Hawke drew the bow back across the strings of the cello and abandoned the music mid-stroke with a frown. He was sat on a stool on the wooden dock that edged the lake; it was his favourite place to play the cello. The still glassy waters reflecting the majestic peaks of the mountains with the stretch of blue sky usually eased any turbulence in his soul as he played but it wasn't having its usual effect. His blue eyes flickered to the nearby dirt trail that led from the clearing and into the forest that surrounded the cabin. His wife had taken his dog for a walk on the mountain over an hour earlier, insisting that she would be fine alone.

The thought brought with it a familiar wave of panic that Hawke had been struggling with ever since they'd found out about the baby. Hawke sighed and resolutely began playing again, the slight breeze brushing against his short brown hair. His old fear that he would one day lose his wife like he had lost so many others that he had loved had resurfaced with a vengeance. He repressed a sigh. The news of the pregnancy seemed to have given Caitlin renewed strength to move past recent events; she was already beginning to leave the traumas of her experiences with Kyle Hardy and the assassins behind and move forward. Hawke wished the news had given him the same strength; instead it seemed to have stirred up all his old anxieties. He knew he was being over-protective of his wife and he knew it was beginning to test her understanding.

The music changed tempo as Hawke's mood became more introspective. He was deep down thrilled about the baby. He couldn't wait for the pregnancy to progress; to see Caitlin's slim body round with his child; to hold his son or daughter in his arms. He just needed to get control of his fear. He had succeeded in doing so before their wedding, he thought determinedly; he would do it again.

His fingers travelled up and down the strings without conscious thought. Life had certainly been hectic since his marriage; besides the near misses with Caitlin, Dom's kidnapping by a Mafia hit man had left the older man shaken and he still seemed quieter than normal. At least, Hawke mused, the news of the baby had perked Dom up; the older man was delighted for them. His unreserved delight was a contrast with the more reserved congratulations that Hawke and Caitlin had received from Michael. A smile tugged at the corners of Hawke's lips. He knew Michael was pleased for them but that he was also worried about Marella's reaction; she had seemed to greet the news of Caitlin's pregnancy with a gladness that must have belied her own personal hell, Hawke reflected. It was probably just as well Marella had been kept busy over the last couple of weeks deputising for Michael who had been summoned to Washington to finalise the arrangements for the FIRM's merger with the Company. The spy had only returned to LA the day before.

It didn't help, Hawke thought, that they were all on edge and had been since the break-in at Santini Air. The guy responsible for the break-in, Santos, had confirmed someone had paid him to vandalise the place. Hawke scowled. He guessed they owed the cop who had caught Santos but he still thought Detective Marin was a jerk. Hawke knew he should give the man the chance he had asked for particularly as it looked like he and Dom's niece, Jo, were dating.

Hawke's hand drew the bow sharply downwards. Jo was still around making the last of her arrangements for her move back to LA in June. The small blonde pilot remained the apple of her uncle's eye but Hawke had doubts about her motives. Hawke figured she was sincere when she said she simply hadn't known how to tell them she was working for the Company but it left him with a bitter aftertaste especially given the likelihood that it looked like somebody else was after Airwolf.

Hawke frowned. Airwolf. They were going to have to come up with another strategy to keep Airwolf out of the Company's hands and it would have to be better than the last one which had ended with a fake version of Airwolf called Gemini in pieces on the floor of Devil's Anvil. He silently admitted that they really hadn't thought the idea of a fake Airwolf through enough. Hawke's blue eyes gleamed with sudden amusement. Never mind the last few months, he thought, his life had been hectic ever since he'd caught sight of the approaching FIRM chopper down-drafting the eagle and carrying Michael towards him with his request for Hawke's help in recovering Airwolf.

As if in response to his thought, his ears caught the distant sound of a helicopter and a moment later the FIRM helicopter appeared over the lake, the mid-day sunlight glinting off the rotors. Hawke sighed and abandoned his favourite piece of music to make room for the chopper on the landing pier. He was in the kitchen making coffee when Michael and Marella entered the cabin, the sound of their chopper departing echoing in the distance.

'What are gorgeous day!' Marella said by way of greeting, slipping onto one of the stools and accepting the coffee with a smile. Hawke smiled back. Marella looked good; her smooth café latte complexion glowed and her dark eyes twinkled irrepressively. His head cocked to one side; there was another chopper approaching.

