Chapter 5: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

String snapped awake to the sound of his cell phone ringing. Cait was still asleep snuggled up to him. She was resting so soundly he didn't want to wake her. Reaching over to the night stand he grabbed his phone. It was Michael.

"Morning Hawke, I take it by now you know you and Cait are stranded there?"

String carefully slid out of bed stepping into the bathroom to talk. "No I didn't. I just now woke up. What's going on?"

Michael decided to have a little fun with the sullen pilot. "Late night Hawke? Sounds like you didn't get much sleep."

"Michael get to the point. Are you or are you not able to get someone here?"

"No I can't get a Pilot there. All the surrounding airports in your area are shut down. Do you think Airwolf will be safe until we can get her out of there?"

"If I didn't I would be where she is instead of here. This place is so remote that the chances of someone stumbling onto her are slim. Besides with this weather I doubt anyone would be out looking for a top secret helicopter. Did you find out who the men were that I shot down yesterday?"

"They were Russian arms dealers working on their own. I had a crew there on the scene when I sent the pilot for the documents."

"I thought as much. Keep me up to date if you get any more information."

"I will, and Hawke, you and Cait did well on this one."

"Thanks Michael, I'll tell Cait you said so."

String peered out the bathroom door making sure Cait was still sleeping. He decided to call Dom and break the bad news to him that they would not be spending Christmas together.

"String, anything wrong? You're calling pretty early."

"No Dom we're fine."

"What do you mean "we're"? Is Cait still with you?"

"We had some trouble yesterday. The lady is down and needs some repairs. Cait and I are still in Winnett and snowed in."

"Oh" Dom said with a grin. He couldn't have been happier. Maybe this will be what it takes to get String to move on his feelings for Cait. "I'm sorry to hear that kid. Are you two going to be ok?"

"Yeah, we have a room and everything we need here."

"A room you say?" Dom was almost giddy at the sound of that.

"Dom it's not like that and you know it."

"Yeah I do and that's your problem String."

"Dom its Christmas eve, do you think you could not nag me until after Christmas?"

"I guess it can wait. How is Cait handling not being home for Christmas?"

"You know Cait, she puts up a brave front."

"Well if I know Cait she will make the best of the situation. So when do you think the lady will be repaired? I'd like to be there."

"As soon as this storm lifts Michael will fly Bart here and we can get started."

"OK then, I guess I'll stay here with my sister for Christmas. Call me when you know something."

"I will, and Dom, Merry Christmas."

String went to the window to see how bad the storm was. There were several inches of snow on the ground and no one seemed to be out. He looked at the clock on the wall, 7:00 am. Deciding there was nothing he could do about the situation he crawled back in bed. Cait was still sound asleep and as soon as he settled in she rolled over into his arms nuzzling her nose into his chest. He was a light sleeper; Cait on the other hand could sleep through a nuclear blast. He couldn't help but smile at her innocence and beauty. Soon he fell back into a deep sleep.

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Three hours later it was Cait's phone that woke them both up. String watched as she reached over half asleep feeling for the phone on her nightstand. Finding it she looked at who was calling her. Seeing who it was woke her up pretty quick. "Mom" she said trying to sound normal which was hard for her to do sitting in bed with a man she was not married to talking to her mom. She didn't know why she felt this way, after all she hadn't done anything wrong.

"Cait are you on your way home? What time can we expect you today?"

"Ah, Mom about that. I have some bad news. I won't be home for Christmas." Cait waited for her Mom to respond. She knew she was disappointed.

"And why will you not be here Catlin?"

Cait was careful with her words. She forgot about calling her mom to explain and did not have her story straight. "I'm in Montana snowed in. String and I had to fly here yesterday and had engine problems. Before we could leave this storm hit. I'm sorry Mom; I know you wanted me there."

Cait didn't know but her Mom was not disappointed at all. Yes she wanted her daughter there but she also suspected that Cait was in love with String and had been for some time. What better way for things to happen then to be stranded with the man you love. "Don't worry about it sweetheart, we will miss you but you can come home as soon as you can get here. We will just do Christmas all over again for you."

