FYI: I know nothing about eye surgery/injuries etc. All of Hawke's injuries and treatments of those injuries is made up.
Chapter 2
Caitlin sat by Hawke's bedside for hours just watching him. His eyes were bandage but she knew by his light breathing that he was asleep. She held his hand in hers, occasionally running her thumb in a circle on his knuckle. She wanted so badly for him to wake up, yet she dreaded it. How would she tell him he was blind? The doctors knew he had eye damage and they were planning a surgery the next morning if he agreed to it. The surgery would be his only chance at seeing again and even with that, he had a fifty, fifty chance of gaining his eye site. The thought broke her heart. Flying Airwolf and finding his brother meant everything to Hawke. Not being able to fly again would certainly destroy him.
Dom came into the room and sat down beside her. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly. "Cait, sweetheart, you really need to get some rest," he said softly. "There's nothing you can do for him right now. The doctor said he'll probably sleep through the night because of the medication they have him on."
"I know Dom," she replied "I tried to get some sleep earlier but every time I close my eyes all I see is that explosion and Hawke falling."
Dom leaned over and gave her a hug. "It's going to be okay," he said. "Just give it time."
The two stayed late into the evening just sitting and talking and watching Hawke sleep. Caitlin finally gave in to her exhaustion and went home with Dom for some sleep. She couldn't bring herself to go back to the cabin without String. She had been living there over the past few months since she came back from Florida. Caitlin had wanted to get her own place but Hawke insisted she stay with him. It was hard to say no when she loved being there with him so much.
Caitlin climbed into the bed in Dom's guestroom. She lay staring at the ceiling for hours. She was exhausted but sleep didn't come at first. "How can I help him get through this?" she thought. "I've never dealt with anything like this. I have a friend who is deaf and she lives life to the fullest. I pray that he doesn't have to learn to live without his sight. He may never get to fly again."
She had so many questions running through her mind. Many had to do with their relationship and how it might change. Finally, realizing that there wasn't anything she could do at that moment, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
It seemed like she was asleep for only a few moments when Caitlin was startled awake by the phone ringing. She looked at the clock and was surprised to find that she had been asleep for seven hours. A few minutes later Dom knocked and then opened the door to her room.
"Caitlin," he said "I just got a call from Michael. They just took String into surgery."
Caitlin sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Already?" she said. "I thought they needed his permission? Did he regain consciousness?"
Dom came into the room and sat down beside her on the bed. "Yeah," he replied. "Michael said that String insisted they do it right away. Why don't you get a shower and I'll make us something to eat. They said the surgery could take several hours. We'll be there by the time he gets out of surgery."
"Okay", she replied quietly. "I'm not very hungry but I'll try to eat something. I really wanted to be there when he woke up."
Dom smiled. "I know," he replied. "At least it will all be over with when we get there."
A few hours later the two made it back to the hospital just after Hawke was out of surgery. Caitlin was anxious to see him but yet a bit nervous. Michael was waiting in the hallway for them when they returned.
"When can we see him Michael?" asked Caitlin.
Michael frowned. "That will be up to him," he replied. "Hawke asked that he have no visitors until he approves of it. Once he wakes up, it will be his decision."
"But that can't mean us?" replied Dom, visibly upset. "Why wouldn't he want to see Cait and me?"
"I'm afraid that's exactly what he means," said Michael. "When he found out about his eyesight he was really upset. I'm sure he'll want to see you but apparently he wants a little time to himself first."
Caitlin sat down in one of the chairs in the small waiting room. Dom followed her and sat across from her. Both were silent for awhile before she finally spoke.
"That's been my biggest fear in all this," she replied. "He's going to shut us out and not let us help him."
Dom tried to comfort her. "Oh, come on now," he replied. "You know String. He just doesn't like to be babied. It's going to be okay, just wait and see."