Sylvie's breathing had slowed and she was no longer shaking, leaving Casey to believe that she had fallen asleep.
She was sleeping so peacefully and it almost broke Matt's heart when had to get up. He carefully removed her arm from where it laid on his waist and slid off the bed.
He took one last look at Sylvie, her golden hair falling in splinters across her face, complimenting her bright rosy cheeks and pale complexion. He opened the door, emitting a small creaking sound behind him.
"Will, Natalie." Matt walked over to the two. Natalie shifted from her seat in the hallway, rising to greet him.
"Matt," she reached out her harm, laying it softly on his shoulder.
Matt was never great with talking, but at this moment he was at an impending loss for words. "Wh-What do I do? How do I comfort her? How do I get her through this?" He felt tears pooling in his eyes and willed himself not to cry.
Will's eyes softened and he swallowed, his throat painfully dry, "We need to get her statement. I highly recommend getting in contact with the officers at Intelligence, I can get you on the phone with Jay-"
Natalie cut him off, "First and foremost," she shot Will a stinging look, "We need to run a rape kit on her, by the looks of it it's been well over 24 hours, and the longer she goes without getting the kit done the harder it's going to be."
Matt tensed up, rubbing his hand along his jawline. His stubble prickling his callused hands. Closing his eyes, he imagined that monster, standing over Sylvie.
As much as he wanted to find that bastard and make him pay, he knew it was in Sylvie's best interest to listen to Natalie.
"Uh, ok. Go ahead and order the kit."
"Got it," Natalie whispered. She flashed a small smile of "I won" towards Will, regretting it immediately when her eyes fell on Sylvie through the thick glass.
Emily was on her 5th call of the day. Kidd had volunteered to drive and sat humming a small showtune beside her.
They had just dropped a patient off at med. A tough call, young mother of 4, clipped by a car when her youngest ran out into the street. The kind of call that left a toll on Emily, the kind of call that left Sylvie trying to raise her friends' spirits.
No matter the situation- Sylvie always managed to make her feel better.
The paramedic sighed, pressing the side of her head against the glass of the window.
Kidd suddenly turned down the radio volume, turning to face her friend. "You gonna tell me what's going on? Or am I gonna have to pry it out of you?"
"Sorry," Emily sighed, "Just a tough call" technically this wasn't a lie.
"Nah, I don't believe it. Come onnn, what is it? Tell me." Stella whined, flashing a smile. "Is this about Brett? Come on, our girl's strong, she's not gonna let a small concussion keep her away for long."
Foster nodded, plastering on a fake smile. Ya. Just a small concussion.
Sylvie was clutching the hell out of Matt's hand, to the point of constricted blood flow.
"Just a few more samples Sylvie." Natalie tried to smile, swabbing another q tip on Sylvie's abdomen.
The brush of the q tip tickled Sylvie, sending a shudder through her body. Matt tightened his grip around her fingers and she looked up to meet his eyes.
He stared right back at her, eyes gleaming and a goofy smile plastered on his face.
"Ok Sylvie, all done."
Sylvie let a single tear slip down her face. She unclenched Matt's hands the slightest bit, breaking eye contact as she shuffled up in bed.
"Can I go home?" Sylvie asked, looking at Natalie.
"I don't see why not." Natalie smiled and Matt moved to get Sylvie's coat.
Sylvie sat up, clutching her stomach in pain, her painkillers were wearing off by now, and she wobbled trying to get on her feet. Matt thanked Natalie and Will as Sylvie stayed quiet, eyes planted on her feet.
The two were halfway out the door when Natalie grabbed Matt's shoulder. He turned slightly to face her, "Matt, this is a long way from over. She's gonna need someone to help her through this, and please talk to someone from PD. As much as I don't want to make Sylvie uncomfortable, we need to catch this guy, for her sake and other woman's sake."
Matt nodded, focusing his glance on Sylvie.
Matt pulled up into the lot, Sylvie sitting silently beside him.
"Sylvie, we're here." He nudged her shoulder softly, breaking his heart when she responded with a small jump.
Matt retreated his hand, shutting the truck off.
"This is it," Sylvie whispered. They were standing in front of the apartment that she shared with Joe and Emily.
He flipped his spare key in the lock, opening the door with a small shove. Although he had a spare key, he hadn't stepped foot in the apartment since Emily moved in. The decor had changed a bit, it had a small Emily twist to it, making it seem more like a shared apartment.
Sylvie moved slowly through the room, her legs aching with every step. Shutting the door behind him, he followed her, eyes scanning the room. His eyes fell on a fluffy sweater with pink and white stripes, laying on the kitchen counter. It had Sylvie's name written all over it, and he couldn't help but smile a bit.
He stopped in front of Sylvie's door, the one she had just disappeared behind. He wasn't sure if he should go in but after hearing a small grunt from Sylvie, he sped in, closing the door quickly behind him.
Sylvie was climbing into bed, not bothering to change her clothes, and fell down in a heap on her comforter.
The softness of the bed welcomed Sylvie with opening arms, and now in the safety of her apartment, she let it all go. All her grief and anger, her guilt, and her intense fear. She shook with breaths of air, tears sliding down her face and making a damp puddle on her sheets.
Matt's eyes softened and he wasn't sure if he should leave her alone.
"Matt." Sylvie choked out through sobs, "Could you stay?"
Matt turned to face her, eyes brimming with tears, and hesitantly stepped toward her bed. He climbed up next to her.
The two had gotten closer than ever, just in the last few hours, and yet he still felt like he was violating her privacy as he snuggled up next to her.
Her body shook violently and she hung her head on her knees. The sight of her almost broke him. All he wanted to do was make her feel better, make her feel normal. He swung his arm around her shoulder, her golden locks tickling him.
Sylvie picked up her head, shuffling in closer to Matt, and resting it on his strong shoulder. She could smell his lavender aftershave, creating a safe atmosphere around her, and her breathing evened until she fell asleep.