Airwolf And I, Vice Versa

Epilogue
As Airwolf left the shores of the UK leaving behind the woman that he was connected to he could not help feeling that it would not be long before he would be returning and maybe this time he would stay with Kristien forever. Possibly taking Dominic’s advice about a marriage proposal to her. That’s if she would have him, after all she had sent him away, not allowing him to stay.

At least returning to the cabin he could choose what to say to her and when to find that perfect moment to unite them in the eyes of God forever.
The Santini jet ranger came towards the dock of Hawke’s cabin and landed. Dominic patted String on his shoulder and said a brief ‘see you tomorrow’. Hawke nodded and left the jet ranger to take off again.

He walked up towards the cabin which had smoke rising from the chimney. Bound to be the FIRM here he thought. He opened the door to find Michael opening a bottle of wine. Tet was sleeping happily on the hearth next to the warm fire.

“Don’t you have a home of your own?” Hawke asked Archangel as he closed the door.

“Well I expected a real estate sign to be up to at least say for rent.” Archangel replied pouring the wine querying why Hawke had even returned at all.

Hawke looked directly at him as he picked up the wine goblet and walked around to sit on the sofa. Hawke was drained after flying back to the states although the autopilot had done most of it, Hawke always kept a close eye on everything. Archangel sat down in the chair in front of the Stradivarius and stretched out his left leg. Tet yawned in disgust as his sleep was disturbed and whined in the hope that all the commotion had finally stopped.

“Well I may as well charge you rent as you are always here.” Hawke replied downing a mouthful of wine.

“So, er, why have you come back?” Archangel tentatively asked.

“Airwolf of course.” Hawke stated hoping that Archangel didn’t need a reminder about their deal.

“Hawke it doesn’t really matter to me where you hide Airwolf.” Archangel replied rubbing his brow. “At least at Kristien’s you have twenty four hour guards and well a weapons matrix that would put any USAF base to shame.” Archangel added. “Plus the fact that no one would dare to piss Kristien off by stealing it anyway.”

Hawke chuckled. Archangel smiled and was pleasantly surprised that Hawke had at last found a sense of humour.

“I just thought you would want Airwolf here.” Hawke replied hiding the truth about Kristien sending him home.

“You can get to the Soviet Union just as quick from England as you can from here so it makes sense really.” Archangel replied and then took out a report. “Although Kristien has written in big capital letters and under lined it, several times I might add, saying no more white limousines nor any broken aircraft until she has got her trucks and sports cars available or else!” Archangel handed the file over to Hawke just to prove what he had just said.

Hawke took the file and smiled when he recognised Kristien’s writing. She really knew how to make a point come across on paper without her needing to be there in person.

“Although I am very pleased that she had not only upgraded Airwolf but the overhaul as well.” Archangel tapped his walking stick on the floor, having Kristien about was going to be very helpful. Archangel remembered how much time an effort he had put in to allowing Kristien a free rein at the FIRM when testing Airwolf, allowing her the time to know the prototype inside and out including Moffet’s passwords. At least now he could reap in the benefits and the fact that Hawke trusted her.

“Yeah, we have a brand new lady waiting to stretch her wings.” Hawke told him as he took another mouthful of wine. “Michael, I want full access to the kidnapping file. I want to know who the secret service think who did it.”

Archangel looked at Hawke, something had happened. “I believe the FBI and the Pentagon were involved. From a couple of outside sources I have tapped into, there were 3 key players.” Archangel told him wanting to know more.

“Three?” Hawke queried.

“Yes, the one organising the kidnapping, the one who ordered the attack on the plane and of course Kuwait’s part although they have denied anything about having Kristien gift wrapped and delivered to their door.” Archangel needed more from Hawke before divulging more. “What’s this about Hawke? I can’t go to the FBI or the Pentagon without pertenant questions. And not being funny here they will have all sorts of bells and alarms ringing if I even mention Kristien’s name.”

Hawke painfully remembered the first night of reconcilation with Kristien in the hangar, he took another mouthful of wine and his eyes became watery. “Those Arab bastards hurt Kristien.” Hawke stated.

