Chapter Ten: Home Again

This chapter is dedicated to PJF

Dom was relaxing on the couch in front of the fireplace as String was fixing them dinner. It had been three weeks since they returned home from Saudi Arabia without Cait. Dom decided to spend time with String since he had been making himself scarce the last few weeks. He never did ask him what transpired between him and Cait. Whatever it was couldn't have been good judging from his moods lately. He figured that when he was ready he would talk. He picked up the magazine lying on the coffee table.

"Cait's ad for Lear came out good considering what she went through over there."

String didn't respond to his comment. Dom had tried to talk about her several times only to have String shrug his shoulders. He knew his mood wasn't just about her. He had refused to talk about Sinj as well. It was typical String, ignore it and it will go away. He knew that Sinj did talk to him before he disappeared again, like with Cait he had no clue what was said between them.

"Dinners ready Dom." String said as he sat the final serving bowl of food on the table and poured them each a glass of wine.

"Looks good kid." Dom dug into the food thinking of what to say next. These one sided conversations where wearing on him.

Dom took a sip of his wine and sat the glass down forcefully almost spilling it. "Damn it String, how much longer are you going to go on this way? Life does go on whether you decide to participate or not."

String was now angrily cutting into his food. He was glad to see Dom but wasn't ready to open up. Dom didn't deter, he held his stare on him. String gave in dropping his fork on his plate in a show of surrender.

"Let's get this over with Dom. I know you're not going to let up until I talk about it."

"String I can't help you if you shut me out like this."

String took a gulp of wine. "Maybe I don't want your help." He went back to eating in silence. Dom gave him his space. It didn't take long, String laid his fork down again.

"I tried to tell her I loved her and she stopped me."

Now Dom understood why he was so withdrawn. Sinj had walked out of his life yet once again and Cait had rejected him. "Did you ask her why?"

He played with his wine glass rolling the stem through his fingers. "She said she would never know if I was really in love with her or not. She thinks I feel guilty for rejecting her and only convinced myself that I have feelings for her."

"Well, do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Do you feel guilty or do you really love her?"

String swirled the wine in his glass staring at it. "Yeah, I love her. The sad part is Dom I think I always have."

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String sat in the Santini jeep waiting for the director to call him over to perform the stunt. Dom was walking nervously around the jeep.

"Dom, will you stop pacing? You're making me jumpy."

"I can't help it String, I just don't like the set up here. We've never worked with this stunt crew before." Dom didn't like how nonchalant String was being about the safety checks. It was not like him to take the word of the stunt crews. Normally he would check everything himself until he was satisfied. He had asked String if he checked the cables that would be holding the net String was to fall into fifty feet from the ground. He was to land a helicopter on the roof of the building that was about to explode, he would run off the roof before the explosion into the net below.

"They know what they're doing Dom. It's what they get paid for."

"Yeah, well you're not replaceable so do me a favor and go check will ya?"

String got out of the jeep. He knew Dom wouldn't be happy until he checked the cables himself. As he headed over the director announced he was ready for the stunt. String turned looking at Dom and shrugged his shoulders. He headed back to the chopper and got in.

Dom watched as String expertly landed the helicopter on the small roof at a high rate of speed. "Beautiful" the director was shouting. String ran toward the edge of the roof and jumped into the net below. The net was on the other side of the building. Dom was tense waiting for the crew on the other side to signal that it was a take. The signal never came as Dom saw the crew running to where String had jumped. His heart was in his throat. As he rounded the corner he had to push his way through the crowd. This wasn't good. There was no net above and everyone was looking down at the ground.

"String" He shouted over and over. Things were moving in slow motion for him. He had flashes in his mind of String when he was a little boy and the good times they had shared.

"Please God, please let my boy be ok." He said as he pulled everyone out of his way. He finally broke through the last barrier of people that separated him from String. He stopped, his legs almost gave way. There was a large gash on his head and a deep cut on his arm. It appeared that the net did not give way all at once. String must have held on as the net fell and scraped him against the building as it descended down. He couldn't tell if he was breathing. He fell on his knees beside him.

"String, can you hear me?" He put his fingers on his neck to feel for a pulse finding a faint one. He was at least still alive. Dom felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up was a paramedic. He hadn't even heard the sirens as they pulled up. He didn't even know how long he had been there knelt beside his surrogate son.

