She uses her position and powers to reunite some special people.

Her father uses his power too!.

Major General William Cameron was summoned to the War Office in London, prior to returning into mainland Europe. The Russians were on the fringes of Berlin, and it was universally believed that it was now a matter of a few weeks.

Approaches had been made, through diverse diplomatic and other channels, by the German Command without Hitler's knowledge, concerning the future of Germany and its people.

Churchill, that student of history, already knew that the Russian menace was about to become a thorn in the side of the free post-war world, and he was seeking to minimise damage and optimise that single resource that the Germans had to offer.

Its people and their skills!

William now had the task of finding those Germans who had something to offer the free world, and who, with no allegations of war crimes against them, could be recruited to help rebuild a war torn continent, and build a future for the children yet to be born.

Many Germans had families in the eastern regions of Germany, and Churchill recognised that a divided Germany was soon to be a reality. He wanted to take advantage of the brief period of lull after hostilities ceased, to affect the release and relocation of those personnel and their dependants to areas that would be controlled by the Americans or the British, or even the French. The latter were hardly flavour of the month, due to De Gaulle's parochial attitude. He had upset nearly everyone over the last few years, and despite the French, or some of the French, thinking he was a god, the other allies had had enough of the man!

Thus, Will arrived back in France with a very attractive female French Captain as his ADC. Strings had been pulled, and Will found himself overseeing the whole POW relocation programme for those held in France and Belgium.

Strangely, those Americans involved in the same process, knew of the French captain, and not the British General. Janine came with a reputation, and a good one at that.

Such was the closeness of the relationship between the General and the young woman, that tongues started to wag, and many believed her to be his mistress.

Major Chuck Brewster looked up as there was a knock on his door. It had been three weeks since he had been back at work, and he fought not to be sent home now, just at the end!

A familiar face peeked round his door, looking rather better fed and healthier than the last time.

"Janine! Come in girl, you are looking wonderful," he said, and stood up.

He was right, as she looked radiant.

Her hair was a little longer, and was now shaped properly by a decent hairdresser in Paris. Her uniform, still her mix and match of American, British, and those German boots, was tailored and showed her superbly feminine figure off as best as a uniform could. However, it was her eyes that seemed to say the most. They sparkled. She was relaxed and a lot more settled. No longer looking like that scared little rabbit that had screamed in the dark all those months ago.

"How's the leg?" she asked, as she sat in the other chair in his office. She crossed her legs, and smiled as she watched Chuck's eyes follow the movement.

"Doing okay, thanks. I'll never play for the Cowboys again, but, what the heck, I could be dog meat."

She smiled, and took her cap off, shaking her hair free.

"So, where's your General, I hear he never lets you go far away from him?"

She smiled, she seemed totally unconcerned, which surprised him a little. The rumours were rife, and he knew her enough to be frank with her.

"Not you too?"

"Sorry," he said, and smiled.

"Actually, and this is for you alone, he's not my lover, he's my dad."

Chuck stared at her, knowing her humour and waiting for her giveaway smile. It never came.

"For real?"

"Yup. I am part French and part Scottish. It is very complicated, but this must never go further than this room, okay?"

"Have you always known?"

"Oh yes. My mother died when I was quite young so I lived with my grandparents because Daddy was off on his various overseas postings. He was married to my mother, and so she was Cameron, as was I. When I was taken by the Germans, I just knew that if they found out they had the child of a British General, then they would try to use it. So I used my Grandmother's surname and became all French."

"Why not use the Cameron name now?"

"No. We've agreed that I will just carry on as Chavanay. Everyone knows me as Janine Chavanay, so it is less complicated. Particularly as we are supposed to be working together now. Otherwise, everyone will think I got the job because of who he is. In reality I got him the job," she said with a cheeky grin.

"You are right, it's sure complicated. That's fine, I respect your telling me, but what can I do for you?"

"I need to trace some German officers, and I came to have access to your files."

"Sure, of course. Can I ask why?"

She told him, omitting that she was after one officer in particular.

It was April 30th 1945.

The news of Hitler's suicide came a day later, by which time Janine had discovered where they were holding Otto. She was ready to go and find him when her father called her into his office.

She stood waiting as he spoke to three senior British officers. When he had finished with them, they all turned and left, they saw the attractive French girl who seemed to follow the General everywhere he went, and acknowledged her with nods and small smiles.

They had all heard the rumours, and there was a new one circulating, the one that said she was actually his illegitimate daughter.

She closed the door behind the last Major.

"Morning sir," she said.

"Stop that nonsense and came and give your old dad a kiss."

She smiled and did as she was told.

"Now, news is just in. The German high command in Berlin has just surrendered. General Alfred Jodl is being escorted to Reims to sign the instrument of unconditional surrender at Ike's HQ. That is anticipated to happen on the 7th May. The end of the European theatre of war will be officially declared over on the 8th May at 2300, Central European time."

She stood quite still for a moment.

"Just like that?" she said.

He smiled.

"It is a bit of an anticlimax, isn't it?"

"I don't know. I'm a bit numb. What happens now?"

"We have to really start working. Churchill thinks we might have a few months grace before the bloody Russians start playing silly buggers. They will all be trying to show how inhuman and dastardly the Huns have been, so we can work to try and snatch the key people needed to rebuild our sector of Germany. There is no doubt that the Russians will annex their portion, and I wouldn't be surprised if they don't cut it off from the rest with barbed wire, fences and dogs!"

Janine immediately thought of Otto and his family near Dresden.

