Chapter 10

A few hours later, Hawke was sitting at Caitlin's bedside watching her sleep. She was hooked to several IV's that included medication for the infection and fluids to help with the dehydration. She had been unconscious since they landed at the hospital and String couldn't help but worry about her. Dom had forced food and liquids on him once they got to the hospital. He threatened to have Hawke admitted too if he didn't give in to his demands. He gave in and felt better after a small meal and several glasses of water. Now, sitting there, he just wanted her to wake up.

Dom came in and sat in the chair across from him. "She sure looks a lot better," he said softly. "I was really worried when we brought her in."

Hawke gave him a somber look. "Yeah, me too," he replied. "I'm just glad you found us when you did."

"String, did you two work things out?" asked Dom.

"Partially," he replied. "I've decided that when she's well enough I'm going to tell her everything Dom."

"Everything?" he asked.

"I want her to know my whole past, the good and the bad," he replied. "She deserves to know the real me, all of me."

Dom grinned, "Then she must really be the one," he replied.

String smiled back. "She's definitely the one," he said. "No one has ever fought for or with me the way she has. I can't see my life without her."

"It's about time you realized that," said Dom. "I thought someone was going to have to pound it in your head."

"So did I," said a soft voice from the bed in front of them.

"Caitlin!" Hawke couldn't control his excitement as he reached for her hand. "How're you feeling?"

She looked up and smiled at them. "I'm feeling a lot better now," she replied. "I'm a little groggy though."

Hawke reached over and gently touched her face. "It's the medication," he replied. "You need your rest so your body can fight the infection."

Caitlin closed her eyes a moment and then opened them slowly as her mind began to clear. "Hawke, can you see?" she asked.

String smiled and leaned in to kiss her. "Yeah, my sight came back this morning," he replied.

Dom stood up and kissed Caitlin on the forehead. "I'm going to head out now and leave the two of you alone," he said. "If you need anything, give me a call. I have some work to do."

"Thanks again Dom," said Hawke.

"Thank Archangel this time," Dom replied. "Guess he thought you two were worth two million dollars."

"And you didn't?" asked Hawke jokingly. "Man Dom, I knew you were cheap but…"

Dom threw up his arm as though he were going to backhand String. "Ahhhh, hush," he said.

String laughed and the exchanged made Caitlin smile. She loved these two men with all her heart and she was thankful to have them in her life.

After Dom left String reached over and softly kissed her again on the lips. "Caitlin, once you're well," he said. "I want to take you on a trip. Anywhere you want to go."

"Anywhere?" she asked. "What's the occasion?"

"Yeah, anywhere that we can spend time together just talking," he replied. "I want to keep my promise to you. I want to tell you everything you've ever wanted to know about me."

Caitlin reached for his collar and pulled him towards her. "I'll go away with you on one condition," she said.

"What's that?" he asked.

She smiled and pulled him into another kiss before answering. "I want to do much more than just talk."

Hawke laughed. "Oh, you can count on that," he replied.

The End

**I promise that the mystery "bad guys" will be dealt with in a future story. Hawke isn't done with them yet. :o)