Note: Burundanga is a drug obtained from a species of tree widespread in Colombia and is used by thieves to get their victims to hand over their valuables. The main effect after a 'normal' dose is the loss of will, even though you remain conscious. The drug and its effects are real.

Chapter 4: Against Her Will

Up at the cabin it could get cold in the winter but the cold in Barrow was more than three guys from California could take. They had only been here a day and already they were ready to leave. Besides the cold the only thing to do there was drink at the only bar around for fifty miles. They had already made the first day's trip to the mining site. String and St. John were already familiar with HLH's since they used them in the military. It took some getting used to the ones they were flying but in no time they were done with the first haul and sitting in the bar planning how they would tackle the next haul tomorrow.

"I gotta hand it to you boys; you did a hell of a job out there. Fields said that was one of the smoothest hauls ever done for them, and without an accident."

"Well don't get to comfortable here Dom, I don't know about String but this place is not somewhere I want to spend my time. And if you haven't noticed there aren't any women around. I would like to know how the men stay warm around here."

"The old-fashioned way, with blankets and a good bottle of whiskey." Dom said with a hardy laugh.

"Dom, I used to listen to you and dad when I was younger when you didn't know I was around. When you both were in Nam that's not how you kept warm."

For the first time that day String let a smile escape his lips. Cait was good at getting zingers in on Dom but St. John was becoming a worthy opponent. He had a hard time all day keeping her off his mind. The job they were doing took a lot of concentration. One mistake could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars not to mention someone their life. He missed her so much it actually hurt his heart. He wished she was there to help keep him warm at night. He liked the feel of her in his bed. He felt safe. Not safe from danger but safe from life it's self. He imagined the feel of her warm breath on the back of his neck when she snuggled to him. He liked waking up to find her getting dressed in the mornings. He loved her rituals like the way she brushed her hair. His favorite mornings were the ones where she was meeting with the studio or Dom's lawyers. Those were the days she wore a dress or skirt with stockings. He particularly liked watching her put them on. Although he had to admit taking them off was even more enjoyable. He couldn't wait for the next two days to be over. He vowed that when this was over they were never going to spend another night apart unless they had to.

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Cait reached the lair. Getting out of the jeep slowly as she contemplated what she was about to do. She had never taken the lady out without Dom or String being in on the mission with her. She had flown alone many times but not without one of them backing her up. She knew String was not going to be happy with her. She was already nervous wondering what he wanted to talk with her about. She had no idea what conclusions he had come to from the days he spent alone sorting things out. Walking into the dimly lit cave she came face to face with the lady. "Just you and me girl" She said as she started her pre flight check. Soon she was lifting her out of the lair with expert precision. Pressing turbo's she was on her way.

Looking at her screen Cait confirmed she was at the correct coördinates and with a light touch sat the lady down. She quickly changed into camouflaged pants and shirt. Carefully she checked her weapon. Her instructions were to wait for her contact at this location. To safeguard that the contact was who he said he was, the code words he was to use were "Priority Six". For safety she decided to stay inside Airwolf leaving the door open for air since it was extremely hot. It didn't take long until she heard someone approaching from the thick forest she was nearby. Quickly taking the safety off her gun she closed the door and waited. Cautiously walking into view was a man with camouflage on and his face painted black. He approached her with just as much apprehension as she had. He was now standing next to Airwolf placing his gun over his head to show he did not intend to use it. Opening the door slightly with her gun drawn she asked for the pass words. "Identify yourself please."

"Priority Six" was his reply.

Cait opened the door and jumped down. Turning she came face to face with Tom.

Tom was at a loss for words. His mind could not comprehend that Cait was not only here in Columbia but that she was his contact. Not to mention she was flying a highly sophisticated Helicopter that he had never seen the likes of before. "Cait?"

It was hard to tell who was more surprised. Cait was trying to think of a way to explain this without giving too much away but that was hard to do with a big black battleship sitting right behind her that she had just jumped out of. "Tom, I can explain."

"I hope you can Cait, I hope you can. I mean, who are you? I thought I knew you and here you are right in front of me, the contact I was supposed to meet from the Firm no less."

"Tom, we don't have time for this. I told you I was doing some flying for a government agency, I just didn't tell you the details."

"Flying, are you kidding me?" He said pointing to Airwolf. "Not telling me all the truth is still a lie. If we would have been married when were you planning on telling me? On our tenth anniversary maybe?"

"Look, I came here to do a job and getting you and Harkins out safely is all I care about now."

"Oh this is rich, you're going to get me out safely? From the looks of things I should be the one taking care of you. That's some guy you married, letting you get involved in this kind of dangerous work. Or does he even know what you do?"

Cait understood that this had to be a lot for Tom to digest but enough was enough. "That's enough Tom. You need to fill me in on Harkins whereabouts."

