Chapter 1

Caitlin sat just outside of the hanger while eating her lunch. As she nibbled on carrots, her mind drifted back to four week earlier. She had spent the weekend up at Hawke's cabin along with Dom. They grilled out, drank and laughed the whole weekend. She'd never felt so complacent, so excepted as she did when she was with them. She loved her own family but to her, they were family too. She thought back at how happy she was then and how good being there felt. Before heading to bed Hawke gave her a tight hug and a soft kiss on the lips. It ended up being a night she'd always remember.

"I can't believe this is all happening?" she thought. Four weeks had gone by and things had changed drastically. Hawke started to ignore her at the hangar and barely replied if she asked him a question. He started giving her a hard time about her work and scolding her whenever he got the chance. Even Dom had grown irritated at the change but Hawke always scoffed it off.

Now, she sat outside alone. She stopped eating lunch around them and either went out somewhere or found a place to avoid him. She'd tried asking him a few times what was wrong but he just blew her off and told her she was being too sensitive.

"Are you okay sweetheart?" Dom asked while nearly startling her.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine," she softly. "I'm almost done with lunch if you need me."

"I got a guy coming in for some flight lessons," he told her. "I figured you'd be up for a change."

Caitlin smiled. "Okay, sounds good to me," she replied. "I'll do anything to get out of here for a while."

Dom frowned. "I'm sorry honey, I really am," he told her. "I wish I knew what the hell was going on with him."

Caitlin sighed. "Apparently I did something wrong," she said. "I just wish I knew what it was that I did. Everything was great when we were all up at the cabin."

"Maybe nothing," Dom said. "You know he can get moody sometimes."

"Yeah," she replied before taking the last bite of her carrot. "What time will this guy be here?"

Should be within the hour," Dom told her.

A half our later, Hawke watched as Dom introduced the man to Caitlin. Her eyes lit up when she met him and she felt more excited than she had in a long time. When they got back from their first flight she was still beaming. The man decided he wanted to work long term with Caitlin and he gave her a light hug before leaving.

"Well, I'd say that went over well," Dom said with a smile. "A few more students and we might be able to pay the rent on the place next month after all."

Caitlin rolled her eyes. "If you say so Dom," she giggled.

"You kind of liked him huh?" Dom asked.

"He's a nice guy," she replied. "Not bad to look at either. But hey, whatever is good for business."

After sitting quietly for a few minute, Hawke finally interjected the conversation. "I don't see how acting like a tramp is good for business."

"String!" Dom yelled at him. "What the hell?"

Caitlin stared at him a moment, contemplating what she should say. She took a deep breath before responding.

"Then you should quit leading by example," she said smugly. With that she gave Dom a quick hug before taking off her coveralls and throwing them in the hamper. "I'll see you on Monday Dom."

Dom watched as she hopped into her car and drove off. Then he turned to String.

"What the hell was that about?" he finally asked. "What is going on with you String? I can't believe how you've been treating her. She doesn't deserve that."

Hawke shrugged. "What?" he asked. "Look Dom, I don't have time to babysit her or worry about her feelings. If she can't handle it, she can leave."

Dom shot him a dirty look. "This is Cait we're talking about Hawke. I don't get this."

"What's not to get?" Hawke replied coldly. "I'm tired of dealing with her. I think maybe it's time she moved on."
Dom was dumbfounded. "I'm heading out," he told him. "I don't think I want to deal with this or you right now."

Caitlin opened her apartment door and threw her keys down on the table in the hallway. She immediately headed to her bedroom and removed her clothes, throwing them onto the floor before climbing into the shower. She was drained and wanted to wash the day off of her tired body.

Once in the shower, she closed her eyes and let the water pour over her head and down her face. She turned to face the showerhead and rested the top of her head on the wall of the shower.

Immediately she felt two strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her gently backward. She kept her eyes closed and leaned back, allowing herself to be cradled in his arms. He leaned in and kissed her neck before turning her around and placing his lips on hers. Afterwards, he pulled her back to him, hugging her tightly.

"Sorry about today," he said softly.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "It's okay," she replied. "This all definitely makes up for the damn charade we have to go through. I just wish we could tell Dom the truth."

"I know," Hawke replied. "I do too. But, having him irritated with me for how I'm treating you is probably best. If this guy is out there stalking me like Michael says, you are much safer this way."

"I still think it is genius how you manage to fly off and end up back here each night," she giggled.

"I'm not going to let the bad timing of this lunatic ruin what we've started," he assured her.

Caitlin smiled before leaning in and kissing him again. "I still can't believe all of this is happening. It's so crazy to be so happy one minute and sad the next. I hope they catch this guy Hawke. I feel like some teenager sneaking around behind her parent's back."

"I know," he replied. "Michael's people are working on it. In the meantime, let's just get back to where we left off last night."

Caitlin blushed slightly. She felt so comfortable with him. She always had but she was a bit surprised at how easy it was to take their relationship to another level. Being with him felt right and it was something she had wanted for a long time.

"Let's get out of this shower before we become water logged," she replied.

"You don't have to ask me twice," he replied before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her.

Caitlin stepped out of the shower and grabbed another towel for Hawke. He followed her to the bedroom, removed her towel and helped dry her off before doing the same to himself.

"So you really think I'm a male tramp?" he asked before grabbing her and pulling her down on the bed.

Caitlin laughed. "Not really," she said. "But you have to admit that you have dated quite a few women."

"I guess I just hadn't met the right one," he replied softly while rolling her over on her back. "Until….now."

Hawke then leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips before moving slowly down her neck and to her shoulder.

"Better late than never," she whispered, pulling him closer to her.