Chapter 15: All's Well That Ends Well
After Cait dropped Caroline off at the Airport she headed to the hanger to talk with Dom. It was an uncomfortable flight from the cabin to Van Nuys. To Cait's relief Caroline had climbed into the back of the Ranger. Nothing was spoken between them even when Caroline exited the chopper. Cait was tired. She felt like she had just gone though a battle. She smiled at that, maybe she had.
Dom was working on a carburetor when she walked in. " Cait, thank goodness you're back. I have been worried sick. " What happened?"
Cait sat on the stool across from Dom. " She was lying about everything, I just dropped her at the terminal."
Dom did a slow whistle. " How did you get rid of her and that quick?"
" We played a game of chicken and she lost." Cait got up from the stool and kissed Dom. " I need to get to String, I don't want him to suffer over this anymore then he has to."
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String felt better after his long nap and shower. He was surprised that Cait wasn't there when he woke up. He tried calling her but her phone went to voicemail, same with Dom only that wasn't unusual for him. Dom thought cell phones were just an expensive thing to annoy you. He was half asleep when Cait left but he could have sworn she said " we'll figure this out together." He was relieved that she was willing to stick by him, although he didn't know a way out of his situation. A baby was forever. He had thought about having kids but with the right woman some day. Cait would make a good mom and wife, he didn't know why it took him this long to realize it.
He heard Cait's car pull up. She came in surprised to see him up. " Hi, you look much better than when I left you this morning."
He pulled her to him holding her tight. She could feel him tremble slightly. Her breath on his neck was warm and soft, he wished he could hold her like this forever. " String" he barely heard her say, I have to talk to you." He didn't want their bodies to part.
" Sorry Cait, I guess you want to talk about this morning. I slept most of the day and haven't thought things through yet."
" String, that's what I have to tell you. I talked to Caroline today." String seemed alarmed at her news. He didn't want Caroline mixing her up in this mess.
She gently ran her hand though his soft brown hair and he closed his eyes enjoying her touch " She's not pregnant String." His eyes flew open as he grabbed her wrist. "Cait how do you know she's not pregnant?"
"Well I went to Michael this morning and ask if I could bring her to the clinic for a pregnancy test. I also told him about her threat to keep the baby from you. He said he would help considering that there was a chance someone could use your baby to get to Airwolf." Cait took a deep breath, "So I flew to the cabin to confront her." String jumped up. "Cait you're not supposed to fly." She patted his chest pushing him back down on the couch. "I know but I had to. I told her I was taking her for a pregnancy test and that if she refused it proved she was faking. She said she could fake a miscarriage and I told her The Firm would investigate anything she tried to pull." Cait was nervous that he wasn't saying anything.
He spoke up after what she said had sunk in. "So where is she now?"
"I flew her back to the Airport."
String grinned, "So you sent her packing"
Cait blushed "Yeah I guess I did. I figured you were worth fighting for."
String took the three steps it took to have her in his arms again. " I'm grateful that you think I'm worth it." He kissed her in a way that she had never been kissed before. It was strong, possessive and gentle yet showed his vulnerability. In that kiss she was given access to the whole man. No walls stood between them. He picked her up never breaking the kiss taking her into her bed room.
It was One in the morning when Cait woke up. She was in nothing but a tee shirt that barely covered her backside. String was on his side with his arm around her waist holding her close even as he slept. She liked looking at him when he was this peaceful. And as if he sensed her looking at him one eye popped open. He grinned. " What are you thinking about?" She snuggled closer as he pulled the covers around her shoulder.
" I was thinking how I never dreamed that this past year could end this way."
String put his finger under her chin tilting her head so he could see her eyes. "Any regrets?"
"Just one. I wish I would have gone after you in Australia."
String kissed her softly on her eyelid. "Why didn't you."
She rolled on top of him leaving delicate little kisses on his neck. "Because I didn't have the confidence in myself that I have now."
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It was noon when Cait and String finally arrived at the hanger. Dom acted like he was mad at them for being late but he was pleased at what he knew must have taken place to keep them at her house so late. He was already picking out names for his grandchildren.
"You two think you can do something productive today."
Cait giggled, "What makes you think we haven't been productive today."
Dom threw up his hands in surrender. String's cell phone rang, he answered it while he was still laughing at Cait going toe to toe with Dom. " Yeah Michael"
Cait and Dom both turned towards him at the sound of Michaels name. String shoved the phone back in his pocket. "Seems Michaels got a job for me and I'm going to need two people that can fly the Lady with me, you two know anyone I can get?"
Dom quickly wiped his hands off, "You don't need to ask me twice." Cait was already running to the Santini jeep.
String held back watching them both. He was no longer afraid of losing Cait. She proved she could take care of herself. Not that she didn't need him, she did. They both needed each other. And Dom would always be there backing him no matter what. At that moment he felt they were all three invincible. He wasn't the only one that would always come back.
The End