Airwolf Legacy

Chapter One

Archangel was clutching the report given to him by one of his agents that had just been to see Bryon, Kristien’s brother, Ruler of Dubawi. As the white limousine made its way up Kristien’s drive way, Archangel felt a knot tie up deep in his gut. Normally he would be looking out at all the horses in the paddocks but he had something pressing on his mind so much that taking in any scenery was well down on his list of priorities.

As the limousine pulled up outside the magnificent Elizabethan home which was Kristien’s, household staff met him. Archangel walked up to Alfred who was at the top of the stairs.

“Mr Coldsmith-Briggs, welcome.” Alfred greeted Archangel.

“Please let Kristien know I am here.” Archangel replied following Alfred into the house.

“She is riding out Sir.” Alfred informed Archangel. “I can inform the stables to saddle a horse for you?”

“Thanks Alfred, that will be great.” Archangel replied. Archangel did not need to be asked twice to ride one of Kristien’s horses. A keen rider himself with a string of polo ponies, Archangel spent as much time as he could on the field in between the dangerous missions he often did and the endless meetings that came with the job.

Also you met a lot of lovely rich available ladies looking for the older man. Archangel would never admit that being a polo player was a perk to meet ladies, but hey in his line of work who the hell would marry him? Long hours, married to the job and life expectancy low.

Archangel cantered the thoroughbred stallion through Kristien’s estate. He had changed into white jodhpurs and black riding boots. He was impressed with the horses softness to the riders instructions. The Special Agent that was escorting him was dressed in black as always riding another one of Kristien’s stallions.

In the distance two horses could be seen, with their riders. Archangel slowed his horse down to a trot. The two riders ahead paused and halted their horses and waited.

“Why do I get the impression that this couldn’t wait?” Kristien exclaimed her disbelief at the arrival of Archangel.

“Sorry.” Archangel apologised to her as he looked at her and her protection agent Redwood. “Can we talk?”

Kristien rolled her eyes with frustration. “Well you are here now so I suppose now is a good a time as any.” Kristien replied. “Not that I have much of a choice.” She said under her breath.

Special Agent Redwood moved his horse back to where the agent that escorted Archangel over giving Kristien and Archangel privacy. Kristien dismounted and led her horse over to a felled tree trunk and sat down, holding the reins, stroking the horses head between its eyes. Archangel too dismounted and took his horse the other side of the trunk and sat down opposite Kristien.

“One of the White House officials has been over to Dubawi to negotiate the disarmament of his nuclear weapons.” Archangel explained. “He came back with some information that you need to have.” Archangel stalled by rubbing his moustache, he did not know how to say what he had to say next.

Kristien looked directly at Archangel. “Quit tap dancing and just spit it out will you. You know I don’t care for anything from Dubawi, least of all where brother Byron is involved.”

Kristien was not brought up at the Palace in Dubawi and her brother being eighteen years her senior had never got to know him. In fact her one and only meeting with him was when she was eight years old and he was twenty six. He was already Head of the Armed Forces in Dubawi, certainly following in their father’s footsteps. He could not believe that an eight year old, and a girl at that, had more brains and was far more clever than he would ever hope to be. It did not help that their Father had grown close to Kristien through her extensive knowledge of the worlds Thoroughbred breeding industry and its racing. Being an Arab Sheik with his racehorses, the pride of his stables, being ridden by his own daughter, mellowed him making Bryon intensively jealous of his younger sister, who was just visiting.

That summer a coup on the Palace resulted in Kristien’s parents, both Heads of State of Dubawi being murdered in front of her. The assassins then castrated Bryon and probably would have then murdered him after they had finished torturing him but Archangel led the assault team on the Palace to restore order and prevented them doing anything further to Byron or Kristien.

Although no evidence had ever been recovered, it was always thought that Bryon was possibly behind the coup as it was his armed forces that stormed the Palace. Similarly it was also thought that Bryon was behind Kristien’s kidnapping from Hawke’s cabin, seven years previous, however lack of proof again thwarted any finger pointing.

Archangel reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded A4 photograph and handed it over to Kristien. Kristien removed her sunglasses and her jockey skull cap and took the photo, unfolding it.

There was a photograph of a child, around seven years of age, dark brown hair and very blue eyes looking like a very young Stringfellow Hawke. Kristien recognised the background as part of the Palace at Dubawi. She looked at the photograph briefly and folded it up handing it back to Archangel without changing expressions.

