A/N: Sorry for the delay. Developed a bit of a writer's block with just a touch of RL interfering. I hope this chapter is worth the wait. Things will be picking up from this moment on. So enjoy.

Chapter 37

The tension was so thick on Thursday one could cut it with a knife. Hogan number two had made himself pretty scarce much of the day before, and immediately after morning roll call today, he did the same. It was reported to Hogan number one by Olsen, who had been following the man, that Hogan number two had been seen huddled together with Corporal Gower in what seemed to be a private conversation. But just what they were discussing, Olsen couldn't say as he couldn't get close enough to hear. But out of all the men in camp, it was Hogan number one and his core unit, especially Carter, who were under the most pressure. Hogan's thoughts momentarily turned to the young man still inside the barracks. And while he himself did not want to die, he was more concerned about what having to shoot his commanding officer would do to Carter if it came down to it. It began after breakfast when Hogan number one, seated on the bench outside the barracks with LeBeau, asked the Englander who stood before him, if he had found the weapons yet. Newkirk's face fell and he shook his head negatively. And although Hogan hid his well, LeBeau's emotions could be seen on his face.

"Keep looking," Hogan commented grimly. "We don't have a lot of time left."

"What are we going to do, mon Colonel?" asked a scared Frenchman. "What if Pierre can't find those weapons before tomorrow. You could end up dead at the hand of Andre. And poor Andre. He will never be the same if he is forced to kill you."

Hogan rubbed his forehead. "I know. If we can't find those weapons, I'll have to come up with something else, and so far I have no idea what." Exhaling deeply, Hogan looked at LeBeau & Newkirk. "Have either of you seen Schultz since roll call this morning?"

"Oui, Colonel. I saw him heading for the guard's mess hall for breakfast a while ago."

Nodding, Hogan looked up at the Englander. "You have the disc and ID card on you?"

Newkirk patted his jacket pocket. "Right here, Gov'nor. Just say the word."

"Okay, first thing is to get rid of Gower. That will eliminate our friend's help within camp, as well as his go-between with van Kueren."

"Want me to go and fetch Schultz?" asked LeBeau.

"Not yet. You know how he is when he's eating. His concentration is off and everything. And for this we need him sharp; or at least as sharp as he can be."

"So when do we get rid of this Gower?" asked Newkirk.

"Today. But we need Schultz present as a witness and for him to give the proof to Klink for it to be believable. We make our move right after breakfast when Schultz and Gower are both in the compound. From what I understand, Gower's assigned to patrolling the front gate today."

Sure enough, about an hour later, Hogan, Newkirk, and LeBeau watched Schultz waddle around the compound heading in their direction as they sat outside the hut. They also spotted Gower passing them by as he headed in the direction of the front gate. Hogan tilted his head towards the German while looking at Newkirk.

"Go," he murmured. "Be careful and good luck."

"Right, sir" Newkirk replied just as softly as he walked away following Gower. He knew he had to catch him before he reached his assigned post, so, he quickened his pace. As he did so, he removed his pack of smokes from his pocket and stuck one between his lips; he returned the pack to his inside jacket pocket.

"Got a match, mate?" he asked Gower pulling up along side of the German.

Gower glared at the Englander with disdain. "Nein. Get away from me, swine."

"C'mon, don't be like that. I only asked for a ruddy match, not for a sit-down with your nutty Fuhrer." Newkirk noticed the change in the man's expression as he ground his jaw, and knew the guard was losing his temper.

Hogan spotted Schultz heading in their direction out of the corner of his eye. He smirked.

"Hey, Schultz, what's up?" Hogan asked. "You look kinda down."

"Oh, Colonel Hogan, it's you," Schultz replied. "I'm all right. Just thinking about what's going to happen day after tomorrow when the Gestapo come and take you and that fake away. I've a bad feeling once that happens we may never see you again."

Touched by the guard's concern for him, Hogan allowed the corners of his mouth to curl upward. "Saturday isn't here yet. Anything's liable to happen between now and then if you wish hard enough."

Schultz chuckled and switched his rifle to his other hand. "I'd wish for Major Hochstetter and the Gestapo to go away permanently."

"We all wish that. No, what I meant is to wish for something more realistic," Hogan added.

"Like what?" asked the guard grimly.

"How about wishing for some apple strudel tonight," LeBeau teased poking the large guard in the stomach.

"Schultz got a dreamy look on his face as he sighed in ecstasy. "Apple strudel. My favorite. I love it. In fact, I wish I had some right now."

"Then you're in luck, Schultzie, because I'm making some tonight. You want some?"

Schultz smiled broadly. "Danke. You're such a good little cockroach."

"I know," LeBeau smiled. "I will save you a big slice tonight."

"C'mon, mate. All I need is one ruddy match and I'm outta here. I promise. What d'ya say, chum?" asked Newkirk.