Her father saw her expression, and smiled gently.

"Now, I am going to need efficient German officers to assist with the relocation programme. Would you happen to know of any?"

Janine grinned.

"Oh, I think I could find you a few."

"Best you do. I want you to come to Reims with me on the 7th. It is an historic occasion, and I am sure you will want to be able to tell my grandchildren that you were there." Janine almost cried, and gave her father a hug.

She almost ran out of the office and looked for a vehicle.

Otto was bored. Rumours were rife in the camp. Conditions were basically good, but the over crowding was beginning to tell. On the morning of the 3rd May, the were all out in the spring sunshine for roll call, when the US camp commander, a Lieutenant Colonel, came to address them. A German Captain was used as an interpreter, so the message was clear.

"Gentlemen. I have to inform you that Adolf Hitler is dead! He is said to have taken his own life in his bunker in Berlin on the 30th April. Berlin is now in allied hands, and the German high command has surrendered. Your General Jodl is expected to attend General Eisenhower's Head Quarters in a few days to sign the official unconditional surrender document.

"Therefore, we are going to step down the usual security arrangements, and begin the long process of relocation for all of you. Clerks will be required and officers may volunteer their organisational abilities to facilitate your return to your homes and families."

He paused as a group of allied officers entered the compound and made their way over to the raised dais upon which the Colonel was making his address.

"These officers will be supervising the process, and you will come to see a lot of them over the next few days."

"Gute, kann, habe ich die Blondine?" said one single German voice near the group.

There was a laugh that started from those nearest the group, for someone had recognised that one of the officers was a very pretty blonde girl with the French tricolour on her shoulder.

Otto was standing some way away, and he strained to see. Although they were some sixty metres away, he knew as soon as he saw the way she stood that it was Janine.

The girl stood up on the dais next.

Her voice rang out clearly in the still morning air. Her German was excellent, and Otto smiled.

"I am looking for officers who will help me to make the job easier. There will be no advantages, as if you join the team, the chances are that you will not be amongst the first to leave. However, you do get to work with me, so what more can you ask for?"

She paused as general laughter spread through the assembled men.

"Some clerks will be available to collate names of willing officers. The fact you are in this camp means that you are not under investigation for war crimes. Therefore, there is no reason for you to suspect we have any other ulterior motives other than assisting you to go home. I hope in peace we can find a new future in cooperation."

She stood down and Otto wiped a tear from his eye surreptitiously.

"If she is the face of the future, then sign me up!" said an artillery captain.

Otto smiled, and watched with amusement as the officers moved forward as one to sign up to help.

Lieutenant Colonel Jack Greenbaum watched and turned to the girl.

"Okay, I was wrong, you were right," he said with a grin.

"I cheated, sir. I used those assets I know I have and you guys don't have."

He handed her a glass of bourbon.

"Here's the drink I owe you. Cheers!"

Janine was eager to see Otto again, but knew she was on dangerous ground. It took all her will power to keep away from the initial process, and waited to see whether his name was on the list.

That evening as she scanned the long list of names, she found his near the end. She smiled, as he had not rushed forward either. They had both learned patience. Good things come to those who wait.

The next day, she had split the names into six lists, and divided them amongst the other officers. Needless to say - Otto was on her list.

One by one, she interviewed the twenty officers on her list. She kept one until last.

Finally, feeling weary, the NCO showed Otto into her room.

As soon as the door shut, she was in his arms. They fused into one almost immediately.

"About time. I was going mad," he said, when they came up for air.

She just smiled, and kissed his cheek.

"I had to tell my father," she admitted.

"Everything?"

"Oh yes. He guessed you were German, even though I was vague."

"He doesn't mind?"

"Of course he minds! He's a bloody Major General, for God's sake!"

Otto frowned.

"Your father is a Major General in the French army?"

Janine giggled, which was an incongruous sight for a captain.

"No, he's in the British army."

Otto shook his head.

"Perhaps it is time for you to tell me those secrets I didn't want to hear."

She looked a little downcast suddenly. He instantly felt sorry he suggested it, and was about to tell her not to.

"I suppose I must. I hadn't really planned to, yet. Which is silly, because I may as well get it over and done with."

She let go of him and walked to the far end of the room, and looked out of the small window.

Without turning round, she started to talk.

"Otto, just let me speak without interruption. Ask me what you like at the end, but just don't judge me too harshly. I have tried to plan how to say this, and no matter how I try, there is no way to say this easily. If, at the end you no longer want to know me, I will understand. I won't be happy, but I recognise that your happiness is more important to me than my own."

She paused, and Otto realised that she was crying.

"It started when I was born....

By the time she finished, tears were streaming down her cheeks. Otto was stunned.

He was stunned out of complete surprise. He had tried to think of all the possible secrets she could have. They ranged from having a child, to being the bastard daughter of a senior German Officer. Nothing prepared him for the truth, and he sat there completely wordless.

"You were a man?" he asked, when he found his tongue again.

"No, it seems I never was, but I thought I was."

As the truth filtered through his brain, his overwhelming feeling was sorrow. He felt sorry for this poor girl, cheated out of her girlhood, and forced to be something and someone she should never have been!

"So, you are British, and not French?"

"I am part French," she replied, still facing away from him.

He smiled.

He walked over to where she stood, her forehead against the cool glass, letting the tears roll down her face unchecked.

He gently took her by the shoulder, and pulled her round to face him. As he looked down into those rather damp blue eyes, he smiled, and using his index finger, he moved a strand of blonde hair out of her eyes.