“We know that, the caesarean.” Archangel interjected.

“Michael, you know what those Middle Eastern practices do to women……..” Hawke replied disdainfully. “Do I really have to get graphic here?” Hawke paused seriously hoping he would not have to go into details.

Archangel looked directly at Hawke, suddenly realising what he meant and felt a sickening shiver go down his spine. “Oh God No.”

Hawke allowed the silence to grow between them whilst Archangel also began to question how he could even be the same species at these kind of sick tyrants.

“I will see what I can do, officially and unofficially.” Archangel told him. “And what are you going to do with this information?” Archangel asked half knowing the answer.

“Introduce the fuckers to Airwolf.” Hawke replied remembering his vow to God.
Archangel knew Hawke well enough not to question what he was going to do and how. He remembered how Hawke revenged Gabrielle’s death with Airwolf. Even though he knew it may cause an international incident, Archangel remained quiet, he knew Hawke had already made up his mind, trying to change it would be a fruitless task.

“Leave it with me.” Archangel told him. “I have a few favours to pull in from various sources and I will see what I can find out for you.”

“Don’t hang around on this.” Hawke requested. “What about Moffet’s son?”

“Hockley-Matthews?” Archangel looked back in his briefcase and took out one thin file. “Well, we can’t even find a parking ticket for him. Even the US and British Government’s have reported that he is a nice guy.” Archangel was glad that Hawke was sat down as he didn’t want to be right near him incase Hawke was going to get angry at that information.

“Quit jerking me.” Hawke told Archangel. “He has the blueprints to Airwolf damn it.”

“Well, we did find out that Moffet in his final days here at Red Star Control DHL’d a package direct to Elizabeth Hockley-Matthews.” Archangel began.
Having spent time at Red Star Control with Kristien Hawke knew that Moffet never left the base, ever so how he had sent a parcel God only knows.

“Moffet never left the base.” Hawke reminded Archangel.

Archangel rubbed is thick moustache trying hard not give away his sense of irony at all of what had happened three years before. “Arh yes, well we have found old computer records showing that we sent the parcel from Red Star Control for him.”

“You mean to say The Firm sent the classified computer discs for Airwolf and Moffet’s journals with all the passwords to England?” Hawke replied in disbelief. Archangel nodded and downed his wine. “Where are the discs and journals now?”

“We can only assume Hockley-Matthews has them still.” Archangel replied half of him hoping that they had been destroyed when Hawke blew up Hockley-Matthews two bases in Libya.

“So he can build another Airwolf again.” Hawke swallowed a large mouthful of wine. “Great.”

“Well we will keep an eye out for that.” Archangel replied.

“And what about that Cruise Missile that had our name on it? Did you get to the bottom of that?” Hawke asked finishing the last of his wine in his glass.

Archangel hoped that Hawke had forgotten about that. “Arh yes, we erm think it was sent to order from the Middle East.” Archangel again went to his briefcase and pulled out a file. “We know the Israeli’s have them and a couple of other Arab countries.”

“So why would they come after Airwolf.” Hawke questioned as he got up and went behind the bar and opened another bottle of wine for him and Archangel.

“Well, so far intel haven’t come up with anything yet.” Archangel did not hide his frustration at that dead end especially as he knew someone was blocking his access to information. This did not worry Archangel as he had already got couple of other irons in the fire and they would come to fruition soon. “However, I have a couple of contacts that will get intel to me.”

“Make sure you do. That was one hell of a missile with our names on it too.” Hawke remembered back to the incident. Kristien had saved their arses that day. “Someone somewhere knew where we were.” Hawke walked over to Archangel and Archangel offered his empty glass up for a refill.

“Yeah.” Archangel rubbed his brow and readjusted his glasses. “So when are you likely to be going back to Kristien’s?”

“Why you got a hot date or something that you want to bring up here then?” Hawke smiled as he finished filling Archangel’s glass.

Archangel chuckled at the joke and nodded in acknowlegement that his glass had been refilled. “Now that would be telling.” Archangel replied. “Hawke, I wouldn’t advertise the fact that you are with Kristien though.”

