I know this chapter is a bit melodramatic but I just couldn't help myself.

Chapter 3

Dom and Caitlin sat patiently in the waiting room at the Firm's hospital hoping for news on the results of Hawke's surgery. They wanted so badly to see him but had no choice but to respect his wishes of no visitors.

"I don't know how long I can sit out here and wait with no news," said Caitlin who was suddenly becoming more agitated as time went on. "Why doesn't he want to see us Dom? I know he doesn't want to be babied but we're his family. I would think he'd need us at a time like this."

Finally, Michael came out and sat down with them. "I'm sorry I didn't get out here sooner," he said. "Hawke's surgery went well. Of course, it could be six weeks or more before his eyes are fully healed and his sight returned. But, there's still a chance it will never return."

"Can we see him now?" asked Caitlin. "All this waiting is starting to get to me."

"I'm afraid not," answered Michael. "He's asked that you two come back later this evening."

Dom and Caitlin looked at each other, neither sure of how to respond.

"There's more," said Michael. "Caitlin, he's asked that you move your things out of the cabin. He wants a specialist to go in with him and reorganize the place to make it easier for him to get around and do things for himself."

His words took Caitlin by surprise. It was if someone had knocked the wind out of her. She looked at Dom and then turned to walk away.

"Fine," she replied softly. "I'll go and take care of it now."

Dom caught up to her as she reached the elevator. He grabbed her and hugged her. "You can stay with me as long as you need to," he said. "Soon, he'll have his sight back and this will all be over."

Caitlin was calm, too calm for Dom's comfort. She looked up at him. He could see the sadness in her eyes. "No, Dom," she replied. "I'm going back to Florida. Ever since I left and Stacey was forced to leave, my brother in law has been struggling to keep things going. I've been putting it off but it's the perfect time for me to go and figure out if we need to close up the business or not."

"Will you be back?" Dom reluctantly asked.

Tears ran down Caitlin's face. "I don't know Dom," she replied. "I'm tired of fighting so hard for what I want. He told me he loved me and he made me feel like it would be forever."

Caitlin grabbed the heart charm that was around her neck and held it in her hand before she continued. "I can't live my life waiting for the other shoe to drop," she said. "I'm not sure if I'll be back or not. When you finally get to see him, tell him I said goodbye."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAA

A few hours later Dom walked into Hawke's hospital room with Michael. His eyes were bandaged differently this time. He had a circle pad on each eye and they were held in place by gauze that was wrapped around his head.

"Dom's here," Michael told him. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Michael quickly left the room as Dom sat down beside Hawke's bed. "You're looking better," he said to his friend. "How are you feeling?"

"I'd be better if I could see," he replied bluntly. "I guess Caitlin didn't come back with you."

Dom tried to hold back his anger. "No, can you blame her?"

"I just need some time alone Dom," he replied. "I need her to respect that."

"Oh, she respects that," Dom retorted. "She's on her way back to Florida as we speak."

Hawke was quiet for a few minutes as he took in what Dom had just said to him. "Then I guess that's for the best," he replied.

"What the hell are you talking about String?" Dom yelled. "How can you say that's for the best? You two love each other and you're going to just throw it all away?"

"I can't see Dom, I'm blind," Hawke yelled back. "How can I be there for her like this?"

"All you've ever done is run away," replied Dom. "You're a grown man and I never butted into your business but I've always felt sorry for you when it came to finding real love. Now you finally have it and you're running again. I don't feel sorry for you anymore. You don't deserve her."

Dom slammed the door as he stormed out of Hawke's room. He hated to be so tough on him but he was furious and he didn't know any other way to try and get through to a stubborn Hawke. "String, please do something to change this before it's too late," he said to himself. "Otherwise you'll regret it for the rest of your life."