Morning roll call found the men standing outside in the crisp spring air. After it was over, Hogan followed Klink to his office to pump him for information as his men went back into the barracks.
"Newkirk?"
"Andrew, you're awake. How are you feeling?" Newkirk sat down next to him.
"Hungry," he said shifting.
"LeBeau, did you hear that? Me mate's 'ungry."
"That's wonderful news. I'll get him something," LeBeau answered starting breakfast.
"What happened?" Carter asked as Newkirk help prop him up.
"What's the last thing you remember?" Newkirk asked. This was the first time Carter had been coherent since he was injured.
Carter thought for a moment before answering, "Getting shot. Are Colonel Hogan and Barrett okay?"
"Yeah, they're both fine. The Gov'nor is over in Klink's office and François is down in the tunnel. He's been asking about you and helped us a lot to get you the care you needed." Newkirk didn't think Carter was strong enough to know Hogan had been injured just yet, besides the Colonel was on his way on the road to recovery.
"He was so scared when we showed up. It took a little convincing for him to believe we were there to rescue him," Carter said as LeBeau handed him broth and bread.
"While Wilson was working you, François held two flashlights along with the rest of us so there was enough light. When Kinch contacted London about an emergency airdrop, Colonel Hogan had to convince them. He was having some trouble with it and François told London if they didn't make the drop, he wasn't going to England but back to France. And he was serious. That's when they decided the drop would happen," Newkirk explained.
"Wow, that's pretty cool," Carter said then took a bite of his bread.
"He also helped Kinch rig a pulley system up to get you to your bunk the way Wilson wanted you brought up. Speaking of Kinch, you have his and a couple of others blood running through you," Newkirk said.
"Yeah, we're going to make you pay for it when you're feeling better," Kinch teased.
"Thanks," Carter smiled, looking up as the front door opened, and Hogan walked in.
"How did it go with Klink?" Kinch asked.
"He didn't know any more than we heard on the coffee pot. Glad to see you up and eating," Hogan said standing near Carter.
"Thanks, sir. I woke up hungry. And thanks for getting me back here," Carter's eyes met Hogan's eyes in unstated understanding. Last thing he really remembered was telling Hogan to leave him.
"Anytime. You would have done the same for me," Hogan gave him a smile.
"Is Tiger here yet?" Carter asked yawning, handing his half-finished broth to Newkirk.
"I'll bring her in tonight. When she gets here, I'll have her stop by and say hello," Hogan promised.
"I'd like that. I think I'm going to rest for a while," Carter said sliding back down on his bunk.
"That sounds like a good idea. Let us know if you need anything," Hogan said.
Newkirk stayed with his best friend until he fell back to into a peaceful sleep. Then he spent the day vetting the newer guards in the camp, again with no luck.
Late afternoon Klink stormed across the compound, his riding crop firmly in place. He'd sent for Hogan over two hours ago and the American hadn't shown up in his office. The insolence of the man galled him to no end. Barging into the barracks he demanded, "Where's Colonel Hogan?"
"Why Kommandant, did you come to join us for dinner?" LeBeau asked causally stirring his food.
"No, I did not. I want to know where Colonel Hogan is this instant!"
"Oh, my apologies, I'm just used to serving dinner for a Colonel and thought you'd fill that role tonight," LeBeau's eyes were sparkling.
"You're trying my patience Corporal. Why would Colonel Hogan not be eating here tonight?" Klink started tapping his foot.
"Colonel Hogan said to tell you he escaped," LeBeau answered nonchalantly.
"WHAT?" his monocle nearly fell from his eye.
"Colonel Hogan, the Kommandant wants to see you. He's out here," Newkirk knocked on Hogan's door. After a moment, the door opened showing Hogan and Kinch inside the private office.
"Something I can do for you, sir?" Hogan asked innocently.
"Do you know what this Frenchman said?" Klink walked into the private office. Hogan raised an eyebrow looking at LeBeau. "He told me that you'd escaped!"
Shaking his head Hogan let out an exaggerated sigh. "You weren't supposed to tell him until after I left."
"Sorry, sir," LeBeau was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
"I ordered you to my office two hours ago, I don't know what you've been doing, but I will find out. You can't hide anything from me," Klink was relieved Hogan was where he belonged.
"I wouldn't even try, sir," Hogan said with a straight face.
"What kept you from reporting as ordered?"
"I'm sorry sir, it's just camp business has had me tied up all afternoon," Hogan replied. He'd personally spoke with every barracks chief explaining the situation with Waechter and what they needed to do.
"What type of camp business?" Klink demanded.
"The usual, planning where the next tunnel should be dug, working out the best escape route to the coast," Hogan said, with a sparkle in his eyes. Kinch was having a hard time keeping his face neutral.
"Colonel Hogan, I do not find this type of humour funny," Klink fumed.
"Sorry sir," Hogan looked appropriately chastised. "What did you need to see me about?"
"The wire for expanding the camp through the fields the prisoners have just cleared will arrive tomorrow. So post-holes will need to be dug for the wire next. Next week, the materials for the new barracks will arrive. I expect the prisoners to build the new barracks as we worked out," Klink stated.
