Fic: Going Home: Chapter One
Title: Going Home
Author: Jayne Leigh
Matt Albie has a family emergency and has to go back home.
Rating: R
Characters or Pairing: Matt, Danny, Matt/Harriet
Disclaimer: I don't own them!
Going Home: Chapter One
“Hey guys, great show tonight.” Jordan said as she approached Harriet, Simon, Danny and Matt. “Very funny.”
“Thank you.” Matt answered.
“I was talking to them.” She replied, gesturing to Harriet and Simon.
“How come they get all the credit?” Matt asked, he wasn't really bothered by it but was trying to get a rift going.
“Well, how about next week you go on air and perform it.” Harriet suggested.
“Maybe I will...” He said. “I might be the next the Brad Pitt.”
“In your dreams.”
“So, are we going to this wrap party or not?” Jordan asked.
“We're just waiting for Tom to finish getting changed.” Danny told her. “He won't be long.”
“Good because I'm starving.”
“That's a shocker.” Matt commented.
“Hey, I'm eating for two!” She claimed but knew he was only teasing. She looked at Danny. “What's up with him? Why is acting weird?”
“He's had too many people come and tell him he wrote a funny show tonight...” Danny explained. “Plus I let him drink coca-cola, so he's all hyper and mix that with waiting around for Tom, it’s not a good combo... But don't worry, he'll crash any minute now.”
Everyone laughed slightly at Danny’s comment, whilst Matt rolled his eyes just as his cell phone started to ring. Jordan leaned over and looked at his caller ID when he pulled it out of his pocket.
“Aww, it's his Mommy...” She told the others as Matt answered.
“Probably ringing to tell him it's past his bedtime.” Harriet teased.
“What does she want, Matt? Make sure you're not getting into trouble.”
“Shh, shut up a minute.” Matt told them, walking away a little so he could hear.
The others looked at each other, wondering what was going on. It obviously wasn't good news judging by the look on Matt's face.
“Is everything okay?” Danny asked, once Matt had hung up. It was a stupid question really because he could tell by just looking at Matt that something was wrong.
“I need to get home...” He told them, running a hand through his hair. His mind was now all mixed up; he couldn't work out what the best thing to do next was. “I need to get the next flight out there...”
“Wait, you're going to Michigan, tonight?” Danny questioned him, grabbing his arm to stop him from walking away. “Matt, what's happened?”
“Megan has gone missing...” Matt explained. “I need to be there.”
“Who's Megan?” Jordan asked.
“His niece.” Harriet told her, frowning in concern.
“Okay, okay...I'll get you there.” Danny told him. “But you need to calm down.”
“Calm down?! She's only 7, Danny. She could be anywhere!”
“I know but you're going to be no good to anyone turning up like this.” He replied. “I'll get someone to call the airline and book you on the next plane, then we'll go to your place and I'll help you get some stuff together then I'll drop you off at the airport.”
Matt stopped moving around for a moment and looked at him. “What if something happens to her?”
“Nothing will happen to her.” Danny told him.
“What if someone took her?”
“Stop thinking like that. What did your Mom say?”
“Just...just that she never came back from school yesterday... She was meant to be going to a friends house but just disappeared.”
“She'll be okay.” Danny assured him. “I'll sort you out a plane ticket. Why don't you go up to your office and have a drink or something whilst I do.”
“Yeah, come on...” Harriet stepped forwards. When Matt and her had been dating before, she had met his family a few times. Matt was Megan's hero...She said she wanted to write funny stories just like her favourite uncle.
“Okay.” He sighed in defeat and followed Harriet upstairs.
“Is he going to be okay?” Jordan asked Danny.
Danny shrugged. “I don't know... He loves that kid.”
“I didn't even know he had any nieces or nephews.”
“Well, he has an older brother and sister both of them have 2 boys each and Matt's close to them, but Megan is his only niece. Plus her Mom is Matt's younger sister by a year, he’s very close to her.” Danny explained, pulling out his cell to try and sort a plane ticket for Matt.
“Sit down, I'll get you a drink.” Harriet told Matt as they walked into his office, she was surprised that he did what he was told for once. She walked over to the drinks tray and poured out 2 neat vodkas.
“She's only 7...” Matt whispered, he couldn't get his head around it. This shouldn't be happening.
“You’ve got to stay positive, Matthew...” Harriet said softly, handing him the drink.
He looked down at the clear liquid for a moment before putting it down on his desk. He didn't want a drink. He just wanted to get out of here.
“I'm coming with you.”
“What?” He looked up at her.
“I'm going to come with you...” She repeated. “I want to be there for you.”
“You can't. What about the show?”
“Don't worry about the show... it can manage without me for a week.” She told him. “I want to help you and your family.”
“I don't know...”
“Come on, Matthew I know I only met them a few times but I got on really well with them all.” She told him. “I care about Megan too.... And I know how much you love her. I know how hard this will be for you.”
“But the show...”
“Okay, fine... just let me come for a few days. I'll fly back on Monday.”
“Are you sure?” He asked, after a few seconds thinking about it. It would be good to have someone there with him to help.
“Of course.” She smiled slightly and took his hand.
“Okay, Matt we got a car waiting downstairs...” Danny stuck his head around the door. “You're booked on a flight in 2 hours.”
“Thank you.” Matt stood up.
“Going to need to book an extra ticket...” Harriet told him.
“Why?”
“I'm going too.”
“You are?” Danny frowned, glancing at Matt.
“Yeah...I'll uh...I'll meet you downstairs.” Harriet said when she saw him looking at Matt, knowing he'd want to talk to him.
“Are you okay with this?” Danny asked him.
Matt sighed. “I don't really know what to think, but it might be a good to have someone there with me.”
“I can come instead.” He offered.
“You can't, you're needed here.” Matt told him. “Besides, she's only coming for a few days... She'll be back by Monday.”
“Okay, if you're sure it’s what you want.” Danny replied. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
''Okay.” Matt nodded, following Danny out.
TBC