Chapter Something-or-Other

Squib, who know went by Gary, watched awkwardly as his daughter shuffled into her friend's car and speed out in the dark. He hoped nothing bad would happen to her as she left, he couldn't bare losing another piece of Cody. Yes he still thought about her, in fact she was the only thing he ever thought about.

He slid his hand nervously through his long blonde locks which he had grown out over the years, personally he prefered it shorter but there was no one left to impress. Over time he had stoped showing his depression and began his usual routine of making jokes and cracks about anything that bothered him. This concerned the rest of the Top Guns even more.

Also during the years he had lost a lot of his friends. Cameron and Tanis got married and won Wimbledon in the mixed doubles championship, and the only way to keep touch was to be involved in the tennis world. And Gary simply wasn't.

Megan and Sebastien started a tennis of school together north of Montreal where they were now living their lives together. Sebastien called Gary at least once a month to "check up on things" but things between them were not the same as they used to.

Adena was very alive in both Gary's and Mabel's life. All three of them lived in a giant house just a few blocks away from downtown Montreal. Once Adena and Gary had tried to date, but figured it wasn't worth it and that their relationship should remain platonic.

Life was as good as it was going to get, Gary figured, his daughter was healthy and had a female influence around constantly, he made a sufficient income and with Adena's high doctor's salary they were pretty well off.

Yes life was good.

Except.

Except for the familiar dreams he would have every night in his deep sleep. It was always Cody, and he knew it. Even though they were sometimes foggy dreams and all you could see was a glob of red, Gary knew it was her. But she remained in his dreams, he hadn't 'seen' her since the night in the Open. And he was convinced he had saw her.

Before Cody's death he had never believed in such things as ghosts or even life beyond death, but now it was essential for him to think so. Because that night he would Miss Myers' support.

It was well around midnight and Gary was still sitting in front of the fireplace, alone. He was fully aware his daughter was expected home about two hours ago but decide that he'd just have to wait it out a little while longer. And he'd wait with his arms crossed over his chest for one more hour.

And then the phone rang.

And when it rang and his daughter wasn't home he knew something was the matter.

"Hello?" He answered, trying to sound as composed as he possibly could.

"Yes, this is the Montreal's Childrens Hospital, I'm nurse McKee, I assume this is Mr. Gary Furlong I am speaking with?"

"Uh, yeah, um is something the matter?" This time his voice shook as he spoke

"Well it's like this Mr. Furlong, your daughter and her friends were joy-riding and drag racing a little earlier this evening, and I'm sorry but your daughter is in intensive care right now."

"What?" He pratically to lazy to spell check, sorry! yelled

"Don't worry I assure you she'll get out of her coma with minor injuries, I just need a legal guardian to-"

"Wait she's in a coma?"

"It's nothing to worry about, Mr. Furlong. She was much more fortunate than her other friends. One has just passed away, you should count your blessings."

"Count my blessings!" How could this woman even imply that he was lucky? The woman he loved the most was dead and now his daughter was in intensive care. Oh yeah, luck was definetly in his favor.

"Sir, she should've died. The way the crash was, it was just, you just had to see the reckage. It's a miracle she got out with just a coma. Someone somewhere was looking out for her." She paused and Gary took a deep breath

"She should've died." He repeated in a barely audible voice.

"But she didn't. Now, Mr. Furlong it's important you get down here right now to sign these forms. We can't examine Mabel any further unless you sign these papers."

"Yeah, I'm leaving now. Bye Ms. McKee." He hung up the phone, grabbed his jacket, car keys and ran out the door the only running through his mind were seven words

Someone somewhere was looking out for her.