Fanfiction: The Other Blackjack - Part I

[rachel500]

Fandom: Airwolf
Series: The Lost Season (Story 22)
Summary: Hawke finally receives information on his brother but before he can react tragedy strikes the team.
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: Hawke/Caitlin.  Michael/Marella.  Warning major character death.  Spoilers for S4's Blackjack.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.  Written for entertainment purposes only.


The Other Blackjack

Part 1

Dominic Santini waved at the sight of the incoming helicopter, a wide grin spreading across his craggy face. He adjusted his red baseball cap and clapped his hands together joyfully. It had been a long two weeks since he had last seen Stringfellow Hawke and Hawke’s wife, Caitlin. Ah, he thought happily, but it was good to have them back. The couple had retreated to their cabin to heal the physical and emotional wounds from John Bradford Horn’s plan to steal Caitlin and the couple’s unborn baby from Hawke. Dom felt the anger stirring in him again as he thought about what the megalomaniac had put the couple through; Hawke had almost been destroyed by grief after Horn had faked Caitlin’s death in a helicopter crash. Hawke had ultimately refused to believe it and had rescued her, only for Horn to try again. The second attempt had left them both bruised and battered. They had needed the time alone, Dom thought. He had been a little surprised when Hawke had called a few days previously to tell him they were headed for Texas to see Caitlin’s parents but maybe there were wounds that needed to heal there too. Caitlin’s faked death had affected them all. Dom was just happy to have them back at last. He waved again.

‘Are you sure they’ll be OK with my being here to meet them?’ Jo Santini stuffed her hands in the pockets of her blue flight overalls and shuffled awkwardly beside her uncle. She figured there was a lot more to the story of Caitlin’s foiled kidnapping and faked death than she’d been told.

‘Of course I’m sure.’ Dom replied blithely. ‘Like I said they were thrilled when I told them you were all moved back.’ He started forward as the helicopter landed and the engines were switched off. Jo trailed after him.

Dom helped Caitlin from the helicopter and hugged her before taking a good, long look at the redheaded pilot. He was pleased to see her cheeks were glowing with a healthy pink tinge under the freckles and her blue-green eyes were shining back at him without any shadows. There was little sign in the slim frame of her advancing pregnancy and he ignored the faint imprints of bruises still evident on her throat. ‘You look fantastic.’ He said.

He turned his attention to Hawke who stepped forward so Dom could hug him too. They held each other for a long moment before Dom eased his hold on the man who he had raised, bussed his cheek and slapped the back of his head fondly. Hawke looked good; his boyish face was as relaxed and unguarded as Hawke would ever allow himself to be. Dom couldn’t help notice how his ice blue eyes warmed whenever they caught sight of Caitlin. He frowned. Hawke’s hair was longer than normal and its brown colour bleached with the sun.

Dom gestured. ‘You need a haircut.’

Hawke shrugged. He’d let his hair grow out over the last few weeks and he wasn’t bothered. ‘I missed you too, Dom.’ His attention caught on the diminutive blonde lurking behind the older man. ‘Jo?’

‘Hi, String.’ Jo moved forward to hug Hawke. She was delighted at his welcome, his blue eyes smiling at her as he gave her a quick squeeze. She had been a little concerned that Hawke still viewed her with suspicion even after their discussion about her involvement with an intelligence agency called the Company. She patted his arms and turned to his wife. ‘Caitlin.’

Caitlin gave a sunny smile and enveloped Dom’s niece in a hug. They still didn’t know each other very well but they had begun to form a friendship on Jo’s last visit that Caitlin hoped would continue. She stepped back and reviewed the pretty woman in greased overalls with a practical blonde bob scraped back into an even more practical ponytail with amusement; she recognised a kindred spirit.

‘So you’re finally all moved back?’’ Caitlin asked her Texan drawl more prevalent after the stay with her family.

‘The whole nine yards.’ Jo smiled.

‘Well, let’s not stand out here gossiping.’ Dom ushered them into the hangar. They caught up with inconsequential matters whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. Jo finally excused herself to fix the Jet Ranger in the hangar leaving the three of them alone.

‘She seems real settled in, Dom.’ Caitlin commented with some relief.

‘Yeah, she’s a good kid.’

‘Has she said anything more about her time with the Company?’ Hawke asked.