'That'll be Dominic.' Michael said smoothing the white silk tie that matched his usual white three-piece suit. 'I asked him to meet us here.' He ignored the mug of coffee Hawke had placed in front of him and looked around the empty cabin. He pushed his wire-frame glasses up his nose and his one good eye went back to Hawke. 'Where's Caitlin?'

'She went for a walk.' Hawke swiped the counter with a damp cloth.

'On her own?' Marella said astonished.

'No.' Hawke frowned. 'Tet went with her.' He threw the cloth in the sink.

'Tet.' Michael repeated and sat down on a stool with a grimace. He leaned the rosewood cane he used against the breakfast bar. 'Did you two have a fight?'

Hawke's blue eyes narrowed and he was about to reply when the door opened and Dom barrelled in. The older man was dressed in his blue satin jacket and his red baseball cap sat slightly askew on his grey curls.

'Ah,' Dom said his dark eyes alighted on Michael's untouched coffee. 'Is that mine?' He didn't wait for confirmation as he immediately picked up the mug and took a gulp of hot liquid. 'Ooh I needed that.' The older pilot sighed appreciatively. His day had started before dawn and he needed the shot of caffeine.

Hawke silently poured Michael another mug as Dom seemed to stop and notice who was present and who wasn't.

'Where's Cait?' Dom asked frowning.

'She went for a walk.' Hawke repeated as he took a sip of his own coffee and wished it was something stronger.

Dom's eyebrows rose to his hairline and he glared at Hawke. 'Did you two have a fight?'

Hawke scowled, his expression darkening. 'She,' he said emphasising the word, 'wanted some time alone. She's with Tet.' He repeated as if this explained why he was fine with the idea of Caitlin wandering around the mountain on her own and turned to fiddle with something at the sink to hide his own anxiety.

Dom and Michael exchanged concerned looks behind his back. Dom opened his mouth to say something when the cabin door opened for a third time. Tet jogged through and Caitlin staggered in after him. Her freckled heart-shaped face was flushed and her long red hair was tangled around it. She was wearing an old army jacket of Hawke's and the sleeves were too long for her. It took a good minute for her to push them back to find her hands and close the door.

'I am never walking with that dog ever again.' She declared. Her blue-green eyes fastened on the untouched mug in front of Michael and arrowed towards it with an unerring accuracy. She grabbed it before anyone could say anything and swallowed the warming liquid, closing her eyes in bliss. She opened them again to find everyone looking at her. 'What?'

Hawke poured Michael yet another mug and nodded at Tet in front of the fire.

'You wore him out.'

'I wore him out?' Caitlin's eyes flashed with stunned disbelief.

He scowled at her. 'You missed lunch.'

Her eyes went wide open. 'Is it that late?'

'Yes.'

'Oh.' She took another sip of coffee as she realised she'd worried her husband. 'I'm sorry.' She said as contritely as she could manage.

Hawke softened and gestured at the refrigerator. 'Sandwich?'

'OK.' Caitlin agreed even though she wasn't hungry. He seemed mollified by her answer and as he gathered the makings of her lunch, she breathed a sigh of relief and flopped onto a dining chair, wrestling her way out of the jacket.

Michael slid off his stool and walked over to join Cait at the table, Marella and Dom following him as Hawke finished up in the kitchen.

'Good walk?' Michael asked striving for an innocent look.

Caitlin's eyes flickered to him and then back to the dog. 'It was an experience.'

'Here.' Hawke dropped a kiss on her lips, handed her a plate and napkin and slid into the chair next to her.

'So.' Michael said and they all turned to look at him. He smoothed his moustache. 'I have some news.'

'By the look on your face I'm guessing this isn't good news.' Dom said taking another gulp of coffee.

Michael sighed. 'The HX-2 was stolen last night.'

Dom's eyes widened. 'Didn't we blow the HX-1…'

'Out of the sky.' Hawke finished. 'They rebuilt her?'

'Rebuilt and redesigned. This bird outclasses Airwolf.' Marella said.

'No.' Dom's automatic denial echoed in the room.

