Caitlin fidgeted with the frayed edge of a forest green shawl and pulled it more tightly around her. Horn smiled at her. She was polishing up nicely, he thought. The green summer dress was perfect for her colouring and short enough to display her excellent legs. He opened the French windows.

The smell of roses surrounded her, their perfume sweet and heavy in the air. She waited for Horn to move before she followed him out onto the veranda. As soon as she was outside she started to scan the grounds, noting the number of guards, the position of the cameras, any possible escape route.

'It's beautiful, isn't it?' Horn swept an arm over the immaculate rose garden, manicured lawns and the distant landscape just visible over the high walls. He led the way to a seating area.

'Beautiful,' murmured Caitlin, feeling she was probably talking about something completely different to the man beside her.

'And you my dear an even more beautiful adornment.' Horn smiled at her disconcerted expression.

She kept silent as he offered her a chair and she sat down stiffly.

'I thought you might prefer to have lunch outside today.' Horn signalled for a servant who appeared with a tray of refreshments. He set it down on the table in front of Horn who waved him away.

'Lemonade?'

Caitlin nodded her head and took the glass. She took a hesitant sip. None of the food so far had been drugged or poisoned but it didn't mean that would remain the status quo.

'Sandwich?' He offered her a selection and she reached out to take one even though she wasn't really hungry. She shivered in revulsion as their hands accidentally brushed.

'Cold?' Horn looked at her in concern.

'No…' She stopped suddenly as she heard footsteps behind her, the sharp click of stilettos.

Horn frowned and turned to look at his daughter in undisguised annoyance. 'What?'

Angelica's blue gaze flickered to Caitlin and they stared at each other with mutual loathing.

'Angelica.' Horn's tone was sufficient warning to turn her attention back to him.

'There's been a development.' Angelica flicked her blond hair.

'Couldn't it have waited?' Horn asked angrily.

'Your friend said no.' Angelica stepped back as her father got to his feet.

'Very well.' Horn smiled down at Caitlin who continued to glare at his daughter. 'I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me for a moment.' He walked briskly indoors.

'Aren't you going to go with him?' Caitlin asked as Angelica continued to stand watching her.

'And miss the opportunity for a little girl talk?' Angelica slipped into her father's chair. Caitlin folded her arms and stared resolutely out at the view.

'You know you're not really his type.' Angelica needled.

Caitlin raised an eyebrow. 'I hope I'm not your father's type.'

Angelica stiffened. 'Please. My father isn't interested in you and neither is he.' She sniffed. 'You're convenient for him, that's all.'

Caitlin shrugged. She was secure about her marriage and Angelica's baiting of her seemed pretty juvenile. Her own eyes gleamed with sudden mischief. She spread her fingers and admired her rings. 'Convenient or not, I'm the one he married.' She kept her tone lazy, accentuated her Texan drawl.

'You won't keep him!' Angelica hissed.

'Sure I will and I won't need to brainwash him to do it either!' Caitlin returned. She saw the other girl's temper snap. Angelica dived for her but she was ready. Caitlin sprang up and belted her with a right hook.

Angelica fell back but soon rushed at her again. Caitlin spun on her left leg, cursing as the strappy sandals affected her balance and the power behind the kick she executed with her right leg. She managed to land a blow directly on Angelica's chest and sent her flying onto her backside with a thump. Guards surrounded Caitlin in an instant as Angelica lay stunned on the patio. Caitlin didn't move, her heartbeat starting to slow after the adrenaline rush of the fight. She felt a huge sense of satisfaction at seeing the blond on her ass.

'Angelica.' Horn's voice sounded as a guard helped her to her feet. 'I see you've had a little accident.'

'Accident!' Angelica raised a trembling hand to her chest where she could feel the kick. 'She…'

'She beat you.' Horn noted evenly. 'You should get inside and get your bruises seen to. I'll speak with you later.'

Angelica looked furiously at his impassive expression. She slid her gaze to the redhead. 'This isn't over.'

Caitlin noticed as Angelica stalked away that she was limping slightly and suppressed the urge to grin.

Horn dismissed the guards and shooed her back into her chair. 'I must apologise for the interruption. I'm afraid you and my daughter seem to have taken an unfortunate dislike to each other.'

Caitlin shrugged unsure why Horn wasn't angry with her. 'I won't apologise.'

