Ah, I can't seem to help myself. I like the writing the angst of having Caitlin hurt and Hawke upset about it. :o)

Part 2 of 3

Caitlin listened closely. What she heard made her skin crawl. "Is it a mountain lion?" she asked in a whisper. "What are we going to do?"

String moved to the back of the plane and found the gun case he had place back there.

"You brought a gun?" she asked.

Hawke shrugged. "You know that in our business it pays to always be prepared," he replied. "I don't want to have to use it though. Hopefully I can scare it off."

Hawke slowly crawled out of the plane in order to see where their visitor was at. He checked their surroundings carefully and didn't see anything. As he turned to go back inside the plane, he was quickly attacked from behind.

Caitlin heard the yell as the big cat pounced on top of Hawke. She pulled herself up and went to the plane opening to see String wrestling with the lion. To her horror, he had dropped the gun. Using all the strength she had, she ran and picked it up. Within seconds, a shot rang out and the mountain lion lay dead.

Her heart pounding, Caitlin slowly dropped to the ground. Tired and out of breath, Hawke slowly managed to get up and move over to her. He was amazed that he had only suffered minor scratches.

"Caitlin," he said while still breathing heavily. "Thanks."

She didn't answer him. He could see that she was shaking and she appeared to be in a lot of pain. Hawke grabbed her under the arms and helped her stand up. He wrapped his arm around her waist and assisted her back inside the wrecked plane.

Once inside Caitlin lay back down and covered up with the blanket. Hawke wasn't sure now if her silence was because of their fight or her injuries.

"I always knew you were a great shot," he told her as he went over and felt her forehead.

Caitlin jumped at his touch. He could tell she had a high fever. "Dom packed a bag of provisions for us in case we were late getting back," he continued. "I know there is some water and a few snacks."

"Water would be great," she said softly. "My stomach is too queasy to eat anything."

Hawke searched and found the backpack that Dom had given him. He pulled out the canteen of water and helped Caitlin take a drink.

Afterwards she lay back down and Hawke couldn't help but stare at her. His concern for her was growing and he felt he had to do something to help get them out of this mess.

"If you think I'm such a good shot," she finally replied. "Why don't you trust me?"

Hawke sighed deeply. "It's not that I don't trust you," he replied and then stopped suddenly. "I hear something."

Hawke jumped up and moved to the front of the plane. The rumbling was faint but was growing louder. "What is it?" asked Caitlin.

"Maybe some sort of rock slide," he replied.

The noise grew louder and for a few moments the plane seemed to shake a bit. When it stopped, String looked out the side of the plane and drew a breath of relief. "Looks like these trees we are wedged in are proving to be a safety net for us," he said. "Now if I can just find a way to get some sort of signal to anyone who passes us."

"Use rocks to spell out the word help in that small clearing beside us," replied Caitlin.

"Well, now that clearing is pretty buried in rocks," he replied. "But, I might be able to make it work."

While Hawke was out trying to work a way to get them spotted more easily, Caitlin closed her eyes and let her mind wander. She thought about the time she and String met and how she managed to find him and become a part of his life.

Caitlin was unaware that she had drifted off the sleep until she felt the cool cloth that was placed on her forehead. She opened her eyes and Hawke slowly came into focus.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Terrible," she said softly. "But don't worry about me. Did you find a way to attract some attention to us?"

"Yeah," he replied. "Oddly enough I found a couple of cans of white spray paint in the back. I guess someone was doing some unofficial touch ups on the plane. I used it to spray the rocks."

"Good idea," she replied softly.

"I have more news," he continued. "While I was searching, I managed to check out the fuel lines. It looks like they were severed. There is something fishy about this plane and the crash."

"You mean someone purposely sabotaged us?" she asked. "Who would do that?"

Hawke shook his head. "I don't know," he replied. "But as soon as we get out of here I'm sure going to find out."

Caitlin sighed. "It's been at least twenty four hours," she replied. "I thought for sure Dom would have found us by now."

"He will," String assured her. "Just hang on. Would you like more water?"

Caitlin shook her head. Hawke grabbed the canteen and helped her take a sip.

"Look Cait," he said. "Maybe if you understood why I didn't want your help on that mission we could end this argument of ours."

Caitlin shook her head. "It doesn't matter anymore," she replied sadly. "While laying here I've had a lot of time to think. There's something I need to say to you and I'd appreciate it if you'd let me finish before you reply."

String shook his head. "Okay."

Caitlin closed her eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. "Look, Hawke," she said. "I was the one who searched and found you, not the other way around. I'm the one who pushed my way into your life and wouldn't let it go until I got to be a part of the Airwolf crew. You never asked me to stay. That was my choice. I get that now. I can't change you and I shouldn't be mad at you for that. But, I know it's time for me to leave. So, if we do make it out of here, I'm going back to Texas but with no hard feelings towards you."

Hawke could see the tears forming in her eyes. "She doesn't really want to go," he thought. "She can't want to leave."

"Caitlin," he replied. "You don't understand."

Caitlin grabbed her side in pain. "It's starting to really hurt bad now Hawke," she said while trying to catch her breath. "I'm not sure I'm going to make it."

String moved over to her and pulled her into his arms. "Hang on," he said softly. "I've got you. I just know Dom will find us soon. Please hang on."

As he held her, Hawke felt Caitlin go limp in his arms. He held her tighter and closed his eyes. "Don't leave me Cait," he said softly. "Not now."