"Thanks Mom, I feel better now, tell everyone I love them and Merry Christmas."

"I will, take care and tell String I said Merry Christmas."

Cait hung up and looked sheepishly at String.

"Cait, it's not like you lied to her. We are having engine problems and we are stranded here. You just didn't give her all the details.'

"I know, it's just that this is the first Christmas ever that I'm not with my family." Cait didn't regret her decision not to leave String by himself but she was feeling a little of the holiday blues now. She started to get out of bed and realized that her nightshirt was up to her waist. She quickly pulled it down. In the light of day things seemed different. Last night was almost magical for her. Now that it was morning she knew things would go back to the way they were between the two of them. Friends that deeply loved each other but that was as far as it would go.

String sensed that something had changed in her from last night. He feared that maybe he went too far getting into bed with her and misread her signals. He had always believed that she was in love with him. Maybe he was wrong, maybe she only thought of him as a big brother. Now he felt a little self-conscious lying in bed next to her. Not knowing what to do he headed for the shower to give her some space. As soon as he did Cait took this as his way of putting distance between them.

Cait took her turn in the shower. When she got out she discovered that String was gone. She went to the window to see if she could find him. Not seeing him anywhere she headed down to the lobby. There was a book shelve there with book's and magazines for the guest to read. She stumbled on a copy of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" it was one of her favorite books. She settled down in the chair in front of the fire-place and began to read. She had read for about an hour when String walked into the lobby. He looked frozen. Cait ran to his side.

"You went to check on the Lady didn't you?"

"Yeah, I had to for peace of mind."

Cait took him by the arm. "You big dope. You should have told me so I would have known if anything happened to you."

String was a bit embarrassed, she was right. If she had done this he would have been upset with her.

"Come over to the fire and get warm." Cait led him over pushing him down in the chair. She poured him a cup of coffee from the coffee maker and handed it to him. "Here drink this; we don't need you coming down with Pneumonia." Cait sat down in the other chair across from him. String noticed the book in her lap.

"What are you reading?"

"Uncle Tom's Cabin. It's one of my favorites."

"Mine to" String replied surprised at how much they had in common.

"I was just up to my favorite part in the book when you walked in."

"Let me guess, it's when Eliza crosses the Ohio River in the winter time with her child."

Cait's jaw dropped. "How did you know that ?"

String couldn't help but grin at the shocked look on her face. "Easy, I know you. Eliza would be someone you can identify with. She had a choice to make. She could stay a slave and see her child raised as a slave or she could risk her life crossing the river in the ice and snow. She put her own life at risk to save someone else."

"So you think you know me that well?" She said grinning referring back to the conversation when she told String she knew why he didn't celebrate Christmas.

"Yeah and that reminds me, you never did tell me why I don't celebrate Christmas. Care to share with me now?"

Cait settled back in her chair as String sipped his coffee. She hesitated "I think it is too painful for you. It's not that you don't like Christmas, It's more like you don't know where you fit in. Christmas is all about joy and family, two things you don't have."

Strings face went from a smile to an impassive mask. Cait reading his face felt bad that she had caused him to shut down just as he was beginning to open up. "Oh String, I went too far. I'm truly sorry."

String didn't speak; he just sat staring into the fire. Cait not knowing what to do got up to leave. As she passed by his chair he reached out grabbing hold of her hand not letting her go.

"Don't go Cait, please."

Cait sat back down. She waited for him to start talking. She knew she just needed to give him time.

"You're right, you do know me well. Not too many people would have had the courage to say that to me. I needed to hear it. Sometimes we already know the answers but until we hear it from someone else it doesn't sink in." String looked down at the floor. "I love you for caring enough to tell me the truth."

Cait waited a few minutes in silence. She knew what he just shared with her took a lot for him to say.

