by Fiona Price
"Okay, Liss, it's not that bad. You're going to be fine, we'll take good care of you. It's not through and through, you're going to be okay. Don't worry, we've got you." Matt assured, looking into her eyes as she was breathing heavily out of panic and pain before kissing her forehead.
She knew they had to get out of there, and fast, so she let Shane scoop her up into his arms and take her out. Shane had gotten a head start, calling over the radio for EMS personnel, so Alissa could get medical attention right away. Matt was beaten up pretty badly, and Shane was supporting Matt with his other arm, and the trio hobbled out the door.
Shane put Alissa down on a stretcher and Matt sat in the ambulance, getting his wounds cleaned up. The paramedics put gauze on Alissa's side and kept pressure on the wound as she insisted she was fine. Shane told her to stop being stubborn, she was hurt and needed taken care of. Before they closed the doors of the ambulance, Dieter came jumping in and onto Matt's lap. Even he was worried about Matt. The paramedics were not happy, and made the dog go back to headquarters with Shane in his Mustang. Matt and Alissa were taken to the closest hospital, as Miami General was just a little too far away and Alissa needed a few stitches. Matt swore under his breath.
"Shit, it's poker night, and I'm going to be late."
"Sorry that me getting shot is a bit of an inconvenience for you. Next time, I'll be bulletproof." Alissa groaned, and he explained himself.
"No, it's not you. They want to take me in for a CAT scan, and traffic is going to be mad and it's Friday night. It's poker night at Shane's place, and I can't wait to have Vicki break my bank."
"Every Friday night, you play poker with Shane and the crew?"
"For about a year now. It's not all money, though, I must owe Scarlet at least a dozen favors and a new pair of heels by now." He laughed. A paramedic quietly told him that he should keep talking to Alissa, because it kept her conscious and it was something to distract her from the pain.
"You guys think I can join you for the game tonight?"
"When you're all stitched up, of course. I'm sure they'd be glad to have you. But beware, this game, especially with our skill set, takes longer than a solid game of monopoly."
"We'll see about that."
"What do you mean?"
"How hard can it be? I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." Alissa chuckled.
By the time their conversation finished, they arrived at the hospital and Alissa was rushed to Trauma. Before she knew it, her shirt was cut off, exposing the bullet wound. They had numbed her up, were cleaning all the blood from her wound, taking out the bullet and stitching her up.
They put a clean dressing on the wound and gave Alissa painkillers for when the local anesthesia wore off, and she rested for a while before Matt came into her room and said that he was cleared to go. It was early evening now, and Alissa assumed it was just about poker time. He told her that he talked to Shane and that they were going to deal out cards for Alissa, and also not to freak out when she got back to headquarters, but not to ask questions about it until she got there. The thought made Alissa nervous, but she just waited it out and realized that it probably couldn't make her day any worse than being shot.
Shane went back to Headquarters to finish up the reports and details about the day's mission, but he went back to the hospital and hung around the area before barging in on them in the hospital, giving the doctors a chance to patch his team up. Shane also handed me one of his shirts, since Alissa's had been cut off her. After Alissa had been released, she got in the small backseat of Shane's Mustang with Dieter, Shane was driving, and Matt got shotgun. The drive back to Miami was mostly quiet but interesting, since the two were singing along to Waking Up in Vegas by Katy Perry, as it played on the radio. They knew every word and were really getting into it, causing Alissa to laugh. It was a little sore on her abdomen, but it didn't hurt as much as finding out that someone had a field day with a Louisville Slugger and her classic red convertible.
At the sight of her car she nearly fainted, gripping onto the Shane and Matt for strength. Like the car, Alissa was crushed, devastated about the amount of damage done to the car that was worth more than she made in a year. It was given to her from her late father, and now the whole thing was dented, the glass shattered, and everything about the car ruined. Alissa found it hard to pay attention to the words of comfort they were trying to provide, as she was digging her nails in anger into Matt's arm. He promised that they would fix this, but she didn't bother telling him it wouldn't be the same and he can't promise anything.
