Thanks so much for the reviews! They mean a lot! Happy New Year everyone!
Chapter 5
After finding a doctor to check out Caitlin, Dom sat in the waiting room with Sam and his wife.
"I sure wish they'd give us an update on String," Dom complained. "It has been nearly two hours."
"Just be patient," relied Sam. "I'm sure he's in good hands."
"He is," replied Michael as he came up and joined them. "I made sure he had the Firm's finest."
"Do you have any news on his condition?" asked Dom.
"Yes, they're moving him to a private room now," replied Michael. "Luckily the bullet went through him without doing harm to any major organs. He's being given an aggressive treatment of antibiotics. He still has a fever but the doctor said it's slowly decreasing and he's awake if you'd like to see him."
"That's great news," replied Sam. "I think we'll be heading out now. I would like to ring in the New Year at home."
Dom gave Sam and his wife each a hug. "Thanks for everything Sam," said Dom. "I'm glad you were there when String needed you."
"I'm just sorry he showed up at such a bad time," replied Sam. "Oh, I almost forgot."
Sam handed Dom a small package. "I think you might still need this."
Dom grinned. "I definitely forgot," he replied. "Thanks and Happy New Year."
After they left, Michael escorted Dom to Hawke's room. Dom was surprised to see that he was still awake. His face was slightly flushed but he looked better than he did when Dom first saw him.
"Hey String," said Dom as he sat down beside his bed. "Good to see you're doing better. How're you feeling?"
"Like I've been shot," Hawke replied sarcastically. "I never thought I'd be spending New Year's Eve like this but I have to say I'm thankful to be alive."
"The doctor said you're going to be fine," replied Michael. "You're responding well to the antibiotics so far. You're pretty lucky that it wasn't worse."
"Sam took good care of you," replied Dom with a grin. "Good old Sam."
"Yeah," replied Hawke while trying hard not to laugh. "We heard about how he took care of you once too."
"Oh?" asked Dom. "I don't recall that."
"You know, when you were shot in the…" Dom stopped him mid sentence.
"String, don't we have better things to talk about?" he asked. "You're the one in the hospital bed, not me."
Hawke smiled. "Sure," he replied. "We'll discuss that later.
"Good," replied Dom. "Much later."
Suddenly Hawke's spirit seemed to drop. "Hey," he asked. "Where's Caitlin? Is she okay?"
"Oh they're setting her up in another room," replied Michael. "They want to keep her overnight for observation because she lost consciousness for a short time after sustaining a head injury during the shooting."
"But she's okay isn't she?" he asked again.
"Sure kid," replied Dom. "She's fine and believe me she's giving them hell about it. She reminds me of you. I've never seen her so stubborn. It took me and Michael to convince her to stay and that was only after we promised her that she could come and see you."
String breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good," he replied. "I remember that she was hurt but everything else is kind of a blur."
"Okay, well, we're going to be heading out now," said Dom. "You need your rest. I'm sure she'll be in to see you soon."
"Sure," replied Hawke as he felt his eyelids getting heavy. "I am really tired."
Hawke didn't know how long he'd slept when he felt a cool hand on his. He opened his eyes to see Caitlin staring at him. She was sitting cross legged in a chair that she'd pushed all the way up to his bed.
"Hey," he said. "What time is it?"
Caitlin smiled. "It's about ten minutes until midnight."
"So I didn't miss the New Year after all," he said softly. "Will you turn on the television?"
"Sure," replied Caitlin as she got up and let go of his hand. She turned on the tiny television that was mounted in the corner of the room and fidgeted with the channels until the live New Year's broadcast came into view.
"Is this what you wanted?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said while reaching for her hand as she sat down again.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"I've been better," he replied before giving her hand a light squeeze. "I'm glad you're here."
Caitlin blushed slightly. "Thanks," she said. "I wasn't expecting to spend the first part of the New Year in the hospital but at least we're not alone."
The two watched the ball drop in Times Square and listened as Dick Clark counted down to the New Year. When it reached zero, they looked at each other, unsure of what to do next.
"Happy New Year Caitlin," String finally said as he placed his hand behind her head and pulled her into a kiss.
Afterwards Caitlin smiled. "Happy New Year Hawke!"
"Oh, and Caitlin, there's something you need to know," String said with a serious look on his face.
"What's that?" she asked, unsure of where the conversation was headed.
"I would do anything for you too," he said. "For the same reason."
"What do you mean?" she asked, her heart now beating fast.
"I love you too," he replied.
Caitlin smiled at him. "Are you sure you're not still a bit delirious?" she asked.
Hawke laughed. "I'm sure," he replied. "But if it will make you feel any better, we'll discuss this further when we're both out of the hospital."
Caitlin reached over and kissed him again. "I'd like that," she replied with a grin. "I think this is going to be a good year after all."
"Me too," he said as he held her hand tightly. Together they watched as each time zone brought in the New Year."
The End