Horn smiled. 'I wouldn't expect you to. Apologising would diminish the triumph of your victory.'

Caitlin risked a look at him and was bemused to see the look of admiration on his face.

'That kick was beautifully executed.' He said as he handed her a fresh glass of lemonade. 'Beautifully controlled too.'

Caitlin reached for the glass and spoke without thinking. 'Actually you have my high-heels to thank for the fact I couldn't get enough power to crack her sternum.'

Horn looked at her in startled surprise and suddenly laughed. 'You see why you intrigue me my dear? Very few people could say that to me and live.' He caught hold of her hand before she could prevent it. His thumb brushed over the scrape on her knuckles from the punch she had landed. 'You're hurt.'

'It's nothing.' Caitlin tried to jerk her hand back, her heart pounding in her chest in renewed alarm as he tightened his grip.

His eyes glittered at her. 'Perhaps this will help.' He said silkily and raised her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles gently.

Caitlin lowered her gaze so he wouldn't see the repulsion in her eyes.

'Now shall we concentrate on lunch my dear?' Horn released her hand and slid into his own chair. He took a sip of lemonade and watched her covertly as she drew the shawl back round her like a protective blanket and narrowed her eyes at the hills to the north. 'Is something wrong my dear?'

Caitlin shook her head and wrenched her gaze away.

It seemed like hours later before she was back in the relatively safety of her room. She stared at her reflection in the dressing table mirror and flexed her bruised hand in front of her with a wince. The pain was bearable and had been worth every moment of seeing Angelica on her backside. She sighed and examined her fingernails. They were shiny, buffed and French polished. She frowned. Normally at least one of them would be torn and there would be some nails that no matter how hard she scrubbed where a smudge of grease or dirt would remain. She let her eyes drift back to the image in the mirror and she reached out to touch the glass.

The woman looking back didn't seem real to her. The hair had been expensively styled to frame her face and draw attention to her delicate features. The make-up she wore covered her freckles and emphasised her eyes and mouth. Caitlin grabbed a tissue from the box and started to cleanse furiously, wanting her face free of the sophisticated mask. She threw the tissues in the bin and getting to her feet stripped out of the dress. Caitlin wandered to the vast wardrobes and picked out a sweater and jeans. It was unlikely Horn would request her presence at dinner having spent the afternoon with her. She dressed quickly and went to sit on the bed. She leaned back against the sumptuous pillows.

She was so tired. She was that exhausted she'd even imagined that she could feel Hawke watching her when she'd been outside. Her fight with Angelica had been a mistake, Caitlin mused tiredly but it had revealed something interesting; Horn had no loyalty to his daughter and she was obviously not fully aware of her father's plans whatever they were. It was something she and the blonde had in common. Caitlin sighed and closed her eyes. She just needed to rest…just for a moment…

It was the thud outside the door that woke her, her eyes flew open and her heart raced as she scrambled into a sitting position. The lock was turning. She looked wildly round the room and ran to the other side of the door grabbing a lamp to use as a weapon. The door opened slowly and a man's head appeared. She dropped the lamp and gave a squeal, launching herself at her husband.

'Hawke!' Caitlin whispered as he caught her into a fierce hug and a deep kiss that brought tears to her eyes.

'Are you OK?' Hawke inched back from the embrace to look happily into her face, relieved to see her looking more like her old self. 'You and the baby?'

'I'm fine. We're both fine.' Caitlin smiled.

'Come on. Let's get out of here.' Hawke looked down at her bare feet. 'You got any shoes, a jacket?'

Caitlin eased out of his arms and flung open the wardrobe, searching for a coat and a pair of plimsolls she had seen there. She pulled them on hurriedly as Hawke checked the corridor outside. He put a finger to his lips to indicate they should be silent and took her hand. She glanced at the slumped figure of a guard by the door. They kept to the sides of the corridors; Hawke's gun complete with silencer was drawn and ready.

A guard rounded the corner in front of them unexpectedly and before he could bring his weapon to bear on them, Hawke shot him. They stepped over his fallen body and continued. They came to an open window and she noticed for the first time it was dark outside. Hawke looked out checking the ground below.

