Part 3

Hawke reached over and put his hand on Caitlin's arm causing her to automatically flinch a little and pull away. The pain in his eyes afterwards surprised her.

"Hawke, I….." she started.

"I need to get some air," he replied as he got up and walked out of the cabin, slamming the door behind him.

Caitlin sat still for a few moments, unsure of what she should do. She felt bad for the way she reacted to him but she couldn't help it. It took her a long time but she had closed herself up to him.

Caitlin looked out the window and noticed the wind begin to pick up as the rain once again pounded on the roof of the cabin. She slowly got up and went to the door, finding Hawke sitting under the covered porch.

"I thought you wanted to talk," she said softly. "Please come back in and talk to me."

Hawke stood up and followed her back into the cabin. He closed the door behind him and took a seat at his bar. "I'm not sure there's really anything to talk about now," he told her.

"Why?" she asked. "I know what this is about Hawke. I thought I did the right thing by leaving. You started acting so strange towards me. It took me a long time to realize that it really wasn't about the accident or you not trusting my flying. What I don't get is why everything had to change. How could one little kiss that meant nothing change everything? It was just a kiss Hawke. I didn't walk away that night with any expectations. We've always been friends. I thought we had a mutual trust and that you knew I could take care of myself."

Hawke stared at her. He could see the fire in her eyes as she talked. It was one trait he loved about her; the fact that she was so passionate about her beliefs.

"Prove it," he said coldly.

Caitlin stared back at him. "Prove that I can take care of myself?" she asked. "I think I've already proven that more than once."

Hawke stood up and walked over to her. She stood very still as he got so close to her that they nearly touched nose to nose.

"No," he whispered. "I know you can take care of yourself. That, you've already proven."

"Then what?" she asked softly.

"Prove it didn't mean anything," he replied as he wrapped his arms around her.

"What?" she replied, taken aback by his sudden words and actions.

Hawke looked into her eyes before moving in to kiss her. It started slowly at first and then became more passionate. Caitlin found herself lost in it. She wrapped her free arm around him and allowed him to pull her in even closer while being careful with the arm in the sling.

Then, he released his hold on her and pulled away, sitting down on the couch. Caitlin stood there and stared at him.

"What did that prove?" she asked.

"You tell me," he said in what she felt was a harsh tone.

"What do you want me to say Hawke?" she asked. "Is it fun to play on my emotions like that?"

"I want the truth," he replied. "And you know I would never play on your emotions. You know me better than that. I don't play games with women."

Caitlin took a deep breath and sat down beside him. "Maybe not on purpose," she replied softly, unable to look him in the eyes.

"I need to know the truth Caitlin," he urged.

"Fine! I admit it," she replied. "That kiss meant everything to me. But, I knew it didn't mean the same to you. I figured you regretted it. I thought leaving would be best for both of us. I guess I just hoped that you wouldn't let me go. That you would prove me wrong and that maybe, just maybe it really did mean something to you too."

There it was, out on the table. Caitlin sighed. The old Caitlin would be in tears by now but she had managed to get past that over time. She still loved him. She knew she did but she also knew she had to face the reality that it might never be reciprocal.

Hawke ran his hands through his hair before sinking back into the sofa. "Was that so hard?" he asked. "Now it's my turn. I let you go to protect you. Everyone I love dies Caitlin. I let you go because it did mean something and it scared the hell out of me. But then I got angry. I was mad at myself for letting you leave and mad at you for actually leaving."

Caitlin heard the words but she couldn't quite wrap her mind around them. All these years she had wanted him to say she meant more to him. But, now that he was saying it, she felt herself wanting to run away again.

"Um, I think I need a little air," she said, feeling slightly light headed.

Hawke was silent as he watched her get up and walk out onto the cabin porch. The rain had stopped and Caitlin sat down on the front steps.

He gave her a few minutes alone before heading out and sitting down beside her.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a near whisper, unsure of why she reacted as she did.

"Yeah," she replied sadly.

Hawke moved closer to her and cautiously wrapped his arm around her waist. He was relieved when Caitlin laid her head on his shoulder.

Both were quiet as Hawke looked out at the distant sky. "Looks like another round of storms coming in," he told her. "Let's get inside."

Hawke stood up before helping Caitlin up. He held onto her hand as he led her inside and to the sofa where they both sat a few inches apart.

"Tell me about your wound. How are you?" he asked.

Figuring he was just ready to change the subject, Caitlin pulled her hand out of the sling. "It's fine," she replied. "It's a little sore but honestly Hawke, it's superficial."

"I believe you," he replied as he moved closer to her. "I just wanted to make sure that it won't be a problem."

"Problem?" she asked. "I can't fly for a little while if that's what you mean."

Hawke chuckled slightly. "No, that's not exactly what I had in mind."

Caitlin stared at him as he moved closer to her and pulled her into his arms. "What exactly do you have in mind?" she asked, her heart suddenly beating quickly.

Hawke's leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. "I made a mistake Caitlin," he admitted. "I've been beating myself up over it all these months. I'm not letting you go this time. I love you and I need you."

Caitlin took her sling off and threw it over the side of the sofa before wrapping both arms around Hawke's neck.

"I love you too," she admitted before initiating another kiss.

When Hawke woke up the next morning, the sun had returned and the clouds were gone. He sighed softly and smiled as he pulled Caitlin closer to him.

As she began to stir, he placed a soft kiss on her neck. "Good morning," he said.

Caitlin turned and smiled up at him. "Did last night really happen?" she asked. "Because, that sure felt like a dream."

"You weren't dreaming," he assured her. "It really happened. Any regrets?"

"Not one," she replied before turning around in his arms and kissing him.

End