Michael watched as his ten year old daughter ran across the lawn at the back of his LA home, the young Labrador puppy bounding after her. He shoved a hand in the pocket of his white slacks and watched her contentedly for a moment. The sun was shining and Angelina's blond hair gleamed gold as she and the dog played with a Frisbee. It was good to be back from Washington, he thought as more of the tension that had seemed lodged in his muscles for weeks eased.

'She really loves that dog.' Marella, his senior aide, commented from her position at the patio table. Her fingers were surreptitiously brushing the brown dog hairs from her skirt.

'Yes, she does.' Michael slipped into a patio chair and picked up a white china cup. He took an appreciative sip of the dark bitter coffee. 'I've been meaning to thank you for finding him and for shipping him to Washington for Christmas.' His good eye twinkled at the Hawaiian woman. 'Actually I've been meaning to thank you for covering everything here. You've done an outstanding job.'

Marella shrugged pleased with the praise. She tapped the stack of folders in front of her. 'You may think otherwise when you see what I've done.'

'I trust your judgement.' Michael said easily. 'Is there anything urgent?'

'Not particularly.' Marella admitted. 'We registered an upsurge of communications activity just after the Challenger accident but our sources are confirming that sabotage was unlikely.' She sighed. 'It's looking like a tragic accident.'

Michael nodded. 'And the Airwolf project?'

'The design work is going well. Dorothea Connolly is settling in and making a real difference. The woman's a genius with aeronautical engineering. She and Karen Hansen make a good team.'

'Excellent.' Michael frowned and stared at his daughter as she played with the dog. He rubbed his moustache thoughtfully.

Marella scanned the tense features. She'd worked with Michael for a long time and knew when something was bothering him. 'You're thinking about telling Hawke.' She stated quietly.

Michael's good eye shot back to her. 'I think it's time.'

'The project is meant to be confidential,' began Marella.

'He's earned the right to expect me to be honest with him, Marella.' Michael stated. 'Especially over something like this.'

'He's not going to like it.' Marella said.

Michael sighed. 'I don't blame him.' He gestured. 'For the last year I've effectively been running a project that would eliminate his ability to force the FIRM to find his brother. I wouldn't like it.' He had no idea if admitting to the truth would damage his relationship with the pilot irreparably.

Marella sighed. 'I have to admit it would be good having the project out in the open. I've felt pretty uncomfortable keeping it from Hawke, from all of them.'

'We've done what's best for the FIRM.'

'It's still best for the FIRM if we don't tell him.' Marella reminded him. She had never known Michael to place any relationship, anything above his loyalty to the FIRM and his country. Her eyes flickered to the little girl chasing about on the lawn; his daughter was possibly the only exception.

'I know that, Marella.' He sighed. 'I just have to find someway to convince Hawke that the project means we won't stop searching for his brother.'

'We have spent an enormous amount of time searching for Saint John.' Marella pointed out.

'And most of it in the wrong place.' Michael returned. He pointed at her. 'You know the Company director got very cagey when I challenged them on Saint John.'

Marella frowned. 'The Company operates primarily in Eastern Europe. I thought we believed Saint John Hawke was running missions for an intelligence agency in Asia.'

'The Company was heavily involved back in 'Nam.' Michael said. 'They provided a lot of the intelligence coming out of Cambodia and Laos. They had ties through the Russians to the Vietcong that we could never get near.'

'You really think the Company have Saint John.' Marella realised surprised.

'I think it's a distinct possibility they know where he is. Whether he's an operative for them or not…' Michael shrugged.

'Would you like me to set up a meeting?' Marella asked.

'No.' Michael said. 'Let's do some digging first. I'd like to get some concrete proof before I confront them.'

'Yes sir.'

The briefcase on the table beeped and Marella picked up the receiver answering the summons crisply. She immediately handed it to Michael. 'It's Zeus, sir.'

Michael took the phone reluctantly. Zeus had remained in Washington for the announcement of the Senate Oversight Committee's recommendations. 'Archangel here.'

'Archangel.' Zeus sighed. 'It's not good news.'

'How bad?' Michael asked.

'They're recommending that the FIRM is amalgamated with another agency.'

Michael was silent as he absorbed the news although his fingers tapped restlessly against the table; the only sign of his unrest. 'Do we know which agency will take us over?'

'The Company.'

Michael's eyebrows rose sharply and he had to restrain the urge to check he'd heard correctly. 'When?'

'From July if approved.' Zeus' sounded suddenly tired. 'They're giving us one last opportunity to make our case for remaining independent.'

'Do you need me?' Michael offered.

