Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are not my own. I only cherish them.

My stories are set in real-time. Dom is a Vietnam vet and String and St. John were in Iraq post 9/11.

Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgotten

I was inspired by an old article I read recently. It was an interview with Jean Bruce Scott. I discovered that before she broke into TV she was a teen model in several of the popular teen magazines. I always thought she was beautiful on the show and had a good figure.

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Chapter One: The Offer

Cait sat in the office looking out the office window. 2015, it was hard to believe she had been with String and Dom for almost two years. She pulled out the small mirror she kept in her desk drawer and inspected her makeup. She woke up late and hurried to get ready for work. Fearing she had her lipstick on crooked she peered into the mirror. She was now twenty-eight. Normally she wouldn't be affected by her age but now she thought about the two years she had waited for String to return the feelings she had for him. It was if she had suddenly come to her senses the past few days that she was wasting her life on something that would never happen. She shivered at what she was thinking; it was time to move on. A feeling of sadness came over her.

"Morning Cait, is String in yet?" Dom asked as he grabbed a pastry from the box that Cait had brought in.

"I haven't seen him this morning."

"Don't you two need to finish the stunt at the studio this morning?"

"We have time. We don't need to be there for another hour."

"I thought you had a date tonight for New Years Eve?"

"I do, we should wrap up at the studio around three. That gives me plenty of time to be home for my date."

"You really like this guy huh?"

"I don't know, I've only been out with him a few times. He's nice and all but….."

"But he doesn't make your heart go pitter patter?"

Cait blushed. "Yeah something like that."

Dom hesitated. He wanted to talk to her about her feelings for String but didn't know how to approach the subject. He wanted her to be happy and he knew she was never going to find happiness with String. He feared that when she came to this realization she would leave. It would break his heart if she did, he loved her and she was good for Santini Air and the Airwolf team. Not to mention that because of her String was a lot easier to get along with. But it was not fair to let her waste her life hoping things would change. Before he had a chance to speak up String walked into the hangar.

"Dom, Cait." Was all he said as he headed for a much needed cup of coffee. He sat down on the edge of Cait's desk. "You ready to head to the studio Cait?"

"Sure, let me finish a few things here and we can leave."

The drive to the studio was a quiet one. Cait was thinking about what she was going to wear on her date. Dave did not say where they were going only that she needed to dress nice.

String, feeling that someone needed to say something spoke up first. "So any big plans for tonight?"

Cait knew he was only asking to be polite. "I have a date." was her short answer.

"Is it a secret or can I know with who?"

Cait smiled. "No it's not a secret; it's just that you wouldn't know him if I told you."

"Try me." He replied looking at her over his sunglasses.

"His name is Dave Masterson. See I said you wouldn't know him." She said smirking at him.

"He's a lawyer from the prosecutor's office."

Cait looked surprised. "You know him?"

"No, I know of him. So where's he taking you?"

"I don't know. I just know he has reservations somewhere."

"That doesn't sound very romantic."

Cait rolled her eyes. "And what would you know about romance?"

"Hey I can be romantic if I need to be."

"If you need to be? Cait was now shaking her head in disbelief.

String was laughing to himself. He loved to get her all riled up. When he did her checks would get red and her eyes would flash.

Cait decided to turn the tables on him "So what are your plans tonight? Planning on holing up at the cabin avoiding the new year?"

"Nope, I have a date." String replied cheerfully.

The words were like a dagger to her heart. Now she wished she wouldn't have asked. String knew his answer hurt her. He was sorry he started the conversation. He was well aware that she had feelings for him. Feelings he would never return. He was content with their relationship. She was his best friend outside of Dom. He was not the marrying kind. Cait was not the kind of woman that would settle for a casual relationship like he had with other women, besides he respected her too much for that.

Cait didn't ask any more questions as they both maintained their silence throughout the drive to the studio.

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"Ok, that's a wrap." The director shouted as Cait and String landed the helicopter and plane they were flying for the stunt.

As they were walking to the Santini jeep to leave a very beautiful well dressed woman approached them.

"Miss O'Shannessy, I'm Ann Jackson an editor for "Professional Glamour" magazine. Is there a place I can talk to you?"

Cait looked totally surprised as she pointed to String. "Sure, but he's my ride."

"And you are?" She said holding her hand out to String.

" Hawke, and I can wait on Cait in the jeep."

"Thank you Hawke, I won't keep her long."

Cait followed the woman to a nearby table that was out of the sun and sat down with her.

"Cait, I'm sure you're wondering why I want to speak with you."

Cait's mind was spinning. This magazine was about professional women but the cover always had a beautiful woman on it. She thought maybe they needed a pilot and preferred to hire a woman.

"I can't imagine what you could want with me Ann."

"My magazine is doing a whole layout devoted to professional women that are in a male dominated line of work. I did a lot of searching and you fit the kind of woman we are looking for."

Cait cocked her head to one side. "And what kind would that be?"

Ann laughed; she found it refreshing that Cait didn't have a clue as to how talented and beautiful she was.

"Well, you're talented, smart, sophisticated and beautiful. Just what we need. We have several other women we will be featuring. They range from a firefighter to a top trader on Wall Street. I felt a pilot would be a good choice for the mix."

Cait didn't know what to say. "I am flattered that you would pick me out of all the women professionals out there but I have a job here and I wouldn't want to leave them shorthanded. I would think something like this would take me away from work for a long period of time?"

Ann took out her business card and handed it to Cait. "Yes you would need to dedicate at least four weeks to the shoot. I hope you don't mind but I asked the studio for photos of you. I was very impressed. I think we may have more work for you. I'm not just looking for a few weeks of your time Cait; I think you may have a career in modeling."

Picking up her bag and sunglasses off the table she laid her hand on Cait's shoulder. "You think about it and if you decide you would like to do this give me a call. I need your answer soon."

Cait looked at the card then put it in her pocket and walked back to the jeep where String was laid back with his eyes closed. Cait climbed in without saying a word.

Seeing that Cait was not about to offer an explanation as to what the woman wanted he decided to ask.

"What was that all about?"

Cait looked out the window as she answered. "She wants me to do a photo shoot for her magazine."

String was losing patience with her. "Well do I need to drag the details out of you?"

Cait laughed. "There's not much to tell. They're looking for professional women that are in male dominated jobs. They want a pilot is all"

"Cait I've seen the cover of that magazine before. It's not just about professional women. I think there is a standard in looks that is required. The fact that they picked you is a big deal. When do you start?"

Cait was taken aback by his last question. She thought he would be upset at the prospect of her leaving and here he was asking her when she would start.

"I told her I already had a job."

"I would think you would jump at a chance like this Cait. This could lead to bigger and better things for you."

Cait was silent for a moment before answering. "What makes you think that's what I want?"

"I just thought that this might be something new and exciting is all I was saying."

Cait grinned at him. "Like I don't get enough excitement flying Airwolf?"

String looked over and winked at her. "I guess your right about that."

When they pulled up to the hangar Cait saw that Dom was already gone. She gathered her things and stepped out of the jeep heading for her car. String started for the hangar and realized she was not following him inside.

"Hey Cait, you coming in?"

Cait put her things in the car and turned to answer him. "No, I'm heading home now. Since I won't be seeing you have a happy new year."

String watched her drive off. He realized that his reaction to her being offered the photo shoot was insensitive. A part of him wanted her to stay but a bigger part of him wanted her to leave. He knew nothing would ever happen between them and as long as she stayed she would continue to be unhappy. Locking up the hangar he headed home to get ready for his date.