AN: Definitely back on to a semi-daily post again. I just hit a story block, but I'm good now.

Noel's POV

My head was most definitely not in the game today. On top of that small fact, it was state. Every nerve ending, every thought, and every breath should have been preparing for another state championship win. Yet here I was, leading a volleyball cheer, and faking an overconfident smile to all my players who thought I was okay. Dad, mom, Matt, Gran B, Aunt Vee, Uncle Gavin, and their son Tyler sat in some available seats for the game watchers on the side of the court. I caught Matt's eye and he smiled cockily at me. At any moment, someone could start shooting devil craft infused bullets. It hadn't really bothered me until I was reminded of the hundreds of people that came for the state tournament and that my parents were here. With fallen angels back, dad had a target on his head again, along with my mom, and that was making me feel on edge. Taylor set me up with a beautiful set and I tried to release some of my tension by crushing it a little more than was necessary, considering it was warm ups. My hit landed in the back left corner, which was what any hitter wanted, but I wanted my parents at home where it was safe.

"Go ahead and bring it in ladies," Our coaches called in sync and we jogged over to them. As was tradition, Coach Parker led us in prayer, and then we went to stand at the back line. We held hands as we strode up to the net and high fived our biggest rivals before taking our spots on the court. I stood in the middle hitter position, my arms stretched above my head, and my fingers splayed as if preparing for a block. Just calm down and do what you do best. Taylor pinched the back of my uniform shirt and made it billow to help cool me down though I hadn't broken a sweat yet. I just needed to kick ass in this game and then we could go have dinner and go home. That's what I was playing for today.

I heard Sadie serve, watched her land it almost on the line at the back, and their librero missed it by a mere inch. We all hooted and hollered as we went to the center to congratulate Sadie before returning to our spots. Again she served, this time they'd ran the back line, and got it up. I'd backed off the net and it was clear they were setting up for a middle hit. Taylor and I stretched to full height, feet leaving the ground, blocking it, and tipping it straight down the back of their middle hitter, making it impossible for their rover to bump it back up for a save. Again, parents and patrons cheered, and we all patted backs, reminding one another to stay alert for a return, and Sadie went to serve again. This was my life for thirty or so minutes until I rotated out after my six serve streak and our librero, Ally, came in.

Looking good babe. Matt spoke to my mind as I drank some water, still on my feet, readying to call out to my team for plays and instructions.

You just like the Spandex. I teased and I caught a quick glance of him with a huge smile on his face.

"Tip!" I yelled, giving Sadie enough warning to dive, recovering the ball, and Hannah set up for a hit. I finally felt my mind move away from fallen angels and being a worry wart to enjoying the game and why I loved it so much. I rotated back in and Taylor and I did our quick handshake as we started up again. With a quick set from Tay, I crushed it down their librero's throat, and she ended up bumping it all the way over to the next court, unable to control the hit.

"That's my girl!" Taylor yelled out loud as we met in the middle and everyone took their turn smacking my butt as we went back to the game. We finished our game with a flourished win. The crowd erupted in a roar and Matt spun me around twice as I ran to him in excitement after our team exploded in cheers and excitement.

"Told you you'd win," Matt whispered in my ear as my feet returned to the ground and I smacked him in the chest before curling my hand around the back of his neck, looking for a kiss, and receiving a very passionate one. The sound of victory faded out as I stood there, eyes closed, all other senses centering on Matt as he held me, and our kiss went on. He was my everything, my one and only, and always would be. I forgot that I'd just won state again or that my coaches would be accepting the trophy. I was too immersed by the perfect, loving kisses of my boyfriend. At least until dad cleared his throat so loudly I thought he might start hacking up something. I blushed as we pulled away and Matt's answering smile was heartfelt as he slid his nose against mine.

"Noel! Pictures!" Taylor screeched and I eased out of Matt's arms, purposefully not making eye contact with my parents or guests, and went over to my team.

