Stronger language than normal in this chapter.

Also there is lots of dialogue. Just a heads up.

Chapter 20

Riley's eyelids fluttered open when she heard someone yelling from down the hall. "GET THOSE FUCKING CUFFS OFF OF HER NOW!"

"Lucas." She whispered. The brunette wasn't sure yet if she was ready to face him. The story for him, and the story she told to the first responders were going to be 2 different ones. That's when it hit her, "I just killed someone."

Lucas was fiddling with the door handle, but it was locked. "Baby I'm going to get you out. SHE DOESN'T NEED TO BE IN THERE!"

Sadness, or guilt, or even regret should probably be the main emotion she was feeling but it wasn't. She felt different, watching a man-no matter what he'd done-die in front of her eyes, and more than that she was the cause of it, would definitely do that. It was late, and the only reason she knew that was because it was dark outside. Apparently the officers who responded to the scene weren't familiar with the Charlie Gardner incident.

Though she was unsure of how that was even possible, every cop was supposed to be on the lookout for his face and be familiar with the case. Well, according to her fiancée. The sound of the door opening yanked her out of her thoughts. "Baby." Riley rose from the chair and fell into Lucas' chest. "I'm so sorry you're in here. You don't need to be. They're getting the keys right now."

"Luc-"

"Why didn't you call me?!" The worry and sadness in his voice was apparent and tore her up. "I was so fucking scared Riley." His lips pressed against her temple, it was evident he was scared. She could feel his entire body shake, but that could very well have been from anger. "I love you so damn much." The officer leaned back and cupped her face, her tear stained face. But if she was being honest, she wasn't sure why she was crying. "Are you okay sweetheart? Please, God tell me you're okay?"

"I'm okay baby." Right then Josh came in with the keys and took off the cuffs.

"Why did you run off niece? God damn you are going to be the death of us."

She had her own story for Lucas. But, it wasn't the place. "I didn't run off."

"It doesn't matter." The green eyed man pulled her back into his chest and kissed her head several times. "I'm so happy you're safe. I was so scared sweetheart."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do after that happened."

Josh cleared his throat. "I hate to break up this moment but they want to record her statement."

"I thought I already gave a statement?" Her eyebrows knit together in confusion. She had told the dispatcher over the phone, and then to the first cop who arrived. More than anything she wanted to sleep, hence why she had fallen asleep in the chair.

"The chief wants it recorded. Then you can go home."

Her brown orbs lifted to her fiancée who had obviously been crying. His eyes were red and there was a small stain that she hastily wiped away. "Alright. Let's do this."

A few weeks ago if you had told her that this was how her wedding week would go, she may have laughed in your face. But, even right now it all felt like a dream. Riley hardly remembered getting cuffed, and getting into the cop car. All of it was overwhelming and she was unsure of what to do, what to feel, and more importantly what to say.

Her entire story wasn't fabricated, in fact it stuck rather closely to the truth and she only left out a few important details. However, the more she told it, the more chances she takes at getting it wrong. "Right in here Ms. Matthews."

Her grip on Lucas lessened, "I'm staying."

"Officer Friar, as your chief I am ordering you to leave. This is already an emotional subject for her and you are clearly flustered. To put it nicely."

"I'll be waiting for you sweetheart okay? I'll be right outside." His lips pressed against hers and with reluctance he left her in the room.

"So Ms. Matthews I'm going to ask you some questions and after that you can tell your story. Sound fair?" The dancer simply nodded in agreement and folded her hands on the steel table. "So, you shot him twice?"

"Yes."

"Why?" He questioned.

"When I took my CHL class, they taught double tap." She gulped and chills were sent up her spine. Even whenever she took that class there was always a large part of her that was so sure she'd never have to use it.

"Why did you go to the house?"

"A lot was changing for me. A lot of great things happened in that house and before it went up for sale, before I got married and went on my honeymoon I wanted to say goodbye." That was a lie. Though, she probably would have visited there eventually.

"Mhm, and why were you out and about when you knew Charlie was on the loose?"

"This is my first and only wedding. I wanted to be involved in it, and with Lucas' tail he put on me I felt safe." Why does that matter to him?

"And you shook the tail?" He questioned with angst in his voice.

