Hogan walked back to Barrack Two, scheming about how to keep both Klink and Schultz at the camp. It was obvious to him, that at some point they would need to deal with Carter's escape, and the repercussions of that, but Hogan didn't want to deal with Carter at the moment. Yet, that would be the first step, he sighed as he opened the door. I need to continue to speak with him, and figure out what to do about him. Should I send him back to England, like I was planning? I very much doubt he wants to become a prisoner again. Hogan flopped himself onto his bunk, not bothering to take off his boots, which were hanging over the side of the bed. He covered this eyes with his hands. This whole mess is just one more big headache. I wish I could talk to London and get that background check on him! Hogan pounded the bed once with his right fist. Of all times to get a mole in intelligence! And it's been almost two weeks with no contact! I'm beginning to feel completely cut off from the rest of the world! Hogan covered his face again, as he turned to lay on his side so he was facing the wall. He hadn't been this depressed in a while. I just need to keep focusing on what lies ahead. I should be able to keep Klink and Schultz here if I play my cards right. Burkhalter is already convinced that the two will find the rest of the guys, but what should I do about Hochstetter? And Carter? Hogan opened his eyes as he sighed. One thing at a time, Robby. One thing at a time. First. Talk to Carter, you can't do anything more right now about the Germans. But Carter. Carter you can deal with now. He let out a breath before taking another deep one as he sat up. Walking out of his room, he glanced out the windows to see if anyone was looking, before climbing down into the tunnels.

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

Carter was sitting on the bunk in the flier's room, he was playing cards with Jake, who was sitting on the bunk next to him. Jake put down a set of cards onto a crate, just as Hogan walked in. Looking up, both Jake and Carter stood up as he entered the room.

"Sir!" Jake sharply saluted. Carter smiled, saluting as well. Hogan grinned.

"At ease, gentlemen. No need to be so formal." He returned the salute. What are you two playing?" Hogan couldn't make the game out in the dim light of a single candle.

"Old Maid." Carter answered. Hogan shrugged.

"I, uh, see." Hogan walked over so he was beside the two men. "Carter. I would like to speak with you, that is, if I may interrupted the game."

"Oh sure, Sir, boy, that's not a problem. I'm winning anyways."

"No you aren't." Jake shook his head, laughing. "As the Colonel can plainly see, I have more pairs than you do."

"Well at least I don't have the Old Maid." Carter laughed as he stood up, putting the rest of his cards upside down onto his bunk.

"Alright, enough. You may finish your game in a moment. Carter…" Hogan tilted his head in the direction he wanted them to go. He lead the two of them down into the parlour area, where they had spoken last night. Hogan paused before speaking, as the two men sat down and he lit a candle.

"Carter…-"

"Please Sir. I know, I thought about it all last night. I shouldn't have gone out. I know that now. I put a lot of people in danger. It just happened so fast…-"

"Carter, I'm not here to punish you. I simply want to talk to you. We have a decision to make. And I cannot make it without knowing your wishes."

"Colonel?"

"You are still officially a prisoner here. Now, I can make certain things happen, if I know the whole truth about somethings, and if I know where we stand."

"Alright."

"Okay." Hogan took a deep breath. "Why did you come back here? Why didn't you escape all the way?"

"Well, I was getting help from the underground. Like that man who brought me to the barn where Newkirk was hiding." Carter played with his left thumb nervously.

"I see. What made you come here? Why not Switzerland?"

"Well, Sir. I, um, wanted to get back to England. And the resistance said the only way to do that was through you." Carter started to play with the dirt on the tunnel floor with his shoe, making circles. Hogan nodded as he listened. "Although….I didn't know that at the time…I just wanted to get back to England."

"I understand that. I really do. More than anything I want to be home in Bridgeport. But I'm here for the duration."

"Sir. Why don't you escape? I mean, you obviously have the resources."

"Well….we thought about it. When I was first brought here. Klink had only been Kommandant a few weeks, I was one of the first Americans in the camp. And we seriously considered it. But things happened, and now we help others out."

