Trust Me! Chap. 2
Disclaimer—I don't own or make any profit off the Airwolf characters...just taking them out to play again.
A/N—I hadn't planned to write a second chapter, but as Mogo Girl so accurately pointed out, I didn't specify "The End" in the original...and the voices have been talking...so, here is the final chapter. Events will occur approximately six months after the events of Chap. 1. Hope you enjoy—robertwnielsen
"Dom, are you sure about this?" Caitlin O'Shannessy asked, worried. Combat? He wants me to fly in combat? Caitlin had been flying Airwolf more frequently since that day six months ago when she took the Lady out of the Lair for a little unscheduled solo time. But those have all been non-threatening situations, Caitlin said to herself worriedly. This—this is different. And, I've gotta admit—I'm scared. Hell, forget scared. I'm terrified.
"Dammit, Caitlin, we don't have a choice!" Dominic Santini shouted as he and Caitlin set Stringfellow Hawke's unconscious body in the co-pilot's seat. "String's out cold, and I've only got one hand that works! There's no way I can fly us outta here. You hear me, sweetheart? Sorry to say it, Cait, but you're the only chance we've got!"
Worriedly, Caitlin nodded. She knew what had happened, of course—they had tracked John Bradford Horn to the small island that he'd wanted Hawke to install him as ruler of a few months ago—apparently, the government there had recently been overthrown, and the citizenry had offered to allow Horn to assume rule over the island as absolute dictator. He'd gotten everything he'd wanted, except Airwolf. But Horn had sent a team to attempt to acquire the helicopter again. Although Hawke and Dom had been able to stop the team before they found the Lair and stole Airwolf, Hawke had determined that they were going to stop Horn, once and for all.
During the assault on Horn's island, Hawke, Dom, and Caitlin had attempted to find the reclusive, insane billionaire, and they had found him—but, Hawke had been knocked unconscious during the assault after tripping on a wire that set off an explosive, which caused part of the ceiling to fall and knock Hawke unconscious. Dom had broken his left hand during a fist fight with one of Horn's men—which left Caitlin as the only healthy pilot. Hawke was breathing on his own, which relieved both Dom and Cait, but he was out cold; and that meant that Caitlin was going to have to fight their way past the island's defenses. She took a deep breath as she assumed the commander's chair, and Dom climbed into his normal spot in the EDCC.
"Dom, are you sure?" Caitlin asked as she lifted Airwolf into the sky. "I—I've never done this before! I mean, sure, I've flown Airwolf, but never like this..."
"Cait," Dom said, "if we had a choice, I'd gladly give it to ya, but look at String. He's in no shape to do this, and neither am I. I'm gonna have enough problems calling up any weapons you need with just one hand. There's no way I could fly this thing. If you don't do it, we're as good as dead, and we'll lose Airwolf to Horn. You get it? You're all we've got! Just do what I tell you, when I tell you to do it! You know where the targeting visor switch is on the helmet?"
She reached up with her left hand and found the switch. "Got it," she replied, flipping the switch and dropping the visor over her eyes.
"That'll help," Dom said as he glanced at the radar scope. "Okay, here we go! We've got choppers coming, three o'clock!"
"Got 'em," Caitlin said, turning her head to the right and spotting the choppers. She swung Airwolf towards them and touched the firing stud, launching two Hellfire missiles at the choppers, and was rewarded when they exploded in satisfying balls of fire.
"Nice shootin', sweetheart!" Dom exulted as anti-aircraft fire hit Airwolf harmlessly. "We got machine gun nests, thirty meters dead ahead."
"Got 'em," Caitlin said, squeezing the trigger to Airwolf's 30mm chain guns and watching the emplacements explode a few seconds later.
"Rockets!" Dom called out worriedly.
"Sunbursts," Caitlin calmly ordered, and Dom quickly punched out two of the powerful decoys. "Raise our IR suppression, too, Dom."
