December 25th 8:00am
Le had already opened the gifts that Cait and String had bought. He had been ecstatic to find the games console he had asked for, and now Stringfellow and Le were both playing Donkey Kong 3 in the alcove next to the bar.
Le screamed loudly, "YES!" Jumping up from the floor and beating the air with his fist. "I beat you again, Uncle String!"
String got up and stretched his legs and hands. "Yeah Half-Pint, you beat me every time. And my hands ache. I'm gonna' get a coffee, OK?"
Le settled himself back on the floor and started a new level.
Hawke ambled across to where Cait sat on a stool at the kitchen counter. Stopping behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and bent to kiss her head.
She clasped his right hand with her left and bent her chin to his hand.
She turned enough to see his eyes. "Don't put imaginary obstacles in the way. It's you I love, always has been…" She climbed down off the stool and turned to face him, still holding his hand. "... since Pope County." A hint of a smile on her lips as he pulled her close, wrapping arms around each other.
He kissed her gently. "I never promised it would be easy, Cait." She rested her head on his chest. "And you've never said you love me. Not once." A single tear rolled down her cheek.
*****AW*****
December 25th 9:30am
Dominic Santini pulled the large green hold-all from the baggage compartment for the sixth time. "Ali, it just.. won't… FIT!" Red of face, his temper rising. This was not how he had envisaged the start of Christmas Day.
Alice glared at him. "It bloody well will. YOU'RE doing it wrong."
Dominic rounded on her, his clenched fists on his hips. "Oh really Miss Cooper, well if you're so clever you do it!" with a final 'humph', he turned his back on her.
Al pulled a face, thumbing her nose at him, and started stowing the luggage in the baggage compartment. Elaine's large green bag at the back, Michaels smaller black case down the side, Marella's tan holdall next, slid neatly on top of the other two, finally Dom's sports bag. She grinned, not sure quite what sport Dom played. Did Poker count? There was even room for the box with presents, mince pies and the baked ham.
Grinning like a Cheshire Cat, she dusted her hands on the back of her jeans, glad she'd dropped her overnight bag at the cabin yesterday. "Done!" She chuckled.
He swung round, opened mouthed. His eyes widened. "How? I mean.. I tried… "
She patted his shoulder as she strolled past, "Two years spent packing car parts into crates for delivery to workshops." She shrugged her shoulders. "Boring job, but paid for glider lessons."
Dom raised his eyebrows "I'm…"
"Flabbergasted?" She interrupted.
He chuckled "That too, but I meant sorry."
"I know. Can we get the live cargo loaded now?"
Dominic snorted. "I ain't heard Mr Clean described as cargo before, but those damn cats, why did he bring them?"
"Oh come on Dom, Michael can't leave them on their own for two days, and Tet likes them." She started the pre-flight checks.
Dom glared at the cat basket. "I'd be a whole lot happier if Tet liked 'em boiled in gravy and served with biscuits."
*****AW*****
She looked across to the hangar doors where the others stood. Michael Coldsmith Briggs III, codename Archangel. For once in his life wearing blue denim jeans and a beige jumper rather than his trademark white. Always charismatic and confident, bordering on arrogant, the single darkened lens of his eyeglasses, and the silver topped cane adding an air of sophisticated intrigue regardless of the clothes he wore.
Elaine Portas. Dominic's girlfriend of the last three months. A petite, blond woman, close to Dom's age, she was a sociable and gregarious personality, although at this moment Elaine looked terrified, sandwiched between the tall and imposing figures of Michael and Marella. She was wearing a rainbow hued tunic top covered in sequins, white jeans, and red cowboy boots.
Marella Bouvier, Archangel's senior aide and field agent. Tall, dark, intelligent and stylish. Marella too was not wearing the usual white that was the uniform of all those who worked for Michael. Today she was wearing a green silk blouse, Navy pants and matching pumps. Marella intimidated both Alice and Dominic.
*****AW*****
The flight was uneventful. Elaine had brightened up once Michael had introduced her to the kittens, explaining how he had found them in a dumpster in an alley. She laughed when he told her the black kitten's name was Snowball. By the time they landed on the dock, anyone would have thought the two had known each other for years, much to Dom's obvious disgust.
He grumbled his way into the kitchen, picking through plates of Christmas cookies and mince pies. Cait slapped the back of his hand. "Now, Dominic Santini! Put those down this instant! You've had two already." She moved the plates out of his reach.
Dominic scowled. "HE'S stolen my girl. Nuttin' to do but eat." Dom moved to the other side of the counter snatching a cookie, and cramming it in his mouth before Cait could stop him.