To get her grip loosened, Shane started rubbing Alissa's shoulders in attempt to relax her, but instead she turned around and got back in the Mustang again before heading over to Shane's house for poker. It was hard for Shane and Matt to read her indifference about the car that meant a lot to her. It was just one more thing that Alissa had lost. Though, the second they all walked in Shane's house, Scarlet started getting on them for being late.
Alissa had just gotten settled when Matt came out and put a beer in front of her, tossing out the bottle cap. He had opened one for himself too and sat down at the table across from her. Shane had downed a few shots and Scarlet was already smack talking the entire team before the game even started.
"Man, I think you should take your bank before I pay you out." She bragged.
"Oh yeah? Why don't you start putting your money where your mouth is?" Shane shot back. Scarlet smirked and made a swift move, already getting the advantage.
Alissa let Scarlet win for most of the game, but towards the end, she broke her bank and took everything in one unexpected move, leaving Matt and Shane laughing hard and Scarlet shocked, mouth gaping open, not knowing what just happened to her. Alissa noticed that Matt was slightly making eyes at her, as much as he was trying to hide it. He was stealing glances when he could, and Alissa had to admit she was doing a bit of the same herself. He had a particular tell, and he bit his bottom lip ever so slightly.
The game was finishing up and Shane was clearing up their table from their game. He was going to bring out some things to start a fire, so Matt and Alissa sat out on the back porch, waiting for Shane to come out so they could get the fire going and hang around for a while. Their hands were slightly touching, his fingertips dancing around hers. Soon, they laced their fingers together, his large hand engulfed her smaller one, warming it up.
"You doing alright?" He asked, looking into her eyes. Even though it was dark, Alissa could see how they glinted in the moonlight.
"I'm doing okay. I'm a bit exhausted, but I'm fine. You?"
"My head hurts a bit, but better. How bad was your wound?"
"Could have been worse. See, not bad at all." Alissa said, lifting up her shirt a bit and showing him.
"How many stitches did they give you?"
"Five or seven. I think I'll survive."
"I see that Shane has gotten into a habit of giving us one of his shirts when we get shot, huh?"
"I'd rather not see it become a recurring event, but I see your point, yeah." Alissa chuckled.
Shane came out and started a fire in the fire pit, warming the area around them as the air chilled, going deeper into night. Shane pulled a sleek black guitar out of nowhere and was strumming it for a while, fingerpicking soft chords as they watched the flames dance up the sides of the fire pit.
Alissa knew this case was almost closed and that she had to move on.
After the funeral, she was taking the first flight to anywhere but Miami. She tried not to think about it, but it was the only thing she could think about. She eventually started dozing off when the fire was dying. Matt gently led Alissa's mostly sleeping body into the living room where she curled up on a chair with a blanket. He took up the couch himself, until Shane pushed him onto the floor so he could sleep there, even though he had a bedroom of his own. He was generous enough to share a blanket with him while he was on the floor, but they eventually took either end of the couch. It occurred to her that leaving maybe wasn't
the best thing for her to do.
She just couldn't help but feel that there was so much there that she would miss.
VI
In the morning, Alissa woke up and stretched, yawning as she did so. She was surprised she was awake before Matt and Shane, even though it was half past eight. They were still out cold, so she decided to start a pot of coffee and get some eggs and bacon on the fry pan. Alissa tried to be as quiet as possible, but she was still waking up and was still a little disoriented. Shane and Matt still weren't awake by the time the pot of coffee was done brewing, so she poured them both a cup and put it on the coffee table. She let the bacon simmer for a few minutes, and she stepped out onto the back porch. The sun was glinting off of the ocean and there were already sailboats and people out on the water.