“You said you haven’t got any intel?” Hawke replied looking directly at Archangel before sitting down. “But you’re worried aren’t you.”

Archangel rubbed his moustache, something he did when he played poker. “Hawke, we still don’t know the exact details of the kidnapping. One thing we knew is that they weren’t interested in you back then, but that was before…………..” Archangel stopped his theorising in its tracks not wanting to bring up any further pain for Hawke especially as he saw a new man in front of him.

Hawke looked up from filling his own glass of wine and knew exactly how to finish his sentence. “They found Kristien pregnant by me.”

Archangel was beginning to wish that he had a black robe complete with a sickle to don just like the grim reaper when he had these theories that just brought on nothing but doom. “Yeah.”

“Well, best you find out what you can then Michael.” Hawke told him. “I am not leaving Kristien.” Hawke reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out his ticket to concorde and put in on the coffee table infront of him.

Archangel looked at it. “Now the lady has class.”

“Yeah, I know, it’s a charter flight, any time, any place, any where.” Hawke smiled knowing he could have Concorde to himself whenever he required. No one would know when he was going to see Kristien.

“Well best I throw this one in the pot also.” Archangel replied. “The President is lending you Air Force One also should you need it.”

Hawke raised his eyebrow. “What’s he want in exchange?” Hawke asked suspiciously.
“You to stay alive.” Archangel told him bluntly. “You and Kristien have certainly got everyone’s attention.”

Hawke was confused. “They’re not happy we are together?”

“Oh the President is estactic that you and Kristien are together. I think he would have been doing cartwheels around the oval office had the joint chiefs of staff not been entering the room.” Archangel remembered the quick briefing that he did to the President seven weeks previous.

“Well perhaps he can yank in the leash on Carsten then.” Hawke replied.

“Well he’s just a little prick, nothing to worry about.” Archangel told him, quite surprised that Hawke allowed the Special Agent to get to him. It then dawned on him why Hawke didn’t like Carsten. “Oh I see, his interest in her is not strictly professional is it?” Archangel theorised rhetorically. Archangel continued. “Look Hawke, that Cruise Missile could have been sent from the Middle East or it could have been from Hockley-Matthews.”

“Why would Moffet’s son send a cruise missile? He needed Airwolf to finish the downloading.” Hawke interjected.

“Yeah well, the Pentagon is working on this believe me……………..” Archangel was cut off.

“Make them work harder.” Hawke replied deadpan.

“Hawke, they are doing the best that they can.” Archangel replied.

“Maybe their best is not good enough.” Hawke downed a huge mouthful of wine and started to share Archangel’s worries. “I want to be with Kristien.” After finding his soulmate once more he had decided that he wasn’t going to let anyone or anything stand in his way. He had Airwolf at his disposal and wasn’t afraid to use it.

“Well so does the President.” Archangel concluded. “Look Hawke, Kristien is first in line to one of the biggest Middle Eastern countries in the world. It happens to be also one of the biggest oil producing countries as well. Uncle Sam cannot afford for it not to be invited in. The President is sending a top delegation to talk to Kristien’s brother Byron.”

“Who’s in this top delegation?” Hawke demanded.

“I am.” Archangel told him hoping that would be enough to calm Hawke down. Archangel knew that Hawke would take Airwolf anywhere and desimate anyone who got in his way.

Hawke was satisfied with that answer. “Well maybe you can tell him to leave Kristien alone and leave us be.” Hawke’s ears were diverted to a distant helicopter that no one else could hear. “Your ride’s here.”

Archangel finished up his wine. “Hawke I will do all I can for you and Kristien.” On hearing the helicopter’s engines Archangel stood up. “Just watch yourselves and don’t advertise where you are.”