“Damn, I would hate to play poker with you.” Archangel announced putting the photograph back in his pocket.

“Because I card count or because I can calculate the probabilities of each hand around the table?” Kristien avoided the obvious explanation.

“You have one hell of a poker face.” Archangel replied. “I expected at least some kind of reaction.”

Kristien stood up, leaving her horse and walking away from Archangel. “For what? A photograph of a child?” Kristien felt Hawke, in pain himself with grief. She wasn’t sure if this was from her or if Hawke was dealing with grief himself. One thing for sure she would have to control this situation a little bit more.

“Bryon says this is HIS son.” Archangel replied knowing that it was a lie.

“Immaculate conception has been heard of before you know.” Kristien told him quoting the Bible.

“The fact that this child looks around seven years of age and looks exactly like Stringfellow, doesn’t that even make you…………….” Archangel began

“Stop it will you.” Kristien begged raising her voice and holding her right side, her own pain started to resurrect itself as she dealt with the painful, tragic memories of the kidnapping and trying to deal with Hawke’s grief too.

Both Special Agents went for their guns and paused before drawing them. They nodded at Kristien realising that everything was fine.

Archangel knew he had hit a nerve and backed off immediately, he was also impressed how quickly the Special Agents responded in any situation. He knew Hawke was out on a mission in Airwolf and the fact that he and Kristien were connected he did not want to alert Hawke that he was pissing Kristien off. He liked his body the way it was, albeit damaged by Moffet, he did not want it to be rearranged by Hawke. Every time Hawke had knocked a shot off at Archangel he was knocked out cold, more to the fact Hawke had this uncanny way of catching Archangel out.

“I’m sorry, Kristien, really I am but the President is concerned about this too you know.” Archangel softened his tone not wanting to antagonize Kristien any further.

“So everyone is getting worried that Bryon is playing with his new nuclear toys then?” Kristien stated diverting the conversation.

“This is your son we are talking about here.” Archangel struggled with the fact that Kristien was just not interested in this. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

“So you have the child’s DNA then?” Kristien went straight in for the facts of the situation.

Archangel shook his head. “No.”

“Then quit calling him ‘my son’.” Kristien did not remove her hand from her right side. “Have you spoken to String about this?”

Archangel shook his head. “No.”

“You pussy.” Kristien replied.

“Yeah, I know.” Archangel admitted to her. He had had the photograph for nearly two weeks, hiding it in his office, trying to find the right time to tell Hawke. Knowing full well that time would never happen he decided to do the softer option of talking to Kristien first, who then would do the job for him. Yes, when it came to Hawke and talking about family he was a chicken.

Kristien walked back to the main house with four Secret Service Agents escorting herself and Archangel. The main house had a huge Marquee, the size of a football pitch right next to it. Preparations had been well under way for nearly 4 weeks for the State Dinner to be hosted by Kristien and having the President of the United States and The Queen. The State Dinner had been planned for over two years. Kristien being her usual nonchalant self had kept herself out of the way, not liking any kind of formal ceremonies that even meant addressing her as one of her Royal titles.

Alfred had managed the whole event calmly and professionally. He was now trying to get Kristien in for her final fitting with the two dress designers that she had chosen from London. To push her nonchalance even further she chose two over the top gay designers, as there were more men to be measured up for tailored dinner jackets than females for gowns, Kristien thought that this would prevent anyone else in the Secret Service having the bright idea of having a State Dinner ever again.

Vincent and Anthony were so excited when they were chosen from the final selection of designers, that both of the promptly burst into hysterical tears using pink fluffy handkerchiefs to calm themselves down. This just confirmed to Kristien that she had made the right choice. Not that any designs for gowns had to be done for her, and as for dinner jackets, one colour and design, how wrong could you go.

Vincent and Anthony trotted over to meet Kristien in the main hallway. They both kissed Kristien on her cheeks.

“Sweetie, really we must get you out of this black.” Vincent told her pointing to her jodhpurs.

“Black hides the dirt.” Kristien admitted to them.

Vincent and Anthony both paused and gasped when they saw Archangel walk in.

“Darling, the white, my God, that’s the ‘in’ thing.” Anthony told him. “See Sweetie, we could dress you all in white.” Anthony wanted Kristien to see that she could wear really any colour and carry it off. Kristien was ignoring the boys checking Archangel out and continued over to the stairs.

