Michael made his way back to the waiting room hurriedly. His presence quieted the Hawkes almost immediately. 'They got Cordelli.' He told them.

'Thank God!' Jane breathed out heavily in relief and hugged Nicky to her gently. 'Are they…?'

'Saint John looked a little bruised but they both seem OK.' Michael assured her. 'We have another problem.'

'Another problem?' Alan frowned. 'What problem?'

'It seems Sallis could be here. Hawke thinks he's going to make an attempt on your life.' Michael informed them calmly.

'Oh my God.' Sarah clutched at her mother who grabbed her hand and held it tightly.

'I've organised a chopper and pilot. They're waiting on the roof to take you to Red Star.' Michael said.

'What about Caitlin?' Alan asked gruffly.

Michael caught his worried gaze. 'Marella's with her. The O'Shaunessy's left for their hotel a while ago.'

'I'll stay with you.' Alan said decisively.

'Alan…' Jane handed her grandson to Sarah and stood up to argue with her husband.

'I'm the one Sallis really wants.' Alan said. 'If he is here, his attention should be on me not on String's wife.'

'Without being mean about it, Dad,' Seb interjected, 'but she's dead already.' He ignored the look Michael shot him.

'Maybe Sallis doesn't see it that way.' Alan said. 'And even if she is, she deserves dignity. I won't let Sallis touch her.'

'Although I disagree with the reason,' Michael said looking at the older man, 'I have to agree with your son. You should go to Red Star.'

'I began this fight.' Alan said stubbornly, his blue eyes flashing in a way that reminded Michael of Hawke. 'I'll finish it.'

'Alan.' Jane took hold of his hand. 'Please.'

'I have to do this, Jane.' Alan said quietly. 'You take the kids.' He dropped a kiss on her lips and hugged her close for a moment before he spun away and out of the room.

Jane looked after him with tear-filled eyes. She took a deep breath. 'Come on. You heard your father.'

'Mom…' Seb protested.

'I mean it, Seb.' Jane waved at Nicky and a sleeping Chris. 'We have more than ourselves to think about.'

'Thank you, Mrs Hawke.' Michael said gratefully.

'Look after him.' Jane instructed as she took hold of Nicky again and picked up her purse.

'I will.' Michael escorted them to the roof and saw them safely into the waiting chopper. An escort plane would see them all the way to Red Star. He went back down the stairs and checked the waiting room. Alan had disappeared. Michael sighed and rubbed his neck trying to ease the tension there.

'Lost something, Michael?' Dom asked dryly.

'Funny, Dominic.' Michael's good eye snapped to the ghost. 'Do you know where he is?'

'I'll find him.' Dom promised.

'Bring him to Caitlin's room.' Michael instructed.

'I will do.'

Dom vanished in front of him. Michael shook his head and headed for Caitlin's room. He closed the door behind him and a took a seat on the far side of the bed next to Marella.

'How is she?' Michael asked solemnly.

'No change.' Marella sighed. She sat back dispirited. 'I know Hawke said he believed she wasn't dead yet, Michael, but there's no sign.' She swiped at her eyes. 'I think it was wishful thinking.'

'I don't know.' Michael said seriously taking her hand in his. 'I thought it was wishful thinking when he told me she hadn't died in that crash.'

'Any news?' Marella asked.

'Not from Airwolf.' Michael shook his head. 'All the Hawkes apart from String's father are on their way to Red Star.'

'That's something.' Marella murmured.

Michael nodded. 'I've asked security to let me know if they get a sighting of Sallis. Local law enforcement is watching the exits.' He sighed and pushed his glasses up his nose. 'There's not too much else we can do.'

'I guess not.'

Michael rubbed Marella's hand. 'Did you give her the message from Hawke?'

Marella nodded. 'I told her; don't give up.'

'He wants her to keep fighting so badly.' Michael sighed. 'It's going to kill him if she dies.'

A choking sound came from the bed and they leapt to their feet.

'Caitlin?' Marella asked astounded. She hurried over to the stirring woman and calmed her gently. 'Stay still. You have a tube in your throat helping you to breathe. I'm going to remove it.' She glanced at Michael. 'Get Lem and a nurse.'

Caitlin waited patiently as Marella saw to the respirator and she gratefully swallowed some soothing water after the tube was taken away. 'Hawke?' She whispered tiredly.

'On his way here.' Marella said holding her hand. 'He went after Cordelli but he's on his way home to you.'

'Nicky?' Caitlin wet her dry lips and tried to fight the urge to slip back into unconsciousness.

'He's safe.' Marella assured her.

Caitlin's eyes fluttered close again as Lem entered the room at a run, along with a nurse and Michael. Michael and Marella were ushered outside while they conducted tests. They were pacing outside when Alan appeared. Michael could see Dom was with him but he ignored the ghost and focused on the man.

'She woke up.' Michael said bluntly.

'She…' Alan's eyes widened. 'Wow.'

'Yeah.' Michael agreed taking in his shock.

Lem came out and greeted them with a self-conscious smile. 'Well, this is indeed a miracle. I have to say I have never seen this in my time as a doctor before.'

'Is she OK?' Marella asked concerned.