"Oh."

"We are doing a lot of good here. Right under the noses of the Germans." Hogan studied Carter's face. Carter nodded, thinking back to helping Jake on the train. It felt good to fight back again, even if this time he wasn't in a plane.

"Yeah I know the feeling. Like when I helped Jake on the train. I felt as if I were doing good. Helping another former prisoner. And on the mission to the tracks, it felt good to be fighting against the Germans." Carter looked up. Hogan nodded and started to open his mouth, but was suddenly interrupted by James.

"Colonel Hogan? I'm sorry to interrupt. But the American Red Cross is on the radio, Sir." James watched as his CO jump up off the bench.

"If you will excuse me for one moment Carter! I will be right back!" Hogan yelled over his shoulder and didn't hear Carter's answer of "Sure thing, Colonel", before he was down the hall and into the radio room, talking through a multiple set of radio operators.

"Papa Bär, over." Hogan told the contact on the other side, who transferred the message to a second, third, and finally to the Red Cross Office in New York.

"Ah Papa Bear." A young female answered the third contact. "I have the answer one of your men was looking for. I apologise for the delay, but it took some time locating the paper work."

"Thank you for your hard work. Please, what does it say?"

"Well Anthony Jim Carter, Lieutenant, United States Army Air Force, serial number-"

"Sorry to interrupt. But do you have the information on Andrew Jonathan Carter?"

"I had a feeling you would ask me that. Yes I do."

"Please read it to me."

"Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant, United States Army Air Force, serial number 02763350, born 1 August 1919 in Bullfrog North Dakota. Entered Command School before being washed out as he was considered "Not Officer Material." Finished training and received the rank of Sergeant. Shipped over to England. Where he was reassigned to the 321st , ,and was on a mission to Africa when he was listed Missing In Action." The women finished. Hogan listened as the contact closest to him relayed the message. He nodded.

"What about the brother? What does his file say?"

"Same basic information. Graduated Command School, becoming an officer. Was listed Killed In Action Eight Months ago. This was updated two days ago, which is how I found the file, to being stationed again in England. Apparently he broke out of a POW camp in Germany. Stalag Luft IV."

"Thank you! You have been most helpful!" Hogan couldn't contain his excitement, and wondered if the contacts between him and the Red Cross conveyed his excitement correctly. He thanked the woman, and mentioned he may ask for the files again, before signing off. Drumming his fingers on the desk for a moment, Hogan digested the information. So Carter isn't a traitor, he isn't a spy, and he isn't even the Lieutenant who came through here five months ago. Hogan smiled. Yes, today was turning into a very good day.

Hogan walked and sat back down on the bench in their "parlour".

"Sorry for that interruption. Now where were we?"

"Talking about my escape, Colonel." Carter felt nervous again, he looked away from Hogan's face, even thought it was difficult to make out in the dark light.

"Ah that's right. Given the choice, Carter, would you want to escape from here?"

"Oh boy, yes! I mean, Sir." Carter's eyes lit up. Hogan nodded slowly, leaning back on the bench, figuring out how to word the next sentence.

"Carter….I uh, want to make you an offer, you may say 'no' to this offer. But I want you to hear me out first."

"Alright, Colonel."

"But before I do that, I have some good news for you. Your brother is alive, and in England."

"REALLY? I mean, he is? Honoustly! ALIVE? Mom and Dad will be so happy to hear that!" Carter jumped up off the chair, he couldn't believe it. "Jimmy! Jimmy is alive! Oh Snoopy will be happy to see him!" Hogan chuckled at the young man. "How…I mean… how… how did you find this out, Colonel?" Carter stopped his celebration for a moment as he turned to Hogan, who grinned.

"I have friends in the Red Cross."

"Oh boy! Oh thank you, Colonel!" Carter took a step forward to give the man a hug, but stopped himself, wrapping his arms around his elbows instead. "Oh boy! Jimmy! Jimmy!"

"I'm glad I could be the one to deliver the good news." Hogan smiled one last time before becoming serious. "Now onto a more serious subject. Carter, before I continue, I have another question for you. And I want a completely honoust answer."