'You first.' He whispered. She nodded and climbed onto the ledge. She gingerly lowered herself to the balcony below. Hawke handed her his back pack and then followed her down. They both peered over to the ground below and the hard stone of the patio. Hawke holstered his gun and helped her over the railing. He kept hold of her as she dangled over the edge until her body could make the drop to the patio. Hawke jumped and rolled to break his landing. She was by his side instantly, helping him to his feet.

They were half-way across the gardens, making their way under the cover of the bushes and trees that bordered the lawns when the alarm sounded.

'That's our signal to run like hell.' Hawke said as floodlights started to come on around them.

'I'm with you.' Caitlin said slightly out of breath as they picked up the pace. Hawke grabbed her and pushed her behind a bush as a pair of guards, followed by another couple, ran by their position.

Caitlin frowned. 'Is it my imagination or they all headed for the north wall?' She whispered.

Hawke looked at her and she saw his eyes gleam in the dark. 'Nope. That's where they're headed.' He checked their position was clear. 'Come on.'

They made it to the wall without incident and Hawke boosted her up. Her fingers sought purchase on the sandstone bricks and she winced as she felt one of her nails tear. She negotiated the barbed wire and the iron railings with care, getting a good grip so she could reach down and grab Hawke's jacket, helping him. They both stepped to the other side of the wall and lowered themselves down, landing on the other side of the wall.

Hawke grabbed her and they ran for the cover of the surrounding vegetation. They started to make their way to the north side. Hawke indicated they should stop as they crouched down and peered through the vegetation at the north wall. The area was flooded with light and guards were patrolling outside. Hawke looked up as he heard a chopper close by and both of them dived for cover as it swept over them.

'We have to find another way out.' Hawke whispered to her. She nodded. He led the way into the vegetation, hoping they wouldn't surprise any snakes or other unsuspecting wildlife. He marched her for a long time away from the villa putting as much distance between them and Horn as he could.

Eventually he stopped them in a small clearing in a wooded area. He handed Caitlin a canister and she sank on a log and took a long gulp of water before handing it back to him.

'So what now?' She asked.

Hawke reached into the backpack and pulled out a map and a torch. He checked the compass and then his watch. 'I think we're about here. I parked the jeep here but I think they discovered it.' He pointed at both spots on the map with the torchlight.

Caitlin frowned. 'The jeep wasn't that far from the north wall.'

Hawke nodded. 'And given it's all open country once you clear these woods and they have the helicopter...'

'It's a bad idea even in the dark.' Caitlin finished. She accepted a chocolate bar from him and breaking it in half, handed one piece back to him. She popped a chunk of chocolate in her mouth and savoured the sweet flavour. 'So what's plan B?'

Hawke folded the map up. 'We ignore the jeep and try to make our way to Queenie's on foot.'

'Queenie's? Dom's friend Queenie?' Caitlin asked.

Hawke nodded again. 'Queenie's would be a couple of day's walking and we'd have to keep off the public roads. I don't know how many people belong to Horn down here.'

Caitlin bit her lip. She was already aching. 'What about Airwolf?'

Hawke shook his head. 'We couldn't bring her in, it's too exposed.' He stuffed everything back into the satchel. 'I'll set up camp.' He glanced over at her and noticed for the first time how tired and fragile she looked. She looked exhausted he thought. Her face was white and drawn and her eyes were filled with the strain of the long trek they'd made over the unfamiliar terrain. 'You rest.' He ordered and felt a twinge of worry when she nodded. It was unlike her not to argue.

An hour or so later, Hawke stoked the fire and sat back down next to his wife, resting his back on the same fallen log. He gazed into the flickering flames and decided he'd made the right decision to risk one. It had meant a cooked meal. Although he normally eschewed meat in favour of fish, he'd caught a rabbit to supplement the field rations he'd brought along on the contingency of having to flee through the country-side. It had made a good stew and given them some needed sustenance. Caitlin shifted beside him, cuddling into his side.

'Are you going to be OK making the walk?' Hawke asked her.

She nodded her head. 'Anything to get out of here.' She heard herself say bitterly.

He took hold of her hand. 'I'm sorry, Cait.'

'What for?' Caitlin asked bemused.

'For not being here sooner.' Hawke admitted and threw a stick towards the fire. 'For not rescuing you in Texas…'

Her fingers on his lips stopped him. 'This wasn't your fault, String.'

Hawke reached out and tucked a stray lock of her behind her ear. His gaze travelled over her tired face and his heart seemed to swell with happiness as she smiled at him. He couldn't help but smile back. He reached out and tapped her nose.

