The next day, Newkirk felt better. His head still hurt and he felt a little weak, but it was much easier to handle than the first three days had been. When he woke up, the barracks was empty except for Carter, which didn't surprise him.

"Morning," Carter said, waving from the nearby table. He had Newkirk's tin of tea biscuits open before him. "I hope you don't mind…I tasted one. They really are good!"

Newkirk smiled and started to sit up. "I don't mind."

"I tasted the tea, too. It's not bad, but I'm more of a coffee drinker."

"Ta each 'is own, mate. I like both, but there's nothin' like a good spot o' tea ta warm the insides…especially with one of those biscuits!" Newkirk said, pushing the covers back and shifting to sit on the side of the bed.

Carter dashed over and took his arm, seeing that he was getting up. "Nice and slow," the sergeant said, remembering what had happened the day before.

Newkirk obeyed, stumbling a little as he made his way to the table with Carter's help.

"I'll get you some tea," Carter told him, going over to the stove.

Newkirk reached over for the tin of biscuits, pulling it over and eating one as he waited for his friend to come back.

The American returned and put the mug in front of him, with two aspirins. Newkirk thanked him and popped them into his mouth, drinking half the cup in one gulp. When he put the mug back down, Carter was watching him.

"How do you feel today?" he asked.

"Better," Newkirk answered. "The headache's really an ache now, instead of that awful throbbin'."

Carter smiled ear to ear. "I'm so glad! I was really worried."

Newkirk smiled back, wondering how a nice kid like Carter had ever ended up in the often-harsh military. "I'll be right as rain soon, mate, ya don't 'ave ta worry 'bout me."

Still smiling, Carter nodded, but Newkirk knew that his American friend would worry about him anyway.

Turning his head slowly, Newkirk looked to see if one of his uniforms was in sight. "Feel like goin' outside?"

Carter's eyebrows rose. "Yeah. Are you sure you're well enough?"

"Been lyin' around for too long. Gets borin' after a while."

"Yeah. It can really stink to be stuck in bed." Carter stood and went to Newkirk's footlocker, opening it and taking out one of his uniforms.

Ten minutes later, the two men were leaving the barracks, with Carter gripping Newkirk's arm lest he falter. He sat him on the bench, and Hogan immediately saw them and walked over.

"Hey, how you feeling?" the colonel asked.

"Better, guv," Newkirk said, enjoying the sun on his face.

"Great," Hogan said, relieved. "We handed those plans over to the Underground last night, and they're already in England."

Newkirk took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "That's a relief."

"It had a pretty high cost, though," said Carter, eyeing his friend's bandage.

"Yeah, it did," said Newkirk, rubbing his head. "But it was worth it."

"Worth it?" said Hogan, surprised to hear him say that. "In what way?"

"Well, Colonel," said Newkirk, with a smile. "I got ta see what it felt like ta be a general, an' give you the orders for once!"

THE END