Archangel stopped in his tracks on seeing the two men who were dressed in very loud pinks. Vincent and Anthony circled Archangel, checking him out.

“Boys, I have only given you thirty minutes for the final fitting.” Kristien reminded them. “So if you want to spend it drooling over someone who isn’t coming to the ball then that’s fine with me.”

“Not coming?” Vincent exclaimed rather loudly.

“Shame.” Anthony sighed. Realising Kristien was half way up the main staircase both Vincent and Anthony trotted after her. “Coming Sweetie.” They both called after her.

Archangel stood still in shock but also thankful that Kristien had managed to get the two men to follow her instead of him.

“Alfred are they……” Archangel started to ask.

“Indeed they are Mr Coldsmith Briggs, I believe it is Miss Kristien’s idea of a, well how should I put it, a mental blow job on the Secret Service.” Alfred replied remembering in detail the conversation that he and Kristien had in choosing the designers. “I believe that is what she called it.”

A mental blow job, Archangel smirked, he would have to remember that one. “Who suggested the State Dinner?” Archangel asked thinking it would be one hell of a security nightmare.

“I believe it was the President wanting to give the Queen a thank you dinner for the visit he is doing here with the First Lady.” Alfred walked through the house with Archangel towards the kitchen.

“I bet Kristien is happy about that.” Archangel said still smirking about the metal blow job.

“She was Sir, at the beginning.” Alfred went over to the kitchen table where the chef had already placed two trays. Archangel sat down at the huge oak table and Alfred poured him a coffee. Archangel nodded in acknowledgement on receiving the china cup and saucer from the Butler. “The Burghley Estate was just going to host the State Dinner and Miss Kristien had already planned an away trip. However, Her Majesty’s Private Secretary then contacted us requesting Miss Kristien’s presence.”

“Oh dear.” Archangel replied.

“I believe Miss Kristien used slightly stronger language.” Alfred smiled. “Of course when she found Vincent and Anthony, she felt it fitting to employ them in retaliation for the State Dinner.” Alfred said picking up the other tray laden with earl grey tea and lots of chocolates. “Now if you will excuse me Sir, I have to bribe Miss Kristien to actually stay longer than the thirty minutes I told her it would take for the final gown fitting.”

“Kristien in a ball gown?” Archangel asked not quite believing what the Butler had just said. In all the time he had known Kristien since she was eight years old he had never seen her in a skirt let alone a ball gown.

“Not only a ball gown but she will have to wear her Tiara also.” Alfred told him. “I will leave that to another day and more chocolate.” Alfred left the kitchen.

Archangel smiled and sipped his coffee. Alfred knew exactly how to handle Kristien.

Kristien walked over the hangar as Airwolf came over head and into land. Kristien had felt Hawke’s pain on this trip, so she wasn’t surprised that Airwolf was returning early, although she was happy that she was going to see Hawke a few days earlier than planned but she smiled at the irony of having Airwolf here during the visit from the President. Now that would be a great after dinner speech.

Once inside Hawke and Dominic were already out of Airwolf. Airwolf was covered in dust and dirt from various explosions that it had flown through. Dominic was patting Airwolf’s nose and talking to the helicopter. Kristien stopped in her tracks when she saw the state of the machine especially the blood splattering down the port side.

“You could have got it washed and waxed first.” Kristien told them noting the turbines would probably be so full of crap including human remains that they would need an overhaul before she did anything to the computers on board.

“See she HAS missed us String.” Dominic chuckled slightly surprised at the lack of greeting to the both of them considering it had been a couple of months since they last visited.

“Missed you? You have got to be kidding me.” Kristien stood with her hands on her hips making a defensive pose. “It’s been so peaceful here, you know, no broken aircraft or computers, no blowing up things, just the normal life that I used to lead.”

Hawke looked at Kristien from the pilot’s seat of Airwolf, he started to get aroused at just seeing her again. After two months away, with not only work for Santini Air but also various missions for the FIRM he had started to really miss her and wondered if he was ever going to get back. As he allowed his eyes to absorb her beauty, he felt that something was wrong, not knowing what was wrong he remained seated hoping Dominic would make a quick exit up to the house so he could talk to Kristien.
Dominic turned round and looked at Kristien. “Well, you know we just wouldn’t want you to get bored you know.”

