Chapter 7

Hawke and Caitlin weren't sure how long they were in the air before they landed and were taken to an old abandoned compound in the desert. The two were untied and thrown together in a small room that held two cots and a small sink.

Caitlin grabbed Hawke by the arm and helped him sit down on one of the cots. She didn't talk to him. She hadn't spoken to him since they were first forced into the helicopter. She knew he was lying to her when he said it was over and that he didn't love her. He didn't just have some sort of last time fling with her the night before, she knew they made love.

Hawke was trying not to panic. Inside the walls of his cabin, he felt safe and knew his surroundings. Now, he was lost in his blindness. "Where are we?" he asked.

Caitlin understood and responded. He couldn't help but notice how robotic her voice sounded. "We're somewhere in the desert. All I see out the window is desert and bobbed wire," she said. "This room we're in is gray cinder block with a concrete floor, about ten by ten with one window and two cots."

Sting lay down on his cot and closed his eyes. Neither of them wanted to talk to the other at the moment.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAA

Back at Santini Air, Dom received a package with a video tape and note. The video showed Hawke and Caitlin tied up in the helicopter. The note was as follows:

Mr. Santini,

You have caused a delay in our mission as a result of taking my disks. I am however a forgiving man. I realize you have no idea what it is you have taken. So, since I am now forced to reorganize my plans, you must pay for the cost of my new operation. As you can see, I have taken your friends in order to assure you pay the price I am requesting. You will have two days to deliver two million dollars to me. If you cannot obtain this amount of money, I will gladly take your black helicopter in exchange. I will be in touch with you with the details of the drop off. Once I have my money, you will get the location of your friends. However, I wouldn't wait too long. Your friends have been left in a place with no food or water. The longer they stay there, the less chance they will have to survive. If you betray me, you will never find them and they will surely die a slow and painful death.

Dom stormed into Michael's office with the note and video tape. "Okay, Michael," he said. "We need to talk."

Archangel didn't look surprised by the visit. "I'm sorry Dominick," he replied. "My operative told me what happened. Unfortunately, he has no idea where they've taken them."

Dom showed Michael the note. "I don't have two million dollars,' he said. "So, unless you can get it for me, I guess all I have is Airwolf."

"You would never hand over Airwolf," said Michael.

"I would if it meant String and Cait's life," replied Dom. "They are more important to me than any helicopter."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAA

After about a half hour of silence, Caitlin finally spoke up. "I think were alone out here," she said.

"We are," he replied. "I haven't heard a sound since their helicopter took off. Apparently they've left us here to die with no food or water."

"Well, I'm not dying this way," Caitlin insisted. "There's got to be a way out of here."

"Well, I can't see it," String replied, trying to lighten mood.

Caitlin smiled despite herself. "Don't you dare make jokes Stringfellow Hawke!" she yelled. "I am so mad at you right now."

"You have every right to be," he replied. "I deserved what you did and what you said. It's just that it does hurt to think I did something to you as bad as he did."

"I never thought you'd use me like the others did, String," she said softly. "I know you too well. You're lying when you say you don't love me. I know last night meant something to you."

Hawke sat up on his cot and turned towards her. "You're right," he said. "I love you with all my heart and soul. Last night meant everything to me. But that doesn't mean we can be together anymore."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "Then why didn't you just say that to me this morning instead?" she asked.

String sighed. "Because making you mad at me was easier," he replied. "That was until now."

Caitlin wiped the tears from her face. "Well, you don't have to worry about it," she said. "I already have my own apartment now and we'll just have to find a way to go back to the way things use to be." She paused a moment before adding. "Of course, that's if we even make it out of here alive."