Authors Note: I had already had an idea for a Christmas story ('Twas A Magical Christmas) when a challenge to write a Christmas at the cabin story was laid down on the Airwolf Facebook group, so here is what I came up with.
Christmas Eve
"Right, I'll see you tomorrow String" said Dom heading towards the cabin door "would love to stay and help, but there is a beer with my name on it waiting with the boys."
"See you Dom, have a good time." replied String, looking around the kitchen at all the bags Cait had sent with him to the cabin. He was under strict instructions to prepare the veg for tomorrow's Christmas Day lunch. He had drawn the short straw. Dom was going for drinks with his Poker pals and Cait had a party at her acting group. They would both be arriving early in the morning and Michael and Marella were coming too. It would be the first year they had all spent Christmas together. Cait usually went home to Texas, but had decided she didn't fancy spending it with her niece and nephew with the constant questioning from her Mom as to when she was going to find a nice man, settle down and start a family. Michael and Marella had no plans so Cait invited them along too.
String had just started to peel the small mountain of potatoes when he heard a chopper coming towards the cabin. It was a chopper he recognised the sound of only too well. He didn't even bother to stop what he was doing. The chopper landed and it was only a couple of minutes before the cabin door opened and Michael invited himself in.
"What are you doing here Michael?"
"I thought I was invited"
"You are…..tomorrow." replied String as Michael joined him in the kitchen.
"Well, believe it or not, I was at a loose end and so I got someone to fly me up here."
"Who the hell did you find to do that, this time on Christmas Eve?
"Well, a man in my position can usually get what he wants." smirked Michael.
String rarely saw Michael out of his white suit, so found it odd to see him standing there in jeans and a blue jumper.
"What about Marella?"
"She's out with friends but will come up with Dom and Cait in the morning. Anyway, I see you're busy Hawke." smiled Michael watching as String picked up yet another potato to peel.
"Cait's instructions, Michael."
"Can I do anything to help? I was going to say I don't want you getting into trouble with Caitlin, but then she is rather appealing when she gets riled, I've always found."
String shot Michael a riled look of his own.
"Only kidding Hawke" smiled Michael "although I don't see you rushing to disagree with me."
"Wipe that stupid grin off your face Michael and prepare the broccoli." replied String tossing the bag that contained said broccoli and a knife at Michael.
"Broccoli gives me gas."
"Preparing it wont!" snapped String
String and Michael stood in silence for a while, both peeling and chopping.
"How much more is there to do?" asked Michael.
"Do you want the sprouts of the carrots?" replied String.
"I'd love a scotch!"
"Well, you know where it lives Michael, help yourself, and open a bottle of wine whilst you're there."
Michael walked over to the bar, which itself was supporting the weight of yet another bag.
"Christmas decorations Hawke? Cait's instructions too I presume?" asked Michael peering into the bag.
"No Michael, she doesn't know I have them. It's just a few lights, but I thought they would look OK around the fireplace or something that's all."
Michael smiled. They were for Cait's benefit, he was sure of it.
Returning to the kitchen with a scotch and a glass of wine, Michael found he had been given the carrots to prepare.
"So anyway, how are things between you and the lovely Caitlin?" asked Michael
"What do you mean, how are things?" replied String
"Well, I was just wondering if you plan to make all her dreams come true anytime soon."
String took the colander containing the sprouts over to the sink.
"We're just friends Michael."
"Only through choice."
String just glared at Michael, whilst filling a pan with water, tipping the sprouts in and setting it to one side.
"Have you finished those carrots yet?" asked String
"Yes, here, all done."
"Good" replied String leaving the kitchen and heading to the bar and the bag of Christmas lights.
"Here, sort those out." said String handing a bundle of lights to Michael as he took hold of the second bunch himself.
String had already untangled his lights and strung them along the front of the bar when he heard an exasperated Michael curse under his breath.
"Having problems? smirked String
"I swear we should make untangling Christmas lights an operative initiation test! These things are impossible! exclaimed Michael who somehow had lights round his arm, both hands and a huge knotted mess resting on the couch.
"I could just plug them in and let you model them." chuckled String.
"That's what I like about you Hawke, your curious sense of humour!"
"Who said I was joking." said String "give them here"
Michael managed to extricate himself from the lights and String took over whilst Michael went and poured more drinks.
"Michael, take hold of that end and find somewhere to secure it." said String.
"How the hell did you manage to sort them that quickly Hawke!" said Michael returning with more scotch and wine.
