Chapter 3: On A Cold Winters Night

I was watching the episode "Wildfire" where Cait and String are absent through most of the show. The three of them have taken the Lady for some repairs and stay there while the work is being done. Dom stays with a friend that they have just all had dinner with. String announces that he and Cait have an early morning and need to get going. When I first saw that episode it made me think there may be something going on between them. I wondered where did they go for the night and were they together. I also noticed that String was constantly touching Cait and pulling her close to him. Some of my inspiration for this chapter comes from that episode.

AVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAV

Cait was still glowing from the excitement of that night. She won the "Miss Aviation" contest. It made her feel good how proud the guys were of her although she wondered what String thought of her performance. He hadn't said much except to congratulate her and give her a quick peck on the cheek. She was hoping he now saw her as more than a little sister type. She laughed as she placed the smaller trophy she was given along with coupons for free beer for a month on her nightstand. It felt like homecoming night all over again minus the free beer and the fact she got a crown that night instead of a trophy.

AVAVAVAVAVAAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVA

String sat at his bar sipping a glass of wine. He was too restless to sleep. Something in him tonight had changed. He would never see Cait the same way again. He had always been attracted to her since the first time he saw her but that was not what changed. He was beginning to see her as someone he could spend the rest of his life with if he would ever let himself act on his feelings. At B.J.'s he wished he would have said more to her but he didn't get the chance. Guys were all over her asking for her number which she politely declined letting them all down easy. He found himself wanting to tell them that she was taken, that she belonged to him. Taking another drink of wine he contemplated the consequences of allowing himself to act on his feelings. If he did there was no going back in their relationship. If it didn't work out he knew that one of them would have to leave. Although if he didn't do anything he would miss out on what could be the best decision of his life and the start of true happiness. He took the last sip of wine and headed to bed knowing that his mind was already made up. He would keep his feelings to himself. Better to have Cait alive and well as a friend than get close and lose her.

AVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVVAAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAV

Dom was delirious with joy. He turned on the TV looking for a good movie as he fixed himself a sandwich. There was no way he could go to bed. He wanted to bask in the moment as long as he could. Sitting down on the couch with his sandwich he carefully arranged the trophy on the coffee table so he would have a good view as he proudly admired it. It wasn't because Cait won the trophy that he was happy, it was because she won it for him. Life is good he thought. I have String and Cait and I couldn't ask for two better people in my life.

AVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAV

The next morning String was awakened by the sound of a helicopter. It was not Dom so it had to be Michael. He looked at the clock, six am. He had not been able to sleep in for weeks, this better be important he thought as he quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt. Michael walked in as he was coming down the stairs Marella in tow.

"Hawke, before you take my head off I wouldn't be here unless it was important. And if you would ever answer your cell phone I wouldn't be here waking you up this early."

"Well good morning to you too Michael, Marella. Coffee?" he said as he started a fresh pot.

"Sure" Michael said as he carefully studied him. He expected a grumpy Hawke. Not a Hawke that was making them coffee. "Why are you so civil this morning?"

"Does that mean I'm not usually civil Michael?" Hawke said as he raised one eyebrow. Marella was grinning. She often enjoyed the back and forth verbal sparring between the two.

Hawke sat the coffee before them" So what do you want me to do for the Firm?"

Michael took a sip and as he did Marella answered. "We need a highly secured pickup and delivery of a package."

"So I'm supposed to take my only time off and pick up and deliver a package without knowing what it is or for?" He said as he turned to the kitchen to make breakfast.

"No, I was going to give you the details but not unless I know you are going to take the assignment." Michael replied.

String shrugged his shoulders as he nodded his head yes. "Ok, give me the details."

"The FIRM has an operative in North Korea. He managed to get out some very sensitive documents that pertain to their nuclear capabilities. I don't need to stress to you how volatile that situation is over there."

"Why do you need it picked up in Airwolf? I take it someone knows about the documents and is after them?"

