Klink quickened his pace and tried to pull his coat tighter as he walked down the sidewalk that brisk afternoon in early November. The temperature seemed to be dropping and he feared that the predicted storm might arrive sooner than expected. He just hoped it didn't last too long and interfere with his wedding, which was only two days away.

A vehicle could be heard pulling to the curb beside him. Even without turning around, Klink could guess who it was. It was confirmed when he heard Hogan say, "Klink, would you stop being stubborn and get in."

Turning around, Klink glanced through the rolled down window and could see Hogan still seated behind the wheel. "I'm not being stubborn," he countered. "I'm through with my errands, it's getting colder, and a storm's coming in. I'm tired. I just want to go home…sit down in front of the fire…have some hot cocoa…"

Hogan faked a chuckle. "Sure I still can't convince you to join me for a drink at the local Hofbrau? My treat. Have a drink…chat with the barmaid…might be your last chance, you know."

Klink gave Hogan a suspicious stare. "Hogan, you're up to something," he declared. "Is there some reason you don't want me to go home?"

Hogan chuckled even more loudly this time and feigned innocence. "Me! What could I be up to? I've been with you all afternoon."

"I know you, Hogan. There must be some reason you don't want me to go home. Now, I'm going home and that's that." Klink started to turn back to resume his trek down the sidewalk.

Hogan sighed. "Get in. I'll take you home." Klink hesitated and Hogan continued, "I promise." After a moment's consideration, Klink headed for the passenger door. Once his passenger was inside, Hogan pulled away from the curb and drove off in the direction of the bookstore.

- - -

As soon as Hogan had parked the car, Klink got out and headed for his apartment. Hogan quietly followed, a short distance behind. Arriving at his door, Klink turned the knob and started to open it.

Before he could open it all the way, Newkirk rushed over and blocked his path. "Sorry, but these premises are currently off-limits. You can't come in," Newkirk said.

"You're in my apartment. Now get out of my way," Klink insisted. "And that's an order."

Newkirk stood his ground. "Sorry, mate, but I don't take orders from you…and I'm not budging."

LeBeau, who was also in Klink's apartment, stepped over to stand beside Newkirk. "And you don't see the bride in her gown till the wedding," he declared.

Klink was puzzled. "Gown?" He felt a tap on his shoulder. "Hogan?" he guessed, as he turned around and found Hogan grinning ear to ear.

"I once told you that if you and Gertrude ever got married, you could count on a gown by Yvette(1). The men were just helping me keep my word," he explained.

Klink brushed his hand in the air. "But LeBeau is not Yvette of Paris," he argued, having learned some time ago that he had been duped on that occasion.

"But you've got to admit, they did a fine job on Fieda's dress," Hogan stated. "And I'm sure they'll do just as well with Gertrude's…maybe better, since you both are part of the new operation." Hogan glanced over at Newkirk and LeBeau. "How are you fellows coming along?"

"Almost done, Gov'nor," replied Newkirk.

"Oui, mon Colonel. Just finishing up," agreed LeBeau.

Hogan nodded in satisfaction. "Good." Then, he turned his attention back to Klink. "So, how about we let them get on with it? We can go down to my apartment. You can sit in the armchair in front of the fireplace. Prop your feet up. I'll even make both of us a cup of hot cocoa. What do you say?"

Klink cast a final despairing look at his apartment. With Newkirk and LeBeau blocking his path, there was no way he was getting in. "Do I have a choice?" he asked, as he turned and headed for the stairs that led to the secret entrance to Hogan's apartment.

Hogan lingered a moment and motioned Newkirk and LeBeau aside. They moved back a bit and allowed him to glance inside. "Hello, Gertrude," he said to catch her attention. "How is it?"

"Quite lovely," Frau Linkmeyer responded. "They've done a great job."

"You're right," Hogan concurred. "It is beautiful. Well, I'll let you guys finish up here. I'd better get down and get Klink his cocoa."

Frau Linkmeyer was surprised. "Cocoa? This early in the day?"

"The temperature is dropping," answered Hogan. "Besides, personally I think Klink is beginning to get a little nervous."

Frau Linkmeyer frowned. "He'd better not back out of this marriage," she proclaimed.

"I don't think it will go that far," Hogan assured her. "I won't let it. Trust me."

With determination, Frau Linkmeyer warned, "It better not."

"It won't," promised Hogan once more, as he backed out the door and continued down the hallway and descended the stairs. He found Klink waiting at the bottom.

