HEY I AM TRYING TO POST AS MUCH CHAPTERS AS POSSIBLE SO PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH ME.

Chapter 10: Chances

Previously on 'A Chance At Tomorrow'

'Life is a race Don, you don't have to be the first one to cross the finishing line. You just have to finish, knowing you crossed all the hurdles.'

Detective Don Flack sat there holding the cold hand of hi partner Detective Jessica Angell. A few tears ran down his eyes and then swore to himself if Tyson Wilder had not already been dead then he would have killed him. He shifted in the hard plastic chair beside her bed side and tried to find a more comfortable position and then again held her hand.

The doctors had told him they had done everything they could but she had fallen into a coma. There was a 30% chance that she would wake up but since she was a healthy 28 year old woman the chances had increased to 40%. In the past hour that she had been hour that she ha been out of surgery the whole team had come by to visit. Lindsay and Danny had come and told him and told him she would be okay. She was a real fighter and they were sure if there was one thing Jess Angell will do. She will not go down without a fight. Stella and Mac had also come by and told him they had cleared it with O'Bryon so he got some days of, then he would be with her. They also echoed Danny and Lindsay's sentiments about how she would be alright. Then Sid and Alice had come bearing flowers, fruits and a get well soon basket. They had also given their encouragement to the young detective who desperately needed it.

In the present time he began to whisper to Jess unaware of the eyes that observed them. "Hey Jessie, you would probably kill me right now for calling you Jessie but I don't care. Come back and kill me but just anyhow please come back. I know you can hear me and your just sleeping or pretending to sleep to mess with me." He laughed. "Remember that time on the stakeout I had told you I had no game? That was only half true. I have game but not with you. It never worked on you cause you have a game of your own that worked on me. You know when I was in the coma after the bombing I was making a list of things I wanted to do so you had better start the list." Don then started talking about all the happy times he had with Jess. Although he put up the front he desperately wished she would just wake up.

Outside of the room the ex Detective Sergeant, Cliff Angell stood and surveyed the scene that he saw in front of him. He knew that the other man sitting in the chair, clutching his daughters hand and talking with her was her partner. Detective Don Flack. He still kept tabs on what was going on and was pleased when his daughter had gotten partnered up with him. He knew he was a mighty fine detective, fiercely loyal friend and dedicated partner. Although Jess had talked about him a lot he had always taken it as a sign of fast friendship but now, the scene he saw threw a whole new light on their relationship.

"Cliff" a voice spoke up behind him.

He whirled around as he saw CSI Mac Taylor. "Oh, hi Mac" he said as he turned back to the window"

The younger man moved forward and stood beside him at the window separating the hallway and the privacy of the room.

"Your peeking in on a moment" he pointed out.

"I need to know what my daughter has been up to" Cliff said as Don lifted Angell's hand and kissed it tenderly.

"If you ask me your daughter is in love." He replied as Cliff took a moment to let that sink in.

"How did I let this happen?" Cliff asked himself and Mac.

"Let what happen?" Mac asked curiously.

"Let her fall for her partner, let her get taken hostage, let her….."

"Cliff" Mac's sharp voice startled him "you cannot control what goes on in other's lives, Jessica has a mind and life of her own. I know Jess and I am her friend but I know as much as you want to keep her safe she isn't your little girl anymore. If I could control what happened in other's lives I could prevent Claire getting killed." His voice dipped.

"Mac, I'm sorry"

Mac continued as if he hadn't said anything "And what is wrong I might ask for falling for your partner? I know both Don and Jess very well and if anyone deserves love as a reward for the countless things they have done for this city they should go for it" he finished knowing what it was like to be in love with his partner. (SMacked 4ever)

Angell's father nodded as he turned to go inside the room then stopped as he heard Mac's voice again "They aren't dating yet, but a blind and deaf man can see they have feelings for each other."

He went inside and saw possibly his future son-in-law rise up and gently put his daughter's hand back on the bed. Don's eyes were slightly puffy as he took his hand. "Cliff Angell" he said as the man replied "Don Flack". Don rose to leave but the older Angell told him to stay.

Then as the past hour went they shared stories. About the force, about Jess, about life and about love. Don told him how they met and Cliff told him how Jess grew up.

Before they knew it nightfall had come. All four of Jess's brother's were coming tomorrow. Cliff had gone home and he was still holding Jess's hand when he saw a slight movement in her face. He leaned forward "Jess? Jess, honey? Come on it's time to wake up." He brushed some bangs from her forehead as he observed anything close to miracle in his books.

"Hey" he quietly whispered as she opened her eyes to look at him. He put some ice chips along her lips as she tried to speak "hey yourself" she said as he went forward and kissed her cheek gently and with care.

YES I KNOW THE ENDING WAS LAME BUT PLEASE CUT ME SOME SLACK. I AM TYPING THIS WHILE HALF SIITING AND HALF LYING ON MY BED IN A VERY AKWARD HURTFUL POSITION. LOL. READ AND REVIEW AS ALWAYS. LOVE YOU GUYS.