You Should Hear How She Talks About You
Disclaimer—Don't own anything, except parts of the idea
A/N: I said 'parts' of the idea because I got the inspiration for this one from a JAG video clip on YouTube with the title 'You're All She Talks About.' The song referenced in the title is an old '80s tune by Melissa Manchester, but this is not, I repeat, not a songfic. Enjoy!-robertwnielsen
"So, Cindy," Caitlin O'Shannessy said as they drove up to the hangar, "this is where I work when I'm not helping you."
"Wow," Cindy Mason replied as they pulled up in front of the large hangar, "it's humongous! And those helicopters are huge!"
"Well," Caitlin said as she shut off the Jeep, "if you're real nice to my friend Hawke, I might be able to convince him to take you up in one, but you've gotta be really nice to him, okay?"
"Okay, okay," Cindy replied, shaking her head at Caitlin. "But Hawke's a lot more than just your friend, isn't he? Or at least, you wish he was, don't you?"
"Cindy! That's really none of your business," Caitlin said as they climbed out of the jeep. Even though it's the God's-honest truth. I do wish String was a lot more than just my friend, but I'm afraid that'll never happen. As they walked into the hangar, Caitlin's eyes fell on Dom.
"Cindy, this is my boss, Dominic Santini," Caitlin said, and Cindy smiled and held out her hand for Dominic to shake. "It's nice to meet you, Dominic," she said.
"Hey, kiddo, call me 'Dom.' Everybody does," Dom said, smiling at the young girl. "Although, it took Cait here forever to call me that. She kept callin' me 'Mr. Santini' all the time."
"But it's okay if I call you Dom, right?" Cindy asked.
"Of course it is, sweetheart," Dom replied. Caitlin had told Dom and Hawke about the young girl she'd been working with as a volunteer recently, in a group for young girls who had lost a parent. "It's somethin' I wanna do," Caitlin said, "especially after what happened with my dad, y'know?"
"Sure, sweetheart," Dom had said. Today was Caitlin's day off from the hangar, and she had decided to bring Cindy out to meet Dom and Hawke, since Cindy had told Caitlin how interested she was in airplanes and flying, just like Cait had been, even at twelve years old, the same age as Cindy now.
"So you fly helicopters, Dom?" Cindy asked.
"Yeah, I fly helicopters. So do String and Cait, y'know. We fly executives around, and do movie stunts too. Cait's even had speaking parts in some of the movies we've done stunts for," Dom said, seeing Caitlin blush out of the corner of his eye.
"Cait's told me about that," Cindy said, "especially about the one where she got to kiss—"
"Cindy," Caitlin replied, "Dom was there. He doesn't need to be reminded about it." And to be perfectly honest, neither do I. Cait sighed as she recalled the feelings that welled up inside her after the director encouraged them both to make the kiss more 'realistic.'
"Oh," Cindy replied. "Sorry, Dom."
"Oh, that's okay, Cindy," Dom said, thinking back to the kiss that Caitlin and String had shared on that movie set. "Hey, Cait, where is String, anyway?"
"Good question, Dom," Cait replied. And I'm not too sure I wanna know the answer to that question, to be perfectly honest with you, Dom, especially after what Cindy just said. Just then, the office door opened and Hawke walked out.
"Dom," Hawke began, "you really need to clean things up in there. It took me forever to find those invoices you were askin' about." He stopped and glanced over at Caitlin, and saw the young girl sitting with her.
"Cindy," Caitlin began nervously, "this is..." Cindy suddenly interrupted. "Stringfellow Hawke," she said, smiling as she held out her hand.
"Yes." Hawke shook the young girl's hand, even as he directed a confused look at Caitlin. "And you are...?"
"Cindy Mason. Cait's a good friend of mine, too, and she's helpin' me get over losing my daddy last year. And she's told me all about you, Stringfellow Hawke. In fact," Cindy continued, her eyes gleaming, "you're all she ever talks about."
