Chapter 2

Elizabeth’s POV

“Matthew!?” A million thoughts were flying through my head. What was he even doing here? Did he know I was in here? Was he looking for me? My dream! He opened the door just like my dream. Am I still dreaming? Am I…?

My thoughts were interrupted by his sudden words. “Elizabeth. Elizabeth. Lizzy!” he tries calling out. I shake my head trying to get a grip on reality. I look up at him with pure sadness. “You, okay?” I’m taken aback by his question. Anger I thought, had left years ago came flooding back. Of course, I’m not okay. He leaves without so much as a goodbye, and he assumes nothings changed.

“No. I’m not okay,” I scoffed. I try to brush pass him when he grabs my arm forcing me to look at him. “Let go of my arm, Anderson,” I say harshly. The tone of my voice and use of his last name must have startled him, making him let go of my arm. I quickly raced back into the squad room taking a glance over my shoulder to see if Matthew had followed me.

Turning back, I nearly run right into Russell. Russell Sullivan stood a few inches over me. He always had a rough looking exterior. Scars and what seemed like a permanent resting bitch face consistently on display. He was actually a pretty decent guy inside. We weren’t best friends, but I could always count on him for anything.

He grabbed onto my arms preventing either of us from falling. “Woah. What’s the rush?” he asks. I take another glance over my shoulder. His eyes met mine once again. I hastily looked away. I look back at Russell, his eyes now on Matthew. “Oh,” he utters. “Yeah,” was all I was able to squeak out.

He lets go of my arms to make his way to Matthew when the sound of the captain’s door opens. “Anderson!” Captain Johnston bellows out. “My office!” Matthew takes one last glimpse in my direction before turning towards the office. Saved by the captain.

“Did you know he was coming?” Russell asked. Elizabeth shakes her head no. “No. I had no idea. I haven’t even talked to him since he left.” Russell ran his hand over his face in disbelief. Even he didn’t think he would see Matthew again. “I wonder what they’re talking about,” he says nodding his head up towards the captain’s office.

Elizabeth takes a seat at her desk. Sighing, she looks over at Russell. “I don’t know, but I’m scared to find out.” Suddenly, Elizabeth stands, shakes her head and heads towards her locker. “I can’t stick around to find out.” Russell gives her an understanding look. “We got you, baby girl.” She mumbles a quick thank you then rushes out the back door.

Matthew’s POV

“I can’t believe I’m back here,” I think to myself, taking a long look at the tall building in front of me. When I left those years ago, I swore I would never come back. “Damn Bridges,” I swear under my breath. This was all his fault.

Aaron Bridges was my captain back at the fraud department. He volunteered one of his detectives for a temporary transfer to homicide, and I managed to be the lucky winner. I silently curse him and everything else before making my way up the front steps. Making my way towards the captain’s office, eyes start following my every move. I knew they were talking about me. I tried to pretend that it didn’t bother me, but man was it hard.

The squad room doors were coming into my view when I noticed her. A huge knot forming in my stomach. She looked as beautiful as the last time I saw her. I watched her walk into an interrogation room and had this overwhelming urge to follow her. Fear overtook me as I grabbed the doorknob.

What if she’s still mad at me? It’s been years, could she still be? “Here goes nothing,” I thought letting a small sigh slip. Pushing the door open, I see her reaching under the desk grabbing something. Her head snaps up she hears the door open. “Matthew!?” I heard her cry out. She looked so lost. Completely frozen in thought.

My heart broke instantly. This wasn’t what I wanted. Instant guilt overwhelmed me. I tried calling out to get her attention. “Elizabeth. Elizabeth. Lizzy!” I practically yelled her nickname. That seemed to have worked. Her eyes shot directly to mine. “You, okay?” I asked guilt stricken. “No. I’m no okay,” she scoffed while making a beeline for the door.

I grabbed her arm to stop her. I had to explain to her how regretful I felt. I never wanted her to feel this way. “Let go of my arm, Anderson.” Hearing her call me by my last name devastated me. I dropped her arm and backed myself against the wall giving her room to pass. I lowered my eyes in shame watching her walk away.

I run my hand through my hair. “I never should have left,” I whispered. Shaking my head, I make my way towards the captain’s office. Inside the squad room, I see her making glances towards me, only now I see others have joined in the staring, too. Detective Sullivan attempted his way over towards me, but barely passed Elizabeth when Captain Johnston’s voice was heard throughout the room.

“Anderson! My office!” I take one last look at Elizabeth before sulking my way into his office. “Captain.” I say shaking his hand. “Detective Anderson. I didn’t expect to see you back in my office, let alone my squad room. How have you been?” His calm demeanor taking me by surprise. I half expected the same reaction I had gotten from Elizabeth. The way I left everything; I was amazed he wasn’t yelling down my throat.

“I’m good. Thanks for asking.” “When Captain Bridges said he had the perfect guy for us, I sure as hell wasn’t expecting you,” he chuckled. I awkwardly laughed in agreeance before pausing, trying to plan my next words carefully. “I wasn’t expecting to be back here. I uh… I’m sorry for how I left everything. I really…” “Save it,” he cuts in. “That was the past. Right now, we have bigger fish to fry. I have you partnered with Detective Lopez for the time being.”

I felt a little relief hearing I wasn’t going to be partnered up with Elizabeth, but it sure would have been nice to have things back the way they used to be. I nod my head and turn to the door. “Give her some space, Matthew.” His words stopping me at my feet. I spin around towards him. “Give her some time. She’ll come around.” I gave a sad smile then proceeded out into the squad room. My eyes roaming straight to her desk. She was gone.