In Airwolf, Hawke scowled at the communication system. Dom watched him fidget with a frown. 'Caitlin's right where she supposed to be String. The tracer signal is coming through clear and strong.'

Hawke shifted restlessly and Dom grabbed his seat as the helicopter lurched with him. 'You have to stop fretting String.'

Hawke sighed, automatically righting their position. 'I know. I just don't like that she's going to be without one of us backing her up.'

'We're backing her up and she has Ballard.' Dom argued.

'Yeah that makes me feel better.' Hawke commented.

'She'll be fine.' Dom tried to reassure him.

Hawke resisted the urge to sigh again. He'd accepted that Caitlin was needed outside of Airwolf reluctantly. He wanted her where he could see her but she had pointed out that it would take more time before her shoulder would stand-up to flying Airwolf and besides, Hawke was too recognisable to Bening and Dom just too old to play the part required to complete the mission. He pushed the thought out of his head. He needed to be focused. Bening had just arrived at Campton police station; Airwolf had tracked his progress thanks to the surveillance dust Delaney had managed to plant on him staying out of sight, they knew where he was heading after all.

'Bringing up the audio surveillance now.' Dom murmured.

'…in this matter, Agent Harris but I am taking custody of your prisoners.' Bening's voice came stridently through the speakers.

'You have no jurisdiction.' Harris replied.

'It's a matter of national security.' Bening began.

'So is the reason why I have them locked in a cage.' Harris's voice was a growl.

'You can ask the FBI director, my mission takes priority.'

'Well, unless I get a call from him, these prisoners are mine.' Harris said.

'How about a call from your Commander in Chief?' Bening said threateningly. 'Whether you like it or not Harris, I'm taking these prisoners.'

The discussion continued for some time before Harris caved and arrangements were made to transfer the custody of the two prisoners to Bening with the caveat that the Campton PD and FBI would provide a security escort to the airfield where a plane was waiting to take Bening back to Washington.

Airwolf tracked the cars back to the plane. Hawke and Dom silently monitored the prisoners getting onto the plane accompanied by Bening. The plane took off and all the while Airwolf followed unseen, undetected like the predator she was.

'Bring the audio back.' Hawke instructed.

'…dismissed.' Bening's voice again.

'Yessir.' The sharp acknowledgement of the command jarred with the knowledge that it was Ballard who made it.

'Arthur, what the hell is going on?' Veronica's breathless feminine voice drifted through the cockpit.

'What did you tell them?' Bening's voice was harsh and low.

It was Higgs who answered. 'Nothing. We told them nothing.'

'Honestly, Arthur, do you really think we would say something?' There was more confidence in Veronica's voice.

'You were arrested because they linked you to the Free America movement.'

'Well we didn't tell them nothing, I s.s.sswear, boss.' Higgs stuttered.

'Higgs when you stutter I know you told them something. What is it?' Bening's voice was low, dangerous.

'Nothing.'

There was a smacking sound, a grunt and a faint cry.

'Keep your mouth shut, Ronnie. You understand me? If you bring that guard back in here, I'll do more to you than bloody your lip like I've just done to Higgs here.' Bening threatened. 'Now, Higgs, you'd better start talking or I'm going to leave you with one tooth and if you think the army are going to be worried about two prisoners turning up a little beaten, think again.'

'They were asking about the money.' Higgs sounded sulky.

'The money?' Bening's voice had grown thoughtful.

'Yeah. About whether you knew a donation had come from the Free America movement. I told them though boss, that the donation was my idea, that you didn't know.'

'So that's their game.' Bening laughed. 'Well, let them try and tie me to the movement. There's no evidence.'

'That's not what they asked me.' Ronnie's voice piped up timidly. 'They were asking me all kinds of questions about the night you shot Kathy. But I told them the same as I did back then that I heard the shot just like you told me.'

'Bingo.' Dom murmured.

'Cait, do you copy?' Hawke radioed.

'I copy.' Caitlin confirmed from her position as pilot in Bening's plane. 'I'm declaring the in-flight emergency and returning to Campton. Copy.'