“Bored? Bored?” Kristien repeated quite short this time. “If only I had the time.”

Hawke noticed the tone of Kristien’s voice, she was in pain both physically and mentally.

Dominic too was surprised about the tone.

“Best you get up to the house where Alfred will get you to meet the delightful Vincent and his boyfriend Anthony where they will measure you up for your new dinner jacket, ready for the state dinner in five days time.” Kristien walked past Dominic already setting up the laptops for the diagnostic for Airwolf. Now that she had made Airwolf wireless all she had to do was start the laptops up nearby for them to do their work, no more wires.

Dominic noting that Hawke had remained silent and Kristien’s impatient tone he removed his holdall from the inside of Airwolf and left the young couple inside the hangar, hopefully to talk.

Hawke walked up behind Kristien and put his hands on her shoulders. He felt she was keeping something from him.

“What’s wrong?” He noted how perturbed she was.

Kristien reached inside her jacket pocket and retrieved the folded photograph that Archangel had left with her. Hawke looked down and took the photograph and opened it. He gasped involuntarily looking at the photograph of the child. The child looked exactly like he did when he was young. No mistake here, the child was his.

“Where’s my son?” Hawke walked away from Kristien, trying to start a plan to go with Airwolf and go and retrieve him straight away.

“He may not be ours.” Kristien replied setting up the laptops, not giving Hawke any clues other than the information she was giving him. “Archangel says that this photograph was taken in Dubawi when one USA Delegate went to visit Byron.”

Hawke walked over to the missile racks and was already selecting a few to reload Airwolf so that he could go off to blow his way into where ever his son was being held. He pulled over the trolley and started to pick up the missiles.

“Where the hell is Archangel and why didn’t he tell me this himself?” Hawke asked rhetorically. “I guess he is too much of a chicken shit to face me with this?”

“Will you think about this carefully for one moment.” Kristien pleaded with him.

“Are you telling me you don’t think this is our child?” Hawke said not believing her for one moment that she had not thought about this. “Damn it Kristie, he even looks like me.”

Kristien could not deny that indeed the child in the photograph did look like a young Stringfellow but then any decent computer could change any photograph to look like anyone.

“Well, there is nothing we can do for the moment.” Kristien stated the obvious to Hawke.

“Nothing? You gotta be kidding me!” Hawke started to get angry.

Kristien continued to work fast on the laptops, typing furiously into them and at the same time blocking Hawke’s thoughts from probing her own mind.

“Don’t you feel that it’s our son?” Hawke queried her. “For God’s sake Kristie, you gave birth to him and you said he was alive.”

Kristien looked over at Hawke. “No, he was ripped from me, by a six inch knife, whilst I lay on the floor of a damp, cold, dark warehouse, naked and just been violated.” Kristien corrected him to the real facts.

Hawke stopped after picking up three sidewinders. Kristien was blocking him. Why?

He marched over to Airwolf and pressed TURB START ONE. Nothing happened.

Hawke jumped out of Airwolf and stormed over to Kristien. He held onto her arm, firmly and turned her quickly to make her face him. His other hand held on to her other arm. His tight grip on her causing bruising instantly on her arms.

“What ever you have done to Airwolf to disable her, you undo it. NOW.” Hawke shouted directly at her. He did not hide his anger.

Kristien stood her ground and did not move, her strong mind still refusing to give in. However her body was not that strong. Kristien’s eyes did not hide her fear at being held firmly by Hawke. Her eyes became watery and she could not breathe. The colour drained from her face.

Hawke could not believe what he had just done. His anger had driven him, the need to find his son had taken over. Pure, driven anger and he had tried to give Kristien a helping. He pulled her close, tears falling from his eyes, wrapping his arms around her, stroking her back and kissing the top of her head.

“Oh God, I’m so sorry…………….. forgive me……...” He stammered suddenly realising what he was doing. He pulled her head back gently and kissed her hard and full, his anger melted instantly away and turned into desire.

Kristien returned the embrace, tentatively. Hawke continued to embrace her, and his hands purposely moved from her back to her front, he opened up her shirt and allowed his hand to explore her breasts, stroking her nipples so they became hard to his tender touch. Her body responded and had stopped shaking from fear and had began to tremble with desire. Kristien unzipped Hawke’s flight suit and removed his belt, the flight suit falling to the floor. Hawke stepped out of the flight suit and rubbed his naked body against her half dressed body. He lifted her up, still kissing her and walked off, carrying her to the sleeping quarters in the hangar. He laid her down on the bed, his eyes absorbing every inch of her body. Hawke kissed her hard and full, his hand moved from her breasts down to her jodhpurs and slid them off.

