Hawke stroked the bow across the cello and let the last note drift out onto the early morning sunlight as it touched the waters of the lake. The eagle cried overhead and he looked up to catch the sight of it majestically gliding, it's wings at full stretch. He got up and stretched a little. He'd been sat out playing for a while. The past few weeks had made for a poignant holiday season; their happiness and joy at having Saint John around and having Nicky's first Christmas had been mixed with their sadness at Dom's absence. Hawke sighed. He was due to start working on the new Airwolf project the next day and he was having a few mixed emotions. Part of him wanted to stay and spend the time with his family; part of him wanted the challenge of piloting the new Airwolf helicopter. He stretched again. He'd given his word to Michael so he'd show up at Red Star the next day however much he wanted to stay home.

Hawke stooped to ruffle the fur on Tet's head before he picked up the camping stool, cello and bow and headed back indoors. Caitlin was curled up on the sofa, her nose buried in a book. Nicky was asleep in the carrier next to her. She glanced up as Hawke came in and stored the musical instrument back on the wall.

'You finished?' Caitlin asked.

'Yeah.' Hawke sat down beside her and leaned in for a kiss. His head tilted suddenly.

'Company?' Caitlin asked.

Hawke nodded and kissed her anyway before they wandered out to the porch and watched the white helicopter descend.

'I thought Michael was in Washington?' Caitlin murmured.

'So did I.' Hawke admitted.

They exchanged a worried look when Marella climbed out. Their stylish friend had pulled her wiry black hair into a ruthless French plait and was wearing a white flight suit. Although she had long been able to forego the usual all-white uniform of Michael's aides, they knew she continued as a sign of her loyalty to him.

'Hawke, Caitlin.' Marella greeted them with a tight smile accepting quick hugs from each of them.

Hawke frowned, noting the shadows under her eyes that her expertly applied makeup couldn't hide and the fatigue in the tense set of her shoulders. 'What's up?' He asked bluntly.

Marella looked across at the spectacular view of the lake and took a deep breath. 'Michael's missing.'

'This sounds familiar.' Hawke sighed as Marella pinned him with a furious stare.

'Dammit, this isn't funny Hawke.'

Caitlin laid a comforting hand on Marella's arm before Hawke could make a reply. 'Tell us what's happened.'

'Michael went to Washington three days ago. He had various meetings arranged with the Company's financial committee and he was planning to renew some political and intelligence connections. He missed an appointment to report to the Committee yesterday morning. The Company office in Washington did a preliminary check. He hasn't been seen in over twenty-four hours.' Marella swallowed hard. 'The Company's already written him off.'

'Are you closed down?' Hawke asked, remembering the first time Michael had gone missing.

'No.' Marella rubbed her hands together trying to get warmth into her fingers. 'The project is too important. They've put me in charge but they've told me if I go after Michael, then we'll both be out of a job.' She turned to face them. 'I need you guys to find Michael.'

'Of course.' Hawke said dryly. 'And how exactly would we do that?'

She dived into the briefcase she held and brought out a CD case. 'All the information I have is on the disc.'

'Marella…' Hawke tried to interrupt her as she pushed the case into Caitlin's hands.

'It's compatible with Airwolf's computer.' She continued. 'All you need to do is get Airwolf and go find him.'

'All?' Hawke gave a short humourless laugh. 'Marella, you do realise that we don't have Airwolf anymore?'

'You owe Michael.' Marella stated firmly, her desperate gaze unwavering.

'Marella,' Caitlin broke in before Hawke could say anything else, 'why aren't the Airwolf team already on this?'

'The Committee,' Marella spat the words out, 'decided it wasn't a priority mission for them. They said the team are already engaged on another mission and they won't divert them.' She looked away from them, back at the lake.

'So you're asking us to sneak into the Lair, steal Airwolf – which might not even be there if the team's on a mission – and find Michael with a trail that will be at least twenty-four hours cold?' Hawke asked.

'Yes.' She stared at him defiantly.

Caitlin sighed at Hawke's look of exasperation. 'Marella, we can't steal Airwolf.'

'Sure you can.' Marella looked at Hawke. 'It won't be the first time.'