"IR Suppression factor 98.4," Dom replied, remembering two years ago, during the mission to rescue Archangel, when he and String had done this exact same thing. Dom knew Caitlin was nervous, just like he was then—and he imagined her nerves were even worse this time, since she was in command. Just hang in there, sweetheart, Dom said to himself. This'll all be over soon enough—one way or the other.
"Cait, we've got three choppers behind us! Two miles and closing in a big hurry!" Dom said anxiously. "You want turbos?"
"No, Dom," Caitlin said insistently. "I'd never be able to control her at that speed. We'll have to take 'em on." She swung Airwolf around to face the oncoming attackers, and dispatched one with a Hellfire shot, bringing the second one down with another burst of fire from the chain guns. The third helicopter evaded Caitlin's first Hellfire shot, then was able to dodge several bursts of gunfire.
"This guy is good," Caitlin grumbled as she attempted a snap shot with the chain guns, but watched the chopper evade to her left. "Where is he, Dom?"
"Comin' around to our six o'clock," Dom said as they felt machine gun fire from the helicopter rattle Airwolf.
"Caitlin, what the heck are you doing?" Dom demanded as he felt Airwolf slowing.
"I'm bringin' him in closer, Dom," Caitlin said calmly. Saw this in a movie once, she said to herself. I sure hope it works, or we're all dead.
Dom, meanwhile, was going ballistic. "You're gonna do what?" he shouted.
"I'm gonna hit the brakes, and he'll fly right by," Caitlin said confidently. A few seconds later, she hauled back on the throttle and cyclic, slowing Airwolf dramatically as she pulled up and saw the helicopter pull gracefully in front of her.
"Good-bye," Caitlin said, launching a Hellfire at her target as soon as she heard the lock-on tone. The missile tracked perfectly, and the copter exploded a few seconds later.
"Scope's clean!" Dom called out. "Cait, you did it!"
"WHOO-WHEE!" Caitlin exulted, reminding Dom again of the mission into East Germany to rescue Michael. He could only imagine the grin Caitlin was sporting under her flight helmet. Probably almost as big as mine, Dom said to himself. String'll be so proud of her. Probably even prouder than I am.
"Okay," Caitlin said, her voice shaking, "now to get you guys to a doctor." She swung Airwolf around and headed for home.
As she flew Airwolf home, Caitlin's mind was buzzing. I can't believe what just happened! I flew Airwolf, and in combat! Well, she said to herself, glancing over at Hawke, unconscious in the countermeasure specialist's chair, if this, and what I did six months ago, doesn't show him that I can handle Airwolf just fine by myself, then I dunno what will! She forced herself to concentrate on her flying, though, as she flew on through the night, back towards Foxbridge Clinic.
Foxbridge Clinic
I can't believe it, Caitlin thought to herself again as she waited for word on String's condition. I did it. I flew the Lady, in combat, and we're okay. She knew Airwolf had taken several hits from cannon fire, and would probably require some cosmetic repairs, at least, but that was expected after a mission like the one they'd just flown.
"Congratulations, Cait," Dom said, beaming. "You did just fine. You oughta get a medal for that piece of flying!" He hugged her as carefully and as tightly as he could, with the cast on his left wrist.
"Yes, Caitlin," Archangel said as he came up behind Dominic. "Dom told me you were the one who flew Airwolf out, and through Horn's defenses. Congratulations, and well done." He smiled at Caitlin, but Archangel could see her mind was on Hawke.
"How's String doing?" Caitlin demanded, confirming Michael's suspicions.
Almost as if in answer, Marella came out of String's room just at that moment. "He's fine, Cait," Marella said, and noticed Caitlin's relieved smile. "He's got a headache, not to mention a good-sized bruise on his head, but he's just fine, thanks to you." Caitlin felt herself blushing from the compliments she was receiving from everyone, but decided not to say anything. I just hope it's not too obvious, how embarrassed I'm getting, Cait thought to herself.
"May I—?"Caitlin asked, but Marella had already opened the door to Hawke's room.
"Go ahead," Marella said, smiling. "He's awake, and he asked for you a few minutes ago." She gave Caitlin's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as Caitlin walked past her into Hawke's room.
