Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hawke awoke with a start as a shaft of sunlight peeked through the small gap in the curtains, illuminating the sleeping loft and the last of the burning embers left smouldering in the fire. He scraped a weary hand across his jaw as he looked down at the woman sleeping peacefully beside him and frowned. She'd slept fitfully, murmuring his and Dom's names and things incomprehensible even to his sharp ears, but was thankful that at least this nightmare had seemed less violent than the ones he'd been privy to in the last few months. Hawke reached out and swept the strawberry blonde hair splayed out across his pillow over her shoulder, indulging himself for a moment as he ran the pad of his finger gently down her neck, stopping when he reached the arch of her shoulder. Cait stirred, and rolled over taking the duvet with her, and he couldn't help but smile at the Texan cocooned in the warmth that it provided.

Hauling his bruised body out of bed, he stepped into his jeans and grabbed a shirt from the top of the wicker hamper, quickly buttoning it and pulling a jumper over his head as he padded down the stairs into the kitchen.

Hawke made fresh coffee and let Tet out as he leant against the porch rail, the crisp mountain air and quiet morning settling around him like a balm. The stillness crept into his bones, steadying his thoughts as he watched the mist curl off the lake and his gaze shifted up to the sky as he took a sip of coffee, watching the Eagle soar over the lake: it's cry haunting, yet welcoming him home. He watched as the Eagle dipped low, skimming across the surface before soaring off with fish writhing between it's talons, the ripples left behind widening in lazy circles. His gaze lingered there, but his mind drifted to Cait, who occupied most of his thoughts these days. She seemed further away lately, confiding in Michael and some stone-faced psychiatrist instead of him about her nightmares. It gnawed at him, knowing how much Colombia had shaken her, how witnessing Marella's grief amongst all the chaos had simply carved new scars, but all he could do was promise to be there for her in whatever small doses she would allow.

Finishing his coffee, Hawke turned back towards the cabin, deciding that an early morning fish was probably just what he needed.

Cait awoke slowly, blinking against the early morning light filtering through the curtains. The space beside her was empty and cold, the sheets still holding the faintest scent and warmth where Hawke had been. She guessed he slipped out early and let her sleep-something she was oddly grateful for. It has been the best nights sleep she'd had in months, free of nightmares, her mind finally quiet with his solid presence beside her.

Cait stepped into the shower, the rush of hot water cascading over her skin, but it did nothing to wash away the images seared into her mind. She leaned forward, one hand pressed against the cool tiles, her forehead resting heavily beside it as steam rose around her, the scent of lavender soap and water drowned out by the sharp clarity of the Hawke's bloodied face, the flicker of the dimming life in his eyes as she screamed his name and dragged him toward Airwolf, her hands slick from the crimson that's seeped from his flight suit, Then Marella, crumpled to the ground, her composure shattered as she knelt in front of the man she loved, cradling his face in her hands.

'What did they do to you?'

Cait made her way downstairs towel-drying her hair as the rich, familiar smell of coffee drifted through the air, wrapping around her like a hug she hadn't known she'd needed. Cait tossed the towel on the back of the couch and headed straight for the pot, pouring herself a cup before leaning back against the counter, staring out into the empty space. The place was quiet-too quiet and she immediately noticed Hawke's fishing gear missing; for the first time since she'd come to stay at the cabin, she found herself missing the whirlwind of chaos that was her L.A apartment: the never ending hum of traffic outside her window, Mrs Ludermeyer at number twelve, belting out opera through her open window at five am, and even grumpy old Mr Sipowitz being dragged down the street by his chihuahua Odin.

Cait forced back a fresh wave of tears as her throat closed on a sob and she slammed her mug down on the counter, watching as the coffee simply sloshed over the side.

Hawke made his way from the boat, the morning sun catching the glint of three large trouts swinging from his hand, his fishing gear balanced in the other. Tet scrambled ahead, claws clattering on the jetty's worn boards as they approached the cabin. The stillness of the lake had cleared Hawke's mind, and feeling a little lighter, he'd made a decision to wake Cait and treat her to breakfast. As he neared the door, banging and crashing erupted from inside and he paused, glancing down at Tet who cocked his head to one side in quiet curiosity.

"Yeah" Hawke muttered as he pushed open the door and let Tet slink in first, the blue tick hound padding straight to his usual spot on the hearth. Hawke set his gear down and looked up to find Cait rummaging fiercely through a cupboard, clearly taking no prisoners when it came to kitchen utensils.

"Cait? Hawke dropped the trout onto the counter and frowned as Cait continued her assault on the pots and pans. "Caitlin?"

He took a few steps forward, closing the space between them as he placed a hand gently on her shoulder and turned her to face him.

"Are you okay?" He asked roughly, as Cait finally met his gaze

"No Stringfella Hawke, I am not okay" Cait replied, folding her arms resolutely across her chest as Hawke dropped his arm. From his position on the hearth, Tet raised his head and surveyed the proceedings with interest.

"They were supposed to be gettin' married, Hawke!" Cait exclaimed, prodding an outstretched hand in his direction "They had plans. They had a future. And it was all just…. ripped apart"

Hawke sighed.

"They knew the risks when they took the mission" Hawke replied, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "And what it means being involved with someone in the same business"

Cait wondered at the incongruous remark.

"Maybe, but it still doesn't stop me bein' mad"

Hawke leant back against the counter and took a sip of coffee

'Well as long as it's not with me, I'm fine with that" Hawke gave her a quick wink, silently relieved that some of the old fire seemed to be back. "Just as long as you take it easy on the salad servers" Hawke gestured with his mug towards the offending implement, hanging half in and half out of the sink. Cait chewed on her lip as she stifled a small smile and seemingly satisfied that the situation no longer required his attention, Tet dropped his head back to the comfort of his paws.

"What the hell did Michael think he was doing huh? Sending them both in undercover" Cait said more to herself than Hawke.

"He did what he had to, you know that" Hawke replied "Marella's probably a whole lot worse knowing she might have prevented it"

Cait's hands dropped to her hips and she rolled her eyes to the ceiling, letting out a huff of frustration.

"I don't know, it kinda got me thinkin'"

Hawke placed his mug on the counter and took a step forward, his hands settling on the tops of her arms.

"Cait-"

"What if next time it's you, String" Cait replied, a tear pricking stubbornly at the corner of her eye as she lifted her gaze to meet his "All alone like that and…I can't get there in time-"

Her breath hitched, her fear laid bare in those few words.

"Hey" Hawke reached out and brushed the back of his hand across her cheek "Don't go thinkin' like that. Not you"

Cait nodded and forced a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Then with a quickness that felt almost like retreat, she turned back towards the kitchen

"Are you hungry? I could make some eggs" Hawke frowned at her abruptly bright tone

"Actually, I thought we could pick up Le and grab some breakfast at Ozzie's before we head to the hangar" Hawke replied, watching her as she busied herself re-tidying the already clean work surface. "Help Dom with the repairs on the Jet Ranger"

"Fine" Cait replied, the soft texan lilt curling unexpectedly around the single word. "I guess it saves me cooking, even though I wasn't the first up" She threw Hawke a pointed look over her shoulder and turned back to her needless fussing.

"Caitlin-" Hawke growled and in a flash of irritation, grabbed a fistful of the soft purple sweater he given her last Christmas. He tugged her gently but firmly back towards him "Would you please stop that and look at me"

Cait threw the dish towel on the side and turned to face him, arms crossed, defiant and vulnerable all at once.

"What?" Her eyes searched eyes of cerulean blue. Hawke swallowed hard and moved his hands deep into his jeans pockets.

"You wanna talk about it?" He asked

"Talk about what?" Cait replied, her eyes wide and guarded.

"These nightmares you've been havin'. The mission to Colombia. Whatever's been eatin' away at you these last few months"

"String-"

"Dom cares about you" Hawke replied quickly, cutting her off "I care about you, Cait. I-" Hawke cleared his throat, smothering the words that had almost slipped out and scraped a hand across his jaw "We know you're goin' through a rough time. Dom and I are here for you, whenever you need."

Cait's expression softened. She knew what it had cost him to lower his defences, to even open that door knowing how much it could hurt once it swung wide open.

"I know that" Cait said softly, stepping towards him and placing a hand on his chest, toying with a button on his shirt. "You and Dom have always been there for me, and I will, I promise" Cait looked up at him as he slid his hand over hers. "But it's kinda easier talkin' someone who isnt so-"

"Close?" Hawke offered and a small smiled tugged at her lips.

"Yeah. I guess I'm just not ready yet. I don't even think you're ready. I just need you to be patient. Can you do that?"

Hawke looked down at her, lost for a moment in a her wide, honest eyes.

"Sure. I can do that" Hawke replied quietly.

Cait slid her hand from underneath Hawke's and he frowned briefly at the loss.

"Now, I believe you promised me breakfast? Or are you reneging on the offer?" Cait raised a delicate eyebrow

"Hey, I'm if nothing else, a man of my word" Hawke replied with a chuckle

"Great, but do me a favour first and take a shower" Cait replied with a genuine smile, spinning him around and shoving him towards the stairs "I could smell the fish all the way up the jetty!"

AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW

A couple of hours later, Hawke turned the Santini Jeep into the parking lot of the strip mall that housed Ozzie's diner, a familiar spot located just a couple of blocks from the airfield. In the back, Le drummed enthusiastically on the doorframe, his stomach already growling in anticipation of Ozzie's famous Strawberry and Blueberry pancakes, and the extra few Ozzie always snuck onto his plate when he thought no-one was looking.

"I said we'd be there by four" Cait said, the morning sun glinting off the windshield as Hawke turned the jeep into a parking spot outside the diner and killed the ignition.

"Four? Why so early? The place doesn't open til seven" Hawke replied sourly, already regretting the commitment.

Le watched the brewing tension for a moment before jumping out of the jeep with a smile, disappearing into the diner in a blur of teenage energy.

"Because we offered to help Doc and Anna get ready for the grand opening" Cait said, opening her door and climbing out. "Doc says there's still a lot to do before Friday"

"Figures" Hawke mumbled, slamming his door with more force than necessary and followed her at a slower pace towards the diner "And you offered to help. I may have other plans"

Cait stopped at the door, her expression unreadable behind her sunglasses.

'Do you?"

Hawke looked away with a scowl.

"I thought so" Cait replied, patting his chest lightly as she brushed past him "You never know-it might be fun"

Hawke lingered outside for a moment longer, mentally rifling through plausible illnesses he could fake or any last minute charters he could claim as urgent that would keep him well away from the noisy, crowded bar that Cait would readily accept. Defeated, he sighed and stepped inside.

Hawke blinked against the morning sunlight streaming through the tall windows along one side of the airy space. Sliding off his aviators, he saw the place was almost full, every table taken by familiar faces-locals and Airfield regulars sipping their coffee, their attention half captured by the local news channel on a small tv above the counter. The booths along the windows were a patchwork of conversation and laughter, the hum of voices blending with the comforting clink of cutlery, the smell of sizzling bacon and shouts from Caesar in the kitchen.

A myriad of framed photographs adorned the walls; one of Dom and Ozzie on a fishing trip, arms slung around each other as they proudly held up their catch, another with his arm around Cait and Le kneeling on the ground in front of Dom smiling with Ozzie and Gina outside the cabin, the kind of photo that made you stop and smile.

"Ah! my second and third favourite customers!"

A portly man in his late fifties with slicked back hair and a faded blue apron stretched comfortably across his middle spread his arms in welcome as Hawke followed Cait into the diner.

"Mornin' Ozzie" Cait said with a warm smile. Hawke gave his usual nod of greeting, already glancing over to their usual booth by the window. Le was there, immersed in the menu, despite ordering the same thing every time.

'How's Gina?" Cait asked, as Ozzie turned to lead them through the tables. Cait smiled and waved at Joe Henderson sat at one of the tables "I haven't seen her around in a while"

"Ah, her darn hip's playin' her up again" Ozzie replied with a sigh, although there was affection beneath the weariness. "The Doc says she needs to rest, but you know Gina, she thinks rest is the same as jail time"

Cait caught Hawke's eye as they slid into the booth across from Le.

