Chapter 4

Hawke shifted sideways in the bed so that he now faced Caitlin. She was laying on her side facing him, using her arm to prop up her head. She was quiet for a few minutes and Hawke couldn't help but reach over and gently touch her face.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she replied in an unconvincing voice.

"You don't sound fine," he told her.

"Do you think I'm attractive?" she blurted out.

Hawke leaned back a moment, unsure of where the conversation was now going.

"Yes," he replied.

Caitlin smiled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you on the spot like that," she told him. "It's just that, well, my dream for three years has been to get Hawke to notice me. I've finally realized that he just doesn't find me the least bit attractive."

Hawke laid there unsure of how to respond. Of course he thought she was attractive. To him she was beautiful inside and out. He loved everything about her but he realized or believed that it was in her best interest for him to keep his distance.

"Jeffry?" she asked. "I guess you weren't quit expecting me to ask that. I'm sorry but you wanted to know about my dream and well Stringfellow Hawke is my dream. Or I guess you could say he was my dream. Silly, huh?"

Hawke got up off of the bed. "I'll be right back," he told her as he quickly left the room and headed outside on the balcony. Once out there he stood and took a deep breath. He had pretended to be Jeffry to be close to her and find out what was upsetting her. But now, he wasn't sure if coming had been the right thing to do.

As he watched the moonlight dance on the waves of the ocean, his mind drifted to the day he and Caitlin had shared a kiss on a movie set. As much as he had tried not to admit it even to himself, he liked it. He liked it a lot. She meant the world to him and it saddened him that she didn't know that.

Suddenly a loud crash shook him out of his deep thoughts. He ran back inside to find Caitlin on the floor in the kitchen with a glass dish shattered all around her.

He quickly helped her to her feet before picking her up and carrying her to the couch.

"Are you okay?" he asked after checking her for cuts.

Caitlin couldn't help but to be embarrassed. "I'm fine," she replied. "Look, let's just call it a night. I shouldn't have burdened you with my problems. I'm sure you have enough of your own."

"I think you're beautiful," he told her bluntly.

"What?" she asked not expecting his comment.

Hawke leaned over and cupped her face with his hand. He traced the edge of her chin with his thumb before leaning in and gently kissing her on the lips.

He pulled back to wait for her response. It killed him that her eyes were bandaged and he couldn't look into to them to see her reaction.

"Jeffry," she started to say but he pulled her to him again and this time kissed her more passionately.

She didn't respond at first but eventually gave him and found herself lost in his kiss.

When they separated she became very quiet. Hawke watched her as she shifted away from him on the couch and lifted her knees up to her chest.

"I'm sorry," he told her.

"For which part?" she asked, the tone in her voice showing agitation. "Kissing me or lying to me?"

"What do you mean lying?" he asked, his heart now beating even faster.

Caitlin reached over and felt for his arm. She pulled herself closer to him and then felt for his face. Taking his face in both hands she pulled him towards her and kissed him again. He grabbed her and pulled her closer as the kiss became more intense. They continued until both were out of breath. Afraid that they may take things too far, he finally pulled away.

"I think I need drink," he said quickly after finding the voice box on the floor. "Do you want anything?"

"The truth," she replied sighing deeply. "I just want the truth."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Before she could answer the two were startled by shots fired at the front door. Three men quickly stormed in. Hawke tried to fight them off but found himself out numbered.

Caitlin felt helpless as she heard the scuffle. She jumped as another shot was suddenly fired.

"What the hell did you do that for?" one man asked. "We need him to pilot the helicopter."

"He'll live," another man answered. "It's a little scratch on the head. You know I'm a good aim."

"He'd better," the man replied. "Now take them to the back room and tie him up."

"What about the girl," the second man asked.

"She obviously won't be a problem," he replied, referring to her bandaged eyes. "Now get going before he wakes up."

The men carried Hawke into the bedroom first and cuffed his hands to one side of the headboard before coming back and getting Caitlin. They sat her down on the other side.

"What happened to him?" she asked, trying not to panic. "Is he okay?"

"He'll be fine," a voice Caitlin hadn't heard yet replied. "I'll get you a cold rag. You take care of him. We are going to need his services."

"Services?" she asked. "You do know he's a nurse?" she asked, hoping they'd believe her.

The men laughed as one handed her the cloth. "Sure he is," they replied as they left the room and closed the door behind them.

Caitlin climbed onto the bed and moved her hand up Hawke's chest until she found his chin. She shifted closer and used her finger to trace the outline of his face. Next she moved her hand up slowly and ran her fingers through his hair, feeling a slight wetness which she presumed was blood. She quickly placed the wet cloth over the wound.

She wanted so badly to cry but she fought back the tears because she knew they would soak her bandages.

"Why did you lie to me?" she whispered. "How could I not know?"

Hearing her, Hawke opened his eyes and stared at her. Not knowing he was now conscious, she continued.

"You need to wake up," she said. "I don't know what these guys want and I don't want stick around to find out."

"Probably want Airwolf," he said in a near whisper.

Caitlin's reaction shocked even her. She pulled back and slapped him across the cheek.

"Ow," he replied while trying not to yell. "You sure know how to kick a man when he's down."

"Only one who lies!" she replied in a huff. "How could you do that to me Hawke? How could you make me believe you were someone else?"

"Caitlin I think we have more pressing problems at the moment," Hawke told her.

Caitlin sighed. "Fine," she replied. "But just wait until we get out this mess Stringfellow Hawke. I'm going to make what they did to you look like a paper cut!"

Hawke smiled knowing she couldn't see him. "I'm sure you will," he replied.