"We suspect the Russians have had an agent tailing our operative."

"Where is this operative now?"

"Montana, he's in a remote town called Winnett."

"Never heard of it."

"That's why he's there. Only one road in and it's not a place many people visit. There's an old abandoned grain tower a mile out of town where he will meet you."

"When do you need me to go?"

"He is expecting you tomorrow at noon. If all goes well you should be back that night in time for Christmas Eve. Although I doubt you have any plans since I've never known you to celebrate Christmas, but whichever one you take with you Cait or Dom will want to be back in time."

"If you want me to take someone with me that means you are expecting trouble?"

"I always expect trouble Hawke when you are involved. I have everything you need in this file including a picture of the man you are meeting. I expect you to destroy this after you look at it. I need to be going, thanks for the coffee." Michael said as he picked up his cane and headed to the door. "And Hawke in case I don't see you, Merry Christmas."

"Same to you Michael, Marella." Hawke said as he walked them to the door.

VAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAV

String headed over to Cait's place. Dom was leaving today to see his sister who was in San Francisco for a few days. He was planning on being back Christmas day as he was cooking Christmas dinner for the two of them. Cait was planning on leaving Christmas Eve day to be with her family in Texas. He was sure he could have her there if he took her himself in Airwolf. String knocked on her door as a surprised Cait answered.

"String, what brings you here? Is everything OK?"

"So who do you think I am, the bearer of bad news?"

Cait grinned as she opened the door for him to come in. "No but you don't normally stop by unless you need something." Cait cringed; she didn't mean that to come out as harsh as it did. "I'm sorry String. I didn't mean that the way it sounded. It's just that you don't come here too often for social visits."

"Fair enough and no need to apologize. I know what you meant and you have a point."

"Ok now that we have cleared that up, mind telling me what Michael wants us to do for the FIRM?"

String sat down on her couch. "We need to pick up a package and bring it back to Michael."

Cait went into her kitchen. "I was just making me some lunch. You want to join me while you fill me in on the details?"

String was glad she asked. Whatever she was making smelled good. The two eggs and piece of toast he had this morning were not lasting. "Sure, what are you making? It smells great?"

"Just some pasta with spinach, mushrooms, garlic and olive oil. Nothing fancy."

String smiled to himself. "Nothing fancy" everything Cait did she did it well. It was the first thing he noticed about her when he got to know her better. She was smart and talented but you didn't notice until you knew her because she was not one to flaunt it.

They both sat and enjoyed their lunch. String filled Cait in on the details of the mission.

"Sounds like we could encounter trouble from the Russians." She said a little worried.

"I looked up this town and viewed it and the surrounding area. This operative picked a good place to do this. If anyone was to approach in an air craft or car we'll know it right away. I think we will be safe."

"What time do we leave in the morning?"

"I thought I would pick you up at 9:00 am. Once we drop off the documents to Michael I'll take you to your folks. So pack your things and bring them with you tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me. The only thing we need to worry about is delivering me in Airwolf. That's all I need, having to spend Christmas explaining to my family why I am flying in a highly secretive helicopter that is loaded with weapons."

String laughed at the thought of her parents standing out on the porch as Cait exited the Lady. "I already took care of that. Michael said he will have a car waiting outside the ranch to take you in."

"You know you and Dom are welcome to join me at my parent's house if you like."

"I know we are but Dom has a dinner planned for the two of us. You just enjoy being with your folks."

Cait dropped the subject. She knew that Christmas was hard on String. He lost his parents at an early age and his brother St. John was still missing in action somewhere in Iraq. Dom was all he had these past years. She was glad he had at least that and would not be alone on Christmas.

AVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAV

Cait opened the door to String. "Ready?" He said taking the overnight bag she had sitting by the door.

"Yeah, I think that's everything. Oh, hold on I want to water my poinsettia before I leave." Walking into the kitchen she got a glass of water and carefully watered the plant. "Ok I'm ready now."

