Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are not my own. I only cherish them.

My stories are set in real-time. Dom is a Vietnam vet and String and St. John were in Iraq post 9/11.

Chapter One: An Irish Jig

The music was as authentic as it could get. An Irish band was playing brisk Irish tunes and everyone in the bar was celebrating St. Patrick's day whether they were Irish or not. Cait took a drink of her green colored sprite laced with cherries. She was the designated driver tonight and would not be drinking any green beer even though it looked good. Everett had already had enough to drink. They left work before Dom and String. Cait being the only one that truly was Irish wanted to start celebrating as soon as she could. Dom and String arrived a few hours later. As they sat there enjoying the band a tall good looking red headed man approached their table.

"Now I know ya must be Irish the way you've been enjoyin the music tonight." He said with a thick Irish accect as he raised his beer to Cait. Cait instantly blushed as she looked behind her to make sure he was talking to her. He was very good looking in a rugged way with a well built body to match.

"As a matter of fact both my parents are Irish so I guess that makes me about as Irish as it gets." Cait replied as she gave him an impish grin. He returned the grin. "I never met an Irish girl with a Texas drawl before."

The band started playing a toe tapping tune as several people began to attempt an Irish dance. The handsome man extended a hand to her. "Shall we show them how it's properly done?"

Cait took his hand as he led her to the dance floor. String watched as he slid an am around her leading the way. For some reason it didn't sit well with him. Dom leaned over to his ear so he could hear him.

"That's a good looking guy with Cait. He ain't Italian but hey I can't have it all. I guess an Irish boy will do."

String rolled his eyes. " He just asked her to dance Dom not have his baby."

"Not yet." Dom replied as he took a drink of beer laughing at his own joke. String wondered just how many Dom had consumed.

Everett sat back down at their table pointing at Cait. "Hey, she's really good."

String watched as Cait danced a traditional Irish jig with the too handsome man. She was good, very good. Her smile was infectious and her eyes bright and shinning. Others in the room began watching the couple and clapped to the music to encourage them along. When the song ended everyone clapped for them as they took a mock bow. Caitlin was laughing. There it was again, that fluttering in his heart that had been happening when he was near Cait. She had an effect on him that no one else had. His attraction to her was diffrent from any other woman he had known. Lately he noticed how possessive he had become of her. Like now, he wanted to pry the man's hand off her hip. If he went any lower he would. The music slowed down with a sad Irish song that told of lost youth and love. The man pulled her in close as he swayed with her in his arms. String was annoyed that she let him.

"You look like you're about to slug someone String. " Dom slurred.

String hid his eyes behind his beer. "I'm just watching out for Cait. After all we don't know this guy."

Dom grinned. " Yeah well we didn't know that blonde you left with last week at the air show. Should Cait and I have been worried?"

"That's different Dom and you know it."

Dom snorted. "No I don't know it. Cait's a smart girl String. She can take care of herself."

String sat his beer mug down hard. "That night in Pope county could she take care of herself then?"

Dom pointed a finger in his face as his anger slightly sobered him up. "As I remember it she saved you the next day. I don't know why you're making a big deal over her dancing with a man she just met unless you're..." Dom stopped himself before he said it.

"Unless I'm what Dom?"

"Nothing Kid. Let's not fight. I'm having too good a time to ruin it."

String nodded in agreement. He didn't want Dom to say what he was going to say. It was best left unsaid. They both looked up to see that Cait was back at the table.

"Where's your friend?" Dom asked.

Cait downed her sprite before answering. "Sorry Dom, I was so thirsty. He had to leave."

"Oh" Dom said as he lifted his eyebrow.

"He's a professional soccer player and he has a game tomorrow."

String relaxed after hearing the man was gone. "I'm surprised he didn't ask you out the way he was holding on to you out there."

Cait looked around for the waitress getting her attention as she asked for another sprite. "Who said he didn't ask me out."

Dom almost spit his beer out when he saw Strings face. "So , did you accept?" Dom asked

Cait took the sprite from the waitress "As a matter of fact I did. He's picking me up after his game tomorrow." Cait noticed the scowl on Strings face.

"Did I do something wrong String?"

"I didn't say you did" String took a long drink.

"No you didn't have to. I know one of your dissaproving looks when I see one."

"Well since you asked. I don't think you should go with a guy you just met. You don't know what could happen."

Cait's face heated up. " What you really want to say is I could end up strapped to a bomb on a boat and the two of you would have to rescue me yet once again." Cait stood up taking her jacket and purse. "If you don't mind String could you see to it that Dom and Everett get home?"

"Cait wait" String took her arm trying to stop her. "That's not what I meant."

Cait jerked her arm loose. "Then what were you implying?"

String was at a lose for words. He had no idea why he was acting the way he was toward Cait. She didn't deserve this.

"That's what I thought String." She said as she walked towards the door.

Slowly String sat back down. Dom was looking at him like he didn't know who he was.

"What the hell was that about String?"

String ran his hands across his face. "I don't want to talk about it Dom."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Cait was just two blocks from her house. She was too angry to cry. Who did he think he was. She had made some bad choices when it came to men. How was she supposed to know that being associated with String would make her an easy target to get to Airwolf. She had learned her leason and gotten over it. Evidently he hadn't. The red light turned green, Cait stepped on the gas entering the intersection. Bright headlights caught her attention. Instinctively her arm went up to shield her face. Then just darkness.