"Just another of my many skills" smirked String.
With an end each they managed to get the lights secured across the mantelpiece.
"That looks quite festive even if I say so myself." said Michael standing back and admiring their handy work.
"Yeah" replied String dropping into the chair by the fire.
"Huh" said Michael after taking another sip of scotch "who would've thought that you and I would be spending Christmas together."
"Not me." replied String.
"I can't believe how much has happened since I sent you to retrieve Airwolf from Moffet."
"Sent me? Forced me more like! I will never forget how I felt walking in here and finding all my art had been taken."
"Mmm, I almost took Gabrielle back with me that day, as I really wasn't sure how you were going to react."
"I wouldn't have hurt Gabrielle, Michael, you know me better than that. I wouldn't hurt any woman….at least not physically anyway." replied String swallowing a big mouthful of his wine.
"I warned Gabrielle off you, you know, but I think she was hooked from the moment she saw you."
"I thought you left her here to sweeten the deal."
"I know." replied Michael "Do you still miss her? Think about her Hawke?"
"Sometimes, less perhaps now, but she will always be special to me."
Both men sat in silence for a few minutes staring into the fire.
"You never did tell me about you and Maria" said String.
Michael smiled briefly like he was replaying a memory before replying.
"I think Maria might've been the one that got away Hawke. I was in love with her. We were lovers but it never would've lasted long term. Not in the world where we chose to exist. We weren't even on the same side for God's sake! Perhaps one of my biggest regrets, but she's gone anyway, so no point dwelling on it."
Again, both men sat lost in their own thoughts for a bit.
"What did you mean you wouldn't hurt a woman, at least not physically." asked Michael
When String didn't answer Michael continued.
"Do you mean Cait?" he asked.
"Maybe Michael."
"I've never understood why you haven't got together with Cait, she clearly has feelings for you and you her if you ask me. I know you think that anyone who gets close to you will die, but Cait? She has proven that she is like Dom and always seems to come back. She is perfect for you Hawke!"
"I know" replied String
"Plus! You gave Cait something which means a lot to you almost from the start…your trust! I'm not sure I have that completely, even now!
"Perhaps more than you did Michael."
"You trust Cait with your biggest secret and you trust her with your life yes?"
"Of course."
"Then why can't you trust her with your heart?"
"How much scotch have you had Michael, getting all philosophical and soppy isn't like you." chuckled String.
"Don't change the subject Hawke."
String sighed.
"Maybe it's more that I don't trust myself with her heart."
"Then maybe you should give yourself a break" replied Michael "and snap Cait up before someone else does!"
String knew Michael was right. He was amazed that Cait hadn't found her Mr Right by now…..but then maybe she had.
"Anyway, what about you and Marella?"
"What about me and Marella?" smiled Michael
"I know she cares about you Michael, the risk she took to visit Dom and I in hospital that day to tell us you were being held in East Germany. She would've done anything to get you out of there. It was the only time I ever saw any vulnerability from Marella."
"Marella and I have had our moments Hawke." smiled Michael stroking his moustache and smirking.
"I bet you have. Not intending to make an honest woman of her then?
"I suspect Marella might think that a rather old-fashioned expression Hawke!"
"You know what I mean Michael."
"It's difficult Hawke, we hardly get a chance to see each other these days, what with Marella working elsewhere….but well, lets just say when we do have time to spend with each other…it's not normally wasted" smiled Michael.
"Yeah, OK, Michael, you can stop right there."
"You did ask" laughed Michael pouring himself another scotch.
I wonder how Cait's party is going? thought String as he got up to fetch himself and Michael a piece of Christmas cake.
"Here" said String handing Michael a plate of cake.
Michael took a bite.
"Hawke, this is delicious!"
"Cait made it."
"Should you have cut it tonight then?"
"I don't know." shrugged String "I just fancied a bit"
"Of the cake or Cait?" muttered Michael quietly.
"Very funny" replied String
"Huh! You even sound like her!"
"You don't give up do you Michael?"
"You've known me long enough to know that I never give up!" laughed Michael.
"I get all of this from Dom."
"Well, it's not often that Dom and I agree whole heartedly about something, but I think when it comes to you and Cait we can!"
"I'm going to bed" said String picking up his plate and taking it to the kitchen. "You look comfy there, I'll throw down some bedding."
"Yes, thank you, I feel quite relaxed."
"Good" replied Hawke as he climbed the stairs to the sleeping loft.