Part 2

"Look, maybe staying around isn't such a good idea," Caitlin said trying to keep up the charade.

"I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter," Price replied. "I get the feeling you were involved in all of this."

"In what?" she asked trying to convince him otherwise.

Instead of answering her, he ordered one of his men to take her to one of the back rooms and lock her in.

Caitlin tried to object but she had no choice as two of the men grabbed her by the arms and pulled her along with them.

Once inside the back room, the door was slammed and locked. She ran to the only window she saw and found that it contained security bars. "Great," she said to herself. "Well, at least Hawke was successful."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"We need to go back and get her out of there," demanded Hawke.

"I think we'd better wait," replied Dom. "He may still buy her cover. Let's see if she meets back up with us."

Hawke shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about this," he said.

Finally Carl spoke up. "My ex-brother in-law is not easily fooled," he said. "If I were you, I'd be concerned about her safety. He always gets what he wants. He still has the plans for my new aircraft. You're going to need to stop him before he sells it to the highest bidder."

When Caitlin didn't show up at the rendezvous place, they headed back to the cabin to discuss their next move with Michael.

"We can't let him sell those plans," said Michael. "There is way too much at stake here."

"The hell with the plans," said Hawke. "My concern is with getting Caitlin out of there."

"It's not going to be that easy," replied Michael. "I've gotten word that they have moved to some sort of compound just south of the ranch. It's apparently more secure."

"Yes, it's like his personal fortress," replied Teri. "I think maybe it's time I go and make a visit to my ex-husband. Maybe I can convince him to let Caitlin go."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," said Hawke. "Then he'd have his hands on both of you. It would be too much leverage."

Teri sighed. "I'm sorry that your friend got caught up in all this," she replied. "I hope she's okay."

Hawke didn't reply to her comment. Instead he worked with Michael and Dom to come up with plan to storm the compound. "I just wish we had something he wanted," replied Hawke.

"Well, you do," said Carl. "I left one key element out of the plans he has and he knows it. That's why he was holding me."

"So you mean the plans are no good the way he has them?" asked Michael.

"Nope, they are not," he replied. "If they build it as planned, it will suffer major mechanical failure right from the start. They'll never get it in the air."

"Then we have our bargaining tool," replied Hawke.

"Look Hawke," replied Michael. "I care about what happens to Caitlin too but we can't just give him the key to building this aircraft."

"Listen to me Michael," yelled Hawke. "You got Caitlin into this and now you're going to help get her out. She's worth more than any aircraft and you know it."

Setting their plan for the next morning, Dom and Michael left for the night. Carl and Teri stayed at the cabin with Hawke.

As the sun went down, Hawke sat outside on the porch and stared up at the sky. Teri came out and sat down beside him. She placed her hand on his arm before speaking. "I'm really sorry about Caitlin," she said. "I didn't realize you were so in love with her."

Hawke turned and looked at her. "What are you talking about? I'm not in love with Cait."

Teri smiled at him. "Of course you are. It's written all over your face," she replied. "But you're running from those feelings. That's why you were so interested in me. I'm a distraction."

"It's not like that," he replied. "She's a good friend."

Teri stood up and walked a few feet from the porch before continuing. "You're afraid to admit it to yourself aren't you?" she asked. "It makes it too real. What is it that you are so afraid of?"

Hawke stood up and walked over to her. "Everything," he finally admitted. "It's a long story but people who get involved with me never live long."

"Fighting your feelings won't keep Caitlin alive," she said flatly. "But, that's your decision."

"We have to get her out of there," he said sadly. "I'll never forgive myself if he harms her in any way."

"I'm so sorry," she replied. "I know him well. He won't like that she double crossed him. He has no qualms about harming a woman."

Hawke closed his eyes and sighed. "If I find out he laid one hand on her I'll kill him."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AA

The next morning, Caitlin could hear a lot of activity going on in the compound around the building she was being held in. She was handcuffed with her hands in front of her and thrown on an old cot in a small room. It wasn't long before Price joined her in the room.

"While we wait for a possible trade off for your life," he told her. "I think it's time we get to know each other better. It's what you said you wanted wasn't it?"

"Now that you're holding me against my will," she stated sarcastically. "I don't think I'm interested any longer."

Price laughed. "Give up the charade," he said. "I know you were working with them. But, I'll still get what I wanted from you."

He pushed her down on the cot and forced her hands above her head as he undid the buttons on her shirt. She tried to scream out but he covered her mouth with his. When she fought him further, he hit her hard across her face leaving a mark and giving her what would end up being a black eye.