"Sir, we will take care of him now." The man led Dom off to the side where strangers were trying to comfort him.

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Dom sat in the waiting room with his head in his hands. He lost track of time but he guessed he had been there for at least an hour without any word on String. Hearing his name he looked up to see Michael walking towards him.

"Dom, any word yet?" Dom shook his head no. "Dom you know he's strong. It would take a hell of a lot to take Hawke down."

"You didn't see him this time Michael. It was the worst I have ever seen him hurt. And you haven't been around him lately like I have. Since this thing with Sinj and Cait it's almost like he doesn't care what happens to him."

They both looked up to see the doctor walking toward them. Dom met him half way already asking questions. "Is he going to be alright Doc?"

The doctor motioned them to sit back down. "Mr. Hawke has two broken ribs, a moderate concussion and a large gash on his left arm that we stitched up. The good news is he has no internal injuries."

Dom grabbed the man in a big bear hug almost knocking his glasses off. "Oh sorry Doc, It's just that I….."

Dom took out a hankie from his back pocket trying to wipe the tears before anyone could notice. Michael put a hand on his shoulder.

"Mr. Santini he is still in no shape to be doing any stunts for awhile. He is also not too happy to be here. He was in a fight with the nurses a moment ago. He thinks he is going home. I would sedate him if I could but not with this concussion. I'm hoping you can talk some sense into him.

Dom rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that sounds like String. I'll go talk to him Doc."

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"He what, that boy. When I get my hands on him he'll really have a reason to be in the hospital." Dom hung up the phone turning to Michael.

"Don't tell me, he snuck out of the hospital." Michael said as he hid his grin behind his cane.

"I swear Michael its times like these that I really miss Cait. She was the only one that could do anything with him when he got like this."

Michael smiled. "Well, there's your answer."

Dom looked puzzled." What's my answer?"

"What better way to get Cait back here?"

Dom thought for a moment then laughed as he hit Michael on the back. "Mikey, sometimes you do come up with some good ideas.

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Cait was taking some much needed time off and was back home at her parents ranch. She had to admit that this life was not as glamorous as people thought it was. The hours were long and in between takes were boring. Not to mention she missed Dom and String. She thought about the last time she saw String. She hurt him; it's not how she wanted to leave things. She was sitting by the pool sunning herself. Peeking over her sunglasses she saw her Mom walking toward her with her cell phone.

"Cait, you left this inside. Its Dom, he wants to talk to you."

"Hey Dom, I was just thinking about you and String."

"Sweetheart, I need to talk to you about String."

Cait's face went pale, "He's ok isn't' he.

Cait was looking out the window of the plane. Dom didn't go into a lot of detail. All she knew was he was hurt in a stunt accident. He said he needed her there. She didn't question it. Less than two hours later she was on a plane.

Dom was watching each passenger that exited the plane. A wide grin spread across his face as he spotted Cait. It was if a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. If anyone could get through to him she could.

Dom pulled into the familiar diner that the three of them used to frequent for lunch. Finding a booth they sat down and ordered.

"Ok Dom, tell me what's really going on. I know String is injured but I get the feeling there is more to it."

Dom decided to get right to the point. "Well I told you he was hurt pretty bad and that he would be ok, but what I didn't tell you is he left the hospital on his own and is hiding out at that cabin of his refusing help."

Cait looked up at the waitress as she sat their plates down."Thank you" She waited until she left their table. "What is it you want me to do Dom?"

"Cait, String never did tell me what happened between the two of you until a week ago when I practically had to drag it out of him."

"I know, I have been thinking a lot about that lately. He tried to tell me he loved me."

"And you didn't believe him."

Cait was taken back by Dom's demeanor. "Dom I had a right to doubt him."

"Let me ask you something Cait. Why did you leave in the first place?"

"I told you Dom, I said I loved him and he said he didn't feel the same way."

Dom was looking down at his food as he was pouring on the salt. "So why did you believe him then?"

"Because String would never lie to me….."

Dom pointed a finger at her. "Exactly. Did it ever occur to you that both times he was telling you the truth. You know him Cait, he would never say he loved someone unless he meant it. I think he never realized he loved you until you left."

Cait was silent trying to sort through all this. "I don't know Dom, this is so much to take in."

