Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Story status: Complete
Summary: When Emily becomes the hostage how far will Matt go to bring her home?

Grafton grabbed his radio. "This is Grafton. I need an ambulance here ASAP, we've located Lehman."

Matt rose slightly and snatched Frank's flashlight from his hand as he shown it down on his partner.

"Em?"Matt begged as he moved dangerously close to the edge once more. "Emily, its Matt. You're safe. We're gonna get you out and get you home I promise."

Frank looked over at Grafton. "We're going to need repel gear."

Grafton nodded and went once again to his radio.

Matt moved Frank's flashlight up and down Emily's still form hoping and praying the movement of the light would gain a reaction from Emily.

"Emily?"Matt called as he moved into a sitting position his legs dangling. "Em? I need you to open your eyes. I need you to open those beautiful brown eyes and look at me."

Matt swallowed hard as he was once again met with no response.

Matt moved the flashlight again playing it across his partner's face. He shuddered at the stark bruises. When he got a hold of Ellis there was no way in hell the man was going back to prison. He'd see to that.

Emily heard her partner but even if she wanted to respond she had no strength left to do so. She had no idea if the voice she was hearing was real or not. Her mind had started to play tricks on her in the last few hours.

Emily prayed it was real. That a rescue had finally come.

When Emily showed no response once more Matt knew he had to get to her.
He had to know.

Matt turned around on his heels. "Frank, lower me down."

Rogers shook his head. "We've got repel gear comin', Matt. Just wait."

"Can't."Matt replied as he took a step backward and looked down trying to judge the distance.
Less than forty feet….more than twenty. Plausible, but not recommended.

Frank made a grab for his friend's arm but Matt dodged him. "Matt, Cheryl will have my ass if you break your neck."

Grafton's radio crackled to life. He listened for a moment before turning to the CNU agents. "Ambulance is five minutes out."

"There's gotta be a way down."Matt muttered as he shown Frank's flashlight around the circumference of the small mine shaft. Ellis had to have gotten Emily down there some how.

Frank watched warily as the ground started to crumble a bit under Matt's feet. He placed a hand on Matt's right shoulder and pulled him back.

"We'll get her out, Matt. I promise. We just need to do it right. If we go down now without gear we're endangering Emily."

"Okay."Matt relented quietly as he moved to the right of Grafton and sat down his feet dangling off the edge.

All the energy had drained out of him.
All the ad reline from finding her…..gone.

Matt felt like a figure made of paper. Slightest movement would knock him flat and he didn't know if he had the strength to get back up
Especially if Em wasn't alright…..if they were too late……Matt didn't know how he would handle it.
If he could handle it.

Finally the paramedics arrived followed by Yeley. The rest of the SWAT unit and LVPD waited outside.

To Matt everything from then on moved in agonizing slowness. It seemed to take forever for them to get the repel gear together. Even longer to get the basket with a backboard attached and lowered.

Just as the paramedics were about to descend Matt stood and walked over to them.

"I'm her partner. I'm going with you."Matt stated firmly his voice quiet and hoarse.

"Matt….."Frank warned but Matt ignored him.

"Sir,"A male paramedic with red hair in his mid forties responded. "I understand you're worried but you'll only slow us down. There's barely enough room down there for us and our equipment. If we're to get her up safely….."

"Okay."Matt agreed reluctantly. It was killing him not to be there with her, but he didn't want to hinder Em's rescue.

"They know what they're doing, Matt."Frank said quietly as he guided his friend back from the shaft. "They'll get her out."