Chapter 5

"What are you afraid of Caitlin?" Hawke yelled out to her as she walked away. "Don't tell me you're not afraid because I could see it in your eyes."

Caitlin stopped in her tracks but didn't turn around.

"Sometimes I think I know you better than I know myself," he continued.

This time Caitlin turned around quickly and gave him a dirty look. "So, I'm that predictable?" she asked.

Hawke shook his head. "No, I never said that," he replied.

"Then what are you saying?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"I'm saying that I've known you for three years now and I've paid attention," he replied. "It's something I've always done. I've learned to read people so I can know who to trust."

"Yeah, well, obviously you trust me," she replied. "Or, you would have never let me near Airwolf."

Hawke slowly walked up the pathway towards her, hoping she wouldn't turn and run again. To his relief she stayed put until he reached her.

Before he could say anything else, they both heard the sound of Santini's helicopter.

"How the hell did he?" Hawke said as they both looked over to see Dom lift the helicopter off of the dock.

"I'll be back in two days," he called out to them. "Don't kill each other in the meantime."

The two watched as the helicopter slowly disappeared in the darkening sky.

"Great," Caitlin said with a sigh.

"Is it all that bad?" asked Hawke. "Don't you think it's time we both discuss what's been on our minds."

"Maybe, but not right now though," she replied softly. "I think I need a little break from this conversation."

Caitlin turned and started to walk away again.

"I really didn't realize it until we were in Horn's compound," he yelled out to her.

She stopped and turned around again. "Realize what?" she asked.

"How you felt," he replied. "How I felt….my God Cait, you risked so much going in there after me. I was so upset about Dom and when I looked at you, it was like a light came on in my brain. I couldn't believe I missed it before."

Hawke walked back up to her, placed his hands on her arms and squeezed them lightly. "Tell me what you're afraid of and I'll tell you what I'm afraid of," he said. "We can take a break from this conversation if you want but I don't think we can leave here in two days without resolving all of this."

Caitlin sighed. "I don't have a choice but to resolve it," she admitted. "I have two days to decide if I'm taking the new job or not."

Hawke took her by the hand and led her back up the path to the cabin. To his relief she held onto his hand and didn't pull away. When they got to the cabin door, he let go and she followed him inside. He poured them both a glass of wine and they sat down together on the sofa.

Caitlin and Hawke had spent many evenings at his cabin together but it wasn't until this moment that she realized things were different. "He lied about the amnesia because he doesn't want me to leave," she thought to herself. "Why couldn't I see that before?"

"Penny for your thoughts," he said, trying to lighten the mood.

Caitlin couldn't help but smile. "I never told you how I felt because I was afraid you'd push me away," she finally admitted. "Hawke, being your friend….part of your family has meant a lot to me. I didn't want to risk losing that over feelings that I wasn't even sure about."

Hawke slid closer to her on the sofa and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. "Caitlin, you know I'm not exactly the best with words," he replied. "I tend to be a little bit of a hot head."

Caitlin laughed. "Really, you think so?"

Hawke smiled at her and sighed. "Yeah, well, I have to admit when you first came here I thought you were just a kid," he replied. "Then, I watched you and I admired how strong you were. You know I have a fear of losing those I love. When Sawyer had that bomb tied to you, I was scared to death."

"YOU were scared to death," she replied. "I thought it was over for Michael and me."

"The thing is, you've proven to be resilient time and time again," he admitted. "I feel like you and Dom just might break this curse of mine."

"Well, I sure hope so," Caitlin replied, shifting sideways on the sofa and turning towards him.

Hawke stared into her eyes, brushing a few strands of hair out of the way.

"Hawke, what are we going to do about all of this?" she asked. "How can we be on the same page yet, not?"

"Maybe would should just stop talking," he whispered as he the leaned in and brushed his lips with hers.

Caitlin sat back for a moment and bit her bottom lip.

Hawke couldn't help but laugh.

"What?" she asked. "What's so funny?"

Hawke cocked his head sideways and smiled again. "You always bite your bottom lip when you're nervous or scared."

"Oh?" she asked, slightly embarrassed. "Which do you think it is?"

"Maybe both?" he asked softly as he pulled her into his arms.