Title: Too Close
Author: Cindy Ryan
Spoilers: Major ones for the 9-26 episode. If you haven't seen it don't read any further. :)
Category: ME/Matt angst.
Summary: Sometimes you get a second chance.
It was well after two am when FBI agent Matt Flannery jerked awake, his breathing harsh and labored. On instinct he turned the bedside light on.
It took him almost a full minute to realize his shaking hands were fine.
That they weren't covered in blood like they had been in his nightmare.
Emily's blood.
Matt slowed his breathing and glanced to his right to make sure the light hadn't disturbed his partner. Emily was still sound asleep her face buried in the pillow one arm wrapped around the end. Matt clicked the light off and settled back down in the bed. He turned on his side so he could watch her sleep.
Matt tenderly brushed a finger down Emily's naked left shoulder as he struggled to calm his frazzled mind. The earlier nightmare still all too fresh.
In his mind he still heard the gunshot that never happened. He still heard Emily's scream that never was. He still saw her crumple to the dirty cement floor of the bathroom as Mark put a bullet in her chest.
Not caring if he woke her, Matt scooped Emily up in his arms and drew her close. He needed to feel her body warmth against his skin. He needed to feel her heartbeat.
Emily stirred but didn't wake, exhausted from the day's events. Matt rested his chin against her head and closed his eyes.
In a second his life could've changed today.
In a second the best thing he'd ever had could've been snatched away.
Emily could've died before he got to her. Mark had an accurate aim, Matt had seen that in the fallen deputy.
He shuddered at the thought and tightened his embrace.
Too close...too damn close.
He had to do a better job at protecting her...even if she ended up mad. Matt would rather have her alive and angry than stand at her funeral.
Matt swallowed hard and pushed the remaining memories of the nightmare away. For some reason he'd been given a second chance.
There was no way he was going to ruin it.
Their next day off he'd take her to dinner, buy her jewelry, spoil her.
"I love you."Matt whispered into Emily's ear as he drifted into a dreamless sleep.
end