Hawke feasted on her naked body. Kristien was in no mood for taking her time, the weight of Stringfellow’s absence had been too much for her to bear on this occasion. Two months apart had fuelled her burning desire to boiling point. If she waited any longer she was sure she would spontaneously combust. Hawke instantly felt Kristien’s hunger for more passion. She always sent him away, he had never questioned why. It was if she could only allow herself pleasure for a couple of months and then to return to forced solitude for another couple of months. This had been the pattern of events for the last eighteen months since finding her again after five mournful years, however, this last forced solitude for both of them had been too much, although neither of them would admit it. Kristien held onto Hawke’s shoulders and tried to pull him over to her. His body did not respond to her despairing wish. Kristien’s eyes met his gaze, he wanted to feast on her some more, to also tease her and almost wanting her to beg for him. Hawke looked at Kristien, longingly with his deep brooding eyes. His souls reaching out for hers. He kissed her, lovingly and allowed her to pull him over her but he did not enter her. He wanted to be in control of this deep sea of emotion that they were surrounding themselves with. Kristien on many occasions had seduced him and he had laid back and enjoyed it, hard and fast or slow and deep, he didn’t really mind but here, now, he wanted full control of her.

Kristien pulled herself up to him, kissing him hard and full. He gently laid down on her, still not entering her. Body to body, heart beat to heart beat, both of them floating together in the calm peaceful air which was silently ebbing away into darkness, creating their own world of stillness where only they could be. His arms sliding underneath her, holding her tightly to his body, not allowing any emotion to escape from her, kissing her lovingly. Kristien responded by arching her back, eager for him, then as he released his tight grip, he gave into his own desires and entered her. A small passionate moan escaped from her breathless lips.

Their love making had taken the dark of the night into the early part of the day. He didn’t know why but he was always surprised at Kristien’s ability and strength to continue all night. Both of them breathless and bathed in sweat, Hawke had Kristien nestled up to him. His arm pulled up a blanket and allowed it to drop on their waists and then he draped his arm over her body and his hand gently holding one of her breasts. He stroked her hair absently, kissing her damp hair. Kristien’s breathing slowed gently and rhythmically as she drifted off to sleep.

With tears of happiness and contentment welling up in his eyes and with a dry raspy voice Hawke spoke to the sleeping woman laid in his arms. “I love you.”

Kristien’s eyes opened immediately on hearing those three words. Neither of them had ever murmured them. After seven years, Hawke needed to tell her this. To stop her from pushing him away, sending him back to the cabin where he would brood and become unhappy, longingly wishing he was right next to her. Maybe if he told her it enough, she would allow him to stay forever by her side, where they could make passionate love all the time and raise beautiful children together.

Hawke closed his eyes and held Kristien lovingly. Kristien’s eyes filled with tears of sorrow as she felt Hawke’s thoughts enter her head. The need to tell her, to profess his undying love to her, had taken its toll. Those three words hit Kristien hard and deep. She blinked back the tears and closed her eyes, sobbing quietly to herself.

Hawke awoke suddenly and looked to the side of him. There was an empty space in the bed where Kristien should be. Hawke got up and walked out of the sleeping quarters to the hangar floor. Kristien was laid in a heap on the floor in his shirt near the laptops. Sensing something was wrong he ran over to her. He scooped her up and hugged her, she was holding her stomach in severe pain, there on the floor was a pool of blood.

Hawke held her Kristien close, and reached for the radio next to the laptops. He depressed the button. “Medical emergency in the hangar.” Hawke shouted with tears falling down his face.

“Kristie, oh God……… Kristie, no…….not again.” Hawke rocked her gently.

The Estate Doctor came from Kristien’s bedroom at the Lodge and walked downstairs to where Hawke, Dominic and Alfred were waiting.

“She’s asking for you Stringfellow.” Doctor Sarah Parsons told the men.

Hawke looked directly at the Doctor. “Is Kristie ok?”

