DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Allyson.
NEW YORK
Allyson placed her phone on the charger and went back to her laptop. She was typing up some papers for the office. She was rereading her latest before she printed it when her doorbell rang. She checked the clock and realized five hours had passed since her conversation with Matt. She switched to the security camera feed on her computer. She saw Cyrus waving at her from the front door.
Smiling, she got up and went to the door.
"Did you bring dinner," she asked as the detective came into the house
"I did. I picked up Chinese. Hope you like it," he said taking the bags to the kitchen.
"I love it," she said.
She grabbed some plates from cupboard and she and Cyrus filled their plates.
They went to the table in the kitchen and sat down.
As Allyson took a bite of her food, she looked at Cyrus. "What's on your mind," she asked.
"How do you know anything is on my mind," he asked.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm the daughter of two cops and consider cops to be my best friends. What is it," she prodded.
"We got a lead in this serial killer case. I might have to have you consult for us regarding some possible international law," Cyrus said.
"Anything I can do to help. Although, I'm not exactly sure of the details of the case. That is probably one of the case folders I brought home and just haven't yet gotten to it," she said.
"I'll know more about it tomorrow morning. I'm hoping I'll know where this evidence is going to lead," he said.
Allyson nodded and she and Cyrus finished their dinner.
As Allyson put the dishes in the dishwasher, Cyrus helping, she found herself missing the quasi-domestic situation she and Matt had back in London. She looked out the window and was shocked when Cyrus tapped her on the shoulder.
"You're a million miles away," he said.
Allyson smiled. "Not a million miles, just a few thousand," she said.
"Want to talk about it," he asked, leaning against the counter.
She shook her head. "Not now," she said.
Cyrus helped her clean the kitchen and headed back to the door.
"I'll see you tomorrow. I'm sure we'll be by the office to go over that evidence," he said.
"I'll see you then. Thanks for dinner," she said.
"You're welcome," he said. He flashed a smiled and headed out the door.
Allyson closed the door behind him, locked it and armed the alarm.
She awoke the next morning and got ready for work. She put the kettle on the stove for her morning tea before heading upstairs to shower.
She came downstairs after the shower, her hair in a towel and her pink robe wrapped tightly around her. She fixed her tea and dialed Matt's phone.
It immediately flipped to voice mail. "This is Matt Devlin. Leave your name, number and message and I'll get back to you."
"It's me. Just wanted to see how your morning had gone. I'm getting ready for work and it's a bit chilly here. Just call me later. Bye."
Allyson put the phone on her dresser, wondering why Matt's phone went to voice mail.
She dressed in a brown plaid wool skirt and grabbed a cream colored turtle neck and brown wool jacket from her closet. She pulled her brown knee boots out of the closet. She went back to the kitchen, grabbed a bagel and finished the last of her tea.
Her briefcase was on the table. She took it. She unhooked her coat, pulled her gloves from the drawer of the table by the door and fixed her hat on her head. She headed outside and hailed a cab.
The taxi dropped her off at work and she entered the office anxious to get working on some cases.
She had slept fitfully, thinking most of the night about Matt.
She entered her office and was shocked to find Jack waiting to great her.
"Morning, Jack," Ally said.
"Good morning. I need you in my office," he said.
Wondering what she could have done in the short time she'd been there, she walked into his office. As she entered she was saw Detective Lupo waiting for her. He handed her a cup of coffee and sat down. Breathing a sigh, She realized it must have something to do with the serial killer case.
Jack looked at her. "We're getting a detective from London," he said.
Hearing that announcement had Allyson gaping at Jack.
"Why," she asked.
"They've gotten evidence that the killings here have been linked to previous attacks on several woman back in London. We're going to compare notes," Jack said.
"DS Devlin mentioned something about evidence, but he didn't elaborate," Allyson said, unable to believe what was happening. She had a feeling it involved her, but to hear it involved the attack, she didn't believe it.
Jack looked at her. "I didn't know you talked to him now that you're here in New York."
"He's a good friend. I made a lot of them while working for the CPS," Allyson said.
"He's the one coming to the US. DI Chandler thinks this is a legitimate lead. Interpol believes this man has links to several other high profile crimes all over the globe, not just in New York and London. Apparently the surviving victim has a good relationship with him," Jack said.
Allyson bit her lip to keep from smiling. 'Good relationship is putting it mildly,' she thought to herself.
"When will he arrive," she asked, trying to keep the trembling out of her voice.
"Should land at 10. You want to meet him at the airport," Jack asked.
"Of course," Allyson said, unable to contain her excitement.
"Lupes, you go with her," Bernard suggested.
"OK," Cyrus said, looking at his watch. "We'd better go," he said.
Allyson nodded and headed to her cubicle to get her purse. She grabbed her jacket and she and Cyrus headed downstairs to get the car.
Ten minutes later they were heading to JFK.
"What's your relationship with this detective," Cyrus asked.
"It's complicated," she said.
"Complicated," Cyrus questioned.
"We used to hang out and we worked together. I saw him every day when I was in London," she said.
Cyrus nodded. He knew what Allyson wasn't telling him. He was, after all, a detective.
"Well, I'm glad we can be friends," he said.
"What are you talking about," Allyson asked, not understanding.
Cyrus just smiled and they rode in silence. They arrived at the airport and Cyrus told Allyson he'd wait at the car for them.
Allyson went inside the airport and checked the board. She headed to baggage claim, too excited because Matt was coming. Any bystander would assume she was waiting for her love who'd been gone for a while. Allyson knew the truth. Even though he hadn't said it, he was coming because of her attack.
Matt was anxious for the plane to land. He'd barely slept the night before from excitement. Then the reason for his seeing Allyson again hung over him like a wet blanket.
He closed his eyes and tried to sleep before he arrived in New York.
