Title: Dark Paradise
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes: See part one

Around six that night Matt sat next to Emily's bedside. He had snuck in her favorite fast food hoping that would earn a smile.
It had, but it'd been a weak one.
Matt had ended up eating most of the meal. Emily had picked at a few bites but hadn't made more of an effort than that.

"I'm sorry."Emily apologized as Matt stood to throw the wrappers and remains of the food in the trash. "I appreciate you bringing it and it smelled wonderful. I just don't have much of an appetite right now."

Matt smiled as he leaned in to kiss her gently. "Don't worry about it. It's okay."

Emily snuggled back into the covers turning on her side so she could see Matt. The movement caused sharp pain in her ribcage but she ignored it. Emily was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open since her rescue. But she forced herself to stay awake. There were things she needed to know.

"Matt."

"Yeah?"

"You said I'm going home tomorrow?"

"Yep,docs gave the all clear."

"Oh."

Matt reached forward and tenderly took her hand in his. "Don't worry. You'll stay at my place and either Lia or I will be with you until you're strong enough to be on your own."

"What about Ellis?"Emily asked quietly.

Matt sighed. "They don't have any new leads on him."

"He's out there."Emily whispered fighting to keep her voice from quivering.

"Hey."Matt called as he saw her fear. He scooted the chair closer.

When Emily didn't look at him Matt gently touched her face. "I promise you,Em…."

Emily shook her head. "Don't promise that, Matt. I don't think I'll ever feel safe again."

"Em…."

Emily closed her eyes. "I'm really tired, Matt."

"Okay."Matt replied reluctantly. It killed him to see the fear and pain in her eyes

Matt leaned in and gently kissed Emily's forehead. "I'm going to go for a walk and grab some coffee. I'll be back in an hour or so. I love you."

As sleep claimed Emily she clung to Matt's 'I love you.'. She could only hope that those three words would help keep the nightmares away.

Matt walked the couple blocks over to the Vegas Strip. Even though the sun was setting the dry desert heat was showing no signs of abating. The slightly cooler wind,however, helped and it felt good on Matt's skin having been inside all day.

Matt melted into the crowd of tourists. He could feel the ache in his muscles and neck from lack of sleep. Matt knew going home would put things back into more of a routine. Though Matt also knew nothing would ever be the same.

Matt grabbed a coffee from a street vendor near the New York,New York hotel.
Matt sank heavily down onto a nearby bench. As he sipped the strong liquid Matt's tired mind struggled to come up with a plan. Emily would need constant care once they got home. Even though she hadn't endured surgery the broken bones and bruises would take time to heal and make doing every day things difficult.

Matt was almost sure he'd be placed on leave once they got back if he was lucky enough to keep his job. So that meant he'd be there to take care of her instead of having to hire a stranger.

So lost in thought was he that Matt almost didn't hear the beep of his cell phone. He'd turned it back on normal mode once he'd left the hospital. Matt placed the paper cup down as he pulled out his phone. The display on the front indicated a waiting text message.

Matt swallowed hard. His rational mind knew that Sam Ellis wasn't the only person in the world capable of sending text messages. Just because Ellis had been the one sending them of late didn't mean that was who was sending them now.

As Matt pulled up the message he was amazed at how relieved he felt when he saw the message was from Frank. He opened the message and read:

'Cheryl said not to tell you so I'm taking her literally and sending it this way. Thought you guys had a right to know.

Lia got a hit on one of Ellis's aliases. It showed up on a credit card account. At least in the last forty-eight hours Ellis has been in the northern beach towns of Mexico. We don't know which one yet, Lia's searching the hotels. When we know more I'll pass it along. See you guys when you get home.'

Matt closed the phone and leaned forward resting his forehead on his closed hand, his elbows propped on his knees. Matt sent off a silent prayer to whatever higher power was watching over them.

Not that he wanted Ellis to be outside of their jurisdiction but for now Matt was extremely thankful that he wasn't in California. If Ellis had been that close Matt knew Emily wouldn't have been able to handle it.
Not right now.
Not with how fragile she was.

Hell,Matt thought wearily,neither of them would've been able to handle it. Right now all Matt wanted to do was pulverize every bone in Ellis's body.

Deep down Matt knew that wouldn't help Em.
She needed home,safety,friends, and hopefully him.

Because God knew Matt certainly needed her right now. Knowing she was safe and recovering was the only thing keeping him going.