CHAPTER 13: Caroline Returns

String pulled up to Cait's house with the bag of Chinese take out he picked up for dinner. He couldn't help but notice the big white limo parked out front. "What does he want." He said as he balanced the food as he closed the car door. He wanted to be alone with Cait so he could tell her how he felt about her. They needed to talk over the events of the past year. He had a lot of apologizing to do. He was also counting on what Doc had told him was the truth, that it was him that Cait loved and not Doc.

Setting the bag on the table he looked at Cait who was sitting on the couch with a book she had been reading with Michael in the chair across form her.

"Hawke I was just asking Cait how she was feeling." Hawke scowled. "Yeah, I'll bet that's the reason for your visit. Just get to the point Michael, what do you need from me."

Michael stroked his mustache between his fingers hiding the grin. It looked to him that he was more upset with him being here with Cait then him needing Hawke for a mission.

Michael taped his cane on the floor for a full ten seconds just to mess with him. He needed to show Hawke that he was in control of the situation, although to be honest he knew that when it came to Hawke no one had control but Hawke. At least he got a perverse satisfaction pissing him off.

"I need you to fly me into Ecuador tonight."

Hawke started taking the food cartons out of the bag fetching two plates from the kitchen. Cait watched the interaction between the two. She had to stop herself from laughing out loud. She missed the dance that Michael and String did around each other, Michael trying to get String to do something for him and String making him work for it knowing all along that he will say yes.

"Your people not know their way to Ecuador Michael?" String said scooping out portions from each box onto Cait's plate.

Michael tapped the cane harder on the floor as he spoke not realizing he was doing it. "If I had a plane available with stealth capabilities I wouldn't be here putting up with your grumpy attitude."

String sighed as he handed Cait a glass of iced tea. "When do you need to leave?"

Michael had a smug pleased look on his face. "Right now would work for me. I'll wait out in my limo for you while you finish your dinner and pack."

"Thanks Michael, that's awful big of you."

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The next morning Cait decided that she had had enough of staying home and resting. Since her self appointed guard wasn't there she decided to go into the hanger and "Visit". Surly Dom wouldn't object to her just being there. She pulled into the parking lot. The hanger doors were open and Dom was already throwing down a rag and heading towards her looking none too happy at her arrival.

"Catlin, what are you doing here after I told you to stay away for at least a month." He strode toward her with the look of a determined man on a mission. "Young lady I'm about to introduce my hand to your butt." Seeing he wasn't kidding Cait ran around to the other side of her car as he went the other way to intercept her. Thinking fast she held up the bag of sandwiches she picked up at his favorite deli waving it like a white flag. "Dom wait, I just thought we could eat lunch together."

Seeing the bag of food and half believing that was the reason she was there he stopped chasing her. "Alright, come on in, but if you think you're here to work that spanking is still on the table."

Cait was relieved her ploy worked because she had a feeling he was serious about warming up her behind.

Dom retrieved two cold drinks from the refrigerator as Cait unwrapped the sandwiches. "So Dom, do ya think String is really working for Michael again?" Dom wiped his mouth with his napkin and took a drink.

"Well, that was the deal when he asked Michael for the Lady to rescue you and Doc. You know String, he's a man of his word. And speaking of being a man of his word, I was serious about what I said. Cait you need to take a long vacation."

Cait lifted up her hands, "Ok, ok Dom. I know I need to rest. But I also need to be with people I feel safe with and can talk to and we both know that leaves my family out."

Dom thought about what she said, It wasn't like she could tell them what happened to her or the fact she had been working for the government flying Airwolf. "You're right sweetheart. But I don't want you working."

Cait put her index finger and thumb an inch apart from each other. How bout just a tiny bit of paper work. " Dom almost spit his drink out from laughing at her tenacity. Maybe keeping her close wasn't such a bad idea. "Alright but when I say it's time to quit its time to quit, ok?"

Excited Cait thrust her hand out to shake on it. "Deal"

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Two hours later Cait looked out the office window to see a airport shuttle van pull up and a woman get out. She couldn't see who it was. Dom was walking out to her. Both turned and walked toward the office . Without the sun in her eyes she could make out who it was, Caroline.

Cait could tell Dom was nervous talking to her. " Like I said Miss Benson, Strings not here. He won't be back until tomorrow night."

Caroline turned to the man that had been following her carrying her luggage pointing to a spot on the floor. "You can sit them here. " The man did not leave, he was waiting on a well deserved tip for putting up with such a spoiled whinny woman. It finally dawned on her why he was still there.

