Carter watched as Newkirk raked the flower beds. LeBeau joined him, handing him some cocoa. "Thanks," Carter said.

LeBeau studied his friend. "Andre, I need to ask you something. Are you falling for Perrin?"

Carter stared at him. "Gosh, no! I mean, it's Newkirk! He's not a girl, not really." He looked at Newkirk. "I tell myself it's a costume he wears sometimes."

"He makes a pretty woman."

"What if he has to stay a woman?" Carter looked at LeBeau. "I mean, he can't be an air gunner. What will he do?"

LeBeau bit his lip. "I wondered about that, too. She could get married, have a family."

"But he's a man. Or used to be. Good luck explaining that."

"She is lovely, mon ami. She would have no problems getting men."

"And what about what she wants? Maybe she wants to continue in the RAF. Or being in a circus or to be a magician."

"Problems, guys?"

Colonel Hogan loomed over his men. "Hello, mon Colonel. We were discussing Perrin." LeBeau looked at Newkirk who now chatted with Olson.

"What's wrong with Newkirk?"

"What if she has to stay a woman? I mean, what does she do?"

Hogan inhaled. "He'll be a man soon."

"And if he doesn't get to switch back?"

Hogan frowned. "We'll worry about that later."

"What will she do?" Carter asked. "The RAF won't let her fly and let's face it, women don't do what Newkirk does."

"She'll be fine." Hogan looked at Newkirk. LeBeau watched his CO's face fill with worry. "I'll make sure of it."

Newkirk looked at his friends and exhaled loudly. WIlson sauntered over. "You all right, Newkirk?"

"Tell the others they can stop worrying." Newkirk leaned on his rake.

"I don't think that'll help but I'll try."

"You don't worry."

"Because the Colonel does enough for all of us."

Yells drew their attention. "It's the General," Wilson said as Burkhalter drove through the gates.

"And his sister." Newkirk watched Frau Linkmeyer emerge from the car. Klink scurried out, fawning over the General. Newkirk sighed and walked over to Frau Linkmeyer.

"Can I help you, Frau Linkmeyer?"

"Bring my bags, Corporal." Newkirk followed the heavy set woman into Klink's guest quarters. "Where is Klink? Oogling that skinny secretary of his?"

"I don't know, " Newkirk said, placing the bags near the stove.

"Men," Frau Linkmeyer snorted. "All interested in pretty toothpicks. Not one pays attention to the mind."

"Isn't that the truth?" Newkirk muttered.

"How would you know?" Frau Linkmeyer stared at Newkirk.

Newkirk thought quickly. "Me sister, Frau Linkmeyer. She thought she found a bloke who really cared for her. But he played her for a fool, ditched her for some pretty blond. Now, my sister may not be the most physically gorgeous but she's smart as a whip, has a 'eart big as all outdoors. Any man would be lucky to get a smile from her. It hurts to read how bad she feels because someone couldn't see what she's really like." He smiled. "Kind of like you and the Kommandant. Begging your pardon but he's a fool not to see you for what you are."

"You are so right, Corporal. What is your name again?"
 "I'm Corporal Newkirk."

"Hmm." She eyed him up and down. "Join us for dinner tonight, Corporal."

"Oh, I can't, Frau Linkmeyer. I'm only a Corporal."

"Your Colonel will be there. ALBERT!"

General Burkhalter hurried in with Klink at his heels. Newkirk wasn't surprised to see Colonel Hogan saunter in behind Klink. Hogan's eyes widened as he saw Newkirk. "What is this man doing here?" Burkhalter demanded.

"He carried my bags," Frau snapped. "He will be joining us for dinner."

"Corporal Newkirk?" Klink asked. "Why?"

"Because I want him to. He is considerate and kind and understands women."

"He's the enemy," General Burkhalter exclaimed.

"He's right, Frau Linkmeyer," Newkirk said.

"Bah. He joins us, Albert, along with Hogan."

"All right."

Newkirk looked at Hogan with wide eyes. "We'd be honored," Hogan said. "We'll tell LeBeau. Come on, Newkirk."

"Yes, sir."

They headed for the barracks. "What is that about?" Hogan demanded.

