Chapter 6

Houston drove home.

She had fallen asleep within minutes of leaving the hospital.

He was looking forward to waking up sleeping beauty with a kiss. He looked in the rear view mirror checking to make sure she wouldn't wake up and smiled wanting to get to his house to collect.

"What are you smiling about boy? Cause since we got back from fishing you've had your tail up and a burr in your saddle."

Houston whispered, "Can you blame me Uncle Roy? Coming back and seeing all that commotion in front of my house and not finding CJ there. It's like I stepped back in time. Thinking she had been taken and not being there to stop it. That's a feeling I never want to feel again."

"I understand, son. I thought the worst too but you took off to the hospital before even finding out what had happened. When I spoke to the couple that had found the baby with CJ they told me what she did and that she had gone with the baby to help. I told Will and we came to the hospital. I was glad it wasn't her that was hurt. You're right I never want to have that feeling again, but you have to tread lightly with her Mattlock she is only going to take your overprotectiveness for so long and Hoyt told me about your blow up in the waiting room."

Houston took what his Uncle said to heart.

"I know she made me apologize to him. Which I did. He understood but still when it comes to CJ all bets are off Uncle Roy especially now. All my common sense goes out the window. I can't help it, she's very special to me and I'm finally getting it through this stubborn thick skull that I can't live without her. I need her and I realize it's not going to be easy to convince her."

Roy looked at Matt, his nephew had finally admitted what everyone had known for years.

He smiled knowing his nephew was finally seeing CJ in a different light.

He loved her and she loved him. But still these two stubborn, strong willed people were doing everything in their power to ensure they would not end up together. Wanting to keep their friendship instead of risking losing each other if something went wrong if they started to act on their feelings.

He blamed this mostly on Matlock, knowing full well that he had taken CJ for granted, always thinking she would be with him through thick and thin. His constant companion. But things had changed and he had seen it as did his friends and family. Maybe now would be the time they would see that they were meant to be together once and for all.

CJ's abduction was Mattlock's wake-up call.

He had no control of what had happened and thought he'd lost her. The worst part was he had been given a front row seat of what they were putting her through he'd witnessed it all.

CJ still did not know what Mattlock had endured that week. The kidnappers wanted to ensure he suffered greatly by sending out photographs of CJ to their closest family members.

He remembered his nephew handing him the phone and walking out to the terrace not knowing how to respond to Mama Novelli's crying and Vince Novelli yelling wanting to know what had happened to CJ. The same photographs were sent to his son Will and his brother Bill. Both make the trip to help find CJ.

Roy remembered the note that had been attached to the photographs blaming his nephew for the death of the kidnappers' brother. Saying they were taking their revenge on CJ and wanting his family to know her death and her blood were on Mattlock's hands.

The pictures were disturbing but not all had been shown to CJ. Mattlock made sure of it. They had sent a live feed of what they were doing to her. That burden was the heaviest on him. Knowing he was helpless to help her and being witness to her pain. No one knew the extent and he had given his nephew a wide berth not wanting to be there when he felt powerless. He had seen some of the tape but stopped not being able to stomach her ordeal at the hands of these men.

"Mattlock you need to talk to someone, CJ is getting help and it is working for her. I think you need someone to help you process this, you haven't told anyone what you went through and the one person you usually confide in doesn't know what's on that tape."

"And she won't ever need to see it or know what's on it if I have anything to say about it. It will break her Uncle Roy. It almost consumed me. I was on the edge and if we didn't catch that break I don't know if I'd be here right now."

Roy looked over to his nephew and could see him grip the wheel of the car and the pain he was trying to hide as the demons of that ordeal started to creep back in.

"Uncle Roy, how helpless did you feel when we lost Will? I know you pulled every favor and string you could to try and find out if he was truly dead."

He was deflecting and he let him, knowing he was trying to deal with his anger and fear.

"I won't lie to you Mattlock, it was a difficult time. Your father tried to help me but I was angry. We fought. I shut him and your Aunt Flo out. I left, went to that God forsaken country and tried to find my boy, but came back empty handed. You are the first person I've told what I did. No one knows this. I didn't even tell your Aunt Flo. I was trying to deal with my grief and only hurting those that were trying to help me. I never told you I was sorry for not being there for you. I know you did everything in your power to bring him back in one piece. You told me that you had failed me. No son, I failed you. I could never take back that grief you felt. I just thank God CJ was there to help you deal with the loss. Bill said she would not leave you and you did everything in your power to chase her away. She stayed and told you to get used to it that she wasn't leaving and that you were stuck with her. That's when you gave in and let her help you deal with the loss of Will and your ordeal over there. It only made me and your dad love her more for it."

Houston whispered, "I don't want her to remember what happened to her I wish I could shield her from what those animals did. You should have let me killed them when I had the chance. I would have done it with no remorse Uncle Roy. You could have hauled me away to jail after that I wouldn't have cared. If we had found her dead I would have done it and felt no remorse. If she was dead I had nothing to live for and I couldn't live with myself for letting it happen."