Dom was about to reply to the casually delivered question when he caught the suspicion in Hawke’s eyes. ‘Now, String, don’t start. You can’t think…’

‘What I know, Dom,’ Hawke cut in, ‘is that the Company officially took over the FIRM a week ago.’

‘And I thought you’d cleared this up already and were satisfied Jo wasn’t spying on us or anything like that.’ Dom insisted.

‘I did,’ admitted Hawke sheepishly, ‘but the last few weeks…’ he shrugged awkwardly.

Caitlin cleared her throat as she saw Dom’s brow lower ominously. ‘Dom, the reason why we’re keen to be sure is…well…’ her blue-green eyes found her husband’s.

‘We’ve made some decisions.’ Hawke completed. His hand reached out to hers and their fingers tangled in silent support.

Dom frowned; he got the feeling he wasn’t going to like what they had come up with.

‘Cait’s going to go and work on the new Airwolf project.’ Hawke said quietly. Their friend and the former acting director of the FIRM, Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III, had revealed the existence of the project at the start of the year. They were aiming to build a new generation of the world’s most technologically advanced and mach capable helicopter; the original Airwolf still remained hidden in the Lair.

It had been two and a half years since Hawke had recovered the helicopter from her twisted creator and made his deal with Michael; he would fly Airwolf on missions of national importance and the FIRM would look for his MIA brother. But time had moved on and Airwolf had developed an artificial intelligence. The team were still working on a solution for ensuring an intelligent Airwolf didn’t fall into the hands of the Company given the merger.

Dom looked from Caitlin to Hawke and back. ‘What d’ya mean Cait’s going to work on the Airwolf project?’ He gestured expansively with his mug of coffee.

‘We’ve had some time to think in the last few days,’ Caitlin explained when her husband motioned for her to reply, ‘and we’ve realised that we made it pretty easy for Horn to discover we’re married, about the baby, about our lives.’

‘You know Jo doesn’t know it was the information she gave to Marin that…’ Dom began worriedly.

‘That informed Horn I was pregnant?’ Caitlin nodded. ‘I know and I don’t see the need to tell her either.’

Dom breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Truth is, Dom,’ Hawke added, ‘Horn had plenty of opportunity to learn of it without Jo. We weren’t exactly discreet.’ He cleared his throat. ‘That’s gotta change.’

‘Michael’s taking care of making sure there is no or little documentary evidence linking me to Airwolf or to Hawke just like he sealed the original marriage record but…’ Caitlin said.

‘We need to do our bit.’ Hawke added. ‘She needs to be less visible right now especially with the baby on the way.’ He said firmly seeing the look of protest on Dom’s face. ‘Michael’s project can provide her with that protection. If she continues to work here with us every day, it’s too easy for someone to make her a target.’

‘And there’s another reason.’ Caitlin added. ‘The doctor hasn’t grounded me but she has suggested I find a less physical job.’

‘Is everything OK?’ Dom asked worriedly.

‘I’m fine but…’ she sighed, ‘I could be better. She just doesn’t want me overexerting myself and fixing choppers, flying as much as I do here, it’s all physical work,’ she held up a hand stopping Dom from speaking, ‘and before you say it, I couldn’t stand being around the office and just watching.’

‘Consulting on the Airwolf project is still a desk job but it’s interesting enough that it’ll stop her going completely nuts and she’s well away from being tempted into missions.’ Hawke added.

Dom sighed despondently. He couldn’t argue with either reason. ‘You’ve talked to Michael already?’ He asked.

‘Not yet.’ Hawke admitted. ‘He’s meeting us at the cabin later.’

‘I’m going to miss working here.’ Caitlin said with a sad smile.

‘I’m going to miss having you work here.’ Dom replied and sighed.

‘At least with Jo here you’re not going to be a pilot down,’ Caitlin made a determined effort not to sound jealous of the other woman, ‘and if Jo is trustworthy then you might not be a pilot down in Airwolf either.’

Dom’s gaze snapped to Hawke’s. ‘You’d get Jo involved with the Lady?’ His craggy face lit up with a hope that Hawke didn’t have the heart to wipe off.

‘It’s a thought.’ Hawke said diplomatically. ‘We could just go back to being a two man team.’

‘But a threesome gives you more flexibility,’ Caitlin noted, ‘and Jo understands about you searching for Saint John.’

