I had some free time so I thought I would try to hammer out a new chapter in the story for you guys. Thanks for reading and here you go.

I woke up and saw a bright light. It wasn't just the light that was bright it was also the bright white walls that made me squint like I was looking right at the sun. I finally realized where I was when I heard the steady beeps of the monitors that were around me. There was of course the achiness of my body that started to flow through. I realized I was in a hospital. It makes sense considering I had collapsed in the squad room. I looked over and smiled when Casey asleep in the chair next to my bed. I looked outside and for the first time I saw the day light outside but I knew that it didn't matter right now because I was stuck here. I looked back over at Casey who had woken but hadn't noticed me yet. She had her hand on the bed but was focused on whatever was on her phone. I reached over and placed my hand on hers. She looked up at me and smiled.

"You scared us there for a little bit. We thought we had lost you."

I shook my head at her and smiled.

"You don't have to worry about that because I am not going anywhere. I'm here to stay."

I lifted her hand up and kissed it. She smiled and got up to go get a nurse but before she left she kissed me on the head. When she came back she stood at the door as the nurse went over my chart and checked my vitals. She then went over the treatment and what had happened. I got some stitches and the stab wound on my leg was deep but nothing that some physical therapy couldn't fix in order to get it better. Most of it was internal bleeding and I just had to take it easy for a while and make sure to go to my primary care physician for a follow up and make it through physical therapy. I collapsed due to pain and exhaustion so rest would do me a lot of good. I smiled and thanked her before returning my attention to Casey. I waved her over.

"I don't bite or anything like that I promise."

She just smiled and walked over to the bed but didn't sit.

"Case, you're really starting to worry me. What is going on?"

She let out a sigh.

"They got McClain a few hours ago."

"Ok that's a good thing though right."

She let out a sigh and shook her head.

"Yes but it's not only the charges of attacking you and the abuse. He is also being charged with murder. Well two murders actually. Matt…. He killed his son and the elderly neighbor Maybelle Thomas. I know this isn't the outcome that you wanted."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He went and killed the poor innocent kid. I also felt guilty because I got Maybelle Thomas involved by making her my informant on the family. It was my fault that she was dead.

"Case, when does the trial start?"

She sighed.

"In a couple of days, I have been preparing but I've spent most of my time at the precinct and here trying to make sure you are ok."

I just nodded and thanked her. I also knew how she felt about my involvement of the case and there was a chance that she was going to try and not call me as a witness for the prosecution. I'd understand but I also thought that it was a completely unfair thing for her to do but it was her decision.

I looked over to her and gave a sad smile her way.

"Don't worry. We will nail this guy and everything will be ok. What else happened while I was away?"

That seemed to pull her mind away from things for a little bit.

"Your friend came by to check on you."

I gave a puzzled look.

"Which friend?"

"Uh, the one who brought you into the precinct, His name was Robert and said that he was an old family friend and he just wanted to know how you were doing. I think he might be in the waiting area still. He's been here as long as I have."

I just nodded me head and gave her a smile. Before I got the chance to say anything my family came in through the door and she and I weren't able to finish our conversation but that was ok because I don't think it was really going anywhere.

I spent the much needed time with my family and a few days on the hospital. My family had to head back to Texas but my mother made me swear up and down that if I needed anything I would call and that she would be on the very next flight if I called. I told her I would be fine and then kissed me goodbye. I love spending time with my family but I was hoping it wouldn't be me in the hospital.

After a few days I started feeling a lot better and my injuries were healing up pretty nicely. I was released from the hospital and I was happy to get out of there. When I made it home I crutched my way over to the couch. I was going to be on crutches until my doctor gave the all clear. I sat down and just let out a sigh. Casey was there and did her best to try and make me feel better but despite her best efforts I still felt bad about what happened. Those people died because of me. We were sitting watching TV together and I was dozing off until I heard her phone ring. I looked over and she gave me a smile that said sorry and I nodded to let her know that I was ok and that she should go.

"Alright…. yeah I'll be right there." She hung up the phone and then looked back over at me.

She stood up and gathered before heading over to me and kissing me on the head.

"Sorry, I have to go. I'll be back later I promise. If you need anything though call me."

I smiled and nodded at her before watching her head out the door. I went back to watching TV. I dozed off for a while but then woke up to the news. The 8 o'clock news was on and the main story was the murder of Sammy Smith and Maybelle Thomas. I watched as they went over the details of the case that they had. I couldn't watch or listen anymore so I turned it off. Before I thought about the consequences of my actions I was in my car and on the way to the hospital. Once I was there I made my way to Karen Smith's room as stealthily as could considering I was a guy on crutches. When I reached her room I took a deep breath before crutching my way into the room. When I walked in I got the reaction I was expecting when she saw me there.

"What on earth are you doing here?"

She was angry that I was there and I knew that. She was very angry and I knew why.

"Look I just came to tell you that you should testify against him."

She just shook her head and looked away from me.

"You don't get it. You don't know what it's like. He wasn't always like this. He used to be gentle and kind. It started slowly and grew over time. I became afraid but I knew that the sweet and kind human being that he was so I thought maybe I could get him back to the way he was in the beginning."