As they were driving to the lair String was looking over at Cait as she was looking out the window. Since she performed in the contest the other night they had not brought the subject up to each other.

"So, I take it you've had a lot of guys calling asking you out since you're now the reining "Miss Aviation" String said trying not to grin.

Cait laughed. "Are you going to tease me forever over that?"

"Forever" String thought. What would that be like being around Cait forever? "No I won't tease you anymore. I kinda liked the Cait I saw on the stage. I guess there's a side of you we don't know about."

Cait blushed. "It wasn't that big of a deal. I did that song in a skit with several other girls in my sorority."

"Oh yeah, did all the guys on the campus ask you out after that?"

Cait looked out the window and grinned. "Oh, a few." That at least answered her question. He did notice her that night. String acting on it was another thing. She doubted that would ever happen.

They arrived at the lair and started their preflight check in silence. Once completed String loaded Cait's things and they were on their way. They did not need to use turbos making the flight two hours long. The trip was also done in relative silence. Sting was not one for small talk and when he was flying it was even less. Cait watched the screen making them aware of every plane that was in the area. She was not going to give the Russians the benefit of the doubt.

Cait broke the silence."We are approaching the town. I have the grain tower on my screen. We should arrive in three minutes."

"Is the air space clear?"

"Checking now. It's clear. I have one car at the tower and one person."

String hovered over the tower as the man they were meeting peered out of the building looking in awe of the beautiful but deadly craft that hovered above.

"Cait do a facial recognition."

"Already done, it's him."

String landed but the man stayed in the building. Cait started to get out with String but he put his hand up to stop her.

"You stay with the Lady, be ready to take off in case this goes wrong."

"Ok" was her quite reply. She trusted Strings instinct. He was rarely wrong when he had a feeling something was not right.

String walked up to the man. He was American of Korean dissent. "You have a package for us?"

The man took out a pice of paper with a picture on it comparing it to String. "Yes, sorry I had to make sure I am turning this over to the right person."

"No problem but if you don't mind I'll take that picture. Can't be too careful."

"I understand" the man said handing him the picture. "May I ask who you have brought with you?"

"I prefer you don't. Let's just say that's my backup."

The man took out a brief case. String kept one hand on his gun in his belt. The man opened the case and took out a 9x12 sealed envelope. It was torn and dirty.

"Looks like it was hell trying to get this out of Korea?"

"Somewhat" the man said now feeling more at ease with String than before.

"You going to be ok?" String asked concerned.

"Yes, I don't believe I was followed but you never know."

"I would feel better if I escorted you out of here."

"I will be fine. I prefer to leave on my own if you don't mind. Nothing personal but in my line of work I trust no one."

"Suit yourself" String said as he held out his hand to shake his hand. "Be careful"

"You as well" the man said as he got into his car.

String walked back to the Lady as Cait was getting into the engineers seat. He handed her the package.

"Scan this just to be sure."

Cait took the package and ran the scanner over it. "It's clean."

"That went well" She said as she put her helmet back on.

"Yeah but I still don't like it."

"You think he will be OK driving off by himself?"

"No, he told me he didn't want us following him." String lifted off and headed in the direction the man took.

"So where are we going then?"

"To follow him"

They had only been in the air a few seconds when Cait spotted air traffic. "String I have in coming heading in fast. They are about twelve miles out. Bell Cobras and loaded. I have three now on the screen.

String followed the road until he spotted the operative's car ahead. The Cobras were bearing down on him as well.

"String they got a missile off. It's headed for his car.

String hit turbos crossing in-between the car and the missile effectively re-routing it towards Airwolf. Passing close to the lead Cobra he cut the engine pulling up and dropping back at the same time as the missile took out the first Cobra. Taking advantage of this the other two Cobras each had circled around coming in on both sides of Airwolf.

"String two missiles coming in at 10 and 2 o'clock. "

String got off one copperhead taking one of the missiles out. Within a second he had a missile off of his own headed for the second Cobra. Hitting turbos he was barely able to miss the second missile. The impact of the missile hitting close to Airwolf set alarms off in the cockpit.

