CHAPTER 6

"Chance…. Chance…"

Startled awake by his own voice, Hawke sat bolt upright in the bed, sweat drench and not even finding reality much of a comfort. Most of the time, these nightmares could be countered with practicality - he was no longer in Vietnam, so any dreams there weren't likely to have any relevance with his current life. Michael had been known to assign sometimes very dangerous missions with little warning though, and with Chance's life hanging in limo at the moment it was too close to what could be the truth to be defeated by practicality and logic. He could be gone at this very moment. He wanted to believe that wasn't the case, that he'd know if it were, but it was possible. Could his dream have been a premonition of the tragedy about to occur?

Slowly leaning back against the pillows, he drew in a deep breath and tried to convince himself everything would turn out alright.

"It has been officially confirmed. Stringfellow Hawke, you and I are going to have our own little family."

String almost dropped the box he'd been holding. "Huh? How did you know?" he asked confused. "I guess that at least means the answer is yes."

She took the little box he handed her. "How did I know? I kind of have to know; I just couldn't believe it." She fingered the small gift, finally ripping off the elegant paper in fine chunks. It was a soft maroon and gold velvet box. She had only opened it a crack, when she saw what he meant. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly before planting a kiss on his lips. "Of course, I mean yes!"

String picked up the box from the sofa next to her. "May I?'

"Please do."

He took out the shiny white gold band with an exquisitely cut diamond and slipped it gently onto her finger, despite his shaking hands.

"Of course I will, but that's not what I meant."

"It's not?" asked Hawke, getting more confused by the minute.

"No,"

"Then what did you mean?"

"I'm going to have a baby, and you're the daddy."

Daddy. Stunned, he sucked in a harsh breath. It kind of excited him and scared him at the same time. He wanted to be a good father; he wanted a family with Caitlin, but it still came as a shock to him. His only two other chances had been taken away from him.


In the other room it didn't sound like chance was sleeping any better, begging to be let out. He obliged, carrying him out of the bedroom and down the stairs. "You're too young to be getting nightmare," he scolded teasingly. "Couldn't you inherit something better from me?"

Chance simply slung both arms around his neck and hung on as they descended the stairs.

Chance waved his bacon, contemplated whether or not he should eat it, took a bite, then dropped the remainder which Tet quickly took care of.

"Oh boy, looks like we're raising another fish and veggies boy," Caitlin remarked. "He really is a miniature you."

His eyes met her, - most hazel ones filled with fear and concern - and he went to move toward her to offer what comfort he could. Yes he was concerned, but Chance would be alright. He had to be. He was a Hawke, an with Caitlin always going about how in so many ways he resembled him, he ought to have inherited a little perseverance and determination. Caitlin had plenty of her own too, so if not from him then her, either way he wouldn't be one to give in easily. Even at three, he'd already been through a lot, and would most likely have plenty more challenges in his lifetime, and that's all this would be - another challenge.

He took a step forward, happening to glance down at his only child once more as he did so. Fear and alarm suddenly raced through him. He wasn't breathing. Rushing past his wife and out of the room, he went to get the first doctor he could find, praying it wouldn't be too late.

\A/

No wind, clear night, perfect. His only obstacles were the glass window and the distance at which he had had to go to find the right angle. Positioning the M40A1 sniper rifle, he aligned it, rechecking all his previous measurements, and pulled the trigger.

\A/

"No, Dom, not really. He's sick, really sick. A couple hours ago he quit breathing…"

He startled upright again, almost right out of the bed and into the floor, just as the bullet shattered the window and embedded itself in his pillow. Instinctively ducking to the floor, he flattened himself to the ground, adrenalin already pumping through his veins.

Caitlin.

He cautiously stole a glance up at the bed again, at first relived to see she wasn't there, but soon followed by a feeling of dread. If she wasn't there, where was she?

Slipping carefully back up to the bed, he grabbed the gun from underneath his pillow in case it was needed, all the while knowing he had the disadvantage. He was already the one on the defensive, couldn't shoot as far, and had no clue where his wife was and would prefer not to reek too much havoc on his home while it was open season for whoever was after him, no worried about what was hit and too far away to worry about being hit, all he had to do was take out his target.

Keeping to the shadows as much as possible, he made his way toward Chance's room, for once happy he wasn't here at the moment. What if he never made it back though? No time for that, he scolded himself. Chance would be fine, end of story. Right now he had to find Caitlin.

Chance's room was clear. He crept towards the stair case. Spotting Caitlin at the base, evidently intending on running upstairs until she saw him. "What's going on? I heard the-"

"Get down," he interrupted, shielding her with his own body as he guided her quickly back down the stairs. "Sniper outside," he explained, not wasting time with words, "stay down."

"What're we going to do?"

"Still thinking." He had an idea, but would rather not risk it, especially the leaving Caitlin part, but he couldn't risk taking her either.

"I haven't heard anything in a few minutes, maybe they left."

"I wouldn't count on it. He's probably setting up for another shot. Now is as good a time as ever though…"

"Good as ever for what?"

"Listen, I need you to hide, and good, because you can't leave until this is all over. I'm gong to take the chopper out so he thinks "we've left. Once he leave everything will be fine."

"You can't!"

"Cait, I have to."

"You'll be a perfect target while you're waiting for lift off, you'll never make it."

"We don't have any other options; it's a chance I have to take."

"Then I'm coming with you."

"It's too dangerous. You stay here and I'll be back for you. Promise."

"What if you don't ever make it off the dock?"

"I will."

"What about while you're gone? I'm already loosing a son right now, I don't want to lose you too."