Dom almost smiled at the look the couple exchanged; it was obviously an old discussion. He cleared his throat. ‘Well, that’s true enough.’ He said commenting on Caitlin’s last remark. ‘Jo adored Saint John. All you kids were like family to one another when you were young.’

‘Yeah.’ Hawke agreed. ‘But that was a long time ago and like I said, I’m still a little wary of her involvement with the Company.’

‘And I say you’re making too much of it.’ Dom argued.

‘Maybe.’ Hawke shot back.

Caitlin stood up and kissed Hawke’s cheek. ‘And on that note, I need to visit the bathroom.’ She sighed. ‘I’ll be right back.’

Dom hid his amusement as Hawke kept hold of her fingers until the very last moment. The office door closed behind her and Dom saw the worry flit over Hawke’s otherwise impassive face.

‘I know she said she was fine but…’ Dom began.

‘She is.’ Hawke gestured and went to pour them another coffee. ‘Her blood pressure’s still a little high that’s all.’

‘Hmmm.’ Dom could still see Hawke’s own anxiety lurking beneath the surface calm of his blue eyes. ‘And what about the two of you?’

Hawke handed him a drink. ‘We’re OK.’ He caved to the parental concern gleaming in Dom’s eyes. ‘It’s been rough.’ He admitted.

‘It’s going to take time getting through what Horn did to you both.’

‘Yeah.’ Hawke agreed his face hidden in the mug.

‘The two of you love each other; that’s the important thing.’ Dom said wisely.

Hawke lowered the mug and slowly nodded.

Dom took a gulp of coffee. ‘How was Texas?’

‘Good.’ Hawke said sounding a little surprised at his own comment. ‘We had a service for the woman who died in the helicopter crash.’

‘Oh.’ Dom shifted uncomfortably.

Hawke smiled at his expression. ‘The O’Shaunessy’s decided to keep her buried on the family plot but they were replacing the headstone and wanted to mark the occasion.’

‘I wouldn’t have thought that would have been a good experience for either you or Cait.’ Dom commented gently.

Hawke said. ‘I think it helped drive home to all of us that it wasn’t Cait who died that day.’ He gestured. ‘And I think it also helps that there isn’t a grave any longer with Caitlin’s name on it.’

‘I guess so.’ Dom muttered.

Hawke hid a smile at the uncertainty lacing Dom’s words. If he was truthful he’d had his own misgivings when the O’Shaunessy’s had called with the invitation but he was glad they had gone. The simple ceremony had given him and Caitlin some peace about what had happened.

‘You joining us for dinner tonight?’ Hawke asked.

Dom nodded. ‘Should I bring Jo?’

Hawke shook his head. ‘Not with Michael and Marella coming over.’ He set his mug down as Caitlin came back into the office. ‘We’ll see you up there?’

Dom nodded. ‘See you later.’

Part 2

‘You do know we’re breaking a direct order.’ Marella commented bringing in the helicopter to land in front of the Santini chopper in front of the cabin. She was dressed in her usual all-white flight suit. She removed the headset and her nimble fingers soon rearranged her short dark hair back into perfect order.

‘It’s never stopped us before.’ Michael said unruffled. He was in the casual version of his all-white uniform; white pants, white sweater, white jacket. His wire-frame glasses with the black eye-patch completed the outfit which was also accessorised by a much needed rosewood cane.

‘We’ve never been without a division to back us up before.’ Marella said wryly. Michael’s organisation had been disbanded with the Company take-over of the FIRM; they were still getting used to their new status.

Michael hid a smile as he looked over at the Hawaiian agent with more than a little fondness. He’d held out for two things in his negotiating with the new bosses; control of the new Airwolf project and that Marella remained with him. She was much more to him than just his senior aide and he was pleased their personal relationship was progressing with the blessing of his ten year old daughter. ‘We’ll be OK, Marella.’

‘I know, Michael.’ The dark eyes that smiled back at him were filled with a trust and a faith that humbled him.

Michael couldn’t stop himself leaning across the cockpit and kissing her.

She was smiling when he raised his head. ‘We should go in before Hawke comes looking for us.’

He smiled in agreement and led the way out of the helicopter and across the small clearing to the cabin.

It was after dinner when the group were sat in comfortable familiarity in the living area in front of a crackling fire that Michael cleared his throat and turned the subject to business.

