Chapter 17
Dominic Santini sat alone in his office, staring sightlessly at the new work schedule Cait had created the previous week. For once, he was glad of the peace and quiet, the maintenance of the Jet Ranger abandoned for the day. He'd sent Kevin and Ev home early, and had talked Cait and Hawke into running some errands that would keep them busy for most of the morning. Downed tools littered the work benches and iron filings covered the floor, but today, it was the furthest thing from Dom's mind.
He knew Hawke had cottoned on to his distraction over the last few days, but Hawke being Hawke had figured he'd tell him when he was ready. He'd seen the occasional glance between Hawke and Cait when he entered a room, but mercifully they'd said nothing, and he suspected that was more Hawke's doing than Cait's.
His mind cast back to the conversation he'd had with Archangel outside Hawke's hospital room. He revealed he'd spoken with Dr Burke regarding the older mans condition, and as he hadn't made a follow up appointment with Dr Stern, he'd taken the liberty of doing it for him. It had taken every ounce of restraint Dom possessed not to punch the spy, instead telling him simply to 'mind his own beeswax' before marching out of the hospital.
As Cait's familiar scrawl blurred on the page, Dom pushed the schedule away, his thoughts turning to the appointment he'd had with Dr Stern first thing this morning. He'd told Hawke and Cait he'd had an early morning charter he'd booked last minute, and thankfully, despite Cait muttering about nothing being in the diary, the couple hadn't questioned it.
The appointment had gone as expected, and surprisingly Dr Stern had found him to be in reasonably good health, despite echoing Dr Burkes words to slow down and radically change his diet.
"Slow down" Dom chuckled to himself as he turned the page over, to see the amount of work they had scheduled in for the next month. His eyes flicked up to survey the hangar, his whole livelihood he'd built from the ground up, he wasn't about to let it all go that easily. He'd watched Hawke and Cait grow closer over the last few months, and hoped more than anything, the man he'd raised as his own was ready to drop his guard and finally let Cait in, this little health scare had given him a harsh reminder of his own mortality.
The low rumble of a car engine pulled Dom from his thoughts, and shoving the new schedule into his in tray, he made his way out into the hangar.
"C'mon Cait. You know the Director was yanking my chain!"
Hawke swung his athletic frame out of the hired jeep and grabbed the brown paper bag off the back seat. "Dom's threatened never to work with him again!"
"I know that, but did you have to auto rotate off the roof?"
Hawke smirked, his eyes hidden by his aviators.
"How was I supposed to know he gets airsick?"
Cait jammed her hands on her hips and chewed her bottom lip as she fought the urge to smile.
"I gotta admit, it was kinda funny" Cait replied with a giggle "I didn't know anyone could turn that shade of green!"
Hawke chuckled
"It'll keep him honest" he replied with a wink. With a shake of her head, Cait grabbed the bag from Hawke and felt the warmth of his hand on the small of her back as they made their way towards the hangar.
"Hey Dom!" Cait called as they entered "Mario's were all out of Meatball Marinara so I got you Baloney!"
Dom stood in front of the jet ranger, his red satin baseball hat skewed to the side as he surveyed his damaged chopper. His hands jammed on his hips, he shook his head dejectedly
"Would you look at this!?" He bellowed, gesturing towards the vivid black scorch marks that cut through the red white and blue stripes. "Did I or did I not say if there was so much as one itty bitty scratch on my chopper, there'd be hell to pay, huh?"
He swivelled on his heel to face the couple, his bushy eyebrows so low, they were almost covering his eyes.
"Like I said Dom, she'll patch" Cait replied, throwing him a wrapped sandwich.
"Cait's right"
Dom groused in Italian as Hawke perched on the edge of the workbench.
"Besides we've got bigger things to worry about"
"Oh I'm sorry, honey" Dom said, turning to Cait as he unwrapped his sandwich.
"How did the stunt go this morning?"
Hawke and Cait glanced at each other before Cait spoke
"This aint about the stunt"
Dom paused, his sandwich halfway to his lips
"Oh?"
Dom's eyes widened as Hawke shoved his hand into his jeans pocket and threw several familiar looking transmitters onto the workbench.
"We stopped by Cait's place to pick up a few things. We found these"
Dom's eyes met Cait's.
"The same ones you found in the hangar"
"Aww this is nuts!" Dom gestured animatedly as he paced up and down in front of Cait.
"I don't know who to trust! I'm tell in' ya I'm not cut out for all this...ah...these spy games and espionage"
He swivelled on his heel and turned to face Cait
"Hell, last week, I even accused the mail man of being a double agent!" Dom finished, thrusting his sandwich towards Cait to emphasise his point.
"I know what you mean, Dom" Cait replied darkly, and Hawke once again felt the familiar pang of guilt gnawing away at him in the pit of his stomach.
"So?" Dom asked looking between Hawke and Cait "What now?"
Hawkes gaze slid to Cait
"I think it's time we got some answers" Hawke replied gruffly, pushing off the workbench he was using as a perch. "First thing tomorrow I'm going to Knightsbridge. I wanna see Michael look me in the eye and tell me he's not behind all of this"
"Right" Cait nodded in agreement, "Don't you mean we?"
Dom's low chuckle caused a rare smile to surface on Hawkes face and as his gaze slid to the older man, a warmth encompassed him, knowing he could trust Cait and Dom with his life. Dom nodded towards Cait and gave her a quick wink.
The three friends ate their lunch in silence, contemplating what the meeting with Archangel would bring.
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Special Agent Timothy Perrott shifted uncomfortably in the drivers seat of the dark blue sedan that sat stationary just beyond the perimeter fence of Van Nuys Airport. A few strands of dark brown hair were matted to his forehead, and every muscle in his body ached as a result of their third hour of surveillance in the sweltering mid morning sun. Perrott unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves in an futile effort to cool off and quickly Swiping away a bead of sweat, his gaze shifted to the passenger seat. His chocolate eyes narrowed on the man next to him as he bit into a large cheeseburger, his gaze following the the large dollop of cheese that squirted out of the bun and plopped onto his tie, obscuring the face of scooby doo that had tortured him for most of the morning.