"I know the type" she replied, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Would you say hi for me?"

"You got it Caitey!" Ozzie guffawed loudly, his eyes crinkling at the sides "So, what can I get y'all?" Ozzie flipped open his well-worn order pad, pencil poised. "Usuals?"

"Yeah, thanks Oz" Hawke replied, settling back against the booth with a slight wince.

"Alright then, eggs Florentine, waffles and bacon and Ozzie's pancakes comin' right up" Ozzie said "And I'll throw in some French toast for Dom"

"And coffee" Cait added, lifting a finger. 'Don't forget the coffee"

As Cait and Le slipped into easy conversation about school and the latest computer game he'd played at Billy's, their laughter soft and familiar, Ozzie leaned in towards Hawke with a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"So-" he said low enough not to be overheard "When are you gonna put that lovely lady out of her misery and earn me a few bucks?"

Hawke blinked, caught off guard

"What are you talkin' about?" Hawke asked, brow furrowing. Ozzie chuckled, tapping his pencil against his thigh. "Me and Gina- y'see..we all got a little bet going on how long it will take ya to finally get that beautiful lady there down the aisle" He gave Hawke a quick slap on the shoulder and wandered off to greet his new customers, leaving Hawke half amused, half stunned and entirely unsure what to do with the sudden heat creeping up the back of his neck.

Cait and Le's chatter faded into white noise as Ozzie disappeared into the kitchen and in the middle of composing himself, Hawke's instincts suddenly prickled; something felt off. His gaze drifted around the room, snagging on a lone diner seated at a corner table near the back. He wore a grubby blue baseball cap pulled low over his eyes, his head dipped into the L.A Courier, and a half eaten breakfast burrito growing cold on a plate in front of him. Hawke frowned, he didn't recognise him, which was odd in a place like Ozzie's where strangers tended to get noticed. He watched the man for a beat longer then shook his head. He was probably just passing through.

"So what do you think, Uncle String?"

Le's voice yanked his attention back to the table.

"Huh? About what?" Hawke asked, grimacing slightly as he shifted, glaring at Cait's reproachful look across the booth.

"Never mind. Are you hurt?" Le asked, giving the pilot a quick once over, concern flickering in his dark eyes.

"Nah, I'm fine" Hawke assured him, draping his arm over the back of the seat and folding his battered body into a position that looked casual enough to avoid suspicion. "So tell me, kid- just how did you sneak into Michael's office huh?.."

After dropping Le off at the dojo for his Karate class, Hawke pulled up at the hangar. It was unusually quiet for a Saturday, only a couple of sleek, privately owned jets idled on the tarmac and the surrounding hangars stood still and empty apart from Kevin tinkering around with the Hughes.

"Hey Dom!" Hawke called as he and Cait entered the hangar. A muffled grunt came from beneath the Jet Ranger, followed by the sound of a creeper rolling back across the floor. Dom emerged, grease-smeared and scowling up at them.

"What time do you call this? Did I or did I not say ten o'clock?" He asked, struggling to his feet. "We were supposed to go over the details for the stunt on Monday"

Hawke and Cait exchanged a glance.

"I'm so sorry, Dom" Cait offered a sheepish smile "It's my fault. I-"

"We kinda lost track of time" Hawke cut her off.

"Oh?" Dom replied, his voice rising an octave "You kinda lost track of time. Well I guess that's okay then"

His bushy brows lowered, almost covering his eyes.

"I expected it from him, but not you, missy. What d'ya think I'm running here, huh? A drop-in centre?" Dom groused, his tone shifting as his eyes lingered on the dark shadows beneath hers. The gruffness softened just a little as the telephone shrilled impatiently in the office "Well..uh… now that you're both here, you can make yourselves useful"

With a grunt, Dom dumped a wrench in Cait's hand as he barrelled past, muttering something sharp in Italian as Hawke ducked his head to hide a smile.

"Why do I get the feelin' I'm sixteen all over again and just got chewed out by Mother Santini for bein' home late?" Cait asked as she strolled over to Hawke's side.

"Probably because we were" Hawke smirked, handing Cait his mug. She took a sip, both watching as Dom yelled down the receiver, gesticulating wildly like a man trying to summon a storm. Cait handed the wrench and mug to Hawke as Dom slammed down the receiver and hauled his tired body round to face the white board that displayed the days schedule.

"I'd better go and get changed" Cait said, already heading for the newly added locker room. They exchanged a brief, knowing look before she vanished through the door.

Dom stalked back into the hangar and noting Cait's absence, his eyes narrowed on the younger man as he folded his arms across his chest.

"So, d'ya mind tellin' me the real reason you're over an hour late?"

"I let her sleep" Hawke replied, careful to omit the part where she'd spent the night in his bed sleeping next to him. "The whole Marella thing hit her real hard"

"It's understandable" Dom replied "I don't mind tellin' ya, when I saw those scanners, well I don't know how Marella held it together"

'She's a professional" Hawke said roughly, swallowing the lump in his throat as he still felt the bullet ricochet off Airwolfs armour plating far too close to Cait for his comfort. "She does what she has to"

"Ain't that the truth" Dom jammed his red satin baseball cap over his wispy grey hair. "And the nightmares?"

"Better" Hawke replied, leaning back against the workbench "….She's seeing a FIRM shrink"

Dom's bushy brows lowered

" Funny. Cait didn't say anything"

Hawke scraped his free hand across his jaw

"She was doubting her judgement after the Colombia mission, then there was the accident… " Hawke replied, gesturing towards the older pilot with his mug "Maybe she was afraid we would too if she told us"

"Why-she wouldn't-" Dom blustered disbelievingly, until he caught Hawke's steady gaze. His eyes widened. "Mama Mia-we would never….Weller was nothin' but a traitor and a low down, lousy rotten snake. That guy had us all fooled, that's for sure"

"That's what I told her"

Dom replied with an emphatic nod.

"Even so, it still burns she turned to Archangel"

"Yeah" Hawke muttered as he stared down miserably into his lukewarm coffee, wondering if it was the drink or the name that had left the lingering bitter taste in his mouth. He glanced in the direction of the locker room.

"I just hope she knows how much she to me"

Hawke looked back at Dom and for a brief moment, the older man saw the vulnerable ten year old boy he'd taken in and raised all those years ago. He reached out and put a reassuring hand on Hawke's shoulder.

"She knows it, kid" Dom flashed him a gap tooth grin "She knows"

"Thanks Dom" Hawke replied, a small smile teasing the corner of his lips

Dom nodded and squeezed his shoulder just as the low rumble of a car engine had both men turning towards the doorway.

"Uh-oh. Incoming!" Dom announced as the familiar white limo came to a jolting stop outside. Lydia, dressed elegantly in a white blouse and skirt, her chestnut hair neatly plaited down her back, stepped out with practiced grace and moved swiftly to the rear of the vehicle. Moments later, Michael clambered out of the backseat, noticeably lacking his usual poise, his expression tight and his brows drawn in a way that could only spell trouble.

"Why, Good morning Michael" Hawke greeted sweetly, arms folded as the white clad spy limped purposefully towards them.

"That remains to be seen" Michael bit back, adjusting his stride with a wince. "Gentlemen"

He tipped his Panama hat in greeting, though the gesture carried more sarcasm than civility.

"I'm guessin' this aint a social call" Dom said flatly, his expression darkening as he folded his arms across his expansive chest. "Couldn't this wait until Monday?"

Michael gave a dry chuckle, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with one finger.

"Considering the fact that you managed to destabilize an entire Government in one evening forbids me that particular pleasure. So no, it cannot wait until Monday"

"So? What's the problem? You got what you wanted" Hawke said gruffly, not bothering to hide his irritation.

"Yes, but at what cost?" Michael snapped "I've just spent the last twelve hours getting my tail trounced by everyone from the president down, after cleaning up the mess you left behind in Cuba. Literally and politically!"

"You know I don't care much for politics" Hawke muttered, staring past Michael toward the hangar doors.

Michael let out an exasperated breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Damn it Hawke! This is serious! Some of the guests in that villa you wiped out of existence included federal judges and United States congressmen! You were damn lucky they made it out alive- because otherwise we'd be having an entirely different conversation!"

"So what did you expect us to do huh?" Hawke growled, his temper rising "Knock politely and wait to be invited in?!"

Hawke's hard gaze met Michael's and the icy blast across the space between them caught even the spy by surprise.

"If that's true, what the hell were they doing hangin' around a hood like Hererra anyway?" Dom asked, his brows dropping until they almost covered his eyes.

"That's classified information" Michael shifted awkwardly on the spot.

"It always is" Hawke replied, and years of training were all that kept Michael from flinching at the edge in his voice.

Hawke stepped forward, his blue eyes locked on the spy's.

"You can rag on us all you want, Michael, but what you have not yet told me is- who gave the order for Zebra Squad?"

Michael shifted, glancing over his shoulder at Lydia.

"I'm looking into it"

"Not good enough, Michael. We could have all been blown straight to hell!" Hawke growled, his patience starting to wear thin.

"I know that, Hawke! I've got my best people working on it round the clock"

Hawke rocked back on his heels.

"Your best people, huh?" He retorted, remembering vividly the time he had to shoot one of Michael's aides. Hawke's voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone.

"Face it, Archangel. You jumped the gun and we were forced to make our own moves. Caitlin and Marella could have been killed. John Deacon was."

"Wait-You think I gave the order? You're certifiable!" Michael spluttered "Why would I deliberately put my own people at risk? You know me Hawke"

Hawke didn't blink

"Ive been askin' myself the same question" Hawke replied, his voice unreadable. He chose-for now- not to mention they already knew the entire mission hadn't been sanctioned by the Committee. That particular card would stay close to his chest.

"I thought I heard voices"

Dom and Hawke turned, and Michael glanced over Hawke's shoulder as Cait emerged from the locker room, dressed in her red coveralls and favourite tennis shoes, her strawberry-blonde hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. Hawke's expression immediately softened, a subtle shift but not one that escaped the spy's notice. As she walked toward them, Hawke's brow creased slightly. He suspected she'd been crying. If she had, she was doing a damn good job of hiding it. Still, something about her eyes or the way she held herself tugged at his chest. He rubbed at it absently, wondering just how much of the conversation she'd overheard.

"How's Marella?" Cait asked gently.

"Doing well under the circumstances" Michael replied.

"If she wants some company-"

"I'm sure she would" A warm smile briefly crossed his face, genuine and teased with fondness, and he hoped for his physical health that Hawke hadn't noticed.

'I'll have Lydia set it up" He added quickly, clearing his throat.

Cait looked between the men, her eyes narrowing as she picked up on the simmering tension hanging in the air like smoke after a firefight.

"Okay, what's goin' on?" She demanded, jamming her hands on her hips.

"Nothin'" Hawke replied flatly, his jaw tight. "Michael was just leaving"

"Leavin'? He's only just got here"

Hawke didn't flinch. He kept his eyes on Cait, his tone softening only slightly

"Its not your problem"

"That's funny" She replied, arching a brow, "because it feels like my problem when it involves the mission I was on, the people I care about, and the fact I nearly got killed"

Dom let out a low whistle

"Well, she aint wrong"

Hawke scowled

"So, why are you here?" Hawke asked, crossing his arms as his eyes narrowed on the spy. He was tense, like a coiled spring. "Because it's not to enquire about the state of our health"

Michael glanced at Lydia who handed him a briefcase. He opened it to reveal a monitor surrounded by chasing coloured lights, that reminded him of the sat phone he had at the cabin. Hawke unfurled his arms and glanced over his shoulder at Dom who pushed himself off the Jet Ranger that he'd been leaning on.

"I could be brought up on some heavy charges for this" The spy said, something flashing in his good eye before it quickly vanished.

"What is it, Michael?" Cait asked, her hazel eyes widening. "Is it the microdot we recovered?"