The lush green grass of Shane's backyard needed mowing, but it was swaying gently in the sea breeze. Alissa could hear tree leaves rustling as well, and since it was such a nice morning, she opened the windows in the kitchen and left the back door open. When Alissa went back inside, she heard Matt muttering about how Shane drooled on him as he was wiping eye crust away. Both of them needed to shave and were fighting over the coffee pot, refilling their mugs when Alissa spoke up and greeted them.
"Good morning, guys. I hope you don't mind, I started breakfast."
"Thank God, Matt can't cook to save his life." Shane spoke, taking a long swig of his coffee.
"Okay, let me get the story straight! I tried to cook a fancy omelet ONCE, and because it didn't work out that ONCE, you say that I can't cook anything!" Matt spoke, defending himself.
"In my defense, you nearly burned down my house!"
"No, I did not! There was smoke, yes, but I opened a window and waved at the smoke with the newspaper. And you're no Guy Fieri either, Commander I-Know-Everything!"
It wasn't long after Vicki barged through the back door, fresh from a long run. She ran a hand down Shane's cheek lovingly when he turned around to greet her, and he invited her to grab a plate. She sat down between Shane and Matt at the head of the table, and Alissa saw the way his eyes glinted when he looked at Vicki.
"So, how's the case going, guys?" She asked.
"I think we're going to wrap it up really soon."
"You've got a lead?"
"All we need is a confession, and we're going to get it."
"Who do you think did it?"
"I'm still thinking it was Nico. He is connected to everything in this case, and he got away from the cartel yesterday. If it's not him, he'll take us to him. I'll make sure of it."
"I hope so, I'm going to book the first flight out of here as soon as possible." Alissa mentioned. "I don't want to have to stay here longer than I have to."
From across the table, Alissa saw the look in Matt's eyes, and Alissa could tell he was hurt. He understood that Alissa couldn't stay, and that she would have stayed if the circumstances weren't how they were. In that case, Alissa wouldn't ever have been leaving. Shane had made it clear to Alissa that he didn't want her to go back, because who would vacation in New Jersey when you could vacation in Florida or Hawaii, but Alissa knew he would let her go because he had to. Alissa just hoped there would be a spot for her here if she ever came back.
Alissa soon was feeling the pain medications wearing off and the dull pain of the gunshot wound was penetrating. She groaned quietly, putting her hand over the bandaged spot, trying to see if pressure on it would help relieve the pain. It didn't very much. Shane got up and started clearing the table and Matt came over to Alissa and sat down.
"Hey, are you doing okay? Pain medication wearing off?"
"Yes, but I think I'll live," She said before standing up and stretching, trying not to bust a stitch.
"Take it easy, we've got this. You go and rest."
"You sure?"
"It's just the dishes, it's not a big deal. Take a break." He said to Alissa before she nodded and made her way to the couch, where she started looking up flights. She didn't listen in on what Matt and Shane were saying as much as she wanted to, she just focused on herself for now.
It wasn't long before breakfast was cleared up and the team was ready to go back to the office to finish up the interrogations. Shane had a gut feeling that things were going to come to an end very soon. Matt had the same feeling, and he didn't like it. Shane turned the key in his Mustang, the engine roaring to life before they were all on their way to finish the investigation.
Nico was back in the interrogation room, and Alissa was given the first crack at him. She wasn't waiting until Shane got there to close this case. The end was so close, she could taste it. It tasted salty, like sweat or blood, but that was just the heat of the day already. Alissa barged into the interrogation room and didn't hesitate to start asking questions. Why did he run? What's he hiding? Who is he protecting?
"You're desperate, aren't you?" He asked, smirking.
"Excuse me?!" Alissa asked.
"I know that look, I've seen it too many times before."
"What do you mean?"
"It's not that you're looking for answers in the wrong places. You're on the right track but you're so desperate to get out of here before it kills you. I know the feeling, but I'm not allowed to leave."
"I'm nothing like you. What would give you the idea that I was?"