"I don't know. She was upset and I sympathized with her."

"Great. Well, I hope you're ready to be bored."

"I have to ruddy go?!"

"Yes. Frau Linkmeyer insists."

LeBeau, Carter, and Kinch laughed themselves almost sick when they heard. Newkirk frowned and rolled his eyes. "You'll be there, too, mate," Newkirk snapped to LeBeau.

"I was not flirting with Frau Linkmeyer," LeBeau chuckled. "I only need to cook."

"I wasn't flirting! I listened. She might be a bleeding nutjob but I can be polite."

Hogan laughed. "It might be nice to have some allied company," he said.

The dinner went well with Frau Linkmeyer focusing on Newkirk more than Klink or Hogan. Newkirk was oddly quiet, almost seeming to want to disappear. Yet he listened to Frau Linkmeyer, answered her questions, and tried to be diplomatic. As he was usually waiting on people rather than eating with them, Hogan forgave Newkirk his strange almost-timidity. After dinner, Newkirk practically threw himself out the door to return to the barracks. Hogan stayed awhile longer then left. "You have a new admirer," Hogan said.

Carter chuckled and Newkirk sighed. "Maybe you can date her," Carter teased.

"Not bloody likely."

--------

Newkirk deftly picked his way to the fairy circle. Hogan quietly followed. At the ring, Newkirk called Selene's name softly. She appeared almost immediately, dressed in rich purple. Beside her was another elven woman with shimmering grey eyes and inky black hair. "Peter," Selene greeted. "And Robert. Welcome."

Newkirk stepped over the ring of stones. Hogan followed and both stood in front on Selene. "This is Arema. She is the sorcerer who cast the spell," Selene introduced.

"I beg your forgiveness," Arema said. "You should never have been caught in my spell, Peter."

"Thank you," Newkirk said.

"I owe you an enormous boon. What may I do for you?"

Newkirk shook his head. "I'm fine, thank you. I just need to become me again." Then a thoughtful look entered his eyes. "Just a moment." He walked to the women and murmured to them.

Hogan shifted his feet. Arema nodded, took Newkirk aside, and light encircled him. It glowed vividly for several minutes then faded. Newkirk opened his eyes and smiled wistfully. Arema handed Newkirk a small bottle, kissed his cheek, and looked at Hogan with a smile. "And now I can return you to your original gender. If you agree, that is."

Hogan and Newkirk exchanged looks. "I'm ready," Newkirk said.

Hogan glanced at Selene as Arema touched Newkirk. "This isn't going to hurt, is it?"

"Far less than the change to woman," Selene said.

Newkirk stood statue still as silvery mist wrapped around him. The mist thickened. Suddenly Newkirk screamed, a terrifying shriek that threw Hogan back to the night Newkirk had been first changed. Selene jerked. Hogan grabbed the elf's arm. "What's wrong?"

"I am not sure," Selene stammered. The fog slowly disappated. Arema knelt near an unconcious Newkirk, cradling him in her arms.

"What happened?" Hogan asked, rushing to Newkirk.

"It should not have hurt so much. Part of him must have wished very hard to stay a woman," Arema said. She stroked Newkirk's hair. "To change the original to the other gender is difficult because the body only knows the original. It hurts because the body is changing to what it has never been. To change back, however, rarely is so painful as the body is returning to what it knew before." She touched Newkirk's face. "He's all right now."

Hogan breathed out as Newkirk groaned. "Newkirk?" Hogan asked.

"I hear you, gov. God, that hurts." He sat up slowly. "How do I look?"

Hogan looked at Newkirk. "Just like before." He grinned. "I kinda like girl Newkirk better. At least she was prettier." He held out his hand. Newkirk grasped it and Hogan pulled him to his feet. Hogan felt shaking under his fingertips. "Newkirk?"

"Just a bit wonky, gov'nor." Newkirk breathed a little harder. "I'll be all right."

Hogan looked at Arema. "How did you make her so lovely? None of the men turned women were even average."

"Just a slight magical twist. The bodies were theirs. It was a bit of revenge ensuring they were all attractive physically."

"So you were magically pretty," Hogan chuckled. He let go of Newkirk belatedly.

