Chapter 6

Hawke kissed her gently again, careful not to be too forward with her until he was sure of what she wanted.

"Caitlin, just what is it that you want in man?" he asked bluntly.

"Wow, that's a loaded question," Caitlin teased. "But to be honest, I want someone who treats me like I'm capable. I've always been kinda strong willed. My dad always said that might be my downfall. I just want to be taken seriously."

Hawke smiled. "Do you think I've done that?" he asked.

Caitlin shrugged. "Most of the time, I guess," she replied. "Sometimes I think you and Dom worry about me too much."

Hawke smiled. "I don't think I can change that," he admitted. "But I do know that you are very capable of taking care of yourself. I wouldn't have taken you on so many Airwolf missions if I didn't."

"What about you Hawke?" she asked. "What is it you like in a woman? I mean, I don't get some of these women you date at all."

Hawke sighed. "Well, this is going to sound bad but I guess I date two kinds of women," he admitted. "One type is really just someone that I can have fun with. She's someone that is carefree and doesn't really have any hang-ups or real life goals. The other type would be more of someone I'd want to spend my life with."

"And what type is that?" asked Caitlin.

"Someone more like you," he replied as he pulled her into another kiss.

Caitlin thought she was going to pass out as she nearly forgot to breathe. Never did she think she'd hear those words coming out of his mouth.

"I really do love you Caitlin," he finally told her.

Caitlin stared at him a moment and her silence sent chills down his spine.

"Caitlin?" he whispered.

"Huh?" she replied.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Did you hear what I said?"

"Oh, yeah, I heard you," she replied. "I think I'm just in shock. I didn't think I'd ever hear you say that."

"So, what do you think about that?" he asked, unsure. "Maybe this isn't exactly a do over, but we can sure change things going forward."

Caitlin stood up and walked over to the fireplace before turning and facing him again. "Hawke, are you sure about this?" she asked. "I mean, you aren't just upset that I'm thinking of leaving are you? I wouldn't want you to think you need to do this just to get me to stay."

Hawke sighed deeply. "Well, I guess that's a fair question considering everything that's happened so far," he replied. "But, Caitlin, have you ever known me to do something that I really didn't want to do?"

"All the time!" she quipped.

Hawke grinned. "I'm not talking about for Michael," he replied sarcastically. "I'm talking personally."

"Okay, then no," she replied quickly. "You've always been pretty straight forward in your actions."

"Then why are you so hesitant to believe what I've just told you?" he asked as he got up and stood in front of her.

"I don't know Hawke," she replied. "Have you ever wanted something so badly that it was hard to believe when you actually got it? I guess you were right. I'm a little scared."

"Me too," he admitted. "But, don't let fear stand in the way. Not now."

Hawke wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him, hugging her tightly before leaning in for another kiss.

"I do love you too," she finally admitted.

Hawke smiled at her. "I tell you what," he said. "You sit out on the porch and give me a chance to set things up in here."

"Set what up? Why?" she asked.

"You'll see," he replied, keeping his secret.

Caitlin sighed. "Okay," she decided against pressing further. "I'll wait outside."

Hawke watched her go out and close the door behind her before he began putting together his surprise. Caitlin heard a lot of racket going on inside the cabin but she fought the urge to peek in the window to see what he was up to.

About a half hour later, Hawke came out onto the porch to get her. By this time, Caitlin had dozed off in a chair.

"Hey, wake up sleepy head," he said in a near whisper.

Caitlin opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Are you done?" she asked with a yawn.

"Yep," he replied as he took her by the hand and led her back into the cabin.

When Hawke opened the door and she saw what was waiting for them inside she was in awe.

"Wow," what's this all about?" she asked.

The room was dimly lit with several candles along the wall. Hawke had brought down every pillow he had in the cabin and placed them on the floor in one big pile. In front of the pile of pillows was a huge screen and at the back of the room he had set up an old timey projector.

"I inherited some old black and white movies a few years ago," he told her. "They were in a vault that my grandparents had rented. I've never gotten a chance to watch them and I thought that maybe this would make a great first date. What do you think?"

To Hawke's relief, Caitlin smiled at him. "I love it," she replied. "Do you have any popcorn?"

Hawke laughed. "Yeah, I left it in the kitchen," he told her. "Find a comfortable spot and I'll go and get it."

Caitlin plopped down on the pillows as Hawke brought in the popcorn and wine. He turned on the projector and then joined her on the floor.

The two spent the next few hours laughing at the old movies, snuggling together on the pillows and kissing.

"This was a really great idea," she told him. "What made you think to do this?"

Hawke pulled her closer and held her in his arms with her back to him. She snuggled into his embrace.

"I guess I wanted us to have a chance to enjoy each other's company as a couple," he replied. "Things are about to get pretty serious and I wanted to make sure we were both ready for that."

"Thanks, Hawke," she replied, taking hold of one of his hands that were wrapped around her. "I was kind of hoping we'd take things a little slow. This whole thing has taken me by surprise and I don't want us to mess it up."

"Me either," he admitted. "But does that mean you've decided to turn down the job offer?"

Caitlin turned her head and looked up at him. "I'm not going anywhere," she said with a smile.

Hawke leaned in and kissed her. "I promise you'll never regret it," he told her afterwards."

"Oh, believe me," she replied. "I know I won't."