Disclaimer – Airwolf is not mine, I have just borrowed the characters, with the exception of Beth who is my creation.

This story follows 'A Second Chance' and 'The Trouble with Teenagers' and is set approximately one month after the end of season 3.

Chapter 1

Stringfellow Hawke strolled into the Santini Air hanger and got to the office just as the phone stopped ringing. He turned to look at his nephew, who had followed him in, and shrugged.

"You should've ran, Uncle String."

"They'll call back if it's important. I'll just wait here and make some coffee," his uncle replied, filling the coffee pot.

A month earlier Hawke had taken responsibility for Le, who he believed was the son of his brother St. John, an MIA in Vietnam. The evidence strongly suggested that Le was St. John's son, but it hadn't been confirmed and wouldn't be until St. John returned home – if he ever did. It didn't matter to Hawke though; he had grown to love Le like a son, never mind a nephew, and had promised to be his dad if St. John turned out not to be. When Le's guardian, his Aunt Minh, had been killed Archangel had sorted out all the legal documents, so for all intents and purposes Hawke was Le's father.

Hawke had just poured his coffee when the phone rang again.

"I told you so," he said to Le with a grin as he picked up the phone. "Santini Air."

"Hey String, where you been?" Dominic Santini asked, "I've been trying you all afternoon."

"Out shopping for a birthday present for Le's friend," Hawke replied, mouthing 'it's Dom' to Le, "Where are you? I was expecting you here."

"Got a flat tyre. It's not worth me coming to the hanger now. Can you lock up for me before you head over?"

"Yeah, no problem Dom. See you in an hour or so, after I've dropped Le off."

After Hawke had dropped Le off at Mickey's house and had a quick chat with his parents, he got back into the car and sat, thinking. This would be the first weekend he had spent without Le since he had taken him in. As much as Hawke wanted the boy to enjoy the weekend, he really wouldn't have minded if he wanted to come home early.

He was suddenly aware of Mickey's mother looking out of the window at him with an indulgent smile on her face. She knew that Hawke was new to the parenting game and suspected he was worried about Le. He gave her a quick wave and started up the car, driving away faster than was necessary. He briefly wondered if she was still smiling now that she had seen how he drove.

He arrived at Dom's house half an hour later and helped him prepare dinner and after they had eaten they sat in old but comfortable chairs listening to a classical record. Hawke had a far away look on his face and was quieter than usual, if that was possible.

"He'll be OK," Dominic said.

"Uh, what?" Hawke replied, pretending not to know what the older man meant.

"I remember the first time you stayed away for the weekend. It was only about a month after your parents died and I didn't want you to go. I didn't tell you that of course, although I did confide in St. John. It was him who made me realise that it would do you good, even if the worry of it nearly killed me."

Hawke was surprised, "I don't remember," he said, "I don't remember anything much of that time," he added quietly.

Dom cleared his throat, "I know kid, it was a hard time. Anyway, just before bedtime the phone rang. I rushed to answer it, certain that something terrible had happened to you," he paused for dramatic effect and Hawke took the bait.

"Well? What had happened? Was I OK?"

Dom smiled knowingly, "Yeah, you were fine. You just rang to say goodnight because you were worried we were missing you," he laughed loudly, "Le will be just fine, you wait and see. Kids bounce back quicker than you think," seeing the doubtful look on the younger man's face he added, "why don't you give him a quick ring?"

"I might do that. Make sure he's OK," he wasn't going to admit that the phone call was purely for his own peace of mind.

Hawke fished the phone number out of his pocket and dialled. Mickey's mum answered and she put Le on the phone to talk to his uncle.

"Hey, Half-Pint, you having fun?"

"Yeah, they've got a puppy and it made a mess on the kitchen floor and Mickey's dad was mad. I'm sure glad Tet is all grown up."

"Me too," Hawke said with a laugh, I'll see you on Sunday then."

"Bye Uncle String, I love you."

"Love you too."

It was the early hours of the morning when Dom wearily climbed the stairs to his bedroom. String had gone up hours ago, to sleep in the room that had been his when he was a teenager. Dom had stayed up, on the pretence that he wanted to catch a late night TV show. In reality he was in a reflective mood and didn't think he would be able to sleep; String's relationship with Le bore more than a passing resemblance to the relationship he had with String and earlier they had talked more about their past than they ever had before.

As he passed String's room he noticed that the door was ajar and a dim light was showing through the crack. Le had confided in him the week before that both he and String had been having nightmares and Le often ended up sleeping at the foot of his uncle's large bed in a gesture of comfort to one or other of them. Dom wasn't surprised to see that String had left a light on but he hoped it wouldn't be needed.

When Hawke woke he was surprised to see the sun streaming through the window and turned onto his side to look at the clock. Eleven o'clock! He'd slept for over twelve hours. He jumped out of bed and hurried to the top of the stairs.

"Hey Dom. You down there," he called, wondering why Dom hadn't woken him earlier.

Dom appeared in the kitchen doorway and looked up at Hawke, "Yeah, I'm down here. Which is more than I can say for you. I suppose you want breakfast now," he was grinning broadly.

Hawke grinned back, "Coffee will do seen as it's nearly lunchtime. I'll just grab a quick shower."

In the kitchen, drinking the strong dark coffee, Hawke felt fully rested for the first time in over a month. If he had dreamed at all, the dreams had been peaceful, none of the wake up screaming and shaking nightmares of the last few weeks. A flicker of worry crossed his mind as he thought of Le and wondered if his sleep been peaceful too. Mickey's mum had promised to call if there were any problems and she hadn't so he decided to assume that all was well.

A couple of hours later they took sandwiches and cold beer out onto Dom's patio .

"Remember when we used to spend our Saturdays like this?" Dom reflected, "Just the two of us, no problems, no Airwolf, no Firm, no Archangel."

Hawke was sitting with his eyes closed, enjoying the peace and warm sun.

"Don't jinx it Dom," he warned, just as the phone rang.

Being in a happy mood Dom answered the phone in Italian, "Pronto."

"Dominic?"

Dominic sighed, "Hello Michael. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Is Hawke with you?" Michael 'Archangel' Coldsmith-Briggs III asked, ignoring Dominic's tone that clearly said it wasn't a pleasure at all.

"Yeah," he answered, then shouted, "Hey String, it's the Spotless Wonder for you." On the other end of the phone Archangel cringed and held the phone away from his ear.

Hawke took the phone from Dominic, "What do you want Michael. We have the weekend off."

"Cancel your plans, we have a situation that requires a certain lady."

"Be more specific Michael."

"Is this phone line secure?"

"You know it isn't," Hawke was getting impatient.

"Then contact me when you are on a secure channel and I'll fill you in. Just hurry."

Archangel hung up the phone leaving a frustrated Hawke hanging on the other end.

"Damn him," he muttered under his breath, and turned towards Dominic who was already bringing in the dishes and locking up.

Marella was looking at Archangel, currently her partner and soul mate and previously her boss.

"You're not going to tell him, are you sir?" her dark eyes boring into his uncovered eye.

He raised an eyebrow, "Sir? Since when did you start calling me sir again?"

"This is business and it's my place to inform you of anything you may have missed."

"I didn't forget to tell him. I don't want him distracted."

"He should know, Michael," she replied in a softer tone.

"It's not our place to tell him. If circumstances change we may have to but until then my decision stands. Understood?"

"Understood. Sir!" she answered defiantly, turning towards Caitlin who had been listening with undisguised interest.