12:45 PM
Caitlin pushed the sandwich around with her finger. She had already dissected it twice looking for any kind of sedative or other drug. Even when she couldn't find anything, the thought of eating what Horn's men brought her made her ill.
All she really wanted was to soak in her bathtub and to sleep on her new mattress. She wanted to be home. She wanted to be with Hawke and Dominic.
The door opened and Caitlin pushed herself to her feet. With her dress being traded for a pair of her jeans and top, Caitlin felt more comfortable. Now if she could just find a way out.
"I haven't heard from your friends yet." Horn said when he entered her cell.
"Hawke doesn't call ahead before he goes anywhere." She crossed her arms over her chest. "He likes the element of surprise."
Horn laughed. "I like you Caitlin."
"We're on a first name basis now. Well then, I should say that I don't care much for your hospitality, John."
"Hospitality will have to wait until I am behind the controls of Airwolf. Then I may be hospitable enough to call a car to pick up you and your friends."
"There are only three people that can fly Airwolf and one of them was killed by the lady. What makes you think the same won't happen to you?"
"I'll send for you when I get the communication from Airwolf. Until then, eat your lunch," He gently tapped the plate with his foot. "You'll need your strength."
He backed out of the room and the door closed. Caitlin dropped down onto the mattress and leaned her head against the wall. "Find me, guys." She whispered into the air.
4:30 PM (The Lair)
Hawke strapped himself into the pilot's seat and put his helmet on. He hit a button and the operating system lit up in rainbow colors. Dominic took a seat behind him.
"Are we ready?" Hawke asked, more to himself than anyone else.
"She's ready." Dominic answered. He hit a button above him and Michael's voice flooded the cockpit.
"How is she?"
"I think we've got it," Dominic said. "We'll let you know. String, she's as ready as she'll ever be."
Hawke took a breath and pulled the throttle back. The lady rose a few feet off the air. Hawke hit a button above his head and a whirring sound told them the landing gear was up. "Okay, Dom, it's time for one of your prayers."
"I've been saying once since you told me about Caitlin," Dominic told him.
Hawke bit his lower lip and watched the altimeter rise as the lady hovered in mid-air. As she hovered over the canyon opening, Hawke let out the breath he had been holding.
"How is she?"
"Holding her own," Hawke told his friend. "Let's try turbos." Hawke hit a button and Airwolf shot across the sky.
"So far so good," Dominic said. Just then a beeping noise and blinking light caught his eye from his right. Dominic hit the button and turned off the alarm. Another beeping sound came from Hawke's place in front. Airwolf began shaking.
"What's wrong, Dom?"
"Go back to the lair, String, before we lose her all together."
Wordlessly, Hawke turned off turbos and maneuvered Airwolf back to the canyon. When he sat the lady back on terra firma, the engine quit.
Hawke slid out of the helicopter and threw his helmet at the ground.
"Easy, my boy. We have enough problems without you losing it. At least we know she can do more than hover now. All we have to do is find the cause of the problem."
"And when we do, how many more are going to pop up, Dom? Caitlin can't afford any more problems."
Hawke took a seat on a nearby rock and hung his head.
"If he wants Airwolf, we'll give him Airwolf, String. I love the lady, but I love Caitlin more."
Hawke's head raised. "What did you say, Dom?"
"I said I love the lady. . ."
Hawke stood up, "Before that."
"If he wants Airwolf, we'll give him Airwolf."
"Exactly." Hawke slapped Dominic on the back and headed for the opening to the lair.
"Where are you going?" Dominic called after him.
"To find a really big truck," Hawke called back.