Michael nodded

"You told me it was just schematics" Hawke replied sharply, gesturing towards the spy. "Blueprints. Military grade, sure, but nothin' more"

"I was wrong"

There was a heavy pause before Michael continued.

"My people managed to crack the encryption on the microdot. It wasn't easy. The encoding was decades ahead of anything that we've seen. Someone didn't want this getting out"

"Get to the point" Hawke bit out. Lydia's delicate fingers flew across the keyboard and the screen flickered to life, several schematics and blueprints looming into view for highly advanced weapons systems, drone schematics, missile guidance updates.

"God in heaven" Cait muttered under her breath. Hawke's steely gaze remained fixed on the screen. Beneath the schematics, there was another layer- a series of journal entries, partial audio logs and a list of names.

"Not only are the designs legitimate, but the microdot also contains a personal log" Michael continued "Fragmented, but clearly intentional. It had to have be written by someone deep on the inside"

Michael tapped the keyboard and a photograph flashed up.

"Oh my God, String!" Dom exclaimed "That's-"

"I know who it is" Hawke's eyes flashed imperceptibly, but he remained silent, his fists clenched at his side.

"St. John" Michael finished. Cait moved from her place behind the workbench and stood beside Hawke, covering his hand with her own. Cait felt him relax slightly as Michael continued.

"There are references to movements, missions that were never on record. Locations only your brother could have known. Someone was tracking him-or he was documenting something he wasn't supposed to"

"You think St. John encoded this himself?" Dom asked

"It's possible" Michael replied non-committaly "Or someone close to him. Either way, this isn't just about stolen tech anymore. This is personal, Hawke. Someone is trying to send a message"

"Or hide one" Cait supplied. Michael gave a small nod of agreement.

Hawke took a deep breath

"If they used him…or hurt him in any way-" Hawke's tone, was low and dangerous, his mind a tangled mess trying to process the new information. What they thought was a simple recovery mission, could turn out to be so much more.

"Then we find out who. But we have to be smart about this, Hawke. Whoever orchestrated this has eyes everywhere. They've been two steps ahead so far"

Hawke felt Cait shiver next to him and he gently linked their fingers.

"We'll find them, kid" Dom said, putting a meaty hand on Hawke's shoulder "We always do"

Hawke gestured towards the briefcase with his free hand.

"You got audio on that thing?"

AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW

A hush fell over the group as Lydia tapped away on the keyboard, patching the corrupted audio log through the tiny speakers. There was a brief burst of static before a voice cut through, distorted, male and very familiar.

"…if….hearing this….means I failed. I…..too close. The project…not just weapons…leverage. Names…movements…families…building something bigger….underground….disappear….don't trust anyone"

Dom shifted uneasily and Hawke remained eerily still, staring at the speaker as he fought back a tear. He squeezed Cait's hand a little tighter, her steady presence grounding him.

"They…files on us. Data…Habits…people we love. Dom…you, String….Caitlin…"

Hawke's jaw tightened at the mention of her name.

"They…photo's…surveillance shots…personal information. Caitlin's background…police service record…psyche evaluations…medical…Be careful little brother…"

There was another burst of static before a harsh click cut the recording short.

Hawke swallowed hard as Cait and Dom stood in a stunned silence.

"I'm afraid there's more"

Michael hit another key and a set of images burst onto the screen. The first one hit like a punch.

It was Cait at a picnic, sitting on a blanket next to Hawke, smiling, her hair flowing loosely around her shoulders. The image moved on, this time one of her at the fruit market, and the next with Le at the hangar followed by one at her yoga class. It was the last one that had Cait moving towards the monitor. A telephoto lens shot of her through the cabin window.

"That's my medical file" Cait said softly, almost to herself. "How the hell did they get this?"

"Cait-" Dom said as she swivelled round to face Michael

"They've been watching me. In the woods. In my home, Michael. These aren't just old photo's. They're recent. That's what I wore last Tuesday"

Hawke stepped forward, his voice low and tight.

"Cait-I didn't know. I would've told you the second-"

"I know you would" Cait replied with a small smile "But if they've been watching me..how long have they been watching us?"

Hawke shook his head

"I don't know, but it's time I came up with a few surprises at the cabin" Hawke replied, scraping a hadn't across his jaw. Cait turned to face Michael

"How long have I been a target?"

"Near as I can tell, at least six months" Michael replied, That's how far back the log goes. Could be longer. There's a high probability they're using your proximity to Hawke for leverage"

"So I'm just a pawn"

"No, you're family. That's why they're targeting you, honey" Dom replied firmly "Because they know what you mean to us"

The hangar fell into silence as Cait turned back to the images, and something shifted behind her eyes. Shock gave way to resolve.

"Then lets show them they picked the wrong person"

"That's my girl" Dom replied, giving Cait a wink as a gap toothed grin spread across his face.

Michael lifted his head

"Now wait a minute-"

"We're not waiting" Hawke replied gruffly "We hit back. Hard"

"You do that and they'll know you're coming. They want you angry. They want you reactive"

"Good" Hawke replied, his blue eyes twinkling "Lets give 'em what they want-just not how they expect it"

"You said my file had a trace route" Cait said "Can we track who accessed it?"

"Maybe" Michael replied, pushing his glasses up his nose "But it's dangerous. We'd have to bait them. Trick them into reaching out again"

Cait nodded slowly.

"Then use me as bait-"

"No" Hawke replied, his tone suggesting this wan't up for debate. Cait looked up and blue eyes collided with hers.

"I'm already in this, Hawke. We need to draw them out and I'm damned if I'm gonna look over my shoulder every time I go to the grocery store"

"She's got a point, String" Dom replied quietly.

"I'm sensing there's a but-" Cait folded her arms as she turned to face Dom. His craggy features fell under her piercing gaze as he leant against the bulkhead.

'I've already put in the call" Michael said evenly "We have a secure FIRM facility outside Barstow. It's heavily fortified, off the grid. We move Cait there tonight. No-one unauthorized gets within two miles of the perimeter"

Hawke shook his head.

"No"

Michael blinked, calm but clearly not surprised.

"I don't think you understand the level of exposure here, Hawke. Her data was in a system that shouldn't exist. Someone with high-level access compiled it- and they're using it to get to you"

"Exactly" Hawke replied firmly "That's why Cait's safer at the cabin. With me"

Michael chuckled, smoothing his moustache in an effort to conceal his smile.

"You think backwards isolation and a couple of bolt locks are going to stop whoever's behind this?"

Hawke bristled

'That's my problem. She'll have eyes on her every second. My eyes. I trust that more than a coupl-a nameless guards behind a concrete wall"

Cait's gaze shifted between Hawke and Michael and she rolled her eyes.

"Hey fella's, does the little lady get a say in all of this?"

"No" All three men replied in unison, and Cait couldn't help but smile at the memory.

"He is right though"

All eyes shifted to Cait.

"If they're willing to bait Hawke with his brother and with me, then these guys are serious. This isn't random surveillance, it's a message. If I disappear into a bunker, they'll know we're rattled. That gives them the upper hand. We should carry on as normal"

"'Normal' could get you killed" Dom replied darkly.

" I know that, Dom, but I want to face it. I'm not running"

Michael tapped his rosewood cane on the floor.

"You understand the risk?"

"Yeah I do" Cait replied "Better than most. But hidin' won't make it go away-it'll just delay whatever they're planning. I'll stay with Hawke. We keep our routine. If they've done a thorough job then they'll know I've been stayin' at the cabin. We'll keep our eyes open and if they come for me-" She felt Hawke stiffen beside her "We'll be ready"

Hawke looked at her, his gaze softening.

"You sure?"

'Yeah" Cait replied without hesitation "I'd rather be close to someone I trust than locked away by people I don't know"

Hawke looked back at the spy

"There's your answer, Michael"

"Then we set parameters" Michael continued after a pause. "Check-in's every two hours. Coded channels only. I'll assign aerial overwatch out of sight range. If anything moves near the perimeter of the cabin, I'll know"

"And we stay mobile" Dom added "If they're watchin' one of us, they're watchin' all of us"

"Fine. But understand this: if they come after Cait, they won't do it halfway. You'll need to be one step ahead"

"We will be" Hawke inclined his head in reply.

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Hawke stood on the cabin porch, leaning against the rail as he sipped his coffee. His eyes followed Le and Tet as they chased each other across the clearing, rolling and wrestling in the grass like siblings on a summer afternoon.

Cait stepped out on the porch, her arms crossed over her light purple sweater as she watched the teenager and blue tick hound with a small, tired smile.

"They look like they're havin' fun"

"Yeah" Hawke replied without looking away. Le needs someone who can keep up with him. Tet's the only one who doesn't mind gettin' bowled over a dozen times a day"

The light breeze in the air suddenly shifted.

"You've been thinkin' about him"

"St. John?" Hawke replied, mildly surprised she'd brought it up.

"Yeah"

Hawke handed his mug to Cait and she took a sip as Tet bounded around Le in circles.

"Every day I wanted to believe he was out there, Cait. Alive. That someday he'd show up on the ridge with some smartass story about where he'd been… and why he never called"

Cait put her hand on Hawke's arm and looked over at him softly.

"You think he left that log for you?"

"I don't know" Hawke replied with a shake of his head. "But someone put it there for a reason, and I don't know who or why"

Cait stepped closer, bumping her shoulder with his

"We'll figure it out"

Their gaze caught and held.

"C'mon" Hawke said finally, taking a step back and tipping his head towards the door. "Le said he's fixin' dinner. Figured we should supervise before he ends up seasoning somethin' with jet fuel" Cait wrinkled her nose as she remembered Le's last escapade in the kitchen. She didn't know it was possible for someone to set fire to pasta.

"Lets go"

The freshly lit fire roared in the hearth, bathing the living room in a warm, amber glow as Le stood at the work surface, his dark eyes focussed on chopping the onion under Cait's watchful eye. Tet padded over to the fire, folding his weary body on the hearth as Hawke rounded the bar and pulled out a bottle of wine.

"I'm not putting in too much garlic this time" Le said proudly as he scooped up the onions and dumped them in the pan "I remembered"

"That's growth" Cait replied with a grin

"We'll see when we taste it" Hawke replied, ignoring Cait's admonishing look as he poured two glasses of wine.

"Quit teasing, Uncle String" Le paused and looked up, hesitant

"Can I ask something?"

"Why of course you can, sugar" Cait replied. Le put his knife down on the counter and carefully wiped his hands on the dish towel.

'Well you know, school's almost out for summer-"

Hawke made his way to the kitchen and handed Cait a glass of wine.

"And I love spending time with you guys, but would it be okay if I went to summer camp this year? It looks so cool, not that hanging out at the hangar with you, Dom and Ev is boring-"

They smiled at the teenager as the words tumbled out. "Please?"

"Relax, kid. I already signed you up. Figured you'd ask" Hawke replied, warming at the excitement on Le's face

"Really?"

"Yep, Camp Echo Ridge. Hiking, Archery, Kayaking. Full package"

Hawke took a sip of wine as he watched Le do a fist pump. Truthfully, camp couldn't have come at a better time. With everything going on, Le would be safer away in Colorado and a variable that Hawke didn't have to factor into the equation.

"Thanks Uncle String!" Le exclaimed, beaming "But I will miss you all"

"We'll miss you too, Half-Pint" Hawke replied with a smirk. "But you'll be back before you know it. And Tet'll have the couch all to himself"

From his position on the hearth, Tet lifted his head and cocked it to one side.

Le bounded over to the hound and ruffled between his ears before returning to his work, finishing the last few slices of onion with a flourish.

"Now we need mushrooms" Le headed to the pantry as Cait took a sip of wine.

"That was a nice thing you did"

"Thought he could use the distraction" Hawke replied, picking up the knife Le left behind and casually taking over his abandoned chopping duties.

Le reappeared before Cait could say any more and dumped the mushrooms on the counter.

"Can I call Sarah and Reece?. Tell them about camp?"

