Second Chances Part 4 - The Holly and the Ivy

Second Chances Part 4 - The Holly and the Ivy by Bethhawke.


Despite the increased search another day passed without any sightings. Andrea stayed with Beth while Marella returned to Knightsbridge to help Archangel and Medusa with the search.
Despite his injuries Hawke left the house and made his way to the Lair. After the cabin, Airwolf was his favourite place to be and he needed time alone.
After clearing the chimney he flew automatically, his thoughts on his daughter. Every moment he had spent with her was recalled until he could no longer see for the tears in his eyes. A close miss of one of the rock formations brought him back to the present as he realised that he was no use to anyone if he was dead.
He swiped the tears from his eyes and forced himself to concentrate on controlling the aircraft while he tried to organize his thoughts.
There had to be some clue to Symphony's whereabouts. Holly could not have just disappeared, she had to be somewhere. The question was where, and who had seen her last.
If she was with people she knew then surely they would be questioning where the child came from, but if she hadn't seen them in a while she could be passing her off as her own.
He suddenly realised that she could not have planned the abduction in advance because she didn't know that Symphony existed until she arrived at Dom's place, so something must have happened after she arrived.
Hawke knew that Holly was still obsessed with him, her actions when she had arrived told him that, and that was possibly the reason behind her taking his daughter. But where?
He had to get back, question Le again. There had to be something that they had missed and if Marella was right and Symphony was sick then they were running out of time.
She could not die, he wouldn't allow it but she was still alive now, he was certain. As if to emphasise the point his stomach lurched and he decided to land. Turning Airwolf, Hawke returned to the lair with a purpose.


Back at Dom's he was greeted by a sad looking Le.
“Beth's been crying again, String. She won't talk to me. Andrea's made her go to sleep again.”
“Don't worry Half-Pint,” Hawke hugged his nephew, “let me get cleaned up, then we need to have a chat.” Flying Airwolf had opened up the cut on his hand and he tried to hide it from Le, knowing the boy had enough to on his plate without worrying about his uncle too.
Le looked closely at Hawke, “You've been crying too. We all have. I wish Holly had never come! I hate her!” Le stormed off to his room before Hawke had a chance to comment. In normal circumstances he would have chastised Le for being rude but in truth he felt the same. So he just said a quick hello to Dom before heading for the shower.

Showered and dressed Hawke made for the kitchen where Dom was waiting for him.
“String,” Dom began tentatively, “you do know what day it is?”
“Tuesday?” Hawke guessed, shrugging his shoulders; he didn't really care.
Dom gave a deep sigh and shook his head, “It's Christmas Eve,” Hawke looked at him shocked. He hadn't realised the date. “I'm going to church later and I wondered if I should ask Beth.”
“No, she's not a believer.”
“I know, but at times like this...”
“No Dom. Her beliefs, or lack of them, don't change just because things aren't going her way.”
“But...”
“No! She will be offended if you ask her, so no. You go if you want, take Le if he wants to go but Beth and I stay here.”
Hawke felt bad. He had promised Le a family Christmas, their first together. They had planned to spend a few days at Dom's place then move to the cabin for a few peaceful days. Presents had already been bought but he was sure that not even Le would be interested. The only present any of them wanted was Symphony back safe and well. “I need to talk with Le again. You coming?”
Dom didn't take offence and followed Hawke upstairs to Le's room. Le refused to leave his room so Hawke and Dom sat on his bed.
“I want you to tell me everything that you can remember Holly doing or saying since she arrived,” Hawke told Le, “Did she meet up with anyone, did anyone call at the house, where there any phone calls?”
Le shook his head, “I don't remember.”
“Try harder Le, Symphony's life could depend on it.”
“I'm sorry uncle String, I want to help, I want Symphony back as much as you do but I don't know anything.”
Dom put his arms around the distraught kid, “Go easy on him String,”
“There has to be something, she must have planned where to go.”
“Beth was with her more than me. She didn't seem to like me much.”
“Beth's not talking. You are. Please Le,” Hawke's voice was desperate and close to tears.
Dominic intervened again, trying to keep things calm, “Did you go anywhere? Do anything unusual? Did Holly receive any phone calls?”
“Apart from the visit to the circus all we did was stay in, trim the tree, watch TV.”
“Hang on – the circus? You've not mentioned that before,” Hawke felt his hopes rise.
“Sure I have. Holly told you about it when she arrived. She had tickets for us all but cause you and Dom had to go away we went without you. Symphony loved the music and the colours - she didn't cry once!”
“Le,” Hawke tried to keep his voice level, “I don't know about any circus trip, why haven't you mentioned this before?”
“It was planned and you knew about it. I didn't tell you about how good it was because it didn't seem right, not with Symphony missing. I did wrong, didn't I?”
Dom was quick to reassure the boy, “You did what you thought was right. Don't worry yourself about it. But you must tell us everything now, it could be important.”
“When you brought Beth home, Holly told us about her surprise present for us all. She had tickets for the last night of the travelling circus, said she knew someone who worked there, an Italian guy, I can't remember his name. I met him after the show but they spoke Italian and I didn't understand. Symphony's name was mentioned but I thought she was just telling him about her.”
“I left soon after I brought Beth home. Holly must have told you after we left,” Hawke said.
“But she said she had told you and you said it was okay for us to go. I guess she lied a lot,” Le glanced at Dominic apologetically.
“Yes, she did. I'm sorry I trusted her, but she's family,” Dom's voice was sad as he realised again the possible consequences of his trusting his niece.
“Now is not the time for recriminations, “ Hawke said, hope creeping into his voice, “let's find out where the circus went after they left here. If they aren't American citizens they would need permission to perform so Archangel is our best bet.”