"You're disgusting Walters, you know that?" Perrott said eventually, tearing his eyes away from the dark patches of grease splattered across the other mans white shirt. "You should carry a health warning"
Detective Walters just smiled as Perrott turned his attention back to the object of the stakeout.
"How'd ya get this assignment anyways" Perrott asked, opening his water bottle and taking a fortifying sip. "I didn't think the LAPD were in on this gig"
"What c- I say?" Walters mumbled, his mouth full of cheeseburger "I got three ex wives and alimony to pay"
He chuckled at the irony and glanced across at his partner.
"You want some?" he asked, thrusting his cheeseburger towards the young Agent. Perrott swiftly raised his hand
"I'm good. Thanks" Perrott returned his attention to the Airfield.
"Suit yourself" Walters replied, taking another large bite
Perrott almost heaved a sigh of relief as the radio stashed in the console crackled to life.
"Unit one. Come in"
Perrott was too quick for Walters, grabbing the radio before his partner could even react.
"This is Unit one. Go ahead, sir " Perrott answered, resting his elbow on the frame of the open window.
"Unit one, do you have an update?"
"Hawke and the girl found the bugs at the apartment, Sir. Unit threes been keeping tabs on the place. It's the first time she's been back in weeks. "
His thumb released the transmit button for a brief second, as the heat rose of the Tarmac in shimmering waves, he could just make out the bulky frame of Dominic Santini exit the hangar to greet a visitor.
"Santini's opened the hangar as normal" Perrott informed his superior, as Santini slapped the unknown male on the shoulder in greeting. "Someone's just arrived. I can confirm that it is not Stringfellow Hawke. There's no sign of the girl either. Unit one out"
The visitor entered the hangar, and Santini seemed to hesitate for a moment before following his friend inside.
"Copy that Unit One"
Perrott dropped the radio back into the console and tugged absently at his shirt that had started to cling to his athletic form.
"He's either brave or stupid" Perrott muttered to himself
"Yeah, well I've heard things about Hawke and Santini-"
The Agents gaze snapped to his LAPD partner.
"What things?"
Walters paused, before running a hand quickly through his thick mop of unruly curls.
"Things that would keep you awake at night"
He held Perrott's gaze for a moment before wrapping up the last of his burger and throwing it into the footwell.
Perrott's eyes rolled heavenwards at the brief reprieve. When he got up that morning, he never anticipated sitting in a car that reeked of fast food for three hours in the scorching sun, staking out a near deserted airfield for a super helicopter that may or may not exist.
He had to admit, that transfer to Quantico was sounding more and more appealing.
The radio suddenly crackled back to life, pulling Agent Perrott from his reverie.
"All units return to base immediately for debriefing. All units return to base immediately"
Needing no second invitation, Agent Perrott started the engine, and paused as a familiar sound teased the edge of his hearing.
"Well, what are you waiting for?"
Perrott ignored The Detective and instead tipped his head towards the sky as a chopper he recognised as a long ranger landed deftly on the Tarmac. His eyes narrowed on the chopper, as a male matching Hawke's description exited first, followed by a female, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans, long hair whipping around her shoulders under the backwash of the slowing rotors. He'd studied the file extensively enough to know the female in question had to be Caitlin O' Shannessy. He was still watching as Hawke rounded the chopper and reached out to take the hand of his female companion.
"C'mon man. You heard the guy. Let's go" Walters urged. With one last look at their joined hands, Special Agent Perrott shifted the heavy gear stick and reluctantly pulled away from the Airfield.
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"Dominic Santini! Would you get in here!"
Cait yanked open the filing cabinet and tucked the last of the financial reports safely away in the drawer
"Dom?!"
Pushing the drawer closed, she surveyed the desk, quickly shuffling a small stack of papers into something resembling an order. Several files sat neatly on Dom's desk, all with sticky notes of varying colours marked 'urgent' and underlined in red. Twice. All remained untouched from yesterday, causing her to mutter under her breath.
Dominic Santini and his laissez-faire attitude towards paperwork really would be the death of her. Checking her watch, Cait grabbed her bag and keys and hurried out into the hangar.
"Hawke?!"
"Over here!"
Cait followed the voice, the man in question concealed by the red white and blue Jet Ranger.
" String? I know how you get when you start work on Doms choppers, so I left you a reminder about the Halston job at four thirty"
Cait informed him as she rummaged through her bag.
"I hadn't forgotten"Hawke replied, peering at her over the top of the Jet Ranger. David Halston, Senior aide to Senator Grant had hired Santini Air on reputation as the would-be Presidents primary transportation and with Grant's close ties to the FIRM, Hawke had a more than sneaking suspicion that Michael had been responsible for orchestrating the whole thing. He'd shared his suspicions with Dom and Cait, and could almost hear Doms words
"Hey! Who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth!"
So he'd said no more about it.
Whilst Hawke tolerated Halston, Senator Grant's eldest daughter Charlotte had been a different proposition entirely. The beautiful, intelligent socialite who had a string of high profile lovers, had made it clear from the very beginning she was interested in the Pilot, and whether he wanted it or not, Charlotte Grant had definitely grabbed his attention. He dipped his head to conceal his smirk as Cait continued to rummage through her purse.
"Shoot! I knew I put it in here this morning" Cait mumbled, more to herself than anyone.
"Listen, Le's got a study group after school, so I'm gonna run those film canisters over to Paulie before I pick him up. I should be back at the cabin before dinner"
Hawke jumped down from his vantage point on the ladder and wiped his hands on an oily rag.
"Half-Pint never mentioned anything" Hawke replied with a frown as Cait ducked under the tail and joined him at the bottom of the ladder. Dom glanced up from the fuel gauge he'd been tinkering with and surveyed the exchange with interest.
"Yeah he did" Cait responded matter of factly. "Remember two nights ago right before dinner?" Cait raised an eyebrow at Hawkes blank expression
"Or were you too preoccupied with Ms Grant to listen?"
The mischievous glint in her eye wasn't lost on Hawke, as she flicked back her hair mimicking the socialite. Doms chuckle rumbled from from the corner of the hangar, earning a familiar scowl from Hawke. If truth be told, he was a little relieved at Cait's incessant teasing. Whilst Charlotte was most definitely attractive, Cait hadn't perceived her as a real threat as she had done with so many women in the past, and at least it had kept Cait from knowing the real object of his preoccupation. He'd clocked the blue sedan parked outside the perimeter fence the minute he and Cait had returned from the stunt that morning and he was almost certain They had also been staking out Cait's apartment, firmly cementing in Hawkes mind he'd do everything in his power to keep her at the cabin.