Once Archangel had left Hawke walked over to his stradavarius and picked it up and his stool out of the cabin to the dock. He sat down on the stool and placed the cherished cello between his legs. He looked up at the mountains which still had the cloud cover from early in the morning that had not burned away with the glorious sunshine that had bathed the day.
He played his favourite piece by Prokofiev. There was a screech from high up as the eagle returned, soaring high in the sky over the lake and gliding effortlessly on the thermals rising up. Hawke looked up and smiled on seeing the beautiful bird that shared his lake. He remembered flying Kristien’s beautiful birds of prey that she had, very rare specimens that had a breeding programme to release the off spring back into their natural habitat around the estate. Hawke looked up at his own eagle up in the natural wild, so beautiful and so powerful and he remembered the power that when he had one of Kristien’s huge eagles land on his gloved arm, totally awesome.

Back in England it was early evening and Kristien was cantering along the sandy shores of her lake with her beloved stallion Kalli. She slowed Kalli downward in his transitions back to a halt and paused looking westward at the setting sun over her lake. She exhaled deeply as she felt Hawke’s peace and tranquilty, smiling that their bond was so strong she could almost touch him.

Hawke looked eastward as he felt Kristien, happy and at peace with the world. He felt so complete and quite content.

For the moment, String had found the peace again in Kristien, for his tortured soul. What ever the future held for both of them, they would have to, for the moment have the separation of the vast Atlantic Ocean between them whilst they explored and tried to resemble some control on their bond between each other.

One thing for sure was that Hawke, despite his toubled life, wanted to be with someone. With his and Kristien’s destinies inextricably linked, he wondered what the future would bring. Would it be the death and destruction that he was so used to? Surely all this would bring heartbreak and anguish? Love was a very dangerous emotion, if allowed to swathe people, to be out of control, Hawke reminded himself angrily. Just remembering throughout history, all the greatest warriors never needed anyone else, having love weakened them, clouded their instincts, made them vulnerable. Hawke was allowing more and more dark, unsettling thoughts weigh down his already troubled mind. Surely just being with Kristien would bring them both tragedy and despair, their relationship was a luxury that neither of them could afford. Not if they both wanted to survive.

Hawke was just about to engorge himself and to wallow in self pity for the rest of the day, when he felt an immeasurable warm glow of happiness and the notion on not to dwell on things that were not predeterminded, came from somewhere or rather someone.
Hawke inhaled deeply allowing more of the positive feelings engulf him, to wash out the dark thoughts that were creeping deep within his totured soul. He closed his eyes, still playing the stradivarius, breathing in time to the strokes of the bow, accepting the succour that his benefactor was returning.

Hawke looked anxiously up towards the heavens, watching the eagle swoop effortlessy up in the clouds, its wings outstretched moving with the thermals that kept it high up. God, Kristien was right to send him back to think about what he wanted or rather what he was allowed to have. Maybe she was right, they would be together forever, but apart they live. Was this really what he had to look forward too? A couple of months together every year. How the hell was he supposed to live like this? What if she got pregnant with his child, then what?

If he wanted to be with Kristien forever, physically, not just with their bond, then he would have to seriously consider what he was doing with Airwolf. All he wanted was his brother Saint John, either have his body returned so that he could at last bury him up at the cabin or preferably alive from what ever deep undercover assignment the FIRM had him on. Kristien would not allow him just to give Airwolf back, trading in the life he was now leading to lead another with her, that’s why she sent him back. Damn, why did she have to be so bloody smart?

Hawke watched as the eagle swooped down over the lake, its talons drifting over the top of the water, where finally it picked up a trout effortlessly and headed off back to the trees with the trout struggling for its life in vain, gripped tightly by the piercing talons. Hawke came to the end of his piece that he was playing and he rested his arms on the cello, placing his chin softly down on his arms. When he thought about Kristien he felt a pureness running through his veins that was generated deep in his soul. He admitted to himself that he was beyond being in love with her, and picking up their relationship after five years as if nothing had kept them apart was a sure sign that they were unified hearts, bodies, minds and souls.

He allowed the time to be filled with thoughts of Kristien and what she had told him on the Scottish Highland mountain, where she had bared her soul to him, something which she had protected him from all these years. He tempestous life full of death and tragedy, she was genuinely concerned about that.
Maybe they could be together forever but live apart.

Only time would tell.

Kalasadi 29-05-08

If you liked this then read the next installment Airwolf-Legacy
http://tv.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600093779