What happened next seemed like a strange dream to Caitlin. She heard the familiar sound of Airwolf as it flew over the compound. Then it seemed that all hell broke loose. Price jumped up and ran out of the small building, accidentally leaving the door unlocked and allowing her to escape. Caitlin heard multiple explosions as Hawke and Dom pounded explosives into the various buildings.

She ran outside and looked up to see the black silhouette of the Lady as it passed over her. She tried to run but was knocked to the ground when one of the explosions hit too close. Caitlin felt as though her whole body was about to explode. She fought to keep her eyes open but finally gave in and passed out.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

As she started to regain consciousness, Caitlin noticed that it was unusually quiet. She slowly opened her eyes and was immediately aware of the pain in one of them. Remembering the hit she took, she slowly reached up and touched the bandage she now wore over her eye. Looking around, she was surprised at her surroundings.

"Hawke?" she called out.

When no one answered, she slowly climbed out of bed and headed down the stairs of the cabin's loft. When she couldn't find anyone downstairs, she opened the front door to see Hawke sitting on the steps looking up at the stars. She carefully made her way over to him and sat down beside him. Hawke didn't look over at her. Instead he just wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

Caitlin turned and gave him a confused look. "What am I doing here?" she asked. "How did I get here?"

Still looking out towards the sky, Hawke answered her. "When the doctor said you'd be okay, I offered to take care of you here," he said. "I guess you were a bit loopy from the sedative they gave you so you don't recall the flight up here. I thought it would be better here than having to wake up in the hospital. "

"Thanks, I appreciate that," she replied.

"You know I'd do anything for you Cait," he replied.

Changing the subject, she asked. "What happened to Teri and her brother?"

"They're both in protective custody for now," he replied. "We got the plans back and Michael is satisfied that no one will be able to copy them."

"I'm sure Michael is pleased," she replied. "What about Price?"

"He managed to get away," Hawke said flatly. "Michael's people are still looking for him. He won't get far."

Hawke finally pulled away and turned to look at her. He gave her a concerned look that frightened her at first. "Cait, I know the doctors didn't think so but he didn't..." his voice trailed off.

Caitlin gave him a weak smile. "No, thanks to you guys he didn't get a chance," she replied. "Talk about good timing."

Hawke tried to smile back at her. "I'm sorry you were put in that situation," he said.

"Look, I agreed to it," she replied. "It's not anyone's fault. Things just didn't go as planned."

"Yeah, he liked you a little too much," Hawke replied. "I can understand why."

Caitlin leaned over and gave him a hug. "You are always my hero," she said teasingly. "I'm a lucky lady."

Hawke gently touched the side of her face that wasn't injured. "No, I'm the lucky one," he admitted. "I don't know what I'd have done if you had been really hurt. Cait, there are some things I need to tell you."

Caitlin put her finger up to his lips. "Shhh, it's okay," she said. "You don't have to say anything."

"Yes, I do," he replied. "Dom told me that you're thinking of leaving."

Caitlin sighed. "Yeah, I am," she replied. "I'm thinking it would best. I love crewing Airwolf and working with you and Dom but I want more in my life. I don't think I'll be able to find it here."

"Why?" he asked bluntly. "Why can't you find it here?"

Caitlin stared at him, unsure of how to answer. Finally, she took a deep breath and garnered the courage to express her feelings.

"Because love is a two way street," she replied. "I can't give my love to someone and they not give it back. Somewhere out there, there's someone for me. Someone who will love me as much as l love him."

String reached up and put both arms around her. "What if I told you that I loved you?" he asked her softly. His words took her by surprise. She stared at him in disbelief.

"You don't love me," she replied. "How can you? What about you and Teri or all the other women you've been dating lately?"

"Distractions," he said. "Or as Teri put it they were my way of running from my feelings. Look Caitlin I know I haven't been very sensitive to your feelings. I've seen it in your eyes. Tell me you don't love me too and I'll drop this right now."

Caitlin stared back at him. Here he was, telling her everything that she had ever wanted to hear and it scared her. She got up from the porch and walked back into the cabin. String followed her inside and watched her ascend the stairs to the loft.

"Where are you going?" he asked. "I need you to answer me."

Caitlin didn't reply. She just continued up the steps to the bedroom. He quickly followed behind her. When he got to the bedroom she was sitting on the bed. He moved beside her and sat down.

"What are you doing?" he asked. "You're trembling. Are you okay?"

Caitlin smiled at him as she moved closer towards him and put her arms around his neck. "I'm taking a leap of faith," she replied. "The answer is yes. I do love you."

String gently placed his hand behind her head and pulled her towards him. The kiss between them was so passionate that it even took him by surprise. He knew he wanted more but he was hesitant at first.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked her as they moved further on to the bed.

"Oh, believe me," she replied. "I think I've waited long enough."

The End