O my god...this is it! Thanks to everyone who read this! You made this a great adventure to me! Thanks of course to Basketballgirl Kaitlin for her work as a beta. YOu are amazing! And now...the last words:

epilogue- heroes

12 days later…

Hogan turned his face to the sun the second he got out of the Kommandantur where he, Kinch, Carter and LeBeau had spend the last thirty minutes. Klink had made it very clear that his POW-camp was the best throughout Germany, and no one will ever escape. Therefore, they could as well go back to the barracks and spread the word.

The past days had been boring. They had ended up in one of the few cells without a tunnel entrace, so they really couldn't get out. Newkirk and Olsen had come for a talk a few times, but Schultz had refused to leave them alone, mainly because the German guard had become a bit overprotective since Newkirk had a bandage around his right hand.

Hogan was curious to hear about that. All he had got to know so far was the official version Schultz was happy with: Newkirk had stumbled. Schultz didn't believe that, and neither did Hogan. Schultz didn't ask further questions though. He didn't want to know. Hogan did.

As they walked over to the barracks, Schultz begged: "Colonel Hogan, please, do NOT do this again. You gave me a heart attack. You shouldn't get me in such trouble."

"Ah, Schultzie, we wouldn't leave. And if we did, we'll take you with us," Carter reassured him.

Schultz seemed to be happy with that answer. He looked very happy to bring his "boys" back to where they belonged. However, he didn't seem to be happy about the fact that the inhabitants of barracks two were gathered around the common table and suspiciously did nothing than looking at the door.

"What are you doing? No! Don't tell me!" Schultz quickly added as Newkirk opened his mouth. "Colonel Hogan, tell him he should let that be, whatever it is. YOU are enough trouble to deal with!" With that, Schultz hurried to leave.

He sometimes felt very sorry for Schultz, Hogan had to admit. Life wasn't easy with prisoners as himself and his men.

Newkirk sighed. "You can't imagine how glad I am to have you back. And don't ever leave me here again. I started to feel really lonely without you around."

"That's not fair. I was at your side the whole time!" Olsen complained.

"You were out on missions while I was stuck here."

"That's not my fault. You send me, Sir," Olsen smirked.

Newkirk rolled his eyes. "Colonel, I hereby apologize for every cocky remark I ever made. This is really driving me crazy."

Hogan smiled. "Never mind. I don't think you are capable of keeping your mouth shut anyway. So, what were you doing?"

"Rechecking the mission for tonight. Bombing the Adolf Hitler Bridge." Newkirk explained.

Carter's eyes grew wide with enthusiasm. "Really? I like this one. When are we going?"

"You aren't going anywhere." As he saw the disappointed look on Carter's face, Newkirk continued. "See, I wasn't sure if I can get you out for tonight."

"How did you get us out, then?" Hogan asked.

"It wasn't that hard at all. I just asked Klink if he really wants to deal with me in charge for the next two and a half months."

They all laughed at that.

"You wanted to speak to me, Sir?" Newkirk asked opening the door to the office.

After listening to the reports on the past few missions, Hogan had gone into his office, thinking. There were a few things he had to work out. He was grateful to be back in his own room. Privacy was rare in a POW camp. He had spend his time until roll call lying on his bunk. Indeed, he wanted to speak to Newkirk after roll call, but had to wait until the Englishman returned from the tunnel where he had given last instructions to Olsen and two other men from the barracks. Now, he stood in the doorway, looking a bit pale and thinner than Hogan remembered him. The stress had worked on the Brit, Hogan realized.

"I just wanted to congratulate you properly for your work."

Newkirk gave a short laugh, closed the door and leaned against the bunk. "But did you realize that I really messed that up?"

"Not more than I did," Hogan smirked. "I wasn't able to deal with Bergmann."

"Well, I just survived because Horst was around. And you would have talked Bergmann out of coming to the station in the first place. You are good with words."

"Oh, I think you aren't that bad either."

"Words are liars."

Hogan looked up at this sudden harsh outburst. "You don't really mean that, do you?"

Newkirk looked in his eyes, but didn't say anything.

"I guess words are what we feel they should be. That's why they fit in any situation."

"Words are what we make them." Newkirk closed his eyes and shook his head. "Gosh, I can't believe I said that out loud."

Hogan laughed. "I like this one. Sounds so poetic."

Newkirk shrugged. "Whatever you say, Gov'." He took a breath and let it out again. "Well, I grab some coffee. You want some?"

"Don't drink so much caffeine; you look as if you need a good sleep."

Newkirk's answer was a humourless laugh. "You should know better. I won't be able to sleep until they arrive here safe."

Hogan smiled. He did understand. He didn't feel any different when he sent someone out on a mission.

"Okay, you're right. Maybe we should open a bottle of wine for a small celebration though. After all, you're a hero."

Newkirk smiled, a real smile from the heart. "We all are."