"That wasn't my intention if that's what your insinuating." She replied surprising them both at how calm she was. "I was going 50 and when the light turned yellow I was in that awkward position of if I stop then someone might rear end me or I'll hit my head on the steering wheel so I drove."

"And you didn't stop because?"

The brunette knew it was his job and even though he was right to be suspicious of her, she was surprised to have all this questioning for someone as crazy as Charlie Gardner. "To be honest, I was angry about having someone follow me around. My fiancée and I, Lucas, we got into an argument about it actually and I was very much annoyed because I felt like I was the one being punished. Having to constantly wear a gun, having someone follow me, moving and possibly finding a new job. Always look over my shoulder. All of it was, aggravating."

His face was very much stern, but he gave nothing away. "You wanted to do something with that aggravation didn't you?"

"Wouldn't you?" Her anger was bubbling to the surface, "Being raped, and almost killed by someone you thought was completely harmless."

"So you killed him? Did you plan it?"

The door swung open. "Okay that's enough."

Lucas grabbed her arm and stared down his boss. But, she gently pushed him away. "If you are asking me if I went to my old home knowing he'd show up and I'd kill him than you're wrong." He isn't but that was beside the point. "I had no idea he was following me and neither did the gentleman that was tailing me or he would have told me. Brought me somewhere safer. So to answer your question, no I didn't plan it. But that doesn't mean I don't feel relieved from the outcome."

The chief smirked, "So you're happy about the outcome?"

"Don't twist her words-"

"Lucas it's okay baby." She gave him a reassuring smile, "Being relieved and being happy are 2 different things. I'm not checking over my shoulder every 5 seconds even when I'm at home and I don't have to worry about him kidnapping me. I'm not happy about killing someone, I don't think it's really set in yet what exactly I did. But, I did it to keep me safe. I'm relieved."

His eyes softened. "I heard all I've needed to hear. Thank you Riley."

"Wait," He stopped at the door and turned around, "Don't I need to give you my story?"

"No." Lucas shook his head, "you were testing her reaction weren't you?"

The door shut again and he cut off the recorder. "I know it was self-defense Riley. I don't give a damn honestly whether you planned to kill him or not, you did it to keep you safe and we have the written statement."

With that he left the engaged couple alone completely dumbfounded. "So, did he just say that whether I planned it or not, it was self-defense?"

"He's always so cryptic." The officer tightened his grip and pulled her back into his chest. "Riley you scared the hell out of me. I had no idea where you were for an hour. A fucking hour Riley. All I could picture was you back in the damn hospital bed." She clutched onto his black tee shirt and inhaled his earthy cologne. "I thought I had lost you."

"I'm right here Lucas. I'm safe, and he's gone."

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The drive home was silent, they entered their house silently and they each took a shower silently. Occasionally Lucas would randomly pull her into his arms, or crash his lips against hers, though the outcome of today was positive. He couldn't get the possibility of her being gone out of his head, kidnapped or worse.

And Riley, she couldn't get the words 'he's gone' out of her head. For what seems like a lifetime-since the night she was assaulted-she had wanted to hear those words. Riley crossed her legs on their bed and inhaled deeply. "Lucas."

"Yeah baby? Do you need anything?"

She smiled lightly and disagreed. "No, I'm really not hurt I swear." The green eyed man crawled beside her. "I have to tell you the truth."

His brows furrowed. "Truth?" He whispered.

"I knew he'd be there."

His jaw clenched and he averted his gaze. "Spill. Now."

"Fair enough." The brunette tousled her hair and turned her body towards him. "I cracked my window because it was warm and when I came back out from the flower shop there was a note that he must've slipped through the window. 'If you want to be with me lose your tail and I'll follow you wherever you want'."

"DAMN IT RILEY!"

The brown eyed girl gulped and played with her comforter. She expected this reaction and if she allowed herself to be honest, she deserved it. The dancer didn't realize how much hell she had unknowingly put him through. "Let it out."

"I WILL!" The officer threw the blanket off of him and began to pace the bedroom. "You-YOU RISKED YOUR DAMN LIFE!" No matter what he did, the anger inside of him was overflowing. But one look into her eyes at least lowered the level of his voice. "You didn't even think it through. What if he didn't come in through the front door? What if he came in with a gun too? You ran in there without even thinking about me." He took several shallow breaths and his eyes glassed over. "Do you not even care about me? About us Riley?"

