For the Love of A Hawke, Chap. 2

Aboard Dom's Chopper, the next morning

"Dom, about what Cait said yesterday?" String said. "I've-I've been doing some thinking, and you were right. It is kinda dumb that I'm holding on to that curse so much, especially now with Sinj back home. So, I'm gonna see if Cait feels about me the way you seem to think she does."

"Somehow, String, I don't think you're gonna have to wonder about that!" Dom said with a huge grin.

"I know, Dom, but remember what you used to tell Sinj and me when we were kids," Hawke cautioned him.

"Yeah, yeah," Dom said dismissively. "'Never assume anything, 'cause it just makes an ass out of you, and me.' But like I said, String, I wouldn't worry about it. Remember what I told you Cait said to me when she was tryin' to convince me to let her come along to rescue you from Horn. I think that, and what she said yesterday, pretty well says it all, don't you?"

"Yeah, Dom. I guess it does at that," Hawke said.

When they arrived at the hangar, Hawke made sure to smile at Caitlin as she walked out to meet them. "Good morning, Cait," he said, smiling at her.

Caitlin was so startled at Hawke's words that she almost jumped a foot into the air. "Oh! Sorry, Hawke. Just a little preoccupied. Anyway, good morning. 'Morning, Dom," she said absently.

"Cait?" Hawke asked, suddenly concerned, "what's wrong?" He laid a hand gently on her shoulder and was surprised to find her trembling.

"I-I found this taped to my windshield this morning," Caitlin replied, handing over a piece of paper. Hawke took the paper from her and read the short note:

Forget about Stringfellow Hawke, you little bitch! He's mine, and you'll never have him!

"Who could have written something like that, String?" Caitlin asked. "I mean"—Hawke suddenly interrupted her.

"I don't know, Cait, but I can guarantee you I'm gonna find out." He smiled warmly at her, and was relieved when she returned his smile.

"Thanks, String," she replied. "I don't know who could have written that, either. Unless"—she cut herself off, not wanting to finish her sentence.

"Cait, you don't think Inge wrote this, do you?" Hawke demanded.

"That's exactly what I think, especially after what I said yesterday," Caitlin said, her cheeks turning pink. "I mean, I saw her expression just after she kissed you, String, and after I said what I did. It wouldn't surprise me if she took what I said seriously."

"What are you saying, Cait?" Hawke asked. "Are you saying you didn't mean what you said, or more accurately what you yelled, yesterday?"

Hell yes, I meant it! Caitlin thought. Aloud, she said, "I dunno, String. What difference would it make if I did mean it, though?"

A real big difference, maybe, Hawke thought. "I don't know, Cait. I guess none."

I was afraid you'd say that, Caitlin thought sadly. "Oh," she said as she turned and walked back into the hangar.

"String?" Dom asked. "Are you thinkin' you're gonna call Michael?"

"Yeah," Hawke replied as he moved into the office. A few moments later, he walked back out and said, "Michael's on his way, Dom."

"Okay, String," Dom said as they got back to work.

Later, Hawke was standing outside the hangar as the FIRM's limo pulled up. A few minutes later, Michael stepped out and limped over to where Hawke was standing. "What's going on, Hawke?" He demanded.

"This is going on, Michael," Hawke said, handing over the note. Michael gave it a quick scan, and said, "Caitlin found this?"

"Yeah, taped to the windshield of her car. And she thinks Inge wrote it. You remember what Caitlin said yesterday?"

"Yes, Hawke," Michael replied, "I do remember. But Caitlin can't seriously think Inge would do something like that, could she? Or," Michael said hesitantly, "did something happen between you and Inge that I don't know about?"

"Yes, Michael," Hawke admitted. "We were…together, at my cabin. And that's part of the reason I was so upset yesterday. But I agree with you—I don't think Inge could do something like this."

"Well, as we saw yesterday, jealous women, or women who feel threatened, can do strange things, Hawke," Michael said. "And, I've had my suspicions that Caitlin had feelings for you that went beyond friendship, ever since"—

"Ever since Horn, right, Michael?" Hawke remembered again what Dom had told him Caitlin had said. "I didn't know you heard Caitlin say that to Dom."

"I don't think she knew, either," Michael said, "but I did hear it. And I will say, it was a damned good thing she convinced Dom to bring her along. I don't think you could have escaped if she hadn't. And then you'd all be dead, and Airwolf destroyed, Archangel thought, remembering how he'd told Dom and Cait "I'm giving you 48 hours, and then I'm hitting that location with everything I've got."

