Fanfiction: The Jade Wolf - Part I

[rachel500]

Fandom: Airwolf
Series: The Lost Season (Story 2)
Summary: An old friend complicates a mission while Caitlin considers her options...
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: Mild Hawke/Caitlin UST.  Caitlin/Other.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.  Written for entertainment purposes only.


The Jade Wolf

Part 1

Stringfellow Hawke settled back in the pilot’s seat of Airwolf and allowed himself a small smile. He took her up, clearing the walls of the Lair with ease. Airwolf’s restrained power seemed to vibrate through every bolt and wire as though she was asking to be unleashed. He nudged her into mach speed with a flick of his thumb. His smile widened as she responded immediately and she shot forward, cutting through the clouds like a knife through butter. He was grinning, his blue eyes shimmering with exhilaration as they streamed forward. He never got tired of this feeling; just him, the most technologically advanced helicopter in the world and the sky.

Hawke eased up and sent Airwolf into a climb. He waited until they were clear of the clouds before settling into a hover. He sighed as he took in the view of the fluffy white mounds like a layer of pillows below them as his mind turned to the reason why he had taken Airwolf out for a spin.

He’d returned from Seattle that morning having left Le, the boy who he had believed to be his nephew, with Le’s newly-found mother, Ana and her late husband’s family. Hawke missed him already. It was for the best, Hawke thought. He felt the weight of his failure descending on him, tightening his gut. In the silence of the cockpit, looking out on the clouds below, Hawke could admit that he had made a mess of being a single parent. Le deserved a normal carefree existence with a parent who would be there to help him with his homework and attend his baseball games shouting encouragement from the sidelines and arguing with the umpire. Hawke hadn’t managed either during his time as the boy’s guardian. He should have given up Airwolf, assumed full responsibility for Le rather than trying to pretend that he could juggle everything. He sighed and sent Airwolf into a dive, pulling her up mere feet from the ground and sailing over the contours of the land.

Hawke let the motion of the flight relax him. He owed his friends an incredible debt of gratitude, he mused. Dom Santini had been there for him like always; the voice of reason and wisdom. Well, Dom had been there and done it, Hawke told himself, thinking back to how the older man had taken him and his elder brother, Saint John in when their parents had died. It had been Dom who had pointed out that maybe it was time to give Airwolf back to the FIRM, the intelligence agency who had built her, and accept the fate of his MIA brother. It was the FIRM’s deputy director, Michael Coldsmith-Briggs who had found an alternative solution; finding Le’s missing mother.

Of course, the spy also known as Archangel, never operated from completely altruistic motives; Michael needed Hawke to continue flying Airwolf missions or he’d lose the ability to control the machine. Hawke shook the thought away. Michael’s head might rule his heart but generally the spy’s heart was in the right place. He’d been the first to offer sympathy at the news that Le wasn’t Hawke’s nephew after all and Ana wasn’t Saint John’s long lost wife. Not that it mattered, Hawke thought. Le would always be family to him, blood or not. Like Caitlin.

Hawke adjusted his course and frowned. Caitlin O’Shaunessy had gone above and beyond the call of friendship through everything with Le. He couldn’t imagine how he would have coped without her. She’d helped with everything from the practical stuff like giving them a place to stay and sharing the burden of raising Le to putting her own life on the line to find Ana. His conscience twinged; he hadn’t really thanked her for any of it. He sighed. Maybe she would settle for a lazy weekend at the cabin. He headed back to the Valley of the Gods and Airwolf’s hiding place.

The sun was beginning to set when Hawke pulled into a parking spot in front of the Santini Air hangar and ran his hand through the short crop of brown hair as he climbed off the bike and made his way inside. He immediately caught sight of Dom’s substantial frame parked under the belly of the Jet Ranger.

He wandered over to him and crouched down. ‘Need a hand with that?’

Dom raised his head an inch. ‘Huh. Nice of you to turn up.’ He shoved himself out from under the helicopter and viewed Hawke grumpily. ‘I thought you were getting back this morning. Where’ve you been all day?’

‘Around.’ Hawke said dismissively as he patted the older man’s shoulder and headed for the coffee percolator. Dom pulled himself to his feet, rearranged the red baseball cap on his mussed grey hair and followed him.

Dom accepted the mug of coffee with a gap-toothed smile and considered his young friend, seeing past the impassive expression to the lurking guilt. ‘It was for the best, String.’

‘I know.’ Hawke rocked back and forth on his heels as he sipped on the stewed brew. He stared at the floor, then at his mug before returning to look into Dom’s craggy, kindly face.

‘You’ll still get to see him though right?’ Dom’s eyes gazed at him worriedly.

‘Yeah.’

