Germany December 1944:

Colonel Hogan spun around holding the person sneaking up behind him at gunpoint to find himself eye to eye with the French underground leader Tiger. Although she had her gun draw it wasn't aimed at him, and he quickly lowered his from her. She held her hand to her mouth with her index finger out indicating for him to be quiet as she whispered 'Gestapo' and then motioned for him to follow her. Giving one last glance at the house, Hogan took off through the woods trying to hide her footprints within his along the way. They traversed the terrain without making a sound and with the snow falling faster it helped to hide their position. Behind them they could hear someone trying to close in on their location. Whoever was following them was almost as good of a tracker as Hogan was and he didn't intend on sticking around to find out who it was. Tiger directed Hogan towards a clearing, and then behind it, in a clump of trees waited a car she'd managed to steal from a German patrol earlier in the day.

The footsteps behind them were growing closer as they reached the automobile, and shots rang out from the surrounding woods. A hot bullet tore through Tiger's flesh although she kept running, not giving into the pain until they were at the car. Hogan jumped in the driver's seat and quickly started it and pulled away. Tiger fired back towards the woods where the shots had come from trying to buy Hogan enough time to get them out of there. They quickly pulled out onto the road and sped off in the opposite direction of the gunshots. When they had gone around the bend, Tiger asked Hogan to slow down.

"What do you mean slow down? They could have a car and be right behind us," he asked not realizing she'd been shot yet.

"They do have a car, but they also have four flat tires. I made sure of it, mon amour," Tiger's eyes sparkled back at him.

Hogan let out a happy laugh as he slowed the car down and only then noticing the blood coming from her arm. "Tiger, how bad are you hit?" Worry was evident in his voice and on his face.

"I don't think it's serious, but the bullet is still in there," she sighed wincing at the pain as she tried to wrap her arm.

"We'll be back to camp in a few minutes and I'll have Wilson patch you up. I have to admit I was surprised to get that message to meet you tonight. When I got there, I could tell something was wrong," Hogan said concerned about her trip.

"What message? I received a message that I was to meet you there. I never sent you one. I thought you had sent it to me," Tiger's eyes widen in worry.

"Kinch said the message had come from you, I never sent you one. It must have been a Gestapo setup. Now we need to figure out where the leak is and how to take care of it. I'm glad neither of us was caught in that little trap," Hogan let out a deep breath.

"Actually, I think I know what happened. Düsseldorf Gestapo captured some members of the local underground and they broke before being killed," Tiger said sadly shaking her head. "But you must understand Colonel, that the beast that rules there isn't a man. He's vicious and vile, and maybe one of the worst I've ever heard about. I think it was Major Braun who sent us both messages. I heard a trap had been set for you, but had no way to contact you so I waited at the farmhouse for you to arrive," she had to stop for a moment when a bump in the road jarred her arm. "When I snuck into the barn to hide, I found their car and thought it would look much better with six flat tires. The four on the car and the two spares also have knife punctures where they cannot be repaired," Tiger answered with a small laugh.

"I'd love to see Hochstetter's face when he finds that," Hogan replied. "Wow, I had no idea it was a trap until I got there, you saved my life. Thank you. I should have known Hochstetter would be up to something. We had a job that took us to Düsseldorf last week and he tried to catch me on it, but wasn't able to find any proof. Tiger, have you ever heard of a Gestapo General by the name of Kittsmeyer?" Hogan asked as he pulled the car to the side of the road to hide it. They were as close as he dared to the tree truck entrance.

"Non, why do you ask?" Tiger started to open her door but Hogan was over there before she could, helping her out. He tied the cloth a little tighter around her arm and then they made their way to the emergency entrance.

"It was just a name I heard earlier this week, let's get you inside and taken care of," Hogan answered helping her down into the tunnel.

"Tell me that Hogan didn't get away!" Hochstetter yelled coming out the clearing obviously infuriated.

"Damn it, I don't understand how he did. I've never lost a prey like that before," Braun replied kneeling inspecting the blood on the ground.

"I told you he was wily! Now we've lost him again, he'll be back at Stalag 13 like he'd never left. Damn that man, how does he have so many lives? He's worse than a cat," Hochstetter fumed as he kicked some rocks.

"Maybe not my friend," Braun stood up smiling, "I winged him. This is his blood in the snow. Now all we have to do is go and get him from that stalag. Let's return to the car and we'll pull him out before he even knows what's going on. Then you'll get to exact your revenge." Braun had a dangerous grin on his face as the two walked back to the barn. "Don't forget, we may still capture the fraulein and can use her as bait."

Entering the barn both men exploded in anger when they found all the tires and spares were shredded. They had to wait until more transportation could be arranged for them by Hammelburg Gestapo. Braun grew angrier by the moment as he plotted his revenge.

Hogan closed up the tree trunk entrance as Kinch came to see who had come in. "Colonel, Tiger, what are you doing here?"

"Get Wilson fast, Tiger's been hit." Tiger was beginning to feel dizzy so Hogan carried her to the cot in the radio room and laid her down. He carefully removed her jacket so Wilson could work on her. "You're going to be fine," he smiled down at her.

"I know, it's not bad. I think my adrenaline just wore off," Tiger replied looking pale. Hearing someone clearing their throat Hogan looked up to see his medics.

"Mind if we tend to our patient, Colonel?" Wilson said as they exchanged places, his second medic, Anderson, taking his position at Tiger's head. Hogan, Kinch, LeBeau, Carter, and Newkirk were gathering around and standing to close for him. "Please give us some room to work. I promise I'll keep you informed," Wilson ordered in his medic way.