"Where've you been?" Klink wanted to know.

"Just checking in on your bride," Hogan replied. "I think I can honestly say you'll be pleased with her dress."

"I'd better be," Klink informed him, with a stern look in his eye.

"You will. Now, I believe you wanted some cocoa…" They entered Hogan's apartment and he headed for the kitchen. "Make yourself at home," he told Klink.

Klink went into the living room and added some logs to the dwindling fire in the fireplace. Then, he went to the closest armchair, sat down and moved the nearby footstool in front of the chair. As he put his feet up, Klink leaned back to relax.

Several minutes passed, allowing the room to reach a cozy temperature by the time Hogan returned with the cocoa. "Here you go, Klink," Hogan said, as he handed Klink one of the cups. Then, he sat down in the other armchair nearby.

The two men carefully took a couple small sips of the hot liquid while Klink cast a hesitant look in Hogan's direction.

Hogan's eyes met Klink's. "Good?" he wanted to know.

Klink nodded. "Very." He paused a moment, then his expression became even more troubled. "Hogan?"

"Yes?" Hogan prompted.

"I'm getting married in two days."

The concern in Klink's voice could not be missed. "That's right, you are," agreed Hogan.

Klink was approaching panic now. "What if I'm not the kind of man Gertrude expects?"

"When you popped the question, she said 'yes,' didn't she?"

"Ja, but she was married before…to Otto Linkmeyer. What if--what if I don't measure up?"

"She's not marrying Otto Linkmeyer this time. She's marrying Wilhelm Klink. You two have lived in close quarters for several months now. When she said 'yes' at the hospital, it was to Wilhelm Klink. You, Gertrude and Felix are going to make a perfect family."

Klink's tension began to ease a little. "You really think so?"

Hogan nodded. "For some time. Things will turn out okay. Trust me."

"I hope you're right," Klink conceded, as he relaxed even more and took another sip of his cocoa. "I hope you're right."

- - -

At that very moment, Major Hochstetter sat warming himself in front of another fire. He was hiding out in a secluded cabin located about halfway up one of the mountains in the Odenwald range. The surrounding forest was particularly dense in this area, effectively concealing the small wisp of smoke.

A few weeks had passed since he had last phoned Kat. She had informed him that Carter had recovered enough to be released from the hospital. He was surprised to discover that this news pleased him immensely. For some strange reason, he couldn't get over the indebtedness he felt towards Carter for saving his life.

Hochstetter slowly shook his head. No matter how hard he tried, he could not understand Carter's actions. He had reached a few decisions, however. Carter was the only one who could provide the answers that he needed. At the moment, he could try nothing. After his recent attempt at revenge, Hogan's team would be quite vigilant. He must bide his time until they relaxed their guard.

And the sleep that had once brought pleasant dreams of the revenge he would have on Hogan and Klink was now troubled. His dreams would all start out as before with him trapping the two men. Everytime, without fail, Carter would show up and interfere. Sometimes, Carter would be injured. Sometimes, it would be Hochstetter who was injured. Other times, this distraction allowed Hogan and Klink to turn the tables, capture Hochstetter and take him back for trial. Always, Hochstetter would find himself waking up in a cold sweat, relieved to discover that it was only a dream.

Therefore, he would first get his answers from one Sergeant Carter. Then, he would decide how to proceed with his plans for vengeance. He only hoped he would not have to wait too long.

- - -

The day of the wedding arrived. The predicted storm was short-lived and milder than expected. This day was sunny and unusually warm. A perfect beginning for what all hoped to be a perfect day. Klink was pleased when his mother and his brother, Wolfgang, arrived shortly before the ceremony.

"Colonel Hogan made all the arrangements," Klink's mother informed him.

Klink glanced in Hogan's direction. "Thank you," Klink silently mouthed, before he and his family moved off to chat a short distance away.

Hoping to preserve Klink and Frau Linkmeyer's new identities, the guest list had been kept minimal, with only those friends and family knowing the couple's true identities included on the list. Under escort, Burkhalter was allowed to attend his sister's wedding. And much to everyone's dismay, Marya and Crittendon were able to make it back in time.

The ceremony proceeded without incident. It was during the reception that the unexpected happened. Klink and Gertrude(2) were just preparing to cut the cake when a younger couple entered the room.

"Sorry we couldn't make it in time for the wedding," apologized the very pregnant woman. She gently patted her stomach. "False alarm."