Roy believed him he would have killed them without remorse. When it came to CJ and anyone trying to harm her Matt was not the happy go lucky cowboy that everyone thought he was, no he was the military trained operative that was feared for his knowledge and killing techniques. He had read the missions Matt and Will had been on and knew they were well trained killing machines. Castanos found out as did Marques Duval and all the others that had tried to harm CJ. Matt had made sure that they were dealt with and kept tabs on those that were still alive to see that they would never cross paths with her again.

"You can only shield her for so long, she will remember eventually and we will all be there to help her. We cannot let her push us away, we need to be patient and not let our own emotions take over."

He nodded and wanted to change the subject. "So what do you think about her helping out Jake? Jacob William I can't believe she named him after Daddy and her father. Wait till I tell him he's going to be tickled pink."

"I was looking at you two through the glass. She was talking a lot. What was she saying to the little guy?"

Houston gave his Uncle a play by play of what CJ had told Jake he also filled him in on what she was doing Roy listened and said, "So he's not out of the woods yet he has a long path in front of him but he's already ahead of the game he has you and CJ you two don't know how to do anything halfway so I have no doubt he will be a bouncing baby boy in no time."

"You're right Uncle Roy but I wonder why he was abandoned. If I know my partner she's probably trying to figure out why he was left in that trash can. Since he's now CJ's responsibility he's mine too. I think I might have a new client in Jake. What do you think Uncle Roy?"

He chuckled, "I was wondering which one of you would bring this up first and by default it's you if she wasn't rattling the shingles right now she'd be asking."

Houston looked up and did hear her snoring and tried not to laugh; he didn't want to wake her wanting to collect on his kiss but thought of what his Uncle Roy had said.

"She was really good with him Uncle Roy. She was hesitant at first but once she got the hang of it she was a natural she's going to make a great momma one day. But, I then wonder if this might be too much for her. Do you think it's too soon for her to take this on?"

Uncle Roy shook his head.

"I should be asking you that question, you had no idea what was going on and you didn't hesitate to help her out, you two make a great team and I hope it will strengthen your bond. I see the change in you Mattlock. You are finally realizing what me, your father and everyone that's come into contact with you and CJ have known all along. You two are meant to be together. But I'm giving you fair warning you've hurt her in the past and things have been left unsaid between you two. I'm hoping you go into this with grace and not like a bull in a china shop. You have to communicate and speak from your heart."

Houston took what his Uncle and agreed.

"I know it's not going to be easy. I have an uphill battle but I'm not giving up. I know she cares about me, right Uncle Roy? You don't think she's finally giving up hope do you? It would be my fault I know but one day maybe it will turn to love again. She told me twice Uncle Roy that she loved me and I was dumbstruck the first time and the second time I brushed it aside. It was when I almost made the biggest mistake in my life by marrying Elizabeth. I gave her some lame excuse saying I'd be just as jealous once she married. But I'll tell you it got me wondering if I was doing the right thing in marrying Elizabeth. CJ and Elizabeth are polar opposites CJ is independent, gutsy, strong, beautiful inside and out no damsel in distress. She's joyful. She always makes me feel at ease and myself she takes no bull from me or anyone else. Elizabeth was beautiful in an aristocratic way, very dependent on me and was looking for a knight in shining armor to be able to rescue her. I fell for that thinking I wanted a woman that needed me to protect her, I like being needed but to what point? I started to wonder if I wanted a needy partner for the rest of my life. CJ also needs protecting even though she won't come out and say needs me as much as I need her. I swear if she says she's a burden to me again I'm going to have to kiss her and confess everything then and there."

Roy chuckled, "you got it bad don't you boy?"

Looking at the rear view mirror he nodded.

The phone rang and it was Will, "Hey dad heads up there are a bunch of reporters and news vans right in front of Matt's place it was a struggle getting in here I asked if they could be moved but I'm thinking it might be a little too much for CJ this story has taken a life of its own from what I heard the officers outside its going nationwide."

Mattlock cursed, "How are we going to get her in there without being mobbed? She doesn't need this right now."

"Hey Cuz what if I take Beast out and have them interview him? He was the one that led her to the baby. Carol told me that Beast nearly dragged her to the trash can and was very protective of him. I can lead them away and you guys can come in with no trouble".

"I'm glad that mongrel can do some good, sounds like a plan Will. We're almost there so if you want to walk them to the beach it will be easy enough to get her in the house with no problems."

"We are on it and I'm going to ask some questions. I'm curious as to why the little guy was put in that situation and the police are still investigating."

"Son, make sure you get as much information as you can. Mattlock just took on Jake as his new client. We are going to find his parents and get to the bottom of this."

They arrived at the beach house Roy saying he would go on ahead to make sure the coast was clear, CJ was still sleeping and he made his way to the passenger side of the car and opened the door and came bent down to her level she looked beautiful in his sweater that was two sizes too big, peaceful with a slight smile that made his heart flutter.

He whispered, "You amaze me every day you make me want to be a better person and what you did last night just supports what I've known since we were kids you put everyone before you. You are the most selfless person I've ever encountered and I am hoping that I'm not too late to let me show you that I can't live without you CJ I love you."

He kissed her lightly on the lips and she surprised him by putting her hands around his neck pulling him down and kissed him back.