A few days later//

Jessica slowly began to recover. She was up and moving a bit, but not a lot. It was still hard for her to walk a long distance. She ran out of breath a lot quicker, she became tired more quickly, and the pain at times was unbearable. Jessica still wasn't even aloud to use her left arm at all and barely could move her right one.

All of her family was with her throughout the week. Especially the kids and Sam. Sean and Olivia came everyday after school until seven, then went home. Sam stopped by whenever he could during the day. He always slept the night so Jessica had company. He still worried tremendously.

Jessica got the news that she was going to be released the next day. She was ready to go home and leave the hospital. There was nothing she loved more than being home and just knowing that things were going to slowly go back to normal. The day she was being released was the day of Neil's funeral. Jessica needed to go and she wanted to go. Everyone encouraged her to just stay home and rest but she couldn't.

//-//

It was later at night and the kids had made their final visit before Jessica went home. Sam was spending the night with Jessica then taking her home in the morning. Sam and Jessica laid in the small hospital bed together watching Wheel Of Fortune on the small tv. Sam had his arms wrapped around Jessica while she slowly began to fall asleep.

"I'm so happy to go home tomorrow." Jessica whispers

"I'm glad you're doing better." He says as he kisses her forehead.

Jessica smiles "Tomorrow will be hard, though."

"If you don't think you can go we don't have to. We can just take you home and you can rest..."

"No, Sam. I'm going... Neil saved my life. If it weren't for him I'd be dead. He had a great life and that was taken from him because of me!" Jessica begins to cry and become frustrated. Sam sits up and looks at her with sad eyes.

"None of this is your fault, Jessica! Now stop it! There was nothing that could have been done, do not blame yourself!"

"How can I not? You don't understand!" Jessica clenches her teeth and breathes heavily.

Sam sighs "You're right... I don't understand. But I do know that this couldn't have been prevented. There was no stopping the shooter or Neil taking the first hit. Neil was an amazing man and a hero for doing what he did. If it weren't for him your kids would grow up without a mom, your family would miss you dearly, and I... I'd be lost."

"He didn't have to do what he did, Sam. Because of what he did his family will be lost. Him and his girlfriend can never get married, he'll never have kids or grandkids."

"Jess, I don't know what to say." Sam was speechless. He knew there wasn't anything he could say to make her feel better."

"I just wish this never happened..." she mutters

"You can't beat yourself up for any of this Jessica."

She wipes her tears then nods "If I could just say one last thing to him..."

//-//

The next day was Jessica's release day. The doctors were running some test and taking evaluations to make sure Jessica would be ready to leave. Sam waited in her room while they ran EKG's and other tests.

Jessica's doctor walks in shortly after they take her and sits down to talk with Sam.

"She's come a far way, huh?" The Doctor Says

"Yep, She sure has. Thank you for everything you've done." Sam thanks him

"It's my job. But there is something I need to ask."

"Anything"

"Are you and Jessica living together? I know that sounds like a crazy question!"

"Haha, no it's fine. But no, we don't."

"You know, Jessica may act or say that she won't need help, but she will. She's still very weak and delicate. She still can't use her left arm. She'll be in a sling for a a month or so. From what I know her kids are at school all day and it would be hard for them to take care of her... I'm asking you because I've seen how much you've been here throughout the week and always making sure she's okay. If you talk to Jessica I think it may be best if you two stay with each other. So Jessica has someone to help her out. Just until she's fully recovered."

Sam immediately nods "Of course. I'll have to speak with her but I get what You're saying. If you think she'll need some extra help I'll make sure it happens. Thank you again." Sam stands up and shakes the doctors hand

"You keep a close eye on her! You're a good man, sir. She's lucky to have ya."

//-//

The car ride home was okay. Jessica was talkative but a little on edge. She was a bit scared to go home and be away from the hospital. She was scared that something would go wrong. Sam noticed a change in attitude once they left.

"Jess, aren't you happy to be going home?" Sam says looking over to her.

Jessica gives him a soft smile. "I guess I'm just a bit nervous."

"Why?"

"Now that I'm away from all the heart monitors and hourly nurse checks I'm scared that maybe something will happen..."

Sam takes her hand and holds it. "If you want, Jess, I can stay with you a few nights and help out. You're going to need the help, even when the kids are gone."

"You'd do that for me? I can't ask! You have a life, a job!"

"Of course I would. Jess I can have people work some extra shifts. Really, I'd feel better if I was just here to help. And if you want I could camp out on the couch."