Gower's face was red with rage. He snatched the cigarette from between Newkirk's lips and threw it on the ground before crushing it with his boot.

"Hey now," Newkirk said in a loud angry voice. "That was me last smoke you just threw away. Why I oughtta…." he drew back his fist and soon found himself on the business end of Gower's rifle. Gower then violently shoved Newkirk backward and the Englander landed backward on his rear. He looked up nervously with both hands in front of him admitting surrender. "Well there's no need to get huffy over it, mate."

"You Englanders need to learn your place!" Gower placed the end of his rifle just under Newkirk's chin. "You do not insult a member of the superior race. You think scum like you can say whatever you like about the Fuhrer!"

"Hey!" a voice shouted. Both men turned to see Hogan number one followed by LeBeau running forward, with Schultz, huffing and puffing, bringing up the rear. "Just what are you doing aiming your rifle at one of my men!" Hogan's face was livid.

"This swine spoke against the Fuhrer and threatened me," Gower replied not taking his eyes off Newkirk.

"Threatening you? I was only askin' for a ruddy match, Colonel, I swear," Newkirk pleaded his case to Hogan.

"I suggest you lower your weapon before somebody gets hurt, Corporal Gower." Hogan put a hand on the end of the rifle attempting to lower it, when Gower suddenly turned his weapon on Hogan.

"You dare you try and take my weapon. I could shoot you for that." He watched Hogan hold up both hands in a non-threatening manner.

"Lower your weapon, Corporal! And that is an order!" Schultz panted, out of breath. He noticed Gower's eyes pinned on the American with disdain. "I saw the entire thing. Now lower your weapon!" Schultz maintained a tight grip on his own unloaded rifle, and noticed out of the corner of his eyes that other guards were hurrying from different directions as were prisoners, and realized that things could get out of hand really quickly. "I will not tell you again!"

Gower suddenly came to his senses and lowered his weapon while Schultz waved off the other guards indicating that he had everything under control.

Both Hogan and Newkirk lowered their hands, but Newkirk made no attempt to get to his feet. Instead, he looked up at his commanding officer.

"You okay, Newkirk?" Hogan asked.

"Yes, sir. I'm all right." He saw Hogan nod.

Hogan then looked up at the other advancing prisoners and shook his head causing the men to freeze where they were before returning to what they were doing previously. They understood that Hogan had things under control.

"C'mon, let's go," Schultz demanded grabbing Gower's arm tightly. "This must be reported to the Kommandant. And you three, Colonel Hogan, Newkirk, and the cockroach are to come also." He began to lead Gower in the direction of the Kommandantur while Hogan helped Newkirk to his feet.

"Hey, Schultz!" Hogan suddenly called out bending down and picking something up from the ground. "Look what I found. Corporal Gower must have dropped it."

Releasing Gower's arm, Schultz walked the few steps back towards Hogan. "What is it?" Hogan handed the items to the rotund guard who's eyes bulged when he saw what they were.

"Ach du lieber!" Schultz cried out in amazement as his hands shook. "He is Gestapo?"

Hearing Schultz's words, Gower approached and anger crossed his face. "Where did you get these?" he demanded of Hogan. "You are trying to set me up, Colonel. You and your English cur. These are fakes and I will prove it!"

Schultz, in a momentary show of strength, pointed his rifle at Gower. "March! This must be reported to the Kommandant! Now march!"

Klink examined the disc and ID card carefully, turning them over and over in his hands, as Schultz and Gower both stood in front of his desk, and Newkirk, Hogan and LeBeau stood just to the side. All were quiet.

"I'd say these look quite original to me," Klink finally said laying the objects in front of him on his desk. His eyes focused directly on Gower. "How do you explain this Corporal? Why would a Luftwaffe guard be in possession of Gestapo ID?"

"They are fakes, Herr Kommandant," Gower explained standing at attention; he could feel the eyes of Schultz and the others boring holes into his back. "They were planted by Colonel Hogan and his men to discredit me." He turned his harsh glare on Hogan.

Klink tented his fingertips together and let his eyes shift to Hogan. "Well, Colonel Hogan? Would you care to respond to the accusation?"

"I certainly would, Kommandant," Hogan explained feigning shock and disbelief. "First, where the hell would we get the materials to make these things? And second, how would we be able to make them? I mean, the guys in the workshop are good, but they're not that good. Besides, how could we even do something like that under the eyes of you and old eagle-eye Schultz here?"

"You couldn't," Klink agreed. His eyes shifted back to Gower. "Care to try again, Corporal?"

"Herr Kommandant, I still say these items are fake, and an attempt by the prisoners to get rid of me. And you are letting them get away with it." He now glared at Klink.

