Sorry, it has taken me so long to post chapters. I tend to write long hand and then have to find time to enter it all in the computer. I thought about making this a two part installment story where chapter 20 ended the first part. But, then I decided to just post as I had the time. Thank you all for reading and again sorry for the delay in chapter postings.

Chapter 21

Stringfellow Hawke felt himself grinning as he scrambled eggs for his and Caitlin's breakfast. It felt a little unnatural, but, he couldn't help himself. Caitlin wasn't going to leave. She was staying, staying at the cabin, staying with him. He transferred the eggs to a plate and dumped the cast iron skillet into the sink.

Hawke gripped the counter with white knuckles as the full force of that thought hit him.

Caitlin was staying with him.

His thoughts cast back to earlier when he'd asked her to stay. They'd kissed and he'd lost himself for a few moments. Who was he kidding? He'd lost when he first met her. Maybe even before that when he'd first seen her. He had been so impressed by the fire and fight in her despite the odds of three other cowboys in the back of a pickup. Now that he thought about it, the fact that she went up against that sheriff without any backup probably just sealed the deal. He should have known he was in trouble when she'd tracked him down in Van Nuys. He had convinced himself that she was too young or he was too old and she couldn't possibly be interested in him. After all, it was Airwolf that she kept hounding him about. And, to his credit she had started dating someone else practically right after she arrived.

None of that mattered now. He reluctantly clamped down on his emotions, the hope that threatened to engulf him and pull him under. What was wrong with him anyway? One kiss from Caitlin and he wanted to throw caution to the wind, wanted to show her exactly how much he loved her. One kiss and he'd been hooked without even knowing it.

Hawke had ignored the disappointment that was clearly on her face when he pulled back and told her he'd make breakfast while she got dressed. He'd grabbed a shirt and fled the room quickly. He'd even pretended he didn't notice when she descended the stairs, made her way past the bar, and slipped through the door that led to the new addition.

Slowly Hawke had unlocked that special place where he kept his feelings for Caitlin hidden. He had tried to look at it objectively. But, knowing that she loved him, truly loved him, and wasn't afraid of the very real consequences that came from that had him smiling all over again.

If he could just have a little time to…adjust. Maybe he could get a handle on it. Maybe he could figure out how to live with the constant worry over the repercussions. Maybe, with her help, he could begin to love Caitlin like she deserved.

A plan began to form. Hawke set the plate of eggs on the table as he crossed over to the cabinets that held the radio and satellite phone. He had a few calls to make.

By the time Caitlin reemerged into the main living space of the cabin, Hawke had set the table placing them close together at one end and was just finishing washing the dishes from cooking.

Caitlin tugged a little self-consciously at her sweater. It was a little snug and not her usual style. She'd bought it months ago as one more attempt to get him to notice her, but had never had the courage to wear it. Paired with an old pair of jeans that had molded themselves to her body over time, she hoped his withdrawal from earlier would only be a temporary set-back. She smiled broadly at the cozy table and graciously accepted the chair Hawke helped her into before taking his own.

They ate in silence each darting shy glances at the other. Finally with the meal over, Caitlin began to clear the table.

"Let me do that," Hawke said deftly liberating her plate from her grasp. He dumped it and the rest of the dishes in the sink and started washing.

Feeling like he was trying to avoid her again, Caitlin simply grabbed a towel and began drying.

"You know I thought Dom would be here by now," Caitlin said as she placed the last plate in the cabinet. "Last night he said he wanted to get an early start."

"Well…I kind of called him and…he isn't coming," Hawke replied. He crossed over to the hearth and placed another log on the fire.

"What? Why not? There's a lot of work to do before the weekend." Cait watched him go.

"I told him what happened last night with CC." His shoulders tensed at the thought of almost loosing her. "I thought you needed some time to recover and he agreed. He's looking after Le until the weekend." Hawke avoided her gaze.

"Hawke I'm fine. I don't need two days to recover. I came through it okay. Besides it's over now. CC's gone. I don't have to worry anymore."

She crossed over to the fire and put a hand on his arm. He seemed troubled.

Hawke stood a moment staring into the flames.

"Maybe, I need the time." He admitted softly.

Her hand tightened on his arm and he turned to her. His arms went around her tightening uncomfortably before they relaxed and just held her.

"Cait…" he began his voice rough with emotion.

She placed a finger to his lips. "Don't," she said seeing the turmoil in his eyes. "Don't you dare pull back from this, us. I've let you call the shots long enough. It's time you know I'm not satisfied with just being friends no matter how close. Now, you asked me to stay and I will. As long as I'm able I will, but things are gonna happen. There may come a time when I get hurt."

Hawke closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. He couldn't look into her bright honest eyes as she made him face his demons. He was ashamed of the fear he knew she'd see.