"Fine" Hawke bit out, throwing the rag on the workbench. "I'll just go and wash up"
He turned to head to the locker room when he felt a light hand on his forearm.
"Hawke-"
He froze under her touch, but still refused to meet her gaze.
"I'll be fine. Promise"
Hawke almost winced at the softly spoken words, remembering all too well the fate of the last woman that had made such a declaration.
"'Sides, you wouldn't want to keep the Client waitin' now , would ya?"
Hawke glanced down at the hand on his forearm, and his eyes finally met Cait's, his expression unreadable. Their gaze caught and held
"Dom's three thirty cancelled " Hawke replied slowly, acutely aware of the simmering tension between them. "I'm sure-"
"Hey, you can count me out" Dom interjected, suddenly materialising beside Hawke." I gotta last minute charter to Mexico. I won't be back til tonight. Sorry kid"
Hawkes gaze shifted sideways
"Let me guess. Queenie" Hawke replied through gritted teeth.
"Hey! A little R and R never hurt anybody, huh?" Dom chuckled, folding his hands across his expansive chest.
"You'll be back in time for dinner, right?" Cait asked hopefully.
"Sure I will sweetheart. I wouldn't miss it" Dom replied with a gap toothed grin. Defeated, Hawke stalked back over to the chopper and snatched up a wrench from the toolbox. Cait's eyes flickered to Hawke
"What about you?" Cait asked, sensing the pilots darkening mood.
Hawke took a deep breath before he answered.
"Not sure. I'll probably bunk here, get a head start on the Huey " Hawke replied, gesturing towards the cot in the back room. Dom' s bushy eyebrows lowered at his surrogate sons sudden u turn.
"Fine. I'll see you tonight, Dom " Cait said brightly, determined not to indulge Hawke in one of his brooding silences.
"Sure thing, honey" Dom replied with a wave as Cait turned on her heel and hurried out, unaware of Hawkes steely gaze fixed firmly on the door of the hangar.
Dom glanced at the younger man who had suddenly found a smear of grease on the hangar floor particularly interesting. His broad smile slipped from his face as he moved over to where Hawke was sitting in the open door of the Jet Ranger, his arm resting across his bent knee. Dom cleared his throat.
"You mind tellin' me what that was all about?"
Hawkes gaze flickered to his mentor.
"It's complicated "
"Complicated, huh?" Dom mused, silently grateful that he'd managed to finally get Hawke on his own. The two men spoke at the same time.
"Listen kid-"
"Dom if this is about Cait-"
Dom shook his head as Hawke's swivelled over his shoulder, his gaze alighting on the stretched black limo that had rolled to a stop outside. Cursing yet another interruption, Dom followed Hawke to the doorway, muttering under his breath. The two pilots watched as a door opened, and a man they could only assume to be the driver, chesnut hair slicked back and dressed in a pristine charcoal suit, climbed out.
Hawke's trained eye quickly swept over the man. He was at least six feet tall, his eyes hidden behind tinted sunglasses. His posture indicated military, probably former, Hawke deduced as he noticed a slight limp in the man's gait as he rounded the car and opened the rear door for the occupant that had yet to exit the vehicle.
Dom's bushy eyebrows climbed to the top of his forehead, as a very long, very tanned leg appeared, a hideously expensive cream stiletto shoe, Hawke had seen one just like it in one of Cait's magazines, caressing her toned ankle. The other one soon followed, and the slender form of Charlotte Grant finally appeared. Dom whistled approvingly through his teeth as she thanked the driver, smoothed out her grey pencil skirt and set her dark, sultry gaze firmly on Hawke. Unexpectedly, his tangled thoughts turned to Cait and the conversation they'd had in the hangar earlier. The Texan had called him out more than once on his deep seated overprotectiveness, and with her continuing presence at the cabin, it was getting harder and harder to ignore the feelings he fought so hard to bury. With everything that had happened, maybe this was just the distraction he needed.
"You gotta hand it to the lady, she sure knows how to make an entrance" Dom commented
"She sure does " Hawke grinned, handing Dom the wrench he was holding.
Hawke disappeared inside the hangar, and Dom could only watch, his mouth slightly agape, as Charlotte fiddled with a pin in her hair, freeing it so the long, ebony curls cascaded down her back.
Hawke reappeared and slapped his surrogate father on the shoulder.
"Don't wait up" Hawke said, with an enthusiasm he didn't really feel. Dom rolled his eyes and muttered something incomprehensible in Italian. Hawke was halfway to the limo, when he stopped, and turned to face the older man.
"Hey, Dom. What was it you wanted to talk about?" Hawke asked, as the image of Charlotte Grant leaning seductively against the limo, caught in his peripheral vision.
"It's-ah-nothin'" Dom replied, waving a meaty hand dismissively. "It'll keep. You kids have a good time, now"
Hawke considered his response. He knew Dom had been distracted lately. So distracted he'd even made a double booking which thankfully Cait and found and rectified, before it had cost Santini Air a contract. Cait had initially brushed it off, putting it down to the amount of work they had scheduled, but Hawke knew otherwise and he could tell by the tone in Cait's voice, she was worried too.
Saying nothing, he gave Dom a curt nod and left the hangar, oblivious to the frown set across Dom's craggy features.
He watched as Hawke slid an arm around her tiny waist, and led her to the Long Ranger, waiting on the Tarmac.
The sound of the rotors filled the hangar and Dom took his cue to return to his office, crumpling into the nearest chair. Closing his eyes, his rubbed his forehead in a futile attempt to rid himself of the dull ache that had settled there. Opening his eyes, he reached forward and pulled open his desk drawer, tossing out old invoices and newspaper clippings before his large fingers closed around a beige file, bearing the logo of the FIRM's legal department. Setting it on the desk, his eyes scanned the front, the words 'Last Will and Testament ' burning into the page.