"I'm not saying we're the same, I'm saying we feel the same thing. At this point, I'm desperate too, and I know it's completely out of character, but I'll tell you everything I know. I'll even tell you who did it, who killed your fiancée, and I'll admit to wrecking your car. You want to know why?"
"Why? Please enlighten me!"
"Because it'll get me out of this mess. There is no other way. Once you get involved with this cartel, you can't get out. I didn't say that I did it all on purpose, I really didn't plan this, I swear. I didn't kill your fiancée, but getting into this mess was an opportunity to hopefully make it out alive. It wouldn't have been like that any other way, I would have died trying. So, I'll give you a confession. I wrecked your car, and one of Fernando Anselmo's professional hit men killed Alex. I think his name is Jack, but I don't know a last name or if it's an alias. I wished from the first day I was in that I had never gotten involved."
"Word of advice? Those decisions don't define you. You've got the power to save your own life." Alissa softly said before walking out of the interrogation room and down the hall. Matt was following her close behind, as he was monitoring what was going on from the outside of the interrogation room.
"Hey, wait up! Slow down, Alissa. Don't run off so fast, can we talk?"
"What is there to talk about? It's all over now." She asked, not really having any more emotions to spare at the moment.
"We have everything to talk about now, because it's over." Matt answered.
"This isn't really the place to do so." Alissa answered.
"It's a good a time as any, isn't it? We're the only ones down here, and we need to clear the air."
"I didn't think that it was that hard to understand that I'm not staying. I thought you got that."
"I don't want you to leave so fast, okay? I know I'm being selfish and I'm probably holding you down, but why don't you stay for a few more days, maybe a week after the funeral? You can stay with me, and we'll see how things go."
"No, the answer is no. If I stay for one more minute than I have to, I think I'm going to spontaneously combust at any second. This is a decision that I have to make on my own, and as much as I would love to have you in it, that can't happen now." Alissa said, turning away from him. He gently grabbed her hand and turned her back to him, so they were face to face, and he locked their fingers together.
"I can't get you off my mind, Alissa. All this time, I've been watching my life pass by from the sidelines, and I think it's about time I stopped waiting for a dream to come to me and start chasing them."
"Can you do that without me?"
"You are my dream, is what I'm saying. I'll let you go if that's what you wan
t, I know I can only hold on as tight as you'll let me, but if I had another chance-"
"You're acting like I'm dumping you."
"You kind of are. It does hurt, when I think we had a good little thing, a nice spark, and then you just get up and leave... but you're probably better off without me."
"I don't want to be better off without you, but I can't stay. I don't expect you to chase me, or wait for me, I just want a spot in your heart that I know I can come back to. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'll try if you will."
"I can do that." He said to Alissa, brushing her hair behind her ear and letting go of her hand. He pressed his lips to Alissa's cheek solemnly, knowing she had to go. Shane approached them soon after.
"Fill me in, guys. You don't look happy." Shane spoke, reading the situation.
"No, we're fine, we solved the case." Matt answered.
"Then what's the problem?"
"I'll tell you later, Shane. This isn't something we should bring up here."
"What's going on? How much could I have possibly missed?" He asked, still confused as Alissa was sneaking past him to walk out.
From that moment on, they went their separate directions, both of them in need of thinking things over and letting it all sink in. Alissa had stepped outside for a breath of fresh air before she brought up her plane ticket on her phone. She felt relieved in some weird, messed up way, but she knew that the hardest part of leaving was actually leaving. It all fell into place after, and she was hoping it would turn out just like that. When Matt and Shane went to close up the case, make the last arrest, Alissa stayed behind to finish making funeral arrangements for Alex. It would be tomorrow morning, and her flight out of Miami would be immediately after. She knew that she was so close to freedom.
Alissa had to stop convincing herself that the decision she made was the wrong one. This was what she was set on doing, and nothing was going to stop her at that point. She was also hoping that her last 48 hours in Miami wouldn't be awkward, but she didn't expect Matt to be okay. She didn't expect herself to be alright either, but it was worth hoping for.