She looked so miserable, his heart melted, and he realised that the past didn't matter. He loved her now, and so utterly he would be willing to accept her regardless of anything!

"Okay, now that is out of the way, when are we getting married?"

She stopped crying for a second, and stared at him in amazement.

"You still want me?" she asked, her voice very small.

"Of course. If you'll have me?"

She smiled and flung her arms around his neck, and hugged him so hard he thought he'd suffocate.

Otto went back to his hut with the largest smile on his face he ever had. It was like a fairy tale he had learned as a child, only he was the handsome prince and his princess had come to carry him off to live happily ever after.

He was whistling as he went into the hut. The same officer who had moaned at him for being too happy several weeks ago, looked at him.

"You're doing it again. Anyone would think you didn't want to go home."

Otto looked at the man, and thought about what he had said.

"My friend, where is home?"

"Home? I don't know about you, but mine is near Stuttgart."

"My home is where my heart is. At the moment, my heart is right here."

"You're bonkers."

Otto smiled as he thought about the amazing tale that Janine had told him.

"Yes, my friend, I think you may be right. Then, I have the right to be. I am engaged to the most unusual girl in the world!"

With that, he eased himself onto his bunk and shut his eyes. The smile on his face said it all. The other officer shook his head.

Janine joined her father on the trip to Reims, and stood in the background as the surrender was signed.

It was quite a formal occasion, but understated. The Germans looked tired and resigned, the allies looked pleased and yet eager to pack up and go home. She was only too well aware that the next few months would be as tough, if not tougher than the last few.

On her return to the camp, she found a different atmosphere. The guards had gone, and the gate was no longer locked. Although some US soldiers were detailed to stand guard, more to prevent French retribution against the Germans, than prevent escape.

They went to work almost immediately, and started processing the massive logistical requirements to move thousands of POWs back to their homes.

It was very odd working in close proximity to each other, and Janine and Otto had to be very careful not to give into the temptation to touch and smile the other. As the distrust and animosity between old adversaries slowly died away, so there was a genuine warming of relations generally.

Part of the job entailed signing travel permits and orders for service personnel, or for their families. Gradually, a pattern emerged, of E. German men and their families, requesting travel permits to locations of obscure relatives in W. Germany.

Janine and her colleagues assisted these applications whenever possible. One of the first she processed was for a young nurse called Gretchen Schneider, currently in a camp for refugees near the Polish border, to be transferred to the military hospital near Valenciennes, in northern France, to assist with the wounded German POWs.

She then located a young U boat Lieutenant, Peter Schneider, currently held in a POW camp in Sutherland on the West Coast of Scotland. Papers were arranged for his transportation to France in the first instance, for onward movement to a destination yet to be decided.

She didn't tell Otto of either of these, realising that the wheels of military bureaucracy grind very slowly, and there was no guarantee that the orders could be expedited in the short term. She simply attached a memo to the permits for both individuals to contact her on arrival at Valenciennes.

Although the war in Europe was over, the Japanese were still fighting, and it became almost a forgotten war. The shortages of war still existed, and there was a mood of change in the air.

Janine went to see the American General who was her father's immediate superior. She wanted to obtain permission to settle in the US once she was demobbed. She had compiled a report stating that as she had been forced to work for the Nazis, she could be seen as a collaborator in the eyes of some, and she wanted to make a clean start with her fiancé.

She was honest and stated that she had formed an attachment with a German officer, and she needed assurances that they would be able to start afresh in the USA and provide their chosen country with two honest and dependable citizens.

General Harold G. Maddox had seen the report and asked around for background of the girl, before speaking to her. He was surprised at how many knew of her, and heard nothing but positive reports.

He found William Cameron in the mess one morning, and went over to him.

"Morning Will!"

"Harry."

"Got a minute?"

"Of course, what's the problem?"

"No problem. I've been sent an application by your little French captain, Janine Chavanay, and I wanted to ask your opinion."

"Oh yes?"

Harry looked around.

"Look Will, between the pair of us, are you screwing the girl?"

Will laughed long and hard.

"Dear me, no. Heaven forbid! What gave you that idea?" he finally said.

"Well, you seem inordinately close."

"My dear chap, that's because she's my daughter. We couldn't tell anyone, and so she uses her French grandmother's maiden name!"

"Your daughter?"

"Don't tell me you haven't heard the rumours?"

"Well, I heard them and discounted them. Your daughter?"

"Its long and complicated. What's the report about?"

"She's applied for permission to live in the US as a US citizen."

"Good, she'll do you proud!"

"You knew?"

"It was my idea. Her boyfriend is a German, so they would find settling down over here rather awkward, wouldn't they?"

"Shit, she told you that as well?"

"Harry, she is the love of my life. She has gone through a really rough time in this damn war. She is completely honest with me, and as discrete as the day is long."

Harry scratched his head, and shook it.

"Boy, this is a really fucked up world," he said, and wandered away muttering.

Janine was summoned to see him.

She stood at attention in front of his desk.

"Relax Captain Chavanay, or is it Cameron?"

Janine swallowed and looked at him.

"Sir?"

"I've spoken to your father. I have to confess to being more than a little surprised, but it is preferable to the other rumour," the general said.

Janine had the grace to blush.

"So, you want to settle in the USA. Any idea where?"

"Some where warm and near the sea. I want to go to university and my fiancé wants to finish his engineering degree he started before the war."

"He's a Kraut, right?"