'We don't know who has her.' Michael leaned back in his chair and nodded at Marella who reached into the briefcase she had brought with her and pulled out a folder. 'No leads. No clues. It was a precision operation. The HX-2 was secured for the night. A security check at midnight confirmed the place was sealed up tight. A security check at six am discovered that it was missing.'

Hawke's eyebrows shot up. 'They didn't notice someone stealing a helicopter?'

Michael shook his head. 'What's even more remarkable is that the place was sealed up as tight as a drum.'

'It's not artificially intelligent?' Caitlin asked swallowing her bite of sandwich hastily.

'Thankfully not.' Marella said.

'What about an inside job?' Dom asked.

'We've considered that but if someone is involved they're not showing their hand.' Michael said.

'What about past employees?' Caitlin picked up her coffee.

'No disgruntled employees.' Marella shook her head. 'Nobody has been sacked in the last few months.'

'What about the test pilots? There must only be a few people who can fly her?' Hawke's fingers rapped on the table top.

'All accounted for and unfortunately they all confirm the HX-2 doesn't require any more knowledge than flying your basic helicopter.' Michael said.

'So anyone could fly her?' Hawke was amazed.

'Anyone.' Michael adjusted his glasses.

'So what do you want with us Michael?' Hawke asked.

'I want to put you on stand by.' Michael said finishing his coffee. 'Cancel any contracts or work that you can. The FIRM will cover any losses.' He added before Dom could say anything. 'The HX-2 has to turn up sometime and when it does…'

'You want us to shoot it out of the sky.' Hawke concluded. He reached for Caitlin's mug and took a sip.

'Actually, no. The Airforce commissioned the HX-2 and it has already declared its intention to recover it.' Michael smoothed his moustache. 'The Committee,' he stressed the last word, 'want you to lead the recovery team.'

Hawke choked on his coffee. Caitlin patted his back as he spluttered.

'They what?' Hawke managed eventually.

'They want you to lead the recovery.' Michael repeated.

'What about the Airforce?' Hawke said.

'The Committee asked for you.' Marella said cheerfully.

'Congratulations, Hawke.' Michael added with a wide smile. 'I think they finally like you.'

Hawke glared at them both. 'Why me?'

Michael dropped the smile. 'Seriously? You have extensive experience of recovering stolen aircraft and,' he emphasised, pointing at the pilot, 'you also know what to do in order to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.'

'The Committee's worried that the Airforce won't blow up their latest toy.' Caitlin surmised.

'That's about the top and bottom of it.' Marella confirmed.

'So what's the plan?' Hawke asked wondering if the Committee actually asking for him was a good sign.

'Once we locate the HX-2, you'll go in with the Airforce on the ground. Airwolf will provide cover from the air.' Michael tapped his fingers on the wooden surface. 'The Airforce would like to do an initial meet and greet as soon as possible. Introduce you to your team and get an initial briefing on the HX-2 capabilities.'

Hawke was rubbed his chin. 'Dom can't provide that kind of air support on his own.'

'What am I? Chopped liver?' Caitlin asked.

'Cait…' Hawke began hesitantly.

She raised an eyebrow at him. 'I'm pregnant not incapacitated.'

Hawke struggled against his instinctive urge to keep her out of it. He turned back to Michael. 'I'm not wearing an Airforce uniform. Not this time.'

Michael nodded. 'We also need to keep in mind this whole thing could just be a way of drawing Airwolf out of hiding.'

Caitlin blinked. 'You think someone stole the HX-2 just to get to Airwolf?'

'It's a possibility.' Michael said.

'It would account for the lack of leads.' Hawke commented.

Michael nodded and sighed. 'We still don't know who broke into Santini Air.'

'You didn't anywhere with Santos?' Caitlin asked.

'No.' Michael picked up his empty cup and frowned.

Hawke took the hint and went to get the coffee pot. He topped up all their mugs. 'What exactly did Santos give us?' He asked.

'Not much.' Michael admitted. 'He received a phone call we can't trace; he met with a guy who he met in semi-darkness and can't really describe. The most we got out of him was the guy was average height with dark hair.'

'The guy paid him in cash.' Marella continued. 'His instructions were specific. Santos was to get to Santini Air around three in the morning. He would find the place open. He was to vandalise the office and make the place look like it had been turned over.'

'He did that alright.' Dom muttered. The office had been devastated. 'I'm still finding bits of paper around the place.'