Archangel pulled a few strings and found out the names of the performers as well as where they were performing next. They were only about 50 miles away and the decision was made to drive there, it would only take about an hour, and if the situation was dangerous they would bring Airwolf in. It would take just as long to get to Airwolf and he didn't want to expose her to the public if it wasn't necessary.
“Dom, would you wait in the lair until we radio you?” Hawke asked. He knew that Dom would want to come with them but he needed back-up.
“I don't know String. I think I should come with you. Holly may respond better to me. D'you think Cait would mind playing back-up just this once?”
Adriana, who had been sitting quietly intervened, “Dom's right Hawke. I've studied her file and made a profile. She may think she has done no wrong and if Dominic is there he could talk to her while you look for your daughter. I would like to come along if you have no objections.”


So the plan was set. Archangel, Adriana, Marella, Dominic and Hawke would travel in Archangel's limo while Cait waited in Airwolf for their call.
“What about Beth?” Dominic asked Hawke as they were about to leave.
“What about her?” was his dark reply.
Dom gave him an exasperated look, “You know what I mean. Aren't you going to tell her. She is Symphony's mother and might like to be there.”
Hawke shook his head, not really wanting to discuss this but knowing that Dom wouldn't leave it alone, “She's not up to it. If we don't find her........”
Dom patted his arm sympathetically, “I know kid, but what if we do find her? Don't you think she should be there for the reunion?”
Hawke's head was still shaking and he made a determined effort to stop, “Dom, I know you mean well but I don't want to have to deal with Beth's reaction if this doesn't turn out well. She's not stable at the moment and could blow the whole thing. Andrea can stay with her at your house.”

The journey was tense, the three man in the back sitting silently. Marella was driving and Adriana chose to sit in the front with her. An hour passed without a word being spoken.

They found the circus easily and the show was in full swing, the big top full of awed children. A faint smile crossed Hawke's lips as he imagined his daughter enjoying the show. The girl on the door was counting the takings and they easily slipped past her and found themselves outside the dressing rooms. Voices were coming from behind one curtained off doorway and they paused to listen.
A male and a female were talking in Italian and Dom moved closer to hear what they were saying.
“They are talking about a baby, how she cries too much. The girl doesn't believe that Holly is the mother, says she isn't natural with the baby,” he whispered, “Shall we go in?”
Hawke moved in front of Dom and pushed aside the curtain. The girl gave a scream and the man stood up to face the intruders.
“Who are you?” he asked in heavily accented English.
“I want my baby. Where is she?” Hawke asked threateningly.
“The baby is with Holly. You are the father, I have seen a photograph she keeps in her purse.”
“Where is she?” Hawke repeated, losing patience.
“I don't think Holly wants to see you. She said you had a fight and she had to leave with the baby.”
“That's a lie. She isn't her mother. Where is she? I won't ask again,” he drew a gun and the girl screamed again.
“Can you prove it?” the girl asked in Italian. Dom translated for Hawke's benefit.
Adriana stepped forward and produced a photo of Beth, “This is the baby's mother. See the resemblance?” she spoke in fluent Italian, showed the frightened girl the photo and carefully watched her reaction. The Italian girl took the photo and showed it to the man.
“I told you she is not the mother,” she stated firmly in Italian. Then she turned to Hawke and said in stilted English, “I take you.”