‘I have news,’ he begun.

They all turned to look at him expectantly.

‘My division no longer exists. I have been relieved of all responsibility in regard to the existing Airwolf file.’ Michael said. He noticed the absence of surprise; they had all expected what had come to pass.

‘And your new project?’ Hawke asked from his seat on the hearthstone.

‘Full control,’ Michael confirmed, ‘but we’re under orders to cease contact with you whilst you have the original Airwolf.’ This time he could see the flickers of surprise on Dom’s and Caitlin’s faces; Hawke remained stubbornly unaffected.

‘You’re taking a risk being here.’ Hawke commented dryly and raised his wine glass.

Michael pointed his cane at him. ‘You’ve been a bad influence on me.’

They all smiled.

‘What does that order mean for our involvement with your project?’ Caitlin asked.

Michael shrugged. ‘As far as I’m concerned you’re all still involved.’

Hawke glanced up at Caitlin and she nodded. Michael and Marella watched the exchange with curiosity.

‘We have a favour to ask.’ Hawke admitted and gestured at his wife. ‘We’d like Cait to start working full time on the project.’ He met Michael’s gaze.

‘I won’t be working at the air service any longer or as part of the Airwolf crew.’ Caitlin said. ‘Doctor’s orders.’

‘And we need to take her off the radar.’ Hawke added.

Michael took a deep breath. He had seen for himself the devastation that Horn had inflicted on the couple and knew Hawke was asking him to do more than give Caitlin something to do; he was asking Michael to protect her. The spy didn’t hesitate. ‘Consider it done.’ He said.

Hawke’s tension eased a little as Michael held his gaze for a heartbeat; Michael had understood.

‘Great.’ Caitlin said brightly, ignoring the serious and intent look the guys had shared. ‘When do I start?’

‘As soon as you want.’ Marella said. ‘It’ll be great to have you on board.’ She smiled at the younger woman; they’d become good friends.

‘How far along are you now?’ Caitlin asked eagerly.

‘The frame and the shell are complete. The major hardware is installed and we’re tweaking the programming.’ Marella said. ‘We may need to make a decision fairly shortly on whether we want to transfer the artificial intelligence from the original or leave her where she is.’

Hawke shook his head. ‘It’s probably best to leave it for now. I’d like to have the advantage over whatever the Company is going to throw at us at least for the short term.’

‘Makes sense.’ Michael said.

‘Plus,’ Hawke added, ‘it might be better for all of us for them to believe you’re complying with your orders.’

Michael’s good eye twinkled. ‘Maybe.’

‘Let’s leave things to settle until then.’ Hawke suggested.

Michael sighed trying not to acknowledge Marella’s pleading look to agree with Hawke as he considered the pilot’s plan. Hawke was a good strategist and an intuitive one. Michael slowly nodded. ‘I guess we can do this so Caitlin comes in to work on the project every day without any other contact.’ He brushed a finger over his moustache. ‘It definitely looks like they are going to continue the deal we made about your brother, at least in terms of appearances.’

They were all silent for a moment. They had discovered the Company was removing information about Saint John from the intelligence network and feared it was so the Company could claim plausible deniability; Michael believed they knew more about the fate of Hawke’s brother than they claimed. It was just as well that they had already discovered a great deal about his brother’s fate, Hawke mused; Saint John had been rescued from the Vietcong by a Special Forces unit he had gone on to join. When they had disbanded, he had left the army and joined an intelligence agency doing similar deep covert incursions into enemy territory in Southeast Asia. Michael was convinced the intelligence agency was the Company.

‘So if you’re not in charge of the Airwolf file,’ Caitlin asked, ‘do you know who’s taking it over?’

‘A Company operative called Jason Locke.’ Marella answered. ‘He has a solid reputation.’

‘We still don’t have full access to the Company’s mainframe but what information we have and from my meeting with him, I get the impression he’s very much a Company man.’ Michael said.

‘He generally keeps to the rules of the game, prefers to take minimal risks and importantly for the Company, he follows orders.’ Marella expanded on Michael’s comment.

Michael smiled and pointed at Hawke. ‘He’s going to find working with you frustrating.’

‘Gee thanks.’ Hawke said with a laugh.

Dom laughed. ‘It sounds like this guy is a bit of a…a goody two-shoes, huh?’

