A Simple Mission

Note: I do not own any of these characters. This is my first story, please review, criticism is welcome! More chapters will be posted later on as soon as they are finished.

Newkirk picked his way slowly and quietly through the forest. It wasn't far now, and if he could just make it back to the tunnel, everything would be put right. The Colonel always thought of something, even when all seemed lost.

Above all else, Newkirk knew for sure that without a miracle, everything really would be lost. How could everything fall apart so fast? The worst thing was the others didn't even know about it yet.

Despite the growing danger as he neared Stalag 13, Newkirk quickened his pace as much as he could. The various injuries he had sustained hampered his progress some. This was perhaps the strangest part of his situation: he couldn't remember how these injuries had occurred.

He had long since given up trying to recall any details of what he must have gone through. With his left arm hanging useless at his side and wracked with shooting pains, his right eye swollen almost shut and his back and chest feeling like a division of tanks had driven across it, a person would think he could remember how it had all happened. The last thing he remembered was saying something to Louis, but not for every coin in the world could he remember what it was.

Ducking quickly to avoid the searchlight, Newkirk finally spotted the tree trunk entrance to the emergency tunnel. He eased open the entrance with his good arm and slipped inside. This was more than just a routine mission now. It was a matter of life and death.

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"You'll rendezvous with the agent at the Hofbrau," Colonel Hogan went through his usual mission debriefing," Lebeau, you'll go inside and meet him. Newkirk, I want you to wait out back and keep an eye out for any patrols. Once you make contact LeBeau, make some excuse to go out back and meet Newkirk. The woods shouldn't be a problem, the Gestapo are still investigating that factory in Dusseldorf."

The men were gathered around a map in the tunnels, and allowed themselves a chuckle as they remembered their sabotage work a few days earlier.

"Take him in through the emergency tunnel, we'll be ready for him and Carter and Kinch can send him off to England right away," the Colonel wrapped up neatly.

"That's gonna be a full night's work Colonel," Kinch said, a little nervous.

"But is has to be done," Hogan countered," Thumbelina has information that has to get to London tonight for it to be any use."

"You don't have to worry about us, Colonel," smiled LeBeau.

"If this mission was any easier, I'd do it in me sleep sir," Newkirk chimed in.

Hogan rolled up his maps and glanced around at his team. Did they really understand the importance of this mission? This information could be a deciding factor in the Allied war effort, it had to get through. But as he looked into each one of their faces, he knew they understood. They joked and smiled so that their nerves wouldn't get in the way of the mission.

"Alright, get going," Hogan nodded at his men, "And good luck!"

He hoped they wouldn't need it.

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"15 minutes Louis. After that, I'm comin' in."

Lebeau rolled his eyes as he pulled his jacket tighter around himself. He knew Newkirk worried, much as he tried to hide it, but this mission was almost too simple. In and out, easy as that.

"Don't worry, Pierre. I will be back before you even know I have gone."

With that he left Newkirk and walked across the street to the Hofbrau. The evening air was chilled, and he shivered slightly before slipping through the door.

The pub was busy tonight, almost every table filled with civilians and soldiers alike. He frowned at the carousing and drinking, eyes narrowing. It was only partially his usual revulsion by the boche, but how was he supposed to find Thumbelina in this? He could be anyone. LeBeau moved forward through the crowd, hoping that his contact would reveal himself. Glancing at his watch, he had only 12 minutes before Newkirk came running in to save him.

Something hit his shoulder and he turned towards the bar to see one of the serving girls apologizing as she passed. He waved her off in response, not wanting to reveal his French accent. His German was far from flawless. As he turned to continue his search, a familiar voice caught his ear.

"I remember when I was a girl, Hans, and my father used to tell me all sorts of fairy tales. I heard the Three Bears, Thumbelina, all of them, over and over, but it was never as good as the first telling."

"Ja, fraulein, I'm sure," came the annoyed response from over the counter.

LeBeau's mouth nearly fell open in shock. He knew that voice! But it couldn't be, she was not supposed to be here, and using a strange codename as well! He looked back at the bar, and sure enough, there she was. Could she be his contact? She had mentioned Thumbelina, and the Three Bears…

Trying to avoid any embarrassment, he did not try to sit on the tall stools, but rather leaned against the counter and spoke in a low voice.

"Excuse me fraulein, but I could not help overhearing. My father told me stories as well, but they were mostly about tigers."

Tiger grinned in response.

"Perhaps you would like to discuss it together? Somewhere more private?"

"I believe that would be acceptable."

He allowed Tiger to lead him to a table at the back. She sat down, and leaned in to speak softly.

"It is so good to see one of Papa Bear's men again. I have missed you, working in Paris."

"I would love to sit here and chat, but we have orders to be in and out as quickly as possible. You are Thumbelina? Good. Also if we are not out back in exactly, " he checked his watch once more, " five minutes we will have to explain ourselves to a very angry Englishman."

"Very well, you are right of course."

He stood and stretched to his toes to help her with her jacket.

"Danke," she said, nodding her head for him to lead.

Motioning towards the back, he began leading her out when a sudden quiet came over the pub. He turned to see what he had dreaded, two Gestapo standing in the door way.

"Achtung!"

They were caught.