Hawke shut the cabin door and breathed a sigh of relief. He loved the extended family that he had built but he couldn't deny that he was pleased that the majority had decided against staying over. He wandered into the empty living area pleased that Sarah had already made her excuses and headed for her bedroom at the back of the cabin; it was just him and Caitlin. His dog, Tet, wagged his tail as Hawke took a moment to rub his fur fondly. He made his way into the kitchen where Caitlin was stacking the last of the washing up and slid his hands around her waist. She leaned back against him and tilted her neck to give him access. He was smiling as he kissed her.

'Ready for bed?' He asked.

'Hmmm-hmmm.' Caitlin turned in his arms and planted her own lips solidly over his. The kiss was deep and passionate. 'Give me another minute and I'll be right with you.'

Hawke stole another kiss before he left her and took the stairs up to the master bedroom. He made his way quietly across the room to check on the sleeping baby in the crib on the far side. Nicky's eyes were tightly shut, a slight flush on his plump cheeks. Hawke gently traced a finger over his son's head before he tucked the blanket Nicky had dislodged back into place.

The bedroom fire cast strange shadows on the walls and Hawke checked on it before he stepped into the en-suite bathroom. A few minutes later, he climbed into the large bed and waited for his wife. He didn't have to wait long as Caitlin breezed into the bedroom, flashed him a smile and went to the bathroom. Five minutes later, she came back dressed in a cotton t-shirt that Hawke vaguely recognised as his. She clambered across the bed and snuggled up to him.

'You alright?' She asked as his arm went around her to tuck her more firmly against his side.

'Hmmm.' Hawke stroked her hair back over her shoulder.

She shifted and raised her head to look at him, concern darkening her eyes. 'What's up?'

Hawke knew it was pointless to claim nothing was worrying him. 'I was just thinking about my folks.' His finger caught on a whirl of her hair and he twisted it gently.

'What about them?' Caitlin prompted gently as she lowered her head back to his shoulder.

'Just…stuff.' Hawke muttered. He shrugged awkwardly given his position.

Caitlin took his hand in hers tangling their fingers together. 'You still worried about meeting them again after all this time?'

For a long moment, Hawke was silent as he fought the initial urge to deny it. 'Maybe.' He admitted finally. 'It's been a long time.'

'You're family.' Caitlin said softly. 'That doesn't change.' She sighed. 'I have to admit I'd prefer to be in your shoes than Sarah's.'

'Yeah.' Hawke grimaced a little. 'It's not going to be easy for her.'

'We'll all be there for her.' Caitlin assured him. 'She'll be OK and so will you.' She reached up and kissed him before returning her head to his shoulder.

He squeezed her gently. 'I think we're all nervous even Saint John.'

'Well, it's only natural.' Caitlin said. 'You've been separated a while and this whole search for them hasn't exactly been easy.'

'No.' Hawke said frowning as his mind drifted back to the picnic and Michael's strange behaviour.

'What?' Caitlin asked aware his attention had turned inward.

'Nothing.' Hawke answered. 'I was just thinking about Michael.'

'Michael?'

There was laughter in her voice and the promise that she was going to tease him mercilessly for the admission. Hawke ignored both. 'Yeah. Don't you think he was acting a little odd?'

Caitlin sobered at his serious question. 'No more than usual. Why?'

Hawke shook his head. 'It's probably nothing.'

'But it might be something.' Caitlin expanded.

'Maybe.'

'Then tell me!' She said exasperated.

He shrugged again and she shifted to look at him fully. She raised an expectant eyebrow and he gave in with a sigh. 'He was talking to himself when I went out with the blankets.'

'So?'

'He said 'Thanks, Dominic.''

Caitlin's nose wrinkled. 'He said 'Thanks, Dominic?''

Hawke nodded.

'He really said Dominic?' Caitlin checked.

'Yeah. I'm sure.'

Caitlin sighed. Hawke's hearing was superb; if he said he heard it, he probably had. 'Weird.' She bit her lip. 'Maybe he was thinking about the search for your parents and how Dom started him on it.'

'I don't know. He was staring at the log like there was someone there,' Hawke said, 'and it's not the first time.'

'Maybe you should talk to him.' Caitlin suggested.

'And say what?' Hawke argued. 'By the way, Michael, are you having conversations with the man who raised me and who just happens to be dead?'

She stroked his arm trying to soothe him.

Hawke rubbed his eyes tiredly. 'Sorry.' He sighed.

Caitlin bit her lip. 'The only way you're going to find out what's going on with Michael is by asking him.'

He knew she spoke the truth but the idea of even raising the subject had him shifting restlessly. 'Maybe I should just forget I heard anything.'

'If that's your decision…' Caitlin murmured.

'It is.' Hawke said making his mind up in a flash. 'I probably misheard anyway.'

'Right.' Caitlin drawled; the one word dripped with disbelief.