‘He’s a bit of a stuffed shirt…’ Michael ignored Dom’s hoot knowing the older pilot had called him worse in the past, ‘but he’s also got a reputation for being a good man. He seemed sympathetic when I explained the situation with your brother.’

Marella frowned. ‘But ultimately he’s going to put the interests of the Company first.’

‘How much did you tell him?’ Hawke asked.

‘The basics.’ Michael tapped his cane against the chair. ‘The agreement parameters that he looks for your brother, you fly missions. That we have information that Saint John was working for the Company or another intelligence agency after Vietnam. That he’s missing still.’ He paused. ‘He thinks I’m going on assignment to the Far East. He doesn’t have clearance for the new Airwolf project.’

‘He doesn’t know you’re building a new one?’ Dom’s eyebrows rose.

‘He has no need to know.’ Michael commented.

‘We’ll pretend we don’t know anything.’ Hawke assured him.

Dom laughed. ‘It’d be the truth.’

Michael looked at his empty wine glass and sighed. ‘We’d better head back.’

The others walked Michael and Marella out to the porch and there were a flurry of farewell hugs.

Michael shook Hawke’s hand solemnly. It might be the last time they would see each other for a while. ‘Take care, Hawke.’

Hawke nodded. ‘You too, Michael.’ His gaze flickered to his wife.

Michael squeezed his hand again before releasing it. ‘I’ll look after her, you have my word.’

Hawke gave a brief smile. Caitlin’s arms slipped around him and Hawke’s arms went around her whilst they watched the white chopper take to the night sky with mixed emotions.

Dom sighed. ‘Everything’s changing, huh?’

Hawke slapped Dom’s shoulder. ‘Want to go take the Lady for a spin?’

Dom’s eyes widened with surprised pleasure. He’d checked in on the machine over the previous couple of weeks but it had been a while since they’d flown her for sheer fun. ‘Sure.’ He pulled his baseball cap on his head. ‘What are we waiting for?’

Hawke looked at Caitlin inquiringly and she smiled indulgently.

‘Why don’t you guys go ahead?’ She said and patted her tummy. ‘Baby and I are having an early night.’

Hawke leaned over and dropped a kiss on her lips. His eyes acknowledged that she was letting him go and have some much needed alone time with Dom as the older pilot gave her a hug goodbye.

It didn’t take them long to fly to the Lair. Dom halted as they entered and Hawke dealt with the security system. The cave was situated in the heart of the Valley of the Gods with a narrow funnel to the sky above. The majority of the cave was in its original state; dusty floor and natural rock formation but one side had a man-made steel platform with a yellow railing taking up space. It had a bank of consoles with a sophisticated communications and security system that was tied into the portable generator that stood out of sight behind one of the rocks. Lockers were located to the side of the platform along with spare armaments and equipment. But it was the centre of the cave that drew the eye and specifically the black and white helicopter that resided there.

The lamps Michael had installed lit Airwolf in a circle of white light. The silhouette of the deadly shape was flung onto the rocky walls of the cave like a twisted prehistoric drawing. Armour gleamed at them; the rotors glinted.

Dom beamed at the sight of her. ‘Now if that doesn’t warm your heart, I don’t know what will.’

‘Yeah.’ Hawke agreed quietly coming to stand beside him.

‘You know I think she’s missed us, String.’ Dom took a few steps into the circle and patted Airwolf’s flank.

Hawke rolled his eyes. ‘She’s still only a machine, Dom.’

‘Aw, don’t you listen to him baby.’ Dom murmured as he stroked the helicopter.

The hiss of hydraulics brought a smile to both their faces.

They changed into the lilac uniforms quickly and performed a full pre-flight check on Airwolf before they took their places.

Hawke pressed the start buttons and heard the engines fire and the rotors rhythmic thud with satisfaction. His hand gripped the stick and he felt it; that special something between him and the machine; a piece of a jigsaw clicking into place in his soul. He could swear Airwolf was as eager as he was to take to the sky.

‘Dom?’

‘Looking good back here, kid.’

‘Then, let’s go.’ Hawke grasped the cyclic and took her up. They hovered in the night sky over the Lair’s funnel. ‘Turbos.’

‘Turbos.’

