CHAPTER 4
"Calling it Quits"
The early winter breeze howled through the leaves of the trees as String and Chance walked on. Finally the sun began to set and String peeled off his sunglasses and directed them back towards the cabin. It had been a pleasant walk and he enjoyed the time with Chance, but he'd hoped to sort through things like Dom had suggested. Everything had its consequences and it seemed there was no right choice; something was wrong with all of them. What he needed was some rest, relaxation, and a good long time to think everything through.
\A/
A full moon shone on the dark glittering waters of Eagle Lake and the little skiff that rocked gently on it. Maybe a quiet evening of fishing on the lake was just what they needed. A cool breeze whistled by and the trees danced in return.
String reeled in another fish closer to the boat. "Chance, hand me the net."
Chance handed over the net and watched intently as his father scooped the flopping fish up out of the water.
After that, they let the peacefulness of the gentle waves wash a sense of serenity over them.
Now it was late and dark and they both could be in a lot of trouble if he fell asleep, so String began to row back towards the dock. Once they had reached it, he secured the boat and helped Chance get out. They should get to bed for now and worry about life's problems later. He still didn't have any answers.
\A/
Decision time. He had waited, pro-ed and conned, and tried to ignore it, but the dilemma was still the same. Would he or would he not go with Dom on this attempt to stop a major drug run? If so, what precautions could he take to make sure something like last time didn't happen again? And what about plans if something did happen, and by chance he couldn't take care of his son? And finally, who would watch Chance while they were gone? Dom was set on helping Charlie, and he couldn't blame him, but he wasn't about to even think about taking Chance with them; Saint John and Le were with Ellie Mae who was currently dealing with a family crises, and Cait had left him to deal with this own his own, after all, he didn't need anyone, he'd said so himself. So what would it be? He owed Dom and Charlie, but Dom also had a good point. Maybe there was some way to do both. There had to be, and if that way existed he was going to find it.
\A/
Michael, dawning the usual three piece white suit although a bit rumpled, dropped into his white leather chair, exhausted.
He had been up most of the night looking for more information on this possible drug smuggling. He was determined not to let this one end up badly if he could prevent it, but the knowledge they had still was sparse and not near enough to going after them. If he could just get something more to insure their chances of success, especially without injury,he'd feel a lot better, but whoever it was had done a remarkable job at covering their tracks. It looked like he was just going to have to trust Hawke and Dominic's intuition and ability on this one.
"Sir," one of his assistants, Samantha, addressed.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Hawke is here to see you."
"Thank you."
She turned to lead the Airwolf pilot in, but Michael stopped her briefly.
"Is it just Hawke or…"
"No sir, he brought his son too."
"Thank you. That's all."
She sent the Hawkes in.
It had only been a few days, maybe a week, since he had seen father and son in here together, yet it amazed him how every time the young child seemed to grow more and more like his father, not that he'd had many other influences especially lately, but the resemblances were truly astounding. Just what he needed - another Hawke - he thought with an incongruous grin.
"What brings you here today?" Michael asked, although he figured he knew why - the mission at hand, of course. Maybe somehow they had picked up some useful clue. It wasn't the most likely, but miracles did happen, even in this business. "Some new development on the mission perhaps? For such major smugglers, it was remarkable something hasn't been heard about them before."
"Actually," String said quietly. "I think it's time to call it quits and start a quiet life, just Chance and me."
Michael Coldsmith Briggs III stared in disbelief. He should have seen it coming, but not now, definitely not now.
"It would give him a chance to live a more normal life, and it wouldn't be fair to put his life at risk for something I'm involved in, and with Caitlin gone, I have to be around and able to take care of him. I can't afford to be in the hospital just barely clinging to life or even get shot and not be at a hundred percent for a while, and as much as I hate to admit it, I don't heal as fast as I used to."
"You're sure?" Michael asked, still trying to process his words. Of everything he'd expected, this most certainly wasn't even in the cards. Hawke had almost given up like this once before, but when his brother went missing he jumped right back in. That had been because of not believing he was physically able though, this one did have a little more merit.
"I'm sure." Hawke said grimly. "I can't fly Airwolf, take care of Chance, and keep it all from affecting his life too much on my own. Sometimes it's just better to face the truth and that's it, whether I like it or not."