"Really?" Out of the corner of his eye, Hawke saw Dom's expression.
"Cindy!" Caitlin admonished the young girl, but Cindy kept on.
"Yeah," Cindy said with a mischievous smile. "I mean, she just goes on and on about you. You should hear how she talks about you, and what she says," Cindy said, oblivious to the incensed glare Caitlin was shooting at her. "Sometimes, though, it's hard to tell what parts are true, and what parts are just, y'know, her fantasies?" Cindy smiled at Hawke as he shook his head, and Dom saw Caitlin's face turn beet red. Then she added, "I know one thing Cait said about you that is true—you are a major babe!" If Caitlin's face could turn any redder, it did at Cindy's comment.
"Cindy Mason!" Caitlin snapped. "I thought I told you to be nice to String! And, what have I told you about lying?"
"That's what I'm trying to do, Cait," Cindy replied innocently. "I'm trying to be nice to your boyfriend, break the ice a little, y'know? And you told me that a woman never lies, unless it's about her age, her weight, or her best friend's husband!"
"Wow, Cait," Hawke said, smiling as he shook his head, "you're quite the role model."
"I never told her that!" Caitlin said, turning to Cindy. "I never told you that, Cindy! And Hawke is not my boyfriend, for Pete's sake!" Even though I wish like heck he was my boyfriend. But I will admit that Cindy's right about one thing. I did tell her Hawke is a 'major babe,' because he is.
"Maybe not in those words, Cait," Cindy said indignantly, "but that's what you meant, wasn't it? And you wish he was your boyfriend, don't ya?"
"It certainly was not!" Caitlin replied, turning even redder. "And I never said I wished Hawke was my boyfriend! Oh, you've broken the ice, all right; Cindy, and now you're drowning in it, and tryin' to take me with you! I think we need to call your mother! Into the office, young lady! March!" She gave Cindy a shove toward the office door. I hate to admit it, but Cindy is right. I do wish String was my boyfriend. Caitlin hoped her face wasn't turning bright red from embarrassment.
"String, I'm sorry," Caitlin said as Cindy walked away, "I told Cindy to be nice to you, and that maybe if she was, you'd give her a ride in one of the helicopters. That's all."
"It's okay, Cait," Hawke replied, smiling at her. "She's a cute kid. If she still wants a ride, I'll take her up. And I don't take anything she said seriously, you know. After all," he said, "she's just a kid."
"I know, String," Caitlin said as she gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek, "and, thanks." She quickly wiped the mark her lipstick had left on Hawke's cheek off with her thumb, then walked into the office to find Cindy standing at the door, grinning at her.
"Were you watching me?" Caitlin asked as she closed the door.
"I saw you kiss him," Cindy replied. "You really do love Hawke, just like you told me, don't you?"
Caitlin's response was to move to the desk and pick up the telephone, dialing Cindy's mother. A moment later, she said, "Hi, Ms. Mason, it's Caitlin. Yeah, I've got Cindy out here at the hangar, and she's makin' a danged fool outta herself. I think my friend's going to give her a ride in one of the helicopters, and then she'll be ready to go. You'll be here in about an hour? Okay, great, thanks," Caitlin said as she hung up.
"Cindy, how I feel about String isn't any of your danged business. I called your mom, and she'll be here in about an hour to take you home, after you take a ride with Hawke. And do me a favor, Cindy—while you're in the helicopter with my friend, keep your comments about my love life to yourself, please!" Or about my lack of a love life.
"Okay, okay," Cindy said, but something in her eyes told Caitlin that would be the last thing on Cindy's mind.
They walked out of the office and found Hawke standing there waiting for them.
"So you want to go flyin', huh?" Hawke said, smiling down at Caitlin's friend.
"Yeah," Cindy said, "I've been real interested in flyin' for a while, just like Cait. She got interested when she was about my age, y'know, Mister Hawke."
"I know, Cindy, and please, call me 'String,' or 'Hawke.' 'Mister Hawke' sounds too much like my father. And, Cait calls me 'Hawke' most of the time, you know."