"Actually most of it was Peter. If he'd been born a woman, he'd look like I made him. I did enhance a little but not much." Arema touched Newkirk's shoulder. "I apologize again."

"It's all right." Newkirk breathed hard again. "Thank you for helping me."

"Either of you may call on us anytime," Selene said. She kissed Newkirk gently. "I wish you well." Selene then kissed Hogan. "Good luck, warriors."

As the men headed back to Stalag 13, Hogan watched Newkirk closely. Newkirk moved slowly, stiffly. Yet soon he was moving easily. "You all right?"

Newkirk nodded. "Fine. Just getting used to being myself again."

Hogan slapped Newkirk's shoulder lightly. "Good to have you back." He eyed Newkirk. "What did you ask for? That first time?"

"Nothing much, gov." Newkirk shrugged his shoulders. He evaded Hogan's curious gaze.

"All right," Hogan said.

Back at camp, Newkirk was greeted with hugs and slaps on the back. "Back to normal," Kinch said.

"As normal as we get."

The next few weeks ran smoothly yet Newkirk noticed a few odd changes in his friends. He finally sat down next to Carter. "Carter, is there a problem?"

"No, Newkirk."

"Come on, mate," he said.

Carter smiled slightly. "I just kind of miss Perrin," he admitted. "I'm writing a letter to a woman I know and a woman's advice would be nice."

Newkirk sighed, putting his head in his hands. "Andrew?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Perrin, remember?" He lifted his head, looked at Carter.

"But you're a man again."

"I remember being a woman." Newkirk cocked his eyebrow. "What do you want?"

"What to say."

Newkirk bit back the sharp retort and breathed deep. "All right. Let's start from the beginning."

Hogan watched the two men talk. He smiled to himself. "Something funny, Colonel?" Kinch asked. LeBeau looked at both of them.

"Maybe being a woman isn't so bad."

"Do you want to be one?" LeBeau asked.

"No," Hogan quickly replied. "But I bet it's a learning experience."

"Newkirk certainly won over Frau Linkmeyer," Kinch said.

"That he did." Hogan straightened.

"Think he misses Perrin?" LeBeau asked.

"Why would any man miss that?" Kinch asked.

"He is Perrin," Hogan reminded. "All of us have a female side. Newkirk's just took physical form."

Kinch and LeBeau glanced at him. Then LeBeau shrugged. "If you say so, mon Colonel. Personally, I am nothing like la femme."

Hogan snorted. He still wondered what Newkirk had wished for. One night, a few weeks later, he made a detour to the fairy ring. "Selene?" he whispered.

"I am here, Robert." Selene appeared. "How can I help you?"

"Newkirk asked for a favor."

Selene nodded. "Yes. A very small boon."

"What was it?"

Selene smiled. "He asked for a glimpse into possible futures."

Hogan twitched. "Must not be much for ten minutes," he joked.

"Ten minutes for us. Lifetimes for him."

Hogan pursed his lips. "What were they like?"

Selene shook her head, eyes bright. "I'm sorry. Peter's dreams are his."

Hogan frowned thoughtfully. "All right."

"Is there more that bothers you?"

"I don't think all your magic is gone. I mean, there are still disturbing glimpses of the woman rather than Peter."

Selene glided around the circle. "The spell is gone, Robert. Anything left over belongs to you and your men."

Hogan sighed. "I worried about that."

Newkirk sat outside the barracks, watching the leaves ripple in the spring breeze. Carter ambled over and sat next to him. "You all right?"

"Yes. Thinking."

Newkirk stretched and Carter looked at his best friend, his older brother in so many ways. "Do you miss being a girl?" he asked.

"Don't be daft."

"That doesn't answer the question."

"I'm a man, mate."

Carter hesitantly wrapped an arm around Newkirk's shoulders. Newkirk stiffened briefly then leaned into him. "Thanks," Newkirk murmured. Then Newkirk gently pulled away. Carter patted his back.

"Come on, girls," came a voice. "Break it up." Simmons and Trenton ambled over. Newkirk's eyes narrowed and without warning, he launched himself at Simmons.