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Caitlin O'Shannessy was the epitome of organised, one of the more welcome traits she had acquired from her mother. After dropping off the film canisters to Paulie Newton-or Newt, as most people called him, she'd stopped quickly for groceries, before pulling the flame red rented Jeep into her usual parking spot outside Van Nuys Academy with ten minutes to spare.
Drumming her manicured nails on the steering wheel, Cait checked her watch for what felt like the millionth time, as the last of the students began filter out of the wrought iron gates. Le's study group had finished almost fifteen minutes ago, and there was still no sign of the teenager.
'There's gotta be a reasonable explanation' Cait thought to herself , mentally chiding herself for indulging herself in Hawke's paranoia.
'But it's what's kept him alive for so long'
She pushed the thought to the back of her mind, as she watched the last student, a sandy haired boy about Le's age, tie askew, rush out to a waiting SUV.
'Maybe I should go and look for him'
She was so lost in her internal debate, she almost jumped at the sharp rap on the window.
With her best O'Shannessy scowl firmly in place, she turned to face the culprit, only to be met with a familiar pair of chocolate brown eyes. She immediately recalled the strong jawline with the light dusting of stubble that made her heart flip flop in her chest and the
broad shoulders that had been entrenched in her mind from the first moment she'd met him.
Quickly, she rolled down the window.
"Hey" he smiled, his handsome face appearing in the window. " Cait isn't it?"
"Sure is" She smiled, "Jack, right? Le's soccer coach"
"Guilty as charged" he chuckled "Whatcha still doin' here? The kids left twenty minutes ago"
Of their own volition, Cait's eyes followed his toned forearms as they came to rest on the open window frame.
"Le had a study group after school" Cait explained, grateful for the opportunity to tear her gaze away and focus on the palatial building in front of her. "He should have been out by now"
Cait frowned, chewing her bottom lip as she studied her watch again
"I must admit, I am a little worried"
In an effort to conceal the small smile tugging at his lips, Jack Stone straightened and tugged open the Jeep door.
"Well in that case, we'd better go look for him"
"That's not necessary, really" Cait said hurriedly, stepping out of the jeep "I don't wanna cause any trouble"
He was definitely taller than she remembered, as he reached over her head and pushed the jeep door closed.
"It's no trouble" Jack replied "I bet you ten bucks I know where he is"
Cait lifted her eyes to meet his. They were so close, his large frame almost engulfed her, and she fleetingly wondered how those strong arms would feel wrapped around her.
"Shall we?-" he asked, his eyes flickering towards the school.
"Oh. Yeah" Cait smiled "we should"
An awkward silence fell over the pair as they strolled wordlessly towards the school. Never one for being at a loss for words, this was entirely new to Cait.
Mercifully, Jack cleared his throat.
"I have to admit, I was a little surprised when I first met ya"
Cait raised an eyebrow quizzically
"What I mean is-" Jack replied, shoving his hands into the pockets of his grey sweatpants, the school crest emblazoned on the side. His gaze dropped and never once, in his thirty three years, had he been this tongue tied around a woman.
"I'm a friend of his Uncle's " Cait supplied, sensing his discomfort.
"Ah yes, Stringfellow Hawke and the rustic cabin in the woods" Jack smiled, catching her eye. "Le's told me all about it"
They stopped at the gate, and Jack produced his school ID, showing to the bored looking security guard stationed in the poky little portacabin who waved them through.
"That's a little exaggerated" Cait smiled. Now it was Jacks turn to raise an eyebrow
"Only reachable by helicopter? I hear you're quite the pilot"
As their arms brushed, Jack felt Cait stiffen imperceptibly and briefly wondered if he'd pushed the red head too far.
They walked through the Academy Gardens towards the main school building, an Eighteenth Century Manor House towering magestically over them, the late afternoon sun casting shadows across the lush manicured lawns. Cait thought it had never looked more beautiful.
"Le tells me you fly stunts in movies" Jack said eventually. Cait had to hand it to him, he was, if nothing else, persistent. "That must be...fun"
Cait almost smiled at the inanity of the word.
"Sure it is, most of the time " Cait replied, giving nothing away. Hawke and Dom had trained her well.
"Well, I gotta say, I prefer to keep my feet firmly on the ground" Jack smiled, as they stopped by a row of topiary bushes. He turned to face her, and their gaze caught and held. The gentle breeze picked up, and Jack reached out to brush an errant strand of hair behind her ear.
"Oh" Cait murmured, dipping her head in an attempt to conceal the faint blush to her cheeks. "Thanks"
"No problem"
Jack took a deep breath and looked absently around the estate
"Listen, Cait, I'm not usually this forward with women, especially ones I've just met-" he paused, searching her eyes with his own. "But I like you, and I'd quite like to get to know ya better. Maybe we could... I dunno... grab a coffee sometime?"
Before Cait could reply, a shout from across the expansive main lawn had them turning in search of the owner. Le Van Hawke jogged towards them, pushing his dark mop of hair out of his eyes as he struggled with his oversized rucksack, just managing to hook it over a slender shoulder.
"I think we've found the reprobate" Jack forced a smile, hoping his disappointment at the interruption didn't show.
"I think you might be right" Cait smiled as Le finally reached them
"Hey Cait." Le said, a little breathless from his sprint across the grass. "Sorry I'm late. Sarah's dad has got courtside tickets to the Lakers game on Saturday!" he explained, the words tumbling out of his mouth as his dark eyes glittered with excitement. Cait had more than a sneaking suspicion the the blonde with the striking blue eyes had been, at least part of the reason for his lateness.
"Can you believe she asked me if I wanted to go? Can I?"
Cait shrugged a shoulder
"It's fine by me. I'll talk to Hawke"
"Thanks Cait" Le beamed, seemingly oblivious to the palpable tension between Cait and his teacher.
"Well, Now you've found him, I got work to do. it was nice seeing you again, Cait" Jack said sincerely. His gaze slid to the youngster " I'll see you at practice "
"Bye coach" Le replied as Jack raised a hand in farewell. Cait watched as he shoved his hands back into the pockets of his sweatpants and jogged back across the main lawn, swerving slightly to avoid a sprinkler that had suddenly sprung to life.
"Soooo" Cait said, placing a hand on Le's shoulder as they walked towards the gates
"How about we grab a soda on the way home, huh? " Cait suggested, eliciting a grin of approval from Le " you can tell me all about these courtside tickets!"
