Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Category: Angst, work in progess
Spoilers: All episodes
Summary: When Emily becomes the hostage how far will Matt go to bring her home?
Notes: Only my second Standoff fic so bare with me. All mistakes are mine, not beta'd
Despite her best intentions, Emily still jumped when she heard something approaching. It was dark, cold, and she was defenseless. If her hearing was wrong and this was an animal and not Ellis, she'd have no chance against a coyote.
Not that Ellis was any better of an alternative, but at least with him she knew what she was dealing with. Emily scooted back against the wall as best she could and still stay covered. Her right hand stretched as far as it could in the handcuff and groped in the darkness for any kind of a weapon. Emily's slim fingers closed around a small oval rock, and she waited.
The noise grew closer and a small flashlight bobbed into view. A few minutes later a pillow, sleeping bag, and bag of food and water hit the ground by Emily's side with a dull thud.
Emily was momentarily blinded by the harsh light. She remained silent, willing her teeth to stop chattering.
"I won't get any money if you're dead."Ellis spat as he kicked the items closer to Emily.
Emily moved back, but didn't drop the rock she was holding. This may be her only chance.
"I need my hands."Emily stated quietly her eyes finally adjusting to the light as she looked at Ellis with defiance.
Ellis chuckled. "I'm sure it's not the first time you've found yourself in handcuffs. You'll find a way."
Emily awkwardly kicked open the sleeping bag and struggled her way into it, until it was up to her chest. Warmth slowly made its way through her body.
"They won't pay you anything."Emily stated quietly a few minutes later. Not exactly crisis negotiation 101, but she was tired, and hurt, and scared that Matt wouldn't find her.
"That'd be too bad for you, wouldn't it?"Mark chuckled as he knelt down and ran a finger roughly down her left cheek.
Emily moved her head sharply away from Ellis's touch.
Ellis rewarded the movement with an open handed slap against Emily's jaw.
"I think it's time to give boyfriend a jingle."Ellis stated with a smile as he pulled out his disposable cell phone. "Remind him of what's at stake."
Ellis placed the flashlight on a nearby boulder and angled it toward Emily. He activated the phone's camera and took a close up picture of her face. He wanted to make sure Flannery saw the bruises.
Then he hit the redial.
Frank stood by the door of the small room watching as Matt and Duff interrogated the cell mate of Ellis. He wanted to be part of the questioning, but knew his place was here. He knew what his job was. Frank was ready to pull Matt away when the time came. And Frank knew it would.
They were all starting to feel the pressure of the clock. They all wanted Emily home, but Frank wasn't sure that would happen before their official clock ran out.
Even if Ellis made contact again.