"He is a German Officer, yes sir."

It was the General's turn to blush.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think for a moment."

"We will have to get used to it. So far, I have only told my father. You are the second to know."

"I'm flattered. I appreciate your honesty. Now, answer me one thing. When did you meet?"

"We met just after Operation Market Garden. I worked with him as an interpreter."

"That was last year."

"September, yes sir."

"So, he was an enemy at that time?"

"Yes sir, and I told him that a relationship was impossible. He had been very kind to me, and I could see he was attracted to me. I liked him but was very confused. He believed me to be French, and understood. The French are not very kind to women who collaborate, or fraternise with the enemy."

"So what happened?"

"We went our separate ways. I met up with the US army, and he was posted to a tank division. He was captured after the Battle of the Bulge, and by that time I was working as an interpreter with the MPs. We found each other, and I realised that I loved him.

"There was nothing I could do about it as he was sent to a POW camp. After the surrender, he has been working with me on the resettlement programme. We see each other every day, and we cannot even show each other affection. It is driving us both mad. That is why we want to try America, sir."

"How the hell did you get into Holland in the first place?"

Janine looked at the general.

"It's a long story, and I must ask you never to repeat this to anyone."

Intrigued, the General nodded.

"Agreed, go on."

Janine told him.

Harold Maddox had rarely been lost for words, but her story succeeded in completely silencing him.

He stared at this attractive young woman, who stared back with fearless proud eyes.

He tried to imagine her as a tough young paratrooper.

He failed.

"That's the truth?"

"Absolutely. Now do you see why we have to be given a fresh start?"

"Your German major, he knows?"

"Of course, do you think I'd keep that a secret between us?"

Harry shook his head. He didn't know what to think.

"And all the time, you were a girl?"

She smiled.

"So it seems. It was a pity no one told me. But if they had, I would never have had all this excitement, would I?"

He chuckled, and scrawled his approval on the application.

"I'll have this processed as a matter of urgency."

He was rewarded with a huge delighted smile.

"Thank you General. Will you come to the wedding?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

A few days after that meeting, Janine was working late in her office, double checking the progress done that day. There was a knock on the door.

It was open and she saw an American PFC.

"Yes?"

The man saluted.

"Excuse me ma'am, this lady has orders to report to you."

Janine looked and just behind the soldier was a small fair haired girl, much the same age as she.

"Fraulein Schneider?" she asked.

"Ja," the girl said, confused.

Janine turned to the soldier.

"Thank you, you may go."

"Ma'am."

The soldier saluted and left.

"Ich bin Hauptman Janine Chavanay," she said, and waved the girl into her office.

Gretchen was about five foot four. She was wearing a drab brown coat, and carrying a beaten up suitcase. It was so similar to the one Janine had lugged about Holland that she had to smile.

She was a pretty girl, but looked very tired and thin. Huge dark rings were around her eyes, and she trembled a little. She had been whisked out of a refugee camp, with no explanation. She now found herself in the office of a very attractive and confident female French officer, who spoke excellent German.

She had been terrified that the Russians would come and rape all the females in the camp. Terrible stories had circulated, and as she was so alone, she had cried herself to sleep for the last month.

"Sit please. I need to explain why you are here," Janine said.

The girl sat.

"Firstly, I am delighted to tell you that your brothers Otto and Peter are both alive and well. Peter was captured a year ago after his U boat was sunk, and is Scotland. Otto is here in France. He was captured just after the Ardennes offensive in December last year."

The girl went through an amazing transformation.

"Otto and Peter, alive?" she asked, breathlessly.

Janine smiled.

"Yes, and there is a little more. I have arranged for Peter to be shipped here too. I expect his arrival any day."

Gretchen started to cry. These tears were tears of relief and joy. For so long she had believed herself to be totally alone, and had thought of suicide many times. Now this pretty lady was telling her that her brothers were alive and that she would see them soon.

"But, I don't understand, why am I here?"

"You are here so that you and your brothers can find somewhere to live, away from the Russians."

The tears flowed even more heartily now, and she grabbed Janine's hand and kissed it.

"Thank you, thank you. But, why do you do this for us?"

Janine smiled.

"I could hardly let my future sister-in-law live under Russian rule, now could I? I mean, how could she be a proper aunty if she was stuck all the way over there?"

Gretchen blinked and stared at this girl.

"Sister-in-law?"

"Otto and I are to be married," she explained.

"Mein Gott!"

Janine just smiled.

"There is one more thing," Janine said.

"There's more?"

Janine laughed at the girl's expression.

"Neither Otto, nor Peter know about each other, and neither do they know about you. I have arranged for you to be attached to the military hospital here, and also I have booked in your stubborn brother to have his bad leg looked at. I think it would be a nice surprise that the nurse who looks after him is his lovely sister, don't you?"

Gretchen started to smile and she seemed to have lost that haunted look she had had at first.

"First, you need to have some hot food, and a hot bath. Would you join me for supper?" Janine asked.

"May I wash first? I have been travelling for a long time, and I haven't washed properly for several days."

"Of course. I have got you accommodation in the nurse's quarters. We can pick up your new uniform tomorrow, but I'll take you to your room now."

Janine picked up her cap, and put her tunic on. She turned out the light, and walked down the corridor with Gretchen. Outside she slung the case in the back of her Jeep and drove the short distance to the nurses quarters.

She checked in with the reception, and took her to the single room in the second floor.