They shot forward. For a long while they enjoyed the flight; the exhilaration of the speed and dark, low flying over the rocky terrain. Finally, Hawke turned them homewards.

‘I’m going to miss this.’ Dom said.

Hawke glanced back at him briefly confused. ‘What?’

‘When we finally get round to handing her back.’ Dom explained with a gap-toothed smile. He gestured at the console. ‘I’m going to miss being able to do this.’

‘Me too.’ Hawke said. ‘Although by the sound of it, I don’t think the Company are going to come after us for her any time soon.’

‘You think Michael’s right and they know where Saint John is?’ Dom asked.

‘Maybe.’ Hawke said. ‘I know one thing.’

‘What?’

‘He’s got to be somewhere and somebody knows something.’ Hawke muttered.

‘It’s a shame Cait’s going to miss out on flying her for a while.’ Dom commented.

Hawke sighed. ‘Yeah but at least she’s safe.’

‘You really think it’s necessary for her to hide away in Michael’s project?’

‘Yeah.’ Hawke replied. ‘We made it way too easy for Horn, Dom. I’m not making the same mistake twice.’

‘Hmmm.’ Dom shook his head and tapped an instruction into the computer. ‘It’s just as well Jo’s back otherwise we’d be a pilot down.’

Hawke ignored the subtle hint.

Dom shifted impatiently. ‘Are you going to ask her to help us with Airwolf?’

Hawke sighed. ‘I don’t know, Dom.’

‘It wasn’t her fault Marin told Horn about the baby, String.’

‘I know that.’ Hawke fired back. ‘I’m still just worried about her connection to the Company, that’s all.’

‘Is it?’ Dom pressed. ‘Because you keep saying you got that cleared up but then you don’t seem to want to let go of it.’

‘OK so maybe what happened with Marin hasn’t helped me trust her any.’ Hawke admitted.

‘Aha.’

‘But,’ Hawke stressed, ‘I know that wasn’t her fault.’ He fidgeted for a moment. ‘I want to believe in her, Dom, I really do.’

‘Then give her a chance.’ Dom said.

Hawke sighed. ‘I wouldn’t have thought you would have wanted to get her involved.’ He pointed out. ‘It’s pretty dangerous.’

‘I guess having Cait around has kinda altered my view. She’s saved my life a few times.’ Dom admitted with a laugh. ‘And I’m not suggesting we have the same set up as we had with Cait. I think we should just train her like we intended with Cait; just as a back up for one of us.’ He paused. ‘I’m not getting any younger, kid.’

Hawke was silent for a while as he considered the other man’s words. ‘OK. She gets a chance.’

‘That’s great, String…’

‘If,’ Hawke interrupted, ‘she wants it after hearing everything that’s involved.’

Dom inclined his head. He hadn’t considered his niece might refuse. ‘So when do we ask her?’

‘Let’s wait a couple of days and see what happens with this guy Locke.’ Hawke suggested. His eyes caught on the familiar rock formations ahead. ‘We’re approaching the Lair.’

‘We’re clear.’ Dom confirmed.

Hawke slowly descended down the funnel and back into Airwolf’s resting place. He removed his helmet and turned to the back of the cockpit.

Dom grinned back at him. ‘I’ve missed that. You, me and our Lady.’

‘Me too.’

They shared a look that encompassed a lot; the camaraderie of the flight, their bond, the love that underscored their relationship.

‘Come on,’ Dom said, ‘we’d better get you home before Caitlin starts worrying.’

Hawke nodded and climbed out, thinking it was likely that the two of them would be worrying about each other for a while.

Part 3

Hawke panicked when he caught sight of Caitlin’s chopper on the landing deck. She’d been working at the Airwolf project for a couple of days and wasn’t supposed to be home for another couple of hours. Something must be wrong he thought as he jumped out of the chopper and rushed into the cabin to check. He calmed almost immediately at the sight of his wife. She was sat curled up on the sofa reading.

Caitlin gave a delighted smile and threw down her book to greet him with a kiss, her arms sliding around him. ‘You’re home early.’ She said.

‘So are you.’ He commented.

Caitlin made a face. ‘Michael’s even more of a worrywart than you.’

Hawke’s lips twitched. ‘Sent you home did he?’