She walked over taking his hand pulling him up. "Come on, let's get you upstairs and changed. I noticed the diner is open for business. I think we both could use something to eat."

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They sat down at the table as the same waitress walked up to take their order. She pulled out her pad and pen and looked to Cait to give her both their orders as she did last night. "What can I get the two of you?"

Cait didn't get a chance to order. "She will have the turkey sandwich on whole wheat with mustard and a side of fruit salad. I will have the tuna on whole wheat with a side of fruit salad as well. Iced tea for both of us."

The waitress looked at Cait as if to ask if the order was ok with her. Cait pointed to String and shrugged her shoulders. "He's the boss, why are you looking at me?"

The waitress looked confused. "But last night you were the one…. Oh never mind." She said as she walked off to place their order. They waited until she was out of earshot before they laughed.

"Serves her right for flirting with you last night."

"What did you expect; you were the one falling all over yourself letting her know we were not a couple."

Cait blushed "ya I guess I did."

As they sat there a light snow started to fall. The wind had died down but it was still cold out. String noticed that one of the buildings had a small marquee out front that he hadn't noticed before. When the waitress returned with their check he asked her about it.

"What's the building with the marquee?"

"Oh, that's the town theater. Nothing fancy just a few seats. You won't get the latest movies there. The guy that owns it does it for fun. He gets a new movie each week. Tonight he is showing "To Kill A Mockingbird".

String and Cait looked at each other and both said in Unison; "I loved the book."

The waitress just shook her head and sat the check down on the table before walking away.

Laying money on top of the check String looked at Cait. "So are you in for a movie tonight?"

"We might as well. It's either that or sit in the lobby staring at the fireplace."

Standing up to help her on with her jacket he replied "A movie it is"

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It was a quarter till eight. The movie started in fifteen minutes. Cait took a little more time than usual to get dressed. She wanted to look good tonight. She knew this was not a date but she wanted to indulge just for one more night and pretend that it was. String had stepped out and had been gone for about a half hour. She figured he wanted to give her some privacy. She finished dressing just as he returned.

"Ready? We had better hurry or we won't get a seat" he teased.

"String I think that if everyone in town showed up there would still be plenty of seats."

String put his arm around her waist to steady her as they walked to the theater on the icy side-walk. They were surprised to see other people there. He thought they might have the whole theater to themselves. He picked a seat in the back on the end of the aisle taking the outside seat as Dom had taught him to do when he was with a woman. It was a way of protecting her Dom used to tell him.

Cait had a bucket of popcorn that she was already munching on. It wasn't something String ate often but for some reason it smelled good. Putting his hand in the bucket it was met by hers at the same time.

"Are you going to share some of that?" He teased.

"Oh sorry, here." She placed the bucket between them so they could share. The lights dimmed and the movie started. String kept looking over at Cait. He loved the fact that a movie could make her cry. She was trying to hide the fact that she was. That made her even more endearing.

The movie was almost over when String leaned over to excuse himself. "Cait I told Michael I would call him at this time. I'll be back."

"Ok, but you're going to miss the end."

He leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I read the book, remember?"

The movie ended and String was still not back. Cait decided to look around the old theater. It was full of history. It wasn't long when String returned.

"Everything ok?" She asked worried.

"Everything is fine" He said as held out her jacket.

As they walked back to the hotel Cait was wishing this night wouldn't end. As much as she missed her family and friends back home she had to admit this was turning out to be a wonderful Christmas even though she wished there was more with String. The snow starting falling and Cait stopped looking up to the sky.

"What are you looking at Cait?"

Don't you ever wonder about that night? I mean the Wisemen. The only thing they had to go by was a star. I think that would take a lot of faith."

"What do you mean?"

"What if they were wrong and had traveled all that way and the star wasn't the sign they were looking for. It would have been leading them away from their true destination."

String wondered at her insight to life. There was so much more to her than people knew. "Then I guess they needed to be sure of the signs before they made a decision. The hard part would have been acting on them." String replied as he looked into her eyes not wanting to break contact.