"Okay, Hawke," Cindy said as Hawke led her over to the helicopter, and helped her get set in the co-pilot's chair. A few minutes later, Hawke was strapped into the pilot's seat, and the helicopter headed into the sky.
"Wow!" Cindy said as they flew over the city, "I can see everything from up here! I think I see my house! Hi, Mom!" She waved, excitedly, in the direction of her house. Hawke watched her, and a smile crept across his face.
"You like flyin', huh?" Hawke saw the answer to his question when Cindy turned toward him, beaming. She reminds me of Bobby. Hawke smiled as he thought of his friend Bobby Phelps, and how he'd felt when they flew in one of Dom's choppers.
"Oh, yeah! I'm gonna be a pilot like you and Cait when I grow up!" Then Cindy noticed Hawke smiling. "Wow, Hawke! You do know how to smile! Cait said that even though she hardly ever sees it, she thinks you have a real nice smile, and she was right!"
"I bet you'll be a pilot when you grow up; and I'll bet you make a real good one," String said, still smiling at her. "And, thanks."
"You're welcome," Cindy said with a smile of her own. "And thanks for sayin' you think I'll be a good pilot."
"You're welcome." Hawke couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled so much, but there was something about Cindy's enthusiasm for flying that was almost infectious. And it reminds me a lot of Cait.
"Hey, Hawke. Do you like Caitlin?" Hawke thought Cindy's question was a little odd, but decided he'd answer her as honestly as he could.
"Sure, I like her, Cindy. She's a good friend. In fact, Cait's my best friend, other than Dom."
"I don't mean 'like' her like a friend, silly," Cindy said, "I mean, do you like her?"
Oh, boy. How do I explain that curse to a twelve year-old kid? "Cindy, has Caitlin told you about what I think? About the curse I think I have on me?" She obviously didn't listen to a word Caitlin said a few minutes ago. Hawke remembered what Caitlin had told him she asked Cindy before they left, and realized Cindy was completely ignoring what Caitlin had said.
"Yeah, yeah," Cindy waved her hand dismissively at Hawke's question; "Cait's told me all about it, and how much of a crock of baloney she thinks it is. And I've gotta agree with her, Hawke! Don't you get that accidents happen, Hawke? Cait's told me about what happened to your parents, and the girl you were dating before you and your brother went to Vietnam, and you know you could have been killed, too, right?"
"Yeah, I know," Hawke replied. "But what about my brother? Did Caitlin tell you about Saint John, too?"
"What about him, Hawke? Cait says you don't think he's dead, so maybe he isn't! And I don't think he'd want you carryin' the torch for him, even if he was dead, for Pete's sake! I know my daddy wouldn't want me feelin' sorry for myself all the time because he died, and I don't think your parents, or your brother would want you feelin' like that about them, either! Look," Cindy said, softening her voice, "I'm sorry I got so upset at you, and if you hate me, it's okay, but I think you needed to hear that, y'know?"
"Yeah, Cindy," Hawke replied. "I think I did, too." She's right. Mom, Dad, and Sinj wouldn't want me feelin' sorry for myself all the time, and carryin' the torch for them like I have been. And Kelly and Gabrielle would both want me to be happy, too, now that I think about it. And, we don't know what's happened to Sinj, so we can't definitively say that he's gone.
"Good," Cindy said. "So, um, are we still friends?"
"Sure, we're still friends. Why wouldn't we be?"
"Well, I was kinda rude before," Cindy replied, "so I wouldn't blame you if you hated me, like I said before. I just think Cait would be good for you, y'know?"
"Yeah, Cindy," Hawke replied as he turned the helicopter back toward the hangar, "I know. And, maybe I needed to hear that. So, I don't hate you, and no hard feelings, okay?" Besides, you're not tellin' me anything that Dom hasn't been tryin' to get me to understand for the last couple of months.