‘Well,’ Dom gestured helplessly, ‘maybe it’s for the best. We weren’t doing a great job at juggling everything.’

‘You mean I wasn’t doing a great job.’ He shook his head. ‘Y’know Dom, it never occurred to me that living with me wasn’t the right thing for Half-pint.’

‘String….’

‘You were right Dom.’ Hawke gave a short humourless laugh. ‘Everyone saw it - even Half-pint - but not me.’

‘You were trying to do your best for the boy, String. Give yourself a break.’

Hawke nodded and drank the rest of the coffee. He looked around the hangar with a frown. ‘Where’s Cait?’

Dom put his own mug down. ‘She took a flying lesson out.’ He checked the clock. ‘She should be back by now.’

‘Who should be back?’ Caitlin’s distinctive Texan drawl sounded from the hangar door and they both turned to smile a greeting at her as she walked over to join them. She was dressed in her favourite red flight suit and tennis shoes that had seen better days. Her red hair was escaping the loose ponytail to frame her freckled face that still bore the scrapes and bruises from her heroics at rescuing Ana.

‘Is there any of that coffee left?’ Caitlin asked as she slumped into the only available chair. Hawke shook the percolator and then shook his head.

‘Sorry.’

‘Typical.’ She made a face at them.

Hawke shrugged. ‘How about I make it up to you?’

Caitlin looked at him suspiciously and she sent a questioning glance towards Dom who gestured that he had no idea what Hawke was on about. ‘How?’

‘How about a weekend at the cabin doing nothing?’

Caitlin’s eyebrows shot up. She’d thought he’d want to spend the time brooding on his own given what had happened with Half-pint. She didn’t even have to glance at Dom to know he was just as surprised.

‘Really?’ She murmured as she caught the sincerity in his gaze.

‘Really.’ Hawke shoved his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. ‘Consider it a belated thank you for everything.’

Caitlin felt the blush heat her cheeks. ‘It was no problem.’

Hawke shrugged and with a mischievous glint in his eye, quirked an eyebrow at her. ‘You can have the bed.’

She laughed. The cabin wasn’t exactly built for guests; normally she bunked on the sofa. ‘Then OK. When do we leave?’

He shrugged again. ‘Whenever you’re ready.’

Caitlin sprang up. ‘I’ll grab my overnight bag. I’ll meet you by the chopper?’

Hawke nodded and watched her retreating figure before he caught Dom’s amused expression. He ignored it and invited Dom to join them.

Dom shook his head at Hawke. ‘I’ve got a job heading for Miami first thing in the morning.’ He wiped his hands on a rag and jerked his head in Cait’s direction. ‘That’s a nice thing you’re doing.’

Hawke shuffled his feet. ‘She deserves it.’

‘Hey you won’t get any argument from me! We’d have gone bankrupt without her holding the fort this last month.’ Dom chuckled as he gave Hawke an affectionate hug. ‘See you on Monday.’

‘See you.’ Hawke walked out to the chopper to join Caitlin.

Part 2

Hawke turned from the sink and caught sight of Caitlin wiping the table down. He had caught some fresh fish from the lake, pulled together a salad and they’d eaten the simple meal in candlelight with an expensive wine that he’d been saving for a special occasion. He dried his hands on the side of his jeans and took the couple of strides forward to get to Caitlin. He whipped the cloth from her hands and pointed sternly at the sofa.

‘Sit.’ He said. ‘You’re supposed to be relaxing.’

‘I am.’ She protested.

He offered her the glass of wine she’d put to one side and raised an eyebrow at her. She sighed and took the glass before subsiding onto the couch, curling up with her legs underneath her. Tet wandered over to her and she stroked his silky head. Hawke smiled at the homely image she presented. Her hair was damp from a long bubble bath; her face was bare of make-up revealing the freckles that were liberally scattered across her creamy skin. She was dressed in old jeans that were molded to her body and she’d borrowed his blue sweater and some woolly socks. He’d done the right thing inviting her, he realised contentedly. He turned his attention back to clean up and within a few minutes was settling beside her, his own glass in one hand and the bottle in the other. He refilled the glasses.

‘This is very good wine.’ Caitlin commented.

Hawke shrugged. ‘I’ve been saving it. Seemed like the right time to open it.’

‘Oh?’

‘You deserve it.’ His glass clinked against hers.

Caitlin eyed him over the rim of the glass as she took a sip. ‘You know you really don’t need to this.’

‘Do what?’ He got up briefly to stoke the fire.

‘Pamper me.’ She said flushing.

He sat back down and picked up her hand, running his thumb over her bruised knuckles. The scrapes were healing but she still flinched. ‘Seems to me you need a little pampering.’

