Hawke saw the Valley of the Gods ahead of them, the red stone awash with early morning sunlight and gave a sigh of relief. He shifted fruitlessly trying to ease the stiffness from flying too long in a temperamental aircraft that demanded constant focus. He'd switched to autopilot for a large proportion of the journey home but even so…he glanced behind him and smiled at the sight of Dom sat in the engineer's chair snoring away.

They'd completed their mission to get Zeus and Dorothea safely to Washington. It hadn't been as bad as he'd thought transporting the director of the FIRM. The older man had even admitted with some awe that Airwolf was an outstanding machine. Hawke smiled. He'd seen the momentary look of panic on Zeus' face when they'd hit the turbos and gone to mach speed. That moment alone had made the trip worth the inconvenience.

It had been good to ensure Dorothea had been taken care of too, Hawke thought as he ran an automatic scan to ensure the Lair was clear. She'd told him on the trip out that Michael had offered her a job. Hawke wasn't surprised. Michael had a weakness for strong, intelligent women and Dorothea definitely fell into that category. He'd surprised himself by advising her to take the job. She'd thanked him for saving her life when they'd parted; he'd told her the gratitude was mutual – he would never have found Zeus without her.

He checked the monitor; all clear. He positioned Airwolf to descend down the funnel, back into the cave. Dom woke with a start as Airwolf landed with the merest bump.

He yawned. 'What time is it, kid?'

'Time to go home.' Hawke said tiredly.

'I hear you.' Dom said laughing. He climbed out and stretched his stiff body.

'Are you OK?' Hawke asked worriedly seeing a flash of discomfort across the other man's face.

'Hey. I'm not done for yet.' Dom softened the words with his trade-mark grin. 'Although maybe I should leave the all-nighters to you kids in future, huh?' He got overtaken by a yawn again.

'You need to get some sleep.'

'Yeah. I promised Rosa I'd take her to dinner tonight to make up for missing our date yesterday.'

Hawke leaned over the nose to look at his surrogate father fondly. 'We never did get round to that subject you wanted to discuss.'

'Oh that.' Dom stretched his arms out. 'It can wait. We're both tired, kid.'

'You sure?' Hawke asked.

Dom smiled. 'Well…if you're sure you want to hear it…'

'Dom,' Hawke interrupted him, 'just spit it out.'

The older man turned to Hawke. For a moment he let his eyes travel over the younger man. Hawke's boyish looks were pale and the shadows under his eyes and rumpled hair spoke of his tiredness but he was reviewing Dom with a clear steady blue gaze. Dom returned it fondly. 'I'm going to ask Rosa to marry me.'

Hawke blinked. 'Marry you?' He repeated. 'Isn't that a bit quick?'

Dom gave a grunt of laughter. 'You can't wait around and be as cautious as you when you get to my age, kid.' He reached into Airwolf and pulled a couple of bottles of water from a compartment. He threw one over at Hawke.

Hawke caught the bottle with a nod of thanks. 'Dom, are you real sure about this?'

'Yeah I am kid.' Dom took a slurp of water. 'You know that spell in the hospital shook me up, made me realise that I don't have much time left...'

'Dom…'

'Hear me out, huh?' Dom sighed. 'I'm not saying I'm going to keel over tomorrow but I want to get the most out of whatever time I do have.'

'I get that Dom I do,' Hawke said quietly, 'and I don't mean to tell you your business and like I said Rosa seems nice and all…'

'Kid, just say it.' Dom said impatiently.

'How well do you know her, really?' Hawke winced at his own bluntness. Yeah, he thought, that was subtle, real subtle.

'What do you mean?' Dom demanded.

'Well, I mean, have you even met this sister of hers?' Hawke asked trying to ignore the building anger in Dom's eyes.

'No,' Dom admitted, 'but it doesn't matter. Rosa makes me happy,' he gestured, 'that's all I need to know.'

Hawke looked down at his drink. God he was hopeless at these types of discussions. 'Dom,' he sighed and looked back up at his oldest friend, 'would you let Michael do a check on her?'

Dom's mouth fell open. 'Do a…? No!' He glared at Hawke. 'And you're not going to ask him to either.' He started over to the Santini Air jeep by the entrance.

'All I'm thinking, Dom, is that it couldn't hurt to make sure.' Hawke said following him and gesturing with his bottle, spilling water onto the ground. 'You know both Cait and I have been caught out in the past…'

'Rosa isn't using me to get to Airwolf, String. What would she want with a…a mach capable, highly advanced helicopter, huh? She doesn't even fly.' Dom gestured at him again. 'You're being paranoid!'

'Maybe.' Hawke allowed.

The two men stared at each other for a heartbeat.

'Can't you just be happy for me, kid?' Dom pleaded with him.

Hawke sighed. 'Do me one favour?'

Dom looked at him suspiciously. 'What?'

'Don't tell her about the Lady, not until Cait and I agree for her to know.' Hawke held up a hand when Dom opened his mouth to argue. 'I know you trust her but it's all our lives on the line here, Dom.'

The older man considered it. 'I guess that's fair.' He said eventually. 'OK then.'

'OK.'

'You coming?' Dom asked.

'I'm going to finish up here. I'll drive Michael's jeep back.' Hawke gestured at the white jeep parked alongside Dom's vehicle.

Dom gave a nod and got in his car. Hawke watched him drive away and frowned.