'Actually it will.' Caitlin laid a hand on Hawke's arm before he could react, her eyes flashing angrily at Marella. 'Hawke told Michael he would only recover Airwolf if the FIRM found his brother. He was within the terms of his agreement by keeping her until the FIRM held to their side of the bargain.'

'Do you have any idea how far Michael has stuck his neck out for you guys? Is still sticking his neck out for you guys?' Marella said.

'Yes.' Caitlin met Marella's dark eyes. 'We really do. We know how much we owe Michael but he didn't help to save Hawke's life so he could spend the rest of it in a federal jail for stealing Airwolf.'

'And it wouldn't be just me, Marella.' Hawke added gently. 'You're asking us both to do it and we can't; we have Nicky to consider.'

'Not to mention the position we'd be placing Saint John and Jo in.' Caitlin remarked.

'Or the fact that, if they are on a mission, it's probably not even there.' Hawke added.

'I can't believe this.' Marella whirled away. 'I can't believe you won't help.'

'Marella,' Hawke rose and grabbed her hand to prevent her leaving. 'We never said we wouldn't help.'

'Just that we can't steal Airwolf.' Caitlin said placing an arm around the other woman's shoulders. 'Come on inside. I think I have a plan.'

Marella allowed herself to be guided inside. Caitlin sat her down on the sofa in front of the fire and headed into the kitchen to make some tea.

Hawke joined her casting a worried glance at their friend. 'Do you have a plan?' He asked keeping his voice low.

'Maybe.' Caitlin said setting the kettle to boil and placing all the usual paraphernalia on a tea-tray. She shot a quick look at Marella. 'I've never seen her this…'

'Panicked?' Hawke shook his head and folded his arms. 'This is the first time Michael's been in serious trouble since they got together.'

Caitlin sighed. 'Whole different kinda territory, huh.'

'Yeah.' Hawke brushed a lock of red hair back behind her ear. His blue eyes drifted back to the agent. 'I hope she's going to hold together.'

'She will.' Caitlin said pouring the boiling water into the teapot.

Hawke picked up the tea-tray and carried it over to the living area. He poured Marella a cup and handed it to her.

'You said you had a plan?' Marella asked as soon as Caitlin settled into an easy chair.

Caitlin nodded and accepted a cup from Hawke. He didn't pour one for himself but wandered over to the hearth to lean on the mantel.

'What's the status of the new Airwolf helicopter?' Caitlin asked.

Marella frowned. 'Apart from the armament, she's completed. We would have begun system and flight tests if…'

'Your test pilot wasn't on paternity leave.' Caitlin said wryly. Her eyes met her husband's. 'What do you think?'

'Wouldn't be the first time I took an untested helicopter out for a spin but it's a big risk flying her all the way across the country on her first time out.' Hawke said lifting a hand. 'But I don't see that I have a choice if I'm to get there quickly.'

'If I'm to get there quickly?' Marella asked. Her eyes shot to Caitlin's. 'You're not going with him?'

'Risking me on the maiden flight is one thing, Marella. Risking Cait is entirely different matter.' Hawke said before Caitlin could reply. 'I wasn't joking when I said we had Nicky to think about.'

'Of course you have to…' Marella's breath caught in her throat. 'I'm sorry I'm just…'

'Worried about Michael. We understand.' Caitlin rubbed her back comfortingly. Her blue-green eyes drifted back to Hawke's. 'I'm not real happy about you being alone and without back-up though.'

'Maybe we could use the remote access for the actual flight.' Marella suggested.

'Sounds good to me.' Caitlin said.

Hawke nodded. 'I'll be OK once I get to Washington. I spent a lot of time undercover there and I know the place pretty well. Marella, is the old FIRM airfield still in use?'

'No, but we could use it as a landing site and as somewhere to hide the helicopter.' Marella said.

Hawke nodded. It was a fair walk to a main road but he figured he could flag down a lift.

'I'm going to need everything you put on those discs as hard copy.' Hawke said.

'I'll call Red Star now and make the arrangements.' Marella said rising.

'I'd better get my stuff together.' Hawke said.