"Okay! And, y'know, Hawke, my mom always said that my daddy's really not dead, as long as I remember him. So, maybe you could think of your parents the same way? And your brother too, even though he might not really be dead, y'know?"
"Y'know, Cindy," Hawke said, shaking his head, "you're a pretty smart girl for a twelve-year-old. I don't think I was near that smart when I was twelve." And maybe that's part of the problem. I didn't know half of what she knows about people when I was twelve.
"Thanks, Hawke."
"You're welcome. So what else has Cait said about me?" Hawke asked. I figure now that I know, I might as well hear it all.
"Well, like I said before, Cait tells me she likes you, a whole lot," Cindy said, remembering what Caitlin had told her a few days ago. "She actually told me that she loves you, Hawke, and that she'd be lost without you, whatever that means. But she also told me she's thinkin' about maybe quitting and going back to Texas, 'cause she's real upset that you don't like her the same way she likes you."
"Well, I don't want Caitlin to leave, 'cause I don't want to lose my best friend." Cindy smiled at Hawke's words. "I guess I'm gonna have to have a little talk with her. But that'll be our little secret, okay?" And have that talk pretty darned soon. Like, tonight, if she wants. We can go up to the cabin and talk about what happened today.
"Okay, Hawke!" Cindy said. "I don't want Cait to leave, either, 'cause she's been a real good friend ever since I met her, and I don't want to lose her like I lost my dad."
"I understand, Cindy, and I think I can promise you that I'm not gonna let that happen. Okay?" 'Cause a Hawke, like a Phelps, doesn't go back on a deal. Hawke smiled as he remembered his friend Bobby again, so I'm gonna work like heck to make sure Cait doesn't leave. Cait's the best thing that ever happened to me, even though I don't let her know it enough. Heck, Dom even thinks I'm easier to deal with since Cait came along.
"Okay!" Cindy said with a huge smile on her face. Mission accomplished. Suddenly her mood changed drastically. "Uh-oh," she said worriedly.
"Uh-oh? What's wrong now, Cindy?"
"I, I just remembered, Hawke. Cait told me to keep my comments about her love life to myself, but I, I just couldn't. You think she's gonna be mad at me?"
"Nah, Cindy," String replied, "Cait won't be mad at you, because I won't let her be mad at you. Like you said, you told me a lot of stuff that I needed to hear, and I'll make sure Cait understands that. Okay?"
"Okay!" Hawke glanced over and noticed Cindy was beaming again.
By the time he'd set the helicopter back down in front of the hangar, Hawke had made a decision—if Caitlin really liked him, the way Cindy had said she did, he wouldn't keep pushing her away. Besides, look at everything she's been through since she came to California, and survived. Doesn't that tell you something, Hawke? After a moment, he admitted, Yeah. It does. Just before he unstrapped, Hawke turned to Cindy and said, "Now, you remember what we talked about. Not a word about what we talked about to Caitlin, okay? Pinkie-swear?"
"Pinkie-swear!" Cindy said as they locked pinkie fingers, under the center panel where Caitlin couldn't see. All she's gonna see is that smile on Cindy's face, but that's okay. She'll probably think Cindy just had a lot of fun flyin'. Which she did.
As he unstrapped, then helped Cindy get out of the helicopter, Hawke found himself intently watching Caitlin. What is she thinking? He wondered. Cindy nearly bounced out of the helicopter seat and ran toward Caitlin and her mother.
"Mom!" Cindy shouted, almost breathless. "Cait's friend Hawke took me up in a helicopter, and we went really high and really fast! I think I saw our house, so I waved at you! Did ya see me, Mom? Huh? Did ya?"
"No, Cindy," Ms. Mason replied, "I didn't see you, but Caitlin's told me about some of the things you said and did today." Just from her mother's expression, Cindy knew that she was in serious trouble. "Mr. Hawke," she said, turning toward him, "I apologize for Cindy running off at the mouth the way she did. Sometimes she talks too much, and is a little too independent and energetic for her own good, especially for a twelve-year-old."
