Hawke checked his watch and then checked again at the clock on the wall in the comfy seating area. In the last few days since the O'Shaunessy's arrival an informal rota for being with Caitlin had been worked out between them and the Airwolf team. It was an arrangement that suited no-one. Whilst Erin had seemed happy to have them around, Patrick was only beginning to grudgingly accept them and Maggie…well, Maggie seemed determined to keep them away from Caitlin completely. Dom had finally admitted defeat that morning and headed back to LA with the Lady using the excuse of an urgent job at Santini Air as his reason for going. Michael had simply had Marella arrange everything so they could run the division from the clinic instead of FIRM headquarters. Hawke had a suspicion that the deputy director was staying to provide him with additional support although the other man would never admit it and he would never ask.

Hawke checked the time again. It was almost lunchtime. The O'Shaunessy's generally let him sit with Caitlin whilst they were in the cafeteria. He frowned. Caitlin was improving but she still looked too fragile. She was still sleeping most of the time but the doctor had said it was the best thing for her as it allowed her body to heal particularly with the minor concussion. Hawke sighed. There had been an unexpected side effect from the head wound; short term amnesia. Caitlin couldn't remember anything after their initial arrival in Maine for the mission. She didn't remember Byrne or his wife, the attempt to take Airwolf, her saving his life…she also didn't remember their conversation in the hangar just before she'd gotten shot when he'd asked her not to leave. He pushed the memory aside and glanced up at the clock.

'We're almost done.' The amused Texan drawl so like Caitlin had his head whipping around. Erin.

Caitlin's sister gestured at the seat next to him. 'Mind if I join you?'

Hawke shook his head. 'How is she?'

'Better.' Erin smiled. 'Arguing with my mother so I think she's on the mend.'

'She's in no condition to argue with anybody.' Hawke commented, a worry line appearing in the middle of his forehead.

'That's how it is with them.' Erin said rubbing her bump. 'Caitlin's always been fearless about life and Mom worries about her, that's all.' She gestured at him. 'You were looking pretty serious when I walked up, everything OK?'

Hawke glanced over at her and nodded.

'Sure about that?' Erin pressed.

Hawke was torn between amusement and annoyance; the amusement won out and his eyes suddenly twinkled at her. 'You know you're a lot like your sister.'

Erin laughed. 'I'll take that as a compliment.'

Hawke smiled at her.

'Come on, what's on your mind?' Erin asked again. 'I promise I won't tell anyone.'

Hawke sighed at the determined look in her green eyes. 'When Cait came back from Texas a few weeks back she told me she was thinking about leaving LA.'

'She told you?' Erin checked.

Hawke nodded. 'I was just thinking that it might not be such a bad idea.' He admitted. Caitlin had been shot saving his life…if she left, if she wasn't involved with Airwolf or him, she would be safe. He should never have asked her to stay…

'You know until now I would have agreed with you.' Erin's quiet words startled him out of his thoughts. She smiled at his confused face. 'I talked to her when she visited us in Texas. I thought she'd made a mistake moving to LA because I didn't think she was going to get what she wanted in life.'

'And now you don't think it was a mistake?' Hawke asked.

'She could have gotten shot if she'd stayed with the force.' Erin pointed out. 'What I meant was that now I've met y'all and I've seen how much y'all care for her, I think I was wrong. That's what I'll be telling her.'

Hawke looked down at the beige carpet unsure what to say.

Erin bit her lip and wondered if she should say more.

The sound of someone moving round the corner into the seating area saved them both from making a reply. Erin stood up to greet her mother and Hawke rose politely to do the same.

'Caitlin's asking for you Erin.' Maggie said. 'You'd best get going to see her.'

'Yes, Mom.' Erin smiled a farewell at Hawke before moving away down the corridor.

Hawke was surprised when Maggie sat down in Erin's vacated chair but he slowly sat back down.

'I hadn't realised Caitlin was thinking of leaving LA.'

Hawke shifted uncomfortably in his chair. 'You heard that?'

'I was eavesdropping.' Maggie admitted bluntly.

Hawke pressed his lips together and folded his arms. What he was tempted to say would only bruise the already fragile relationship he had with Cait's mother.

'You know of all my children, I've worried about Caitlin the most.' Maggie continued. 'She was always the one who pushed herself. It wasn't enough that she could climb a tree, it had to be the tallest. If her horse jumped a six foot fence, well next time it would be seven. When she said she was joining the police force, I knew…' her voice broke and she took a deep breath, regained her control before continuing, 'I knew it would be a matter of time before I got a call because I knew if there was trouble, she'd be in the middle of it.'

Hawke didn't comment; he didn't know what to say.

'Only the force wasn't risky enough, dangerous enough for her, was it?' Maggie said. 'She found something else. And now she's lying in a hospital bed.'

Hawke sighed and shifted to look at her. 'What is it you want from me?'

'I want my daughter safe. That's all I've ever wanted.' Maggie said. 'Only she won't listen to me…'

'And you think she'll listen to me?'

'I think you know you could influence her decision.' Maggie insisted.

Hawke stared at her. 'Caitlin has a mind of her own.'

'She does,' Maggie allowed, 'but you and I both know my daughter's half-way in love with you.'

He broke his eye contact with her abruptly, resisted the urge to leap to his feet.

'I also think you're half-way in love with her.' Maggie continued ruthlessly ignoring the flash of denial and anger that seared her as his eyes shot back to hers. 'And I think you want her safe too.' She stood up. 'I think you know what you need to do. All I'm asking is that you do it.'

'If I do, I'll hurt her.'

His words stopped her from leaving.

'Yes.' She admitted. 'You will.'

'And you could live with that?' Hawke asked staggered at the conversation.

'I love her and I would live with anything if it meant she would be safe.' Maggie returned. 'Could you live with knowing you had the chance to keep her safe and didn't take it?'

Hawke didn't stop her from leaving again; there was nothing more to say.