Hawke's lips twitched as he kissed her. He was about to deepen the kiss when Caitlin broke away and yawned.

'Sorry.' She apologised sleepily.

He smiled ruefully and gave her a chaste kiss on the forehead. 'It's OK. Get some sleep.'

'You sure?' Caitlin asked even though she was already turning away from him and moving into her favoured sleeping position.

'Sure.' He pillowed his head on one arm and let the other slide over her hip as he settled in behind her. It wasn't too long before he heard her breathing change as she slipped into sleep. He stayed awake, his mind drifting from Michael to finding his parents and another brother he'd never met. Finally, his thoughts settled on his wife.

Caitlin had been tired a lot since they'd got back from the wedding in Hawaii, he mused. Part of it he knew was Nicky; their son was teething and would wake them up every couple of hours to complain about his pain. It was tiring but it didn't explain Caitlin's constant need to sleep. The last time she'd been as sleepy was when she'd been expecting Nicky…the thought caught him off guard and his eyes snapped open.

Was she pregnant?

He barely managed to restrain himself from shaking Caitlin awake and telling her his suspicion. He turned onto his back as though to remove himself from the temptation. It was certainly possible; they had been trying for a second baby for a little while. There was another obvious clue, Hawke realised as he counted back the days to Caitlin's last period. She was definitely late, he thought with satisfaction. He moved back to his side and couldn't resist shifting to lie closer to her; his front pressed up against her back. He dropped a kiss on her neck and she stirred gently. He didn't move and she murmured his name before resuming her rest.

A baby. He couldn't help the huge grin that the thought evoked; didn't want to resist it. Another baby. He covered Caitlin's flat abdomen with his hand picturing it rounded and swollen with their child. It was his last coherent thought before he slipped into sleep.

Hawke woke early to Nicky's squalls and with his suspicion on Caitlin's condition at the forefront of his mind, he made his way to the crib swiftly determined to ensure Caitlin rested. An hour later, with Nicky placated and sleeping again; Hawke showered and dressed before he made up a breakfast tray and carried it into the bedroom.

Caitlin opened her eyes sleepily at the sound of Hawke approaching the bed. Her eyes widened with surprise. 'You made me breakfast in bed?'

'You deserve it.' Hawke said dropping a kiss on her lips as she sat up to receive the tray.

'Have I told what a great husband you are?' She gave him a wide smile and picked up the mug from the tray. She took a big sip expecting coffee and almost spat the actual drink of herbal tea over her toast. Her gaze shot to Hawke's. 'Tea?' She asked delicately.

He nodded; his blue eyes unguarded in their happiness.

She sighed and ignored the twinge of disappointment that she hadn't been able to surprise him with the news. 'How did you know?' She demanded.

'Know what?' Hawke prompted lightly.

She rolled her eyes. 'Don't mess with me, Hawke, or you'll be wearing this?' She held up the mug threateningly.

'I worked it out last night.' Hawke admitted. He reached across the bed and tucked her hair back behind her ear. 'You're late.'

'So I am.' Caitlin agreed. Her expression turned rueful. 'I wanted to surprise you once I'd gotten the confirmation from the doctor.'

'You've had the test?' Hawke checked.

'Yesterday.' Caitlin said. 'They said they'd call me in a couple of days.' She shook her head a little. 'But I already know.' Her free hand shifted to her abdomen.

Hawke laid his hand over hers. 'Another baby.' His voice held a note of awe that had Caitlin smiling.

'Another baby.' She agreed gently. 'And one that doesn't seem to want me to throw up every morning.'

'Maybe it's a girl.' Hawke said. 'Less troublesome.'

'Maybe.' Caitlin agreed laughing. 'Although I don't know about the trouble part; I think my Dad might disagree with you.'

'Maybe mine would too.' Hawke reached over and kissed her.

They settled back against the pillows. Caitlin offered her toast to Hawke and he took a slice as she bit into another.

'You know we still have a bet to settle.' He reminded her idly.

She smiled at him sweetly. 'I'm pregnant.'

'You owe me ten dollars.' Hawke waved his toast at her.

She was about to reply when the distinctive sound of the satellite phone sounded through the cabin. 'Saved by the bell.' She muttered as Hawke got up to answer it. She plastered an innocent look on her face as he shot her a look over his shoulder on his way out. She could hear the murmur of his voice as she shoved the tray to one side and stretched. She might have known that Hawke would have figured it out, Caitlin thought ruefully. She really had wanted to surprise him. Maybe next time. She started to grin. She needed to get through this second pregnancy first, she reminded herself as she got up and wandered into the bathroom. Her husband was waiting for her impatiently when she exited, her body wrapped in one towel with another around her head. 'What is it?' She asked seeing through the impassive mask to the anxiety he was tying to hide.

Hawke met her inquisitive eyes seriously. 'That was Michael. Larry has something.'