'It's really good to see you.' He said.

'You don't know how pleased I am to see you too, Hawke.' Caitlin's voice caught in her lungs and she couldn't breathe as the loneliness and hopelessness of the past days flooded over her and her voice shattered on his name. She looked down, her eyes filling with tears.

'Hey.' Hawke pulled her closer before she could turn away, hugging her into his chest, his chin on her head. 'It's over now.'

Caitlin resisted for a millisecond before collapsing against him and giving into a storm of weeping.

'Shush.' Hawke comforted her. 'I've got you. You're safe. You and the baby are safe.'

She sobbed and burrowed into him.

'Shush. You're safe now.' He whispered against her hair. 'I'm never going to let him hurt you again.' He kissed her tears away, took her lips in a needy kiss that deepened and clung. She buried her hands in his hair and his hands weren't quite gentle as they roamed under her sweater, pressed her against him. They weren't close enough…his control snapped.

Awareness came back slowly to Hawke afterwards. He was lying, collapsed, on top of Caitlin, her hand stroking the back of his neck. He must be crushing her, he thought worriedly and started to move away.

Caitlin held him tightly. 'No.' She whispered.

He raised his head and his blue eyes burned into hers. 'I'm crushing you.'

She shook her head. 'I'm dandy.' She said with a smug feminine satisfaction that reassured him.

It was much later when they cuddled within the sleeping bag just revelling in the simple pleasure of holding each other that Caitlin's thoughts turned to their earlier lovemaking and Hawke's desperate possession of her.

She raised her head and propped herself up on one arm to look at her husband, the other lay across his chest, her hand on his heart. 'Horn told me you thought I was dead. He was telling the truth, wasn't he?'

Hawke sighed and cupped her face, his thumb sliding over her freckled cheekbone. 'He told you?'

'Gloated about it.' She admitted.

'It took us a few days to work out what really happened,' Hawke allowed.

She saw the glimpse of remembered horror in his eyes and knew whatever she said would not make it easier for him. She shifted, placing her head back on his shoulder and cuddling back into his side. He gently moved his arm to a better position around her shoulders, pulling her close, accepting her comfort.

'How did you work out I wasn't?' She asked.

'I don't think I ever really believed it.' Hawke said. 'It just seemed unreal. All of it. The day at the Hollow. The helicopter crash. Your grave.'

'I have a grave?' Caitlin said in disbelief, trying not to dwell on the pain in his voice.

'With a headstone and everything.'

'Wow.' Caitlin blinked. 'I'm going to have a great deal of explaining to do when I get home.'

Hawke hugged her.

'You took a big risk coming into get me.' Caitlin registered. 'If Horn had captured you it would have made his day.'

Hawke gazed into the flames of the campfire. 'I don't understand why he didn't take us all at the Hollow.'

'Me either.' Caitlin yawned.

'Cait,' he almost hesitated to ask her but knew he had to, 'did he drug you at all?'

'No.' Caitlin raised her head to meet his eyes. 'Don't worry, I'm not brainwashed.'

He smiled and nudged her back into his arms. 'I kinda worked that out when you hauled off and hit Angelica.'

'You saw that, huh?' Caitlin flushed.

'Yeah.' He stroked her arm. 'I didn't realise you could execute that kind of kick in high heels.'

Caitlin smiled at him. 'You can't. I should have cracked her sternum.' She told him dryly.

Hawke laughed.

'You know Horn didn't seem to mind my beating up on her.' Caitlin mused aloud.

'You sound almost sorry for her.'

'I could never feel sorry for her.' Caitlin frowned.

Hawke blushed and was grateful for the darkness. He kept silent a little self-conscious. He had always wondered how much of his relationship with Horn's daughter Caitlin had known about and how much she had guessed. He had never asked her, embarrassed at how he had allowed Angelica to fool him into a trap and at how because of the brainwashing he hadn't been able to resist her attentions afterwards. He sighed. Angelica had used him but he did feel sorry for her; having Horn for a father had to have warped her and he understood part of her pursuit of him when he was brainwashed was because she'd been so desperate to have someone love her. He had a feeling Caitlin's view was much less sympathetic.

'Why do you think Horn took me?'

