Love?

Matt knew there was no way he was going to get Angie to talk to him if she felt that telling him the whole truth would put him, Jules or his Dad in danger. He frowned, staring at the ceiling deep in thought. The man had clearly terrified Angie and had been an associate of some kind to her father. He had to work out exactly how the man intended to make Angie pay up for what he perceived he owed her. He closed his eyes for a moment, reasoning that if Carver had known Bruce then there was a good chance the man was older, probably in his late 60s. That meant he probably had people working with him. Running a hand over his face he began to realise exactly how much danger they were in. There was no way he was letting his partner, his best friend face whatever was going to happen alone.

He wants to make me pay. He doesn't care that Dad is dead. He wants what he wants.

Matt sighed, throwing the duvet off his legs and sitting up. He had to work out exactly what had happened between Bruce Everett and David Carver. Somehow whatever had happened was coming back to hurt his friend and there was no way he was going to stand by and let that happen. Deciding that coffee was probably going to help more than sitting on his bed trying to work out what was happening he grabbed his shorts and headed out of the bedroom. A sudden noise from the guest bedroom caught his attention.

"Ang!" He pushed the bedroom door open, terrified that somehow Carver or one of his croanies had got into his house. Stood in the half light of the doorway he realised his friend was in the middle of a nightmare but otherwise perfectly safe. "Hey." He stayed where he was as Angie seemed to settle. Sighing heavily, he decided she had gone back to a more normal sleep, stepping back he closed the door slightly as the light faded in the room. An ear-piercing scream had him at her side before she had the chance to sit up.

"Hey."

"What." She gasped as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Did I wake you? Sorry." She brushed her long brown hair out of her face. "I didn't mean to."

"I was awake anyway." He smiled slightly. "What was it?"

"Nightmare."

"I guessed that." He spoke calmly. "Its ok."

"No, it isn't. I could have woken your dad or Jules. She has school today."

"She can sleep through anything. Always has been able to. Since she was a baby. The smoke alarm didn't wake her when we brought her home from the hospital so you yelling out isn't going to do it. And as for Dad, he will just want to help."

"I wont have him or Jules put in danger."

"Neither will I." Matt spoke firmly. "Ang, you will be ok. We will get this sorted. Somehow."

"I think I am going to go home."

"No, its 4 am. Ang, wait until it gets light." She was out of bed, picking up her jacket as he watched her. "Ang, this guy has to be around my dad's age."

"That wont stop him."

"Then what will?" Matt frowned as she pulled her jacket over her nightshirt. "Because, this is not going to do it. You running away. Firstly, it isn't like you."

"How do you know that?" Angie snapped. "You don't know me. Not really. How long have we worked together?"

"Three years." Matt felt like he had been punched. "We're friends. Partners. You've been with me through everything will Jules and her Mom. I was there for the whole thing with Ken, with your cousin's wedding. Your Mom. Long enough for you to make me a partner in the firm. Long enough to."

"Ok, ok." She turned to look at him, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry."

He nodded, slightly appeased. "But if Carver finds out that we are partners, that we work together then there is a very good chance he is going to come after you. I can't let that happen."

Matt nodded as she seemed to slump in front of him. He watched her as she bit her lip before he got to his feet, pulling her into his arms and hugging her tightly. "It'll be ok, Ang. It is going to be ok."

"How?" She rested her hands on his chest to push him away. He held her to him as she looked up at him. "How is it going to be ok?"

"Honestly? I don't know. But it will. If you talk to me. Tell me everything from the start. No secrets. We said that when I became a partner. Remember?"

"Yeah." She sighed before resting her head against his chest, letting him hold her for a moment. "You aren't going to like it."

"Doesn't matter." He had no idea why he suddenly felt so protective of his friend. "I need to know."

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