"Don't be silly, you can camp out with me." Jessica giggles

"So, is that a yes?"

"Yes... thank you, Sam."

//-//

When Jessica got home the kids waited anxiously for her. While she was gone they had cleaned up the house so everything was spotless.

"Thank god, you're home!" Sean says walking up to Jessica and giving her a hug.

"Oh I'm happy to be home." She smiles

"Are you feeling okay?" Olivia says

"I'm feeling fine. I think I'll rest for a bit before the funeral." Jessica says

"Is there anything we can do?" Sean says

"No sweetie, I'll be okay."

Sean nods

"Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you guys about." Jessica says

"Sure, Anything."

"If it's alright with you two, Sam is going to 'live' with us for a while until I'm able to do what I usually do on my own. I hope that's alright." Jessica says

They look at Sam who stood behind Jessica at the door and their faces lit up.

"That would make us feel a lot better if someone was here with you during the day." Sean says

"Yeah, it would. And we would have a new member of the family." Olivia laughs

"It'll be fun!" Sam chuckles

"Well great!"

//-//

After Jessica got rested up Jessica, Sam, and the kids got dressed for the funeral. Jessica needed some help getting ready but once everyone was ready they left.

It was a quite car ride. No one knew what to say, what to talk about, or how to act. Jessica was in her own world with so many thoughts going through her head. She started to reflect back on the first day when she met Neil....

//-//

February, 2005-

It was Jessica's first day at the DA's office for her internship. She was fresh out of law school and trying new things. This was Jessica's shot, her future depended on this internship so hopefully she'd get a job later on. This was her biggest opportunity yet. There were only five people that got this offer so being one of them was a big deal.

It would be hard for Jessica to adjust in a way. Now that College was over and it was time to really start working Jessica would have to leave Sean and Olivia. Danny would be gone at school and work so the kids would have to stay with Jessica's parents. She just wanted the days to go by quick so she could see them. She missed them already when she arrived.

Jessica was an hour early on her first day. She was as nervous as ever. Everything had to be perfect. She had a briefcase and purse at her side, with a box filled with things for her new desk. She sat in the parking lot just hoping to see someone with the same intern badge as her. It took her a while until she saw a short man carrying a box and a briefcase. He looked a bit nerdy but Jessica loved it. She jumped out of the car and slowly walked up to him.

"Hi, I'm Jessica! Are you a new intern?" She says juggling her box in her hand.

He nods shyly "Yes, and you?"

"Yep!" She chuckles

"Well awesome. I'm honestly so nervous."

"Me too. what's your name?"

"Gosh, my bad sorry! I'm Neil!"

"Nice to meet you! Well best of luck." She smiles

"Hey, I need a friend. I'm new around here and yeah... I just need a friend. Want to be my friend? You know how people in the movies always have that one coworker that is their best friend?" He rambles

"I need a friend too." She giggles

"Well, Great, friend! You probably think I'm insane." He says

"No, I don't think that at all. We need more people like you in this world." She laughs
//-//

Once all the new interns got a tour around the office and a feel for what it would be like their mentor branched everyone out and took them to their cubicles.

Luckily for Jessica, Neil was put right next to her.

As she was organizing her desk Neil walked over.

"Hey, Everyone is going to the bar to celebrate the first day. Want to come?" He says

Jessica sighs then places her lash picture frame down by her computer. "I'd love too, but I can't."

"Oh why not?"

Jessica grabs her picture and hands it to Neil.
"I have little ones to tend to when I get home." She giggles

Neil looks at the picture "Oh, you have kids?"

If Jessica hadn't heard that question enough...

"Yep!"

"Oh, nice!"

"You're probably thinking, teen Mom alert!" Jessica says throwing her hands around.

"No... not at all. I think it's amazing."

"Well thanks. People usually don't." She chuckles

"Well screw them. They are quite the cuties."

"That's Sean, he's four. And Olivia who is two."

"Haha, they look so much alike. And I'm guess this man is your?"

"My husband, Danny."

"Nice, it's a great picture." He says handing it back.

"But I'm sorry about not being able to come."

"It's no big deal, I understand."

"Thanks."

"Isn't this office amazing. I bet one day you and I will move out of these cubicles and have badass offices!" Neil says softly

"Gosh I hope so. Let's just try to make it through this internship." Jessica giggles

"You can do it, Okay? You seem really smart and like you have your shit in line. I believe in ya. Besides, we are in this together, forever."

///