogan said sharply.

"You worry too much," Newkirk said.

"Do you wonder why?" Carter muttered. Newkirk snorted and Carter grinned.

Hogan began going over the mission again.