"Sure" Hawke replied, inclining his head towards the cabinet where the sat phone lived. "Just don't stay on too long"

"I won't"

"Le grabbed the sat phone from the cabinet, leaving the door wide open in his haste and leapt up the stairs two at a time.

"Wow. He gets the sat phone now too?" Cait asked, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Only on weekends and crises" Hawke replied with a wink as he dropped the chopped mushrooms into the pan.

"Good thing we've got both"

"Yeah"

They smiled at each other, warm despite the uncertainty that still hung around the edges.

Cait stepped away, turning on the stove as Hawke leant back against the counter, taking a healthy gulp of wine as he watched the Texan move around his kitchen.

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Michael sat in his sleek, white chair facing the windows, a crystal tumbler of whiskey in one hand as the fiery glow of the California sunset poured through the glass, illuminating his dim office. He took a moment to savour the view, long and unbroken- mountains, haze and the sinking sun bleeding orange across the skyline.

Behind him, the door to his office clicked open and Marella walked in, composed as ever dressed in a white tailored blazer and pencil skirt. She crossed the room and placed a file silently on his desk.

"Haven't you heard of knocking?" Michael asked, without any real heat behind the words as he rolled the glass between his fingers, the glass refracting gold and crimson.

"Here are the updated decrypts," Marella replied, not bothering to apologize as she stood beside him. 'Audio confirmation came through this afternoon"

Michael didn't move.

"And?"

"The voice is consistent with St. John Hawke's known samples. Cadence matches, Tonal drift similar, but-"

Michael turned slightly, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

"But you're not convinced"

"No, Sir, and neither are you" Marella replied as Michael swirled his whiskey once and took a slow sip.

"Digital masks are getting better. The research into deepfakes, audio splicing. With the right knowledge and resources, you can fake a man's voice and fool his own brother"

"Which means the message could be a trap"

Michael nodded.

"That's what worries me"

Marella turned to look out of the window as the last rays dipped lower, the orange light fading to a blood-red rim.

"You're taking a risk Michael. Flushing out whoever's at the top. We don't know how far this goes"

Michael lowered his glass

"John gave his life for this. So did Sasha. I'm not letting it end with more bodies in unmarked graves"

Marella bowed her head, knowing he wasn't just talking about John and Sasha.

"Is it worth Hawke's life? Caitlin's? Or Dominic's?"

The room was still, the sun just barely clinging to the horizon.

"The only advantage we have is, Hawke doesn't know the odds"

Marella turned to face him, the concern behind her eyes breaking through her usual mask of professionalism.

"That's not an advantage, that's a bet"

Michael stared down into his glass and drained the last of his whiskey. He replaced the glass on his desk carefully, almost reverently.

"If I tell him the truth-everything I suspect-he'll walk straight into the fire alone. If I keep him in the dark, maybe…just maybe…we can get to the truth before the fire gets to him"

"And if it does?"

Michael closed his eye for a moment, then opened it again, calm, hard and decided.

"Then we make damn sure it burns the people responsible"

Chapter Text

In a low-lit subterranean space, cold and clinical-just like the man himself, Colonel Lynch stood with his arms behind his back, the hum of filtered ventilation the only constant sound beneath the flicker of a wall of monitors. One screen showed random satellite feed footage and another was paused on a grainy still of Airwolf and the third looped an audio recording that had recently been decrypted by Archangel and his team. His gaze, granite hard watched the audio wave pulse on the screen like a heartbeat.

“…if….hearing this….means I failed. I…..too close. The project…not just weapons…leverage. Names…movements…families…building something bigger….underground….disappear….don’t trust anyone”

Behind him, Jensen stepped cautiously into the room.
“Sir-?”
Lynch didn’t turn
“Status on O’Connor?”
“Still in the ICU” Jensen replied “No official visitors- FBI’s locked it down. Internal Affairs is calling it a friendly fire incident pending review”
“Excellent” Lynch replied ‘And Cullen?”
“Gone. No trace since Airwolf hit the villa” Jensen shifted on the spot as his hand found the zippo lighter wedged deep in his pocket. His fingers toyed with it as a bead of sweat pricked at the corner of his brow.
“Marshall tagged him in the shoulder to let Hawke’s lady friend and Archangel’s operative escape with the microdot. We assume he went to ground”
Lynch turned slowly, his gaze fixed like a Hawke on the young man’s face.
“You don’t assume, Jensen. You confirm”
Jensen flinched and quickly nodded.
“Yes, Sir”
Lynch walked over to the desk and pulled open the drawer, removing a floppy disc. He inserted it into the drive on one of the monitors and watched as a profile of Special Agent Ryan O’Connor appeared, hospital image, badge photo and red-stamped clearance level.

“Agent O’Connor wasn’t supposed to live long enough to file a report. His survival is a problem”
Lynch turned back to the screens, the distorted voice of St. John Hawke staring back at him, mocking him.
“And Cullen was supposed to stay buried. Now I have Hawke chasing ghosts and Coldsmith-Briggs stirring the ashes”
Lynch straightened his cuffs and turned back to Jensen.
“Escalate asset pressure. Watch Briggs’s inner circle. If he moves towards Hawke again, I want a shadow on the ground and a gun in the air”
Jensen nodded, running a hand through his dark curls.
“Understood. And the woman?”
Lynch paused.
“Collateral if necessary. But not yet.”
Jensen swallowed hard and nodded as he stepped backwards towards the door.
“And find Marshall” Lynch called after him “Tell him I want Cullen’s body-or what’s left of it. No more loose ends”

Lynch turned back to the monitors, staring at the the paused frame of Airwolf’s silhouette against the desert sky.
“You should have stayed in the mountains, Stringfellow Hawke” Lynch muttered to himself “Now you’re flying straight into hell itself”

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Mist still clung to the treetops as Hawke stood next to the old stump just beyond the cabin porch, his breath exhaling in plumes on the brisk, morning air. He brought the axe down in a clean, practiced swing and the log split in half with a satisfying crack.
He bent down to set another when he sensed someone approaching.
“You’re up early”
He looked up to see Cait pad barefoot down the steps of the porch, her hair tousled, sleep soft, wearing one of his plaid shirts, rolled up past her elbows and a pair of sleep shorts. The shirt hung loose, the hem grazing her thighs.
“Didn’t sleep much” Hawke admitted as Cait picked up another log and handed it to him. He yanked his gaze away from Cait and set the log.
“Yeah me either”
“Le awake?”
“Not yet”
Cait watched as he brought the axe down with a resounding thwack.
“How long can we pretend things are normal?” Cait asked, looking out over the stillness of the lake as the eagle soared overhead.
“As long as we have to” Hawke replied, without looking up as he grabbed another log from the pile.
Cait smiled faintly
“That’s a very ‘Hawke’ answer”
Hawke finally looked at her-really looked at her as the early morning light filtered through the trees and across the lake, catching the golden strands in her hair, the gentle curve of her smile, the calm strength in her eyes. She’s never looked more beautiful than she did in that moment.
“ I never meant for you to get pulled into all of this” Hawke said quietly, tapping the axe on the tree stump.
“I’m not pulled in, Hawke. I walked in. Eyes open, always have”
Hawke looked up at her and set the axe aside as he brushed his hands off on his jeans.
“Y’know you don’t have to carry all of it alone”
Hawke studied her, the guarded lines of his face slowly giving way to something more raw, more real. Cait reached out and took hold of his hand, lacing his fingers through hers.
“String?”
Hawke shook his head and tugged her closer.
“Cait- You know I’m not used to…lettin’ people in”
“Well-” Cait replied with a smile “Lucky for you… I don’t knock”
Hawke chuckled
“No, you certainly don’t”
“Stringfella Hawke, are you trying to say I’m stubborn?” Cait asked in mock defiance
“That’s exactly what I’m sayin’” Hawke replied with a grin
“Well I prefer persistent, determined, possibly charmingly relentless…”
Hawke took a step closer
“All of the above”
Hawke hooked an arm gently around her neck and pulled her against him, placing a soft kiss in her hair, letting it linger for a beat longer than usual. Cait closed her eyes for a moment, grounding herself in the warmth of Hawke’s solid frame.
“It’ll be okay, String” Cait mumbled into his chest. Hawke took a deep breath as Cait moved away, her hands still round his waist. “We’ve got this”
‘I hope so”
They both looked towards the cabin as the muffled sound of footsteps on the wooden floor floated out through the open window.
“Sounds like our kiddo’s awake” Cait said with a small smile.
“He’s gettin’ up earlier than me these days” Hawke glanced towards the cabin with a quiet amusement.
“I’ll get started on breakfast before he tries to eat something that’s not food”
Hawke chuckled as Cait turned to head back to the cabin, Tet trotting faithfully at her heels.
“Hey, Cait?”
Cait paused in the doorway and looked back at him.
“Thanks” Hawke said softly “…For not knocking”
A small smile teased the corner of her lips
“Anytime”
Cait turned and disappeared inside, the door swinging shut behind her. Hawke watched for a moment longer as Tet’s nails clicked softly against the floorboards inside, and a beat later the sound of Le’s excited chatter came from within, young, unfiltered, full of life.
Cait’s voice joined his, calm and amused, rising just enough to carry through the open kitchen window. A familiar tune crackled to life on the old radio- her usual morning station, some upbeat classic rock humming low beneath the conversation.

Hawke paused, axe in hand and just listened to the muffled laughter, the domestic rhythm, the clink of plates. The sound of life. Of home.
A quiet warmth spread through him; not just comfort, but something deeper. Something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in years. And it terrified him.
He took a deep breath, breathing it all in like the clean mountain air, and for once he didn’t feel like he was waiting for the next storm to come.

He smiled faintly to himself as he set another log on the trunk and raised the axe again, his movements no longer just muscle and memory, but now part of something grounded, something real.

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Cait stood at the stove in Hawke’s flannel shirt, flipping pancakes with one hand while reaching for the kettle with the other. She hummed quietly along to the radio as Tet settled at her feet, his tail thumping every now and then.
Le was perched on one of the barstools at the wooden counter, Hawke had commissioned as part of the cabin extension, barefoot and his hair still a bit wild from sleep.
“Can I fly with Dom next week? Le asked though a mouthful of fruit “He said he might take me up in the Bell if he gets the stabiliser swapped out”
“That depends” Hawke replied from the doorway, arms full with a fresh stack of chopped wood. “Are you gonna clean up after you finish eatin’ five pounds of Cait’s pancakes?”
Le grinned, merriment dancing in his dark eyes.
“Six pounds”
“You say that now. Let’s check in again after plate three” Cait replied as she slid a warm pancake onto Le’s plate.
Hawke grinned and dropped the wood into the basket on the hearth. He quickly brushed the sawdust of his hands and joined Cait in the kitchen. She felt his presence behind her, and as he leant over her shoulder, his warm breath tickled the side of her neck. Cait immediately felt it, the smell of pine and fresh cut wood, morning dew and mountain air, the scent that was uniquely him, the pull, the familiar hum beneath her skin. She glanced over her shoulder and their eyes met.
Neither of them spoke for a second.
“Breakfast smells good” Hawke said quietly. Cait returned the compliment with a soft smile.
“Thank you”

From his position at the counter, Le watched them with a mouthful of scrambled egg, his brow raised in mild curiosity, the way kids do when somethings’ changed, but they’re not sure what yet.
Hawke finally straightened and pulled away, grabbing a mug from the rack and pouring himself a cup of coffee.