"Ms. Mason, it's, it's okay," Hawke's smile had everyone, including Caitlin, curious about his mood. "Cindy didn't say anything to upset me. It may have embarrassed Cait, but," he said, looking over at Caitlin, "I think we're gonna be okay." At least, I hope so.
"That's good to know, Mr. Hawke," Cindy's mother told him.
"Mom," Cindy said, "he likes to be called 'Hawke,' or 'String.' He says that when people call him 'Mr. Hawke', it reminds him of his daddy."
"I'm sorry, Hawke," Cindy's mother said, but Hawke shook his head and smiled at her.
"That's okay. I did tell her that, Ms. Mason. So, Cindy, you want to go flyin' again sometime?" He caught Dom and Caitlin's surprised looks out of the corner of his eye.
"If that's okay with you, Hawke," Cindy said anxiously. "And, I'm sorry for everything wrong that I said today. To you too, Cait," she said.
"It's fine." Hawke said with a smile that surprised both Dom and Caitlin. "I think I needed to hear a lot of what you said to me today, Cindy. And I can't speak for Dom, or Cait, but I accept your apology, and I'll see you around, okay?"
"Okay, Hawke," Cindy shook her new friend's hand happily. "Thanks for the ride, and it was sure nice to meet you, Hawke," Cindy said. She turned to Caitlin and smiled. "G'bye, Cait," Cindy said as she hugged her friend.
"'Bye, Cindy. I accept your apology, too, and I'll see you in a couple days at the center, okay?"
"Okay. G'bye to you, too, Dom!" Cindy said. "It was nice meeting ya!"
"Nice to meet you too, Cindy!" Dom said, waving. Cindy's mom loaded her into the car and they drove off.
"So, did she talk all the time you were up there, Hawke?" Caitlin wanted to know.
"Yeah, Cait," Hawke said, smiling at her, "she did. She's a very talkative young lady. Kinda reminds me of a younger version of somebody I know."
"Guilty," Caitlin replied, grinning sheepishly. "I think that's the reason I help Cindy, 'cause she's a lot like I was at that age, and I guess I still am a little. I-I just really hope she didn't drive you nuts or anything."
I think that's what I love most about you, Cait. That bubbly personality of yours. "Nah," Hawke said with a smile that surprised Caitlin. "She didn't drive me nuts, Cait. In fact, she got me thinkin' about a lot of things. And I'd like a chance to tell you more about what she said. Maybe over dinner? At the cabin?"
"What?" Caitlin asked, shocked. "You want to invite us up to the cabin for dinner?"
"Um, actually just you, Cait," Hawke said, surprising her. "I'd like to have dinner with you alone tonight, if that's okay with you. I mean, unless you've already got plans for the evening." Hawke caught Dom's expression out of the corner of his eye. Somehow I knew you'd be excited, Dom.
What are you, nuts, Hawke? "You're kiddin' me, right, Hawke?" Caitlin said humorously. "I don't have any plans tonight! Or, at least, I didn't have 'em, until just now. And," she said, smiling at Hawke, "it's definitely okay with me."
"Okay, then," Hawke replied. "I guess it's a date."
"I guess so," Caitlin replied, her eyes shining with excitement. Cindy Mason, you may just be my new best friend! At least, my best friend other than Hawke.
That night, Caitlin was nervous all the way up to the cabin. What is going on with you, String? She couldn't believe what was happening as they landed on the dock. Once Hawke and Caitlin were out of the helicopter, she felt him slide an arm around her waist. "You don't mind, do ya, Cait?"
Are you nuts, String? Or just that dumb? Of course I don't mind! She smiled up at him and slipped her arm around his waist as they walked back to the cabin. "No, I don't mind, String. I, I kinda like it, actually." Like it? Who in blazes am I kiddin', anyway? I love feelin' String's arm around me like this, even though I don't have the vaguest idea why he did it!