Tom walked away far enough that he could think things through without Cait standing next to him. Deciding that he needed his space to process everything she reached in and retrieved a bottle of water. Sitting down on a nearby log she conserved her energy for the task ahead. While Tom was rethinking his past relationship with her she was questioning just how well she knew him. As much as String worried about her safety he never doubted her abilities. She had rescued him several times and he trusted her with his life. What was Tom thinking that the Firm just let anybody fly missions for them? After several minutes had passed Cait decided he had enough time to think, they needed to get moving. She did not trust the area they were in. As she was walking toward him she heard others approaching. Before she could draw her weapon they were surrounded.

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It was morning, String along with Dom and St. John were preparing to leave the cabin they were staying in to fly to where they were picking up their next load to deliver. He had not slept well and was hoping it would not affect his judgment.

"What do you say we get a good breakfast before we head out?" Dom said as he finished putting on his coat and big fury hat.

St. John standing staring at his hat replied. "Yeah I want breakfast but I'm not going anywhere with you wearing that hat."

"What's the matter with my hat? The guy at the supply store said it was what everyone wore here."

"Yeah Dom, I think that's what they tell all the gullible new guys that come here."St. John said trying to hide his laughter.

String just shook his head as they headed out the door.

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They finally arrived at the helicopters. Each doing their own pre flight checks. Neither one trusting anyone else. Dom had always taught them that they should always do their own and if they had someone else do it, make sure that person was someone you trusted with your life. Seeing that everything was in order they took off to pick up the first load of mining equipment. When they landed Dom jumped out to talk to the foreman that was standing by the large crates that they were to deliver. He then went over to the first crate that St. John was to take. Inspecting the crate and the bands that were around it to see if they were secure he then signaled St. John to lower the cables. Several men then secured the cables to the crate and gave the signal to pull up. The crate was about eight feet off the ground when one of the cables broke away sending the crate crashing down. String held his breath as he watched St. John expertly gain control of the helicopter. Relieved that he was ok he looked to where Dom had been standing. He was laying on the ground with some men standing around him. String quickly jumped out of his HLH.

"Dom, Dom, you ok" String yelled as he ran. Kneeling down beside him he could see he had a big gash in his head and was unconscious. By this time St. John was by his side.

"How bad is it?" St. John said as he nervously watched.

The foreman came rushing over. "I called a squad. They will be here soon."

Later that afternoon String and St. John were by Dom's bed in the hospital.

"I don't see why I need to stay here. It's just a cut is all." Dom was complaining to them.

"Dom if it were me or St. John laying there you would do everything in your power to keep us there. The doctor said it wasn't serious but you're done working here. You have a mild concussion and they want to send you home."

"What, and leave you two here alone to do the work. No, no sir it aint gonna happen."

"Well you have no choice. The guy from the mining company told us its company policy. It has to do with liability and insurance." String said as he helped him with the lunch tray they had just delivered. "They are flying you home tomorrow morning."

Seeing that Dom was ok and settled in they both left to return to the job. Both were quiet on the drive back.

St. John broke the silence. "Were you as scared as I was?"

"Yeah, I thought we lost him for sure. I don't know what I'd do without him."

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Cait was standing on a small wooden stool looking out the window of the building they were locked in.

"I don't know what you think you're going to see that's any different from the last time you looked. I told you this is the place I have had under surveillance."

"I'm counting the guards and seeing when they change shifts."

Tom now felt stupid. Why hadn't he thought of that? He was seeing Cait in a whole new way. When they took them by gunpoint and marched them here he thought she would be whimpering and holding on to him. Instead she remained strong and defiant which was good because you did not want to show these guys weakness.

"I'm sorry we got caught"

"Why are you sorry? It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was. If I hadn't been sulking over you being here we would have been long gone from there."

"What's done is done. We need to find a way out of here. How much fire power do they have for defense?"

"I have seen five or six military helicopters that are heavily loaded. They are never here at the same time unless drugs are being taken in or out."

"Do all the guards stay here when the drugs leave the compound?"

"Now that you mention it most of the guards leave with the shipment. That's when the least amount of men are here."

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of the door being unlocked. A rather tall handsome man came in with his men right behind him. He appeared well dressed.

"I am sorry to keep you waiting. I understand you have brought your powerful helicopter here to take Mr. Harkins back to the United States. I don't think I can let you do that."

Cait didn't ask how he knew why she was here. Standing behind him was Harkins.

"That's her Santos, that's the one that took the plane from me."

Santos began to laugh. "You are such a sorry excuse of a man. You readily admit you let a woman overpower you? If I did not need you to build your plane I would have no use for you here."

Walking over to Tom, Santos landed a solid punch to his gut dropping him to the ground. Cait rushing to his side hoping to stop the beating but Santos men held her back.

"You are scum. I know you are DEA. Do you know what we do with DEA men? We make examples out of them. But for now until I decide how I can best use the two of you, I will let you live,"

Santos and his men left as Cait helped Tom up to one of the dirty cots in the room.

"Are you ok?"

"I'll live. I've had worse."

Sitting in silence for several minutes Tom finally ask what was on his mind.

