Sorry, no Airwolf in this story but at least there was a crash/action. These "bad guys" were kind of easy to catch but this is a different kind of story. My focus is on Cait/String. As I was reading over what I read, I couldn't help but think this story reminds me of a Diagnosis Murder episode! LOL :o)

Chapter 9

The doctor came in to check on String at Dom's request. To calm him down, String was given a sedative to help him sleep.

"Thanks Doc," said Dom. "He's pretty upset right now and rightly so."

"I'm going to go and sit with Caitlin for awhile," said Saint John. "I always heard that talking to someone who is in a coma might help them come out of it."

"Hey, it sure can't hurt," replied Dom. "I'll be over there in a little bit."

Saint John walked across the hall to Caitlin's room. He was taken aback at how she looked. She was so pale but had quite a few bruises on her face and temple. They had her hooked up to several machines to monitor her vitals. He watched the rhythm of her heartbeat on one of the monitors and couldn't help but feel helpless sitting there unable to do anything to make her wake up.

"I've loved having you as a roommate," he finally said while hoping that maybe she'd hear him. "I was getting kind of lonely living alone. I know you're going to eventually go back to String but it has been nice getting to know you better. It's especially good if you end up becoming my sister in law. I do wish that for you Caitlin. I know you love him and even though you are still a little hurt by what he did, I know you two will find a way to get it together."

"I agree," said Dom as he came into the room behind him. "Those two belong together. I could have killed String for what he did."

"I know what you mean," replied Saint John. "I don't think I've ever seen my brother make such a stupid mistake."

Dom moved over beside Caitlin and kissed her on the cheek. "Hang in there sweetheart," he said softly. "We all need you here, especially String."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

As night fell, String's room grew darker except for the small ceiling light towards the corner of the room. His sedative no longer forcing him to sleep, String felt a strange presence nearby.

Charles Daniel, dressed as an orderly, slipped quietly into his room when the others had left. Taking a syringe filled with poison, he slowly moved towards String's IV in order to inject it with the deadly liquid.

"Not so fast," said String as he reached up and grabbed Daniel's arm. Daniel started to lunge the needle at him.

"I would do that if I were you," said Michael who had a gun pointed at his back. Put the needle down on the tray and move back away from it."

Daniel did as instructed. "How did you know I'd be here?" he asked.

"Let's just say I have friends in high places," said String.

Michael flipped the full lights on in the room as Saint John and Dom came from across the hall with Ballance.

"We got this one," said Dom. "I can't believe we were right. You two sure have some nerve coming in here like this."

"Do you really think your film and money is worth taking two lives?" asked Saint John.

"I want my lawyer," was all Charles Daniel would day.

"Don't worry," replied Michael as his men came in to retrieve Ballance and Daniel. "You'll get your day in court."

As Michael's men took them away, Dom couldn't help but notice the pain on String's face as he readjusted himself in his bed.

"String, are you okay?" he asked. "You look white as a sheet."

"I'll live," he replied. "It just hurts like hell."

"Well, it's over now," said Michael. "Those two are going away for a long time. It's still amazing what some people will do for money."

String frowned. "No, it's not over," he replied softly. "Caitlin is still lying over there in a coma. I swear if she doesn't make it, those two will never make it to trial."

"Now calm down String," said Dom. "Her condition is stable. We have to have faith that she'll pull out of this."

String took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I can't lose her now Dom," he said. "I hurt her and I can't stand the thought that she could die never having truly forgiven me for what happened."

"Come on String," said Saint John. "In her heart she's forgiven you. It's just her own insecurities that are still holding her back."

"But I made her feel that way," he replied.

"True," replied Saint John. "But I don't think she's going anywhere. She's a fighter."

"I don't know," replied String. "I've done everything I can to make her see that she's the one I love and that I want to be with her."

"Yeah, but how many other men has she been with that had ulterior motives?" asked Saint John. "She's told me about them. You have to look at her past relationships. She's been burned quite a bit."

"Damn," said String. "And I was supposed to be the last person that would ever hurt her."

"Don't beat yourself up kid," said Dom. "She loves you. You know that."

"I want to see her Dom," said String.

"Okay, take it easy," replied Dom. "I'll see what I can do."