Archangel was stopped just outside of Caitlin's room by a lady in white. Hawke gave him an irritated look and continued on into the room.

Cait turned from the window as Hawke entered. She set up a little more in the hospital bed and smoothed the covers to her side.

"Hey," Hawke said. He gave her a smile and sat down beside her on the bed. He picked up her hand to hold it in his. "What did the doctor say?"

She watched him a moment. He wasn't exactly looking her in the eyes. Something about how he was acting seemed off. Voluntarily sitting on her bed and holding her hand wasn't his normal MO. She guessed he was trying after his declaration of wanting her in his life.

"They say I'll be alright after a while. They're going to keep me in here for a few days. Turns out it wasn't a stomach bug after all…"

He squeezed her hand anticipating the moment when she'd reveal her pregnancy.

"…I've been poisoned."

"What?" A mixture of concern and disappointment flashed across his face before his features settled into a mask. He'd been so sure of her condition. Now, he knew she hadn't been pregnant, but Hawke had begun to warm up to the idea of not only having a family but of having it with Cait, only Cait.

"Poisoned systematically ever since she left the hospital last month," Archangel said from the door. He stepped up to the end of Caitlin's bed.

Hawke hastily got up at Michael's entrance as if he were caught doing something wrong.

The spy filed Hawke's actions for later amusement. He'd been aware of Hawke's recent protectiveness. The agent he had on Caitlin's surveillance since the incident with CC had also reported on the 'date.' On a personal level, Michael was glad that Hawke may finally let himself have a little happiness. On the professional side, there were too many variables for him to be comfortable. Perhaps he could force the issue a little.

"Stephanie searched your house. She found a cylinder attached to your kitchen sink. Every time you used your tap you ingested more poison. It seems CC had at least one backup plan. I wouldn't put it past her to have more than one. The doctors agreed to release you in a few days if you respond well to the treatment, but you can't go back to your house. It's too easy of a target. You will need someone to look after you for at least a couple more weeks. Do you have somewhere to go that's secure? If I don't have to keep you under surveillance that's one more agent I can have searching for CC."

"Michael, I won't stay in protective custody. I refuse to live my life in fear." She couldn't help the furtive glance she gave Hawke.

Michael stroked his mustache to hide his smile.

"Well, maybe I can ask Stephanie if she wouldn't mind a house guest."

"No, Michael. I'm not…"

"She'll stay with me." Hawke cut in with force. "And, Michael, if you can't catch that woman then I'll take care of it, personally." Hawke left the room.

"Well, I guess that settles that," Michael said with a smile. He turned to leave.

"Michael?"

He stopped at the door and looked back.

"Am I really in that much danger?" Caitlin asked.

"Cait, the FBI has done a behavioral analysis on CC. She's become fixated on you. She won't stop until either you're dead or she is. Your best bet is to drop off the radar for a while. Hawke's cabin is perfect for that. Besides, this could draw her out; make it easier to find her. There are only a couple of ways to the cabin. At least there one can either see or hear someone coming. Don't worry Cait one way or another we'll get her."

~~AW~~

"Are you ready to get out of here?" Dom asked from the hospital door.

"Sure, I am." Caitlin looked past Dom. No Hawke in sight so much for changing his behavior. Once again he'd seen her to the hospital then didn't show again. She wondered if he really hated hospitals or something, but he seemed to be having fun when he an Dom were laid up after a stunt gone wrong with balsa wood. She started to stand.

"Unh uh, not without a wheel chair you don't" an orderly came in pushing the wheeled contraption.

"Is that really necessary?"

"The doctors said the counter agents you're taking will make you weak and sleepy for several days, Ms. O'Shannessy," the man said reprovingly.

"Fine," she sat in the chair and was wheeled out to the waiting jeep.

Caitlin was silent for the trip back to the hangar. After a couple of miles, Dom realized she was asleep.

"Hey honey," Dom gently shook her awake. "We're here."

