Chapter 14

Almost inaudible sobs wracked Don's large frame as he continued to rest his head on Angell's shoulder. He felt guilty. There was no way around it, and despite Mac's advice to stop blaming himself, Flack just couldn't bring himself to that point. He lifted his head and took in the heartbreaking sight of Jess in a hospital bed. Don Flack was a strong man, but this was pushing him to his limits of what he could handle. He lifted Angell's hand and gave it a feather-light brush of his lips.

"You're going to get through this, Jess. You have to."

-&-

"Lindsay?" Danny called as he stepped off of the elevator and headed for Lindsay's area of the lab. He felt disgusting. Dirt was smeared across his face and soiled his once light-gray shirt. He had lost his cell phone somewhere in the demolished building and hadn't been able to reach Lindsay on his way back from the lab. Knowing her, he had a feeling that she would probably be frantic with worry. "Lindsay?" He said softly as he approached her from behind.

A short gasp of relief and Lindsay flew into his arms. "Danny! I'm so glad you're okay. I heard about what happened at the crime scene. I've been trying to call you." She said into his chest, her arms wrapped around him.

"Yeah...I lost my phone. Sorry."

She snorted. "Pretty convenient time, Messer. I've been going crazy trying to find you." Lindsay snuggled closer. "Where is everyone?"

"Mac and Stell are on their way back from the hospital, but Flack's staying there with Angell. She'll probably be in there for a few days. "

"I'm just glad you're okay," she murmured. Danny held her close before remembering the object in his pocket. Pulling away from Lindsay, he reached in and pulled out the slender gold chain he had found among the destruction of the building. The heart swung delicately as Danny turned back to Lindsay.

"Wanna make a stop at the hospital?"

-&-

The ride back to the NYPD lab was silent for Mac and Stella. Their usual small-talk was replaced with hushed sighs and the muted noise of city streets. Stella blankly stared out of the passenger side window as the waves of exhaustion began to hit shore. It had been a rough day for all of them. Warmth suddenly enveloped her left hand and she looked over to see Mac gently wrapping his fingers around hers. He gave the embrace a slight squeeze, she felt her green eyes brighten a bit as they met his gray-eyed gaze that told her to hold steady. He was there for her. No words were needed. They were almost never needed. Stella could read his expression as well as he could read hers. Pulling up to curb outside the NYPD, she felt Mac hesitate to release his grip. Leaning over, she brushed a kiss against his rough cheek. Her team...no, their team would make it through.

-&-

Flack stood at the window and stared as the city finally succumbed to the impending darkness of night. Headlights and tail lights of vehicles dashed below the sixth story window. Flack looked up into the sky and wished that he could see the stars. The city's lights and smog and made it impossible for stars to be visible. A slight shuffle behind him made him whirl around...only to be disappointed as he realized it was only a nurse entering to check Jess's vitals and give more medication. The nurse gave Flack a slight smile and half-heartedly murmured something about condolences and hope before disappearing into the hallway. He turned around again and stared at the night. Another shuffle. He didn't bother to turn around. It was probably just that insensitive nurse coming back for a forgotten pen or something.

A whimper.

The shuffle of...sheets?

Flack turned away from the city as hope surged through him.

-&-

Eyelashes fluttered like soft butterfly wings as Angell forced her eyes open and took in her unfamiliar surroundings. Uncertainty and a small amount of panic began to well up in her chest as her chocolate brown eyes frantically shifted back and forth across the room and didn't allow her to clearly focus on anything. Where was she? Pushing up on her elbows, she tried to sit up and winced at the pain in her midsection. Warm strong hands were suddenly wrapped around hers. She looked up....

"Don." She whispered as realization hit. She was in a hospital.

His blue eyes glistened as he took both of her hands in his and bent over to kiss her forehead. "Hey."

Angell felt her own tears begin to fill her eyes and she squeezed Flack's hand. "How are you feeling?"

Don looked at her in disbelief. "I'm fine. You're the one we should be concerned about," he said gently as he brushed his lips across her hand. "You were out for a while...had all of us pretty concerned." Glancing from feet to head, he took in the sight of her, exhausted, bruised, and alive in the soft glow of the small bedside lamp.

"What?" She grinned and questioned in a flirtatious tone only a tone Jessica Angell could manage.

Flack grinned back. "Nothing...just...you still look beautiful."

Flustered, Angell lifted her hand to finger the gold chain around her neck....and found nothing but bare skin and the collar of an itchy hospital gown. Her fingers searched her neckline and tears began to form again as she realized the necklace was gone.

"Jess. What is it? What's wrong?" Flack took hold of her hands and held them tightly.

"My necklace. I-I can't find it." A lone tear fell down her face as she neared the breaking point of exhaustion, pain, and raging emotions. "Don...."

Flack bent down until their foreheads were touching slightly and looked into her eyes. "Calm down. We'll find it. It was probably misplaced in the shuffle of getting you here and settled, and worrying about it now isn't going to help any. You need your rest." He watched as Angell closed her eyes and slightly nodded in agreement. Flack stood up and started to move away but not before Angell took hold of his hand and pulled him back to her for a soft, sweet kiss.

"Thanks," she whispered.

Flack nodded. "Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

-&-

Approaching the correct room, Danny shuffled the huge floral assortment in his hands.

"You had to pick this one? I can barely carry it!" He good-heartedly glared at Lindsay.

She gave him a wicked grin as she reached up and knocked on the half-open door. Flack's soft response gave them permission to enter and she pushed open the door. Angell was peacefully sleeping in the hospital bed with Flack standing guard in his nearby chair.

"Hey," Don smiled as Lindsay crossed the room to give him a hug.

"We brought you some flowers," Danny rasped.

"Thanks. I'm sure Jess will love them. You guys can sit down if you want." Flack motioned to an empty chair as he stood up to free his.

"Oh that's okay, Flack. We actually can't stay long." Lindsay said, taking the flowers from Danny and setting them on the windowsill.

"I wanted to bring this by," Danny said as he fished inside his pocket and retrieved the slender gold necklace. Flack's eyes widened as he reached out to take it.

"Thank you so much. Jess was so upset about losing it." He gave Danny a one-armed hug.

"I found it in the rubble where we picked you two up. I've seen Angell wearing it, so I knew it was hers. Nice Christmas gift, Donny." He winked in jest as Flack playfully hit his shoulder.

-&-

Ten minutes later, Flack said goodbye to Danny and Lindsay and settled back down in his chair beside a still sleeping Jess. She looked peaceful as her soft brown locks gently lay scattered over her shoulders. Fingering the delicate necklace, Flack pressed the gold heart to his lips before reaching down and taking Angell's hand. Setting the necklace in her palm, he closed her fingers into a fist around it and set her hand back on the bed.

Sleep finally came.

-&-

Sadly this may be the last chapter for a few weeks. My new semester starts tomorrow and is bringing a ton of work along with it. I will try my hardest to make time to update, but this story should be finished within the next chapter or so unless new inspiration strikes. :)