'I think it would be best if you didn't attend.' Zeus said. 'I don't want them distracted with Airwolf or with Stringfellow Hawke.'

'I understand.' Michael murmured.

'I'm not sure you do.' Zeus said sharply. 'What possessed you to mention Hawke as a possible candidate for the test pilot position on the new helicopter?'

'Because he's the best man for the job.' Michael returned firmly.

'Maybe so,' Zeus allowed, 'but I've warned you before how your personal relationship with him clouds your judgement.' There was a brief pause. 'And do not tell Hawke about this new Airwolf project.'

Michael pushed his glasses back up his nose angrily. He was tempted to check for listening devices in the vicinity but knew the director was working from a well-honed knowledge of how Michael operated. 'It would be best if he knew.'

'Best for whom?' Zeus argued. 'Telling him will only reduce our negotiating position with him and you know that, Michael. I also don't want you telling him about this merger.'

Michael seethed silently.

'I want your word, Michael.' Zeus insisted. 'I want your word that you won't tell him.'

Michael remained quiet.

'Michael.' Zeus pressed. 'This is a direct order. I don't want Hawke to know.'

'Fine.' Michael bit out. 'You have my word. I won't tell Hawke about the merger with the Company or the new project.'

Zeus sighed with relief. 'I'll be in touch after the presentation.'

Michael replaced the receiver into the briefcase and scowled furiously at it.

'The Company?' Marella checked.

'Damn!' Michael pushed the briefcase away.

Marella almost flinched at the icy look in his good eye. 'How bad is it for us?'

Michael shrugged. 'They want the new Airwolf project so I think we'll be OK.' He sighed remembering the Company director's words at the hearing. 'I don't think they're sympathetic to Hawke though.'

'You don't think they'll honour our deal with him?'

'I think if they've got Saint John Hawke working for them as an operative somewhere they'll do everything to protect that secret.' Michael stated. 'Hawke won't be able to get near to the information about his brother.' His lips firmed. 'They'll probably keep a pretence of the deal going whilst the new project is completed and then cut him loose.' His stomach churned. As a spy he understood their logic; as Hawke's friend…as Hawke's friend he couldn't sit back and watch it happen. Angelina caught his eye. He didn't owe the Company any loyalty; he owed Hawke everything…

Marella saw the decision in the firming of his jaw, the way his good eye sharply focused and iced over with determination. He was really going to do it; after years of loyal service, he was going to risk everything for Hawke. She sighed. 'You're going to tell him.'

'Hawke deserves to know the truth,' Michael stated in a firm voice, 'both about the project and about the merger.'

'But telling him is a huge risk, sir.' Marella pointed out. 'If he takes it badly…'

'Then whatever he throws at me won't be undeserved.' Michael picked up his coffee cup again. 'He's risking his life every time we give him a mission and we're repaying that with building a machine that may take away his only chance of finding his brother.' He gestured angrily with the cup. 'A chance that just got a deadline on it now we're going to be taken over.'

'There's still a chance we won't be.' Marella argued.

Michael simply arched one elegant eyebrow.

'OK,' Marella conceded, 'so it's unlikely we won't be but there's still the risk Hawke won't understand.'

'I know.'

'And you still want to tell him?' Marella asked.

Michael nodded.

'Why?' She asked plaintively.

'Because,' Michael said simply, 'if our positions were reversed, he would never keep the information from me.' He smiled sadly. 'Because he would put our friendship first and maybe…maybe it's time I did the same.'

Marella stared at him. The significance of the choice he was making wasn't lost on her. 'But didn't Zeus just give you a direct order not to tell Hawke?' She asked trying to get him to see sense from a different perspective. 'If you tell him you'll be subject to disciplinary action.'

'Maybe.' Michael admitted.

Marella sighed as she took in his resolve. 'Maybe not.'

Michael looked at her questioningly.

'I'll tell Hawke.' Marella offered.

'Marella…' Michael shook his head. 'I can't ask you to do that.'

'You're not asking.' She said. 'I'm offering. Truthfully, I've never felt right about leaving Hawke in the dark about this either and besides,' her dark eyes meeting his squarely, 'I think you know that my loyalty is with you not to the FIRM.' Her heart seemed to be beating a little too fast, she thought as she held her breath.

Michael held her gaze for a heartbeat before he reached across the table and took her hand in his. 'Thank you, Marella.'

She gave him a pleased smile. 'Don't thank me yet. Hawke might end up killing us both.'

'That,' Michael agreed as he withdrew his hand and leaned back in his chair, 'is a distinct possibility.'