Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Story status: Complete
Summary: When Emily becomes the hostage how far will Matt go to bring her home?
Emily Lehman slowly came back to consciousness. Her eyes felt like they had a combination of rocks and a bunch of cotton balls on them. She heard herself groan as every nerve ending in her body started to register the pain.
"Em?"An anxious voice asked.
Emily struggled to place the voice. It was familiar and yet her mind wasn't working enough to identify it.
Perhaps if she opened her eyes.
That small task, usually done without thinking was one of the hardest efforts Emily had ever done. When she had accomplished that task Emily felt exhausted as if she had run a marathon. Though now with her eyes open they were suddenly assaulted.
Being kept literally in the dark for so long the bright morning sunlight was like acid to Emily's vision. She snapped her eyes shut and the fear returned. Why was she suddenly seeing light and not darkness?
"Emily?"The voice called once more as she now felt a gentle hand on her right forearm.
On instinct Emily batted the hand away drawing her arms inward to shield herself from whatever was coming next.
Matt's heart dropped when he saw and felt the pure fear radiating from his partner. Another thing to punish Ellis for when he found him.
Matt sat down on the side of the hospital bed and grabbed both of Emily's wrists and brought them down so they were resting on her legs.
"Emily? It's Matt."Matt said as calmly as he could. "You're safe….you're in a hospital in Las Vegas. Nobody else is here but you and me…..you're safe, I promise."
Finally Emily's eyes adjusted to the sunlight and the hospital room slowly came into focus. As it did she saw the most beautiful sight she thought she'd never see again.
Matt.
"Matt."Emily whispered as the tears began to flow.
"Sssssssssh."Matt soothed as he pulled her into an embrace, rocking her gently. "It's over. You're safe. It's over….."
"Ellis?"Emily asked when her tears subsided momentarily.
Matt gently touched her right cheek being careful of the bruises. "Won't ever hurt you again."
Too exhausted to press further Emily melted into Matt's arms.
"I love you."Matt whispered as he rested his chin on top of her head.
"I love you too."Emily replied quietly as sleep overtook her.
As Emily fell asleep in his arms Matt vowed that she would have justice.
No matter what it took Matt would make sure Emily felt safe again.
He'd make sure she felt safe and loved.
End
To be continued in Dark Paradise