"HE has a name!" She retorted, "if you're that bothered, steal her back!" She shooed him away with an angry flap of her hands.
Cait surveyed the room. Hawke stood behind the bar chatting to Marella perched on a barstool. Le still playing Donkey Kong, with Snowball and Tet at his feet. Dominic now with one arm round Elaine's waist, trying to tear her away from Ptery, the tabby kitten currently curled up in Michaels arms. Alice, Hawkes very British half sister now weaving her way across to the kitchen.
"Christ Cait, you look as miserable as sin from where I'm standing. Everything OK?" Alice peered at her.
The corners of Cait's mouth lifted in an attempt at a smile. "It's fine, I'm fine. Just wondering why I thought this was a good idea. Dom's ready to kill Michael already. Hawke is well…." She glared venomously across at where String was sat, chatting and laughing with Marella.
Al put her hand on Cait's arm. "You're not alright, are you?"
Caitlin's eyes filled with tears. She shook her head.
Al thought for a moment, then looked across at Michael, catching his eye with a raised eyebrow and slight nod of her head. Michael made his excuses, handing Ptery to Elaine. Elaine fussed and cooed over the kitten, Dominic glaring at Michaels back.
"You require my attention ladies?" Grinned Michael, then saw Caits face. Gently guiding her with one hand on her back, Michael and Cait slipped out the back door, leaving Alice in charge of dinner.
*****AW*****
Cait scurried away from the cabin. Once hidden from sight amongst the trees she stopped in a small clearing with a fallen tree blocking the trail further on. Her breath coming in deep ragged gasps, on the verge of tears.
Michael was a few steps behind. Catching up he put his arm around her shoulders. "OK Caitlin, talk to me." His words demanded an answer, but the delivery was gentle.
She gulped. "Michael, I…" She exhaled deeply. "I wanted so much from today but..." she studied his face, the concern in his eyes. "It's not turning out the way I imagined." She turned her face away from his, afraid of what he might read in her eyes.
Michael pursed his lips thoughtfully for a second. "Cait, look at me. She turned back toward him, scowling. "Given that Dominic and I have been here less than half an hour…"
"Yeah, and you're already at each other's damn throats!" She spat the words out, volume rising with her temper.
Michael visibly recoiled. "Just the normal level of friendly animosity, Cait. Nothing unusual." He studied her face carefully. "That's not what's eating you, though. This is about Hawke, isn't it?" He pursed his lips and exhaled. "What's he done?"
Cait sniffed. "It's not so much what he's done more…" she sucked her bottom lip, "What he hasn't done." She sighed, and smiled wanly, "Or I'm being dumb as a mule."
She glanced up at Michael. A tilt of the head and a raised eyebrow was the encouragement she needed to continue.
Wandering over to the fallen tree, she continued to talk. "I can't do this, Michael." She turned and perched on the tree trunk. "It's not natural, trying to be a Mom to a youngster I didn't know 6 months ago, and…" she heaved a deep sigh "… and Hawke. I mean, I love him, but.. how am I meant to do this when…"
Michael sat beside her, listening closely.
She turned to look at him. "He has never, not in all the time we've been together, has he ever said…" her eyes were moist with tears.
"He's never said he loves you, has he?" He interjected.
She glanced up at him, surprised. "How did you know?"
"Caitlin, how much of Hawkes history do you know?" He sat beside her.
She gulped and pursed her lips. Glancing down at her hands, she hesitated. "I thought I knew." she paused. "I know his parents died, and Dom raised him and St John. Gabrielle... Dom's mentioned Gabrielle, but I…." her voice trailed off and she looked at him quizzically. "I don't know that much, and I didn't want to ask." Her shoulders slumped. " Tell me, Michael. Please?"
Michael heaved a deep sigh and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"Everyone Hawke has loved has died except Dominic. Until six months ago, he didn't allow anyone to get close." He glanced down at her "He won't - can't bring himself to tell anyone he loves them in case his curse strikes again." Michael hesitated, fingering his moustache and studying Caitlin. He continued. "He was twelve when his parents drowned, here in the lake. The inquest recorded accidental death as they never recovered the bodies, so we have to assume that…" Michael's voice trailed off as he peered through the trees, catching glimpses of the lake.
Cait's eyes widened. "so he comes here to be with…" Michael nodded. "I didn't know…" Her voice broke as she stifled a sob.
Michael continued. "He enlisted on his 18th birthday. The next day he and his pregnant girlfriend were in a car accident." He glanced at her. "She died. He and St John we're on the same mission in 'Nam. St John didn't make it out. Hawke did." He gulped, "... and Gabrielle…"
She heard the break in his voice and studied him carefully. His eye was moist, almost tearful, the rest of his face devoid of emotion. She needed to know what he was trying to avoid. "What are you hiding, Michael? Tell me." Her voice more strident than she wanted, she shook his arm off her shoulder and slid away from him.