"I thought you might," Hawke replied as they walked into the cabin. Hawke got a couple of trout out of the freezer, and quickly had baked trout in the oven.
"Dinner will be ready soon," Hawke said as he sat down on the couch next to Cait. "I, I wanted to talk to you about what Cindy said. She told me how she liked my smile, and how you liked my smile."
"She was right. I do like your smile. I've liked your smile ever since you smiled at me that day when I first came back here, and I hope I see it a lot more often."
How's that gonna work, if you go back to Texas? "Cait," Hawke lifted her face to his to look her in the eyes, "there's something else Cindy said that has me really worried. She said that you're thinkin' about leaving, and goin' back home to Texas. I, I don't want you to leave, Cait," Hawke said, somewhat hesitantly. "And, there was somethin' else Cindy said that you told her—she said you told her that you love me. And I got the feelin' that Cindy meant love as in more than just like a good friend."
Well, here goes everything. "Hawke, first of all, I think Cindy's got a real big mouth, 'cause I told her to keep her comments about me, and my love life or lack thereof, to herself. But since she told you that, I'm sure as heck not gonna deny any of it, String. I do love you, but I really do think it's best if I leave. I mean, I love workin' with you and Dom, and crewing Airwolf—that is when you boys give me the chance to fly with you—but look. I can't be giving my love to someone who refuses to give it back to me. Heck, you know I love you, String. I've shown you how I feel more times than I can even count, and I'm really sick of how you keep turnin' my love away. So I think it's just best for both of us if..."
Suddenly, Caitlin felt something she had quite honestly never expected to feel again—first, she felt Hawke's hand wrap around her neck and pull her close to him, and then she felt the gentle pressure of Hawke's lips against hers in a deep, loving kiss. Just like that day on the movie set, Caitlin felt the same feelings welling up inside her again, just like happened that day. But this time nobody's eggin' him on. What on Earth has gotten into him? Caitlin suddenly felt herself hoping against hope that Hawke had finally figured out his feelings about her. If I'm wrong, I'll be absolutely crushed, but I've, I've gotta know one way or the other.
When he separated them, Caitlin shook her head to get her breath back, and finally said, "Hawke, what was that for?"
Well, here goes. "Cait," Hawke said, "it was to show you that I love you. Not just as a good friend, either." Hawke gently lifted Caitlin's chin so he could look her in the eyes again. "Caitlin, I'm in love with you. I have been ever since the day I met you. I've just been too stubborn, and stupid, to admit it until now."
"Hawke," Caitlin said, "are—are you just sayin' that because I told you I'm thinkin' about leaving? 'Cause if you just said that to try to get me to stay, and you don't really mean it, then I think that's a pretty mean thing to do."
"Dammit, Caitlin," Hawke said, more forcefully than he intended, "no. I'm not just sayin' that because you're thinkin' about leaving, to try to get you to stay. I—I really mean it, Caitlin. I've been in love with you for a very long time. Cindy just helped me understand that what I was doin' was hurting you, and hurting me too. Cindy told me that you said you'd be lost without me. Well, Cait, I'm telling you right now that I'm the one who'd be lost, without you in my life. And if it's not too late, and I haven't completely screwed up any chance I might have had with you, then I'd, I'd like to give us a chance." He smiled at Caitlin and was not surprised to see tears in her hazel eyes.
I know String better than that. He never says things like that if he doesn't mean every word. I can't believe it. He finally admitted that he loves me! "Stringfellow Hawke," Caitlin said with tears in her eyes, "I'm in love with you, too. And you haven't 'screwed up' any chance you had with me. Believe me, String, it's not too late. I've, I've just been waitin' for you to figure out how you feel about me! And," she smiled shyly at him, "I'm sure glad you did figure it out, with Cindy's help, before I decided to leave. But," her expression suddenly turned irritated, "like I said before, I thought I told Cindy to keep her big mouth shut about my love life! I can see I'm gonna have to have a little chat with her the next time I see her!"
