"Say Hawke, you're quiet, even for you." said Cait.

They had been flying for nearly an hour and String had barely said a word.

"Sorry Cait, I was just thinking."

"What about?"

"About this whole situation."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh it's probably nothing Cait. Did Dom tell you how Abe broke his arm?"

"Nope, did he tell you?"

"No, he says he doesn't know.

"So?"

"Oh, look ignore me Cait, it's just that I don't like the whole idea of leaving you there when we don't have the full story, the full facts."

"You sound like Michael" smiled Cait.

"God, I hope not" said String with a slight chuckle.

"See, that's better, relax, it'll be fine. I'm quite looking forward to a change of scenery for a couple of days to be honest."

"Really? Why?"

"Oh, I don't know, no reason really, but sometimes things just fester don't they and getting away from them for a bit can help right?"

"Yeah, I guess so. Anything you want to talk about?"

"Nah, it's nothing important." said Cait.

"I thought you had a hot date tomorrow?"

"Well, I had a date, not sure how hot it was" sighed Cait. "I ended it with him anyway."

String glanced over at Cait who had turned her head to look out of the side window. Was it wrong he thought, that he found himself pleased that Cait had ended it with Simon? One less thing to worry about anyway.

"Have you met this Abe Johnson, Hawke?" asked Cait

"No, I've heard Dom mention him though."

"Do you know why they haven't seen each other for so long? I mean from the way Dom was talking, they seemed like really close friends."

"Yeah, I think they were Cait, but then Abe accused Dom of stealing his fiancé and they sort of had a falling out about it."

"Stealing his fiancé!" exclaimed Cait. "did he really?"

"Dom says he didn't and it was all a mis-understanding and of course I believe him."

"Of course, me too then. I wonder if he is finally ready to forgive him then? You know, what with calling out the blue like he did?"

"I hope that's all it is Cait."

"That must be the town up ahead." said Cait. "Dom said Abe has a small air strip at his place and we can land there."

String landed the Jet Ranger next to what he assumed must be Abe's plane, a yellow Ayres Thrush with A.J.A.C printed in red on the side.

"Bet that's my office for the next couple of days then." smiled Cait. "I like them, they are good fun to fly."

String and Cait got out of the chopper just as a man came walking towards them.

"Hi, you must be Mr Johnson." said Cait. "I'm Caitlin O' Shannessy and this is Stringfellow Hawke."

Abe shook String's hand and nodded at Cait.

"So, Dominic didn't feel like coming himself then I see." said Abe

"He had a prior engagement, but he will be coming to pick Cait up at the weekend."

"What, so you aren't the pilot then?"

"No, Cait is the one with the crop dusting experience…why is that a problem?

"Well…..no, it's just that Dom didn't mention he was sending a woman."

"I can assure you Mr Johnson I am more than capable of getting the job done."

Abe just shrugged and turned back to the house. String and Cait followed.

When they got into the kitchen Abe pointed at the table.

"There are your maps, the fields you need to dust are all marked. I've booked a room at the motel in town. You can't miss it, it's the only one in town."

"OK thanks" said Cait a little hesitantly.

"You don't seem all that happy about us being here." said String as he watched Cait sort through the maps on the table.

"I don't like being beholding to anyone Mr Hawke, least of all Dominic Santini, but I have no choice."

"Can I ask why?" said String

"Why? Because if I don't get this contract finished, I will lose my biggest customer and my business, that's why."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Can I ask you how you broke your arm?"

"I can't see what that has to do with anything but if you must know I fell off a ladder doing some repairs to the roof." replied Abe. "anything else you want to know?"

"Well now you come to mention it, why couldn't you hire a pilot locally?"

"Because like I told Dominic, I can't afford one. Now if that's all I have things to do. I'll see you back here first thing Miss O Shannessy."

"Bright and early Mr Johnson" replied Cait

Cait gathered her maps and String ushered her out of the door.

"I'll walk into town String and find the motel, it'll be nice to stretch my legs a bit."

"I'll walk with you."

"Oh, OK, if you're sure then I'd like that.

String went back to the Jet Ranger and collected Cait's bag and they set off for town.

"So, what did you think of Abe then?" asked String

"What other than the fact he is a male chauvinist you mean!" exclaimed Cait

"Yeah other than that."

"Well, I don't think we will end up as friends, but I'm here to do a job and I'll do it."

"He did seem strangely hostile." said String, but maybe that's just his way. Dom said he has lived on his own for many years."

"I've heard that can make folk grumpy" smiled Cait nudging String.

"Cheeky!" said String, nudging Cait back.

They soon arrived in town. String saw Cait give a little shudder.

"Cait, are you OK?"

"Yeah, I'm fine Hawke, it's just that this place reminds me of Pope County a bit you know."

"Yeah I know."

They located the Motel and collected the keys to Cait's room.

"Well this is basic but it will do me fine for a couple of nights" said Cait stepping over the threshold "and look there is a diner across the way so I won't starve."

String glanced at his watch.

"Hey, I know you need to get back Hawke, but thanks for walking with me."

"I can stay a bit longer if you like." said String.

"Nah, it's OK" said Cait reluctantly "you've got a long flight back and I know Dom wants you at the studio early tomorrow."

"Yeah" said String taking his glasses off and looking at Cait.

"Look, if you need me, either of us, you just call right, anytime."

"I will Hawke, I promise, but I'll be fine, honest"

String took Cait into an embrace and hugged her tight.

"Just take care OK?"

"I will Hawke."

When String released Cait from his arms, he just caught her eye and held her gaze for a moment or two before turning and leaving the motel and heading out of town back to Abe's place and the Jet Ranger.

Sighing, Cait switched on the TV, got herself comfy on the bed and started to study her maps.