Stringfellow Hawke leaned against the cabin doorway and looked over at his wife standing on the wooden pier that edged the lake by their home. Her long red hair was blowing in the breeze and her blue-green eyes were fixed at some distant point across the mountains. Hawke's thumb rubbed absently against the wedding ring he wore. If someone had told him when he'd met Caitlin O'Shaunessy that he would have ended up marrying her, he wouldn't have believed them. There was an instant attraction between them but he had settled for an easy, close friendship with the ex-cop from Texas, afraid to risk anything more until a separation had forced him to admit his feelings. Now, that same friendship formed the bedrock of their marriage, and Hawke couldn't imagine his life without her.

It was unusual, he mused, for her to be this still. Caitlin was normally a livewire; her energy sparking even when she was resting. He frowned and pushed his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. She'd been quiet all day, quiet enough that Hawke's surrogate father, Dominic Santini, had told Hawke to take his wife home early from the air service where they all worked. Hawke's startling blue eyes narrowed on her tense figure. Caitlin'd had a tough time of late, he thought.

The week before, she'd killed two men defending the life of their good friend, Marella. The FIRM agent had been attacked whilst in the hospital recovering from injuries sustained saving the life of their other friend, Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III. Caitlin might have once been a cop but she hadn't trained for fights to the death against professional assassins. She was having nightmares about what had happened, nightmares that woke them both from sleep. She would come to terms with it but it was going to take time and it wasn't the only thing that was preying on her mind; Caitlin was also upset about Marella's situation. The agent's injuries had left her unable to have children and it was a high price to pay even for an intelligence operative who knew the risks of the business. Hawke figured Caitlin's compassion for Marella was complicated by the fact that they, themselves, were trying to begin their family.

Hawke sighed; he rubbed a hand over his boyish face and through his short brown hair. Marella was being transferred to a clinic in Maui to continue her recovery near to her family and he hoped the distance would give Caitlin some space from the other woman to deal with it. Michael had given them the news when they had visited the FIRM clinic earlier. Michael had seemed to have moved in there and Hawke was surprised he was able to spend so much time away from his office. The spy was acting as the director of the FIRM after the previous incumbent, Zeus, had been killed trying to escape from Airwolf when the team had discovered that he had been responsible for the attempt on Michael's life and Marella's injuries. Michael was also back in charge of the Airwolf project, which was without its project director with Marella in hospital.

The FIRM was currently building two versions of the world's most technologically advanced and only mach capable helicopter; one that would go on to be the next generation of her class and another which would take the place of the original Airwolf when the FIRM was amalgamated with the Company in July. The team had decided not to hand the original machine over when it had become clear Airwolf was exhibiting signs of artificial intelligence. It was vital the fake Airwolf was ready in time. Michael had assured them everything was on track. Hawke shook his head. He guessed the spy had some latitude in his new role to do what he wanted and if everything was on track then it was good that he had decided to prioritise supporting Marella through her recovery. Just, thought Hawke, like he was going to have to support his wife through hers.

Hawke pushed away from the door, gave his dog Tet a pat on the head, and walked over to stand behind Caitlin. His arms went around her waist and he drew her closer to him so her back was nestled against his chest, his cheek against hers as he looked over her shoulder. The last rays of the sun were hitting the glassy water and turning it a molten gold. They were silent as the sun went down below the horizon and the eerie cry of the lake's resident eagle filled the darkening sky.

Hawke's hand covered Caitlin's where it rested flat over her stomach. She slipped her other hand over his.

'I'm not pregnant.' Caitlin murmured.

Hawke understood her meaning immediately and felt a wave of disappointment at the news. He pushed it away and shifted her so she was stood facing him, his arms still around her. He brushed her hair away from her face. 'Is that why you've been quiet all day?' He asked gently.

She nodded.

'The doctor did say it would take a couple of months for your body to adjust to being off the contraception.' He tried to comfort her.

Caitlin nodded. 'I know.' She sighed. 'I guess I just hoped…'

'For a winning touchdown in your first game out?' completed Hawke as she searched for words.

'Wasn't quite the metaphor I was going for,' Caitlin said, 'but yeah.' She smiled ruefully. 'I just want our baby so badly I guess I raised my hopes.'

'Me too.' Hawke admitted. He kissed her gently before cuddling her closer.

Caitlin sighed again as she burrowed into him. 'And then I felt bad about being disappointed when we saw Marella. I mean, we still have the opportunity of trying again whereas Marella…' She bit her lip. 'I can only imagine how she's feeling.'

'She'll get through this.' Hawke said rubbing her back consolingly. 'At least, she's alive to get through it thanks to you.'

Caitlin shuddered as the memory of the cramped hospital room and the two assassins coming at her swamped her for a moment. Her eyes filled with tears and she was crying before either of them knew it. His arms went around her and he let her cry herself out. When she finally quieted, he handed her a tissue and she scrubbed at her face and blew her nose.

'Sorry,' she gasped. 'This is exactly what I didn't want to do.'

Hawke brushed at the wetness on her freckled cheek. 'It's OK to be upset about this.'

'You handle things like this all the time without bursting into tears.' Caitlin pointed out.

'Cait, I trained as a soldier and a combat pilot,' Hawke retorted, 'not to mention the additional training I had when I worked with the FIRM. I'm trained to kill; you aren't.' He sighed. 'Out of the two of us, I think you have the healthier reaction.'

'You're just saying that to make me feel better.' Caitlin said.

One of the corners of his lips curved upwards. 'Is it working?'

She gave a hiccupping laugh. 'A little.' She sniffed.

Hawke nodded and dipped his head to steal a kiss. 'Come on. Let's get inside and get some dinner.' He said.

She nodded and they walked back to the cabin shutting the door on the gathering dark.

