Disclaimer: If I really owned Standoff I wouldn't be writing ff.
As Matt Flannery walked through the halls of CNU he saw his partner in the locker room. She had her cell phone up to her ear and looked like she was on the verge of tears. He just stared at her through the window. When Emily hung up the phone, Matt counted to four and then entered. Emily's head was engulfed in her locker.
"Emily," Matt said trying to get a look at his partner's face. "What happened?"
Without pulling her head out of her locker she answered him, "I'm going to need to take a few days off."
"Emily," Matt responded to her poor response to his question.
Emily pulled her head out of her locker. Her face was tearstained. "My mom died."
Matt pulled Emily towards him and she collapsed in to his chest. He put his arms around her and embraced her.
As Emily grieved for her mother, Cheryl walked in to the room but left quickly and silently after she saw Emily breaking down in Matt's arms.
When Emily pulled away, she realized Matt had a wet spot in the center of his tee shirt. "I'm sorry," she said with a hint of a smile.
"Don't worry about it," he said not taking his eyes off of his partner. "What are you going to do," Matt asked.
"I don't know. I need to talk to Cheryl and take some time off. Book a ticket to New York. Contact my dad and some other people."
"I'll talk to Cheryl and book the tickets."
"Thanks, Matt"
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Matt knocked on a door.
"Come in," said the voice on the other side. "What seems to be the problem," Cheryl asked as Matt walked in. "Emily seemed pretty upset earlier."
"Her mom died," Matt said. "She and I… we, uhhh… need to take a few days off."
"How is she doing, " Cheryl said, concern etched in her voice.
"She's…" Matt paused, "Emily. She's doing the best she can."
"Tell her to take all the time she needs," Cheryl said, "And tell Emily that I'm sorry for her loss."
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Matt booked the tickets from LAX to Albany Airport departing at 10:30 p.m. He walked up to Emily's. When Matt reached her door he reached into his pocket and grabbed the key Emily had provided him and opened the door. Matt walked in and found her living room and kitchen empty. He placed the food on the kitchen counter. Matt gently knocked on her bedroom door and entered. He saw Emily shaking, facedown in her bed. Matt quietly kicked off his shoes, laid down next to Emily and hugged her.
Emily didn't hear Matt come in but she didn't have to guess that it was he next to her, comforting her. She felt safe in Matt's arms.
When Emily finally pulled away she asked about Matt's talk with Cheryl.
"Cheryl sends her condolences and said to take all the time you need," Matt said. "And the plane should take off in about six hours."
"Thank you," Emily said.
"Don't worry about it," Matt said pressing a gentle kiss on Emily's forehead. "How was your father?"
"An extravaganza, as always." Emily was looking down at her comforter. "Long story short, he's not coming to the funeral."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. My father is a jerk." Emily felt Matt entwine her hand in his. "He made my life and my mother's life miserable. I was actually kind of happy when they announced they were getting a divorce."
Matt kissed Emily's hand. He didn't know what to say. He never had to deal with his parents fighting. He sometimes thought that his mother's death was a good thing. However, whenever Matt thought that way he ending feeling guilty. "Do you need some help packing," Matt asked.
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Neither Matt nor Emily spoke on the way to the airport. Matt finally arrived and parked the car. When he got out to open the trunk Emily remained in her seat. Matt noticing this immediately walked past the back of the car and over to the passenger side.
He opened the door and bent down. "Emily," Matt said. "Talk to me."
Emily opened her mouth but no words came out. She closed it and then opened it once more. "I can't believe she's dead. It just seems to unreal." Emily's voiced cracked and she hoped that Matt didn't notice. "She called me the other day and I saw her number and didn't pick up. I wish I did."
Matt gently pulled Emily out of the car by her arm. She rose and closed the door. Matt pulled out both suitcases. Emily didn't really want Matt to see her any weaker then he'd already.
"Matt," Emily said. "Why did you bring your suitcase," already knowing the answer.
"Emily," Matt knew what to say this time, "I know you don't want me to come but you need me to. This is painful and no one should do it alone." Matt didn't feel the need to say 'burying a parent' out loud. He still felt pain whenever he thought about his mom. "And anyway," Matt continued, "I want to come."
I want to come… I want to come. The words kept repeating in Emily's head and for the first since her mother's death, Emily felt truly happy.
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Checking in and security was, as always, a hassle. It took forty-five minutes to check their bags and then Emily's suitcase was two pounds too heavy. She and Matt had to rearrange her bag. The security line was very long and took an hour and fifteen minutes to get through.
When the two finally got to the gate they barely had anytime to get some coffee before they boarded.
When they were both in their seats Emily turned to Matt, "Did you reserve a place at a hotel or something because I really don't want to sleep in the house."
"Yea," Matt said. He could see that Emily was nervous, scared, and exhausted. "I also rented a car. We should be in New York by twelve thirty-ish EST."
Emily looked into Matt's eyes and smiled a thank you. She was so tired. Matt gently stroked her back coaxing her to sleep. Emily rested her head on Matt's shoulder sleep succumbing her and not much later, Matt was asleep as well. Both didn't move until over five hours later when they landed.
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When the two arrived at the hotel they unpacked their bags.
"So what time do you want to wake up tomorrow?" Matt knew that a lot was to be done over the next few days.
"I think around eight," Emily replied. "I have to see a mortician, visit some family and meet with the lawyer. I know I was her next of kin."
"Alright," Mat said setting the alarm clock. "Are you planning to go to the house?"
Emily paused, "I don't know. I've been thinking about it," Emily said sitting on the bed. Matt followed suit. "I know I should and it probably will make me feel better, but it's her house. It's weird."
Matt kissed the top of her head. "Do you need me to get anything," Matt asked. "Do anything? Want anything?"
Emily laid her head on the pillow. "Only you."
Matt laid down next to Emily and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Her back was to his chest. The two were breathing in unison, and in that moment they both knew that there was nowhere the two of them would rather be.
A/N: Okay. I hope you liked it. If you didn't, tell me. If you did, tell me. I am very slow with writing and I am sorry. I don't expect this to have more than five chapters.