The wine was giving Caitlin a fuzzy inner glow and she decided that she was imagining the look in his eyes. ‘Just bumps and bruises.’ She murmured. ‘A bit like yours.’ Her finger traced the faint scar of a cut over his left eye.

The soft touch startled him and he was abruptly aware of their closeness and at his own ease with it. Alarmed, he moved, retrieving his own wine and taking a healthy gulp before settling back, a little bit more distance between them. ‘You were right.’

‘I often am.’ She quipped to hide her disappointment at the subtle change in him. ‘About what?’

He shifted to look at her fully, propping his head up on his hand, his elbow resting on the back of the sofa. ‘When I saw you taking down that creep Darrow when we rescued Ana I realised that I do underestimate you.’

She covered her surprise with an awkward shrug. ‘I was pretty naïve when I started with you guys.’

‘Yeah but you stopped being the rookie member of the team a while back.’

She glowed under the praise and wondered if he had any idea how much the words meant to her. ‘Thanks.’

Hawke regarded her with a curious expression. ‘You never talk about being a cop.’

‘Sure I do.’

‘No you don’t.’ Hawke frowned. ‘Why’d you decide to join the police force?’

Caitlin shifted. ‘Oh you know. I wanted to be one of the good guys, bring evil criminals to justice.’

‘And Highway Patrol because…’

‘Because I wanted to fly.’ Caitlin smiled sadly. ‘Little did I know I was signing up to be a flying meter-maid.’

‘Bogan only called you that to rattle your chain.’

‘He was right though.’ Caitlin admitted. ‘I graduated at the top of my academy class, I have two degrees, one of them in criminal psychology but because I was the only female in the unit, I got assigned out to the boondocks.’ She sipped her wine. ‘It had its moments but it was usually pretty quiet duty.’

‘Not quite the chasing the bad guys you anticipated?’ Hawke asked.

She shook her head. ‘You got the odd cattle rustler and the occasional armed robbery at a convenience store but that was about it.’

‘Did you say cattle rustler?’ Hawke teased her.

She gave him a playful slap and pulled a face. ‘I stuck it for a couple of years before I asked for reassignment.

‘And got Pope County?’

‘And got Pope County.’ She confirmed. ‘Seeing your friend Jimmy run to ground by Sheriff Bogan, that was my first day.’

‘Hell of a first day.’

‘And I blew it.’ She confessed. ‘I should have stayed with him.’

‘Bogan would have killed you too.’ Hawke laid a comforting hand on her arm. ‘You know that.’

‘I know.’ Caitlin sighed. ‘But it doesn’t stop me feeling guilty about it sometimes.’

‘I know.’ Hawke had his own guilt about Jimmy’s death; he’d turned up a day too late to save him. ‘Least we saved each other.’

‘You mean you saved me.’ Caitlin said laughing.

‘You let me make that call to Dom.’ Hawke pointed out.

She nodded and let it go.

Hawke cleared his throat. ‘Do you miss it? Being a cop?’

She bit her lip. ‘Honestly? A little but in some ways I get to chase the bad guys more now then when I was a cop.’

‘When I’m not assigning you to the boondocks.’ Hawke commented wryly thinking of the number of times he tried to keep her out of the action with background checks or investigative work.

Her lips twitched. ‘Flying Airwolf kinda makes up for it.’

‘Yeah.’

She smiled at the understated agreement. ‘Not to mention I get to hang out with you and Dom.’

His blue eyes suddenly twinkled at her. ‘We kinda like having you around too.’

She warmed at the comment and snuggled back into the cushions, taking a sip of her wine. A comfortable silence fell over them.

Hawke sipped his wine and watched the flames flickering in the hearth. The crackle of the fire was practically the only sound filling the cabin. It was strange, he thought frowning, for it to be this quiet. He’d gotten used to Le being around; the youngster rarely stayed still or silent for very long.

‘Hey.’

The soft murmur had him turning back to Caitlin and he felt a rush of warmth race through him at the worry and concern in her eyes; there was nothing like knowing someone cared about you.

‘I was just thinking the cabin seems real quiet without Le.’

Caitlin nodded. ‘I know what you mean.’ She shifted a little. ‘How was Seattle?’

‘OK.’ Hawke sighed. ‘His father’s family, the Kelsey’s, seem like nice people. They made Ana and Le both feel welcome.’ His voice caught in his throat remembering the way the Kelsey’s had looked at Le, like a part of their son had been returned to them. He stood up to stoke the fire to cover his slip in control, leaving his glass on the floor by the couch.

‘You want to talk about it?’

He straightened and stiffened a little; his muscles tensing. ‘Nothing to talk about.’

