A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. I'm glad that this story is going over so well. And a huge thanks to my beta, once again :)

"You okay?" Adam asked as he let them into his apartment.

She shrugged, not meeting his eyes. "It's just…I was freaking out last time I was here."

He gave her a small smile. "Only for part of it. Mostly, you were asleep." Her stomach growled and he frowned. "You're hungry?"

"A little." Her stomach growled again, and she rolled her eyes. "Okay, a lot."

He led her into the kitchen and gestured at the table. "Sit down. I'll make us some dinner."

"You cook?" Jess asked as she sat down.

"Yeah."

"Did your mom teach you?"

His expression tightened slightly. "Uh…no. My girlfriend in college, actually." He rifled through his cabinets. "Looks like the only stuff I've got is for spaghetti. Is that okay?"

"Yeah," she said, the faintest hint of a smile on her face. "Comfort food."

Adam looked at her for a moment and then nodded, before turning to the stove and starting to cook.

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After dinner was finished, the two of them settled down on the couch. Jess brought her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees. Adam watched her for a minute, trying not to fidget.

"Do you…do you wanna talk about it?" he asked finally.

"No," she admitted. "But I want to tell you," she added in a quieter voice.

"You don't owe me anything, Jess."

"I know. But…" She took a deep breath and met his eyes. "I feel safe with you. Last night, at the bar…I was thinking about going home with one of those guys. But then you showed up, and…A big part of me was relieved that you showed up, Adam. Because you're someone that I know. Someone I trust. And I knew that no matter how trashed I was, you would keep me out of trouble…you would take care of me. And that's what you did, even when I tried to get you into bed."

Adam shrugged uncomfortably. "You needed a friend, not…not something you'd regret in the morning."

She reached out and rested her hand on his for a moment, squeezing gently. Then she took another deep breath.

"I grew up with four brothers," she explained quietly. "And I loved it. They were annoying and overprotective, and nosy…it was great. They took care of me. When they found out that I wanted to be a cop, they all got so worried. I'm the baby of the family, you know? But they supported me. I know that I could show up on any of their doorsteps, and they'd just take me in, no matter what I needed.

Jeremy was the oldest. He threatened my first boyfriend in high school, and taught me how to drive. He was the first one to hug me after I graduated from the Academy." Her eyes watered and the tears spilled over as she struggled to continue.

"They found him in his apartment," she whispered. "He…he had slit his wrists."

Adam's eyes widened and he reached for her, pulling her close. "Oh, Jessie," he murmured.

She shook her head. "I didn't even know anything was wrong. He and his girlfriend broke up a couple months ago, but…I didn't know," she repeated, her eyes pleading as she stared at him. "How could I not know how much pain he was in?" she demanded.

Adam thought for a moment. "Sometimes we just can't," he answered finally. "I know that's not a good enough answer, but it's true. It's not your fault, Jess. It was his choice not to let you in."

She frowned. "So it's his fault?"

"Does somebody have to be to blame?"

"Right now," she said quietly, "yes."

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A knock on the bathroom door made Jessica jump. She turned as the door opened slowly, and her brother David poked his head in.

"Hey, Jessie," he murmured. "You okay?"

She sighed, turning back to the mirror and running her fingers through her hair. "Do you think anyone would notice if I just hid in here all night?"

He gave her a small smile. "Probably. But I'll keep your secret if I can hide with you." David paused, looking at her black dress. "You look pretty," he said quietly.

Her eyes watered. "I'm not sure you're supposed to look good at a wake."

"I don't think it matters what you wear, Jessie. We're here to say goodbye."

She slammed her fist down onto the counter. "We shouldn't have to!" A few tears sliding down her face, Jess covered her eyes with one hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just don't know how to do this."

David pulled her into a tight hug. "I know," he murmured. "None of us do." He held her for a minute longer. "We have to go out there."

She nodded, pulling away. "I know."

"You ready?"

"No," she answered honestly. "But let's go."

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She couldn't look at the casket. Jeremy was dressed in a nice suit, with his hands clasped in front of him, the ugly scars from the razorblades well-hidden. But she still couldn't look. Instead, she kept her eyes on the people who came to pay their respects, hugging each of them in turn, and accepting their hackneyed words of condolence.

"Ya look like you haven't slept in a week."

Her head snapped up at the familiar voice, and she found herself staring into the blue eyes of Don Flack. Without even realizing it, she smiled, grateful to see him. Then her gaze moved behind him and she saw that they were all there – Stella and Mac, followed by the rest of the team. Tears filled her eyes.

"How did you guys know?" she asked quietly.

Don's expression softened. "Adam. You shoulda told us, Jess. We coulda helped you."

She shrugged. "I didn't know how."

He smiled. "That's the beauty of family. You don't have to."

He pulled her into a tight hug, and held her, letting her know that she wasn't alone. Jess had thought that she would shy away from their sympathy, but as Flack moved down the line and Stella took her turn to hug her, she realized that this was exactly what she needed. The words that came from her friends didn't feel empty or meaningless, and some of them didn't have to say much of anything at all.

And then Adam was standing in front of her, his blue eyes searching hers as he reached out and lightly took a hold of her wrist.

"I hope you don't mind," he said quietly. "But I thought you could use some support."

She didn't know what to say – not that it mattered, since nothing would come out. Instead, she stepped forward and embraced him, letting the tears fall from her eyes. Adam held her tightly, one hand running through her hear as he spoke softly to her.

"It's okay, Jessie," he whispered. "We've got you. We're not gonna let you fall."

Only a few more moments, and Jess knew that she had to pull away. The line was starting to back up behind him, and she was afraid that soon she was going to break down entirely. Letting go of him, she gave him a watery smile.

"I'm really glad you came."

Adam nodded, squeezing her hand. "Anything you need, Jess. Anything."

She nodded and watched him walk over to join the others. David watched as well, and then his eyes slid over to his sister.

"You used to beat boys up for calling you Jessie," he murmured with a small smile. "He must be a good friend.

She wiped at her eyes as the next person in line moved up to hug her. "A very good friend," she whispered.