"Would either of you have a few dollars on you for the tip, I never carry money."

Cait reached in her purse and took out a ten, it was way more than what was customary but judging by her behavior she figured the man deserved it. She handed it to the man who was reluctant to take it. The nice redhead was not the one who owed him the tip. Caroline noticed his reluctance and knew the reason for it.

Turning to Cait with a smile, " I'm sure String will pay you back when he gets home."

Neither Dom nor Cait knew what to make of her arrival.

Cait spoke up first. " Was String expecting you?"

Acting like she was looking for something important in her purse she pointed to Dom. "Like I was telling Mr. Santini here, I was surprised String wasn't here , although I am a week earlier than I told him. I wanted to surprise him." Then she shifted her attention to Cait. "I'm sorry, I don't remember your name."

Cait was desperately trying to hide her emotions. "Catlin" She was barely able to get out.

"Well Catlin can either of you fly me to the cabin? I didn't make a hotel reservation thinking String would be here. Even though I would be more comfortable at a five star hotel he wanted me at the cabin."

Dom was still trying to wrap his head around what was happening. " I'll take you Miss Benson."

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Cait sat at the office desk. She didn't think she had another tear in her to cry. " Stupid, stupid, stupid, " was all she kept repeating to herself. " I promised myself I wouldn't get hurt again, I knew I shouldn't have read more into the attention he was paying me." She took her purse from the desk and headed home.

Dom was flying back from the cabin. That had been the longest flight of his life. Caroline wouldn't stop talking about how much String missed her and how surprised she was when he called her and said they should make another go of the relationship. At first he didn't think it sounded like String but knowing him and his aversion to getting close to anyone he loved he believed he could do this as a way to distance himself from Cait. One thing was for sure, he was going to kick that boy's butt when he saw him. Now he needed to go see Cait and try and pick up the pieces of a heart he knew was broken.

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String was happy to be back. While Michael was having his secret rendezvous with the high ranking official he had nothing but time on his hands to think about Cait. She seemed to be warming up to him. Dom was right, all he needed to do was give her time and not let her push him away. He stopped at the hanger first to pick up the duffle bag of clothes he kept there before heading over to Caits. He was planning on taking her to the cabin to stay a few days if she would agree to it, although he smiled at the thought of her being there for the rest of his life. He noticed that the lamp in the office was on so he went in to turn it off. Under the lamp was a note. He picked it up.

"String, I couldn't get hold of you so I figured you were in a remote area. Caroline was here. She said you were expecting her. I flew her to the cabin. Cait is with me. I had to fly Pete some supplies so you won't be able to get hold of me. I'll be back tomorrow."

String dropped the note back on the desk. What was she doing here. He hadn't heard from her since he left. And why did Dom think he wanted her at the cabin. Cait, he had to talk to her. What was she thinking. He pulled out his phone until he remembered that Pete lived in the remote mountains. He was an old war buddy of Dom's . Four times a year Dom took him supplies. He put his phone back in his pocket and headed for the jet ranger.

Landing on the dock String noticed the lights were still on even though it was late. He was glad of that, he wanted to have it out with Caroline as soon as possible. When he walked in she was sitting on the couch in a posed position with a silk nightgown on that was partially see through. He knew her ploys by now, her rehearsed conversations that were used to get her way. That was one of the many reasons he broke it off with her. He strode over to her standing over her with his arms crossed.

" Why are you here Caroline?" She stood up putting her arms around him. " String don't be this way. You have no idea how much I missed you."

He untangled himself from her and put distance between them. " I told you when I left that I wasn't in love with you. And if you were honest with yourself you weren't in love with me either."

She hurried to his side. " That's not true. I thought if I let you go you would miss me and realize you made a mistake by leaving. Since you didn't come back Daddy said I should come to you."

String ran his hand through his hair in exasperation. " Caroline I don't want to hurt you but I don't love you, I never did. I love someone else, I wasn't aware of it until I left."

Caroline's fake tears turned to anger. " Don't tell me it's that plain Jane that works for you and Mr. Santini. I saw the look on her face when I told her you still wanted me. Are you telling me you would take that mousey thing over me!"

The muscle in String's Jaw twitched. He would never hit a woman so instead he ignored her remarks about Cait.

" Caroline get dressed and get your things together. I'm taking you back to a hotel. From there you can see your own way home."

He turned to walk out the door. "String, it isn't just me you're turning your back on." String stopped cold in his tracks at her words. "You're also sending your unborn child away as well."