"I had arranged for towels and wash kit to be supplied, so that is for you. The bathroom is just over the corridor. I'll meet you downstairs in twenty minutes?"

"Thank you."

Janine went to leave.

"Captain?"

She turned back.

"My name is Janine. Forget the uniform."

Gretchen smiled.

"Thank you."

"It's a pleasure. Enjoy your bath."

Enjoy was the understatement of the decade.

Gretchen lay in the gloriously hot water, and used so much soap she couldn't believe. She scrubbed every inch of her body, and her hair about six times. She noted that Janine had arranged for a delousing cream to be left on her bed. She was uncertain whether she had lice, but she used it nonetheless.

She was a little late down stairs, and found Janine talking to the French concierge in fluent French.

She had dressed in a clean dress, and had even used a little of her precious make up.

Janine saw her and smiled.

"My, you look totally different. You look so pretty."

"Oh, I feel so much better. Thank you, Janine."

The French concierge frowned at the use of German, and Janine said something to her. The woman laughed and then smiled at Gretchen.

"Come on. Lets go eat."

Janine took her to a small restaurant in Valenciennes. Most of the patrons were Americans, and as soon as Janine arrived, the French patron treated her like a long lost relative and they were shown to a nice table in the window. She was the only one wearing the French uniform and a free bottle of wine arrived without her asking for it.

"They think I'm something special, and I'd hate to disillusion them," she said to Gretchen.

"You are special!" Gretchen said, and Janine smiled.

"I think we all are, but the shame is that we forget it."

Gretchen had the nicest meal she had eaten in four years. Janine discovered that she was three months older than the German girl. Gretchen had trained as a nurse when she was seventeen, and immediately found herself in a hospital dealing with the aftermath of the Russian debacle.

Horribly mutilated soldiers came through her hands, and she had seen so much suffering that it hurt.

The two girls chatted as if they had been friends for years. Gretchen was in awe of the blonde French girl, who had a level of confidence that she could only admire.

"You speak wonderful German."

"I improved when I worked with your brother. I happened to fall in love with him at the same time."

"How?"

Janine told Gretchen an abbreviated version of her story, omitting some of the gender problems and the fact she had once been a paratrooper. She didn't think the girl could take all that as well.

"I'd like you to be a bridesmaid," Janine asked, and Gretchen burst into tears.

So much had happened so quickly, that simple very ordinary request was the final straw. Gretchen was certain that life was over, and she was doomed to a drab existence under Russian domination. Suddenly she had a hand of friendship held out, and what a hand it was.

They finished their meal and Janine took the German girl back to her quarters.

"Tomorrow, I'll be here at 0800, and we'll have breakfast. I will take you to the hospital, and introduce you and see that you get your kit. There are other Germans there, some nurses and doctors. Believe me when I tell you that life gets better from now on."

Gretchen smiled, and Janine kissed her cheek.

"Goodnight."

Otto grumbled.

"My leg's fine."

"No it isn't. You are still in pain, and you need to get it fixed!" Janine said.

"But, I will be off my feet for weeks."

"Just do as you are told, and stop making a fuss. Come on, everyone is looking at you."

They walked down the hospital corridor.

"Here we are. Your name is on the door."

Otto looked at the door.

MAJOR SCHNEIDER

"How did you arrange this?"

"I'm a General's daughter, remember?"

He chuckled.

"Go on, get your kit off, and into bed." "No. I'll wait for the nurse, thank you captain."

Janine saw Gretchen in her smart new uniform as she came down the corridor. Gretchen saw Otto and her smile started.

Janine hoped she would follow the plan.

"On ze bed, pliz monsieur." Gretchen asked in her only English that Janine had taught her.

Otto grumbled and stared at Janine.

"Are you staying?"

"Why not, I'm interested?"

Gretchen moved in behind Otto, who hadn't even glanced at her.

"My what a wonderful bottom you have!" she said in German.

Otto's eyes were a joy to behold. They widened in surprise, partly at the voice and partly at the choice of words.

He spun round and stared at his little sister.

"Gretchen!"

They hugged each other, tears streaming down their faces.

Otto looked over his sister's shoulder at Janine.

"You did this!" he said and she smiled, and left them alone.

She went and spoke briefly to the surgeon, and then heard Otto shout.

She went back into the room.

Otto looked at her with such tenderness that her heart sang.

"I can never thank you for this," he said, tears still rolling down his face.

"Just don't be late for the wedding," she said and gave him a kiss.

"I gotta go. Look after him, sis," she said to Gretchen, and walked out.

"She called me sis!" she heard Gretchen say.

Janine smiled.

The operation was a success. The French surgeon was horrified at the state of Otto's leg, and had to virtually reconstruct the knee. He had two steel pins inserted to strengthen the joint, and he hoped that it would recover to about eighty percent efficiency as opposed to about eight.

Janine went to see him regularly. Gretchen was kept very busy, as there were a lot of Germans needing treatment and her ability to understand them was important. She picked up a little French and some English, so was better able to do her job.

She also picked up a young American officer.

She had been on a break when another nurse asked her to take a patient in a wheelchair down to X-ray.

The young man, an infantry second lieutenant aged just twenty one, had received grenade fragments in the legs, shoulder and chest area. They had removed the bulk, but needed to ascertain whether any were still inside his body.

Mike Cornell was fed up. He had managed to finally get over to Europe, to be sent to the front and wounded within three days. Two days later, Hitler shot himself, and it was all over.

Now he was stuck in a hospital full of foreigners, and he was a long way from home. His girlfriend from high school had written to him to say she was engaged to a pilot, and he was about as fed up as he could get.

