Okay, I decided to rework this to smooth some concerns. I figured I could let the reader in on Hawke's motives and still tell the story. I know what I had written was not characteristic of him but it was told in order to build a climax for a Cait/Hawke reunion. I found another way to write it and still leave a few things unanswered until the end. It just won't be as dramatic. This story is really just about their relationship so if you aren't interested in those kind of stories, skip this one.

Unrequited

Chapter 1

Caitlin sat at her friend's gravesite and sighed. It had been six very long months since that fateful day. It was a day that Caitlin would never be able to forget.

"I wish you were here," Caitlin told her as she leaned toward and scattered flowers near the headstone. "You should see what Hawke has done. You were right about him. You were right about everything. I wish I'd listened to you. I guess sometimes you have to take the long road to get to where you really belong."

Six month earlier:

Caitlin sat quiet as she rode with her old college friend Karen. They were headed to see a play put on by another one of their friends who was now a drama teacher. Karen couldn't help but notice that something was bothering Caitlin.

"Cait, is this about String?" she asked. "Does it bother you that we've been spending a lot of time together? I mean, it's not like you weren't invited to come along you know."

Caitlin shot her a disgusted look. "Like I want to be a third wheel," she replied.

"Damn it Caitlin, I thought you knew me better than that," Karen said as they stopped at one of a string of red lights.

"Maybe that's the problem," quipped Caitlin. "I do know you. You like to flirt with everyone. I see the way Hawke looks at you."

Karen laughed. "Would you listen to yourself," she told her. "You're jealous and there's no reason to be."

"I'm not jealous," replied Caitlin. "Hawke and I are friends. I just don't want to see you leading him on."

"Who are you trying to convince?" asked Karen. "Me or yourself? I know you have feelings for him."

"If you thought I had feelings for him, why did I see you kissing him?" Caitlin asked, trying hard not to raise her voice.

"Is that what this is all about?" asked Karen. "Caitlin, you go it all wrong. I'm not the one that man is head over heels for."

The next few moments seem to come in slow motion for Caitlin. As the light changed green, Karen hit the gas and proceeded into the intersection.

"Karen, watch out!" Caitlin screamed as a semi truck ran the red light and barreled nearly on top of them.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Two hours later, Hawke and Dom found themselves pacing back and forth in the hospital's waiting room.

"I can't believe this is happening," Hawke said sadly. "They were just headed to see a friend's play and now they're…"

"It'll be okay String," replied Dom. "Just wait for the doctor. I'm sure we'll hear something soon."

"I don't like it Dom," he replied. "They wouldn't even tell us anything about the accident or even how they were doing when we got here. What makes you think they'll tell us anything now?"

"I'll make sure they do," said Michael as he came up behind them. "Well, at least about Caitlin anyway."

"What do you mean Michael?" asked Hawke. "You can't give us information on Karen?"

Michael sighed. "I'm afraid I already have information on her," he told him. "Hawke, she died at the scene of the accident. From what I hear, it was pretty bad. I'm sorry."

"And Cait?" asked Dom.

"She's in surgery," replied Michael. "It's not good. I'm not going to lie to you. They aren't sure she's going to make it."

Hawke felt like his world was about to crash down around him. "I need to get out of here," he said as he quickly headed for the door.

Michael started to head out after him but Dom stopped him. "Let him go," he told him. "I'll check on him later."

"I didn't realize he was that close to Karen," said Michael.

Dom shrugged. "She loved his cabin," he replied. "She recently inherited some land from her uncle and wanted to build one just like his. He was helping her with the plans. She was a pretty nice lady."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"String, I can't believe you're willing to spend so much time helping me with this," Karen told him. "I wasn't sure what I was going to do when I found out Uncle Chris left me that land."

"Glad I can help," Hawke told her. "But believe me, I'm enjoying the company."

Karen smiled. "And Caitlin says I'm a flirt," she replied.

Hawke laughed. "Really? I never noticed that about you."

"Very funny," replied Karen. "But seriously String, I was wondering why you haven't settled down by now?"

Hawke shrugged. "I guess you could say that my life has been filled with a lot of tragedy," he told her. "I started to believe that anyone I really loved would die on me."

"Started to believe?" she asked. "So you don't still believe that do you?"

"I don't know," he replied. "I care a lot about Dom and Cait and they both seemed to have stuck around so my theory is a bit flawed. I guess I still worry some though."

"Is that why you keep your distance from Cait?" she asked.

Hawke stared at her briefly before responding. "Wow, you are direct, aren't you?"

"Come on now," she replied. "You have to know she has feelings for you and I can tell by how protective of her you are that you must feel something for her."

"It's complicated," he replied.

"Well, you know what I think?" said Karen. "I think you go for flirts like me because you're afraid of getting involved with someone who is really serious like Cait."

"Maybe I'm just not ready for a serious relationship right now," he replied.

Karen laughed. "I was right," she told him. "I pegged it. Well, I for one would never try to change anyone. You have to do what's right for you. I just hope you don't end up regretting it one day."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Several hours after Hawke left, the doctor finally came out and talked with Dom and Michael about Caitlin's condition.

"Its touch and go," he told them. "She had quite a few internal injuries. Our biggest concern now is the possible injury to her spine. We aren't quite sure the extent of it all just yet. The next twenty four hours are crucial. I'd say she has about a forty percent chance of pulling through at this point."

Dom sighed. "No," he said sadly. "I can't believe all of this is happening."

"She's holding on," the doctor assured him. "All we can do now is monitor her and wait."

"Thanks Doctor Moore," said Michael. "Please let us know if there is any change."

"I will," he replied.

"I guess I should go and find String," said Dom. "He needs to know about Caitlin."

"Alright," replied Michael. "Call me if you need anything."