"Well we've got time to sort through this later. Right now I need you at the cabin knocking some sense into his head.

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Cait landed the jet ranger on the dock. She had been gone twelve weeks. She was not sure how well received she would be by String. Dom warned her that the last time he checked on him he was practically tossed out on his ear. She took her bag out and proceeded to the cabin. There was no answer to her knock.

'String, you here?" She shouted out. There was no answer. She opened the door sitting her luggage down and searched the room with her eyes.

"Oh my God, String." Cait ran to the couch. It looked like he had collapsed there. She felt his head, he was burning up. On the table were bandages. It looked like he was trying to put a clean bandage on his arm. She pulled the old one off. It was badly infected. "Stubborn jackass" she said not realizing it.

She hung up the phone. Michael and Marella were on they're way. She went in the kitchen and grabbed a clean dish towel drenching it in cold water she laid it on his forehead. He didn't stir. She finished taking off the soiled bandage and cleaned the wound wrapping it back up when she was done. It wasn't long after that she heard Michael land outside.

An hour later she was standing at the door waving goodbye. Michael was able to get him up to bed with her help. Marella gave him a shot of antibiotics and left a bottle for him to take three times a day. She thought he would be fine if he had enough sense to stay in bed and rest. The infection had really weakened him.

Cait climbed to the loft. She stood over him as he slept. He looked worn. She had never seen him this way. She pulled his shoes and socks off working her way to his jeans. It wasn't easy but she managed to get them off. She pulled the covers over him and sat in the chair by his bed. She wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. Dom offered to stay with her but she told him she was fine. He was getting behind at the hangar and it was best he take care of business while she took care of String.

It was a restless night. String had moaned and fought her in his sleep trying to get out of bed. She was exhausted trying to keep him there. It was morning; she placed the digital thermometer on his head. 99.3. His fever was down. He wasn't due to start the antibiotics for a few hours. She wanted him to sleep as much as possible. Deciding he would be out a few more hours she headed downstairs to the couch to get a few hours of sleep in. She woke three hours later, more then she intended to sleep. She went upstairs to check on him.

She had just taken his temperature again and turned to set the thermometer on the dresser.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Cait was startled. She turned around to String trying to get out of bed. She had expected this reaction from him. She was in no mood to put up with his fits. "Lay back down Hawke. If you don't I will tie you to the bed. If you think I'm playing around here just try me, I dare you."

String thought about challenging her but she stood firmly by the bed with her hands on her hips head cocked to one side her lips pursed tightly together. Looking at her he believed she would follow through with her threats and as weak as he felt she would succeed. He fell back into the pillow with a groan. His hand went immediately to his side as he tried to soothe his broken ribs. Cait softened as she went to help him under the cover.

"Damn stubborn man" She whispered under her breath.

String heard her. "I didn't ask you to come here did I?"

Cait finished fixing his bed and headed down stairs to fix him lunch. "I didn't say you did."

Sitting the bowl of broth down she went to help him sit up. He pushed her arm away. "I can do it myself." He slowly sat up. She could tell he was in pain. They probably gave him pain pills that he never took. She made a mental note to look for them later. She brought the bowl closer to him dipping the spoon in the bowl she brought it up to his mouth. He turned his head away as he raised one eyebrow.

"I'm not hungry."

Cait was losing patience with him and she had only been there less than twenty four hours. "Look String, I know you don't want me here, I don't even want me here so the sooner you get better the sooner I can leave."

Her answer came in the form of him slowly rolling onto his side facing away from her. "Go home Cait."

'Fine, have it your way. I can't force food down you but will you a least take the antibiotic. This infection is nothing to play around with.

String took the pill and glass of water from her. He didn't want to admit it but he did think what he pulled wasn't one of the smartest moves he had made.

Cait got up to leave. "I'll be down stairs if you need me."

"Dom beg you to come and babysit me?"

She stopped at the top of the stairs and answered him without turning around. "No, he just asked."

The cabin was in need of some straightening up so Cait rolled up her sleeves and starting cleaning up. She could hear String moan from the pain in his ribs. She looked around the bar and spotted the pain pills they had given him. She took two out and crushed them. She warmed the broth back up adding the crushed pills. If she pulled this off there would be hell to pay when he woke up from the drug induced sleep. She hated to trick him but he wasn't going to get a restful sleep with his ribs hurting the way they were. Now if she could get him to eat.

