AN:

Okay so I took the easy route. Instead of writing about the trial (which was never the point of this fic) I decided to recap the main points. There's just one more chapter after this. :( Just to wrap a few very tiny lose ends and include a nice surprise for all of you.

~Kelly~

Chapter Nine

Matt leaned back in the chair and was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. After a very long week, the trail was over. Even with the evidence Steven Webber had discovered Matt worried that he would be found guilty. The money wouldn't have meant much after all he didn't have any. Losing his medical license, on the other hand, terrified him.

In the end, both he and Patrick had been acquitted. However, not before several tense moments. One of which included Elizabeth's past and their current relationship. It had been almost impossible to sit by while she was in pain. Diane's examination did more harm for her clients than good. Apparently, the lawyer knew nothing of the young nurse's rape.

"You look awfully serious sitting here all alone." Patrick said joining his brother at the secluded table.

He looked around the crowed bar embarrassed at admit he had forgotten where he was. "I was just thinking how glad I am this nightmare is over."

"It wasn't all bad though. You and Elizabeth..."

"Yeah. Opening up to her was a good idea." he admitted almost shyly. Since that night things between them fell easily into place. "But seeing Elizabeth hurting like that- I never wanted to hurt a woman before."

"Did you know?" the older man asked after a long stretch of silence.

"In very vague terms yeah."

"How is she?"

"Better than I am. She made peace with it a long time ago unlike me."

Patrick smiled at the admission. It was good to know that Matt felt comfortable enough to confide in him. "Maybe you should take Elizabeth with you on your trip?"

"I thought about it. Do you think she'd come?"

"She loves you Matt."

"That's not exactly an answer." the younger man pointed out easily.

Patrick never got a chance to respond because Robin sat herself on his lap. "Alright no more moping around you two. This is a celebration not a wake."

"Is that so?" Patrick teased his wife.

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Come on us girls are doing shots."

"Oh this should be interesting." Patrick mumbled allowing himself to be pulled towards another table.

Interesting was the right word. Most of the guys had never been privy to a girls' night out which made their shock more amusing for Patrick.

"Are they always like this?" Steven asked halfway through the second bottle. Although he wouldn't say so it was nice to see traces of the wild girl he knew.

"Worse."

"Hey it's been awhile since we've done this." Laniey immediately protested. Of everyone she was the closest to being sober which made her the first to react.

"Yeah." Replied several slightly upset voices.

"And I've missed you girls." Coleman said placing several bottles of water on the table. "But it's closing time."

After leaving Jake's Matt took Elizabeth back to his place. It felt odd spending time in hers especially with Steven there.

"Are you going somewhere?" Elizabeth asked noticing the duffel bag by the door. She tried to stop her mind from jumping to the worst conclusion and seceded- mostly.

"A short vacation." he said pulling her back against his chest. Her head tilted to one side leaving her neck exposed. Matt placed several kisses to the soft skin while half lost in thought. Pulling away he whispered in her ear. "In fact I thought... maybe you'd like to go with me."

"Do I get to know where we're going?" she asked barely suppressing the urge to moan.

"Albuquerque. There's a few things I need to do there. I... I thought I could show you around where I grew up."

"Oh that's so sweet."

Matt rolled his eyes at Elizabeth's response. Woman. "Is that a yes?"

"Of course it's a yes." she giggled at Matt's shyness. "When do we leave?"

"Seven- am."

"What?" she exclaimed smacking her boyfriend lightly on the chest. "Matt that's like in four hours. I have to pack and shower. I am so mad at you."

Elizabeth was cut off with a long slow kiss. Matt knew how she could ramble when she got worked up. He found it cute but they didn't have the time right now. "I love you."

"I love you too but that's not going to get you out of trouble."