Caitlin hesitated. He wouldn’t thank her for pressing it. She set her glass aside and got to her feet, moving in front of the fire as though to warm her hands. ‘You’re allowed to be upset you know.’

Hawke sighed and his eyes flickered briefly to her. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Sure.’ Caitlin agreed readily, seeing the warning glint in the look. She rubbed her arms. ‘Well, if you do want to talk about it, I mean, when you’re ready…I just…’

He felt his lips twitch automatically as she stumbled over her words.

‘I mean I miss him too.’ She concluded plaintively with a sigh.

Hawke felt his chest tighten on a sudden rush of emotion and he couldn’t speak.

‘Well, I think I’ll head up to bed…’ Caitlin said taking a step back, despondent at his lack of reaction.

Hawke glanced back. ‘Cait…’ She stopped and turned back. He reached out to pull her into a hug. It was meant to be a friendly gesture to thank her but when his arms went round her, they tightened and he buried his face in her hair. She held onto him, offering wordless support. He didn’t know how long they stood together before the simple comfort of holding her shifted into awareness; her scent, the way her hand was stroking the back of his neck…

He shifted back, loosening his hold to look at her sheepishly. ‘I don’t think I’m quite living up to the spirit of the weekend I offered you.’

‘Hey, what are friends for if you can’t lean on them a little?’ Caitlin smiled up at him.

‘And you are the best.’ Hawke unthinkingly bent to drop a kiss on her lips. She shivered against him as his lips lightly touched hers. He eased back from her and was suddenly aware that they were still holding each other. Their eyes caught and held. Hawke looked down at the drowsy vulnerability in her face and knew she wouldn’t stop him if he kissed her again. His gaze dropped to her lips. He could imagine one kiss leading to another. The urge to just lean forward and…he pulled back.

Hawke cleared his throat and stepped out of their embrace, shoving his hands in his pockets. Caitlin crossed her arms over her chest and inwardly sighed. For a moment, for a long moment, she’d thought he was going to kiss her again. Too much wine, she chastised herself, you’ll be imagining he’s proposed next.

‘I…uh…I think I’ll head up now.’ She said.

Hawke nodded and responded absently as she said goodnight. He pottered for while before he grabbed the blankets from the window chest and stretched out on the sofa. He found his gaze drifting unwilling to the upper deck of the cabin for what seemed the millionth time. He jerked his head away and turned to face the fire. What on earth had he been thinking almost kissing Caitlin like that? He’d almost taken advantage of her and ruined their friendship. He sighed. There’d always been chemistry between them, he admitted to himself, but…hell. He shifted onto his back restlessly.

Maybe…maybe what had happened wasn’t unexpected. After all, he and Cait had been living together; taking care of Le together. It had created an intimacy between them and the evening alone in the cabin without the safe buffer of Dom had only added to it. He’d enjoyed coming home with her, he thought wistfully. He sighed and turned over again. They just needed to get back to normal and their friendship would settle again. He drew the blankets nearer and closed his eyes firmly.

Part 3

A week later, Caitlin wandered into the hangar and glanced at her watch. The last flying lesson had been a doozy and she had finally gotten her student to agree that perhaps a fear of heights was not conducive to getting a pilot’s license. She sighed. It had capped off a miserable week. The morning after she’d comforted Hawke about Le, she’d quickly realised he’d withdrawn from her; keeping her at arm's length with teasing banter and light-hearted discussions that had no emotional intimacy attached to them at all. She sighed again. He was probably reacting to being human in front of her. He’d get over it and they’d go back to normal. She frowned. Normality. She’d had a whole week of it; a few charters, some flying lessons, an empty house. Caitlin shoved her hands deep in her pockets and looked around for something to take her mind off how unsettled she felt. She noticed Dom on the top of the ladder working on the Jet Ranger, only his red cap visible as he struggled with a stiff bolt.

‘Hey Dom!’

He grunted. She fought to keep the smile off her face. ‘It’s late.’ She yelled up at him. ‘You want some dinner?’

‘Nah.’ Dom shoved himself away from the helicopter and made his way down the ladder wiping his hands on a rag. ‘I’m meeting the guys for some poker.’

‘Poker, huh?’ Caitlin looked around the hangar searching for Hawke. She turned back to Dom. ‘Where’s String?’

Dom paused in wiping his hands. ‘Oh, he had to leave early. Plans.’

‘Plans?’ Caitlin shook the coffee percolator and frowned at the empty rattle.

‘Yeah. He had some kind of date lined up.’

‘Date?’ Caitlin’s gaze jerked up. Dom nodded and continued wiping his hands, avoiding her eyes. ‘Well, I guess he’s making up for lost time.’ She said mildly, ignoring the disappointment pressing on her chest like a lead weight. Dom looked over at her as though surprised at her calm tone.