Le continued to chatter through mouthfuls of breakfast as Hawke and Cait joined him, Camp being the main topic of conversation, much to Cait and Hawke’s amusement.
“It starts next month” Le informed them ‘Sarah and Reece are going too. It’s supposed to be awesome-Kayaking, night hikes and they even teach survival skills!”
‘Sounds like a solid plan” Hawke replied, gesturing at him with his fork. “Sarah’s dad ok with her
goin’?”
Cait glanced at Hawke, knowing the suited CEO was extremely protective of his youngest child.
“Sure he is” Le replied “Although I don’t think her mom gave him much of a choice”
Cait hid her widening smile behind her mug.
“Everett wants me to help him with the Hughes after school next week. He’s gonna show me how to check the pressure seals on the fuel lines”
“You’ve been helpin’ him out a lot”
Le shrugged
“At this rate, you’ll be giving Dom pointers by the end of the summer” Cait replied with a grin.
Le finished the last of his eggs and placed his fork on the plate with a clatter.
“Can I be excused?”
“Sure” Hawke replied with a nod. In one swift motion, the teenager slid of his stool and dumped his plate in the sink before dashing off down the hall towards the bathroom.
“Don’t use up all the hot water!” Cait called after him, shaking her head at the muffled reply behind the door.
“So, what are we gonna do about the stunt tomorrow?” Cait asked as she chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bacon.
“Nothin’” Hawke replied “We turn up as normal and fly the stunt. The way Dom and I figure it, if we stick to the treetops and hug the ridge line like the director wants, we get the footage and the altitude cover. If someone’s watchin’, it’ll smoke ‘em out”
Cait’s fork hovered over her plate
“Are you sure it’s wise whipping up all that attention?”
“No” Hawke replied gruffly, taking a sip of coffee. “But at least we’ll know they’re close”
“Just promise you’ll be careful”
“I will” Hawke replied, giving her a quick wink before the pair finished their breakfast in silence.

A hooded figure crouched beneath the cover of dense pine, half hidden in shadows. It was still early, and his long camera lens clicked softly, adjusting focus. He lowered his camera for a moment, his gaze focussing on the small boat floating peacefully in the middle of the lake, no engine hum, just the rhythmic creak of the oars tied up and the glint of the sun on the water. Through the lens, he saw the young amerasian perched on the bow, fishing rod in hand, his eyes fixed on the water with exaggerated concentration.

Hawke sat behind him, one oar trailing lazily in the water watching and waiting. His eyes drifted to Cait who was reclined at the stern, her rod long forgotten. Her latest paperback- some crime thriller, rested on her stomach, one hand loosely holding the pages open. Her other fingers trailed lazily in the water, her eyes closed and face tilted towards the sun.
A small smile surfaced at the sight of her so relaxed. Peaceful. Beautiful. He stole another glance before turning his attention back to the water.
“Y’know Uncle String, we should probably have a talk. Man-to-man” Le said without turning.
“Man-to-man huh?” Hawke replied with a smirk, knowing full well he’d been caught. “About what?”
“Girls”
Le looked back at his Uncle, his expression serious.
“Just saying, you’re not exactly subtle”
Before Hawke could reply, Le’s rod jerked hard and the youngster gripped it with both hands.
“I got one! I got one! “ Le yelled as Hawke leaned over to help.
“Keep it steady-don’t yank. Let it run a little”
The two Hawke’s worked together, and in a few moments, Le hauled in a huge, gleaming trout.
“Wow- look at it Uncle String!” Le replied awe-struck as Hawke unhooked it from the rod.
‘It sure is a big one” Hawke replied, dropping it with a splash into the cooler that Cait has insisted on bringing.
Behind them, watching the commotion through one open eye, Cait closed her book and shifted, rocking the boat gently.
“Caitlin! Would you knock it off?” Hawke growled without looking back.
“I didn’t do anything” Cait replied innocently, giving Le a quick wink. Le simply smiled.
“You’re rockin’ the whole boat” Hawke threw a half scowl over his shoulder.
“Okay, okay I’m sorry”
Seemingly satisfied with the apology, Hawke turned back to adjust his tackle box. As he stood up, Cait shifted again, rocking the boat just a little bit harder. Hawke swivelled round, wobbling slightly as he grabbed the side of the boat with one hand. He used the other to whip off his aviators.
“C’mon Cait. Quit foolin’ around”
“It was the wind” Cait replied, despite the absence of any wind at all. Hawke started to shift towards her.
“I swear-”
Suddenly, Cait rocked the boat with more force and as if in slow motion, Hawke finally lost his balance and tumbled unceremoniously over the side, splashing straight into the cold water.
Le and Cait immediately burst into laughter as Hawke surfaced, treading by the boat and water dripping from his hair
“Oh man!” Le said as he fought to breathe
“Really?” Hawke replied flatly as Cait leaned over the side.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist” She giggled, watching as the water slid down his face and dripped from his fringe. He looked so bedraggled, she felt a small pang of guilt and held out her arm to help him back in.
“Here. Grab on”
Hawkes lips twisted into a smile.
“If you say so”
He grabbed Cait’s wrist and with one sharp tug, he and yanked her in with a splash.
“You guys are great!” Le exclaimed, laughing so hard, he leant in too far and suddenly toppled backwards into the boat, legs kicking in the air before he landed in a heap amongst the fishing gear.
Cait surfaced beside Hawke, peeling wet strands of hair from away from her face.
“That’ll teach you” Hawke said softly as she blinked droplets from her lashes.
“I doubt it”
Their gaze caught and held. Hawke reached out and gently brushed a soaked strand of hair from her cheek.
“Hawke-“
His fingers lingered, his touch burning against her skin as he cupped her face gently, the pad of his thumb tracing a rivulet of water running down her temple to her jawline.
Something caught in Hawke’s peripheral vision, a glint in the sun that could only have come from the reflection of glass. He looked over Cait’s shoulder, his gaze hardening as he skimmed the tree line with a practiced eye.
‘String?”
Running a hand through her sodden hair she turned in the water to follow his gaze, blinking against the sun as she searched the trees on the other side of the lake.
“What is it?”
She turned back to face him, her eyes wide
“It’s nothin’” Hawke replied. Cait eyed him unconvinced, but let it go.
“Okay, new rule” Le said scrambling to an upright position “How about nobody rocks the boat while we’re fishing”
“Fine by me” Hawke replied, hoisting himself back into the boat and grabbing Cait’s hand to pull her in.
“Agreed” Cait said as she wrung out the excess water from her hair. She felt Hawke’s gaze on her and she lifted her eyes to meet his
“You good?” He asked quietly
“Yeah. You?”
He didn’t answer, and just gave her a small smile.
From his vantage point at the front of the boat, Le rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the water, muttering something about ‘Grown-ups and knuckleheads’ under his breath.

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Michael Coldsmith-Briggs the third sat at his desk as soft shafts of sunlight spilled in through the blinds, cutting warm slats across the polished floor. A half empty cup of coffee rested beside him as he scanned the last page of the file in front of him.
Sunday lunch with his parents beckoned in a few hours, a tradition he rarely got to keep, and if he could just tie up a the last few loose ends, then the rest of the day might-just might belong to him.
A soft knock at the door broke the early morning silence and Michael looked up expectantly, but unbothered as Marella appeared in the doorway. She was dressed casually for once- white trousers, crisp white blouse and her usual heels replaced with soft-soled flats. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in tight curls, pinned back with a single blue slide. She looked less like and operative and more like the woman she never quite got to be.
“You’re off duty” Michael said as Marella stepped fully into the room. She returned his faint smile.
“I was until five minutes ago”
She crossed the room and placed a thin file on his desk.
“Aerial overwatch just called in. You’re going to want to take this”
Marella tapped the intercom and the room was filled with radio static as the line opened.
“Overwatch three to Angel One. Do you copy?”
“This is Angel One” Michael responded. “Go ahead”
“Confirming possible hostile observer near the target location- co-ordinates match. Appeared at the tree line, remained stationary for approximately thirty minutes”
Michael leaned in towards the intercom.
“Do you have visual confirmation?”
“Negative on identification, Sir. His face was obscured. However the subject had optics-a high magnification lens. Could be recon. Overwatch two has taken over tracking his movements, he’s on the move, heading west through the trees”
“I want the subject apprehended. I want to know who we’re up against and who they’re working for”
“Understood, Sir.”
Michael tapped the intercom
“Damn it! Marella, get me satellite clearance over that sector. I want thermal overlay and real time imaging”
“Already done, Sir. NSA link is live”
Michael leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting towards the window.
“Are you still going to lunch?”
“If I can wrap this up by eleven” Michael replied
“There’s nothing more you can do now” Marella said gently “And your mother’s laying an odds on bet you’ll be late again or bail”
Michael finally allowed himself a faint smirk, but it quickly faded as he looked back at the file on his desk.
“Lets hope I get the chance to disappoint her”

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The inaugural St. Joseph’s children’s home picnic was in full swing as the sound of laughter carried across the sun drenched lake. Red and white bunting hung from tree to tree and a myriad of colourful blankets were scattered liberally across the grass. The various picnic tables groaned under the weight of homemade food and the scent of barbecue smoke drifted on the gentle breeze, mingling with shouts and the distant hum of rotor blades in the clear blue sky.

A makeshift landing zone had been cordoned off over the other side of the lake where Doc took the Jet Ranger up for another circle of the grounds, the excited faces of the children pressed against the glass.
Nearby, under the shade of a large oak tree, Hawke sat on the ground, guitar in hand strumming away to the kids sat in a semi circle in front off him.

“This is a great thing you’re doing here” Cait said as she moved up the large table, setting out the plates and cutlery With the bar and everything I don’t know how you find the time”
“It’s a juggling act, I must admit” Anna replied, placing two pitchers of homemade lemonade on the table. “But the kids are great and Doc helps out when he can in between flying for Dom”
“A bonafide superwoman” Cait said flashing her a hundred watt smile. “You ever sleep?”
“Sleeps overrated” Anna placed a pile of red cups on the table, trying to hide the faint blush to her cheeks “Besides, you and Hawke have been great. I don’t think I could have pulled today or the bar opening off if it hadn’t been for you two”
“You’d have managed” Cait chuckled “Anyway, we’re glad to help”
The friends shared a smile. Almost three months ago, a nervous Doc had introduced them to the new woman he’d been dating at the hangar and the two women had struck up an easy conversation, bonding over their mutual love of horses, well-worn paperbacks and classic black and white films despite Dom and Hawke’s wary glances. Easy conversation had turned into a firm friendship and in no time, they’d become each other’s confidant.
“Speaking of Hawke, how are things with you two?” Anna asked, tying a balloon to the end of the table.
“Honestly? No idea” Cait replied, unwrapping a tray of cupcakes. One minute I think we’re moving forward…and then the next it’s like we’re back to square one. Or worse”
Cait sighed heavily and brushed her hair back over her shoulder.
“The lease on my place is up in two weeks and the landlord has raised the rent. Again”
Anna looked up from the cheese platter, surprised.
“Have you told Hawke?”
Cait shook her head.
“No. Not yet. I guess….I’m gonna have to start looking. I can’t stay at the cabin forever” She met her friend’s concerned gaze “It just may not be in L.A this time”
“You’ve really thought about leaving?”
“I’ve thought about it. Maybe this is the push I need, y’know?” Cait grabbed a grape from the tray and popped it into her mouth.
“Would you go back to Texas?”
“With my mother’s ‘I told you so’ speech? I don’t think I could subject myself to that kinda torture and still keep my sanity”
Anna giggled.
“It can’t be that awful” Anna surveyed the table for a moment before moving the guacamole next to the salsa.
Before Cait could respond, another voice caused Cait and Anna to look up from the table.
“Hey-looks like I found the party”
Anna broke into a wide smile as Jack Stone approached the table, tall, gorgeous and casually confident in a polo shirt and sunglasses.
“Hey, Jack. Glad you made it”
“Wait-” Cait quirked an eyebrow“You two know each other?”
“ I run the weekend football programme for the St Joseph’s kids” Jack replied shoving his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans. “Anna said I should stop by. I’m glad I did”
Anna’s gaze slid between the pair
“I had no idea you two knew each other either” Anna replied, her gaze boring into Cait at the omission of this information.
“Jack’s Le’s soccer coach at school”
“Is that right?” Anna asked, looking at Cait “Well isn’t it a small world”
‘Positively chlostrophobic” Cait muttered to herself.
The three fell into an awkward silence before Jack spoke, glancing around the activities.
“Anna promised the best chilli dogs in the state at this shindig. That true?” He looked back at them.
“Only if you can handle ‘em” Cait replied with a half smile.
“Challenge accepted. You wanna grab something to eat?”
Cait shook her head.
“I can’t. I’ve kinda got my hands full” Cait gestured towards the table with a bottle of water for emphasis.
“I’ve got it covered Cait. Go, before he starts coaching the condiment layout” Anna replied, waving the couple away.
Cait grinned.
“Fine. But if you get mobbed by hungry third-graders, don’t call for back up”
“I wouldn’t dream of it” Anna flipped one of her two plaits over her shoulder. “Now will you two please go already?”

