Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Story status: Complete
Summary: When Emily becomes the hostage how far will Matt go to bring her home?
Cheryl Carrera walked quietly into the dimly lit hospital room. She drew in a sharp breath shocked at her agent's appearance. Frank had warned her that Emily would be surrounded by tubes and wires. He'd told her about the bruises and where they'd found her.
But it was nothing compared to what she saw.
What was before her was a shell of the woman she knew. A woman who during the first few months on her team had saved fourteen lives in a coffee shop by brazenly disobeying orders and turning herself over to the ht.
Cheryl shook her head sadly. If it was the last thing she did she'd make sure Ellis would spend the rest of his years behind bars.
Cheryl glanced over at the solitary chair to see Matt slumped in an uncomfortable position, sound asleep. Part of her didn't want to wake him. She knew how precious little sleep he'd had since Emily disappeared.
Cheryl walked over and placed a gentle hand on Matt's right shoulder.
"Matt."Cheryl called softly as she shook his shoulder.
Matt jumped, his eyes opening instantly. He glanced around groggily until his gaze rested on his boss.
"Hey."Matt greeted as he straightened in his chair. "What time is it?"
"Almost midnight."Cheryl replied. "I just got in. How is she?"
Matt rubbed a hand over his face as he leaned forward and rested his chin on folded hands. His gaze fixated on his partner's still form.
"They say she's lucky….."Matt replied quietly his voice strained and thick with emotion."Four broken ribs, severally bruised collar bone, concussion. Dehydration, exposure, sprained left wrist. She hasn't woken yet."
Cheryl closed her eyes briefly."Probably rest is the best thing for her."
"Yeah, that's what the docs said."
Cheryl hated to ask the next question but she needed to know."Was Emily assaulted……sexually?"
Matt blanched. It was one possibility he hadn't been able to deal with when the doctors had ordered a rape kit. His blood had run cold at the very thought…..
"Matt?"Cheryl prompted gently.
Matt cleared his throat as he shook his head. "They ordered a rape kit. Results came back couple hours ago….negative."
"Thank God."Cheryl whispered.
"Cheryl,"Matt began quietly. "Where he left her…….it was inhuman. She had barely any food….one bottle of water…..just a thin t-shirt to cover her. He was only keeping her alive long enough to get the ransom. He knew she wouldn't make it on those supplies."
Cheryl stepped closer sensing what was coming.
At first it was just a choked sob as Matt felt his emotions finally overtake him. He slid off the chair and drew his knees to his chest resting his forehead against his knees.
Cheryl knelt next to her friend placing a comforting hand on his arm letting him take his time.
"Bastard left her there to die, Cheryl."Matt stated as tears continued to flow. "He left her there."
Cheryl drew him into a hug, gently rubbing his back. "She's safe, Matt. Emily's one of the strongest people I know….she'll recover from this."
The tears ebbed and Matt sat up. "We have to get him."
"We will."Cheryl promised as she stood. She offered a hand to Matt pulling him to his feet. "There's nowhere on this planet that Ellis can hide. Nobody knows his profile better than this team."