String watched her as she again sat the bowl down. He kept the smile hid from her that was threatening to cross his face. One thing you could say about Cait, she didn't give up easily.

"I'm not leaving until you eat this." She said standing with her arms crossed.

Deciding she would do exactly as she said he took the bowl and starting eating. Cait bit her lower lip. She hoped he couldn't taste the pills. He emptied the bowl and handed it back to her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She wondered what had caused his sudden change.

She went about putting away his clothes that she had washed. "Can I get anything else for you?" She was surprised by his answer.

"Yeah, you can sit with me for awhile." His eyes were getting sleepy but she didn't think he noticed he was drugged yet.

Cait pulled the chair closer to the bed. String was trying to talk but his words started to slur. He tried to open his eyes wider. "Did you drug me?" was the last thing he said before he drifted into a peaceful pain free sleep.

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The morning sun came through the window and was met by one open eye. String slowly opened the other one. Cait was standing in front of the dresser with the thermometer. She approached the bed to take his temperature. He didn't let her know he was awake. As she reached down to place it on his forehead he reached for her wrist pulling her down in bed with him.

"String, what are you doing? Let me up. You're going to injure your ribs again." Cait struggled to get up but he held her tight. She didn't know how he managed it but he had flipped her on her back and was on top of her holding her arms above her head.

"Now who's in control?" He said with a mischievous grin. "Drugged me huh?"

Cait was so startled that she didn't know what to do. "I'm serious String, let me up. You're in no shape to be playing around."

String grinned. "Oh, I'm not playing." He searched her eyes. He wanted some sign from her that it was ok to kiss her. He slowly lowered his lips to hers. She closed her eyes giving him the signal that she would not object any more.

When his lips touched hers he found it was not enough to satisfy him. He was a starving man and the only nourishment he needed was Cait. He let go of one wrist so he could unbutton her shirt. He continued to kiss her everywhere there was exposed skin. Running out of skin he moved off of her so he could remove her jeans. He didn't get the chance. Once free she quickly removed them herself.

They made love until it was dark out. There were few words spoken between them. Cait lay in his arms as he stroked her hair. She knew they needed to talk but right now all she wanted to do was enjoy this moment. They could work things out later. Looking at the clock she jumped out of bed putting on one of his shirts.

"Dang, I almost forgot your medicine." She handed him the glass of water and pill that was on the night stand. String didn't protest and took it. He patted the bed and motioned for her to return. She was under the covers snuggling up to him. He had built a fire in the fireplace. They both watched in silence as the flames danced around the logs.

String was the first to break the silence. "I do love you Cait. I hope you believe me."

Cait turned so she could look in his eyes. "I do believe you."

He pushed the strand of hair that had fallen into her eyes over her ear. "What changed your mind?"

"Dom did. You know he is a very smart man."

String laughed. "Yeah, he's smart all right. He knew what he was doing when he asked you here. He knew I wouldn't be able to resist if you were here."

Cait was now on top of him, "Oh so you admit you can't resist me huh?" She lightly kissed his chest being careful not to hurt his ribs. "I missed you. So many times I thought of coming back. When I was being held by the terrorist I kept thinking that you would be there to get me out."

String flinched at her words. He was still having a hard time dealing with what happened to her. If he would not have let her go in the first place it wouldn't have happened. Cait knew what he was thinking.

"Don't even go there String. Besides, if I hadn't gone you would have never found St. John."

String was silent. Cait laid back beside him. "String what happened between you and St. John when he left?

String thought a moment before he spoke "He said he was sorry he hurt me but if he had it to do all over again he probably would make the same choice."

Cait held him tight. "String I'm so sorry. I wish things could have been different. I know how much finding him meant to you. For all it's worth I do think he loves you in his own way,"

String pulled her closer to him. "One thing I did learn from all of this. You meant more to me than finding Sinj but I didn't realize it. I have never felt as alone as when you left. Promise me you'll never leave me."

Cait kissed him softly on the lips. "I promise I'll never leave you. Now promise me that you won't pull any more foolish stunts like leaving the hospital"

"I promise." He said as he moved on top of her removing her shirt for the second time that nght.

The rest of the night was spent making love to each other. It would be days before anyone would hear from them.