"It's gonna be great..."
From his position, half in half out of the solid oak doors of the main building, Jack Stone watched as the unlikely pair disappeared through the school gates. He smiled and manouvered the rest of his athletic frame through the gap in the door, pushing it closed behind him. If he wasn't sure before, he was almost certain now. Yes, Caitlin O'Shannessy definitely intrigued him.
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Stringfellow Hawke threw the last of the tools into the tool box and jumped down from the tail end of the Jet Ranger as the last rays of the warm Californian sun once again bathed the hangar in a warm orange glow. As he lifted the box down, he caught his elbow on the ladder, causing a hammer perched on the lid of the box to topple over the side, falling to the floor with an eerie clang that echoed around the empty hangar. Dom had left several hours ago and without Cait's vibrant energy, the hangar was entirely too quiet.
The short flight with Charlotte had been pleasant enough, and the promise of something 'extra curricular' after her business meeting had been heavily implied, as at some point during the flight, she'd managed to slide an immaculately manicured hand onto his thigh. Surprising even himself, Hawke had politely declined, leaving the irascible Senators daughter fuming in her seat. Hawke had surmised rather quickly, she wasn't used to men turning her down, and found his thoughts wandering to Cait, and whether or not she would be reading one of those infernal gossip magazines of hers, or taking up most of the dining table helping Le with his homework. Hawke found himself smiling at the thought.
Doc's phone call half an hour ago had proved a welcome distraction, reminding him of the opening of his new girlfriend Anna's bar across town at the weekend, that in all honesty, Hawke had completely forgotten about.
He was half way to the lockers when the telephone trilled impatiently on the desk. He had half a mind to leave it, whoever it was could call back in the morning, yet the familiar prickle on the back of his neck had him moving towards the phone, beckoning him like a moth to a flame.
He'd barely made it to the office when the caller rang off, and cursing under his breath he quickly changed out of his overalls into a blue plaid shirt and jeans and began closing up the hangar for the evening. He'd almost made it out of the hangar door to his motorcycle, when the phone rang again
"Yeah. Santini Air" Hawke barked into the receiver. Hawke frowned as he listened to the distorted voice on the other end. For a split second, he thought it sounded vaguely like Caitlin's brother, who he'd spoken to only last week but then he remembered Cait telling him he was away fishing with some buddies in Washington County.
"Caitlin? No she's outta town for a coupl-a days " Hawke lied fluently "Charter to Green Bay"
Hawke listened to the reply and scowled.
"No I don't have any contact information. Just who the hell is this?!"
Hawke glared at the receiver as the line went dead, and slamming down the phone he quickly closed up the hangar.
There was somewhere he needed to be.
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"Aww, C'mon Cait, do I have to?" Le Van Hawke asked as he bustled through the door of the cabin, closely followed by Cait, a large, brown paper bag of groceries balanced precariously in her arms.
"Hey, you know the drill mister Hawke" Cait smiled softly, sidestepping Tet who sat in the doorway, and pushed the door closed with her foot. The mutt merely raised his head in vague interest, before slinking off to his favoured position beside the hearth. " Homework first, dinner will be at seven"
Cait dumped the groceries on the counter and crossed the room to scratch Tet enthusiastically between the ears.
"Then can we watch it?" Le asked, dipping into the grocery bag and unpacking a block of cheese and fresh spinach and transferring them to the fridge.
"Maybe" Cait replied, joining the teenager in unpacking the food. " I gotta warn ya, Dom might wanna watch one of his John Wayne movies"
"Dom's coming for dinner?" The Amerasian asked
"He sure is"
Le remained silent, removing a couple of steaks and a few potatoes and stacking them onto the counter.
"What about Uncle String?" His dark gaze met Cait's. "He working late again?"
Cait hesitated, a tub of butter in her hand
"Le-" Cait began, her mind flickering briefly to Hawke and Charlotte Grant
" It's ok. You don't have to make excuses for him. You do that a lot" Le replied, pulling out fresh carrots and broccoli " My coach, he likes you"
Cait on her way to the fridge, fumbled the tub of butter and could only watch as it fell to the floor.
"What makes you say that?" Cait asked, snatching it up and depositing it next to the broccoli
"The way he looks at ya"
Le watched as Cait hid her blushing face in the coolness of the fridge, reorganising a shelf that really didn't need the attention. With a small smirk, the teenager ploughed on
"Have you told Uncle String?"
"Huh? " Cait swivelled on her heel to face the younger Hawke. "Told Hawke what?"
"That you and Coach St-"
"So! What about the regional finals next weekend!" Cait exclaimed, clapping her hands together in an attempt to shift the topic of conversation towards Le's upcoming karate event. She hadn't imagined Jack Stones attraction to her, in fact he'd made it pretty damn obvious. If she was honest, she was more than attracted to him.
But she hadn't imagined her and Hawke's almost kiss in the Jeep either.
Since then, she'd made one attempt to raise the said 'almost near kiss ' when they'd been unexpectedly alone, causing a scowling Hawke to grab his fishing rod and stalk emphatically out of the cabin. She hadn't seen him for a full two days after that and thought better of it for mentioning it again, instead throwing her efforts into helping Doc and Anna getting their new bar ready for the Grand Opening. If Stringfellow Hawke wasn't willing to commit, then maybe she ought to find someone that would, someone that would love her like she deserved to be loved, and somehow work to heal her broken heart over leaving those that meant most to her, in particular the young boy she'd made a promise to.
"Yeah, the Finals" Le said, a little deflated " Jonny Lucas has won the regionals three years running. You think I could actually win ?"
His dark eyes widened hopefully.
"Sure I do" Cait smiled, emptying the last of he grocery bag and arranging it in an orderly fashion in the fridge " Piece of cake. You've been practicing real hard"
"Cait-"
"Hmmm?-"
"If I win, does that mean I can come on an Airwolf mission with you, Uncle String and Dom? "
Cait whirled around from the fridge, chewing her bottom lip in an attempt to stifle a smile.
"Homework " Cait said, gesturing towards the stairs with a handful of parsley.
"Ok, ok. It was worth a try" Le said, holding up his hands in defeat. Le gave a small whistle and tapped the top of his thigh "C'mon Tet"
Cait smiled and shook her head as Le grabbed his rucksack off the couch and bounded up the stairs two at a time, with the old blue tick hound scrabbling up behind him.
AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW
Hawke urged the chopper forward as he rounded the last bluff, the clouds that had gathered, parting just enough for the moonlight to reflect off the surface of the water. His trained eye swept over his mountain retreat, and immediately the unease he'd felt back at the hangar began to dissipate slightly as he spotted Cait's chopper in its usual spot on the new landing platform behind the cabin.
He landed the chopper on the dock with immaculate precision, and the rotors had barely stopped spinning before Hawke jumped from the cockpit and made his way towards the cabin.
A warmth encompassed him as Cait's eighties chart music filled the cabin, the beautiful aroma of whatever it was Cait was rustling up for dinner immediately filling his nostrils. He could definitely get used to coming home to this. Hell, who was he kidding, he already had. Hawkes gaze quickly alighted on the woman in question, dressed in jeans and a simple cream sweater, leaning over the breakfast bar engrossed in one of her magazines with half a glass of white wine by her side. He stood in the cabin doorway, rooted to the spot as Cait reached out for he wine glass, taking a quick sip as she flicked over a page before setting it back on the counter beside her.
Something must have clued Cait in to his arrival, as she suddenly looked up from the page she was reading.
"Hey" Cait said, a bright smile surfacing at the sight of him. "I thought you were gettin' a head start on the Huey."
"Figured it could wait" Hawke replied, shrugging off his flight jacket and hanging it on the peg.
"Halston job go Ok?" Cait asked, as she grabbed an empty wine glass and retrieved the wine from the kitchen.
"Waste of time"Hawke admitted, scraping a hand across his jaw as he collapsed wearily onto the sofa.
"Waste of time huh?"
"Yeah" Hawke replied, gratefully accepting the glass of wine Cait offered him as she plopped down onto the sofa next to him. "Let's just say we had a difference of opinion"
Cait sipped the last of her wine thoughtfully as she gazed into the flames roaring cheerfully in the hearth.
"You may as well get it over with"
Hawkes deep gravel tones broke the short silence as she lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Get what over with?" Cait asked as innocently as she could manage.
"The 'I told you so'"
Hawke quirked an eyebrow as he shifted forward and reached for the open bottle of wine that rested on the coffee table.
"The thought never even crossed my mind"
A small smile tugged at his lips as he caught the playful glint in Cait's eye. He refilled Cait's empty glass and handed it to her.
"Liar" Hawke said softly, nudging her shoulder with his own.
"Ok, fine. Stringfella Hawke, I told you so" Cait replied gleefully, eliciting a chuckle from Hawke "Was she mad?"
"You mean more or less than you?"
They both looked at each other before bursting into laughter, Cait's arms immediately enveloping her stomach as the tears poured down her cheeks. Somewhere, in the recesses of Hawke's mind, Cait's laughter was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard. He wanted to hear it again. And soon.
When the laughter finally subsided, Hawke proceeded to fill Cait in on his flight to San Diego as Cait checked the dinner and rejoined him on the couch, consciously making a decision to omit the part where Charlotte had more or less propositioned him in the hotel where she was having the business meeting. It had been blatantly obvious the minute she and Senator Grant had walked into the hangar and laid eyes on Hawke, that Charlotte had more on her mind than just a flight to San Diego and back. Cait had seen it, so had Dom and half the Airfield. It had become something of a running joke over at Mike Reynolds place, causing Hawke to stalk out of the Santini hangar and disappear for the entire morning, much to the Texans amusement.
He had to admit a few months ago, he would've been sorely tempted by her offer but as soon as he'd left the Tarmac, he suddenly found himself wishing he was somewhere else entirely. For the first time he could remember, the thought of returning to the cabin for a home cooked meal, conversation and the company of family, sounded infinitely more appealing than a plush hotel room with a beautiful woman or a small, uncomfortable cot in the corner of the hangar.
In light of this new found revelation, and alarmingly his own ease with it, Hawke took a healthy gulp of wine as he filled Cait in on the work he'd started on the Huey, the mysterious phone call back at the hangar ghosting across his mind.
Suggesting they could pick up the rest of the repairs the following morning, Hawke lapsed into a familiar silence, the crackling of the flames in the hearth the only sound that filled the cabin. Ever since their near kiss in the Jeep, Hawke had made a point of avoiding any situation that could remotely be construed as intimate. Cait had tried to bring it up a few times, but each time he'd shut her down, ending inevitably with him leaving and heading out to the Lair, his calloused hands running over the sleek lines of the Lady, bathed in her funnel of light. It was a place that made sense, where he felt untouchable, safe. Something he could hardly put into words had pulled him back to the cabin tonight, and as his heart betrayed his head, his gaze swept involuntarily over the woman in front of him, watching her trace a delicate finger tip around the rim of her empty wine glass, her brow furrowed as though deep in thought . When he would normally have extracted himself from this dangerous situation, he found himself shifting closer, throwing his arm casually over the back of the couch. The unique, familiar scent of lavender and jasmine suddenly assaulted his senses as he followed the dip of her neck to her shoulder where her sweater hung loosely, exposing the freckles scattered liberally over her porcelain white skin. Her cheeks were flushed with the heat of the fire, and in this moment, Hawke thought she had never looked more beautiful.
"Hawke?"
"Mmm?" He replied vaguely, resisting the urge to reach out and tangle his fingers in her strawberry blonde hair, softened by the Californian sun.
"What changed your mind?"
As the sound of Crowded House filled the cabin, Cerulean blue eyes collided with hers and their gaze caught and held. Just for a moment, everything fell away, the bubbling pan on the stove forgotten, not to mention the presence of one teenage boy upstairs.
Hawke opened his mouth to speak, anything to end the deafening silence that had engulfed the pair, but the word 'you' stuck fast in his throat.
"Cait-" Hawke said roughly, suddenly hyper aware of his close proximity to the Texan. Suddenly, a thump from upstairs had Hawke turning towards the stairs.
"Uncle String!"Le exclaimed, bounding down the stairs "Cait said you were working on the Huey for Uncle Dom tonight"
"Yeah. Change of plans" Hawke replied, rubbing the back of his neck. His gaze followed Cait as she left the couch and returned to the kitchen to attend to dinner.