He was waiting in his ward for a nurse to take him down to have another X-ray.

A pretty fair haired girl arrived.

"You are Mike?" she asked in heavily accented English.

"Yup. That's me."

"I Gretchen," she said, and smiled.

"Howdy Gretchen. Isn't that a German name?"

"Ja. I German."

"No shit? You are the first German I've ever seen!"

She smiled weakly, and pushed him down to the elevator. By the time they arrived at the X-ray department, Mike was chatting away like he was at the prom. Gretchen, however, understood very little, so she smiled and nodded a lot.

An hour later, she returned him to his ward, and he had hardly drawn breath. When she assisted him back to bed, the man in the next bed made a comment that Gretchen didn't understand.

Mike went red and said something back. Gretchen left them and hoped there wasn't going to be a fight.

One of the other nurses was chuckling. She was French, but spoke German.

"What did they say?" she asked.

"The one in the bed asked Mike to pass you over when he'd finished with you. Mike told him to go stuff himself as you were too good for a fucking pilot!"

Gretchen went red.

"Mike's last girl friend is engaged to a pilot," the other girl explained.

"Oh," said Gretchen. She was rather pleased that Mike had come to her defence so easily.

Over the next few days, Mike would seek her out and always be nice to her. When she had a free moment she would come and check him and he would teach her some more English.

Otto observed his sister as she rejoined the human race, and was pleased.

Janine was supervising the loading of seven commandeered busses to transport two hundred German soldiers back to Germany. They were being taken to the border and then on to a train station for their various destinations.

A jeep pulled up and a British MP lance corporal came over.

He saluted her.

She returned it.

"Captain Chavanay?"

"Yes?"

"I have a Lieutenant Schneider for you ma'am."

"Oh, under escort?"

"No ma'am. I was escorting some Nazi party officials, and he was included for the ride."

"I see."

He produced a document, which she signed.

"Thank you ma'am!" he said and saluted again. She returned it with a smile.

He marched over to the Jeep.

"Okay lieutenant, out you get!"

A tall thin young man wearing dark naval uniform, with a filthy white polo neck pullover and a dirty white Kreigsmarine cap, got out carrying a small parcel wrapped up in brown paper and string. "Peter Schneider?" Janine asked.

Peter looked at Janine, his eyes flicked towards her shoulders and he came gently to attention.

"Hauptman?"

Janine smiled.

"Come with me, please," she said, in German.

Peter followed her to the jeep parked nearby. He got in and put the parcel on his lap.

Janine glanced at him. He was much leaner and a few inches smaller than his older brother was. At twenty-three, he was the middle sibling, and had always wanted to be an artist. He looked tired and lost, as did so many of them.

Janine drove in silence, pulling up at the hospital.

She got out, and indicated for him to follow.

They went through the hospital, and Peter was frowning. His removal from the Camp was in advance of everyone else, and he found himself treated as if he was special. Now he was in a French Hospital, following a stunningly attractive French girl, who also happened to be an army captain. He just wondered what it was all about.

He watched as the captain approached a nurse, who smiled at her as if they were old friends. They spoke in German, and it slowly dawned on Peter that she was very familiar.

"Gretchen?"

"Peter!"

They hugged and once more Janine watched the tears flow.

Gretchen tried to tell Peter everything at once, and he couldn't take it all in.

"Slow down! Now, a little bit at a time, please."

"Otto is here, his leg was badly damaged and it is now on the mend. I was rescued from the Russians, and now you are here so the family is together," she said and grinned broadly.

Peter frowned.

"I can see that we are here, but how, and why?"

Gretchen turned to Janine.

"Do you want to tell him, or shall I?"

"You tell him, sis!" Janine said.

Peter frowned. Sis?

"Peter, this is Janine Chavanay. She is responsible for getting us both here."

"Okay, why?"

"Because, dummy, she is Otto's fiancée!"

Peter gaped and stared at Janine.

"It is a long story. Come and see your brother. I'll let him tell you." They followed her to Otto's room. Gretchen was so excited she was positively bubbling.

Otto was reading a magazine and smoking a cigarette.

"I told you, that habit must stop!" Janine said.

"You aren't my wife yet," he said, and kissed her soundly.

"I've missed you. Where were you this morning?" he said, and then glanced at the door.

"Mein Gott! Peter?"

Janine and Gretchen took the sidelines once more as the two brothers embraced.

Gretchen was crying too. She took Janine's hand.

"Thank you for bringing us together. I never dreamed this could ever happen!"

Janine simply smiled. She left them alone and walked down the corridor. The hospital was full of victims. She frowned, as it wasn't just the physically wounded who were victims, everyone was affected by the war. Regardless of nationality or whether one was a civilian or a combatant, everyone was a victim in some way or other. Innocence was lost, and childhood destroyed.

Janine was determined that she would do everything in her power to ensure that some wherever possible, she would bring relief to victims.

Otto's leg improved, while Peter worked for the POW relocation programme. As he had learned very good English whilst a POW, albeit with a Scottish accent. He was found to be very useful.

Mike, Gretchen's admirer, underwent a second surgical procedure to remove more shrapnel from his chest. Although he kept a brave face over it, Gretchen knew that underneath he was just a frightened boy.

She was there when he came round, and he wept when he saw her.

The hospital was about the only place that Janine and Otto could speak to each other freely and even display affection towards one and other. Otto was pleased to be finally free of the constant pain in his leg, and yet he was frustrated that he and Janine still had to hide their feelings and manage a covert relationship.