Hawke breathed out slowly at the sound of her voice. 'We copy, Alpha-Tango-Charlie-Zero.'

They switched back to the audio surveillance and heard her make the announcement. Bening erupted and called Ballard through to the seating area.

'What the hell is going on?'

'Sir, the pilot has identified a problem with one of the engines. We need to set down to repair the problem and Campton is nearer.'

'Fine. Dismissed.'

'Sir, yessir.'

'What are we going to do now?' Higgs whined.

'We are going to Campton and I'm going to arrange alternative transportation, a vehicle. You two will escape on the way to Washington and disappear.'

'But Arthur…' Ronnie seemed shocked.

'I'll make sure you're OK, Ronnie.' Bening soothed. 'Haven't I always made sure you're OK?'

'He's going to have them eliminated.' Dom concluded in a quiet voice.

'That would be my guess.' Hawke said.

The journey back was short and they were soon watching the plane make its descent. Hawke tensed. The vital moment was going to play out on the ground in the next few minutes.

The plane taxied to a halt at the end of the runway and two vehicles raced to meet it. Hawke could see Ballard escorting Higgs and Hilly down the steps onto the tarmac, Bening following them. They came to a halt as the vehicles pulled up. Two police officers got out the first with Detective Thorn; Harris and Oglivy got out the other. All of them took defensive positions behind their vehicles and raised their guns.

'What's going on here?' Bening asked.

'Bening, you're under arrest for the murder of your wife, Katherine Bening.' Thorn stated clearly.

'That's quite a theory.' Bening said conversationally.

'It's more than a theory.' Thorn asserted calmly. 'We can link you to Higgs and from Higgs to Ronnie here prior to the murder. We can prove with science that she could not have heard the gunshot if events had happened as they were staged. Your alibi just went up in smoke.'

'You don't have the evidence…'

'As of five minutes ago I don't need it.' Thorn said. 'I have your confession.'

'Sorry, buddy.' Ballard's easy going tone had an edge. 'But the plane was bugged.'

Hawke saw Bening whirl around to face Ballard. He'd taken a step back behind the steps, providing himself with some necessary cover in case Bening reached for his gun.

Bening focused on Oglivy. 'You set me up.'

'No, Hawke did that.' Ballard commented. 'We just get to enjoy the look on your face.'

Bening moved and faster than anyone anticipated. He grabbed Hilly and thrust his gun into her neck. 'I believe everyone knows I'm capable of shooting her.'

'Go ahead.' Thorn said. 'She's hardly an innocent is she? She tipped you off to Bill Mason.'

'Yes she did but I still don't think you'll want blood on your hands, Detective.' Bening said.

'You bastard.' Thorn said the anger vibrating in his voice. 'You had him killed.'

'He was a nuisance.' Bening bit out. 'He wouldn't let it go. He had to be stopped.'

'Drop it, Bening.' Harris yelled. 'You have nowhere to go.'

Bening threw Hilly at Ballard and raced for the steps to the plane. He was sent flying backwards by a karate kick; Caitlin had taken position at the plane door. He barrelled back into Ballard, they tussled as Ronnie used the opportunity to make her getaway.

Harris aimed and fired. Bening shifted at the last minute and Ballard blanched as the bullet hit his arm. The detective went down and Bening shot back.

All the law enforcement dived for cover as bullet after bullet ricocheted into metal and glass as Bening ran after Higgs who had used the distraction of Bening's previous move to make a run for it down the runway to a parked A-10 helicopter. He was at the controls, the rotors were powering up.

Hawke raised Airwolf up and eased her over the hangar. He sent a barrage of chain gun fire at Bening. Bening and Higgs were army trained though; gunfire didn't deter them, Bening threw himself into the chopper and they took off. Ronnie was a different matter; she turned and ran across the adjoining field.

