CHAPTER 1
Dom grunted as he worked on the Jet Ranger. It was just normal routine maintenance, but the stubborn helicopter wasn't being very helpful.
Thinking over the last two years, he realized just how much had changed. Saint John had been rescued and returned to the United States, even if String and he hadn't been able to rescue him themselves. Saint John understood. It wasn't like they didn't try, and being half dead, probably more than half dead, in the hospital was a valid excuse. Things with Caitlin and String had also progressed well. Their relationship had been further along than anyone else had imagined, and now they had their own baby boy. Actually, that's where they were now, at the cabin with that cute little munchkin. Tomorrow, String had promised he would get back to work at the hangar, but he could understand String hesitancy in leaving them. Life hadn't treated him very well in the past, and he always got antsy every time things started going too well. Dom would dare say he'd had his fair share of problems lately. String had mostly recovered from his last mission nine months ago. In the end, they had all thought he was dead for three months before he showed up on the doorstep. Even then, he hadn't been flying again until recently. He had been forced to take over in Airwolf, while she was acting up, nonetheless, and Caitlin had gone into labor a little early. Now he was flying the Jet Ranger again and obviously could pilot Airwolf, although maybe not in combat. His injuries, as severe as the were, had been healing rather well, all things considered; his limp was mostly gone except for when he was tired, and the burns had healed with minimal scarring. Even the numbness that had plagued him from nerve damage due to the second and third degree burns was almost completely gone.
Dom climbed down the ladder and let out a long sigh. He needed a vacation. Airwolf was having some engine trouble, and he still needed to stick around the hangar. String was flying again, but that didn't mean he was ready to do the stunts, and Caitlin was taking some time off to spend with the baby.
\A/
String laid back on the sofa with his newborn son in his lap.
Chance looked up at him with irresistible round eyes the same distinctive shade of blue as his father's. He took a firm grasp on String's finger and refused to let go.
"Hey you," he smiled fondly, "I see you finally decided to wake up."
The little baby gurgled happily in response.
He still worried a little about the slight lack of feeling in his hands and arms, afraid he would drop the baby that was already so precious to him, but Caitlin had insisted he would be fine, and to enjoy the time while he was still small.
String shifted the weight slightly and stood up. Carefully, he set Chance down into his playpen while he went to warm a bottle.
\A/
(The next morning)
Dom stretched, trying to ease the tension in his sore back. Spending hours leaning over helicopters from the top of the ladder hadn't made his back feel real great and today was going to be no better. After work at the hangar, they planned to work on the Lady so, if anything, he'd probably hurt worse by the end of the day.
Saint John walked into the hangar soon followed by his younger brother.
"Dom," String said bluntly noticing the stiffness in his movements, "you look like crap."
"Gee thanks, you sure know how to make a guy feel better," he tried to shrug it of, but he knew String was right.
Saint John wasn't much more tactful. "You should go home and get some rest or better yet take a vacation."
Dom looked back at him. "I can't; I'm needed here."
"Dom, we'll be alright for awhile," String disagreed. "Saint John's got the flying stunts thing pretty well, and I can fly again. Everett's coming all next week, and the schedule's not that full. You could use the vacation. Go."
Together, they finally convinced Dom. He decided to take a week of to go back to Italy. "You're sure everything'll be alright?" Dom asked. "Oh wait. I never got a chance to take a look at the Lady."
"Dom," String assured, "It'll be fine. Now go have some fun."
Dom stayed at the hangar insisting he should finish whatever work he could before he left. After all, it would only take a couple minutes to get down to the other end of the airport.
At three thirty, Dom gathered his bags and put them into the back of the jeep. String took the driver's seat as Dominic climbed into the passenger side.
\A/
Saint John was already waiting upon his brother's return. "You wanna go ahead and take a look at Airwolf?"
"Yeah. It would be nice if it didn't stall every time we got off the ground."
They loaded into the jeep and started off for the Lair.