Caitlin's sleepy question jolted him from his deliberations and he frowned. He was beginning to fear that Horn's interest in her was just too personal for it to be about Airwolf. He sighed as he considered what he could say to her. 'I don't know Cait. It's all probably about getting control of Airwolf and a pilot.' He hugged her. 'I know one thing.'

'What's that?' Her voice faint as she fought against the pull into sleep, jerking her eyes open.

'We're going to figure it out together.' She heard him say as her eyelids shut firmly and she gave up her hold on consciousness.

It took Hawke a few minutes to register her breathing had altered, becoming deep and even. He sighed and held her. What had Horn wanted with her? He worried over it as he kept watch until the early morning light began to stream through the tree canopy around them. He sighed and eased himself away, careful not to disturb Caitlin. He picked up a water canister and quenched his dry throat before picking up his discarded clothing. He got dressed in silence and threw a couple of sticks on the embers of the fire, stoking it back to a cheerful blaze. He determinedly kept his mind focused on practical details picking up his backpack and looked through the rations. He checked the water; there was only half a canister. There had been a spring a few minutes back along the trail. He gathered some things. He paused and glanced back at Caitlin. He frowned and sighed before moving back into the forest.

Hawke filled the canisters first. He washed up and brushed his teeth before sitting down with a heavy sigh. He recognised the fear that was dogging his every move; it was the same fear that had haunted him when she'd been shot saving his life. He was bone scared that Caitlin would die, only now he knew the pain her death would bring, knew he'd never recover from the blow.

He wanted distance between them.

He wanted to keep her tied to his side.

He wanted to let her go and protect himself.

He wanted to keep her close and protect her and their baby.

Hawke splashed more water on his face and over his head as he tried to shake his confusion. He had no idea what he was going to do. He started back to the clearing none the wiser. He hesitated at the edge; Caitlin was awake and almost dressed. She was standing in a shaft of sunlight her attention on lifting her hair out of her sweater; the strands were aflame with the sunshine. Her eyes caught his and she straightened.

Hawke gestured behind him. 'There's a spring about a hundred yards back there if you want to wash up. There's soap and other stuff in here.' He held up a toiletries bag.

Caitlin stared at him for a long moment as though confused before she walked up, kissed his cheek and retrieved the bag without a word, leaving him alone.

Hawke swore under his breath, shoving a frustrated hand through his wet hair. He couldn't have handled that worse if he'd tried. He concentrated on making some coffee, putting a small pan of water onto boil. He'd made two mugs of instant as soon as it was ready. He sipped at his as he checked the map.

'How much farther?' Caitlin asked as she returned handing him the toiletries bag. He exchanged it for a mug of coffee.

'We should get there for about mid-afternoon, maybe this evening.' Hawke watched as she sat down on the log and warmed her hands by wrapping them around the cup.

He took a sip of coffee and wondered what he was going to say to her.

'You know it's strange.' Caitlin said frowning.

'What?' He asked, a lump in his throat, not certain what he was going to say in reply to her.

'We haven't heard that chopper for a while. It's like they've stopped looking.' Caitlin looked up at him. 'It's like they know we're going.'

'Damn!' Hawke's grip tightened on the cup and he briefly closed his eyes before opening them to pin an apologetic gaze on Caitlin. 'The jeep.'

'They traced it to Queenie's?'

He shrugged and slumped down beside her. 'It's possible.'

'OK so they know where we're going,' Caitlin grimaced. 'But we have no way of warning Queenie.'

'Queenie was heading off on a clinic run as soon as I left. She was going to be gone at least a week.'

Caitlin let out a relieved sigh. 'Thank God.' She caught something in Hawke's expression. 'What?'

He shifted uncomfortably. 'Airwolf's at Queenie's.'

'Oh, this is just great.' Caitlin took a large gulp of coffee and wished it was something stronger. 'What do we do now?'

'We need to go and see how bad the situation is. Maybe there'll be a way we can sneak round Horn's men and get the Lady.' Hawke sighed. 'Dom's going to kill me.'

Caitlin raised an inquiring eyebrow at him.

'He thought my coming on my own was a bad plan.' Hawke explained.

Caitlin smiled grimly and took another gulp of coffee. 'He's definitely going to kill you if Horn's got his hands on his Lady.'

'Thanks.' Hawke gave a short laugh as she grinned at him.

His smile faded and he looked down at the ground. 'Cait…' he began.

