Chapter Four: A Matter Of Trust

String landed Airwolf down into the lair. He was tired and glad to be heading home. It was 3:00 am and Cait would be asleep but he still could not wait to get home to her. Michael was right, they needed to talk. Even though Cait was moved in to the cabin they had never really talked about where their relationship was headed. One thing he did know he was in this for keeps. They had not talked about marriage, he assumed that Cait knew his intention was to get married. He had let himself even imagine kids with her. But like much of their relationship he had not communicated his feelings. Now he wasn't sure if she really wanted a life with him. Her modeling career had taken off faster than anyone thought it would. Losing her was not an option but as the saying goes "if you love someone set them free". Settling into the jeep he started the long drive back to the hanger.

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Cait looked over the rail of the loft. St. John was sprawled out on the couch below sound asleep. She was not sure how String would react to having him here. When they last parted String was again hurt when St. John decided to leave and go back undercover not giving String any real explanation as to why he stayed away for so long not letting String or Dom know he was alive. One thing Cait did know, he needed to work this out. String deserved to know the truth. And speaking of the truth she knew she had to come clean with String regarding her doubts about his new found love for her. It was eating her up inside not knowing if he loved Cait the pilot and best friend or Cait the glamorous model. One thing was for sure, they were going to talk.

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String quietly opened the door and crept in trying not to wake Cait. There were still some ambers burning in the fireplace which gave off some light to the couch. The first thing that caught Strings attention was the person asleep there was too big to be Cait and not big enough to be Dom. String reached inside his shirt un-holstering his gun as he took silent steps toward the sleeping man. A familiar voice broke the silence. "You wouldn't shoot a man in his sleep would you?"

For some reason even though String recognized St. John's voice he still leveled the gun at him. He didn't know why but trust was not coming easy to him. Looking to the loft he asked "Where's Cait?"

St. John sat up pulling on his pants. "She's in bed String. Where the hell did you think she would be, tied up out back?"

String lowered his gun as he headed quietly to the loft. He didn't think Sinj would hurt her but he wanted to see for himself that she was safe. Cait was sound asleep with Strings pillow held tightly to her body. He took a moment to take in her beauty. All he wanted to do was come home and crawl into bed with her and feel the comfort that being close to her gave him. Turning to the stairs he sighed as he rubbed his hands over his face. He needed to deal with why Sinj was here.

It was six am, String decided that if he and Sinj were going to talk then he might as well make a pot of coffee. St. John followed him into the kitchen.

"Aren't you going to ask me why I'm here?"

String answered without looking up from his task. "If you came here to talk then talk."

Neither man spoke while the coffee was brewing. St. John spoke first while String poured them each a cup. "Won't the smell of the coffee wake Cait up?"

String grinned lowering the mug from his lips. "You evidently don't know Cait. Not only is she not a morning person she can also sleep through an earthquake. So why don't you tell me why you're here."

String saw the turmoil in his face. His gut was telling him this visit was not personal. "Does this have something to do with Aiwolf?"

St. John chocked on his coffee looking at String with disbelief, not because he was shocked that String thought it had to do with Airwolf but because he was right.

"Damn String. You still have that sixth sense about you. How did you know?"

String shrugged his shoulders. "Because it's what everyone ends up wanting."

St. John sat his mug down. "That's what Cait said to me as well. Is this how you live? People trying to get to Airwolf through you and Dom?"

"Not just me and Dom." String said as he looked to the loft. "I just never thought my brother would be one of them."

St. John looked genuinely wounded by his accusations. "String you really believe I would betray you like that?"

String hesitated before answering. "I never thought you would betray me by faking your death and never contacting me."

"Point taken String. But my reason for being here is to help you keep Airwolf not lose her. I'm going to ask you to trust me even though I have no right to.

String headed for the bar taking a seat on a stool as Sinj followed. "I'm listening but I can't promise the trust."

St. John began "Soon after you left Saudi Arabia I was sent back here while my commanding officer decided how I was going to slip back in undercover or if I was even able to. Almost as soon as I landed I was contacted by a man you know."

String interrupted, "Zeus"

St. John raised his eyebrows as if asking "how did you know that?"

"Zeus wants you to help him retrieve Airwolf. He never has wanted her in my hands, now that your back he figures I don't need her. The problem is Archangel doesn't see it that way. He would prefer she stay with me and I fly missions exclusively for him."

"String he's a powerful man and the fact that he would try and recruit your own brother tells me how far he will go to get what he wants. As it turns out he has known all along where I was and who I was working for."

Before String could respond they were interrupted by a very drowsy Cait as she descended the stairs. "He knew all along and let String believe he had a deal with the FIRM to find you."

String went immediately to her side pulling her in for a kiss. "Sorry we woke you."

Cait pulled away from him "String we need to contact Michael. I can't believe he knew any of this."

He kissed the top of her head. "I know. I'm calling him and Dom now."

Cait returned the kiss. "I'll start breakfast."