“She’s had a miscarriage but with some rest she will be fine.” The Doctor told them putting away her stethoscope into her case. “I will stop by later today to make sure everything is ok, I have made her comfortable for the moment and I would like to give her a sedative to make sure she rests, but Kristien being a Doctor is refusing.” The Doctor looked directly at Hawke. “Perhaps you can convince her? Either that or stay with her so she doesn’t go off riding or flying.”

Alfred nodded. “I will inform the Racing Manager that Miss Kristien won’t be riding work for a few days, we have the excuse of the State dinner to use.”

“Oh I forgot about that.” The Doctor said looking at her watch. “When is it again?” Realising that she too had to be in a ball gown for the event.

“In four days Doctor Parsons.” Alfred replied.

“Well, if Kristien rests and I mean RESTS I see no problem with her being up for a few hours then.” The Doctor replied. “It’s not everyday we have the Queen and The President visiting here.” The Doctor picked up her case again. “Right I have a Special Agent that had tripped up jogging and has probably sprained a wrist, you know what men are like, so I will go there. Radio me if you have any worries.”

Alfred walked the Doctor to the front door.

“Hey Doc wait up.” Hawke called out.

Alfred left Hawke to let the Doctor out. Hawke walked over and opened the door for the Doctor.

“Doc what caused Kristie to miscarry?” Hawke asked feeling enormous guilt. Not only had he got angry with her but both of them had made passionate love several times in the night after being apart for nearly two months, their passion was immense.

“Well she’s been in pain for over 6 days now.” Doctor Parsons replied. “Kristien’s been raiding the morphine again, she’s been signing it out so I would imagine this has been on the cards.”

“Morphine?” Hawke queried feeling even more guilt wash over him. Why didn’t he sense that Kristien was in trouble?

“Kristien is more qualified than I am. She can sign out what she wants from the infirmary.” The Doctor continued. “Look Hawke if it’s any consolation I am surprised she can even get pregnant. From the medical reports I have read, what’s left of her uterus, it is so badly scared I would doubt if she can carry to full term.” The doctor speculated knowing Hawke was still not convinced she continued. “Nothing you have done has brought this on.” The Doctor left Hawke and started to make her way up to the main house. “Just make her rest all right.” She called back.

Hawke closed the door and walked back into the lodge. Dominic looked at Hawke and patted him on the shoulder. “I knew she was a bit cranky when we arrived.” Dominic told him. “I am real sorry String, I didn’t know she was pregnant.” Dominic walked away.

Hawke looked towards the stairs. “Neither did I.” He said under his breath.

Hawke walked upstairs and went to Kristien’s bedroom. He stood for a moment before opening the door. The enormous guilt that was washing over him started to drown him. This was the second miscarriage Kristien had had, since they had got back together after their five year separation. He had known she was pregnant then, she had told him and then before Christmas, for no reason at all, Kristien lost the baby. Now six months after that tragedy, it had happened again. Hawke put his hands on the door frame, hanging his head, fighting back the tears, holding back the tidal wave of grief and guilt.

“Master Stringfellow, if you don’t go in there soon she will be out of bed to look for you and then we will never get her to rest.” Alfred told him holding a tray of tea and coffee, a hot water bottle and a selection of chocolates.

“Yeah, I know.” Hawke agreed taking the tray off the Alfred.

“Miss Kristien has been unwell for a while.” Alfred told him. “Nature, although cruel, has its own way. Nothing anyone could do could stop this from happening.”

Alfred knew that Hawke would wait before going in so he just opened the bedroom door. Hawke walked in and Alfred closed the door behind him. He froze.

Kristien was laid on her right side, under the duvet, dressed in one of Hawke’s shirts. She raised her head and looked over to the door.

“I’m sorry.” Kristien apologised.

In that moment Hawke put aside his guilt and walked over to her, putting the tray down at the table at the side of the bed. He got on the bed behind her and wrapped his arms around her, stroking her head and back, kissing the back of her head. His lips moved to her ear.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, it’s just one of those things.” Hawke replied fighting back the tears.

Hawke held her in his arms, Kristien put her arms over his and held him tight. Kristien tried to think about what had happened over the past week and if she would have done anything different. Hawke felt her thinking about the past and then gave her hope for the future of thinking about children and having a family and one day it would happen, probably when they both least expected it. Kristien turned, still in his arms and laid her head on his chest listening to his heat beat. She held him tightly. Both of them allowing the pain and the grief to engorge them.

He felt her relax and drift off to a much needed sleep and rest period.