"Sure, Sir."

"Why did you wash out of Command School?" Hogan got quiet as leaned forward and studied Carter's face. His face told him, even though the darkness, that this was not a topic he wanted to discuss.

"I….uh….I'm….I'm not 'officer material'."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because….because….because when I was at CS I blow up one of the buildings, alright! I'm not proud of it! I was just a mistake!" He walked a few paces away. "They were going to make me an Ordnance Officer! But I blow it all away! My career exploded before me! My dreams into dust! It's not fair! I didn't kill anyone! Just the building! It was an accident! And for that, they denied me my bar." Carter had his back to Hogan, he didn't want him to see how upset he truly was.

"I see."

"I became a bomber instead. Apparently they figured it was safer if I dropped them, instead of dealing with them."

"I won't say that I am not disappointed, Carter. But we will come back to that in a moment. How did you end up in Germany? You were on your way to Africa." Hogan tilted his head so he could see Carter's better, although Carter still had his back to Hogan.

"Please Sir. I don't want to talk about it." Carter said quietly.

"I need to know. Tell me what happened." Hogan crossed his arms as he leaned back. Carter keeping his back to him, sighed as he thought back to the event. He somehow ended up in a bombing raid of Germany. He still didn't know exactly how that happened, especially since they were flying in formation, and since Africa is large and hard to miss…

"We…got lost."

"'Got lost'? How?"

"I dunno, Colonel! I really don't! Yet, somehow we got out of our formation and into the formation heading for Hamburg!"

"How is that even possible?"

"I told you, I don't know, Colonel! I was just the bombardier! I was told to drop, so I did! I don't question the pilots, they hate that." Carter was angry. Hogan snickered, having been a bomber pilot himself.

"And you ended up over Hamburg. Weren't you curious as to the duration of the flight, and the fact that Germany doesn't look a thing like Africa?"

"They said, 'bomb' so I bombed. And the next thing I know we are going down. I don't question when people give me orders. Officers hate that."

"I see." Hogan paused for a minute, as the new information sank in, slightly wondering if these are the reasons Carter got his Bad Luck Charm nickname. Thinking it over for a minute, he decided to move on the next important topic. "Carter…. as I said before, you are still officially a prisoner here, and as such, we can't continue our operation until you are found." Hogan leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him. Carter turned back towards his CO, and sat glumly down.

"I see…"

"However." Hogan paused. "However, there are two ways we can go about this." He paused again. Carter looked up at his CO, his breathing gave away that he was nervous as to the two options. Hogan stood up, and took a few steps in a slow pace.

"Now. As I asked you before, if you still wanted to escape. This is because I am placing a set of crossroads before you, and you will then have to choice which road you take. I can get you back to England easy enough. But." Hogan turned to face Carter. Carter starred at him as the light dance across his face, making each detail seem deeper and more defined. "Would you like to stay here? We have never had an explosives expert before. You are the first. And you speak German, which would grant you special privileges. That combination would make you a true asset to our humble little team if you choose to stay." Hogan started at Carter. Carter's mouth dropped slightly as the choice sunk into his brain. "Now. If you choose to stay here, your job would primarily be explosives. Lately London has had us starting to bomb different targets, and it seems a trend that it likely to continue. You would have feel range of what chemicals you need, and any supplies. You would be the authority on them, and in charge of all related sabotage."

"Mmme? I'm not, not an exxxperrrrt." Carter shook his head clearly uncomfortable. "You can't trust me around them. My rank is proof of that!" Carter slumped depressed further into the chair, he wanted to hide from the conversation and the subject matter. It was hard enough facing each morning to the stripes on his sleeves, but having others know why he had them, was more than Carter could take. But he would have been lying to himself if he wouldn't admit he wasn't interested, chemistry was his passion, but he couldn't take it if he blew up yet another lab and hurt someone this time. Especially if it was Colonel Hogan or Newkirk; two men he was coming quickly to like and respect.