Janine was equally frustrated, and would spend ages moaning to her long-suffering father.

"My love, you chose this difficult path. You must be patient," he told her.

"Patient? Oh daddy, I've been patient. I just want to do normal things, like go out for a meal or go to see a movie. Why can't people be more forgiving?"

"Some people have lost an awful lot more than you, and they need to blame someone. At the moment the Germans are carrying all the blame, and so you need to be mindful of this. I'll have a word with Harry, and see if I can hurry things along!"

Gradually, the backlog of prisoners cleared, and Janine found herself with less and less to do. Otto was discharged from hospital, and they all got their heads together to find a location for the family to be relocated to.

They had a cousin before the war who lived on the Dutch/ German border near Sittard. They contacted the local US military, and it seemed that the farm was now vacant, and as the next of kin, they applied for permission to take it on, on the understanding that if the owners returned, it became their property once more.

Peter prepared to leave for the farm, grateful to have somewhere to go, and eager to return to civilian life once more. He was planning to hire out the land, and turn the farm into a pottery to produce his own unique pots and other earthenware.

Mike made a good recovery, and surprised Gretchen by proposing to her just before being discharged.

She was flattered, but turned him down. She told him that if he still felt the same way after he had missed her for six months to write to her and ask again. He swore he would, and left promising undying love for her.

Gretchen was torn. She liked the boy, but was unsure whether she wanted to go to America away from her brothers.

Otto was on his legs again, still using his cane, for comfort rather than necessity. Janine and he went to a tailors and she bought him a new suit and some shirts.

He had allowed his hair to grow a little, and with a suit on, he looked almost human. They had gone to a small restaurant, and because she was in her uniform as a French captain, they were treated very well.

Otto spoke reasonable English now, and they tried talking in English for most of the time.

"So, my personal magic fairy, what happens now?"

Janine had not told him about her attempts to settle in America. They had talked in general about finding somewhere, and she knew he would quite like to go to the States. Her application was linked to them both continuing education, vocational training, and she knew she must be patient.

"I don't know. I have put a few feelers out, and we must just wait."

He smiled, knowing she was his helper, but still he hated the not knowing.

They walked down the road, her arm linked through his. They stopped at a dress shop, and they looked in. She saw her reflection and turned to him.

"I have had enough of this uniform. I want to change and be a real person again."

He smiled.

"Soon, Janine, soon!"

Three days later, she was asked to attend General Harold Maddox once more.

"Come in Janine." Harry said, greeting her like an old friend.

A French Colonel was with him, and she nodded to him.

Harry introduced the Frenchman.

"Janine, this is Colonel Claude Framber. He is here to serve your demobilisation papers, with a letter from general De Gaulle, expressing his gratitude for the services you have rendered to France."

The colonel read a short prepared speech, and formally gave her some papers and the scrolled letter. He kissed her on both cheeks and saluted her.

She returned the salute.

Harry smiled and took his hat off.

"Now that's over, can I offer you a drink?" he said.

The colonel politely declined, and nodded to Janine, he departed.

Harry closed the door.

"Stiff necked prick!" he said, and handed Janine a tumbler full of amber liquid.

"Cheers," he said.

She took a sip and almost choked.

It was neat Malt scotch.

"Not to your taste, your father wouldn't approve."

"He's not here. No, I just wasn't ready for it," she said, and took another swig of the burning liquid.

To prove a point, William Cameron entered the room.

"Hello sweetheart."

"Daddy. I might have known!"

Harry gave his friend a stiff scotch.

"So, my little girl is a civilian, what are you going to do?"

She sat down.

"It depends on whether we can go to the States," she said.

Harry chuckled. He took a manila envelope from his desk and handed it to her.

"I hereby have the pleasure to inform Miss Janine Chavanay, that as of this moment, she is a citizen of the United States, by virtue of services rendered to that nation, and her citizens in time of war. I also have the pleasure to inform her that she is enrolled in the university of California and Los Angeles on the course of her choice commencing September 1945. Further, should the aforesaid Miss Chavanay, be married by the time she embarks for the United States, then her spouse shall have automatic citizenship of the same."

With that he handed her the envelope.

"There is a marriage licence in there. Your name, and that of your young man have already been entered. All you have to do is find a priest and a church."

Janine hugged the General, and then her father.

"Thanks Harry," said Will.

"No problem. Remember, I get to come to the wedding."

Janine and her father left the office arm in arm. She lost no time in discarding her uniform, and in her red and white dress, she sought out Otto in his quarters.

Otto had a private room in the transit camp. It was virtually empty, with a handful of officers still hanging on, in case others came through that needed help.

Otto and Peter were discussing Peter's plans.

Both were surprised when a very different Janine burst through the door.

She flung her arms around Otto, and showed him the US documents.

"We can get married now, if you want?" she said.

"I want, but where?"

Janine wanted to grab the first US chaplain and find a quiet room somewhere, but both her future husband and her father had other ideas.

A week later, Janine, Otto, Peter and Gretchen found them selves embarking on the ferry for England. Her father had provided papers for all of them, and as Janine was still technically a service woman until the end of the month, it was relatively easy.

At Dover, a car was waiting, and they squeezed in, with the luggage on the roof.

They rumbled though the chaotic road system to Wiltshire, where Jeannette and George welcomed then warmly.