"Cait," Hawke said gently as he laid his hands on her shoulders, "please, don't be mad at Cindy. She just thinks that you and I would be good together, and she got me to understand why. And, I have to admit, I think we'd be good together too. She also told me you'd probably be mad when you found out that she'd told me all this stuff, but I promised her I wouldn't let you be mad at her for telling me what she did. Cait, if Cindy hadn't told me what she did, I probably never would've admitted how I feel about you. You can't be upset with her for that, can you?"
"I, I guess not." String's absolutely right. I sure as heck can't be mad at Cindy now, especially knowin' that it's because of her talkin' to String that he admitted his feelings about me.
"Well, Cait," Hawke said as he stood up, pulling her up with him, "I guess you'll just have to give Cindy a big 'thank you' hug the next time you see her. And the next time you bring her over to the hangar, I'll give her a big hug myself."
I guess I will, too, Caitlin felt a surge of happiness and love as she stared deep into Hawke's eyes and saw every bit of love he had for her reflected in them, but right now, there are a few other things I want to do. "String, I don't want to talk anymore." She leaned in closer to him, hesitantly, and was relieved when Hawke gathered her into his arms and kissed her completely and passionately. As Caitlin felt her body mold tightly against Hawke, she realized, we fit against each other perfectly. It's like-like we were made for each other. By the time Hawke separated them, Caitlin had no doubts left in her mind about Hawke's feelings for her, and she knew she had convinced Hawke of how much she loved him.
"By the way, Cait, did you really tell Cindy that I was 'a major babe?'" Hawke grinned at Caitlin as he remembered what Cindy had said.
Uh-oh. Caitlin felt embarrassed when Hawke mentioned what Cindy had told him. "Yeah, String, I did say that. We were talkin' one day at the center about our friends, and people we liked; and she mentioned that I'd said I liked you a whole lot, and then I blurted that out. I'm-I'm sorry, String. And I'm sorry that I accused you of just sayin' you love me to keep me from leavin'. I know you better than that, String. I know you never say somethin' like that if you don't mean it."
"Cait, it's okay," Hawke replied as he pulled her close to him again. "All of it. I understand why you might have thought I said that just to keep you from leavin', and I'm not upset at you for saying it. And, I apologize for swearing at you a few minutes ago. Just for the record, Caitlin, I think you are the most beautiful woman I've ever known."
String, flattery like that'll get you just about anything you want! Caitlin thought. "Um, thanks, String." Even though I'm not sure I believe that, with some of the gorgeous women you've known, String, Caitlin felt a twinge of jealousy as she pictured Angelica Horn, and the Russian defector Inge Janek. "Oh, yeah, and apology accepted."
"I mean it, Cait," Hawke said. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, and I've felt that way about you ever since I met you. It was just something else that I didn't want to admit to, because it would have meant that I was admitting my feelings about you. Y'know, I never told you this before, but your face is the last thing I see at night when I go to sleep. And," he added, "thanks."
"Well, String," Caitlin said, "I see your face a lot when I go to sleep, too. Guess that should tell ya somethin', huh?" And I'm gonna see your face every night in my dreams from now on. And hopefully, someday soon, I'll see you lying beside me every night, as my husband.
"Yeah, Cait. I guess it should, and, it does." He smiled at her and was rewarded when she smiled back at him, absolutely beaming. When I see you smile at me like that, Cait, I know all's right in my world. Hawke felt a new peace settling over him. It's like everything's gonna be okay. I mean, I can't explain it, but it's like the one thing I've been so afraid of doing—admitting how I feel about Caitlin—was exactly what I needed to do.
"Oh, and by the way, Cait," Hawke said, "next time we—and yes, I did say we—see Cindy, you'll be able to tell her that I am your boyfriend." Hawke's smile, along with his words, sent chills up and down Caitlin's spine. String is my boyfriend. I have wanted to hear that for so long. It-it doesn't seem real.
