Law and Order: UK fic

Pairing: Matt/Alesha

Disclaimer: Don't own anything

Summary: Following Merrick's not guilty verdict, how Alesha copes and can Matt help her? Matt/Alesha.

(Yep Merrick was eventually convicted ... quite right too! ... But this slots in after his first trial, even though they didn't show his 2nd trial lol oh you all know what I mean) Anyway, enjoy!

Aftermath

Matt was sitting in the stands, next to Alesha, listening to Merrick's side of the story on Alesha's case. He felt very uncomfortable, listening to this man lying through his teeth. Matt wanted this man brought to justice more than any other man he had come into close contact with recently, if ever, in his career; but Matt trusted James Steel and the rest of the CPS to do that, he couldn't do it himself. Matt glanced at Alesha sitting next to him, she seemed distressed and Matt couldn't blame her. He wanted more than anything to put his arm around her, or to even take hold of her hand, to try and comfort her, try to make things better. But he knew he couldn't. The damage had already been done.

The jury's verdict was heard, and the two words "Not guilty" echoed throughout the courtroom. Matt inwardly groaned and turned to look at Alesha, who now had tears in her eyes. It was not much of a surprise that within seconds Alesha stood up and rushed out of the courtroom. No one tried to stop her.

George tried to get up to follow her, but Matt was much quicker "I'll go." He left the viewing stands and rushed out of the courtroom doors. Alesha had moved a few yards from the door and Matt cried out "Alesha!" as he ran up to her.

She turned around and could not compose herself any longer as she burst into tears. Matt ran up and hugged her with all his might, Alesha wrapped her arms around him and cried strongly into his suit jacket.

"How could he do it, Matt?" Alesha cried, although muffled, through his jacket "How could he hurt me so much and get away with it, it's not fair!"

"Shh" Matt said, soothingly "I know, babe, I know. Don't cry, shh, I'm here" he rubbed her back and rocked her slightly in his arms.

James and George had been watching them from quite a few feet away. James looked utterly dejected and sorrowful that he had not been able to get the verdict that they had all hoped for.

"The poor girl" George said, sadly "What do we do now?"

"I don't know, I don't know what else we can do." James gave a sigh as he watched Alesha still being comforted by Matt. "There must be another way? We can't let Merrick get away with this."

"I'm sorry James, but if we don't come up with something then that's it, we can't do anymore." George took his phone out of his jacket pocket "Better ring Ronnie, let him know the verdict. I'll see you back at the office?"

"Yeah sure, I'll be there in a bit" and George left in the opposite direction, whilst James headed towards Matt and Alesha.

Matt had seen James approaching from the corner of his eye, and reluctantly brought Alesha out of the embrace, although he kept one arm around her.

"Hey" James said softly "Alesha, I'm so sorry I..."

"Don't worry James" Alesha told him, rubbing the smudged mascara from under her eyes "You did your best, thank-you for what you did in there."

"Listen, I can't change the jury's verdict, but we'll get him. I don't know how, but all of us, together, we will find a way."

"James is right" Matt said, rubbing Alesha's arm "We won't give up on this."

Alesha gave a minute smile, so tiny that it was barely visible. Her hands were shaking and she looked drained. Not at all like the Alesha everyone knew and loved.

"Alesha, why don't I take you home, yeah?" Matt offered, gently "You need some rest."

"Go on" James gave her an encouraging smile "And I'll see you when you feel up to coming back into work."

Alesha sighed and rubbed her head before she leant into Matt and he in turn lead her away.

James watched Matt walk Alesha out of the Old Bailey and get into a cab, before he headed to the Robing Room to get changed.

...

Matt paid the cab and got Alesha into her flat. It was a spacious flat, full of books and decorated in a rustic, homely theme. It looked so inviting and friendly, matching Alesha's personality perfectly.

"Matt, I'm just going to get changed" Alesha announced.

"Okay, well how about I make you something to eat?"

Alesha shook her head "I'm not that hungry, plus i've got hardly anything in."

Matt came over to her, looking worried "Alesha, you've got to eat something. How about I go and get you a takeaway?"

"Aren't you going to stay?" Alesha wondered, sadly.

"Only if you want me to?"

"Please" Alesha almost begged "If you don't mind?"

"Course not" he gave her a comforting smile "I'll stay for as long as you want me to."

Alesha gave an appreciative smile "Thank-you. So, chinese?"

"You read my mind" Matt chuckled "I'll be back soon."

Alesha took a quick shower and dried herself, leaving her hair down, she threw on some jeans and a purple jumper. All done in time before Matt knocked on the front door.

"Hey" Alesha said on Matt's return, before her heart melted when she saw that Matt was holding a bouquet of pink and white roses.

"For you" he handed them to her with a grin, Alesha took them with a smile that Matt had not seen for ages.

"Oh Matt, you really didn't have to buy me flowers! But thank-you they're lovely" she kissed his cheek as a sign of gratitude.

