Well, I managed to get my errands done AND find time for writing. Thanks again for all reviews! :o)

Chapter 8

Within the hour, Saint John made it to the clinic. Dom could tell that he was obviously distressed about the accident and the ordeal he'd been through.

"How are they?" was the first thing he asked. "How did this happen?"

"We don't know yet," replied Dom. "The doctors are still working on them."

"My people are checking into the accident now," said Michael. "We aren't going to let this go without an answer."

"Do you think what happened to me was a set up?"asked Saint John. "She finally admitted that I didn't do anything. I just helped her find her keys when she said she'd thought she dropped them somewhere outside of the restaurant. I was only there picking up my dinner."

"I know," replied Michael. "She recanted quickly when my people got involved. She still won't say what prompted her to make the cop nearby think she was a prostitute."

"Why would someone want me to do that to me?" asked Saint John. "Do you think they wanted me out of the picture so that String would to do the stunt?"

"It sure seems that way," replied Dom.

The three men sat quiet for awhile trying to process what they knew and wait for information on Caitlin and String's condition.

"What if they wanted to mirror the movie?" asked Saint John. "I mean, Caitlin and String really are lovers who happen to be pilots."

"Could be," replied Michael. "If so that means this wasn't supposed to be just an accident. They wanted String and Caitlin dead."

"Then who's to say they won't keep trying?" asked Dom.

"You might be right about that Dom," replied Michael. "I'd better increase security."

"Better yet," replied Saint John. "Maybe this time we can catch them in the act."

"Yeah, maybe," said Michael as the doctor finally came out and addressed the three men.

"How are they?" asked Dom impatiently.

The doctor was slow to answer. "They're alive," he replied. "Mr. Hawke has a stable arm fracture with a dislocated shoulder. He also has two broken ribs that are putting slight pressure on his lungs. We have him on oxygen but he hasn't shown any respiratory distress. He'll need to remain calm when he wakes up as to not agitate it."

"What about Caitlin?" asked Saint John.

"She's stable for now but we have some concerns," he replied. "She only suffered a fracture in her right arm and managed to avoid any internal injuries. The big issue we have with her is that she suffered a pretty severe concussion and is currently comatose."

"So what's their overall prognosis?" asked Michael.

"Mr. Hawke will pull through with plenty of rest and little agitation," replied the doctor. "As for Ms. OShanessy, her condition depends on her coming out of the coma. Right now we can only wait and see."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Back on the set, Charles Daniel and his director Mr. Ballance met in his office to discuss the day's events.

"Well, we got one hell of a shot with that stunt," said Ballance. "Nothing beats a real crash when that's what you're trying to film."

"Yeah, but the publicity isn't going to be as good as we want it to be if they pull through," replied Daniel. "We need to get to them and make sure that they die as planned."

"Oh come on," replied Balance. "Can't we leave it alone now? Don't you think the actual crash itself will be enough?"

"No," replied Daniel. "We want people to come to us for their sad story. We can't get that kind of press if they live."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Ballance. "I heard they were taken to a private clinic. These two seem to have friends in high places."

"I'm not worried about that," replied Daniel. "We'll find a way in there and make sure they never walk out alive."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

String struggled to open his eyes. He felt himself drift in and out of what seemed to be dream. "Where am I?" he thought. "What's going on?"

He blinked his eyes and tried to bring the room in focus. Slowly he lifted his right hand up to feel the nose canella on his face. His left arm felt stiff and he reached over to touch it. "A cast," he thought. "It must be broken."

Slowly reality began to set in as he heard voices around him. "String?" asked Dom. "String are you okay?"

"Dom?" String said in a low hoarse voice. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You're at the Firm's clinic," said Saint John. "You were in a helicopter crash."

Suddenly it all came rushing back to him. String tried to sit up but the pain washed over him. "Caitlin!" he yelled. "Where's Caitlin?"

Dom and Saint John who were each on opposite sides of his bed, grabbed String by the shoulder and gently pushed him back down on the bed.

"Take it easy little brother," said Saint John. "You have a couple of broken ribs. You don't want a punctured lung."

String tried to relax but was becoming more agitated. "Tell me," he begged. "What happened to Caitlin?"

"She's in the room across the hall," Dom finally said. "She's alive but she suffered a pretty bad head injury besides a broken arm. She's in a coma."

"I need to see her, "String said while trying to get up again. Dom and Saint John once again pushed him back down.

"Not yet," said Saint John. "You are in no shape to go anywhere. She's holding strong right now so just relax."