"Like I said, it is your choice. I will give you the day to think about it. It is a large decision." Hogan paused a moment, watching the wheels turn in Carter's head. "But I think that you would be a perfect candidate. Everyone here has made the choice to stay, we are all volunteers. Some do sewing, others radio, others build the supplies we need, and on down the line. Based on what I know of you, you could easily become a vital part of our team, but more than that, one of my main men. I currently have four, all speak German, as you do." Hogan watched as Carter's mind race as it found an internal struggle. "I'll let you think on it for-"

"I'll do it." Carter stood up, meeting Hogan's gaze.

"It's alright if you need time to-"

"Please, Colonel. I want to do it. You said yourself you don't have someone who knows these chemicals. I do. And I would be selfish if I went back to England, when I can continue the fight here. I speak German, although badly if the looks I got from the underground were any indication. But I'll work hard on that. Please Sir. Let me join you."

"Alright, Carter." Hogan nodded slowly. "I will accept your decision, but I am still going to give you the standard 24 hours to think it over before we move. Until then, we will make arrangements for your recapture."

"Thank you, Sir."

"And after two weeks, if you still stand by your decision, we will fill out the necessary paperwork to make it official, and swear you in."

"Paper work? Swear me in?"

"You didn't think that just because we are Prisoners of War working with the resistance that there wouldn't be paperwork, did you?"

"Well…yeah…I mean….what if it's found?"

"We have plans in place to burn it." Hogan shrugged nonchalantly. "Now, I will lead you back to the flier's quarters and have a few of the men down here, prepare you a uniform, and a coverstory for your recapture."

"Thank you, Colonel Hogan."

"We live to serve." Hogan smiled as he disappeared down the hall, Carter picked up the candle and followed him.

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

Schultz was the first to arrive back at Stalag Luft 13, that evening. In one hand he held his duffel, and in the other a large Bretzel. As he climbed out of the LKW, he looked around smiling. He was home! And not the one with his wife! Spinning around, he started off towards the guard's quarters, as Burkhalter slowly wondered out of Klink's office and towards Schultz. Hogan watched from his window smiling.

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

Newkirk looked out the window as he heard the guards nearing. He smiled at the sight of Schultz leading the way towards the barn. Crawling away from the window he sat down next to the three men hiding with him in the barn.

"Now. W'o was it 'at owes me five notes?"

"Know something we don't, Peter?" Mathew leaned back on the straw.

"Yeah. 'At you of ya owes me five notes. Schultz is comin' down the road as we speak."

"Well, if I have to give you five, so does Thompson here."

"Thanks buddy. Some friend you are." Thompson gave Mathew a dirty look.

"What? It's true. You took the same bet-"

"Oh shut up, Mathew." Thompson reached into his wallet as there the barn door flew open.

"Alright! Anyone in here who isn't a cow, or chicken, or some animal get out here!" Schultz's voice boomed through the tiny barn.

"Technically Schultzie. Humans are an animal." Newkirk leaned over the loft and looked down at the guard.

"Yes, but they don't live in barns. So get down here, New-kirk."

"Right-o, Schultzie." Newkirk climbed down followed by his three fellow prisoners. "Now. Where would the next fellow be hiding, Newkirk?" Schultz leaned closed to Newkirk's ear as he whispered.

"Well, if I were 'em Schultz, I would try a cave."

"Right….know any caves?"

"Yep. 'At way." Newkirk pointed back the way Schultz had apparently just travelled.

"Thanks Newkirk." Schultz stood up straight. "Diesa Richtung, gell! (This direction, 'K!)"

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

Hogan tossed and turned in his bunk, as he thought about Schultz out finding his men. Schultz had left several hours earlier to track down the rest of the men, and Hogan couldn't help but wonder how it was going. Flopping over onto his side, he tried to think of a way to keep Klink from being sent away again. Carter being found should help. His record would once again be clean, and that should help Burkhalter to leave him alone. But Hochstetter. Now he is a problem. And it seems that this will not be my first or last meeting with him. I have a feeling I will meet him again….

