Chapter 5

A few hours later, Dom and Caitlin found themselves waiting for Michael in his office. He had gotten caught up in another meeting so he was late. Finally, after sitting for thirty minutes, he showed up.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said. "I appreciate that the two of you are here and willing to continue this mission."

Michael sat down and pulled himself up to his desk in front of Dom and Caitlin who were sitting on the other side.

"We still have Airwolf," replied Dom. "That's not going to change."

"I know," Michael continued. "This package we've been trying to get from our operative contains important disks with information about our national security. Someone intercepted our previous plans and our man had to pull out at the last minute. That's why they were there with the bomb instead."

"So, how do you know we'll be meeting with the right person this time?" Caitlin asked.

"You'll be on standby this time," replied Michael. "We won't know the pickup location until the last minute and it will come through secure channels."

"So we just fly around and wait?" asked Dom. "Hmm, not sure I like that plan."

"I know it's not the best plan," replied Archangel. "But, it's the best we can do for now."

"So, when do we go?" asked Dom.

"You should be in the air within three hours," said Michael. "Stay on the coast unless instructed to go elsewhere. Our operative was making his way to California so we hope the pickup with be somewhere close by."

"Sounds too easy," replied Caitlin. "Just like last time."

"Caitlin, I can't promise you it won't be dangerous," said Michael. "But, you have to know you are doing this for the safety and protection of our country."

Dom stood up and headed for the door. "You don't have to sell us on this Michael," he said. "We're doing it. Come on Cait."

The two left and headed to the lair to retrieve Airwolf. Caitlin stopped and stared at it when they got there. Every time she saw it, that helicopter took Caitlin's breath away. She loved everything about it, including the man who usually flew it. Her mind drifted to him. She wanted so badly to talk to him although she was angry at him for pushing her away.

The two climbed in and began checking systems before taking off. "I know we've flown without Hawke before but it seems different this time," said Caitlin.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," replied Dom. "We're usually going off to help him instead of going off without him."

"This whole thing just doesn't seem real Dom," she continued. "I just don't understand why he had to push me away. I really believe that he'll get his sight back but why can't I be there for him in the meantime?"

Dom sighed. "I wish I understood his thick headedness sometimes," he said. "He's just too stubborn for his own good."

"No matter what happens, Dom," she replied. "I've decided that I'm not leaving. I like my life here and if Hawke and I are meant to be just friends, then so be it."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAA

A couple of hours later, Dom and Caitlin got the call for the pickup from Michael. They were to go down the coast and pick the package up on the beach. Caitlin insisted that she pick up the package since she was quicker than Dom.

When they reached the pickup spot, Dom saw one jeep parked at the edge of the water. One package was sitting about ten feet away from it.

"Caitlin," get a scan of the package," said Dom. "I want to see what we're dealing with before we land. If it's a bomb, we're out of here."

Caitlin did as instructed and scanned the package. "Nope, it doesn't appear to be anything but a box full of disks," she replied.

"Okay, then," he said. "Get ready to get out. Here we go."

Dom landed Airwolf a few feet from the package. Caitlin jumped out and quickly picked it up. All was well until shots were fired from the top of the cliff overlooking the beach. Caitlin felt one of the bullets nip her arm. The pain shot through her but she held tight to the package and made her way back into Airwolf.

"Let's go Dom," she yelled as she closed the cockpit door and leaned back, panting heavily.

Dom did as instructed and quickly lifted them into the air. Bullets continued to hit Airwolf as they took off out of the area.

"Are you okay?" he asked after noticing the blood running down Caitlin's sleeve.

Dom was worried when she didn't answer him right away. "I'm okay," she replied. "I think it's just a flesh wound."

Dom couldn't help but notice how pale Caitlin suddenly looked. "Okay, let's get this package to Michael and get that taken care of," he said.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAA

A little while later, Caitlin found herself laying on a table in the Firm's emergency room. The doctor treated and bandaged her arm. She had been right, it was only a flesh wound but she was given a Tetanus shot as a precaution. When the doctor as done, Dom came in to see her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "You look better. You're not as pale as you were before."

"Oh, I'm okay," she replied. "I just want to get out of here. Can I stay at your place tonight? I have movers moving my things into my new apartment tomorrow."

"Sure, sure," he replied. "I'd feel better having you there tonight anyway."

"Dom, I've decided that tomorrow night, after the movers are finished, I'm going to go and see Hawke," she continued. "I haven't talked to him since this whole thing started and it's about time he faced me."