Caitlin checked her watch again and took a sip of coffee from a cardboard cup. She peered out of the windshield at the entrance of the office building. She and Marella had parked a bit further down the street in the other woman's rental car. Marella sat in the driver's seat with a similar cup of coffee in her hands. The FIRM satellite phone sat between them ready to be used for the check-ins with Airwolf. Caitlin sighed and rolled her shoulders trying to get past her unease of Hawke spending even more time with his ex.

'You know I'm not sure I could be as understanding as you.' Marella commented. She was a little concerned at how quiet Caitlin was.

Caitlin glanced over at Marella to find her looking at her sympathetically. Caitlin smiled tightly and returned her gaze to the building. 'To be honest I'm not sure my understanding is going to last much longer.'

'I know I wouldn't have lasted as long as you.' Marella murmured.

Caitlin sighed. 'You know Dom teased Hawke for a whole month about what happened with Rowan last year. I always wanted to see what she was like, why she had got his attention.' She bit her lip. 'And now I know.'

'She reminds me of you.'

Caitlin's head swivelled round to meet Marella's dark eyes in shock. 'You're not serious.' She shifted in the seat and looked back at the building.

'I am.' Marella said. 'Personally I think he was attracted to her because of her similarity to you.'

Caitlin laughed. 'Thank you for the idea but you and I both know that's not true. I mean she's very pretty and I'm…'

'Selling yourself short.' Marella interrupted. 'Hawke found you attractive from the moment you guys met just as you found him attractive. It just took you both an age to admit it to one another.'

Caitlin chewed on her bottom lip. 'There was a letter with the book when she sent it to Hawke. It kinda freaked me out.'

'Why?'

'It was all about how she'd made a mistake walking away from him, how she'd realised that she was in love with him and how she needed his help.'

'Oh.' Marella frowned.

'I mean I might not have minded too much about helping her although I can't say I was exactly thrilled that my fiancé was spending so much time alone with one of his exes before I read the letter…'

'But she wrote the letter before she knew about you.' Marella gestured. 'Now she knows she probably isn't going to tell Hawke about her feelings if that's the real truth of them.'

'You don't think it is?'

'I think she was scared and she needed someone. Hawke rescued her once before so it was natural for her to turn to him.' Marella took a gulp of coffee. 'She walked away for a reason.'

'I think that's the other thing bothering me.' Caitlin admitted. 'It was her who originally walked away not him.'

'That was then. You have to know Hawke would never cheat on you.' Marella was incredulous that Caitlin could think otherwise.

'I know.' Caitlin said defensively. She sighed. 'I guess I'm just a little freaked out by it all.'

'It's not surprising.' Marella said comfortingly. 'It's one thing to check an ex out, quite another to have your fiancé spend a couple of days with her alone.'

'Yeah.'

'He loves you. That's the important thing.'

Caitlin fingered her engagement ring and smiled at Marella. She appreciated the other woman's attempt to comfort her. Although their relationship was pretty much defined by their connection through Michael and Hawke, it was nice, she realised, to feel like she had a female friend to turn to.

'I seem to be thanking you a lot lately.' Caitlin said.

'No problem.' Marella smiled back before her eyes jerked forward, caught by a movement at the building entrance. 'Hey, here we go.' Gough was leaving along with Binn.

'I'll call it in,' confirmed Caitlin reaching for the satellite phone. It only took a few moments to connect to Airwolf and confirm the game was afoot. They left the car as soon as the call was made and walked quickly over to the office building. They entered through the front entrance. They drew their guns as soon as they were inside. The SecOp office was on the third floor; they took the stairs. They flattened themselves along the poorly lit corridor and took positions on either side of the door marked 'SecOp'. Marella gave the count on her hand. They went in together; one high, one low. Caitlin shot one guard before he could bring his own gun to bear. He fell to the floor clutching his arm. The other guard had been positioned behind the door and he tackled Marella before she could aim. They rolled over the floor. She karate chopped his arm and he cried out. She threw him off her and stamped down on his groin. He shrieked and doubled over, moaning.

'That's a move that never grows old.' Caitlin said.

Marella nodded. 'I've got these covered.'

Caitlin made her way into the inner office. Allie's eyes opened wide at the sight of her. Caitlin made her way quickly over and undid the gag.

'Don't worry. We're here to get you out.' She said.

'Are you the police?' Allie asked as Caitlin untied her hands and feet.

'We're friends of your sister.' Caitlin said. She helped the young girl to her feet. 'Come on. Let's get out of here.'