Last chapter for tonight. I'll post the final wrap up chapter tomorrow night.
Chapter 9
String awoke with a heavy sensation in his head. He slowly looked around at the room he was laying in. He fought hard to try and recall what had happened to him. His last thought was of sitting by the lake with Saint John.
"Saint John?" he asked while sitting upright in his bed.
"Shhh, take it easy," said Saint John. He eased his brother back down onto the pillow. "Just relax."
"Where am I? What happened? Where's Caitlin?" he asked all at once.
Saint John was unusually calm and quiet. "You're in the hospital," he said. "It appears your concussion was worse than they originally thought. You shouldn't have been out of bed. You passed out on us at the lake."
"And Caitlin?" he asked again, fearing the worse.
"After you passed out, Dom got there with Airwolf. Marella and Michael took care of you while Dom led me to Caitlin. It took us about an hour to find her and get her down from her hiding place."
"Saint John, quit stalling," demanded String. "Is she still alive?"
"Yes, String she's alive," he replied. "She's still in surgery. They have to remove a bullet from her thigh. We're waiting on an update."
String's breathing became erratic. "I think I'm going to be sick," he said.
Saint John handed him a bed pan. "It's the concussion," he said. "I'll let the doctor know you're nauseous. I'll also check on an update for Cait."
"Thanks," replied String.
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An hour later Saint John returned to String's room and sat down in the chair beside his bed. String opened his eyes and stared at his brother before speaking.
"Is she okay?" he asked.
"She's fine," Saint John replied. "She's out of surgery. It went well. They said she'd be up and walking with a cane in no time. They believe it'll heal quickly. They were worried about the amount of blood she lost at first but she's stable and out of recovery."
"When can I see her?" String asked anxiously. "I need to see her."
"Whoa there," replied Saint John. "You're not going anywhere right now. The doctor wants you in bed for the next twenty four hours. You can see her after that."
Saint John could tell that String was disappointed. He also realized he would have to sit with him to make sure he stayed in bed. He knew his brother was stubborn and he'd try and go to see her.
"Look, Dom's with her," he continued. "You won't be doing her any good if you go in there and fall on your face. So, please take it easy and get some rest."
String sighed. "Okay, I'll try. But will you please go and tell her that I love her."
"As soon as she wakes up I will," Saint John replied. "But, I'm sure she knows that already."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Caitlin woke up to see Dom sitting beside her and holding her hand. She smiled at the sound of his light snoring. She gently squeezed his hand and he opened his eyes. "Hey sweetheart," he said. "Glad to see you're awake."
"What happened?" she asked. "Cameron?"
"He shot you in the leg," replied Dom. "But, he's dead. I'm guessing he died when you pushed him down towards the lake."
Suddenly it all came back to her. "Dom, he was going to kill me," she said as she sat up and began to sob. "He said he killed String."
Tears were running down her face as Saint John came into the room and overheard her comment.
"It's okay Caitlin," he said. "String is fine."
Caitlin looked at Dom for assurance. "He's right," said Dom. "String is going to be okay. He just suffered a concussion so he's in another room here."
Caitlin laid her head back on the pillow and sighed with relief. "I thought I lost him," she said.
"Yeah, that's what he thought too," said Saint John. "He was really worried about you. That and the head injury have really taken a toll on him."
"When can I see him?" asked Caitlin.
Dom stood up and pushed the hair out of Caitlin's face before leaning over and kissing her on the forehead. "Not until tomorrow," he said. "You both need your rest."
"I just told him the same thing," said Saint John. "Now I'm off to make sure he stays put. You get some sleep."
"Okay," she replied before begging Dom to stay with her a little longer.
"Just a little longer," he said. "What's on your mind?"
"I want to see him Dom," she said. "But I don't know what I'm going to say to him. I don't want to give up on crewing Airwolf but I don't want to give up on String either. I don't know what to do."
Dom sighed. "You have to follow your heart. String has to follow his. I know the two of you will find a way to work this all out," he said. "I'm sure the words will come when you see him. Just remember to be honest. If you two aren't honest with each other, then your relationship will never work."
"You're right," she said. "I wouldn't want a relationship without honestly and I can't be with someone who won't let me be myself."
"Oh honey," said Dom. "String fell in love with that spunky, fun Caitlin. I have a feeling that deep down inside, that's the Caitlin he still wants."
"I sure hope you're right Dom," she said before finally closing her eyes and going back to sleep.
