Shattered

Matt hit the ground with a thud as the second and third rounds of gunfire echoed around the car. Swearing as he dragged himself around the side of the car. He could hear tyres screeching as he reached his friend. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he realised Ronnie was on the ground.

"Matt!" Ronnie hissed. "Stay down. They think we've both as it so we'll be ok."

Matt nodded, drawing his hand away from his side he looked at the sticky red liquid that covered his light blue shirt.

"Don't have to pretend." Matt answered as his voice shook. Ronnie immediately felt sick as he saw the man he considered a surrogate son gasp.

"Bloody Nora." Ronnie made his way to the younger man, relieved that the gunman had driven away. "Matty? You're gonna be ok, yeah."

"Yeah." Matt gasped. His whole body shook as June arrived. The desk Sargent was clearly horrified at what she'd witnessed.

"Ambulance on the way."

"Hear that? Matty?" He presses a clean tea towel to Matt's wound as the younger man nodded once. Ronnie didn't like the way the colour drained from his friend's face. "Help is coming. Now all you have to do it keep still and keep those eyes open."

"Tired."

"Well you weren't ten minutes ago! Lazy sod!" Natalie joined them, her hand covering Ronnie's. "No sleeping on duty!"

"Guv."

"Its only a scratch. Dunno what you are making such a fuss over." Her voice wavered as tears filled her eyes. "Anything so Alesha and Kath will dote on you."

Matt smiled. Every breathed burned. "My Lesha."

"Will meet us at the hospital." Ronnie stated firmly.

"No." Matt blinked as the sound of sirens closed in. "No time. Love her."

"She knows that. So does Cameron and the new baby when it gets ere."

"She." Matt felt his eyes grow heavy. "Girl. Our girl."

"Matt?" Ronnie shook him as the paramedic ran from the ambulance. "Matt?" The paramedic knelt beside them as she checked for a pulse.

"What's his name?"

"Matthew. Matt. He likes Matt."

"Ok. Matt, I'm Jayne. Can you open your eyes? No? Ok." She pushed an oxygen mask over his face as her colleague dressed the wound.

"He's only 36. He's gonna be ok? Yeah?" Ronnie looked at Jayne as she raised her eyes to his.

"We will do our best for him. We need to go. Now." They lifted Matt onto a stretcher as Ronnie shakily got to his feet. Joe joined them, clearly shocked.

"Ron?"

"Not now son."

"Are you family?" The second paramedic asked. Ronnie nodded without thinking. Natalie lied fluently.

"Matt is his son." She wiped a tear away. "We'll follow you." She bit her lip as Joe carefully took the car keys from her.

"Let me Guv."

Natalie nodded, ushering Ronnie towards the black Audi in the corner of the car park.

Xxxxxxxx

"When do you start maternity leave?" Kate asked as she walked through the corridors of the Old Bailey with Alesha.

"Eight weeks to go." She smiled, resting her hand on her baby bump. "Can you believe the rubbish that Defence came out with?"

"They will try anything." Kate shrugged. "I did when I was on that side of the fence."

Alesha raised an eyebrow before following her friend into the Women's Robes Room. Kate shrugged off her black gown and wig as Alesha sat on the table.

"How? They knew Jones was as guilty as sin?" She turned her phone on just in time to see twelve missed calls.

"It's Not always as straight forward as today." Kate pulled her suit jacket back on. "Jake and Henry have been ringing me. They knew we were in court today. Joe too." She frowned. "Alesha?"

"Same here. James, Natalie, Sam. If it were Cameron the nursery or Matt would have rung me. Matt. Something has happened to him."

"You don't know that." Kate felt sick as she watched her friend. Alesha seemed frozen to the spot. Kate sat in front of her. "I'll call Jake now." She pressed the speed dial for her husband. "Jake? What is it? Lottie ok?" She sighed in relief as she was told her baby daughter was fine. Then she fell silent as Jake explained why he had been so keen to speak to her. "I'll tell her. We're on our way." She ended the call as Alesha shook her head slowly.

"No."

"It's Matt." Kate paused as Alesha's hand covered her mouth.

"No."

"Jake didn't say much but we need to go to the hospital. Now." Kate got to her feet as Alesha barely registered her words. "Alesha Devlin." Kate crouched in front of her. "Ronnie and Natalie are with him. He was shot. He's in theatre but he needs you. Matt needs you."

Alesha nodded, getting to her feet she marched out of the room.

Xxxxxx

A/N was Matt really the intended target? Was it the same person who killed Valentine? What does it all mean for MIU? Please review x