A/N: I watched it and I still can't believe she's gone, it's so sad…I decided to rewrite the episode so she survives…anything you recognise is not mine (and there is a part I took directly from the episode) all of that belongs to CBS but the stuff you don't is my wishful thinking.

Chapter 1: Pay Up (The Happy Version)

Jess felt the sunshine starting to peek into the room; she could feel the warmth of a start of another day. But she wasn't ready to open her eyes yet, just five more minutes she thought already knowing the alarm was about to go off at any moment. She felt the man next to her stir as the alarm started to go off, "Why must you set that thing so early?" Flack asked in a grumpy, drowsy voice.

Jess tossed the blankets off her and swung her legs over the edge of the bed and rubbed her eyes, "I always run before work," Jess said leaning over and lightly kissing him on the lips as she pulled away she whispered, "will you be here when I get back?"

"Nope, I'm heading into work early," Flack replied lifting his head and sneaking one more good morning kiss.

"Ok, I'll see you later," She replied getting up, he could hear her roaming around the room gathering up her things. She grabbed her track jacket from his closet, that's the way it been lately she had more of her stuff here at his apartment and visa versa for him. She was just about to leave when Don interrupted her thoughts "Hey Jess," he said

"Yeah?" she replied turning to face him

He smiled at her, there she was in just a pair of old black sweat pants, her long brown hair up instead of down and had no make up on but she still could take his breath away.

"Never mind," Don said "talk to you later," he replied

She smiled that smile; grabbed her sneakers and waved good-bye to Don. He heard his front door shut and he silently cursed to himself, he had been trying to build the nerve up to say those three little words to her but every time he felt it was the right time he chickened out.

"Arg!" Don said out loud to the empty apartment. He kicked of the blankets; it was time to start his day.

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Jess walked into the precinct around 9, she glanced over towards Flack's desk; the pile of paper work from yesterday still there. She knew that meant he wasn't in yet. Jess placed her gun in the drawer of her desk and was about to start her own mountain of paperwork when another detective; Jack Martin came over. "Hey Angell," he said

"Hey Jack, what's up?" she asked

"I was hoping for a favour," he said

"Depends on the favour," She stated

"I was suppose to escorted Connor Dunbrook to the courthouse this morning but Abby's school just called, she's running a fever and someone needs to go pick her up," He said

"Clear it with O'Bryan and I'll handle it," She replied smiling

"Thanks, I owe you one," Jack replied

"Not a problem, remember I drink whiskey and that tequila ain't bad either," Jess said taking her gun out and hooking it back on her belt.

"I'll remember that," Jack said, "thanks again"

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Jess wanted to go straight to the courthouse once she picked up Connor but his lawyers insisted on breakfast, she couldn't shake the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach but Tillary Diner was literally across the street from the courthouse, "what was the worse that could happen?" She thought to herself pushing the bad feeling to the back of her head.

Connor sat in the corner of the diner and was enjoying his breakfast, Jess stood up from the table but she still had her eyes on him, she pulled out her cell out and hit speed dial 1

"Flack," he said into the phone

"Tonight - - you, me, a bottle of wine. I'll wear that black negligee I know you like," Jess said seductively

"Mom?" Flack asked with an amused look on his face.

"Ugh. Never mind. What are you doing?" Jess asked

"Breaking up with an old friend…you?" Flack replied

"Babysitting. Taking Conner Dunbrook over to the grand jury with a murder rap hanging over his head he's decided to save his own ass and testify against daddy…It'll be enough to put Robert Dunbrook away for at least 20 years...the good son is treating us to breakfast," She said

"Oh Yea? Let me guess Tillary diner two eggs over easy, turkey bacon on the crispy side, a glass of O.J," he said guessing what she ordered.

"Am I that predictable?" she asked

"Yes you are that predictable," Flack replied laughing…she really was a creature of habit and he loved that about her

"Ha-ha," she giggled.