Caitlin sighed. 'I'll get Nicky.' She and Hawke walked up to their room leaving Marella to make her calls on the satellite phone. It took Hawke no time at all to put a small overnight bag together and he went to help Caitlin gather everything for the baby.

'Are you sure you want to go to Red Star?' Hawke asked.

'I think Marella needs the moral support and besides,' Caitlin said stuffing a soft toy into the already overflowing bag, 'if we can get the remote access working, at least I can back you up on the flight.'

He caught hold of her and hugged her. 'I'll be fine. I worked as a lone operative for a long time before we met.'

'I know.' Caitlin kissed him. 'It won't stop me worrying.'

'To be honest with the way Marella is,' Hawke said as he picked up the bags, 'I think I have the easier assignment trying to find Michael.'

Caitlin smiled ruefully. 'Thanks a lot.'

They all headed for Red Star, the complex which housed the Airwolf project. The buildings had been rebuilt after Moffett, Airwolf's original designer, had destroyed the flight centre when he'd stolen the original machine. The main building still gleamed with a bright freshness and there was still the smell of newness that hadn't quite been removed by the hustle and bustle of activity.

Marella made her way to the control room. Karen Hansen, Airwolf's lead computer programmer greeted them absently before her eyes alighted on the baby carrier Caitlin held. 'Is that the baby?' She shoved her chair back, causing Hawke to take a stumbling step sideways.

Karen leaned over and cooed at the small child, her dark red bob swinging around her pale cheeks. 'He's so cute.'

'Yeah, takes after his father.' Caitlin commented with maternal pride.

'Karen, is everything prepared?' Marella asked sharply.

'Everything.' Karen confirmed. She patted Marella's hand as though in understanding before she turned her attention to Hawke. 'Ready to fly, Hawke?'

'Is he ready to fly?' Caitlin repeated smiling. 'Is the sky blue?'

Karen grinned at her. 'I've set up this console for you. There's a direct link to the engineer's console in the new machine. To all extents and purposes it'll be like you're in the helicopter.'

'Great.' Caitlin said.

Hawke reached over and ran a hand over his son's wispy hair. Nicky turned at the touch and a light of recognition lit the baby's blue eyes. 'I'd better go.' He said and leaned over further to drop a kiss on his son's head and another on Caitlin's lips.

'I love you.' She said. 'Be safe.'

'I love you too.' Hawke kissed her again. 'Wish me luck.'

'Good luck.' Caitlin called after him as Karen escorted Hawke out of the room. They headed over to the hangar with Karen briefing him about the latest changes in design. She left him to make the final preparations and Hawke acknowledged a few of the mechanics on his way to the changing rooms. He almost smiled at the air of excitement that surged through the place; the unconcealed air of anticipation. There was probably going to be quite a crowd when he took her up.

Hawke drew out the uniform from the locker and grimaced. He'd never understood why the outfits had to be lilac. He pulled on the suit and zipped it up. It was a new material that fitted snugly to his body but it was surprisingly comfortable. He strapped on the boots and shut the locker door. Hawke caught sight of his appearance in a mirror on the wall opposite and fingered the carefully stitched name over his left breast pocket before he spun on his heel and walked back out to the hangar.

'She ready?' He asked Karen and the lead mechanic, Frankie Hernandez.

Frankie nodded, his dark eyes smiling at Hawke. 'Just take it easy.'

'Always do.'

'Right.' Frankie drawled with clear disbelief.

'Caitlin's confirmed that she's linked up in the control room. She'll be monitoring the systems from there. The Lady herself also seems to have graced you with her presence. Oh, and we took the liberty of stowing your bag.' Karen said and handed him a helmet.

Hawke took it with a sigh. 'You guys couldn't improve on this?' He asked waving the heavy object at them.

'Good luck.' Frankie said and patted his shoulder. He ran outside to join the gathering crowd who were waiting to watch the test flight.

Karen smiled. 'Don't break her.' She said before she followed after Frankie.

Hawke took a moment to admire the new helicopter. Same basic design although the nose was a little sharper, the wings a little more set back. She had the same shining black armour and white underbelly as the original machine and the same aura; she was meant for the sky. Hawke opened the cockpit door and slid into the commander's seat. He did his usual pre-flight check before he closed the door and settled into position. He adjusted the helmet until it sat more comfortably.