He awoke several hours later, just as the plane was preparing to descend into JFK. He sat up in his seat and was ready to dart off the plane when it landed.
Forty-five minutes later, the plane landed and Matt was waiting for the carousel to deposit his luggage so he could get out of the airport. He knew the NYPD was sending someone to pick him up and he just hoped he could figure out his ride.
He picked up the two bags, hitched his carry-on and computer case higher on his shoulder. He bit back the grimace from the bags, pulling the scar on his shoulder.
He exited the baggage claim and headed up to the next level. He scanned the crowd looking for the exits. What he found wasn't a door, but a window to his heart.
"Lyssa," he said.
"Matt," she said, unable to believe he was standing before her.
Matt sat his bags on the ground and wrapped his arms around her. He held her close and closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of her hair, her perfume.
"I've missed you," he said.
Allyson pulled away. "I've missed you, too. You ready," she asked.
"Of course," he said.
He picked up his bags and followed her outside.
She directed him to a car with a tall man leaning against it. "This is our ride. That is Detective Cyrus Lupo," she said.
"He spoke with Natalie," Matt said as they neared the car.
"Ally," Cyrus said, pushing himself off the car and opening the trunk.
"Cyrus, this is Detective Sergeant Matt Devlin with the London Police. Matt this is Detective Cyrus Lupo," she said.
Cyrus helped Matt load his luggage into the back before shaking hands with him.
"Nice to meet you, Detective," Matt said.
"Same here," Cyrus said. Cyrus closed the trunk and looked at Matt.
"Where are you staying," he asked.
Matt looked at Allyson. "He's staying with me," Allyson said.
Cyrus nodded. "Let's go. You can get settled and then we'll go over the files," he said.
"Fine," Matt said.
He sat in the backseat of the car as they headed toward Allyson's house.
"Where are we going to work," Cyrus asked.
"I hadn't thought of that. I guess we can work out of my house, if you think that will go over well with everyone," Allyson said.
"I can drop you guys off and I'll head over to the precinct and get the paperwork we'll need," Cyrus said.
"OK," she said.
Cyrus pulled up in front of Allyson's house and helped unload the luggage. Allyson opened the front door of her house and Matt came in carrying his stuff.
"I'll call," Cyrus said, getting back in the car and driving off.
Matt gazed around the room, amazed at the surroundings.
"You never cease to amaze," he said to Allyson.
"Where would you like to sleep? I have plenty of guest rooms," she said.
Matt wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, but he didn't know how she'd react to that. He feared ruining their friendship by doing something so forward, so demanding. He opted, instead, for an embrace that only reinforced how much he missed this woman.
Allyson stepped out of his embrace. "Why don't you put your bags in the master suite. You'll probably come in there tonight anyway when I have that nightmare. Come on," she said.
Matt followed her up the stairs and into her bedroom.
"I'll meet you in the kitchen," she said, exiting the bedroom. Matt put his luggage on the floor and sighed. He was so close to telling Allyson how he felt, but something was holding him back. Matt knew, even without wanting it to, that Allyson's attack was the barrier. They hadn't discussed what had happened to her and Matt had to get the discussion out of the way.
Unfortunately, the discussion was going to have to wait for another time. As Matt came downstairs, he saw several people standing in Allyson's living room.
"There you are," Allyson said, smiling. "Everyone, this is Matt Devlin from the London police force. Matt, this is Jack McCoy, DA for New York county, Detective Kevin Bernard and Lt. Anita Van Buren. They work with Cyrus and Mike Cutter and Connie Rubirosa. They're ADAs," she said.
"Nice to meet everyone. Wish it were under better circumstances," Matt said, shaking everyone's hand.
"I've ordered pizza. It should be here in a bit. Cyrus, can you listen for it? I'm going to get the plates and drinks," Allyson said.
"I'll help," Connie and Anita said at the same time and followed Allyson into the kitchen.
"You didn't mention how gorgeous he was," Connie said.
"I didn't say anything to you about Matt," Allyson said.
"You didn't have to," she countered.
Anita and Connie helped Allyson get drinks out of the fridge to take them to the dining room table.
"Pizza," Connie questioned her friend.
"I know how well everyone works with food and I'd rather everyone to be happy. Besides, I'd rather feed everyone and have everyone here, then be in that stuffy building," she said.
"You mean you need the fresh air should Matt get to be too much for you," Anita said.
Allyson's cheeks reddened and she rushed out of the kitchen to the table only to run right into Matt.
"You could have warned me before leaving me with that lot," he said, hands on her elbows to steady her.
"Sorry. I just thought if I fed everyone, when we go into the formal dining room, we might be able to get some work done without too much trouble," she said.
"Are you OK," he asked, his blue eyes showing concern.
"Yeah. I just don't know if I really want to rehash all of this. Some of this stuff, no one in that room is aware of," Allyson said.
"It's to catch the person who did this," Matt said.
Allyson nodded and noticed everyone milling around the door.
"OK, everyone! Get your lunch because I have a feeling we're going to be working pretty steady for the next few hours," she said.
Everyone grabbed something to eat, leaving Allyson a chance to catch her breath. She was getting herself a glass of water when Cyrus walked into the kitchen.
"Where do you want to set up," he asked.
"Formal dining room. The table is certainly big enough for everyone to sit at and we can spread the work out on it," she said.
"We'll get started," he said, setting a file on the table. A photograph fell out and Allyson flinched. "You OK," he asked. "You haven't seen these photographs have you? I admit they are pretty graphic," he said.
"I know everything about that one that just fell out, believe me," she said.
"I keep trying to figure out what this is on her back. Obscured by the blood and there isn't another picture that catches it," Cyrus said, pointing to the spot on the photo.
Ally looked away. "It's her father's badge number," she said in a near whisper.