Chapter 9
A few hours later, Dom and Saint John did a quick high fly over the island to get some scans and see what they were up against. They were sure to fly high enough so they couldn't be spotted from the ground. They scanned the house and found no one there. Then, when passing by the wooded area, they got what they were looking for.
"This doesn't make any sense," said Dom.
"What is it?"asked Saint John.
"There are only two people down there," he replied. "I think they've abandoned them."
Dom radioed Michael who was standing by with the boat. He let him know the results of the scan on the island.
"Then our intelligence was right," he said. "It's a trap. Pick me up. I'll bring the oxygen tanks. I have a strong feeling we'll need them."
Saint John picked up Michael and they headed back to the island. Dom took over the flying while Michael and Saint John hit the beach. They knew that their timing would be critical. Dom would blast two holes in the compound, one near each of their friends. As soon as the opening was there, they had only minutes to rescue each of them before the gas would have a lasting effect.
When Caitlin heard the first blast, her heart sank. "It's happening," she thought as she quickly put her head between her knees in hopes to extend the time before she passed out from the gas.
Hawke heard the second blast and then the call from Saint John. "It's a trap," he yelled. "There's a hidden gas. Get out!"
Saint John went to the door of the room String was locked in. The door had an opening with bars. He quickly passed him a small oxygen tank and mask.
"We know," said Saint John. "Hang on and I'll have you out in a second."
"What about Caitlin?" asked String.
"Michael's working on it," he replied.
Archangel wasn't having as much luck in getting to Caitlin. The room she was in didn't have a window opening and he was having a hard time getting the door open.
"I need help down here," he yelled.
"I'll be right back," Saint John told String. "I need to help Michael."
Saint John ran to Michael's side and after several tries, the two got the door opened with the crow bar that they had brought with them. Michael ran to Caitlin who was lying unconscious on the floor. He put the oxygen mask on her and picked her up, carrying her outside. He laid her down on the beach and went back in to help Saint John get String out.
Dom landed Airwolf and jumped out to check on Caitlin. He was relieved to see her sit up as he approached her.
"Dom?" she asked as she removed he oxygen mask. "How did you get me out? How did you know about the gas?"
Dom smiled and hugged her. "Let's just say we have our own guardian angel," he said with a laugh. "Everything's going to be okay now."
"Where's Saint John?" she asked.
"He and Michael are inside getting String out," he replied.
"But Horn said String was dead," she told him sadly.
"Oh, no honey," he replied. "String's alive. They'll have him out in no time."
A few moments later the two stood up and watched as Michael and Saint John came running out of the compound with String.
String ran up to Caitlin and grabbed her into his arms and hugged he tightly. To his surprise, instead of hugging him back, she stood there for a moment and then passed out. He held onto her to keep her from falling to the ground and then picked her up and carried her to Airwolf.
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A few hours later, the two were examined at the Firm's clinic. Hawke groaned about having to be there but let them check him out anyway. Once he was done, he went out to wait with the others for news on Caitlin.
"She'll be fine String," said Dom. "She's one tough cookie. You know that."
"I know," he replied quietly.
Michael came out a few moments later and had news on her condition.
"Caitlin's just fine," he said. "She's just exhausted from the whole ordeal."
"Michael," String said, almost afraid to ask. "Did he touch her?"
Archangel gave him a smile."No, he didn't do anything to her but kiss her," he replied. "She mentioned something about giving him a bloody lip in return."
String sighed in relief. "When can I see her?" he asked.
"She can leave with you shortly," said Michael. "Take it slow with her String. She seems to be really upset about everything that happened."
"I will," he replied.
"Oh, and by the way," said Michael. "Here's that package I promised you."
String tried to smile. "Thanks Michael."
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Caitlin was extremely quiet on the way back to the cabin. String talked about adding extra security up there since Horn was able to grab them so easily and to his surprise Dom told him that Michael had already taken care of it for him.
"Really?" he asked.
"Yeah, I guess he feels like you're worth protecting," Dom joked as he waited for the two to get out of the helicopter before heading home.
As they walked up the cabin, Caitlin stopped and looked up at the sky. The sun was going down and she took a moment to watch the colors as she usually did that time of night.
When she finally spoke, her words were not what String had wanted to hear.
"String," she said. "I think we need to talk."
