Second Chances Part 1 - A Second Chance

Second Chances Part 1 by Bethhawke

Chapter 8

On the way back to the Lair, Dominic chatted constantly much to Hawke's annoyance. “Dom,” he tried to interrupt.
“Uh, you say something kid?”
“Shut up Dom,” Hawke said it fondly but there was an edge to his voice which Dom didn't miss.
“What's buggin' you? The whole operation went to plan and the bad guys are gone and you're going home to Beth, so what's there to be miserable about?”
Hawke didn't answer so Dominic started guessing. “You not happy you had to kill them? You had no choice you know.”
“I know.”
“I'm sure Beth will understand and will be thrilled to have you back in one piece.” Hawke remained silent. “So that's it, you're worried about what Beth will think?”
“No, she'll understand. She was a cop.”
“Well what then?” Dominic raised his voice in exasperation, “It has something to do with Beth doesn't it?”
Hawke gave in, if he was to get any peace on the way home he would have to confide his worries to Dom.
“The mission is over, Beth doesn't need my protection any more. I'm not sure where we go from here”
“You think she'll leave?” Dominic sounded solemn.
“Why not, what's there to stay for?”
“Oh come on String, I saw you two together last night. I don't think she'll be in any hurry to leave.”
“The last few days have been different, she's not herself and she has a lot of healing to do. When she's back to normal we'll drive each other crazy. We're so different.”
“Well don't count her out yet. Talk to her. She might like to recuperate at the cabin then move back to her place. You could still see each other.”
“She told me last night that Michael has asked her to stay working for him. Do you think that'll work!” Hawke sounded angry.
“Talk to her, otherwise you'll never know what she wants and might do something you later regret - as usual!”
“Thanks for the advice Dom,” Hawke said sarcastically, “I'll keep it in mind.”
It was early evening when Hawke and Dominic finally landed at the cabin. They had spent some time in the Lair checking Airwolf for damage and if it hadn't been for Hawke's promise to Beth they would probably still be there. Dominic climbed stiffly out of the chopper and hurried towards the cabin eager to be inside by a warm fire. Hawke lagged behind him, reluctant for once to go home.
“Come on String, they'll probably have a pot of coffee waiting or a bottle of wine.”
“Yeah, my wine,” he grumbled, sitting down on the porch steps.
“Oh, you're hopeless!” Dominic entered the cabin alone and Hawke could hear him greeting everyone.
Hawke sat silently staring out at the lake. What he hadn't told Dom was that this mission had brought back memories of Gabrielle, memories that he tried to keep buried deep inside him. He wasn't proud of the way he had killed Moffett in the desert but was realistic enough to know that he had to do it. Revenge didn't feel good, he knew that from experience, so killing Hunter didn't make Hawke feel any better about what that man had done to Beth and Marella, in fact he just felt worse. What he really wanted now was his cello, but he couldn't face going into the cabin and seeing the cheerful faces, pleased at a mission successfully completed.
Behind him the door opened but he didn't turn around expecting it to be Dom come to nag him into going inside. He was surprised when he smelt coffee and the unmistakable scent of Beth's perfume. The coffee was placed on the step next to him, then he heard her go back inside. He picked up the cup and sipped the strong dark brew wondering if it was her way of telling him that he wouldn't be getting much sleep that night. He had almost finished the coffee when the door opened again and this time he turned. Unexpected tears sprang into his eyes when he saw that Beth was carrying his cello and he turned back to face the lake to hide his face from her. Maybe we're not so different after all. She placed the cello against the cabin wall then went back in to get his stool. Placing it next to the cello she turned to go back inside.
“Stay,” Hawke said quietly.
He picked up the cello and stool and together they walked to the dock. The helicopter was there but there was still enough room for them. He sat on the stool and Beth sat cross legged on the ground next to him. He played from the heart, all his emotions expressed in his playing; what he found hard to express in words was so simple in music. They hadn't spoken a word and neither of them wanted to. At sunset he carefully rested the cello against the chopper and sat next to Beth. They sat, still in silence, until the sun had disappeared behind the mountains.
Hawke spoke first, “We need to talk.”
“What about?”
He gestured vaguely, “You know.”
Her voice was patient when she answered, “No, String, I don't know.”
He had hoped she would start the conversation, making it easier for him, but she obviously wasn't going to make it easy for him. “About us.”
“What about us?”
She definitely wasn't making it easy for him and he was tempted to go inside and pretend he hadn't said anything.
“You, me, Archangel.......”
“Archangel,” she sounded amused, “what has he got to do with us.”
“Beth!” he was sure now that she wasn't taking him seriously.
“String, if you have something to say then just come out and say it. We've had so many arguments in the past because of misunderstandings and I want that to change.”
“You want that to change?” he hesitated, then blurted out, “You mean you want us to stay together?”
“Of course I do. What made you think otherwise. God, I wish I could get inside that head of yours.”
“What about your working for Archangel, how will he feel about us being a couple?”
“It's none of his business. And to put your mind at rest he has assured me that my work in future will not be as hazardous as this last job....unless I want it to be of course,” She laughed at the horrified look on his face.
“You want to stay at the cabin until you're all healed?” he asked her hesitantly.
“Sounds good to me. Archangel has said I can have as much sick leave as I need and I can't think of a better place to recuperate, or a better person to do it with,” she leaned over and kissed his forehead. “Now, will you come inside, please! It's getting cold.” She stood up and offered him her hand. He took it and allowed her to pull him up then, reluctantly letting her go, he picked up the cello and stool and followed her to the cabin.
Inside, Hawke stowed his cello away then sat on the floor close to the fire. Beth snuggled up to him and rubbed her hand over his thigh to warm him up. Noting their closeness Dom cleared his throat, “Well, I think it's about time we headed home.”
The others had also noted that the young couple only had eyes for each other and readily agreed and 10 minutes later they were alone. They stayed by the fire to warm up, Beth in the middle with Hawke on one side and Tet on the other.
“He's not coming to bed with us,” Hawke commented dryly, noting that Tet was getting more attention than he was.
“Spoil sport. D'you want another coffee?”
“Another one! What have you got in mind for me?”
She laughed, “You look so exhausted I don't think it will make a difference how many coffees you have!”
“Hey! You saying I have no stamina. We'll soon see about that!” He stood up and, leaning over, scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs.