DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but the character of Allyson. Everything else belongs to others and no disrespect or copyright infringement is intended.
He thought back to the attack on Allyson. Her attack had occurred a mere month after he'd returned to the force after being shot. They had spent time together since Allyson had opened her home to him, but despite that one and only kiss from months before, they hadn't shared any intimate moments.
He'd met Allyson two months before his shooting and he found her to be charming and sweet. She baked constantly it seemed and he and Ronnie benefited just as much as the CPS co-workers.
Matt had driven home and rode the elevator to Allyson's, and he supposed, his flat. Her penthouse was a haven he crawled to now, especially since she was gone. When she'd opened her home to him after the shooting, she assured him he would do the same for her and, in truth, he would have.
He went into the bedroom to change and noticed the picture of himself and Allyson on the dresser. He smiled despite the aching his heart was feeling for the beautiful American.
In the weeks before she left for New York, she was plagued with nightmares. The vivid and violent nightmares were tough on Allyson. She'd scream, thrash and try to get out of her bed. Matt would awaken, rush to her room and grab her. He'd whisper words of comfort to her before she would finally relax. They'd settle back on the bed and the both would fall asleep, Allyson's head resting on his chest. He'd taken to sleeping in her bed for the last three weeks. The entire three weeks, Allyson hadn't had one nightmare. She gave credit to Matt and, though he'd be embarrassed to admit it, he was hoping that was true. He never took credit, however, instead saying Allyson was beginning to heal from the trauma. During the entire time they'd shared a bed, they hadn't crossed the line, despite how much Matt wanted more. Matt knew Allyson wasn't that kind of girl and, after her trauma, he wanted to be there for her.
He changed and went into the kitchen. He pulled out the take away from the night before and heated it in the microwave. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and took his food to the living room. He put on the telly and watched the highlights of the football match from that afternoon.
He found himself thinking back to when he and Allyson had first met and when she'd first offered her apartment as a place for him to recover. She even took his cat after Alesha's landlord refused to allow pets into her building.
FLASHBACK
"Matt, Ronnie, this is Allyson Briscoe. She's from New York, but recently got her law degree from Oxford. She's going to be our researcher. Ally, this is Matt Devlin and Ronnie Brooks," James said.
"Pleasure," Allyson said as each man shook her hand.
She returned to her work and Alesha promised Matt she'd tell him all about the new lawyer in their office.
Alesha gave Matt all the details over dinner at his place that night. Matt was also ready to tell Alesha how he felt, or thought he felt, about her.
However, Matt and Alesha broke up that night. Despite realizing she was right to end the relationship, being on the verge of saying those words he wasn't sure he meant, caused Matt to re-evaluate his entire stance on love. He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't fall in love with any woman and wouldn't get hurt for his trouble.
They still met for coffee after the breakup and Matt wasn't the least bit surprised when Alesha started dating James, just after he'd left the CPS. He was happy for her and hoped she found what she was seeking in James.
The next afternoon, he'd come to drop off some paperwork at the CPS office and found Allyson typing at Alesha's computer.
"Does she know you're doing that," he asked her.
Allyson looked up and took the glasses off her face.
"Of course. I told her I'd enter the report into the computer for her. She wanted to take a longer lunch," Allyson said.
"You're working through lunch," Matt asked.
Allyson shrugged. "No big deal. I'm just glad my friends have social lives," Allyson said.
She put her glasses back on and began typing again. Matt sat on the edge of the desk and watched. He never knew she wore glasses and she looked very cute.
She pressed enter and turned her attention back to him.
"Did you need something, Detective," she asked.
"You know it's Matt, Allyson," he said, smiling.
"What do you need, Matt," she asked.
"I have this statement that Jake asked for from me. I thought I'd drop it by since Ronnie was meeting his daughter for lunch," Matt said.
"I'll be sure it gets on his desk," she said. She stood and held out her hand for the statement. Matt handed her the folder. She took it, smiled and headed for Jake's office.
Matt followed. She was wearing a gray skirt with a black turtleneck. She was also wearing black heels. Matt had to admit the combination on her was amazing.
She sat the file on Jake's desk and turned around, bumping into Matt.
"Did you need something else, Matt," Allyson asked, the heat rising in her cheeks.
"Considering your co-workers all seem to have lunch plans and my partner has plans, why don't we make plans," he asked.
"Are you asking me to lunch," she asked.
"Yeah. What do you say," Matt asked.
"OK. Let me grab my coat," she said.
She went to the tiny cubicle they had set up for her and pulled her black coat from her coat rack. She signed out on her computer and pulled her purse from the bottom drawer. Slipping her mobile into the pouch on her purse, she returned to the main hallway and found Matt waiting for her.
"Where to," she asked.
"You'll see," Matt said.
She followed him outside and down the stairs to the street.
They went to an Indian cafe down the street from the offices. Allyson loved the place and ordered her favorite.
She and Matt carried on an easy conversation.
They'd talked about their work. Allyson spoke of growing up in both the US and the UK.
An hour and a half later, Allyson's mobile rang.
"It's Alesha," she said. "Hi. I was just having lunch," she said.
"Oh, well Jake and I have finished up those reports thanks to you typing that information in for me. You can head home if you want. It's the weekend," she said.
"Are you sure you don't need me for anything," she asked.
"Positive. Enjoy yourself," Alesha said.
Allyson hung up the phone and turned back to Matt. He took a sip of his coffee and asked, "Bad news?"
"No, actually, I have the rest of the day off. Seems they got everything finished and don't need me. They're knocking off for the rest of the day," she said.
"What will you do," he asked.
"Probably catch up on some stuff at my flat. I've been a bit lax in my cleaning lately," she said.
She took a sip of her tea. Matt cleared his throat. "Well, how would you like to go out with me tonight," he asked.
She hadn't expected him to ask her out and was taken by surprise, until he said, "Bunch of us meet at the pub 'round the corner from the station. You're welcome to join us," he said.
Allyson willed her heart to stop beating so fast and nodded. "Sounds nice. Maybe I'll join you."
Matt smiled at her and Allyson couldn't help but smile back. She had a hard time saying no to anything Matt said when he smiled at her like that.
"Can I give you a ride back to your flat," Matt asked.
"If you want," she said.
Matt followed behind her and opened the car door for her. He took her directions and nearly jammed on the brakes when he saw the building she lived in.
"It belonged to my grandmother. She left it to me. Want to come inside," she asked.
"Sure," he said.
He parked on the street and followed her into the building. He rode the elevator to her floor and when she unlocked the door, he was taken aback by the view.
"Allyson, this is amazing," he said, heading to the living room sliding door.
"Go ahead," she said.
They stepped out onto the deck and Matt took in the sight that was Tower Bridge.
"You have an amazing view," he said, leaning on the rail.
"Thanks. It's nice to look at," she said.
"How about I pick you up around 8," Matt said.
"Pick me up," she asked.
"Yeah. Pick you up for the pub," he said.
"Sure. Eight is fine," she said.
"I'll see you then," he said.
Allyson followed him to the door and shut it behind him. She leaned against the door and, while she KNEW she wasn't going with Matt alone, at least he'd asked.
That night, Matt and Allyson had spent a lot of time sitting next to each other, but not really speaking. There were several people trying to get their attention. By the end of the evening, Allyson had had a great time, but hadn't missed the subtle way Matt's hand found itself on her back or the way he took her hand when it was her turn to get the drinks and he'd offered to help her carry them back. She even caught the way he managed to be the one that got to walk her outside.
"I can make it home on my own just fine, Matt," she said.
"I know, but if I didn't come outside with you, the entire station and your co-workers would see this," he said. Before she could ask what 'this' was, he leaned down and kissed her. It was a small, simple kiss, but it made Allyson's whole body tingle, from her head to her toes. It was a kiss she still felt, even after he pulled away.
"Good night, Lyssa," he said, shutting the taxi door.
Allyson waved as the taxi drove off. She sat in the back of the taxi and closed her eyes. She couldn't believe he had kissed her. She wondered what it meant and planned to ask him the next time they were alone.
Unfortunately, they didn't get a chance.
Matt called Allyson just after court.
"Lyssa, Ronnie's daughter had the baby," he said, excitement for his partner showing through.
"That's wonderful. I'll get something at the boutique around the corner. How about we see them before dinner tonight," she asked.
"That's a wonderful idea. I'll see you later," he said.
He promised to pick Allyson up so they could visit. She'd been expecting his call telling her he was on his way, when she answered the phone that evening.
"Ally, luv," Ronnie started to say.
Allyson immediately knew something was wrong. Ronnie was crying and Ronnie didn't cry.
"What happened," she asked.
"Mattie's been shot. He's here at hospital. They don't know if he'll make it," he said.
"Where," she asked.
"King's," he replied.
Without answering, Allyson hung up the phone and ran down the stairs. She called a taxi as she threw on her clothes and, amazingly, it was waiting for her when she opened the outside door. She asked the driver to rush to the hospital.
She arrived to chaos. Everyone was gathering around in groups, each talking about the officer that was shot and how to apprehend the suspects.
She approached the desk, but was waylaid by Natalie.
"Ally, dear," she said, taking a hug from the older lady.
"What happened," Allyson asked, tears coming down her face.
"It was a drive by. He threw Alesha and the witness to the ground and was shot in the chest, stomach and shoulder," Natalie said.
"Oh, God," she said. She felt her legs give way and Ronnie was right there to take her to the family room. Once inside and seated, Allyson was struck by how quiet this room was in comparison to the world just outside the door.
She had no recollection of time. She felt a small hand squeeze her shoulder. She turned and caught the sad gaze of Alesha.
"Don't! He's going to be fine," Allyson said, although her heart didn't exactly believe it.
"I'm sorry, Ally," Alesha said, her tears brimming her lids.
"Matt was doing his job. We have to remember that he's going to come home and he'd never want you to blame yourself for what happened. I don't," Allyson said.
Alesha and Allyson embraced and Ronnie had commented later that it looked like they were going to float away if they let go.
Allyson wasn't sure how long she had been sitting there, alternating between loud sobbing or quiet crying. When the surgeon came into the room, Alesha grabbed her hand and Allyson took Ronnie's.