"Hey, Uncle String-" Le began, plopping down into the space Cait had just vacated. He'd sensed his Uncles distraction and decided to use it to his advantage
"Yeah?"
"Sarah's dad has got courtside tickets to the Lakers on Saturday" Le told him, his dark eyes widening hopefully
"He has huh?" Hawke replied, his lips twitching into a grin at the youngsters enthusiasm.
"Yeah he's a CEO...of somethin'" Le replied hurriedly, waving a hand dismissively "So, can I go?"
Hawke thought for a moment.
"Her family going?"
Le nodded
"Her dad and brother. Her brothers like, really old"
Hawke frowned
"Just how old is he?"
"Twenty Four"
Hawke caught Cait's eye and a small smile surfaced at the sight of her own.
"So?"
Hawke turned his attention back to his nephew and shrugged a shoulder
"Guess it'd be fine by me"
"Cool!"
Cait smiled to herself at the interaction between the pair as Le chatted animatedly about the basketball and his new karate moves. It had been a tough few months for all of them since Hawke had taken in the boy he believed to be his nephew, and tensions had certainly been strained with Hawkes attempts to juggle family life with his obligations to Michael and The FIRM. It had also taken a great deal of adjustment on her part, becoming a semi regular fixture at the cabin, her relationship with Hawke as of yet undefined. He flip flopped between drawing her close, and keeping her at arms length, firmly in the friends category, which had caused Cait in the last week or so to re examine her place at the Cabin.
Cait was so consumed by her thoughts, she almost jumped at the tickle of warm breath on her neck that told her Hawke was no longer sitting on the couch.
"Something sure smells good" Hawke murmured in her ear as Le crossed the kitchen and peered into the pan
"Is it ready yet? I'm starved "
Cait swallowed hard and put the finishing touches to her pasta primavera.
"Almost"
Cait turned and met Hawkes gaze, immediately recognising the familiar stoop as she too heard the sound of a chopper rounding the bluff.
"Dom" Cait said with a smile. "I swear that man can smell food from a mile away"
"Try ten" Hawke smirked, taking a step back as Le brushed past him to fetch the plates and cutlery from the counter.
The cabin door burst open and Dom barrelled through, a gap tooth grin plastered across his face.
"Hi Dom" Cait flung over her shoulder as she transferred the pasta from the pan into a bowl.
"Hi Honey" Dom greeted, shrugging off his jacket and hanging it on the peg.
"Boy, something sure smells good" he remarked, whistling appreciatively through his teeth as he hung his red, satin cap next to his jacket.
"Right on time Dom, as always" Hawke said, as he joined his nephew in setting the table.
"Hey, a man can't function on an empty stomach" Dom replied, patting his rounded stomach
"Empty stomach? If I know Queenie, she would have had a feast fit for a King!"
Hawke said, catching Le's eye and giving him a wink. Le grinned and dipped his head as he set the cutlery beside the plates.
"Oh, sure she did" Dom grinned "But that was hours ago"
Right on cue, a loud growl emanated from Doms stomach, emphasising his point.
As they all sat down to dinner, Hawke surveyed the table with a well hidden contentment. Every so often, Cait would catch Hawkes eye as Dom recounted his visit with Queenie, and when he was certain no-one was looking, he gave her a quick wink, hiding his smile behind his wine glass as he noticed the faint blush creeping up her neck.
Later, after the table had been cleared of empty dishes, Le bounded up the stairs with the satellite phone to call Sarah, and when he was certain the teenager was out of earshot, Hawke turned to Dom who was still seated at the table.
"That from the Jeep?" Hawke asked, nodding towards the piece of cable in Doms hand
"Yeah, the brakes were tampered with alright" Dom confirmed, holding up the piece of cable between his fingers. Cait threw the dish towel onto the counter and joined Dom at the table., taking the cable from him and holding it up to the light.
"Cuts clean" Cait confirmed, handing it to Hawke who had appeared beside her. Something flickered briefly in Hawkes eyes before the impassive mask fell back into place
"How's Eddie gettin' on with the repairs?" Cait asked, slipping into a chair opposite Dom as Hawke returned to the kitchen. Out of the corner of her eye, Cait saw Hawke brace himself against the counter.
"Ah, you know Eddie " Dom blustered, waving a meaty hand dismissively "could be tomorrow, could be next year. He never did like me lookin' over his shoulder"
Sensing Hawkes darkening mood, Cait smiled and pushed herself to her feet.
"How about some apple pie, huh?"
Dom's grin grew wider
"Sweetheart, what would I do without you!"
AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW
Much later, Hawke sat at the table, immersing himself in tying lines for fishing, his fingers working deftly in spite of the intricate work. Hawke had remained silent for the rest of the meal, and thankfully Cait hadn't felt it necessary to include him in the conversation. He eventually took his leave and disappeared with his cello onto the porch, leading Dom to say his goodbyes with the excuse of an early morning charter.
Hawke glanced up and smiled as Le slept curled up on the couch, a cushion hugged tightly to his chest. The end credits of the Karate Kid had begun to roll and his gaze shifted to Cait who dozed peacefully in the chair, her elbow rest on the back and her hand buried in her hair. Hawke sat back in his chair and marvelled at the way they both fit seamlessly into his life and It was quiet moments like these that Hawke savoured the most.
Without making a sound, Hawke made his way over to the couch and switched off the TV. He gently tapped Le's shoulder, rousing his nephew from his slumber.
"Huh-?" Le mumbled sleepily, his one open eye focussing on his uncle.
Hawke pressed a finger to his lips and gestured towards to Cait as Le rolled off the sofa and shuffled upstairs to his room.
"Hawke?"
Hawke looked over his shoulder as Cait stirred.
"What time is it?" Cait asked, unable to stifle a yawn as she shifted herself upright in the chair.
"Late" Hawke replied succinctly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you"
Hawke picked up the poker resting against the fireplace and stoked the fire, staring into the flames as they roared back to life.
"You didn't" Cait replied, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I was just restin' my eyes. Anyways, I thought you were out on the porch. You usually play for a lot longer"
Hawke replaced the poker beside the fireplace and turned to face her.
"Restin' your eyes, huh?" Hawke replied with a small smile, knowing that it had been a full hour since he'd returned to the cabin and started work on the fishing lines.