'Here we go.' He took a breath, ignored the pounding of his heart. He tapped the buttons to start the engines and bring her other systems online. He could barely hear the thud of her rotors gaining momentum or the roar has her engines fired in the quiet bubble of the cockpit but he felt the tremors through her frame, the hum underneath his feet. The screen in front of him lit up with a display of all systems status.

Systems ready.

Hawke smiled at the text when it scrolled over the screen. It looked like Airwolf was keen and eager to get going. He punched a few buttons to connect the radio through to control.

'Airwolf to control tower, requesting permission to taxi to helipad.'

'Permission granted.'

Hawke smiled at the nervous tone of the responding air traffic controller. He grasped the stick and eased Airwolf forward. She moved smoothly out of the hangar and emerged into the morning sunshine. Hawke blinked at the sudden brightness and slowed until his eyes adjusted. He ignored the crowd around the hangar, and concentrated on getting her to the wide open space of the helipad.

'Cait?' Hawke asked as he took up position. 'Are you with us?'

'I'm with you. You're looking good.' Her calm tone with its tinge of wonder settled the nerves pulling and pushing in his guts and he felt the tension drain out of his shoulders.

'Have we got a flight plan?' He asked.

'Heading on your screen now.' Caitlin confirmed.

'Airwolf to control, requesting permission to depart.'

'Permission granted.'

Hawke took another quick look around, did another fast check of the primary system status on his monitor. He grasped the cyclic and raised the aircraft a mere foot off the ground. The landing gear retracted automatically. He took her up another foot.

'Nice and steady.' Hawke said softly. 'Nice and steady.' The slow ascension gave him the opportunity to test her balance, check the responsiveness in the flight controls, how much he needed to push, how much he needed to pull.

He rotated her until she faced the heading he'd been given and eased the stick forward, accelerating gradually to her top speed without turbos. He felt the rush of exhilaration when he climbed with her and brought her to a hover above the layer of white, fluffy clouds, blue skies above them. He sighed in contentment and felt it; that deep, soulful click between man and machine.

'How are we looking, Cait?'

'So far so good.' Caitlin's voice confirmed happily. 'How she feel?'

'Balance is good. The flight controls are responsive.' Hawke took Airwolf back down. 'I'm going to open her up; see how she copes with some speed. Hawke out.'

Hawke was as good as his word. With a wicked smile he flicked the button on the side of the stick that would ignite the turbos and they shot forward. He felt the push of the g-force pressing him back into his seat as terrain disappeared underneath them.

'Mach 1.' Caitlin noted.

Hawke felt the stall before it registered.

'Disengaging turbos. Re-engaging rotors.' He stated as he glided the machine until he got control back.

'What happened?' He asked Caitlin.

'Fluctuation in the power to the turbine system. Airwolf attempted to compensate but was using her old turbine system as the baseline so she overcompensated causing an automatic shut-down.' Caitlin explained.

Failed. He almost jumped at the text on the monitor.

'Uh, Hawke?' Caitlin's stunned voice told him she'd seen it too.

'I see it.' Hawke said. 'Airwolf, establish a new baseline for the turbine system.'

Request confirmed. New baseline being established.

'I've reset the system, Hawke.' Caitlin said. 'You should be OK for turbos. Now.'

Hawke hit the button. 'OK. Let's try this again.' Airwolf shot forward. The landscape slipped by beneath them.

'Mach 1.' Caitlin noted again.

He adjusted the balance, angled her nose more and accelerated again.

'Mach 1.5.' Caitlin said calmly. The original machine had been capable of almost mach 2 when pushed to her limits and this new helicopter seemed to be holding up fine.

'Mach 2.' Caitlin confirmed.

Hawke grinned. He was going mach 2 in a helicopter. He sobered. He was doing mach 2 in this helicopter for a reason. 'I'm going to hold her here for as long as possible.' He radioed back.

'Roger that, Airwolf.'

Hawke settled back and focused on his heading. Don't worry, Michael, he thought determinedly, we're on our way.