Stories in the series (in order):

The Lady for a Lady

No Easy Way

Sleeping Beauties

An Act of Betrayal

The Devil You Know

Demons

The Riddle of the Night

Soft lighting, slow music, glittering gowns, and subdued decorations greeted Hawke, Dominic and Caitlin as they entered the formal room at the FIRM arranged specifically for a party. "It's just a night out on the town. A little dinner, and a little dancing. It will be fun." Hawke reassured them as they walked into the room.

No one greeted them as they walked in so the three mingled their way to the bar where they each got a drink and then mingled their way to a table where they took three of the four chairs around a white satin tablecloth draped table.

"When do we eat?" Hawke asked as they watched unfamiliar faces dance in the middle of the room.

"I hope soon." Dominic covered a sneeze. "Bless me."

"Dom," Caitlin said with concern. "Maybe you should have skipped this evening. I think you got a cold from last week's job."

It was probably true, Hawke thought, as he remembered the past month of non-stop runs for Michael that they had made in Airwolf. They would no sooner return from a foreign country or a flight up the coast, and then Michael would have them going out again. A reprieve came three days earlier along with an invitation to a FIRM shindig.

"I'm fine, sweetheart," He said, his voice nasally from the previous sneeze. "Besides, it's nice to see something other than the inside of Airwolf for a night."

The orchestra changed songs with ease and Hawke stood. "Would you like to dance, Miss O'Shaughnessy?"

"I would love to, Mr. Hawke." She placed her manicured hand in Hawke's hand and he led her to the dance floor.

Hawke held her tight to his body as they swayed to the music. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He asked.

It was true. Caitlin chose a black ankle length gown that accentuated her every curve and glistened in the light from the sequences. The strappy high heel shoes she chose made her a hair's length taller than Hawke.

"You look pretty dapper yourself." Caitlin said running her hand over the shoulder of his black tux. "But I think we should leave after this and get Dominic home."

He swung her around so he wasn't facing Dominic when he said, "I think you're right. Want to stop off for a burger after we take Dom home?"

"Add a chocolate shake to that and you've got a deal."

Hawke smiled and spun Caitlin around again so he could see Dominic. The music ended with applause and Hawke saw an older woman speaking to Dominic. They looked entranced in conversation so Hawke pulled Caitlin to him again just as another song began.

"I thought we were leaving," Caitlin said.

"Dominic's busy and I'm not ready to let you go yet."

Caitlin's mouth opened to say something when Michael dressed in a white tux hobbled up to them.

"Can I cut in?"

Without missing a beat, Hawke teased. "You're not my type." He and Caitlin shared a smile at the remark.

"I'm serious, Hawke. Finish this dance and meet me in my office."

The mood had been broken so Hawke cut the dance short and he along with Caitlin and Dominic left the ballroom to go to Michael's office.

"What is it?" Hawke asked as he walked into the office followed by Caitlin and Dominic. "We were all actually having a good time."

Dominic sneezed.

"I need Airwolf tonight for a pickup."

"You invited us to a party so you could ask us to run a mission?" Dominic asked.

"It will be a quick run. You should be back by tomorrow night."

"Where?" Dominic asked. He sniffed and Caitlin handed him a tissue she had in her purse.

"You're going to South America to pick up a box to transport back here to the FIRM. I need you to leave tonight. In fact, right now."

Hawke looked over at Dominic in a tux, at Caitlin in an evening gown, and then down at his tux. "You want us to leave now!"

Michael nodded. "A special forces team has the box in their possession. They'll meet you at these coordinates." He slid a piece of paper over the table. Caitlin held on to it. "You'll load the box onto Airwolf and come back here. Quick and easy."

"Says the man who gets to sit behind a desk all day." Hawke and the others stood up. "We'll leave for Airwolf right now and contact you when we have the box in the air."

"Just another night out on the town, huh?" Caitlin teased as they made their way to the elevator.

"A little dinner, a little dancing, what could go wrong?" Dominic joined in the teasing.

Hawke hit the first floor button on the elevator too hard and it made a popping sound. "Very funny, guys."