Her lips separated. "Of course I do. Don't even think that."

"Then why risk your life? Do you not realize how much I love you?" He rubbed his eyes hoping to get rid of the tears but they resurfaced just as fast. "I could have fucking lost you Riley. I asked you, I asked you not to do this. That was your whole plan wasn't it?! You ran around all week this week to make yourself known, you did shake the tail and you planned to kill him."

"Yes." There was no hesitation, no wavering in her voice and the green eyed man didn't know if he should be scared or not.

"I couldn't care less that he's gone. He hurt my wife and he deserved what he got. What I am mad about-No furious about is the fact that you didn't think twice about me when you went in there. We are getting married in 2 days Riley. 2 days. Is this how it's going to be in our marriage? Because I don't want it if we can't respect what the other wants, our marriage won't work. 2 days, and your lack of respect for what I asked is astounding."

Her brows furrowed. "I could say the same thing Lucas." Her emotions were a mixture of sadness and anger.

"What?!" His arms crossed over his chest, "What did you say?"

"I said that you didn't respect what I wanted either. I wanted to be safe, and as long as he was around I wasn't. I love you and I love the fact you are so protective over me. And yes, I went into our old home being completely selfish because for once in my GOD DAMN LIFE I WAS BEING SELFISH!" She rose off the bed and stomped towards him. "I'm so sorry that I scared you, and that I hurt you but I'm not sorry for what I did. I can't bring myself to regret the decisions that I've made. I was selfish today, and yes a million things could have gone wrong but I'm here.

I'm here, I'm safe and I love you. And I'm so sorry I scared you today. I'm so sorry." Her chin began to tremble and his strong arms wrapped around her. "I'm sorry Lucas. I will seriously be Betty freaking Crocker, and a 1950's housewife for the rest of my life just please don't leave me."

He chuckled lightly through his tears and kissed her head. "I'm not going to leave you Riley. I love your stubborn ass too much."

"I lied in my statement, I know I lied." She whispered, "But I couldn't lie to you Lucas. I couldn't not tell you the truth about today. I don't want our marriage to start off like that."

"I don't care about you lying sweetheart." He kissed her temple again. "I just care about your life, please don't do something so stupid and reckless and irresponsible again. You're going to give me a heart attack before I hit 30." They stood in silence, hugging each other and neither of them wanted to let go. "I wish you would have let me do it. You didn't need that burden."

She buried her face in the crook of his neck. "I know. I'm not sure how I feel about what I did. I think I'm kind of numb, if it was some random person I would be more upset about it. But, he's done so much bad. He did so much to me, and then killed people to get to me."

"That's a normal feeling sweetheart." Lucas lifted her off the ground and laid her in the bed. "First man I shot, he had a total of 5 hostages and killed 2 of them already." Her eyes widened, "I was on the force for 8 months when I went out for a domestic violence call. Josh and I got there and we got information about it being a hostage situation so a few other units responded. I crept into the backyard with Josh while they distracted him in the front."

"I thought those situations included like negotiators and what not?"

"They do, sometimes. Depends on the amount of hostages, the severity and what it is he wants. This guy was just drunk and out of his damn mind. He wasn't even using a gun." I remember the light blue curtains that were being pushed in the wind, I was lucky the window was open or else I couldn't have gotten a clear shot. He was screaming something at the door and I saw a woman and a teenager lying in a pool of blood on the floor. I fired, twice. I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I still am not really sure because that was his wife and kids." Riley caressed his cheek and he fell into her embrace. "I understand the confusion you're feeling, but please if you need to talk to anyone or-"

"I'll tell you." The brunette whispered. "I'm sorry for everything today."

"It's okay beautiful." His lips crashed against hers, continually moving in sync with one another. "No sex tonight, that's your punishment."

She giggled and nodded. "But isn't that a punishment for you too?"

"I just want to hold you tonight sweetheart. I thought I lost you today, and I just want to hold you and love the crap out of you."

"Please do."

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Their wedding day is coming soon! WOOHOO!