‘Are you two OK?’ Dom asked.

She attempted a smile. ‘Sure. Why wouldn’t we be?’

‘Well, you both seem a little antsy.’ Dom remarked.

‘Antsy?’ Caitlin raised an eyebrow. ‘Is that even a word?’

‘Don’t change the subject.’ Dom walked over and propped his hip up against the table. ‘Come on Caitlin. What’s going on?’

She shrugged. ‘Nothing.’ She rolled her eyes at his patent disbelief. ‘Really.’ She sighed and shoved her hands back in her pockets knowing he wasn’t going to drop it unless she gave some explanation. ‘I guess we’re both just adjusting after Le.’

Dom gave a slow nod. ‘You heading home now?’ He asked.

Caitlin considered his question. ‘Actually, you know Dom, that’s a great idea.’

Part 4

‘So how was it?’

Hawke glanced over at Dom to find him fiddling with the mini coffee machine that was part of the Airwolf equipment. ‘How was what?’ He replied turning his attention back to Airwolf’s tail rotor, reaching up with the wrench.

‘Your date.’ Dom gestured impatiently. ‘How was your date?’

‘OK, I guess.’ Hawke answered thinking of how bored he’d been. He’d preferred his weekend with Caitlin…he brushed his knuckles violently against the tail rotor and swore loudly.

‘Hey, is that anyway to talk to a Lady!’ Dom remonstrated with him.

‘It’s a machine, Dom.’

‘You don’t listen to him, baby. You and I know you’re more than just nuts and bolts don’t we, sweetheart.’ Dom crooned to her as he lovingly smoothed a hand over the shiny black hull. Hawke rolled his eyes and went back to work on the rotor, ignoring the raw scrape on the back of his hand.

‘So are you going to tell me what’s eating at you today or do I have to guess?’ Dom leaned on Airwolf’s wing and took a long gulp of coffee.

Hawke didn’t bother replying and continued working on the rotor.

‘Don’t want to talk about it, huh?’ said Dom after a long moment. He stared into the contents of the plastic cup and then back up at Hawke. ‘Wouldn’t be the same thing that was eating at Caitlin yesterday would it?’

If he hadn’t been looking for it he might have missed Hawke’s hesitation it was so slight. Dom congratulated himself and resisted the urge to grin. He returned to staring into the coffee cup so Hawke wouldn’t see the mischief in his eyes.

‘And I guess it wouldn’t be the same thing why Cait asked me for some vacation?’ Dom needled.

The shock halted Hawke completely this time. ‘She asked for vacation?’

‘She didn’t tell you?’ Dom said surprised. ‘She left this morning for Texas.’ He caught the shock on Hawke’s face. The mischief faded.

‘What’s happened with the two of you?’ He asked bluntly.

Hawke dithered for an instant, shifting his weight from one foot to the other before shaking his head. ‘Nothing.’

‘Sure.’ Dom shook his head. ‘Nothing. That’s why you’ve both been walking on egg shells with each other all week.’

Hawke shot him a dirty look and went back to work on the rotor. He registered Dom’s muttered disapprovals silently and tried to regain his focus. He had avoided Cait since the weekend, he realised but that couldn’t have been why she wanted vacation…could it? He frowned. It wasn’t like Caitlin to take off without saying goodbye.

The buzzing from the cockpit jerked him out of his musings and he yelped as he scraped his hand again. He left Dom to answer the summons of the incoming transmission as he flexed his hand checking for further damage.

‘Dominic.’ Michael acknowledged the older pilot with a brief nod down the camera. ‘Is Hawke there?’

‘He’s here.’ Dom said.

‘Well can I speak to him?’ Michael asked impatiently as Dom rolled his eyes and shifted to allow String to take up position in the cock-pit.

‘What do you want, Michael?’ Hawke asked.

‘Hello to you too Hawke.’ Michael peered through the video link. ‘I have something for you. How soon can you be in Germany?’

Hawke shrugged, inwardly pleased at the distraction. ‘What’s this about?’

‘We’re making an exchange of prisoners with the East Germans. I need Airwolf to act as back up in case anything goes wrong.’

‘We’re the cavalry, huh?’

‘Right. Stay out of sight unless you’re needed. If it all goes to plan the other side doesn’t even need to know you were there.’

‘Will our side know that we’re there?’

Michael ignored the question and leaned back in his chair. ‘Kelly is transmitting all the details to Airwolf’s computer now. Good luck.’

‘We’re on our way. Airwolf out.’ He stabbed at the buttons to disconnect and turned to find Dom already packing up.

It wasn’t long before they were in Germany, hiding out waiting for the exchange to take place. Hawke sat in Airwolf’s doorway and looked miserably at his sandwich. He glanced up at the dark forest surrounding them and sighed.