"All right well tonight sounds great…I'll pick up some stuff, I'll be over to your place about…," But Flack never got the chance to finished his sentence…he could hear a loud crash and gunfire.

"Jess…?" Flack yelled into the phone, no she's OK, she has to be OK he thought, "get out! Get out!" Flack screamed at Terrence, he hit the sirens and floored it to Tillary Diner.

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The 18 wheeler crashing into the front of the Diner caught her attention, her hand went straight for her gun, she was quick, quick enough to empty her clip. And quick enough to hit one of the perps, unfortunately she wasn't quick enough not to get hit, the first bullet hitting her in the left arm and the second hitting her in the side. Jess hit the floor, she could feel the blood gushing from her side, she could feel her head getting light, her eyes wanting to close. But Jess struggled to keep them open, she heard a bang. Maybe something tipping over, then she heard Don's voice "Jess! Jess!" and then he was right next to her "Hey Babe I'm here," Don said placing his hand on her cheek "hey look at me, where is the ambulance!!" Don's voice called franticly, Flack looked down at her side and saw her wound, he knew Jess was loosing a lot of blood…too much blood.

Don couldn't wait any longer, he picked her up and rushed out the door, and into the police car outside and got her to the hospital as fast as he could. He was out of the car before the officer had even brought it to a complete stop. Don rushed into the ER with

Jess in his arms screaming for help. She was taken from his arms by the doctors and Don followed until he was stopped by a nurse, he watched helplessly as she was wheeled inside for surgery, not knowing if he would ever see her again.

The time Don spent waiting for Jess to get out of surgery was the longest time of his life. He sat in an uncomfortable hospital chair but after ten minutes he was up pacing the hospital floor. He debated about calling her parents, but then he remember a promise he had made to her only a few weeks back.

**Flashback**

It had been a long day, Jess was stretched across Flack's couch waiting for him to get back with the pizza…she was still wondering why he hadn't just had it delivered but she had stopped trying to understand men a long time ago. When Don got back, Jess had settled the TV on some lame old police movie, it was at a part where the lead cop had just got shot in the chest and his family was all standing around waiting. She had said off hand, "I wouldn't want that"

"What?" Don asked taking another bite of pizza

"That…having my mom and dad standing around wondering if I was going to live or die," Jess responded, "or my brothers or you"

"Jess," Don said

"I'm serious. What would be the point of causing them all that pain and anguish? They would know afterwards," she said

"Jess, this is morbid," Flack said.

"You have to promise me that if I get injured you won't call my dad until either I'm Ok or," Jess said, but Don cut her off.

"I'll promise if we can stop talking about this right now," Flack said

"Deal" Jess said kissing him and reached behind grabbing the last piece of pizza

**End of Flashback**

Flack must have zoned out only coming back to reality when he heard his name being called "Detective Flack," the doctor called he turned to face her. "Detective Angell made it though the surgery and we removed the bullet. We were also able to stop the bleeding but she lost a lot of blood and she's still in critical condition," she informed him.

"But she'll be alright?" he asked afraid to hear the answer.

"I don't know. She has a long fight ahead of her, the next 24 hours are crucial," she replied.

"Then Jess will be fine, she's one hell of a fighter," Flack stated "Can I see her?"

"She's being moved into ICU, you can go up in a bit," the doctor said

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The hours dragged on, Flack hated to see her like this, tubes and wires all over her. He left long enough to catch the son of the bitches that had done this to her. The gang was outside waiting to hear any word about Jess. He had also finally broken down and called her parents. They were coming down from Jersey.

"Hey Jessie baby" he whispered holding her hand. He knew if she was awake he would have paid for that one. She hated the nick name Jessie…saying it sounded like a cat's name, it didn't make sense but then she compare it to someone calling him Donnie and it made a little more sense. "Listen to me; if you're seeing any white lights or whatever you need to stay away…you need to come back to me. Please Jess, please open your eyes," He squeezed her hand and buried his face into the blankets that were covering her. She was a fighter, so she was going to pull through. Jessica just had too.

A/N: So should I continue it?