"Newkirk, no!" Carter grabbed for Newkirk. Men rushed over, yelling encouragement and warnings. Carter dodged a flying fist, trying to grasp Newkirk's arm or collar. He swallowed hard. Newkirk had Simmons down, hands locked around his throat. "Newkirk, let go!" He seized Newkirk's collar.

Hands joined his and they pulled. Newkirk reluctantly let go and shook himself, wiping a bloody lip. Simmons scrambled up, wheezing. "What is going on?" Baker demanded, still holding Newkirk's arm.

"He's psychotic," Simmons stammered.

"What is going on?" Colonel Hogan strode over, eyes flashing. Newkirk breathed hard but avoided looking at Hogan. Simmons looked at his feet. "I asked a question, corporals!"

"He tried to kill me."

"If I wanted you dead, mate, you'd be dead."

"You're mad!"

"You asked for it," Newkirk said.

"Enough," Hogan said. "You've both volunteered for extra duties. Simmons, you get kitchen duty. Newkirk, report for barracks repair."

"Yes, sir," Simmons muttered.

"Yes, sir."

"Everyone get moving."

Hogan looked at Newkirk. "Walk with me, Newkirk," Hogan said quietly. His English corporal followed him. Alone, Hogan looked at him. "Is there a problem?"

"Simmons is an idiot," Newkirk said. Hogan frowned. "He got under my skin."

"Newkirk, if you can't keep control..."

"What, gov? Simmons is an arse and he got what he asked for."

Hogan's frown deepened. "All right. You need a break. Take tonight off but be careful."

Newkirk sighed. Late that night, he left the camp and walked the woods. Why he felt so erratic, he didn't know. He rubbed his eyes. Without planning, he found himself at the fairy circle. He stood at the circle edge and stared. "Selene?" he whispered.

"Hello, Peter." Newkirk turned. Selene glided to him. "I'm wondered if you would come." She wore a sleek outfit of shadowy grey and knee high charcoal colored boots.

"Why?"

"You have had a dramatic shift in your life. It is only natural you'd come here." Her eyes, amazingly liquid, gazed at him and seemed to stare into his soul. "We've changed you and for that I apologize. We can not undo what we have done."

"I'm all right. My mates have changed, not me."

Selene smiled. "I think you've changed more than you know." She reached out and gently touched Newkirk's shoulder. "You have known both genders and that is rare indeed for a human."

"Best of both worlds, hmm?" Newkirk grinned.

"Actually, yes."

Selene walked with Newkirk, gently touching his shoulder from time to time. Newkirk felt oddly soothed as they paced through the trees. A pair of foxes romped in the moonlight, their three cubs darting around them. The vixen growled and pinned her mate to the ground. Then both reared back and wrestled. Newkirk watched the animals play. When the foxes left, he sighed. "I should be heading back to camp," he said. "Thanks, Selene."

"Anytime, Peter."

Newkirk walked back to camp. In the barracks, he looked at his sleeping friends, studied them and then Hogan's door. Finally he laid down.

Hogan watched his thief look around the barracks. He saw Newkirk's face change, soften into something much like the woman he had been. Then Newkirk looked at his door, watched it with the same tender gaze and crawled into his bunk. Hogan thoughtfully regarded him. Then he laid down as well.

The next day Newkirk strolled over to him. "Can we talk, gov?"

"Of course."

Newkirk looked at his CO. "I'm sorry about yesterday. You're right. I was a little rattled. It's been odd being a bloke then a bird then back to being a bloke. But I'm fine, gov. Just had to balance myself a bit."

"You've done extremely well." Hogan gazed at him with a curious look on his face.

"Gov?"

Hogan shook his head. "Nothing."

"What would you 'ave done if I had to stay a girl?"

"I could have always used an aide."

Newkirk blinked. "You would have allowed me to be your aide?"

"Certainly. You know how I like my coffee, can keep track of my schedule, and keep me up to date."

Newkirk studied him. "Thank you," he said gratefully. "I appreciate that."

"You're welcome."

"Could you 'old that aide job for me? You never know, I might just show up."

Hogan nodded. "Not a problem."

Newkirk smiled, a genuine smile unlike his usual cocky grin or brash smirk, and walked off. "Barracks repair," he said over his shoulder.