They backed off and the men were asking Hogan for answers. He explained about the trap and that the message Kinch had received was from the Gestapo not from Tiger. Fortunately she saved his life and their entire operation tonight. His men were astounded at the night's activities.*

"Sir, the message had the proper codes in it. I could have sworn it was Tiger sending it," Kinch said shocked and horrified he'd nearly gotten his commanding officer killed.

"It wasn't your fault Kinch. We're going to change our codes with Tiger once she's feeling better. Has anything happened here tonight?" Hogan asked as he paced around with his arms wrapped around himself.

"No, it's been quiet upstairs. Klink went to bed early. The guards are playing poker instead of walking their post. Same as it normally is," Newkirk answered.

Almost an hour later Wilson came to give them an update. "I got the bullet out and it didn't do any permanent damage, but she lost a lot of blood so she's not out of danger. Anderson is going to stay with her and I'll take the next watch. I've given her something that will help her sleep through the night. It's going to be touch and go for a while, so we're going to need someone with her as much as possible. I'm sorry sir, that I don't better news."

"Do you think she'll make it?" The Colonel asked with grave concern.

"I'm hopeful, she's young and strong. So, let's have a look at you now, Colonel," Wilson ordered without pause.

"Huh? There's nothing wrong with me," Hogan was confused and looked at the medic like he'd lost his mind.

"Just had to make sure all that blood on you, wasn't from you," Wilson said pointing to Hogan's shirt.

Hogan looked down seeing it for the first time. "Guess, I should change," he mumbled and walked over to his locker. Hogan ran a hand through his hair letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding with worry for Tiger.

Wilson watched as Hogan took off his shirt to make sure there were no other injuries that he wasn't aware of. As Hogan was putting a clean shirt on, Reynolds yelled down into the tunnel, "Gestapo just rolled into camp!"

"Will Tiger be okay for a little while by herself?" Hogan asked worried and in a rush.

"Yes, sir, but Anderson…."

"No, everyone upstairs now, they'll be doing a full roll call looking for the injured person. You can come back after they leave camp. Hurry!" Hogan ordered and before ascending the ladder last to the barracks, he glanced one more time at the lady lying so quiet on the cot. "Hold on, we'll be back as soon as possible."

Major Hochstetter and two guards came barreling into Stalag 13 startling the guards who ran to get Klink and Schultz. "Major, what can I do for you at this time of night?" Klink nervously blurted out a little louder than he intended upon.

"Where is Colonel Hogan? Is he in his barracks?" Hochstetter demanded stomping towards barracks two.

"Of course he is, where else would he be?" Klink answered trying to stay up with the smaller man's fast gait.

"Are you sure?" The Gestapo agent angrily threw back at him.

"He was at evening roll call. I spoke with him afterwards and watched him enter the barracks myself. See there's nothing to be worried about," Klink assured him.

"I will see for myself!" Hochstetter growled as he opened the door to Hogan's barracks and turned the light on. The men all began grumbling at being woken in the middle of the night.

"Hey, what's going on out here? What idiot turned the lights on? Oh, Major Hochstetter, we weren't expecting you," Hogan gave him a smile as he tied his bathrobe.

"Hogan, where have you been tonight?" Hochstetter demanded walking up to the Colonel.

"I was asleep until a moment ago. Why? Should I have been somewhere else?" He answered with an innocent look on his face.

"Yes, Major, perhaps you should explain what's going on," Klink asked in a voice just above a plea.

"A man fitting Hogan's description was shot this even escaping from the Gestapo. Do you have any fresh wounds, Hogan?" Hochstetter sneered at him.

"No, I don't have any. Too bad about the guy getting shot, I do hope he'll be all right," he answered not showing his concern for Tiger.

"Don't antagonized the Major," Klink ordered but it came out more like begging.

"Take your shirt off. I want to see for myself!" Hochstetter ordered. Hogan looked over at Klink who told him to comply with the Major's wishes. "Or I can have my guards do it for you."

With a sigh, Hogan took off his bathrobe and carefully laid it on the table. Then he took off his night shirt, slowly unbuttoning it one button at a time to drive the little weasel mad. It was all he could do at the moment to Hochstetter for shooting Tiger. Once that was done, he pulled his t-shirt over the top of his head and then straightened it out before saying anything. "Satisfied Major?" Hogan asked.

Hochstetter took a good look at his body frustrated at not finding any injuries, "Bah" he growled then turned to Klink and ordered him to have a full roll call immediately. Before he left the barracks he stopped and turned back to the Colonel. "Let's see your legs just to make sure there are no fresh gunshot wounds," Hochstetter said with fury in his eyes.

Hogan finished putting his t-shirt on and rolled his eyes as he took off his pajama bottoms. Then he turned around for the Major to see. "Satisfied now Major?" His tone showed annoyance at the strip show. Hochstetter glared dangerously at Hogan then left the building without speaking another word.

A complete roll call was conducted and to Hochstetter's dismay, all prisoners were present and accounted for, he left angrier than he was when he arrived in camp. Klink watched the Gestapo leave. He never really understanding why that man had to make these types of visits, but as long as he was leaving that's all he cared about. As soon as the coast was clear, Anderson went back down to sit with Tiger.

A half an hour later after getting Klink calmed down and back to bed, Hogan went downstairs to check on their guest to find both medics frantically working on Tiger. He stood out of the way, pacing with his arms wrapped around him anxiously waiting to find out what happened and her condition.

*Operation Tiger – Hogan said that a month ago Tiger had saved his life and the entire operation. I always wondered what the back story was, so I wrote one.