‘What’s the matter?’ Dom asked around another mouthful of his own meal. He stood by the wing, chewing on his sandwich with gusto.

Hawke looked up at him and shook his head. ‘Nothing.’

‘You keep saying nothing but it’s obviously something.’ Dom said as he swallowed and reached for his water bottle.

‘It’s nothing.’ Hawke said firmly and took a determined bite of his sandwich.

Dom concentrated on finishing his own before continuing. ‘Did you say something to upset her?’

Hawke froze in the middle of chewing and glared at the older man.

‘Did she say something?’ Dom gestured at him.

Hawke scowled.

Dom said cheerily, ‘You might as well tell me and get it over with.’

Hawke sighed again and leaned forward, gesturing with his half-eaten sandwich, his eyes glued to the grass in front of him. ‘There’s not much to tell.’

Dom waited.

‘I just…I got upset about Le.’ Hawke said in a quiet voice, consciously leaving out how he’d almost kissed her.

Dom raised an eyebrow. ‘I can’t believe Cait would have minded.’

‘No. She was great.’ Hawke admitted looking up at him. ‘It’s…the next day…’

‘Let me guess.’ Dom said. ‘You got embarrassed about it and decided to put some….some space between the two of you.’

Hawke’s eyes snapped back to the ground.

Dom took his silence for agreement. ‘Well, there’s your problem.’

Hawke’s gaze jerked back to him.

Dom sighed. ‘Kid, when you put space between you and someone, you put real space.’

Hawke looked away from him again and Dom left him to think about what he’d said turning to look at the night sky.

Eventually, Hawke cleared his throat. ‘You think that’s why she took off?’

Dom’s gaze flickered back to him and Hawke tensed as if expecting a blow.

‘You’ll make it up to her.’ Dom said finally.

A beep from inside the cockpit startled them both. Hawke stood up and checked his watch. ‘It’s time.’ He walked round to the pilot’s position and took his place as Dom made his way to the engineer’s console. A few minutes later they were airborne and heading towards the exchange site.

‘Scan ahead.’ Hawke ordered. ‘I want to know what we’re dealing with.’

‘Right.’ Dom made the necessary inputs to the computer. ‘I’m getting one ground vehicle parked, specifications in line with the details Michael provided for our people and one more approaching from the South.’

‘Numbers?’

‘We’re picking up three in each.’

‘Equal.’ Hawke murmured. ‘Probably part of the deal. Weapons?’

‘They’re carrying.’

‘Any sign of unexpected guests?’

‘Besides us you mean?’ Dom cackled. ‘We’re not picking up….hold on a moment.’ He punched in another scan. ‘There’s a helicopter parked two miles away. It’s your standard issue military gun-ship. I’m raising our radar suppression.’ Dom looked toward Hawke. ‘Should we take them out?’

Hawke’s blue gaze narrowed as he considered their options. ‘No. Let’s wait.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘They could be us.’

‘You mean there for the other side in case something goes wrong?’

‘Exactly.’

‘Both vehicles are now at the co-ordinates, String.’ Dom breathed out. ‘The exchange is being made. They’re done. The vehicles are leaving, one to the South, ours is heading West.’

‘Where’s that helicopter?’

‘It’s holding its position. No, wait radar is picking it up.’ Dom checked the scan. ‘String, it’s airborne and moving towards our vehicle.’

‘Weapons to combat mode. Plot an intercept course.’

‘Weapons to combat mode. Course plotted.’

Hawke swung Airwolf around. He reached up to release his visor which slid down with an audible click and activated the night vision.

‘String, we got real trouble. There’s two more helicopters on the screen approaching from the South; they’re heading this way.’

Hawke registered the words but kept focused on the target ahead. The first helicopter was moving in an attack pattern towards the vehicle carrying the US operatives. Hawke brought Airwolf up alongside the helicopter and glanced across. The co-pilot was gesturing wildly; first at the pilot and then back at Airwolf. Hawke gave a wave. The helicopter swerved away. Hawke went in the opposite direction to meet it as it circled around in an attempt to come up behind him. He calmly fired a missile into the front of the cockpit before changing course away from the burning debris as it fell from the sky.

‘Those two other choppers are lining up with the vehicle. They have them in their sights, String and they’re firing.’ Dom’s voice rose in alarm.

‘We’re on our way.’ Hawke arrowed Airwolf into a dive and used the automatic targeting to get a fix on one chopper. He fired a missile. The chopper in his sights exploded in a shower of flames.

‘String!’ Dom’s cry alerted him to the final helicopter firing at point blank range at the car which slewed to a halt. Hawke didn’t hesitate he flew Airwolf directly between them. Gun-fire rocketed into her and sparked off her armour. Hawke prayed nothing would hit the rotors.

