Here is the final chapter...

Beep… Beep… Beep…

Matt was alive, still unconscious, but breathing none the less. Emily let out a sigh of relief and wiped the tear from the corner of her eye. She sat down slowly on the side of the bed, fingering the hem of her oversized t-shirt. She reached out with shaky fingers to touch the warm skin of her boyfriend's hand. With the lightest of touches she traced the length of Matt's fingers with her own.

Emily maneuvered her petite frame into the uncomfortable bed next to Matt, just as she'd done the previous day. A mixture of fear and trepidation overcame her as she thought of what life would be like without this man. This man that had taken the one thing from her that she had never given fully given any other, her heart. Against her better judgment Emily had fallen in love with her partner and, God willing, she wasn't going to let him leave her now.

She watched the rise and fall of Matt's chest while his even breathing lulled her into a peaceful sleep.

"Special Agent Emily Lehman, I'd like you to meet our senior negotiator, Matthew Flannery." Cheryl grinned at Matt as she introduced him to the most recent addition the CNU. "Matt, meet your new partner."

Matt's eyes traveled the length of the young woman's athletic body. She was dressed formally for her first day on the job; black suit, stylish, yet sensible, shoes and a white blouse, which was unbuttoned just enough at the top to be sexy while remaining professional. She was certainly not unattractive by any means, but Matt could tell that the outfit did nothing to show off her hidden figure.

Emily stepped forward, intentionally breaking Matt's focus, and extended a greeting hand, "Agent Flannery, it's so great to be working with you. I've read all of your case reports, your work is very impressive."

"Thank you," Matt chuckled as he took her hand, tying to avoid his boss' glare. On paper 'Special Agent Flannery' could be the poster boy for the FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, but despite his impeccable success rate, the upper-ups were not usually thrilled with is tactics in the field.

Cheryl cleared her throat, tearing the Agent's eyes from one another and back to their superior, "Matt, could I speak to you in private for just a moment?"

"Yeah, sure," he said, finally, and reluctantly, releasing his new partner's hand. The pair walked towards the exit door of the basement training room, but not fair enough away that Emily couldn't hear pieces of their conversation.

"… she's good…" "… yes ma'am…" "… no jokes…" "… I had nothing to do with that…" "… best behavior…""… survived working with you…"

During her brief moments alone, Emily took the opportunity to size up her partner. She took a slow turn glancing around the large space to keep her main focus inconspicuous. There was the indoor shooting range, the simulation building,-which she would later learn to call the 'Kill House'- the locker rooms, male on one side, female on the other. It was all pretty standard for the FBI.

She shifted her gaze toward Matt, but managed to keep her eyes locked on the 'Rules of the Training Room' poster on the wall behind him. Her peripheral vision took in all the information she needed; Matt wore faded blue jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt. His outfit spoke greatly about him, as the profiler in Emily noted. He dressed very casual in such a professional and business-like setting because he was confident in himself and his work. Emily smiled, she couldn't help but appreciate that about him as she thought back to her work in Phoenix. Her partner then, even in the common triple-digit heat, would always wear a suit and tie. It drover her crazy.

Matt seemed different from any of the negotiators she'd been around, even from such a short encounter. She had seen the care and passion in his eyes, this wasn't just a job to him.

Emily broke from her trance upon hearing the metal door slam shut. She had completely missed Cheryl leaving the basement.

"Lehman," Matt called, "how about a tour of the building?"

Emily nodded as approached him, "I'd like that."

Matt pushed open the door and gestured for her to exit the room. As Emily passed in front of him, Matt allowed his hand to escort her, grazing his fingers across the small of her back.

Emily could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. 'This is going to be an interesting partnership…,' she thought to herself.

The rapid vibrations against her hip startled the sleeping negotiator and she quickly reached for her phone. She looked at the name flashing on the front screen and flipped it open, "Cheryl… I'm so sorry abo--"

"Don't worry about it."

Emily stood up from the bed and paced the room, "I just-- I was scared."

"It's ok. Really. He's fine and that's all that matters." Cheryl paused briefly, she heard Emily take in a deep breath as she fought back her tears. "I spoke to he nurses after dropping you off and they said Matt was stable, I figured I'd give you some time alone with him."

"Thank you."

"Everyone will be by later to visit. Please call me if anything changes."

Emily stared out the window, watching as the parking lot began to fill several floors below. The morning sun had risen just above the tree line casting a beautiful orange glow over the horizon. "I will. Thanks again, Cheryl, for everything."

"You're welcome," Cheryl said before hanging up the phone.

"Could you keep it down? I'm trying to sleep here."

Emily's head jerked around upon hearing Matt's voice, he was looking directly at her. She brought her hand to her mouth unable to believe what she was seeing.

He blinked several times as the sunlight shined across his face. His eyes were dark and heavy, he could barely hold them open. His thick, dark hair was a scattered mess, just like she remembered it being every morning she'd been with him. The stubble along his jaw was thicker than normal, but gave him a very rugged looked.

"Hi again," Matt said with a boyish grin.

Emily spoke the first word that came to mind, "Yes."

"Yes what?"

Emily walked over the bed and sat down beside her boyfriend once again, "Yes, I'll marry you."

Matt laid there, speechless, not quite certain that his ears-or the medication-weren't playing tricks on him. Emily felt Matt's hand slide up the side of her arm and come to rest against her neck, he pull her gently towards him.

"I love you," he said affectionately. He tenderly traced the outline of her soft lips before bringing them together for a long, passionate kiss.

Emily pulled away slowly so not to cause any additional injuries to her partner's fragile torso.

He noticed the sparkle in her eyes as she smiled, "Emily Flannery," she said, trying it out.

"I like it."

She interlaced her fingers with his. Matt could feel the cool platinum band of the ring he'd given her on her finger, exactly where it belonged.

THE END

Thank you all sooooo much for sticking by this story! I know it took forever for me to finish it, but I'm glad that everyone kept reading.

Feedback is greatly appreciated :)