"You're welcome. And I have chinese and a bottle of wine."

"How do you know what chinese food I like?" Alesha asked, questionably.

"I got a bit of a selection" he grinned "Come on let's dig in, I'm starving."

Alesha giggled as a thought occured to her "Bet Ronnie would go mad if he saw us having chinese without him?"

Matt eyes went slightly wide "Oh heck, Ronnie!" he reached frantically for his phone in his suit pocket "I'm supposed to be back at work!"

"Matt!" Alesha reprimanded him "You should go, you should be there, not here with me."

"No it's okay, I'll sort it out."

Ronnie's mobile rang and he answered it "Matty?"

"Hey Ron, I'm sorry, I should have called earlier."

"Let me guess, you're with Alesha?"

"Yeah...I'm sorry mate; I forgot to let you know how it all went."

"It's okay, George called me. And don't worry, the Gov and I understand, you stay with Alesha. You look after her Matt; she needs all the support she can get right now."

"I know, I will I promise. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya, son. Give Alesha our love."

"Will do, bye."

Matt turned back to Alesha who had spread the takeaway trays over the dining table "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, they don't need me back there tonight, and the Gov and Ronnie send their love."

Alesha gave a small smile, before grabbing hold of some chopsticks, handing some to Matt.

They both ate their chinese takeaway in almost complete silence, hardly saying that much to eachother. Matt was very wary of raising the subject of Merrick. He didn't want to upset Alesha further, and so stayed quiet, thinking Alesha may make the first move and talk about it. But she didn't. Once they had finished dinner, they sat on the sofa, each with their glass of wine, and watched the TV.

"You should have gone to Blockbusters on your way back here, could've watched a decent film" Alesha commented as she flicked through the channels, but to no avail. "There is nothing on."

"You'd only moan if I picked the wrong film" Matt said, cheekily.

"Good point" Alesha gave a small smile.

"Plus I didn't think I'd still be here" Matt glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. 7:20pm.

"It isn't late, Matt" Alesha frowned, briefly following Matt's gaze.

"I know, but I assumed I'd be here to drop you off, then I'd be heading back to work."

Alesha traced the rim of her wine glass with her fingers "You still can if you want? You don't have to stay on my account."

"I couldn't do that. After what's happened..." Matt gave a pause, as he put his now empty wine glass on the coffee table, before looking back at Alesha's expectant face "I want to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine" Alesha said, unconvincingly "Just...it's been tough...I don't know how I've got through it."

"Me neither" Matt admitted "You're so amazing. I don't know how you've coped, but somehow you have." He smiled at her "And d'ya know something, I am so proud of you."

"Matt, I only made things worse; it was because of me that Merrick walked free."

"But you spoke out" Matt stressed the importance of this "Alesha, sweetheart, you had the courage and the spirit to speak to someone, you weren't afraid to do that. It shows you've got guts. And it illustrates just how strong you are, and that's why I'm proud of you. You refused to give up even when it looked like we didn't have a case."

"But we still lost" Alesha replied, sadly.

"I know, but we'll figure something out" he tried to make her smile again "Don't we always, all six of us, the dream team."

Matt succeeded in his attempt to cheer her up, as Alesha giggled "The dream team? I think you've drunk too much wine, mister."

"Nah, i'm alright. As part of the dream team I am infallible against drunkenness."

Alesha laughed as she put her wine glass on the coffee table "Try telling that to Natalie after your incident last month."

"Hey, I was not drunk when I came in that Monday morning ... just ... possibly ... the night before."

Alesha shook her head and laughed, Matt couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"Thanks for this Matt" Alesha said, truthfully "You've helped me to laugh again, to be myself" she gazed at him lovingly "And most importantly you've looked after me when no one else has."

"I'll always look after you, Alesha. Whenever, wherever, I'll be there" he smiled before opening his arms, letting Alesha snuggle up to him. Matt stroked her hair, and kissed the side of her head. Whilst Alesha lay her head in the crook of his neck, feeling him slowly breathe in and out. Silence fell between the pair of them; they stayed in this position for ages, not saying anything. Nothing needed to be said, their actions spoke volumes.

After almost half an hour, Matt felt Alesha's breathing become steady, and he looked down to realise she had fallen asleep. Matt managed to reach the remote without moving too much, he switched off the TV and put the remote back down. Before kissing the top of Alesha's head and moving her so he could pick her up in his arms. She awoke for a millisecond, but instantly fell back to sleep, comfortably knowing that Matt was just moving her to her bedroom.

Matt located Alesha's bedroom and placed her gently on the bed, covering her with a throw. He brushed some hair out of her face and kissed her cheek.

"Night Alesha, sweet dreams" he left the room as quietly as he could, then switched off all the lights and left Alesha's flat to head home. It had been a horrible day for everyone, but it ended on a happy note. Matt was satisfied knowing that Alesha was sleeping peacefully. She was safe, no harm could come to her, and for now she was content in her world of dreams. To Matt, that's all that mattered.