I shook my head at her because I couldn't believe what she was saying to me. I sighed in frustration.

"He lied to you. He abused you and he killed two people. You say you know who he is but you really don't know the first thing about him. He says he loved you but killed your son and your neighbor. I just don't understand why you won't just testify. Why do you keep protecting him when all he does is continually hurt you?"

She looked back at me with a pained look in her eyes.

"He loves me and I love him. That's all I need to know. He did a horrible thing but I love him."

I sighed.

"He's just going to keep hurting you and you really deserve something better."

She kept the same pained look on me.

"I love him and our attorney will be speaking with the ADA. Now leave."

As I left she picked up her phone and knew exactly who she was calling. I slowly made my way down to the car and saw the time. 10 o'clock and I was exhausted but I knew that I had probably just messed up the case for everyone just because I felt the need to get Karen Smith to testify against her husband.

I made it back to my apartment and went straight to my room and laid down in bed. As I was laying there I heard Casey make her way into the room. I pretended to be asleep and when I felt the weight of the bed shift and one last sigh I finally opened my eyes and I reached out to place a hand on her but I didn't. I just tried to go to sleep but spent most of the night thinking about how I just screwed up something for everyone.

The next morning, I woke up to an empty apartment but it hadn't been empty long because the smell of fresh coffee was still lingering in the air. I got a cup and just drank it there in my empty kitchen. My phone buzzed and I put the cup down to move over to get it. I saw that there were two missed calls as well as voicemails. One was from Casey and the other was from Olivia. I listened to both of them knowing fully what they were about. I started with the one from Olivia.

"Matt, what were you thinking? Karen Smith's lawyer was waiting for me this morning when I got to the office. You went and talked to her even though I told you to stay away from her. You disobeyed a direct order. Just meet me in my office so we can discuss where we go from here. I'm going to bat for you because the trail has started but I'm not sure what is going to happen because the defense is probably going to use this against us so just meet me today in my office when you can."

I sighed after listening and then went to listen to the one from Casey.

"Liv probably called and told you what happened but you already know what happened. I get you have thing for this case but you need to drop it because this is ridiculous. You have to stay away from her. Listen this time Matt. Stay away from her."

After listening to the voicemails I made my way into the room to change to head down to the precinct. I threw on a clean shirt and some jeans. I headed down to the precinct and I was fully prepared to take the chewing out that I deserved. I nodded and smiled at the other detectives and crutched my way into Olivia's office. She was sitting in there and so was Casey. I sighed and closed the door. I sat on the couch that was in the office and placed my crutches on the wall before looking up at the two women who were standing in front of me. Olivia started.

"I get you were just trying to do your job but there are going to be consequences. After the trial for this case is done, you're going to be suspended. The time of that suspension is unknown right now but you are going to be suspended. Plus, this will coincide with you taking some time off to heal from your injuries."

I just nodded and understood but I was still upset. I didn't say anything. All I did was lean back on the couch and let out another sigh. After a little bit of time passed Casey started to break the silence.

"The trial has started and the defense is expecting us to not call you because of this but I was going to call you as a witness no matter what was going on. I feel like it would be a solid thing for us to do to try and win the jury over since you are so knowledge able on the case."

She moved over to the couch and placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a small smile before continuing.

"We don't have to worry about them bringing up our relationship as a conflict of interest because we have already disclosed our relationship but it still isn't the best thing that we are on the same case. I will call you as a witness but I need you to be calm and collected. I know that you fell a certain way about this case and that it consumes you but going into your testimony you can't let it consume you."

She sighs before asking the next question she needs to ask. It was both professional and something she needed to know I guess to calm her questioning mind.

"Is there anything that the defense might find out about you or your past that could work against us. Something that could discredit you, please let me know."

I shook my head.

"No, there is nothing that you need to worry about Casey."

She nodded and gave a small smile. I looked at Olivia and saw the look on her face and looked over to Casey and gave a small smile and put my hand on her hand. She took a breath.

"Ok well that's all we have and all we wanted to talk about."

Casey stood up and she smiled at Olivia before turning her attention back to me.

"Let me help you Matt."

She helped me up and before we left I thanked Liv. I then made my way out of the precinct and we headed towards the elevator. When the doors closed I looked over at Casey.

"Case, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have done it but I did and I'm sorry that I'm an idiot."

She just nodded and a kissed me and then my cheek.

"Don't worry about it. You didn't mess anything up. Sure you made things a little harder than they were before but you didn't completely ruin the case. I'll see you later when I get home ok. You should rest so that you are well rested tomorrow when I call you."

With that we made it to the floor we needed. She helped me over to the car and before I got in I hugged her. It caught her off guard a little but I hugged her anyway. Before I pulled away she turned and waved before heading back inside. I waved back at her and then once she was out of sight I sighed and headed home. I needed to go clear my head.

Here is my new chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. The chapters will continue to come. The time between will depend on the amount of free time I have. I tend to have busy weeks but I will try to get chapters out as soon as I can. Thanks for reading.