"Cait, what was Harkins talking about when he said you took his plane from him?"

Cait thought she might as well tell him everything. "Three weeks before our wedding Dom and St. John came to me asking for help. String was being held by a group of drug dealers in Mexico. He went to retrieve the plane that Harkins had designed. I flew the helicopter you saw me in to rescue him. Harkins was going to leave with the plane. I chased him down and took the plane back to the firm."

Tom thought for a awhile. "That was when I was on border patrol and hadn't spoken to you for two days. So you just took off playing spy and returned acting like nothing happened,"

"I really did hate lying to you. I never wanted to start our marriage off like that. I was going to tell you when I thought the time was right."

"Damn it Cait, do you know how bad it hurt to walk away from you only to find out you married him at our wedding?"

"For what it's worth Tom, I really did love you."

"You just weren't in love with me?"

"No, I wasn't, and I'm truly sorry I let it go that far."

"Well like you said, right now we need to figure out how to get out of this mess. I suggest we get some sleep."

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Arriving home Dom tried to find Cait. She had not answered her phone and was not at the hangar. He was beginning to worry. The last thing String said to him was make sure Cait's ok. He knew she would not leave the hangar unattended. He checked the schedule and saw she had nothing on it for today. Sensing something was not right he called Michael.

"Dom, I thought you were not due back for another two days?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I didn't call to chit chat. Have you seen Cait?"

Michael's silence caused Dom to draw in his breath holding it until Michael answered him.

"Are you at the hangar?"

"Yes"

"I'll be there in twenty minutes." Michael said as he hung up on Dom.

Dom paced the floor. He was angry that Michael left him hanging like that, not knowing if Cait was alright or not. Soon the white limo pulled up and Dom went out to meet him.

"You better tell me she's ok and fast."

"Dom we need to talk in here."

As they walked into the hangar Michael spoke "Cait is in Columbia."

"What the hell is she doing there?"

"I sent her there to meet a DEA agent. The agent has been tracking Harkins."

"You mean that sissy guy that designed that plane we went after?"

"Yes, that Harkins. Our agent was to pick him up and Cait was to escort them out of the country."

"Ok, then when will she be back?" Dom didn't like the look that was on Michael's face.

"We think Cait and the agent were captured."

Dom having to take a seat held his head in his hands burying his face. "Oh God help us."

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Cait and Tom were awakened the next morning as Santos men came for them. They were surprised that they were not being forceful with them. They were escorted to a small house on the compound. Cait thought how out-of-place it was here. It had flowers planted around it with a small garden growing vegetables and herbs. Inside was immaculate. It was filled with the finer things in life. There were several valuable paintings hanging on the walls. It was obvious that drugs earned Santos a lavish life style off the misery of others. Cait despised men like him.

"Please come in and join me for a civilized breakfast." Santos said extending his arm to an elaborate spread of food on the table.

Cait would have rather starved to death then to sit down and eat with him but this was not the time to show her contempt. She needed to keep up her strength and it had been twenty-four hours since she had last eaten. Before she could sit Santos had pulled her chair out for her. Sitting there at the breakfast table with him was like dining with the devil himself.

Tom and Cait looked at each other both thinking the same thing. "If you are both wondering if the food is safe I assure you it is. If I wanted you dead you would be by now. If I kill you I may never find out what I need to know about your helicopter."

Cait was waiting for him to bring up Airwolf. She knew that would be part of his plans for them. What she didn't know was how he would force her to cooperate. Last night she already thought it through. If they threatened her with Tom she would give them what they wanted. She would do whatever it took to keep him alive.

It was beginning to annoy Santos that Cait wasn't offering any information. He thought at least she would be bargaining for her life, Instead she just remained silent.

Looking to Cait he asked."Who do you work for?" Cait just kept eating without looking his way. "Ok if you prefer to keep quiet we can do this another way. Signaling his men two of them grabbed Cait while the other two held a gun on Tom. "Let her go Santos, she can't do anything for you." Tom shouted but it fell on deaf ears.

The men took Cait to another table across the room and held her down on it. Taking a small rubber tube they tied off her arm. Holding her arm still one of the men prepared a syringe. Cait was fighting but they were too strong as she was unable to move.

"What are you giving her" Tom demanded.

"Burundanga, being a DEA agent you should be familiar with it."

Tom was familiar with it. He became sick to his stomach. This was a drug that was widely used in Columbia. Thieves used it to spike the tourist food or drink. The victim remains conscious the whole time they are under the influence but lose their own will. People on this drug will hand over their valuables without a fight. Doing whatever they are told. Tom was particularly scared because it was also used as a date rape drug.

"No don't. Let me go." Cait pleaded with the men. The man stuck the needle in her arm as Cait struggled to keep control of her own will. In a few seconds she lost the battle.

"Cait, do you hear me" Santos asked as he leaned down to her ear.

"Yes" she responded without any emotion of her own.

"Now will you tell me everything about your helicopter?"

"Yes, I will tell you everything."