Caitlin glanced across at him and her heart sank. 'Is this going to be like when you tried to send me to Texas after I got shot?'

He looked at her startled. 'No.' He denied automatically.

'Really?' Caitlin looked at him with surprising understanding. 'Because you know you pushing me away this morning seems kinda familiar.'

'I'm not…' he sighed in frustration, 'Cait, I lost you. I lost you and the baby.'

'I'm right here.' She said and raised her hand to stroke his cheek. 'We're right here.' She placed his hand on her belly.

Suddenly how close he'd come to losing them crashed back through him. 'Cait…' His breath caught in his throat and tears pressed against the back of his eyes.

'Let it go, Hawke.' She saw the fight to keep hold of his emotions slip away from him and in the next instant, his arms went around her and tightened like bands as he buried his face in her hair. She held onto him as he shook silently.

Eventually, he loosened his hold and eased back to look her. 'Cait...'

She shushed him and there were tears shining in her own eyes. 'I know you're scared. Just…' she framed his wet face in her hands, 'just don't push me away.'

'Be patient with me.' He murmured.

She nodded and they kissed. A sound teased at the edge of his hearing. He raised his head and looked up at the cloudless sky.

'What's the matter?' Caitlin asked, worry creeping into her voice.

'I thought I heard…..'

'What?' She stared up at the clear expanse of blue above them searching. Her heart stopped as a distinctive howl echoed through the air driving both of them to their feet.

A black shape peeked over the tree tops and they staggered backwards out of the way as Airwolf descended into the tight space; leaves and the odd branch flew around her as she landed.

Hawke broke into a wide grin as he recognised Dom in the pilot's seat beaming at them. Caitlin ran towards the older man as he climbed out. They hugged and his gap-toothed grin widened.

'Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes.' Dom pulled back and smiled at her, his whole face lit up with pleasure.

Caitlin felt tears threaten again as she looked into Dom's warm, friendly face. 'It's good to see you.' She managed eventually.

Dom nodded and then looked over her shoulder at Hawke who was leaning nonchalantly on Airwolf's nose, his arms folded as he watched their reunion with a wry smile.

'You didn't stick to the plan?' Hawke said.

'It was a bad plan.' Dom replied.

Hawke nodded and then jerked his head at Airwolf. 'You got some changes of clothing in there?'

'Of course.' He pulled out a backpack and threw one at Hawke before handing one to Caitlin. 'Here you go honey.'

She hugged the bag to her and looked round at the decimated clearing for somewhere to change.

'Why don't you take Airwolf?' Hawke said as he stripped out of his t-shirt. She nodded and climbed into the machine, closing the door behind her.

Dom walked away from the door to stand with his back to the machine, giving her as much privacy as possible. 'How's she doing?' He asked keeping his voice pitched low.

Hawke's gaze flickered into Airwolf for a second before he looked back at his old friend. 'She's doing OK. Better than me.'

'Give it time, kid.' Dom hesitated. 'What about the brainwashing?'

Hawke shook his head. 'But he was treating her weird, Dom. I think he was trying something subtle, we just didn't give him the time he needed.'

Dom's lips firmed and his eyes darkened. 'He'll pay.'

'You got that right.' Hawke finished zipping up his Airwolf flight suit and he leant down to pick up his belt and holster. 'How did you find us?'

'When you didn't make it back to Queenie's last night, I started searching in the Lady.' Dom huffed. 'Just as well I did. When I circled back, Queenie had some uninvited guests.'

'Did they see you?'

'What am I? An amateur?' Dom gave an indignant sniff. 'No, they did not see me and I radioed in their location to Michael.' He grinned. 'The FIRM was planning to throw them a surprise party this morning.'

Hawke holstered his gun and smiled at his surrogate father. 'Want to go crash?'

'Now you're talking!' Dom said delightedly.

Hawke picked up the remnants of the camp, stuffed everything into his old back pack and made sure the fire was completely out as Dom filled Caitlin in on the plan.

Five minutes later, they were back in their familiar places in Airwolf. Dom had taken the engineer's position shooing Caitlin into the front seat. Hawke settled into the pilot's seat and glancing across at her was hit by the sense of rightness. Everything was back where it should be.

'Ready?' He asked.