"String, I think that's the nicest thing I've ever heard you say to me." God, if I'm dreamin', don't you even think about waking me up! Caitlin suddenly felt herself worrying that everything she'd just heard had been a very cruel dream. If this is a dream, it's gotta be the best dream I've ever had!
"Well, get used to it, Cait; 'cause I'm gonna be sayin' a lot more nice things to you from now on. Like I said, Cait, I love you very much, and I always will. And I'm gonna spend the rest of our lives tryin' to make up for pushing you away like I did, because I realize, thanks to our friend Cindy, just how much that hurt you."
"I feel exactly the same way about you, String," Caitlin said. "And I'll never stop loving you, either." Wow. String said 'the rest of 'our' lives. He must be a heckuva lot more serious than I even thought!
"Well, don't worry, Cait, because I'll never stop loving you either," Hawke said as he pulled her closer in his arms, before he kissed her again. I can really get used to this. Caitlin made herself comfortable in the arms of the man she loved. The man I love with all my heart and soul, and who I know loves me the same way. Caitlin felt happier than she could remember feeling in a long time as they sat down to dinner. String surprised her by pulling her chair out from the table, and as she sat down, he smiled and said, "Dad always told Sinj and me that a gentleman pulls the chair out for his lady."
String said I'm—I'm his lady! God in Heaven! Okay, now I know I'm dreaming! And I hope like heck I never, ever wake up! Caitlin smiled at Hawke as he sat down in the chair across from hers.
"Cait, do you remember when you said Cindy reminded you of yourself at that age? Well, there's something I never told you. That personality of yours—always smiling, happy, and wanting to talk—is one of the things I first fell in love with about you, even before I realized how beautiful you are. And I have to tell you something else, Cait. You are, without a doubt, the best thing that ever happened to me, even though I don't show you that often enough, but that's something else I'm going to work on." Hawke reached across the table, laid his hand on top of Caitlin's, and smiled at her, hoping she could see the sincerity and love in his eyes.
String, you better stop that, Caitlin fought to keep her face from flushing as a wave of hormones rushed through her body, 'cause the way you're talkin', I might not be able to control myself for much longer. "Um, thanks, String," Caitlin stammered, knowing her face was bright red with embarrassment. "I-I really needed to hear that."
"Cait, don't be embarrassed," Hawke said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "There's a lot I haven't told you about my feelings, but I promise, I will. I'll tell you everything, if you want me to."
"String," Caitlin whispered, tears forming in her eyes, "I want to know you. I want to know everything about you." Hawke nodded, smiling, as they started eating again.
Later that night, after they ate dinner, and Hawke dropped her back at the hangar so she could go home, Caitlin felt happier than she'd been since she walked into the hangar a couple of years ago looking for Hawke. Thanks a bunch, Cindy. Caitlin sighed with happiness as she fell asleep that night, picturing Hawke's smiling face again. I owe ya a big one! The next time I—or make that we—see her, String and I are gonna take Cindy out for ice cream or anything else she wants, Caitlin thought. 'Cause thanks to what she told String, I'm the happiest gal in the world! Caitlin felt a happy smile cross her face as she fell asleep, dreaming about Hawke. Just as she felt herself falling asleep, Caitlin realized something. I just thought of somethin'. Nothing bad happened tonight when String told me he loves me. The cabin didn't get hit by a missile, nobody stormed the cabin and took me hostage, there wasn't some nut waitin' to kidnap me or hold a knife to my throat when I got in my car, or anything like that. I'll have to tell String that tomorrow sometime. Caitlin wasn't surprised when Hawke's face appeared in her mind, as sleep finally overtook her.
Who would have thought that a twelve-year-old kid with a big mouth and a heart of gold would get through to me even after Dom and Cait couldn't? Well, I sure hope Cait's happy tonight, 'cause I sure am. Happier than I've been in a long time. And something tells me this is the beginning of something, wonderful. Hawke fell asleep with a smile on his face and a new lightness in his heart as he considered the future, with Caitlin by his side. Our future. Our future, together.