Flack walked into the observation room and stood next to Mac.

"How's Angell?" Mac asked.

"She's ok. Numerous cracked ribs and a concussion" Flack informed him.

"I think once you finish up today, take some personal time. Just until Angell gets back on her feet. I know her injuries aren't severe, but well, I really don't know where I'm going with this, but take some time" The older detective suggested. Flack breathed a light laugh.

"I was thinking about it anyway. Jess is going to want to be back at work tomorrow.
I know if I'm home with her, she'll take it easy" He responded. "So did we get this guy?" He asked pointing through the two way mirror.

"Not for the murder, but he's up for assault of an officer" Mac answered. Flack nodded and excused himself.

Danny walked into the station to see if Flack was at his desk. Figuring he'd be at the hospital with his wife, it did surprise him to see his friend flipping through paperwork.

"Hey man" Danny said softly.

"Oh, hey Danny" Flack said looking up from his work.

"So I hear you took the bike upstate last weekend" Danny mentioned casually. Flack sent him a bewildered look, wondering where he got that information. "Then you made dinner" Danny continued with a laugh.

"Danny, where?" Flack inquired.

"Your wife told me" He began with a shrug. "The only way I know for sure if she was conscious was if she was talking so I asked her questions. I didn't want her passing out if she had a concussion" Danny explained.

"Danny, I uh, I want to thank you for today. I owe you one" Flack stumbled through his words.

"I wasn't going to let anything happen to my best friend's girl" Danny replied simply. Flack smiled, Danny was a good friend. "so how is she?" Danny questioned quietly.

"Sore, and from the sounds of it, will be that way for awhile. You were right; she does have a concussion along with some cracked ribs. Luckily, there was nothing wrong with her lungs; she just couldn't catch her breath." Flack disclosed.

"Well, I'm glad she's ok." Danny commented. "Well, I got to get home, Lindsay said she's making dinner" He laughed.

"Have fun, I'm just going to finish up here and head to the hospital." Flack exhaled, organizing the folders in front of him. Danny headed towards the door.

"Don?" He said looking back Flack looked up at him. "Let's just say we're even, for, ya know" Danny stated, not really wanting to bring up Rikki Sandoval. Flack nodded and finished getting his things together.

Jess opened her eyes, the room was dark. She looked to the window and noticed the sun had nearly fallen out of the sky. She squinted at the clock across the room, quickly regretting the action as it made her head hurt. A heavy sigh escaped form her lips.

"That doesn't sound good" Don mentioned as he entered the room.

"Hey!" Jess squeaked.

"Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling?" he asked curiously.

"I'm ok, can't see that clock over there, but I'm good" She laughed.

"Well, now I'm here and I can tell you what time it is anytime you want" He offered.

"I knew I kept you around for something." Jess joked. She smiled as her husband's laugh filled the room.

"Oh! And I brought you something, I mean if you want it" Don remembered, approaching the bed and kissing her.

"what ya got?" Jess questioned eagerly.

"First up, I have your sweats from home. That's kind of for me, I really don't like seeing you in a hospital gown, it kind of freaks me out" He admitted.

"Hey I'm all for not having to wear one, good job, what else?" She replied.

"Dinner, if your up for eating" Don offered. He watched as his wife's eyes lit up.

"What kind of dinner?" Jess wondered.

"Only your favorite deli sandwich, just how you like it" He said with a smile, producing the sandwich from the bag he was holding. She took it greedily. "First, you change" He instructed. Jess shrugged and nodded slightly. She slowly slid to the edge of the bed, being a little sorer that she remembered. Don looked away momentarily, trying to hide his clouded expression.

"Uh Don, would you mind helping me? I'm not exactly sure I want to bend like that" Jess asked sheepishly. He turned back towards her, shaking his head to clear up his expression.

"Sure" He choked. His wife noticed his guarded expression and the water taking up residence in his blue eyes, she said nothing. Don grabbed the sweatpants and knelt in front of her. He carefully maneuvered the article of clothing over her bare feet and pulled them up her tanned legs. Once he got them up as far as they would go with her sitting. Don took his Jess's hands a helped her to her feet. She set her hands on his forearms to steady herself. Ripples of pain ran through her body as a repercussion from the movement. Don pretended to not hear the hitch in her breath. He turned his attention back to the pants and finished getting them on her. His heart raced just a little as he felt her warm breath dance across his chest through the fabric of his shirt. He smiled as he straightened up and met her eyes. Jess reached up and undid his tie. Don wrapped his fingers around her wrists and set her arms at her sides. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her slowly. He reached around and undid the strings holding the hospital gown on her body. Reacting to the looseness of the garment, Jess set a hand on her sternum to keep from being completely exposed for longer than necessary. Her husband picked up the worn YMCA t-shirt from behind her and gently guided it over her head. She let the gown fall to the floor. Don caught a glimpse of the purple bruises splashed across her ribcage as she adjusted the shirt. A smile graced her features when she realized she was wearing one of the old shirts his mother had given her.

