Chapter 4

String rode to the hospital in the ambulance with Caitlin. He did his best to keep her calm as the pain in her leg from the sting increased. Once at the hospital they decided to administer antivenin. She was told that she would have to stay for twenty four hours under observation.

"Great," complained Caitlin. "I hate the idea of having to stay."

"I know," replied String. "But it's just a precaution. You're going to be fine."

Caitlin stared at him. "So what were you doing spying on us at the shoot?"

String looked down and across the room before turning to look her in the eyes. "I'm sorry," he said. "I just wanted to see it for myself. I stayed out of the way so I wouldn't make you nervous. Looks like the director loved it."

"And you?" she asked. "String?"

String was quiet for a few minutes. He didn't want to admit how he felt. "It was hard seeing you kiss him like that," he admitted. "I guess I understand now how you felt about seeing me and Gianna."

"But my kiss with Saint John was fake," Caitlin reminded him.

"The kiss with Gianna didn't mean anything either," he said. "I promise it didn't Cait."

Before they could continue their conversation, Saint John and Dom came to check on Caitlin who had already been moved to a private room.

"You don't look sick to me," claimed Dom. He walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you're okay sweetheart."

"Yeah, String really sprang into action," claimed Saint John. "I guess it was a good thing he was there. But, why were you there?"

String smiled. "Sorry, I wanted to see you make a fool of yourself trying to do a love scene," he teased.

"Hey, the director said we did a great job," replied Saint John. "I am glad it's over though. I think I'm more of an action hero than a lover."

"You got that right," teased Caitlin. "At least I didn't laugh at you this time."

"All seriousness though," said String. "Considering all the other accidents on the set, I don't think the scorpion being in that bed was an accident. I think it's about time we do our own investigation of these so called accidents."

"I agree," replied Saint John. "They still have a lot to film and we have our stunt. We can't afford to have anything else go wrong."

"That'll have to wait until Monday though," replied String. "Tomorrow I'm taking Caitlin to the cabin for the rest of the weekend. That is, if it's okay with Caitlin."

Caitlin looked up at Saint John and then at String. "Okay," she replied while trying to smile.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

The next day, String picked Caitlin up at the hospital and flew her up to the cabin. Her leg was still a little sore but overall she felt much better. As they walked up to the porch and String opened the door, Caitlin stopped a moment. Suddenly she felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Are you alright?" asked String. "Are you having reactions to the sting?"

"Oh no," she replied as she went and sat down on the porch. "I just think I had some sort of a panic attack."

"Why?" he asked. "What happened?"

"I don't know," she said as she stood back up. "I'm okay now. We can go inside."

Once inside Caitlin sat down on the couch while String made them a light dinner. Afterwards, she drifted off to sleep while he washed the dishes. She was only asleep for a few minutes when she suddenly started screaming. String ran to her and she sat up quickly with tears in her eyes.

"Caitlin, are you okay?" he asked. "What's wrong?" String asked while pulling her into his arms and holding her.

"I'm okay," she said. "It was just a bad dream."

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.

String could feel her trembling in his arms. "I've been having this same nightmare of me shooting Gianna in the head," admitted Caitlin. "At first I didn't remember what had happened. Then I started getting these bad dreams and it all came back."

"How long have you been having them?" he asked.

"Since about two weeks after the shooting," she said.

"Does Saint John know about them?" asked String.

Caitlin pulled away and looked at String's face. She saw worry and a hint of jealousy in his eyes.

"Yes, he knows," she admitted.

String stood up and moved across the room. Caitlin could tell he was getting angry. "Why Caitlin?" he asked. "Why is it that you can tell Saint John what's going with you but you seem to push me away?"

"I don't know," she replied. "It's just different with Saint John."

"Different how?" he questioned. "Are you in love with him?"

Caitlin almost laughed. "Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?" she asked. "Of course I'm not in love with him. I love you and you know it."

"Do I?" he asked. "I nearly had to drag you up here and I wasn't sure you'd even come inside. Yet, you're living with Saint John."

"It's because he doesn't expect or want anything from me," she blurted out.

String moved back over to her and sat beside her on the couch. "Is it wrong that I love you and want you?" he asked.

"No, but you promised we'd take it slow String," she said. "You hurt me and somewhere along the line I started wondering why you did it. Maybe I'm not enough for you. Have you thought of that?"

String was shocked by her candor. "I'm sorry," he replied. "I never meant to push. You are enough for me. You're all I want or need. I guess I've made it hard for you to see that."

"You have," she replied softly. "I can't help how I feel. I know I'll eventually get over you kissing her but right now, it still hurts. But, I didn't walk away from you String. I'm still here and willing to fight for us. You just have to be patient."

"Okay, I'll try," he said. "But will you please help me get that image of you and Saint John out of my head?"

Caitlin wiped her eyes and smiled at him. "How can I do that?" she asked.

String pulled her close to him. He placed his hand on her face and she threw her arms around his neck. He kissed her softly first and then more passionately. To his delight, she fervidly returned his kiss. Afterwards he held her tight and snuggled with her on the couch.

"At least it's a step in the right direction," he thought to himself.