AN: Sorry I didn't update this sooner. I went on break and then forgot to upload it. Please review.

Melanie tore into the hospital doors and was handed a pair of scrubs. She quickly changed into them and went into the ER. A team of surgeons were already working on the man and for now she was just observing. She would be in charge of his after surgery care. The hospital felt it was too risky to let the witness work on the patient. She shrugged it off and watched her colleague operate. He was a smug 32 year old who thought he was God. He always hated Melanie because she got everything. Her grandfather was the head of the hospital board and the main monetary contributor. She graduated from med school early and was given a job right away. While most people respected her, the list of haters grew fast. She walked out of the double doors and saw Flack standing there. She gave him this pained look.

"He survive?"

"Barely. That bullet really did a number on his chest."

"Will he wake up?"

"I don't know. I'm not that optimistic."

"What about you?"

"I told you. I saw a 5'8 ft man. About your age. Built."

"Anything that stuck out?"

"No. black hoodie. His face was covered. Jeans were ripped."

"Just like every other jerk." Flack was annoyed.

"Look, I'll call you if he wakes up."

"Nah, I'm staying."

"Why?"

"You and him are my only witnesses. I need to remain close."

A few minutes later a doctor approached Melanie and briefed her on the patients condition. She shook her head furiously then looked at Flack. She looked back at the doctor and they whispered for awhile. Flack felt out of place. He could read their expressions but didn't know how to add it all up. He wanted this guy to make it so bad. He just wanted to catch the perp so he could move on.

"He's awake."

"So that's good." Flack had hope.

"He goes in and out of delusions. It's common."

"How bad?"

"I won't know till I go look."

"Let me go with you, I need to get all the information before he forgets."

Melanie shrugged and let Flack come into the room. The guy was all beat up and had five different machines hooked up to him. Flack almost lost it. Thinking of Jess in the hospital. How it was too much to even say goodbye to her. How he couldn't even let anyone else touch her. Melanie saw that he was growing distant and tried to talk to the patient about his condition. The patient was really listening. He was looking out the window.

"How is she?"

"Who?"

"The girl I saved. Is she okay?"

"She's fine."

"Good. I hoped she was."

"Listen sir, I need you to tell me what you remember." Flack interjected.

"I was at the news stand on 6th." He started mumbling. "I saw her go into and alley. I heard a scream and went towards it. I thought if I saved her, I'd be a hero."

"You are."

"An alive hero."

"You are alive, sir."

"Not for long. See my grandfather is in that seat behind you." He pointed and Flack saw nothing. "But you all think I'm crazy. He's here to take me with him. I saved that girl, and that's enough for me."

"You have to help us find who did this."

"You'll find him, you won't need me." His eyes rolled and he started to flat line.

Melanie pushed Flack out of the way and grabbed paddles. The nurse pumped some air into him and then removed her hands. She pushed the paddles against his chest and there was nothing. She went the highest it went and still found no heart beat. She worked on him for fifteen minutes before being instructed to stop. She wiped a bead of sweat from her face and called the time of death.

After a long days work Melanie went home. Flack walked out of the room right after the man passed away. He didn't stick around to get any more information. She called Mac to make sure he go to the station alright. Mac said not to worry about Flack, that he would be fine. But she couldn't help but wonder what happened. She had a mover bring the rest of her boxes in from storage. She left the door open so he could just slide them in. When the last box was in she got up from the stool and went for the door.

"You just leave your door open like this?" Flack looked in.

"A guy was bringing in my boxes. I was just going to shut it."

"Mhm. Sure you were."

"Hey, look about today." Her tone grew heavy.

"We lose people sometimes Mel, it's fine."

"You seemed to take it a little harder than most people."

"It's hard when you get to talk to them and then they pass."

"Well, I must say, we make a pretty good team." She tried to make the conversation lighter.

"Yes, we do." He smiled.

"You wanna stay for a beer or something?"

"Um..."

"Or help me move a box." She anxiously laughed.

"Sure."

"Let me just go get my mail." She grabbed her keys off the counter and walked outside.

She shut the door behind her and smiled. She heard foot steps behind her but ignored it. She then felt a pull on her arm. A hooded figure approached her. She dropped her keys to the floor and tried to get away. He pulled her by the waist and dragged her down the hall. He mumbled something about having to get rid of her since she saw him shoot that guy. She realized that he must of found out she was the witness, but didn't take her not seeing anything seriously. She dug her nails into the floor trying to hold on. He put his hand in front of her mouth to stop her from screaming. With his other hand he hit her face and gave her a cut on her cheek. She bit down on his hand and kicked him in the back. She ran closer to the door and screamed Flack's name. The guy slowly got up and ran into her. Pushed Melanie down onto the floor, so he was now on top. She struggled to fight back. Flack jumped out of the apartment and threw the guy on the floor. They rolled around beating each other and the other guy punched Flack harder and harder into the ribs. Melanie got up and jumped on the guys back. He threw her off and began choking her. Flack finally got a grip on the guy and knocked him out with the edge of his badge. He cuffed him to the door knob and fell to the floor. Melanie called 911 and within minutes the apartment building was filled with cops.

"Are you two okay?"

"Yeah Uncle Mac. But you should see the other guy." She tried to joke.

"You're lucky you weren't alone."

"Um, I did most of the work."

"If my gun were on me, this would of ended quicker."

"Look, it's over. We're fine."

"I shouldn't of let you go by yourself downstairs."

"To get my mail? It's hardly a cause for concern."

"Look, we'll talk about this in the morning. Right now I have to get him to a cell and you two need rest."

"I'll call you in the morning Mac." She hugged him and winced in pain.

Flack shook Mac's hand and whispered something in his ear. They both briefly talked before Mac left. She gave Flack a look before he sat back down. She handed him an ice pack. She got up and went to the fridge. She drank some water and then took some Advil.

"So, did he ask you to stay?"

"He asked me to check out the place before I leave."

"What in case he has friends?"

"It's a precaution."

"Look, thanks for saving me. I don't need you babying me."

"I'm trying to protect you."

"As I see it, I did just fine."

"You got lucky, once."

"Uh, you make me so mad." Melanie pushed into his chest.

Flack grabbed her arm and stopped her. They were both in so much pain, but hid it so will. He brought her in a little closer. She made a face. He pushed his face up near hers and kissed her. So looked at him, like she was seeing a different person. He she pulled her arm away from him and moved it towards his shoulder. She kissed him again, but this time stayed on his lips longer.

"You really want to do this?"