Hey there guys! Sorry it took me so long, i broke my Laptopo.O. But here we are, and for I had plenty of time, it is a rather long chapter. Hope you like it!

And a huge thanks to Basketballgirl Kaitlin for fast work and encouraging words! You are amazing!

Now, have fun^^

And yeah, thanks for pointing it out: The chapter indeed looked very strange and was hard to read. I hope it is better now (I am so bad with computers).

chapter 7- life

life- The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death (source: Oxford advanced learner's dictionary)

Newkirk repeated his plan all along the way. He checked and rechecked it. He knew it was senseless, he couldn't change anything anymore, so working through his plan would only make him more nervous. But for it was the only thing to do at the moment, he kept on.

Suddenly, Olsen shook his shoulder. "I asked if you were all right."

Newkirk realized that everyone in the truck looked at him. He swallowed. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Everybody kept on asking him that question. Was he all right? Newkirk wondered how Colonel Hogan was able to stand that pressure every day. He never wanted to be a leader because honestly he was none. He was a natural born coward and used to be watching out only for himself. Now he had his friends to care about, and he would give everything he had to get them back safe.

But at what costs? He was risking the life of everyone in the truck. Was it worth it?

How could he even dare to decide on the life of others?

Life is the most valuable thing a human has. How can he command others to do what he wants? But on the other hand, how could he sacrifice the life of his four best friends without even trying to help them? Everyone in the truck, no matter if he was from the camp or an Underground agent, trusted him to do the right thing. They all would happily give their life for Papa Bear, and therefore he had to give his best.

Soon they arrived. The building where Colonel Hogan and the others were held captive was in fact some kind of a research facility. And no matter how this rescue mission would end, the Allies were going to bomb the facility in a couple of days.

"Now or never," Newkirk thought and climbed out of the truck. Olsen stepped next to him, reassuring him by his presence that everything was going to be find. Strange how he did this, but for Newkirk, it actually worked.

They both entered the main building, followed by two Underground agents. Three men from the camp waited at the truck.

The young Corporal on duty nearly fell from his chair as Newkirk stopped at his desk. He had taken care of his appearance to be impressive and intimidating. Dressed as a highly decorated Gestapo Colonel, he was sure he had done that job right.

He ringed the bell on the Corporal's desk to make the young man move. "Euh…welcome, Colonel, euh…"
Newkirk rolled his eyes and sighed. "Where is the man who caught the spies? Major..." He looked at Olsen who replied "Bergmann, sir,"

"Major Bergmann, euh ja, yes, I can get him...if you would just wait a minute…"

Newkirk somehow enjoyed scaring the Corporal. He was afraid to be caught. He thought of what could happen and would happen if anything went wrong, and yet he needed all his acting experience to stop himself from giggling like an idiot.

Olsen led out a breath he had been holding. "So far, so good," he muttered. When everything goes to hell, you are happy about the smallest success. This part wasn't hard at all. That was yet to come.

In fact, it took the Corporal four minutes to return, but at least he brought Major Bergmann with him.

"Ah I greet you, Gentlemen. I ordered some of the guards to bring your presents. I am Major Bergmann. And I hope you will be leaving soon, otherwise the Corporal here will have a heart attack."

Newkirk smiled dryly. "You have a charming way of telling us we aren't welcome here."

"Well, we have some work to do here. Corporal, have you checked their orders already?" Bergmann asked, but never stopped looking at Newkirk.

"Euh, I…I,"

Olsen sighed, whispered "Idiot" loud enough for everyone to hear, and handed the orders to the young German.

"Who are you by the way?", Bergmann asked.

"I'm Colonel Fischer, interrogation specialist from Berlin. And I can't wait to hear what your guests will tell me. Or have they talked to you by now?"

Bergmann just smiled. "You wouldn't have a job if I was able to do that so easily, would you? Speaking of it...why does a Colonel come here to pick up a few spies? You must be very busy as an interrogation specialist."

Newkirk realized that this man wasn't stupid. He didn't trust the Gestapo, and sure he was clever enough to be particularly suspicious in this special case. After all, he got a point there. This man was definitely dangerous. "If you want to have it done right, you need to do it yourself. And trust me, I am not the only one specialized in questioning prisoners."

"The...orders appear to be...euh...I mean...everything is in order."

"I am glad that you have such qualified personnel here, Major." Newkirk took his chance to figuratively fire back at Bergmann. Better bring him in need to defend than being attacked on his own. Bergmann gave no answer, he just kept on staring at Newkirk who started to feel a bit uneasy. He didn't show it though.

At the end of the corridor some guards appeared, the four prisoners in their middle. "Well, I guess you can leave now. Should we guide you to the station?"