Just as Cait thought he was going to kiss her he pulled her along. "Come on we need to get inside before we freeze.

When they got to the door String turned the key, opening it he stepped aside so Cait could go in first. She thought that odd because his habit was to always go in to make sure no one was there. He did this when he would take her home. Another lesson he learned from Dom.

Cait couldn't believe her eyes. In front of the window was a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. There were strings of lights hanging across the window and Christmas music was playing on a radio. Cait was speechless. Tears welled up in her eyes. She had never been so overwhelmed with emotion as this moment.

"Oh String, it's beautiful." She said as she took it all in. On the table by the chairs was a bottle of wine with a Christmas cake that said Merry Christmas on it. String helped her off with her coat.

"When did you do all this? You were only gone for twenty minutes at the movie."

String led her to the chair to sit down as he opened the wine. "Today when I left I went to the hardware store and asked the manager if I could buy the display tree in the window. While I was there I picked up a few things. I got the cake at the diner and the wine at the bar. I was surprised to find the owner had a wine cellar that was well stocked. If you think about it this town has everything we need."

Cait giggled. She was totally overwhelmed. She knew String was an extraordinary man but this was unexpected.

Suddenly remembering something Cait jumped up. "I almost forgot."

"Forgot what?" String asked watching her scurry to the bed.

Cait went to her overnight bag and pulled out a wrapped gift. "This is for you. I was going to give it to you when you flew me home."

String took the package and smiled unwrapping it carefully as if he were savoring every second. Opening the box he was stunned. It was an antique fly fishing lure that was made in England. It was the one piece that was missing from his English collection. He had been searching for it for years.

"Cait, I don't know what to say. I have been searching for this for a long time. How did you find it?"

Cait was giddy with happiness. Bringing him this kind of joy was worth the high price she paid to acquire the lure. "Oh let's just say I am much better at research and a computer than you are."

String stood up to kiss her. "This is the best gift I have ever received Cait."

Cait sat back down in her chair as String poured her a glass of wine and cut them a piece of cake. As Cait sat her wine glass down on the table she noticed a small box under the tree. It was wrapped in silver foil with a small red bow on top.

"Hey what's this?" She said as she stooped down to pick it up. There was a tag on it "To Cait from String?" She read aloud as she looked at him smiling.

"Well are you going to open it?"

Cait was not like String she did not take her time opening the gift. Inside was the most beautiful pair of diamond earrings she had ever seen. It didn't take an expert to see that they were very expensive.

"Oh String, they are beautiful" she said as she quickly took her ear rings out and put the new ones in. "And they are my birthstone"

String smiled. "I know"

"String when did you have time to get these and where did you get them?"

"I have had them since October. I saw them in a small shop on Rodeo Dr. and thought they were meant for you. Like you I was going to give them to you when I dropped you off at home."

Cait went to the mirror on the wall to admire them. "Oh String, I have never seen anything more beautiful."

Cait turned around to find String right behind her. Before she could stop herself she was in his arms as he caught her. "I have he said."

"You have what?"

"I have seen something more beautiful." He replied as he slowly leaned in and took her lips with his.

Cait melted into his arms. She thought she had to be dreaming. It wasn't possible for a person to feel this wonderful, this alive. She prayed the moment would never end.

String pulled back slightly with his eyes still shut. Every sense in his body was alive. He had kissed her before but this kiss made him feel things he had never felt with any other woman. Cait responded with kisses of her own. Before she knew what was happening they were both inching their way to the bed. String stopped before they got there.

"Cait I want you to know that this is something I have wanted for a long time. For some reason I'm not afraid anymore."

Cait reached up and started unbuttoning his shirt. "It couldn't be longer than I have wanted it." She said grinning.

Unbuttoning her blouse he smiled.

"What are you smiling about?" She asked.

"I was just thinking that I get to sleep with "Miss Aviation" tonight".

Cait playfully smacked his arm. "Shut up or put up flyboy."

That night he definitely put up.

The End