Inside, Hawke ran her a bubble bath, handed her a glass of wine and told her he was taking charge of the kitchen. His attentiveness had Caitlin feeling loved and spoiled. She was a lucky woman, Caitlin thought with a smile. Hawke was always there for her; she didn't know what she would have done without his steadfast support over the previous week. She shivered as the memory of shooting the two men intruded again. She was going to have to move past this, she thought determinedly. She had acted in the defence of someone she cared for a great deal; her actions had been necessary and more importantly, they were just. She needed to put it behind her and focus on her marriage and the family they were attempting to build. The water cooled and she climbed out of the bath.

Maybe there was some way of showing her appreciation for her husband's support, she mused as she wrapped a towel around her body and reached for another for her hair. Hawke wanted the latest album by a country singer called Kyle Hardy and the singer was scheduled to appear at a signing in a music store near Van Nuys the next day. Hawke had already complained to Dom that he wouldn't be able to make it as the two men were scheduled for an aerial stunt at the same time. She'd go and buy it for him, Caitlin decided. She could get someone to cover at the airfield and drive down; it shouldn't take too long and Hawke would love it. She dried off and dressed in old jeans and one of Hawke's shirts before she wandered back down to the kitchen.

Hawke was dishing up as she walked in. 'Perfect timing,' he said pointing at the table.

Caitlin turned around and froze. He'd set two places at one end with their finest china and glassware. Candles were lit and set slightly off centre to give a cosy, romantic glow. The flames flickered over a small vase with a gorgeous red flower. She felt like crying again. She blinked back the tears furiously, took hold of her husband and kissed him soundly.

'It looks great.' She said.

Hawke nudged her to the table and sat her down. He served her a plate of grilled fish, rice and a green salad and went back for his own. He refilled the wine and joined her. He picked his wine glass up. 'I know we weren't successful with the baby this time but…to more practice.'

She smiled; they certainly enjoyed practicing. 'To more practice.'

They made the toast and dug into their meal. For a while they concentrated on eating.

'You know when we visited Marella earlier?' Caitlin asked pointing her fork at her husband.

'Yeah?'

'Did you notice she wasn't calling Michael 'sir' anymore?'

Hawke's eyebrow quirked upwards and he picked up his wine. He gestured at her with the glass. 'You're obviously feeling better.'

'Oh?'

'You're back to match-making.' He pointed out, his blue eyes twinkling at her across the table.

'Hawke.' Caitlin's lips twitched. 'Are you telling me you didn't notice?'

'I noticed.' He admitted.

'So?'

'So?' Hawke parroted.

Caitlin rolled her eyes at him. 'Did Michael say something?'

'Like what?' Hawke asked with a short laugh. He sat back in his chair. 'I would have thought Marella would have said something to you.'

'Spies.' Caitlin said with enough disgust that Hawke laughed at her expression. 'You'd think they'd tell their best friends if something had happened at least.'

'If,' he emphasised the word before he continued, 'if something has happened, they maybe want to keep it between the two of them.'

'I guess I understand that.' Caitlin said. 'They do have the whole working together thing to deal with.'

'Yeah.' Hawke nodded. 'Not to mention Angelina to consider.' Michael had discovered his ten year old daughter the previous year and was now a devoted father.

'She and Marella seem to get along fine.' Caitlin commented as she set her cutlery down.

'Maybe,' Hawke said, 'but in a relationship where Marella is defined as one of her father's aides not as his girlfriend. I'm not sure Angelina's ready to share him with anyone yet.'

'Complicated.' Caitlin murmured worriedly. She sighed and changed the subject. 'Have you talked to Dom yet?'

Hawke glanced at her. 'No.'

'Don't you think you should?' Caitlin asked exasperated.

'And tell him what?' Hawke asked.

'That Jo is working for the Company.' Caitlin said.

Hawke sighed. Jo Santini was Dom's favourite niece and she had decided to move back to LA and re-establish the old familial ties that she had with the older man, who had raised her just as he had raised Hawke and his brother. Hawke was a little suspicious; he had found out that Jo was working for the intelligence agency that would take over the FIRM. Jo already knew about Airwolf and had promised to keep it secret but Hawke figured he was going to have a serious talk with his old childhood friend about her relationship with the Company when she returned home. Hawke had confided the information in his wife but he was hesitating over whether to tell Dom at all.

'I was thinking I'd just have a word with her when she's due back next month.' He admitted. 'If she's on the level, Dom need never have to know.' Caitlin looked at him and Hawke sighed. 'I know I should tell him.'

'Why haven't you?' Caitlin asked.

'I think he's still getting over that business with Sallis.' Dom had been kidnapped by a hit man he'd helped Hawke's father to jail. Hawke and Caitlin had rescued him but the older man had seemed subdued since the event. Hawke was worried that the incident had badly affected the older man; he certainly didn't need to find out that his niece might be a spy about to betray them on top of everything else.

'He has seemed a little down lately.' Caitlin agreed. 'Have you tried talking to him about it?'

'Every time I ask, he clams up.' Hawke said.

'Just give it some time.' Caitlin advised.

Hawke nodded and he quirked an eyebrow at her. 'That's good advice.'

She blushed. 'I know.' She took a deep breath and met his concerned blue gaze. 'I'm going to get through this but I guess it will take a little time to come to terms with what happened.'

'We're going to get through this.' Hawke corrected her. He got to his feet and started to clear the table. He pushed her back into her chair when she would have joined him and dropped a kiss on the damp copper hair. 'I've got this.'

'You're spoiling me.' Caitlin said.

'So let me.' Hawke disappeared back into the kitchen and emerged with a single bowl of ice-cream and two spoons.

She was definitely going to have to get him that album, she thought as she took the spoon he offered and the kiss that went with it.