Matt still couldn't believe that he had promised to share one of his biggest secrets with the leader of the Saints. His brain was scattered. He had only ever told Asha about it. And the only other he had ever considered telling was Kinzie. He decided to sleep off his own confusion.
When he woke up, Kinzie was shaking him.
"Wake up Miller! We have a problem!" she shouted.
Ears still ringing, he replied "What are you doing in my inner sanctum, Kensington?!?"
For a second, he thought she was going to run out as fast as she could. But she said one last thing to him before she left. "Race you to the computers Miller."
As he slowly got ready, he couldn't tell if she was taunting him, flirting with him, or both. At the moment, he was too busy getting ready for the day to ponder it too deeply.
When he met Kinzie at the computers, she explained what was going on. Kinzie and the Boss had discovered that Johnny Gat was still alive, and the Boss desperately wanted to bring him back. But the problem was that in order to tap into Gat's conscious, they'd have to give up their location to Zinyak, putting the rest of them in danger.
Later that day, the crew was gathered as the Boss was preparing for the rescue mission. Asha, Pierce, Shaundi, and Ben were playing cards. Matt was typing away vigorously. Kinzie was tense and the Boss could tell.
"Kinzie..lighten up." she said playfully.
"I'm doing my best." she replied.
Under his breath, Matt muttered "You've got to tell them. They should know."
Irritated by her lack of knowledge, the Boss' temper began to rise.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Kinzie quickly answered "It's not important."
Breaking from their poker game, Pierce chimed in. "I have a feeling we're about to disagree."
"Saving Johnny Gat is a terrible idea."
In a moment, Matt hit the ground. He didn't know what was going on, except that he was in pain. With each blow to the face loosening his jaw, he realized that he had pushed his luck and unleashed the beast within the Boss. Finally, the punching stopped. He couldn't really hear what was going on afterwards, only that Kinzie was cussing and yelling at the Boss.
He was shocked when she reached out her hand to help him up. He was even more shocked that she apologized.
For the remainder of that day, the Boss was off saving her friend and Matt was in his room playing with some Zin technology. When the Boss came back, everyone was excited to have a beloved member back home. While the majority of the crew excitedly asked Johnny questions and listened to his recent adventures, Matt stood in the hallway, not knowing how to greet Johnny in a non-awkward fashion. Before he mustered up the courage to leave, the Boss came by and stopped him.
"Miller, I'm sorry about earlier. It's just...Johnny is one of my best friends. I lose my temper sometimes and I-"
Matt cuts her off by saying "It's alright."
Unsatisfied with him trying to end the conversation, she continues. She hesitates for a moment, then finally says, "Matthew, I believe you owe me an explanation with regards to the other day."
"Oh..um...er...right. But can we talk some where more private?"
The two of them walk to the storage area. They sit down behind some boxes and Matt continues.
"When I was young, my father used to beat me. I knew he didn't approve of my love for computers but I couldn't help it. I still bear the scars of his abuse, mentally and physically. As a result, I have hypertension. Sometimes my blood pressure gets too high and I pass out. These episodes are triggered by memories or similar occurrences to those of the past. That's what happened the other day. I don't know what triggered it but when I passed out it was painful."
There was a silence. The Boss was obviously in shock as she just stared at him with her big blue eyes. She could feel his pain. She could feel his hurt.
For a moment, he thought she would leave without saying anything, saving him from having to break the silence, but she didn't.
Thankfully, she was the one to break the silence.
"Miller. I understand."
For the rest of the time they spent in that spot they just shared their deepest problems with each other. Eventually, the topic of love came up.
Blushing, Matt confesses, "For the longest time now I've had this huge crush on Agent Kensington. Her brain fascinates me and I just love that I'm not the only one who understands me."
The Boss looks at him. He can sense she feels defeated, but he doesn't know why.
"Miller, that is amazing. I'm happy that you have someone like that in your life."
There is a sense of sincerity in her voice. Suddenly, she stands up.
"I have to go. Johnny's probably wondering where I have been. I should give him a proper welcome. See you later, Miller."
They both give each other friendly waves. As the Boss turns, tears roll down her cheeks. It seemed she was destined to be an independent individual. She could feel her heart tearing a little. She knew that the feelings she had held for Matthew since she had let him go back in Steelport would end up being a waste of her time, but at the same time, that didn't stop her from letting them grow. Now, like after climbing a steep mountain, she would have to tread carefully as she made her way down.
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