"That won't be necessary, but thanks anyway," Newkirk replied. Then he addressed the guards. "You can bring the prisoners into my truck."

The guards did as they were told. Newkirk tried not to look at them or his friends. Bergmann could get even more suspicious and he didn't need the Major around. The man meant trouble.

"Ah, you know, it would be much better if I had your back. Who knows what the Underground is up to?"

The man wouldn't give in, Newkirk realized. "You know, I am feeling much safer now," he answered sarcastically.

"I am always happy to help the Gestapo," the Major replied grinning.

Newkirk just turned around and went outside. He tried to figure out what the Major was up to. He seemed to know that something wasn't right. This man could easily interrupt not only this, but many future operations. They needed to get rid of him as fast as possible. 'Concentrate on the present,' Newkirk reminded himself as he got into the truck. He knew that his four best friends were less than a meter behind him, in the back of the vehicle. And they were safe for now. The Major could guide them to the station, that didn't make a difference to his plan. And he couldn't follow a train that easy. Newkirk swallowed as he realized that the Major could easily get into the train.

The train already awaited them as they arrived. Newkirk jumped out of the truck, pretending to be as full of energy as a Gestapo Colonel should be. "Bring the prisoners into the train. Hurry! I want to leave," he yelled. The black car stopped next to him and Bergmann got out, just in time to see the four prisoners being pushed into the train.

"Are you sure you don't need any extra guards? I could come with you."

"These are my prisoners now. I don't need your help, Major."

They stood staring at each other, watching for any reaction in the face of the man opposite them, trying to read the other man.

"I just want to make sure that your prisoners arrive safely." Bergmann's bright blue eyes tried to stare Newkirk down. For a moment, he indeed wasn't able to react.

"As you said, you've got work to do, and I've got mine. Unless..." He took two steps forward so that he stood directly in front of Bergmann. "...you want to interfere in a Gestapo operation." He breathed into the Major's face, hoping that this was enough to intimidate him.

When the Major didn't answer, he turned around and entered the train. After closing the door, he paused for a moment and took a deep breath. Never in his life has he been so exhausted.

The train driver was an Underground agent as well, Horst Heyne. Newkirk walked to him and smiled.

"Shall we?" Horst asked.

"Can't wait to leave."

"Understood, Snow White. Over and out." Newkirk sighed. Snow White was the second of the two Pickup units he organized. He had just contacted them and told them to be ready, for if everything goes well, they would be out and safe in a few minutes.

"Keep calm. The plan is easy, simple, but nonetheless genius. It is going to work...Baby Bear."

Well, apparently he had spoken his last thoughts out loud and..."Wait, Baby Bear?"

Horst chuckled. "You know, there are Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Goldilocks. So Baby Bear really fits you." He looked at his watch and slowed down the train. "I mean, you just saved their lives, and ours, too. And who else could have had as great ideas as Papa Bear if not Baby Bear?"

"You are telling me that one of those guys I captured is the famous Papa Bear himself?"

Newkirk was at his feet in no time, but Bergmann pressed a gun into his face. "You move and you're dead."

"How the bloody hell did you get in here?" Newkirk asked. He just needed a few more seconds, and then the others would leave the train.

"What do you think? I opened the door and entered." Then, Bergmann looked at Horst. "Stop the train," he ordered. When Horst didn't move, the Major hit his head with his gun. Horst fell down and laid there unmoving. In this time, Newkirk grabbed his own gun but he lost his grip on it as Bergmann turned around and punched him in the face. He landed on his back, once again facing the Major's pistol. "You moved."

So this was it. His life would end now. In just a few seconds, Bergmann would pull the trigger and send a bullet right through his head. And that was it. But Bergmann was too late. The others would have met Red Riding Hood by now, so they were safe. That made four lives rescued at the costs of two. Well, three if you count Bergmann who wouldn't get out of the train in time.

It was a beautiful night to die. Yes, it was. Newkirk looked in Bergmann's eyes, these cold blue eyes. There was no mercy in them. Bergmann was going to shoot him…now. And there was another thing. He would not just simply die here. He would die here alone. He would never see his family again, or his friends he gave his life for.

This realization got Newkirk to move. The last sight won't be those eyes. He was going to fight for dear life. He kicked and hit Bergmann's left foot. The Major wasn't prepared for that and fell on top of him, so he took his chance and reached for the gun. They both struggled to get ahold of it, throwing punches and kicks. Finally, Newkirk was able to free himself and grab Bergmann's pistol. As he turned to aim at him, the Major hit him with the gun Newkirk dropped some time before. As he once again fell down, Newkirk closed his eyes, trying to think of something nice and beautiful. The last thought in life shouldn't be hateful.

Then he heard a loud bang and pain filled his body.

life- everything and everyone you love