Caitlin's fingers pressed Thorn's hand against Ballard's wound even as she relinquished her place by the injured but conscious detective to him. She took off after the escaping Ronnie as Airwolf followed after the escaping chopper. It was a hawk following a sparrow, she thought. Deep down, she had always known that Hawke would deal with Bening on his own terms but maybe…maybe she could get some justice for Katherine Bening and Bill Mason by bringing in Veronica Hilly…

Justice or vengeance; Hawke had made the choice before more than once and had lived with those decisions every day. 'Give it up, Bening. It's over.' Hawke radioed.

The A-10 went into an evading manoeuvre that ducked them under Airwolf bringing the helicopter up behind her.

'He has to know he can't win.' Dom said confused. 'He has no firepower or speed. We can take them out anytime.'

Hawke hit the turbos and gained some distance before taking her into a climb and turned mid-air into a dive coming back down behind Bening.

'You can't win, Bening.' Hawke radioed again. 'Land the chopper or we'll land it for you.'

'I win so long as you don't.' Bening taunted.

The A-10 veered and turned; it headed straight for them.

'String!' Dom's voice was frantic in his ear but Hawke was already targeting the helicopter; he fired the missile. The A-10 exploded over the hillside, a burning ball of steel. Hawke circled back to the Campton airfield.

Caitlin kicked the legs out from under Ronnie and before she could get up, sat on her. She was breathless as she slapped the cuffs on. The older woman had put up quite a fight. Caitlin tested her jaw still worked; Ronnie had quite a right hook. Campton PD officers took hold of her and Caitlin let them; the collar was hers whatever the record showed. Caitlin could hear them reading the woman her Miranda rights as she was led to the waiting police vehicle and the approaching sirens of more law enforcement hurrying to provide them with back-up. She scanned the sky worriedly, rubbing her shoulder. It ached badly from her exertions. She heard Airwolf before she saw her. She grinned as Airwolf screamed overhead and swung round to land next to her.

Caitlin ran over and ducked under the slowing rotors. Hawke opened the door just as she reached for it and stepped out to hug her. For a long moment, they held onto each other before Hawke framed her face with his hands and kissed her gently. Dom smiled at the sight of them as he came round from the passenger side. Thorn and Ballard came over to stand next to him. Thorn held his hand out and a pale and bloodied Ballard scowled. He awkwardly took out his wallet and laid a crisp ten dollar bill in the older man's hand. Dom chuckled and patted Ballard in sympathy.

'Are they going to stop any time soon?' Ballard asked in disgust.

Hawke felt Caitlin smile and raised his head to look at the younger man. 'How's your arm, Ballard?' He kept his arm firmly around Caitlin's shoulder.

'Hurts like hell but I'll live.' Ballard replied.

'Bening?' asked Thorn.

'His helicopter had an unfortunate accident.' Hawke said.

'Yeah, it flew into a missile.' Dom completed with a laugh.

Thorn's lips twitched. 'That is unfortunate.'

Hawke cocked his head; Airwolf was beginning to draw attention and Oglivy was headed their way. 'Time to go.'

Dom handed Thorn a computer disc. 'The whole confession including the stuff on the ground about Detective Mason. You can use it to convict Veronica Hilly.'

'Thank you.' Thorn said sincerely.

Hawke nodded and let go of Caitlin so she could walk round to her place in the co-pilot seat. She ignored Thorn's outstretched hand and gave him a hug. She kissed his cheek. 'Thank you for all you've done.' She said.

Ballard grinned cheekily at Hawke as Caitlin turned to him. She rolled her eyes and gave Ballard the same treatment as his partner. He held onto her when she went to move away. 'If you ever get tired of Hawke…' he began.

Caitlin smiled and took the final step towards Airwolf. 'Don't hold your breath.' She climbed in and was grateful as Thorn closed the door behind her. She looked over at Hawke who was looking at her concerned as the rotors started to whir and the engines came on line.

'Your shoulder?'

'It took a knock.' She admitted, reaching for the heavy helmet. Hawke beat her to it and helped her before putting on his own.

Patrol cars were pouring onto the runway. Hawke grasped the cyclic and took Airwolf up and into the blue sky. The local police had no more than a moment to admire the sleek lines and sheer power of the machine hovering in front of them before Airwolf shot away at mach speed.