'So,' said Caitlin, 'someone broke in and searched for a clue about Airwolf and then paid Santos to try to make it look like a random act of vandalism?'

'It looks that way.' Michael said.

'It's weird though.' Caitlin commented. 'I mean, even if we'd accepted the random act of vandalism thing, they would have still made us more wary.'

'Whoever it is,' Marella replied, 'is either supremely confident or extremely stupid.'

'Or maybe both.' Michael said.

'And you think this whole HX-2 thing could just be someone coming after us?' Dom checked.

'Maybe.' Michael said.

Dom sighed heavily, the lines on his craggy face deepened. 'That's great. Just great.'

'I have narrowed down the list of people who I think it might be at the FIRM.' Michael said. He flipped open the folder Marella has extracted and took out three photos. He passed the first one to Hawke. 'Paul Merrick. He looks after the East European division. He joined the FIRM at the same time as me and we've always had a…rivalry.'

'Who's this?' Caitlin said picking up a photo of a sophisticated woman with white hair.

'Constance Francis. She's a senior member of the Committee.' Marella said. 'She was a strong supporter of Zeus.'

'And then there is this guy.' Michael passed the second photo to Hawke. A distinguished African-American stared out of the glossy picture. 'Abraham Joseph. He's also on the Committee and also a strong supporter of Zeus.'

'It was Joseph who suggested using you to recover the HX-2.' Marella noted.

'Francis voted against it,' Michael added, 'but she could be hiding her intent and using Joseph.'

'Or the two of them could be conspiring.' Marella suggested.

'Lord, I don't mind telling you this is giving me a headache.' Dom said putting his mug down and folding his arms across his expansive chest.

'I have people keeping each of them under surveillance,' Michael said and he motioned at Marella, 'which is why Marella is resuming some of her old duties as my senior aide.'

Caitlin smiled. 'Talking of conspiracies, won't that raise questions about your relationship?'

Marella shook her head. 'It's actually making it a lot easier to see each other without raising questions.'

'You guys still on for tomorrow night?' Caitlin asked. The couple were going to use the cabin as the rendezvous for their first official date delayed with Michael's trip to Washington.

Michael nodded and sent a questioning glance at Hawke. 'If you're still sure it's OK.'

Hawke shrugged. 'It's fine with us.'

'You sure you don't need us to watch Angelina?' Caitlin asked. She knew Michael had decided not to tell his daughter about his date with Marella believing it would be better to wait.

'My parents are in town.' Michael explained. 'They're babysitting Angelina so you have a free evening.'

'You can come over to mine for dinner.' Dom suggested. 'Jo's out with Marin.'

'Again?' Caitlin scowled. She had never forgiven the detective for trying to arrest her for murder.

'How many dates does that make?' Hawke asked.

'A few.' Dom admitted.

'In only a couple of weeks.' Caitlin sighed. 'She must really like him.'

'I think it's kinda romantic.' Dom said. 'All you kids getting together.'

Michael stroked his moustache and sighed. It was only Dom who could get away with calling him a kid.

'I have some news from Karen.' Marella said deciding a change of subject was in order.

'Oh?' asked Hawke, his eyes narrowing on her.

'Karen thinks we can transfer the artificial intelligence into the new helicopter.' Marella said.

'Transfer?' Caitlin asked.

'Electronically.' Marella said. 'We can download everything currently in Airwolf's memory along with the programming we think supports the intelligence and transfer it into the new ship.'

'Will that really work?' Caitlin asked doubtfully.

'It's all we've got with Gemini being destroyed.' Marella said.

'It's likely we'll have some time to work out the specifics.' Michael added. 'We don't merge with the Company until the beginning of July and it's likely they'll want to continue using you guys for missions.'

'And if we modify the original Airwolf after the transfer we should prevent another artificial intelligence developing.' Marella continued.

'But the Company will still take control of the new ship.' Hawke pointed out.

Michael brushed a finger across his moustache. 'Not if I have anything to say about it.'

Hawke's blue eyes narrowed on the spy. 'What are you plotting?'

Michael gestured, a twinkle in his good eye. 'You don't want to know.'

Hawke gave a short laugh. 'You got that right.' A sound teased his hearing and he gestured at Michael. 'Your ride's here.'

