FYI: The girlfriend mentioned is a made up character and not one that I ever saw in the series.

Chapter 1

Hawke and Caitlin breezed into Santini Air after returning from their vacation in Sanibel Island, Florida the night before. Caitlin picked up the mail and began sorting through it while Hawke checked the list of repairs that Dom had left for them.

"It's really hard to come back to work after two weeks off," said Caitlin. "I have to say, that was the best vacation I think I've ever had. And I'm even including spring break when I was in college."

String smiled. "Spring break huh," he replied. "You'll have to tell me about that some time."

Caitlin smiled back at him. "I don't know. That might be one secret you'd want me to keep."

"No way," he replied. "After all the things I told you these past few weeks, it's your turn to share."

Caitlin didn't mind sharing anything with Hawke. Since the trip, she had never felt more confident in their relationship. They had some serious conversations and she was finally beginning to understand what made him tick. She knew from this point on, they were in it for the long run.

"Hawke, what do you think we should do about my apartment?" she asked. "I already signed the lease for a year."

"Are you trying to change the subject?" he asked while moving behind her and kissing her on the cheek.

Caitlin laughed. "No, I promise I'll share that story with you later. I was just thinking about the apartment."

"That's no problem," he replied. "Since it's so close by, whenever we work late, we'll just stay at your place. That is if you don't mind me leaving some of my things there."

Caitlin handed him the portion of the mail that had Hawke's name on it. "You can leave anything you want there," she replied with a smile.

Before she could continue Dom walked into Santini Air. "It's about time you two got back to work," he grumbled. "I thought I was going to have to hire some outside help to get things done around here."

"Nice to see you too, Dom," said Caitlin. She walked over to her friend and gave him a hug.

She always knew exactly how to get to Dom. He was gruff with her at times but she knew his soft side.

Dom smiled at her."How was the trip?" he asked.

"Oh it was great until the last day," she replied. "It rained all day."

"I think that was the best day of the whole trip," Hawke spoke up.

"But Hawke, we didn't even get out of our room," she replied.

"I know," he said, winking at her.

"Very funny," she replied. "Let's get to work."

Hawke began looking through his mail and came across a letter with familiar handwriting. He opened it and after reading it, he sat quiet.

"What's wrong?" asked Caitlin. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Hawke gave her a somber look. "I have in a way," he replied. "It's from Kim Miller."

"Oh, isn't that the lady you dated that owns some kind of kid's ranch?" she asked, recalling one of the stories about his ex-girlfriends that he had shared with her while on vacation.

"Yeah, it's about a hundred miles south of here," he said. "She's having some problems and is asking for my help."

He handed Caitlin the letter to read.

The letter explained that Kim was being pressured from a local developer to sell her land to them. Since she has refused, accidents have been occurring on her ranch. She asked that Hawke come out and help her with the situation for the sake of the kids.

"I hate it when big business tries to overrun the little guy," said Caitlin. "Are you going to go and help her?"

"What!" yelled Dom. "I need help here first, you just got back. You can't go gallivanting off somewhere else right now."

Hawke smiled. "How about we get things caught up here first and then we all go out there and see what we can do to help?"

"Humph," said Dom. "Oh, why not. I wouldn't mind a little change of scenery."

Caitlin smiled. "Sounds good to me," she said. "You know how much I love to ride horses."

Dom looked at her a moment and then asked, "You don't mind this being one of String's ex-girlfriends?"

"Why would I?" she asked in return. "Like you said, it's his ex and well, I'm his current. I have nothing to worry about."

"Boy," Dom replied, shocked by her statement. "That must have been some vacation."

String grinned at his friend. "Oh, believe me, it was," he replied.

Hawke loved this new confidence that Caitlin seemed to possess. He also knew the reason behind it. For once, someone else shared his secrets and understood him. It was a good feeling.