Thanks as always for the reviews :)

Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes: I made Frank's wife's name up since I couldn't recall if it'd been mentioned on the show

Frank turned to leave, but stopped. He looked back at his boss. "Permission to take a couple days vacation time."

Cheryl shook her head. "Denied."

"Somebody's going to have to keep an eye on Matt."Frank replied his voice softening. "If Kari's right, and this thing with Ellis turns out to be nothing but a con……Ellis is one to disappear without making further contact."

Cheryl nodded. "I know, but we all just can't up and leave. Ellis will make contact, he needs money. Starting a new life is expensive. There are people out there that need us, and we're two short as it is. I'd love nothing more than to shut the place down until Emily comes home, but I can't. Don't worry about Matt, he can take care of himself."

"Under normal circumstances."Frank muttered with a sad shake of his head. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Matt returned home and quickly headed to the bedroom. He tossed three clean shirts and pants and other necessities into a black duffle bag and set it on the bed. As he took his shirt off and kicked off his shoes he passed by the nightstand and saw a pair of earrings.
Gently Matt picked up the tiny hearts.
He'd given them to her on her birthday a month or so back.
Swallowing hard, Matt set the earrings back on the nightstand.

/Hang in there,Em./Matt prayed silently. /I'll get you home, I promise./

Frank returned to his home. As he closed the front door behind him Frank stood in the foyer for several minutes.

Frank glanced at the picture of his family in a frame on the fireplace mantel. He looked at his wife's smiling face for a long moment.
What would he do if someone like Ellis had her?
Frank shuddered at the thought.

He vividly recalled the last picture of Emily they received.
Her bruised face.
Her frightened eyes.

With a weary sigh Frank moved into the kitchen and sat down at the small wooden table. After a moment he reached for a nearby pad of paper and pen. He left a note for his wife, Rachel, who was at work.
He knew she'd understand his decision.

Risking his job meant nothing.
They had to get Emily home.
Matt couldn't do it alone, no matter what he thought.

Standing Frank went into the bedroom and packed a green bag. He grabbed his spare gun from the lock box on the closet floor and placed it in the front pocket of the bag.
As he left his home Frank pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and hit a familiar speed dial.

Matt had just gotten out of the shower and stepped into the bedroom when his cellphone rang. His heart moved to his throat as he grabbed it from the bed and glanced at the display. He wasn't sure if he should relax or not when he saw it was Frank.

"Frank, you have news?"Matt asked quietly.

Frank maneuvered his Denali toward the exit of his subdivision as he replied. "No, just wondering where you were at."

"Home. Why?"

"Stay put. I'll be there in twenty."

In an instant realization hit Matt and he knew what his friend was doing. What he was risking. "Frank, you don't have to."

"I know. She's my friend too. I'll be there shortly."