'Her brain seems to be functioning normally.' Lem said authoratively. 'She's breathing on her own and maintaining all her body's functions without intervention.' He shook his head in disbelief. 'She's asleep now.'

Marella turned to Michael and he hugged her tightly as they both gave in briefly to the need to hold each other.

'Can we sit with her?' Alan asked.

'Of course.' Lem said. 'If there is any change, please have the nurse alert me immediately.'

They all nodded.

'I should go and call the O'Shaunessy's.' Marella said. She kissed Michael's cheek and walked away swiftly.

A nurse walked up to the two men before they could enter Caitlin's room.

'Mr Briggs?' She smiled shyly. 'I have a call at the nurse's station for you from security.'

Michael hesitated and Alan waved him away. 'It could be Sallis. I'll watch her.'

Dom nodded at him and Michael agreed reluctantly. He walked away following the nurse down the corridor.

Alan entered the room and took a seat by the bed. He watched the woman in the bed and shook his head at her continuing existence. 'You must be some young lady.' He noted. 'I guess that's why my son married you.'

The door behind him opened.

Alan froze. 'I've been expecting you.' He stood up and turned around.

Sallis grinned at him and waved him away from the bed with the gun he held. 'Alan Hawke. At last.' He watched as the pilot raised his hands slowly. 'You've given me so much trouble and now it's all going to be over.' He raised the gun and pointed it at Caitlin.

'It's me you want, Sallis.' Alan said quickly regaining the other man's attention.

'Oh don't worry you'll get your turn.' Sallis promised.

Alan watched as Sallis swung the gun back around to his daughter-in-law…

Dom appeared between Sallis and the bed…'Now, Al!' He yelled.

Sallis's eyes widened and he froze in shock at the sight of the ghost.

Alan threw himself across the room…

The gun went off with a loud bang.

The two men struggled; they rolled across the floor as Michael and Marella entered the room…

Michael ignored Dom and skirted around the bed to stand protectively over a stirring Caitlin; his gun was poised to shoot the moment he had a clear shot. An instant later, he felt Marella beside him…

Alan punched Sallis in the stomach; Sallis socked him in the jaw. They broke apart breathing heavily as Sallis regained the grip on his gun and pointed it in Alan's belly…

'It's over.' Sallis snarled.

The shot sounded loudly in the small hospital room.

Sallis dropped to the floor; a single gunshot wound in his forehead.

Alan, Michael and Marella's eyes snapped to the open doorway. Hawke lowered his gun and took a step into the room. His eyes flew to Caitlin.

She blinked heavily and smiled tremulously at him. Her hand waved tentatively at him. He was across the room in a heartbeat, his hand taking hold of hers as he stooped to drop a kiss on her lips.

'Uncle Dom?'

Jo's tremulous voice caught all their attentions. She and Saint John had sneaked just into the inside of the room.

Dom stared at his niece in surprise. 'You can see me?'

'I think we can all see you, Dominic.' Michael noted.

Dom looked around the room as everyone nodded in agreement, varying degrees of shock on their faces. He felt the pull away from the living world even as he took a step towards Jo and she threw herself at him hugging him tightly.

'It's OK. There now.' Dom patted her back before he disentangled himself and pushed her gently at Saint John. 'Take care of her.'

Saint John nodded jerkily. 'I will, Uncle Dom.'

Dom turned around and met Michael's eye. 'Michael…'

'I know, Dominic.' Michael said softly. 'Thank you.' His gaze drifted to Marella for an instant. 'For everything.'

Dom nodded in acknowledgement. He faced his old friend. 'Al.'

'Dom.' Alan's voice was choked; his blue eyes filled with tears. He took a step forward and wrapped Dom in hug before stepping back.

'Kept my promise, Al.' Dom said gruffly.

Alan nodded swiftly. 'My turn.' He promised. 'I'll look after them now.'

Dom smiled sadly. 'You always were the best friend I ever had.'

'You were better.' Alan said not caring that the tears were running freely down his face.

Dom wrenched his gaze away from his old friend. His sad eyes caught Caitlin's. She smiled at him and he moved onto the boy he had raised. 'String.'

Hawke's eyes were already filled with tears. 'Don't leave.' The words were blurted out; heartfelt and raw.

The older pilot grabbed hold of Hawke and held him tightly. 'I have to go, kid.' He whispered. He moved back, a hand at the back of Hawke's neck. He patted him and bussed his cheek. 'You're going to be OK, String. You've got your father again…'

'I've always had a father.' Hawke interrupted gruffly. 'I've always had you.'

'And you'll always have me.' Dom agreed his voice breaking. He took a step back. 'Remember; I'm always backing you, kid.'

He was gone.

In a blink of eye the space where he had stood was empty.

Caitlin's fingers tangled around Hawke's and drew his attention. He crouched down so their faces were almost touching.

'I thought I'd lost you too.' He admitted softly.

She wiped away his tears. 'Hey.' She said weakly. 'I'm a Hawke, aren't I?'

Hawke nodded as his fingers skimmed her cheek. 'Yes. You are.'

'Well, I have it on good authority,' Caitlin said firmly, 'that Hawkes don't give up.'

Joy lit up Hawke's blue eyes as he kissed his wife. Whatever he had lost and whatever he had gained, he already had everything; he had her.