Cait and Jack grabbed two chilli dogs and sodas and drifted away from the crowd, settling on a quiet bench overlooking the lake. Cait waved back at Le, who sat in a boat in the middle of the lake with his friends Sarah, Kyle and Reece. Jack tilted his head towards the sky as the Santini Jet Ranger swept low over the lake, the backwash from the rotors, rippling the water.
“I left you a coupla messages” Jack said eventually, glancing at Cait as she took a sip of her soda. “You didn’t return my calls….I thought we had a good time at lunch”
“We did” Cait said enthusiastically “It’s just..I’m sorry…work has been pretty nuts this last week”
Jack studied her.
“I stopped by the hangar on Friday. Place was all locked up”
“Yeah” Cait replied, looking down at her chilli dog which had suddenly become very unappetising. “We were out on a job”
Not a complete lie, but not the truth either. She hates this part. Here was a perfectly nice guy, kind and straightforward and definitely interested, yet there were huge parts of her life she could never tell him. She silently admonished herself; Her earlier conversation with Anna roaring back to the surface. Ever since she had moved to L.A, her mother and sister in the few times she’d visited the ranch in the last three years had said she’d become quiet, contemplative, maybe even a little haunted, and what scared her the most was she’d hardly even seen it herself.

“The guy across the airfield said you hadn’t been around all morning. Said I’d probably find you up at Hawke’s cabin”
Cait remained still for a moment, before taking a slow sip of her soda. Jack glanced at her.
“I know I’ve asked before, Cait, but I’m gonna ask again. Is there something going on between you and Hawke?”
“Jack-”
“Because if there is, just say the word and I’ll back off” Jack finished, holding his hands up.
Cait smiled softly.
“There isn’t. We’re family. That’s all”
Jack studied her for a moment and nodded, seemingly satisfied.
“Okay. So will you let me take you out to dinner?”
“Jack-”
“No pressure, casual, no big deal. You can even pick the place-long as I don’t have to wear a tie”
Jack wrinkled his nose and Cait giggled. She looked back at him.
“Let me think about it. I’ll call you”
Jack raised an eyebrow
“I will, I promise” Cait replied
“I’ll take that” He held up his soda can and Cait tapped hers against his. They sat together in a companionable silence for a moment, watching the sunlight glint on the water, listening to the cheers of children in the distance until her stomach grumbled in protest. Cait took a bite of her chilli dog with renewed gusto.

The red, white and blue Santini chopper descended into the makeshift landing zone, the backwash from the rotors sending the cheering children scattering in all directions.
Doc cut the engine and climbed out of the cockpit, pulling open the rear door to allow his three young passengers to tumble out, yelling excitedly.
Doc smiled wearily as they sprinted off in the direction of the games going on by the lake, almost bowling into Hawke as he approached the chopper.
‘Hey, easy there, turbo” Hawke said, steadying one boy as he charged straight into his solid frame.
“Sorry, Mister Hawke”
Hawke watched as he charged off after his friends. Doc groaned and stretched his arms high above his head.
“I knew Dom was sandbagging me when he asked me to ‘give the kids a short ride’. That man owes me a nap”
Hawke and Doc glanced over to the barbecue where Dom stood, in rare form, red satin baseball cap perched backwards on his head, an apron reading ‘licence to grill’ wrapped tight around his middle and waving a spatula around like he was conducting an orchestra.
“The chilli dog king” Hawke chuckled, looking back at his friend. “You look beat. Thought you were headin’ up to Crystal Lake this weekend”
“I was” Doc replied with an emphatic yawn. “Anna’s sister’s in town on business. She wanted to do the whole ‘meet the family’ thing”
“Yikes”
“Exactly” Doc replied “I never knew a three hour lunch was a thing”
Doc wiped his brow and squinted out across the lawn towards the lake.
“They look pretty cosy. That a new friend?”
Hawke followed Doc’s gaze to the edge of the lake, where Cait and Jack walked side by side, heads tilted towards each other, not touching, but not far from it either. His attention was entirely on her as she laughed at something he said, her guard lowered.
Something twisted in Hawke’s stomach, a low, gnawing churn that rose before he could fully name it. Jealousy? Possession? Whatever it was it was something, heavy and unwanted. Behind his aviators, his blue eyes narrowed on the pair before his impassive mask slammed back into place.
“It’s Le’s soccer coach” Hawke said finally “He took Cait out for lunch”
Even as he said it, Hawke frowned, confused as to why he volunteered the detail.
“Lunch, huh? Is that it?” Doc asked raising an eyebrow
“How should I know?” Hawke bit back irritably. “It’s up to Cait who she spends her time with”
“In that case-” Doc replied with a glint in his eye “It’s about time I introduced myself”
Doc turned and strode off towards them. Hawke hesitated for a moment, and with a heavy sigh, turned and followed his friend.

Caitlin spotted them first, and flashed them a warm smile.
“Hey fella’s”
“Hey yourself” Doc replied easily, leaning in and giving her a quick, chaste kiss on her cheek.
Hawke slowed behind him.
“Hawke, good to see you again” Jack said
“You too” Hawke replied with a curt nod, his expression unreadable.
Doc stuck out a hand, ignoring the simmering tension between the other two men.
“Jason Gifford. Most people call me Doc”
“Jack Stone. It’s great to finally meet you” Jack replied with a smile, grasping his outstretched hand and giving it a resounding shake. “Anna’s told me a lot about you. Heard you guys keep the skies interesting around here”
“Ah so you’re that Jack that runs the kids sports programme” Doc replied with mild admiration as he glanced across at Hawke.
“Guilty as charged”
Hawke watched as something in Doc’s posture shifted, just as Anna jogged up to the group, strands of blonde hair falling around her face in the heat, a hint of rouge to her porcelain white cheeks.
“Cait- Evangeline needs a hand with the audio set up” Anna said, puffing out her cheeks “Hey there, handsome”
She smiled and gave Doc a long lingering kiss. Hawke caught Cait’s gaze as they broke apart.
“It’s hummin’ louder than Dominic’s snoring”
“Okay, lets go” Cait replied, throwing Jack an apologetic look. She placed a casual hand on Hawke’s arm as she turned to leave, a small gesture that hadn’t gone unnoticed by Jack.
They watched as Cait and Anna disappeared towards the small staging area and Doc couldn’t help but smile as Anna grabbed a wayward beachball and threw it back towards the lake.
“Hey, have we met before?” Doc asked Jack suddenly. “You seem awful familiar”
Jack shook his head.
“No I don’t think so- I’m pretty good with faces”
Doc studied him for a moment, then smiled
“Sorry, you just looked like someone I did some flyin’ for a while back, that’s all”
Suddenly there was a shout from the side of the lake.
“Coach! We’re down by three! C’mon!”
“Saved by the kid” Jack said with a chuckle. ‘Good to meet you, Doc” His gaze slid sideways. “Hawke”
The two men watched as Jack jogged off to join the match.
“So how long are you gonna keep this up?” Doc asked
Behind his aviators, Hawke frowned.
“Keep what up?”
“Torturing yourself. And Cait”
Hawke sighed and looked towards the lake where Le and his friends were pulling the boat ashore.
“It was never my intention to hurt her”
“I know that, buddy” Doc said “And I know it’s been rough on you. But if you keep waitin’ for…whatever it is your waitin’ for…Cait’s not gonna stand still forever. She’s gonna move on and you may not be along for the ride”
Hawke said nothing, just stared into the distance, the kids energetic cheers fading into white noise. Doc ran a hand through his sandy blonde curls.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starved, and if there’s no potato salad left, I’m blamin’ you”
Doc slapped Hawke on the shoulder and walked off in search of the food tables, leaving Hawke, by the lake, alone with his thoughts.

The last rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the trees, shadows stretching long across the lake. The breeze was cooler, brushing across empty plates and rustling napkins abandoned on the tables.

Hawke and Cait sat on a picnic blanket under a tree, Hawke propped up on an elbow as he picked at the remnants of barbecued sardines and salad as Cait packed away the last of the food cartons into the basket. Near the food tables, Le and Sarah busied themselves helping Doc, Anna and Evangeline pack all the left over food into boxes.
Hawke and Cait glanced over to the food tables as Doc tugged on the strap of Anna’s top and pulled her in for a sweet, unhurried kiss.
Cait smiled softly
“They look happy”
“Yeah” Hawke replied gruffly, Doc’s words from earlier still fixed firmly in his mind.
Silence settled for a moment.
“Have you thought about what you’re gonna do about the information on Saint John?” Cait asked finally, and Hawke exhaled deeply as he stared down at his plate, his jaw tense.
“That’s just what they want” Hawke replied ‘Bait me enough so I’d go runnin’ off on some wild goose chase and leave everyone else exposed”
Cait put the last box into the basket.
“I can take care of myself, Hawke. You know that”
“It’s not about you, Cait. Or Dom or even Airwolf” Hawke pushed himself up fully. “It’s about them. Sixteen years of searching and it all comes at once? You know I don’t believe in coincidences. And neither does Michael”
“You think he suspects it’s a hoax?”
“I’d bank on it”
Hawke cleared his throat as Cait wrapped up some uneaten sandwiches.
‘What did Stone want?”
“Jack? He invited me to dinner”
“What did you say?” Hawke asked
Cait turned away in an effort to hide her smile.
“Said I’d think about it”
“So…you didn’t give him an answer”
“No” Cait replied “Not yet. Why?”
Hawke rubbed at his chest absently and slid off his aviators.
“Because I was hopin’ you’d go to dinner with me”
Cait shut the lid of the basket and found herself gazing into those impossibly blue eyes. She raised an eyebrow.
“Just the two of us?”
“That’s usually how a date works, Cait” Hawke replied with a frown, feeling the frustration beginning to mount.
“So.. no Dom?”
“Definitely no Dom”
“And no Airwolf mission?”
“Caitlin-” Hawke replied gruffly, gesturing towards her with his aviators “Do you wanna go or not?”
“Wow-who ever said romance was dead” Cait replied with a mischievous glint in her eye “Since you asked so nicely, I’d love to”
“Good” They smiled at each other before Cait reluctantly got to her feet and brushed off her jeans.
“I’d better go and help clean up the rest. You gonna pack up here?”
“Yeah” Hawke replied, shoving his aviators back on “I’ll get the blanket and the basket in the chopper. Be ready to lift in ten?”
“You got it”
Hawke watched with something soft in his expression as she disappeared over to the food tables, before he folded the blanket, grabbed the basket and headed towards the Jet Ranger.
Hawke stowed the picnic supplies in the back and looked towards the sky as a distant helicopter passed silently above the treetops, it’s silhouette briefly cutting across the setting sun.
Hawke’s jaw tightened as Dom, Cait and Le appeared beside him, the younger Hawke clutching a piece of Evangeline’s famous pie.
“You okay, kid?” Dom asked as Le clambered in the back and Cait started the pre flight checks.
“I don’t know Dom. I just don’t like feelin’ of being a sittin’ duck”
“You and me both. But Cait wanted to keep things normal. So that’s what we’re doing” Dom replied
“Yeah.. I know” Hawke replied grimly “Doesn’t mean I have to like it”

Chapter Text

Five thirty am and Cait stifled a yawn as the sky hung in that quiet, uncertain grey just before sunrise, and as she clambered wearily out of the Santini jeep, she found herself in an unremarkable side street, staring up at the building through sleep-addled eyes. A worn ‘For Lease’ sign drooped beneath one of the boarded up windows, and a fading mural peeled away from the cracked stucco wall- what used to be a red boxing glove punching outward with the words Mickey’s gym barely legible beneath it.
A stray breeze stirred the trash along the curb. A fast food container skittered noisily across the concrete, spinning once before wedging itself in a hole at the bottom of the sagging wire fence. Cait shook her head and reached into the Santini Jeep, brushing aside the now empty styrofoam cup as she grabbed her gym bag.