Leaving the big top by a back exit they were faced with a field full of caravans. Most were in darkness but a couple had faint lights showing through the curtains.
The girl, who introduced herself as Isabella, lead them to the farthest caravan that was lit.
“She live there with baby. Is baby sick? She cry a lot.”
Hawke turned to Dom, “Tell her the Symphony needs special milk or she gets sick. Tell her we need to get her to a hospital quickly.”
Dom translated and Isabella nodded, “Yes, baby is sick.”
Michael and Marella returned to the limo to radio Caitlin. It would be quicker to get Symphony to a Firm clinic in Airwolf.
As they approached the caravan, Hawke put out his had, stopping the others, “Only Dom and I go in. We'll shout if we need back-up.”
The caravan door wasn't locked and Hawke opened it quietly, hoping to surprise Holly. He was in luck, she was asleep on the sofa, the baby lying in a cardboard box on the floor next to her.
Hawke looked at his baby and he held his breath as his heart dropped. She was so still he thought they were too late and it took a couple of deep breaths before he could bring himself to lift her out of her makeshift cot.

She woke suddenly, her thin and wailing cry filling the air. Hawke had never heard such a beautiful sound, but still it worried him; it was so different from her usual cry.
He held her close, tears pouring down his face, Dom at his side.
Holly awoke at the sudden noise and started to shout at Symphony to shut up before she realised that she had company. She jumped off the sofa and moved quickly towards Hawke, a strange smile on her face. Unsure of her intentions, Dom stopped her before she reached him.
“String, I knew you would come for me!” Holly exclaimed triumphantly, “I knew you wouldn't abandon our baby.”
At the sound of Symphony's cries Marella had entered the caravan and gently took her from Hawke.
“She's not our baby, she's my baby. Mine and Beth's. And you took her and made her sick. How could you do that to her, to us,” his voice shook with anger and Dom held him firmly to stop him from advancing on Holly. He recognised the hurt and anger in his voice and was worried that he would hurt her.
“Let me go Dom! She deserves what she's got coming!”
Dom kept his voice calm as he held Hawke tightly, “No, String. Holly did wrong but Symphony is okay and you hurting her won't change anything.”
“It might make me feel better,” Hawke muttered darkly.
“No, it won't. Trust me String. I'll make sure Holly is punished, but you're not hurting her. Take Symphony to the clinic, I'll stay here with Adriana, we'll inform the authorities.”
As they left the caravan they heard the unmistakable sound of Airwolf arriving. Keeping a safe distance from where Caitlin would have to land Marella examined Symphony.
“She's dehydrated and feels lighter than she was but I think she'll be fine. She must have been getting some nourishment, just not as much as she needs. A few days in the clinic on a drip should see her back to an acceptable weight.”
Hawke gave a sigh of relief but was still unsure, “Are you sure, her cry.....”
“Yes, I'm sure. But of course I'll give her a full examination when we get to the clinic. Now get in Airwolf, we've wasted enough time here.”
In Airwolf, Marella held Symphony securely. She had stopped crying which worried Marella but she kept her thoughts to herself, knowing that worrying Hawke would serve no purpose.
“Turbos,” Hawke requested of Michael who was sitting in Dominic's usual seat.
“No!” Marella exclaimed urgently, “She's too weak. The clinic isn't too far, she'll be fine.”
Hawke grunted in disgust but trusted Marella.
The journey only took 15 minutes but to Hawke it seemed like a lifetime. His daughter was still very quiet and he knew something was wrong even if Marella wasn't saying.
Michael radioed ahead and when they landed on the clinic roof a doctor and 2 nurses were waiting for them.
Marella remained in charge, carrying the silent baby to an examination room and assisting the doctor while Michael forcibly held Hawke in the corridor.
“Let them examine her,” he told the impatient father, “they know what they're doing. We'd just be in the way.”
“I know. It's just.......she's so quiet. Shouldn't she be crying?” He couldn't stay still and Michael let him go so he could pace up and down.
“Hawke, they won't be long. Just be patient,” he was worried too but wasn't going to let Hawke know it.
Another lifetime passed before Marella finally opened the door and called Hawke in.
“I was right. She is dehydrated and underweight but she will be fine in a few days,” she told him as he pushed past her to the cot.
“When can I take her home?” he looked down on her. She was asleep now, breathing quietly her, chest rising and falling. She was attached to a drip and his heart constricted as he realised that he could have lost her.
“She needs to stay here for a few days under observation. She will be watched 24 hours a day. Beth can stay with her, we'll arrange a room for the two of them.”
“Beth!” Hawke exclaimed, “I need to call her. She needs to know,” he paused then and looked at Marella, “How do you think she'll take it? She believes Symphony is dead. I don't know how she'll react.”
“How about I go pick her up?” Marella suggested, “Andrea can come with her.” Hawke nodded, relieved that he didn't have to make the call, “ and in the meantime, let's get your hand looked at. I think you've opened the wound up, again.”
Hawke looked down at his hand. He was surprised to see the blood soaked bandage and realised that he was in pain. He looked back at his sleeping daughter and Marella correctly guessed what he was thinking.
“She'll sleep for a while and the nurse will stay with her. You'll only be about half an hour.”
Hawke nodded and with one last glance at his daughter, he followed Marella out of the room.