"Hey there, handsome," Caitlin said, smiling at Hawke.
"Hey yourself, beautiful," Hawke said as he smiled back at her.
"How're you feeling, String?" Caitlin wanted to know.
"Well, everything works," Hawke said, "so other than this headache, I guess I'm okay. What happened, anyway?"
"You got hit by a piece of falling debris back at the compound," Caitlin said. "Do you remember?"
"Yeah," Hawke said. "We were looking for Horn, and I think I stepped on a booby trap, or something. There was an explosion, and that's the last thing I remember—at least until I woke up here and found Marella standin' over me like an overprotective mother hen. Guess whatever hit me knocked me out." Caitlin nodded, relieved that the blow to Hawke's head hadn't caused him to have amnesia, or suffer any other serious complications.
"So I hear you were quite the hero today," Hawke said, gazing proudly at her.
"I guess you could say that," Caitlin replied sheepishly as she moved to sit on the bed next to String. "Dom told me we didn't have a choice—you were knocked out, and he had that broken hand, so it was up to me. I told Dom I didn't want to do it, but he told me I was all we had—it was either I did it, or we were as good as dead, and Horn would have wound up with Airwolf. I just—I did what I had to do." Caitlin searched Hawke's face for any reaction, and was shocked and relieved when he smiled proudly and lovingly at her.
"Thanks, Cait," Hawke said. "Marella told me what happened after I got knocked out, and what you did to get us all out of there. Don't sell yourself short, Cait. You really came through for us, baby. If it hadn't been for you—" String stopped, and Cait wondered if he was remembering what happened with Horn before, when he had captured String and Airwolf.
"Stop it, String," Caitlin said as she moved closer to him. "You've saved my butt, and Dom's, more times than I can even think of. I'm glad I was able to help you this time."
"Well, as far as I'm concerned, you're the hero this time out," Hawke said, causing Caitlin to blush. Then he slid to the far side of the bed and said, "And I can guarantee you this, Cait—I will never have issues trusting you with Airwolf again. Not after what you did. And I'm very proud of you. Now, want to join me? For a minute? I think this bed is just big enough for the two of us," String added, smiling at Caitlin.
"Stringfellow Hawke, I thought you'd never ask," Caitlin said with a smile as she toed out of her sneakers and slipped into the bed next to Hawke. I need this, Cait said to herself with a mix of excitement and nervousness as she found a comfortable position next to Hawke. I need to know that String's okay. Heck, I need String, she added quietly. She immediately slipped her arms around him, and was immediately relaxed when she felt his arms around her. She placed her head against his chest, one ear directly over his heart, and the sound of his heartbeat eventually helped her to relax even further. Hearing String say he'll never have any problems trusting me with Airwolf, I know how much it took for him to admit that, and that meant almost as much to me as when he told me he loved me. Almost, Caitlin said to herself as she snuggled closer to String and let the beat of his heart lull her to sleep.
Caitlin had no idea how long she'd been asleep, but she was jolted awake when she heard the door open and saw Dom and Marella walk in. "Oh, my!" Caitlin said, embarrassed.
"Cait, it's okay," Dom said, smiling at her. "How's he doing?"
"He fell asleep a few minutes before I did," Caitlin said, just as String's eyes opened.
"Hey, kid," Dom said, smiling at him. "You look good."
"Thanks, Dom," String said, knowing why Dom was so embarrassed.
"So, how're you feeling?" Dom asked.
Hawke stole a glance at Caitlin before he answered. "I feel great, Dom," he replied. "Better than I have in a long time, even with this headache. Which doesn't even seem so bad anymore."
Aha. And I know the reason why, Dom said to himself as he glanced at Caitlin. I haven't seen you look this happy in a long time, String. "Well," Dom said aloud, "Marella wants to check on you again, String, so..."
"Right, Dom," Caitlin said as she climbed out of the bed, much to String's displeasure.
"Relax, String," Cait whispered, winking at him. "I'll be right here."
"Okay, Cait," String replied as Marella walked over to him, noticing that Caitlin had moved her chair closer to String's bed, and had taken his hand.
"Hawke, how are you feeling?" Marella asked him as she shined her flashlight into Hawke's eyes, noting his response.
"I'm really getting sick and tired of everybody asking me that, to be honest with you." String said with a grin, which caused Marella and Caitlin both to laugh. "I'm okay, except for this headache, and even that's not bothering me so much anymore. Most important, I'm ready to get out of here, Marella. Any ideas when you guys might spring me?"
"Actually, Hawke, that's why I'm here. Dr. Jackson and I have been consulting, and we agree that you're okay; aside from the bruise and the headache, so we're going to let you get out of here. But, I am going to ask—no, make that insist—that somebody take care of you for a couple of days. And," she said, noticing Caitlin's smile, "I think I know the perfect volunteer."
"No problem, Marella," Caitlin said as she stood up. "I'll be glad to." She and Marella walked out of the room so Hawke could get dressed.
"So," Marella said, picturing Caitlin's expression when she and Dom walked into Hawke's room, "I gather things are better between you and Hawke?"
"Oh, yeah," Caitlin replied, beaming. "I think String's finally decided to let me in. All the way in. I think we're going to be in each other's lives for a long time." A very long time, if I have anything to say about it, Caitlin said to herself excitedly.
"Well, congratulations, Cait," Marella said, smiling at her. "Both on your performance during the mission, and personally, with String. I'm really happy for you."
"Thanks, Marella," Caitlin replied. "I've been hopin' this would happen for a long time, y'know!"
"You're not the only one, Cait," Marella said, smiling at her friend. Michael and I have been wondering when you two would figure your feelings out for a long time now. I guess we can stop wondering.
When the nurse showed up with the wheelchair, Hawke refused to sit down, but Caitlin pushed him down into it firmly, but gently. "No buts, String," Caitlin insisted. "It's hospital rules, and you're going to play by the rules." She grabbed hold of one of his hands, and noticed that simple action made Hawke smile. "I thought that would make you feel better, String," she said, smiling at him as Dom rolled String's chair out of the room.
"Okay, you two," Dom said after they were back at Santini Air, "get outta here. And I don't want to see you back here until the doc tells String it's okay. Got it?"
"Got it," Caitlin replied. "C'mon, String." She led Hawke out of the hangar and over to one of Dom's choppers, opening the co-pilot's door for him.
"Cait, I'm okay," String protested, but Caitlin firmly shook her head.
"String, the doctor told you no flying until he could check you out again, and he meant it. So sit there and behave yourself, and don't even think about moving your hands onto the controls." The glare she gave him told Hawke that Caitlin was not going to accept anything less than total acquiescence, so he mumbled, "Okay, Cait."
Caitlin nodded, smiling at him. "Good," she said, giving him a short kiss on the cheek before she walked around to the pilot's side and climbed in. She strapped herself in, and a few minutes later, they were on their way back to the cabin.
"Cait," String said, "you don't have to stay, you know. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of—"as soon as he said it, though, Hawke knew it was a mistake.
"Forget it, String," Caitlin insisted. "Marella told you that you needed somebody to take care of you for a couple of days, and I'm going to be that somebody! It goes along with what I promised you before, about keeping everything safe. That includes you," she insisted. "No arguments, String. Okay?"
"Okay, okay," Hawke grumbled, but Caitlin saw a small smile teasing the corner of his mouth.
Caitlin ended up staying at the cabin for three days before Michael came up with Dom and Dr. Jackson from Foxbridge. Dr. Jackson gave Hawke a thorough examination and pronounced him fully recovered from the injuries he'd sustained. "And," Dr. Jackson said as he put his instruments back in his bag, "you're cleared to fly again."
"Thank you, Doctor," Caitlin said, smiling at him.
"Yeah, thanks, Doc," Hawke echoed.
"My pleasure, Mr. Hawke," Dr. Jackson replied. "Just, try to be a little more careful next time. You might not be so lucky."
