Chapter 4 The Waiting Game

Michael had sat by her bed for hours, watching her face and stroking her hand. He had been talking to her, reminiscing about old times. He missed those old times. When he and Jackie had been as thick a thieves, that had all changed when he got promoted to DCI and when Robbie had joined the team. He remembered the times where they would flip a coin for who was going to get the autopsy report, or when they had to tell Jim Taggart bad news. He smiled at the thought. Then he looked at her, "Jackie, please wake up!" he urged. "I need you" he whispered. "You're my best friend Jackie, you mean the world to me" he gently kissed her hand. Then another memory popped into his head. It was when Jackie had first started. He remembered that Jim Taggart had warned him about being too friendly with Jackie. At the time he knew there was an attraction to her and he knew he couldn't have acted on it.

He thought it strange that this particular memory had flashed into his head. He remembered how jealous he was when Robbie had joined the team. Robbie had made no secret of how attractive he found Jackie, and that bothered Michael more that he would care to admit. In fact, every time Jackie dated someone he had always felt a pang of jealously. Michael realised how torn he was when it came to his relationship with Jackie. On one hand he wanted what was best for her. He supported her when she had found Brian.

He also remembered how guilty he felt, when he had pushed her too far. Especially the time he had talked her into going undercover. He remembered how bad he felt when she had fallen for Greg Martin. He had seen how heartbroken she was and it cut him deep. He realised then that he never wanted to hurt her or see her that hurt again.

It was as though their life together had been flashing through his mind. "I ..." he paused. He finally had realised that he loved her. He couldn't bring himself to say it. The words just sat there on the tip of his tongue. He couldn't find the courage to say to her, even as she lay unconscious. She married! He told himself "How is she Mike?" Brian had entered the room, the timing couldn't have been more perfect given that Michael had just realised that he was in love with his wife. "She's stable for now, the doctors due back soon" Brian bent over to his wife and kissed her forehead. "Should I leave?" Michael asked hoping he would say no.

"No, that's fine I know she will want to see you! When she wakes up" Brian looked at him, Michael was surprised that he was fine with him staying. "Besides I spoke to a Matt Burke and he said its best that you stay here. So that you're safe" Michael looked down at his feet, the guilty feeling made his stomach drop. He looked up to Brian "Brian I'm so sorry!" Brian could see the concern on his face, he knew Jackie and Michael were very close. He knew they had been friends for a very long time. He also knew that Michael would try to protect her at all costs and that gave him a sense of relief.

"I know Mike. I know, you wouldn't let anything bad to happen to her." Michael realised that no one blamed him for Kennedy shooting her. "Don't worry, she might be angry for a bit but she will always forgive you!" Brian smiled "It's in her nature! you are her best friend Michael! I bet she will be more worried about you" he smiled warmly knowing he was probably right. It was obvious that he loves her, Michael was glad that Brian hadn't felt threatened by Jackie's loyalty to him. He also knew that Brian was jealous of Robbie, mainly because Robbie's flirtations were so obvious and it was evident that Jackie's had a soft spot for him.

A few more hours had past. Michael hadn't let go of Jackie's hand.

"Mike, I'm going to go speak to the doctors, see what's happening"

Just has he had shut the door, Jackie's eyes started to open. She groaned as she moved her head. Michael squeezed her hand. "Jackie" Michael was really glad. He could barely control his excitement. She was awake. She was alive.

"Michael" she said "Michael, what happened" she squeezed his hand as she was waking up. He could see the pained expression on her face. "Kennedy shot you, I'm so sorry" he kissed her hand.

"Is Brian here?" she asked, looking around. Some part of him was hurt that she had asked for him.

"He had just stepped out to speak to the doctors, I'll go get him"

"No, please don't leave me" she grabbed his hand as he was ready to get up. He sat back down, she had grabbed his hand with all the strength that she had. "Ok I won't leave you!" he kissed her hand.

"He'll be back in a minute" he said

"I'm surprised he bothered" she said, which surprised her and him for that matter. She closed her eyes and a tear rolled down her cheek. Michael just squeezed her hand. Brian came back into the room. "She's just woke up Brian"

"Darling" he walked over and kissed her lips gently. "I'm so glad you're ok!" She smiled as much as she could as she was in pain.