Chapter 10
The old junk yard is coming up on the right," said Dom. "Let's do a high fly over and see what we can view from out monitors without causing suspicion."
"Will do," said Doc as he climbed in altitude and slowly passed over the area.
"I got him," said Dom. "We might be in luck. Saint John is sitting by himself on an old drum barrel and the others are by the helicopter about forty feet away."
"What do you suggest we do?" asked Doc.
"I say use chain guns and cut a path between them," replied Dom. "Once we have them running in the opposite direction, we can land and get Saint John."
"You got it," replied Doc as he headed back to the junk yard.
The Anders were caught by surprise as Airwolf descended upon them. Saint John had heard the familiar sound of the craft during its first pass and readied himself for its return. He allowed himself to fall backwards off of the drum barrel as Doc made a path of bullets between him and the Anders. The cousins took off running while turning back several times and shooting in helicopter's direction. Doc landed Airwolf and Michael climbed out and ran over to Saint John. "Are you okay?" he asked while helping him to his feet.
"I am now," he yelled back. "Let's get out of here."
The two men quickly climbed into Airwolf and Doc lifted back off. They all watched as Michael's men surrounded the area and took the Anders into custody.
Saint John sat in the back of Airwolf with Dom. Santini put his hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "It's all over now," he said softly.
"Cait and String," he said sadly. "Shorty Anders said they threw String's dead body in the river and that they drowned Cait."
Doc spoke up. "He lied," he said. "They're both alive. Caitlin's not hurt but String is in the hospital."
Saint John felt all the stress he was feeling fade away. "I can't believe it," he said smiling. "String looked pretty bad. I thought for sure he was dead."
Dom and others filled Saint John in on the events from the time that Caitlin was picked up until they finally came and rescued him.
Saint John shook his head. "I was so intoxicated at first that I thought everything that was happening was a dream. I'll tell ya I sobered up pretty quick though."
"Let's get back and see them," said Dom. "Caitlin will be relieved to know that you're okay."
When the four men got back to the hospital, they were surprised when they encountered a nurse in the intensive care wing that didn't know who String was. "I just got on duty," she said. "He's not on my list. I'm sorry."
"Let's find Dr. Mallory," said Michael. "I hope everything's okay."
The men had the doctor paged and he met up with them a few minutes later.
"Oh, I was trying to reach you," he said.
"Is everything okay with String?" asked Dom. "Why isn't he in the intensive care wing?"
"We moved him," replied the doctor. "He's stable now and I felt it was okay to move him to a private room. Follow me and I'll take you to see him."
The doctor walked down the hall and slowly opened the door to String's room. The others were surprised to see that he was awake but Caitlin was sleeping on her side in the bed with him. She had both her hands around his arm and her head rested up against his shoulder.
String's face lit up when he saw Saint John. "String!" said Saint John as his brother quickly held a finger to his lips. "Shh," he said. "She needs some sleep."
Saint John walked over to his brother's bed and gave him a hug. "I'm so glad you're okay," he said lowering his voice. "It sure didn't look good."
String gave his brother a smile. "It didn't feel so good either," he replied as he looked around at the others who had joined them in the room.
"Guess this wasn't the vacation you were hoping for was it Doc," he asked.
Doc laughed. "Not quite," he replied. "But when is it ever normal around you guys?"
"You got that right," replied Dom. "But, I think we need to get out of here and let them get some rest now."
"I'm ready to get home and get some sleep myself," replied Saint John. "You take care."
As they were all leaving String called out to them. "Wait," he said softly. He waited for them to all turn around before continuing. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," said Michael as they headed out and shut the door behind them.
String sighed as Caitlin snuggled closer to him.
"You're awake aren't you?" he asked.
Caitlin smiled. "Yeah," she replied. "I love them all but I really wanted them to go. I just wanted you all to myself right now. Is that bad?"
String smiled. "No," he said as he kissed her gently on the lips and pulled her closer.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Two Weeks Later
String walked out onto the porch of the cabin and sat down beside Caitlin who had been sitting there watching the sunset. He was wearing a pair of jeans without a shirt. He still had bandages wrapped around his waist to cover his wounds.
Caitlin looked over at him and smiled as he sat down and wrapped his arm around her. "Is everything okay?" he asked. "I heard you on the phone with Michael a little while ago."
"Yeah," she replied. "It will be."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I asked Michael to refer me to a psychologist. I wanted someone he knew he could trust," she said.
"Why?" he asked. "I thought you were doing okay now."
"I'm doing much better," she replied. "It's just that I've been through a lot the past few years and I don't think I've dealt with it all. Instead I just pushed what's happened aside and moved on. I think talking with someone will good for me. I don't want anything in my past to hold me back from my future."
String pulled her to him and kissed her. "Then you do whatever you feel you need to do," he replied. "Just remember that I'm always here for you if you want to talk about anything."
Caitlin smiled. "I know," she said. "I also so know how lucky I am to have you in my life."
"Hey, that goes both ways," replied String.
Caitlin sighed as she watched the last sliver of the sun fade away. She stood up and headed back inside the cabin. String followed her in. "Going to bed so soon?" he asked.
Caitlin cocked her head sideways. "Well, only if you agree to join me," she replied.
String smiled. "Baby, you don't have to ask twice," he said as he followed her up the stairs.
The End
*Thanks so much to those who have taken the time to comment/review. It means a lot and definitely keeps me motivated to write. :o)