"Quiet you" Cait smirked as she retrieved her open book from the arm of the chair. "Le in bed?"
Hawke gave a small nod of confirmation as her eyes returned to the page she'd been reading. Sensing he still hadn't moved from his position by the fireplace, Cait glanced up at him.
"Somethin' wrong Hawke?"
He shook his head as Cait's gaze searched his, and finding nothing there, her eyes returned to the words on the page.
Rubbing his chest, Hawke made his way to the bar, and the clinking of glasses told Cait he was rummaging for his favourite bourbon, which he always did when he had something on his mind. Hawke poured himself a drink and downed it in one smooth motion, the liquid burning his throat as he set the glass back on the bar.
"Cait-"
"Hmmm?"
"Would you have dinner with me?"
The words came tumbling out before he could stop them and from his place by the hearth, Tet raised his head in mild interest.
"String, we have dinner together every night" Cait replied, flicking over a page of her crime novel. When Hawke remained silent, Cait lowered her book and glanced up at the Pilot. Blue eyes collided with hers and Cait suddenly realised he wasn't just talking about grabbing an after work dinner at their favourite diner across from the Airfield.
"Oh-" "Cait replied, lowering her gaze as she attempted to smother the excitement that threatened to burst forth. She made a meal of marking her page, and slowly closed the book.
She stole a furtive glance in Hawkes direction and fought to hide her smile at the look of sheer panic that flit across his face. She'd waited three years for this. She wasn't about to make it easy, but if she didn't know better, she could have sworn this self assured, confident ladies man was actually nervous.
Cait cleared her throat
"Sure, if you want" she replied with a shrug, causing Hawke to frown at her apparent disinterest. He knew how he felt, but could he have got it so wrong about her? Asking her to dinner had been difficult enough, and he almost wanted to take the words back as soon as they'd left his mouth, but he'd never considered until now she might actually turn him down.
"You know we're being watched, right?"
Cait's voice pulled him from his brooding reverie, and found she was studying him with those wide, inquisitive eyes.
"Then we'll go somewhere they're not" Hawke replied, pouring himself another drink
"Just like that?"
"Sure, why not?"
Cait shook her head as she picked up her book and joined Hawke at the bar, sliding onto one of the bar stools.
"I never had you down as the spontaneous type, Stringfella Hawke" Cait smiled, opening her book at the page she'd marked.
Hawke reached across the bar and gently plucked the book from Cait's hands. She opened her mouth to protest as he laid the book to the side, but her voice deserted her as he leant forward until he was deliciously close. Their gaze caught and held.
"I'm full of surprises " he replied in deep gravel tones that sent shivers down her spine.
"So-" Cait said, taking a deep breath to compose herself. "Where did you have in mind? Y'know those goons, whoever they are will be on our tails"
"Maybe" Hawke replied, "but they'll have to catch us first"
Cait raised an eyebrow at Hawkes sudden playful tone.
"A friend of mine owns a restaurant. He owes me a favour"
Cait glanced over the bar, the words 'overlooking the ocean' and 'quiet' barely discernible as he disappeared beneath.
"You mean Turk?" Cait asked, referring to Hawkes old army buddy. She sat back on her stool.
"Hawke, are you crazy? That's a two day flight in the Ranger, you'll have to log flight plans, and- not to mention leavin' Dom" Cait took a deep breath "We may as we'll have a flashin' neon sign!"
"I wasn't plannin' on logging any" Hawke mumbled from beneath the bar "We'll be there and back in a coupl-a hours"
Hawke suddenly reappeared, holding up a vintage bottle of red wine that happened to be one of Cait's favourites. He glared at the third of the liquid that still remained.
"Dammit, I'm gonna kill Michael" Hawke growled, knowing full well he'd left it more than half full.
"A coupl-a hours?" Cait asked as Hawke poured what was left into a glass. "Are you-"
The next words died on her lips as she quickly put two and two together.
"Oh ho, you can't be serious!" Cait exclaimed, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Ohmygod you are serious!" Cait said with a breathy laugh as she caught the unmistakable gleam in those beautiful blue eyes. "Michael will be so mad and that's sayin' some"
"I know" Hawke replied, his eyes glittering with mirth. He refilled his own glass with Bourbon and captured her eyes with his own.
"So what d'ya say, Cait? Wanna play hooky for a day and go fly The Lady?" Cait considered the invitation for all of a millisecond. They'd no doubt have to get round Dom for leaving him alone at the hangar with a full schedule, and Michael would be furious for their blatant misuse of a multi-million dollar piece of government equipment, but to spend all that time alone with Stringfellow Hawke was just too good to resist.
Cait reached for her glass and took a sip of wine, humming appreciatively at the velvety taste of cherries and spices.
"How's a girl supposed to say no to that?" Cait replied with a small smile "you are a dangerous man, Stringfellow Hawke"
Hawke surveyed her over the rim of his glass and took a sip of his drink.
"So I've been told"
He gave her a quick wink and clinked his glass against Cait's.
"See, the world didn't end"
Hawke took another sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving hers
"Yeah"
AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW
A sliver of moonlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the sleeping loft. The last embers of the fire had long burnt out, but still sleep eluded Hawke. He lay on his back, his arm behind his head as he watched shadows dance upon the ceiling, his thoughts utterly consumed by the Texan sleeping downstairs. He wondered yet again about the wisdom in getting involved with Cait. He'd grown easily accustomed to her presence, the way she hummed to herself when she cooked, the annoying way she left him sticky notes on the fridge,reminding him of social events he deliberately decided to forget. She filled the cabin with an energy he hadn't realised he'd ever missed, and he struggled to put the feeling into words. Yet, fear still gripped at his chest like a vice, a fear that if he gave himself to her, he'd lose her like he'd lost so many others. He'd asked her to dinner. He hadn't meant to, but seeing her wake up that evening, beautifully mussed from sleep, he quickly realised he wanted to wake up to that every single day for the rest of his life.
Cait was right. She'd agreed to go out on a date with him and the world hadn't imploded.
He'd asked her out and she'd said yes, yet the doubts still nagged at him. This was Cait. She deserved better than him, she deserved everything.
Now where the hell did they go from here?.