"Thank you" She whispered placing herself back on the bed. Unfortunately she couldn't hold back the whimper that escaped. Don's head whipped in her direction. He fought an internal battle, he wanted to help her every step of the way but he also didn't want to crowd her and come off as overprotective. Don turned from her again, taking off his suit jacket and tie to form an excuse for his action. "Let's eat" Jess called for his attention. He looked back at her and was met with a brilliant smile. He calmed himself and sat in the chair next to the bed.

Jess was nearly halfway through her sandwich as Don rambled on about a range of random topics. She had a feeling he was avoiding something, but she was really confused by his behavior. She figured he would have freaked out by now. Of course she noticed him fighting it off, but him holding back really surprised her, that wasn't like him.

"Don" She stopped him. His words trialed off and his expression shifted into confusion. He swallowed the bite of food he still had in his mouth. Jess didn't really know how to phrase her questions, so she put it best she could. "Are you really handling this, this well or are you putting on a front?" She spit out. The bluntness of her question almost stung, he took another bite to buy him some time. Jess reached out and took the sandwich from him. Don sighed. "That's what I thought" Jess concluded. This peaked Don's interest.

"What? What is what you thought?" his voice broke slightly as she tried to make sense of what she said.

"You're just putting on a front. Honey, I'd rather you just be upset" She said with a slight edge to her tone. Don sent her a look of disbelief. He set a hand on his face. "Talk to me" Jess begged.

"I'm not putting on a front. Not really. I mean I'm really fighting with myself here" He disclosed. He stood up and approached the bed. He stopped suddenly and awkwardly toyed with his shirt.

"What?" She was confused.

"Well, I don't know how close I can get to you without hurting you" He admitted with a defeated sigh. For some reason his statement made Jess smile. She scooted over on the bed and patted the mattress. Don carefully climbed up next to her.

"I'll let you know if you hurt me" She promised as she leaned up against him. He took a chance and set his arm around her shoulders. Jess reached out and took the other hand in hers. "Now, keep talking" She prodded.

"Ok, well like I said, I'm confused. I mean I'm not happy you got hurt. It really bothers me, but also I know it could have been much worse. You could have been shot or stabbed and weren't. Then knowing Danny was there and knowing how he took care of you, that puts me at ease too. I also don't want you to think I'm over protective or crowding you. It's like just when I convince myself I'm alright, I watch you wince and it all goes out the window" Don tried to explain himself. Jess nodded slowly. She sought out his lips and gave him a reassuring kiss.

"Did you talk to Danny?" She wondered.

"Yeah, I saw him before I left the station. I thanked him" He replied. Jess handed him back his sandwich and they finished their dinner. After the meal, they clicked on the TV for some mindless entertainment.

"You're going home tonight" Jess broke their comfortable silence during a commercial break. Don met her eyes. He could see her playful demanding nature dancing in her dark orbs. He opened his mouth to protest. "I'm serious, you're not staying here" She said with a light laugh.

"But why? I want to! I don't remember what it's like to sleep without you." He whined.

"Because you need to get some sleep." Jess stated.

"I can sleep here, I promise." Don pleaded. His wife laughed.

"No honey, you can't. You are 6' 2". I think if you even tried to sleep in that chair, the chair would laugh at you" she expressed. She smiled when she heard him finally laugh again.

"Well, I won't sleep at home, all alone" he pointed out.

"At least here, you'll get a fighting chance" Jess countered.

"Fine" Her husband caved. He leaned over and kissed her.

"This way, I get a chance to heal enough so when we do get to share a bed together, you won't be worried about hurting me." She added. Don smiled.

When the show ended, Don stood up and readied himself to leave. Jess was nearly asleep since she had last dose of pain meds. She lazily looked at him, part of her wishing he wasn't going, but knowing it was for the best. Don suddenly had and idea. He made quick work of the buttons on his shirt. He slid it off and set it next to Jess.

"Goodnight baby" He whispered, kissing her softly. She buried her face in his shirt.

"Goodnight, love you" She mumbled, consciousness quickly leaving her.

"Love you too" he breathed