‘Redeye.’ He snapped.

‘String, the blast…at this range…’ Dom protested even as he set up the missile.

Hawke fired. The explosion engulfed Airwolf, rocking her precarious stability. Hawke struggled to hold her as she pitched sideways. Flames licked at her windows and armour before a dark cloud of smoke wrapped itself around the aircraft. Hawke wrestled with the stick, trying to keep her level as she shook. He hurriedly released the landing gear and they made it to the ground with a bump.

Hawke ripped off his helmet and let out the breath he hadn’t even realised he’d been holding, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned to Dom.

‘You OK?’

Dom nodded shakily.

‘Our people?’

Dom checked his scans. ‘Two life-signs.’

Hawke’s gaze turned glacial. ‘I’ll check out the vehicle. You fix whatever needs fixing. We can’t stay here for long.’ He didn’t wait for Dom’s reply; he jumped out of Airwolf and made his way over to the stopped car, keeping his hand close to his holstered gun.

The back passenger door of the vehicle opened as he got closer and he recognised the agent as she stepped out gingerly. He hurried over.

‘Marella!’ He said, placing a hand on her shoulder. ‘I’d say it was good to see you but…’

The black haired woman nodded at him, her dark eyes swimming with secrets in her smooth café latte complexion. ‘Michael sent you?’

Hawke nodded and released her. And now I know why, he thought to himself. Marella had been Michael’s closest aide but she’d been reassigned to field work during Michael’s enforced leave of absence when the FIRM’s governing committee had briefly operated a second Airwolf. Hawke had often wondered why Michael hadn’t revoked the reassignment; the man was even more close-mouthed than him about some things, Hawke mused. Marella’s move back to the car brought him out of his reverie. He made to go to the driver.

‘He’s dead.’ Marella stated. She reached into the back and helped a forty-something year old man to his feet. The exchanged prisoner, Hawke deduced taking in the deathly pale skin stretched tightly over sharp cheekbones and the skeletal frame. Marella still lurched under his weight and Hawke moved to assist her. The man gasped in pain and blinked at Hawke blearily.

‘Who?’

‘A friend.’ Marella said quickly.

Hawke jerked his head toward Airwolf. ‘Let’s get him in the Lady.’

Dom smiled a welcome at Marella as they staggered over and stepped in to take Marella’s place. The brief distance tired the man out completely and after being man-handled into the back of Airwolf, he passed out on the floor. Hawke and Dom stepped out of the cockpit leaving him covered in a blanket.

‘Can you get her in the air?’ Marella asked. ‘I need to get to the safe house.’

Dom nodded. ‘Just. She should hold up till we’re back in the US of A.’ He turned to Hawke. ‘She’s taken some damage but she’ll fly.’

Hawke gestured for them to get inside. ‘Let’s go then.’

They all held their breath as the engines, systems and rotors came on line. Hawke took her up cautiously. He felt the effect of the damage in the pull of the machine and frowned. Airwolf automatically adjusted and the aircraft steadied under his hands. He called for the turbos. They shot forward.

‘Uh String?’ Dom called from the back. ‘We have two MIGs on an intercept course, closing fast.’

‘Go to stealth mode.’ Hawke said and reached to the side of his helmet to release the visor again.

‘You’re not fighting them?’ asked Marella.

‘She’s damaged, her systems might not hold in a fight. We’re going to have to outrun them.’ Hawke muttered as he took Airwolf down in a steep dive. Marella leaned back in her chair as if to escape the ground rushing up towards her. She released a deep breath as they levelled out at the last minute. Hawke kept the machine as close to the ground as he could; houses, trees and streams came and went underneath their feet. Marella felt a rush of nausea and jerked her gaze up to the console in front of her instead. Slowly the co-ordinates on the screen in front registered with her.

‘You have to turn around! You’re heading away from the safe house.’

Hawke didn’t take his eyes from the ground ahead of them leaving Dom to give an explanation.

‘We can’t risk the delay in dropping you off, honey.’

Marella twisted to look at him.

‘Our Lady’s pretty beaten up; sooner we get to our own territory the better.’ He continued.

‘But the safe house…’ Marella protested. ‘They’re expecting us.’

‘We’ll call Michael as soon as we get out of European airspace. He’ll handle it.’ Dom said comfortingly. ‘The MIGs are breaking off pursuit, String. We’re clear.’

Marella opened her mouth to protest again but a look at Dom’s cheery but implacable face stopped her. She glanced at Hawke and knew that any appeal would fall on deaf ears; he was transfixed with his flying. She watched him and wondered at the synchronicity between man and machine. If one man had been born to fly Airwolf… She sighed and turned to check on the freed prisoner.