Cait took a step inside, her footsteps echoing loudly round the sparse room. The air was cold still, and thick with dust, the smell of damp wood, and forgotten effort. Once alive with the echoes of fists hitting leather, the gym now felt hollow, abandoned in time.

At the centre stood a boxing ring, sagging slightly but intact, cloaked in a thick layer of dust that allowed just a peek of the muted red and blue canvas beneath. The ropes were limp, drooping in places, but still held the shape of long forgotten fights.

Above, several rusted chains hung from the ceiling, ghosts of punching bags that had long been cut down. In the far corner, a pair of old boxing gloves sat slumped beside an upturned bucket, leather cracked, one lace trailing like a dried out vein.
Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder, Cait walked across the room as a single shaft of the early morning sun pierced a crack in the boarded windows, illuminating yellowing newspapers and tattered fight posters from the last thirty years, some curled at the edges, some torn halfway down. Cait’s gaze roamed over the faint headlines and faded names speaking of fights long past- of blood, sweat and people that once mattered here, a place vibrant with rhythm, with fury, with life. Now it waited in silence, as though waiting for that one last fight.

Cait moved quietly into the side hallway, her sneakers disturbing long-settled grit as she wondered aloud not for the first time, the wisdom in coming here; Hawke would have no doubt found her note by now, and fervently hoped he hadn’t gone straight to Knightsbridge looking for Michael. To her left, the old changing rooms sat in the shadows, doors half hanging off their hinges, rusting and creaking faintly in the morning draft. The tiled walls were stained, flaking in places the mirrors long since shattered. A row of twisted, metal lockers lined the opposite wall, warped and gutted, their door left ajar. One still held a crumpled towel, stiff with time.

She reached the office at the end of the corridor as per her instructions, the office door with a cracked frosted window already open, the name once etched across it faded to a ghost of white lettering. A single desk sat beneath the cracked window, it’s metal frame rusted at the legs and drawers all hanging open. A few old papers littered the surface, corners curled and brittle, their type nearly faded to white. Cait didn’t linger and made her way across the office, stepping over an upturned chair before exiting through the far door that barely looked functional. What she didn’t expect was the elevator just beyond it, modern and sleek, completely at odds with everything she’d just walked through. Its brushed chrome doors caught what little light bled from the hallway, humming softly as if it had always been there.
Cait hesitated for a moment before the doors swept open and she stepped inside.

The doors opened when she reached the first floor and the contrast nearly took her breath away.
The space was enormous, light and airy as the music pulsed softly under the clatter of weights in the enormous training facility. The floors gleamed, and rows of top-tier equipment lined the room and mirrored walls reflected fit, focussed bodies, some sparring in one ring and others working on other forms of conditioning.
Cait’s eyes scanned the floor and settled on Marella who’d just finished a session on the mats and had begun to pack away her belongings in her white gym bag.

“Y’know I’d heard rumours this place existed, but I’m not sure I actually believed it”
Marella picked up a small towel and wiped back of her neck.
“How did you get in here?” Marella asked, her back still turned. “The security system uses retinal scan technology”
Marella turned slowly, her dark eyes fixed on the Texan.
“It’s a system I installed”

“Lydia told me where to find you” Cait replied unashamedly, neglecting to mention the part where Lydia had uploaded her retinal scan to the system to allow her access to the FIRM building. Marella had no doubt worked that out for herself.
“Seems I’m getting a little too predictable” Marella replied, dabbing at the small sheen of sweat just about visible on her forehead “You took a big risk coming here”
“I drove to Melrose then doubled back on myself to make sure I wasn’t followed”
Marella threw the towel in her bag and zipped it up.
“I don’t mean an operational risk, Cait. Any unauthorised personnel would not be able to penetrate the outer perimeter fence” Marella explained. Cait frowned. What perimeter fence? Marella perched on the end of one of the benches “You took a big personal risk. How did Hawke take it?”
“He didn’t. He doesn’t know I’m here” Cait replied, taking a seat beside her. She looked across the space at a woman dressed in white lycra, not a lot older than herself that she could only assume was another of Michael’s aides, punching rhythmically on a speed ball. Cait followed her smooth motion, the fluidity behind every movement of her hands- it was almost cathartic.
“Hawke’s got the best intentions but we both know he would have never let me come alone”
“I think it’s a little more than best intentions, Cait”
Her hazel eyes snapped back to the older woman whose expression remained unreadable.
“I guess I’m tired of havin’ the same old fight about his over-protectiveness. It was easier not to say anything and deal with him later, preferably on a full stomach and after several cups of coffee”
Marella half turned her head in an effort to conceal the smile playing on her lips.
“It’s only because he cares”
“I know he does. But this isn’t about me” Cait replied, sensing the other woman was deflecting. “I wanted to make sure you were okay after…..” Cait’s eyes lowered “Everything that happened”
Marella swallowed the sudden lump that had formed in her throat.
“Thank you, but it wasn’t necessary”
“I know that” Cait replied, pushing herself to her feet and stretching slightly. “Besides, I figured you could use a sparring partner”
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea”
Cait moved suddenly as Marella stood, a quick leg sweep leaving the shocked agent flat on her back on the mats.
Cait stood in a ready-stance, a grin plastered all over her face.
“You were saying?”
Marella blinked once and broke into a wide smile.
“Alright, you’re on!”

AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW

An hour and a half later, sweaty and spent, Cait and Marella sat cross-legged on the mats in a quiet camaraderie, hair pulled back and their faces flushed. The early gym crowd had thinned, and the morning sun flooded in through the large floor to ceiling windows, affording them the luxury of the beautiful views across the hills. Marella handed a bottle of water to Cait and she cracked the seal, taking a long sip.
“We were supposed to be getting married next week” Marella said quietly. Cait stopped mid-sip and lowered the bottle slowly “Instead I buried him”
Cait reached out and laid a comforting hand on her arm.
“Im sorry…”
“I am so mad Cait!” Marella exclaimed suddenly, causing the few remaining gym-goers to turn around and look. “I’m mad at the FIRM, I’m mad at myself, furious that his name will just end up on a plaque on some nondescript wall somewhere in Knightsbridge like his sacrifice meant nothing..”
Cait screwed on the lid of her water.
“And you know what?” Marella finally looked at Cait, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “I’m even mad at John too. How’s that for some paperback psychology?”
“Hey-” Cait looked at her, her own heart breaking just a little “Seems to me the only people you should be mad at are the people that did this”
Marella gave a faint nod
“And maybe its okay to be a little mad at the FIRM too. Hawke and Dom are on a weekly basis so you’ll have some company”
Cait nudged her bare shoulder with her own and Marella found herself laughing softly.
“That’s true” Marella looked up “Thank you Cait, for saving my life. I mean it”
“It was a team effort” Cait dropped the water bottle into her bag and laced her fingers together before dropping her hands into her lap “So, what do you ya think you’ll do now?”
Marella sighed and brushed a few damp curls from her forehead.
“I’m not sure. Take some vacation time and maybe go back to Oahu for a while. Spend some time with family”
Cait shifted on the mat and looked back at Marella.
“I really don’t know how you do it”
“Do what?” Marella asked, her brow furrowing
“Carry on when you’ve lost someone close to you”
Marella hesitated for a moment, contemplating her previous lack of composure and fought back a solitary tear that pricked at the corner of her eye.
“Michael briefed me on the mission to Colombia”
“He did, huh? Did he also mention my lack of judgement almost got us all killed?”
“From what I heard it was the exact opposite” Marella countered. “You put your trust in someone you thought was a friend. So did Hawke and Dominic.. and Michael too whose spent half his life in the intelligence business. It’s wasn’t your fault, Cait. You couldn’t have known”
“So why can’t I move past this?”
Marella tapped the bottom of her water bottle on the mat and watched as the condensation ring that had begun to form, smear on the canvas.
“Have you spoken to Hawke?”
Cait shook her head.
“No. I’m not sure if I’m going to. Honestly?…” She met Marella’s dark gaze “I don’t think he’s ready for what I have to say”
There was something in Cait’s eyes now, a hard determination edged with resolve. Marella knew before Cait even said it.
“You’re leaving L.A”
Cait’s gaze dropped.
“I haven’t decided yet”
“Yes” Marella said quietly “You have”
Marella took a deep breath and leant back on her hands, watching Cait with a calculating calm.
“Michael has a project in Florida that could use someone with your skill set”
“Florida?” Cait looked mildly intrigued.
“In the meantime” Marella continued “My apartment upstairs has a spare room if you need a temporary place to stay”
“This is an apartment complex?” Cait asked, blinking in surprise.
“Partly” Marella replied with a faint smile “It houses FIRM operatives when they’re not on assignment. John and I have….” Marella caught herself and Cait’s heart ached for her all over again. “…had one on the top floor. I also know your landlord has raised your rent again”
Cait’s eyes widened.
‘How did you-never mind”
“It’s a perfect solution if you’re looking to move out of the cabin…” She let the thought trail off and Cait suspected that her offer had more to with her own circumstances than Cait’s current complicated living situation. Cait flung her a wry look.
“You have an answer for everything”
“It’s my job” Marella replied, getting to her feet. Marella held out her hand and pulled Cait up. “Or…. you could talk to Hawke. You might be surprised by his answer”
Before Cait could reply, Marella glanced over her shoulder and signalled to a tall man in a tailored suit standing near the door.
“Henry, please follow Miss O’Shannessy back to Santini Air”
The man nodded and Cait opened her mouth to protest, then shut it again. She knew better than to argue when Marella’s tone left no room for discussion. As Cait made to leave, Marella gently rested a hand on her arm.
“Cait-“ Marella said softly “One thing I’ve learned out of all of this, is to never have regrets”
For a moment, the two women regarded each other, before Cait reached out and pulled Marella into a hug.
“Take care Marella” Cait said softly into her ear before they broke apart. “And thanks”
Marella broke into a wide smile.
‘You too, Cait”
And with a final glance over her shoulder, Cait followed Henry down in the elevator and out into the bright California sun.

AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW

“What the hell does ‘Couldn’t sleep, left early, Don’t worry’ mean anyway?” Hawke scowled, pacing the floor as he whipped off his aviators and re-read Cait’s note for what felt the hundredth time since he’d woken that morning and found it stuck to the fridge. Hawke looked up and saw a flash of red satin behind the chopper.
“Hey! Dom?!”
“Huh?” Dom’s head popped out of the office doorway “Who couldn’t sleep?”
Hawke turned and held up the note as Dom ducked under the chopper and wiped his hands on an oily rag before plucking the paper from between Hawke’s fingers.
“Well…I guess it means she couldn’t sleep and left early and that you shouldn’t worry” Dom replied waving a meaty hand in Hawke’s direction. Dom handed the half-crumpled note back to his surrogate son. “Maybe she had another nightmare. She’ll be in before long, you’ll see”
Hawke squinted down at the note and felt a faint heat in his cheeks at the squiggly X that had been added at the end, almost as an afterthought.
“What the hell was she thinking?” Hawke muttered to himself as he shoved the note into the back pocket of his jeans and stalked across the hangar towards the workbench to grab his motorcycle keys.
“String-”
Hawke paused in the doorway, bowing his head before looking back over his shoulder.
“Kid, you and I both know Caitlin’s as smart as they come. And if I know Cait, she won’t thank you for running off into…into…I don’t know what”
They both looked over at the office as the phone began to shrill impatiently on the desk and Hawke slid his aviators back on and gestured towards the office.
“Maybe you should get that”
Dom rolled his eyes but turned back towards the desk and snatched up the receiver.
“Yeah, Santini Air” Hawke watched as Dom jammed a hand on his hip “No I’m afraid not mister, we’ve retired from concerts…”
Using the distraction, Hawke slipped out of the hangar and was halfway to his motorcycle when Cait swung the jeep round the corner and came to a stop beside him.
“Good morning. I got us some bagels” Cait pushed her sunglasses up into her hair as she hopped out of the jeep and threw a small, brown bag at him, the paper crumpling against his stomach as he caught it “You’re here early”
Hawke’s eyes lingered for a second; her hair was still damp from a fresh shower with jeans clinging just right and a soft pale pink jumper.
“Yeah” Hawke replied slowly as she swept past “I guess we both are”
Hawke peeked into the bag; the rich scent of salmon and cream cheese set his stomach growling. Hawke swivelled on his heel and followed her into the hangar.
“Cait-”
She waved at Dom, still on the phone in the office, ignoring the irritation radiating off Hawke in waves. Hawke dropped the bag on the workbench and caught her wrist, spinning her to face him.
“Caitlin!”
Their eyes locked, and for a heartbeat Cait felt a shiver trace her spine under the pull of those piercing blue eyes.
“Couldn’t sleep, left early, don’t worry… Sound familiar?” Hawke asked roughly.
Cait pulled her gaze away before Hawke tightened his grip on her wrist and pulled her closer “Where the helluv’ya been, huh?”
“I had some errands to run” Cait replied, twisting her wrist free from Hawke’s grasp “I left you a note”
“You mean this?” Hawke held up the offending piece of paper “You call this a note?”
Hawke rubbed at his chest, the panic that seized at him when he woke to an empty cabin still very fresh in his mind. Hawke was so lost in his own thoughts that he missed the flash in Cait’s eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry” The Texas lilt grew heavy as she snatched the note from Hawke’s grasp, screwed it into a tight ball and threw it in the trash. “I didn’t know that I had to run my whereabouts past you!”
Cait pushed past him and stormed towards the office with Hawke hot on her heels.
“Caitlin! Would you just stop for a minute!”
Cait swivelled round and jammed her hands on her hips.
“Hawke, listen to me. I know you’re worried, and I am too but I am not gonna let them..whoever they are..run my life!”
Hawke’s jaw tensed and Cait took a step forward
“And right now I need you to trust me. Do y’think you can do that?”
Cait searched his eyes as Hawke remained dangerously quiet.
“Where d’ya go, Cait?”
Cait exhaled deeply and walked over the coffee pot.
“Fine. I went to see Marella”
“Marella? Why?” Hawke frowned.
“Because she lost someone, String and she’s hurting. Or have you forgotten that?”
“No, I haven’t forgotten” Hawke replied. It was harder trying to forget. The way he’d watched Marella, an accomplished operative fall to her knees, cradling her fiancés face between her hands; the way the tears streaked down her cheeks in the grief for the life that was almost within her grasp, the way Cait’s body had felt against his own as he’d held her close.
Hawke glanced over at the office where Dom was still on the phone.
“You could have been followed” He looked back at her, his gaze hardening.
“I could have been, but I wasn’t” Cait replied “I tripled back on myself, just like you told me”
Hawke was momentarily caught off guard. He had no idea Cait had been listening, much less taking his words on board. The familiar bubble of guilt resurfaced; what life could he possibly offer her if they were constantly looking over their shoulder.
“And what about Michael, huh? He could still be involved in all this. You could have walked straight into a trap”
“Yeah, you’re right. I could have, but I didn’t. Marella had Henry follow me all the way back”
Cait slid the coffee pot back into the percolator.
“I’m sorry if I worried you, but it was my risk to take and I need you to understand that”
“Well, I don’t” Hawke barked back “You shouldn’t have gone without either me or Dom backin’ you up”
“Dammit! Sometimes you are the most… stubborn man!” A low growl emanated from the base of her throat as her fingers closed tightly around her mug. “What are you plannin’ on doing Hawke?! Locking me up in the cabin?”
“Don’t tempt me”
Cait closed her eyes and her free hand found it’s way to massage the dull ache that had settled in her temple.
“Y’know what? I’m tired of this” She muttered under her breath. Cait opened her eyes and slowly put her coffee down. “I can’t do this anymore, Hawke”
“Do what?” Hawke watched as Cait snatched up her purse and keys “Caitlin-”
Hawke reached out and put a hand on her shoulder only for Cait to shrug it out of his grasp.
“I’m done having the same fight with you! This thing, whatever it is between us is never gonna work unless you quit smotherin’ me!” A pointed finger punctuated her every word. ‘Or-”
Cait held his gaze and the impassive mask slipped for a moment before slamming back into place.
“Or what?”
“Or maybe it never will and I’ve just been kidding myself that things will finally change”
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Hawke scowled as Cait marched towards the hangar door. She stopped and threw her own award-winning glare over her shoulder.
“You’ll figure it out”

“What in the Sam Hill—” Dom barrelled out of the office after finally getting rid of the pushy music executive on the other end of the phone, the conversation hampered by the raised voices in the hangar “Would you two quit tearin’ at each other? I’m tryin’ to run a business here!”
Hawke and Cait stole a quick, guilty glance at each other.
“And where do you think you’re going, huh?” Dom’s bushy brows lowered as he turned to his female pilot that was already halfway out of the door. “Do I, or do I not pay you for a days work?”
“Yeah, if it’s still nineteen thirty two” Hawke groused. Dom ignored the comment.
“We’ve got work scheduled on the Steerman this morning” Dom said, plastering on a dangerously sweet smile. “And if you kids can’t get along, just.. don’t say anything at all” Dom waved a dismissive hand as he took a step back towards the office before he hesitated, turned and swiped the bagel bag Hawke had abandoned and disappeared back inside. Hawke frowned as he watched Dom hesitate for a moment before he sat down and removed his baseball cap, swiping an arm across his forehead. He turned his attention back to the subject of his present consternation.
Cait could feel Hawke’s eyes burning through her as she placed her purse and car keys back on the workbench.
“It would be my pleasure” Hawke growled as Cait lifted her eyes to meet his. As their gaze caught and held, he took a step towards her, his eyes smouldering as the tension shifted from anger to something else burning under the surface.
“Hey, you won’t get any argument from me, Dom” Cait called after him as she brushed past Hawke without so much as a backwards glance.

AWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAW

The day slipped into a balmy evening as Cait sat behind the desk with a lukewarm, half drunk coffee beside her, poring over the contract from their latest client- Vadis Communications. A week of flying bigwig corporate types up to Big Bear for their annual conference had the dollar signs shining in Dom’s eyes. Hawke had taken off after their earlier fight, much to Dom’s chagrin who’d muttered some choice words in Italian before getting to work on the Steerman, and the man himself had left early, snarkily commenting that if his employees can take off in the middle of the day then why shouldn’t he. To be honest, she was grateful for the peace and quiet, knowing that Michael’s overwatch was nearby and gun within reach should there be any sign of unwanted visitors.
As she re-read the paragraph for the third time, her thoughts turned to her strained relationship with Hawke. She knew he was struggling with the threat to her safety and the overwhelming need to protect her despite her protestations to the contrary, and that was part of what she loved about him, but he was so damn stubborn it was infuriating. Maybe it was time for a change, and she thought about Marella’s offer. It did have it’s plus points; it was a FIRM building with round the clock security, and she and Marella often kept different schedules meaning they wouldn’t be under each other’s feet constantly, and allowed herself a small smile at the thought of girls nights on the couch with popcorn and a movie. She loved her twice weekly movie nights with Le and Hawke, but it wasn’t the same. Maybe, moving out of the cabin would rebalance the equilibrium in their relationship.
Rubbing the back of her neck, Cait turned her attention back to the contract and frowned. Something nagged in the back of her mind as she stared down at the dates, and reached over for another file in her in-tray. She flipped open the front cover and quickly scanned through the contents of the top page.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to lurk in doorways?”
“I wasn’t lurking”
Cait looked up as Hawke stepped fully into the room with one hand behind his back.
“I was deciding on my chances of a certain Texan accepting my apology for earlier”
Cait leaned forwards and clasped her hands together on the desk.
“And what did you figure?” She asked, looking at Hawke expectantly as he took a step closer.
“I figured they were fifty-fifty. I’m sorry, Cait. I was outta line”
Cait slowly put down her pen.
“Yes. You were. But I shouldn’t have yelled at you either”
“Probably deserved it” Hawke replied gruffly.
Cait snorted and quickly smothered her laughter at the usually brooding pilot looking so contrite.
“Yeah” She replied “Maybe just a little bit”
She glanced at the arm behind his back.
“What’ve you got there?”
“What? These?” Hawke produced a bunch of white and pink carnations tied with a pink ribbon. “I grabbed them outta the trash a coupla blocks away. Thought you might like ‘em”
Cait’s lips twitched into a smile as Hawke handed her the flowers.
‘They’re beautiful, thank you. And my favourite”
Hawke returned her smile with one of his own.
‘Yeah. I know”
Hawke watched as Cait leant in and inhaled the scent, his gaze travelling over the curve of her neck all the way to her collar bone. Hawke swallowed hard and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.
“Cait-”
“Uh oh”
The heavy thud of a backpack on the floor echoed through the hangar as Le sauntered in, hesitating for a moment in the doorway before collapsing into the nearest chair. He pushed a dark mop of hair out of his eyes, he wore the sly grin of someone who knew he’d just walked in on something he wasn’t supposed to.
“What did you do?”
“Who said I did anything?” Hawke shot back, his jaw tightening under the teenagers regard. He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, the muscles in his shoulders tight as Cait glanced between the two Hawkes, her lips twitching with amusement, while her fingers still lingered on the carnations.
“You’re grovelling. I can tell”
Hawke snorted and glanced back at Cait who placed the flowers on the desk.
“Grovelling not”
Cait giggled, the soft sound warming something deep in Hawke’s chest.
“I kinda like it” She teased. Hawke simply glared at her.
“See told you. So? Whad’ya do?”
“I thought we could show Cait how much we appreciate everything she does for us”
Cait’s smile slipped a little as Hawke approached his nephew. A pair of dark eyes assessed him warily.
“I guess. You know they’re her favourite, right?”
“Yeah”
“Good choice, Uncle String” Le pushed himself out of the chair and slapped his uncle lightly on the back before grabbing his backpack off the floor and perched himself at the workbench to start his homework.
“Glad you approve” Hawke muttered to himself, raising an eyebrow. He turned back to Cait.
“You ready to head home?”
‘Sure. Give me ten minutes. I just need to look over these contracts again” Cait replied with a frown.
“Everythin’ alright?”

Hawke rested a hand on the back of the chair, leaning over Cait’s shoulder to glance at the stack of documents that usually belonged to Dom and Cait’s domain.
“No. I don’t think so” Cait said, sliding a contract towards him. The header, stamped Vadis Communications in bright green letters, stood out starkly against the white page.
“Check the dates”
Hawke held up the paper and squinted at the fine print.
“This can’t be right. We’ve got the Paramount shoot that week”
Cait pressed her lips together and nodded.
“Dom only agreed that this mornin’. The studio’s on the schedule”
Hawke took a deep breath as Cait looked up at him.
“String, We can’t afford to lose the Vadis job, and it’s not the first time-”
“Dom’s double booked?” Hawke finished, handing the paper back to Cait “I know, and you saved our necks the first time. I’ll talk to him”
Hawke went to turn away but Cait caught his arm.
“No Hawke-wait. I know someone at the studio. She owes me a favour, I’m sure I can get this all straightened out”
Hawke’s brow furrowed.
“You sure?”
Cait flashed him a weak smile and nodded.
“I’m worried about him, String”
Hawke slid his hand onto her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze before letting go.
“Hey Half-Pint! You ready to head out?”
Cait barely heard the exchange that followed, her attention fixed instead on Dom’s familiar loopy handwriting scattered across the margins of the contract. With a small sigh, she tucked the document back into the file and set it aside.
Gathering her purse and turning off the desk lamp, Cait made her way out into the hangar, closing the office door behind her.

Damage limitation could wait til tomorrow.