"Cait, I..." he paused, fingering his moustache. He turned to face her. "Don't hate me, Cait. "
Her brow furrowed, "Why would I hate you?"
"Gabrielle died because I was hell bent on revenge." His voice shook and Cait studied him, surprised to see his lower lip tremble as he swallowed. Instinctively she moved to sit beside him, taking his hand in hers. Her eyes seeking his, willing him to continue while his long fingers gripped her palm tightly.
"Airwolf." A chill ran up Caitlin's back as Michael continued. "I was a fool. Blinded by my own hubris. It was a costly mistake and one I still pay for today in more ways than I want to admit. I appointed Charles Henry Moffet to design and build Airwolf. He WAS a genius, and I chose to ignore his sociopathic tendencies in pursuit of the perfect weapon." He grinned wryly, "A big black helicopter that kicked butt." Michael took a deep breath and exhaled before continuing. "Hawke tried to warn me, but I ignored him."
"Dom told me String was a test pilot."
Michael glanced at her. "He was Airwolf's original test pilot. He spent more time with Moffet than anyone else. Saw how unstable he was. Hawke warned me but, I ignored him, and that's when he quit the program."
Anger flashed across his face. "Moffet would have sold Airwolf to anyone, rather than let us have it. He was that inhuman. At the demonstration, Moffet turned Airwolf on the test centre. He blew it...us sky high, killing a senator, and more of my people than I care to remember."
"Us." Cait gasped. "You were there?"
His grip on her hand tightened as he nodded. "I failed them. And I have to live with that every day." his voice faltered, and he took a large gulp of air."
"They didn't expect us to survive." He swallowed and shifted his position slightly. "Marella and I. But blind fury is a massive incentive. I wanted Moffet to pay for his betrayal, and I wanted Airwolf back at any cost." He shifted his gaze to her eyes and swallowed. I'm not proud of what I did next."
"Tell me" her voice was faint, "I need to know."
"I asked... no bribed Hawke." He corrected himself. "To go into Libya to get Airwolf back. I sent one of my most capable agents, Gabrielle, to sweeten the deal, knowing he would be attracted to her. It worked, too well. They fell in love." He sucked in a breath before continuing. "Then I sent her on to Libya ahead of Hawke knowing he would go in to bring her back, if not to get Airwolf." He gulped. "I didn't consider that Moffet would... Kill her."
She looked at him, eyes wide with disbelief. He glanced down at her and she could see that bright blue eye pool with tears.
"I don't… I can't…imagine..." she stumbled over the words, a lump in her throat. Filled with anguish for both String and Michael, and a new understanding of the intricacies of their strained friendship.
He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand, "I'm not proud, my fury was no justification." He swallowed, the lump in his throat threatening to choke him. "Can you understand, Cait, why Hawke is the way he is? And why I will do everything I can to find St John?"
She nodded, leaning in toward him, struggling to hide her tears as her mind dealt with this information. Michaels guilt, Hawkes curse. Michael wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She hadn't been this close to him since Sawyer had strapped a bomb to her last year.
"Michael?" she pulled away from his arm, turning to face him.
His eyebrow raised in answer. Shifting her position on the fallen tree trunk, she glanced down at her hands nervously before continuing. "When Sawyer strapped that god- awful bomb to me. Why did you stay?" She raised her gaze to meet his. "You could have left, there was no reason to risk your life too."
He pursed his lips and ran his index finger along the edge of his moustache while he gathered his thoughts. It was a question he hadn't expected. A question with multiple answers, and one answer he would never reveal. "We're like the military Cait, we don't leave a man behind." He glanced at the puzzled expression on her face. "Not only was there a bomb strapped to you, but a device on board Airwolf. If Dom hadn't jammed the signal you, Dom, Hawke and Airwolf..." He shook his head and sighed. It didn't bear thinking about. "… I didn't want to be the one left behind Cait. I have too many years of my life invested in Airwolf."
A wry grin spread across her face as she raised her gaze to meet his. "It's always about the Lady isn't it?"
"Never anything else, Cait." He stood and offered his hand to Cait. "Ready to head back? I think Ali was watching lunch."
Michael grinned as Cait's face fell. "Alice and cooking are not words I want to hear in the same sentence. Have you been the victim of Al's culinary talents?"
He chuckled "Yes, I have suffered that misfortune."
Cait took the hand he proffered and rose to her feet. "Thank you, for telling me what I needed to hear." She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I'll head back first, you follow in a few minutes?"