She nodded and her eyes shined with mischief. ‘I yawned too many times. He said I should go to bed.’ She waggled her eyebrows suggestively as her fingers played with the buttons on his shirt. She stilled hearing footsteps and voices approaching. ‘You brought company?’

Hawke nodded ruefully. ‘’Fraid so.’

Caitlin patted his chest and smiled. ‘Shame.’

Jo hesitated in the doorway seeing the couple hugging in front of her. Dom pushed her through the doorway and made for the kitchen. ‘Don’t pay any attention to them. They do that all the time. Now come and help me make this pasta.’

Hawke winked at the blonde pilot, his arms still locked around his wife who was smiling at her in welcome. Jo smiled back, shoved her hands in her pockets and followed her uncle. She glanced back at the couple and felt a twinge of envy at their obvious togetherness, the way they looked at each other. She saw Caitlin’s hand move to her abdomen in an unconscious protective gesture of expectant mothers the world over.

‘You need any help?’ Caitlin called over sensing Jo’s regard.

‘Nah.’ Dom waved her away. ‘Jo and I invited ourselves to dinner, we’ll cook. Why don’t you two go for a walk or something? It’ll be about an hour before it’s on the table.’

Jo watched with amusement as Hawke led Caitlin outside and his running around to gather a blanket, book and warm drink for her before he took his cello out to play to her.

‘They’re very happy together aren’t they?’ She commented chopping the vegetables Dom had given her.

Dom paused in rolling out the pasta dough and gave a satisfied nod. ‘It took them a while to realise they were perfect for each other and they’ve had a rough time with the kidnapping but they’re solid.’

Jo rolled her blue eyes. ‘That’s just so unromantic, Uncle Dom.’

‘Solid can be romantic.’ Dom argued. ‘You should ask String how he proposed.’

Jo followed his advice over dinner and there was much laughter as Dom recounted the story of his skywriting Hawke’s proposal over the cabin on Christmas morning.

Hawke sat back in his chair, one hand over his wife’s on the table top, the other holding his glass of wine.

Jo swallowed a gulp of wine and tried not to feel too envious. Her last romance with Marin had ended disastrously when she’d discovered that he’d used her to spy on the Airwolf team. She felt her stomach tighten at the memory. She’d accidentally overheard the conversation between her uncle, Hawke and Caitlin in the office. She’d been responsible for Marin knowing about the baby…and he had used that information to help an evil man orchestrate an event that had almost killed Caitlin and Hawke. It was no wonder they wouldn’t let her near Airwolf.

Another twinge of jealousy bit at her gut. She had only two experiences of flying in the helicopter and both had been amazing; she was more than a little regretful that they were unlikely to be repeated. She had made it even more unlikely, she mused, by keeping her involvement with the Company a secret from them. She would never spy on Dom, he was a second father to her, and Hawke was like the brother she had never had; she couldn’t believe that they had even thought for a moment she would betray them. She hadn’t even been a full-fledged spy, she grumbled to herself, just a translator. She sighed inwardly. She guessed she could understand why they were so wary; Airwolf was Hawke’s only means of finding Saint John and if he ever lost that…

‘Penny for them?’ Caitlin asked amused at the far-away look in the other woman’s eyes.

Jo jumped as though startled. ‘Sorry,’ she said apologetically, ‘I was miles away.’

Caitlin nodded. ‘I was asking if you’ve thought about where you want to live yet?’

‘I was thinking somewhere by the beach.’ Jo said. ‘But I was checking out the prices and I’m not sure…’

‘You can stay at my place as long as you like.’ Dom said kindly patting her hand.

‘I know, Uncle Dom.’ Jo said with a smile.

Caitlin got to her feet and began clearing the plates. She waved Jo back into her seat. ‘I’ve got this.’

‘We’ve got this.’ Hawke corrected her and rose to help.

They cleared away and brought out the coffee.

Jo watched as Caitlin nudged Hawke surreptitiously as she set the coffee pot down. Hawke shot his wife a look which she returned. It was like watching a silent conversation, Jo thought. She looked across at her uncle who studiously avoided her gaze.

Hawke cleared his throat. ‘Jo…’

Dom’s niece looked at him questioningly.

‘We were wondering,’ Hawke began, ‘that is we were thinking…’

‘It’s a bit difficult to explain.’ Dom jumped in.

‘Would you like to join the Airwolf crew?’ Caitlin asked bluntly.