"Lottie, I didn't know you were pregnant!" exclaimed Gertrude.

"It has been a while since we've been in touch, Mama," declared Lottie, as she stepped forward and hugged her mother. Then, she glanced at Klink. "So, you have finally become my new father."

Felix, who was standing at Gertrude's other side, stared at Lottie's bulging abdomen. "Does this mean I'm going to be an uncle?" he asked.

"We're adopting him," Gertrude explained to her daughter. "His name is Felix."

"Ja, Felix, it does," Lottie told her adopted brother.

Hogan grinned. This was certainly an interesting turn of events. "And it means the newlyweds are soon to become grandparents," he announced loud enough for everyone to hear.

Klink shook his fist in the air. "Hoogan!"

Unphased and grinning even more, Hogan quipped, "Go ahead and cut the cake, Grandpa."

"Ja, cut the cake," echoed Schultz, who's mouth was already watering in anticipation of one of LeBeau's culinary masterpieces.

Giving Hogan one final glance of frustration, Klink turned his attention back to the task at hand, as he and Gertrude did just that.

The reception continued for some time. Considering that this was Gertrude's second marriage and the current state of affairs in post-war Germany, the couple was postponing any plans for a honeymoon. They were remaining in Heidelberg to visit with their families who had traveled there for their wedding. And they would have lots of time alone in their apartment while Felix spent time with his "uncles," Carter and Newkirk. Now, it looked like Felix could spend time getting to know his new sister, Lottie, and her husband, Fritz, as well. Therefore, there seemed to be no rush in ending the reception.

Finally, it was nearing time for some of the guests to leave. Newkirk tapped one of the champagne glasses with a spoon. "Achtung!" he said, using the German word. "If I could have everyone's attention. Now's the moment you single young ladies have been waiting for. It's time for the bride to throw her bouquet. So, if you'll gather round." Newkirk reached in his pocket, pulled out a small black book and a pencil, then opened the book. "And on the way, feel free to leave your names and phone numbers for me little black book. Catching the bouquet is not required." The small group of young ladies drew closer, with most of them ignoring Newkirk.

From where she was standing near Hogan, Marya watched the women draw closer. "I don't know if I should go or not," she stated.

"Why not?" Hogan wondered, hoping to be rid of the woman.

"Because, Hogan, darling, if I caught the bouquet, how could I ever decide between you and Rodney?"

"No problem," Hogan told her. "I've got no plans for marriage in my immediate future."

"Righto," agreed Rodney, who was also standing nearby. "Marriage would be a bit confining, what?"

"I seemed to recall Klink feeling the same way when Frau Linkmeyer--uh, Frau Klink--caught the bouquet at my wedding," LeBeau reminded them.

"Right," contributed Newkirk, glancing up from his little black book. "And look what happened."

Hogan was adamant. "Well, I'm not Klink."

"Nor am I," Crittendon declared.

Marya glanced back and forth between Hogan and Crittendon. "I think I will join the ladies. Might be fun finding out what happens," she decided.

"Thanks a lot," muttered Hogan, giving Crittenden a look of annoyance.

"It wasn't me, Hogan, Old Boy," Crittendon shot back.

The two men's apprehension was short-lived, however, as Gertrude threw her bouquet. Though her broken arm was almost mended, she still needed to use her uninjured arm for throwing. This spoiled her aim. The bouquet went over everyone's head and traveled to the table where Carter was seated, landing right in his lap.

Carter gave the bouquet a look of trepidation, then limply picked it up. "Colonel," he wailed. "I wasn't trying to catch it."

"Of course not," Hogan agreed.

"And you've got nothing to worry about, mon ami," LeBeau stated, consolingly.

Carter seemed to brighten a bit at that news. "I don't?"

"Right, mate," Newkirk assured him. "If you do get married, we'll see you get a gown by Yvette."

"Oui, and it will be magnifique," LeBeau promised, with a nod and spreading his arms for emphasis.

Carter gave the two corporals a look of irritation. "Shut up, guys," he told them.

While the unperturbed corporals ignored that request and continued to hassle Carter, Hogan turned his attention back to Klink and his new bride. As Klink and Hogan's eyes met, they exchanged nods and grins that conveyed their silent feelings. It had been a perfect day and for the moment, all was right in their world.

1 Gowns By Yvette

2 I started referring to her as Gertrude after the wedding ceremony as she would no longer be Frau Linkmeyer.