"I may even die, Hawke," she said bluntly.

He flinched in her arms but continued to hold her.

"The same could happen to you." She softened her tone before continuing. "None of that means I won't take that risk. I don't want to give my heart and dream of a future and then be left alone again. I think you're worth it."

She ducked her head under his to see his face. She smiled as he opened his eyes.

He'd forgotten her own struggles with love. She'd just become engaged when her fiancé, Carl had simply disappeared. They knew now that he'd been murdered, but for years she'd been left without knowing. Even after Caitlin made the move to California, she hadn't had much luck in love. He'd had to kill two of the men she'd been interested in himself.

"Truce?" he asked.

"Not on your life mister. I plan on fighting for you." She said with a grin.

"I don't think I'd win," he said his own lips twitching. "You fight dirty." He glanced down at her sweater. He let his hand drift down her back to rest just below her waist.

"You know since Dom isn't coming. We have two days to…adjust to us," he said suggestively.

She brushed his hair from his eyes before resting her arms around his neck.

"Well, all my stuff is in boxes. I guess you could carry them upstairs for me," she teased.

Hawke kissed her until they were both breathless. When they pulled apart she could see mischief in his eyes.

"I think I'll start with you."

~~~AW~~~

Hawke made his way down the stairs with barely concealed annoyance. Dom would be arriving in just a couple of hours and he had wanted to make the most of the time he had left alone with Caitlin. He should have known Michael would find the most inconvenient time to show up. Another five minutes and…well he wouldn't be beating Archangel to the door. He flung it open just as Michael stepped onto the porch.

"Hawke," Michael said noting the younger man's irritation. He suppressed the grin that twitched at his lips. "I didn't catch you at a bad time did I?"

"With you Michael, anytime is bad."

Hawke stood in the doorway trying to prevent the spy from entering. If he could keep him on the porch, maybe he could get rid of him quickly.

Michael blatantly looked past Hawke to the interior of the cabin.

"Looking for something?" Hawke moved just enough to block the view.

Michael let a small smile curve the edge of his mouth. He leaned forward on his cane slightly as if to test Hawke's blockade.

Casually he said, "I actually came to see Caitlin. Do you happen to know if she's up yet? My sources say she hasn't started moving her things to the apartment I arranged yet. Since I was in the neighborhood, I thought I'd offer her a hand."

Caitlin started down the stairs.

"You're never just 'in the neighborhood.'"

"Ah, Cait," Michael said as he elbowed his way past Hawke. He used the briefcase he carried for leverage. "Just the woman I wanted to see."

"You want some coffee?" She asked as she poured herself one.

"I'd love one." Michael took a stool at the breakfast bar dropping the briefcase to the counter. He removed his white Panama hat and laid it carefully to the side.

"Sure, make yourself at home. You will anyway," Hawke grumbled past him.

Cait smiled and handed first Michael and then Hawke a cup of coffee.

Michael took one sip then sat it down.

"I thought you might want an update."

"Well, don't keep us in suspense."

"Aren't you friendly this morning?"

"Oh don't mind him," Caitlin waved in Hawke's direction. "He just doesn't like unexpected interruptions."

Hawke glared at her.

Michael raised an eyebrow. He cleared his throat.

"We've found CC's body," he said.

Caitlin let out a sigh of relief. She visibly relaxed.

"Thank god."

"My sentiments exactly, that's at least one Carter you no longer have to worry about."

Michael took another sip of coffee deliberately drawing out the pause in conversation.

"I hear a, but, Michael," Hawke questioned.

Cait's worried eyes settled on the spy.

"But…" he continued. "Chad is still out there."

"Yeah, but isn't he recovering from a coma?" Cait said. "I mean you don't just bounce right back from something like that…and…and won't he need surgery? I mean how likely is it, really that he'll be in any condition to…" She let her words fade in uncertainty.

Michael sighed wishing he could reassure her. He reached to unlatch the case and pulled out a painfully thin file.

"It seems he's already had reconstructive surgery. From what we've been able to determine so far, he has made remarkable progress with physical therapy as well."

He laid the file on the bar and closed the case. Michael rose from his chair and retrieved his hat.

"If you know all that," Hawke gestured at the file, "why don't you bring him in already and be done with it?"

"Because, Hawke despite the former Senator from Texas' legal difficulties, he still has considerable resources with which to aide his less than stellar offspring." Michael picked up his briefcase and headed for the door.

"I know you're doing what you can," Cait said. "Thanks Michael."

The white clad spy halted at the door and turned back. He gave her a short nod in acknowledgement then glanced at Hawke.

"If you get tired of the rustic cabin in the woods, Cait let me know." He openly grinned, "Your luxury apartment will be waiting."

Michael strolled from the cabin with satisfaction at the glower left on Hawke's face.