‘Or maybe not that difficult.’ Dom murmured.

‘On a trial basis.’ Hawke added shooting Caitlin another look. She simply winked back at her husband.

Jo looked at the expectant faces around the table aware of how loudly her heart was pounding. ‘Is this a joke?’

‘No joke.’ Hawke confirmed. He wrapped his hands around the cup of coffee he held. ‘Caitlin’s off the team because of the baby and whilst Dom and I can handle most of the missions ourselves…’

‘It doesn’t hurt to have a little back-up, huh?’ Dom added.

‘So…’

‘So, you’d be that back-up.’ Hawke said. ‘If it works out.’

Jo regarded him seriously. That was the second time he’d qualified her inclusion in the team. ‘How will it work out if you don’t trust me?’

Hawke held Jo’s slightly hurt gaze. ‘Trust needs to be earned, Jo. We’re not kids anymore and Airwolf…Airwolf is a hell of a responsibility.’ He paused. ‘I’m willing to give you a chance, if you’re willing to take it.’ His eyebrow quirked upwards. ‘You can use it to lay all my worries to rest.’

Jo heard the sincerity in his voice and she set her cup down carefully. The opportunity was too good to miss. ‘OK. I will.’

‘Great.’ Dom rubbed his hands together gleefully and beamed at his niece. ‘This is great.’

Caitlin smiled. ‘Are you sure you’re ready to fly with these guys? They can be a bit of handful.’

‘I can handle it.’ Jo said confidently and picked up her coffee. ‘So when do we start?’

‘First thing in the morning.’ Hawke said with a smile. ‘We’ll head out to the Lair at first light.’

The sun was still low on the horizon when the four of them entered the Lair. Airwolf was stood in a shaft of early morning light; it glinted off her rotors and made the black armour gleam dully. Her windows were opaque giving her a deadly and eerie look. Dom rubbed a speck of dust from the black armour and polished her nose with his sleeve.

Jo’s eyes widened at the sight of the helicopter in front of her. She shook her head. ‘Wow. She just gets more incredible every time I see her.’ She made a slow circle around the bird and ran a hand over Airwolf’s nose. She looked back at the three other pilots who were smiling at her reaction. Jo tried to gather her dignity. ‘She’s…she’s…’

Caitlin gave her a reassuring smile. ‘She takes your breath away, doesn’t she?’

‘She’s amazing.’ Jo said.

‘So here’s the first lesson,’ Hawke said, ‘her top speed without the safety controls is almost mach two.’ He folded his arms and leaned back on the yellow rail of the console area.

‘I know this…’ Jo began before she subsided at the look in Hawke’s eyes.

‘She has fourteen weapons, several surveillance systems with stealth and whisper capability.’ Caitlin added.

‘A black battleship with rotors.’ Hawke commented dryly and Caitlin smiled. It had been her description for Airwolf after her first encounter with the helicopter.

‘You see why the Company are keen to get their hands on her?’ Dom asked and Jo nodded.

‘In the wrong hands…’ She murmured.

‘So,’ Hawke gestured at the Lady, ‘we probably should warn you it can get dangerous.’

‘And you have to keep this all secret. The Lair, Airwolf, your involvement.’ Dom added lining up with Hawke and Caitlin in front of his niece.

‘It’s a bit like being a superhero.’ Caitlin commented with a wry smile. ‘You save the world but can’t brag about it to anyone.’

‘You still interested?’ Hawke asked.

Jo looked at their serious faces and then back to Airwolf. She grinned. ‘Are you kidding? Of course, I’m still interested.’

Dom gave a delighted laugh and gave her a bear hug. Hawke and Caitlin watched with amusement.

‘OK.’ Hawke calmed the celebratory spirit. ‘Dom and Cait are going to teach you how to run the engineering console and how to fly her.’

‘When’s my first lesson?’ Jo asked excitedly.

‘How about right now?’ Dom asked with a gap-toothed smile.

Hawke and Caitlin stayed on the ground as Dom took Airwolf up with Jo. They watched the machine disappear from the Lair.

‘You forget how beautiful she is from the ground.’ Hawke commented.

‘You could have gone up with them.’ Caitlin brushed his fringe out of his blue eyes.

He pulled her into a hug. ‘What? And miss spending time with my wife?’ He kissed her smile.

Continued in Part II.