‘He’s OK.’ Dom said. ‘Fast asleep.’

Marella bit her lip. ‘He’s been in an East German prison for five years.’

‘Hey why’d do think they double crossed you?’ Dom asked.

‘Because they could.’ She rubbed her arms as though cold. ‘Where’s Caitlin?’

‘Vacation.’ Dom said. ‘She’s spending some time with her folks in Texas.’

‘I heard about Le.’ Marella said her gaze flickering towards Hawke.

‘You heard about it?’ Dom was surprised.

‘I am in the information business, Dom.’

He gave a short laugh. ‘I guess you are.’

Marella sighed again and settled back into her seat.

It was a long journey even in Airwolf and they were all tired by the time they landed in California. Marella blinked at the sight of the limo waiting alongside the requested ambulance as Hawke removed his helmet. She firmed her lips and pushed the door open stepping out with an innate grace and confidence despite the crumpled clothes and messy hair. She didn’t try to smooth it; once the wiry curls were tangled, they were tangled. Hawke shooed her out of the way as he and Dom helped the still unconscious man out of the back of the cockpit and over to the ambulance where Michael stood waiting. She followed a little behind and came to a stop beside them as they transferred their burden to a waiting stretcher, the medics quickly taking over.

‘Marella.’ Michael nearly pushed Hawke aside to greet her. ‘It’s good to see you.’

She straightened her shoulders and gave a small smile. ‘It’s good to see you too, sir.’

Hawke and Dom exchanged an amused look at the restrained reunion. Hawke cleared his throat. ‘We’ll be in touch, Michael.’

Michael started as though he’d forgotten the others were there. He regained his composure immediately, smoothing his moustache. ‘Let me know when you’re done with the repairs.’

Hawke nodded, nudged Dom who was grinning at the spy with unhidden glee and walked back to Airwolf. He winced at the new scorch marks on her under-carriage. Dom sighed as they took in the damage.

‘She’s going to need a lot of tender love and care.’ Dom said glaring at his young partner.

Hawke smiled at him, quirking an eyebrow. ‘That’s your department.’ He said before slapping him on the shoulder. ‘I just fly her.’

Two days later, Hawke sat on the desk in the cramped Santini Air office and flipped through a flight plan without really seeing it. The repairs to Airwolf’s systems were going slowly and he was beginning to feel a little frustrated at the lack of progress. The phone rang and he threw the plan on the desk with a mountain of other paper-work to pick up the receiver.

‘Santini Air.’

‘Hawke? It’s Caitlin.’

‘Hi.’ Hawke smiled into the receiver inordinately pleased to hear her voice. ‘How are you?’

‘Good.’ She hesitated. ‘I got a message that Dom called? Something about the Jamieson file?’

‘Oh. Sure. I think he must have lost it; probably thought you would know where it is.’ Hawke surmised, wondering why Dom hadn’t mentioned it.

‘Have you looked in the filing cabinet? Under ‘J’?’ Caitlin asked.

Hawke’s eyes drifted to the set of grey metal drawers at the other end of the office. He carried the phone over and opened a drawer rifling through the tightly packed folders until he found Jamieson. He sighed. He had a feeling Dom had set up the call to get them to talk; he knew Hawke never went near the files.

‘Got it.’ Hawke said pulling the folder out and tossing it on the desk.

At the other end of the line, Caitlin rolled her blue eyes and twirled her fingers in the cord. ‘Well if that was everything…’ She began.

‘So, you enjoying your vacation?’ Hawke asked reluctant to end the conversation.

‘Yeah.’ Caitlin cleared her throat. ‘I’m seeing some friends, catching up, that kind of thing. It’s good.’ She closed her eyes at the inanity of her words and hurried to say something else. ‘You guys OK?’

‘Yeah.’ Hawke looked at the ceiling and wondered how he fixed the distance he’d put between them. ‘We had a job. The Lady got a bit damaged and Dom’s mad at me.’

Caitlin smiled. ‘I’m sure it wasn’t intentional.’

‘Dom has every right to be mad.’ Hawke said. ‘I didn’t treat her with much respect.’

Caitlin remained silent on the other end and wondered if they were still talking about Airwolf. ‘I’m sure she knows you did what you needed to do.’ She said finally.

Hawke smiled at her reply and the tightness in his shoulders and his gut eased. ‘Hey, don’t stay away too long OK?’

‘OK. Bye.’

‘Bye.’ Hawke replaced the receiver and realised that his earlier frustration had dissipated. He smiled and headed for the door. Maybe he could put a couple of hours in on the Lady’s systems and get them working again.

Continued Part II.