After a week, Jules was finally able to do some things on her own. Sam was still staying at her house and she knew that she'd never feel safe without him there again, which was something that really scared her. In fact, it downright terrified her. She'd never been so in love with someone before. She'd never felt so alone when he wasn't by her side.

Sam took care of her every need, bringing her anything she wanted from the nearby grocery store and Target. She read every celebrity gossip magazine, John Grogan's "Marley and Me", and watched over thirty movies from the nearby movie rental store.

"I'm going crazy," she announced to Sam one evening. "I have to get out of this house. Please, Sam, take me to see everyone. They're on duty tonight."

Sam, who could see that Jules was beginning to go slightly stir-crazy, kissed his girlfriend. "If that's what you want," he told her, "then that is what we'll do."

They drove into the city, Jules in the passenger seat of her Jeep while Sam was at the wheel. She wasn't allowed to drive until she weaned herself from the heavy pain meds she took at night to numb the ache in her back and side.

"It feels strange, knowing that neither of us is going back to work for another week at least," Sam remarked, holding Jules hand in his.

"I know. I want to go back to work so bad," Jules agreed, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"You'll be back soon, baby, and so will I," Sam assured her.

When the arrived at the station, the team was mulling around, waiting for a call to come in while they worked their shift.

"Hey, look who it is!" Ed greeted them, giving Jules a big, but gentle hug.

"It's good to see you," Jules greeted him, smiling widely. Sam noticed that she seemed happier than she had in a long time.

"Sam, you're looking good. I'd say babysitting suits you."

He'd never done it before, but Sam blushed. He knew their secret was out. He couldn't hide the fact that he loved Jules more than anything in the world. He couldn't hide the fact that she meant everything to him. He couldn't hide the fact that, if he lost her, his life would be meaningless.

"Thanks," he replied, trying not to show his embarrassment.

Sarge came walking up to them. "Good you see you two back, even if you're not here to work. We sure could use you."

Jules grinned, happy at knowing that she and Sam were missed. "We decided to get out of the house for a little while," she explained. " I was getting cabin fever and Sam was getting tired of telling me to take it easy."

"You should listen to him. We want you back in prime condition, not halfway there," Ed told her.

"That's what Sam said too," Jules admitted, rolling her eyes.

"See? I'm not the only one?" Sam smiled at her, then walked away to talk to Spike and Wordy. He had learned that Jules didn't want him hovering over her all the time.

They had only been there about fifteen minutes when a call came in for Team One and everyone was gone in a rush, leaving Sam and Jules alone together.

"I guess that's as much time together as we get with them," Sam remarked.

Jules sighed. "Yeah, I was hoping they wouldn't get a call tonight. I really wanted to hang around for a while."

Before they left, Jules went to her locker to get some things she'd left. To her surprise, a plain white envelope had been slid through the crack. Holding the wound carefully, she leaned down and picked it up. Her name was written on the front in a man's handwriting.

Curious to discover what it was, Jules tore the envelope open and pulled out the sheet of white paper.

Dear Jules, I just wanted to tell you how much I've fallen in love with you. I don't know what I did before I met you. I know all this sounds really…corny coming from me, but I have to say it and you know I'm not good with words. Dinner tonight? Love you, Sam.

Jules realized that several tears were rolling down her cheeks. Sam must've slipped this into her locker before they got called out on a mission that she got shot during.

"I was wondering if you had ever found that," Sam spoke quietly from behind her. "I dropped it in there the day that you got shot. I had forgotten about it until you said you were going to clean out your locker."

"I don't think you're corny," Jules told him. "This was sweet. Most guys wouldn't have written anything like that."

Sam took Jules in his strong arms and looked down into her chocolate brown eyes. "I meant it. I mean it still. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Ever, Jules."

He leaned in and kissed her lips firmly, still trying to keep his arm away from her wound. Jules slid her arms up his chest slowly and seductively, then began running her fingers through his almost white hair.

"I'm helpless in your arms," Jules whispered when they broke away for air. "I have no strength when you kiss me like that."

Sam smiled devilishly. "I know. I like it when you go weak in my arms. It reminds me that something I do gives me power over your spirit."

"You've got to stop being so careful with me, though," Jules insisted. "I'm getting better and I want you to hold me like you did before…before I got shot."

"I can't do that yet, baby," Sam told her. "I love you too much to hurt you."

"If you hurt me, Sam, I'll be sure to let you know."

The two of them didn't leave the girl's locker room for a while.