Chapter 1

"Hey, don't you two think you need to get a move on?" asked Dom as he yelled at Hawke and Caitlin who were in the back office of the hangar. "The judge isn't going to take too well to you two being late for your testimony."

"Okay, okay, we're leaving now," Caitlin said as the two rushed by Dom.

Before she took two steps the hangar shook slightly.

"Whoa, there goes another one," Caitlin complained. "I don't care how long I've lived out here, earthquakes and tremors make me really nervous."

"No time to worry to about it now," Hawke told her as he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the car.

"String?" Dom yelled out as he held up the keys to the jeep. "I think you'll need these."

Hawke came rushing back and grabbed the keys from him. "Thanks," he replied. "See you this afternoon."

Caitlin was lost in thought as they headed to the courthouse. Both she and Hawke had to testify against a hired killer they managed to catch while working on an assignment for Archangel. She always hated going to court and Michael usually managed to keep them out of the legalities after the missions he sent them on. But, this time they had no choice.

The prosecuting lawyer met them at the entrance to the courtroom.

"I was getting worried you weren't going to show," Mr. Cummings said. "Glad you made it. You're up next."

Hawke and Caitlin followed him inside and their part in the trial was completed within an hour.

Cummings walked them back out afterwards. "Well, hopefully we won't need you again," he told them. "Your testimony is two of many we'll be hearing this week. I appreciate your help though."

"No problem," replied Hawke. "This guy plays pretty dirty. I'm glad we could help."

Cummings walked them to the elevator and Caitlin pushed the down button to take them back to the first floor.

"We could use the stairs you know," Hawke complained. "We're only going down one flight."

"I know," Caitlin whined. "But my feet are killing me in these shoes Hawke. I don't think I could make it down the steps."

"Well, take them off," he joked.

The elevator door opened after a few seconds but before they could step foot into it, shots rang out in the courthouse.

The shooter was coming right at them as the three dove inside the elevator. Caitlin continuously hit the close door and down buttons, nearly panicking as she did so.

As soon as the door shut, the whole building started to shake. Caitlin held her breath as she felt the elevator sway back and forth and then seem to move down quickly before coming to a screeching halt, sending her and the others down to the floor and nearly knocking her unconscious. A rumbling sound continued for a few seconds longer but to Caitlin it felt like an eternity. The elevator light went out right before a dimmer emergency light came on.

"Cait!" yelled Hawke after everything came to a hault. "Are…you…okay?"

"I think so," she replied, slowly getting to her feet and moving towards him. "What about you?"

"I….I uh…I've been shot," he said, finally able to catch his breath. "I think I had the wind knocked out of me too. What about Cummings?"

Caitlin eased herself over to Cummings who was lying on the floor of the elevator just across from them. She quickly took note of the blood on the back of his head as she felt for a pulse.

"He's dead Hawke," she said softly, trying not to panic at the situation they were in.

"Damn," he replied sadly.

Caitlin turned her attention to Hawke. "We've got to get you out of here," she said, her tone now urgent. "I think we fell to the first floor."

"I'm pretty sure we did," replied Hawke. "I would suggest trying the above emergency hatch but in this case I have a strong feeling that it'll be covered with debris. It might be too dangerous. We'll probably have to wait for someone to dig us out."

"Well, let's see what we can do about your shoulder right now," Caitlin replied. "We need to stop the bleeding."

"I'll be fine," he said. "Let's figure out a way to let someone know we're in here first."

"What, and have you pass out on me due to lack of blood and leave me alone waiting on a rescue," she replied sarcastically. "No way Stringfellow Hawke. I'm going to try and stop the bleeding first."

Caitlin propped Hawke up against the side of the elevator before she took off her jacket and wrapped it around his arm and shoulder. Then she unhooked the strap from her purse and used it to provide pressure and tie the shirt to his shoulder.

"I pray that works," she sighed. "If anything it should slow the bleeding down some."

"I said I'll be fine," he insisted. "Quit worrying about me."

Caitlin watched Hawke's eyes flicker shut and then reopen quickly. She reached behind his head and felt a wet patch. When she pulled her hand away she expected what she found, blood.

She quickly moved to explore the back of his head further. "You were grazed by another bullet," she told him. "Looks like it bounced off that hard head of yours."

"Very funny," he replied before noticing a large welt that was forming on her forehead.

"You're hurt too," he said, grabbing her by the arm.

"Hey, I'm not the one shot and bleeding here," she said. "I just hit my head during the earthquake. It's okay."

Caitlin dug into her purse and took out a red bandana and a handkerchief. She placed the clean handkerchief on is head wound and tied the handkerchief around his head to hold it in place.

"Hey, isn't this the lucky handkerchief your cousin gave you?" he asked. "I don't want to ruin it."

"It's okay," Caitlin replied softly. "It's not lucky if it's not useful."