"Glad to see so much color in your cheeks," Sadie teased and I stuck my tongue out at her before smiling for the newspapers, school photographers, parents, and then posing with our coaches next to our second state trophy.

"Noel, as captain of the volleyball team, what would you say was the most important factor for you all to take home the state championship win again, two years in a row?" A reporter asked eagerly as the cameras finally stopped flashing.

"Every year we grow closer as a team and that's always a factor, but I believe this year specifically was trust. It's knowing your librero is going to get that ball up and your setter is going to know exactly what you need to crush that kill. We don't have to double check, we don't have to communicate the simple things anymore, and that's because we've all proven our selves to be trustworthy, dedicated players, and that we each know what is expected of us by our team and coaches. I trust every single one of these girls with their facet of the game and that led us to a state win again,"

"Thank you so much!" The reporter said as he moved away from the crowd and I was bombarded with two more reporters before being able to squirm myself back to my team. We hugged and of course told each other what a great job we did, before everything had gone that was necessary to be allowed to leave. Matt all ready had my bag slung over his shoulder, my sweatpants and lettermen jacket were nicely set on his other arm, along with my water bottle in his hand.

"I love you," I told him as I slipped on my pants and buttoned up my jacket.

"I love you too," He replied with a smile and I was very tempted to kick start that kiss again except that I was very aware of the other people of our group. So I settled with him planting a kiss on my forehead before I received a hug from Gran B and everyone else chorused in congratulations for the win. Matt wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I hooked my fingers in the belt loops of his jeans as we made our way out of the building and into the snow covered parking lot. There were still light flakes falling from the grey sky and I managed to catch one on my tongue. Matt laughed and gave me a look that made me feel like a kid again.

"How about Tyler can ride with you this time?" Mom suggested and I did my best to hide my disgust. Their family had flown into Augusta early in the morning, so Matt and I had taken my black Chevy Avalanche to the game while my parents and Gran B took dad's truck to pick them up and then head over. He hadn't had time to try to flirt and I was hoping that Matt's clearly more pronounced and intimidating physique would finally keep him off of me.

"Yeah, sure," I only mumbled a little bit but the adults didn't notice, or chose not to. Matt was nice enough to gesture for Tyler to sit in the back, and we sat up front, with me driving. My favorite Augusta diner was thirty minutes away unfortunately, making for an awkward silence in my vehicle. I followed dad as we made our way out of the parking lot.

"That was a really intense game," Tyler said after a few minutes and Matt rolled his eyes, though the other boy couldn't see.

"Do you play any sports?" Matt asked blandly.

I wanted to beat the crap out of him, Noel, I'm not kidding. The pervert couldn't take his eyes off of you the entire game. Not that you're not sexy, you are, but I'm used to being able to tell other guys to back off the moment I catch them checking you out. Your mom would've gotten all bent out of shape if I'd done that though.

Well after a kiss like that, maybe he'll finally stop.

You're still thinking about it too? So am I. Matt moved his eyebrows up and down and I barely contained my giggle at how giddy he made me feel. We finally turned on to the road and I just kept my eyes on dad's truck because Matt was still trying to make me laugh and I didn't know how to explain that to Tyler if I just randomly starting giggling like a freak.

"Not really, sometimes I play for fun, but I do enjoy chess," I bit my lip because I really wanted to laugh now.

"Your truck is very nice," Tyler said, realizing no one was trying to speak. I did love my truck. It was my baby.

"Yeah, dad wasn't sure about the leather interior, but it really has made it so much more comfy," Matt switched the radio stations when the commercial came on and I felt both our faces light up because it was our song, God Gave Me You, by Blake Shelton. So even with an awkward Tyler in the car, we started singing to it, singing to each other, and Matt held my hand. Dad took the turn off and I continued to follow. The song came to its sweet end all too soon and Matt pressed his lips to my hand. We were on a quieter street now, closer to the diner. I glanced at Matt and smiled at him.