"Okay, Doctor," Hawke replied, and Caitlin smiled at him.
"Well, Cait," Dom said after Michael and Dr. Jackson had left, "guess you'll be coming too, huh? I mean, there's no reason you have to stay here, now that String's okay, right?" String immediately felt his good mood evaporate when Dom asked Caitlin if she was going with him. I hate to admit it, String said to himself, but—I don't want her to go. But it's her choice. I certainly wouldn't make Cait do anything she didn't want to do.
Caitlin saw the disappointed look on String's face. "Right, Dom," she replied. "I'll see you later, okay, String?"
"Okay, Cait," Hawke replied, and he wondered if she'd caught the sadness in his voice. He walked to the front door of the cabin and watched as Caitlin and Dom climbed into the chopper and lifted off. Hawke wasn't surprised to feel a tear rolling down his cheek as the helicopter faded into the distance.
Why would she have left like that? Hawke asked himself. He'd come to realize something during the time Cait had spent with him there—this place felt more like a home than it had in a long time, with Cait here. He realized that during the time they had spent at the cabin together, String had been more content than he'd been in a long time—and having felt like that, he didn't want to lose that feeling. But it looks like I'm going to, String said to himself sadly as he turned to go back inside.
Caitlin, meanwhile, had been wrestling with a decision ever since the helicopter left the dock, and she'd finally made up her mind. I want to stay with String, for as long as he'll have me, Caitlin said to herself, then added nervously, that is, if he'll have me. He seemed awfully upset when we left a few minutes ago, so who knows what he'll think when I come back. "Dom, there's somethin' I want to talk to ya about," Caitlin said as they headed back to the hangar. "I—I've been thinkin' about—" Dom glanced over at Caitlin in the co-pilot's chair, and saw the smile on her face.
"You're thinkin' you want to move into the cabin, permanently, am I right?" Dom asked hesitantly, but Cait heard the excitement in his voice.
"Yeah," Cait replied, smiling at him. "I mean, I love String, you know that. And I can't imagine bein' away from him again, after spendin' the last three days with him. Besides, I heard his voice when I said I was leavin', and I got a funny feelin' that String wanted me to stay there with him. And, I have to admit, I want that, too. So, will you help me?"
"My pleasure, Cait, my pleasure," Dom said, smiling at her. As soon as they landed back at the hangar, Caitlin and Dom headed for her house and began packing her clothes and personal items to take back to the cabin. "We won't be able to get everything outta here in one trip," Cait had said, "but this ought to last me for a while—and we can come get the rest of the stuff later." Dom nodded at the three suitcases and said, "I certainly hope so, Cait." He smiled at her as he remembered the look on String's face when Cait had said she was leaving, and then imagined String's reaction when they came back. Boy, have we got a surprise for you, kid, Dom said to himself with a smile as they drove back to the hangar. A short time later, they were in the air headed back to String's cabin.
String, meanwhile, was outside his cabin playing his cello. It was a Prokofiev piece, sad and mournful, and Hawke felt it perfectly matched his mood. I—I really enjoyed having Caitlin here these last few days, String said to himself. And, I thought she was really beginning to feel at home here, with me. So why did she decide to leave? Just then, he turned his head toward a sound only he could hear, and was surprised to see a Santini Air helicopter headed back towards the cabin.
Hawke quickly got up and moved back towards the cabin, giving the helicopter room to land on the dock. He was surprised, but relieved, to find Caitlin and Dom in the chopper. Caitlin quickly unstrapped and climbed out as Dom shut the engines down.
"Cait! What are you doing back here?" Hawke demanded, a little more harshly than he'd intended.
That's not the reaction I was hopin' for, Caitlin said to herself worriedly. "String," she began sheepishly, "I—I made a decision after Dom and I left—'cause I started missing you the minute we lifted off the dock. So I decided I wanted to stay here, with you, for as long as you'll have me." That is, if you'll have me, String, Caitlin said to herself again, remembering the tone of his voice when she'd left earlier in the day, and then again when she came back. She searched Hawke's face for his reaction, and was relieved when he smiled broadly and wrapped her in his arms.
