The Secret.

Building trust.

As Matts soothing words filled her ears, she knew she loved him that much more, he had only just met her but would still do whatever it took to ensure her and her daughters safety. When she was done crying on his chest she lifted her head to look into his eyes, his blue eyes were turned grey as he felt Nicole's sorrow. She wiped the tears from his eyes
"Why do you care so much for me?" She whispers to him.
He held her hand that she placed on his cheek
"Because I love you...never in my whole life have felt this way about anyone but you."
She stroked his face
"Thank you...thank you for listening to me."
She looked down at his chest and he grabbed her face, kissing her more passionately than ever. That's when she knew she could trust him...she could trust him to help her get out, and save her daughter.
They filled the nighttime air with nothing but love for one another.

The next morning they both laid in his bed holding one another closely.
She shared something special with Matt last night that she never did with Jason. Jason was always seeking more from Nicole, always prodding her to change, but Matt was different, he was happy with her just the way she was.
Matt stroked her hair as she laid on his bare chest, she loved to listen to his heart beat, there was something so calming about it.
They were both laying there when they heard a knock at the door, Matt jumped up and put his jeans on, Nicole covered herself in the blankets, He opened the door to see billy standing there.
"What is it?"
Billy shook his head and said
"I don't know son, is Nicole with you?"
Matt looked back at Nicole as she was getting dressed.
"Uh, yeah, can you give us a minute well be right out."
He closed the door and looked back at Nicole.
She slipped her shirt over her head,
"What is it Matt?"

"I'm not sure, we'd better go check it though."
She nodded and slipped on her rubber boots and followed matt out the door, the whole brown family was standing by the shore next to a little WL&F skiff,
As they walked closer to the two men in the boat they called out to Nicole.
"Are you Nicole reed?"

"Yes sir, is there a problem?"

"Well...the sheriff in Hoonah asked around as to where you might be, and he  sent us to come get you...it's your father...he passed away late last night."

Nicole was speechless. It felt like every ounce of life had left her body. She was numb. She couldn't hear or see straight, she hit her knees on the muddy shore as salty tears streamed down her face. Matt fell beside her holding her as she sat there not feeling a thing. After she had her moment, the two wild life and fisheries agents helped her in the boat, Matt kissed her cheek
"I'm so sorry Nicole, I'll be there every step of the way, only if you want me too. I promise."
She looked at him lost in her own little world.
"I need you Matt...don't leave me...please."
Matt held her hand tight and sat next to her with his arm around her.
They started the motor and made their way back to Hoonah.

When they got there the sheriff was waiting at the pier.
Everyone helped Nicole out the skiff and lead her back to her fathers house.
Matt was beside her the whole way.
When she walked through the front door, her fathers lifeless body was sitting in the recliner.
She stopped for a moment, taken aback by how peaceful he looked, it just looked like he was sleeping. The sheriff pulled Matt off to the side to talk to him and Nicole went and sat by her father, she held his cold stiff hands to her lips.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here daddy...I'm sorry.." tears ran down her face.
She felt a warm hand on her back,
She looked up it was Matt.
She let go her dads hand and embraced Matt
"Thank you...thank you for being here, I couldn't have done this without you."

"I'm glad I was here."

They stood there in her fathers house hugging each other

After a while the sheriff came in the house off the porch and said
"Nicole, the coroners here."
She let go of Matt and nodded her head.

Before they took her dad away she kissed his forehead one last time.
"I love you daddy." She whispered.