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

The next morning dawned the same as the last few with Hogan as a single prisoner. He emerged expecting to see his men back in place, but was disappointed to see no-one. Curious as to what was going on, Hogan stormed over to see Burkhalter.

Barging through the door, he found the man sitting behind Klink's desk doing paperwork.

"Any luck, General? I-"

"Ah Hogan. Yes, do come-in and sit down." Burkhalter's inflection was friendly, causing alarm in Hogan.

"Alright. But if you're this pleasant, I have a feeling I'm not gonna like it." Hogan sat down on the edge of the chair.

"By all means, Hogan, you should be happy to know that you are no longer the only prisoner here."

"No…. you found them? Are they in Switzerland?"

"No Hogan. They are in the cooler."

"Cooler? All of them? You fit everyman here, aside from myself in the cooler?" Hogan had visions of sardines.

"Not everyone. Schultz although did manage to locate a surprising 150 last night though…" Burkhalter couldn't figure it out. In his Opinion, the man couldn't locate a button on his shirt.

"Wait. Are you telling me that a 150 men are in the cooler? Isn't overcrowding against the Geneva Convention?"

"No, Colonel Hogan it is not. And if you Allies would stop bombing our country, you wouldn't have to worry about overcrowding." The two men starred at each other.

"We'll see." Hogan replied coldly.

"You're men will be out shortly. Oberst Klink should be arriving later today. Although he would have been here sooner if he would just get on a plane…" Burkhalter muttered as he shook his head. Hogan gave him a confused look, but said nothing. "Feldwebel Schultz is once again in charge of the guards at this Stalag Luft. So I recommend, Hogan, that you once again give up your ideals of escaping, and deal with the reality that you will never leave this camp." Burkhalter starred at Hogan.

"Thank you for those warm words of encouragement, General." Hogan replied sarcastically. "Now may I see my men?"

"No."

"General… may I see my men? I am the Senior POW Officer here, and I want to see my men, and ensure that Schultz didn't harm them." Hogan stood up, and placed both his hands in front of him on the desk. Burkhalter looked up, not the least bit timid by Hogan's tone.

"No, Colonel." Burkhalter stood up meeting Hogan's gaze, and also placed both his hands on the desk in like fashion. "I saw your men and they are in a fine condition. Now leave this office, before I have someone throw you out." Burkhalter watched as Hogan bit his lip to keep from replying and stormed out of the office.

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

Walking across the yard, Hogan saw another LKW come in packed with prisoners who were immediately sent to the cooler. He glanced at his watch. It was only 8:12 in the morning. Doing a quick calculation, he figured that Schultz would have every prisoner found by the next evening. Quicking his pace, He decided to send the last men in the tunnel out for an escape. Now would be the chance to see if Carter's story would hold up.

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

Carter listened closely and nodded, as Hogan finished explaining what he wanted him to do. Slipping on the last piece of the uniform, Carter reached for a comb, and combed his hair.

"-came here. Is that all clear? Do you have any questions?" Hogan watched as Carter sat the comb down.

"Um…no. I, uh, I think that's all clear."

"Can you repeat it back to me?"

"Okay, well, I uh, escaped during the night in a garabage truck."

"Correct."

"And then I uh, tried to get on a train to Switzerland."

"Good."

"But got caught, interrogated. And sent to Dortmund, where I broke out of jail by stealing the keys off a guard."

"Correct."

"Then, I wondered around, eventually finding my way south. I slept in barns, and in bushes, trying to get to Switzerland, which is how I ended up here."

"Good."

"What if they don't believe me Colonel?" Carter looked at Hogan scared.

"Oh they'll believe you. Don't worry about that. Hochstetter might not, but I'll take care of him. You just don't mess up your cover story." Hogan said seriously. Carter shook his head in understanding.

"Guess I should, uh, get out then, Sir."

"Good Luck, Carter. And I'll try and greet you when they recapture you."

"Thanks, Colonel." Carter took a deep breath and made his way to the emergency exit under the tree stump.