**Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! Here's chapter two, hope you like it!

May 3, 2011

The man looked surprised.

"How did you know that?" he asked, incredulous.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face, "You probably don't remember this, but we met eight years ago, my name is Jess Parker."

She was surprised when recognition flooded his features.

"I remember," he said, "You were there with your sister," he hesitated, "Did she…?"

"Eight years ago today," Jess said solemnly.

"I'm sorry, I guess that explains why you were crying…"

"I just keep wondering if I made the wrong decision."

November 9, 1997

Jess screamed for her father and pounded weakly against the doctor as he carried her to the operation table.

She didn't want to be poked with anymore needles! She tried to push the plastic mask away as the doctor put it over her face, but wasn't strong enough. Quickly she sank into an anesthesia induced darkness.

When she woke up, the first thing she was aware of was the soreness. She opened her eyes and looked over to the bed beside hers where Abby lay.

"Hey," Abby said glancing over at her weakly, "How are you?"

"Sore," Jess responded quietly, "And I feel funny. How are you? Did it work?"

"We don't know yet, sweetie," their mother's voice came from nearby.

Jess bit her lip with worry, glancing back at her eight year old sister, who's eyes had fallen closed. She felt bad for the fact that she hadn't wanted to go through with the procedure.

May 3, 2011

"Wrong decision about what?" he asked, sitting on the sand and motioning for her to join him.

"How is it we always end up here?" she mused.

"End up where? If I recall right, last time we saw each other was in the hospital."

"I just meant with you, a complete stranger, listening to me poor my heart out. My parents were always more worried about Abby… and I never was angry about that, she was the sick one…"

"You just wished they'd taken some time to consider you?"

"Exactly," she said quietly, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, shoot."

"Why did you? Why did you even care?"

"I was heading down to the cafeteria, and I saw you looking so…broken. I couldn't just walk away."

"I don't think I ever thanked you for that, for caring," she said with a small smile, "It's part of what gave me the strength to go through with what I did."

Becker looked surprised, "Which was what?"

Jess explained.

April 2, 2007

Jess sat on the edge of Abby's hospital bed chatting with her animatedly when the woman came in and tapped their mother on the shoulder.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Miranda Parker?"

"Yes," she answered hesitantly.

"You've been served," the woman said, handing her an envelope and walking out.

Jess' breath caught in her throat as her mother tore the envelope open. She read over the pages before turning to Jess, eyes blazing with anger.

"Medical emancipation? What is this?"

"I want the rights to my own body, to make the decision whether or not I get a kidney yanked out."

"So you're suing us?" she asked incredulous.

"You never asked me what I wanted mom!" she cried.

"Jessica, do you really think this is what your sister wants? Did you stop to think what will happen to her if you do this?"

"She'll die." Jess said bluntly, "Believe it or not, yes I thought about it."

"And you don't care about her more than that?"

"Mom, don't," Abby pleaded weakly.

"Of course, why do you think I've done this my entire life! I'm thinking about me for the first time in eleven years!" Jess cried.

Her mother slapped her across the face, causing Abby to look horrified and Jess to stand there shocked for a moment before fleeing the room.

May 3, 2011

"My mother barely spoke to me after that, especially when after she realized I wasn't backing down."

"I wish I had been there to help you through it," he said quietly.

"Why? You don't even know me."

"I'd like to," he said meeting her wide, blue eyes.