Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters within this chapter.

Author's Notes: It has been a long, long time since I saw a promo that shocked me, and that is exactly what the one for this storyline did.

Story Status: Well, I'm thinking this is going to be a mini-series type fic because the muse just was not content with a one-shot. I am going to try to concentrate on this one to its' end simply because I'm tired of starting things and not finishing them.

Title: Missed Chances

Natalie had been awake all night listening to the news. She didn't know why, but she had an ominous feeling from the moment she'd watched the plane lift off. Bo had assured it was a standard transfer and that nothing could go wrong, but she'd still gone home with a heavy heart. She was curled up on the couch with the news on and the radio turned up loud, sipping a glass of wine as she waited for the news her heart knew was coming.

Suddenly, the silently laughing family on the television screen was replaced by the breaking news bulletin at the same as the radio played their breaking news music. She sat up straight, gasping as pictures of John and Todd flashed on the television screen. The deejay's voice was a dull roar in her ear as they announced that the plane carrying Llanview's Chief of Detectives John McBain and the baby killer Todd Manning had gone down about ten minutes earlier.

"While rescue workers are still en route to the scene, the likelihood of any survivors is reputed to be microscopic at best. We will keep you updated as this story progresses." The music played again before fading back into the song they had been playing. Natalie's eyes were bright with unshed tears as the pictures of Todd and John remained on screen. "Oh my god, no." She stood to her feet and stumbled to the door, jumping when her cell phone rang.

She rushed over to it feeling an almost impossible rush of hope as she saw Bo's name. "Uncle Bo?" "Natalie, I'm calling to tell you before it reaches the media—" "Too late, Uncle Bo. I just heard." She laughed dryly, and it chilled Bo to the bone. "Natalie—" "Do you know anything?" she cut him off.

"No. We're on the way to check everything out now. I'll call you as soon as I do. Just stay put and call Rex or Jessica to come stay with you, okay sweetheart?" "I'll be fine. Just—keep me updated, please." There was the slightest trace of tears in her voice as she finished speaking and hung up the phone. She brushed away the few stray tears that were dripping down her face as she grabbed her keys, turned the lights off and practically ran for her car.

John McBain dragged himself from the wreckage, his body bruised and covered with dirt. He finally managed to pull himself to his feet, bracing himself on a tree trunk as he watched the flames licking at the plane. He looked down at his hands and gasped to see that they were covered with blood. Suddenly he heard a scream come from the plane, then an eerie silence. "What have I done?" Hearing sirens, he turned towards the darkened woods. He had to get away before Bo got there.

Bo Buchanan sighed as he watched the plane burning bright against the sky. He knew the chances were slim to none that anyone could have survived that crash, and that if anyone had then they wouldn't make it far. He called the station and told them to get the search party ready. As he hung up he shook his head.

He doubted John McBain or Todd Manning had survived the crash, and he had no idea how to tell Natalie or Viki.

TO BE CONTINUED