Hawke checked the course and shifted in his seat to a more comfortable position, half an ear turned to Dom's war-time story. With the delay caused by Caitlin's nightmare and the overrun of the briefing, they had been late departing but he had eschewed using Airwolf's top speed, his reluctance at leaving probably influencing his decision. His disquiet had grown stronger with each passing mile away from the clinic. It had settled like an itch between his shoulder blades; at first a mere irritation to be brushed aside but now a bone deep complaint that nagged at him constantly. His brow furrowed. He had put down his original aversion to his protectiveness over Caitlin. But the way his instinct was screaming in his ear that he was headed in the wrong direction…this was something else.

'This is wrong.' His statement cut through Dom's story-telling like a knife.

The older man looked at the back of Hawke's head perplexed. 'Huh?'

'This is wrong.' Hawke pulled Airwolf to a complete halt and Dom grabbed for the console as she reared back. The helicopter hovered in the air over the ocean, the draught from her rotors sending ripples across the sea.

'You want to explain what you're doing?' Dom asked crossly, adjusting another system impacted by the sudden stop.

Hawke's eyes narrowed into the distance. 'We're going the wrong way.' And as he said the words, he knew beyond question he was right. He swung Airwolf round and set a new course back to the clinic. He called for the turbos. Dom protested but had no choice to comply as Hawke pushed Airwolf beyond her normal air speed.

'OK. Enough.' Dom said as they ate up the miles back to the US. 'What the hell is going on, String?'

'Paris is a diversion.'

'How can you know that?' Dom demanded with exasperation.

'I know.' Hawke said.

Dom was tempted to tease him about being psychic but he was more concerned that Hawke was basing his feelings on something other than his gut. 'Are you sure this just isn't separation anxiety?'

'What's that supposed to mean?' Hawke shot a quick glare behind him which was returned in full.

'It means that even a blind man could see the way you've handcuffed yourself to Caitlin since you rescued her.'

Hawke opened his mouth to make a smart retort but then sighed. He'd convince Dom quicker with honesty than evasion. 'I've considered it, Dom and that's not it.'

Dom frowned. 'What do you think it is?'

'I think if Paris is a diversion then Horn is going to make a try for Caitlin.'

'But she's safe in the clinic – hell, String it's owned by the FIRM and Michael was going to increase security.'

'Horn would see that as being part of the challenge.' Hawke pushed Airwolf harder.

Dom adjusted their systems to compensate. 'You really think…'

'Yeah, Dom, I really think.' Hawke felt the urgency escalating inside him until he could taste it. 'We need to go faster.'