Prologue

Sorry guys, I'm not done typing this story up yet. I thought I would just post a little teaser for you all while you wait. It's been a long time, and I figured some of you would be wanting something. Anyway, who else watched the season premiere? I thought it was pretty awesome. Nick in those glasses, yummy. I was also wondering if there were any episodes you would like me to cover. Either in this story, or my possible series of one-shots. Feel free to let me know in a review.

Danika wasn't ready for this. Nowhere near ready for this. Cassie was busy playing with her doll, doodling on some of the paper Jillian had brought along with her. A big difference from the past two weeks, when she would ask time and time again when her daddy was going to come home. Danika didn't have the heart to tell her daughter what was going on. She wasn't even two yet. She wouldn't understand. Every time she passed by the double doors, her heart would drop.

There was only supposed to be one surgery. Two tops if something were to happen. But just like everything else, things took a turn for the worst. The bullet fragments were too close to his heart, causing her husband to go into immediate surgery not even five minutes after he arrived at the hospital, and now-

"Calm down, sweetie. He's going to be fine. You'll see."

Jillian Stokes was one of the strongest women Danika knew. She knew it must have been from all of the phone calls she had gotten from over the years, telling her what kind of mess Nick had gotten into, but how she managed to keep her composure, especially at the time like this; Danika was jealous. She only hoped that one day she would be able to be that strong.

"You said that the first time too," she replied, unconsciously rubbing her arms, attempting to keep herself warm. Why did hospitals have to be so cold? She cursed herself for not bringing a jacket with her. "I'm sorry, Jillian, I can't help but worry."

"It's quite all right, dear," her mother-in-law smiled. "Have a seat; you haven't been off your feet for a good hour now. That's not good for you right now. You heard what the doctor said."

Of course she knew what the doctor said, and for that she felt slightly guilty. She was told that anymore stress might cause more problems, and she didn't need any more problems. After losing one son, there was no way she was risking the other.

"Mommy, see?" Cassie grinned, holding up the drawing. "Daddy, like?

"Daddy is going to love it," Danika picked her daughter up, setting her in her lap, admiring the picture. "It's beautiful, baby."

"Daddy, sweepin'?" she asked.

"Yes, Cassie, daddy is still sleeping."

"Go see?"

Why did Cassie have to ask so many questions? Thankfully, Jillian intervened, offering if Cassie wanted to go get Nick a present for when he woke up. She didn't need to be asked twice, leaving her and Bill alone and waiting for some kind of news.

"How are you handling all of this?" she asked.

"Pancho is strong. He's been through tough spots like this, well sort of like this, before. He has someone watching over him. I certain of it."

"But what if he's not so lucky this time?" she could feel the stinging in her eyes. "I need him, Bill."

"Don't think like that, Danika," he said, taking the vacant seat beside her. "He needs up to stay strong and pray for him."

Pray for him. What did he think she was doing when she went home at night? Having nights on the two with her friends? All she did was pray. She just needed something, anything at all, just so she knew Nick was going to be all right.

"Stokes family?" both Danika and Bill got to their feet.

"Please give us some good news, doctor," Bill spoke. "Anything."

"If the Mrs. would follow me please."

Danika glanced up at her father-in-law before following the doctor through the double doors all the way to the end of the hall. As he stopped before the door, gesturing for her to enter the room, he gave her a small smile then headed back down the corridor. She was shaking, but who wouldn't be? Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the hospital room, tears rapidly falling form her eyes, hands covering her mouth in shock.

I'm not sure when I will start posting this story, but I will try and get the chapters out as soon as I can.