Hawke and Dominic helped Cody into Airwolf, much to his delight, and took him to the Firm's clinic to be checked over. His father and Archangel were waiting for him.

"I'm sorry Dad," Cody hung his head and stayed close to Dominic. His father surprised him by pulling him into a bear hug.

"You have nothing to apologise for son," his voice was gruff with emotion, "if it hadn't been for my job and your mother's money you wouldn't have got into this mess."

Cody enjoyed the hug for a few seconds, he couldn't remember the last time his father had hugged him, until Archangel pointed out that the sooner he was checked over, the sooner he could go home.

An hour later the doctors confirmed that apart from being dehydrated and having a bruised knee he was fine and could go home if he had someone to care for him.

With Archangel able to confirm that there were plenty of people at the house to look after him, including Marella who almost a qualified doctor, they treated Cody to a ride home in Airwolf.

Back at the house Cody was given a hero's welcome. Everyone gathered in the sitting room and it was drinks all around as Cody described his adventure.

Sitting next to Beth, sipping a quality wine that rivalled his at the cabin, Hawke listened to Cody describe his two days in the dark, locked room. He was amazed at the boy's ability to bounce back; after his initial outburst of emotion he now seemed remarkably calm and was obviously enjoying the attention. Hawke knew that Archangel had arranged counselling for the boy but it would probably have to wait until the initial euphoria of being rescued had passed.

He was startled out of his thoughts by a slight noise beside him and he glanced at Beth. She was no longer listening to Cody and appeared to be lost in thoughts of her own, and unpleasant ones at that.

"Beth, you OK?" he asked her quietly.

She shook her head, "Get me out of here String," she murmured.

He slipped an arm around her waist and guided her to her feet.

"Coffee," he said by way of explanation when faces turned their way as they stood up.

In the kitchen Beth stood with her body leaning against sink, her arms crossed protectively across her chest, looking out of the window. It was dark outside and with the light on all she could see was the reflection of the room, but she stared regardless.

Hawke just sat at the table and watched her. He recognised the posture, it said 'don't touch' and he knew that he wouldn't be able to help her shake off the memories of her own kidnapping which had been far worse than Cody's.

A noise in the doorway made him turn and he saw Mrs Johnson, or Eileen as she had asked them to call her, watching them both.

"Anything I can do to help?" she asked Hawke quietly so that Beth wouldn't hear.

Hawke just shrugged, unsure of what to say. She helped him out. "My husband told me about Beth's kidnapping," at Hawke's surprised glance she added, "not the details of course, it wasn't his place to tell, but enough for me to know this must be hard on her."

"Your son, you should be with him," Hawke was moved that this woman wanted to help Beth.

"He's fine at the moment. He's getting more attention than he's ever had before. Oh, I know he will need me when the euphoria wears off but for now he's fine. Your girlfriend, however, is not."

Hawke shrugged again then nodded. As he left the kitchen to return to the sitting room he heard Eileen say in a matter of fact voice, "Let's make the coffee Beth."

It was over half an hour later when Eileen returned to the sitting room with a tray of coffee and cookies. As she handed them around she told Hawke that Beth had gone up to the guest room.

"I think she'd like you to join her," she added.

"Did she say that?" Hawke asked, not wanting to upset Beth further if she wanted to be alone.

Eileen smiled at him, "Not in so many words but she's taken your coffee up."

"I always said she was manipulative," Dominic remarked. Hawke turned to give him a few choice words but bit them back when he realised that the older man was joking. "You go up String. We'll be turning in soon anyway."

Beth was sitting cross-legged on top of the bed covers wearing Hawke's leather flight jacket and hugging her mug in both hands.

"Cold?" he asked her.

"I can't stop shivering."

He sat down next to her, keeping his distance, and picked up his mug. They sat in silence until they had finished their coffee.

"I'm sorry I pushed you away again."

"It's OK. You wanted to face your fears. No-one said it would be easy."

"A hug would warm me up," she suggested shyly.

He wrapped his arms around her, gently at first, then more firmly when she didn't pull away.

Eventually she relaxed and stopped shaking and he felt her fingers start to undo his shirt.

He moved back slightly so he could look into her eyes, "You sure?"

She nodded and reached towards him for a kiss.

They were lying in each other's arms, almost asleep when there was a knock on the door. Hawke swore, climbed out of bed, pulled on his jeans and opened the door.

"You're making a habit of this Marella," he said dryly, remembering the time at the cabin when she had disturbed them in bed.

"Sorry Hawke. I need to speak to Beth before Michael and I leave."

Hawke grabbed his shirt from the floor and threaded his arms into it as he headed out of the room and downstairs.

Michael and Johnson were the only ones left in the sitting room

Michael took in Hawke's half dressed and dishevelled appearance and apologised.

"Sorry Hawke. In the excitement of the arrests and Cody's rescue Marella forgot to give me a memo from the committee."

"What's that got to do with Beth?"

Johnson, noticing the tension between the two men, stood up to leave. "Anything I can get you before I retire for the night?" he asked.

"Glass of water," Hawke replied abruptly, adding "thanks" as he realised how rude he had sounded.

Glass of water in hand he turned to Michael, "I'm waiting."

"Marella and Elizabeth have been reassigned," Archangel replied bluntly.

"Where? Why?"

"Where – Europe, for at least three months, maybe as long as six or nine. Why – because of their relationships with us."

"The committee can't do that!" Hawke was appalled.

"Actually they can. I'll try to talk them around of course but I think the decision is final. There are rumblings high up; I don't know what's happening but I suspect a change in the balance of power. The last mission had us putting our women before the safety of Airwolf and that worries them."

Hawke took deep breaths to control his anger, "So you and Marella are...involved?"

"Yes. It was supposed to be a secret, only Elizabeth knew, but the committee was having me followed and spotted us having dinner together."

"That's hardly incriminating."

Michael hesitated, "Well they may also have seen me leave her apartment the next morning."

Hawke grinned slyly, "And you didn't notice you were being followed?" he couldn't believe that Michael, who was normally so careful, had failed to notice a tail.

"Don't rub it in Hawke," he replied, as Marella appeared in the doorway. "We have to leave now, we're seeing the Committee in the morning. I'll let you know the outcome."

"You do that Michael," Hawke replied coldly as he made his way back upstairs.

"So, you're leaving me again," Hawke commented to Beth, his expression unreadable.

"Archangel is going to try to change the committee's mind."

"Not going to happen," Hawke slumped on the bed, "Their timing sucks."

"I know."

"You don't have to go."

"Yes I do, you know that. And even if I don't go to Europe I'll still be working for the Firm, which you can't accept."

"Getting used to it," he was looking at the floor, anywhere but at her.

"You've changed your tune," she sounded surprised.

Hawke finally lifted his head and looked at her, "Seeing you again..." his voice trailed off.

She shuffled over to sit next to him and took hold of his hand.

"I know, I feel the same. Look, when our paths cross again, if we're both still free, we can get together. But until then I don't want you moping around waiting for me to return, I could be gone months. Get on with your life, String."

"If we're both still free," he repeated flatly, "that mean you're going to see other men?" His tone said it all; it hurt.

"Maybe, maybe not. I doubt I'll meet anyone who matches up to you. And with me gone I doubt you'll live a monk-like existence," she smiled at him, trying to lighten the mood.

"I could."

"Don't. Who knows what the future holds. If we are fated to be together it will happen. Now, I'm not leaving yet so let's enjoy the time we have left."