Otto found his fiancée's family delightful, and instead of facing animosity, he found friendship and an atmosphere of hope. They were all found rooms in the big house, and Janine smiled when she was given a separate room to her future husband.

Will arrived on the following day, and announced that all was arranged. The local church was booked, and the vicar was prepared to marry them by virtue of the emergency licence issued by the Allied Powers Europe!

Otto and Will went off and planned something secretive. Janine was upset that she wasn't included, and no matter how she pleaded, neither of them gave any hint of what was going on.

Jeannette and Yvette, in true Gallic style, produced a wedding dress so utterly gorgeous that Janine cried as soon as she saw it. They had made it together. It was truly beautiful, in silk and satin, with a long train and veil.

She tried it on, and with some minor adjustments, mainly as her bust had grown slightly, it fitted beautifully.

They spent the week making the arrangements and cooking.

Gretchen and Janine had become the closest of friends, and for the first time Janine enjoyed being a girl. She and Gretchen stayed up long into the night just talking about things. Gretchen had been told about Janine's past, and was utterly amazed as to just how normal the girl was.

On the Saturday, the wedding was set for two pm. The day started badly, as it was raining, but as noon approached, the sun came out, and they were hopeful for a nice day.

Janine went up to change, and she heard some cars arrive. There were voices downstairs, and she recalled that Harry Maddox was sure to come.

George eased the old 1924 Bentley out of the garage. He had not used the old beast since 1940, and had spent the last three weeks making sure it would go.

Peter and Otto had spent the night in the local pub. Jeannette insisted that it was bad luck for a bride and groom to spend the night under the same roof.

Janine giggled at the thought of Otto wearing his Waffen SS uniform for the wedding, and decided that she'd be best keeping that joke to herself.

"My God, you look simply divine!" said Yvette, as they put the finishing touches to her corsage.

Janine just smiled. She was so happy, everything was going together so well.

"So, all set for tonight?" Yvette asked, and Janine went bright red.

Yvette laughed.

"I see you are. Now, Janine, you have no mother here, so is there anything you'd like to talk through?"

"Not really. But, why don't you tell me about your wedding night?"

Yvette smiled, and proceeded to do just that.

Jeannette popped her head round the door to see a slightly dazed expression on Janine's face, and Yvette giggling.

"You can do that?" Janine asked.

"Oh yes, but don't do it every time, as he'd come to expect it!"

"What are you telling her?" Jeannette asked.

"Nothing!" said Yvette and Janine simultaneously.

Gretchen came in. Her Bridesmaid's dress was a pale blue taffeta, and appeared rather early Victorian. It looked wonderful, and she even had a bonnet. She looked like little Miss Muffett.

Her face was aglow with excitement.

"Oh, how wonderful. Janine, you look lovely!" she said.

"So do you. I am so glad you are here," Janine said.

"Right! Come on. Its time to go," announced George, and ushered them down to the waiting cars.

"Are you sure this is normal?" Otto asked William, at the door to the church.

"Quite sure. The kilt comes down to just above the knee and the sporran covers you know what."

"I feel stupid," the tall German admitted.

"Aye, well, you look a damn side better in that than in lederhosen!"

Otto smiled.

William turned to the young man who was about to become his son in law.

"Now, are you positive you want to do this?"

"Yes," said Otto, and neither of the men was referring about the marriage.

"Then I am very obliged to you," Will said.

"Sir. Your daughter has done so much for my family. It is the least I can do."

William handed over the envelope.

"Here you are. Welcome to the family."

Otto took it and nodded. They shook hands, and Otto joined his brother inside. The Bentley pulled up, and William helped his daughter out. Jeanette and Yvette fussed around, and made some unnecessary last moment alterations.

A large American military car pulled up, and General Harry Maddox and a young staff officer stepped out.

Harry came over, and gave the bride a hug.

"Why wasn't I born thirty years later? You look wonderful, my dear!"

"Thanks, and it is so good to see you."

"Oh, dear God!" said Gretchen, who went pale and had to hold onto Jeannette's arm.

The staff officer was Second Lieutenant Mike Cornell.

He grinned, which made him look more like a college boy than ever, and got down on one knee.

"I got all the way to Southampton, and realised I had left something behind! So, ma'am, with your permission, I should like to present my formal proposal to you for your consideration, once more."

Gretchen burst in to tears, and pulled him to his feet.

To everyone's delight she accepted, and the General and his aide took their places in church.

The organ started to play, and William offered his daughter his arm, which she took.

They entered the church, and started up the aisle.

Janine almost got the giggles, for Otto was standing there, dressed form head to toe in highland finery. A Cameron tartan kilt, with the black formal jacket and sporran. Buckled shoes, and red diced stockings with the Skean Dhu firmly placed in the right stocking. He looked every inch a highland Chieftain, and her heart sang.

The final twist was played out. It was only when the vicar read out Otto's full names did she realise that Otto was a nickname, and his real name was Oscar Richard.

However, her father and husband's full duplicity was revealed when she signed the register. Having heard his first names, she was reconciled to being Mrs Schneider. As she bent over the book, she was amazed to read that Otto had written Oscar Richard Cameron.

Her father had arranged for him to change his name by deed poll.

Janine had come full circle.

She was now Mrs Janine Cameron, lawfully, and delightedly.

That evening, as she took him into her arms, and loins, did she truly feel she was complete. As they consummated their marriage, she lifted her eyes to heaven, and thanked anyone who cared to listen for her life - so far.

Fin. (or is it the beginning?)

Oberstgruppenfuehrer :