Marella sighed and put her coffee down as Michael got to his feet. 'We'll be in touch.'

Hawke waited until he heard the sound of the FIRM chopper departing before turning to Caitlin. 'Are you really sure you're up to a mission?'

'Sure I am.'

Hawke frowned. 'You're still getting sick.'

'But not when I fly.' Caitlin pointed out; in fact, flying was the only time she didn't feel nauseous. 'And I've got my energy back.'

'I just think you might want to take some time to think about it some more.' Hawke said.

Caitlin resisted the urge to roll her eyes and sighed. 'String, unless you really want to fight about this, drop it.'

The couple stared at each other for a moment whilst Dom stared at the floor.

Hawke got to his feet and stalked out of the cabin.

Caitlin watched him, her mouth dropping open. She looked at Dom and snapped her mouth closed. She blushed and tried to look unaffected. 'Guess we're having a fight about it, huh?' She muttered and picked her coffee cup.

Dom patted her hand. 'Don't worry about it, honey. He's just concerned about you.'

She tried to smile and failed. 'I know and I appreciate it…it's just…' She stopped and sighed again. 'I'm sorry, Dom. I shouldn't put you in the middle.'

'You let me worry about that.' Dom said with a gap-toothed smile.

Caitlin smiled. 'I can understand him being a little over-protective with the baby and everything.'

'Cait, you're going to have to be patient with him. You, the baby,' he gestured extravagantly, 'he can't believe how good things are going right now. He's kinda waiting for the other shoe to drop.'

Caitlin sighed.

Dom shifted in his chair. 'I know you know why he's so determined to keep you safe and I know you have to stand on your own two feet – it's best for both of you if you do – but try not to push him too fast.'

'Yeah.' She got to her feet, leaned down and dropped a kiss on his ruddy cheek. 'Thanks, Dom.'

Dom watched Caitlin disappear up the stairs before he headed outside. He found Hawke on the porch bench and wasn't surprised that the younger man hadn't gone far; he was still protecting his wife despite the argument. Dom wondered how to broach the subject as he sat down beside him and glanced at Hawke's impenetrable profile, how the guarded blue eyes were fixed on the lake.

'String, can I offer you some advice from someone older and wiser than you?' Dom began.

'Could I stop you?' Hawke muttered.

'She won't stand for being wrapped in cotton wool, String.' Dom said. 'She's got an independent streak a mile wide and now she's feeling better she's rediscovering it. I'm guessing that walk this morning was all about her chafing against the fact that you've hardly let her out of your sight.'

Hawke folded his arms across his chest.

'String, you can't keep her locked in the cabin twenty-four hours a day.' There was a hint of exasperation peppering the words.

'Don't tempt me.' Hawke slanted a glance at his old friend and found Dom smiling back at him.

Hawke shifted restlessly on the bench.

'String, look I know you want to keep her safe but if you hold her too tightly she'll suffocate.' Dom stood up and patted him on the shoulder. 'Think about it kid.' He walked back to his chopper leaving a pensive Hawke staring out at the lake.

Hawke shoved a hand through his hair in frustration and leaned forward watching the eagle swooping to grab a fish from the lake. He was thrilled about the baby, he was, it was just…he sighed. Maybe he was going a little overboard a little, he admitted to himself. He stood up and walked back inside the cabin.

Caitlin was at the kitchen sink washing up the mugs from their visitors.

Hawke walked over and slid his hands around her waist. 'I'm sorry.'

Caitlin turned in his arms and he was surprised not to see annoyance in her eyes. He felt his stomach unclench a little.

'I'm sorry too.' Caitlin pulled off her rubber gloves so she could touch him. 'I know you only want to keep me and the baby safe.' She ran her hands over his shoulders. 'But I'll go nuts if all I do is sit on my hands until the baby's born.'

'I know.' Hawke pulled her closer. 'It's just…hard for me to risk you especially now...'

She laid a hand against his cheek. 'The doc said I should be fine flying in my first two trimesters and Airwolf is a pretty safe place for me to be. And I promise; I'm not going to take unnecessary risks. I want our baby.'

Hawke sighed. 'I told you when we got together you were going to have to be patient with me, Cait.' He hugged her tightly. He'd get past this, he thought; he just had to let go of her a little. He sighed and wondered how he did that.