"Hmm? Oh, I guess I fell asleep."

"It's okay. You just wait right here until I get the chopper started."

"Chopper? Where are we going?"

"Up to String's cabin. I thought you knew. String's been moving all your stuff up there since you went to the hospital. He's worked on nothing but getting one of the new bedrooms off the back ready for you. I guess Lee won't get to pick which one he gets after all. Boy is he going to be surprised when he gets back from summer camp. Not only does he get a room of his own, but you'll be there too."

"Wait. Hawke's got me moved in? I thought I was just staying there until I recovered."

Dom helped her to the chopper.

"Well, yeah. I guess with the baby and all he just felt this would be quicker."

"Baby?"

"Oh, I'm sorry honey. I know you thought String didn't know about it. But, there's nothing to worry about. String will do everything he can to take care of you and the baby. Don't tell him I let it slip will ya?"

"Dom, wait a minute. How long has Hawke thought I was pregnant?"

"Well, since right before we went to the Caribbean I guess."

The wheels began to turn in Cait's head. This explained a lot. Hawke's sudden desire to have a relationship with her and the speed at which he was trying to pursue it clicked into place. He suddenly wanted to be with her not because her peril or anything else had made him realize he loved her, but because he thought her pregnant.

"Dom," she said stifling a yawn, "I'm not pregnant. CC poisoned me. That's why I was tired, not very hungry, and threw up all the time."

Dom hung his head in obvious disappointment.

"I can't believe Hawke didn't tell you."

"Well, he's still got you all moved in, that must mean something."

"I guess it means he's finally found a way of protecting me without having to sleep on my couch."

Dom started laughing. When he finally calmed down he noticed Caitlin was asleep again.

~~AW~~

In a private hospital on the east coast a pair of chocolate brown eyes one slightly higher than the other opened. They surveyed the room. On the bedside table was a fresh bouquet of sunflowers. Despite the pain it caused him to do so the man lying in the hospital bed smiled. Where ever he was, he was okay. The sunflowers confirmed that.

An alarm went off when he turned his head. Shortly several nurses and doctors invaded his room. They poked and prodded and pulled out several tubes. When they were all done only one doctor remained.

"I know you have a lot of questions" the doctor said. "All will be revealed in due time. I don't know how much you remember, but a lot of people are going to ask a lot of questions. It's in your best interest to feign amnesia. The sender of those flowers has made all the arrangements in case you wake up. You won't be in here long. Just stay calm, and don't remember."

The doctor left immediately after his cryptic speech. The man lay back against his hospital bed, thinking.

Ever since they were kids, the sunflowers had been a signal between them. They basically meant I've taken care of the problem all will be well. They were the same flowers that adorned the casket of their mother.

Aw Mother. He hadn't thought about her in a long time. A wicked smile broke out on his face. She was his first in so many ways. He was so relieved when CC had taken care of her for him. The whore never should have started cheating on their dad. The only problem was that he hadn't had the courage to do it for himself. But CC had helped him with that too.

Not long after their mothers 'suicide' CC had found him the perfect surrogate. A woman the same height and build as their mother. She even had the same hair color. When he raped her he finally felt the satisfaction he'd craved. The woman was easily paid off. But after several more dalliances on his part, it hadn't been enough anymore. After all they had all wanted to do it with him, and despite their protests to the contrary he knew they wanted him to dominate them. He had to prove to them that he was man enough that was the only way they'd be satisfied with his performance.

Caitlin was going to be his next step. With her he was not only going to enjoy raping her, but he would also have the satisfaction of watching the life drain from her body while he did it. She would have been forever caught in the moment of his release. It was supposed to be his gift to her.

Chad Carter had thought many times about that night so many years ago. It hadn't of been the same thing killing Carl. Satisfying, yes, but not in the way he wanted. He hoped CC hadn't succeeded in killing Caitlin yet. He wanted to do it himself.