That could be a very long time, if I've got anything to say about it, Cait, String said to himself. Aloud, he said, "Then, I just have one thing to say—Welcome home, Cait." Hawke said, smiling down at her. He quickly helped Dom get Caitlin's suitcases out of the storage compartment of the helicopter and carried them inside, then put his cello away. Dom then decided to fix dinner, since it was nearly that time anyway.
During dinner, Hawke said, "Cait, I'm sorry for snapping at you when you got here. I was just so disappointed and surprised that you left, and even more surprised that you came back. Anyway, I'm sorry," he finished, waiting for Caitlin's reaction.
"String, I suppose I should be upset at you for the way you snapped at me," Caitlin said, causing String to worry even more. "But, considering how disappointed I know you were when I left a little while ago, call it even, okay?"
"Okay, Cait," Hawke said, smiling at her. "We're even." Dom sighed with relief—he'd heard String's voice when they came back to the cabin, and just like Cait, Dom had been worried about String's reaction. But I understand why he was upset, Dom said to himself as he and String cleared the dinner table. At least it all worked out.
By the time dinner was finished and they were alone, Hawke decided to ask the question that had been burning in his mind since Caitlin told him she was moving into the cabin. "Cait, what are we going to do about the—um—arrangements?" His reluctance told Cait exactly which arrangements he was thinking of.
"String," Caitlin said as she slipped her arms around him and pulled him closer to her, inviting him to touch her body, "did you really think I'd decide to move in here with you, but not decide to share your bed? I mean, really. Think about that for a second, okay? I love you, Stringfellow Hawke, and I want to be with you in every way. Is that okay?"
"It's more than okay, Caitlin," Hawke replied, knowing from personal experience that arguing with her would not be a good idea. "In fact, it's what I've wanted for a long time. And I know I didn't tell you this before, but, I'm glad you're here; because I started missing you the minute you and Dom walked out of the cabin earlier today," he added, smiling at her.
"I'm glad I'm here too, String," Caitlin said, moving closer in his arms. She kissed him again, and when they separated, Hawke knew exactly what she wanted from the look in her eyes. He quickly gathered her in his arms and took her to the sleeping loft, where he proceeded to show her just how much he loved her, and he learned how much she loved him in return.
No one—least of all Dom—was surprised six weeks later when Hawke and Cait announced that they were going to get married. They had a simple ceremony out on the dock, with Caitlin's mother and older sister Erin, Michael, Marella, Dom, and a very special guest—String's brother Saint John, who had come home a few days after Hawke got out of the hospital. String had been angry when he found out that his brother had been alive all these years, but after Saint John explained the intel and covert ops work he'd been doing since his rescue from a North Vietnamese POW camp, String understood. After all, Dom explained to him, can you really be that upset at Saint John for doing a lot of the same things we do with Airwolf? String had been forced to agree, so Saint John stood as String's best man, while Caitlin's sister Erin stood as her maid of honor.
When the wedding was finished, Caitlin and Hawke stood wrapped in each other's arms on the porch, looking out over the lake. Finally, String said, "Welcome home, Mrs. Hawke." Caitlin sighed happily and said, "I can't believe it, String. I can't believe we're finally married."
"Well, believe it, Cait," String replied, taking her hand and walking back into the cabin, not stopping until they reached the sleeping loft.
Caitlin moved closer to String, her happiness shining in her blue-green eyes. "String, I just wanted to tell you that I'm really glad you decided to trust me with everything. And most of all, I love you, Stringfellow Hawke. Don't ever forget how much I love you."
Hawke smiled at her, finally feeling totally happy and content for the first time in a long time. "So am I, Cait. So am I. And I love you, too, Caitlin Hawke," he said, emphasizing her new last name as he pulled her into his arms for a deep and passionate kiss. They quickly became oblivious to everything around them, except each other, and perfectly content to stay that way, at least until morning.
THE END!