The Aviators

Robert shook his head glowering at the documentation in front of him. JD leaned over and prodded at the top file.

“We have everything we need, why do you look like someone vomited all over your favourite shirt?”

“Because it isn’t enough.” Rob braced his elbows against the desk that he was seated at. JD observed his partner in crime with a scowl. Rob glared at him, anger in his eyes. “Would that it were. We can’t hope to pin shit on the Guild if we don’t have the right information.”

“So, what do we do?”

“We need concrete proof.”

JD blinked. “Such as?”

Robert sighed and looked at him hard. “You think you could talk Sanders into bringing Val in with him?”

“Jesus, no,” he groaned. “What the fuck’re you thinking? We can’t drag them through the mud like that. And we can’t bring them here. It’ll jeopardise the case.”

The other male growled, “Then what do you propose we do? I would think using them would work in our favour.”

“You do remember he hates you.”

“Yes, but you could convince him.”

JD started to shake his head. “I couldn’t do that. He wouldn’t trust me again and y’know that’d fuck up our working relationship.”

“Yeah? How’s that doing?” Robert glanced askance at his friend, noting the flush to his cheeks. He knew that JD was enjoying the whole music tech thing. It was actually doing him some good. Made him a lot more pleasant to work with.

JD smirked. “Pretty good, spent the afternoon working through tracks.” He shrugged. “It’s been a learning curve.”

“I bet. But, you gotta focus on this. And I know I’m right. Bring them in.” Robert’s voice hardened on the last words his expression letting the other man know he wouldn’t budge on it.

JD relented with a sigh and pulled out his phone to make the call.

* * * * *

Matt frowned as he hung up with JD and glowered at the ceiling above him. He and Val were curled up in the living room, watching some random music channel. He hadn’t been expecting any calls as they’d arrived back from the studio about an hour ago and were winding down for the night. No one ever called so late, usually. Except JD.

He sighed a little, trying not to make it too obvious. But, Val who was ever vigilant glanced up at him an anxious look appearing on her face.

“Matt?” She was still not quite used to using his name when addressing him, but he could tell it was becoming easier because the usual edge wasn’t there.

He shook his head and crossed his arms, jaw clenching hard. He was too shocked by the audacity of the other male to explain what he was thinking to her. But then he noticed the way Val seemed to shrink back and realised he must have been glaring at her. He rubbed at his face and groaned.

“Fuck, Val…it was JD.” Matt squeezed her around the waist then pushed to his feet and looked down at her, eyes dark. She gazed up at him the trust in her expression so clear, so filled with guile that he knew he had to be completely honest with her. “He wants me to bring you down to the Guild.” He paused, gauging her response.

Val swallowed hard and shook her head slowly. “No…I can’t go back there…I…” Her voice faltered and she wrapped her arms around herself, beginning to tremble. Matthew frowned and sat next to her again, pulling her into his arms. “I can’t,” she whispered into his chest. He stroked a palm over her back gently.

“We might not have much choice.”

“Why?” She looked up at him, brow furrowed in consternation.

Matt grimaced. “He says it may be the only way to catch the Guild out for their wrongdoing.” Val frowned even more.

“I don’t see how us being there could help?”

“Neither. But, I’m not willing to risk not going.”

Val inhaled deeply then shook her head again. “What about us…the whole…you know?”

“Being in love?” Matt snorted. “If they were going to arrest me…or do anything to you they should’ve done it while you were there. I’ll not let anything happen to you.” His arms tightened around her in a protective gesture. She smiled softly and relaxed into his body as she returned her focus to the TV. He followed suit burying his serious thoughts for the moment.

* * * * *

Later on, Val sat in bed writing in her journal. Matthew was getting ready for bed, the usual routine, shower, brush teeth then checking to make sure all the lights were off in the house. Bella snuck in and lay on the rug on Val’s side of the bed as Matt returned from his rounds and flopped next to her with a sigh. Val glanced up from her journal, pen paused over the page.