"String, we are losing power and the third Cobra is headed back our way."

"Give me what you can Cait."

"I'm diverting power to the weapons system but it won't last long. You will need to set her down soon."

String lowed his visor sweeping at an angle under the remaining Cobra he caught the pilot off guard. He did not know how to react since no one had ever used a tactical move like it before. Trying to turn faster than he was able to the Cobra stalled sending the bird spiraling out of control crashing to the ground sending wreckage everywhere.

Now a different alarm was sounding. "String we need to land fast. I can't give you any more power to hold her up."

"Do you think we can make it back to the grain tower Cait."

Cait looked at her instrument panel. "Barley" was her reply.

String brought the Lady to a rough landing. As much as he loved flying he was never so glad to be back on land. They both got out as they pushed her into the tower. God was merciful Cait thought, she just fit inside and they were safe. Closing the door String grabbed hold of Cait.

"You ok?" He asked.

"I'm fine" was her reply.

String pushed her back so he could see her face. "Cait you're shaking, you're not fine."

"Sorry, it's just that was a close one. I'll be fine in a moment. Do you think there are others?"

"No if there were they would have been here by now. Right now I need to get hold of Michael and let him know what's going on."

String hug up his cell phone and filled Cait in on the details. It was getting colder outside and the wind was picking up.

"Michael said he has one of his people on the way to pick the documents up. He will take you back with him and Michael will see to it that you get home for Christmas."

"And what do you think you're going to do?" She asked standing with her feet apart firmly planted in the ground glaring at him.

"I'm staying with the Lady until we get her back in the air."

Now Cait was in his space with her finger pointing in his face. "If you think I'm going to just walk off and leave you out here alone you got another think coming buster."

String tensed his shoulders as he moved closer to her; he was going to put an end to this argument right now. Instead he found himself laughing at her.

"What's so funny she said looking down at her clothes to see if anything was out of place, next she felt her head to see if her hair was messed up and the reason for his laughter. This just made him laugh harder.

"String, tell me what you find so funny."

"You" he said sitting down on an old barrel. "What are you planning on doing with that finger? Nag me to death?"

Cait started to speak but stopped as she looked at her still pointing finger in his face.

"Now if you will put that finger away I'll have a rational conversation with you. I can't think with it in my face."

Cait took her hand down as her cheeks turned pink.

"Cait there is no way I'm going to let you stay here and miss Christmas with your family. It's bad enough a situation without the both of us being stranded. You are going back and that's the end of the conversation."

Cait opened her mouth to reply but String turned and put his finger on her lips. "Save your breath Cait, I'm not backing down on this one. There is a hotel in town that I can stay at. I think the lady will be safe here for the night."

"Fine" she said as she turned to face the other way. "How long until Michael will have someone here?"

"He said an hour. Until then I'll start a fire with some of this wood to help keep you warm. Although by the looks of the steam coming out of your ears right now I don't think you need it."

Cait tried to hold her laughter but couldn't.

An hour later they heard a helicopter land outside. String reached in Airwolf and pulled out her overnight bag. "Sounds like your ride is here."

Walking her out to the waiting pilot he put her bag in and handed the documents to him. Turning to kiss her goodbye he held her tight as he whispered in her ear. "I know you would stand by me no matter what and I want you to know I appreciate it. Not too many woman would willingly stay in this God forsaken place at Christmas to watch my back."

Cait kissed him back and got inside the waiting helicopter. String waved goodbye as he ran inside jumping into Airwolf to call Michael letting him know that his pilot was on the way. Hanging up the phone from Michael he sat there wishing he hadn't sent Cait away. He had no choice. Someone had to make the right decision. Gathering up his bag of extra clothes he kept in the back he decided to start his walk into town before it got too cold out. He had researched the town. It had one small hotel, two bars and a diner. All he would need to wait out his stay until the lady was repaired.