"Yeah, Michael. It was. Well, thank you, Michael."

"You're welcome, Hawke. And, I'll let you know what we find out," Michael said before he climbed back into the limo.

As the limo pulled away from the hangar, Dom said, "So, Michael's gonna check on that note?"

"Yeah," Hawke replied, "I just hope we can figure out who's behind it."

"Me too, String."

FIRM Headquarters

Hawke must have found out what I've done by now, Inge thought. He'll be coming after me, soon. And then, I'll have him again.

"Inge? Are you all right? Where were you just now?" Sergei asked, concerned.

"I'm sorry, Sergei, I was just thinking."

"Inge, this may be a little forward, but I-I was wondering. Would you care to have dinner with me tonight?"

"All right," Inge replied. "There is something I need to discuss with you, anyway. What do you know about someone named Caitlin O'Shannessy?"

"Caitlin?" Sergei asked, surprised. "I know she is a friend of Hawke's, and of Mr. Santini's, and that they care very deeply for her. As good friends, of course."

"Of course," Inge replied. Not just as friends, she thought. At least, Caitlin doesn't only think of Hawke that way.

"Why would you be asking about Caitlin, Inge?"

"She made a very, interesting comment yesterday," Inge replied.

"Ah, yes. I heard something about that," Sergei replied. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, though. She was probably just upset about something. So, about dinner tonight? Shall I pick you up at your apartment, around 6:00?"

"All right, Sergei," Inge replied. "I will see you then."

"Wonderful," Sergei replied. "I'll be looking forward to it." He smiled warmly at Inge, and was relieved when she smiled warmly back at him. I am already falling in love with that smile, he thought, but I have the feeling that Inge does not feel the same way about me. But hopefully, she will, soon. I-I just need to be patient, Sergei thought as they got back to work.

Santini Air

"Dom? You have any idea what's gotten into String lately?" Caitlin asked after lunch. Hawke had treated Caitlin to lunch for the first time in a long time, and she had honestly enjoyed the time they'd spent together.

"Well, honey, I think what happened yesterday kinda got to him," Dom replied. "He told me this morning on the way here that he was gonna see if you meant what you said yesterday."

"Yeah, I do mean it," Caitlin replied, blushing slightly. "I mean, that's what I meant in Horn's limo that day. I dunno when it happened, or how, but I fell in love with String. But I'm afraid that after what happened yesterday, he'll never think that way about me."

"Don't be so sure about that, sweetheart," Dom said. He will if I've got anything to say about it, Dom thought, suddenly determined.

That night after the hangar was closed, when Caitlin returned to her apartment, she found another note taped to her front door. Opening it, her blood chilled as she read the words.

Stay away from Hawke. I told you before, he's mine. And I know where you live, so you'll never be safe as long as you pursue Hawke.

Pursue Hawke? What the hell does that mean? Caitlin wondered as she unlocked the door to her apartment. Like I told Dom this morning, I don't think String'll ever see me that way, especially after what happened yesterday.

Meanwhile…

"Inge? You've hardly said a word all evening," Sergei said as he glanced at her across the table.

"What? I-I'm sorry, Sergei. I just have a lot on my mind," she replied. "Leaving my homeland, my family, and my friends, it is very hard. You understand, da?"

"Da, Inge, I do understand," Sergei said. "But I'm sure you can make friends here. You already made two very good friends in Hawke and Mr. Santini. And," he said, reaching across the table to take her hand, "I'd like to be able to include myself on that list. Of your friends, I mean."

"Sergei, you are on that list, short as it is," Inge replied, smiling at him.

"I am relieved to hear that," Sergei replied. When dinner was finished, Sergei took Inge back to her apartment, pausing before she walked inside to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Good night, Sergei," Inge said, gently kissing him back. "I-I had a wonderful evening. And I am sorry I was such poor company."

"I understand, Inge," Sergei replied. "Anyway, I will see you in the morning, da?"

"Da," Inge replied before she walked into her apartment. Sergei is very nice, and I must admit, I'm attracted to him, but I love Hawke. And when we were together, I felt like he loved me. So I will do whatever I have to do to make Hawke mine. And Sergei will help me, or he'll suffer the same fate as that little bitch, she thought as she got ready for bed.