“Hmm?” Matt looked at her, one eyebrow lifted. She shook her head as her cheeks flushed and she lowered her eyes. He frowned. “Valary…”

Val stared at the page in front of her and shifted uncomfortably beneath the sheets. Matt frowned more.

“What’s wrong?”

She chewed on her bottom lip then shook her head again. “I’m not ready…”

Matt tilted his head to the side. “Not ready? For what, hun?”

Val blushed deeply and muttered almost under her breath, “Need you…”

Matthew blinked hard and reached over to turn her face to his. “What do you mean?”

She trembled, eyes wide and too bright. He could read the fear in her eyes and understood what it was that she wanted. He exhaled roughly, also understanding what she was saying. He sighed and let go of her chin. Once upon a time he would have acted upon the look in her eyes. Taken what he wanted, been excited by the fact that she said she needed something…but now he listened to her plea and knew he couldn’t do that to her. She wasn’t ready and he wasn’t going to force himself on her. Because that’s the way it felt. It was still too soon.

“Val, I don’t think we should go there.”

She glanced up at him, surprise evident in her eyes. He smiled softly.

“You still need time. And I can wait.” He stroked her cheek gently then lay back with a sigh. She set her journal aside and looked at him.

“But…you have needs…”

Matt chuckled. “Don’t you worry about me.”

She narrowed her eyes, thoughts flashing across her eyes. He groaned, squeezing her hand.

“My left hand’s been getting a work out. Don’t worry…you’re the only woman for me.”

Val blushed at his confession and looked away but then she frowned slightly. “Can I ask you something?”

Matthew nodded as he shifted on his side. “Sure.”

“You and Chelle…” Val hesitated, uncertain how he would respond. He sighed heavily.

“Really want to know?”

She nodded. “Please…I just…”

Matthew’s tone darkened as he said, “No, I get it. You’re worried that my feelings for you come from the fact that you look like her.” He raked tense fingers over his hair which was starting to grow again. “It was only two months, Val…a fling. I was enamoured with her. She was way outta my league, though.” He chuckled, sourly. “Our personalities clashed. And I really think we only dated because she thought it was cool to be with the captain of the basketball team.”

“But, you were hurt when she called it off?” Val asked tentatively, thinking on what Jimmy had told her.

Matt rolled his eyes. “Well, I had strong feelings for her. And she was a bitch about it.” He shook his head in self-disgust. “I was immature then…couldn’t handle shit like that.” He gave a tight smile. “And you know the rest…”

Val nodded. “I still don’t understand, though…”

“She was attractive, smart, funny…cared about her friends, would do anything for them. I wanted to be with someone like that.” Matt sighed looking at Val. “I never thought she was all bad. She just didn’t trust people easily. I guess I can understand why now…having you in my life.”

“Oh?”

“Well, you’re her twin. You being abandoned obviously affected her.” Matthew nuzzled into her neck gently, pulling her close. “And, then finding out what happened to you…”

“Wait…what do you mean?” Val pulled back and looked at him. “She didn’t know until I showed up with you?”

Matt sighed, shaking his head. “She actually knew a long time before that. But, she never talked about it. Only once…and she was drunk off her face. Otherwise she wouldn’t have been talking to me.”

“When…?” Val was shocked.

“When she got with Brian the second time…just before we started getting serious with the band.” Matt frowned. “I know…it came as surprise to me too. Went a long way to understanding her bitterness. Don’t really know why she directed it at me, though.” He laughed softly. “Guess she needed a scapegoat.”

Val nodded then yawned as she snuggled into him. Matthew smiled gently.

“I think someone’s sleepy…”

“Mhm…” Val closed her eyes. He stroked her hair tenderly, sighing softly.

“Sleep, hun…”

“But…”

“I’m not going anywhere. We can continue this conversation in the morning.”

Val murmured assent as she drifted off to sleep. Matt remained awake, watching over her.

Notes