"I'm sure I can find volunteers to cut the wire," Hogan said with a grin.
"My men will take care of the wire when the time is right," Klink said firmly. "Don't keep me waiting the next time I send for you." Klink left the office stopping in front of LeBeau snapping. "You're on report!" Then he left the barracks forgetting to find out why Carter wasn't in roll call.
After the door closed, Hogan gave LeBeau a dirty look.
"Sorry mon Colonel, I couldn't help myself," he defended himself.
"Don't wind Klink up unnecessarily," Hogan ordered then closed his office door before the Corporal could see him and Kinch laughing. "Even when I tell Klink the truth he doesn't believe me. Am I losing my touch?"
"I'd say you have it down perfectly, sir. If he believed you, we'd be in trouble," Kinch laughed as he pulled the map of Germany back out. "I think you're right, this will be the best route for Tiger to take François to the coast."
Immediate after lights out, Hogan went down in the tunnel changing into a German Captain's Luftwaffe uniform making sure he looked good. Then he made his way out the emergency tunnel and into town. Coming to the right apartment building, Hogan walked up the stairs scanning the floor above as it came into view. Stopping at the top of the stairs, he looked around for any possible threats. The only movement was an old orange tabby cat licking its paw in front of one of the doors. "Have you been out prowling tonight too?" he smirked at the cat. It looked up at him studying him for a moment then went back to washing its paw. Walking towards the door at the end of the hallway, he flicked off a piece of lint on his uniform. Reaching his destination a door opened behind him, he spun to see who it was. An elderly woman stood in the doorway, their eyes met for a moment with an amused smile and twinkle in her eyes, she nodded her head while shooing the cat inside. The cat gave Hogan one last look then with a flick of his tail entered his home. As that door closed, the one in front of him opened and he was beckoned inside. "I saw the neighbor across the hall," he said taking his coat off.
"The old woman with the cat?" Tiger asked wrapping her arms around his neck. He nodded his head snaking his arms around her waist. "She's harmless, nothing to worry about." She reached up kissing him slowly and tenderly. "Did you have any trouble getting here?"
"No, none at all. How about you?" he asked. She shook her head no. "I missed you so much," he captured her lips in a hungry passionate kiss for a long moment.
"I can feel how much you missed me," she said breathlessly with his awaking passion rubbing against her. He nibbled on her ear making her knees weak. "How much time do we have?"
"A couple of hours," he mumbled trailing kisses down her delicate neck.
"What do you think we should do?" she asked playfully.
"I'm sure we can think of something," he moved to the other side of her neck, his growing interest pressing harder against her.
"Perhaps, we should go over the mission parameters," she said. Hogan pulled back in shock, until he saw the mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"I'll show you the mission parameters," he picked her up and slung her over his good shoulder in a fireman's hold with a smug grin.
"Let me down!" she yelled hitting his back. He carried her to the bed gently placing her on it, lying down on top of her. Tiger wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. "Now you're my prisoner and you can never leave," her lips back on his in a deep kiss.
"I'm not fighting to escape," he answered then they rolled over.
An hour and half later, Hogan lay lazily with his head on Tiger's chest. "I wish we could stay like this forever," he said feeling safe for the first time in a long time.
"I would like that very much, mon amour," Tiger's finger was gently tracing circles on his temple. "Though, I suppose we should get going."
"Yeah, you're right," Hogan reached up kissing her, then got up to dress. Tiger stood taking her bra off the top of the lamp going around the room gathering the rest of her clothing. She stopped in the middle of the room puzzled. "What's wrong?"
"I can't find my panties," she answered looking under the lamp's table.
"Who says you need them," Hogan said suggestively wagging his eyebrows giving her bedroom eyes.
"Well, if I have them," she pulled him close whispering in his ear. "We could see how many places in the tunnels we can lose them." Then she blew in his ear.
"Oh the lady needs serious help," Hogan said and started looking around. He found them under his side of the bed next to his missing sock. After both were presentable and had gathered Tiger's stuff, they headed to Stalag 13.
Newkirk met them at the tunnel entrance. "Hello luv," he gave Tiger a hug.
"I heard about Carter, is he awake?" Tiger asked as they walked down the tunnel.
"No, Wilson had to sedate him. He was in a lot of pain, so it'll be morning before you can see him. However, our guest is awake and he'd like to meet you tonight if you're up to it," Newkirk replied.
"Of course," Tiger answered following Newkirk to the guest quarters.
"François, I'd like you to meet Tiger. Tiger, this is François Barrett," Newkirk made introductions. He stood to the side of Tiger with Hogan just behind her.
"Marie?"
"François," Tiger stared at the man in front of her. She slumped against Hogan who protectively put his arms around her holding her up.
"Colonel Hogan, how did you manage this? How did you know my wife was alive?" François asked obviously in shock. "Mon amour, I thought you were dead.
"Non, non, non, you're dead. How can you be here?" Tiger took a hesitant step towards her husband.
"Obviously the tale of my death was mistaken," François said, still unbelieving she was alive.
"That I can remedy," Tiger said, her voice angry. She reached down, pulling a knife out of her boot lunging at her husband.