So the screech of the tires meeting my ears didn't really occur to me until I was hit sidelong. It happened too quick, yet in slow motion, as the force flipped my truck over, and in the next blink, it was over. Whoever hit us peeled off and I took a moment to check that I could feel everything.

"Noel?" Matt croaked and I felt his hand squeeze mine and I squeezed back. My head hurt like hell and I was pretty sure I was scratched and bruised, but nothing major. I managed to move my head to look at Matt and he didn't seem to look any worse for wear either.

"Hey Tyler, you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm all right," I heard him respond. The windows were shattered and glass was everywhere. I heard footsteps run up and someone crouched on my side of the overturned truck.

"Noel? Are you hurt?"

"Daddy?" I turned my head and his eyes were squinted, checking over how ever much he could see of me, seeing if I was visibly hurt. His jaw was tense and I thought about how much we looked alike when we were angry and fierce. He took off his jacket and put it under me.

"Can you unbuckle?" I released Matt's hand. My fingers felt slow, but were not beyond working. I braced one hand on the ground to brace for my released body weight and clicked the button. Dad's hand cradled the back of my head as I slid down to the ground. With some maneuvering on my part, he helped pull me out through the window, and the funny thought occurred to me that I was glad I was so skinny, making it easy to fit through. Mom helped me make sure I could sit up as dad moved to help Matt out on the other side. The faint wail of sirens could be heard in the distance. Tyler was the least scratched up as Uncle Gavin got him out with minimal difficulty. With a little help from mom, I stood up, just in time for Matt to make his way around the corner of the truck. We both moved toward the other and he cradled my head gently between his hands, blue eyes roving over my face in desperation, making sure I really wasn't hurt. Seeing as his examination was complete, he wrapped his arms around me, and I felt a shudder run through me at how close I'd come to possibly losing him. I pressed my face into his chest, reassured by his heartbeat, and I could feel his fingers dig lightly into my skin, clinging to me.

"What happened?" Tyler asked with uncertainty.

"Someone came hauling ass down the alley, wasn't paying attention, and crashed into you. We didn't catch a license plate when they sped off, but it can't be hard for the cops to track a vehicle whose front end is that messed up now," Dad responded calmly and I listened to an ambulance pull up, but I refused to release Matt.

"Anyone who was involved in the crash will need an examination and a possible head injury evaluation, but considering you're all standing up, it seems you have minor injuries," I peeked at the two male EMTs. Matt's face left my hair where he'd buried it.

"Noel first," A police car pulled up. I sat on the edge of the ambulance as one of the EMTs examined me as Matt was examined by the other.

"She's just fine, mom and dad," My EMT told my parents who'd began to hover. Mom released a breath and dad watched me, making sure he agreed with diagnosis, and then smiled a little.

"Same here," The other EMT voiced and Matt and I both moved so Tyler could be looked over.

"I need a statement," The police officer reminded and I told him my account of the story and then dad told his as a witness. Matt didn't leave my side though, not for a moment, as he held me against him. Dad said it was a white Ford truck that had hit us. I nuzzled my face into Matt's chest, feeling exhausted, and Matt's lips pressed against my forehead gently.

Fallen angels? I asked daddy.

Probably princess, probably. Mom wrapped her arms around his waist as he held her. The police officer filled out the rest of the report with dad's help and Gran B called a tow truck and a rental car service. The officer handed dad the information as mom made an insurance call. Everyone was doing something. Then there was me, frozen by the fact that I'd just been involved in a car accident. I blinked slowly and looked up at Matt. I felt guilty all of a sudden, even if the archangels had meant him for me, how could I possibly justify the amount of danger I'd put him in? There wasn't a good enough reason to risk Matthew Anderson. I didn't feel him in my head, but he lightly tipped my chin up with a finger, and looked at me with vibrant eyes.

"Don't you dare start feeling guilty Noel. This isn't your fault," I felt my lower lip tremble as he spoke before he pressed his lips to mine and all my qualms disappeared. Matt was here, alive, and that was all I needed.

AN: Please review!