Klink slammed his hands down on his desk as he got to his feet. "Corporal, I know everything that goes on in this camp. And believe me when I say that no prisoner here will ever pull the wool over my eyes." He suddenly spotted Hogan raising his hand. "What is it, Hogan?"

"Sir, I have a simple way we can settle this for sure and determine whether or not these are fakes."

"And what would that be?"

"You can call the Gestapo. Surely they would know their own ID and disc."

Klink stiffened. "The Gestapo?"

"Sure. You can call that Captain…what is his name…." Hogan appeared lost in thought as he repeatedly snapped his fingers. "It's on the tip of my tongue. Wait, I got it. Fuchs. That's it. Captain Fuchs." Out of the corner of his eye, Hogan noticed Gower stiffen at hearing the Gestapo Captain's name. "Isn't he suppose to be acting for Major Hochstetter, sir?"

"But the Gestapo, Hogan…" Klink began slowly sitting back down. The last thing he wanted was Captain Fuchs showing up. The man terrified him more than Major Hochstetter who was scary enough alone.

Hogan shrugged. "Sure, why not, sir? I mean, who knows what the Corporal has been spying on around here?" He stepped closer to Klink's desk and leaned forward. "I bet you he was sent here to spy on you, sir. You know how jealous they are at you magnificent record of no escapes."

Klink's chest puffed out as a smile crossed his face. "You're right. We shall let the Gestapo handle this matter. Schultz, escort Corporal Gower to a cell in solitary with have a guard posted." He picked up the receiver. "Get me Captain Fuchs, Gestapo Headquarters in Hammelburg."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Schultz replied with a salute which the Kommandant returned. He took Gower's arm. "Let's go," he said. As he led Gower out the door, Gower glared at Hogan who smirked.

"Don't forget to keep in touch," the American reminded him.

Gower looked Hogan up and down with disdain. "You are a dead man, Hogan," he muttered in a low voice. To emphasize his point, he pointed his hand at the American in the form of a gun and pretended to shoot. Hogan slightly tilted his head and looked at the guard.

I'm not worried," Hogan replied with an amused grin, then, he glanced at Schultz who had witnessed the threat against Hogan. "You can take him away, Schultz. The air's becoming a bit stale in here." The men watched as the guard led Gower out the door, with Schultz closing the door behind him.

Now alone in Klink's office, the men waited until Klink was off the phone.

"Well?' asked Hogan.

"I spoke with this Captain Fuchs who said he will come out personally and take our spy back with him. He did not sound very happy when I told him about Corporal Gower, and he told me he believes this Gower was acting on his own to spy on us." Klink exhaled deeply. "Thank heavens that's over with and things can return to normal around here."

"Uh, Kommandant," Hogan pointed out. "I'm afraid you still have a problem. Getting rid of Gower only solves half the problem."

"What do you mean?" asked Klink, getting to his feet, walking around his desk, and sitting on the edge facing Hogan and the others, crossing his arms.

"Well, Kommandant…" Newkirk began slowly. "That Corporal Gower's been mighty chummy with that phony Colonel Hogan."

"Oui, Kommandant. They could be working together. The phony could be Gestapo as well."

Klink shuddered. "You think it's possible?" he asked.

Hogan shrugged again. "Anything's possible, sir. But I somehow believe the phony will make his move against me and reveal his true intentions before the Gestapo comes here on Saturday and then you'll have your man, so to speak."

"But…but Hogan, the Gestapo will be removing both of you from camp this Saturday. Aren't you worried?"

"Yes, sir, I am. But I honestly believe this will be resolved Friday night. Have a little faith, Kommandant. Also, think of what General Burkhalter will think knowing you resolved this mess yourself and saved the Luftwaffe from total embarrassment. Yes, sir, I can see those General's stripes now."

"You really think so?" Klink asked with an amused grin, imagining the General's insignias being pinned on his uniform.

"How could he not, Kommandant," LeBeau chimed in.

"So what do I do in the meanwhile?" Klink asked the American.

"You do nothing but your usual job, Kommandant. Just carry on as you normally would. I guarantee you he will reveal himself. But if he suspects or sees something out of the norm, he might escape and there goes your record."

"And hello Stalingrad," Newkirk reminded him. The trio saw Klink shudder.

Hogan checked his watch. "Can we go now, sir?"

"What? Oh, yes, yes, yes. Dismissed." He offered a salute which Hogan and the others returned sloppily. As Hogan started out the door, he paused in the doorway hearing his name being called. He looked around.

"Kommandant?"

"Yes, Hogan. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that I ever doubted you weren't the real Colonel Hogan after all the time we've known each other. I'm sorry I didn't stand by you before. Perhaps all of this could have been avoided."

"That's okay, sir. We'll put an end to this mess tomorrow and then everything will be back to normal." Closing the door behind him, Hogan secretly hoped he hadn't just lied to the Kommandant or himself.