Caitlin turned to look at him, not an easy manoeuvre with the Airwolf helmets and their eyes caught. 'Ready.' She breathed in sharply as he took Airwolf up and her heart filled with joy as they broke through the tree-tops and into the open space of the sky. God she loved this, she thought, as Airwolf swung round. Her stomach clenched in anticipation as Hawke called for the turbos and in the next breath, they were rocketing forward.

Michael's attention was on the battle in front of them. Zebra Squad had attacked the airfield in the last few minutes and since then there had been an incessant exchange of fire between them and Horn's men. Michael chose another target from his defensive position behind a white jeep and shot the man. Marella fired her gun next to him and he saw a man fall from the roof of the building in front.

'We're too evenly matched.' Marella said as she scanned the area. 'We need a miracle.'

Michael turned to her and his eye caught on a familiar shape flying towards them through the sky over her shoulder. 'I think we're about to get one.'

Marella spun round as Airwolf screamed over her head. She grinned at Michael who grinned back.

Caitlin gripped the edge of her seat tightly, her eyes focused on the battle below as Dom informed Hawke of targets and he took them out unemotionally.

'We have three birds taking to the air.' Dom said as the three helicopters rose up in front of them from behind the hangar. 'They're souped up, String.'

Hawke flew directly towards them ignoring the barrage of ammo from their guns knowing Airwolf's armour would protect them. The helicopters scattered like pins on a bowling alley. He brought Airwolf round to face the first and slipped the visor down on his helmet to get a more accurate target. The missile fired directly into the helicopter's cock-pit and it exploded, falling to the ground in a ball of flame.

Their battle with one helicopter had allowed the other two to regroup and one fired off a missile in their direction. Dom deployed a sunburst and the two collided in a bang. Hawke didn't wait for a better angle but took out the helicopter with a barrage from the chain guns.

'The other guy is heading out.' Dom informed him.

Hawke changed course and Airwolf streamed forward, easily catching up with the helicopter. Hawke ruthlessly dispatched it with another missile. He didn't wait to see the burning wreckage hit a hillside but turned them back towards the airfield.

'It looks like it's all over down there, String.'

The airfield was swarming with members of Zebra Squad. Michael stood talking with the commander in the middle of an open area in front of the hangar. Hawke switched on the landing gear and set them down gently next to the limousine.

The commander gave a smart salute and ran off in the direction of the building as they disembarked from the machine. Michael walked up and without saying a word gave Caitlin a brief hug.

'It's good to see you.' Michael said as he released her.

Caitlin smiled as Marella pushed him out of the way to give her a warm embrace. The other woman eased back to scrutinise her strained face carefully. 'How are you?'

'I'm OK.' Caitlin tried to maintain her smile but she could feel her own control slipping in the face of their welcome and worry.

Hawke gave into the urge to slip an arm around her and spoke to Michael. 'Horn?'

Michael and Marella exchanged a look.

'We haven't found him yet.' Michael sighed. 'There's no chance he was in one of those choppers?'

Hawke shrugged. 'I doubt it. He had to know they were no opposition for the Lady.'

'Dammit!' Michael said furiously. 'How does he slip away every time?'

'Are you guys heading back to LA?' Marella asked Hawke seeing the apprehension in Caitlin's eyes at the news of Horn's evasion.

Hawke shrugged. 'There's no reason for us to stay here.'

'We have a place already booked at the clinic for Caitlin…'

'No need.' Hawke said, putting an arm around his wife. 'We'll head home.'

'Hawke…' Michael began to protest.

'Maybe it would be a good idea to get me checked out.' Caitlin said cutting across him. 'Make sure everything's OK with the baby.'

'You're sure?' Hawke asked.

She nodded.

'OK then.'

They said their farewells to Michael and Marella and headed back to Airwolf.

Hawke glanced across at her before he returned his gaze to the sky in front of them. 'Why don't you take the helmet off and get some sleep?' He suggested softly.

Caitlin considered arguing and then decided it was actually a good idea. She pulled the helmet off and set it aside, shifting into a better position as she curled up. She was asleep as soon as her eyes closed.

Hawke glanced over at her and his heart lurched at how vulnerable she looked. 'We got a blanket back there?' He asked Dom.

'Sure.' Dom rummaged in a compartment and brought out a grey wool throw with an Airwolf insignia embroidered on one corner.

Hawke switched to auto-pilot and took the blanket, reaching over to tuck it round Caitlin. They'd get through this. They had to.