Survivor's Mountain

Chapter 1

"Hey Dom, have you seen Caitlin yet?" asked Hawke as he made his way into the hangar that morning.

"Do you see her car out there?" Dom asked sarcastically.

"No," he replied.

"Then that's your answer," he replied.

"Why are you so grumpy this morning, Dom?" Hawke asked with a grin.

"Because we have three days to get all this stuff done around here before you head off for vacation," he replied. "And now you want to drag Caitlin into your plans."

"What plans?" asked Caitlin as she came in overhearing their conversation.

Hawke turned and smiled at her. "Good morning," he said.

"Good morning," she replied. "Don't' change the subject. What is it that you want to drag me into?"

Hawke smiled as he put his arm around her shoulders and walked her over to the desk that sat in the back of the hangar.

"Well, you know this mountain survivor hike thing I'm going on this week?" he asked.

"Yeah, what about it?" she asked.

"You know it's an army buddy thing," he continued. "We get together every three years to reunite and compete."

"That much you've told me before," she replied. "So how does this involve me?"

"I read the information letter they sent this year wrong," he replied. "Apparently it is a couple's challenge and everyone is bringing their wives or girl friends."

"Ah, and you don't have either of those?" she grinned wondering if Hawke had another girl friend of the week.

"Funny," he replied. "Will you please go with me?"

"Hmmm….," she replied. "Spend the week hiking on a grueling mountain trail or sit by the pool drinking margaritas? What a tough decision."

"Caitlin, I think we'd have a good chance to win the top prize. It is fifty thousand dollars," said Hawke.

Caitlin tilted her head sideways and grinned. "Well, if you put it like that, I can sit by the pool any old time."

Dom rolled his eyes at the two. "Well, if you two don't get your butts in gear neither of you will be able to go. We have a ton of things to get done around here."

"I'll work late tonight to help out, Dom," said Hawke as he handed Caitlin a sheet of paper and some cash. "Caitlin's going to need to go and do some shopping. This is the list of things you'll need."

Caitlin took the paper and money from him and studied the list. "Wow, okay," she replied. "I think I have some of these things but I surely don't mind shopping."

Caitlin looked at Dom for approval. He shook his head and sighed. "Go on," he told her. "This thing is really important to String. Go get what you need."

Caitlin ran over and kissed Dom on the cheek. "Thanks," she said as she grabbed her purse and bolted out the door.

"I sure hope she knows what she's getting in to," Dom said. "I hear that's a tough trail."

"She can handle it," Hawke told him. "Of all the women I know, she's about the only one I would consider bringing on one of these things. I'm surprised at how many wives are coming though."

Three days went by quickly and as they were packing up their things to leave, Hawke began to fill Caitlin in on some of the rules for the contest. One major rule is that no team was allowed to work together or set up camp within fifty feet of each other.

"That sounds crazy Hawke," she said. "How is this considered a reunion when all you ever do is compete against each other and keep away from one another?"

"They do have a small welcome party the first night and a big party at the end," replied Hawke. "I guess the rest is just a test to see who still has all their skills after all these years and who's gotten kind of soft."

"Where does the prize money come from?" asked Caitlin.

"One of the guys, Peter Cummings' father owns a law firm out in Colorado," replied Hawke. "He's pretty wealthy and he's ex-military as well. He sponsors the event every three years."

Caitlin smiled. "Have you ever won it?" she asked.

"Once," he replied. "Of course the trail was much simpler and the prize was only a case of beer back then. It wasn't until the later years that it really became a big contest. Now men from other units join us. From what I've heard, nearly seventy couples have signed up this time."

"I have to admit that I've never done anything like this before," said Caitlin.

Hawke smiled. "You'll do great," he replied.

The two packed the Jeep and climbed in after saying goodbye to Dom. Caitlin couldn't help but notice that Hawke was quiet on the drive up.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Sorry," he replied. "I just had some things on my mind. I hope you don't mind that all the other women are wives or girlfriends. We'll be sharing a small one room cabin the first night."

Caitlin placed her hand on his knee. "Hawke, it's me," she replied. "No worries."

Hawke winked at her and grinned. "Thanks, Cait," he replied. "This year is a little sad. One of my best friends died right after the last time we all got together. It won't be the same without him there."

"I'm sorry," she replied. "Have you lost many others?"

"Two," he replied. "One was in a car accident and another had cancer. It doesn't get an easier as the years go by."

"Is it the friendships that drive you go each time?" she asked.

Hawke shrugged. "Yeah, that's part of it," he explained. "I think that I like challenging myself to make sure I still have those survival skills."

Caitlin laughed. "So you don't think some of the things we've been through on our Airwolf missions haven't been enough proof for you?" she asked.

Hawke grinned. "Oh, some of our missions have been too much proof for me," he replied. "But this is different somehow. Honestly, it doesn't matter to me if we're the first one back and win the money or not. Just completing the hike will be enough."

Caitlin sighed and thought a moment about what he had said before responding. "Nah, I kind of want the money," she said with a smirk.